Anine looked at her mother-in-law and smiled. "Mother, it's a long story," Anine said. Kasie, who had been out surveying the surroundings stepped into the cottage. "Kasie where went you been?" Ogom asked. "Allow the boy to explore the environment. Everything you see here belongs to him. This is his father's land." Uzo said. "Father, I saw some yams in the barn, I hope you won't mind if I roast some?" Kasie asked. "The barn is yours you can roast the barn itself if you want," Mazi Ileka said and everyone laughed. "You are pampering him already," Ogom teased. "Father has always been like that. He loves and pampers children a lot," Anine said jokingly. "Kasie, please roast yams that would be enough for all of us. We are hungry too." Uzo said. Kasie took off for the barn while they continue their discussions. "Anine, tell us how you met Kasie and the first thing that came to your mind when you saw him," Uzo asked. "Mother, I was on my way to Uzoma's house when I saw me
"Father, the villagers, why were they here?" Anine asked ignoring Uzo totally. There was stillness everywhere and Anine became more anxious. "Where is my daughter? Where is Ije, Mother?" Anine stood up and was about to leave the hut. Uzo stood in her way. "Sit down, Anine," Uzo said with a lot of calmness in her voice. Anine sat down gently as though the chair would smash if was not careful. "Your father cried as he has never done. The villagers came to find out why he gave out such a loud cry in the early hours." Uzo explained. Anine turned and clasped her father's hand. "Father, what happened?" "Ije....has... gone..." Mazi Ileka stuttered. Anine slowly dropped his hands which she held firmly. She stood up and walked towards the door as though she was going in search of her. Ogom looked at everybody in awe. "Who is Ije?" Ogom asked. "Her only daughter," Uzo mumbled without raising her face. "Ee..? Does she have a daughter? She did not tell me," Ogom muttered. "She
"Why do you choose to settle in Amaife community after what your useless husband did to you?" Uzo asked to break the silence. "They called me barren woman, some people said I am a man. I chose the community to show them that I am a woman and I'm not barren." Ogom smiled after explaining. "What was their reaction when they saw you with a baby bump?" Uzo asked. "They all believed I have been cursed by the gods hence the protruding stomach. However, my husband and his people came and apologized when I delivered my handsome boy." Ogom looked at her son who was more concerned about Anine. "Did you accept their apology?" "Yes, but I refused to go back to him." "He wanted you back?" Uzo further asked. "Yes, but I can't go back to him, not after the way he humiliated me." "Are you worried about what that old man said?" Kasie asked Anine who looked worried. Anine lifted her head and gaped at Kasie. "Yes, I'm a bit worried. I'm wondering if I would see Ajonwa deity with my mortal
It was four market days already and Ije had not returned. Her family knew she would not return home anytime soon. Anine woke up and was a bit nervous. She wondered what she would tell Ajonwa deity about the disappearance of her daughter. Just then, the door of her room opened, she looked up and saw Kasie standing at the door. "May I come in?" He requested. "Sure, please come, I'm so confused right now," Anine said with a sad tone. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. When you get to the shrine, tell Ajonwa that your daughter left the community while you were away. Ask for more time to search for her. I shall lead you out of this community when you return from the shrine, I promise. "I don't want to leave this community, Kasie. I'm tired of everything." "You must leave. You are a young and attractive woman. The deity might keep you as one of his wives." "May the gods forbid," Anine snapped her fingers. "I rather marry you than, allow the wicked deity to lay his filth
Aku walked into the chamber of Eze Ajonwa boldly and offered herself a seat. The chief priest stared at her and wondered how good the news she brought would sound. "What have you got, young lady?" He asked. "The girl you seek is at Ndikwe community, in the house of a man known as the hunter. His wife is dead and his son grew at the palace," Aku responded. The Chief Priest's face beamed with a smile. "Don't worry, you shall be rewarded soon for this information you just delivered." "When is the Princess leaving the shrine?" Aku asked. "I will send some men to the Ndikwe community now to go and fetch the girl. The Princess leaves as soon as they return with her." "If she doesn't leave this shrine in six days, I shall conceal all the information I got from her," Aku said and stood up to leave. "Do you still have any useful information that would be of any benefit?" The Chief Priest asked. "Yes," Aku responded. "Tell me." "It is about a man who the gods have chosen to dest
"Your majesty, some strangers are here to see you," one of the guards announced with a shaky voice. The king detected fear in his tone but he was too busy to ask him why he was so afraid. "Where is Ikenga?" Ezeudo asked. "He is in his chambers. A healer from Uzofia community just attended to his sick son," the guard responded. "Go, tell him to attend to the visitors and find out why they want to see me. As you can see, I'm attending to my visitor," Ezeudo said. The guard left immediately and ran to Ikenga's chambers. Ikenga was startled when the guard ran into his room as though he had seen a wild animal. "Dike! Who is after you?" Ikenga asked as he drew his sword. "Some...some...strangers are here to see the king but he is busy at the courtyard. He asked you to meet the visitors and find out what they want." "Who is after you, Dike? The king or the visitors?" Ikenga asked. "The visitors, they are strangers. They came with a four-wheeled donkey, and the maiden...." "Oh,
Mazi Ileka's compound looked more beautiful than what Ije expected. Kasie had transformed the whole compound and gave it a modern look. As the strongest man in the community, people pay to watch him wrestle with strong men from different communities. With that, he was able to make enough money and build houses that were more modern than an ordinary hut. The modern buildings changed the outlook of the compound. Some huts were raised down and new structures erected on the spot. Ije's favorite mango tree was also cut down and Kasie built an open hall where his father received visitors. The hall was named Obu. Ije was impressed with what she saw. A little girl of about five years old who was playing with her little brother in the middle of the compound screamed and ran into the Obu leaving his brother outside the moment Ije's cart drove into the compound. A man came out of the Obu and rescued the little boy who was scared to death. He turned and stared at the strangers. Mazi Ileka
Ezeudo and his cabinet arrived at Mazi Ileka's compound earlier than scheduled. The traditional ruler of Uzofia community, who was present at the king's palace yesterday was also among those who came to hear how Ije found the only mysterious sword that could destroy the deity. Ezeudo had not visited Mazi Ileka for quite a long time. He was dumbfounded when he entered the compound. "They are set to take the throne," Ezeudo whispered into Ikenga's ear. "The people of Ohanta are safe in their hands," Ikenga replied. Mazi Ileka led the king and his cabinet to his Obu after praising the king. He was surprised his young daughter summoned two kings and they obeyed. Some villagers who heard about Ije's arrival began to come in. Soon the whole hall was filled with people. No one wanted to be told. A seat was kept in the middle of the Obu. Those who had no seat stood, while some leaned against the wall. "Wake up, the people are waiting for you," Nwife said as he patted Ije's leg gently.