Journey To The Unknown

Episode 5

As the Onowu, Maazi Ukadike and two other
elders in Chief walked a bit angry and
conversantly murmured about the behaviour of the Prince so did Queen Nwaaku plotted and
decided to go and talk evil into the Igwe.

The Igwe was sitted all alone in the throne
chambers with two guards fanning him, two at
the entrance to the throne and two at the main entrance all without smiles on their faces and hand n the head of their swords and their b—-t vibrating.

“This is getting too much” Maazi Okwanku said to others as they walked to the Igwe’s Palace

“Cheii. We have not yet cleansed the land of it’s disaster now the Prince wants to add another.

Tufiakwa!!” Maazi Uchendu added
“Despite the fact that we have warned him and reported to the Igwe his Father eeeh..”
Ukadike said

“Let’s not just discuss this here, let’s get to the Palace at first” Onowu Udemba concluded the matter.

*
*
“Sorry My Son” Mrs. Nworie said to Anochie as she used hot water and a towel to massage the little bruises he had on his body

“Nne o na-afu ufu oo (Mama, it’s painful)
“Anochie Sorry” Ada said to him
“I know it’s painful but I…” Mrs. Nworie tried to say but stopped as she gazed at Anochie’s body in surprise

“Mama continue, why are you stopping”
Anochie asked with his face down

“Nne, what is it?” Ada asked as the towel
dropped off Mrs. Nworie’s hands and Anochie looked up

“Mama, say something, what is it?” Anochie
asked holding his Mother and Ada drew closer.
Mrs. Nworie was speechless as she pointed at
Anochie’s body and Ada looked closer

“Chim eeeh!!” Ada shouted
“What is it now!! Why are you all shouting?”
Anchie asked feeling uncomfortable with their
face looks

“Your Bruises” Ada said
“Ehee, What happened to it?” Anochie asked touching all over his body, Ada ran inside and came out with a local glass they used as a mirror and handed it to Anochie who collected and starred silently at himself for he himself was also confused and surprised.

“Where did the bruises go?” Anochie asked
indirectly to no one

“Are you asking me?” Mrs. Nworie asked as a reply

“This is strange” Ada said with her hands on her waist as they both looked at Anochie in a suspicious manner but Anochie ignored their
suspicious eyes..
*
*
“Mba nu (No), Igwe, this is getting out of hand”

Onowu Udemba said as they got to the main
entrance of the palace. On seeing that it was
the elders in council, the two guards at the
entrance disengaged their spears thereby
making a pass way for them. They entered and greeted the Igwe

“Igwe!! Your Highness may you live long” They greeted

“My Chiefs, what brought you to my palace this hot afternoon or has there been anything
worse than the death of babies?” Igwe
Ebubedike asked

“Your highness, there will be more than what you think I something is not doone right away”
Ukadike said

“What do you mean by that?” Igwe asked
“Igwe!! I have lost so many children and I won’t like to loose my wife also just because of a silly act by the Prince” Maazi Uchendu said hitting his walking stick on the floor

“How dare you say such of the Prince of
Umuanyanwu Land” Igwe barked at Uchendu
“Onowu, tell me what happened” Igwe with a lowered voice inquired from Onowu Udemba and Udemba adjusted his sitting position with the faces of others twisted in anger

“Hmmm, Igwe may your reign never end”
Onowu began

“The Prince has been……” Onowu tried to make his statement but was interrupted by the loud shouting voice of Lolo Nwaaku who was seen dragging Prince Azuka in anger to the throne chambers

“How dare that brat, that pimp to do this to my son!!” She barked and they got to the throne.

She and her son ignored everyone and no
words of greeting dropped out from their
mouths

“Igwe!! My husband, I greet You” She said with her body shaking

“Lolo” Igwe called

“Can’t you see that I am having a meeting with my elders?” Igwe asked

“What sort of nonsense meeting is that eeh
Igwe, just take a look at your Son” Lolo said
throwing Azuka to Ebubedike

“What!!?” Igwe stood up in anger
“Who did this to you?” Igwe asked touching
Azuka

“Is it not that wretched Anochie using evil
powers against my son. My own son, Igwe you
must do something” Lolo barked again

“My Queen with all due respect I bid you to
keep shut” Onowu said

“What?? I should shut up” Lolo asked more
angrily and the Igwe looked at Onowu

“Azuka deserves more than this” Uchendu said

“Do you know the weight of crime he
committed?” Okwanku added with a question

“Rape!!” Ukadike concluded
“And so what?? Has he raped your daughter
before??” She asked them with her eyes all
gulped out

“His attempt to do so to my daughter Ada
brought this upon him and point of correction,
Anochie did nothing to him, it was his guards
that beat Anochie blue black” Ukadike said in
annoyance

“Even if he sleeps with all the girls in this
village!! Is that why a mere commoner will do
this to the heir apparent to the throne??!” Igwe barked at all of them

“Igwe! Are you the one saying all this?” Onowu asked all surprised

“And who is this Anochie?” Igwe asked
“Anochie is my brother’s only son, he is not
evil, the Prince should tell what happened to
him in his ordeal to rape my daughter” Ukadike said boldly hitting his walking stick on the floor

“Gbam!!” Others affirmed
“Guards!! Guards!!” Igwe called and four hefty guards came kneeling down

“Go and get Anochie for me, he must pay for
this!!” Igwe said angrily still holding Azuka

“But Igwe….” Uchendu tried saying

“All of you get out of my palace” Igwe ordered interrupting Uchendu

“What??! Igwe you are asking us out of your
palace” Onowu said in shock

“You heard him, Out!! Or should I call the
guards?” Lolo said in Pride and disdain

“Don’t let me loose my temper, get out!!” Igwe barked at them and they all stood up shaking their heads

“Cheii.. Aru (Abomination)!!” Onowu lamented

“Umuanyanwu is finished!” Uchendu added
“The worst has happened!!” Okwanku added but Ukadike ran faster to his late brother’s house and other slowly followed him…