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.
Aku quickly put the food she was eating aside when the chief priest entered her chamber. She has been waiting to hear from the chief priest. "The men I sent to Ndikwe community came back yesterday, " he announced. "Did they come with her?" Aku asked. "No, the hunter said she left Ndikwe community four seasons ago with his only son." "To where?" "To find the origin of Ajonwa. You can imagine how foolish she is. I don't think she would ever return because she will search forever. Ajonwa has no origin. Gods cannot be created by mortals. She is dead, but do not tell her mother." Aku nodded quickly. Tears almost fell out of her eyes. Her last hope has been chartered. "All the same, thank you for the information. It was accurate after all." The Chief Priest said before turning to take his leave. "What of the Princess?" Aku asked. "She is leaving today. I have informed her and she is packing her things already. You made a wise decision. Ajonwa still needs you here for more i
Ije could not explain how she got to Ndikwe community. The last thing she remembered was seeing the three Ajonwa bulls coming towards her. She was preparing to fight the bulls when she stepped on a cold decayed object. She looked down, it was a decayed body of a tall man. He was quite huge and the whiff oozing out from the corpse was quite overpowering. The sight of the corpse sent some coolness down her backbone. She blacked out immediately and fell on the corpse. Ije opened her eyes in a strange room. She looked around, but she could not identify the new environment she found herself in. Perhaps the bulls took her down to the shrine, she thought. Ije sat down on the bed waiting for Ajonwa to come. She was ready for battle. A middle-aged man walked into the room and was happy she had finally woken up. "Thank the gods you are awake," he said with a smiling face. He bent to see Ije's face as she had her face lowered. Ije jumped out of the bed and grabbed his neck. She encircled
Mba stood up from his chair and ran into the house. Nwife and Ije were surprised as he told no one why he was so much in a haste. He came out with a cup of water and handed it over to Ije. This was a way of telling a visitor that he or she was well received. Ije took it and drank it hurriedly. It was as if he knew she was tasty. "When your grandfather told me his calabash water turned red, I knew something has happened. So tell me, what happened?" "My father died. The chief priest of Ajonwa deity cursed him," Ije replied. "Oh, it is a pity. You are the next seer of Ohanta, why is the deity after you?" Mba asked. "I guess he found out who I am," Ije said as she handed the cup over to him with her two hands. Mba passed the cup to his son. Nwife stood up and took it inside. "I wonder what she sees," Nwife mocked as he sat down. "Nwife!" "Father!" "Be nice for once. This innocent girl has not done anything to deserve this hatred from you," Mba said to his sons. "She almos
"Nwife is not the king's son, why is addressed as the crown Prince of this community?" Ije raised a question to break the silence as they walked down the narrow and lonely path that led to Nge river. "My mother raised him like a Prince," Ure said. "Why do I feel there is more to it?" Ije asked again. Ure stood still and stared at Ije. "You are young, but you think like an adult. No one has ever asked why Nwife was crowned the prince of Ndikwe. They all believe he deserves it since he grew up in the palace, and the king has just me. But just like you said, there is more to his coronation," Ure explained. "Is he aware that he was crowned for a reason?" "Yes, before he was Crowned two seasons ago, the king told him everything he needed to know about himself and his true identity," Ure said. "I hope I'm not being so inquisitive?" Ije inquired. "No Ije, I like your boldness." "Why was he Crowned?" "Before I was born, a priestess of Nge shrine visited the palace. She predict