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O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword) Chapter 1
O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword)
Written by
Ifeoma Isabella Okeke
Chapter 1
"In the beginning of the world, ChuckwuOlisa created the whole universe and rested on the seventh day. After which he place his two children in the Garden of Eden and told them to eat from everything tree in the Garden except for one tree. Ekwensu- the deceiver of the world- came and deceived them into eating the forbidden fruit ChuckwuOlisa warned them not to eat.
ChuckwuOlisa drove them out from the Garden of Eden and that was how our forefathers lived on earth.
Now, ChuckwuOlisa loved music and so he became fascinated by the music of one of his angels. One day the angel played ChuckwuOlisa a tune he has never heard before and with a joyous heart he gave the Angel the Key of Life and Death.
With that key in his possession, he went to form his own evil angels and went insurrection against ChuckwuOlisa his creator. It was then known he was the one who made our forefathers ate from the tree ChuckwuOlisa forbid them.
Although Ekwensu lost the battle and was chased down to earth by ChuckwuOlisa but the key of Life and Death was with him.
With the Key of Life and Death Ekwensu has the power over those he chooses to live or die.
Many years after, ChuckwuOlisa saw how Ekwensu misleading a lot of people into sin and thus ChuckwuOlisa called a meeting with his heavenly beings.
He asked them who would give up his life for the sins of the people and return the Key of Life and Death to him.
But no one stood up to go expect for his only son who announced he would go and die for the sins of the world.
"Father, permit me to go down to earth for you and die for the sins of the people".
His son gave up his immortal body and was born as a mortal. He grew up and everyone marveled in his presence. He did a lot of things for the people and some of them where grateful and promised never to sin again. He told them that if he dies he would rise up on the third day. Not many believed him.
Ekwensu knowing his true intention made some people turned against him. He was arrested, flogged and disgraced before the people and eventually they killed him unjustly.
He died and journeyed to the dwelling place of Ekwensu. With him was ChuckwuOlisa strongest Angel who fought their way in. For three days ChuckwuOlisa son battled with Ekwensu and collected the Key of Life and Death.
He resurrected on the third day and went to meet his father, ChuckwuOlisa.
Defeating Ekwensu and his evil followers his wounds that was embedded in his body when he died opened and started dropping as they left the Ekwensu dwelling place. A patch from the Key of Life and Death broke and fell into his blood. And from it, came out the sword of OLAUDO.
It was said any one who wield the sword of OLAUDO shall have immortality, powers bestowed to him or her and speak directly to ChuckwuOlisa son.
That was a very long time ago". The old storyteller, Ugomma, concluded her story to the two young Princes before her who had listened with rapt attention.
"Is this a real story of OlaUdo grandma?" Prince Ebubedike asked.
"It is my child, these was the story of our ancestors". Old Ugomma replied back to her grandson.
"If the sword was with ChuckwuOlisa then how come the sword came down to Umudike?" Prince Obinnze questioned.
"Good question Obinnze". Old Ugomma said and then continued her story. "The people who turned away from their evil deeds started seeking for help when a new enemy came out to attack them.
ChuckwuOlisa then gave them the Sword of OlaUdo to use in time of trouble. With it they defeated the new enemies.
But as time goes on, people wanted the sword for themselves and so began fighting and killing each other for it.
When ChuckwOlisa saw what was happening he told one of his creations, Amadioha, to go down to earth and collect the OlaUdo from the people hands.
He went and collected it and was on his way to his abode when Ogbunabali blocked his way". Ugomma paused to catch her breath.
"So what happened grandma?" Obinnze asked.
"We can't really say what exactly happened. All we know was that a Priest found the Half of OlaUdo sword in a very deep cave with a writing on it and that was where all the priests and priestess served till our generations. It landed in the cave of Umudike thus making us the Grand rulers of the Three kingdoms. This is the story of how Olaudo came to Umudike". Ugomma concluded her story.
"What was written on the sword?" Prince Obinnze asked.
"Up till today we don't know the meaning of the words written on it". Ugomma replied.
"If we have the half Sword of OlaUdo then where is the remaining half?" Prince Ebubedike questioned.
"We have no answer to that". Ugomma replied.
"Then we should consult Amadioha since he was the one who took the complete OlaUdo before it became half". Prince Obinnze said trying to get the story in his head.
"Our ancestors could not get the answers they seek from Amadioha". Ugomma responded.
"But Nga said the sword cries, it has tears. Is it true?" Prince Obinnze asked.
"Nga? You met the witch?" Ugomma asked.
"Yes grandma, I did, beside I see no reason why everyone calls Nga a witch. She is not a witch, is just that the gods decided to preserve her life". Prince Obinnze said trying to tell her grandma his thoughts about Nga.
"Silence!" Ugomma shouted at the little boy before her. "What do know about Nga? Nothing, absolutely nothing. You are just a child, do not let the words of that witch embedded in your heart. She is evil".
*******
All the three Kings stood up as the Grand King, made his way to his throne. He sat down and motion at the Three Kings before him to sit down.
"Let's get on with this meeting shall we". The Grand king announced.
"Igwe of all Igwes, the Eze of all may you live long". Igwe of Aku Kingdom greeted the king.
"As you know the barbarians are now getting bigger and wilder than before". Igwe of Mbiri Kingdom began immediately Aku king sat down.
"We need to stop them and rule over them before they overtake us". The third Igwe of Okosisi Kingdom concluded.
"Hmm". The Grand king mused. "But the barbarians are peaceful people and will never look for any one let alone a kingdom trouble. Out with what you truly want and stop beating around the bush". The Grand king told them.
The three king stared at one another before their staring at the Grand king who has been watching them.
"We need their land. We want to rule over them and make them our slaves". Aku said.
"My Grand king, if you have not noticed, their soils are good for planting and extracting oil". Mbiri said
"But they supply oil to us freely why then do you want to take over their land?" The Grand King demanded.
"We the three kings are all tired of how they mocked us openly because they give us oil for free". Okosisi lied through his teeth.
"Is that so?" The Grand King asked.
"It is my Lord". Mbiri answered.
"If they can openly mocked us then they must be ready for war". The Grand King said and without doing any investigation gave out a order to massacre the barbarians and bring their women and children as their slaves.
The three kings took their share and left for their kingdoms.
*****
"What have you done?" Adamma questioned the King.
"The mocked and ridiculed us because the gods has blessed them with soil that produced oil. And you want me to fold my arms and do nothing? That is impossible Adamma". The Grand King said.
"I only came here with a message from the gods". Adamma said.
"And what can that be?" The Grand King asked.
"For daring the gods by not consulting them before taking your actions they have decided to strip you off as the Grand King and give the crown to someone else, not even your sons can become king after your death. This is the message from the gods. You have only but 3 days to take off your crown for the chosen one coming". Adamma left his presence.
"This is not possible, I can never vacant from the throne of my ancestors, never ". He said to himself.
******
"Kill your sister Adamma and become the Adamma of OlaUdo". The Grand King told the priestess sister.
He had invited her secretly and told her what her sister had told him earlier on.
"Eliminate her and I shall make you the next Adamma of OlaUdo".
"I will do as you have said my Lord".
On the third night the death of Adamma was made known and her sister became the new Adamma of OlaUdo.
********
"I see evil". Nga began. "Evil is coming for it's revenge".
"What kind of evil mother Nga?" Obinnze asked.
He had sneaked out from his hut one night and quickly went over to where Nga lives.
As little as he is, Obinnze was very intelligent and fearless and caring for the slaves around him.
His mother had died when she had gave birth to him. His late mother was a second wife thus making him the second Prince of Umudike.
"Listen to me my son, my time is drawing near, I will give you a little piece of advice". Nga said to Obinnze who listened attentively to her words. "Obinnze no matter the condition you find yourself in, always do good. It will help you when you least expected". Nga added.
"I will mother Nga, I promise you I will but I keep wondering why you are being refer to as a witch, to me I see you as my mother".
Nga smiled, her smiled didn't hide her toothless mouth. She removed the necklace she had always wore from her throat and handed it to him. "Always wear this Obinnze. You have a great destiny ahead and even though I am no longer with you this necklace shall be your guidance".
"Thank you Mother Nga". Obinnze said and hugged the old woman not minding the smell oozing out from her. "And you should also know Mother Nga that Obinnze loves you".
Nga smiled at Obinnze as the boy wore the necklace. If only he knew his destiny.
A few days later Nga died and no one shed a single drop of tears for her. Her body was thrown into The Water of Death.
Only Obinnze in his comfort of his hut cried for Nga.
******
Soon afterwards a stranger visited Umudike. No one knew where he was from but they couldn't deny how handsome he was.
"I came from a far away kingdom across my Lord although I decided to stop here when I heard of a sword called OlaUdo and how it bring out tears. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of it to know if it was true". The stranger said to the Grand King.
"Everything you've heard about the sword is true but we have not witness the Tears of OlaUdo, I am afraid that one was a myth". The Grand King told the Stranger.
"Really?"
"Yes. We also have soil that brings forth oil would you love to see it?" The Grand King said boastful.
"Of course my Lord".
The stranger stayed for some few days in Umudike and befriended a beautiful girl called Uju.
They quickly became an item regardless of her position of carrying OlaUdo every festival.
After spending some time with Umudike and Uju the Stranger quickly left as he came. In all those time no one even remembered to ask for his name they all called him 'The Handsome One'.
*******
"How can you be so naive with this Uju, how can you get pregnant?" The high priestess- known to all as Adamma- shouted at Uju in dismay.
"I am so sorry My Lady, I didn't know what charmed he used on me". Uju replied tearfully.
She was at the midst of her other sisters. They where all in white attire. On their fore head a half shape of sword were drawn, they were 20 in numbers.
"I warned didn't I? I warned you to stay away from that strange unknown man but you wouldn't listen, now see where your stubbornness has landed you in. What will the king says if he hears of this abominable". Adamma said in bitterness.
"I am sorry My Lady". Uju pleaded.
"Will sorry bring back the Stranger? Will sorry bring back your Virginity? You have broken the sisterhood by allowing a man to defile you".
"I am so sorry, please help me out of this mess I have created for my self. I tried everything possible to remove this child but it wouldn't work or remove the child and that is why I decide d to confess to you here and to sisters". Uju said in tears.
"What will be your fate if the king find out that you are unable to carry the half sword of Olaudo at the festival coming soon".
"Help me please I beg you".
"I will help you because you are my favourite person Uju, I will help you". Adamma slowly said to Uju.
She turned to address the remaining sisters.
"You have all heard from Uju. She got pregnant from that strange man that visited our kingdom and has now left a few days ago. I will help her till she delivers her child and you all present here must keep it a secret. No One not even the King must heard about Uju predicament".
"Yes My Lady". They chorus together.
"Let's swear before OlaUdo". Adamma said.
******
"My Lady she has delivered". Mma said as she kneel down before the high priestess.
"What did she delivered?". Amanda asked.
"A baby girl my lady". Mma replied.
"Hmm, bring me the child here and kill Uju, throw her dead body into the water of death".
Soon afterwards Mma carried a little child in her arms her body covered with dried blood.
"Did you do as I have instructed?"
Mma, nodding her head. "Yes my lady".
"Give me the child". Amanda said and Mma gave her the child.
"What are you going to do with her?"
"Nothing, Wouldn't it be better if I send her to the king to be his sex slave if she gets older".
"That's too harsh my lady. Even if Uju offended you must you take your revenge on this poor baby?" Mma questioned.
"Thank the gods of Umudike that you are my sister". Amanda said in a serious tone.
"Sorry sister, what will you name her?" Mma asked
"Her eyes are like the flames of OlaUdo so she shall be called OlaUdo". Amanda said as she lifted the child upwards.
Thunder and lightning strike. And soon afterwards rain began heavily.
To Be Continued....
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Interesting, I love this story
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