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[quote author=Mr. Babatunde link=topic=10933.msg11252#msg11252 date=1515461511]
EPISODE 19

‘How could you accuse me of murder’? Kamsi looked away, thankfully it was dark so he wouldn’t see her eyes.

‘I would get to the root of this and if you burnt Nai’muri to death, you shall die yourself’ he pointed a finger at her.

‘Why do you accuse me wrongly? I think Assura is judging your slave wife and her daughter for their atrocities’ Kamsi hissed angrily.

‘What atrocities’? Mazi Ekere snapped angrily.

‘They ate the new yam before the festival. You know the punishment is death or have you forgotten my husband? That Assura is a goddess of light and justice? She comes and goes in the fire’ Kamsi replied.

This thought appealed to him as he remembered the night he had sent Adoni and Nai’muri away. They had been caught by Kamsi roasting the new yam; fear gripped him as he realized that the goddess had come to take vengeance.

He returned to his hut without a word to Kamsi or Zabacha.

Their faces were blackened with soot; their wrappers smelt of smoke.

‘Do you think it worked’? Zabacha smiled at her mother.

‘Yes. Who would escape such an inferno’? Kamsi laughed and hugged her daughter.

Jaja Omiro was finally going to be Zabacha’s.

He had taken the advice of his sister Analin and had decided to give his new adviser a chance.

At midnight, when the whole land was quiet; when everything was as still as a graveyard; Roka left for the prison in the company of his sister, Alistarin his adviser and some warriors.

‘Take the Hunani out’ he pointed at a sickly looking boy who was barely eighteen years old.

They all returned to the throne room.

‘Remember my lord, draw him to yourself’ Alistarin, his adviser whispered into his ears.

‘Get the prisoner food and water’ Roka snapped his fingers and few minutes later, his servants returned with steaming plates of boiled meat and corn and some wine.

The boy was hesitant at first as he scanned the faces of the people in the room; he understood their language as it was similar to that of Ozodo, the land his people traded with.

What did they want from him?

He rose to his feet and dragged the large tray containing all kinds of food to himself.

He had come with his uncle, Andol, the head of their clan; they had decided to explore the mountain and see what was beyond it, only to find a great land flowing with gold and honey pebbles.

Unknown to them, Roka, the ruler had seen them; he had launched an attack and he was the unlucky one; the rest fled leaving him behind.

‘Tell me your name…I swear by the gods, I would not harm you’ Roka placed his hand on his chest.

The Hunani boy saw this, the king had pledged to spare his life; the king had given him food and wine, maybe he wasn’t such a wicked man after all.

‘Bello’ he replied.

‘Bello? Where do you come from and why did your people come to my land’? Roka asked gently.

‘We are Hunanis. We are nomads and we like to move around with our cattle and trade’ Bello replied.

‘Hmm, trade’ Roka exchanged glances with his adviser, his mind went to the story she had told him earlier and he realized that she had not been lying.

‘Why did your people come here’? Roka watched the boy closely for any sign of reluctance or lies.

‘Curiosity, we just wanted to see what was beyond the mountain. It took us courage and perseverance to finally reach it’ Bello replied.

‘Courage and perseverance and maybe greed’? Roka raised a brow.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ Bello quickly looked away. These people were looking for information that he wasn’t willing to give; he was ready to die than tell them anything about the Hunani nation.

‘Alright. Tell me everything you know about the land after the mountain as I am sure you trade with them so I spare your life’ Roka’s tone switched from loving to stern.

‘Ozodo’? Bello called out.

Roka was about to say something in return when two warriors rushed into the throne room.

‘My lord, some men crossed the mountain, we have chained their hands and feet, they demand to speak with the king’ one of the warriors spoke.

‘What men’? Roka rose to his feet. His heart raced, had the beautiful maiden told her people about him? If so, they were doomed.

‘Bring them in’ Analin spoke up, noting the fear and confusion in her brother’s eyes.

‘Ozodo is the name of the land after the mountain. They are ruled by a woman, Jaja Nana, and her son, Jaja Omiro is the prince’ Bello described the terrains, cultures and family structure of Ozodo.

He was about to say more when the intruders were bundled into the throne room; he quickly recognized his uncle; had he come to save him?

‘Andol’! Bello jumped to his feet.

‘You know this man’? Roka asked.

‘Yes. He is my uncle’ Bello replied.

‘Why have you come’? Roka turned to the men who were dripping wet all over.

Andol had taken some of the Hunanis and they had traveled through the Ozodo river to the foot of the mountain; that was the route they had taken.

They had come for a purpose and they would rather die than not achieve it.

‘My king, I bow before your majesty. Your land is rich and beautiful, we have come to pay respect to you. We come in the name of our king, Segura Segura’ Andol bowed his head.

‘What does your king want’? Roka asked. This was the first time he was hearing about another king; he was excited because all his dreams of ruling and conquering other lands were finally going to come to pass.

‘An alliance with you, great one’ Andol bowed.

‘An alliance, how did he know about me’? Roka asked.

‘We told him after we discovered your land. We spoke of its beauty and riches and he was very pleased’ Andol replied.

Roka left his throne with his sister and adviser and they spoke in whispers.

‘Nothing goes for nothing. Your king must want something from me’ Roka said to the man. His adviser had warned him about believing everything the Hunani people said, they were untrustworthy and predictable.

‘Just an alliance. Lord Segura Segura, has a lot of enemies. He has a lot of wars to fight but he lacks the weapons but your land is richly blessed with mountain iron and he needs your help in forging these weapons’ Andol bowed his head.

‘So your lord needs my help’? Roka raised a brow.

‘You may say that’ Andol returned.

‘Tell me, Hunani, what can your lord offer me in return? I am well aware that you do trade with Ozodo; I have plans for that land, what can your lord do for me’? Roka asked.

‘You are a powerful king and you seek to possess and conquer the land of Ozodo which is ruled by a ruthless and vile woman. We want you to conquer her and her people that is why we risked our lives in coming here. My lord, Segura Segura, would provide a hundred men and fifty horses for the invasion’ Andol bowed his head.

Roka was stunned by this offer; he didn’t have a lot of men and this could go a long way in preserving the little that he had.

‘How do I know you are not leading me into a trap? How do I know that your men would not turn on me that day’? Roka stared at the man intently.

‘I will prove it by shedding my blood. Unchain me’ Andol called to one of the guards.

Roka nodded his approval and he was quickly unchained.

He drew a short dagger from his waist pocket and chopped off his index finger; the blood dripped on the palace floor.

Roka did not flinch, nobody did. The Hunani’s act was a very symbolic one and it showed they all understood each other.

‘When do we attack’? Roka couldn’t hold his blood and power lust.

‘On the day of the virgin dance’ Andol replied.

Roka briefly thought about the girl he had deflowered ‘Tell me about this virgin dance and the consequences for those who aren’t virgin’.

‘All the unmarried freeborn are to dance before the prince. He would pick the one his heart pleases; if a girl is deflowered and discovered, she could be killed’ Andol explained.

‘What a backward culture’ Analin smirked.

‘Uncivilized savages’ Alistarin, Roka’s adviser hissed.

‘It is their culture; my ladies’ Andol bowed his head.

‘I must save her’ Roka was more determined than ever. He was going to find her and he would keep her for himself.

‘One more thing, Hunani, if you betray me, I would hunt every one of you down and chop your bones bit by bit till nothing is left of you’ Roka’s was firm and understood.

To be continued…..
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Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 15, 2018, 01:17:30 AM »

Insert Quote

FINAL EPISODE

Seven other virgins came and did their dance but yet still, the Prince was not satisfied.

He decided to spite his mother by not choosing Mazi Ekere’s daughter as his wife; he prepared his mind to select another maiden other than her.

“The next virgin, Galia, daughter of Nkosi, the widower” the priest announced.

Galia came forward, she looked confident; she was a very good dancer but she wasn’t from a noble home and her face wasn’t attractive as the rest.

After Galia, came Koqsi and two other girls yet still there weren’t chosen.

“Zabacha, daughter of Mazi Ekere and Kamsi, the great hunter” the priest announced.

‘This is the girl that I have chosen for you, you must present to her your crown’ Jaja Nana whispered to her son.

Zabacha danced into the circle; her eyes were focused on the prince; she wriggled her waist and stamped her feet; she shook her hips and everything in her. She was lost in this dance; she danced for victory knowing very well that the crown would be hers.

Her dance was the longest as she expected the Prince to rise towards her but he didn’t. Eventually, the drum beats faded and so did the sound of the flutes.

‘Omiro, give her the crown’ Jaja Nana whispered in a stern voice.

‘No mother, I shall choose my own wife’ he replied.

Tears welled up in Zabacha’s eyes; her head swirled as she stared at the Prince in frustration; what was he waiting for?

‘You have to step aside for the next virgin’ the priest whispered to her but she wasn’t listening, her eyes were fixed on Prince Omiro.

‘No, I am supposed to win this competition’ she felt like fainting, she couldn’t feel her legs.

‘Leave the circle honorably else I shall call the warriors to take you away’ the priest replied.

Other maidens had already started giggling and making mocking statements; Zabacha scanned the crowd for her mother but Kamsi quickly looked away and rushed out of the palace as the shame was too much for them to bear.

“I call on Nai’muri, daughter of Mazi Ekere, for her dance’ the priest announced.

At the mention of her name, the crown was thrown into a frenzy.

‘What is going on’? Jaja Nana rose to her feet.

‘My Queen, she is my other daughter, I don’t know what to believe, maybe she is a ghost as she died in the fire’ Mazi Ekere rushed towards the Queen to explain.

“Silence! Let the maiden come forth” the priest beckoned on the drummers.

‘Meekhabash’ Omiro rose to his feet as she danced into the circle.

‘You know her’? Jaja Nana asked.

He did not reply, he took off the crown on his head and walked towards the circle.

He watched as her whole body shook; he loved the way her waist beads jiggled on her waist; he loved the way her feet played with the sand as she tapped them.

He loved the smile on her face; her eyes were as beautiful as ever but he noticed her hair was gone; it was no longer the same but shorter but she was still as beautiful as ever.

‘Meekhabash’ he whispered a second time and signaled the drummers to halt.

‘Where have you been’? He asked.

‘The woods, I took refuge there’ she replied in a shaky voice. She had pondered on her father’s words on the road to the river; she realized she had been a fool for trusting Kamsi so easily, so she had taken a leaf which was known to cure all poisons. After chewing the leaf, she inserted a finger into her throat and vomited all the cassava porridge.

The night Kamsi had come to burn her, she had escaped from the window and she had come back for her final revenge, one that put her own life at risk.

‘Refuge from’? The Prince was curious.

‘Why did you lie to me? Why did you tell me that you were a slave’? He asked.

‘My mother was a slave’ Nai’muri replied quietly.

‘I declare her my queen, she would be my Jaja Nana’ the prince cut her short, raised his crown up and placed it on her head.

‘I adore you’ he was about to place a kiss on her face when he heard it.

It was a loud scream of a woman “Run! We are under attack”! And then he heard the galloping of a hundred horses.

His heart stopped as an arrow flew from the sky and pierced into him.

***********The END************

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 10, 2018, 02:58:46 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 20

A week had passed since the death of Nai’muri; a week had also passed since the celebration of the New Yam festival.

It had been a colorful event as the seven faces of Assura, the masquerades danced in the market square; the people rejoiced and sang songs in praises of their goddess.

After all the necessary rites and rituals, the royal house, Jaja Nana and Omiro were the first to eat the Yam; it had been well roast and deepened in red oil.

After they had eaten of the yam, the people rejoiced and clapped their hands signaling the beginning of the yam eating season.

Now the Yam festival was over, the next big event was the dance of the virgins; it was bigger than the yam festival.

The corners of Ozodo market were filled with Hunani traders who had gotten wind of the big event; they had come with fabrics, sewing needles and thread; earrings, beads and antimony.

‘I am so excited about this mother, I cannot wait for that day’ Zabacha hugged her mother excitedly as they approached the market square.

‘That is the more reason we have to beautify you, now that Nai’muri is out of the way, the Prince is definitely yours. Your father also told me that he putnin word for you’ Kamsi winked at her daughter.

“Come buy your fabric here, laced with magic to entrap the prince of Ozodo” a trader called to them.

‘What do you think about that fabric’? Zabacha pointed at the light-skinned woman’s stall.

‘Too dull. You need something colorful’ Kamsi grabbed her hands and led them to a bigger stall filled with variety of fabrics. ‘So how do you feel Jaja’? Jaja Nana asked to join her son in his dressing room, his servants were sewing for him a robe for the ceremony that was to hold the next day.

‘Nervous and ready for the war’ he smiled at his mother.

He still thought about the slave girl, Meekhabash and her beautiful eyes, once he was one choosing a wife, he would find her and make her his concubine.

‘Good’ Jaja Nana returned his smile, but it did not reach her eyes for she harbored a great hatred for him.

‘When last did you set your eyes on Andol’? Omiro asked his mother. He had searched the entire palace for the man but he couldn’t find him.

‘I sent him on an errand to bring us more weapons in preparation for the war’ Jaja Nana replied.

‘Why didn’t you tell me about it’? Omiro was surprised by her behavior. His mother never let him out of her decisions, something wasn’t right; her action meant just one thing, that she had no faith or trust in him.

‘Do I need to? I am your Jaja Nana, Queen of this land, I don’t have to answer to anybody’ she replied sternly.

‘You are also my mother, don’t let power intoxicate you, don’t let it blind you’ Omiro rose to his feet angrily. His mother was a very controlling person and he wasn’t comfortable with that; she always felt she needed to have her way but he wasn’t going to let that happen.

‘You know what? I would do as I choose, you cannot control me like you did my father’ Omiro stormed out of the dressing room angrily.

‘Come back here Omiro, don’t you dare walk out on me? I am the Queen’! She yelled angrily.

He said nothing; he kept walking without turning back.

‘Andol was right, he resents me and plots my downfall, but I shall not let him’ she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

On the eve of the dance, all the virgins were made to gather in a hut where they would be examined by the older women and given rules on the competition.

The girls were to wear their best attires, sing their best songs and display their dance steps to the Prince. ‘If you have found favor before his eyes, he shall rise to his feet while you dance and he would drop his crown on your head’… one of the women lectured the maidens on how they were to act.

‘That crown would definitely be mine’ Zabacha was all smiles.

‘Don’t be so sure’ her friend Galia cut in.

Zabacha rolled her eyes and laughed ‘I know you two have always been envious of my good luck. I was born into a noble home; I am prettier than you two combined together, so I really understand where your bitterness comes from. Nai’muri is dead and forgotten; nothing is going to stand in my way’.

‘You’re so full of yourself, pride goes before a fall’ Koqsi hissed and moved away from Zabacha.

‘Envious fool. I shall throw your whole family into the dungeon once I become Queen’ she swore under her breath.

“You should all get some sleep, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow” their teacher announced.

‘Sleep well Zabacha, I hope you truly win this contest’ Galia waved at her and left for her own mat.

‘If I don’t win, who will’? Zabacha retorted.

The town crier had sounded his gong and all the inhabitants of Ozodo had moved to the palace where the dance would take place.

Mothers were excited, they whispered and murmured among themselves about whose daughter will be chosen.

The faces of most fathers were neutral as many knew that the Prince must have already decided which maiden would be his wife.

The courtyard of Jaja Nana’s palace was large enough to contain a thousand people through the villagers were not up to that.

The palace was decorated with different flowers, a symbol of purity and fertility; the effigy of Assura, the river goddess was placed at the center of the courtyard facing the people and then there was a circle marked by white clay and charcoal, it was the circle where each virgin would do her dance.

The drummers and fluters were all dressed in white and had decorative and circular markings on their heads.

The air was a mixture of different emotions. Anxiety, fear, joy for some, hope, all these hung thickly in the atmosphere.

“Let the dance begin” the priest announced in a loud voice, which was immediately followed by the entrance of Jaja Nana and Prince Omiro who were both dressed in white.

Jaja Omiro, Prince and heir apparent, wore a white robe and seven red beads on his neck, his mother wore a white robe and fifteen red beads; a show of her superiority.

‘We invite Asurra to give us wisdom’ Jaja Nana raised her staff and all the people bowed.

“We are your children, Asurra, goddess of light and justice” the people chorused.

They only rose after Jaja Nana and Jaja Omiro had taken their seats.

“The first maiden to dance is, Okete, daughter of Tokwasi, the palm wine tapper” the priest announced.

The crowd cheered as a smallish dark-skinned maiden stepped into the circle and begun to dance.

Her steps were light and ungraceful, the people cheered her nevertheless but the Prince was not pleased.

‘How long is this going to take mother’? Prince Omiro whispered to his mother, Jaja Nana.

‘Patience son, we have a hundred more maidens coming’ her son’s attitude provoked a laugh.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 09, 2018, 02:31:51 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 19

‘How could you accuse me of murder’? Kamsi looked away, thankfully it was dark so he wouldn’t see her eyes.

‘I would get to the root of this and if you burnt Nai’muri to death, you shall die yourself’ he pointed a finger at her.

‘Why do you accuse me wrongly? I think Assura is judging your slave wife and her daughter for their atrocities’ Kamsi hissed angrily.

‘What atrocities’? Mazi Ekere snapped angrily.

‘They ate the new yam before the festival. You know the punishment is death or have you forgotten my husband? That Assura is a goddess of light and justice? She comes and goes in the fire’ Kamsi replied.

This thought appealed to him as he remembered the night he had sent Adoni and Nai’muri away. They had been caught by Kamsi roasting the new yam; fear gripped him as he realized that the goddess had come to take vengeance.

He returned to his hut without a word to Kamsi or Zabacha.

Their faces were blackened with soot; their wrappers smelt of smoke.

‘Do you think it worked’? Zabacha smiled at her mother.

‘Yes. Who would escape such an inferno’? Kamsi laughed and hugged her daughter.

Jaja Omiro was finally going to be Zabacha’s.

He had taken the advice of his sister Analin and had decided to give his new adviser a chance.

At midnight, when the whole land was quiet; when everything was as still as a graveyard; Roka left for the prison in the company of his sister, Alistarin his adviser and some warriors.

‘Take the Hunani out’ he pointed at a sickly looking boy who was barely eighteen years old.

They all returned to the throne room.

‘Remember my lord, draw him to yourself’ Alistarin, his adviser whispered into his ears.

‘Get the prisoner food and water’ Roka snapped his fingers and few minutes later, his servants returned with steaming plates of boiled meat and corn and some wine.

The boy was hesitant at first as he scanned the faces of the people in the room; he understood their language as it was similar to that of Ozodo, the land his people traded with.

What did they want from him?

He rose to his feet and dragged the large tray containing all kinds of food to himself.

He had come with his uncle, Andol, the head of their clan; they had decided to explore the mountain and see what was beyond it, only to find a great land flowing with gold and honey pebbles.

Unknown to them, Roka, the ruler had seen them; he had launched an attack and he was the unlucky one; the rest fled leaving him behind.

‘Tell me your name…I swear by the gods, I would not harm you’ Roka placed his hand on his chest.

The Hunani boy saw this, the king had pledged to spare his life; the king had given him food and wine, maybe he wasn’t such a wicked man after all.

‘Bello’ he replied.

‘Bello? Where do you come from and why did your people come to my land’? Roka asked gently.

‘We are Hunanis. We are nomads and we like to move around with our cattle and trade’ Bello replied.

‘Hmm, trade’ Roka exchanged glances with his adviser, his mind went to the story she had told him earlier and he realized that she had not been lying.

‘Why did your people come here’? Roka watched the boy closely for any sign of reluctance or lies.

‘Curiosity, we just wanted to see what was beyond the mountain. It took us courage and perseverance to finally reach it’ Bello replied.

‘Courage and perseverance and maybe greed’? Roka raised a brow.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ Bello quickly looked away. These people were looking for information that he wasn’t willing to give; he was ready to die than tell them anything about the Hunani nation.

‘Alright. Tell me everything you know about the land after the mountain as I am sure you trade with them so I spare your life’ Roka’s tone switched from loving to stern.

‘Ozodo’? Bello called out.

Roka was about to say something in return when two warriors rushed into the throne room.

‘My lord, some men crossed the mountain, we have chained their hands and feet, they demand to speak with the king’ one of the warriors spoke.

‘What men’? Roka rose to his feet. His heart raced, had the beautiful maiden told her people about him? If so, they were doomed.

‘Bring them in’ Analin spoke up, noting the fear and confusion in her brother’s eyes.

‘Ozodo is the name of the land after the mountain. They are ruled by a woman, Jaja Nana, and her son, Jaja Omiro is the prince’ Bello described the terrains, cultures and family structure of Ozodo.

He was about to say more when the intruders were bundled into the throne room; he quickly recognized his uncle; had he come to save him?

‘Andol’! Bello jumped to his feet.

‘You know this man’? Roka asked.

‘Yes. He is my uncle’ Bello replied.

‘Why have you come’? Roka turned to the men who were dripping wet all over.

Andol had taken some of the Hunanis and they had traveled through the Ozodo river to the foot of the mountain; that was the route they had taken.

They had come for a purpose and they would rather die than not achieve it.

‘My king, I bow before your majesty. Your land is rich and beautiful, we have come to pay respect to you. We come in the name of our king, Segura Segura’ Andol bowed his head.

‘What does your king want’? Roka asked. This was the first time he was hearing about another king; he was excited because all his dreams of ruling and conquering other lands were finally going to come to pass.

‘An alliance with you, great one’ Andol bowed.

‘An alliance, how did he know about me’? Roka asked.

‘We told him after we discovered your land. We spoke of its beauty and riches and he was very pleased’ Andol replied.

Roka left his throne with his sister and adviser and they spoke in whispers.

‘Nothing goes for nothing. Your king must want something from me’ Roka said to the man. His adviser had warned him about believing everything the Hunani people said, they were untrustworthy and predictable.

‘Just an alliance. Lord Segura Segura, has a lot of enemies. He has a lot of wars to fight but he lacks the weapons but your land is richly blessed with mountain iron and he needs your help in forging these weapons’ Andol bowed his head.

‘So your lord needs my help’? Roka raised a brow.

‘You may say that’ Andol returned.

‘Tell me, Hunani, what can your lord offer me in return? I am well aware that you do trade with Ozodo; I have plans for that land, what can your lord do for me’? Roka asked.

‘You are a powerful king and you seek to possess and conquer the land of Ozodo which is ruled by a ruthless and vile woman. We want you to conquer her and her people that is why we risked our lives in coming here. My lord, Segura Segura, would provide a hundred men and fifty horses for the invasion’ Andol bowed his head.

Roka was stunned by this offer; he didn’t have a lot of men and this could go a long way in preserving the little that he had.

‘How do I know you are not leading me into a trap? How do I know that your men would not turn on me that day’? Roka stared at the man intently.

‘I will prove it by shedding my blood. Unchain me’ Andol called to one of the guards.

Roka nodded his approval and he was quickly unchained.

He drew a short dagger from his waist pocket and chopped off his index finger; the blood dripped on the palace floor.

Roka did not flinch, nobody did. The Hunani’s act was a very symbolic one and it showed they all understood each other.

‘When do we attack’? Roka couldn’t hold his blood and power lust.

‘On the day of the virgin dance’ Andol replied.

Roka briefly thought about the girl he had deflowered ‘Tell me about this virgin dance and the consequences for those who aren’t virgin’.

‘All the unmarried freeborn are to dance before the prince. He would pick the one his heart pleases; if a girl is deflowered and discovered, she could be killed’ Andol explained.

‘What a backward culture’ Analin smirked.

‘Uncivilized savages’ Alistarin, Roka’s adviser hissed.

‘It is their culture; my ladies’ Andol bowed his head.

‘I must save her’ Roka was more determined than ever. He was going to find her and he would keep her for himself.

‘One more thing, Hunani, if you betray me, I would hunt every one of you down and chop your bones bit by bit till nothing is left of you’ Roka’s was firm and understood.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 08, 2018, 01:44:51 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 18

‘I met a girl that I liked but she turns out to be a slave…if she were free born, I would’ve picked her as my wife during the dance, but she is not and this hurts me very much’.

‘You know very well that you can never marry a slave; your bride would be from a noble home; I have already chosen her for you’ Jaja Nana smiled.

Mazi Ekere had come to inform her of his beautiful daughter Zabacha, who was going to participate in the dance; he had come bearing gifts and a lot of meat which pleased her greatly. Only a few men dared to bribe Jaja Nana, his courage further pleased her.

‘I want you to abolish the laws that bind slaves from being free in all respects’ Omiro said.

‘I cannot do that, it is beyond my power. Only the priest of Assura can do something like that. It is written all over you, your love for this girl but it is not the end of the world Omiro, you can have her as a concubine’ Jaja Nana suggested.

‘Yes. After the war, I would find her and make her my wife’ Omiro replied.

‘What is this slave’s name’? Jaja Nana asked.

‘And who is her master’?

‘Meekhabash, she didn’t tell me the name of her owners’ Omiro replied.

‘Very well then. We would talk about her later, you must get some rest, we have a festival to celebrate tomorrow’ Jaja rose from her majestic throne.

‘Thanks for the audience mother’ he leaned forward and kissed her face.

‘You are my child, what choice do I have’? She smiled as she watched her son leave.

Her smile faded easily and was replaced by a frown as she watched him leave. How could Omiro betray her that way? Her love for him suddenly turned to hatred. He was just like his father, weak and predictable and she wasn’t afraid to plot his downfall.

With his help, she would conquer the new land for herself and when she was done, she would kill him for his betrayal.

‘You sent for me Jaja’ Andol, the Hunani rushed into the throne room.

‘Thank you for telling me all the things Omiro had said. I assure you of a great reward if this war is won’ she said to the man.

Andol had returned to the palace and sought for her presence; he told her about how Omiro hated her rule and complained bitterly about how she had killed his father and that he would end her life once he had conquered the new land for himself.

She knew the Hunani wouldn’t lie to her. What did he stand to gain? Besides, Omiro had openly told her he would be a better ruler, she believed all that Andol had told her.

‘Thank you Jaja’ Andol bowed his head and scurried out of the palace for his next mission.

The pain she had fought so hard to forget came running back and she couldn’t stop it; she welcomed the pain with fresh tears that dropped on the raffia mat she lay upon.

Night had come; the birds were asleep except for the owl. Crickets sang their song and the frogs gave their reply.

Nai’muri found it hard to sleep. Her room was dimly lit with a torch that was fixed to her wall. She missed her mother and all the moments that they spent together.

She missed sleeping in her mother’s arms and listening to her heartbeat or her stories, or the songs that she thought her sometimes.

‘I miss you mother’ she cried bitterly but reminded herself that her tears wouldn’t solve any of her problems.

She wiped her face quickly and straightened on the mat; she thought about what her father had told her earlier, yet she still found it difficult to believe Kamsi would plot against her.

If she had any evil intention, why would she act so nice?

She released a sigh and lay on her mat; thinking about Kamsi and Zabacha gave her a headache so she decided to ponder on something else.

How would she tell her father about the rape? Nothing was hidden under the sun and one day she would be discovered.

Her mind drifted to the stranger that had taken her first; she wondered why she had dreamt of him.

She wondered if he was married with children; was he in love? Was he capable of kindness?

She felt strange that she was desiring him, desiring to know more about him when he had inflicted pain on her mother and herself.

She shrugged and decided that was passed; she needed to forgive him and move on with her life.

If she had forgiven her own sister who had plotted her rape firstly, how much more him?

‘May your light shine upon me Assura’ she whispered some words of prayer and slept off, unaware that the potion that had been slipped into her food would plunge her into a deep sleep.

Slowly, the wind howled; slowly, a cloaked figure pushed the door of her hut open and stepped into it.

Another shadow followed the cloaked figure, but she was oblivious of it, of everything that happened as she dreamt of the stranger begging her, weeping profusely and telling her that he was sorry.

‘Is she asleep’? Zabacha whispered to her mother.

‘Yes, take a torch and light our hut, be really fast about it’ Kamsi ordered.

Zabacha fetched the torch that hung on Nai’muri’s wall and left outside.

Kamsi laughed wickedly as she shone her own torch on the sleeping Nai’muri, this was her chance and she was going to take it.

‘You will regret the day you called me mother’ Kamsi lit the roof first with the torch and then the walls. Satisfied, that the hut will burn to ashes, she ran out of the hut and gave a loud scream.

‘Fire’!!!!

Her scream was so loud that it pierced the night; it shook the stars and pursued the moon; it awoke her husband and some villagers.

The fire grew wild; it blazed angrily and burnt down the raffia roof and the bamboo that supported the huts.

But they failed to notice that there was no scream coming from Nai’muri’s hut.

Mazi Ekere and some villagers tried to quench the fire that consumed the two huts in the compound but all to no avail. The smoke that came out of the burning huts was thick and harsh.

Tears welled up in Mazi Ekere’s eyes as he realized he had lost Nai’muri forever.

He had been in a deep sleep when he heard Kamsi’s cry and he’d come out and rushed to his neighbors, but it was too late. All the huts were burnt to ashes and there was no hope for Nai’muri.

‘Assura, why have you done this to me’? Mazi Ekere broke down and wept.

‘My husband, I know how hard it is for you but you have to be strong’ tears streamed down Kamsi’s face as she watched her husband cry.

‘You should be lucky that you did not lose two daughters in one night’.

‘Your wife is right; you should be thanking Assura that your legitimate wife and child were not the ones burnt in that fire. Be strong, Assura shall comfort you’ some of the villagers said.

Mazi Ekere would not be consoled; when he had finally established a relationship with his daughter, death came and took her away, just like the way it had taken her mother.

This wasn’t right, Nai’muri’s death wasn’t right.

‘Do you know anything about this’? He stared at his wife with angry eyes.

‘How could you accuse me of murder’? Kamsi looked away, thankfully it was dark so he wouldn’t see her eyes.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 08, 2018, 01:42:24 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 17

‘We have to do something about it, the honey pebbles had many benefits; they cured all manner of ailments, our people may die off’ Roka jumped to his feet.

‘I am afraid my king, there is nothing we can do’ the adviser replied.

Once Nai’muri was done with the cassava porridge, she washed the calabash, swept the kitchen and left for the river, she needed to fetch more water.

‘Are you done already’? Kamsi asked with a concerned voice.

‘Yes. Thank you mother, it was very delicious’ Nai’muri smiled and trotted out of the compound.

A mischievous smile curved Kamsi’s lips as she watched her stepdaughter go.

‘Do you think she believed us ‘? Zabacha rushed out of her hut.

‘I think so. She is more foolish than I thought and for that, she would pay the price’ Kamsi replied.

‘Did put the potion in her food’? Zabacha asked.

‘Of course, I did, by morning she would be no more and the Prince shall be all yours’ Kamsi replied.

‘I will be forever grateful if that happens. You needed to see the way the prince stared at her; there were so much love and desire in his eyes; I felt very unhappy and jealous’ Zabacha told her mother of her feelings.

‘Don’t worry my child. Nai’muri would never trouble you anymore. Now you must get some rest, tomorrow is the new yam festival and after that, the dance of the virgins. You must prepare yourself this week, the prince would fall in love once he sees you’ Kamsi assured her.

‘What are you two whispering about’? Mazi Ekere sauntered in, he had just returned from a very succeful hunt.

‘How your daughter would win the dance contest’ Kamsi said.

‘Don’t be so sure, Nai’muri is a good dancer too and she is very beautiful’ the man said proudly.

Zabacha was infuriated by her father’s words; he couldn’t even hide his preference for Nai’muri.

‘Mazi Ekere! How dare you say something like that? Zabacha should be the one that you’re rooting for and not the daughter of your slave wife’ Kamsi shouted at him.

‘Don’t insult me, woman! Nai’muri is the one that I choose for the Prince you know why? She is hardworking and humble and obedient. She would not bring our family shame but your daughter? I have never seen Zabacha in the kitchen, she wakes up whenever she likes and she doesn’t even respect her elders’ he yelled angrily.

‘My daughter only acts that way because she is a Queen. Nai’muri is a slave and don’t deserve to be married to Jaja Omiro’ Kamsi fired back.

‘Well, I would be leaving for the palace soon, trust me, I would put a good word for Nai’muri. She deserves to be the next Jaja Nana’ Mazi Ekere threw the bush animal he had killed and stormed towards his hut in anger.

His first wife Kamsi had gotten on his nerves and he was going to teach her a lesson.

‘Did you hear that mother? If he mentions Nai’muri to the Queen, I shall never be queen. What are we going to do’? Zabacha cried.

‘Be calm. Your fate has already been decided. Your father’s words would be in vain. Trust me’ Kamsi reassured her.

As they were still talking, Nai’muri returned from the river with another pot.

‘I am back mother’ she smiled and bowed before Kamsi after dropping the water pot on the ground.

‘My darling child, thank you very much’ Kamsi forced a smile that hurt her features very badly.

Nai’ muri decided to rest before returning to the river and that was when her eyes met her sister’s. Zabacha’s hate for her was unhidden and she suddenly felt afraid.

She noticed her father’s hut was open, so she decided to greet him.

‘Can I come in father’? She rapped on the door.

‘My child, come in, we must discuss’ he beckoned her into the hut.

‘You seem really exhausted father, maybe I should get you some bath water and prepare you goat’s milk; she suggested.

‘No. Sit. I want to warn you’ Mazi Ekere decided to warn his daughter. Kamsi could do just about anything for her daughter to win the contest.

‘Warn me’? Nai’muri joined her father on the bamboo bed.

‘Be wary about your stepmother and half-sister, Zabacha. I told them I would put in a good word for you to Jaja Nana and they were upset about it. Be careful my child, I already lost your mother, I don’t want to lose you too’ he advised.

‘But she was very nice to me, I assure you father, your wife has changed, she is a virtuous woman; she even served me porridge’ Nai’muri wouldn’t believe a word of her father.

‘She served your porridge’? Mazi Ekere was surprised, generosity was not one of her strongest suits.

‘Yes’ Nai’muri nodded.

‘I don’t know about that, but please be careful’ he warned.

‘There’s no need to worry, I am not even interested in marrying the prince, you should put in a good word for Zabacha’ Nai’muri begged her father.

‘Why is that? Have you lost your virginity’? Her father’s face had grown pale with shock.

‘No father! Not at all’ Nai’muri lied.

‘Then why are you not interested in the Prince? That is every girl’s dream’ he reminded her.

‘Father, you know very well why I cannot marry the prince. My mother was a slave and that makes me partly slave. I am not totally noble’ she argued.

‘That does not matter, I am your father and Jaja Nana would listen to me’ he was sure of this.

‘Don’t bother father, I do not love the prince, I am in love with another’ she said in a rush.

‘Truly’? He arched a brow.

‘Yes,’ she replied with a smile. She didn’t know why, but she found herself thinking about the stranger in the woods at that point in time.

‘Very well then, I shall put in a good word for your sister’ Mazi replied.

The prince found it difficult to eat or sleep, his mind focused on the pretty slave girl he had seen earlier.

It was obvious she wouldn’t participate in the dance of the virgins and that really made him feel terrible; maybe it was time Jaja Nana abolished law as banning slaves from participating in things that concerned free born.

He decided to speak with his mother.

It was rare to see such a beautiful maiden and he wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

He found his mother in the throne room discussing with some of the elders.

‘I greet you all’ Omiro waved his hand and joined her on his throne.

‘Long live Jaja Omiro’ the elders bowed and worshipped him.

‘Rise’ he replied.

‘You may leave now, I want to speak to my son’ she waved the men away.

‘You look worried Omiro, what is it’? Jaja Nana was concerned her son.

‘There is something that weighs heavily on my mind…’ he started.

‘Maybe it should wait till the festival is over’ she reminded him that the new yam festival would be held the next day and their minds were to focus on that, after which the dance of the virgins followed.

‘This is really important mother’ Omiro wouldn’t let go.

‘Go on’ she decided to hear him out.

‘I met a girl that I liked but she turns out to be a slave…if she were free born, I would’ve picked her as my wife during the dance, but she is not and this hurts me very much’.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 08, 2018, 01:28:15 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 16

Suddenly her fears and pain fled off; she had found another mother in Kamsi and she prayed Zabacha also came to like her. She wanted to be happy.

Analin watched as her brother stared beyond the mountain, she wondered what had really happened out there to cause a change in her brother’s behavior, she didn’t understand him anymore.

The man that peered out the window was no longer her brother, he was a stranger.

Roka was lost in thought as he stared at the mountain; it was such a great barrier that had blocked his people from reaching the outside but all was to change now he was King.

His mind focused on the beautiful maiden he had taken at the woods; she wouldn’t leave is mind; he remembered her beautiful face; her alluring eyes and the call of her full lips.

He couldn’t wait to conquer the land and take her as his wife.

‘Roka’ Analin called as she moved closer to him.

‘Roka’! she repeated and he jerked, the clay mug he held in his hands shattered.

‘What is happening to you? You have never shown this great fear, talk to me brother’ Analin questioned his behavior.

‘Go, leave me. I am strategizing’ he snapped his fingers and some servants came running to clean up the mess.

‘I cannot do that Roka, we don’t have much time’ she replied.

‘Well, I am fine. I am just wondering what our land would be like when we finally conquer the new land. There would be an influx of more people, we could even remarry; it is going to be a great kingdom’ he laughed.

‘Tell me Roka, do I look like a fool’? Analin knew he was playing tricks on her by avoiding her question.

‘No. You are no fool’ he replied, wondering why she asked.

‘Be honest, why are you worried’? She wouldn’t let this go.

‘I have told you my darling sister, I am fine’ he lied. How could he tell her that his heart was beating for a woman he had hurt? What if she were married? What if she had children?

He knew next to nothing about her except for the fact that she was Adoni’s daughter.

He was a proud and arrogant king, but he was ashamed for what he had done.

‘Well then. Keep it to yourself, I selected from the elders your new adviser’ Analin said.

‘Good. Who is he’? Roka asked.

Apart from being the chief of all the warriors, Analin had the power to choose an adviser for the king.

The advisers were chosen from the oldest and wisest people in the land; after the last one died, she had searched thoroughly for someone that would fill this position.

‘She, you mean’? She smirked.

‘You want a woman to be my adviser? What does a woman know’ Roka’s laugh was thunderous.

‘She is the great great granddaughter of Alistair, the wisest man that ever lived upon this land. She is old and wise, you must listen to her’ Analin pressed on.

‘Alright, bring her in, let me take a look at this Great great granddaughter’ Roka scoffed.

‘You may enter, wise one’ Analin shouted across.

The door creaked slightly and a silver-haired woman walked into the room; she was old but looked strong. Her back was not bent and her spirit wasn’t faint.

‘My liege’ she bowed before Roka.

‘What is your name Adviser’? He asked.

‘Alistarin, I come from the bloodline of the wisest man, Alistair’ she replied.

‘What makes you think you will be a good adviser’? Roka still doubted her ability to give him quality advice on how to rule the land.

‘Because I have lived longer than you and I lived with the wisest man who thought me a lot of things; things that would help us conquer the land after the mountain’ she replied.

‘How do I conquer this land’? She had bought Roka’s interest.

‘You must ally yourself with the Hunani nomads, they only can lead you into a battle’ Alistarin replied.

‘What are Hunani nomads’? Analin and Roka chorused, they had never heard something like that.

‘Here, my grandfather gave me this before he died’ she fetched a wooden toy from the pocket of her dress.

‘What is this’? Roka took it in his hands. It was the carving of a calf, he had seen carvings before but this one looked different.

‘My great grandfather once told me a story about our land. He said there weren’t mountains in the past but the mountains grew up and caved us in because our land was very rich and suddenly became the envy of other lands. Before the mountain grew, we mixed with other lands, we traded with a clan of nomads known as Hunanis but they betrayed us and almost took over our land, that was when the mountain grew’ she narrated the story.

‘That’s ridiculous’ Roka wouldn’t believe it.

‘I know you found a stray, you found someone that climbed in from the other side; that was what triggered your curiosity to see the other side of the mountain. I went to the prison myself and the man in question fits the description of Hunani. From what my grandfather said, they were tall, skinny and mostly tanned’.

‘I don’t believe a word of what you just said, adviser. Your words are based on hearsay, oral tradition passed down from your great-grandfather to your father; no facts; no evidence’ Roka shook his head.

‘But Roka’ Analin interjected.

‘If this story were true, we would’ve heard it from another source’ he replied her.

‘I understand your hesitation my King, but why not try me first? If I fail in my analysis, you can get another advisor’ she suggested.

‘Deal’? Roka liked the sound of this.

‘Deal’ she nodded.

‘So what purpose would this Hunani man serve? I already saw the land, I can conquer It’ Roka said proudly.

‘I don’t doubt your prowess, but you need more than confidence to conquer a land. You don’t know their secret, but his Hunani might. I want to believe they have been trading with the other land but couldn’t get to us because of this mountain. You should speak to him’ the adviser said.

‘How do I trust him? You just told me that these people betrayed our ancestors in the past? What is the guarantee they wouldn’t do the same thing to us given the opportunity’? Roka asked.

‘We should take a risk’ she replied.

‘Alright, we would speak to him tomorrow, now I must take a rest’ Roka yawned.

‘There is another matter I would love to discuss with you’ the adviser said.

‘Go on’ Roka urged her.

‘I toured the spring this morning and found the people weeping’ she wondered how she would break this terrible news.

‘Why would my people cry’? Roka asked.

‘The Honey pebbles have dried up, they have stopped flowing’ she replied.

‘We have to do something about it, the honey pebbles had many benefits; they cured all manner of ailments, our people may die off’ Roka jumped to his feet.

‘I am afraid my king, there is nothing we can do’ the adviser replied.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 08, 2018, 01:20:48 AM »

Insert Quote

Episode 15

The Prince had decided to take the Hunani man for a walk round the land of Ozodo. He had proved himself useful and should be honored by the royal house.

‘So Andol, tell me more about the land beyond the mountain, I am indeed very curious to know’ Jaja Omiro asked.

‘There’s something I forgot to tell you and your mother’ Andol, the eldest of the Hunani men started.

‘Go on, you can tell me now’ Omiro beckoned on him too.

‘It seems the honey pebbles have healing capacity too’ Andol begun.

‘Tell me’.

‘One of my sons was badly scarred by a piece of wood and when he ate it, the scars began to fade; eventually, everything disappeared when my wife decided to crush it into a powdery form and had him rub it all over his body’ the Hunani replied.

‘Then indeed we have found ourselves a fortune; if we are able to conquer the land beyond the mountain, we would have gold and honey pebbles and none of our people would ever fall sick again’ Omiro was excited by this news.

‘Tell me my lord, when do you plan an attack on the land beyond the mountain’? Andol was curious.

‘After my wedding night; I shall ride into the land with the horses and my men and we shall conquer it for ourselves’ he replied in full confidence.

‘That is a great idea’ Andol nodded.

As they were talking, Omiro lost interest as a beautiful maiden walked towards them; in all his life, he had never seen someone as beautiful as she was.

‘My Prince’? Andol tried to get his attention.

‘I see a goddess in human form’ his eyes were fixed on this brown beauty with long black hair.

‘She looks just like them’ the Hunani muttered to himself, the girl that neared them looked like the women he had seen in the land beyond the mountains but the prince wasn’t paying any attention to him.

Nai’muri walked away from her toxic sister feeling happy and proud of herself that she could finally stand up to her.

Her confidence wavered as she walked closer to where the prince was; he was really handsome and she now understood why many maidens were so thrilled about the virgin dance.

‘May you live forever Jaja’ she bent her knee in respect.

‘Come, tell me your name’ Prince Omiro snapped his fingers and his guards took the water pot down her head.

Nai’muri took a deep breath, she suddenly felt fear as she remembered she was no longer a virgin; from the way his eyes ran over her, he desired her and that meant trouble.

She wasn’t planning to attend the dance of the virgins to avoid shame; but if the Prince picked interest in her, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t choose her on that day.

So she decided to protect herself the very best way she thought she could.

‘My name is Meekhabash’ she bowed her head.

‘Meekhabash’? The Prince raised a brow, it sounded really strange and he had never heard of a name like that before.

‘Yes Jaja’ she bowed.

‘Who is your father’? Prince Omiro pressed on, deep within him, he knew he had found her. He had found his wife.

‘Nobody, I am a slave girl’ she started to sob, a trick to get away from the prince.

‘Whose slave’? His heart fell as he couldn’t marry a slave girl but could only take her as a concubine.

‘Nobody’ she cried and quickly took her water pot and ran away from the prince.

‘Should we go after her my lord’? One of his guards asked.

‘No, she is a slave’ Prince Omiro felt terrible but decided he would find her after he had picked his first wife.

Turning to Andol, he said ‘I must show you to our river’.

‘My Prince, there is something peculiar about that girl’ Andol decided to share his mind with Omiro.

‘Of course, there is something really peculiar about her, she is the most beautiful woman that I have ever set eyes on’ the prince returned.

‘I think she is one of the mountain people’ Andol said.

‘Mountain people? No, that is not possible’ the prince laughed.

‘But look at her my prince; do not be biased. The girl has a lovely set of eyes and her hair is very long, reaching to her waist; such quality is rare in this land’ Andol replied.

‘What if she is a Hunani? Your women have long hair too’? Prince Omiro countered.

‘You are right, our women have been blessed by god, but she is not a Hunani, I can swear to that’ Andol replied.

‘But my lord, “Meekhabash” means, daughter in our tongue, the Prince may be right’ one of the Hunani men that came with Andol said.

‘You see? I told you, she is a Hunani slave’ the Prince replied and led them towards the river.

The Ozodo river was deep and wide and her waters were always angry; flowing with such great force that nothing could stand in her way not even the rocks that threatened to oppose it.

‘The river is really big and there are a lot of rocks here too’ Andol marveled at this beautiful sight.

They didn’t have many rivers in their own land; only springs that crept out in little crevices and quenched their thirst. One of their greatest challenges was water; they suffered a lot of famine.

‘Yes, the rocks are scattered all over Ozodo; it is with the rocks that we are able to forge weapons; I will show you to our blacksmith once we return to the palace’ Jaja Omiro felt proud to show the Hunani round his kingdom.

‘And the river seems so close to the mountain, it seems easier to get into the land beyond it from here’ Andol suggested.

‘That is not possible, one would just die, this river is very deep, do not underestimate it, come we must go’ Prince Omiro decided to walk back to the palace.

‘As you wish my lord’ Andol exchanged glances with one of his men and then whispered to him in their tongue.

“Segustar, Segustar an urair”.

‘Did you say something’? The Prince turned to both men.

‘Yes my prince, we are in awe of your beautiful land but we must leave tonight, remember we still have to trade with the outside world’ Andol replied.

‘Trade? Trade can wait’! Omiro laughed.

‘But our king would want to see us after such a long time’ Andol replied.

‘Don’t worry my friend, you shall return to your king after the war is over. You are a very important asset to us; you cannot leave us now’ Omiro said in a stern voice.

So stern and decisive that the Hunani’s objections to his command fled.

To be continued…..

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 04, 2018, 02:54:23 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 14

Zabacha had gone to the riverside with her two best friends: Galia and Koqsi.

‘My mother made me a dress out of feathers for the virgin dance, she is very confident that I would win’ Galia changed the subject of their discussion.

‘I am not going to the virgin dance’ Koqsi chipped into the astonishment of her friends.

‘What do you mean you are not going? That is every girl’s dream except you have lost your virginity…wait, have you lost it’? Galia asked.

‘She doesn’t need to lose it, I am going to win the contest and you will all bow to me’ Zabacha raised her hands in the air and begun to walk majestically…

‘You are as proud as a peacock and as arrogant as a beast, what makes you so sure that you will win’? Koqsi hissed.

Galia stepped immediately knowing her friends were to quarrel very soon.

‘Isn’t that Nai’muri, your beautiful sister’? Galia called their attention to Nai’muri who was coming from the riverside with a heavy pot on her head.

‘That vermin’ Zabacha hissed angrily, her eyes were filled with envy as Nai’muri walked closer.

‘Accept it Zabacha, she is prettier than all the girls in this village’ Koqsi came for her.

‘You are such a fool Koqsi’! Zabacha yelled angrily and moved towards Nai’muri.

‘What are you still doing at the river? You should walk faster, remember there are still many pots to be filled’ Zabacha eyed her angrily.

‘I have heard you’ Nai’muri replied quietly but maintained her pace.

She wasn’t going to be ordered around like a slave anymore; now that her mother was dead, she had no option but to stand up for herself.

Galia and Koqsi noticed this and burst out laughing.

‘I guess your days of controlling her are over’ they whispered as Zabacha returned.

‘I am glad those wild animals ate her mother up, she deserves it too’ Zabacha said so loud so Nai’muri could here.

‘Low your voice Zabacha! Don’t be cruel’ Galia tried to cover her mouth, but she successfully pushed Galia away.

‘I fear no one’ Zabacha hissed angrily.

‘Can we talk about something else’? Galia shrugged, she was really getting tired of her friends’ attitude.

‘My father told me that there is a land beyond the mountain ruled by a king and it’s inhabited with people’ Zabacha said.

As expected, her two friends burst out with laughter as no one in Ozodo believed there was a world outside the mountain.

‘That’s the way I laughed, but he looked pretty serious and from what I learned, Jaja Nana is going to war with this land; she and Prince Omiro plan to conquer it’ Zabacha continued.

‘Well that is not a bad idea, maybe I could find some handsome young men over there, I wonder what they will look like’ Galia winked.

Nai’muri who followed closely didn’t miss this; “The land beyond the mountain”? Her hands begun to shook and she almost fell the pot down as she remembered the stranger and the way he had slewed her mother before her very eyes; the way he had taken her without her consent.

His men kept mentioning the word “mountain”, what if they had come from the mountain? Was her mother from the mountain? She was a bit scared but she didn’t know who to tell. If she told her father the men had been from the mountain, he would tell Jaja Nana and they will know her mother was not buried in the evil forest as was their tradition.

‘Hmm’ she drew a deep breath and steadied her hands. She thought about the strangest dream she ever had.

She had dreamt of the monster that hurt her, but she had no hate for him in the dream; he looked so adorable and irresistible, his allure was out of this world.

‘Speaking of the prince, Look he is coming towards this diretion’! Koqsi called the attention of her friends to Jaja Omiro who was approaching the river in the company of a Hunani man and some guards.

Nai’muri’s eyes lit up as this was the first time she had seen the prince in such a close range. He was good looking, his skin was dark and his body was muscled and his eyes were kind. There was no one as handsome as Omiro in the whole of Ozodo.

‘Not as handsome as the monster though’ she whispered to herself.
This is my chance to make him like me’ Zabacha whispered to her friends and begun to drag the wrapper piece that veiled her breasts downwards.

‘Are you trying to seduce the prince? He’ll see you as a wayward girl and he will doubt your virginity’ Galia advised.

‘It doesn’t matter, when he comes closer, I want you both to stay quiet, he is mine’ she flashed them a warning with her dark eyes that were heavily shielded with lashes.

‘All your effort will be in vain, I swear by Assura, the very first person he will notice when he comes would be Nai’muri; she is prettier than us all’ Koqsi said in a mocking voice.

Her words stung Zabacha like a bee would and she realized her friend was being honest; fear gripped her as she imagined Nai’muri ending up with the prince.

‘Nai’muri’! She turned sternly to her half sister.

‘Yes’? Nai’muri answered.

‘Go back to the river’ Zabacha said in a commanding voice as that was the only way to avoid the prince from seeing her there.

‘Why? My pot is already filled’ Nai’muri replied quietly.

‘How dare you trade words with me? Are you aware that you are a slave’? Zabacha cut in impatiently.

‘For the last time Zabacha, I am not a slave or anyone’s slave for that matter. I share blood with you, Mazi Ekere is a noble man and so am I’ Nai’muri hissed angrily and walked far off from her half sister.

Tears welled up in Zabacha’s eyes as she watched Nai’muri leave; her heart sank when the Prince stopped her.

‘See? I told you, Nai’muri would win the virgin dance and nothing can stop her’ Koqsi winked.

‘Why are you so mean? I cease to be friends with you, betrayer’ tears rushed down Zabacha’s face. She needed to tell her mother all that had happened.

‘But we are being honest. It’s not really about her beauty alone, Nai’muri has been humble and kind, despite the way you treat her’ Galia sided with Koqsi.

‘May Assura’s thunder strike you two dead’ Zabacha cursed and then took a bush path for home.

‘Always so ahead of herself, I pray she does nothing evil to her half-sister; I don’t trust her at all’ Galia said.

‘Me too’Koqsi replied.

TO BE CONTINUED....

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 04, 2018, 02:50:47 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 13

'Open this entryway this moment! You little girl of a slave'.

Kamsi's initial morning affronts took her back to reality as her fantasy blurred and she moved her tangle and made for the entryway.

'Great morning stepmother' Nai'muri bowed her head.

'Try not to call me mother, I am not your mom. She was eaten by wild creatures' Kamsi's announcement was ponder, she intended to hurt Nai'muri.

'You don't need to affront my mom Kamsi, it is too soon for that' Nai'muri let go back at her. She dreaded nobody now, her dad had accommodated with her and he could never lay hands on her for remaining against his inconsiderate spouse.

'What did you call me'? Kamsi's face blushed by Nai'muri's affront.

'Why have you gone to my hovel'? Nai'muri disregarded her inquiry.

'On the off chance that you should eat in this house, at that point you need to bring water. There are twelve water pots you should fill before you have your breakfast' Kamsi showed the twelve earth pots before her.

Nai'muri chose she would do it; she was persevering and getting water wouldn't be an issue as she was at that point used to doing a large portion of the work in the house.

Not at all like her, Zabacha her progression sister did nothing; she spent the majority of her mornings and nights dozing or tattling with her two companions, Galia and Koqsi.

'That wouldn't be an issue' Nai'muri bowed her head and came back to her hovel leaving Kamsi completely confounded.

'Zabacha'! Kamsi surged towards her girl's cottage.

'Wake up' she bowed near her tangle and shook her enthusiastically.

'God help us, mother! I had the best dream ever and you simply demolished it. I saw myself getting hitched to sovereign Omiro' she yawned.

'Get up, there is something peculiar about Nai'muri, you should take after her to the waterway and see what she is dependent upon' Kamsi said.

'In any case, mother… you know I don't prefer to go to the waterway' Zabacha whined.

'I requesting that her get twelve water pots and she concurred without grievance; I offended her mom and she overlooked me; I feel she is plotting against us, in the event that we should find what she is dependent upon, you should keep an eye on her' Kamsi proposed.

'For what reason don't we simply slip harm into her nourishment and end her like her mom'? Zabacha moaned uproariously.

'Close your mouth! Your dad may hear us' she immediately secured her hands over Zabacha's mouth.

'On the off chance that we murder Nai'muri, all fingers would point at us; we can't slaughter her until further notice yet perhaps there are different ways we could hurt her' Kamsi had a long pondered this. She had moved toward harming Nai'muri however she ruled against it. It was an unsafe move and she chose she would accomplish another thing to hurt the young lady.

'Okay mother, I might see her for you' Zabacha rose to her feet and got her two-piece wrapper.

Jaja Nana had chosen to keep the Hunani man who thoroughly understood the land past the mountain in her royal residence for more data. She was a lady loaded with judgment and shrewdness and that was the reason she attracted the men to herself.

The Hunani wanderers were very much voyage and had contacts with the outside world; they had battled wars earlier and with their assistance, they will vanquish the new land for themselves.

Omiro's understanding was running out as the days moved by, he longed to climb the mountain and see the land that lay past it himself.

'Great morning mother' he joined her on the expansive table that was implied for their suppers.

'Omiro, my ruler' she grinned as her good looking child strolled into the lounge area.

'Regardless I don't comprehend why we need to hold up till my wedding is finished' he got the earth jolt that was loaded with water and emptied it into his calabash.

'I need the honored position to be secured before we go to war' Jaja Nana answered.

'I have asked the Hunani man, his name is Andol, to remain with us till the war is finished' she said to her child.

'That is a smart thought, I might go out for a stroll with him later and indicate him round Ozodo' Omiro recommended.

'For what reason do I have the inclination that you'll be getting some information about the land past the mountain'? Jaja Nana jeered.

'That wouldn't be a wrongdoing, okay? I am simply attempting to extinguish my interest' Omiro answered.

Roka described to his sister about everything that had occurred in the forested areas and his powerlessness to scout the land like he had arranged.

'Indeed, in these, I am glad you executed Adoni; she demand to bite the dust' Analin moaned as she tuned in to her sibling's story.

'Also, how is the young lady I protected'? Analin asked she recollected the young lady she had safeguarded from the awful men that had debilitated to contaminate her. She ended up being the proprietor of the arm ornament and Adoni's little girl.

'I let her go, I couldn't slaughter her' Roka answered.

'That implies we need to attack that land when possible'Analin was persuaded the young lady wouldn't keep her mouth close particularly after Roka had executed her mom.

'I contrast. I need us to stop the attack; she wouldn't let out the slightest peep' Roka answered unquestionably.

'What's more, you know this how? You are not an entertainer Roka; you are a ruler but rather I am your central warrior and I know every one of the procedures you have to take this land for yourself; you should've executed her' Analin rose to her feet.

Roka was astounded at her inhumanity; she had appeared to support the young lady at to begin with, for what reason did she alter her opinion?

'When I recall the way we shuddered; the way the consultant and insightful one concealed us in his home from those rats, I get furious. Anybody associated with any usurper should kick the bucket; you shouldn't show demonstrated her kindness sibling, now your leniency would cost us a considerable measure' Analin communicated her disappointment.

'Analin… regardless of whether she enlightens individuals concerning us, nobody would trust her; for a thousand years, we have lived on this opposite side of the mountain supposing nobody was outwardly? The same goes for them' Roka went to his protection.

'So why not need us to assault them now'? Analin inquired. Her blood was hot,she longed to do fight, to make utilization of every one of her times of preparing.

He was embarrassed about his activities; he couldn't tell his sister that he had assaulted a lady and was being tormented by blame; that was the reason he had lost enthusiasm for assaulting the new land.

'I require time to think an arrangement' he glared.

'Time? We don't have that much' she answered.

'At that point pause, till I am prepared to attack the land. I am as yet your ruler, you'll do as I say' his tone ended up noticeably legitimate.

'As you wish, my ruler' Analin bowed her head and left only him to his contemplations.

When he heard the entryway close, he got the brilliant arm ornament from his pocket and gazed at it; he needed to alter his ways. He expected to discover the young lady and request her pardoning and if conceivable wed her since he'd been the one to ravish her, he expected to bring her respect.

'I should attack the land in ten days time' he mumbled to himself. He would oust the decision ruler and abduct the general population, after which he'd make Adoni's little girl his ruler.

Posted by: Mr. Babatunde

« on: January 02, 2018, 02:35:39 AM »

Insert Quote

EPISODE 12

She couldn’t tell him about the man that had raped her and the things he had told her mother; he had spoken of a land beyond the mountains, could there really be a land beyond the huge mountain?

‘I am very sorry Nai’muri, will you ever forgive me’? Mazi Ekere stopped his daughter and reached out for her face.

Nai’muri was touched by this gesture; her father had never shown her care or love; she wondered if he was truly sorry and would repent from meting out harsh treatment to her or was he just reacting this way because he was guilty?

‘Father…’ she pressed her hand against his. Fresh pools of tears ran down her cheeks and she couldn’t help but let them out.

‘I know how much it hurts, but you have to forget her now. You must tell me everything about those men, maybe there is a way we can find them and avenge your mother’ Mazi Ekere said.

‘There is no need father, if you start looking around, people would question our story. Remember you told me that if asked, I should tell people that mother was eaten by wild animals’?

‘Are you sure we should let this go’? He wiped her cheeks with his hands.

‘Yes, father. Thanks for showing concern’ she nodded.

‘I promise never treat you badly again’ he kissed her hair.

She looked into his eyes briefly and felt he was showing genuine concern; she decided to forgive him and move on.

They both walked in hand in hand into the compound to Kamsi and Zabacha’s shock.

‘What is this evil girl doing here’? Kamsi stood hands akimbo.

‘She doesn’t deserve to live among the freeborn’ Zabacha concurred.

Nai’muri was already used to their harsh treatment so she chose to ignore them; she had just lost her mother and was in great pain of losing her maiden head too.

‘Quiet you two! Nai’muri just lost her mother to wild animals; Adoni was eaten up in the woods; she deserves some peace’ Mazi Ekere yelled at them.

‘And how is that our business? Nai’muri can’t stay here’ Kamsi ignored him totally.

She felt glad that her rival wife was dead, at least one of her enemies was gone, now Nai’muri was left and she needed to deal with her soon enough.

‘Go to your hut Nai’muri, pay no mind to these fools’ her father released her hand.

‘Thank you father’ she bowed her head and left for her room leaving Kamsi and her daughter stunned and confused.

‘Now you two listen carefully if you ever maltreat Nai’muri or starve her, you’ll have me to contend with’ he gave them a stern warning before leaving for his hut.

‘She has bewitched you but I would not let her spell last long’ Kamsi shouted atop her voice, she wondered what had caused a sudden change in her husband?

‘This is not good for us, we have to do something mother’ Zabacha wore a frown. She had always been her dad’s favorite but she wasn’t so sure now, Nai’muri couldn’t steal her father’s love, she needed to be put in place.

‘Don’t worry Zabacha, she will play right into our hands’.

King Roka tossed and turned in his bed; the midnight owl had cried its cry yet sleep still refused to come.

Reluctantly, he pursued after memories and found the one that had taken place in the woods.

He slipped off bed and decided to go to his war room; maybe a little training would get his mind off the face that plagued his thoughts.

It was her eyes that saw when he closed his’, they were filled with pain; it was her face that appeared when he tried to sleep; guilt wouldn’t let him be, he regretted everything, all of it. He had taken her maiden had forcefully and he hated himself for it.

‘My lord? Should we help you with anything’? His warriors were on guard.

‘I am fine. I need to be alone’ he grabbed a flaming torch from the wall where it was fixed and walked towards his war room.

The dark room came alive once he stepped into it with his light; he fetched two swords and begun to train. Focus that was all he needed to get her out his head.

He reminded himself that he did what he had to do for justice; Adoni was guilty and she deserved to die and he didn’t feel bad about that.

‘Roka, I hear from your guards that you cannot sleep’ Analin, his sister entered.

‘Here, I brought you some wine, it would help you relax’ she dropped a clay jar and a drinking cup on the table.

‘I don’t need wine; I just want to be alone for now, sister’ Roka kept flinging his sword at an imaginary enemy.

‘Alone? Are you okay Roka? You have been acting weird since your return’ Analin sighed. He had not spoken a word to her since he returned from the new land they had found. She had interviewed the warriors that went along with him but she couldn’t get anything out of them.

‘Leave me’! He yelled at her and then threw the sword on the bare floor.

She was startled by the sound of his voice, she felt hurt by the way he had screamed.

‘I am sorry’ he apologized immediately.

‘Talk to me Roka, I have never seen you like this, talk to me brother’ she moved closer to him.

‘You were right about the bracelet’ he fingered the jewelry that he still clung to; it reminded him of the beauty he had seen in the woods.

‘You found a usurper’? Analin’s eyes widened.

‘This belonged to her daughter’ he lifted the bracelet in the air.

‘Whose daughter’? Analin was eager to know.

‘Adoni’s daughter’ Roka replied.

She found herself in the woods, but this time she was alone; her mother was not there and neither was her father.

“Nai’muri”!

She swirled round as she heard her name; somebody had called her.

‘Who’s there? Who called my name’? She called in return but there was no answer, there was no else in the woods except for her.

Tears streamed down her face as she remembered how her mother had died; she was the kindest woman in Ozodo and she didn’t deserve to die like a dog.

‘I miss you mother’ she sobbed and wiped her face.

As she trudged deeper into the woods, she realized that she had missed her way.

A familiar masculine scent filled her nostrils; fear gripped her as she turned round and found him staring at her.

He was there, just like that day in the woods when he had ravaged her. He wore a golden robe and there was a crown on his head.

He was tall, fair of skin and very handsome. His irises were light brown and had an alluring glare; his nose was firm; his brows were finely arched and his lips were sensuous but she reminded herself that he was a monster.

‘What do you want, monster’ she retreated her steps.

‘Don’t call me that Arora, my beautiful one, please don’t’ he advanced towards her.

‘No! You killed my mother before my eyes, you defiled me. It is what you are and what you will always be’ a tear dropped as she moved away from him.

‘Your mother was guilty Arora, for that I can never apologize but for you I can, I was overcome by desire and admiration; you are the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen. But that is no excuse for what I did to you, please forgive me’ he begged.

She watched his face quietly; he seemed sincere, his eyes held regret; his features showed remorse, but she yearned to see his heart, what lay there?

‘I hate you nevertheless, monster’ she spat on the earth.

‘I know. I know Arora, you have every right to hate me but I don’t feel the same about you. I love you very much’ he had reached where she stood.

She tried to move away from him but she couldn’t; she found herself entrapped by his gorgeous eyes; she yearned for her lips to touch her but then quickly reminded herself that he was a monster.

‘Go away from me’ she moved back but he grabbed her immediately.

‘I can’t, we are bone and flesh now’ he stared deeply into her eyes and then dropped a kiss on her lips.

TO BE CONTINUED...........