UDENE
JESSICA DURU

(Will encounter mistakes )

“Oyibo! Oyibo!”

Five men came into the land, each dressed strangely. They were all Whites; different from the people, and marched in colourful outfits as they hailed.
“Oyibo—”
“My King, strange men are here!” the royal guard informed.
The King marched out with the queen to see for himself. He didn’t want them coming to the palace just yet. He wanted to make sure they were all clean.
“The people’s ruler, am I right?” One of the men spoke and bowed to the King’s surprise.
The others bowed, too. The king was pleased with how cultured they were. “Welcome!” he said. He invited them to the palace where they sat to a plenteous meal.
“My, what wonderful meal, my King,” they had known how to address him.
King Oghala nodded in appreciation; he sent for the finest women in the land and had them dance and showcase their skills.
“They’re beautiful,” one named Kingston, remarked.
The men wowed and clapped, as the maidens twisted their waists buoyantly. “We would like to stay here,” one of them turned to the King. “Hope my Lord approves?”

***Chapter One

The White men who came were on a mission; a certain one they were yet to disclose. They were given a place to stay, and were made comfortable in the finest huts; each served by the palace maids and made to sleep like never before.
“I trust your night went well…?”
“Oh, I’d like to thank you, my King… for your hospitality.”
The one who replied was Richmond. He had curly hair and a half-broken nose.
“Guess it went well then?” The King said half a question. He asked the White man to tell him why they had come.
“Oh, we just love the scenery,”
The King was angered by his reply. He asked the guards to lock him up, and the other four that were with him.
“No, no, my King. I can perfectly explain—” he was given no chance to talk.

Queen Apunanwu hurried to where the King stood. She wore a panic expression, and clasped her fingers as she talked to him. “Your Highness…”
“What is it, my Queen?”
“Our son is ill!” cried the Queen.
They hurried to the Prince’s hut, where he laid groaning and whining. “Oh…hu-um! Heei!”
The King panicked at the sight.
The wrapper tied around the Prince’s legs pulled off as Queen Apunanwu made to put it back. “He has been like this, my King. What shall we call this?”
“Maybe the White men know what it is,” King Oghala set out to call the men. They came forth and listened to what the King had to say. “Please, you must help the Prince. My son! I do not know what terrible plague has befallen us.” The King cried.
The five were taken to where the Prince laid; one knelt beside him and took a bottle out of his bag.
“What is that?”
The man Kingston turned back and said to the King. “An antidote,”
“What is an antidote?”
Another of the men replied, “It’s used for healing,”
“A remedy?” Queen Apunanwu asked.
“…to counteract the effects of poison,” they further explained.
The King and Queen let him do his job, as they waited patiently for the remedy to work. They were asked to let the Prince rest. “It will help,” said the men.

The Prince got well and the King asked the guards to bring the White men to him. He was pleased that he let them stay. But it wasn’t for long. Not when a terrible wind blew.
“My King, the prince is dead! Our son is dead!” Queen Apunanwu, the Prince’s mother, cried, holding her chest. She shed bitter tears, telling the King to hurry, that something terriible has happened.
“The Prince?” King Oghala sprang up from the throne. He rushed to the Prince’s hut, seeing their son lying on the cold floor. The Prince had rolled out of his mat when he was struggling; his father looked up to the clouds and gave a loud yell.

***

After the Prince’s death, the King sought for an heir—then another tragedy befell. The royal household was in mourning once more, for the death of Queen Apunanwu, who had died mysteriously, two months after her son—
“What shall we call this, Your Highness?” The elders of Uduje had gathered, for they had heard of the terrible loss. “First it was the Prince,” one said.
“Our Prince Icheka… now the Queen!” One by name ‘Chief Odume’ added.
“If I may, Your Highness,” Chief Nkemma spoke amidst them. “Those strange men you let in… how sure are you that they are not the cause?”
King Oghala reasoned.
The other elders joined hands and agreed with the Chief who had spoken. “How sure?”

PLEASE YOUR COMMENTS WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATED. Don't read without placing a word or two. If you see errors, ignore. I know they're there

THANK YOU!

Chapter Two

Richmond and Kingston went to the square, while the others remained at the palace. They preached the gospel and taught the people the word. So many people had gathered, even one of the King’s daughters, Princess Olamma.
King Oghala had heard about this; about the people of Uduje, and his Princess, gathered in the square. He sent his guards to fetch them and ensured they didn’t go unpunished.

“Father, you cannot punish the people. Our people! They’ve done nothing!” Princess Olamma was vexed. She couldn’t believe her father, the King, meant every word about punishing the people. “Father…”
“Shut it, Princess! Orders have been given that they'd be punished…”
“But father…!”
King Oghala barked. “I said shut it! Do you not know the kingdom is in mourning?” asked the King. “You should be ashamed of yourself!”
Princess Olamma bowed her head.
The King called to his strongest guard, and asked for the royal cane to be brought. “Mbaku!”
The able-bodied man huffed. He instructed the man to flog the people, and he did as he was told.
The koboko made slashing sounds as it landed on their bodies. Even the King’s daughter was not left out. “Father…”
“Silence!”
“Father, please!” Princess Olamma could not hold back her tears.
King Oghala asked for the White men to be brought before him. He questioned them and had them tell him what their real intentions were.
“Why are you here?”
“To preach the gospel,” One named Harry, answered. He wasn’t terrified by the King; he was going to tell him all that he needed to know.
“What’s the gospel?”
Another named Dickson answered. “It’s the first part of the New Testament,”
Harry looked at him. “We are missionaries…”
“Missionaries?”
“We have come to spread the word.”
The King scoffed. “So spreading ‘the word iis putting lies in the people’s head?”
Richmond replied, “They are not lies, my Lord,” the first he had called him. “The Holy Bible,” he reached for his pocket. It was a pocket bible he had placed in his pants. He lifted it for the King to see, and the King laughed and clapped his hands.
“Very good!”
They stared confused.
“Our visitors have finally gone mad,”
The White men were pained.
“The Messiah,” Kingston proclaimed, “will lead you to The Father. He is the son; the one true son… of God.
King Oghala clapped his hands again.
“So you want me to believe… this Messiah,” he gestured with his eyes. “will lead me to The Father?”
“Yes.”
“Well, where can I find this man? Is he a part of my kingdom?”
“He is with the King.”
This angered the King. “Well, I am the only King. I certainly do not see anyone beside me,” he looked around, and back at them. He knew they were telling lies; he hated when anyone spoke falsely.
“He is with the King…”
“Silence!” the King thundered, running out of patience. He picked up his sword and raced towards the one who had spoken foully. Slash—his head went off.

* * *

People gathered in the square to pray. They hadn’t seen the White men, and this got them even more worried.
“Where are they?” A murmur broke out. “Are they not going to come today?” The people wondered.
A boy of about seventeen said in their midst: “Let us pray,” he said with outstretched arms.
Meanwhile, two kingdom elders, Ekpe and Ishii, stood watching what was going on. They spat and shook their heads in disapproval. “Our people have really gone mad,” Ekpe said to his companion.
“Words have it the White men have them under a spell,” Ishii said. He grunted and shook his head again, turning to his friend. “I am going. I cannot stay and watch this rubbish!” He left.
The path that led to Ishii’s house was surrounded by vultures and creepy birds. Ishii hastened his steps, scared to think something bad had happened. He got home in time and found his wife peeling melon seeds.
“My husband…”
“You will not believe what I saw,” Ishii sat on the stool beside her. “Eh-eh. Where is Nkem?”
“He is inside.”
Ishii fanned himself with his hand. “Tell him to bring water for me,”
Uli turned and called out to her son.
“So what is it?” Uli turned back to her husband.
“I saw vultures on the road.”
Uli lowered the tray. The village had never seen vultures in years. What can this mean, she thought and said to her husband, “Vultures hardly come here,”
Ishii had his hand under his cheek. “My dear, that is what I saw.”
A calm, gentle boy came out, clasping a cup. “Here is your water, papa,”
Ishii thanked him, and he went back inside.

Uli couldn’t sleep after what her husband told her. Udene was hard to come by and, seeing one meant something wasn’t right.
“My husband,” Uli called. “My husband, get up, let us talk.”
Ishii groaned. “Ohh, what is it…?”
“My husband, I cannot sleep,” Uli frowned her face. “I cannot sleep, my husband. This thing has been bothering me.”
“What thing?” Ishii asked. He hated being woken up from sleep. Getting up from the little mat they had spread, was the only way to make his wife start talking.
“Eh… the thing about the vultures.”
Ishii’s temper rose.
“E-eh... I woke you up because of them,”
“So I cannot sleep peacefully again?”
“No, my husband. It’s just that it has been getting me worried.”
Ishii sighed. He knew how his wife could be; telling her about what he had seen was a terrible mistake. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have told you about this,” Ishii spoke in a huff.
Uli clasped his hand and stared into his eyes; the candle beside them illuminated his face.
“Why will you be scared of vultures?”
“Cause we have never seen one in this village before,”
What his wife said was true. “Uli,” Ishii called.
“Yes, my husband.”
“Go back to bed, tomorrow we will talk,”
Uli frowned and made to lie back down.
It wasn’t long that they slept, that a loud cry woke them up. “What is that?” Ishii jerked up and looked at his wife.
It was Nkem shouting. The boy was rolling and holding his stomach. Ishii got up and his wife followed. They ran to their son’s room as they found him groaning, with tears coming out from his eyes. “Hei. My stomach! My stomach… é!”
Ishii was confused. He was fine just before they went to sleep. What could have gone wrong?”
“My stomach…”
Uli clasped her son. She was crying as she held onto him. Nkem was her only child; she didn’t know what she’d do if anything happened to him. “gods of our land. O’ Amadioha! Come to our aid.” she prayed.
Nkem kept shouting, rolling and groaning as his parents watched; they watched with fearful eyes, their hearts nearly torn from their chests. Nkem couldn’t survive the night. He passed away not long after and left his parents in a sad state.

Chapter Three

The elders gathered in the palace, for the strange happenings in their village. Six people had died that day, and one of the elders had lost his son.
“Your Highness, something needs to be done!” one of the elders said.
The King fanned himself, as he had his guards fetch him a certain maiden. “Elders of our land, you need not worry. Our problem will be solved soon!”
The elders doubted.
The guards arrived with the King’s guest, and the council was dismissed. The girl was taken to the King's chamber, where the King quickly went and enjoyed himself.

~~~

The four White men mourned the loss of their friend. They were kept behind bars, but still, prayed that Kingston's soul would be received, and the King would be less hardened.
“Brethren, as y’all see, our brother is gone. We are not alone. We’ve never been. And we’ll never be. I want you to keep trusting in God. He’ll save us all, I’m sure. And will rescue us… from the devil’s grasp.”
The remaining three echoed an ‘amen’.
The man named ‘Williams’ raised a hymn. He had the others sing along, as they raised their voices and called to the father.
“Psst.” a low whisper alerted—
The four stopped singing and looked in the direction. A fair maiden was calling to them. She had a basket in her hand and something that looked like goodies in it.
“Here. Have it.” the girl squeezed the basket in.
The men wondered who she was as they watched her leave. They looked to the heavens once more and thanked The Almighty for bringing them food.

* * *

Uli clasped her hands, muttering something only she could hear. She stared blankly, humming next, as her husband came out and asked her to come with him.
“Nkem?”
Ishii sighed. She has been like this, he thought, when will this end?
“Nkem?”
Ishii sighed again. He had told her several times that their son was gone—watching her faint the million times, he decided not to tell her anymore, but reply, stating their son had gone on an errand.
“I know Nkem will be back soon,” Uli would chuckle.
Ishii knew his wife’s case had gotten worse; a solution was all he needed to find.

Chapter Four


Ishii went to see a Medicine man. Okirija was a powerful man, known far and wide, and considered ‘The Great’. He lived deep in the forest, where only the bravest of men could go. He sensed Ishii from a distance and poured out his cowries on the red-covered floor. “What brings you here?”
Ishii was stunned. Wasn’t it Okirija again? His surprise soon disappeared. Okirija asked him to sit and he did. He told him why he was there, telling him how his wife’s condition has gone worse.
“Mm,” Okirija said. He nodded slowly, looking at the cowries; it seemed as though something was intriguing about them—Okirija looked up, and turned to Ishii. “There is nothing I can do,”
Ishii was shocked.
“But…“
“Go and tell the King, that the people will perish for the terrible thing he has done!”
Ishii remained silent. Go and tell the King? He pondered on these words. He got up from the floor and left in silence. Wasting no time to go to the palace, he requested to see the King, as the guards made to call him.
“Did you not hear when father said he shouldn’t be disturbed?” Princess Olamma emerged.
Ishii begged once more that they go and call him; Princess Olamma persisted before she told the guards not to worry, and left to call the King. “I’ll be back.”
Princess Olamma left for her father’s hut. She could hear loud grunts coming from there, and a moan she could decipher. It was one of pleasure, she gasped at the thought. Her father was with a woman, and the guards she could see were guarding the entrance in case anyone came.
“What is father doing with a woman?” She knew the answer already. She summoned the courage to walk up to the guards that kept watch. “I require an audience with the King!”
The guards joined their spears. “You cannot see the King until he is finished!”
Princess Olamma countered. “I make the orders, you fools! Now let me in!”
The guards refused. “The King has instructed us not to let anyone…”
“But it’s urgent!”
The King emerged, clasping his robe. “Princess!”
“Father.”
“What are you doing here?”
Princess Olamma fumed but tried not to show her anger. She left before she could say something else, and the King followed her, wanting to explain.
“You need not say anything, father. I am not the one you disrespect.”
The King was hurt by the words.
King Oghala made back inside, knowing there was nothing he’d say to make the Princess see him any different. He laid down beside the girl he had asked the guards to bring. “Put on your clothes and let the guards take you home.”
The girl nodded. King Oghala had her promise him that she wouldn’t say a word to anyone, and she left, as he sank in thoughts.


Ishii waited for the Princess to come but to no avail. He went home and met his hut empty; this made him worried, and he went to the back of it.
“Uli?” Ishii called. Uli was lost, and she kept staring at nothing. Turning to face him, she asked why he hadn’t told her about their son’s death; Ishii replied, confused. “Why didn’t I tell you?”
Uli sniffed. “Our son has been dead for some time. And yet you didn’t bother to tell me.”
Ishii said no word. He looked at his wife in pity and made to touch her; Uli replied by pulling away; she requested that she should be taken to her son’s grave, and Ishii did as he was told.
Uli slumped on the ground as she came upon where her son was buried. She cried until there were no tears left in her glands, and she turned to her husband and asked him when he was buried.
“When was he…?”
“Immediately after he died,” Ishii was pained to see his wife in this condition. He remembered the medicine man’s words, and tears dropped from his eyes. “What is this?”
Uli looked at him.
“Why can’t the gods heal my wife once and for all? She is not supposed to suffer.” Ishii said.
Uli looked back at the grave and placed her head on it. Her tears fell, and she heard the sound of her name.
“Mother.”
Uli looked up. Nkem was standing with outstretched arms; he beckoned to her to come, smiling and urging her on. His smile soon disappeared as a bird appeared. Its loud squawk sounded as though it was real; Uli heard it and cried in pain.
“What is it?” Ishii asked.
Uli ignored him and ran in the direction of the sound; Nkem had disappeared, and she slumped; she dug her hands into the sand; her fingers filled with the particle—Ishii saw this and rushed towards her, scolded her, and asked her to stand.
“I cannot stand, Nkem,”
Ishii forced her up. “You need to stop this, Uli. Our son is dead for crying out loud!”
Uli forbade. She had seen her son just there. How possible was it that he was dead? “No, our son cannot be dead!”
Ishii sighed. “You have to accept the truth, Uli,” he said without blinking. “Come, let us go.”
Uli refused. She insisted that she stayed until her son reappeared, as Ishii dragged her in, and had her to a good meal before she slept off.


Nighttime reached and Ishii worried about his wife still being asleep. He went to their room and met her in the same position he had left her. Shaking her, he noticed she was cold, stiff as a log. He called her many times but she didn’t answer, as a loud wail left his lips. “Uli!!”
Uli was gone. Another tragedy had struck!
Ishii mourned his wife and swore to confront the King. He remembered the medicine man once more, and he made up his mind to go to the King.
“What brings you here, Ichie?”
“I am not here for talks!”
The talks he meant were playful remarks. He was there on a serious note and wore an expression, even the King was lost—
“I am lost for words, Ichie Ishii. What’s with the look?”
Ishii glared at him. He made to start as one of the King’s guards rushed in. He whispered into his ear, and the King sprang up, leaving Ishii to himself. “What do you mean the men have escaped?” the King hastened his steps. The Princess rushed towards him in a worried state. “Father, what is it?”
The King answered, “Those good-for-nothings have escaped! Have you seen them?”
“No father,” the Princess lied. “Perhaps the guards’ carelessness have…”
“The guards did nothing!” one of the guards thundered. “I recall seeing you before the men escaped,”
All eyes were on the guard that spoke. Ikenna was his name. He revealed how he had seen the Princess around the walls before the ‘escape’ bell rang.
“Father, he is lying!”
King Oghala turned to the boy. “Is that true?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Ikenna said.
King Oghala turned to the Princess and asked her to look him in the eye. “Fetch my sword!” he said without blinking. The weapon was brought and he clasped the hilt, raising it—he brought his hand down in a bid to strike, as a bright light shone—and a voice bellowed.
“Stop! You cannot harm her!”
The King lowered his sword. He groaned as he did; squinting in the light, he drew closer, recognizing his wife’s face. “Apuna?”
“The blood of one rests in your hands. Have another...” the light disappeared.
The King did not understand what she meant by the last. He shrugged his shoulders and grunted as he raised his sword. Swash—he went blind at that instant, and he shouted and fell to the ground.
Uduje had a blind man for a King. Strange things were happening in the village, and everyone tagged it to be the King’s works.
“You will not believe what I heard yesterday,” Gossips who walked Uduje, crowded at a corner, to tell what was happening around.
“What did you hear?”
“They said a woman appeared to the King!”
“How did you know?”
“Oh, I heard. I even heard they imprisoned the men,” the one clothed in rags, spoke in whispers.
“What men?”
“The White men!” He exclaimed. “The White men who preached to us, or have you forgotten?”
“Oh.” Everyone’s mouth was curved.
“You mean to tell us they were imprisoned?” A woman asked, akimbo.
“Yes!” The man affirmed. He lowered his voice even more: “I also heard that one of them was killed and thrown into the river…”
The people exclaimed. “When?!”
“No wonder why the land has been cursed,” another man in their midst said with arms folded.
Another woman, having a wrapper tied around her waist, and a red scarf covering her head chipped in. “The land has been cursed, no doubt. Udene we hardly see, now appear on every ground.”
The people affirmed. “We must march to the palace!” said one.
“And do what?” asked another.
“The Kingdom is no longer safe! We need to do something.”
The people chorused. “Yes!”
“We shall free the White men when dusk comes. Only them can save us.”
“But what about the guards?” asked a scared lady.
“We shall slaughter them if need be!”
“Idume…” a haggard-looking man emerged from nowhere.
“What about him?”
The man marched forward. “Idume is yet to say something. Why hasn’t he talked?”
An old man in their midst hushed. “Do not mention the Chief Priest in that sort!”
Everyone looked at him. They asked him why he had said so, but he laughed and walked out.

Chapter Five

The Princess left the palace and went to her friend’s place. Frightened by what she saw, she told her everything; how her mother had appeared to the King…
“You don’t say?”
“Ugomma, do you think I am joking?
“I am sorry, my Princess. I did not mean to offend you.”
The Princess smiled. “It’s okay.”
Ugomma asked, “But why did the King want to hurt you?”
The Princess replied. “I made him angry. Very very angry.” She twisted her lips. She looked away, placing a finger on her lips. Thinking about the White man she had fallen in love with, she blushed, and hoped for his safety, looking at her friend.
“Igwedimma?” Ugomma called. “Igwedimma, what are you thinking about?”
Igwedimma smiled. Her friend observed her for a minute before asking her if she was okay.
“I am in love, my friend. With a White man,” she remembered his name. Pronouncing it gave her butterflies, she rather had it in than let it out, making her friend wonder.
“Who is this man?”
“Williams.” She gasped as she said. “Oh, I should not have said. My Prince… hope he’s safe?” she acted as if she had gone insane.
“My Princess, are you okay?” Ugomma wanted to be sure.
“I am okay, my friend. Yes, very okay.” Igwedimma twisted her lips. She got up from the bed, and twirled, partly blushing. She jabbered and laid back down on the bed. “Oh, my Williams. I hope you’re okay?”


The White men weren’t okay. They had the weirdest feeling, and they decided to go back. “Maybe the Kingdom is not safe,”
“We’ll tell when we get there.” One of them said. They walked until they got to a crossroad, where an old man appeared.
“Stop! Where… are… you… going?”
The White men shook. “Who are you?”
The old man chuckled. “A question for a question, I see.”
The White men gulped. Harry, the youngest, drew closer—clasping The Word, he looked the old man in the eye and saw something his brothers couldn’t see. “This man is not from here!”
The old man chuckled, extending his arm. He beckoned to them to come, but they withdrew except one.
“Harry, come back!”
Harry moved closer. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of The Almighty.”
The old man laughed.
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust.” Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the perilous pestilence.”
The old man grunted.
“He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you shall take refuge…” he turned to his brothers.
“Harry…?”
Harry remained. The old man transformed into a giant bird, and Harry raised his bible in the air, and said, “Oh, you demon from the pit of hell… you agent of Satan!”
The bird squawked.
“I command you to come down now. Down!”
The evil bird transformed into a vulture and fell back to the ground. “Who are you, people? What magic is this?” the old man was back to himself.
“It is no magic, old man. If God be with you, who can be against you?”
“No! I will not let you save the people. They belong to me!”
“No! They belong to the Most High God. The One who dwells on high. The One who is seated on the throne!”
“No! No! I will not let you defeat me.”
“Oh, be gone, old man. Begone!”
The old man screamed. He disappeared, and the path was made clear again; the White men continued their journey, and they asked the King to guide their way.

___

The Princess stayed in her friend’s hut until she decided to go home. She bid her dear friend goodbye and set off on her journey, back to the palace. She got there just before evening came, and found her sisters already there. “Sisters!” she saluted. “You have arrived.”
Her sisters hugged her and asked her if she was doing well. “Yes, I am fine.” Princess Igwedimma replied. “How is Nne?” Nne was their grandmother—a woman in her sixties.
“Nne is fine. Where is father?” asked Nkewa.
Their father was rolling on the ground when Igwedimma led them to where he was. The Princesses greeted him and sat beside him.
“Where is your mother?” He asked.
The King has lost his mind, the Princesses feared. They wondered what was going on and called to the guards.
“What is it…?”
“The King is no longer fine,” They said.
First, it was losing his sight, one of the Princesses thought, now his senses. Just then the White men came in.
“White men?” called the Princesses. “What-what are you doing here?”
They beamed.
The Princesses stared as they marched forward. “I guess the King is unwell,”
“How do you know?”
“The vision,” said Harry.
“What vision?” asked Dickson.
Nkewa the oldest of the Princesses was still confused. What does your vision have to do with the King's health?”
The one who spoke made to explain. “I've been having this vision,” his brothers listened. “I keep seeing blackbirds and vultures ravaging the land…”
“Vultures?” The Princesses asked.
“The udene in my dream!” The King exclaimed. He had seen several of it in his dream, gathered on the ground but he hadn't known what it meant. “I fear the kingdom is in grave danger,” said the King. “A very grave danger!”

Uduje had been unsafe since the White men came. It seemed something was controlling the land, and the White man's vision and the King's dreams seemed to prove it.
“The land needs to be cleansed,” The King suggested. The White men agreed and set to pray. “Our father…”
“What are you doing?” The King asked.
“It’s called prayers, my King. It's how we call to the father.”
The King was lost.
“Our Father in heaven,” explained Williams. “He was the one our brother referred to.”
Richmond struck him. “Your Highness, if you may…”
“No, let him go on,”
Williams continued. “Our father in heaven…”
“Stop!”
Williams paused.
“Who are you?” questioned the King.
“I am the one you seek…”
“The one we seek?” the woman looked strange. One side of her head was shaved, and her hair was lifted. Her feminine form stood out, as her breasts stayed hidden in coral bras.
“Please who are you?” The King asked.
“I am Udene, ruler of Uduje!" she barked. Her voice echoed, as lightning flashed. Then thunder struck.
“He is here,” Harry squeaked. “The old man we wrestled.”
Udene transformed in front of them. She could take any form. That way she operated. A grin rested on her face, but it was followed by a frown. “You White men have done enough. The people are endangered because of you!”
The men huffed. “You have some nerves, daughter of the seven seas.”
Udene cackled. She had taken the form of a child, and her voice was softer. A mighty wind blew, and she disappeared, as the men wondered.

***

Udene was a priestess who died long, long ago. She had drowned in the river; the one that divided Uduje and Agbani—a neighbouring kingdom. And had long possessed the land, without the people knowing.

***

“The land is safe, Your Majesty, I trust,” “I bet the demoness won't think of coming again—” those were the White men’s words.
Unknowingly to them, Udene had only gone to prepare. The worst was coming, and the battle had only begun!

Moura7
CasNova
UltimateSpice
dodoatirice

Sorry for disturbing your night sleep, Sirs and Mas. I have no choice

Cunterman
Rosemary33
ErnestOnyedikam
Obinnau
OrangeAngel
Devilpen
kay9

Our silent readers, welcome Since you guys don't want to show yourselves

ReeLoaDead
prettysassygirl
Rick9
Hungerbadoo
SeyiDominion
valkariejay
Annwrites
Salahdin
Dapalace
Frank25
dontrulee
tonysunkan
Simplesussy
Frankwriter

For readers of Goodbye Anonymous and In Love With A Mafia, I'm sorry for the holdup. Left my manuscripts in school. By mistake. I'm trying to write another

Bam17:
I feel really weird mentioning people. Lol. Don't know why

kayo80
Ann2012
Silver1996
silverlinen
kweensheba
Royver
Ogamysamo

You called, i answer.
Moreover, why should you feel weird mentioning folks?
Anyways, i don show.

Bam17:
ReeLoaDead prettysassygirl Rick9 Hungerbadoo SeyiDominion valkariejay Annwrites Salahdin Dapalace Frank25 dontrulee tonysunkan Simplesussy Frankwriter

Following

Bam17:
For readers of Goodbye Anonymous and In Love With A Mafia, I'm sorry for the holdup. Left my manuscripts in school. By mistake. I'm trying to write another

Okay, I understand but try and be stable. Instead of having multiple stories, just start one and complete it first before moving to another one, it will be more better that way.

TIP: To avoid issues of writer's block, ensure you finish writing your story before starting it on Nairaland. At that point, the stress of having to write will be off your shoulders, all you'll be doing will be copy and paste.

Nice Story you gat going


#Xavier

Xavier5:


Okay, I understand but try and be stable. Instead of having multiple stories, just start one and complete it first before moving to another one, it will be more better that way.

TIP: To avoid issues of writer's block, ensure you finish writing your story before starting it on Nairaland. At that point, the stress of having to write will be off your shoulders, all you'll be doing will be copy and paste.

Nice Story you gat going


#Xavier

Hmmm. I'm done with all my stories. Even udene. I've been writing the story ever since. It's just that I was having double mind publishing.


Even the ones I'm yet to publish on nairaland. The audience just scares me, you know. Sometimes I just leave my manuscripts in a box and hope someday I'll get to publish them.


And... thank you. I'm really grateful, dear

Hungerbadoo:
Following

Welcome aboard Do you still remember me?

silverlinen:

You called, i answer.
Moreover, why should you feel weird mentioning folks?
Anyways, i don show.

Awwn, I really appreciate, dear. Thank you so much.


Lol. I just feel weird. Cause sometimes I feel I'm disturbing ...

Bam17:
And please, if you can make a cover for me, I'd appreciate it. Really. Having a hard time making a cover that'd suit the title. Seriously

I'm also looking for a book cover maker.

By the way, who has been making your book covers before now? I always admired them and always wanted to ask.

Nice story... Well written, and nice suspense at the end.

Bam17:
Welcome aboard Do you still remember me?

Remind me dear

Oh thanks for the mentioning am following the writeups

Bam17:


Hmmm. I'm done with all my stories. Even udene. I've been writing the story ever since. It's just that I was having double mind publishing.


Even the ones I'm yet to publish on nairaland. The audience just scares me, you know. Sometimes I just leave my manuscripts in a box and hope someday I'll get to publish them.


And... thank you. I'm really grateful, dear

Why do you write, if not to be read?

Leaving your manuscripts in the box is like giving birth to children and hiding them in the basement.

Let them out.

Let them breathe.

Let them live.

Only then can you grow as a writer.

Bam17:


Hmmm. I'm done with all my stories. Even udene. I've been writing the story ever since. It's just that I was having double mind publishing.


Even the ones I'm yet to publish on nairaland. The audience just scares me, you know. Sometimes I just leave my manuscripts in a box and hope someday I'll get to publish them.


And... thank you. I'm really grateful, dear

That's good to know. You should publish your works, the world deserves to see them, seriously it deserves and you also deserve to get the dividend from them, besides why write a book if you're just going to hide it.

I know you're scared of the whole sales thing, I am also but that shouldn't stop you, you just never can tell.

Someone once said, most writers are good writers but poor marketers and I absolutely agree with him. My advise is you should do lots of study into book marketing, with that you will be able to market your book

But if you don't want to go with all the book marketing thing, you can create a site of your own, upload your books/ stories there and attract readers to it. You can earn from ads revenue due to the site traffic. Considering the fact that you have so many stories, this could be a good one for you.

Who knows, one day a publisher or a filmmaker may be interested in your works. Just do something. That's what I'm doing and I can say it's been paying of, not much now though but it's something.

And as for the audience, it takes time to build a fan base, all you need is good contents, consistency, integrity, patience and of course God's help and you're good to go. I can attest to that, every prominent writer in this forum can attest to that.

#Xavier

Bam17:
I feel really weird mentioning people. Lol. Don't know why

kayo80
Ann2012
Silver1996
silverlinen
kweensheba
Royver
Ogamysamo

Present

....

Ann2012:


Present

I appreciate

Xavier5:


That's good to know. You should publish your works, the world deserves to see them, seriously it deserves and you also deserve to get the dividend from them, besides why write a book if you're just going to hide it.

I know you're scared of the whole sales thing, I am also but that shouldn't stop you, you just never can tell.

Someone once said, most writers are good writers but poor marketers and I absolutely agree with him. My advise is you should do lots of study into book marketing, with that you will be able to market your book

But if you don't want to go with all the book marketing thing, you can create a site of your own, upload your books/ stories there and attract readers to it. You can earn from ads revenue due to the site traffic. Considering the fact that you have so many stories, this could be a good one for you.

Who knows, one day a publisher or a filmmaker may be interested in your works. Just do something. That's what I'm doing and I can say it's been paying of, not much now though but it's something.

And as for the audience, it takes time to build a fan base, all you need is good contents, consistency, integrity, patience and of course God's help and you're good to go. I can attest to that, every prominent writer in this forum can attest to that.

#Xavier

Oh, my word! Gosh, I really appreciate this. Will surely take your advice. Thanks so much

Royver:


Why do you write, if not to be read?

Leaving your manuscripts in the box is like giving birth to children and hiding them in the basement.

Let them out.

Let them breathe.

Let them live.

Only then can you grow as a writer.

You're so right You know, my work was stolen once. Couldn't sue the person, unfortunately. So, ever since then, I've been hiding some... to prevent ‘Had I known’

Even this Udene, I'll soon remove it. Once I'm done with the story here. Removing most of my works online

kayo80:
Nice story... Well written, and nice suspense at the end.

Awn, thank you so much. I really appreciate

kayo80:


I'm also looking for a book cover maker.

By the way, who has been making your book covers before now? I always admired them and always wanted to ask.

Wow. Really? Never thought anyone would notice. I've been making them, though. Yeah. Lol. It's just that this Udene has been giving me headache. Lol.

Frank25:
Oh thanks for the mentioning am following the writeups

Awwn, I appreciate, B.

I really appreciate all of you ❤❤❤