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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
Kaugnay na kabanata
EJIMA CHAPTER 53
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
EJIMA CHAPTER 56
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
EJIMA CHAPTER 57
They strapped their hands on their chest and took the floor with their right knees. All thirty men, murked in bravery and fashioned by the hands of war. They were venturers of the unknown and the fear that chases even death itself. He couldn't wish for more. This was certainly the best. It was the greatest desire of any man who craves power. His lips parted as he sat on the throne. "Igwe I ga-adi oo (long live the king)" they chorus in unison and march away. Uche raised his scepter before crossing his legs comfortably. He was the seventy-seventh King of Ame, the youngest and the only one to have ever retrieved the complete set of the ijele masquerade. This was a dream come true, one which would remain evergreen until his last breath. "All hail, Uche Maboza, the new King of Ame" Fanyi announced. "Igwe ee!!" Came the thunderous chorus of the people. The talking drum followed with harmony and then came the dancers whose steps obeyed
EJIMA CHAPTER 58
"What do they want?" Uche whispered as he peeled reluctantly from Sachi. It was an effort, one which made him swallow uneasily as he stared dubiously.A falcon feather held the crown of King Nnaji, who was engulfed by five men. They were bare chests, with red animal skin and white wristbands. Their sword was sheltered but the red reborn dangling loosely with the gentle wind merged with the threatening aura that hovered about them. Like the warriors of Ame, these men were fashioned for war. They were made for blood and blood alone."Whatever they want, you must not give in." The dibia said. Concern wrapped the side of her face, but like Uche, there was mistrust holding her captive. These people were not their greatest allies. Twice they had ridden into battle together and twice had they betrayed the people of Ame."Your majesty. I regret disrupting this noble ceremony" King Nnaji said and break away from his men. "But it is with a heavy heart that I c
EJIMA CHAPTER 59
It was a simple plan. One that would leave them strong and help protect the village from the impending attack. But the trick however was finding the right time and space. Time was of the essence and if they were going to have any chance, acting fast and attacking first was the only weapon they had at their disposal. The miracle of surprise.“The army would march from the south through the brush of the western forest,” Fanyi said, pushing one of the stones into the circle. “And if our itinerary gets rooted here, we can attack from this spot with everything we’ve got.”“Using the canyon as leverage. That’s a smart move.” Uche nodded.There were at least six stones, each standing outside the circle drawn on the dust. It was a mini-map of the seven villages and the stones stood for the armies they had assembled. They had even sent words to the neighboring villages. If they have every freeborn by their side then v
EJIMA CHAPTER 60
Voiceless, still, dark, and starless. Some middle-aged women walked in the shadows, with animal skin drooping on their flat chest and with the tongue of torches to light alight the unspoken words that hung on the cloak of the night. But for the giggles coming from the huts, the little village would have passed for a ghost town. Somewhere, the wind danced with the trees, slowly and quietly as if afraid to perturb the solemn harmony in matrimony.Ume sniffed and hurried through the brush. The women had disappeared into the shades on the right-hand side of the village, yet he kept to himself and did not walk into the clearing. They had not seen him, he was one with the night, just as his many training had kept his feet voiceless.He picked the pace and continued further into the village. The hilt of his dagger was cold, and the adrenaline urging his feet forward kept his skin warm. It was an important mission, one that would enrich his pocket, one that would buy him the w
Pinakabagong kabanata
