OGONI

THE

GREAT

BY

CHOBA AGBERIA

Synopsis

OGONI THE GREAT, the deity of Oka land, the nub of their tradition and the glory of their existence has been conquered through a mysterious dream and the lives of Oka people are left in jeopardy. Inevitably, all the outcasts in the land become free from their inhuman treatment.

The downfall of Ogoni rewrites the future of the outcasts and divides the land unceremoniously while the outcasts gain freedom. Slowly, dark magic becomes part of the culture of the Oka people and the traditions of their forefathers unpremeditatedly undergo alteration.

Ogoni wanders away for decades, but the ways of the gods aren't always understood by human. He reconstructs the destiny of the very one who has made him homeless; and through her perishing soul, Ogoni regains his glory in a different form.

This tale unveils a version of the African beliefs concerning the creation of water bodies; in this case, the River Emili.

CHAPTER ONE

"Asha!" Her mother called with concern, "Don't forget the native powder and remember not to touch any part of the shrine."

"Yes, mama," Asha responded. She walked away sluggishly, with her face lacking expressions. On her head was a cracked brown calabash. She held it firm as she walked straight to the great juju shrine for Ogoni, preferably called _Ogoni the Great_.

Ogoni's shrine was the most powerful shrine in Oka land, and it had helped Oka people win so many communal wars, especially land disputes. Ogoni's assistance had given Oka people enormous land, wealth, and pride. They would use his name in cursing and blessing, and still from afar, different people would come to consult Ogoni and seek his protection against their enemies. Ogoni had done all these for them in exchange for an annual sacrifice from the people of Oka land.

"Great Ogoni, I greet you," said Asha. She repeated the same thing seven times and then continued. "On behalf of Oka sons and daughters, I greet you." She brought down the calabash on her head and took a native powder from it. She sprinkled the shrine with the native powder as she walked round it. The shrine had two entrances. The first entrance was firmly built with dried bamboo sticks, and the distance from it to the second entrance was within an eye gauge. In front of the second entrance, a white line was drawn with a native chalk. The line was to bar the entire villagers from accessing the shrine, leaving the entrance accessible only to the juju priest, whom the villagers saw as the only one worthy enough to cross the line. A big tree stood at the heart of the shrine, and at some corners hung some bones of wild animals and horrifying masks. Palm fronds and all other sacred items were arranged in a jumbled manner. When Asha was through with the sprinkling of the powder, she sat down with her face full of sadness. Lost in thought, she stood up again and looked at the calabash that was covered with plantain leaves. She placed her right hand helplessly on her waist.

"Why should humans give honour to these lifeless beings?" She asked herself. "Some said the gods were our creator, while others said our forefathers were our gods, and their laws forbid us so many things. Before I greatly adored our traditions, but now, I am ready to spit on it. The gods have no feelings and my spirit is at rage. My spirit is crying but no one wishes to understand. Instead they all stood on the side of tradition. The gods have spellbound all, making themselves superior to humans." Suddenly tears dripped from her eyes.

Asha was a girl of an average height. She had an attractive long hair that got men enthralled whenever she passed. But those compliments about her appearance didn't please her anymore because their custom had shrunk her pleasures in life.

She was the only surviving child of Chijaka, and her mother, Sheila. Old age had set in, so they couldn't have another child. According to the family tradition, Asha could not depart from her parents' home for matrimony, except she gave birth to a male child out of wedlock to bear Chijaka's name after death. Unfortunately for Asha, she hadn't succeeded in giving her father, Chijaka, a son to bear his name. Even the two children she had for different men were girls.

"This invincible traditional heritage has enveloped me. It has lowered my standards to men whose hearts are not far from the palm wine joint." She looked at herself disconsolately and continued, "I am now a cheap whore used for the gratification of transcendent beings. Why am I a woman? Life is partial and tradition─ the most corrupt. Where will I be buried when I die? Tradition says married women with children should be buried indoor, while those without children buried outdoor." She glanced all around the shrine again.

The way the shrine was decorated disturbed her and she stared with so much disdain.

"You made me so. Open your ears and listen to me because all tradition came from you. You hid yourself here and torment the living with your laws and traditions." She untied her first wrapper and brought out some sticks of matches. "You made our villagers to believe so many mystical things. You told them you could make a man vanish when you are angry and so everybody worships you with great trepidation. Yes, they worship you with fear because they have something that gives them joy. But as for me, nothing of you pleases my heart. Every sunrise causes ache to my heart, and how I wish I was never born."

Immediately the cloud rumbled and Asha looked at the sky with anxiety. The cloud became darkened as if the rain of the century was about to fall. She became panic and hurried away from the shrine. She paused to look at the big tree in the middle of the shrine as it danced to the rhythm of the wind.

At that moment, it was as if the gods knew what was about to happen. She gazed at the sky and shouted, "No! You can't change my plans. This is a life time opportunity. Coming here again might take decades." She removed her hair-tie and tied it to a short tree nearby. "After destroying you, I know it will be over for me. I know those clueless elders with their bunch of traditions will say our ancestors will not accept me after death." Then she sat down sluggishly and hissed. She thought of what she had decided to do and shook her head. "Listen to me carefully and hear how unjust and wicked you are. You made us to give reverence to those useless animals you called your offsprings. You made us inferior to common creatures that I can kill with my foot." She stood up in silence and looked around for the match box she had before. When she found it, she took one last breathe and set the shrine ablaze.

Sheila woke up in fear, "It's a dream." She said thankfully. Her face was clouded with sweat, breathing heavily. She stood up promptly to go to Asha's room. She saw her daughter sleeping peacefully like an unfettered donkey. She stood there anxious about all she had seen in her dream. "This cannot happen," she said in a low voice. She left Asha's room and went straight to her husband's room. She tapped him on his left leg. "Wake up! Wake up!!"

Chijaka stretched his body and asked in an uneasy tone, "Why are you waking me up at this time of the night?"

"Something important, my husband," she tapped him again. "Wake up."

After much persistence, Sheila succeeded in keeping her husband awake. They both sat in the dark discussing about the dream. "I had a terrible dream and it's about our daughter, Asha." She told him all she had seen in her dream.

Chijaka breathed out heavily and placed his right hand on his forehead to think. He cleared his throat and said in a low voice, "This night has blessed us so richly that it has delivered us from such abomination."

"What can we do now?" asked concerned Sheila. "The future is in our hands."

"It's complicated," replied Chijaka. "Only the children of the latter generation can undertake the ritual. Asha is our only surviving child and she has been there six times. Tomorrow is the last day of the sacrifice."

"Do you think she has decided to raze the shrine on the last day?" Sheila asked.

"I don't know, but I guess you are right." Chijaka thought for a short while. "We can't let this happen. It will be a doom to us and the entire villagers."

Sheila asked again, "Shall we tell her so she can change her mind?"

"Hmm─ no," replied Chijaka. "That may be dangerous. She has kept her plans till the last day. The human spirit is desperate. When it has concluded on a thing, nothing can thwart it."

"So what do you have in mind?"

"There is no trouble without a solution. He who has brought the vision will do well to bring the provision."

"What if we ask our daughter not to go again?"

"If she doesn't go, who will return the calabash?" Chijaka asked rhetorically.

"Yes, you are right."

"I have a plan," said Chijaka. "Let's pay one of the outcasts to return the calabash. The calabash belongs to the shrine. You know that?"

"Yes," Sheila answered derisively.

"What is the matter?" Chijaka asked. He sensed that Sheila was not pleased. "See, my dear," he continued, "the major thing Asha needed to do was to return the calabash."

"Okay, but I thought there were other things."

"No, there aren't," Chijaka replied.

The final conclusion had been made. An outcast was the one to return the calabash. When it was morning, Asha bathed as the juju priest had instructed her, and was ready to go and perform the last ritual.

Within her she was glad that that would be the last time she would have to face those ugly objects her parents worshipped. She walked to where the calabash was kept, but couldn't find it. She was amazed at that so she went to her mother in anxiety and asked her calmly where the calabash had been kept, but her mother urged her to wait for her father so she could find out where he kept the calabash.

An hour later, Chijaka came back after carrying out their plan. He pretended as if he knew nothing about the missing calabash, and all of them went searching for it. Asha became unwarrantably anxious that her parents were convinced of what she had planned to do there. After a long while of an unsuccessful search, Chijaka contemptuously asked, "My daughter, are you sure you brought back the calabash yesterday?"

"Yes," Asha answered without a doubt.

"Where is it then?" Asked her father. "Has someone stolen it?"

Asha didn't say anything.

"How many times have you been there?" He asked.

"Six," Asha answered.

"My daughter," Sheila said with a soft voice, "Are you sure you came home with the calabash?"

"I brought it home, mama. Or should I go to the shrine to check if it's there?"

"No, you don't have to," Chijaka retorted. "It doesn't even matter. Just as long as you have gone there six times, it's okay. But if the elders should ask you, tell them it's seven times."

"Why?" Asha asked startlingly.

"Don't worry. Six is okay. Even some time ago, it used to be five times only. It's just that some people believed going there more times would attract more blessings. It is actually subjective to each family's decision."

"That is true, my daughter," Sheila supported.

At that very moment, all Asha could do was to stare at them in amazement. She thought of the impending misfortunes and suddenly grew a blue face.

"What? Why is your face like that?" Chijaka asked affectionately.

"I have not presented my personal request to Ogoni," replied Asha. "Will I remain like this?" She asked with a trembling voice. Tears soon cascaded her cheeks as she walked away in dejection.

Sheila felt concerned for her daughter. She looked at her husband and it was then that it dawned on them that they were in a dilemmatic situation.

What had happened was early before the cockcrow, Chijaka had collected the calabash and gone out to find an outcast that was to do Asha's job. He had met an outcast woman called Emili and told her to keep the calabash at the shore of the island where the shrine was located, and warned her never to step her legs on the island again. He'd given her some money and promised her huge benefits after her service.

The outcasts were the people that found safety in Oka land when a great flood wiped away their kingdom centuries ago. That was the common story everyone believed, but a few others had different stories. Some said they came from the far-east, while others said they were from the far-north. A few also claimed they came from the south east.

Their stay was highly decried by all the chief priests who had served Ogoni. They all claimed Ogoni was not pleased with their stay in Oka land. And because of that claim, they lost their privileges in Oka land. They were forbidden from getting a chieftaincy title, to have land at certain regions, or get involved in celebrating any feast or sacred activities in the village.

Emili went straight to the shrine before sun rise to avoid being seen. She stood in front of the shrine and disregarded Chijaka's warning. She walked round it and then smiled manically.

"Oh! Great Ogoni, I greet you with utmost joy from the depth of my heart. It's a pleasure paying you a visit. Oh, rejoice you outcasts because he who made you outcast is about to be cast out. It will be so painful that I will not be among those celebrating this feast. For the news of your dislodgment will bring joy to all outcasts. You made us so inferior even to slaves, and our hands were profane before you. Our existence was as a moving cloud whose direction was of no recognition." She looked at the shrine again and tears came down from her eyes. "I'm ready to sacrifice my life to bring liberty to those like me. It is so unfortunate that the treasure of Oka is in the wrong hands." After saying that, she set the shrine on fire.

She watched it as it burned down. Just as the fire consumed the shrine, so was her heart filled with inexplicable joy and satisfaction. It wasn't long the roof of the shrine collapsed to the ground, and she became terrified. She briskly walked out of the shrine premises, and it was time to commit suicide as she had planned.

But then another thought came to her mind. She grimaced and said in a very soft tone, "Why should I kill myself?" She took a deep breath and looked at the shrine again. She valued the damage she had done, and just like that, she ran to a distant neighboring village.

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Great calamity had struck Oka land. Her power, hope and treasure had turned to ashes. The clout of Oka village was gone. Two hours after the fire, there came a heavy rainfall. Everyone thought it was coincidental, but they never knew the gods were angry. The juju priest felt uneasy as he waited for the rain to stop but the strange feelings became unbearable; then he took the necessary items he needed and headed for the island of Ogoni. The island had contained plenty of snails, and it was a taboo to kill or eat them because they were considered as Ogoni's children. The island was calm and full of life. No agricultural or human activities took place there. The trees, birds and other living creatures had enjoyed maximum liberty, and the quietness of the island was enough muse-fetcher to anybody interested.

When the priest got there, he was highly amazed at what he saw. He wept bitterly as he began to speak sorrowful incantations. Throughout his entire life, he'd never thought a thing like that could happen.

When the news reached the village, many of the villagers thought it was a mere rumour that most of them had to run to the shrine to absorb reality. Three-quarter of the village population went there with different boats, and it wasn't long, the island became crowded. It was a thing that had never happened before, and had no reason to happen. Only certain legs and eyes were allowed to step and see the shrine. It became a double calamity for Oka village. Her gods had gone and the sacred land had been traditionally abused.

As soon as Chijaka and his wife heard the news, they quickly took few of their belongings and fled from Oka village. They urged Asha to follow them, but she refused. She thought there was nothing to run for, and her parents failed to tell her everything before leaving.

The Ovie, the traditional ruler of the land, ordered for immediate arrest of Chijaka's household. They brought Asha to the palace and she stood before the council of elders. There was a great crowd that followed them, but they weren't allowed into the Ovie's compound.

Asha was afraid and surprised. The guards didn't give her a chance to change her domestic wears. All she appeared with in the front of elders was a faint-blue wrapper, with her hair scattered.

"What have we done to you that made you to burn down the Ogoni shrine?" asked the Ovie.

"It wasn't I," she answered apprehensively.

At once another elder sitting close to her struck her with his long walking stick in annoyance. "Who did it then?" asked the elder. "You were the one who went there to make the sacrifice for your family, weren't you?"

The council of elders wanted to hear her response, but she kept on weeping and saying she was not the one that did it.

"When last did you go there?" Another elder asked her.

She turned towards him and said, "Yesterday."

"Your seventh time?"

"Y... yes," she stammered.

Her response lacked confidence and the elders looked at one another and shook their heads in bitterness.

"No one has gone there since you left there yesterday," said the Juju priest. "There was no evidence showing it was burnt down this morning. Even the rain wasn't strong enough to cover such evidence. What on earth pushed you to do this evil thing, placing yourself as an enemy to our god? If you are an enemy of our god, who then are you to us? You have fooled us before our god. You have fouled our pledge and it showed you are not worthy of living."

The rest of the elders nodded their heads in agreement, and some made a horrible sound to signify that something horrible had happened. It wasn't long; an impulsive conclusion was made concerning her case. She was sentenced to death by drowning in the River Ethiope.

River Ethiope was the longest and deepest river around there. It ran through the base of Oka village, and was located at the boundary between Oka village and Ekpe community.

Hearing the sentence, Asha threw herself to the ground and wailed. Those close to her avoided body or eye contact with her. They thought she must be possessed. The juju priest pleased for clemency, and her death was shelved to the following day.

In the early hours of the following day, she was tied and taken away. She was taken straight to the river and the juju priest said in a loud voice in front of everyone who had come to watch her execution. "It is so painful that our own blood has turned against us, and the reason of her action still remains a mystery to us because she has refused to tell the truth."

His clemency was to know the reason behind the poor lady's malfeasance. To unveil the truth through mutual dialogue as Ogoni was no longer available to be consulted. When he didn't achieve what he wanted through soft approach, he ordered that fire be set under her to get the truth from her.

The fire was red and hot, and all night long, she wept out her soul. The crowd chanted at the top of their voices as they watched her. Asha was unceremoniously bound to a huge tree, and her eyes were tearless because there was no strength for sorrow anymore. She looked at the crowd and the river. She knew she was at this moment in betwixt life and death, but she was helpless. She thought that the end has come for her and her sincere words of truth wouldn't save her.

"Who will exonerate me?" Asha asked herself, "the perilous crowd or the homeless god? My parents urged me to flee, but it all looked puzzled to me. I've lived a mysterious life, and now my death is controversial."

The men beside her lifted her up from the fire like an ore leaving a furnace. The whole crowd waited in amazement mixed with agony. They were all eager to see a life undergo a transit. The younger ones among them were hysterically moved, while others folded their arms. The elderly didn't really show much concern. They just wore their poker faces and kept on watching.

But suddenly there came a huge crowd with a volcanic voice running towards them with an overwhelming joy.

"Freedom has been given! The one who made us outcasts has been cast out!" All of them were holding all kinds of weapons.

"Stop! The girl is ours." Someone shouted from the roaring mob.

The few crowds that had come to execute Asha became afraid. The whole place became still. Asha was reluctantly dropped down and one of the outcasts ran and untied her. Life was brought back to her, but a harder decision was about to be made.

"Who are you for? Them or us?" The leader of the outcasts asked Asha.

She looked at the crowd languidly and knew a second chance had been given to her. Her decision would be either that of the anchor of life or that of death. Choosing life would make her an outcast. This to her was tantamount to a psychological torture. Her people would reject her, and she would lose her native identity.

She knew the true indigenes would hold her as an infidel. But in the end, her life was precious to her; more precious than any human segregation or discrimination.

"Hurry," the outcast urged her, "for the entire village is about to be transformed."

She breathed in as hard as she could. Physically she was hurting, and her strength had diminished, but she managed to say in a faint voice, "I don't even understand what is happening. Everything seems strange."

Everyone kept quiet to hear her clearly. Even the wind stopped blowing and the river gave its calmness.

"But when the law maker of the land has been abolished, the land will become lawless. When the foundation has been shaken, tradition remains baseless. The downfall of Ogoni is neither my fault nor my concern. The one who caused division has been displaced, and we who were discriminated should be unified. We are all humans. No difference. We are now a new generation and we deserve a better chance at that."

The outcasts shouted with great joy that exasperated the Oka people. They all raised their weapons jumping victoriously.

Asha wasn't actually supporting the outcasts neither was she willing to die. All she wanted was freedom. The outcasts took her away in celebration, and even till later days, the outcasts still celebrated the victory. They called it liberation feast.

As all these were going on, the true people of Oka didn't move an inch. They stood looking at the outcasts in surprise mixed with anger. Even when the outcasts were gone, their hearts were still full of pride, wounded pride, so to say. An aged man walked out of the crowd and stood to address them.

"Great people of Oka," said the old man. "Our kingdom is shaken and our gods have been made homeless. We must do something now. We must tell them we can't be treated like this. We are Oka; the strength of a lion, the bat that never perches, the wind that blows with fire, and the night that has no moon." He paused for a while to swallow some air. "We must defend our names and bring back our glory. It is time to welcome back the ancient tradition if we can."

CHAPTER TWO

**"** What have we done to deserve this?" Everyone questioned. "Why would Asha burn down the shrine? Has she lost her identity? Was she possessed? Wasn't she a true daughter of Oka land?

Why hasn't the gods reacted yet? Why did they default their oaths? Have we failed on our own part, or was it the gods that were asleep?"

Several meetings were held concerning the issue, and each time the people kept cursing Asha.

"It's been two days now and Chijaka had failed to appear before us." Said the Ovie. "Even the youths that demolished his building said he was nowhere to be found."

The Ovie was a brief man in his old age. White hairs mingled among the dark hairs on his head, and he could hardly hide his front teeth as they were too big to be mouthed. His face wasn't anything near attractive, but his voice was a compensation for his bad looks. There was so much authority in his voice. However, whenever he was angry, some droplets of saliva gushed out at will.

He was in a meeting with nine of the village elders. They all stood trying to decide on what do.

"Why didn't we kill Chijaka's daughter when we had the opportunity?" Asked Abanum. "I just want to see Chijaka and ask him what happened. Has his family gone mad?"

"This has never happened before," said one of the men.

"Then why?" Abanum asked in a demanding manner. "Are we dreaming?"

They were all confused and still couldn't understand what and why their god's shrine was razed. As they were talking, the juju priest staggered in.

He was a bald headed old man, but not as old as the men that stood with the Ovie. He was in his usual sacred clothes. His attire was distinguishable that he wouldn't need to introduce himself to anybody as the juju priest.

When the elders saw the juju priest, they turned their faces to the floor, trying to avoid keeping eye contact with him. When they started acting uncooperative, the juju priest knew they were angry with him because his appeal to keep the matter calm.

"My elders, I know it is right for you to stand on your ground," he said with a calm voice.

"But remember that no one knows the ways of the cloud except the gods. Unfortunately, the gods have wandered away. His spirit left me when he was no longer housed in the shrine. I can't interpret the words of the wind again or the songs of the birds. What I was trying to achieve was to know the rationality behind her action, but she maintained that she was not the one." Chief Ozula interrupted angrily, "Your investigation was emotional and unwise. The tears of the girl pinched your heart and you fell for it. If it was the days of Ewani," he said nodding his head spitefully, "he would have struck the girl dead almost immediately."

"My lord, I will not watch Ozula insult the eyes of the god," warned the juju priest.

"Which eyes?" Two elders coincidentally asked.

"Eyes that couldn't discern one's heart," another added.

That made the juju priest angry, and he said in a loud voice, "I can't tolerate this any longer!"

Gradually the calm palace became noisy. The Ovie was speechless, and he continued looking at them. The juju priest walked briskly towards Ozula with great anger but Obiyan quickly jumped in between them.

The Ovie sluggishly stood up. They all saw him and bent their heads as a sign of respect. He sat down again and spoke in a low tone. "Our heritage is tumbling and you are here quarreling with words. The living do not seek the dead at war front." He paused and looked at all of them. "It's our obligation to come together and plan what to do next. Our unity is our victory. If our tradition has been assailed, does that mean we should remain bereft? Years ago men like us instituted what we call tradition today. Now that tradition has been threatened, our ancestors are angrily watching us, hoping we would act promptly. But instead you are here chasing smoke while ignoring the fire. What has been done has been done. River kills, but that doesn't stop us from using water."

Gradually all nerves went back to sleep as the elders all nodded in agreement.

"Chijaka's daughter is a curse on our land. That was why she refused to get married," the Ovie continued. "All her mates have gone to their husbands' houses and given birth to male children. The last time we met, we agreed to bring back our ancient tradition. I know it was abolished because of abuses, but now, it will be regulated."

After the Ovie's words, all the elders hit their walking sticks on the ground. That meant they strongly accepted it.

But one of the elders was not pleased. His name was Okowa and he was a gentle man. He said with a gentle voice. "These things are perfectly possible, but the human nature will always abuse it."

They all looked at him.

Obiyan said to him, "Okowa, we are talking about protecting our lives, our future, and to uphold our glory."

"Yes, our major priority is our glory," added Ozula.

The ancient tradition accommodated the use of sorcery. They had debated it before that in physical combat and in the absence of Ogoni, the outcasts would defeat them because of their physical strength and population.

Sorcery usage had been fully accepted, and every Oka person up to a sensible age was able to perform various sorcery activities.

Because of their dependency on sorcery, the people of Oka opted not to embrace peace and unity after the down fall of their unseen hero. They believed peace was a sign of weakness, and that would hurt their pride and allow their very fears unfold before their eyes.

Another basic thing that was initiated was the use of tribal marks. It was a must for all true people of Oka to give their children those marks. That was a way to differentiate between the true people of Oka and the outcasts living in Oka.

The tribal mark served as a differentiating factor between the two people. Even anyone with bad eyes could identify his kind with just a single look. Even the blind rubbed faces to know who they were interacting with.

The parents still found a way to involve the children in the segregation. They would tell them not associate with the outcasts because they were bad and dangerous. The reason for their warning was more sentimental and the children wouldn't understand it. The joy they derived from playing together overshadowed any type of warning their parents had given them.

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Since Asha was taken by the outcasts, she was kept in a man's house called Elura. She had been there over a week, and the man he stayed with had six children. His wife was late. Asha was eager to help the family in domestic chores, but her attempts were turned down.

"Please, feel at home," said Elura. "We don't want to stress you. Relax yourself. My children can do it all. Moreover, your injuries are still healing."

Elura was even warned by the other outcasts not to allow Asha to be involved in any work that would hinder her quick recovery. She was given a very special care, and it made her uncomfortable. She had never experienced such a care before. She was the only child her parents had, and domestic work was always hers to do. Who do this people take me for? She wondered.

"I know you must be homesick," Elura interrupted her thoughts.

She smiled.

"We are expecting some visitors later today," he continued. "And I want you to prepare yourself before their arrival."

"Who are they?" She asked.

Elura smiled as he looked at her with great admiration. Before she could say anything, he'd walked away.

"Who are these people and what do they want from me?" Elura asked herself. ''They must be the elders of Oka. What do they need this time? What I didn't do, they said I did." She thought of how she was almost executed. The memory was so intense that she had to stand up in distress. "Are they taking me away? All the signs I see here do not portray betrayal. Have the outcasts come to their senses and they want to push me back to where I came from?" She took a deep breath and formed a fist with her left hand. "Should I run away? But I was warned not to come out because of the Oka youths."

As she was struggling within herself in the room, her name was called tenderly. It was the last child of Elura, Ruki. She wasn't that tall, and her face was the portrait of her late mother.

"Food is ready," Ruki said to Asha.

"Ok," replied Asha.

Ruki didn't leave. She waited for Asha to follow her as usual, but she didn't. Then the little girl walked and confronted Asha. "Food is ready."

"Yes," Asha replied and smiled coyly. "The food is ready?"

"Yes," the same soft and gentle voice responded.

Asha caressed her face to solve her curiosity. "Go, I'll join you soon."

The little girl ran out, and Asha had a chance to look at her and notice the fear in her eyes. She sat near the window, looking as the day went down.

Just like that, evening came and everyone was at home except Elura. As the children were busy with their usual night play, some men entered the scene. In their midst was Elura. Immediately as the children saw their father, they greeted the men and moved their activity to the other side of the compound. They must have sensed the men would be spending some time in their house.

The men that came with Elura were six in number. They asked for Asha, and in a short time, Asha was brought before them.

She walked out with so much agitation. "They must be strangers." She thought in her heart. She greeted them and the men responded at once. Elura sent one of his children to bring a chair for Asha. When the chair was brought for her, she sat down directly opposite the visitors.

"My daughter, as I have told you earlier," said Elura."They are the men who wanted to see you."

They smiled and the lamp's light reflected on their teeth. Okiemo, the oldest among them spoke up.

"My daughter, we thank you for what you have done for us. Our forefathers told us how unsafe that shrine was, and we also experienced it. The fear we had for the Oka people was because of Ogoni. We were inhumanly treated. They suppressed us to the extent that we were afraid to come out openly. Ogoni was killing our children like flies, and all they truly wanted was for us to leave the land.

Well, we have concluded among ourselves that─" He paused and looked at the rest men. "I hope I'm right?"

"Continue." They all nodded.

"For you to have defeated what gave us nightmare, you are worthy of leading us. We make you our leader."

"Your leader, me? Why?" She asked in amazement. "No! No!" She stuttered. "I can't. I'm not qualified. Moreover, I'm not one of you." She stood up puzzled and looked at them carefully. 'I must be in trouble now.' She concluded as she entered her room. She folded her hands and leaned them on the wall to think. "Am I dreaming? What do they think they are doing? Making me their ruler?"

"This is ridiculous," she thought. "This is a setup. So they want to enthrone me, in order to make everything look like I actually connived with them to burn down the shrine."

She stamped her legs on the floor repeatedly. "This is a trap. Everyone will say we planned it together. They will say I connived with them. Who will believe me when I have been made their ruler?" She pondered.

She began to weep, a cry of neither pain nor joy. She couldn't understand herself or the event that was about taking place. It took her roughly four days to meditate on the matter. And within those days, different groups of people kept coming to encourage her concerning the demand. At first she was unable to tell the people she was not the one they needed, but on their third visit, she them her reasons.

They laughed and concluded that her words were mendacious.

A leader had been selected and the outcasts were not depressed or feeling inferior that a woman was their leader. They were more concerned about the liberation from the people of Oka and their dreaded god.

When the people of Oka heard about that, they became more confused than ever. Many wondered if Chijaka was actually a true indigene of Oka. Others concluded that the outcasts were under a great spell, and that Ogoni will soon bring the worst to them.

When the day for Asha's coronation came, the ceremony was peacefully done indoor. She appointed her elders, and she didn't neglect Elura. She was a gentle leader with high degree of consideration.

It was exactly four weeks and three days after Asha's coronation. Chijaka and Sheila came back, and by that time, the whole issue had calmed down. During their short stay outside Oka, they had heard all that had happened. On their arrival, they didn't wait for the Ovie to invite them. They threw themselves before his cabinet.

"Your lordship," begged Chijaka as he knelt before the Ovie. "If I should say, I'm sorry for what happened. I am guilty. I derided our custom. My offspring has done something unspeakable and unthinkable. We deserved death. She betrayed everyone and most especially, what we had reverence for."

"Chijaka, stand up. The ugly days are over. The past cannot torment the present, except we allow it."

"I never knew she could act like that," Chijaka begged.

At the end of the meeting, Chijaka brought out five bottles of schnapps and bunches of kola nuts. They all drank and ate.

Thus was Ezowata community formed. That was the name Asha gave the community formed by the outcasts. It meant _out of our foes' fall, we became free_. They lived in tension, and many events which were beyond human imagination took place.

CHAPTER THREE

The forest was hostile and all directions looked alike. The birds and other creatures were busy exhibiting their daylight activities. The tall trees wouldn't permit the sunlight to reach the ground, and dried leaves carpeted the rain forest savannah. The wind was unchallenged and the soil was sticky. Majority of the trees had giant roots that created homes for rodents and snails.

The forest was with no path, and the threadlike plants had netted all places. Emili's hands and legs were struggling, and her eyes could see the next step. Many hours had passed, Emili was still lost in the forest, and she was restless. She had passed the same place over and over, and her face was full of frustration.

As the sun went down, the whole trees turned into giants and she became terrified. Before evening time, she had concluded that her life would end up there because she couldn't find a way out. Suddenly she heard a noise. It was as if someone was cutting a tree. That was strange. The noise was very loud. It disturbed the peace of the forest.

She stood up at once and ran towards the sound. It took her much time to get there. When she got there, the sound had gone off and she saw the pieces of wood left around there.

The sun had gone away and the moon was friendly to her. It showed her the way to walk through and she followed it.

When it was dark enough, she slept under one of the trees.

When morning came, she guessed people might actually be dwelling in the place. She noticed some footpaths and saw smoke threading upward to the sky. She decided to walk closer to it, and her heart crashed as she drew closer.

It was a hut built with hard woods. By the side of the shabby hut, there was an incipient fire struggling to flame some dried woods. She looked inside the hut but saw no one. She was certain that someone was living there, but at the same time she was skeptical about entering into the hut.

She stood there and looked around. She saw no moving being. But unknown to her, the owner of the hut had seen her from afar.

"What are you doing here?" A voice came from behind.

She was startled as she turned to see the person that spoke to her. She saw a man who was very dark in complexion. He was of an average height, with triple tribal marks on both cheeks. His face was strangely squeezed, and his beards and hairs had lived out their days. He had a cutlass in one hand and some leaves on the other hand.

"What are you doing here?" The man asked again.

Emili didn't know what to say. Fear and anxiety covered her. They both stood looking at each other. After a while of awkward silence, the man went inside the hut and brought out his cooking pot. He went to the fire and blew it. Some white ashes dotted his face as he blew the fire, and it wasn't long, the fire became ignited for cooking.

Emili stood staring at him, trying to understand the type of man he was. His appearance and attitude were odd, but he hadn't done anything harsh to her yet.

He placed the pot on the fire and poured in some water. He later brought out some other things and added to the content in the pot. He suddenly looked at Emili and laughed loudly. He fell to the ground with his buttocks as he laughed, while tears were forced out of his eyes.

Emili was wondering what was wrong and why the sudden laugh. She looked at herself and noticed that leaves were gummed to her clothes. She removed them, but that was not the cause of his amusement, she thought.

"You are a vessel of tales," the man finally said after he had stopped laughing. ''What has the world done to you? You are either possessed or socially ostracized. Normal humans do not pass this way. Something must have gone wrong."

Emili tried to smile to gain an uninterrupted conversation.

"See," continued the man. ''I am not friendly or trying to welcome you. Friendship is a trick and it has trapped many." He turned again and faced what he was cooking.

After a while the man finished cooking and was set to eat. He sat down in front of the hut to begin eating, but then he looked and saw Emili still standing and watching him. "Come and eat," he beckoned her. "And after eating, please leave here."

She was unable to refuse the invitation because she was really hungry. The food was strange, but she never complained because she needed it.

As soon as the meal was over, the man looked at her and said, "Do you know it is not good to be kind? Do you know that the human's mind and body deserve nothing good? We are wicked in nature."

"Why do you say so?" She asked.

"You shock me." He replied. "Has your experience never taught you anything? I never wish to hear your story because it will be of no use to me. Wickedness or frustration must have brought you here. The more you show kindness, the more you face death." He stared at Emili for a while and continued, "My previous actions may be unfriendly, and the kindness I show now may look suspicious to you. When I see humans, I see two things – evil and jealousy. We cultivate them. After examining our busy life, I saw nothing in it. We come and go, and everything remains the same. We sow and reap, and everything returns back to its starting point−sowing again. Our life is laborious."

"Why do you speak like this?" Emili asked politely.

The man sighed. He smiled again and said, "Look, when a man marries a good woman, he is happy. Life seems endless. Pains and grudges have but a short time in his heart. But when he marries the opposite, he thinks otherwise and sees nothing but anguish in life."

"So you mean women are the problems of this world?" Emili asked with concern.

"Their hands hold unity and disaster. Life is not just as you see it. There are complications inside life itself." The man cleared his throat and began. "My name is Owan, but I was known as Osisi. I hail from a village called Bowami. This is the eleventh year I departed from home. I grew up as a strong man that wished to live a comfortable life. In search of that comfortable life, I sojourned to a neighboring village where there were timbers. When I got there, cutting of trees became my occupation.

Before I left, I was secretly engaged to a girl called Omosefe. She was slim and her face was like a bronze pot made by the best potter. She was beautiful and very gentle." He smiled.

"I helped her parents in numerous ways, both in farming and fishing just to complete the engagement. Later I left them in search for a better life, and I succeeded. My work in the timberland was highly successful and I became wealthy. After sometime, I decided to go home. I never knew I was walking towards a deathblow. I could still remember." He nodded his head. "A very close friend of mine told me to settle there since the land had shown me great favour, but I refused. I'd given someone my heart before I left. Love has an invisible force, and it deceived me. Trouble started the first day I arrived home. The one with my heart had been forcefully given away. My labour at her father's farm, and the fishing I did for him had not been considered. I was told how her father had given her away. And to repay me, I was given her younger sister to marry.

My village was the most unfortunate. They preferred darkness to light, and poverty to riches. When I tried building a house of my own, it was as if I was doing a strange and unpleasant thing. They complained about my plan to build a house. I wanted to lift them above suffering, but they chose suffering. My generosity brought anger, and little by little, I mysteriously lost my huge wealth. I returned to my initial status in life where suffering was a companion. That was not all. The one I called my wife became a thorn in my flesh. I thought losing everything was the greatest anguish that happened to me, but losing my inner peace was the worst." He stopped talking. His eyes were red and Emili could feel his pain.

"Life was quite unfortunate to you," Emili said with pity. "But that does not mean life is not fair. If the gods were against you, what would you do?"

He looked at Emili and spoke with a harsh tone. "I know you have no destination, and you are not staying here. The more I see human, the more I remember my sorrow. It's now time for you to go. I will show you the way that leads to the nearest village. It might take you some hours."

The man accompanied Emili and they walked away. He continued whispering more words into her ears.

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The night was going home, and the cocks had started making their usual sound.

"Great one, I welcome you," greeted Azibaziba."What has the eagle come to do with the sparrow?"

Azibaziba was one of the spiritualists in Oka village. He was an aged tall man. His shrine hardly saw the weekly goat sacrifice from people who were in difficulty. Some people claimed his shrine wasn't effective enough.

That morning he saw the one the people of Oka esteemed. It was the juju priest whose shrine had been burnt down. He was there for spiritual favours that will enable him know his hope and future in the spiritual realm.

"No one knows the depth of the river except the one inside it," replied the juju priest. "Wings were made for flying, but that does not make an ostrich to fly."

"My great one," said Azibaziba. "Your words touch me beyond understanding."

"Yes," said the juju priest. "When the sun has gone, the moon takes possession of the night."

"I agree with you, great one; but a crocodile does not raise its head for nothing," said Azibaziba.

The juju priest meditated in silence and then said, "Yes! If the sky was fruitful for the hawks, they wouldn't come down for chickens. What brought me here, you already knew it. It is only the alligators that can tell of the pleasure of the land and water."

"My great one, he who has gathered experience both in the physical and spiritual shouldn't be talking like this. What brought you here?" asked Azibaziba.

"When the heart of the hunter is with the monkey, it is useless to shoot," replied the juju priest.

The juju priest had turned to a eunuch because his _Uti_ had been burned along with other things in the shrine. But with the help of another spiritualist, he could retrieve it.

Without the _Uti_ , he couldn't possess any power. The _Uti_ was like a factor to get access to spiritual world.

He told Azibaziba why he had come, and he was assured all would be fine. As he was about to leave, he opened his bag and brought out a tuber of yam.

That moment Azibaziba laughed. "A shrine that is not vibrant doesn't mean it should be served with water. The sluggish movement of the leopard does not mean it doesn't know what to do next."

The juju priest smiled and said, "The fact that the tortoise carries its home wherever it goes does not make it a wanderer, and the first rainfall does not tell how rich the harvest will be."

He stood up and they both greeted with their staffs. The juju priest added, "When the storm is over, the chameleon will show its real colour." After that he left.

Their conversation was not for infants, neither was it for lay men. They were cooked with rare parables.

CHAPTER FOUR

"When one makes a good jump, he or she develops hunger for flying. They must have been eating it secretly," said Chief Osadeni. "It didn't start now."

They were all angry. What was considered sacred had become a delicacy. All the elders of Oka land gathered in the Ovie's palace. They were numerous, including Onigie, who was regarded as the oldest man in the village. He rarely attended to the palace, but the issue at hand was an urgent one.

It was a call for action, a call for plans and a call for total reaction to what was going on.

What happened was that Asha and her cabinet had stood and allowed the eating of snail, which was supposed to be a sacred animal in Oka land. The part that set the Ovie and his followers on their toes was the fact that snails were also hawked on the streets.

"Eat whatever pleases your eyes," Asha had commanded the outcasts.

That was a mystery in the hearts of Oka villagers. It was an affront to their culture, a taboo to them. They closed their eyes when they saw what was considered precious being molested. The aged ones threw curses on the outcasts.

The palace was filled with noise. Angry men stormed the place.

The Ovie stood up and called for order. The people kept quiet as he began, "My people,

I greet you all. I thank you all for showing great concern. It was first considered as a rumour, but then it was brought before our very eyes. When I first heard it, I thought it was just a mere story, but to my very eyes, I saw where they sold it! What is happening?"

There was a little murmur amongst the people.

He continued, "I can feel your pains, your anguish."

Someone from the crowd interrupted him, "War! War!! War!!!"

At once the crowd started chanting _war!_ Their voices were overpowering. With their hands raised, they kept increasing their shouts. The aged ones also joined in the uproar.

The chants became a distraction and it took the palace guards a lot of time to thwart it.

They were asked to go home, and sluggishly, they left the palace with their faces filled with displeasure.

After a while, the Ovie and the palace chiefs were left behind. The Ovie thanked them for their patience and encouraged them.

Chief Edada, one of the vibrant chiefs stood up and did the normal declaration. He said, "My people, I am more afraid of an individual who has a lion's heart and leading thousands of sheep than someone with a sheep's heart who leads thousands of strong men. Why are we afraid of the Ezowatas? Why are we trifling like chaff before the wind? They have broken our belief systems without pondering about our revenge or concern. If we do not take actions now, they will soon tyrannize us."

"Well spoken, Edada," another elder supported him.

Chief Edada continued, "An ant hill is not built in a day. If its first attempt is not demolished, then await the hill. I have spoken and I want to go. When lions start eating grasses, hunters will shot at them as if they were antelopes."

"Ha! Not so. It has not come to that stage," another elder said.

The Ovie waved for silence, and they all kept quiet. "Who are the Ezowatas?" He asked them.

"The outcasts," they answered.

"Who are the outcasts?" He asked again.

"Those under spell," said some, while others said, "Those who were from an unknown land."

"You are all correct," said the Ovie. "But is it right to give your child's food to a dog?"

"No," they all answered.

"Is it right to split blood for dogs' sake?"

They made a murmuring sound. "No."

"What happened is worth fighting and dying for," the Ovie said calmly. "But what will the other villages think of us? That the displacement of the Ogoni shrine has brought us into confusion? It was said that the Ezowatas were eating the god's food. Then let's leave vengeance for the gods. He who wrestled with the spirits will never live to tell the tales. What can be compared to the punishment of the gods? Who can fight for the gods?"

Some of the chiefs nodded in agreement.

Chief Abanum stood up and said, "Your Highness, you have spoken well. No one can fight for the gods. They know all. He who wrestles with the spirits will not live to tell the tale."

That evening the Ovie's words went round the village. The people understood him and believed in what he'd said. No one could fight for the gods, but the old women were not satisfied.

Their hearts were filled with bitterness, and in the night, they gathered naked to curse the Ezowata people.

That night was at its darkest hour, and to their belief, their ancestors' ears would be widely open at that hour. They cried in sorrow, chanted in grief, and then walked round the village pouring different curses on the Ezowata people.

"Mother of the night, hear our cry," chanted the naked women. "We have beheld you for long and you have never failed us. Our tears drop day after day and we cannot sleep when others are dreaming. We have seen the unseen. Now the land lies in sorrow and can no longer move.

The wisdom of the gods is misunderstood and the god's words disregarded. A good mother never forsakes her children, and you will never forsake us. What have we done? Is your punishment forever? When will you call us with your left hand? Your right hand is taking longer time on us. The river that ceases to flow will become muddy. Come to our aid Mother of the night. May the soil fall in love with our foe's blood. May the worries of the world knock at their doors. May those angry spirits of the night show them terror. May they bury their children in anguish. May the labour of their husbands be in vain. May their wives find no comfort during child labour. May they reap the evil part of the land. May they always live in distress."

The next day, the Ovie and the senior elders went to the palace's shrine at the back of the palace. By their sides were countless kola nuts and jars of local gin. They instituted the following laws:

They said it was forbidden to eat black goat or any animal that its outer skin was totally black. They said the reason for that was that the goat or its mother could have slept with the Ezowatas' goat, and such a goat should be left untouched.

They also said any fowl that crowed inappropriately must be killed, for it had mated with the Ezowata's fowls.

Taking a baby from another person through a door post was forbidden. They said such child could be easily influenced by the Ezowata people, and such child could become rebellious.

The marrying of Ezowata sons or daughters was the deadliest thing an Oka person could do. They said when asked to kill an Ezowatan or a snake, it was always better to kill an Ezowatan and let the snake go free.

Those new laws were a bit focused on their hate for the Ezowata people. Their previous laws were mainly for the good of their community, and nothing more. Some of those laws were:

It was forbidden to beat one's wife at night.

It was an abomination to have sex in the bush. Even when a man and his wife had a hut in the bush, it was not a permission to mate there. For mating to occur there, they needed to introduce domestic animals to mate and give birth there before humans could do as well.

When the above laws were defaulted, certain things had to be done to rescue the defaulter or they'd face the imminent consequences, which were usually ill health and death.

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Primacy had been brought to the outcasts, and Asha's words and actions had an influence over the people. Days had gone by and Asha had not gained a proper link to her native home. She wasn't comfortable to walk outside her territory; although some Ezowata villagers were sparsely spread across the Oka land.

On one occasion she was privileged to have a _tete-a-tete_ with her mother. But that was not her greatest desire. Her heart still recognized the one that ignited the passion in her, and those memories disturbed her.

Long before the segregation that gave birth to Ezowata, Asha and Rukewe were in love with each other but prevalent discrimination prevented the unveiling of their matrimony vision.

Rukewe was dark, flexible and hairy. He was the eldest son of Oka's chief named Edada. He had wished to see the day he would marry Asha, but after what happened to the shrine, he had suddenly developed an inexplicable fear for her.

He thought Asha's predicament brought about the sabotage. Even when secret messages had been sent to Rukewe to meet Asha, he initially turned it down. But later on, he decided to see her.

It was dark, and that was the only safe moment to see Asha. Rukewe reluctantly followed her into her room. His heart was pounding for several reasons, and one of his contemplation was about what might happen if any Oka saw him, or his father later heard about it.

"Your room is beautiful," he said to Asha.

"Not mine alone. It's ours," Asha replied.

Rukewe breathed out heavily.

"Now the shell is broken," Asha said. Her voice was salacious and she drew closer to Rukewe.

"But it broke at the wrong direction," replied Rukewe.

His words were heartbreaking, and it broke Asha's accumulated joy for that day. Those words saddened her, and her facial expression said it all. Her warmed hands became cold. Then she sat on the bed.

"I never meant to upset you," he abruptly said with a baritone voice.

He drew close and sat next to her. He put his hands on her, "You know better. It can't work again."

Those last words broke the strings that held her tears, and she wept bitterly. "Were we not meant to be?" She sobbed.

"No," he replied with a calmer voice.

"Why?"

Rukewe didn't respond.

After a while of silence, Rukewe said, "Okay, let's..."

"I understood it all," interrupted Asha. "Everything is just too complicated. Your custom had taken away our feelings. Human diversity was the cause of this."

"I can't stop loving you. I can drop my crown just to have you. I can order my people to marry your people." There was sorrow in her voice. She began to weep again. "Since we left each other, it had been unusual for me. I couldn't fill the vacuum we created. I never thought of hearing this from you."

Rukewe didn't know what to say, but he felt her pain. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Follow your heart," she answered. She stood up and left the room.

Rukewe watched her leave. "What should I do?" He thought. His heart pounded fast.

The door opened again and she entered. She went to the bed and sat.

"I understand how you feel," Rukewe said.

"You don't," she replied.

Rukewe smiled. "Okay, give me some time to think about it."

"These are not things to think about. Should we give away our passion for that silent enmity between your people and the people of Ezowata? Remember, both of us were from the same soil."

"But..."

"Don't just think about it," Asha retorted. "I know what you are about to say."

Their conversation was becoming boring. Rukewe put an indifferent attitude, and that brought fear on Asha. As the night proceeded, Rukewe succumbed to her words, and they both slept together.

When it was morning, Rukewe sneaked back home before the sunrise, and never went to see her again.

"Where have you been since yesterday?" Asked Chief Edada as he entered Rukewe's room unnoticed.

"Grandmother's place," he replied as he was trying to recover from the shock. He didn't know when his father entered his room. He was lost in thought. Immediately his father left the house, he hurriedly went to his grandmother's place which was situated at the northern part of Oka village and he told her all that had happened the previous night. He knew his grandmother would not betray him by telling his father because she knew about his relationship with Asha.

"What should I do?" Rukewe asked confusedly. His grandmother kept quiet and stared at him. "Should I leave her?" He asked again.

"You have said it all. It is good to love, but not at the detriment of our traditions. You are a living witness to what she did that induced the outcasts to make her their leader. My son, don't give your father a bad name, neither should you cause your mother a nightmare. What you just need is to be unbiased about how she betrayed and humiliated us, and then you will be able to know what to do."

CHAPTER FIVE

Emili entered Emu village by night after Owan had left her half-way in the journey.

The village was very quiet, and she could smell genuine peace in the air. As she walked into the village, she could hear her own footsteps, and her heart was filled with banal thoughts. She knew nothing about where she was going or where she was. As she looked up to the end of the street, she saw a red flame. She walked towards it, and as she walked, she noticed some movement. She turned and saw nothing. But as she was about to take another step, some men came out of nowhere and surrounded her. They were all armed with cutlasses and local guns.

"Who are you?" One of the men asked.

"What is your name?" Another added.

One of the men took the lamp light close to her and said, "It's a woman."

They were all amazed at her courage to be out by that time.

"Who is your father?" One of the men asked again.

"That must be the leader," thought Emili. There was authority in the man's voice, but all the same, Emili didn't talk. The presumed leader, Mamushi, brought the light closer to her face and hands to be sure she was armless. "This face is strange."

"No," replied another man. "She must be a thief. Can't you see her eyes?"

All those words were to peeve her so she could speak out, but so far, she hadn't said anything.

After a while the leader asked her in a friendly manner, "Where are you coming from?"

She remained mute.

"Follow me," Mamushi ordered.

She didn't hesitate to follow him, and some of the men moved behind to guard her.

Those men were the security men hired by the village. They guarded the entire village at night to avoid attack from its neighboring communities and also to curtail robbery.

When it was dawn, they took Emili to their presiding chief, Obajere.

The governing system of Emu community was unique. They had eight elected chiefs. History had it that they were descendants of Emudiaga, who had eight wives. The descendants of the eight wives became the Emu village.

When they reached Obajere's house, one of them knocked heavily at his door.

"Who is that?" Obajere asked from inside. "Do you want to bring down my door?" Obajere came out and stood at the doorpost. "What? This is yet morning. Keep all matters under your jurisdiction. After a short while, come, my ears will be ready."

"Good morning!" greeted one of the men. "We have a stranger and she refused to say a word."

After they'd told Obajere how she was caught, he came out and saw Emili. "What is your name?"

"Emili," she replied.

"From where?"

She gave no answer.

He asked her again, "Are you from Awaosa clan? See, we don't need trouble from your people. We are in our peaceful feast." He turned to the leader. "Take her out of the village." He went back inside.

Mamushi couldn't do otherwise even when he wanted to. A command had been given. He took Emili by hand and led her away. He asked the other boys to go home.

That period was the _feast of indoor_ or _feast of peace_. That was a time villagers were always indoor to reflect on their lives. All irate behaviours would be overlooked just to obey the feast.

Emili and Mamushi walked down the village, and the whole place still retained its calmness. When they got to the boundary of Emu, he stopped and asked Emili to go forward. As she was going, Mamushi stared at her, and lust took over his heart. He was seeing a different Emili, prettier from behind. His eyes became focused on her bobbing buttocks, and his imagination became romantic. Sexual thought fed his mind. He stretched his left hand to call her, but he held his lips firm and stood confused.

"Stop!" He finally called. She stopped and he walked to her and said, "I feel you are hungry. If you don't mind, can you come and eat something in my house?"

"Your people hate me," she replied.

"Not so my dear. Come, I will talk to him again."

They went back to Obajere and he knocked again.

Obajere came out. "What? Is she gone?"

"Don't you think it's not good to send that poor girl away like that? And moreover, we are in a peaceful period, let's show her some hospitality. That way, our actions will reflect our feast."

Obajere looked at him for a while and said, "Are you disobeying me?"

"No!" replied Mamushi."I just felt... she is destitute so..."

"Okay."

"She should stay?" Asked surprised Mamushi. It was easier than he'd thought.

"I have not said so," replied Obajere. He thought for a while. "She has an unpredictable character. Her face is expressionless. What should I do now? Okay. Go and call chief Achima and Emimin."

Emimin was an elderly man even though he was not a chief. He was considered to be the closest to the gods. Although he took charge of all spiritual affairs, he wasn't the juju priest.

"Tell them all that had happened," continued Obajere. "They should take her to the Ifiama hill. She should take an oath that she has not come here with any evil plan. And if she has, the gods should expose her."

"Okay!" He replied.

He took Emili to the two men and they went to the hill and did what Obajere instructed. She climbed the hill bare-footed, wearing the sacred cloth as she took the oath. The men who went with her stood afar while waiting for the outcome of the exercise. To everyone's surprise, she immaculately repeated the oath and came down. With that her innocence was established. Just as they'd walked some yards down away from the hill, Emili fell down and saw a lightning. But she happened to be the only one that saw it.

"Why did she fall?" Thought the men, and Emili guessed what they were thinking. She told them she had stepped on a stone and therefore fallen as a result. It was a hill, and there were a lot of stones. They didn't know what happened to her because the first sign of Ifiama was defecating watery faeces if one had an evil plan, and that didn't happen to her so they thought all was well. As they got to the warmer part of the village where they could be seen by the rest villagers, Mamushi soon lost his emotional attachment for Emili. Dislike took the place of affection. He was no longer comfortable with her; by now, it was too late.

That same day, the elders held a meeting. They reached an agreement that Emili should stay with Obajere till the end of the feast. The peaceful feast had its traditional name called _Ufoma_ ; it was named after of one of Emudiaga's son who was a traveler. He had gone to so many villages and when he got to Awere community, a distant village, he met them in their feast period. He so much loved the feast and the way it was done. Then when he got back to Emu, he introduced the feast and by that time, there was no unifying feast in Emu village. They held a meeting and the feast became a part of their culture.

The feast was about unity and strength and it was made a biannual event. Ufoma participated in the feast about twenty-two times before he died. Formally, the feast was called _Egwe_ , which meant _a foreign dance that has united us_. But after the death of Ufoma, the feast was named after him. Since then the feast was called Ufoma and only the elders and few old men knew the actual name of the feast.

The eighteen days feast normally fell on a dry season, and the first few days of the feast were called preparation period. No one was expected to go to the farm or wander about in the period, so they all had to go to their barns before the feast and bring back things they needed.

The last day of the feast was considered a celebration day, a day of dancing, a day of laughter and a day of reunion. And that day also attracted some villagers outside Emu.

Before sun rise, the drums had started talking. Those who understood its meaning were smiling in their houses. The sound of the drums had electrifying effect and the women moved their bodies to the rhythm.

In the compound of Obajere, about forty women were preparing the meal for the feast. Big pots were on fire, and inside them was the traditional food called Ukodu. The aroma of the food filled the entire house and her environs.

The village was busy with different activities. Those who were to robe in the masquerade were busying rehearsing their steps, and the children and youths were at various places wearing their traditional wears for their dance. While all these were going on, the drum men kept drumming round the village.

The sun was rising and the dancers were beginning to come out in their full regalia. They danced towards Obajere's compound with the drummers beating behind them. These drummers were different from the first ones that rounded the village, and they produced different beats and sounds.

The first set of dancers comprises children from the ages of six to fifteen years; and before they got to Obajere's compound, the whole place had been filled up with people. The next set was the youths, and after them came the women mixed with some girls. The way the women and the girls danced made their buttocks and beasts to wobble, and everyone was shouting with joy. Everybody waited anxiously for the last group which was the masquerades. When they came, the whole place took a different atmosphere. Their appearance was terrifying to the young ones. In their hands were long canes, and their leader was wearing a different mask and holding a blunt cutlass. All eyes were on him because of some of his unique stunts.

It wasn't long, the masquerades danced and went away, and the drummers changed the beats of their drumming. Everyone's spirit sprang up again and the usual dancing began. The children, the youths and the elderly danced till they were all tired.

Later everyone was asked to sit down and Obajere and some elders addressed them. This was followed by eating of the local meal. It was served to everybody, and local wine was also served to the elders. The whole event was full of laughter and joy, and everyone was elated.

When evening came, they started going home. The peaceful feast had ended, and when the next day came, farming, hunting and selling started again as usual. But before the last day of the feast, Obajere had become fond of Emili and wouldn't allow her to go again.

Oh! Poor Emu clan! None of them knew the community had unknowingly welcomed evil. Neither did they realize that their long-enjoyed favour would soon be turned to misfortune, and their ever present joy would soon be replaced with sorrow. Their fountain of trust had been fooled, and conspiracy now dwelled among them. Oh! Helpless Emu clan, doom was now at her doorstep and no one was conscious of it.

Emu occupants were predominantly farmers, hunters and palm wine tappers. Their wealth was measured by the number of wives they had. The palm wine in the village was quite different from that of the other villages. Their palm wine was slightly milky and sweeter. It took one with discipline to overcome getting drunk from it. Emu village was partly surrounded by different rivers, but her people knew nothing or little about fishing. It was known long time ago that the rivers were killing her people, and a decree was passed that no one should fish or swim in any of the rivers. Little by little they lost the skills of fishing and swimming, and as one generation left for another, a larger percentage of them developed phobia for water.

On the other hand, their neighboring villages were great fishers, and on major market days, they supplied Emu people with edible aquatic animals.

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It was the second evening after the end of the feast.

Tega was at the door knocking. " _Osi_ , are you inside?" The word _Osi_ was a general name given to any grownup man. He didn't hear any answer. He knocked again. "Where has he gone? Ah!" He panted behind the door.

The wind that traveled north were going back home, so the weather was conducive. After no one answered the door, he turned to leave. Just then the door opened. He turned back and saw his friend's mother.

"Mama! Mama!!" He swayed as he said that. "You are home? Where is Arere?"

The woman didn't say anything.

"Mama, I'm greeting you."

"I heard you," she answered with an unfriendly voice.

Tega sensed she was not pleased with him. "Mama, what have I done this time?" He asked with a smile. "Ha! I bought your favourite. I didn't even tell you," he added.

The woman smiled.

"Lovable mother... Wow! I imagine how you would look like when you were younger," he said trying to make the woman laugh. "You are a symbol of a genuine beauty. Your appearance will make a farmer give off his huge barn filled with yam."

The old woman smiled lavishly and said, "Where is it?"

Her favourite was the native tobacco.

Tega cunningly checked his pockets, and after some seconds he said, "Ha! It's like I didn't collect it, I left it there."

The woman looked at him and understood his trick. She said, "Okay, give me some money. I will buy it myself."

"Mama, I said I bought it," he said still checking his pockets. "Where is Arere?"

"Where is my tobacco?"

He looked at her and smiled.

"Give me first before I tell you" and when she sensed that Tega wasn't ready to give up, she went in and shot the door behind her.

"Mama, you won this time."

The old woman was a mother of eight children, but she was only pregnant for four times. She had twins all through. Her skin had sagged, and old age had already set in. Her incisors had fallen off, and her tongue danced in her watery mouth whenever she talked. It also affected the way she spoke.

When Tega reached his home, he saw no one outside. He noticed his family was at the backyard.

Tega was a native of the land, and he had a slogan that said a son of Emu would never die prematurely. Whenever he wanted to drink the native wine, he would first pour some of it on the ground and say, "Ground, it is you I fear most. Do not eat me now."

His friends would laugh at him. He was a father of four girls, and because of that his friends would mock him and say, "Anyone without an heir should keep quiet when men are talking."

Tega went straight to the backyard and saw everyone working. His wife was beside the big fire frying _garri,_ and smoke filled the air.

Tega walked close to his lovely house wife and said, "Aye! How is work?"

She nodded with a smile.

He went in and stayed indoor all through the night.

The next evening everybody was at the Iyawun Spot. It was a palm wine and pepper soup café, and it was always busy at late noon. The owner of the place was called Iyawun, a palm wine tapper. He was busy attending to his customers. Tega, Arere, Maduma, Oshare, Okpara and Asana were among the customers, and whenever these six men were together in the palm wine spot, they would all turn into inspirational speakers. Every cup they took brought out at least an inspirational quote.

Iyawun was sitting inside the transparent hut built with bamboo sticks. He was selling his palm wine, and one of his customers called kadaka, a chronic debtor, walked closed to him and demanded for a cup of palm wine. Iyamun refused and told him, "When privileges are abused, order becomes the ruler of the day. No credit today. That's our order."

Kadaka was a short man. The name Kadaka was nicknamed to him because of his physique and attitude to things. At the other end of the café, Arere was sitting down with a cup of palm wine. He drank from the cup, shook his head and made a loud sound. "Few people feel this palm wine, others just drink it."

"Quiet!" Maduma screamed at Arere, "When did you start drinking palm wine?''

Gradually the quiet palm wine café became noisy with argument from different corners. Arere was a seasonal hunter and that was his occupation. Sometimes he supplied Iyawun and other palm sellers in the community some bush meat to prepare their local pepper soup. He was among the few hunters who had killed the bush pig called Azana, and whenever this pig was been killed, its hands and heart will be taken to the council of elders of the community. Whoever declined this traditional obligation and the elders later found out, that hunter would be reprimanded seriously.

Also Arere was the step brother to the eldest wife of chief Obajere, the ruler of Emu community. That had given him some privileges to cultivate on farm lands without paying for it.

When it was about getting dark, each of them started finding the routes to his home. Their gathering was a moment of laughter, a time of elation that nothing else could bring, and the fear of tomorrow was never an issue to them. It was a time of total rejuvenation for everyone. Arere was always the last to go home. He felt at home outside his home. That was because of the usual conflict between him and his wife. Little things could cause quarrel between them.

When he arrived home, he knocked on the door and got a reply he didn't like. Arere went mad. Just like that, the peaceful street was disrupted with their voices.

Their eldest son, Osaye, was already asleep, but their insolent behaviour woke him up. "They have started again," he thought. "Conflict is now their desirable hobby. There is no sign of love or harmony between them. Their spirits are just too rivalry, but they lay down and produced eight children. Can't their bedtime unite them? Can't the pleasure they absorbed from mating help them out? They discomfort my soul, and burden my spirit; and they have been like this since their union, at least ever since I knew my right hand from the left."

"Were they not meant to be?" Osaye continued. "Were they enemies in their first world? I look at them and I feel sorrowful for both of them because they are losing the passion of life. And as days goes by, their life spans would be shortened and they may not be able to redeem time anymore".

What will be our fate? After seeing such violence, what will we turn into? Will they know what is called affection or how to maintain it? Some humans are lovable, not because they were born with it, but were reared with it.

Who will break this barrier? Who will be their rescue? Age is not wisdom, for they are old enough to know their responsibility. Come all those who can hear me. All you invisible, come and see what I see when my eyes are open. Come, see and hear my conclusion after examining all these commotions. You can reprimand me if I err. I sensed so many things have gone wrong."

Osaye was an intelligent youth; the way he reasoned made his peers call him _Papa_. He once said to his close friends, "Why should I waste my time playing around, when I have a heavy load to carry? Why should I run after the village belles when my father has given birth to so many already? I look at my siblings, and they seem ignorantly free and unperturbed. All they know is food for their stomach. The little attention my parents gave them made me realize that their wellbeing hung round my neck. The pleasure of a youth no longer interests me, and I work so hard to make ends meet."

"What is this?" He showed her the snuff on his palm. "If I beat you now, they will say I have started again. Before I open my eyes, go and get me enough snuff because this is not enough." She exhibited an angry face.

"Whether you pound your face with mortar, you must get me the snuff."

She walked away stealthily.

"Today is today! They will hear our names today. Let me take my snuff first. I will go there and see that good for nothing man. Both of us, eh! He must pay me my money today. I have endured enough. I sacrificed my farm work and everything today just to have time and see him." He stamped his right leg on the ground as he demonstrated anger.

Some minutes later, Uwa walked in with the snuff. He collected it and none of them said a word to each other. He turned some snuff on his palm and then put it into his nostril. He nodded his head to acknowledge the efficacy of the tobacco.

"Uwa!" He called, this time with an accommodating tone

When Uwa came out, he stood up as he told her that he'd be back soon, "Tell your mother to wait for me when she comes back."

She nodded as Oshare walked away.

He was furious. A man named Nokuro was owing him a huge amount of money for the piece of land he had hired him some years ago. Nokuro had been promising to pay Oshare, but he wouldn't fulfill his promise.

As Oshare walked to his debtor's house, he thought if he didn't see Nokuro at home, he would confiscate some of his animals. He even had a rope in his hand. As he drew closer to Nokuro's house, he frowned to display a displeased expression. No one would need a soothsayer to decipher his present state of mind.

"Who is in this house?" He knocked aggressively. Contrary to his expectation, Nokuro answered him and opened the door.

They didn't greet each other. Nokuro went back inside the house and Oshare followed him. They both sat down and stared at each other for a moment.

"Nokuro, I greet you." Oshare broke the silence.

"My brother, I hear you."

"His voice was gentle as usual," Oshare thought. But before he entered that house, he had vowed Nukoro's gentle voice wouldn't trick him that day. "Where is your wife and children?" asked Oshare.

"Hm─ she is gone."

"Gone to farm?"

"No."

"Gone where?"

"It was yesterday," answered Nukoro."She was in labour... I lost her and the baby."

Oshare asked with surprise, "Are you serious?"

"Will I be playing with death?"

"So it's true. Death is not a word to associate with."

"As you can see, I'm not myself," Nokuro added.

"I understand, take it easy."

"My wife just went like that." Tears came down from his eyes, and then an old woman entered.

"Nokuro, it's okay. Your tears will not bring her back," said the old woman. Oshare added, "That's true. She is gone. Take heart."

Oshare and the old woman commiserated with him. After sometime, Oshare stood up and went his way.

"When one sees what is bigger than one's farm, one will leave the farm". That was one of the common parables in Emu village. Oshare had seen what was bigger than his plan.. "Life is a mystery, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring," he thought.

Oshare went home and placed the rope unknowingly on his neck. On getting home, he went straight to his room and slept off.

Later in the evening, he woke up. He felt bored and he decided to visit one of his friends named Okpara. He met his friend outside his compound sitting under an orange tree.

From afar he shouted, "Okpara! Okpara!! As I see you, I see joy." He walked closer and they both greeted. "So where have you been all these while? I don't see you at Iyawun's place again." Oshare asked. He sat down facing Okpara.

"You see, our elders do say, "if one wants to know more about tomorrow, one should spend more time with the gods and less time with men."

"That is true," replied Oshare.

"If I tell what happened today?" Oshare swallowed some air and kept quiet.

"What happened?" Okpara asked.

He told Okpara what transpired between him and Nokuro, and by the time he finished, Okpara sighed bitterly. Both of them kept quiet. It was really a painful encounter for Nokuro.

Okpara stood up. "What is new?" He asked with both hands open. "What is that we haven't heard before?" He hissed and said, "Let me bring some palm wine." He went inside.

Oshare kept quiet while waiting for the arrival of his host. After some time, Okpara came out with a calabash of palm wine, two cups and a kola nut. He gave the kola nut to Oshare to break into two while he filled both cups with the native wine. Giving Oshare the kola nut to break traditionally indicated that Oshare was older than he was. They sat, drank and chewed the red kola nut. Oshare was among the top bush inspectors of Emu community. Their duty was to allocate farmlands to farmers after they had paid for it during the sowing season. Their activities were under the control of the leader of Emu clan. To appoint one as a bush inspector, the person must be honest, and his past record free from theft.

Oshare had been a bush inspector for a number of years, and this had given him the privilege to know all the lands in Emu and its boundaries, even more than some elders of the land. Whenever the sowing season came, his compound was always filled up with men and women that needed land for cultivation.

CHAPTER SIX

"Has the dog gone mad? Has it lost its senses and wanted to go back to its waste? Not me," said Chief Ozula. "Let them say the strength of a man lies in his yam barn. I don't care."

The harvesting period had gone and the sowing season had arrived. The season was the time outcasts were usually hired for clearing of farmlands. The outcasts were called the _bush_ _butchers_. They were strong in the tilling and tearing of the forest, but since the two parties were no longer in good terms, the Oka people were forced to embrace their own farm work. But some Oka people still secretly hired the Ezowata people to work on their farm land.

It was noon and Chief Ozula was sitting in front of his house. His wife and children had gone out to fetch fire woods. He shook both legs and nodded his head time to time.

He was alone in his thought, and had just made a decision. He looked and saw his wife and children running from the farm. "What is happening? Where is the firewood you went to fetch?"

His wife didn't say anything to him. She turned to his children and told them in haste, "Come in. Come in."

They all rushed inside the house and locked the door.

Chief Ozula was looking at them trying to understand why they were running and breathing heavily.

One of the children smiled, and another smiled too. Suddenly they all started laughing─ including their mother. Chief Ozula wouldn't understand them anymore. At first they were running and panting, now they were laughing It didn't make sense to him.

"We were running for dear lives," said his wife.

"Why?" Chief Ozula asked, demonstrating with open hands.

"We were coming back with the fire woods on our heads when we heard a great shout saying we should run that the Ezowatas were coming to kill us. That instance, everybody left their farms and ran home."

"So you did not know what you were running away from?" asked Chief Ozula. He shook his head and said, "Women will always be women."

"Papa," said one of his sons, "If you were there, you would have done the same thing."

They all laughed again.

He beat his chest in anger, "Me?"

The way he demonstrated made all of them to hide their laughter, and Chief Ozula looked at them angrily and left them while they smiled to themselves silently.

The village was no longer safe, mysterious things had begun to happen. The ancient tradition that was considered useful had left an Ezowata youth lifeless. There was a dispute between an Oka and Ezowata that led to a fight.

The Oka youth was troublesome, and when he was beaten by the Ezowata, the people thought he was the one at fault.

After the fight, the Ezowata youth turned to go home. When he was just a pole walk from the scene of the fight, he fell down and started shivering. Before anyone could know what was going on, the youth was dead.

The youth's body turned dark almost immediately. The Oka people that saw what happened began to run because they knew what might have happened.

Within the twinkle of an eye, youths from Ezowata had arrived at the scene. They were both relatives and close friends. When they saw the lifeless body of their brother, they couldn't hide their tears.

"I saw him some minutes ago," one of them said.

"He just greeted me some minutes ago," another said.

"He passed through our backyard this morning," cried a young girl.

It was a sudden and painful death.

"People of Oka," cried the dead youth's mother. "What have I done to you people? Is this the way you want to take your revenge? Why me? Why must it be my son?"

Her cry touched the gathered Ezowatas, and just like that, they marched to the house of the young man that had fought and killed their brother.

When they got there, they didn't meet anyone at home. They began to break the doors and windows of the house. They dragged most parts of the roof down, and one of them went to make fire, but another held him from setting the house on fire.

They were all angered and vengeful. The more they demolished the building, the more the Ezowata youths kept pouring in. Some joined in the destruction, while others stood to initiate peace.

During the process, a message from Asha ordering them to go home came, and they all went home.

The next day, the whole land was as a dead land. The usual village activities like farming, hawking and playing went on a break. Nobody could go out to do anything the following morning

The Oka people felt glad though a bit guilty for what had happened. There was great silence, and no one's voice was heard anywhere in the streets.

Asha and some of her elders visited the family of the deceased. Her aim was to console the bereft family and probably prevent the youths from taking matters into their own hands.

That evening Asha called for an urgent meeting. She invited all the elderly men of Ezowata. The compound of Asha's palace was crowded. Asha came out and greeted them. She thanked them for the spirit of gentleness.

"Great people of Ezowata land," she hailed. "Two dogs never go mad at the same time. If they do, then they are both foolish. I understand your pains, and I share with you the pains you are carrying in your hearts. Note that when a man speaks according to his anger, offence becomes inevitable. We all know the people of Oka are trouble makers, and for the period I have stayed with you, I can testify that Ezowata people are lovable and peaceful."

The people applauded her.

"Some will say giving back pain for pain is the best solution," she continued, "but that can only increase the hatred between us. We have been crushed, but that's fine. It caused us pains, and in our hearts, revenge seems to be the remedy. We all know the people of Oka are not comfortable now, and when the home is not comfortable, the mind is restless. For this, we will decrease the closeness we had before, and be more careful in our dealings with them. I beg you, my able people of Ezowata, tell your children to forget about any form of violence or revenge. That can only bring temporary joy and greater conflict later."

After her speech, a lot of Ezowatas had mixed feelings about the issue. Some said she was partial in her judgment. "She's a native of Oka afterall," one said. "I'm not surprised."

"This is a big lost," another person complained. "A slap on our cheek, this will make Oka people more pompous if we fail to strike."

A week later, a comprehensive story of what had transpired between the two youths was known. They found out that the Ezowata youth was right, but his inability to control his temper brought about his death.

A life had been lost, and it could not be brought back. It left an unfillable vacuum for the family. He was a youth with neither a child nor wife, and they had a belief that anyone who died without an offspring was a curse to the family. Irrespective of how he or she'd died.

"This is derogatory," Asha said. The complaint of the people about her decision not to take action against the Oka people had reached her ears.

She summoned her elders again to an important meeting. They ended up pacifying the anger of the people that sought revenge. Some customs were introduced to attenuate the ancient ways of the Oka people.

It was unlawful to throw away a native clay-pot as a result of anger. Anyone caught will be heavily penalized. Also it was unacceptable for a person to cut a plantain at once in the middle. It was believed that such a person could kill before realizing his action.

In opposition to the ancient ways of Oka people, they made it mandatory to sweep the place of cooking in the morning, and also clean the particular spot where the fire had been extinguished with water. They believed the evil ones might have used it at night to prepare their meal.

No cutting of fire woods at night. They believed the sound could invite evil spirits.

They were also forbidden from answering their names at night, or in the bush. They believed the evil ones could take someone's spirit away when one answered to such call.

New customs were introduced to control the inhumane nature of men, and it could be adjudged that some customs among humanity were as a result of misguided conduct.

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Ese was sitting under the giant mango tree that was in front of his father's house. He seemed to be expectant of something. He was the son of Chief Obiyan, a major chief in Oka community. He was a mature youth of an average height. He was very thin, and had a small head that matched his body. Even with his voice alone, one could describe him without seeing him.

He was old enough to choose a wife, and that was part of the things he was thinking about underneath the tree.

His heart was uncontrollably yearning for a girl that usually walked through their front yard. The girl was a daughter of an Ezowata, and was dark in complexion. Her skin was luscious, and her smile complemented her beautiful set of white teeth.

She was pretty beyond human imagination. Her breasts had failed to obey the force of nature. They stood pointing towards their usual incipient direction.

Ese had slyly told his father that he would love to marry from Oka or Ezowata, but he was warned never to marry from the Ezowata family. He sat there viewing the passersby, and some greeted him but he wouldn't reply as he was lost in thought.

He was wondering how emotions were fast overpowering him such that he could no longer find joy in other things.

"My heart has chosen the unacceptable. Are humans not the same? What does the past have to do with the present? The past is late, but its claws are on the neck of the present. I'm emotionally unstable, and traditions have become an irresistible taskmaster. How can I cope with this internal crisis? Emotions not expressed are miseries, and they're making my inner being restless. Emotions and tradition are in a rage. I no longer value the ideas of our elders and the laws of our ancestors. They are cynical."

It was quite unfortunate for him that day. The Ezowata girl failed to pass, but even if she had passed, he wouldn't have dared to approach her. All he needed was her presence. It brought pleasure to his eyes and ignited his desire. He would smile lavishly whenever he saw her.

He thought of how disappointed his father would be, and how sorrowful his mother would be if they got to discover how he felt. Traditions and emotions had no solicitude for the land of Oka. The welfare of the occupants wasn't really a thing to reckon with. The enmity that separated the people was so severe that they held marriage between the both sides as a curse rather than a blessing.

It was never heard that an Oka got married to an Ezowata. Except the few people who were fortunate to get married before the segregation, even at that time their marriage was not well celebrated, but it was at least accepted.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Six years gradually went by. Day after day, week after week, and month after month, but during these times, so many things crossed the mind of everyone.

"This is unusual," said someone.

The old ones just shook their heads in sorrow.

During the years, Emili and Obajere had met severally in order to procreate, but there was no conception. Obajere had taken Emili to different midwives, and they'd given many suggestions and medications, but the story remained the same.

Obajere was anxious, and he thought the problem had come from both sides. His other wives had stopped to give birth, and Emili was still very young. He hoped she could give birth, but his effort was fruitless. He thought of marrying another wife, but he wouldn't like to hurt Emili.

Emili entered Obajere's house as a house-maid. Cooking and cleaning was her major works. She did all that effectively. Although she was not fully accepted into Obajere's house, but they still lived as one. There was no form of discrimination.

She liked the pattern of their life, and she wished she had lived there all her life. Little by little, Obajere became fond of her. Before then, the elders of the land had told Obajere to send her back to her people because her origin was unknown to them, but Obajere wouldn't heed their warning. Eventually, Obajere changed her status from a housemaid to his house wife.

It all started one morning when all had left for the farm and it was Obajere and Emili that were left at home. Emili was helplessly lured by him like a sheep that is led to the abattoir, and from that day, all the members of Obajere's household were surprised when Obajere started giving her more attention.

Her status changed unceremoniously, and no one dared question Obajere's actions. To everyone's amazement, Emili became the new wife.

This was bewildering; it therefore became imperative for the elders of the clan to intervene. They did actually, but passion had overwhelmed Obajere.

One of the elders said, "Dear head of our land, this is a dishonor to your name. When the head of a fish starts rotting, the rest of the body is also in danger."

After a long consideration by Obajere, he spoke up and said Emili was a lost daughter of Emu clan. At that they knew something was wrong. Some thought maybe Emili had totally bewitched him. Just like that, Emili became the third wife of Obajere.

Many attributed the barrenness to the abuse of tradition, and only a few concluded that her barrenness was natural.

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The rain was very heavy, and it fell with anger. The whole place suddenly became so dark, so everyone looked for shelter. Everyone was held to ransom by the rain, and Emesiri was among the victims.

She was returning from a friend's place, and the rain met her halfway to her home. She looked around, and the nearest place she could get shelter was Arenore's veranda. Without much consideration, she ran there for cover from the unrelenting rain.

Arenore was a widower with four children, and selling of fire woods was his major source of income.

The rain was accompanied by a heavy storm. The rain fell till night, and no one dared to move outside.

"This is Oginibo!" people exclaimed.

Oginibo was a native word for a great rain accompanied with thunder and lightning.

Emesiri was the eldest wife of Obajere. She was slightly aged, and it was apparent that she had reached her menopause. However, she still maintained her youthful beauty.

She had stopped giving birth, but that wasn't an issue to her. She had done her job by giving Obajere four children- three males and a female. And all the children were mature already.

Finally, the rain took a break, and all the people that had sought cover away from home started locating their various routes. It was a busy night. Some were running and thinking the rain would fall again, while others were walking not mindful or bothered about the rain. To them, the rain couldn't do worse.

It was indeed a cold night, so Arenore accompanied Emesiri to her house.

The next day came, but it didn't come alone. It came with shocking news.

"How come? Has nature revealed what had been hidden from men? This is a taboo, not acceptable either to the gods or to men."

Ubukume was awake all night. He'd waited for the sun to smile at the earth. Once it did, Ubukume left for Obajere's compound. When he came to Obajere's compound, he wasn't warmly welcomed. Even when he requested for Obajere, he was neglected.

"He is still sleeping," replied Emesiri as she passed him and headed for the kitchen to prepare Obajere's meal.

She refused to smile because she thought Ubukume had come to drink and eat as he often did. She saw him as a jobless man. She was right, though.

Ubukume's name was normally used by parents when advising their children. He was notoriously lazy, but his wife was among the most beautiful women in Emu village. Many wondered why his wife accepted his proposal, and sometimes they would tell him jokingly, "You enchanted your wife."

Ubukume sat down patiently on the stationary bench at a corner in the compound. He watched the women moving up and down as they prepared the meal.

After a long while of waiting, he wouldn't leave. The women thought he would leave, and none of them cared to deliver his message. What they didn't know was Ubukume had other things festering his mind. He was ready to wait for Obajere till he woke up.

"Ubukume! Ubukume!!" Obajere called out to him when he came outside.

Ubukume looked and sighed with relief. "I have been waiting for you."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know. Welcome!"

Obajere never thought otherwise. He thought Ubukume had come to fill his stomach. His usual habit was to visit people's homes. He'd never leave with an empty stomach. Obajere was naturally hospitable. He welcomed people and made them comfortable.

It was a rare thing for Obajere to wake up without having his meal already prepared, and anyone who visited him would never leave without being nutritionally aided.

As he sat close to Ubukume, he ordered one of his sons to bring the calabash of palm wine. In a few seconds, the native wine was at their feet. It was served in two cups, and Ubukume collected one cup. He said some prayers and drank from it.

After drinking from the cup, he nodded his head and said, "Our people said as the day breaks, palm wine gets stronger."

Obajere nodded in agreement as he drank from his own cup. He waved to his wife to bring his food.

Ubukume smiled when he knew they were about to bring the food. "He who pours cold water on his path will surely step on wet land," Ubukume added.

"That's true, my friend."

Obajere's wife brought the food, and they ate in silence.

After the meal, Ubukume continued, "Great one, it is usually said that it takes only the blind to see the invisible things."

"Yes."

"No matter how heavily the rain falls, the ground will never be terrified."

"Yes," replied Obajere. He was expecting him to conclude, but Ubukume stopped at once. Obajere looked at him with curiosity. "I just came to tell you something," continued Ubukume after a short silence.

"What is that?" Obajere asked.

He drew closer to Obajere and whispered to his ears. The next thing was that Obajere shouted and stood up. His face was filled with awe. He abruptly called Emesiri, and kept shouting. His alarm attracted other members of the family.

Emesiri came out to find out what was happening.

"What were you doing with Arenore yesterday?" Obajere asked her with a thunderous voice.

"Me?" She asked with surprise.

"Yes, you." Obajere replied. "Ubukume saw both of you yesterday."

She turned to Ubukume. "What have I done to you this morning?" She began to cry. "Is it because I didn't greet you properly this morning? Tell me. Please tell me."

All the family members came out and there was grumbling.

She kept asking Ubukume to answer her. She never hoped to cry that morning, but she couldn't help it this time.

Ubukume refused to say a word to her, and the noise was growing rapidly.

Obajere called for quietness. "Answer me, were you with Arenore yesterday?" Obajere asked again.

Everyone kept quiet to hear her own side of the story. She stopped crying.

"Answer me," Obajere demanded.

"It was the rain that made me run for cover at his veranda."

"But Ubukume said he saw you coming out of his house."

Tears began to fall from her eyes again. "Yes. When the rain became heavier, I entered his house."

"Is that all?" asked Obajere. "Anything happened inside his house?"

"No! Nothing happened."

That moment Obajere called for an emergency meeting. When Ubukume wanted to leave, he asked him to wait. He sent his sons and daughters to various chiefs, and in a few moments, they'd all gathered for the emergency meeting.

Ubukume repeated what he said, and Emesiri went into tears again.

The elders sent for Arenore, and when he came, he said it was the rain that caused Emesiri to enter his house. The way he related the story convinced everybody that nothing had actually happened between him and Obajere's wife.

They didn't do anything. All anxieties ceased, especially that of Obajere. Some elders looked at Ubukume and shook their heads in pity. They condemned him for trying to bring confusion to Obajere's house. Emesiri's eldest son nearly slapped him, but those around him withheld him.

The matter had been settled, and some had stood up to leave, but Obajere sat everyone down again. "My people," he said to them. "Humans are bound to make mistakes. Ubukume, I can say, wanted me to live a long life. That was why he came and told me this as a friend. For me, he did the right thing. Whoever wants you to see tomorrow will always have your greetings in mind. That was what he did. At the end we discovered all were alright. First I must apologize to my wife in your presence because I disgraced her in your presence." He turned to Arenore. "I am very sorry. But as a man, whatever that enters the ears have a way of touching the heart. For this, I want both of you, Emesiri and Arenore, to go to the Ifiama hill to declare your innocence. That way, I can breathe well and also go close to my wife again. Without that, my mind cannot pretend to be deaf to what it has heard."

Some laughed while others nodded their heads. Both Emesiri and Arenore were speechless.

Who could escape the trepidation of Ifiama hill? Who could play with her riddles? Mortal men were as helpless as winds before her. She dictated their fate.

Ifiama hill was a mysterious entity, and her origin was not really known. The hill was situated at the extreme of the village, in the northern region. Farming at that region was highly regulated. Her presence invoked such serenity, that one could hear another's heartbeats.

She was an orphan with neither a priest nor priestess to attend to her worshippers, and she did not accept sacrifice of any kind. It was just truth that supplied her breath.

And it had been an adage in Emu community that, ''the fear of Ifiama hill is the beginning of truth.'' History had given the hill the reputation beyond her actual ability. All her actions were rooted in past generations, and it brought fear and trepidation to the mind of the villagers.

Two days had passed away, and only few hours separated Emesiri from her past events.

Her heart wept secretly, and she wished she could sleep the sleep of death. She stood in her room with her hands on her waist. Written on her face were tales of confusion, and her heart caved different thoughts.

"I was left alone in the midst of my predicament," she said shaking her head. "My heart then wept endlessly for emotions that have caused destruction. Oh! I was unable to withstand the sensation that came from its urge. But now is a time of reckoning." She walked two steps further and continued, "No! I can't disclose it. Arenore may be right. Let's go there and stand on our ground that nothing went between us. My husband never thought of holding me again, and whenever I tried to lure him to bed, he always looked for excuses to escape. I am a woman, and

I affectionately needed him. But what I got was abandonment. How did he think I could overcome those feelings when blood was still running through my veins? I never thought of doing otherwise, but his absence pushed me beyond my resistant limit." She fell on her bed and sobbed. Her heart reflected on how it all started.

She was on her way from the farm, and she had fire woods on her head. Her children had left the farm before her. Tiredness was written all over her face. Just as she was walking home, Arenore entered the main road that led to the village farms.

When Arenore saw her, he felt she was tired, so he offered a helping hand. He took the firewood from her, and they both walked home.

Ordinarily, Emesiri was fond of smiling, and they both talked and smiled as they approached the village. They got to a point along the road and they both separated. Arenore gave her back the firewood and said, "Please, don't bother yourself carrying heavy fire woods from the farm. If you need wood, send your children to my house, I have plenty of them."

She left with joy and smiled all the way home. She was very happy, but she allowed the happiness go beyond what was normal. Her heart was lifted up, and Arenore's facial expressions and words became food for her.

As time went by, her fire wood got finished, but she didn't send her son or daughter. Rather she went there alone. That was how it all began. From platonic gist to affectionate one, and then an abomination took place.

Emesiri deliberately went to Arenore's house late in the evening, she left the impression that she wanted to collect some fire wood. None thought otherwise, and that was how they started doing it from time to time.

What on earth could have pushed Arenore to indulge in such a canal act with another man's wife? Was it because he had no wife, and he was dying secretly emotionally? When Emesiri tempted him, he gave in without precautions. But one amazing thing was that the day Ubukume saw them, she didn't go there for their usual romantic affair. The rain held her there, and they didn't do anything as such.

Was it nature that revealed what had been kept from men? This was the question in the minds of both Arenore and Emesiri.

When the awaiting day came, some elders entered Obajere's compound early in the morning. They marched away presuming to return quickly since there was no big deal.

But then Emesiri changed her mind. Arenore and Emesiri were in front of them speechless, both wearing the red sacred clothes that had touched all who faced the Ifiama hill.

On their way to the hill, Emesiri turned back and faced the elders in a guilty disposition.

"Elders of our land," she said with her voice mixed with pity. "It is of no need going to the river for water when there is a stream at home. I have done the abominable. I have thrown my legs wide open outside. It has been done. Please, I need your help." She wept and knelt down facing the ground.

The elders looked at each other and some of them made some sorrowful sound. At that instant, Arenore ran into the bush.

They all went back to Obajere, but Emesiri stopped many yards away and she cried dearly.

The shell of an egg doesn't prevent it from reacting to heat. The rain that fell at mid night had a message. An invisible wind had broken the clay pot, and Emesiri had lost her matrimonial home. The home she used to walk into freely had become a no go area.

As the elders reached Obajere's house, their actions could not hide the fact. It was seen all over them, and Obajere entered his room and sat on the floor. That was the most outrageous and frustrating situation any one would never wish to experience.

Nothing weakens the heart of an African man as infidelity. That day nobody dared went to Obajere in his room. All stood outside till nightfall and Obajere didn't come out.

Later they all went home, and the news fed the village like a necessary meal. All who heard it placed their hands on their heads. Many testified to what they had never seen just to magnify Emesiri's negative reputation.

The next morning, one of the elders came to visit Obajere. Both sat down on the fixed bench outside, and the elder noticed the great anger of betrayal and disappointment on Obajere's face.

"Obajere, Obajere."

Obajere turned and looked at the elder.

"Our people said that the anger of a good man becomes pacified as the day breaks," said the elder. "It is not the length of a snake that determines how its fire will be prepared. Emesiri, your wife, had done wrong. Please, I beg you; take her back after she has undergone her cleansing."

Obajere looked at him again with anger and stamped his left feet on the ground. Obajere had the right to discard Emesiri as custom had demanded, or take her back when the normal rite had been done.

A view at that custom gave women no breath in her husband's house, but the men could do whatever they liked, and no rite would accompany it.

Three weeks passed by, and Obajere was still not ready to take Emesiri back. When he was asked what should be done to Arenore, his response flabbergasted everyone. He concluded that it was Emesiri that lured Arenore.

A number of people had visited Obajere in order for him to call back Emesiri, but all were in vain. That particular day was of no difference.

Four aged men went to Obajere's house, and Obajere knew immediately why they'd come. After much begging and words of encouragement, one of the men said, "New broom sweeps clean, but old ones know the corners."

"True,"Obajere replied. "But in this case, I don't want her."

"Obajere, we understood your pains. We are men like you. Please, call her back. She didn't deny neither did she take the elders to Ifiama hill for fun. Please."

Every concerned person of Emu village played a role of reconciliation between Obajere and Emesiri. The children played their part; the youths and the elders did theirs. They all craved impunity in the behalf of Emesiri, but Obajere gave closed ears to their words. He had made up his mind not to accept Emesiri.

The dawn had arrived as usual, and everyone ought to be busy, but that particular day ceased to follow the daily order. The village had been provoked once more. Everyone sat at home and left all their activities. The land was mourning and throughout that day, there was no act of human activity. Their sorrowful condition reached Obajere's house. He felt it and he knew what it meant. Why are these people displaying this kindness to Emesiri? Their words WERE of little effect on him, but their mood had passed a message, and Obajere felt it. That was the only day he didn't see any visitor. His mind was contemplating on what to do, but he knew the people's mind. He knew what they wanted. "How come Emesiri won such a great favour from the villagers?" He thought. They abandoned their usual activities just to express their grief.

The next day, Obajere invited some elders and consented to Emesiri's cleansing and the elders arranged for the cleansing the following week.

"Waree! Waree!! Hamawa...

Ha... Hamawa... (3times)

Emesiri! Emesiri !! Hamawa...

Ha... Hamawa

Emesiri! Emesiri !! Hamawa...

Ha... Hamawa''

Emesiri's cleansing had begun before cockcrow. Voices of women involved in the cleansing were heard singing the song. The meaning of the song was: "Leave the way! Leave the way!! Someone who has done the abominable is coming. Emesiri is the one who has done the abominable."

They took her along the main street that divided the village into two and they went straight to the stream that morning. On Emesiri's head was a bucket of water. The women following her were holding leaves in their hands, and they were of two categories. Only these two sets of women could participate in this kind of ritual. They were the widows and the divorcee. Customarily they were not under any man, and according to custom, if a married woman participated in the rite, she might be unfaithful to her husband years to come. And because of that, the married women were forbidden to participate in the cleansing.

The women following her were twenty in number and they were dancing as if they were drunk. Very early that morning, the women had cut Emesiri's hair and poured ashes on her feet while they sang the song. Later they brought out the local gin and prayed for a successful cleansing. Everyone except Emesiri drank from the gin.

Before dawn Emesiri was sent to fetch a bucket of water from the stream at the middle of the night. The water would be used to bath and free her from the spirit behind her infidelity. That night she wore a black cloth and went to the stream bare-footed.

Emesiri was really sad and her sadness gave no room for night fear. When they got to the stream, the women bathed her with the bucket of water she'd brought to the stream. She wore a different cloth and some of the elderly women started advising her. Their advice took some time and the women spoke out in grief.

After the whole ceremony had been concluded, they embraced her and covered her hair with hair-tie. Then they accompanied her to her husband's house.

Obajere was inside and he was called to come out. As Obajere walked out, Emesiri knelt down before him and her face facing the ground. Obajere thanked the women who did the cleansing and asked Emesiri to enter the house. The women were delighted with her acceptance.

That was the first part of the cleansing. In seven days' time she would prepare her first after- cleansing meal for her husband, and every member of the household, including her brothers, and sisters- in-laws. They would all be there.

If Obajere didn't eat her meal, it simply meant he had not forgiven her completely. In most cases, men wouldn't eat the first meal, and that would make the woman prepare that kind of meal after another twenty-one days. By that time, many believed the man's anger would have subsided.

The ingredients for the meal were a goat, thirty tubers of yam and a bowlful of kola nuts. All these things would be bought with the woman's money. Her husband would not contribute anything, but just she and her children were left to prepare the meal.

The essence of the meal was to please the ancestors of the household of Obajere. When the day for the meal came, Arere was among the relatives of Emesiri who had come to partake in the meal. With everybody present, Obajere's compound was crowded. They all ate and Emesiri's cleansing was traditionally completed.

After their reconciliation, Obajere found out that it was Emesiri's philanthropic habit that had given her the favour. He was reminded of how she'd given large portions of her land to the poor farmers who were unable to pay the fees to hire land. Helplessly, Obajere accepted Emesiri, but for few days, she still felt shamefaced for her misdeed.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Something had gone wrong again. Even the little creatures could feel it. All wept in anguish. What had gone wrong?

Obajere's neighbours strolled in with their heart full of suspense, but they came out with shock. Obajere was dead.

The death was unpredicted. The way he'd died was unusual. At midnight, he'd woken his second wife up and asked her to prepare a meal for him. She was amazed, but she did as he wished. After the meal, he sat on a chair. After a short time; he gave a loud shout that made his household rush into his room.

Just as they rushed in, he fell down and wrestled the floor as if he was fighting someone. None knew what to do, and a message was sent to some elders. When they arrived, they met his lifeless body on the floor.

The day was dull. Obajere's death was startling. He was a man full of life, although age had begun telling on him. That morning, it was mandatory for the elders to come together and hold a meeting.

"It matters not how a man dies, but how he has lived his life," said one of the elders.

"Chief Obajere was a man of honour, and he deserves a befitting burial."

Truly Obajere was a man with a big heart. He was the one who single-handedly defeated the Egomu of Awaosa─ the man who had claws like a wild beast. That took place when Obajere was newly elected as the Head of Emu community, and the people of Awaosa came demanding homage to be paid to them. Obajere was not surprised. When he was still a youth, he could remember Emu and Awaosa community had had a great fight. It was a fight for supremacy and it shocked the Awaosa warriors that they couldn't defeat Emu village. Even when some villages under them joined them in the battle, they still couldn't defeat Emu.

The communal war brought great enmity between the two villages, and when Obajere ascended the throne; they came again with one of their strongest warriors called Egomu.

Unfortunately for Egomu, he met his waterloo as Obajere defeated him in the battle.

When the warriors of Awaosa saw that their hero had fallen, they all took to their heels.

The Awaosa clan was made up of barbarians whose duty was to oppress her neighbouring clans. They demanded homage in form of farm products.

In some part of Africa, the death of a great man was believed to have been caused by a promiscuous wife or his despicable foes. That custom had no regard for women. No matter what happened to her, it had no connection with her husband. Sometimes a woman's death was regarded as the consequence of the evil she had done secretly.

So when Obajere's death occurred, all thought one of his wives had a hand in it. His case was complicated because none of the wives were innocent. Some said it was the first wife's infidelity, others said the second wife must have poisoned him, while quite a few stood on their ground that it was his untraditional union with Emili that brought about his demise.

The cause of his death became a mystery to the people. Three days later, his burial plans were laid down. Unfortunately, Emili was asked to leave Emu community before the commencement of Obajere's burial. No property of Obajere was allotted to her.

She deserved nothing because her union with Obajere wasn't traditionally recognized. She was all alone. She wept and found no consolation. Within her, she had no idea of the path that led to her motherland.

A day to Obajere's burial, she took her clothes and did what was asked of her. Her eyes were red, and her soul was filled with sorrow. The only person that wanted her had died, and she had no other option than to accept her fate.

Obajere's death called for sober reflection, but it brought celebration to the Awaosa clan. They were joyous. Their only challenge had met his waterloo. The Awaosa people were born for war. Tyranny was their interest. The other five neighboring clans were under their subjugation, and they had been planning to include Emu clan because of her rich agricultural endowments.

Before the burial day, the Awaosa people had sent spies, and none of Emu people was aware of it because they were all mourning. Their plan was to destabilize Chief Obajere's burial ceremony, and take full control of Emu community.

The people of Awaosa were crude beings. Their spearhead was a powerful seer called Owadima. Owadima was huge and very dark in complexion. His wisdom was respected by the the entire people of Awaosa clan, and his eyes were red like blood. His palms were as wide as a plantain leaf, and on his waist were small bells that jingled as he moved. His appearance alone could make a courageous man lose courage. He didn't have to speak, his hands did the talking. Countless lives had been lost through his spear, and from the day he was born, he was commissioned for war.

Few hours to the burial ceremony, the people of Awaosa were at the borders of Emu community. They were all armed with their locally made weapons. Owadima was with them, and his duty was to protect them spiritually. His mouth and hands worked tirelessly as he kept consulting and predicting victory for his people.

From far away he saw Emili walking groggily towards them. "Behold your empress," Owadima said. "In her lies your strength. She is like a lioness weeping towards her territory unknowingly. With her by your side, victory is guaranteed. Holding her is like holding a treasure that lasts forever. She is the surety for your conquest."

Owadima sent men to capture her, and she was taken home by some of Awaosa warriors. She was kept in Owadima's mud house, and they returned back to battle.

During Chief Obajere's burial, all the elders and majority of the villagers were there. The wives and children of Chief Obajere shaved their hairs, and sorrow took over the land. The sorrowful drums started talking, and those beating them were weeping.

An important figure had gone. Emu community was like a widow. The wisdom of Obajere was the secret behind the survival of the community.

Just when the people of Emu needed comfort the most, the inhuman Awaosa warriors struck, killed and burnt down so many houses. The Emu villagers were caught unawares. It was least expected, and there was no preparation.

The people of Emu had lost it all; their leader and their liberty. That was a double commotion in the community, and the era of self-governance had ended in a brutal and unexpected form. They had no option than to surrender.

A large number of the Awaosas camped in Emu community, and Owadima was among them. The others were sent home to announce their victory throughout the entire community of Awaosa. It was a mirthful celebration for the people of Awaosa. For decades they had hoped for that, but Emu community was a hard nut to crack.

They started bonfires and danced all through the night. They also planned for a bigger celebration in the heart of Awaosa land. Owadima planned to introduce Emili to the people because he saw something extraordinary in her that would favour Awaosa people.

The organized celebration was at its peak. It kicked off with the arrival of Owadima and the warriors. But something marred the happiness of the people. No one ever expected it. Owadima never set his eyes on Emili again. On his way back home, Death met him on the way. The cause of his death was a mystery. They said something invisible hit his chest, and he fell down and died. That was the first time the people of Awaosa wept publicly. The non-natives living in Awaosa also shared in the pain. They felt a sense of belonging. They knew something had left their oppressors. They cried till their eyes were almost bulging.

The next day after they had gone to Owadima's shrine that was at the centre of the village, the people gathered themselves at his home. Emili was still there, and when she saw the crowd, she was perplexed. The people of Awaosa had a culture that if a person died without a wife or children, his properties would be burned to ashes. The people were all there to accomplish their custom. When they got closer to the house, Emili ran out of the house. At first they were amazed, and some of them accosted her immediately.

"Who are you?" They asked. She was a stranger to all. Those who had heard the proclamation of Owadima didn't make it after the communal war. They all died during the fight, and there was none to identify her.

"Is this Owadima's reincarnation?" The people kept asking because they knew how powerful he was. They were curious to know her. "Are you Owadima the great?"

She sensed the honour given to that name, and she nodded to the question to mitigate any form of brutality. They became filled with joy and ran helter-skelter. They sent for their women, and it wasn't long, some women came and took her away. After a short while, she was brought back in royal attires and one of the men said, "Owadima was our soothsayer, our warrior and our leader. His words were our strength and life. When we heard about his death, we were confused and thought we had lost our hold and authority over the people we ruled. We never knew he would come back this way. Though, he'd always promised he would be with us."

Just like that, they pulled down Owadima's house and built a befitting house that had a royal touch. It was magnificent, and she was highly astounded. They sang songs of jubilation and danced with utmost joy. The drummers stopped beating and everywhere became calm. Their activities had brought more crowds to the scene. A message was sent around:

"Owadima is alive in a feminine form."

Emili's fair complexion helped to convince them. "Anything that came from the spiritual world had an alluring appearance," they resolved. Owadima was a man with spiritual gifts, and during their festivities, he would display his spiritual gift to amaze everyone.

He could communicate with living things such as plants, and that made everyone to revere him. He practiced celibacy and that made him stricter.

"We urge you to govern us like you did before," said one of the elders. "We know you came back in a different form as you'd promised. We want you to do the things you used to do for us."

Emili was surprised. She never made an attempt to reveal to them that she came from Emu community. If she did, killing wouldn't be far from what they would do to her. The people were highly elated after making Emili their empress. Without any doubt, they thought Emili was another form of Owadima.

After the coronation, she was given ten guards and four young girls to be her maids. The new house they built was so large that it accommodated all of them. After the ceremony, the people left with smiles on their faces. And just like that, they forget all about Owadima.

Emili wasn't totally surprised. She had heard about some of their clueless beliefs and that night, she wondered how she'd ended up becoming an empress to the people that she was meant to be a prey. Her heart knew no little joy.

After the gory battle, the Awaosa extended her tentacles of leadership to Emu community. Everyone in Emu, including the children became a tax payer. Every parents paid taxes according to the number of children they had, and during harvest time, it was mandatory for everyone to remit half of their farm produce to Awaosa kingdom. Secretly, the people of Emu kept saying they were not defeated. They termed Awaosa victory a mere smile of fortune on their opposition because they were caught unawares, and it was as a pinch to their flesh. But all the same, they were helpless, and they knew any act of revolt meant a death penalty.

Eight months had come and gone, and Emili still had it all. She was a shrewd leader. Her leadership knew orderliness. So many cases were brought to her and she treated them with an unbiased mind. When the people of Emu heard about her glorification, they were all awed. The elders of Emu concluded she was from Awaosa all along, and she was the cause of Chief Obajere's death. They said she was crowned queen after engineering their downfall. When the harvest time came, the six villages came with their homages. The people of Awaosa knew nothing about farming, but they depended on their subjects for food. Their major work and focus was recruiting and training of war men for battle. From birth, they prepared their sons in the usage of bow and arrow and once they were ten years of age, they would join the infant warrior group. They would be taught how to defend and strike an opponent during war.

All the youths of Awaosa were trained fighters and they were never afraid during communal wars.

************************************************************************************************************************************************************

In Emu village, Oshare and Arere were walking towards Okpara's house late in the afternoon. When they were a few distance to the house, they started laughing. Just then Okpara came out from his house and sluggishly walked to sit down on a bench at the veranda. Oshare and Arere sat close to him and greeted him. They also consoled him about his health.

When everywhere was quiet, Oshare broke the silence, "Hope you heard what happened to Mama Esewe, how she lost her son?"

"It was a shock to us," added Arere.

"That hard working boy," said Oshare. "That boy was so good. I wanted to go and pay his mother a condolence visit when I met Arere on the way. What a pity. I learnt he was the only son that was always going to farm with her, and also the one fetching the firewood she traded."

"Oh! How can that poor widow cope now? Remember she lost her eldest son six years ago," said Arere.

"Yes," replied Oshare. "Sometimes life is just too hard to explain. This life is nothing.

Every morning we are up early to make it to the farm, and after that laborious work, we will still leave everything behind when we die."

Okpara had been listening to them, but hadn't said anything. He sighed and said, "I don't know. This is hard to say."

"What is hard to say?" Oshare asked.

"I don't know─ I don't know if it's true." Okpara said. His voice became lower and he continued, "My wife said the rest of the children went to find out what killed their brother, and they discovered it was their mother."

"Unbelievable!" Arere screamed.

"When she told me, I asked her to keep quiet."

They both breathed out and jerked their heads in wonderment of what they had heard.

"They may be right," said Oshare. "He's actually died a suspicious death."

"How could it be his mother?" asked Arere.

"According to them," added Okpara, "they said she is a witch."

There was a long silence. Okpara broke it with his uncontrollable cough.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Oshare said to Okpara.

"You should go and see her," Arere said to Oshare. "She is your relative."

"Wouldn't you go with me again as you promised?" Oshare asked surprisingly.

"Why should I go with you?" Arere asked contemptiously. "It is no longer a condolence visit. She ate her son herself."

Okpara nodded his head. "It's true. She ate her son. Is there any need to sympathize? It's like someone that hangs her clothes on a rope, and later in the evening, she takes them back to herself. Is there any need going to sympathize with her for stolen clothes?"

It was later became the news in town that the mother was behind her son's death. It became a controversial issue in town. Her five children were from four men, and Oshare was a distant relative. When the news oozed out, all were agitated but the mother denied the allegation.

As the rumour spread round the village and its neighborhoods, other rumours mingled with it. Some said she also had hands in her eldest son's death, and that the remaining children's days on earth were numbered.

Prior to the spread of the rumour, her home was filled with sympathizers. But when the rumour spread, she experienced loneliness. Only a few people went there, and those few people were just there to collect more facts to build up the rumour.

When the rumour got to Emili, she asked the woman to appear before her in three days' time. Before the capture of Emu, that type of matter was handled by Obajere and the elders, but since the Emu people were under the Awaosas, the elders had no right to summon her.

The mother of Esewe, the dead son, stood before Emili.

"Why are you so wicked?" asked Emili.

"Your majesty, I'm not."

"You took the life of your own child. Isn't that madness? Your ancestors were once like that, but is evil your only heritage?"

Emili was annoyed and looked at the woman with great hatred. Since she became their leader, she had not judged any case concerning witchcraft. She was a novice on such matters.

She secretly called the elderly men and inquired what should be done. She was told that witches were normally beaten with brooms till they confessed what they did; and in some cases they would mention some of their associates.

Emili was not comfortable with that method because of the brutality involved. Finally

Emili told the woman to go to the elders of her clan and they should do with her whatever they decided. The woman went away sobbing quietly but refused to do what had told her. She secretly went home, took some of her properties and left Emu village. No one ever heard from her again.

CHAPTER NINE

Emili was inside when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in."

The door opened. One of the guards stepped in. "Your highness, an old woman wants to see you."

"Old woman?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Okay. Tell her to wait. I'll join her soon." She heard some shouts outside. "What's that noise?"

"It's the woman, your highness," replied the guard. "She demanded to see you, and when we asked her reason, she threw insults at us."

Emili and the guard went out. She saw the unkempt woman.

"Woman, what is your problem?"

The woman knelt and greeted Emili. Her appearance showed she'd lived in the creek. She had dried mud all over her feet. She was so old that her legs couldn't support her firmly, so she had a walking stick that still had fresh leaves. She also had an old bag at her back.

All the things she put on were associated with old people, including her body odour. One noticeable thing about her was her mouth. She still had complete teeth, and from the way she was speaking, it was obvious that she was still full of vigor.

"I have no problem. I came to show you your problem," she replied.

They all looked at one another and laughed at her in a mockery manner.

"Ma'am, did you miss your way?" One of the guards asked politely.

"No, my son," she replied gently. "Your wisdom has saved you."

That guard's name was Imade. The other guards and Emili sneered at the woman as she gave hope to Imade.

"Come in. Come in." Emili ordered her pass.

She followed Emili and entered one of the rooms. When they'd sat down, Emili questioned her, "Which province are you from? Your face doesn't look familiar at all."

"I am from the universal province," the old woman replied.

Emili smiled and thought she was mad. "Woman, I'm serious. Where are you from? And what do you need?" she asked rudely.

"From the day my tent turned into ashes," said the old woman, "I'd become a wanderer. All the other tents were too small to accommodate me. I had waited so long, wandering around the coastal regions to relieve myself and get rid of my anger. The ideal time has come for me to go back to my pre-ordained tent, and regain my glory."

Emili replaced her rage with concern. "Who? You mean someone came to your house and destroyed it? The person didn't consider the fact that you are an old woman? Making you a wanderer? This is unbelievable! Show me the person and I promise you I shall not take it likely with the person."

Suddenly the old woman started weeping. "How long will I be in this flesh? This is imprisonment. I'm being trapped in this mortal body."

"I don't understand what you are saying," Emili said. "Just tell me the person and I promise to help you; just as long as your statement is valid. Why am I a ruler if not to help the oppressed?"

The old woman stood up and pointed at Emili. "You are the one. You dishonored me, you desecrated my home. You made me a wanderer and a prisoner to this body."

"How?" Emili asked in amazement.

"You burned down my tent, the Ogoni shrine."

Emili became astonished. She stood up and thought the old woman was from Oka. She alerted the guards. "Take her out of here. She is insane!"

"The battle is between both of us," the old woman said calmly. "There's no need to involve these people. For their own safety, ask them to leave now."

"How dare you talk to our queen like that?" asked one of the guards.

"I have the power to influnce the seas, the sky and the night," said the old woman. "Do you wish to take your own life by yourself? You are too young to die; if you still value your life, just leave now."

The guards became terrified, and they left the scene.

Fear came upon Emili. She sensed the old woman wasn't ordinary. "What do you want from me? How did you trace me?"

"From the day you burned down the shrine, your destiny was altered," replied the old woman. "You were never born to become an empress. You went the wrong way. You liberated the outcasts. You gave them new destiny. You ran and thought all was over. I eliminated all those who stood on the way just to bring you to limelight and let you feel the sweetness of rulership."

"What? You eliminated who?"

"I eliminated Obajere. I made you barren."

"Why did you kill him?" She questioned in tears.

"He was stubborn. He was not eager to let you go. That opposed my plan. Don't you know some persons will have to lose their lives for others to fulfill their destiny? I prevented Owan at Mararaba forest from killing you because he was under a spell. He killed whenever he was angry. That was why he was banished from his native land. I led Mamushi to lust after your beauty so that he would convince Obajere for you to stay. I caused Ifiama hill not to expose you and the misfortunes you had brought to the Emu people. I caused the heavy rainfall that led to the revelation of Emesiri's infidelity. I caused the downfall of Emu people. I caused the death of Owadima and some of his warriors that knew your future. He wanted to announce you to the world because he knew the power you were carrying, and wanted to use it to fortify Awaosa territory. That could have obstructed my plans, so I killed him. I made you an empress so you would know and enjoy the spirit of power. That way you would truly feel how I feel now since you made me a wanderer. You would have been dead before now, but I kept you alive by engaging you. You were carrying what was greater than you and you didn't know.

From the day you burned the shrine, you became possessed. You must go back to Oka village and confess to them that you razed the shrine. That will bring confusion to the outcasts. The Oka people must accept your word. Their acceptance is the only channel to rebuilding my shrine. You and you alone can rebuild the shrine, and failure to do that will lead to nothing but doom." The old woman raised her voice again in bitterness, "I can't forfeit my spiritual position because of you. Yes! I will transform you into anything, and I will be revered once again by the people of Oka. My glory will be restored." She paused for a while. "My days are numbered just like yours. Go. Tell them what you did, and it will be over. You have twenty one days to lay the foundation of Ogoni shrine. Whenever you are ready, your instinct will take you to Oka village." She swirled violently and disappeared into thin air.

Her exit gave Emili some relief, and she sat down and thought about all the old woman had said. Throughout the night she couldn't sleep. After two days of agitation, she concluded on what to do. She came out of the palace with a red robe, and when the guards saw her, they were amazed. She had stayed indoor for days, and none was courageous enough to ask her about the old woman. Emili was disturbed, but she wasn't frightened. Her courage was enormous to ignore the old woman's wish.

Later that day she called ten of the palace guards. They assembled as usual.

"My beloved guards," she called. "Something happened some days ago, and it called for precaution, all for our good. Sometimes we face some challenges that are beyond what spears and bows can handle. I think we need spiritual fortification, and we have been lacking that lately. It will be stupid of me to reckon with mere baseless words when I have all powers within my reach." She pointed at the head of the guards. "Take with you as many men as possible. Go to the six villages. Tell all the spiritualists to come with all they have got. Tell them that I want to fortify my palace. I give you three days to return."

The head of the guards took with him thirty men. They packed enough food and weapons before leaving.

When they got to the first village, Amufi, they did as Emili had ordered them. Amufi was a very small village, and the strongest spiritualist was a very old man. He gladly promised to present himself.

They left, and as they were about entering the next village, a mob ran towards them and attacked them. The mob killed them as if they were untrained warriors, and only one named Imade survived the assail.

He ran to Awaosa and related everything that had happened to Emili. She stood up and tore her clothes in anguish. Fear took hold of her as she remembered what the old woman had said, and she knew their death was not ordinary.

Some days later, a man from Awaosa ran towards the palace. "Where is the queen? Where is the queen?" He panted.

"What is the matter?" one of the guards asked.

Emili came out when she heard them talking. "What is it?" She asked with great concern.

"Your highness," he prostrated, "as I was coming from the farm"

There was a noise. She looked up and saw a crowd. There were four men in front of the crowd carrying a lifeless body. Emili quickly left the man and walked towards the crowd, "My people, what is the matter?"

The four men dropped the dead body on the ground. "Your highness," said one of the men. He pointed to the still body. "This was a stranger from Amufi community. He was looking for your palace. Immediately they showed him the direction to your palace, he fell down and died."

Imade entered the scene and looked at the lifeless body. "I know him."

"Where?" All asked.

"He was the spiritualist we met at Amufi," Said Imade.

The people were filled with awe. "Your highness," said one man. "I greet you. The death of this man is strange. In recent time, things have not been well with us again under your leadership. Our warriors are no longer safe outside this village. They are being killed daily outside Awaosa. We are beginning to lose our honour and soon we will lose the villages under us.

We beg you to step down so we can elect a new leader who will lead us and deliver us from the fears of our subjects." The way he said it showed great wisdom and it was apparent that they were becoming wiser.

Emili looked at him and said, "Will that redeem the problem at hand?"

"Yes!" They all answered. She looked at the crowd and was speechless.

Another said, ''your majesty, sooner we will not be safe in our land again. We need a change now.''

Emili was greatly amazed. She left them and shot the door forcefully as she went in. She knew they were not acting on their own. She sensed they could do more strange things, or even take her life to achieve their demand. The fearless warriors of Awaosa became terrified and deep inside them, they knew something was wrong somewhere. All they could do was spear their minds towards the leadership of Emili and demand change.

The next day she left for Oka land. She would have placed the head of the guards to govern the people, but he was no longer alive. She called the last guard under her.

"Imade, you are the only guard I can trust. I am about to visit someplace you may not know. I hope to return after some days. But in the meantime, please take charge of the palace and the people."

Imade was surprised. "Your majesty, am I not going with you?"

"No."

"Who are you taking along? Have you lost your trust in me? I have sworn to serve you till death; your highness. Where you go, I go."

"Imade, I believe in you so much. That is why I placed you in charge. I am going alone."

"I can't govern this people that have suddenly turned to rebels. They are vicious people. I can't tell them you are not around. They will tear this palace apart."

"Imade, the journey I'm about to undergo is mandatory for my life and this kingdom. Neglecting it will make me lose my leadership. There are unseen forces behind all that is happening. I need to go and correct my wrongs. I don't want to lose this kingdom."

"Your majesty! Where are you going? Tell me so that if things get rough, I can run for your rescue?"

"Imade, you will never understand. We all have left some vacuum unfilled in the past; I am going to fill mine now."

Before sunrise, Emili had absconded away. When the sun came up, a group of men stormed the palace with dried leaves and stones in their hands. The dried leaves indicated sorrow, rebellion, and uncertainty.

"Where is the queen?" They asked. "She is nowhere to be found," Imade answered fearfully.

At that instant, they gained consciousness. They dropped their leaves and scattered away.

CHAPTER TEN

It was mysterious! The lost child had become a total stranger. Decades had passed since Emili disappeared from her home town, and the truth behind the demolition of Ogoni shrine was yet to be revealed.

Her parents, relatives and friends had wept. They had searched for her, and with time, her name soon became a song. Their major suspects were the youths of Oka. They thought they had killed and buried her body shortly after the desecration of Ogoni shrine.

Emili entered Oka village at sunset. She was so tired. The whole place had slightly changed, and she was unable to locate her home even at the time darkness met her on her way. She didn't know anything about Ezowata.

As the day became darker, she decided to find somewhere to stay till the next day. In the following morning, she left to find her home. It took her some hours to locate her home. When she found it, she was so joyous realizing how much she had missed home.

Omotajere was the only one at home. She was just an infant when Emili ran away from Oka village. Her parents and siblings had gone to the farm, and she was left at home to look after the maize that was spread outside.

Emili was a stranger to her, and she welcomed her as one. Emili urged her to call her parents, and she ran to the farm. Their farmland wasn't that far from home, so it didn't take much time for Omotajere to reach there.

"Mama," she called her mother as she got to the farm. "Who is Emili?"

Having heard that name, her mother stopped doing whatever she was doing. She sat down and looked at Omotajere with regret. It was just like reminding her of her sorrow. She even forgot to ask what had brought her to the farm instead of looking after the maize at home. "She is your eldest sister, but we lost her." She said with a weak voice.

"She is at home now," Omotajere replied sharply.

"What!" She shouted and stood up. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." She nodded her head in affirmation.

Her husband and the other children didn't know what was happening. They were at the other side of the farm working. Her husband looked and saw her wife running home. "What is happening? Where are you going?" He asked her, but she was already halfway home to answer those questions.

She left her cutlass and other farming tools as she ran home. That moment was a mixture of joy and anger for her. She ran with all vigour, and even forgot to hold her breasts. Her breasts were dangling towards different directions.

As she saw Emili, she gave a loud shout. They both ran and embraced each other. It was the reunion of a mother and her daughter

Shortly, the rest of the family arrived. They saw the reason behind the run, and they did their own hugging. There were faces full of smiles. Joy had found a way into Emili's home again. Her parents had grown older and weaker, and her younger ones were now as tall as she. The house was bubbling and their minds filled with questions about where she had been.

"Get food for my daughter o!" Her mother exclaimed.

The house was busy with people. Neighbours, friends and relatives flooded the house. It was a moment of jubilation. The lost had been found. They looked at her and saw freshness. She was healthy, sound and beautiful. The compound welcomed a gathering of different groups─ the children, the youths and the elderly.

"Where has she been?" Was the question of the day.

They were eager to know. Emili's house suddenly became the tourist center of the village. So many people came as soon as they heard the news. Some thought it was rumour, and they came to clear their doubt. The news of her return soon got to Asha, but she didn't show any concern. She'd never met Emili, and to her, it was mere news to her.

When evening came, the people at their house had tripled. Emili and her mother entered the room, and she started telling Emili how she'd felt during her departure. She told her how Ezowata was formed as a result of Asha's courage to burn down the Ogoni shrine.

"She burned what?" Emili asked in surprised.

"Queen Asha burned the shrine. That was the last day we saw you."

Emili stood up. She was about rushing out, but her mother held her firmly with surprise.

"Where are you going? You have not even told us where you'd been all these while. Where are rushing to?"

Her mother dragged her, and they both sat down again. Emili was angry and that made her mother more confused. Later she told her mother all that had happened the very day Ogoni's shrine was destroyed.

Her mother folded her hands and looked at her daughter with great perplexity. "My daughter, are you sure of what you are saying?"

"Yes," she replied.

Gradually the news circulated through her household. They became anxious and kept wondering in their hearts.

In Emili's eyes, pains could not be hidden. Her eyes were red, and her hands shook in anger and fear.

Before the sunup the following day, she had woken up and kept wondering. Her thoughts collided with one another within her. That night might have been one of the worst nights she had ever had.

She felt like tearing someone apart. She wouldn't understand why Asha should have claimed that she burnt down the shrine. It was a misery to her, and as the day grew older, she prepared herself to visit the palace of Oka village.

Her parents were afraid. They thought she might be killed. As she stepped outside house, her mother couldn't hold her tears. She was worried of losing her again. Her mother ran out and held her, but she promised her mother she would be back.

After the emotional struggle between the two women, her mother let her go.

Some feet away from the palace's first entrance, Emili remembered the custom of the Oka people. She remembered that an outcast was not privileged to enter the palace like the Oka people. Long before then and even before the downfall of Ogoni the great, if an outcast wanted to enter the palace, some rituals would have to be done. The outcast must look for a true indigene of Oka to accompany him. The duty of the person was to hold a broom and sweep away the footmark of the outcast.

That meant they were sweeping away the outcast footprint, since it was a taboo for the trail to stay long on the palace's soil. Also no circumstance could allow an outcast step his or her legs into the main palace. To the Oka people, the outcasts were as worthless as the dead.

Emili stood there for almost one hour. She was patiently waiting for any of the palace guards to come out so she could explain to him, and the normal ritual would be done. She didn't know the palace guards had seen her long ago, and they were watching her carefully to see what she was planning to do.

They watched her till they ran out of patience. They sent two guards to confront her and ask what she wanted.

When she saw them coming towards her, she quickly bent down and packed some sand. She poured the sand on her hair to signify she was a loyal outcast. That was a ritual to signify she was useless and needed help from an Oka.

"What can we do for you?" One of them asked politely.

She bent her head down and said, "Long live the people of Oka! Long live your heritage! Long live your wisdom." She fell to the ground.

"Get up," one of them said to her. "Your respectful gesture has granted you favour."

Emili stood up and said, "I want to see his royal highness."

"Young lady," said one of the guards. "Why do you ask for something that cannot be granted to you?"

"I have a urgent message for him."

"No matter how urgent your message is, you cannot correct what your people have already done to our tradition."

Emili understood what he was talking about. "I am here to restructure your heritage."

The guards laughed.

"I am responsible for the agony of the people of Oka. I am here to right my wrong." They could sense some truth in what she was saying.

The guards turned and went back to the head of the guards. They told him all Emili had said. The head of the guards came out and walked towards Emili.

His appearance showed his position. "Woman," he said with an authoritative voice. "Have you come here to mock us? The words you speak can lead to your death."

"May the spirits of the night crush me dead if I've come here to make mockery of your people," Emili swore.

The head guard looked at her for a long time. After much consideration, he ordered the normal ritual, and she was given an access to the palace's compound.

Few minutes later, some elders started entering the palace's compound. Emili was at the extreme part of the compound.

The elders stared at her, and the way they starred at her made Emili to realize they had been told what she said.

Gradually the palace compound became filled up with the elders of Oka.

"Woman, what is your problem?" asked one of the elders as they gathered to hear Emili's full story.

"Your Highness," she kneeled down. "I salute you all, most especially for this privilege you have granted to me. I am an outcast. A lesser being to you; in your presence, I am nothing but a slave. The most unfortunate thing is that I was responsible for your downfall and humiliation. The gods cannot be mocked or cheated. They give us life and wisdom and no matter how tall an okra plant is, it still pays homage to its owner. The ways of the gods are not the ways of men. We cannot undo the deeds of the gods, and we are under their subjugation. I am Emili, the daughter of Adafe." She paused for a while. "Pardon my ignorance and spare my life. Cooperate with me, and together we shall rebuild the great Ogoni's shrine which I burnt many years ago."

There was murmuring in the palace.

The Ovie pointed his walking stick at her and said, "Are you sure you were the one that burned the shrine?" "Yes, your Highness." She told them all that happened on that fateful day Ogoni's shrine was burnt down.

"Chijaka," said the Ovie with a sorrowful voice. "Why have you decided to betray your own people?"

"My daughter," said one of the elders. "We are glad to hear about the rebuilding of the shrine. We had tried building it, but we failed. And we don't know why. It is a surprise to hear that you burned down the shrine and still want to build it. We thought it was Asha, the daughter of eh..." He couldn't remember the father's name, then he continued, "we will like to hear from Asha too because it will be unwise to conclude with your words."

"Your highness and elders of this land," Emili said. "I will be grateful to hear from the Asha too."

Before the end of the day, message had been sent to Asha to come and clarify issues relating to the demolition of Ogoni's shrine. They fixed three days for her to come.

At first Asha was perplexed, and she made up her mind that she would not present herself at the palace of Oka. But as the days went by, some of her delegates came and told her how Emili's story had reached everyone. She was also told she would need to go and defend herself so she wouldn't lose the Ezowata people's trust. Receiving that news was heartbreaking for her. Emili's story had brought conflicts among the council of elders.

"What is the mission of this strange girl?" Asha thought. "My father told me that the person responsible for the destruction of Ogoni's shrine was already dead. Who is this stranger?

Does she want to take my place as queen? Or is it a trick masterminded by the Oka people to destabilize us? If the people of Ezowata realize I am not the actual person that liberated them, it will rob me of my royal life. That will not be favourable to me. I will be dethroned. I may not be able to go back to the Oka people because of the tradition conflict. And even these outcasts, I don't really trust them. They might dump me, and I will be the ultimate victim. No! I must do something."

Two days to the meeting, two elders were sent to Chijaka's house. But before then, Emili's return and story had gone wide, and Chijaka had heard about it. When the elders got to Chijaka's house, they saw one of his granddaughters outside. She was one of the Asha's daughters born out of wedlock. They asked her about Chijaka.

"He is sleeping inside," she replied.

"Go and wake him up," said one of the elders. "He has a message from the palace."

The elder's response was so stern that the young girl was scared. The girl went in and woke her sick grandfather up. She delivered the message to him.

"Go and ask them what they need me from me."

The poor girl went out and gave them his message. They were shocked and annoyed.

They violently forced their way in and met Chijaka on his bed.

"Our gods do not sleep," said one of the elders. "There is nothing you can hide from them. Your conspiracy has been exposed, and our Ovie needs you to appear at the palace for a crucial meeting."

Chijaka had been ill for over four years now. It started when he woke up one morning and discovered some part of his body was paralyzed. In the evening of that same day, he lost his wife too. That was when he knew the gods were after him.

The elders stayed for some time and left. When evening came, Chijaka realized he had no option. He called his two granddaughters and told them everything.

"What will you do now?" The older granddaughter asked him.

"There is nothing I can do," Chijaka replied with a bitter voice. "The gods have plagued us because of the evil dream that misled our actions. I don't think I will return if I go to the King's palace. Death awaits me, and there's nothing I can do. If I don't go, they will come and force me away in a disgraceful matter."

"Can't you go there and deny it?" Asked the younger granddaughter. Chijaka turned to her and said, "Grey hair doesn't lie. What is there to hide when the gods have placed my life in suffering? Life has no meaning to me anymore. It is better to go. Just know that my death will be painful and disgraceful. And you might not see my body again."

None of them ate that night. His granddaughters cried till they fell asleep. It was a sorrowful night for them.

In the morning the two girls had started mourning their grandfather. They both wore black clothes, and thought of ways they could rescue their grandfather from the fate that awaited him.

Chijaka refused to eat, and the two girls didn't like it. They begged him and wept, but he refused.

He said, "I want to die quickly when I get there. I don't want my agony to last long."

The girls went out and brought a cup of water for him. One of them said, "Father, you are all we have. Take this cup of water to ease your body. We know how you feel, and we feel the same way you do. Take this water from us. Do not increase our sorrow."

Chijaka looked at them with pity and saw the tears on their cheeks. He collected the cup of water and drank it. They felt a bit relieved. They left him on his sick bed and went outside weeping.

Their plan had been completed, but it didn't bring any joy or sorrow. It was just the same as before. They had killed their grandfather with poison to save him from a painful and shameful death.

When they'd confirmed his death, they wept uncontrollably. They rolled on the ground and tore their cloths. When they had lost energy to weep, they sat outside and hummed in sorrow.

The same elders that had come the previous day came again with some palace guards. "Where is your father?" One of them asked authoritatively.

The girls didn't say anything.

The men didn't have time to waste, so they opened the door violently and went in. After a short while, they came out speechless. Their disposition had changed. They felt weak.

Chijaka had gone without confessing his deeds. His death was controversial to the elders, but his granddaughters loved the way he died. They knew they were murderers, but they didn't feel any guilt. They wanted their grandfather to avoid the shameful and painful death.

At that same time, Asha, Emili and crowd of Oka people and the outcasts were outside the palace compound. The meeting was the one thing nobody wanted to miss. Emili was asked to speak first, and she repeated all she had said.

Asha stood up angrily. "You bastard! You came here with incredulous stories and think sane people like us will believe you? Some days ago I heard about your arrival, but I never knew you'd come here to drag my position with me. Go back and tell your people that your cooked-up story was not appealing enough. You thief! You want to enjoy from the fruit you didn't know how it was planted? You cannot deceive my people. You are here to convince them?"

Everybody kept quiet as the two women fought with words.

"Who told you I want to dethrone you?" Emili asked.

Asha laughed in a scornful way. "Before every evening, there will always be the morning. Who do you want to fool, me or this people?"

The argument went on, and everybody was confused. Nobody knew who was telling the truth. After a while the Ovie asked them to stop. He told everybody to wait for Chijaka, and that on his arrival, he would reveal who was telling the truth and who wasn't. Emili also knew Chijaka would be coming. She thought even if they didn't believe her, Chijaka's words would reveal the truth to them.

When the elders and guards that went to bring Chijaka came back, they announced the death of Chijaka.

Emili was filled with disappointment, and she wept, "My last hope has gone, but I can perceive his presence. He speaks in silence, but no one can hear him. What a bitter experience."

Some people thought the gods had killed him to show he was guilty in the matter. Emili continued, "The gods remain my last witness. I'm not here on my own accord."

The way she spoke reflected defeat, and the people of Ezowata placed their confidence in Asha. The gathering suddenly became uninteresting, and the people of Ezowata started singing victorious song. They sang and went back to their territory, while Emili stood there helplessly.

"My own people have failed me," said Emili. "They have put their trust in a deceitful being. I wanted to fully liberate them and turn their nightmares into dreams, but they refused and made my foe their leader. Is this not worse than the former? Have they forgotten how they were previously treated as slaves? Is there no longer any wise person among them? They followed her joyfully like fools and thought they had gained salvation. The gods will vindicate me and my sorrow shall end soon." She wiped off the tears on her cheek.

But the gods had a different plan for her. When Asha got to her palace, she was still not comfortable. The excitement from her victory didn't find a way through her. She sent guards to capture Emili. She thought that her existence was a threat to her.

When Emili saw the guards, she knew they were coming for her.

"Our queen wants you dead or alive," said one of the guards.

She knew what would happen to her if she confronts Asha, the embarrassment and the torment that would follow. They took her away and her household wept again.

They dragged her roughly. They paraded her along the streets, while she wept and shouted, "People of Ezowata! Come and rescue your daughter! Come and stand for the truth! Do not let this foreigner torment your blood!"

The people heard her voice but they didn't make an attempt to rescue her. Rather they came out of their houses and watched her being humiliated.

It wasn't long she was made to stand before Asha.

Asha shivered as she spoke. "Who do you think you are? Coming here to fool us? Your presence caused my father's death. You must pay for it. Your absence was synonymous to peace and tranquility, and your non-existence will call for a feast of joy. You are hereby declared guilty of treason, and you are sentenced to death."

After Asha had pronounced Emili's death, she secretly told her guards to execute her at midnight. She thought if the people of Ezowata should see how their own blood was been treated, some might turn rebels, and that might affect her leadership.

When it was near midnight, they took Emili into a bush that was very far away from people's farmlands. They took wood, short spears and lamps with them. Her hands were tied, and as they reached where she was to be killed, they tied her legs.

They dug her grave before her very eyes, and anguish took over her soul. They covered her face with black cloth, and one of them hit her head violently with the wood.

Emili gave a sharp shout and lost consciousness. Another guard speared her heart, and blood ran out without control. Emili had gone without fulfilling the mission that Ogoni sent her to do.

The reign of Ogoni was about to be silent, but Ogoni the great had chosen another way to reign again.

As they were about putting her in the grave, a mystical event took place. The grave turned muddy and the guards started sinking into the ground. They struggled to come out of the mud but they were overpowered. Suddenly from the area where they'd speared Emili, a large quantity of water started gushing out and the water drowned all the guards. The water gushed out and formed a river, and the river ran west of Ezowata land till it reached an Ezowata river named Ezenohagbe.

The river didn't merge with the Ezenohagbe. It flowed side by side with the river, and diverted sharply after several meters. When the people heard what had happened, they believed Emili was angry with Ezowata people by not mixing up with their river. And from that moment, the rivers had been like that. It was once said that when both waters were fetched into a bottle, they would wrestle with great noise till the bottle became hot. This was symbolic to the enmity that existed between them.

A new era began for the people of Oka. Emili's transformation convinced everybody that she has been possessed by Ogoni spirit. They started paying spiritual tribute to the river as they had initially done to Ogoni.

The water was used reverently, and ritually it became an object of reverence. That was the end of Emili, and the river was named after her. But for Asha, she became miserable some years later. Her end was not fully known. So many stories were heard about her death, but the one that was widely spread was that she died with all of her offspring the same day. Except the two daughters she had gotten out of wedlock. The two girls extended Chijaka's generation.

END
