SpyLoaded Forum
Health & Wellbeing => Relationship Board => Super Stories => Topic started by: Mr. Babatunde on January 02, 2018, 01:54:57 AM
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EPISODE 1
The period of new yam had come in full sprout however before the yam was eaten, festivities were held for seven market days and evenings, until the point that the goddess of the waterway cried her tears of rain; at exactly that point would the general population of Ozodo eat the new yam.
"Quite a long time ago, there were two streams, the profound and the shallow. The waterways developed in quality and were both brimming with downpour, envy, and strife. At the point when the waterway goddess perceived how divided the streams were, she solidified them and transformed them into one major mountain and that mountain is the thing that stands previously us today." The voice of the midnight storyteller overflowed through the ears of individuals who minded to tune in.
The night was excellent, the land was alert; youngsters played underneath the full glare of the moonlight. The ladies had an exceptional place thus did the young fellows, each avoiding each other's gathering, in any case their separation wouldn't prevent them from respecting each other.
The Royals had their unique place in the market square set apart by hints of salt, white earth, and snail shells.
Ozodo was governed by a ruler, "Jaja" and she had a child, an exclusive child, Jaja Omiro.
'I can hardly wait for the virgin move' Zabacha's eyes lit as she gazed at the sovereign of the land.
'Me as well, I need to be a ruler sometime in the not so distant future' Koqsi, one of her companions likewise shared her fantasies.
'Quiets down! The ruler is mine, you are not even of honorable blood, how at that point would you be able to have him'? Zabacha murmured. She knew the custom of the land; however the virgin move was for all class of ladies, a great many people that were picked were nobles.
Her dad, Mazi Ekere was an aristocrat; he was a seeker and numerous occupants of the land including the imperial family belittled him. She was certain she had the most obvious opportunity with regards to winning the ruler's support on that day; she was excellent and she originated from a honorable family.
'Would you be able to two quit squabbling and assaulting each other like little youngsters'? Galia, the third in the gathering murmured indignantly.
'She began it, what improves her than myself? The move of virgins is for everybody and that implies we are largely equivalent according to the sovereign' Koqsi answered.
'You can mislead yourself all you need, we as a whole know the anointed one would be a respectable home' Zabacha feigned exacerbation.
'You are correct Zabacha, look who is coming, I wager the sovereign would go gaga for her, the minute he sets eyes on her' Galia pointed out her the excellence that had recently ventured into the market square with her mom.
'Never. No way on earth would that vermin wed my ruler' Zabacha's eyes glared hazily at her dad's significant other and her stepsister, Nai'muri.
'At any rate, I'll need to concur with Galia on that one, with regards to excellence, you don't stand a possibility with her; we as a whole know who the most excellent lady is. Indeed, even her name reveals insight into that reality, "Lovely Pearl", that is the significance of Naimuri, on the off chance that you have overlooked' Koqsi grinned, she intentionally needed her companion to get annoyed.
'May thunder strike you dead the day you eat the new yam' outrage hurried down her spine as she moved far from her companions.
'Furthermore, may a thousand honey bees sting your rear-end when you go to the hedge to poop' Koqsi let go back.
'You both need to grow up' Galia snickered and drew nearer to the storyteller.
'This is the reason I don't care for coming here Meehakbash, see the way they gaze at us; see the way they look, similar to we are outsiders' Adoni whispered to her exclusive tyke and little girl.
'I am sad mother if this excursion influences you to feel awful, perhaps we should come back to the house' Nai'muri said to her mom.
'No Meehakbash, we might stay, you should not be cut off from whatever remains of your age review as a result of me' Adoni whispered to her little girl.
'You generally call me "Meekhakbash", what is the importance'? Nai'muri inquired. She generally pondered what it implied for the word had no importance in Ozodo vocabulary.
'It signifies "little girl" in the dialect of my kin' her mom answered.
Nai'muri knew extremely well that her mom was a slave and she had acquired piece of that slave blood and that was the reason individuals normally gazed at them in a weird way; they appeared to be unique from the tenants of Ozodo.
'Your kin? You have never informed me concerning your kin, you guaranteed you will let me know everything' Nai'muri was interested to think about her mom's birthplace.
'You're not completely prepared tyke; I might reveal to you the story one day' the lady grinned and went after her little girl's hands.
'One day? I am eighteen years of age mother, I am as of now a lady, mature enough to get hitched and have her own particular kids; what else would you say you are sitting tight for'? Nai'muri jeered, she pondered what it was about her mom's birthplace that ought to be kept so mystery.
'Be persistent. I have my purposes behind not giving you access to that piece of my life; I absolutely never need to place you in risk' the lady answered.
'Place me in threat? What sort of peril'? Nai'muri was befuddled.
'Tolerance is a goodness, just the patient might see the guaranteed arrive, the place where there is nectar stones and brilliant vessels' Adoni took a full breath and covered the last recollections of her home. She couldn't recall it now; she missed her home yet she couldn't backpedal; she had promised to keep that piece of her life a mystery.
'Guaranteed arrive'? Nai'muri bit her lip and chose to let the issue rest.
'Slaves, what are you doing here'? Kamsi strolled towards them with her little girl Zabacha.
Mazi Ekere had hitched two spouses; the first was Kamsi, his real wife for she was a freeborn and she bore him Zabacha. After a few years of useless look for a male kid, he discovered a slave in one of his chases and brought her home; Adoni, turned into his second spouse and she bore him Nai'muri.
'We have completed with our tasks and our significant other said I could turn out today around evening time' Adoni disclosed to her senior spouse.
Nai'muri was angered by the way Zabacha's mom had quite recently addressed her mom, however what would she be able to do? Her dad dependably took sides with them.
She reviewed one episode couple of years back when Kamsi had slapped her mom and she had offended her consequently; that night, her dad altogether whipped her and influenced herself and her mom to rest in the goat to pen.
She generally felt awful at whatever point she recalled the episode and that was the reason she persevered through all their joke and evil.
'How could you talk when my mom has not asked you to'? Zabacha murmured indignantly as she gazed at Nai'muri's mom.
'I am sad, my tyke' Adoni bowed her head.
'I am not your tyke! I will never be. Your womb is fit for idiots' Zabacha murmured furiously.
Tears stung Nai'muri's eyes as she persevered through this embarrassment; when was this to end? To what extent would they persevere Kamsi and Zabacha?
Source - Davina D
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EPISODE 2
Tears stung Nai'muri's eyes as she persevered through this mortification; when was this to end? To what extent would they continue Kamsi and Zabacha?
'Anyway, tail me, I have some work for you' Zabacha snapped her fingers.
'Mother… ' Nai'muri was reluctant to relinquish her mom, she had no companions and the other ladies wouldn't converse with her since she was not a freeborn.
'Go tyke. I should return home' Adoni waved her little girl farewell.
'When you achieve home, set me up a decent dinner of dish yam and fish sauce' Kamsi charged.
'You know I can't do that; that is an anathema; the new yam should be eaten following seven days; do you need me to cause harm'? Adoni was frightened by this recommendation.
'I set out you Adoni; on the off chance that you neglect to get ready what I have asked of you, I should ensure my better half butchers you and your malevolent tyke; you came into my life, stole my significant other far from me and now I approach you for some help you contend; have you overlooked your place as a slave'? Kamsi was irritated.
'Be that as it may, imagine a scenario where I am gotten. You know the discipline for resisting the Jaja, the Queen of Ozodo and the stream goddess; I could lose my life' Adoni endeavored to prevail upon her.
'At that point my dear, don't be gotten' Kamsi smiled and left.
'Asurra help me for I am honest' Adoni approached the stream goddess for help.
Jaja Nana, the Queen of Ozodo and her child, Jaja Omiro, sat on indistinguishable positions of authority cut out of bronze; they observed unobtrusively the associations that occurred at the market square.
'Is it accurate to say that you are drained mother? Would it be a good idea for me to advise the workers to get you warm goat drain'? Jaja Omiro, the sovereign gazed at the silver-haired lady that was his mom and ruler.
'I might pass, the general population truly appear to be glad and substance; my administer is without a doubt superior to your father's' Jaja Nana said.
She was a petite lady; her eyes were dark and emotionless and they punctured through her subject like that of a peddle; her eyes were dark seeds of the almond; she had a firm and round nose; he jaw was rakish and firm; and her lips were thin however it was her long and gleaming hair that influenced her remain to out as the Jaja of Ozodo.
'Father was a decent man, he attempted his best for the general population' Omiro acted the hero.
'On the off chance that you say as much, I trust you don't turn out like him' Jaja Nana answered.
Her late spouse, Jaja Surandu the twelfth, was the weakest man she had ever known; he was ambivalent and needed mystique; his boss did not fear him like they dreaded her.
Under his lead, the general population revolted and that was the point at which she concluded that she had enough of it; that night as he mulled over his bed, she put a fabric that had been plunged in wood toxic substance and she had choked out him.
'Would that be an awful thing'? Omiro glared dimly at her. There were a considerable measure of bits of gossip after his dad's strange passing; even the goddess had stayed quiet, yet he had declined to trust his mom would accomplish something to that effect.
'For what reason do we generally need to contend Omiro? You are my child and you ought to gain from my means; I am a decent Queen and that is the reason they have not opposed me. Gain from my means and the missteps of your dad. You realize what will come after the virgin move… ' she delayed and cast a long look at his great looking face.
'I know I will be above all else however I will be in no way like you' Omiro rose to his feet.
'You scorn me with your words, take them back; you should resemble me to control this land' She squeezed him down with her hands.
'Be that as it may, I am correct mother! These individuals fear you, they don't care for you; you charge them vigorously in trim and in texture; now and then I ask why you would do such' He murmured and loose against his position of authority.
'Exchange Omiro, you have to invest more energy with me' she answered.
'Exchange? Get over it mother, I know everything about exchange; we purchase from the Hunani wanderers who travel all around and we pitch to them? How does that relate with the substantial expenses that you constrain the your kin to pay'? Omiro inquired.
'War Omiro, a war is coming; one that would take us to more noteworthy statures' she answered.
'What war would you say you are discussing'? Omiro was confused.
'Mazi Ekere, one of the honorable men disclosed to me something a couple of evenings back; I should impart it to you when you hear me out' the Queen answered her child.
'You assess the general population so you could purchase stallions and lances from the Hunani travelers, to battle whom? We are distant from everyone else mother, Ozodo has been collapsed by the immense obstruction, the mountain; we are just fortunate that there is a way to the outside world; a way which the Hunani helped us make' Omiro advised her that Ozodo was without anyone else, she had no adversaries.
'Imagine a scenario in which there is something past the mountain. A grin jerked her lips as she envisioned what lay there.
Omiro said nothing, he essentially left and left Jaja Nana to her dreams.
"So one mountain became greater than the other and secured the other from seeing the light of Assura; Ozodo is the littler of the mountains while her twin is the considerable obstruction that stands previously our property" the voice of the storyteller flew out to the breeze, analyzing every one of the areas of the market square.
Nai'muri pondered where her relative was taking her; they had passed the spot of the market where individuals could be discovered; the light of the moon did not achieve the zone where they drew nearer.
'Where are you taking me Zabacha'? Nai'muri wouldn't advance.
'Slave, go with the same pattern' Zabacha looked at her indignantly.
'I am not a slave, little girl of Kamsi, my dad is your dad' Nai'muri answered indignantly. She was not frightened of Zabacha, she just dreaded Mazi Ekere their dad.
'How could you call my mom's name with those reviled lips of yours? May Assura strike you dead by thunder' she propelled a slap over Nai'muri's face.
Her darker skin stung like a province of honey bees had attacked it; tears overflowed her eyes as she gazed into according to her more seasoned sister; what had she done to merit this treatment?
'Presently tail me else I will tell father that you called my mom names. We both know he would dependably trust me over you, slave' Zabacha murmured and continued strolling.
She despised Nai'muri for being more appealing than she was; she abhorred her progressively when her own companions, Koqsi and Galia had let it be known without dread or trembling; nobody else would have the sovereign aside from her.
Also, that is the reason she had begun preparing.
'Stop' she stopped and swung to Nai'muri.
'What are we doing here? We are far from the market square, this prompts the abhorrent woodland' Nai'muri chose in her heart that she would run no place else with Zabacha.
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EPISODE 3
'Sssss' Zabacha disregarded her and murmured.
'What's going on with you'? Nai'muri all of a sudden felt anxious.
Right in front of her, two young fellows hopped out from the hedges and strolled nearer to her.
'Zabacha dear, you kept to your guarantee, I will ensure I put in a decent word for you to the ruler, Jaja Omiro' one the men said.
'What's more, I will guarantee to take out some other lady that would impede your way to the castle' the second man said.
'Exceptionally well at that point. Have a good time's Zabacha snickered and dismissed to walk.
'What is this? Furthermore, who are these men' Nai'muri snatched her arm immovably.
'Don't you at any point lay those unsanitary hands on me slave' Zabacha pushed her generally and she arrived on the ground.
'Like I stated, do with her, whatever you need, she is my dad's slave and he couldn't care less about her by any means' Zabacha flashed the men a grin and rushed away.
Nai'muri was significantly alarmed; how was she to escape in this still dull night? Regardless of whether she shouted, who might hear her?
In the event that these men had their way with her, at that point her maidenhead, the image of her virginity and that implied she wouldn't be qualified to move before the ruler.
Tears moved down her cheeks as she cried 'Kindly, don't do this devilish thing, my dad would have my head on the off chance that he finds that I am not a virgin' she fell on her knees and begged the men.
Their eyes were a bursting heater; of desire and want and they couldn't hold up to have an essence of the most delightful lady in the land. The one whose excellence was a revile, for she was a slave and had no esteem.
'It is possible that you influence this to delicate or we violate you by compel, pick one' they said to her.
'I pick not one or the other, please show benevolence' she cried.
Be that as it may, it was past the point of no return for her, the men dragged her into the adjacent shrubbery; she felt their hands on her bosoms; while one worked her garments, the other removed the globules that she wore around her neck, an image of her virtue.
'No'! She shouted, yet it was past the point of no return as one held her hands and the other separated her legs for simple passage.
'Have you done your part'? Kamsi whispered to her little girl as she came back to the market square.
'Indeed. Everything is set' Zabacha answered.
'I sent her mom home to cook me the new yam, ideally, in the event that she gets captured, she would be covered alive' Kamsi said to her girl.
'You're such a savvy lady mother; I am glad for you' the news satisfied Zabacha incredibly.
'As am I, here comes your future spouse' Kamsi grinned as the ruler rose to his feet.
'He is so attractive mother, excessively good looking for a human' Zabacha's heart liquefied as she gazed at the tall and dull Omiro.
Omiro was the most attractive man in the entire of Ozodo; in stature he vanquished; in hardness, his body triumphed; his chest and arms were substantial and all around built and bits of small hair grew over his superb face and chest.
Ladies longed for him; he wedded, in mystery and the ladies implored he picked them for a spouse.
This was one of Zabacha's supplication and with the assistance of her mom, she knew the sovereign would be hers.
'In some cases I ask why father needed to wed her, you're adequate for him' Zabacha said to her mom. She despised Adoni incredibly and she couldn't hold up to see her destruction.
'He needed a child and I couldn't bear one for him' Kamsi murmured.
'Amid one of his chases, he discovered Adoni in the brambles, she guaranteed to be a slave of the hunani individuals and some way or another her lord had overlooked her; she removed my significant other from me. She considered a month after their marriage and brought forth twins, a kid, and a young lady' Kamsi proceeded.
'She brought forth a child'? Zabacha was astounded to hear this.
'Indeed. Truly. Be that as it may, I made the birthing specialists to calm her and I took the kid and slew him with my uncovered hands; from that point I tossed him in the detestable timberland' Kamsi answered.
'Better. On the off chance that the father had thought about her child, he would've completely disregarded us, you did well mother; I would've done same on the off chance that I were you' Zabacha applauded her on the shoulder.
'Much thanks to you, we should listen now, the sovereign needs to address his kin' Kamsi squeezed Zabacha gently and they snickered.
"My kin" Jaja Omiro filtered their appearances.
"Your kids" the tenants of Ozodo bowed their heads.
"It is the ideal opportunity for the moon to rest; we should accumulate again one more night till the seventh day after which we might eat all our collect," he said to the general population.
"Your kids" they bowed as he cleared out the market square with Jaja Nana and the illustrious gatekeepers.
'I can hardly wait to be Omiro's better half, I can't pause' Zabacha was significantly energized.
'Come, we need to see the pharmaceutical man to start with, I require an appeal that would give you unique support before the Prince on that very day' Kamsi dragged her girl along.
'It is dim mother, possibly we ought to do this some other time' Zabacha was not willing to take after her mom.
'Things like this are just done in the murkiness' Kamsi wouldn't relinquish her hand.
Her moans became boisterous as she battled with the men; she didn't know where her quality originated from yet she understood she could oppose them; if just Assura, the waterway goddess, the goddess of light and equity would sparkle her light upon her, at exactly that point would she be spared.
'Otenka! Force your sword, we would remove her appendages and have our way since she is demonstrating resolute' one of the men said.
'That would be a smart thought, Rabani' Otenka answered and hauled out his sword.
'Kindly… don't do this evil thing' Nai'muri cried.
Dread grasped her as she saw a development behind the two men; they were all so near the shrewd woods and anything could occur there.
Consider the possibility that a python had turned out to swallow them. Imagine a scenario where a panther had come to eat them.
She was right, risk was coming, and peril was here.
Out from the thickness of the hedge and the tress bounced out a shrouded figure; in a quick development, the shrouded figure executed the two men and their heads moved on the ground.
Nai'muri took her risk and hopped to her feet; what had simply happened? She pondered who this shrouded figure was yet this was no opportunity to make inquiries; she expected to keep running back home.
'Stop' the shrouded figure said and she understood it was a lady's voice.
'You are dissatisfied' she uncovered herself.
'I… I was simply frightened you weren't human' Nai'muri fell on her knees and murmured expressions of appreciation to the young lady who she felt was nearly her age.
'You are correct; I am not human, now run'! The young lady said.
Hearing this, fear took full control of her and she kept running as quick as her legs could convey her for she had seen a soul.
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EPISODE 4
She looked as the slave young lady hustled, with a comforting grin filling her face; she took a full breath and dragged the collections of the men more profound into the hedge.
She had returned home to a vacant house; just the moans of her better half who was having intercourse to his new courtesan guaranteed her of human nearness.
She cried as she peeled one of the yams she had taken from the stable; on the off chance that she was found simmering the yam, she would bite the dust and Kamsi knew this, however what decision did she have?
In the event that she resisted Kamsi, her better half would betray her and accomplish something rash like he generally did at whatever point Kamsi misled him.
Her significant other had once sweetheart her or possibly he had been imagining, yet she felt it that night he had first had intercourse to her; her beginning of conjugal happiness blurred away effectively like the leaves of the tree vanquished by the egotistical beams of Ozodo sun.
His detest started when she had brought forth Nai'muri; he had anticipated that her would create a child yet she delivered a young lady.
'Why at that point abhor me? Kamsi has a young lady as well' she collapsed her hands and contemplated on that idea.
Possibly there was another reason he had such a great amount of contempt for her and Nai'muri; she guaranteed herself that she would discover reality one day.
When she was finished peeling the sand of the yam, she brought some kindling from her kitchen and two stones, which she struck for flame.
'Assura spare me' she stopped and glanced around, supplicating that nobody would see her nor see the smell of meal yam.
She asked why Nai'muri wasn't yet once more from the market square; it was taking too long and this stressed her; she wasn't open to abandoning her little girl with those malicious pairs.
She fought the temptation to extinguish the fire that she had begun and make a beeline for the market square.
'Give me a chance to complete this without a moment's delay' she masterminded the little bits of wood; got dry grasses that were implied for her significant other's goats and added to the fire.
She squatted nearer to the heart and started to blow the fire with her lips marginally separated.
She was excessively caught up with, making it impossible to feel the nearness of another; excessively fascinated in the satisfying of Kamsi to see somebody had discovered her simmering the new yam.
'Mother! What's happening with you'?
'Meekhabash, for what reason do you look so perplexed? The end result for you'? Adoni jumped from the from the chimney and moved alongside her little girl.
'Zabacha double-crossed me' Nai'muri separated in tears.
'Double-crossed you? What did she do'? Adoni's voice was unsteady.
'She tricked me into the shrubs and left me there alone with two men, their purpose was to contaminate me' Nai'muri described to her mom all that had happened.
'Abominable! Come, we should inform your dad regarding this grave mischievousness' Adoni grasped Nai'muri's hands yet ceased when she felt her protection.
'What is it Meekhabash'? She gazed at the young lady.
'Father could never trust us, he could never be your ally' Nai'muri pulled her hands reluctantly away.
'Be that as it may, this is a genuine issue; Kamsi and Zabacha must be set up; to what extent would we stay aware of this'? Adoni pondered so anyone might hear.
'Also, who might place us in our place'? Kamsi walked around with her girl, they'd caught everything.
There was quiet; still hush; Adoni was excessively anxious, making it impossible to talk however her girl wasn't.
'You should pay for your transgressions Zabacha, Asurra might judge you properly when the correct time comes and you will never beat me' Nai'muri pointed a finger at her and nearly jabbed her eyes with it.
'Meekhabash' Adoni pulled her girl back.
'How could you raise your tarnished hand against my girl'? Kamis laughed.
Zabacha was excessively staggered, making it impossible to state or do anything; she felt there was something vile about Nai'muri, if not, by what other method would she say she was ready to escape two in number warriors?
'I know exactly how best to treat you' Kamsi's eyes sparkled mischievously. She twisted and brought the yam Adoni had simmered and shouted out in a noisy voice.
'Evil entity'!
'No! Kamsi don't do this, you were the one that approached me to cook the yam for you' Adoni fell on her knees and sobbed.
'You can't do this mischievous thing Kamsi, I could never pardon you' Nai'muri broke into tears. She had enough.
Not long after, Mazi Ekere returned with a sword, for he thought a hoodlum had happened upon them.
'What is happening here'? He dropped the sword on the ground when he saw his spouses were quarreling.
'My better half, I came back from the market square with my little girl with me; I saw something interesting noticeable all around; something that was illegal and I hushed up about pondering: What could this be'? Kamsi delayed and shook her head.
'What's more, father, that was the point at which we strolled in and found these two broiling the new yam' Zabacha included.
'What? That is a cursed thing? Would you like to get every one of us murdered'? Mazi Ekere swung to his slave spouse and tyke.
'My significant other, they are telling falsehoods, kindly don't notice to them; tune in to my story before you hop into conclusion' Adoni asked.
Nai'muri did nothing; tears hurried down her face as she gazed at her dad irately; what sort of a man would he say he was? He obtusely declined to hear her out mother.
'I have had enough of your jabber Adoni; you should go out before you cause me harm with Jaja Nana' he started.
'What are you saying'? Adoni felt the world slamming down on her.
'You stop to be my better half from this minute, you and your little girl can live, go wherever; live wherever you please' he gave his summon and left.
'My significant other, wouldn't you say you're by and large excessively ill-advised in your choice'? Kamsi cut in sweetly.
'You question me now'? He turned and respected her consistently.
'Regardless of what your slave spouse does, Nai'muri is as yet your tissue; I say she should remain behind and her mom ought to be sent away' Kamsi said to her better half.
'No! I decline to remain in this reviled house; wherever my mom goes, so should I' Nai'muri drew nearer to her mom.
'So should it be, go out this moment' her dad yapped in irate voice.
'Kindly don't do this fiendish thing, my significant other, in the event that you send us away, where might we stay; the night is dim and loaded with dread's Adoni cried and held his feet.
'I couldn't care less about you or your detestable kid, go out' he rehashed and left.
'I cautioned you Adoni however you were tenacious and glad, see where your pride has abandoned you' Kamsi's snicker was triumphant.
'You might pay for every one of your transgressions towards I and my mom' Nai'muri cried intensely.
'Goodness close your dingy mouth; now you don't have a place to call home; I think about how you will share in the move' Zabacha snickered and walked towards the cottage that Mazi Ekere had worked for them.
Nai'muri sobbed painfully; how could her dad be so unfeeling? What's more, for what reason did Kamsi and Zabacha abhor them to such an extent?
'You should quit crying Nai'muri, there will be an exit plan' Adoni wiped her face as she support her girl.
'Quit crying youngster, Meekhabash, quit crying.
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EPISODE 5
‘You must stop crying Nai’muri, there will be a way out’ Adoni wiped her face as she comforted her daughter.
‘Stop crying child, Meekhabash, stop crying.
‘Welcome, Princess’ the guards bowed their heads as she passed them.
‘Where is the King’? Analin asked as she took off her cloak and wiped the blood of the men she had killed that night.
‘Training in the war room’ they replied.
‘Good. Send some bathers to my room, I need a long and warm bath’ Analin said to them.
Pride swelled her heart as she neared the war room where her only brother and King usually spent long hours; training and fighting with his warriors.
‘Roka’ she called his name, but he was too focused to hear.
She decided to play a prank on him by sneaking behind him but she was too late, he turned around and placed the sword on her neck.
‘I did it’ Analin felt very excited.
‘You climbed down the mountain’? Roka’s eyes were filled with awe.
‘Yes! Yes, and the wise one was right! There are people on the other side of the mountain’ Analin said.
‘People? This is so new, I find it hard to believe there are humans on the other side of the mountain’ Roka slipped on his shirt and led them both to the throne room.
‘Believe me Roka, I came back with evidence’ Analin said.
‘Evidence’? He asked.
‘Yes. Two human heads, I killed them in a bush, they were trying to rape a girl’ she explained.
‘There’s nothing wrong in ravaging a woman; women are properties and subject to men; they were created for pleasure’ Roka didn’t share in her beliefs.
He was the King of the land beyond the mountain; the king of a highly civilized and developed society; he was ambitious and had a fiery temper; he was a great warrior but not as great as his younger sister Analin, who had offered to climb down the mountain and explore new lands.
‘How can you say that’? Analin moved towards the clay jugs where wine was kept and poured some for herself.
‘Sorry if I offended you, but you must have your rest; tomorrow we plan on how to take this land for ourselves’ Roka replied.
‘Yourself, you mean’? Analin scoffed.
Roka was self-centered and power hungry; he didn’t care about anybody but himself and many a time, he had trampled on the feelings of others.
‘I am your King Analin and I deserve respect’ He cut in.
‘Well, it wouldn’t be that easy to take the land, I found these on the men; I wish I could stay longer but I didn’t want to jeopardize our plans’ she dropped a bag before him, several weapons fell out of the bag.
‘They have swords? Clubs? Spears? Daggers? They are as civilized as us’ Roka noticed.
‘Yes, of course; they speak our language too, though their tongue is slightly changed; I spoke with the girl that I rescued and she seemed to understand me quite well; the gods have ordained this to happen’ Analin smiled confidently.
‘Yes! The gods! You have done well sister and I am so proud of you; we must choose a day to invade that land and take hold of it’ Roka was eager to possess powers.
His parents had died during an outbreak of strange disease and he had been made king at an early age; from then on, his desire for power had grown and he sought to rule other lands but the great mountain stood like a barrier to his dreams.
Their land was rich with rivers of honey pebbles and gold; they had riches and wealth and so he had employed the services of some men to strike down the mountain but they couldn’t.
For seven years they had tried but they failed and no one was willing to climb down the mountain except his sister who was the head of his army.
Roka had forgotten all about crossing the mountain a long time ago but the wise one, his adviser, had brought him a gigantic box as a gift; once he opened it, he found a pale looking man, who was very strange.
“We found two of his kind climbing the mountain, it means that there is a world outside there; we have to take it” the old man had said.
‘And I am going to take it’ Roka smiled and gulped the wine from the clay pots.
‘My king, your bed is ready’ one of his servants announced.
‘Ndoba isn’t it’? His eyes were filled with lusts as he raked her slender body.
‘Yes my king, Ndoba is my name’ she replied.
‘You’ll warm my bed tonight’ it was more of a command than a request.
Roka was drawn to women and women were equally drawn to him; his sister had pressured him to choose a wife for himself from among them but he decided to ignore her. A wife was only going to be a stumbling block to his womanizing ways and he was not the type of man to be caged.
‘Roka! Wait’ Analin met him at the entrance of his chambers.
‘Yes, sister’? He signaled the servant girl to enter his room.
‘There is bad news brother’ her eyes were filled with fear.
‘What news that cannot wait’? He arched a brow.
‘The wise one, your advisor is dead. His wife just told me’ Analin replied.
‘Good. Then, by all means, get the army prepared, we are invading that land tomorrow’ Roka replied.
‘Is that all you’re going to say’? Analin swallowed, what kind of a cold person was Roka?
‘The wise one was the reason you took the throne, he saved us from our enemies and upheld our birthright’ she continued, should incase her brother had forgotten the importance of the man that had just died.
‘I know sister, I know the many enemies he conquered on my behalf; Adoni and her team of usurpers were all killed by the wise one; I would mourn him properly when the time comes’ Roka replied.
As a young king, he had been faced with many challenges; he remembered a woman, Adoni, that had wanted to rule the land beyond the mountain; she had the support of the people and had almost taken the land if not for the wise one.
‘Life is too short to waste it on tears. We don’t have much time and don’t you think the people of that land wouldn’t notice the missing heads of the men and how about the girl they almost ravished? She would tell other of what she saw. That is why we must hurry; you showed me their weapons, they are civilized and at par with us; there is no time Analin’.
‘I assured her that I was a “spirit” and it looked like she believed me’ Analin answered.
‘Tell me about this girl…’ he was curious.
‘I don’t know brother for it was dark’ she replied.
‘Okay. Get some sleep, we invade tomorrow’ Roka placed a kiss on her hair and stepped into his room.
‘May the gods save him’ she released a breath and left for her chambers.
Climbing down the mountain wasn’t that difficult; only exhausting but she had been adequately equipped with water and food; it took her half a day to reach the land they were about to invade.
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EPISODE 6
Now the wise one was dead, she wondered if Roka was ever going to listen to anyone else; his stubbornness was his albatross but she prayed he never took a decision that would ruin everything they had planned.
The night was cold and dangerously quiet; Adoni and her daughter placed their belongings that was contained in a basket atop their heads.
‘Where do we go from here mother? We both know the people do not like us’ Nai’muri was greatly troubled.
‘The mountain woods’ Adoni replied quietly, so many things went through her mind.
‘But is forbidden for any man or woman to go close to the huge mountain talk less of abiding in the woods before it’ Nai’muri replied.
‘That is the only option we have Nai’muri, we must hurry, so we rest our head and set up a house for ourselves when morning comes’ Adoni replied.
‘Why do you sound so confident? Is there something that you are not telling me’? She stared at her mother for a while.
A smile brightened the older woman’s face and then she shook her head. her daughter had been raised to believe there was nothing on the other side of the mountain, just like a lot of villagers were meant to believe; but they were all wrong. She had come from that very mountain long ago and gotten lost in the woods, that was where Mazi Ekere saw her and captured her to be his wife.
‘You never told me about your escape from those two vile men’ her mother switched topics.
‘No I did not’ Nai’muri started.
Fear gripped her as she remembered the spirit that had come out of the bushes to rescue her.
‘A woman jumped out from the bushes and slew them; she unsettled their heads from their shoulder, I saw a spirit mother. Do you think it was the river goddess, Asurra that came to my rescue’? Nai’muri wondered for she had called on the goddess to send her light and Justice.
‘Were you opportune to see this woman’s face? And her manner of dressing’? Adoni asked. She had never seen a spirit before, she was curious.
‘No, but she was tall and fair of skin, her hair was as long as mine if not longer’ Nai’muri replied.
In the land of Ozodo, only she and her mother had such long hair; the other women had short and kinky hair and that added to the reason people stayed away from them.
‘Long hair’? Adoni raised a brow.
‘Yes, she moved so swiftly, I never knew a woman could fight so well’ Nai’muri smiled for the first time that night.
‘Analin…’ Adoni muttered to herself.
‘What’? Nai’muri asked.
‘Um, nothing, we must hurry to the woods child and set a place for the night’ she reminded Nai’muri of what was most important and together they rushed towards the mountain woods.
The woods like its name implied was a lonely place, scanty and filled with pine trees; dry leaves and foliage covered the ground; it was quiet and a bit scary as no one else inhabited that part.
‘Are you sure about this mother’? Nai’muri asked.
‘Come, follow my lead’ Adoni beckoned to her child.
Nai’muri noticed the way her mother moved smoothly through the woods; she moved as though she had stayed there before; like she knew all the nooks and crannies of the mountain woods.
‘What do you think about Zabacha’s words’? Nai’muri asked her mother.
‘Meekhabash, you are very beautiful and you must go to the virgin dance, nothing would stop you’ Adoni reassured her.
‘But mother, what if Kamsi tells Jaja Nana about the yam you roasted’? Nai’muri asked.
‘I don’t know Meekhabash, till then, now we must sleep’ Adoni took the basket off her head and helped Nai’muri with hers.
She fetched a thick blanket made out of goat’s skin and spread it on the ground.
‘Come, lie’ she called to her daughter.
‘What are you doing’? Nai’muri watched her mother as she settled on the blanket.
‘Starting a fire to keep wild animals away’ she replied and continued striking the stones against each other. She took a deep breath and turned back, she wasn’t looking at her daughter now, and she was looking at the mountain and the land beyond it.
She wondered how the land was under Roka whom she had tried to kill; looking back now, she regretted all the choices she had made; she remembered vividly the night she was to be murdered alongside her followers but something happened.
She was able to outsmart the king’s warriors and so she climbed down the mountain in fear, in desperation for survival, these woods had kept her alive for days till Mazi Ekere found her.
She had been shocked to see a human being as there was a popular belief that there was nothing beyond the mountain; he had spoken a language that she understood and had taken her home against her wish to be his wife. How could she deny his request?
She was a vagabond and had no place to go; if she ever set her foot in the land beyond the mountain, Roka would have her head.
‘I wish I had chosen better’ she replied and crawled towards the blanket.
‘Are you okay mother’? Nai’muri asked she noticed the woman had been crying.
‘I would be fine Meekhabash’ Nai’muri replied.
The royal house was built with rocky stones and terracotta; the floors were adorned with priceless sea pebbles gotten from the Ozodo river; there was a throne room where Jaja Nana and Jaja Omiro stayed to meet with the chiefs in council and there was a royal shrine, where sacrifices were made to the river goddess.
‘Assura, be with your children, today and forever’ the priest led the morning prayers in the royal house.
Jaja Nana, Jaja Omiro, the chiefs in council and the servants were all present; they all knelt before the golden image of a woman, the effigy of the river goddess.
‘And may your light and Justice Come’ they replied.
‘May Assura accept our sacrifices, may her wisdom dwell with us now and forever more’ the Priest fetched a cock and slew it before the people; he poured the blood into a calabash and marked everyone’s forehead with it.
‘Good morning Mother’Prince Omiro bowed before Jaja Nana.
‘Son, rise, let’s go to the throne room, we have a lot to discuss’ she turned to her son.
‘May you live long your Highnesses’ the priest walked towards mother and son and bowed before them.
‘Rise elder, gather all the chiefs, there is something of utmost importance that I must share with you’ Jaja Nana instructed.
‘As you wish’ the priest bowed his head and departed from her.
‘I can hardly wait to hear of this important news’ Omiro glanced at his mother as they ascended the bronze throne.
‘Your sarcasm is appalling’ she hissed.
‘Mazi Ekere, how will the meat be this season of the new yam’? Jaja Nana asked the hunter chief.
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EPISODE 7
‘Meat shall be plenty, I shall hunt the woods tomorrow for antelopes and grass cutters’ he replied cheerfully, pleased that the Queen showed interest in what he did.
‘Alright then, I welcome you all to my palace, chiefs of Ozodo’ she raised her staff and they all bowed their heads.
‘Many of you may think me an evil queen because of how heavily I have taxed the people’ she stared at Omiro briefly.
‘I had my reasons for doing that; I want all our warriors to be equipped with weapons and horses for the war that is to come’ she explained.
‘What war my Queen? Ozodo is a lone kingdom, we have no enemies, the only contact we have with the outside world is with the Hunani nomads and traders’ Mazi Ekere pointed this out and the other chiefs laughed.
‘I know, but have you ever asked yourselves if there is anything beyond the huge mountain’? She stepped down from her thrown.
‘There is nothing beyond the mountain except wild animals and scanty vegetation’ Omiro cut in.
‘Patient son. Let me prove a point to you’ she snapped her fingers.
At the snap of her fingers, five Hunani nomads walked towards the middle of the throne room.
‘Sacrilege! Why would you let strangers into your throne room Jaja’? Mazi Ekere rose to his feet.
‘Tell them what you told me seven months ago’ she returned to her throne.
The Hunani nomads were dressed in long garments and they covered their heads with turbans of multiple colors; they were all tall and slender with a pale light skin.
‘I greet you all’ the eldest of them bowed and then fetched a little box from his bag.
‘As you all know, we the Hunani nomads are mainly into cattle rearing and trading; we have traveled lands, far and near and in our many travels we stumbled on the land beyond the mountain. One of our men was captured while we managed to escape. Here is what I found’ he opened the box and revealed a stone whose glimmer was like nothing they’d ever seen.
‘That is s beautiful’ Mazi Ekere rose to his feet.
‘It looks expensive’ another chief said.
‘Gold’ Omiro rose to his feet.
‘Here Jaja’ the Hunani man dropped the box before the Queen.
‘Where did you find this’? Omiro asked.
‘The land beyond the mountain, my prince. I assure you that there are inhabitants in the land; they are human and share similar language and culture as you. They are very rich, in gold and honey pebbles’ he brought out another box.
‘What are honey pebbles’? Omiro was curious.
‘It flows from their spring, taste so sweet, melts easily in the mouth’ the Nomad offered the prince the box.
Omiro exchanged glances with his mother, it after she nodded that he fetched the brown pebble and dropped it in his mouth.
It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted; its flavor was rare, he had never tasted something like this.
‘Do you all believe me now’? Jaja Nana asked.
‘Yes we do, but how do we conquer this land for ourselves’? Mazi Ekere asked.
‘That is a good question; I love realists’ Jaja Nana laughed.
‘He is a right mother; we need to capture them and rule; they are richer than us in gold and honey pebbles, if they realize there is a land beyond the mountain, they will come for us and seek to rule over us’ Omiro replied thoughtfully.
‘You have made a good point, but this Hunani man has assured me that they do not know about our existence, so that gives us great advantage’ Jaja Nana replied.
‘But you told us one of your men was captured, he would tell them about Ozodo’ Omiro faced the Hunani.
‘I doubt it, they must have killed him; the King is fierce and the people are violent. They have weapons and armory and a lot of men’ he returned.
‘Then we have a lot of work to do’ Omiro rose to this great challenge.
He dreamt of being the greatest king that ever lived; he wanted to be better than his mother and his father; he wanted the outside world to hear about Ozodo.
‘Be patient son, we would invade the land beyond the mountain after the Virgin dance; after you have chosen for yourself a wife and crowned as King’ Jaja Nana replied.
‘Why the long wait? Can we invade them now? It’s best to attack the opponent when they are less suspecting and weak’ he replied.
‘I know son and it is also good to tread with caution. We shall wait some more till your wedding is over’ Jaja Nana replied.
‘As you wish mother’ Omiro bowed. He would wait, once he had picked his bride, they would conquer the land beyond the mountain for themselves.
‘You may go now’ Roka said to the servant girl he’d just made love to.
‘Did you like it’? He called to her.
‘Yes, my king’ she replied shyly and scurried out of the room.
‘Phew,’ he released a breath and rose to his feet.
He loved to make love, it relaxed his mind and helped him to take better decisions.
He peeled himself from the bed made of feathers and strolled to his window; he watched the inhabitants of the land going about their usual activities.
The morning had come, another day had been born; the farmers left for their farms; the miners left for the gold mine and the warriors, they resumed their training.
His eyes traveled to the huge mountain that blocked them from the outside world; his curiosity grew in size; he couldn’t wait to see what the land had to offer.
His land was already rich in gold and honey pebbles; all he needed was more people to work in the mines.
‘Fetch me my hammer, I need to train’ he said aloud; he thought one of his warriors had stepped into his chambers.
‘Dress up, there is something I must show you’ Analin stormed into the room.
‘You really should learn how to knock’ He fetched his robe and slipped it on.
‘And you should learn not to wake up naked’ she snorted and walked out of his room with Roka beside her.
‘What is this thing of great importance that cannot wait’? He asked Analin.
‘I found something very disturbing among the things I gathered last night’ Analin replied, with her brown eyes a little troubled.
‘Don’t worry sister, we shall find an answer to the puzzle that troubles you’ Roka caressed her hair.
‘Here, look what I found, does this remind you of anything’? She fetched a golden bead from the bag.
‘I must have picked it from the floor, I think the girl owned this and maybe the men dragged it off from her while they tried to defile her body’ Analin suggested.
‘This looks like it came from here, what business does it have with the land after the mountain’? Roka fiddled with the bracelet.
He noticed his sister looked afraid.
‘What is it’?
‘What if Adoni or one of her followers had managed to escape and they are out there? That bracelet belonged to the ruling class, the royals of these land. Something strange is happening here’ she sighed.
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EPISODE 8
‘What if Adoni or one of her followers had managed to escape and they are out there? That bracelet belonged to the ruling class, the royals of these land. Something strange is happening here’ she sighed.
‘So you feel they somehow managed to escape the tight security that had been provided that night? Now, don’t be a ridiculous sister, you are really stressed and I think you need some sleep’ he dropped the bracelet in his pocket and moved closer to her.
‘I am serious Roka! If I could climb down the mountain, any other person could. I am telling you, brother, someone from our land is out there and we have to do something about it. What if they tell people about this place? That would affect all our plans’ Analin was a warrior and she knew this before one went to war, you needed a strategy.
If the people they planned on conquering got wind of the fact that they were people beyond the mountain; it would give them time to prepare and what was an invasion without the element of surprise?
‘You know what? I understand your fears. I take back my words, we would not invade the land today’ Roka announced, he had thought It through and decided against it.
‘Why? What changed your mind’?
‘It would be foolhardy to attempt and invasion on a land that I have not set foot on or seen’ he grinned.
‘Are you saying that you don’t trust my judgment’? Analin felt hurt that her brother didn’t have enough faith in her.
‘I am not saying that sister, but the eyes of a man and the eyes of a woman are different’ he shrugged.
‘So why did you make me the chief of your army’? She gritted her teeth.
‘You fight well; better than all my warriors, I must see this land for myself. I shall take five warriors with me and we will go scouting and be ravaging’ he winked.
‘I am coming along’ Analin’s voice was stern.
‘No you are not. Who would watch the land when I am gone’? Roka asked.
‘The adviser is dead, the wise one is gone, sister. You must stay and watch the land’ he replied.
‘As you wish’ she stormed angrily out of the war room.
‘Always so angry’ Roka laughed and rubbed the bracelet in his pocket.
He trusted his sister and understood the reason behind her fears and he was going to settle it.
One thing was sure, if he found any usurper after the mountain, he would plunge his sword deep into them. Nothing was going to stand in his way of becoming the greatest king that ever lived.
Zabacha and her mother sung and clapped happily as their enemies were gone but that wasn’t the end of their problem.
‘Mother, what if she still shows up for the dance’? Zabacha stopped in her steps as she expressed her fears.
‘She wouldn’t. Nai’muri know what we are capable of; I will kill her with my bare hands should she show up on that day’ Kamsi was suddenly enraged as she realized they had not done enough to keep Nai’muri away.
‘Kill who’? Mazi Ekere heard part of the conversation as he returned from Jaja Nana’s palace.
‘Welcome my husband’ Kamsi smiled and jumped to her feet.
‘Zabacha, fetch me some goat’s milk to quench my thirst’ he turned to his daughter.
‘Welcome Papa’ she bowed her head and rushed to do as he asked.
‘So who were you planning to kill’? Mazi sat on a stool next to his wife.
‘I was joking, you seem really tired, and how was the meeting with Jaja Nana’? Kamsi asked.
‘Something very strange came up, there is a land beyond the mountains, a king and a people’ Mazi Ekere replied.
‘A land beyond the mountain’? A chuckle escaped her throat at her husband’s ridiculous statement.
‘Yes. And why do you find it funny’?
‘My husband, we both know there is nothing beyond the huge mountain, why would Jaja Nana allow a Hunani to deceive her? I feel they could be luring her into a trap.
‘Here it is father’ Zabacha returned with a gourd.
‘That is why I hate discussing things with women, you are all so small minded’ he said before gulping down the contents of the gourd.
‘What is going on’? Zabacha whispered to her mother.
‘Your father and Jaja Nana say there is a land beyond the huge mountain, isn’t that ridiculous? We all know there is no such thing, I find it difficult to believe’ Kamsi clicked her tongue.
‘I believe father, anything is possible’ Kamsi took sides with Mazi.
‘You take after your father; now I must go hunting, stay well both of you’ he left for his chambers to fetch his hunting instruments.
‘Why are you smiling mother’? Zabacha noticed a faint smile on her mother’s lips.
‘Us. We are now one big and happy family, I pray that evil woman and her daughter never return to this house again’ Kamsi said.
‘You’re right mother, everything feels so right now Nai’muri and her mother are gone, once I win the dance contest, our lives would be much better’ she was confident about this.
‘Yes, and it would make I and your father really proud.
The cries of the antelope and the whistling on the trees was a sign that morning had come for the woods.
‘It’s morning already, I had a wonderful sleep’ Nai’muri yawned and stretched. She had never slept so peacefully even while she was at her father’s house.
Had she always gone to bed in tears or woken up in anxiety? But the night at the woods? It was perfect and very relaxing.
‘Mother’? Her heart raced as she realized she was alone on the furry blanket.
She quickly rose to her feet and scanned the woods, her mother’s belongings were still intact in the basket, where was she?
‘You woke at last’ Adoni returned with a bush animal.
‘Good morning mother, how did you get that’? Nai’muri was surprised her mother could hunt.
‘I was married to a hunter, what do you think’? Adoni replied.
‘We’ll need some fire to roast the meat, so get on with it, while I clean the insides’ she said to her daughter.
‘You are such a strong woman mother, I am proud to have you’ Nai’muri rushed forward and hugged the woman.
‘And you are a beautiful pearl Meekhabash’ Adoni kissed her face.
‘Where is your bracelet’? She noticed Nai’muri was not wearing the bracelet she had given her from birth, the remains of everything she owned back at her home.
‘I…I’ Nai’muri noticed she wasn’t wearing the bracelet.
‘Those men…I must have taken it off while struggling with them’ she suddenly felt afraid as she remembered the event of the previous night.
‘Assura! Have mercy, that bracelet was a golden one, it costs a fortune and it was so special to me’ Adoni cherished the bracelet so much as it reminded her of her heritage.
‘I am so sorry mother, maybe I could go back to the bush, maybe I could still find it’ she noticed this bracelet seemed very important to her mother.
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EPISODE 9
‘I am so sorry mother, maybe I could go back to the bush, maybe I could still find it’ she noticed this bracelet seemed very important to her mother.
‘No. You cannot risk your life for a bracelet, what if you get into trouble another time’? Adoni held her hands.
‘But it means so much to you’ Nai’muri cried.
‘Yes it does but it is not as important as you, my child’ Adoni replied and drew her in for a hug.
‘I am so sorry mother’ Nai’muri sobbed.
‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous! It was just a bracelet’.
‘Not just a bracelet mother! A golden one’ Nai’muri broke away from her.
‘You know what? I am hungry, go deep into the woods but not too deep, fetch some firewood and let us get started’ Adoni shooed her away.
‘Alright, mother’ Nai’muri hopped away. She felt happy that her mother had pushed her pain away, she wasn’t crying as usual; she had accepted their fate.
‘My beautiful pearl’ Adoni smiled as she watched her daughter walk away.
Nai’muri was very beautiful; she was tall and well built. Her skin was a clear and attractive shade of honey; her eyes were round and brown; her nose was smallish and round and her red lips were plum and attracting. It was her hair that was her seat of beauty; it was longer than the hair of other maidens, it fell to her waist and she let it flow proudly.
‘The land beyond the mountain’ Adoni muttered and thought of her people. Nai’muri looked exactly like them; they were mostly tall, fair of skin and with long hair, only that Nai’muri’s skin was slightly darker than hers because of her Ozodo blood.
She crawled towards her basket that contained her belongings and fetched a dagger from it, she would use it and skin the animal, making it ready for them to eat.
She hummed a song while she was at it. A song her mother’s mother had taught her, a song of freedom and hope. A song that brought tears to her eyes; tears of regrets and tears of fears.
She paused as she felt the wind blow so strongly; she turned round but there was no one; a sick feeling crept up inside her that she was being watched.
Roka, the king of the land beyond the mountain had taken five men along with him to scout the new land they had discovered.
‘Stay with me, don’t do anything that I don’t command’ he said to his warriors.
‘We shall obey all your words’ they replied as they reached the foot of the mountain and scurried into the woods.
Roka was a warrior and he had learnt so many strategies on sneaking up on people; he had replaced his clothes with leaves and painted his face with the blood of a bird he had killed. He intended to become, to look, to smell like the woods and he succeeded.
The wind had carried a message to him and he had received it.
‘The gods be praised, I see a human’ he whispered to one of his men.
‘She looks like us, only that her skin is darker’ Saka, one of his warriors said.
‘And she is extremely beautiful’ Roka observed. All his life, he had never seen a woman so attractive.
‘Go to the entrance of the woods and wait for me there, if she is not alone, kill all those that are with her; we must keep our identity a secret’ Roka ordered his guards.
‘Yes, Your Majesty they dispersed into the woods.
He drew a deep breath as he marveled at her great beauty; his dark eyes were tainted with deep desire to ravage her, to take her right there.
She was dressed differently from the girls in his land; two wrapper pieces, the red covered her breasts and the green covered her hips; they covered her entire body leaving her flat belly opened; her waist was slightly exposed and it was covered with heavy beads just like the ones that clung to her neck.
‘Arora’ he muttered, it meant beauty in their dialect.
His eyes strayed to her breasts, they were large and supple like the gourds of the sweet melon fruit. Her hips were well shaped and they bulged out; her laps were long and slender and everything in her rested on long legs. She was very much desirable.
He loved her long black hair that fell to her waist, she reminded him so much of the girls back home.
A thought crossed his mind, what if the bracelet belonged to her? What if Analin was right?
This wasn’t a coincidence, he finalized in his heart that she was a descendant of one of those that had tried to usurp him and had somehow escaped judgment.
He was going to administer judgment to her; that was what he said to himself to mask the desires that welled up in him.
He crawled from his hiding place and covered her mouth swiftly to prevent her from crying for help.
‘Please, please’ Nai’muri struggled against the strange looking man that had taken her body captive.
He lifted her and dropped her on the floor of the woods; her eyes were even more beautiful than he had thought.
‘Arora’ he whispered again while his free hand went to his belt as he released it.
Tears filled Nai’muri’s eyes as she saw the glint of lusts in this strange man’s eyes; she had never seen a man like this before; he was very handsome but that was not what she cared about.
‘Get off me’ she tried to fight him but he was stronger than she was.
Roka paused and listened to the sounds of the woods; if there were other people, his men would’ve alerted him. He let go of her mouth and tore the piece of cloth that shielded her breasts.
‘Please, stop’ Nai’muri begun to scream. Fear gripped her as she realized she had wandered far off from her mother; she was doomed because no one would ever hear her scream.
Roka fondled her big round breasts and dropped his lips on them without hesitation; he fed on her like he was hungry.
Tears flowed from her eyes as she realized that he would rape her and she was so helpless.
‘You would like this’ Roka whispered to her but she said nothing in return.
He untied the knot that held the other wrapped in place; it fell off and revealed her true form, her beautiful nakedness; his hands grabbed her hips, caressed it for a while and then parted her legs gently.
‘Please…’ Nai’muri cried.
Roka said nothing, he was already hard and erect and there was no stopping him. He fetched his hard rod in his hands and placed it at the opening of her sacred mound.
A cry of pain and shame filled the air.
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EPISODE 10
She decided that fear had preyed on her; the villagers hardly came to the woods, so what reason did she have to fear?
She fetched her dagger and continued to hum a song while dressing the bush animal she’d killed but then she stopped as a familiar scent stung her nostrils.
This was more than déjà vu, it had to be real. Fear gripped her as Nai’muri had not returned. If her thoughts were right, Roka and his men would ravage her daughter without conscience.
She fetched her dagger and trotted deeper into the woods, leaving their baskets and the dressed animal; her hands were bloody, her breaths were deep; she was afraid.
As she moved deeper into the woods, she heard her daughter’s cries.
‘Asurra, where is your justice’? She called on the river goddess as she rushed to the scene.
‘Roka’! She called her king in a bitter voice as she found his naked form atop her daughter.
‘Mother’! Nai’muri cried.
‘Adoni’? Roka’s eyes caught the woman who had tried to kill him, Analin was right after all.
He leapt up and covered himself.
‘You son of a whore, you dare to rape my child. I would kill you and end your reign now’ she tightened her grip on the dagger and advanced towards him.
Fear filled Nai’muri, she had never seen her mother so angry and so determined. She placed the wrapper haphazardly on her body and rushed to stop her mother. This man seemed like a dangerous person and her mother seemed to have met him before.
‘Mother! Please, spare his life’ she rushed to her mother’s side.
‘Spare my life? I guess you have not told her’ Roka laughed and focused on the usurper’s face.
‘Get away from her, from us, you have done enough’ Adoni cried.
‘Done enough? When Analin found this in the forest, I chose not to believe her but I see she was right the whole time; you are still alive’ Roka fetched the bracelet from his pocket and showed it to her.
‘That’s my bracelet’ Nai’muri observed.
‘I will kill you Adoni; I would not show you mercy’ Roka’s voice was firm.
‘Please, don’t kill my mother…kill me in her place, you have already done enough’ Nai’muri pushed her mother aside and fell at his feet.
‘Meekhabash, please’ Adoni dragged her backward.
Roka observed her swollen and puffy eyes; how could a daughter sacrifice her life for such a vile mother? Something in her eyes spoke to him, it told him that she was a kind young woman, but he was not here for adulation. He had come with a purpose, with intent.
‘Your mother does not deserve to live’ Roka picked his sword from the ground and dragged it from the scabbard.
‘Please…’Nai’muri sobbed.
‘I love you Meekhabash’ Adoni wept, knowing Roka would never forgive her for the things she had done.
‘Mother’!
Nai’muri’s scream filled the air as Roka severed her mother’s head from the rest of her body. Blood gushed from her and trickled down the woods.
‘You killed my mother, you killed her’ tears trickled down her face; pain embraced her as she stared at the monster of a man that had not only defiled her but taken her virginity.
‘And I have no regrets, your mother deserved to die’ Roka cleaned his sword with some dry leaves.
‘What did she do to deserve this? Who are you and where do you come from’? her voice was weak, she felt confused.
Her mother had no relatives, she had no one, she was a slave and from the look of the man before her, he was not from Ozodo.
‘A lot’ Roka observed her quietly, she seemed oblivious of her mother’s sins.
‘You will never know peace, Assura shall judge you and darken your ways’ her lips moved and released curses on the stranger.
‘Funny. Curses don’t work on kings’ Roko scanned the woods and decided it was time to move on with his plan; they had come to explore the land, Adoni’s execution was a stroke of luck.
‘My King! Someone is coming, we must return to the mountains before we are seen’ Saka rushed towards Roka with the other four.
Nai’muri was shocked as more men surrounded her; she was even more afraid of what they might do to her; something strange was happening and she couldn’t help but wonder who the men where.
‘We must take her along with us else she tells the others what she has seen’ Saka whispered to Roka.
She noticed they were whispering, so she began to move back as the thought of another man raping her filled her mind.
He saw the fear in her eyes and he realized he was the cause; he moved quickly and grabbed her by the arm.
‘Please…don’t hurt me again, kill me instead’ Nai’muri fell on her knees and cried.
Roka had never felt such sympathy for anyone like he did that minute; a wave of guilt swept over him and he suddenly regretted his action.
‘I promise, I wouldn’t let them hurt you’ he caressed her hair.
‘Who are you and where do you come from’? Nai’muri managed to ask?
‘Why did you kill my mother? What did she do’?
‘Arora, you ask to many questions, swear to me that you wouldn’t tell your people a word about us, about what you have seen today’ he held firmly to his sword, he wouldn’t take any chances.
‘You monster! You act like you care; I would tell the world of your callousness’ she jumped to her feet.
‘And then you shall die’ he clasped the handle of the sword, but his hands were shaking, he didn’t have the courage to use it on her.
‘Go ahead, I am ready to die’ Nai’muri cried bitterly, she wondered what her life would be without her mother to guide her, to love and protect her.
‘Tell me, why are you so eager to die’? Roka controlled his shaky hands and focused on her.
‘You have taken all that I have, there is nothing left for me’ she stared at her mother’s corpse. This man had violated her and her mother.
He scanned the trees briefly and noticed the sudden flight of birds; the trees seemed to pay homage as they swayed back and forth; someone had entered the woods, they weren’t alone.
‘We have to go’ Roka lifted his sword and called to his men.
‘But what about her’? Saka pointed a finger at Nai’muri.
Roka was about to respond his guard but a thunderous voice sounded and had them running back to the mountain.
“Stop”! Mazi Ekere, the great hunter hurried into the woods with his bow and arrow, he shot at the strange looking men but missed.
‘Father’! Nai’muri was surprised to see him. She wondered what had brought him to the woods; had he had a change of mind and had come to rescue her and her mother and take them back home? Had he discovered the truth that Kamis and her daughter, Zabacha were lying?
-
EPISODE 11
‘Father’! Nai’muri was surprised to see him. She wondered what had brought him to the woods; had he had a change of mind and had come to rescue her and her mother and take them back home? Had he discovered the truth that Kamis and her daughter, Zabacha were lying?
‘Nai’muri, what in Assura’s name is this’? Mazi Ekere fell on his knees as he saw the bloody scene before him.
This was his slave wife but her head had been severed from her shoulders.
‘Give me an answer Nai’muri and who are those men’? He snapped at her. He was furious and confused.
‘I don’t know father, they came out from nowhere and they attacked us’ she explained.
Anger shot through him by what they had done, he rose to his feet and followed the direction of the strange men.
‘Father! Please come back, these men are dangerous’ Nai’muri called after him but he paid no attention.
Seeing that he wouldn’t hearken to her, she fell on the floor and wept till she had no strength left in her. Her world was bleak; it was dark; she was confused. She had so many questions to ask but who would answer them.
Her tears soaked the earth; her sobs entertained the woods, her fingers dug into the soil as she gritted her teeth. This pain was too much to bear.
‘Get up Nai’muri, come home with me. I must speak to Jaja Nana’ her father’s voice interrupted her mourning.
‘I can’t follow you home father, it is your fault this happened’? She wiped her face with the back of her hand.
If he had not chased them out of the house; maybe these men wouldn’t have found them; maybe she wouldn’t have been raped by that monster; maybe he mother would still be alive.
‘I know and I do not argue with you; I feel terrible about what has just happened’ Mazi Ekere fell on his knees and cried.
If he had shown Adoni mercy, she wouldn’t have ended dead.
‘This pain is too much for me to bear father, how can I live without my mother’? Nai’muri asked.
‘Please forgive me for the way I treated you and your mother, come home with me. The woods are no longer safe’ Mazi replied.
He had not found the men, it further terrified him; what if they were hiding somewhere in the woods? What if they were being watched?
‘You have to bury my mother here, we both know if we take her corpse back; Jaja Nana would ask you to throw her body in the evil forest, we both know she doesn’t deserve that; my mother was a good woman’ Nai’muri gathered herself, she needed to be strong for what was to come ahead.
‘But that is against the law of the land’ Mazi cut in.
‘If you want my forgiveness, then you must bury my mother here’ Nai’muri returned. She had enough of ill-treatment; it was time to stand up for herself.
He had never seen Nai’muri this way; she was no longer the timid daughter who cowered before him; she was different and he could feel her pain.
He dropped his skin bag and fetched a machete from it, he would bury his wife in the woods just like his daughter desired.
‘Thank you’ a tear slipped from her eyes as her father begun to dig the earth.
She had not told him about the rape and she didn’t plan to; she was no longer a virgin, she would never go to the dance, this would be her greatest secret.
But one thing was sure, she would find that monster man one day and she was going to kill him for defiling her and killing her mother.
‘This must remain between us, should the villagers ask after your mother, tell them she was attacked and eaten by wild animals…’
He raised his machete and cut off a hand from his slave wife’s corpse.
‘Take this, I shall leave it to rot, it shall be used for evidence, should the need arise’ Mazi Ekere lifted the hand he had severed from the corpse and gave it to Nai’muri.
She clenched her teeth and held her mother’s hand which dripped of blood and made her feel nauseous.
The day had come to an end; twilight had accepted the invitation of the sun and spread her indigo curtains across the skies.
‘Hurry with the snails, your father would soon be home’ Kamsi said to her daughter.
‘Here mother, I am done taking off their shells’ Zabacha passed the calabash to her mother.
As the two women focused on the evening meal, the sound of the gong and the town crier brought them to their feet and they rushed outside the compound to hear the message that was to be passed.
“Hear! Hear! Children of Jaja Nana, sons and daughters of Omiro; inhabitants of Ozodo and worshippers of Assura, today is the fifth day of the festival, a week after the seventh day, the dance of the virgins shall be held at Jaja Nana’s palace; prepare your daughters! Prepare the maidens! The Dance of virgins is here”.
A smile crossed Zabacha’s face as she heard this announcement.
‘It is time mother! I cannot wait to dance before Prince Omiro, I cannot wait to wriggle my waist for him’ she couldn’t hide her excitement.
‘My child, the crown is yours. I will make sure of that, I must speak to your father once he returns’ Kamsi returned.
Now that Adoni and her evil daughter were out of the way, Zabacha had a chance to win the contest as she had noble blood flowing through her veins.
‘Do you think father can do much’? She asked her mother.
‘Yes. He is a member of Jaja Nana’s ruling council, he could put a good word for us’ Kamsi replied.
‘What if we go there ourselves’? Zabacha suggested.
‘No, that would make us look desperate and cheap before Jaja Nana and Omiro; as much as we want this, we must maintain your dignity’ Kamsi started and was about to say more when she spotted her husband far away.
Her heart sank as she spotted Nai’muri walking alongside.
‘Isn’t that Nai’muri? What does father want with her’? Zabacha bit her lip angrily.
‘Let’s return to the kitchen, he has a lot of explaining to do’ Kamsi grabbed her daughter by the arm and led her away.
Nai’muri was quiet all the way, she had nothing to say to her father; so many thoughts plagued her as the scenes of her mother’s final moment on earth played back.
The monster had said her mother deserved to die. This made her realize that her mother had left out a huge part of her life; she had never told her about her homeland.
‘Did you hear that child? The virgin dance is coming’Mazi Ekere tried to break the silence that hung between them. Her silence made him feel guiltier and he decided he had acted like a weak man; Adoni had paid for his foolishness.
‘Yes father’ Nai’muri replied curtly, she almost told him that she wasn’t interested but she held herself. No one could suspect she was no longer a virgin; she would never get over such great shame.
‘Father…’ she decided to confide in him, he could quench her curiosity.
‘Yes’?
‘Do you know where mother came from? Her place of birth I mean’ Nai’muri asked.
Mazi Ekere narrowed his eyebrows and wondered why Nai’muri would ask him something like that.
‘I don’t really know honestly, but when I found her in the woods, she told me she was a slave to a Hunani man and he’d abandoned her there’ he replied.
‘Hmm’ she pondered on his words.
What if her mother was hiding something? What if her mother was lying?
‘You don’t seem to believe it’ the man observed her quietly.
‘I do believe you’ she replied.
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?
-
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...........
-
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.
-
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....
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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…..
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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…..
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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…..
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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…..
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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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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…..
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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************