O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword) Chapter 4

O.L.A.U.D.O (The Tale of A Tearful Sword)

 Written by

 Ifeoma Isabella Okeke

 Chapter 4

 Oshimmiri?

 Ama was bewildered by those words.

 "You're the Oshimmiri we've heard so much about?" At the brief nod from the lady, Ama continued. "I never thought the dreaded Oshimmiri I have heard so much about in tales is a human and also a lady". Ama said.

 "Well, that is how we wove the story into the hearts of the people to bring fear into them in ancient time". Ebuka answered.

 "Ancient time?" Ama asked confusingly.

 "We don't have much time". Obinna said avoiding the question.

 "Come with us, we have a long way to go Ama". The lady now known as, Oshimmiri, said to her. Leading the way, the two men with her followed suit.

 Not having anything to lose after all Ama followed Oshimmiri and the others to wherever their destination was.

 ******

 "So what are you going to do since you don't want to kill him?" Queen Nnenna asked her son.

 "I have a plan mother, tomorrow you will see what will happen to Obinnze. I just need your co-operation in this mother". Ebubedike said.

 Been the eldest son and only son to the Queen mother, he was adored by his mother and father.

 Well he was pampered until his father announced he was taken a second wife. When Obinnze was finally born, Ebubedike has approached the early age of 8.

 He loved his brother to the core but with what his mother has told him he has no choice but to remove Obinnze out of his way. To him the throne comes first.

 ******

 "Grandmother you haven't finish telling us the story of OlaUdo and how it came to be". Prince Obinnze told the old woman when he went to her hut the following day, he was surprised when he didn't see his brother. He sat close to her.

 Adaku who was the mother of Omenigbo, the Grand King, was getting old. She was only seen whenever the festival wants to take place. Being the only daughter of the former king, she was forced into an arranged marriage with a visiting Nobel who came from Okosisi kingdom. After giving birth to Omenigbo she couldn't give birth to more children. So she loved Obinnze and his brother so much.

 "I thought I had finished the story Obinnze?" Old Adaku told her grandson gently.

 "No, you stopped when you wanted to scolded me about the late Nga". Princr Obinnze reply.

 "Oh, I remember now, but that was where it ended my dear son. No one knew the writings on OlaUdo neither did the gods have an answer to what is written on it". Old Adaku responded.

 "But I asked if the sword can cry which you haven't replied me", Prince Obinnze asked.

 "Well, I don't know about that Obinnze. All I know is what I have told you". Old Adaku replied.

 "Hmm, but how come late Nga knows that the sword can cry when you both are the same age?" Prince Obinnze said still not believing.

 "I have told you that Nga is a witch and that is why people avoided her. When she died did anyone mourn for her? Or was she buried in the land of Umudike?" Old Adaku queried Obinnze. "If you were observant then you will see no body did that". She added.

 "But why is that grandma, what is her story". Obinnze inquisitive questioned.

 "Nga came from an unknown place. She once told your great grand father she knew what was written on the sword of OlaUdo, for her to reveal it's meaning, it will come with a prize". Old Adaku told him.

 "What prize can that be?" Prince Obinnze question.

 "Human blood. Tell me if Nga would say she needs human blood for her to tell us what was written in the sword isn't she a witch?".

 Puzzled by the revelation Obinnze pondered in thoughts.

 "I have to go now Grandma". Obinnze said all of a sudden getting up to his feet. "I will come later to your hut for you to tell me another ancient story". With that Obinnze quickly left her hut before she utter anything.

 Even as a Prince, he has no guards with him unlike his half brother did. Although it doesn't bother him that much, in fact he thought he was too young to be around guards, at the age of 6 he was far more intelligent than his age mates.

 Nga had thought him a lot of things before her demise. Which left him with a thought.

 'Why would Nga required the blood of a human for her to tell them the meaning of the writings on the half sword of OlaUdo?'

 Nga was someone who he had looked up to as his mother.

 There must have been a reason why she asked for a human blood, that is why he was heading towards the scared place the half sword of OlaUdo was being kept.

 Once he got to the scared place he entered the hut made specifically for the half sword.

 The Half Sword stood magnificently at the middle of the hut, floating in the air. It's bright light emitting from it lit up the hut.

 He went closer to the half sword to have a closer look. With each step he took the light got brighter and brighter but surprisingly the light didn't hurt his eyes.

 Touching the ornate cross-guard that spread out like a leaf, with what looked like a half jewel embedded in the center. He ran his fingers across the writings. He knew within him immediately that he somehow know what was written on it but he couldn't say it out. Tracing the symbols he felt his finger tingle. The way it floated mid air was impeccable.

 As if he was in a trace, he was about grabbing hold of the sword handle when his hand was held by no other person than Adamma.

 "Even if you are a Prince you are not worthy to hold the half sword of OlaUdo, only the priestess of OlaUdo can hold it". Adamma said.

 Obinnze blinked his eyes and saw the sword laying on the ground, a lion cloth beneath it. It wasn't glowing anymore. It just lay on the ground like a normal sword.

 He thought he saw it floating a few minutes ago, or where his eyes playing tricks on him.

 "Does the sword glow?" He asked, he wanted to know if he wasn't imagining things in his little head.

 "Glow? The sword doesn't glow little Prince". Adamma said laughing at him. "The sword does not glow without it's remaining half Obinnze". She added.

 "But I thought..... anyway I came to see if truly it has those strange writings my grand mother has told me about".

 "Oh, it does Obinnze.." what ever Adamma wanted to say was interrupted by the calls of his name.

 "You can go, they are looking for you". Adamma said gesturing at the door of the hut for Obinnze.

 Glancing at the sword once again he quickly made his way out of the hut.

 ******

 "How could you Obinnze, as little as you are you have a evil heart". Omenigbo said with anger towards his second son who knelt before him

 "Father, I don't know what you are saying". Obinnze said in fear. He has only set his eyes on his father twice in his whole life. First was when Ebubedike took him to meet their father when he requested for Ebubedike's presence. And the second time was now.

 "You wanted to kill your brother, how could you do such a thing?"

 "I still don't understand what you are saying".

 "You are still claiming innocence", Omenigbo said and clapped his hands and a guard roughly carried in a beat up young man with him. Throwing the young man at the feet of the Grand King. Turning to look at his son and pointing at the man on the floor writhing in pains. "Don't you know him, look at him very well. You sent him to Ebubedike's hut to have him killed but the gods where not on your side. He was caught before he could strike the knife the second into his stomach". Omenigbo thundered.

 "May the gods bear me witness that I don't know what you are saying neither have I met the young man". Obinnze said fearfully, turned to the young man who was bleeding profusely. "Tell him the truth, I haven't met you before". Obinnze cried out.

 "He was the one who ordered me to kill Ebubedike".

 Obinnze eyes widened in disbelief as he stare at the strange man in front of him. He saw his pains, he knew he was forced to accused him wrongly. He saw the pleading look the slave was giving him. He remembered the voice of Nga as she advice him as if it were yesterday.

 "Obinnze no matter the condition you find yourself in, always do good. It will help you when you least expected".

 He opened his mouth finally- after battling with his spirit- sealing his fate.

 "I was the one who sent him to Ebubedike's hut but I didn't know he would carry out the order I jokingly said".

 The beat up man grateful look was the last thing he saw in his eyes before he fainted.

 "I said it, I said Obinnze was the master planner". Queen Nnenna said coming out from where she has been hiding since, listening to their conversation.

 "You and your accomplice are here by banish from Umudike. You nor him shall step foot near my Kingdom or the three kingdoms I rule for 15 years. I have spoken".

 To Be Continued...

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