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

“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

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

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

"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