Now, however, as she sat staring at the fireplace which kept her body warm in this cool evening, she reminisced all the events that had happened and led to the death of Ose.
She swore to avenge her friend, Ose when the time was right.
It was actually because she sent Ose, to queen Esagho's residence that caused Ose to get caught and consequently killed.
Earlier before she sent Ose on that errand, the first prince Ogidigbo, queen Esagho's son. Had been falling ill repeatedly.
The prince's condition was becoming too disturbing, even though most people were Ignorant, of the reason, why the prince was always sick, queen Idia and her accomplice Ose were fully aware that it was the effect of the poison they had put in the prince that made him always sick.
They knew that it was only going to be a matter of time before the king, summons the chief priest, for divination and reading of the s
Seated, at the back of a hut was a thin, young black boy, of about eleven years old.He sat with his back arched, as he worked on a knife. Beside him was a beautiful black woman, whose mouth kept moving up and down as she spoke to him.Although his eyes were fixed on the knife he was working on, he would intermittently turn to speak to her, then continue with his work. However, his face was sullen and gloomy, and his eyes were dark. he was wearing a white skirt, And his dry, bony chest, was bare and hairless.While he sharpened his small knife, the woman spoke."My dear baby boy, I didn't mean to keep it a secret, I was just waiting for you to grow older.By that time, you'll be able to make better judgment. And not make rash decisions. Promise me— Promise me now, that you'll not hate your father, now that you know the truth.You must know that your father truly loves you. Okay." The woman's voice was frail and apologetic. As she spoke, the woman
All she could do now, was to watch him, as he left.Although the prince, was just eleven years old, he was capable of making his own decisions now. Since he had already gone through a rite of passage, which guaranteed him, as no longer being a boy, but a man.The ritual, which was done once every seven years, accepted children from age seven upwards to participate. However, all the princes were only two years old, when the last ceremony was done, so they ended up doing theirs when they were nine years old.Nevertheless, there were even older men and children who participated and still failed. Some children who were already fifteen years were still considered as boys. Since they had failed to pass the initiation rites.That year when the princes did theirs, only ten boys less than fourteen years old passed. And, they were all nine years old and above—the three princesses and two other boys were of the same
However, all the teenagers, gathered at the entrance of the dreamy forest just now, had all gone through the rite of passage and passed. thus they were eligible to participate.The three princes, each, had their uniforms for their team.The first prince, Ogidigbo's team uniform, was a white garment, while the second-first prince Osawe's team uniform was a red garment. The third prince Idubor team members wore grey garments.Each member of a team had a weapon. based on their skills and ancestral spirits backing.It was so because, the ancestral spirit forces that were communicated with, each had a particular weapon that they were activated by. Thus an individual who awakened a spear spirit, for example, could never use that same spirit to wield a sword.However, some gifted youths could communicate with more than one ancestral spirit. thus they were able to use different weapons empowered
Idubor and his group had been taking calculated steps towards a bush-cover.He brought out a short knife and unsheathed it, as he got closer to the brake."Okay everybody, we're going to fan-out and caught off its escape.You three, go around the back. You three go that way. The rest of you come with me." directing with his hands, the prince set the team into formation.As a prince, he had already been given tactical and military training since he was five. Thus even though he was so young, he was also quite capable.The other team members drew out their weapons and spread out when they heard prince Idubor, whisper those commands.They had been observing the bush for a while and were anticipating his command.In the thick of the dark, a group of about fifteen junior warriors surrounded a thick brush.
At that same time, several other warriors had already activated the power of their ancestral spirits, which burst out from their bodies, Wielding swords, spears, and arrows. And within a short moment, the creatures had already suffered many injuries.Its body was gashed and heavily wounded, thick blood gushed out from its wounds like a fountain. Nevertheless, the creature was unyielding. It continued leaping, from left to right—quickly dodging the numerous attacks shot at it, and desperately trying to tear at the young warriors' bodies, to devour them.However, all of the team members were fighting with their ancestral spirits, thus, making it impossible for it to land a blow.Then some moments later, the pace of the beast weakened and it started breathing heavily because it had sustained several severe injuries."Haha, what a beast. Look at the havoc you made. what exactly are you?" Smiling, with his ar
Idubor hissed, then he walked to a nearby branch and sat on it. He did not bother to say another word again, instead, he just watched quietly, observing what the other's action would be."Don't you guys, want to come with me! This is your chance o.Or do you guys prefer to go into the bush and get yourself eaten by another strange creature?Is that it? Is that what you all want?" Although Ehimen was convincing, nobody decamped to his side, and he didn't like it at all.He knew that even he alone, may not be able to make it out of the dreamy forest without the help and support of some other young warriors."Ok! if you all want to go to your death, then it's your choice! I cannot force you to come.As for me, I love my life. How old am I, I'm just fifteen years old. I'm just still too young to die!" He looked about hesitating to leave when he started again"Look around you guys, It's just our first
In the dark of night, a team of young warriors, strode away, through the thick of the jungle.During their journey, they came across and slew many wild animals and beasts. However, all the beast they encountered, were all noticeably far weaker than the first Ultimate panther, they encountered before.They had been walking for a long time through the thick forest adorned with many wild thick-trunk plants and had crossed several winding shallow streams. To arrive at a place."Look my prince, there is a cave over there. It would be a good place for us to set up camp and spend the rest of the night."One strong young warrior said to the prince Idubor."Ok, tell the others, that we will set up camp here, to rest for now. Then we would leave at first light." prince Idubor replied indifferently,before going to a separate corner to rest.Awaiting the time when the other y
"Huh!"Everybody was taken aback by what the prince said, they exchanged looks at each other, to express their shock.'Is the prince really serious! Is he going to let us steal from other people now?Wow, That will be so cool.''Really? Woah! That makes a lot of sense.It'll be so much easier for us, to steal from other people, to increase our gains, than actually fighting those damn beast ourselves.'Everyone in the group was flabbergasted by the idea behind the announcement, they were thrilled at the prospect of just going for spoils, rather than going through the work of killing beast themselves.It wasn't long before the others added their voice, to support the prince's suggestion."My prince, it is indeed such a nice idea for you to suggest that we steal from others, I'm in total support of the idea." One robust youth added. He had a small bronze b