"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

"Now, I know why Prince Nwife despises the new maid," Ndu, the guard who was pushed down by Ije told his fellow guards. The men stopped what they were doing and shifted close to Ndu. "What do you think is the reason?" Azokam, one of the guards asked. "She tossed me down today." "What...?" The men chorused "Yes, she pushed me and I fell," Ndu said. The guards laughed mockingly at him. "Please who pushed you down? That little rope-like girl? Ndu, you need to go see Ike, the medicine man," another guard suggested jokingly. "There is something strange about her. When she was pushing me, it was as if ten hands were on me. Her stamina is unimaginable. I'm still gaping how..., never mind," Ndu said. The guards laughed at him again. "The Prince said she is a witch, but he did not explain to us why he said so. What I experience today at the farm is a confirmation that the Prince is right. That girl is not ordinary. I think I might have also found out why she was banished from her

The combat between Ije and Ibezim ended with Ije emerging as the winner. It was indeed great entertainment for the people of Ndikwe community. Ibezim was very ashamed of himself. He became almost invisible at the Palace and would always hide whenever he saw Ije and Ure. Nwife's hatred for Ije had decreased all of a sudden. However, they don't talk to each other. The King had tried to reconcile them, but all his efforts proved abortive. Nwife would not talk to Ure whenever Ije was with her. He always go and came back when she had gone. When Ure tried to know why Nwife told her that he detested the sight of her. Ndikwe community gave freedom to their maidens once they turned eighteen. They believed at that age, the maidens were old enough to know what they wanted and would go for it. Those who wished to get married were allowed to marry the love of their lives. Ije had rapid growth and the men never stopped to ask how old she was. Many tried to be close to her but she would not give

It was morning and Ije had finished packing her things. Ure was still in bed because she went to bed late last night. Eze Ife was in his palace offering his morning incantations when Ije walked in without her things. She had left it in the room in case the king turn her request down. Ije, turned when she saw the king murmuring. Eze Ife waved at her and she halted. "What do you seek in my throne room this early hour of the day." Eze Ife asked. "Long live your Highness," Ije prostrated before the king. Eze Ife patted her back gently and she stood up. "The new moon appeared yesterday," Ije began. "Yes, my daughter; I saw it when I came out in the early hours." Eze Ife affirmed. "The new month ushered me into a new phase of my life." "A new age?" Eze Ife asked. Ije nodded. "Oh...this is the first time you are telling me about your birthday and we are going to celebrate it. Tell me how would want it to be celebrated?" Eze Ife asked. "I will like to make a request," Ije responded.

Ije stood up and began to take some steps backward as Nwife took some steps forward. Mba kept quiet and was short of words. He kept looking at them simultaneously. It was as if a whistle was blown. Ije took off and Nwife ran after her. Since Nwife came in through the entrance, Ije had to use the back door. Nwife used the back door too. The back door led to a narrow farm path. Ije was not familiar with the path, but Nwife knew every nook and cranny. Ije diverted to the path that led to the dry stream bed. Nwife began to scream her name. He knew she might fall into it since she did not know a gully was there. Ije did not look back to know why he was screaming her name. She could not control her speed when she saw the gully. She fell inside and hit her head on one of the stones in the gully and she passed out. Nwife jumped into the gully and squatted beside her. He lifted her slightly up and discovered she was bleeding. He knew some herbs that controlled bleeding, Nwife ran out of the