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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
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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
EJIMA CHAPTER 61
Taking a long deep breath did little to ease the confusion, so he stood and paced the room, with hands folded over his chest. There were a thousand 'what ifs' and a million 'Whys. However, he was happy that the coast was clear. He was no longer mad with his father. With everything that had ensued, his only regret was losing his father in the process. All the man had done was for the betterment of his family and people. All he had ever done was keep them safe."Can you explain better?""Of course, Jide," Godson said, taking the time to lose the first button of his shirt. But for the torchlight, only the man's bright eyes would have been visible."Your father belongs to a tribe of people called Osu. According to legend, during the breaking of the world, about some six hundred years ago, there was a great war that shook the bedrock of the earth itself. It was a cold war between our tribe and a distant enemy tribe. However, the enemy village was more powerful and wo
EJIMA CHAPTER 62
Taking a long deep breath did little to ease the confusion, so he stood and paced the room, with hands folded over his chest. There were a thousand 'what ifs' and a million 'Whys. However, he was happy that the coast was clear. He was no longer mad with his father. With everything that had ensued, his only regret was losing his father in the process. All the man had done was for the betterment of his family and people. All he had ever done was keep them safe."Can you explain better?""Of course, Jide," Godson said, taking the time to lose the first button of his shirt. But for the torchlight, only the man's bright eyes would have been visible."Your father belongs to a tribe of people called Osu. According to legend, during the breaking of the world, about some six hundred years ago, there was a great war that shook the bedrock of the earth itself. It was a cold war between our tribe and a distant enemy tribe. However, the enemy village was more powerful and wo
EJIMA CHAPTER 63
At first, the rumble made him think of food, but the flashes from the east and the sudden drizzle that followed gave him a second thought. There were no sun or moon, stars nor heaven. Yet the rain kept appearing from nowhere and making him tremble. At the far distance, he could see a house, standing amidst the yellow flowers that stretched out to the distance until they were almost touching the sky. The roof was old, and the sidewalls tongue outward as if begging gravity for mercy.Confused, he took a step forward, and then another and another, and before he could register the thought, he was running towards the old building. Something within yelled at him to hurry, the urgency was like nothing he had ever heard, and as he continued through the foliage of flowers, he couldn't bring an answer to the question; what was this place and how had he gotten here?There was a loud shriek, distant but precise and almost calling out his name.He stopped to look back, to se
EJIMA CHAPTER 64
Another wave of dust followed the marching feet as the men snailed through the mountain peaks like migrating ants. From one end of the hill to the far side on the horizon, war songs upheld the calmness that once asserted the forest. There were at least a hundred men on horseback and a thousand or so on foot. These were husbands, fathers, farmers, brothers, and uncles. Before now, they were familiar with pitchforks, knives, and other household materials. But not anymore. Years of torture and torment from the Freeborns have drilled them into valiant warriors of anger and vengeance. They were fearless and would battle anything that stood in their way. While some people in the council had argued about their brutality, the truth no one was seeing was the fact that these men had kept the land safe for the past fifty years. It was the will to keep their family and loved ones from oppression that kept them going. That love was so stronger than any force in the universe.Bozo deepened
EJIMA CHAPTER 65
She opened her eyes to the pounding noise of the mortar and pestle. It sounded distant at first, yet the tantrum on her head, registered like two stones, rubbing over one another. It was a dark room, candled by a dim light, burning wastefully by her right. Horrible-looking creatures hung on the ceilings. Skull of animals, different types and breeds. The soapy smell also made her rub her nose, she couldn’t help but think of some dead fish, left by the riverside to decay. Not that it affected her much, the headache and the occasional blurring vision left her in doubt. Maybe she had hit her head on something. It was hard to tell. But she remembered lying on the cave bed and begging Uche for her life. He had not freed her, the blood lust had driven him into stabbing her continuously with his dagger. And she had...is this the land of the dead? “You are awake.” The pounding noise ceased as an old woman appeared, smiling weakly at her. Her hands were a tendril of vein
EJIMA CHAPTER 66
The almond eyes flashed into Ejima's memory and instantly she could place the horny skin and the rich dark hair that had turned grey. "My goodness. What happened to you? You look-" "Old?" Mmechi laughed, "Ije Uwa. Constantly working on the farm, with the sun blistering its heat on your head could leave your hair as snow white as mine." She laughed again. "But those are the good days. It brought me here." "You look fine." Ejima smiled. The woman's hunchback was gone and even though Ejima would love to know how she didn't ask. With the misery that came with the woman's condition, Ejima decided to keep that part aside. Unless Mmechi told her along the line, she was not ready to prey out the information. The past should remain buried sometimes. "I never thought I would see you again." Ejima helped herself out of the bed. Mmechi was already lost in thought. The woman was once her servant. Ejima had taken her in after the villagers had condemned her because
EJIMA CHAPTER 67
Cold went through her nape as she went on down the lonely path. Raining season had pathways for the harmattan wind, which fogged the treetops like the smoke of a burning bush. Until today, coming here wouldn't have crossed her mind in ages. It's been a long time and every step into the forest flushes back the memory. How long has it been? Why was the forest notorious for harboring evil?Ejima steadied her hands on her staff. The burning sensation on her side was still there and her head ached. She needed a good sleep. She needs to clear her mind. Life has indeed dealt with her, she could sense the heavy stripes on her soul and the weight crashing on her shoulders. It has always been from one problem to another, one death or misfortune to another. She was the victim. Maybe the villagers were right? Maybe the words of the Dibia were right? Maybe she indeed was a daughter of misfortune.No, that can't be. A voice assured in her head as she continued. She had not met anyon
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