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Chapter 8: The king is Disappointed
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Who am I that the great Lion of Ohanta Kingdom visited my household." Mazi Ileka cried out the moment he saw Ezeudo standing right in the middle of his compound.
Though he was utterly perplexed, however, he suppressed his bewilderment. He knew a toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.
"Onochie!"
"Father!" Anine, who was looking furtively through a hole on the widow of her hut answered and stepped out.
"Greetings your Majesty."
Ezeudo waved back at her without a word. He was more concerned about the messenger he came to fetch. A messenger from the gods deserved to be fetched by the King himself, so he believed."Where is your husband?"
"Father, Onochie is not yet back from the farm."
"Get two seats for us, gently please." Mazi Ileka said delicately. Since the news of her pregnancy got to him, he had been treating her like the Queen of Ohanta.
"Do not stress the poor girl." Ezeudo intervened.
"Em Mazi Ileka, I heard you have a visitor."
"Haha, oh you've heard already."
"Yes and I'm here to take him to the Palace. Please where is he? Call him out.
I know you were frightened when you saw the warrior, but do not worry he is on a mission and there shall be a celebration in this land when he accomplishes his mission in this Kingdom." Ezeudo said excitedly."A warrior on a mission?"
"Yes"
"Do not worry, I will explain everything to you later, just call him out let's leave at once."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Mazi Ileka had a look of consternation on his face. He took some steps backward.
"Which visitor were you referring Mazi Ileka?" Ezeudo asked.
"Anine!"
"Father!"
"Please come"
"Your daughter-in-law?" Ezeudo asked.
"No, she is with our visitor. She is with a child."
"I'm not here for jokes Ileka, I was told that a visitor, a man, a warrior, the well-armed warrior is here in your house."
Mazi Ileka began to look around in fright."Well-armed warrior?" He asked.
Ezeudo ignored his questions and turned to Anine who looked totally flabbergasted.
"Congratulations! You can go now."
Anine left, still unable to tell what was happening."Mazi Ileka, where is the messenger?" Ezeudo asked.
"Messenger?"
"The visitors, the warrior!" Ezeudo shouted.
"Your Majesty, no visitor came to my house."
Ezeudo patrolled the compound and cast brief looks into some hidden places."I was told by..., never mind. Are you saying no one is here and no one was here?"
"No one has been here. It's just me and my children." Mazi Ileka responded.
"Okay, but if you see any stranger, do not hesitate to escort him to the Palace."
"I will do just that, your Majesty."
"Agu, let's go."
Ezeudo stomped off immediately. He was more devastated than he had ever been. His hope of seeing the Princess once again shattered."Your Majesty!" Agu called.
"Forgive me for what I'm about to say."
"You are forgiven," Ezeudo said too casually.
"Are you sure the warrior the old woman spoke of is not the one in the womb of that young lady?"
Ezeudo accelerated, his face twisted in rage."If you make such utterance again, I swear to the gods, I will cut off your manhood."
"I'm sorry your Majesty."
Mazi Ileka stood and watched them until they went out of his sight.
"The King is troubled."
A sudden voice Mazi Ileka heard from behind startled him. He was scared stiff."Onochie, you startled me. I thought the well-armed warrior has arrived already." Mazi Ileka said with a quivering voice.
"Hahaha, you are troubled too." Onochie laughed hysterically.
"But not as much as the king." Mazi Ileka added.
"Warriors from where?" Onochie asked.
"Ezeudo just left here now."
"I saw him and hid, I thought he came for me," Onochie said.
"Came for you? What did you do Onochie?"
"I slapped one old fool at the farm today. She said she was on her way to the Palace."
"Why did you slap an old woman?"
"Father he said Ajonwa will come for my daughter, and I gave her the highest shock of her life."
"Who is the woman we need to go and apologize to her now?" Mazi Ileka asked.
"She is a total stranger. I don't think she is from this community. What about the well-armed warrior you were scared of?" Onochie asked.
"Ezeudo said someone told him that a warrior is here in my house, a well-armed warrior." Mazi Ileka and his son laughed and glanced at the King's exit.
"It seems the disappearance of his daughter is still messing his mind up," Onochie added.
***********************
Ezeudo could not wait for the fourth cockcrow. A cockcrow is a time at which a cock characteristically crows. The fourth crow denoted the coming dawn.He needed to see the old woman that lived in the cave to find out why she made so much jest of him.
He rose from his royal bed and stared at his second wife who slept with him. He was careful enough to avoid waking her up. He did not want to be questioned.As Ezeudo looked around the Palace to make sure no one was there, he noticed a figure leaving his third wife's chamber. Well, whatever, he never liked her. He only cared about the two sons she gave him.
At the entrance of the Palace, Ezeudo took his most trusted guard and dashed off to the cave, the abode of an old woman of the cave.
"Why do you like stressing yourself? You are the most foolish King I have ever seen."
Ezeudo was frightened by the savagery of the words of the old woman."I'm not here for your provocative words," Ezeudo said composedly.
"I told you that the messenger is in Mazi Ileka's household, and I also told you that the messenger is on its way. What else do you need?"
"The messenger is on its way, the messenger is there, are you saying the messenger has not arrived yet or he lied to me?"
"I'm saying you are a fool!" The old woman shouted at him.
"Please mind how you talk to me, I'm still the Lion of Ohanta.
"A weak Lion that cannot defend his daughter."
"If not for my daughter, I wouldn't be here licking your wounds."
"Sit down, let me explain everything to you in plain language. Your emotions have already taken over your sense of reasoning." The old woman gestured him to a boulder stone in front of the cave.
"Please wait behind." She waved at the guard to leave the vicinity.
"The messenger of the gods is the one in the womb of that young woman you saw. A strong warrior, well equipped for battle. The messenger will be delivered after ten full moons. Lift the child and give her a name."
"A girl?"
"Yes a girl, a strong one. The gods have planned everything for her, so do not be dismayed when the drama begins to unfold."
"Please what of my daughter, will she be alright?"
"The gods are watching over her."
"Thank you, old woman."
Ezeudo left with mixed feelings. The gods did not carry out the plan as he expected. He felt disappointed.
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The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 9: Curious wives
Ezeudo's disappointment was apparent as he sank into his royal chair weakly and covered half of his face with his left palm. He went into deep thought. The disappearance of the Princess contributed to the death of his first wife, the Princess's mother. She was the only child of her mother and everyone adored her. Ezeudo would have become a dead man if not for his second wife who was there for him. The news about the new messenger was supposed to be a good one to Ezeudo, however, since he had lost hope of seeing his daughter soon, he could not explain how he felt about the news. "Who did you sacrifice in exchange for a warrior from the gods?" The voice of Ezeudo's third wife who walked into the courtyard unnoticed brought the king back to the real world. He gaped at her in silence. Ugo had been a troublemaker since Ezeudo got married to her. The fact that she bore two sons for the king made her to be more proud than the second wife who had no child. "Who did you sacrifice to t
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 10: The prophecy
The rainy season was the most important season to the people of Ohanta, since the majority of them were farmers. The first rain that falls after the harvest season announces the beginning of planting season. The long-awaited rain had just arrived. People took their children to the farm. Each child in every family had a hoe and cutlass. The hoes and cutlasses were made according to the age of the children. Onochie's mother had no one that would help her in her farming activities. Onochie, her only son had his own farm because he had married and was expected to take care of his wife and unborn child by himself. This was why Anine insisted that she would always accompany her mother-in-law to the farm. Anine got up so early, she had not been going out lately due to her protruding stomach. She informed her husband that she would be going to the farm with their mother. "No Anine you are not going anywhere!" Onochie shouted at her for the first time since he got married to her. "Nne tol
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 11: The reincarnation
"The prophecy is not true, I don't believe it." Mazi Ileka said after listening to his son. "The woman is clearly confused, I think she might probably be insane. Ajala village crowns the king. We are the least in this Kingdom and no magic can change that. The throne of Ohanta is ancestral. A father passes it to his son. Cheer up son, nothing is happening." Mazi Ileka patted his son's back. "Tomorrow you will go and see an old woman, a beneficent and venerable old woman of the cave, full of wisdom and skilled in prophecy. She only reveals what she sees according to people's composure. If you can't handle the truth, she will hide it from you and speak in parables." "Papa, the same witch, and sorcerer you told me that was banished from this village? No, I'm not going." "She is not a witch, she was just gifted and the king misunderstood her." Mazi Ileka explained. "How?" "She was a great woman, a healer, a prophetess, and a warrior. She was more powerful than the king himself. Th
The Blood Of A Deity chapter 12: The rebirth of the old woman of the cave
Onochie began to walk slowly when heard people’s voices. He stopped to ascertain the direction the noise was coming from. He was surprised when he discovered the noise was actually coming from his compound. His facial expression went from fear to surprise. Some of the women ran to him when they saw him entering the compound. He was received as though he had been away for a long time. His reaction was as welcomed, as it was unexpected. “Where is my father?” Onochie asked giving the women a doleful look. “Over there!” One of the women pointed in the direction where his father stood with hands akimbo. “Father!” He ran to his father with worries all over his face. His father brought his hands down when he saw the look on his son’s face. He turned and faced him. “What is it Onochie?” “The old woman!” “Of the cave?” Mazi Ileka asked. “Yes!” “What about her?” “I think she is dead!” “What! You killed her?” Mazi Ileka asked “No, she fell before me, I swear by the gods Father, I did
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 13: The king's summon
It had been two years since Ije was born. No one had ever heard from the king. The villagers wanted to know why he visited the family when the child was born. There was a rumor that the king wanted Ikenga, his son to marry the girl once she attend a marriageable age. Since the king had not come out to refute the rumor, the villagers believed the rumor was correct. While some were jealous of the child, some were happy for her. Onochie and his family were also worried. They needed to be clarified on some of the things the king said the day Ije was born. The messenger of the gods, the sacrifice, and the name he gave the child. The king knew something but no one was bold enough to ask him. The family, except Onochie's mother, knew there was more to the King's visit than engaging their daughter to his first son. "Who is here?" One of the Palace guards asked as he walked into the compound. Anine hesitated for some minutes before coming out. She was startled when she saw the new Palace c
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 14: The shocking revelation
"Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable." One of the guards gestured Mazi Ileka and his son to a long chair in the Palace courtyard. They sat down after admiring some beautiful paintings made on the wall. The guard left to inform the king about their presence. Soon the king joined them in the courtyard. "Long live the king of Ohanta! The biggest masquerade that dresses! The great Lion of Ohanta! We salute you." Mazi Ileka praised Ezeudo as he walked into the courtyard. Onochie stood up and greeted the king. Ezeudo smiled and urged them to sit down. He sat on his royal chair and cleared his throat. "A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. Where a child cries and points his or her finger, if his or her father is not there, the mother must be there." Ezeudo began. "Mazi Ileka, you must be wondering why I visited your house three seasons ago, asking for a messenger and a warrior." Mazi Ileka nodded and leaned back against the wall, while his son looked puzzled.
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 15 family in disarray
Mazi Ileka lowered his gaze when Ezeudo threw his words back at him. He felt disappointed. None of them saw this coming. They knew their daughter was a special child, but they never knew how special she was until now. Ezeudo relaxed on his royal chair and waited patiently for him to speak. "Your Majesty, the gods are always right, but I disagree with them on this. No one wages war against a destructive spirit. She was born with the strength of three men, yes, the old woman told my son before her death. However, one does not need mortal strength to fight a spirit. The gods are wise but this time they failed by choosing the wrong person." "I was more devastated when I was told that the messenger is a girl. I was expecting a well-armed warrior like Ike, the chief guard. The gods are always wise. They see things we could not see that is why they know better than us. But one assurance I'm giving you today is that she will win the battle and put an end to this nightmare." Ezeudo assured.
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 16: The irrevocable curse
Mazi Ileka’s household was woken up by a peculiar sound made by the enchanted staff of the chief priest. The glowing ever-burning fire staff came out whenever the chief priest was on a mission to deliver the message from Ajonwa deity. The fire staff was a symbol of authority. No one doubted any message delivered to the fire staff. The people of Ohanta had often fled each time they heard the peculiar sound made by the staff. The staff was as old as Ajonwa himself, and according to what people heard, the fire on the enchanted staff had never snuffed out. When the sound of the staff was heard in Mazi Ileka’s compound, all the members of his family began to come out of their different cottages one by one. The look on their faces could not be described. Onochie fumed with rage. The words of the king had been repeating in his ear since yesterday, and now this. They stared at the chief priest with itchy ears. Onochie was so determined to commit murder if he had come to take the child away.
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The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 78: The end of the deity
Ije took the enchanted sword and the wizard cloak around the whole communities. They all accepted to lift the ban. The traditional rulers had to search for a powerful sorcerer who would lift the ban. Ije stayed behind to make sure the people were extricated before going back to her community. The people organized a small ceremony for her and Nwife. They led them down to Ikpa land before bidding farewell to them. The youths of Ikpa insisted she must go with the four-wheeled donkey she won when she was on her way to Umuora. It was a straight journey back to Ohanta as they were already familiar with the paths. *********** "Where is the sword?" Ezeudo of Ohanta asked Ije when she had finished her story. "It has been taken down to the shrine," Ije responded. "By who?" The people chorused. "The only man I trusted with my life." The people looked around and saw Nwife standing at the entrance of the Obi with the Princess. Ezeudo could not believe he was looking at her daughter after so
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 77: The Enchanted sword
It had been four years already since Ije and Nwife came to Umuora, but the star had refused to show up. Oja had tried everything possible to make sure he separated both of them, but all his efforts proved abortive. He realized they were so in love the day he caught Nwife giving Ije a sponge bathe. It took him one full moon to be himself again. Since the solution to the problem of the two communities lay in the wizard's cave, Ije had decided to stay as long as the star appeared. Nwife also tried to convince her to go and return when the start would likely appear, but he gave up on her insistence. Soon they began to explore the community and were quite happy with the people. The people treated Ije with so much kindness. She found it difficult to leave without liberating them. The long-awaited day had come and Nwife and Ije were on their bed. Since he had been the one bathing and cooking for her, Ije got so comfortable around him. She could tell him everything and do everything while
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 76: The origin of the wicked deity
The morning dawned with low-hanging clouds. There was a calmness in the Palace as a result of the heavy downpour of rain. Oja who got his father's permission to speak with her in the early hours paused at Ije's door when he heard her talking to Nwife. He tried to eavesdrop but he could not hear what they were saying. He leaned against a wall and was lost in thought, trying to find a way of separating the two of them. A maid can with her breakfast and brought him back to reality. He took the food from her and knocked. Nwife let him in and tried to leave after greeting him. Oja waved at him to stop. Nwife knew he was jealous and would probably ask if he slept with her. "Thank you," Oja shook hands with him. Nwife accepted his handshake and stared surprisingly at him. "For what?" He asked. "For saving my brother last night." "She did; she is the healer," Nwife pointed at Ije. "You called her attention....em...one more thing...never mind, you can go now." Oja kept the food on a smal
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 75: Oja broke an oath
Oja took Ije took home after exploring the community for some hours. Ozo loitered at the entrance of the Palace. He could not wait to see the chosen one who transformed his brother. Some villagers who heard what happened huddled at the Palace and were waiting patiently for her. Their joy knew no bounds. The women ran to her and hauled her up the moment she was spotted. Ozo stared appreciatively at her. He knew the end of their suffering had come. He had wished to explore other communities and bring in new knowledge. The people sang and danced for more than two hours. Food was served to them and they ate together and went back home. The king was surprised Ije ate comfortably with them. Soon she began to feel sleepy and needed to bathe before going to bed. Oja led her to the backyard, and Nwife followed them. He engaged Oja in a conversation just to make sure he was not stealing glances at her. They walked her back to her cottage when she was through. Nwife left them and joined Offia
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 74: The task
"What did they need from the chosen one?" Nwife asked. Offia stood up and looked outside again to see if anyone was coming. He returned and took off the plantation leaves he used to cover his genitals and tried to put the wrapper on his waist just like Nwife tied his. Nwife stood, helped him and they sat down again. "The neighboring communities want to be sure the wizard is dead, secondly they want his enchanted sword and everything that belongs to him out of this community before they would accept our peace offer. This is where the chosen one comes in." "Your people should do what they asked of them. It is a very simple task, I thought they were demanding a hundred heads in retaliation for what the wizard did. "They said the wizard has a cloak. Anyone who touches it dies instantly. Besides; all the magicians who have gone to the cave to check if the wizard is alive or dead did not come out till today. No one knows what is happening inside the cave." "Wait....wait....wait....were y
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 73: The secret
"Nice wrapper," Offia, the third son of the king said as he touch Nwife's wrapper. Nwife opened his eyes, he could not believe he has been sleeping for the past three hours. The sun had gone down and the weather looked as though it was going to rain heavily. Nwife rubbed his hand on his eyes. He was very very tired. He looked at the figure that stood before him and quickly came down from the chair. "I'm sorry for trespassing, I have nowhere to go." Nwife said. "No problem. You are the stranger that came with the Queen this morning right?" Offia asked. Nwife nodded. Offia brought his hand forward for a handshake Nwife shook hands with him. "You are indeed a gentleman. I can't perform such a task," Offia said as he took a seat beside him. "What task?" Nwife asked. Offia turned and looked at him. "You are so naive. Are you castrated?" "Hmm...no...I'm not," Nwife responded. "Leading such a beautiful woman down to this community without defiling her is one of the greatest tasks ever
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 72: kingdom in bondage
Ije turned was filled with empathy for Nwife. She stood still and held his gaze for some seconds. "Ife, I'm sorry, if....only they knew who you are.." Ije said slowly with a faint voice. Nwife drew her closer and hugged her tightly. He held her head on his chest. Her lips began to wander to his neck, sending his heartbeat into a frenzy. Nwife gently released himself from her arms. "The timing is wrong Ije," Nwife said as he walk her to the bed. He sat down and urged her to sit beside him. Ije sat down gently. "Each time I see you, I have a strong urge to do crazy things with you, I don't know why," Ije said as she held his gaze."I know, Ije, but it is not the reason for this move," Nwife grinned. "What is it?" "I'm scared; I don't know where we are and the plans they have for me. I don't know what to believe anymore. They know me as well as I know myself, but whatever happens, I want you to be my first." Nwife took her hand and rested her head on his shoulder. Nothing will happe
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 71: A Liberator has come
Ije and Nwife stood before Dike the traditional ruler of Umuora. The king stared at Nwife from head to toe. He took his eyes off him and stared admiringly at Ije. "Greetings your Highness," Ije greeted. "The chosen one! the great seer! And the healer of our time, you are welcome to my palace." Dike grinned at her. Ije and Nwife exchanged glances. Ije was confused already, but the presence of Nwife kept strengthening her. "Okemuo, the presiding deity of Umuora announced your coming five seasons ago. Since then we have been waiting for you. He described you very well," he grinned. "Welcome and please feel at home. There would be no ritual since you were sent by the gods. Oja, the first son of Umuora is your destined husband. Together you shall rule this Kingdom and break the barriers that stopped our people from stepping out of this community!" The people cheered and danced for joy. "Welcome, the chosen one! Oja!" Dike called. Oja bowed before the king."Do not provoke her. Remember
The Blood Of A Deity Chapter 70: The prince's bride
"I'll advise you to do whatever that brought you to this community and leave at once before Oja sees her." "Who is Oja?" Nwife asked. "Ojadike is the first son of king Dike," Ene said. Nwife made eye contact with Ije. He noticed she was worried about him. "Father, would you mind if we stay with you? Please." Nwife said. "The villagers have seen you already they would probably be on their way to the Palace. Oja will be here in no time." Ije stood up from the boulder and went to Nwife. He held her hand. "What do you seek in our community?" "It is a long story, father," Nwife said. "Make it short, I want to see if I can help so you will leave at once." "There is a deity that is terrorizing our community. We traced the origin down here. We need help, please." Nwife said. "Oh very simple. Does it have a speaker?" "What is a speaker?" Nwife asked. "A mouthpiece...a...I don't know what you call it." "Oh okay, we call them Chief Priest," Nwife said. "Good, ask the mouthpiece what
