The conquerors

Arzika tyranny

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 were visible, which 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 judgments, 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's 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 very reserved and contented, and his obedience and loyalty were 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 to fighting the corruption, he brought sanity back to Nasara. He empowered the youths and employed more trainers for the soldiers of Nasara to perfect the Emirate's security. He provided the hunters with more traps and the fishermen with more equipment, the market women could not express their joy as he blessed them with shillings and gold. 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 half the income made by the citizens, he also overtook all the farmlands 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 harvested crops to the warehouse when 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, and poverty was at its 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 forthcoming 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 are tantamount to our health," The Health Chief added.

" Eat more fish, and tell your women to boil their food well," Arzika replied with 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 on Nasara if Arzika becomes emir. Nasara can only be great when a stranger sits on the throne," Welfare Chief recounted the old priest's 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, and he assured him 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

They hailed him with praises as he walked to his seat, he walked like the ruler of the world, he demanded some fresh wine and 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's 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 but 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.