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O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword) Chapter 2
O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword)
Written by
Ifeoma Isabella Okeke
Chapter 2
"Why did you killed Uju without my consent?" The Grand King, Omenigbo, asked.
"I did what I was suppose to do My Lord. I told you what Uju had done even when I made my fellow priestesses swear before OlaUdo never to tell you. I had to do that". Adamma replied back without any form of hesitation or fear.
"Now that you have killed her, what are we going to tell her parents?" Omenigbo asked.
"What else should we tell them? You and I know that Uju died of child birth and that is what we are going to tell them. If they doubt it, then I will show them the baby. Thank the gods that OlaUdo has the resemblance of her mother". Adamma answered.
"OlaUdo? Is that her name?" Omenigbo questioned.
Nodding her head to his question.
"Yes My Lord, her eyes where like the reflection of OlaUdo, so I gave her that name". Adamma said.
"Okay, so what are we going to do to the child, kill it?" Omenigbo asked.
"No, we give the child to her grandparents and send them far away from this kingdom". Adamma replied.
"Why? You would have made the girl your followers, servants or better still become a sex slave to me or one of my sons when she has come of age". Omenigbo told her.
"I would have done as you have said but I will not". Seeing the looks she was receiving she decided to clear his mind. "I read her palms but couldn't make out anything from it. It was as if something or someone is blocking her future from me. She has no future my King and from what I have seen so far, she is your doom". Adamma finally told the King what she has seen and why the baby won't stay.
"Then kill her at once!!". King Omenigbo shouted.
Heaving out a huge sigh.
"And that is what I am afraid of my Lord. That child cannot be killed. I tried killing the child after knowing she was death but couldn't, just like the way Uju couldn't harm the child when it was in her womb. That is we have to give the child to Uju parents and tell them to leave this kingdom at once and maybe you can send some assassins to kill the old people on their way out of this kingdom. The Child will die of Hunger and thirst after some days". Adamma said wickedly as she told the King her idea.
"I see, you are right". Omenigbo mused, tapping one of his left finger on his forehead.
"When am I always wrong my king. I have never fail to give you a solution out of your problems".
"I know that Adamma, I was only thinking. You can go ahead and inform her parents about her death and later in the day, bring me the child let me take a look at her eyes before she will be taken away". He added and waved off Adamma who bowed her head in respect and left his presence.
*****
"Truly her eyes are like the reflection of OlaUdo". King Omenigbo said when he took a glimpse of the child.
*******
Dusk was fast approaching when Adamma made her presence known to the old Couples.
After exchanging pleasantries with one another they welcomed Adamma.
They where all sited at the compound.
Uju parents were told about the demise of their only daughter and child.
They where left speechless and shocked when Adamma told them.
"You know it's a taboo for a priestess of OlaUdo who dedicated herself to remain pure all her life to become pregnant? But Uju flaunted the rules and became pregnant". Adamma told the old couples.
Seeing their disbelieve on their faces she clapped her hands twice, a priestess who stood outside the bamboo gate of Uju's parents compound walked in carrying a little bundle in her hands.
Collecting the child from the priestess.
"You can go". She commanded and the priestess left them. Facing the couples once again she presented the child to them.
"That's Uju child she gave birth too before she committed suicide by drowning herself in water of Death. Thankfully she looks like Uju". Adamma said and watches as the old couples looked at the child, truly she has a resemblance to their daughter. They now believed the Priestess.
"Who is the father of this child?" Uju mother, Ama, asked as she hold the child.
"It was the Stranger who visited Umudike Kingdom some moons ago. Uju allowed herself to be impregnated by the unknown man. She took in and after her failed attempt of killing the child in her womb she opened up to me. I took care of your daughter until she gave birth to your granddaughter". Adamma explained.
"Thank you so much Adamma". Ozo, Uju father, said thankfully.
Adamma stood up from sit. "The King knows the atrocities your daughter has committed and will soon send some of his guards to your compound before the cock crows tomorrow to kill you and this child. I love Uju so much and that is why I am leaking this secret to you". Adamma said lying through her teeth.
Gasping out in shocked at what Adamma told them.
"What do we do now Adamma, Biko, gwa anyα» ihe anyα» kwesα»rα» ime iji zere iwe eze na chi- Please, tell us what we should do to avoid the wrath of the king and gods". Ozo pleaded to Adamma.
"Very easy". Adamma said bending down to their height level and said. "Run away". Adamma suggested to them slowly.
Gasping out in surprise at the suggestion the old couples stare at one another and then finally at Adamma.
"You mean we should run away from Umudike Kingdom?" Ama asked.
"Yes, run away from Umudike it is your only chance if you want to survive". Adamma told them standing up to her full height.
"I can't imagine myself running away from Umudike- a kingdom I was born, raised, got married and now old" Ozo said, mostly to himself. "That can't be possible, I can't run away from my forefathers land".
"Unless you want your granddaughter killed, then you can stay". Adamma said.
"May the gods forbid. Amadioha can't allow such a thing happen to my granddaughter". Ama said
"Then you have to think twice unless you don't value your granddaughter".
"We are going to do as you have said Adamma". Ozo said finally accepting to run away from Umudike. "But where do you think it is save for us to run to?" Ozo demanded.
"Going to the three kingdoms is like going into the cave of a leopard and expecting it not to eat you because you thought it wasn't a Lion".
"We don't get your meaning Adamma, please make it clearer to us".
"Take your granddaughter and yourselves out of here, do not near the three kingdoms. If you seek refuge from anyone they will turn you over to the Grand King. Run to the land far across the kingdoms, the Grand king cannot chase you once you've crossed, there you will be save". Adamma told them her idea.
"You mean we should cross the Oshimmiri river to get to the other side?" Ama questioned to be sure of what she heard.
"Yes". Adamma said simply.
"But you know no one has ever cross Oshimmiri river let alone touched it" Ozo asked. Him and his wife were frightened to their bones.
"It is your fate. I am telling you the plans of the king because of the close relationship I have with your late daughter, do not let your daughter death be in vain and I am very sure Uju would have agreed to my idea if she were still alive".
"Adamma since the idea is coming out from you, then we shall hearken to it". Ozo said after going through the suggestion.
"Good". Adamma said and brought out a little bag from her wrapper and gave it to Ozo. "The money in that will sustain you and your wife once you've crossed over. It is already getting dark, I better be going. By the first crow in the morning the guards would be here for your grand daughter". Adamma said and left them.
The old couples started preparing.
They made their way towards Oshimmiri River.
***
"Did it go according to your plans?" The Grand King demanded as soon as he saw the High Priestess in his throne room.
"Yes, as we speak now, they are probably on their way out of Umudike going towards Oshimmiri River". Adamma said.
"Well, that is a very good news". Omenigbo said with a smile on his face.
"You have to act fast now my Lord, it is up to you now. I beg to take my leave". Adamma said bowing her head.
"You can go", The Grand King permitted and Adamma left his presence. "I swear they won't live to see the daylight".
***
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Queen Nnenna- the first wife of the Grand King, Ebubedike's mother- went berserk when she saw her son with Obinnze playing.
She angrily walked over to where her son is. Jerking him unawares from the back, she held his left ears and started dragging him away from Obinnze.
"Ebubedike how many times would I tell you not to play with Obinnze?" Queen Nnenna asked her son once they where in her hut.
"But mama I see no crime in me playing with Obinnze, he is my brother for crying out loud mama. If I don't play with my brother who else then should I play with?". Ebubedike said not understanding why his mother so much hate Obinnze.
"You won't understand my son". Queen Nnenna said.
"Then make me understand mama until you do, I will keep on playing with Obinnze".
"Okay I will tell you, Ebubedike at his birth the late Adamma foretold his destiny. In her words 'Obinnze shall be the greatest king ever and his story shall be written down".
"But how can Obinnze becomes king when every one in Umudike knows who the first son of King Omenigbo is?" Ebubedike questioned.
"Don't you know that your father has decided to make Obinnze the heir apparent once he is of age?" Queen Nnenna lied through her teeth trying to poison the heart of her son against Obinnze.
"No wonder you hated him so much. So he wants to take away my birth right from me". Ebubedike said and hit his chest and continued, "Not when I still breath".
Queen Nnenna became delighted once she heard what her son said.
******
Story written by Ifeoma Isabella Okeke
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Little Obinnze kept pondering in his bamboo bed that night why his step mother hated him.
Has he in any way wronged the woman?
He couldn't remember.
Why does she hate him?
He doesn't have an answer to that.
How he wished Nga was still alive.
If she was still alive she would have given him an advice.
He was so engrossed with his thought that he didn't noticed the tiny red glow from his necklace he wore.
******
"Shouldn't we help him?" A lady voice asked. She was invisible, only the red glow of her two eyes where visible.
"No we shouldn't interfere, it is his destiny, it will shape him". Another male voice replied the female voice. Like the female who spoke earlier on only his red eyes where visible.
"How can Nga choose this little boy to become the leader of our clan?" The female asked.
"Maybe she saw something in him which we don't seeing". The male voice answered as they stare at Obinnze.
To Be Continued.....
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This is awesome
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