prologue


Aros has been brutally oppressed by the Oyos ,the aros pleaded the gods for deliverance, the gods answer to their prayer came in the most unexpected way.immerse yourself in these pieces as you experience the past experience of African anscenstors,their pains,their fears and their hopes. pls do enjoy

Please dear, bring it on. I'm looking forward to reading your story 乂❤‿❤乂

chapter one
Oyo kingdom
emperor Ari of Oyo is pacing around the front of a little hut anxiously, this is the third day that Ada is youngest and most cherished wife has been struggling to deliver her baby. The midwives had tried their possible best, but it ended in disappointment,now they are all confused


emperor Ari: * thinking * this is strange, it is the day already and the baby is not yet coming* he lifted is eyes to the heavens* my fathers,don't leave me to my plight, pls don't leave me helpless*

he never finish muttering these words when he heard Ada screamed

Ada: arrrrrrrgh,yeeeeeeeh am dead, ooooooih my mother, arrrrrrrgh( she was in labour pain)
first midwife: the baby is coming
second midwife:* trying to encourage the Queen* my Queen you have to be strong please, push please

Ari had been tempted several times to check on Ada condition, but he had managed to control himself, but he is really for his dear wife,he really loved her,he remembered how she refused him when he proposed marriage to her,even though he knows she also loved him, she only accept him when she had given him a lot of heartache.

After the marriage it was as if the gods had closed up her womb,there was no pregnancy, he had visited a lot of Wise men who told him to just be patient, after seven years of fruitlessness, the gods answered their prayer, but it seems their suffering had resume with the labor of child birth
first mdw: my lord* she said working slowly towards the king
Ari: how is she? how is Ada?* he was impatient*
first mdw:congratulations my Lord, the gods had blessed you with a heir
Ari: * he shook his hairy chest in joy as he thank his anscenstors* ojugbo thank you, I were thank you, ira thank you, I thank the 47 gods of these land* he turned to the older woman* can see my wife and son now?
first mdw: wait for me your Majesty* she returned to the hut to bring out the baby.

Ideadoctor:
chapter one
Oyo kingdom
emperor Ari of Oyo is pacing around the front of a little hut anxiously, this is the third day that Ada is youngest and most cherished wife has been struggling to deliver her baby. The midwives had tried their possible best, but it ended in disappointment,now they are all confused


emperor Ari: * thinking * this is strange, it is the day already and the baby is not yet coming* he lifted is eyes to the heavens* my fathers,don't leave me to my plight, pls don't leave me helpless*

he never finish muttering these words when he heard Ada screamed

Ada: arrrrrrrgh,yeeeeeeeh am dead, ooooooih my mother, arrrrrrrgh( she was in labour pain)
first midwife: the baby is coming
second midwife:* trying to encourage the Queen* my Queen you have to be strong please, push please

Ari had been tempted several times to check on Ada condition, but he had managed to control himself, but he is really for his dear wife,he really loved her,he remembered how she refused him when he proposed marriage to her,even though he knows she also loved him, she only accept him when she had given him a lot of heartache.

After the marriage it was as if the gods had closed up her womb,there was no pregnancy, he had visited a lot of Wise men who told him to just be patient, after seven years of fruitlessness, the gods answered their prayer, but it seems their suffering had resume with the labor of child birth
first mdw: my lord* she said working slowly towards the king
Ari: how is she? how is Ada?* he was impatient*
first mdw:congratulations my Lord, the gods had blessed you with a heir
Ari: * he shook his hairy chest in joy as he thank his anscenstors* ojugbo thank you, I were thank you, ira thank you, I thank the 47 gods of these land* he turned to the older woman* can see my wife and son now?
first mdw: wait for me your Majesty* she returned to the hut to bring out the baby.

Aww, she gave birth. Next, dear

Ciara9251:
Please dear, bring it on. I'm looking forward to reading your story 乂❤‿❤乂

thank you that's encouraging,I try my best to give enough updates

Ideadoctor:
prologue


Aros has been brutally oppressed by the Oyos ,the aros pleaded the gods for deliverance, the gods answer to their prayer came in the most unexpected way.immerse yourself in these pieces as you experience the past experience of African anscenstors,their pains,their fears and their hopes. pls do enjoy

This name... *AROS, reminds me of the man in twilight Just kidding

Ideadoctor:


thank you that's encouraging,I try my best to give enough updates

And I hope it goes pretty well for you

Aro village

* it is evening, the little children had gathered around Usala the oldest man in the Ebisa clan,they are impatiently waiting for him to be through with his kola nut, so that they could listen to the amazing story of how their village Aro was founded

Usala: Good evening my children* he said as he cleans his gum with his tongue, to get rid of the stucked kola nut in his teeth*
children: Good evening baba
Usala: who can remind me of our last story? you* he pointed at a young lad.
Lad: me?
Usala: Yes you
lad: How men discovered magic* he said after some contemplation*
Usala; is he right?
children: yes* they chorused*
Usala: today, I will tell you how our village Aro was founded

Ideadoctor:
Aro village

* it is evening, the little children had gathered around Usala the oldest man in the Ebisa clan,they are impatiently waiting for him to be through with his kola nut, so that they could listen to the amazing story of how their village Aro was founded

Usala: Good evening my children* he said as he cleans his gum with his tongue, to get rid of the stucked kola nut in his teeth*
children: Good evening baba
Usala: who can remind me of our last story? you* he pointed at a young lad.
Lad: me?
Usala: Yes you
lad: How men discovered magic* he said after some contemplation*
Usala; is he right?
children: yes* they chorused*
Usala: today, I will tell you how our village Aro was founded

I'm listening So love moonlight tales.

Today it wasn't only the children listening to Usala story, but also some curious adults who had recently joined the crew,each picking a stool, they sat closer to get every sentence from Usala

Usala began....

Our anscenstor Aro came from Oyo, he was a Prince, his father was Slade the son of aje the founder of Oyo kingdom, one day,Aro sighted a young slave out of the numerous slaves that his father had taken from neighboring villages, he fell in love with her,he could not control himself, Aro slept with her and she became pregnant. The king heard of the abomination Aro had committed by sharing the royal blood with a slave,the king was very angry and ordered Aro to be exiled for seven years and commanded that the pregnant slave to be dissected and killed.

Aro would have gladly bear his punishment, but he could never allow the slave to be killed, he knows that he forced himself on her and broke her hymen,the Slave does not deserve death, on the Eve of the day the slave was meant to be killed, Aro attacked the prison guards and took the slave by hand, as they escaped into the woods,Aro settled in these very location that we are today, his wife delivered a boy, Aro called him Ijia,he married a lady from Oma for him,Aro also gave birth to other sons, Alasi,Ogudu,Naisa,Ebisa and two daughters Agami and Ododo,each of Aro sons became the progenitor of the five Aro clans we have today. That is the end of the story* Usala ended the story with a smile as the children clapped their hands*
Usala: Any question?

A young adult from the recent listeners raised up his hand, his name is Uzo
Uzo: Baba you said we descended from the Oyos?
Usala: yes
Uzo: then why do oyos make slaves of us,why do they rape our women,why do they destroy our farms, why do they sacrifice our able bodied men to there disgusting gods, why do they see us as lesser humans?* Uzo said these With passionate hatred for the oyos,the first girl he loved was kidnapped and rape by some Oyo merchant on her way from the joint market, where many tribes, Oyo, Aro, ibiru,usis, and omas came to trade there wares,he remembered how the girl father complained to the Ekun( king) of Aro, the king only told him to accept fate and advice aros to be more careful.
Usala was silent

Chapter two
aros knows that their king was never afraid of Ari of Oyo, but he was more concerned on the safety and existence of his people, Emperor Ari was known two be brutal and wicked to his subjects, he crushes every rebellion with his military strength and black magic. The Aro rebellion would have continued, but Ari made an example out of the ejemba tribe, ejembas are proud and rebellious, it is even rumored that they are cannibals, they have been a thorn to the Oyo kingdom for long, them have killed a lot of Oyo warriors through ambushes, The last one they did that triggered there extinction was when Ari mother was seriously Ill,the Oyo medicine men told the king that the king mother can only be cured in oma land,Ari had prepared for the voyage of his sick mother into Oma land, he has sent numerous gifts to the ejembas to make peace with them,not because he wanted peace but because he want the ejembas to allow his mother to pass through their territory in peace, the mischievous ejembas accepted Ari gifts and promise that no harm would come to his mother, no sooner had the entourage set foot on the ejembas territory that an ambush was revealed, all the royal guards were killed and eaten and Ari mother was raped and butchered, her piece was sent to Ari, when Ari got the message emotions built inside of him, then anger subdued other emotions, he ordered for an instant recruitment of soldiers from all over his domain and territory, the recruitment lasted a week, Ari had gathered fifteen thousand soldiers, the first day if the second week, Ari launch a deadly attack at the ejembas, the ejembas were prepared for the oyos but the oyos were more prepared, the whole forest that stand as ambush group for the ejembas were filled with bees and wasps, through the magical invocation of Ari,they were. not able to ambush, so they decided to fight a main Battle, the oyos massacres the ejembas from the evening of the second day to the evening of the third day, bodies were littered everywhere, both from oyos and ejembas but that of ejembas was more obvious, soon the ejembas began to retreat, slowly at first, then they began to run as far as their legs could take them

Ciara9251:

And I hope it goes pretty well for you

yeah,thanks

the oyos never gave them a chance,they gave them hot chase and slaughter them as they ran, the oyos warriors brutally raped and killed ejemba women, the children were not excepted from the slaughter, Ari was determined to wipe out the entire ejemba tribe, after 8 days of fighting the oyos and wipe out out the ejembas,anybody with affinity with ejembas are killed, ejembas whom escape to other lands were exposed and and handed over to Ari. After these event, the other tribes developed great phobia and respect for Oyo, and the morale of rebellion died out even among the aros . I


Oyo kingdom
* In the king palace, was the diviner,the chiefs, emperor Ari, his wife and other royalties, according to Oyo tradition the destiny of every new born babes must be known before they are permitted to live*


Diviner: liiiiiiiiight,liiiiiiiiggt*he chanted and broke an egg on a flat calabash, he stared at the yolk for sometimes, then he shook like an epilepsy victim, he stopped instantly and face the king* greetings to your Majesty, the gods has given you a fire to warm yourself but plenty smoke to choke your heart* the room became tensed* .

1st chief: place explain further wise one
Ari: please go on
Diviner:this boy would become great, greater than you, or any of the ones before you, his name and glory will overshadow your name, he will shed the blood of his own people, he will destroy this kingdom and build a greater kingdom, he will marry his own blood sister and kill her and her in unborn child and finally your Majesty* he stared at the king upset face* he will send you to your fathers
The whole congregation: kamari! the gods forbid it
2nd chief* angrily* how dare you,how dare you prophecy doom on our land and king
Diviner: what I saw was what I said* he rolled his mat and faced the king* my king I have done what you asked me to do,I would take my leave now* he begin to move to exit*
Ari: Wise one, what do you advice me to do,please guide me,my wisdom has failed here* he pleaded*
Diviner: decision is for you to make not mine, if I do, then I would be guilty of interfering with destiny * he left never looking back

That night the king and his chiefs agreed on getting rid of the boy. Ari dismissed the chiefs and went into Ada room to see her clutching her baby to her chest
Ada: please my lord don't kill my baby, please I beg you* she pleaded as she choke on her tears*
Ari heart was grieved,he pitied Ada,but he has to be firm in his decision, he must not let emotions cloud is sense of good judgment
Ari: Ada did you want me dead?
Ada: No my Lord, kamari!
Ari: did you want this kingdom ruined?
Ada: No my lord
Ari: then we have to let the baby go* he touched her shoulder* we have to let him GI back,he had chosen to be an enemy of our kingdom
Ada: what is his sin? he had done nothing to deserve death, he is just a baby* she protested moving away from Ari who is trying to separate her from her baby* I won't give up my baby I won't* she screamed* just then a guard came into the room overpowered her and snatch away the baby from her
Ada:return my baby!return my baby! * she after the guard only to be pin down by Ari
Ari:please take heart my love, do take heart,please, please!
Ada: this injustice! Nooooooooooooooo

:
And I hope it goes pretty well for you yeah,thanks

chapter three

In the forest at night

the guard had rode into the forest with the baby in his arm,he stopped his horse as he got to thicker bushes, he tied down the horse and went with the baby deeper into the woods.
He draw out a sharp dagger from his side,and clutch the baby two hands together suspending him in the air, the baby let out a cry due to his uncomfortable position
Guard: keep quiet boy* he raised up the dagger to thrust the baby tender heart when he heard the sound of running water,he re lower the knife and re adjusted the baby and traced the direction of the sound,until he came across a large stream, he looked at the baby and decided that he would rather drown the child rather than to stain his dagger with his treacherous Blood.
He moved forward and dropped the crying baby inside the stream, he watched as the baby disappeared under the dark waters, then he returned home.

The king palace at Oyo

Ari: is he dead?
Guard: yes,your Majesty, he is dead
Ari: weldone * he left the guard and went to console Ada in her room

Ari: love, I know what you are passing through right now, I am feeling it here too,please don't be depressed, we can still make other babies
Ada: * sobbing* my baby is dead,my innocent baby, he never tasted the pleasure of this world but he tasted the pain,how unfair this world is,oh my baby* she sobs uncontrollably*
Ari: please don't injure yourself, please do eat something* he tried to bring her to her feet,when she suddenly clutch her stomach*
Ari: Ada what is it? what is wrong with you?* he noticed that blood was slowly dripping down her nose* Ada why? why? why did you do these? please Tell me which poison did you take? I will get the antidote right away,please my love,please don't die,talk to me* Ada went limp,as she vomit blood from her nose,'mouth and ears,she gave up the ghost*
Ari: Nooooooooh!

Aro village

* some villagers are washing there clothes beside the stream, others were swimming, a Lady sighted a strange object in the waters, it was a large branch floating along the stream current, on top of the branch was a baby hooked to the branch by the necklace on his neck*

Lady: Uzo, look at that something strange is out there* Uzo emerged completely out of the water and gazed towards the direction of the branch*
Uzo: I swear with my fathers head it is a baby, a baby on a branch* he submerge again and swam towards the branch*
Lady: Uzo becareful* Uzo stopped the floating branch and took a better look of the baby, he felt his breath, the baby is alive*
Uzo: he is alive!* he unhooked the boy, and lay him gently on his shoulders as he swam towards the stream bank* he is alive* the lady name is ola
ola: this is strange, a child floating in a stream from nowhere, what should we do now?
Uzo: he is getting cold! I suggest we take him home, father should be able to do something for him
ola; then let be fast

chapter four
*
* the baby is kept close to the fireplace, his life is gradually returning, Ayeni is busy discussing with his wife ife*

Ayeni: the boy belongs to the Oyo Royal house* he cast a glance at the at the sleeping baby*
ife: how did you know?
Ayeni: his necklace, it belongs to the Oyo royal house.
ife: what are we going to do about him now?
Ayeni:we don't need to know how he came here, but one thing is sure...the gods brought him here, the child cheated death, he ought to have died inside the stream, but look at him* he pointed to the child * he is recovering fast
Ife: are you saying we should keep him
Ayeni:* nods*

Uzo and ola are returning from the farm

ola: do you think mum and dad will keep the boy?
Uzo; I don't know, but I suspect the boy is from Oyo, the stream brought him from the north, which is the direction of Oyo, and also his necklace, it is from Oyo Royal house
ola: so do you abhor him?
Uzo: I don't know, but I don't want to have anything to do with Oyo people not even their babies* he struck his spare into the soft sand and remove it again*
ola knew Uzo very well,she may be older than him,but she fears uzos resolution, whatever he says he means them,and his hatred for oyos is beyond normal, oyos had cause him a lot of pain,like when they raped the woman he loved or when they killed is friend Adimula.
Adimula is Uzo childhood friend, but his life was cut Short when oyos attacked him in his fathers farm,the other Aro young men had gone home to rest,but Adimu was bent on making 120 ridges before he goes home, as he was working, he realized that a man was standing in front of him,immediately he looked up,he saw that they were more than one,they look scary,with there deep tribal marks,their plaited hairs and the ebony dark eyes,but Adimula is not somebody that can be cowed, he picked his spear and made a fight stance, he managed to impale an unfortunate Oyo, but he was overpowered and brutally killed, his eyes and tongue were removed and his body was randomly incised all over,Uzo remembered the sight and shrugged, it was a terrible sight

At Uzo home

* ife is force feeding the baby with goat milk from a little calabash, while Uzo and ola watched*

ife: here you go* she lifted the baby and pressed his big stomach to confirm if he is filled already* ola you can have have him now* she handed him over to ola*
ola: mother, don't you think we should him a name already?* she put the baby on her back as he purr contentedly*
ife: that is a good idea,but your father will be the one to do that* she look at Uzo* hey you! why have you been mute,did you fight with somebody?
Uzo: No
Ife: no?
Uzo: yes* he stared down*

Ayeni had returned, he went to get some herbs for the baby
Ayeni: I am back* he sat and stretch his legs*
ife welcome my husband
Uzo and ola: welcome baba
Ayeni: Uzo, put a pot on fire,I want to make agbo for the baby
ife: my husband, before you came we discussed about giving name to the baby, what do you suggests?
Ayeni: the baby had chosen a name for himself already, his name is oyeku,because he had cheated death.
ife and ola: oyeku!
Ayeni: yes oyeku.



15 years later

* oyeku is now a young man,tall and too muscular for his age,he was very dark with very white teeth, his style of working is unique, it seems as if he is running but he he is not,royalty is written all over him. Oyeku is at ola house, ola had been married to a palm wine tapper from Ogudu clan*

ola:* she sighted oyeku coming towards her house* this boy are where are you going with your height?* she is joking*
oyeku: I will take that as a complement* he hugged his sister and found a stool and sat observing the compound* where are the ibejis?
ife: oh stubborn children, they had left with their father to tap wine
oyeku: good children* he faced his sister now* hope you and your husband are at peace sister*
ife: well, something like that* she changed topic*how is baba and mama?
oyeku: old age has come upon baba, but he is still very agile and mama is very fine* he observed her sister, she is not happy with her marriage, many times she had returned home whenever she had issues with Dimo are husband, he once got angry with Dino when ola returned home with a swollen face, if it is to be someone else that tried it with his sister oyeku would have killed him and run away, but Uzo had peacefully settled the quarrel.

ola: hope you are at peace with Uzo? I know your relationship with has been tense
oyeku: Uzo will always be my elder brother, and I will never hold a grudge against him.
Ola: thank you* she didn't wait for him to reply before she started a gossip* ehm oyeku
oyeku: yes
ola: is there any girl?
oyeku: what girl?* he gradually understood what she meant* hahaha* he laughed* am not ready for that now
Ola: are you sure* she laughed* because some girls are eyeing already
oyeku: really?
ola: yes and I know a lot of them
oyeku: * blushed*

they chatted for sometimes, before oyeku left,he would have stayed longer,but he doesn't want dimo to meet him here, he hate seeing him since the he beat ola.

oyeku thought about Uzo,Uzo had always been cold towards him as long as he had memory, he never knew why,his parents noticed this but they haven't take any action or maybe they have taken some actions with Uzo alone, oyeku never knew that Ayeni and ife were not his biological parents, he never knew he was Oyo by blood, he never knew he was the son of Ari of Oyo whom he hated.


As oyeku trekked home, he came across a group of girls,about five of them,they were returning from the stream, they were chatting and gossiping, but when they saw him,they became silent and started whispering....
Ono: that is the boy* she pointed at oyeku with her mouth*
ijo: the gods had really fashioned him with patience* she was drooling*
Tira: which clan is he?
Ome: Ebisa
ono:Ebisas are not always good looking but this one is very....haaaaaaandsome* she turned to his direction and gave him a shy smile, oyeku just kept watching till they are out of sight, he observed that the fifth girl was not amused by his appearance, who is she!.



Oyo kingdom

Ari is now getting old,he has 3 sons and seven daughters, his kingdom had greatly expand during the years, but his heart is not at peace and he doesn't know why, perhaps it is because of his reckless and foolish sons that they would not be able to manage his empire after his death or because of the customary dream he do have,where a young man whom he didn't recognized walked into his room and choked him. Ari has ask the wise men about the dream, but they couldn't explain, this made him to be more worried.

A lot of times in his life he had encountered enormous sorrows that could have burst his heart, like when the ejembas killed his mother, or when he killed his own baby or when Ada his most cherished wife died,he had always get over those experiences, but now it seems as if they are getting back at him now. he was deep in thought when Irawo the second to the last daughter came in..

Irawo: baba good morning* she kneeled before the king *
Ari: my Jewel, how are you?
Irawo: am fine baba,what about you?
Ari: fine* smiled wearily*
Irawo: but you look Moody baba,is something wrong?
Ari: old age, you know, makes ones to be moody sometimes
Irawo: let me cheer you up with these song,o compose it for you father and for you alone
Ari: * he relaxed* OK let me hear it
Irawo Began.....


I know a man
whose glory is all over
he is a conqueror of lands and hearts
he slapped the usis
punched the ibirus
kicked the Aros
and broke the ejembas neck
his enemies fears him
they shuddered at the mention of his name
his name is Ari son of Ojugbo
son of iwere.
son of ira
son of Adagun
son of Alade
son of Aje
son of Oyo
he is my father.

*She ended the song as her father pulled her to himself*

Ari: oh,Irawo, my star thank you* tears fell from his eyes* you made me feel good, you made me forget my worries, you remind me of one of my late wife,she also sings for me the way you sang today.... may the gods bless you
Irawo: ise
Ari: may they protect you
Irawo: ise
Ari: may they grant your Majesty every desire
Irawo: ise
Ari: thank you my daughter

one of the few things that gives him pleasure and joy in life is his daughter Irawo, she had always been there for him,it was as if she was the reincarnation of Ada,she had been his comforter, his Joy and his advisor, even though she is just twelve, she is wise beyond her years. He knows that soon enough suitors will start coming for her,they will take away his Joy and comfort, it pains him,oh God life is unfair.

Aro village

Oyeku at home with his parents

oyeku: baba I don't understand!
Ayeni: understand what?
oyeku: look at me,I am fifteen years old already, but still I don't bear tribal marks,I want my marks too, without it I feel different from the others,as if I don't belong here* Ayeni looked at ife,they had been expecting these for a long time, now it has happen, they must tell him who he is, his people and his identity*
Ayeni: oyeku, I want you to listen carefully to what I will tell you today and don't let it break your heart,because what you will hear today will change your life forever* oyeku became attentive as Ayeni narrated the whole story to him,when he was done he looked at Oyeku face to see his expression, he expected him to be emotional but he was surprised oyeku was calm,it seems as if he is trying to comprehend everything*

oyeku: please excuse me* he stood up and walk out, when he was quite far from the village, he sprinted towards the woods* No! it can't be I can't be an Oyo, I can't descend from monsters* he stopped running as he was out of breath,he had reached the stream, he sat on a smooth Rock, he wanted to force himself to believe that he is not an Oyo, but he knew his parents were right, he is the son of that monster;Ari, he wept silently

Chapter five

Aro village
At the stream, chilo had come to the stream early in the evening, so that she can get a clean water from the stream, if she goes late, the other girls would have disturbed the water and that means she is going to wait for the water to settle before she can have a fetch.
She had been taught the importance of cleanliness by her mother, cleanliness is one of the values of the Omas. Omas are known for their personal hygiene and peacefulness, they rarely goes to war,and when they do they are always victorious, their beauty is the most unique trait of the Omas,they are very beautiful especially their women, an Aro proverb says " To Oyo is strength and to OMA is beauty " another proverb says " Oyo conquer with the strength of their men, but Omas enslaves with the sweetness of their women vagina".
Chilo scooped the fresh water on her face after she had gotten a potful,she was preparing to leave when she sighted a boy with is head under his knees, from the way he was shaking, she knew the boy was crying, but who could the boy be? she hide herself so as not to be seen, then she observed the strange boy,it was oyeku she concluded, why would he be here crying? she thought, she felt like walking to him and consoling him,but she won't, she would never walk to a boy, she silently move away and headed back home with her pot of water.

Aro village
Ekun palace

war chief: my Lord, the usis are intentionally killing our people, they want our trouble, please give me permission, I would gather my men and teach them a lesson* the other chiefs nodded in agreement except the king advisor
Ekun : thank you my war chief, I see sense in your opinion, but we are not in the best position to launch any attack now, remember the usis are Oyo's dog,they have pledged allegiance to Ari,attacking usi is like attacking Oyo itself, we would angered the oyos
information chief: my Lord, then what should we do? how do we console our people if we are doing nothing? if we are not careful our people will rebel and start deciding for themselves* the other chiefs nodded in agreement*
Ekun: do we have any other option?
King advisor: I think we do your Majesty, and this opinion to me is the best
Ekun: what is that?
K. A: give your daughter ibibi in marriage to one of the prince of Oyo as a gift, in this way we would win Oyo's favor, just like the usis did and then our people will not have to suffer again, we would enjoy the same freedom the usis enjo........
war chief: shut up!* he stood up in anger* if not that I know you well I would have say you have become one of Oyo's dog....
Ekun: that is enough war chief, I have thought about my advisor advice even before he voiced it out,if by giving my daughter in marriage to Oyo my people suffering will ease then so be it* he stood up and dismissed his chiefs*

Mm. Finally. I can comment now. I missed reading this.

Ah. I've even missed three chapters sef. Anyway, dear. You really did a nice job here. May God bless the work of your hands. Amen.

Ciara9251:
Ah. I've even missed three chapters sef. Anyway, dear. You really did a nice job here. May God bless the work of your hands. Amen.

thanks, you should be expecting more updates

Aro village
* oyeku is in his room, still brooding on the revelation he heard from his parents, the revelation from his parents made a lot of things clear to oyeku, now he knew why his brother Uzo has been cold towards him, he had to make is decision, will he be loyal to Aro or Oyo? without much thought, he made up his mind and decided to inform Ayeni about his decision*


oyeku: baba* he called out to his father standing at the door*

Ayeni: oyeku is that you?

oyeku: yes baba, I want to talk to you


Ayeni: come inside son* oyeku went and sat on a small stool*

oyeku: thank you baba* he sobbed* thank you for finding me,for saving me,baba thank you* he broke into silent tears*

Ayeni: only be grateful to god,who brought you to us,who didn't allow death to take you away
oyeku: I want to be Aro,I want to live and fight for our land, my blood may be Oyo's, but my heart is for Aro forever, baba mark me, put Aro mark on me,please baba

Ayeni:*nods* you are welcome my son.

The news had circulated through out Aro land of the decision of the Ekun to marry off hua daughter in order to ease the suffering of the people, the people react negatively to the news,they had march in great numbers to the Ekun palace to voice out their mind, Ekun is already outside of his palace to hear the mind of his people


Ekun: what do you want my people?
1st man: my Lord, giving our princess to the oyos is a big insult to us all,your Majesty please change your decision
2nd man: we are better in suffering, than begging oyos for favour
3rd: our fathers had never begged for Oyo's favor before, please your Majesty don't be the first* the crowd cheered in support, their voice was so united that the Ekun had already change his mind about what he is about to do*

Ekun: hear me my people, ever since I ascended the throne of my fathers,all I wish for is the peace and growth of our land, but my hand is weak to deliver you from your oppressors,that is why I wish to give my daughter to Oyo hoping that your sufferings will be relieved, but you have reject the offer,do you wish to be delivered my people?

the crowd: we want to, your Highness
Ekun: then how will be if you refuse my decision?
the. people: we will fight, we want war,we don't want treaties we want revenge* the crowd had became frenzy,youths are chanting violent songs,Ekun knew now that there is nothing he could do anymore, the people had choose their destiny

Aro village



it is almost night, but oyeku had made up his mind that he must see his brother Uzo.


Uzo house is quite far from the family house, but not at the village outskirt, so he walked leisurely, observing every hut as he passed.

people are always outside enjoying the gentle night breeze,the full moon is above; illuminating the scene.Has he walked on with his eyes fixed on the huts,he bumped into someone


Chilo: who is this? you nearly burst my lip with your big head* she caressed her lips*

oyeku:* he became shy and dumb when he discovered it was chilo, he had a crush on her since the day he had seen her with the girls from the stream, he had asked his friends about her,they told him are name is chilo, she is from Oma,her family moved to Aro land when she was still a little girl,she is proud and insult which made boys avoid her, her mother had also warned her to be more tolerant of people, especially now that suitors would be coming for her*

chilo: what do you suppose to say?* she folded her hands on her chest as she expect oyeku to say sorry*

oyeku: * he decided to play bad boy,since chilo had proving herself to be unsultive* why should I apologize? you bumped into me and yet you are asking for my apology* he feigned annoyance*


chilo:* surprised* I didn't bump into you,you did* she paused* if you ever bump into me again, I will....* she demonstrated a head knock and hurried away* mother will be angry at me,and that foolish boy is the cause* she murmured as she left. Oyeku watch her go,he wanted to know her hut,he was surprised that her hut was the very hut that stood before him,he laughed when remembered how chilo threatened to knock him*


oyeku:* mimicking chilo* I will...* demonstrated head knock* he laughed* you will knock me with that your tender hand that is meant for grinding pepper* he laughed again* if you dare knock me,I will take you home as bride without bride price* he laughed away as he approach his brothers house.

He met Uzo and his wife and his two daughters outside the hut, they were having a supper, there were two huts in sight, one is for Uzo, the other is for his wife and two daughters.

He walked towards the family, the family are awared of his presence already.


oyeku: Good evening* he greeted the family*


Lima and her two daughters: Good evening, uncle

Uzo: * he murmured a reply* why are you here* he asked coldly,this is the first time oyeku will be visiting him at home, he had never given him the chance before, but tonight he has come anyway, what could have brought him here*.


oyeku: I will like to speak to you alone brother

Uzo: say what you want to say, no one is a stranger here* he is getting annoyed already*

oyeku: listen to me brother, my blood may be Oyo, but my heart will always be Aro, I know you despised me,because I carried Oyo blood, how wrong you are brother, my spirit soul and body is for Aro, because Aro sustained me,Oyo lost me but Aro found me,
I will Rather die as Aro than live as Oyo, brother time will tell how much I meant my words* he turned and left never waiting for reply,he had finally expressed himself and now he is free at heart*

Aro village

* The youths had gathered at the stream bank,this is the perfect place for their Martial exercises, the soft sand of the stream where used to set up apparatus of war such as spear phalanx and artificial human structures for blow delivering exercise, the soft sand also served as cushion for wrestlers*


The Aro youths are excited about the war,most of the youths had no major battle experience, only mini communal clashes with usis villages..

.
The youths can be seen performing different martial activities, some are jumping phalanx, some are sparring while some are wrestling in the soft sand,the stream bank is bustling with military activities.


The war chief and other battle experienced warriors observed the jovial youths and they were not impressed by their psychological and physical performance, with this kind of performance they can't last on the battle field*


warrior: are you sure this youths are ready for battle Sir? all they are doing seems like children play to me

war chief:* smiled* it is normal for them to be like these, I remembered when we started training too, we were also like them,thinking war is a play* he laughed* we need to motivate them


warrior: and how do we do that?


war chief: pick your spear* he commanded the warrior* let have a spar

warrior: * he nodded and picked his spear and got into a fight stance facing the war chief, the youths attention had been drawn to the two warriors, then the sparring began, both warriors fought with style and dexterity that left the youths dazed and feeling inferior, the blocked blows,docked,flips and strike, suddenly the war chief swoop his opponent off the ground with his powerful right foot,the youths cheered as the war chief dragged the fallen warrior back unto his feet*
.

war chief: you need to work more on your stamina and precision

warrior: okay sir* he hurried and join the other experienced warriors, as the war chief faced the attentive youths to encourage them*

war chief: hear me oh Aro youths, the destiny of our land rest on your shoulders, our enemies are everywhere, they trampled us under their feet's like dust,they mocked us to our face,they shamed us and rape our women while we watch,while our eyes were wide open* he paused to see if the youths are getting his point, they are apparently been moved by his speech, he continued* are we not ready to be free from the yoke of slavery? seven days to now,we will march on usi and have our revenge,but are we going to defeat usi with our this poor performance, are you sure you can even last a second on the field? men of Aro, yes you are now men,you are no longer boys,remember our women depend on you,our mothers, our children, our king, our land put their hope in you,I * he paused* put my hope in you* he ended his speech and watched as emotions built in the young men,they cried for their father land and swear to put an end to their people suffering even with their life, their morale has been boosted,they resumed training with vigorous zeal and passion.

Chapter six

Aro village


* oyeku was tired after today military training, he saw Uzo today, he is fighting at the first row,oyeku will not engage in the front battle, just like other boys who are his age, their job is to make and carry war supplies such as arrows, food,water and to take care of injured warriors.


Uzo attitude towards him had been more warmer since the other night, he wish Uzo will finally accept him as a blood brother.


oyeku thought shifted to his brief but fantastic encounter with chilo. He had replayed the encounter several times in his memory, he wish he had spent more time with her,he wish he could spend more time with her.

His friends were right after all, the girl is really proud and insultive but these only makes oyeku like her more,but he is not sure if chilo had feelings for him too,but one thing is sure,he would express his love to chilo.

But right now, he wish to see chilo, to see her beautiful eyes,her lengthy eyelash that shadows her eyes making her look mysterious, he wanted to hear her soothing and serene voice, it is still early in the evening, so he decided to go spy on her hut*



oyeku:* preparing to leave his hut*

Ife: son,where are you going?

oyeku: I want to see a friend

Ife: don't stay long,your father may want to send you errand,you know.

oyeku: okay mother, I would soon be back


* he left his hut and trekked down to chilo hut,at the front of her hut was a large tree,he climbed up and from the tree height he spied on chilo hut*

456 views,but no comment, common guys,cheer your guy on