Journey To The Unknown

Episode 18

“Onowu, this is getting out of hand” Uchendu
said as they all went home after being pushed
out by the guards.

“I wonder why the Igwe is behaving this way. It
baffles me” Okwanku said in addition and the
Onowu sighed

“I don’t just know my elders. But we should tell it to the Priestess” Uchendu suggested
“Eeh??! I’m not going with you. As I am seeing
this igwe’s matter even reporting to the
Priestess might worsen things because he is
capable of Killikng” Okwanku said
“I agree with you Okwanku” Onowu said
“Our people said that “He that is eating with a
devil should use a long spoon” Onowu made an
adage

“Cheii!! Umuanyanwu is dead!” Okwanku
exclaimed

“But I figured out something” Onowu said
drawing the attention of Uchendu and Okwanku
“I think Lolo is the cause of all this” Onowu said
“Chi m ooh (My God) How did you know?”
Uchendu asked

“Didn’t you see that the words of the Igwe
changed immediately the Lolo came and
dragged him behind the house?” Onowu asked
thereby recalling their minds to the event at
the Igwe’s palace

“Ewoo!!!” Okwanku exclaimed
“I thought as much” Uchendu added
“Women and their evil ways!!” Uuchendu added

“My elders, we can’t stand here and talk about
this all day. Let’s leave it all to the gods” Onowu said

“Yes Onowu, they know better” Uchendu said
and they began to walk again
“Let’s go to Ukadike’s house, he has to hear
this” Onowu suggested

“That’s a good idea, let’s go” Uchendu said and they went through the path that led to
Ukadike’s house..

Walking few meters, they got to Ukadike’s
house but found no one after several knocking
so they decided to go home and come later. On
walking out, Ada’s mother met them on the
way

“Haa!! Good day my elders” She said
“Ehee, Good day” Onowu and others
reciprocated

“We came to see your husband but no one was
at home” Uchendu said

“Oh! He is at his late Brother’s place” Ada’s
Mother said

“Hope all is well?” Onowu asked
“Yes, all is well” Ada’s mother covered up
“Alright, I guess we will then go and see him
there” Onowu said

“Ok My elders” Ada’s mother said and went
into the house….
*
*
Anochie has already regained consciousness, so
he sat upright on the mat but the boils was not
yet all that gone. Ada was beside him with a fan
in her hand. Ukadike and Mrs. Nworie sat on a
bench opposite him trying to figure out what
happened to him

“Anochie my son” Ukadike called and Anochie
looked at him with his eyes a bit closed

“What actually happened to you” Ukadike asked him and Mrs. Nworie interrupted

“I warned him not to go, I told him to wait for
Ada but he refused!!” Mrs. Nworie lamented

“Woman, it’s alright. The deed has already been done. Just wait for him to talk” Ukadike said and Mrs. Nworie kept quiet cleaning the tears
in her eyes. Just then Onowu, Uchendu and
Okwanku arrived

“Maazi Ukadike” They hailed him walking closer and Maazi Ukadike stood up immediately
honouring their presence. He shook hands with
them in an elderly way and offered them a sit.
Uchendu sighted Anochie and was shocked
“Osimmili eeeh!!” He exclaimed and sat
immediately followed by others.

“My Son, what happened to you?” He asked but
Anochie said nothing

“Nna anyi good Morning” Ada and Nworie
greeted and they reciprocated
“Talk to Us Anochie” Onowu said
“He has been like this since yesterday. Today is
even better than yesterday, yet he has refused
to say anything” Ukadike complained. Just then
Priestess Osimmili arrived

“Peace be unto this house” Osimmili greeted
“Greetings Priestess. Eyes of the gods” They all
reciprocated standing up. She moved closer to
Anochie taking a very good look at him
“He is already well, in few days, the boils will
go off” Priestess said

“Thank You” Mrs. Nworie appreciated the
Priestess

“He is a boy of good qualities, and good things
attracts good also” Priestess said and they all
agreed her words

“Gbam!!” Okwanku said in affirmation
“But has he said anything about how he
touched the dreaded leaf?” Priestess asked
“He has refused to say anything, rather he
occasionally plays his flute as a reply to our
question” Ukadike said helping Mrs. Nworie
who was speechless.

“Anochie” Priestess called and Anochie looked
at her

“Speak to Us. They are your Parents. All here
for you. Speak to Us” Priestess said and
Anochie sighed adjusting his sitting posture.
“As I was coming back from fetching the
firewood…” Anochie began and they all
listened carefully and curiously to him.

Few minutes later, He finished explaining and
the atmosphere changed

“Cheii!!” Ukadike exclaimed
“You mean the Queen and Azuka pushed you
into the bush and didn’t even notice you were
there” Onowu asked

“Onowu, this is getting too much. Something
must be done about this” Uchendu said angrily
“The river has began to stink from its source”
The Priestess made an adage and shook her
head looking above

“This is what I am talking about. We were just
coming from your house to tell you what we
went through at the Palace today” Okwanku
said to Ukadike

“What happened?” Ukadie asked curiously
“The abominable happened Ukadike” Onowu
answered him immediately which made the
Priestess interested in hearing what they were
saying.. Uchendu then explained everything
that transpired between them and the Igwe.
“The gods forbid!!” Ukadike exclaimed
“You mean he let them go without even a
punishment?” Osimmili asked

“Not only that, he said it was a conspiracy we
used against him” Uchendu said

“Evile hovers in the air and something must be
done” Priestess said. Anochie, Ada and Nworie
were just looking at them saying nothing
“Let’s go to the Palace” Priestess said and they all stood up immediately walking away with the Priestess

“I will be back. Take good care of him” Ukadike
said to Nworie and Ada. Just then, Anochie
began to play his flute which made the
Priestess to stop and turn around

“Is anything the matter Priestess” Onowu asked

“Noo.. Let’s go” She pretended not to have felt anything and they all left..