EGEDE:Fate of the Woman Warrior

"Papa" Fifteen years old EGEDE walked closer to her father, King Okanga as he was sitting down on a stool. "my beloved"King Okanga answered turning his face to her direction. "you are not sleeping?"he asked frowning. "hmmmm, I just came out side to urinate ,papa.You haven't gone to bed, why?" she asked as she sat on a stool beside her father. "well, my angel I came out to do the same but couldn't catch some sleep later" he said trying his best to keep a smile "Papa,are you sure?" " yeah. you know I like to my sweetheart" he forced a smile EGEDE gazed at her father for some seconds. "Papa, I know I am not a boy like my brother but ...." " EGEDE,do you know why I call you beloved?"he asked interrupting her. She sighed " you said l took after grandma" " not just that.you can see through me." EGEDE smiled " Papa ,tell me . What's bothering you?" "I am fine my dear. just some political issues" he kissed her knuckle. " go to sleep" he added She shook her head " I am not feeling sleepy yet" " hmm,if you said so " " Papa?" "Dear" " Tell me more about Grandma" King Okanga chuckle lightly " you also miss her?" " Yes,Majesty" Her father smiled. Of course, he knows his daughter. Whenever she addresses him as Majesty, she really wants the truth from him as Kings are honest . " Okay , your granny was a good woman but with her family and with her people . She was a warrior ......." " A warrior?" " Yes, a warrior" her father answered with a smile. " But women ........" " Yes, she was the first woman warrior " " How , Majesty?" " When my father, your grandfather was captured by Ani, a water goddess that lives in Ntaka River. Maidens of our land, Okpuje were ask to volunteer themselves to go in search of Prince Ijebu ,my father. Which many volunteered to go . Your grandma was among the volunteers against the will of her parents saying that she wanted to do what is right, she wanted to protect her save her prince. After the fortification, they left for Ntaka River,the world of mermen and mermaids for five days. Odili ,the priest of Ejila and my grandfather watched as many marine beasts attacked and killed most of them but my mother would always endure and survive the attacks just save her prince which she later did and came back with the almost lifeless body of Prince Ijebu as survivors. They gave her the title of first woman warrior and she joined the warriors . But my father later chose her when he recovered." " wow, interesting ......!" " yes, very interesting " Father and daughter laughed heartily. " She was so brave, I see" EGEDE said in admiration . " Yes, so brave ." " I want to be like her" she said staring at the starry night sky . King Okanga stared at his daughter who look exactly like his deceased mother " mother, what do I do in this situation?" he asked inwardly . At the throne hall of King Ogbunigwe " Father, are you really doing the right thing? "Prince Ahanna asked his father , King Ogbunigwe. " Olaka can never mislead his people " But what if Ogwumagala misspoke the gods ?" " Shut up ,son!" "Father?" Prince Ahanna was startled King Ogbunigwe sighed . He never spoke to his son harshly like this before. " go to bed" " Goodnight,Your Majesty " Ahanna bowed and left without giving his a chance say anything. "Don't worry, Majesty . He will understand soon" Ogwumagala appeared from tin air and sat on one of the benches in the throne hall close to the King . " And how many times do I have to tell you that I don't welcome unexpected visitors?" King Ogbunigwe asked sternly. " Oh,Your Majesty.You don't have to be so hard on......." " If you don't have any reasonable thing to say , leave before I cut off your tongue and feed it to my dogs !" " Your Majesty, Olaka is with you" Ogwumagala said in a serious tone. King Ogbunigwe hissed " it's just that Okpuje don't have any water source but Ntaka." " it's the will of the gods" " Mother ,are really not going to talk to father about this ?" Prince Ahanna asked his mother immediately be reached her chamber . She looked at her son and sighed " My dear , sit down" Queen Achalugo patted her bed motioning him to sit down . He sat down calmly but Achalugo can see that he is really worried . "My son" She said cupping his face with her palms . Prince Ahanna stared at his mother,sometimes he wonder how his mother ended up with a heartless man like his father only Queen Oma his father's second wife suits him better ,he would think . " I have tried my best but you know him ...." She told her son. " I just don't feel that what he's doing is right " " Even me but what can I do " " It's a pity that father doesn't listen to you " " Come on ,son. Men don't listen to women, it's the other way round" She chuckled . " But ,come to think of it . Okpuje don't have any other water source but Ntaka River! Isn't this wickedness ? That's....." " Wow ,righteous man ." King Ogbunigwe entered and gave his son a disdainful look. " Your Majesty " Both mother and son stood up and greeted him which he just nodded . Prince Ahanna resumed his sitting position . " Well, young man . I am spending the night with my wife tonight" King Ogbunigwe told his son . " But father , you have another wife and concubines ......" " Well ,your mother can satisfy my every needs today and take my stress away. isn't that right , Achalugo m?" he asked and Queen Achalugo blushed childishly. " Ah, mother . You don't want to be with me anymore " Prince Ahanna sulked " Wait o. Are you trying to drag my wife with me?" " Father ,I wanted to sleep with mother tonight but you have killed the dream" " Look at you . You better get married . Now, give us space, man" " Tomorrow will be with you sweetheart,ok?" Queen Achalugo petted her son while the prince nodded and left . " Well, you will be at my mercy tonight" King Ogbunigwe teased his wife as she blushed more .