Mba stood up the moment his son entered the room with a plate of food. Nwife pulled a small wooden table that was under the bed out and carefully placed the food on it. "Father, are you going outside?" Nwife asked. "Yes," Mba responded. "No, you need to stay here and make her eat, please." "Oh, I have said my own. No, story for her if she fails to eat." Mba left the room. Ije stared at the two wooden spoons Nwife kept behind the food and stared up at him. Nwife understood what she was trying to communicate. "We are eating together. I have not been able to eat for the past two days, and I don't want you to think I poisoned your food," Nwife said gently. Ije became nervous when Nwife began to walk close to the bed. She was breathless and was almost gasping for breath. "Ije, you need to sit up. You can't eat in that position. Would you mind if I help you up?" Nwife asked. "No," she replied. "I can help myself." Ije adjusted to a more comfortable position, Nwife sat in front of he

"Wait, are those goosebumps I see all over your body?" Nwife asked as he lifted Ije's left hand. "Father, you need to end the story, she is obviously scared," Nwife said. "I'm not scared but I never knew how difficult my mission is until now," Nwife asked. "Which mission are you talking about, Ije?" Nwife asked. "I have been chosen by the gods to destroy the deity," Ije said staring into space. Nwife and his father exchanged glances. "What did she say?" Mba asked his son. Nwife opened his mouth but could not say a word. "The gods chose me to destroy the deity," Ije repeated. "How? Nwife and his father said in unison."Who told you that?" Mba asked. Nwife looked at her with curiosity, waiting for her answer. "The old woman of the cave, the great seer of Ohanta who was banished from the community told my father before I was born." "Did you believe the prophecy?" Mba asked. "I am a seer and I hear the voice of the gods. But since I came into this community, I haven't heard nor s

It was morning and there was no sign of Nwife. The king and the Queen became worried. They were awake all through. The Queen was worried, glancing frequently through the entrance of the throne room. A figure appeared in the doorway. Eze Ife and his wife quickly looked in the direction, It was Ure. They sighed and sat back on their chairs. "Mother, don't worry about Nwife, he will be fine," Ure said. "For the last time Ure, do you have any idea where he might be?" The king asked, Ure, nodded."And you kept quiet all these while?" The Queen shouted at her. "Where is he?" "I don't know where he is," Ure replied. "You just said yes!" The Queen screamed. "I know where he might be," Ure said. "Tell me, where do you think he went to?" Eze Ife asked. "He went after Ije." "What business does the Prince has with a commoner? She is a slave, the chosen bride of Ajonwa deity of Ohanta!" The Queen paced around the throne room. "I know where this is heading and I don't like it." "Is he in lo

"I don't trust you, so I have a better plan. You are smart but you can't outsmart me," he smiled. Ije did not find the statement funny. She wanted to know the new plan. "I am a traveler; I have traveled to different communities." The palm wine tapper dipped his hand into a small bag he had on his waist and brought out a small wooden artifact. Ije was terrified but she held her peace. "This artifact was given to me by the people Umuora when I delivered the best palm wine to the king. Do you know what it does?" He asked. Ije shook her head."This small charm is capable of wiping a whole community if you fail to keep your own end of any bargain. This is not gods of your land. This is a deity, made by Umuora people. You must swear with it." "Gods cannot be created by mere mortals! No one creates a deity!" "Oh...you haven't been to Umuora then. I have been there and I know what I saw. They have powerful deities and they created all of them. This one here is called Ope, it kills instantl

Fear gripped Ije as they move deeper and deeper into the forest. There were no signs of houses anywhere. The trees were quite tall as none of them have been felled. "We have been traveling all day. I'm tired and hungry," Ije said. Nwife cued the horse to a stop. They all came down. Ije sat on the foot of a tree, while Nwife went in search of dry leaves he used to make fire. He made a fire when he had gathered the dry leaves. "I'm roasting yam for dinner, we still have some oil and salt," Nwife said as he squatted behind her and held her shoulders. "No, I'm making this one. You have been the one cooking, and I'm not going to allow you it again," Ije stood up, went to the horse, and began to unpack their bags. Nwife held her hand and took it out of the horseback. He led her back to the foot of the tree where she sat. Nwife unpacked the bags and brought out all the items he would need. He proceeded to the fire and began to roast the yams. Ije moved closer to the fire as she was feelin