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CHAPTER 48
Years have passed since Uche last saw the oscillating skeletons and the feathers that fetter his emotions. Every step forward made him reminisce about how bad an idea coming here was. That someone could live so long in isolation, with horrendous looking creature and still have their sanity was a mystery to him. He had laid so many excuses over the last few years to save himself the horror of living in nightmares and delusion. Last time was bad enough, the diviner—who was also his sister-in-law—claimed that she had everything under control and had assured him that Ejima would be a sorry story. It was soothing words for a hurting soul, or rather, the fuel in a fire. And now he was forced to lay aside his hate and work with the same woman he had sworn to destroy.
The sudden crow on the right side of the road caught Uche’s attention, but he eased his hands from his sword when he saw a raven, pitch-black and looking like hell itself. It was not strange that he had seen two ravens
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EJIMA CHAPTER 49
It took an eternity for the light of the sun to break over the horizon. She had waited for it, like a wolf, waiting to pounce on their prey, but it had delayed long enough for her anger to diminish. Plus, her husband had not returned. He had stayed with her sister and now the group was about to leave for the hunt without them. What on earth was he doing? Was he safe?Nneamaka yawned and stretched herself. It was time to play her card and if she was not careful enough, her plans were going to shatter even before they came to limelight.She tried picking the mattress but ended up breaking the loose ends of the animal skin, ruining the material. She hissed and dropped it only to curse when she accidentally knocked her water skin, spluttering the content on the dusty floor. Her attempt to save what water was left in the container was useless as the dust seemed to gulp everything. Her frown deepened, knowing that there w
EJIMA CHAPTER 50
Bozo found a stone from the fallen building and relaxed his weight. He tucked his sword under his armpit and with his free hands took out his snuff-box from his pouch. He taped the coverlid and scooped a large portion into his nostrils with his index finger. The electrifying rush that went from his brain to all parts of his body made him shiver as he groaned with pleasure. The people of Umunta have become his favorite. They were skilled in grinding the tobacco smoothly and the lack of adulteration made him fond of their product. Unlike his previous sellers who often mix the tobacco with colorants and other useless leaves, this was the best anyone could ever ask for.Sneezing twice, he wiped the tears before dropping his finger into the snuff box again, ready to begin the process all over.Before him, sizzle and frizzles of burning buildings and roofs sang the melody of his conquest. Smokes rose in all directions, raining
EJIMA CHAPTER 51
Like every other day, the cloak of darkness had descended upon the earth, leaving the crickets to their song. The day before had been stressful for Adaku, all thanks to her father who would stop at nothing until he married her off into some village whose name she only got to know about five minutes ago. The queen had rejected the idea, and that was because of the distance from home. She would have preferred that Adaku remained within the sphere of the prominent villages around them. That way, they would not only monitor the marriage but also strengthen their political power. Five years ago, Adaku would have agreed with her mother. After all, the queen was just looking out for her wellbeing. But that was five years ago. Things have changed. She had changed. The once shy girl that would bow to every idea was now mature and would follow the path she deems fit. She was out for herself and not even her father’s decision could stop her.She dropped
EJIMA CHAPTER 52
“Great,” Ugomma hissed and slumped on the floor, “We are finally lost.” “Don’t be so sure.” “I am certain, Jide. Look around you. Do you know where we are going?” “Maybe, but this path could lead us to the queen.” “Lead us to the queen?” Ugomma smirked, “You said that last month. And it's two years now, yet we haven’t found this mysterious white queen. How are you sure the path wouldn’t lead to an evil forest or worse to our death?” Jide didn’t argue, she had expected him to say something nasty or funny, but he didn’t. He just walked further into the forest and watched the treetops as if he could read the language of the birds. He closed his eyes and opened them again, muttering some silent words. Ugomma folded her hands over her chest as she watched the slagging shoulders. She wasn’t convinced, but a little part of her wanted to trust him. Perhaps he knew what he was doing. Besides, he had led them to six different villages over the l
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Heads turned to the sudden snap in the bush nearby. Without thinking, the men reached for their weapons and stood up slowly. Amid the voice of the birds and the gentle wind, they became one with the trees and could pass undetected for statues. Minutes grew into hours, yet they stood lame and hardly batted an eyelid. Maybe it was curiosity, Ugomma could not tell, but a close perusal and she saw a dent hanging on their shoulders. This was not their first time. The level of expertise showed that they’ve done this a million times. The snap in the bush came again, and as if waiting for it, the men acted in unison, descending upon the object as they would a rabbit that had jumped out of a hole. Jide screamed as one of the men yanked his hair roughly, pushing him out into the clearing. “That’s no polite way to treat a warrior. Where are your manners?” Jide said, rubbing his hair. “Who are you and why are you following us?” One of the men asked. “Follow
EJIMA CHAPTER 54
The sun was beginning to pathways for the moon when they broke into a clearing, but sloping down the hill, they continued further into the mouth of a cave, which sat on the far side. It was patched up with grasses, twice the size of a whale but hiding under a large tree as if it was shy of the falling sunlight. The night birds were beginning to write their songs and the hums of the gentle wind caused the hair on the skin to stand. Truth be told, nobody in their right senses would wander far from the village, but for the hunt, Ejima doubts if she would have dared it herself. Rumors of wars had kept some brave men watching their families and village, but more dreadfully was the wicked spirits that patrol these woods, spirits that were known to drive men and women into eternal madness. “Torch,” Uche said and the amber glow flared into life even before Ejima could understand what he had said. “Don’t touch anything.” He gave Ejima an abhorrent look as if saying that the la
EJIMA CHAPTER 55
“We just want to see the Queen,” Jide said when they came close to the gathering. “She will be in our midst in no short time. Please follow me,” The bright-eyed man said and ushered them towards the second row. There were questions written in Ugomma’s eyes, but she gulped them with the oddity that hovered around the place. At least a hundred people were gathered here, clapping and singing some foreign songs to some strange gods. They looked hungry, but the glee in their faces was like nothing Jide could express in words. “What is this place?” Ugomma whispered. “The white queen’s shrine.” “Is that what the map says?” Jide did not answer. They had traveled tooth and nail to get here, and the three days journey was getting into his brain. His tongue was hanging on the roof of his mouth and his stomach was aching. He needed food and rest and if this was not the shrine of the Queen, then he would have no other choice than to tur
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It was pointing in one direction, a dangerous one, and when she finally woke up, she was not surprised to see herself drenched in her own sweat and tears. The window tongued into the open night, and the breeze that slitterred into the room looms like the glossy song of an enchanter. Yet the thought of cruelty. How the man had held the woman and had watched her die slowly. Mary wiped her eyes and stood from the bed. She picked the water skin and gulped the content while splashing some over her face. There were no moons and the twinkle of the stars was too deem to break the vile of the night. Somewhere around the compound a cock was crowing, announcing the birth of a new day. She had fallen asleep, and again, in her field uniform. How long was she out? Did she finish her petitions? Yawning, she dropped the water skin and took the vacant seat. The dream was surreal, but she was not going to brood over it. Dreams were dreams and if they had any significant meaning, she w
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