The squashing of water blends with the noise of the birds which disturbed the gloomy morning. Prince Chika imbued the rag in the liquid and squeezed again. He wiped his muscular breast and armpit before dumping the cloth on the stool beside him.It was four days since the death of his parent and Olamma. The villagers still mourn the King, following Maazi Ikenna’s decree. Nobody is to work until the King was buried. The people now stays indoor as if afraid to walk in their own shadows. They think their houses were safe, they think the thatched roof was the wings of the partridge, which covers her children from the sneers of a wild beast. Foolish people

It was the third day since she left the palace. Chinwe shifted her weight on the saddle and gulped the water from the wineskin. The soft leather on the seat had turned rigid somewhere in the course of the journey and was beginning to sting. If she remembered correctly, the last time she rode this long was the first time she came to the palace in shackles. She had been bought by the queen. Well, this time was different. She was free. Just a few days and she would be crowned the new queen of Alaocha.A small grin parted her lips as her eyes studied the forest. The harsh sun still had its mark on them, but they wore a peaceful and calm expression on their green smile. Birds danced in the air and chanted songs of joy and harmony. The gentleness on the shoulders of the trees was inviting, something her slave self, hadn’t enjoy. Well, she was the queen now, just a matt

A cock crowed and jumped away as the people hurried through the small garden. The atmosphere was friendly, with sweet air, drifting on the green heads of the mango trees and other cash crops.Nneka dropped Amadi and stretched her aching muscles. She watched as the boy smiled and ran ahead, hoping to

“Relax dear one,” Chira whispered and placed a hand on Ada’s chest, pushing her back to the mattress, as gently as her rigid hands could muster. “You were talking gibberish in your sleep,”“Gibberish? No,” Ada shook her head with disagreement. “I don&r

Swiffer’s stride had not decreased a bit; despite hours of riding none stop in the harsh gaze of the sun. It was as if the animal understood the urgency of their mission.Sweat pricked Ada’s brow as she stared ahead, trying to keep her mind from wandering into the unknown. The most direct route to the cave of bones was through the other hand of the forest, far away from the forest of Iyi. But Ada had chosen the longer path. It was the only option if she wanted to avoid the warriors of Alaocha, who would be guarding the borders right now. Besides, the forest of Iyi was perceived to be dangerous. It was a route where only demons trend.Ada bit her lips and leaned in, adding more momentum to the strides of Swiffer. King Obidike and the entire people