Chapter 4: Slaughter
1269 Words
"Father ,are you really sure of this ?" Prince Ogadi queried his father
"What ?" he turned to his son
"Father ,You are not going inside that river ,are you ?"
"Ogadi you have to understand that I am not a coward!"
"Father ,I know but you should send some warriors to accept the challenge . You don't have to go ?"
"And when did you became my personal advisor ?"
Prince Ogadi sighed heavily . He knew his father is a stubborn King and also very caring to the point of death .
"Father ,please send some other people not you yourself "
"And that makes me a coward "
"Father that's not cowardice it's strategy "
"No!"
"Father ?"
"Leave !"
"Really ?"
"You heard me right "
Prince Ogadi gave his father a simple glance before leaving .
* * * *
King Ogbunigwe was sitting on his throne sipping palm_wine leissurely
when Ogwumagala appeared out of tin air
"Ah, Your Majesty " he bowed to King Ogbunigwe who kept a straight face unfazed by his sudden appearance
"Your Majesty !!" he shouted louder this time around as he bowed
"Ah !Ogwumagala ,do you want to deafen me?" the King asked in frustration
"I didn't mean to,Your Majesty but you ignored me" Ogwumagala sulked
"Keep bowing ! You are so annoying"
"Majestyyyy." he whined
"Okay . Stop being childish and sit down before I make your stay here a miserable one"
"Thank You, Your Majesty " he smiled and sat down
"Can I get a cup of the wine ?"
he asked stretching his right hand towards the keg of palm wine
"Is that what you came here to do?" King Ogbunigwe asked pretending to be angry .
Ogwumagala scratched his head playfully "Partly"
"I wonder why the gods chose a foolish man like you " the King rolled his eyes at him and continued sipping his wine
"Of course because of my zeal and destiny " he reached for another cup and poured himself some wine
"Cut it and go straight to the point "
"They are prepared and waiting for your attack" he said in a serious tone after he took a sip
"Tonight"
"Tonight I will have a taste of their women" Ogwumagala chuckled and King Ogbunigwe glared at him
"i***t"
"That man is a fool" Ogwumagala cursed after a while
"Embarking on a battle he's destined to loose"
"Yes. A bloody looser ."
"I have been eyeing there bountiful land . Who knew the gods are also eyeing their land"
"They don't deserve the land though "
"Indeed "
"So ,how will it be tonight ?"
"I will kill him "
"Good "
* * * *
In Okpuje Royal Army camp
The warriors dance ,clap and flex around a circle of fire . All in the mood war
The King had everything well prepared;he had squads situated at every exit of the kingdom . He also had tight security all round the palace .
"I just wish we have another option " he thought but it's just a wish,just a ......
"Father !" he was awaken by his son's voice
" You should be at the palace " he muttered
"Doing what ?" Prince Ogadi asked as he sat beside his father on the wall of the camp.
"Guarding your sister and mother , of course "
"Well, Egede is among the recruited warriors "
"What ?" he turned to face his son
"Why did you allow her? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well, she insisted . I thought you knew "
"No. She have to go back to the palace ." he said standing up
"Relax,Father "
"Why should I?"
"She passed all the training and test within this two days of intense training "
"You mean she passed through all those tortures ,the mountain climbing ,fencing ,archery......?"
"Yes and trust me ,she is so strong " .
"Just like the late queen "
" Yes. "
"Papa!" Egede called coming to meet them
"Silly girl. You don't know there is no family in the battlefield "
"Cut it . Don't you think we have to be going " Prince Ogadi said
"You are right ."
" Jealous ?"
" For where?"
"It's okay . Blow the horn !!"
Soon the sound of horn was heard and the warriors squad leaders position themselves while the warriors lined up behind their squad leaders neatly
" Rule one!!!"
" Think fast and act fast!!!! " they enchanted as they thrust their swords up
"Rule two!!!"
"Fear not!!!"
"Rule three!!!"
"Strike without mercy !!!"
"Okpuje !!!"
"Yes ,we are the Okpujes !!
The mighty children of Ejila!!!
Together we move !!! To move forward is our tradition!!!
We move !!!"
"Okpuje!!!"
"Yes we move !!!
"OKPUJE!!!!!"
"We move !!!!"
"Halalalalalalalalala?"
"Waaaa! Waaaa! Alelelelelelele!"
With this they sprinted out
* * * * *
In Ntaka River
King Ogbunigwe was seated on a canoe as they near Okpuje kingdom .
Hundreds of the warriors filled their massive number of canoes as they reached the shore .
As they alight from their canoes , they scanned their environment but got no sound but the chirping of birds.
"Majesty , I think they have retreated " Ikedi ,his second in command whispered to him
" I don't think so" King Ogbunigwe mumbled as they heard a gasp . They looked and saw two of their warriors bleeding lifelessly on the ground .
"How can we not entertain the almighty King Ogbunigwe to our beautiful land " they heard a girl's voice as a tiny girl emerged from the darkness walking fearlessly while Okpuje warriors came out from the bushes .
"Ogbunigwe" King Okanga called as he came to the forefront as the commander
"Wow! Look at who we got here " King Ogbunigwe said as he towered towards them while the Okpujes Drew their swords ready to strike .
"Calm down ,will you?"King Ogbunigwe smiled as his warriors drew their own swords
"I wonder why you embarked on a war you are bound to loose" he twitched his brow irritatingly
"Cut it evil soul !" Egede cursed
causing King Ogbunigwe to turn to her
"You are the one that fired that shot, aren't you?"
"How do you see my gift ?"
" Egede!" Prince Ogadi warned as King Ogbunigwe grabbed her jaw fiercely
"Let go!" King Okanga strikes his hand which he barely dodged as he got a cut on his arm
"Protect His Majesty" Ikedi commanded but arrows rained from the surrounding trees on them killing many of their warriors
"Oh, I like this your strategy . Archer!!!!"
Soon war sparked .
Even though,they were outnumbered, Okpujes brought many of their opponent down .
"Majesty!!!" King Okanga was stopped by his wife's voice .
He looked up and saw Queen Akuoma being held with a dagger at her throat by Ndeagu warriors
"My queen !!" he attemted to rush towards her but he was stroke in the throat causing him to tumbled and fall
"Majesty !!!!!!!"the Okpujes shouted as they rushed to their King but Ndeagus used the opportunity and subdued them.
"My husband!!!" Queen Akuoma tried to run to her husband who laid motionlessly on the ground but she was held back .
"Majesty ,he's dead!" Ikedi reported after he shook the lifeless body of King Okanga and the Okpujes let out a wail
"Nooooo" Queen Akuoma struggled again but King Ogbunigwe slit her throat open leaving her lifeless
"Mother !!!!!" Egede and Ogadi shouted before someone hitted their necks and the slumped down.
- Writer
