Super Story: Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2)

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 13



“Praise to the gods of our land that led me to this ancient relic…” he allowed the tip of his sword to touch the box which carried the dagger of the ancient moon goddess.
“With this dagger, our victory is assured. Just as I expected, thieves are coming into our land to take this glorious knife away. This vermin broke his vows to work as a royal guard and attempted to steal it, but he was caught. Justice is given…” he pointed at the head of the man.
He sighed and ran his eyes through the men until they met Uli’s.
“Today we must enter a covenant of loyalty. Anyone who tries to steal this dagger or share the location of it a secret, shall be killed.”
The men applauded the King’s move but Uli wasn’t happy. Chiemelie was cruel and smart as a fox. She wasn’t comfortable with her brother’s new decree because it meant the whole Kingdom would swear the oath of loyalty. Once she did this, she could no longer help Adaora or work against her brother.
“Devil,” she gritted her teeth.
“With this dagger, I shall bring Ezeudo to its feet. I will invade their land and make Ikemba a slave. I will severe his already useless manhood. I have spoken. The great king of Amabara has spoken!”
The princess realized that the ancient dagger was the one she had seen in her vision. She had to tell Adaora about it!
He quickly returned to his throne while the people cheered on. Soon, the oracle stepped forward with a life chicken and a calabash. Igwekala slowly explained the instructions from the gods.
“Dip your finger into the blood once and touch your feet with it. As you walk upon Amabara soil, you cannot betray the king.”
Swiftly, he fetched a sharp knife from a raffia bag which he always had with him and slew the chicken. Hot red blood splashed on the old man’s dirty brown garment, before he directed it to the proper place; the calabash.
Uli swallowed and bit her lips. Her eyes clicked with her mother’s but she quickly looked away. She had a feeling that the woman was behind this. When she stepped outside, she met Adaora.

“I think we are in trouble…”
“Trouble?” Adaora didn’t like the sound of Uli’s voice.
“There is no time to explain. You must find a way and leave Amabara before it is too late. I always underestimated my brother but he has proven himself to be a true son of the devil. You have to leave or I may not be able to save you from what is to come…”
Adaora was confused, “What is really happening?”
Uli’s voice was broken, “My brother is binding everyone by a blood oath. He has declared war on Ezeudo and he intends to win by a golden dagger. He is possessed by power lust. You must run before he finds you and binds you to the oath. You must trust and believe every word I have said. I saw a dagger in my vision while I took you to the dome of the dead; it is an ancient and mystical dagger left behind by the goddess of the moon…” She stopped to catch her breath, hoping that her words would have a strong effect on Adaora.
Things were happening very fast. Adaora had never heard about the ancient dagger of the moon goddess. Then it suddenly dawned on her why the gods had brought her to Amabara.
“What does your brother want with the dagger? What powers does it possess?”
“I don’t have any answers for you. All I know is that it belonged to the moon goddess and was trapped on earth. I have a feeling that he intends to twist the powers in that dagger for evil.”
Adaora was a bit worried by this revelation.
“If the dagger once belonged to the moon goddess and I am the moon virgin…”
Tears stung her eyes as she realized what her fate would be if the gods didn’t intervene.
“You will be sacrificed when the full moon comes. Your blood is rare. It would give my brother so much evil powers. You must not let that happen. You must go into hiding until a set time when things are clear.”
Though Uli’s words were very inviting and convincing, Adaora refused to give into fear. The goddess of the moon, Ituri and the sun god, Anyanwu had not told her otherwise. There was no need for her to turn from Chiemelie.
“No, I will stay. I must find a way to take the dagger for myself. When I have done this, I will flee.”
Uli scoffed, “How do you intend to do that?” She couldn’t believe that Adaora had taken such a foolish decision. Angrily, she walked away from the moon virgin and decided to leave the palace for some time. She needed to clear her head and the best place she could think of was the outskirts of the kingdom. One of her best friends, Nkechi lived there with her mother who sold bush meat. She believed Adaora would change her mind when she returned.
“My princess! My princess!” Adaora called to her but it was too late, she was already gone.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 14



Adaora was glued to where she stood, not knowing the next action to take. She was a bit frightened as she realized that everything Uli had said made sense. Chiemelie meant to use her as a sacrifice in his war with the good King of Ezeudo, the man that she had been destined to be with. She knew that Uli wanted things to work out in her interest, so she didn’t blame the princess for being angry with her. Adaora decided to return to her hut. She needed a place to pray and sacrifice to the gods for direction because she didn’t know the next action to take.
When Uli returned to her hut, she noticed that the door was slightly open. She was highly observant. She waited a while before stepping into her room. When she pushed it open, she found Efuru, her mother sitting upon her bed and stamping her feet like one who was ready for battle.
“Mother?” Uli waited.
The woman didn’t respond.
“Why do you look so angry? That face doesn’t look good on you.” She continued. She wondered why the woman had come to her room, she seldom did. Efuru was closer to the other princesses than Uli because they always obeyed her without question. They swallowed her lies wholeheartedly but Uli was the fearless one.
“Do you realize what you’re doing to your brother? What crime did Chiemelie commit against you?” The queen finally asked.
Uli was lost.
“I have no angst against my brother but I detest his demonic rituals.”
“I have eyes Uli, don’t think that you can ever fool me. I have eyes as numerous as the star in the sky. I am your mother. I made you and I will kill you if you continue your alliance with that stupid moon virgin.”
Uli paled as she realized that her mother had people watching her every move.
“What are you talking about?”
“You took her…” she rose slowly from the bed.
“You took her to the dome of death. You tell her everything about your brother’s plans forgetting that she is his last chance of reclaiming what truly belongs to him. People from Ezeudo stole our resources and lands. They enrich themselves by it. You should be on our side. But if you fail to comply, you will die after taking that oath designed by Igwekala.” She waved her royal cow tail over her daugther’s face.
“So you have been following me around like one who has no duties? That is very shameful of you mother. You are the queen of this land until your son takes a wife. How can you do this? You both are treading on the wrong path. I shall take the oath, but I will never stand on the side of falsehood because I know the truth and the truth always liberates.”
The queen was deeply infuriated by her daughter’s disrespectful words. Without reluctance, she released her left palm and it landed right on Uli’s face. The princess’ face reddened as she gave a squeal.
“I warn you for the last time…stay away from her. She is the ultimate price for our freedom.”
Hot tears splashed on Uli’s face. She felt helpless against the woman. She did nothing. She couldn’t fight her own mother.
“You better don’t joke with your life, because that oath is final and binding.” These were the queen’s last words before she stormed out of the hut to attend to other matters.
While Uli was sobbing, a vision flashed before her eyes. At first, she tried to resist it because she felt frustrated. How could she ever win a war against her brother who also happened to be the most powerful man in Amabara? In the vision, she was taken to the boundary that lay between Ezeudo and Amabara. As her spiritual eyes wandered about the land, and the little stream that flowed after it, she saw him. She saw him another time. It was the man that she had seen in her dream.
He was running towards Amabara. When the vision faded, she was brought back to reality. Just then, a rap sounded on her door.
“Who is there?” She called out.
“My princess, it is time for the royal family to take the oath.” One of her servants announced.

When morning came, Chinedum prepared himself for the king’s palace. He was ready for the journey to Amabara. Now that Obiajulu’s aunt was around, she wouldn’t be so lonely. Besides he would request that Ikemba send some guards to watch after his family.
“You don’t look like you’re going hunting…” Obiajulu walked into the room they shared. Chinedum was always the first to step out of the house for the forest for the day’s hunt. But he was looking rather refreshed for someone that was about to chase animals. He didn’t answer. He couldn’t share his plans.
She shrugged and sat upon a stool. Obiajulu wanted to have an important discussion with her husband. It was time to tell him about her aunt’s vision.
“Ifeyinwa saw a dream….”
“What dream?”
“The gods reveal that one who dwells in the house is destined for the throne of Ezeudo. I believe her my husband. I have always told you to rise against your cousin. He is a barren man and would never be blessed with children. But you have a son and a daughter. You are a complete man! The people would stand by you, than an infertile king.”
Chinedum was greatly vexed by her cruel words. He slowly turned and faced her. He wasn’t in the mood to indulge her careless talking. He had to put Obiajulu in her place.
“Who makes kings Obiajulu, the gods or men?”
“The gods of course,” she answered without knowing where he was headed.
“The gods choose men and women from the womb to rule. It is their destiny. It is not a matter of qualification. It doesn’t matter if they are fertile or infertile, if they are just or unjust, if they are fit to be there or not. Do not ever speak a word against my cousin’s throne or that would be the last day in this house.”
Obiajulu’s brows came together in shock.
“Are you talking to me?” She couldn’t believe Chinedum would stand with his cousin against her.
“If you were smart enough to decipher that dream, you will know truly who has been destined for that throne.”
She scoffed, “Who could that be?”
“Adaora, the slave girl that you tortured. Why do you think Ikemba wants to marry her? Use your brain wisely next time.”
He didn’t wait for her answer. He quickly rushed out of the hut to avoid a bitter quarrel. Obiajulu stared at him wide mouth.
“By the gods, I am finished! I have lost importance to him. He must have had an affair with that stupid girl. I will make sure that she never smells that throne.” She rose to her feet and walked out of the room.
She found Ifeyinwa shredding peeling some tubers of cocoyam for breakfast.
“Why do you look so bitter Obiajulu?”
“Do you think a slave can become king or queen of Ezeudo?” She barked at the woman. She needed an honest answer to proceed with her plans.
Ifeyinwa dropped the tuber she held and faced her.
“The gods choose whom they want. Yes, I believe a slave can rule freeborn. Have you not heard the story of Igolo? She was a slave that became a queen.”
Obiajulu rolled her eyes, “That’s just folklore. Those stories aren’t true.”
“It’s just the way people say that the mysterious land of Anyanwa doesn’t exist. But I see it clearly right now in my vision. Someone would rise from that land and rule over us.” Ifeyinwa was speaking from the vision that the gods had shown her.
Obiajulu paled as she realized that Adaora was from the mysterious land of Anywanwa.
“No! It can never be.”
“Who can withstand the will of the gods?” Ifeyinwa turned to her.
Suddenly, the silence that always ate Ezeudo in the morning was broken by a strange cry. Obiajulu knew what the cry stood for. Perhaps someone had discovered Oriaku’s body. Her excitement about the vain woman’s death was fleeting as she remembered Adaora.
First, she needed to consult a powerful dibia, who would give her a love charm to buy Chinedum’s heart. She would control his every move until he had none of his desires left. If that didn’t work out, she would find a way to seduce the king. She was ready to do anything for the throne of Ezeudo.
If it meant sacrificing one of her children, she would do it.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 15



Ifeyinwa’s words haunted her all the way until she reached Anosike’s house. Obiajulu had walked past a group of women who were wailing. She was certain that they were crying about the death of Oriaku, whose body could’ve been found by now. She bit her lip and looked around; to be sure that no one followed her. Satisfied with her scrutiny, she adjusted her wrapper and rushed into Anosike’s hut.

After his wife had been stabbed to death by his mistress, Anosike had wept all night. He had been helpless before Obiajulu and he blamed Oriaku for it. If she had not attacked him, perhaps he would’ve found a way to save her from Obiajulu. So many thoughts had crossed his mind last night. His love for Obiajulu had waxed cold. It was time to stop the affair before someone else got hurt. Already, he was bound to her for life because of the secret they’d shared.

Anosike felt a little better today. He had been staring at the walls, wondering what his plans would be next. He needed his strength to pay a visit to his farms. He hadn’t set eyes on his best friend, Chinedum for a while.
He quickly held his breath when he heard a knock.
“It is I, Obiajulu!” His lover whispered.

A feeling of regret washed over him. Anosike wished he had listened to Okeke all along. Okeke had been right about Obiajulu, the woman was filled with ambition and that could cost him his life.

“What do you want Obiajulu? Is it not too early to visit my house?” He snapped at her without considering if she had come with another person. When he realized his carelessness, he struggled to his feet and limped towards the door.

Obiajulu couldn’t believe that Anosike could speak to her that way. She had been so excited to visit him, but hearing those words really cut deep into her heart.
“How could you speak such words to me?” She stepped back. Her voice cracked like she was about to cry.
Anosike gritted his teeth and looked away.

“Do you not love me anymore?” She questioned. He didn’t answer. Her heart raced as she searched his face. If Anosike’s love had died, she would be an unhappy woman for the rest of her life. It was his love that gave her strength to fight for the throne which she dreamt of sharing with him one day.

Satisfied that his desire for her was not completely gone, but masked under resentment, Obiajulu moved past him and stepped into the house.
“You shouldn’t be here Obiajulu. Do you not care about what people will say about us?” He followed her into the house.
She scoffed and clapped her hands.

“Since when did you start caring about what people say? I smell a rat Anosike, it better not be what I am thinking.”
He frowned and looked away.
“I am saying the fact. Do you have time for your husband and your young children? It is wrong for a woman to leave her house this early.” He continued.

Obiajulu felt irritated that he would address her like she was a child.
“Are you angry that I did what you couldn’t? Are you angry that I killed your barren wife?” She snapped at him. Anosike was an ungrateful man and his current attitude annoyed her.

He almost landed a slap on her face, hearing him call Oriaku barren. Instead, he chose to remain calm until he could figure out a way to detach himself from her without getting killed. He had not known that Obiajulu had the courage to take a life until the previous night. He feared her guts. She was a dangerous woman and he couldn’t do anything to piss her off.
“I am sorry for hurting you. You should’ve told me your plans first…”

A smile crossed her face when he dropped the apology.
“If I had told you, you would’ve found a way to talk me out of it. Aren’t you happy that she is out of the way now? We can love each other freely…” Obiajulu pouted her lips in a seductive manner. She caressed her breasts immediately. But Anosike looked away. He was no longer interested in her body. He wished she could stop coming to his house.

“Anyway, there is a new development.” She dragged a stool and balanced on it.
“What is that?” He waited for it.
Obiajulu carefully recounted everything that Ifeyinwa had told her, and how rudely Chinedum had spoken to her that morning.

“As it stands, Adaora is still alive and thriving. We must find her and destroy her. If I can get my hands on that throne, I will take you along with me.”
Anosike raised a brow, “What will happen to your husband?” He ran his eyes over her face to be sure of the kind of woman that he was dealing with. Obiajulu avoided his penetrating gaze. She didn’t want Anosike to know what she planned for Chinedum, but it was obvious. The only way Anosike could become a queen was through Chinedum’s death. But it had been many years since a woman sat upon the throne.

“So what are we going to do about the slave girl?” Anosike changed the topic.
She sighed and wrapped her arms across her chest.
“I don’t know yet. My husband is certain that she is Ikemba’s destined wife, the one that would bear him sons. I have a feeling that he knows something that I don’t. There is no proper flow of information between us anymore. I feel it strongly that Chinedum is keeping something from me. I don’t know how to find out what.” She was deeply troubled by this.

“Why don’t we give up on that girl? We can focus on other things.” He was tired of her presence, he wished she could leave.
Obiajulu wanted to say something, when the wailing voices of the women drew nearer. She rose and rushed towards the window. Her blood raced when she realized they were coming to Anosike’s compound. They were moving swiftly. One would think that their legs didn’t touch the ground. They moved like the whirlwind, spreading all over the compound bit by bit.

“What do we do? From their songs, they may know about Oriaku.” Obiajulu was restless.

Ikemba had just finished having a meeting with some of his elders when his cousin had strolled into the palace. Ikemba had thought about the offer he had made Chinedum all night. It was a very risky mission. He didn’t want Chinedum’s children to be fatherless, and his wife, a widow. Surely, there would be two outcomes once he stepped into Amabara; death or life.
“May the gods continue to bless your reign!” Chinedum bowed his head as he moved towards the throne.

Ikemba’s countenance brightened when he saw his cousin.
“Thank you for honoring me.”
“Have you decided yet?” The king wasted no time.
“Yes I have. It is my belief that the gods want me to retrieve the dagger of the moon goddess. I will go for it. I will risk my blood for you. If anything happens to me, you must care for my children and wife, like they w ere yours.”

Ikemba pulled in a deep breath and searched Chinedum’s eyes.
“You are truly the bravest of all men.”
“Thank you my King.”
“When do you leave? I shall provide you with food supplies and everything that you need to make this vision come to reality.” Ikemba was ready to help. He couldn’t wait to see Adaora’s face.

Chinedum had made up his mind to leave that night. It was better to leave before his wife suspected him. Obiajulu was a very intelligent woman. If he didn’t act fast, she could find out the secret.
“I leave by moonshine. I do not need food supplies or any assistance. I must present myself as a pauper and make them believe me. I shall win their trust and love. By the help of the gods, I will bring you the dagger.”

Ikemba was pleased with his cousin’s words. But there was a little problem.
“What shall you tell your wife?”
Chinedum had thought about that while making love to her. He would miss Obiajulu and his children.
“I will tell her that you sent me on a mission to represent you in other parts of our kingdom. I shall make this story very convincing. You have nothing to worry about.”

Ikemba felt relaxed. When Chinedum was about to leave, the King invited him to a corner of the throne room where the earth gods were kept. This section was filled with bronze idols and other wood carvings of mystical creatures.
“This is my personal shrine. It is the purest and most serene. I worship here.” Ikemba knelt before the earth gods. Chinedum did same, while wondering what the King wanted to do.
Ikemba grabbed Chinedum’s right hand.
“I swear by these gods that if anything happens to you, I shall take care of your children and marry your wife. I shall make her my reigning queen for your bravery. Your son shall be my son. He shall take the throne when I am gone. Your daughter will be my daughter. I shall train her with love and kindness.”
Chinedum was pleased to hear this. This only proved that Ikemba was an honorable man. He was happy that his wife and children wouldn’t suffer if something happened to him. He grabbed Ikemba’s hand tightly; it was his turn to swear by the gods.
“I swear that I shall not betray you in Amabara. If the worst comes, I shall not give Chiemelie any information about us and what we are planning. I swear to be good to those that are good to me; to be kind to those who show me kindness. I will try my best to bring back the dagger and the moon virgin even if it will cost my life.”

Unknown to the brothers, one of the maidservants who had served them kolanuts had hidden herself to watch them. Her name was Ifeoma. Her mouth fell open when she realized what Chinedum had committed himself to.
“I doubt if Obiajulu knows about this.” She stroked her chin while thinking of what to do with this information that she had gotten.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 16



The great day for the oath taking had come. At midnight, Adaora had turned and tossed restlessly on her bed as she realized the significance of what was about to happen in Amabara. All the dwellers of the Kingdom were to gather at the king’s palace to swear their allegiance to the throne. If she took this oath, she would be bound by it and that would mean her death, should she work against the King? But how could she be loyal to a man like Chiemelie? He was a cruel man who had no respect for human life.

“I must do something…” She had thought, but no idea came. She thought about Ituri and Anywanwa. She felt the pain of their betrayal, because they had forgotten her. Little did she know that the gods worked in mysterious ways?

The atmosphere of Amabara was fully charged with jubilation. The town crier had made it known through gong that Ezeudo and its inhabitants would soon be theirs. The lands and fat animals; the beautiful women alike and everything beautiful about Ezeudo were to become their inheritance in a short while. But all these promises were dependent on their obedience to the oath. The kingdom dwellers had been groomed to despise the people of Ezeudo. They had been groomed to believe that Ezeudo belonged to them, so there was nothing anyone could do or say to change their thinking pattern.

Adaora peeped outside the window of her hut. She noticed a thick smoke rising from the middle of a gathering; it was the gathering of the strongest warriors in the kingdom and they had just offered a sacrifice to the god of Amabara. They were preparing themselves, physically and spiritually for the war they would declare against Ikemba. A sad feeling weighed on her shoulders as she thought about the innocent King, the man that she was to marry- the man that the gods had destined for her. Though she was yet to set eyes on him, she felt a deep and powerful connection. She no longer saw him in her dreams as before, but she was confident that he cared about her.

The moon virgin quickly shut the window and moved away when her eyes met with that of a huge man; Agu, who was the strongest warrior in Amabara. She shuddered at the thought of Chiemelie driving the dagger into Ikemba’s heart.
“No, you cannot let this happen! You said you brought me here for a purpose! Show yourself! Once I take that oath, I would be bound but it forever!” Adaora threw her hands into the air and called upon the spirits that had chosen her for help.
But there was no answer, only silence.

Feeling frustrated, she sat upon her bed and covered her face in her hands. At first, she thought it was a gentle breeze but when she remembered that she had shut the window, Adaora sensed she wasn’t alone. There was a higher presence in the room. Adaora felt right for the moon goddess had appeared to her. It was the sight of sparkling toenails and smooth dark skin, shinier than anything she had ever seen that caught her attention. Adaora followed the legs and found a robust dark skinned woman in a red dress and seven coral beads.

Her eyes were silvery but not scary. Her nose was round and small. She had thick lips which were adorned with fine red dye. She wore a silvery crown upon her head which had seven little moon shapes attached to it.

Adaora stood in awe as she stared at the magnificent being who had answered her prayers.
“My goddess…” She bowed her head. Ituri had taken another form to appear to her.
The goddess didn’t answer the greeting. She ran her silvery eyes over the moon virgin.
“Why do you not have faith in the gods? You grumble most of the time, forgetting that the gods are those who chart your mortal destinies…” Ituri began to ascend. Her legs were midair while she floated around Adaora, encircling her in a silvery glow.

Adaora could sense the irritation in the goddess’ voice. She knew what it meant to get such a fiery being annoyed. She quickly fell on her knees and offered an apology.
“I brought you here for a purpose…” Ituri began.
“Once I walked on this earth like the other gods, but there was war and we needed to return to the world that truly belonged to us. I forgot my dagger which is an important part of my godhood. It is with this dagger that my greatness lies or I may not be able to stop the war that would soon be waged by the dark demons against the whole world.

The dagger is meant to be wielded by the moon virgin. You must retrieve that dagger and bring it to me at the appointed time. Your spirit is the purest that I have found and only you can help me. One is coming that would work with you for the retrieval of the dagger from that evil King!”

Adaora bowed her head as she listened to the instructions.
“I know you are worried about the curse upon you. But it will be broken once you are married by the king for your destinies are entwined. For now, you must keep your head up and trust no one except those that your spirit agrees with.”
Adaora’s lips shivered as she asked.

“What about the King’s oath? If I and princess Uli take the oath, we will never be the same. We will die if we try to retrieve the dagger. I need an answer.”
The goddess stopped spiraling and burst into laughter. She was appalled by the slow nature of humans. They could be very foolish at times.

“When you were kidnapped into Amabara, your eyes fell on a special plant. The Ikele herbs are magical in nature. Taking the herbs would become an antidote against the punishment of breaking the oath. But you are to go to the boundary that lays between Ezeudo and Amabara- a place of streams and lonely rocks. You will find more herbs there and a man that is coming to help.”

Adaora mustered courage to ask her more questions, but the gods weren’t subject to the dictates of humans. The goddess was finished with her vessel. She faded into the darkness that dwelt in the room. When Adaora realized that the goddess of the moon was gone, she knelt down and kissed the place where the goddess had placed her feet. While kissing the earth, she found a silvery pearl…

“This must have fallen from her dress.” Adaora smiled and pressed the silvery pearl against her chest.
She quickly hid it inside her wrapper when she felt a knock on her door.
“My princess!” Princess Uli had come to say her final words to Adaora before they took the vow.
There was only one person that enjoyed addressing her like a princess even though she didn’t like it.

“Princess Uli?” Adaora raised her brows. She quickly moved towards her door and opened it. As expected, the princess strolled in casually with a look of despair on her face.
Without hesitation she blurted out, “What are we going to do to save you? After taking this oath, I can no longer help you and you know what that means?”
Adaora nodded.

“I know that you care about me Uli that is why the goddess has asked me to help you as well. We shall take the oath but we will not be bound by it. We will not die for conspiracy.”
Uli scoffed, it seemed the moon virgin had taken strong drink.

“Do you know the meaning of oath? It is swearing allegiance to something and by the gods. You swear to die or run mad should you break it. I will not join you in this foolishness. I wanted to help you to run, but you refused. You think yourself wiser than I am…I will be sad to watch you die.”

Adaora understood why the princess was still angry with her.
“Wait…” She grabbed Uli by the hand. With another hand, she pulled out the glowing pearl from her wrapper and showed it to the princess.
Uli moved away from her at once. As one with powers, she could see that the pearl wasn’t from this world.

“What sort of magic is this?” Uli barked.
“I do not intend to harm you. This is evidence that Ituri appeared to me. She has provided us with great solution and we shall live even after swearing the oath.”
Uli’s brows furrowed as she listened.
“What are we to do?” She now softened towards the princess.

“After taking the oath, we will go to the boundary between our kingdoms and search for the Ikele herbs. These leaves are potent and have strong magic. We must get to it. The goddess explained that we will find a man, one who will join us and fight against your brother.”
Tears glowed in Uli’s eyes as she realized that the vision she had seen earlier was coming to pass. The man that she had seen had stepped out of the little stream that divided Ezeudo and Amabara.

What if this man was the lover she had been waiting for all her life? She couldn’t wait to meet with him.
“We must go now; the others are waiting for us.” She wiped her eyes and led Adaora out of the hut. It was time for the royal family to take their oaths.

With the help of Anosike, Obiajulu had been able to hide herself properly in the house. The women hadn’t come because of Oriaku. They had come to Anosike’s compound because some maidens had been defiled while working on his farmlands. This was the reason the women broke into songs of sorrow and wailing, like someone had died. Anosike had been fined with twenty bags of cowries or he appeared before the king for judgment. When he realized that the women hadn’t come for his wife, he felt relieved. He would come up with a plan to appease them later.

When the sun had started to go down, Obiajulu had sneaked out Anosike’s house and found her way home. She regretted going there in the first place. If Chinedum had already returned, he would be very upset with her and this time; he had the right to be. She walked briskly. She walked with purpose on her mind. From the look of things, Anosike wasn’t ready for the throne. He wouldn’t join her in her crusade against Adaora. Even in foreign land, she hated the slave girl who had come to take everything away from her.

Obiajulu’s waist jingled upon her hips as she marched forward. She was deeply embraced in thoughts that she failed to notice the palace maiden that approached her.
“Obiajulu the wife of the great hunter,” Ifeoma clapped her hands.
It was this sound that plunged Obiajulu back to reality. When she noticed who had called her, she was insulted. The woman was a maiden and was far younger than she was.
“What is it you want?” Obiajulu eyed her angrily.

Ifeoma scoffed, knowing she had pissed the older woman.
“A little humility could take you places. I have important information about your husband. When you are less proud, you can find me at home. But don’t come empty handed, because information is an item. And all items must be traded for profit.”

The words of the palace maid confused Obiajulu. All these years, she had come to trust her husband completely. He wasn’t the kind of man that cheated. He loved her with all of his heart. What if he was taking another wife? What if he had discovered her secret affair with Anosike and had planned to divorce her?

“No!” She trembled at the thought of the great shame that would befall her.
Quickly, she advanced towards the house. She would observe Chinedum carefully to see if he was hiding something from her. If he was, she would find Ifeoma for details and find a powerful dibia later, to tie her husband’s spirit to her. He would become her slave and do her every command.

When she reached the house, she noticed that her aunt and two children were sitting outside. Their faces were sad.
“What happened?” She rushed towards them.

“Your husband said I should tell you that the king sent him on a mission to another village. He would be back in a fortnight.”
Obiajulu’s heart sank as she heard this. Ifeoma was right. Chinedum no longer loved her. He no longer trusted her. She needed to act very fast.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 17



A day had passed and her husband wasn’t back at home. Obiajulu had never felt this restless. In their many years of marriage, Chinedum had never departed from home without sharing the purpose with her. She had woken up very early. Her first plan was to pay Ikemba a visit to explain the mission which he had sent her husband. The woman sat like someone in mourning. Her head was bowed. Her hair was disheveled and she tied an old wrapper piece.
“My husband has suddenly become a stranger,” Obiajulu mumbled. Chinedum had lost respect for her. How could a man abandon his family without one word to his wife? The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew. Obiajulu made a solid decision to find a powerful medicine man that would revive the love Chinedum once had for her. Everything had changed in her marriage since the day Adaora walked in. Her husband no longer submitted to her. He no longer consulted her before taking decisions which were binding on the whole family.
“She has corrupted him with her evil powers but I will not fold my arms and watch. I must pay a visit…” She bit her lip as she heard her aunt’s footsteps.
Ifeyinwa walked towards the veranda of the house. From within, she had heard gruff sounds. When she realized it was Obiajulu that was grumbling she felt relieved. She knew her niece wouldn’t be happy with Chinedum’s message, but she had to deliver it anyway. Just as Obiajulu was shocked at his sudden departure, Ifeyinwa had felt the same too; only that the gods had revealed themselves to her and asked her to include him in her prayers.
“Don’t tell me that you are still angry with your husband. It is the King that sent him on a mission, so your anger should be against Ikemba and not Chinedum.” She joined Obiajulu on the bench.
Obiajulu scoffed, “Even if the gods had sent him on an errand themselves, his duty is to me. He should’ve told me about it.”
“What if the mission requires utmost secrecy? Have you considered things from this viewpoint?” Ifeyinwa raised a brow but Obiajulu wasn’t ready to listen to her nagging.
She rose and walked towards the door. She needed to prepare herself. First, she needed to speak with Ifeoma, the palace maid who had information for her. She would know the right decision to take after that. As she neared the door, she trembled as she remembered Oriaku. Two days had passed and no one had mentioned her absence. Nobody had seen her body at the stream. Obiajulu had a feeling that something wasn’t right. She would pay Anosike a visit later.
“I hope you aren’t planning to leave the house. Your children miss you Obiajulu. You are never here for them.” Her aunt complained.
Obiajulu rolled her eyes, “If only they knew that all I have planned is for their future, they would learn to appreciate me.”
Ifeyinwa had no more words to speak. She had a feeling that her niece was up to something mischievous, but she couldn’t put a finger around it.
Ikemba had woken up in high spirits. The gods had come to him in his dream; they had equally revealed the progress of Chinedum’s journey. A smile brightened his handsome face as he considered all the promises that the gods had made to him. It was only a matter of time, and the dagger of Ituri would be in his possession; never again would the people of Ezeudo have to fear the cruel Chiemelie.
“You look radiant this morning, what pleases the King’s heart?” The queen mother strolled into the palace without invitation. Usually, the King first met with his chiefs, but the old woman couldn’t wait for the protocols.
In her company was her closest servant, Ifeoma who had deliberately stuck closer to the royals to get more information for Obiajulu whom she expected later.
“Mother!” Ikemba smiled and spread his arms wide. She moved closer to her son and warmed his body with a motherly hug. From her lips came morning praises and blessings.
“Your rule shall be peaceful and your reign shall forever be blessed by the gods.”
Ikemba was all smiles as he nodded to the praises.
“What brings my mother so early to my throne room…?” Ikemba raised a brow. He knew something was up but he couldn’t put a finger around it.
The queen had come to discuss something that had been bothering her.
“Do you remember Anosike’s wife?”
The King nodded. How could he forget a woman like Oriaku? She was the person that made the identity of the moon virgin known.
“I do remember her. But she hasn’t paid a visit to the palace in days.” He noted.
The queen sighed. The story of Anosike’s farmers deflowering the maidens was widespread.
“Have you forgotten that you and your chiefs invited her husband for judgment? How do you expect her to come here?” The woman asked sadly for she was really drawn to Oriaku.
Ikemba raised his brows in sudden realization of what he had done.
“But you cannot blame me. I am not ungrateful to her; it’s just that Anosike must answer for the misdeeds of his farmers. Young women have been defiled…” The King was about to say more when his mother cut in.
She shook her head, “You make it look like they were raped. Have you heard the story?”
Ikemba wasn’t too interested in her story. He believed in following the rules of the land to the latter.
“It doesn’t matter if what they all shared was consensual. Anosike must appear before me and plead his cause or there would be consequences. If his farmers fail to provide a reasonable explanation to their randy behavior, they will be banished.”
The queen wasn’t pleased with her son’s judgment considering the fact that Anosike could lose many farmers in this process. She thought about Oriaku and how helpful she had been. The queen decided to pay a visit later to the farmer’s house where she hoped to meet with his wife.
“Very well then, have a blessed day.” She bowed before him and strolled out majestically.
Though he hadn’t shown it, Ikemba felt bad for Oriaku. He hadn’t meant to punish her along her husband because of her kindness. He had never had issues with Anosike, but the reports of the hideous things that went on in his farm didn’t sit well with Ikemba.
“Please guide me on the right path to tread…” he pleaded to the gods.
Just when he closed his eyes, a vision appeared. A blinding and bright light filled his mind. Slowly the pristine rays gave way to a favorable atmosphere. The vision felt so real. It was as if Ikemba was there, but he was still on his throne. He felt the softness of the wind as it caressed his back. He could smell the scent of the earth crust mixing with drying leaves. He could smell the scent of the stream…he was at the boundary between Ezeudo and Amabara. His heart leapt with joy at the sight of his goddess, the virgin of the sun and moon, Adaora. She approached the water with another maiden who was fair of skin.
“Someone is watching us…” Adaora paused in her steps. She had come to the boundary with princess Uli to find the leaves that would inhibit the power of the oath.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 18



Ikemba’s vision continued, though he saw Uli, his eyes were focused on the woman whom the gods had chosen for him; his one and true goddess. He ran his eyes over her. She seemed happy. She was extremely beautiful. Even in the spirit realm, he desired to see her face to face.
“Should we turn back?” Princess Uli’s lips shivered. If her brother had sent some men after them, there was no escaping his wrath. If he knew that they had come to the boundary to fetch the leaves that would make the oath useless, the King could sentence them both to death.
Adaora continued to search the environment.
“No…” A smile danced on her lips as she sensed in her spirit.
“Don’t you think it’s best we go back before we are discovered? What explanation would we give?” Princess Uli had a point. What would they say two maidens were doing at the boundary between the two great kingdoms?
Adaora placed a reassuring hand on Uli’s shoulder.
“I have been assured within that it is a good spirit that watches over us. We must continue.”
It was only then that Uli felt relaxed. As they marched towards the stream, Uli couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the boundary.
“Sometimes, I wish Ezeudo and Amabara had never gone separate ways. We have all been blessed with something…” She smiled as she spoke of the ambience. Adaora didn’t pay much attention to the princess. She scoured the area for leaves for the special herb which Ituri had instructed them to gather. Adaora began to hum a song as she neared the grasses. Her eyes soon fell on the purple flowers which marked the herb from the weeds.
“Is that it?” Uli was a bit skeptical. She had expected it to be more difficult to procure.
“Yes. Ituri isn’t a goddess of parables. She is very straightforward.” Adaora lowered herself so she could reach the herbs. Uli wasn’t comfortable still but she decided to push her aside her worries. She had a feeling that something bad was about to happen but she couldn’t place a finger around it.
Adaora failed to notice the sharp thorns on the herbs, so when she tried to pluck the first, her fingers bled. A sharp scream escaped her lips as she pulled away immediately. Without warning, a cobra that had been hiding raised its head to strike. It released its reptilian tongue, ready to strike the intruder. But Adaora was too busy with her bleeding hands to notice the golden serpent that slowly arose from its hiding place. It was Uli that saw it first.
“Watch out!” She stepped forward to pull Adaora back, but it was too late. A sharp arrow flew from the tall rocks and pierced into the cobra’s head. The pieces of the arrow hit Uli on her belly.
“Arhhh!!!” She screamed and covered the wound with her hands.
“No!” Adaora swallowed and moved to hold the princess from falling.
The maidens were confused. They were scared.
“I told you…I warned you about my brother.”
Tears stung Adaora’s eyes as she stared at Uli. What if the princess died in her arms? How would she explain this to Chiemelie? But the gods had assured her that whoever was watching was a good spirit.
Uli felt the warmth of her blood as it trickled down her skin. The pain was sharp and it came in bouts. Her head was starting to spin very fast and her bones were growing cold.
“Adaora…” She called the moon goddess by name for the first time.
“Please don’t say anything. I have to figure out a way to save you. You cannot die on me…” Adaora cried silently.
“Adaora…” She stuttered and winced as the pain increased.
Chinedum had been hiding between the rocks. He had spotted Adaora and a beautiful woman walking towards the boundary. At first, he was excited and had wanted to show himself, but he knew how delicate his mission was. He could trust Adaora, but he didn’t know the other woman with her. While secretly watching them, he had noticed a movement within the array of grasses. He had hunted in the forests for a long time to know when a dangerous serpent was about to strike. Without waste of time, he had come to their rescue; only that he failed to aim very well.
He closed his eyes and thought of the next action to take. His arrows weren’t usually poisoned, but for this mission he had dipped them in a broth of poisonous plants.
“If I don’t save her…” He sighed. He had the antidote with him. If he failed to give it to her, she would die.
“What do I do now?” He murmured and drummed his bare feet against the rocks. Adaora was crying. And the beautiful woman was growing weaker each passing moment. He closed his eye and pulled in a deep breath. He reminded himself about the mission to retrieve the dagger and save Adaora. Those were his objectives and not to murder an innocent woman. Chinedum jumped out of his hiding place and marched majestically towards the maidens.
As he stepped forward, he felt someone was watching him but he wasn’t sure if the eyes were real or were eyes of his own imagination.
“Please stop talking, I have to get help…” Adaora wiped her face and rose to her feet.
“No, No, you will get yourself killed.” Uli protested weakly.
“Don’t be a fool princess! I will do whatever it takes to save your life.” Adaora replied. She knew that the princess was afraid of her brother and what he would do to them if he discovered their true intentions.
“Your life is more important than mine; you must run back to Ezeudo. This could be your only opportunity to escape the gruesome death that awaits you. It seems the gods have led us this far. They have sealed my fate and I will die in peace.”
Adaora was saddened as she stared at Uli lying on reddish earth. This was her fault. Perhaps the strange arrow wouldn’t have pierced the princess if they had turned back. Adaora’s heart skipped as she realized that they hadn’t taken notice of the shooter. What if the King’s guards had followed them?
She was about to share her worries with the princess, when she heard someone call her from behind. At first, she thought she was imagining because she recognized the voice. It was deep. It was cool. It was friendly. It was the voice of her master. Her heart raced like never before.

TO BE CONTINUED