Arzika's tyranny

4247 Words
      A light wind tapped Hamza’s face as he watched still, his mouth was sealed but his heart wailed, he prayed she wouldn’t get killed, he could control his invisible features but his physical features could not help themselves. No one could have noticed his broken lips or his shivering nose, only his red eyes was visible and that was made possible because he wore a stranger’s mask.         Arzika, the evil ruler asked his workers to continue with the ceremony. The barbaric ceremony had been making more waves in Nasara Emirate since he became  Emir. Arzika was so cruel with his judgements, his penalties for trespassers were worst than living in hell, he pulled out an evil constitution and equally set grave punishments for citizens who disobey. The most disturbing rule was the tax payment he enforced on the poor citizens, they worked more and earned little, he had ruled for a decade and his cruelty grew with him. Arzika tale was not a favorite lore for the children as all citizens including outsiders detested his actions.           He became an Emir at a very tender age. His tale was like that of a trickster, he used to be a very reserved and contented, his obedience and loyalty was topnotch, his father, the former Emir found him worthy of being a great Emir. Although, he was next in line (the first son of Emir Shehu Yerima). During Emir Shehu’s reign, corruption and indiscipline were very common in Nasara, Arzika who was the crowned prince contributed greatly in fighting the corruption, he brought sanity back to Nasara. He empowered the youths, also employed more trainers for the soldiers of Nasara in order to perfect the security of the Emirate. He provided the hunters with more traps and the fishermen with more equipments, the market women could not express their joy as he blessed them with shillings and golds. He successfully won their hearts, the Chiefs were so proud of him and they foresaw a great Nasara.            The story took a sad turn when he eventually sat on the throne, hitherto, the citizens tried to comprehend the reason for his actions, they felt Arzika had a genuine reason for his new rules, but they began to have divided thoughts as soon as the payments of taxes commenced, his rules were despicable, he demanded for half the income made by the citizens, he also over took all the farm lands in Nasara, he built a very large warehouse for farm products, he also set up a committee to supervise the farmers. The committee ensured that the farmers took more of harvested crops to the warehouse while they go home with ruminants or crops that have been damaged by pests. The Chiefs were forced to unzip their lips , the hardship was increasing , poverty was on it highest rate. " We demand an explanation for your action," A Chief stated but he got a savage reply. " I am teaching them, they waste resources and I have to teach them the basic skills of management, if you are a good observant, you will notice that we have been witnessing little or no downpour of rain for some moons, I foresee a famine, you all know how expensive it is to import food and other necessities from the neighboring Emirates, I am storing all these farm products in preparation for the famine," he was relaxed as he spoke and there was a mild grumbling among the Chiefs. " What about the tax, it is becoming unimaginable," The Commerce Chief added " Still for the same reasons, we need more legal tender to equip our soldiers, our swords and armours are wearing enough," " I think we should reduce... " I think I should reduce the attention I render to you. And I feel it is high time you took me as an emir and stop addressing me like I am one of your sons!" Arzika exclaimed. " Your highness," the Welfare Chief also wanted to speak but he was interposed. " Your royal highness," Arzika corrected him and the Chief submitted. " Your royal highness, we understand but the people who made you who you are, are not happy,they are hungry and sad," Arzika was more sarcastic" I forgot that I was voted for, I used to think that I was the crowned prince who only sat on the throne because my father's reign ended," " Your highness, I take back my words , it is your right but.. " No more buts! Henceforth, you send me a hint of what shall be discussed at any forth coming meeting or else, I will not honor any sort of invitation, " he glared at each of them and continued" any Chief who is not pleased with my actions can give up his title, and any citizen who feels uncomfortable could decide to leave the Emirate, and that would not happen without my permission, I am quite sure that the conditions guiding my permit would make them rethink, I am still the only Emir accepting strangers and you all know that! "  he pointed at them " if any of you quits, I will treat you the same way I treat the ordinary citizens! I am not that docile when I get annoyed!!" " Your royal highness, please we beg you to remain calm and bear with us, the rotten crops being sold by the farmers is tantamount to our health," The Health Chief added. " Eat more of fish, and tell your women to boil their food well," Arzika replied in a glance. " Your royal highness, about the hint you talked about, the former Emir never asked for hints," the Chiefs were acting like mules. " Stop comparing me with the former Emir, you have a new Emir and many things will take a new turn, meeting dismissed!"     Moons passed and the citizens had to succumb to the Emir's sentiments. The Chiefs continued with their meetings behind closed doors, Arzika's t*****e was becoming unbearable. The Chiefs had their meeting as usual and it was always about Arzika, the Chief of welfare was terrified. He feared that the words of the priest might come to pass. " I see sufferings , pains and wails in Nasara if Arzika becomes emir. Nasara can only be great when a stranger sits on the throne," Welfare Chief recounted the old priest words. " It is never our fault that we disbelieved the old priest, his words sounded like that of a mad man,remember, he warned us against the former Emir, but the Emir disappointed him, I cannot say he was the best Emir but he did his best" the Health Chief contributed. " But how would a stranger sit on the throne of Nasara? That should be the last option,it is not possible, what he said about Arzika is a mere coincidence" said the Commerce Chief. " I am equally confused , Arzika deceived us, why is so much angry with us?" While they had their conversation, a young citizen ran to them in tears, he spoke roughly, the both Chiefs interrogated him simultaneously, the teenager was having hiccups as he shuttered. " I checked your house but I was told you had gone out, it is the palace guards, they came to the market again for the tax payments, my mother had not made sales for some moons , she Pleaded with them to give her more time, but they refuse , they arrested with  three others" The Chiefs stood on their feet, the Welfare Chief consoled the lad, he assured that his mother would be released, the Chiefs got more shocked as more citizens flooded the surroundings with similar complaints. One of the citizens was bolder, he threatened. " There will be a protest if he doesn't release them" he said and the other citizens supported with an uproar. The chiefs called for an emergency meeting with Arzika and as usual, they gave their hints. he accepted to attend The hailed him with praises as he walked to his seat, he walked like the ruler of the world, he demanded for some fresh wine after then, he gave them the room. " Your royal highness, there is a situation" the Commerce Chief started. He faced the earth,he dared not look at Arzika eyeballs. " Speak"Arzika sipped his wine slowly " Nasara market women and youths were in my home earlier. They complained bitterly about his the palace soldiers humiliated and arrested some of them because they couldn't pay their taxes, the act from the soldiers should be condemned" " You just stated it clearly" Arzika was physically and undoubtedly less concerned" they refused to pay their taxes " No, they couldn't is different from they refused, arresting them is too extreme,  your highness" " I don't know why I have this feeling , are you correcting me? I ordered those soldiers to do what they did and you all shamelessly tell me to condemn it" Arzika reduced his tone"if they fail to pay their taxes, they will fail to leave my prisons, those who paid are not foolish, I only asked the soldiers to arrest them because I had no bad dreams last night, next time!" He increased his tone " they will not live to report to you" " I am sorry, your highness, it wasn't my intention to make you angry, but as the Commerce Chief, I am very disturbed, this might disturb our economy, we do pay taxes before buy it is nothing compared to what we pay now, try and reconsider, I beg you, release them and give them more time, I promise I will ensure they pay, please " " please your royal highness" the other Chiefs joined.         Arzika chuckled as he frowned "Commerce Chief, tell them to pay their taxes or else ..." Arzika clicked his tongue and made some warning sounds with his lips " I am not like my father, I hate to keep prisoners for a long time, meeting dismissed!" He rose and left the Chiefs bowed as he walked through. The Chiefs were bittered, they had their usual meeting, indecisions and unending arguments were the order of the meeting, some agreed it was better they called the Emir to order while others thought it was better they get rid of him, as he got worse by the day. " Arzika is a demon, a demon has become the emir, if we don't get rid of him, we shall all regret it, death is the only solution" said the Commerce Chief " Let's confront the old priests, I am repeating this again, let's hide our pride, he might have a solution" the Transportation Chief suggested. " The same person that believes that a stranger would take Nasara out of hardship and we all know that those are the words of a mad man" the Commerce Chief retorted " Should we sit and watch Arzika insanity?"another Chief blurted " Nasara is going backwards, he has taken over all the economy activities, outsiders have stopped trading with Nasara due to high migration fees, Arzika needs to die" the Commerce Chief lamented. " You are talking about Death like it was easy, why don't you send one of your sons to Arzika? Do you think that person sitting on the throne is still human?, it is better we visit the old priest" the transportation Chief insisted The argument lasted for while until it was interrupted by the loud sound of the horn "A royal blood has returned, that's a signal" a Chief announced " I am certain it is Tunau, Arzika step brother" another Chief added " Is he done with his training already?" the Commerce Chief rhetorically asked " Doing nothing does not bring the hare to the market ,when we get to the place, we shall find out, at least, it is a sign of relief, Prince Tunau has never been scared of Arzika, we have to get Tunau on our side and forage a lasting solution to Arzika's tyranny"        Tunau was welcomed accordingly with mild celebration, he was done with his combat training in the foreign lands, he already heard the stories and he was prepared to bring Arzika back to sanity, Tunau had missed his mother, the Queen Uwani, Tunau was the only son of the second wife to the late Emir, he had three sisters who were married to noble men from different emirates, the Queen had always been lonely and had waited for her son to return. She embraced him , and they chatted for a while, she didn't fail to tell him how evil his step brother had become. " I will see him at once"Tunau squeaked " Son you need to use your head more than your strength, he is evil" Tunau sighed as he turned to leave " I told the maids to prepare the meal, just exchange pleasantries and return, it has been a long journey" the Queen spoke loudly but Tunau walked like a hunter going to the get the animal he just shot.    Arzika ordered for his favorite dish for dinner, he usually dismissed his guards once he started eating, his favorite meal was some loads of freshly hunted bush meat roasted to the core and some wine. he was having his fourth bite of his meat when Tunau sought for his attention, " oh I thought he was waiting for me to give him a princely welcome ceremony" Arzika said sarcastically, Tunau honoured Arzika and the brothers who rarely talked to each other began some conversation. " You really look good " Tunau said as he walked towards Arzika " You are all grown too, I am proud of you. It is a good step you have taken, at least you will share your skills with the lazy and clueless soldiers i have around me" " I am not here to serve you" Tunau wore a dark look " Then why have you come?" Arzika was expressionless " To tell you that you won't live forever!" Tunau voice took another tone" you should change your ways so that your story would become a good folk lore for the future citizens of Nasara" "Really?" Arzika chuckled " join me , the bush meat is tasty, I guess you must have missed homely meals" " I am here to dine, just try and sink in my words. if you are hurt, deal with it in a less radical manner, you are being too ruthless" Tunau hands were on his sword " For how long have you returned that you have heard so much about me, or have I become so popular ?" Arzika glazed " This is not you, we are not too close but I can take a oath that you would never hurt a fly, what has happened to you?’Tunau was brooding " Am I hurt? " Arzika looked at himself, he scratched his arms with his fingers " see, see, i have no bruises, I am not hurt little brother, i am only reporting my duties as the most powerful citizen in Nasara" " Arzika ! I have heard a lot, you are misusing your power!" Tunau was pained Arzika became wild-eyed, his face was wrinkled with rage,he dropped his meat and pointed at Tunau  " next time you call me by my name, I will forget that the same man put our mothers in the family way, I will not only cut off your tongue, but I will also slice the tongues of whoever will survive you! Now get out!" "I am not scared of you,  you know I have never been. our mother stopped us from relating with you, she believed your mother was evil and she must have transferred some remains of it to you, but for long, you have proved us wrong, I can't really tell for now" with much seriousness " you were just a leopard trying to hide your spots, you only got to this position because I allowed you, don't be too excited, you might leave it soon, peace!" Tunau concluded and he use the very strong wooden door. Arzika temperature was high, he was filled with fury., the bush meat turned bitter, he threw them away angrily " no you are not this weak, Arzika" he spoke to himself " this rat thinks he is now a horse, it is time your end begins!" Tunau returned to his mother chambers , she waited impatiently, she was delighted to see him again, " I assume it went well" she asked as she served his meal on the wooden table " Yes mama, it did" Tunau, slightly undress, and simultaneously sipped some wine " You can spend the night here, your chambers is being arranged" " I heard he kept many innocent citizens in the dungeon" " Hmm, son, eat your meal" " I heard so many awful things he has been doing,I could not just wait anymore" Tunau dropped his swords , he sipped more wine and watched the air, he kept sipping till the night faded. Arzika couldn't sleep well, he was furious and he kept having his usual nightmares, he knew that he would wake up on the wrong side of his bed if he eventually slept. The next day was an orgy, he ordered a mass killing of the prisoners who hasn't paid their taxes, they were all hanged to death in the earliest hours of the dawn, Arzika ordered the horn blowers to blow the horns, every sound of horn has its different meanings. " When they gather at the palace, tell them to come for the identification of their loved ones"Arzika stated Nasara citizens were amazed at the sound of the horn " Is there going to be a combat competition" some of the citizen had the thoughts going through their minds as they walked to the palace " Maybe he released some prisoners" others also thought. But their thoughts were far from it, they saw the orgy and many passed out immediately, the chiefs broke down while tuna had ran amok, he confronted the Arzika, though some guards tried to prevent him but he defeated and even killed some, Tunau directed his sword at Arzika, the sharp edge of the sword had a zero inch with Arzika's chin, but Arzika remained comfortable on his throne. " You are not a human being, just kill everybody already and we shall see who you will rule! Are you not ashamed of yourself? You just killed innocent citizens!"Tunau said with all his strength, his heart beats were so fast " Hmm" Arzika placed his fingers on the sword pointed at him" this is a good sword, very sharp, now take it off my face’  " No!" Tunau glared " Do it if you can" Tunau targeted Arzika 's throat with the sword, he drew the sword but in a blink, Tunau found himself on the floor with only a bare punch from Arzika stood up to pick the fallen sword " it is a nice sword. It should be kept as a sample for the clueless blacksmith" he said , he walked slowly to Tunau who was struggling to breath. Arzika directed the sword toward Tunau’s neck. " I told you , I am the most powerful citizen in Nasara and you thought I was talking about my birth right position, the throne is just an addition, your advice sank, the only power I need now apart form getting more skill full soldiers is the ability to rule forever, the ability to input fear into the minds of people who would want to tell my story, they might have to bury themselves  a hundred feet below the ground to tell my story. Tunau, I know my enemies, and I will eliminate them one after the other!" Arzika yelled " You are crazy" Tunau managed to speak as he dragged himself on the floor while Arzika trailed him with sword " You should be ashamed of yourself, all you trainings in the foreign land seems like a waste of a life time, a punch supersedes all your efforts" Arzika gave an evil smile" don't worry, I will put you in the best prison, you have a blue blood" " I never thought you would go out of the ordinary, you have gone far. You stoop so low, you are a born coward" Arzika sighed "you need no special treatment '’  he turned the the guards “you” He called out on some of guards who were still recuperating from Tunau' s touch" throw him in the darkest dungeon, I am not being extra, he attacked an emir" Upon getting the information that her son had been arrested and imprisoned, Tunau's mother confronted Arzika, she was very blunt. she laid curses on him even after he warned her to stop. " Release my son or else, you will see my wrath!"  " He attacked me, it is constitutional to arrest him, I have respected you enough, you need to address me in a more decent manner" " I am the Queen mother, I have every right to tell you what ever” " And I am the Emir! mind your speech woman, any more word from you will determine your fate" " You will die a miserable death" " You are the one calling death upon yourself" " Let me see my son now! we will leave the Emirate for you if that what you want! " Nobody leaves without my permission, it either you leave with my permit or I banish you!" " You are a stench" Arzika was fed up, he asked his guards to arrest and throw her into the dungeon opposite her son's " at least I granted your request to see your son" She wept and cursed him more as she was dragged away like a commoner. Commerce leader home "Arzika has finally gone mad, he has imprisoned Tunau and the queen" the Welfare Chief said " the royal chef reported it to me" " Commercial leader, what do we do?" The Commerce chief bit his lips, he was exhausted and wan, they had to become tactful, Arzika was not soft. He had other influence, the title was not the only reason for his cruelty. " I think he needs to be distracted" the Welfare Chief suggested. " In what means?"  " For now, we have to turn deaf, for our safety, we have to pretend that we are with him, let's divert his attention" the Welfare Chief continued " What are you saying?" the Chiefs wondered. " Something about his marital status, an Emir without a queen is like a canoe short of a paddle" " How would  he getting married solve the situation?" " At least he would have other thoughts in mind apart from destroying Nasara and everybody in it"  "Would he grant the request?" " Let's give it a try" A loud bang was heard on the door, the man had the stranger' s mask,the man dress was gloomy, he was terrified and gasped for breath. " What do you want? Stranger?" " Please , let me stay here" " Why are you panting?" " I went hunting in the early hours , I forgot to set a particular trap,I had to take the risk to return knowing fully well that we have been warned to set trap or hunting only in the early hours of the day, so I returned to set it few moments ago" " So, what happened?" " Chiefs, I saw the unseen, the palace workers were uploading the food products to some people who are not Nasara citizens, I could tell it from the color of their robes" " You are joking" " They exchanged hands, I had to run because I was sighted" " Is Arzika selling the food he had promised to store for the future? this is the peak of corruption" the Commerce Chief was puzzled. " Stranger, are you sure of what you are saying?" " I swear with my life?" " This is the major reason he set the rules of dawn hunting, we need to act, Arzika must leave that throne, we must find a way to get him out" the Commerce Chief turned the stranger " you may leave" The stranger hesitated , he was too scared " Go home, you will be fine, tell nobody about what you eyes had fed you with" The stranger nodded multiple times as he took his leave. " I have an idea" They began to whisper " Let's release Rushewa" the Commerce Chief said , the others Chiefs exclaimed " she will end Arzika" " Rushewa has no permanent master, it is very risky,being that she resides in the place and has been locked for years" " All she needs is human flesh from who ever wants to become her master, once she is full , she could destroy the whole emirate" " I don't think it is good idea, she is only used during the wars" " Arzika is more than a war" " How do we go about it?" The Commerce Chief folded his hands and watched on while others kept mumbling.
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