For the past days, Mayowa had been furious after his encounter with the king.
“They promised education and that any of our children who pass examination will be sponsored to learn the secret of the white men in far away United Kingdom. I see this as a bright future for our youths."
He remembered King Ogiso's argument and strong point. He had reasoned with him but not totally.
"But what about our ancient god's?" He had asked, afraid of the wrath of the gods. They discussed extensively before he left with heavy heart. He hatched a secret plan. He was pondering on how to carry it out when his faithful parrot. Okwe, perched on his head to speak with him in whisper. He raised
blinking eyebrow and nodded in satisfaction.
“Husband, you have not been happy. What is the matter? Your happiness is our strong bond," asked Adeola, his younger wife. He hesitated but forbade to hide something from his wife because he knew it was only a woman who held the key to a man's heart. He sighed and forced a faint smile.
“Yes. Adeola, my beloved wife. The once good king has sold ldheze Kingdom to the white men, damning the wrath of Orobe, the goddess of the river."
“Ah, you have never spoken this way, but I find if hard to believe. But how, when he knows the consequences. He is the king by the grace of the god's? When last did he appease our god's, I mean, our gods? I fear also, soon, our land will cease to be fertile. Pestilence will be our next visitor. You shouid have warned him," Adeola said.
“Trust me, I did. He refused this time listen to my voice. l am surprised. They have bought him over. One of my friends' son who happens to be a family friend told me that strange gifts from the ghosts are secretly used in the palace. My king has become greedy. Those white ghosts are only good enough for sacrifice to the gods to appease them for our defiled land. I believe their blood wil taste like honey in the tongue of Orobe, our pretty goddess, mother of the stream of life
“What do we do now? I can now understand your grievance. Maybe that was why he has been recruiting young teenager who will serve the white men at the back the palace. They are being tained by those two disciples from lrri Kingdom who are the translators of the white men."
Mayowa reasoned with her and nodded in fury.
"Where are my children: Kunle, Temi and Lekan? They have been absent every evening for sometimes now."
“They are always going for the recruiting exercise at the palace to become true disciples of the white men and also to study their language they called “English". I eavesdropped Lekan telling his mother last week. At times, I heard them read l, 2 and 3."
“What! My children embracing the white men's deceitful evil tongue? Why did you allow them to learn white men's language?"
“Yes, I could remember they also discussed about education and civilisation, citing examples from other lsoko races that have been civilised and educated, reading the strange white men's 123 and ABC. I also eavesdropped..."
In fury, Mayowa stumbled out into the dark very early in the morning as he lay ambush at the popular junction with nine parts. He heard footsteps and songs of mockery on their gods.
God is good
My God is good
Other gods are inferior
My God is truth and good
Other gods must bow for sure
At the mention of His Name
From generation He is still the same
Wow to other gods
Death to other gods
My God is good
Good good good
“Abomination!" Mayowa voiced out to himself at his hide-out. Vividiy, he could see from his vantage position seven white men clad in shinning white apparel on black bicycles, other two black disciples also riding bicycles. He wondered, he had not seen them before. As the men were within his reach, he sprinted out, double-crossed them and killed them with his sword. With a strong rope and with all his strength, he dragged the seven deceased into the evil forest to sacrifice them to the gods, whilst allowing the two black disciples from lrri to escape.
Three days went by before King Ogiso summoned Mayowa to the palace. He was not surprised to see the two disciples he allowed to escape.
“You sent for me, oh great King! I am here."
“Mayowa, you look so rude and annoyed, did you know these two lrri men," pointing at the two men.
“Your Highness, why asking me this question?"
“Three days ago, seven white visitors were murdered and the description of the murderer resembles yours."
“I once gave the gods their demand".
“Which demand?” The king was surprised, the other chiefs and elders did not utter a word. “My kinsmen, you keep quiet. Why don’t you contribute to this ugly incident?"
“My king, what did you want them to say, when they all know how you have betrayed our gods. So, you have been bought over by the words of those white men. Well, to appease the land and to plead with Orobe on your behalf, I did exactly as he had instructed me. They sang offensive songs to abuse our goddess. What do you expect from me than vengeance?"
“And what was that?"
“To sacrifice the blood of your friends to her majesty. ldheze Kingdom is now cleansed, your sin has been forgiven."
He forced a smile. Others stooped in support. Silence swept across the palace. He searched from one bow head to another before he spoke again.
“My Lord, I apologise, the gods say let this be the last time any white stranger would step on this holy land. Ask those two, they sang abominable song to attend our gods."
Chief Priest. Ene. came into the palace and greeted them before taking his seat.
“You are late, priest, he has told us the truth -he is the murderer. What do you have to say?" The King said.
“Mayowa. you shall live longer, says the gods. l have just consulted them. You did the right thing. Abomination should be wiped away from our land. May your journey be fruitful. The gods favour you to be the next king of ldheze kingdom," the chief priest stated.
King Ogiso frowned.
“My Lord, you should have consulted us before admitting those white ghosts into the palace. This is our palace - your forefathers’ palace. ldheze kingdom is for all of us. Without us you cannot be the king. You can’t rule over animals," Chief Rume said as everybody left the palace in silence.
Here are the links to the previous episodes 👇
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
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