THE SPIRIT BEAST

CHAPTER TWO

King Ozomo and his daughter Amaka were seated in the parlour, discussing family matters, when a knock came at the door.

"Come in," King Ozomo ordered.

A handsome man, dressed in a robe adorned with gold and diamonds, walked into the room, exuding confidence and royalty.

"Good morning, sir," Amaka greeted, standing up—which was unlike her usual dismissive nature.

"Greetings, King Ozomo," the man responded respectfully, bowing halfway.

"Yes? Why have you come into my palace with these men? I hope there is no problem," King Ozomo asked, eyeing the strangers.

"No problem at all, sir. They are my bodyguards," the man replied with a reassuring smile.

"Have your seat," the king said.

"Thank you, sir. I am Prince Alex from the Asaba Kingdom," he introduced himself.

"Alex," Amaka repeated, her voice soft with admiration.

"I would like to speak with you privately," Alex said, turning to the king.

"Amaka, please give us a moment," King Ozomo said. Amaka left the room, but not without flashing a charming smile at Alex.

Once she was gone, Alex spoke. "King Ozomo, your family is noble, and your daughter has captured my heart. I have been searching for a bride, and I believe Amaka is the one."

"So what are you trying to say?" King Ozomo asked, slightly puzzled.

"I wish to take your beautiful daughter as my wife," Alex declared. At his signal, one of his guards stepped forward and placed a large, ornate box filled with gold at the king’s feet.

"It is not me you are marrying. Let us seek the consent of the one in question," King Ozomo said wisely and called Amaka back.

Amaka returned to the room with a bright face.

"Amaka, this young man has come to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you marry him?" the king asked.

"Yes, I will!" Amaka replied excitedly. "If I don’t marry him, who will?" She ran and hugged Alex tightly.

"Stop that and sit down!" King Ozomo shouted, clearly upset. "Do you know him? Have you seen him before? Do you even know where he comes from? Amaka, what is wrong with you?"

"Father," Amaka said calmly, stepping closer to him. "It doesn't matter. If I marry him, I’ll get to know him more."

King Ozomo shook his head in frustration and walked out.

Amaka turned to Alex with dreamy eyes. "Alex darling, the most handsome man in the world. Your voice is like music, and your face shines like the moon. I feel like I’m in a dream."

"And you, my golden queen," Alex replied, holding her waist. "This is the wisest decision you’ve ever made."

"I know, my love," Amaka said, beaming. "Maid! Bring a drink for my future husband."

Alex brought out a box of jewelry. "Take these gold and silver ornaments and fine clothes to show how much I love you and how well I’ll take care of you."

"I know you will. You have the money," Amaka giggled, admiring the gifts.

Later, King Ozomo called Amaka again.

"Yes, father?"

"Amaka, I am very uneasy about this man. There are rich, respectable men in our village. Why not marry one of them?" he advised.

"Father," Amaka sighed. "You’re always like this. A pessimist. Please don’t stress yourself."

"Amaka, I have a feeling—like a dark cloud—that something terrible will happen."

"This is the man I’ve chosen. He is rich, handsome, and worthy. The others are dull and beneath my standard," she replied firmly.

"Then I cannot support this marriage," King Ozomo said bluntly.

Amaka knelt beside him, trying to soften his heart. "Father, don’t you want to see me happy? He loves me. I’ve never felt this way before. He gave me gold, he praised me, and he makes me feel special."

"Love is not in the gold or praise. Love takes time and wisdom. You’re acting blindly, Amaka," the king said, refusing to change his stance.

"Father, please… just once, support me. I’m your only daughter," she pleaded.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

King Ozomo sat on his wooden throne in the inner chamber, sipping from a calabash of palm wine. His advisor, Ogenyi, entered with a troubled look.

"Igwe, I bring news from the outskirts of the village. There are rumours that Prince Alex was once engaged to a princess in Idu Kingdom but abandoned her weeks before their wedding."

"Are you serious about this, Ogenyi?" the king asked, furrowing his brow.

"I am, my king. The people are beginning to talk. They say he is a wanderer, charming maidens and moving from one land to another," Ogenyi said.

The king stood up. "And my daughter still insists on marrying him. Hah! What blindness love brings."

Just then, Amaka entered the chamber dressed in a bright red wrapper, her head tied in gold.

"Father, you're here. I've been looking for you," she said sweetly.

"Amaka, you again. What is it this time?" King Ozomo asked, sitting again.

"I came to talk. I know you have your doubts about Alex, but can’t you see he loves me? He gave me gold, cloth, and calls me his queen. Don’t I deserve to be happy?"

"Happiness is not in fine cloth and flattery," the king replied. "I heard of his past. Did you know he left a woman heartbroken in Idu Kingdom?"

"People say all sorts of things to spoil what they don’t understand. Father, I beg you. I’ve made up my mind. If I lose Alex, I may never love again."

King Ozomo sighed heavily, his heart torn between his instincts and his daughter’s desperation.

“Amaka, I have a premonition that something bad will happen,” her father said in high sensation.

“Father, this is the man I chose. He is handsome and rich. Other men are dowdy and don’t meet my standard," Amaka said.

“Then, I don’t support this marriage,” he said. King Ozomo disagreed.

After many days of pleading and persuasion by Amaka and pressure from the villagers, King Ozomo finally, though reluctantly, gave his blessing—just to make his daughter happy.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The marriage of Alex and Amaka was considered the best of the century. The amount of money spent on the traditional ceremony was enough to build an estate across the entire village. Yet, despite the grandeur, King Ozomo wore a long face—his instincts about Alex were not clear.

After the marriage, Alex wanted to take Amaka to Asaba, where he resided, but King Ozomo bluntly refused. He stood his ground, insisting that he didn’t know Alex’s background.

"Amaka is already my wife! What is all this blabber dash you’re talking about?" Alex shouted.

"You called King Ozomo’s words blabber dash? She is my daughter, and you are taking her nowhere because I don’t know you!" King Ozomo fired back.

"I’ve already paid her bride price, so what is this bunkum behavior of yours?"

"Oh, I’m the one behaving with bunkum? Don’t worry, you shall see," King Ozomo shouted.

"It is you that will see," Alex replied.

"You’re talking to me like this? In my own kingdom? In my own palace?"

"And so what? See, this palace is nothing but chicken change to build in front of me—talk less of my father. Mind your mouth," Alex warned, pointing at the king.

°°°°°°°°°°

Months later, Amaka became pregnant. The joy of the king and the people knew no bounds, and a grand celebration was held.

The party was open to all classes of people from the community and neighboring villages. King Ozomo invited dignitaries and fellow kings to celebrate what the gods had done in his family. There was plenty of food and drink, music from musicians, and joyous noise from the people. Everyone was glad that a royal bloodline would soon continue. It was truly a day of celebration and jubilation.

"Amaka, my daughter," King Ozomo called out to Amaka, who was talking with some maidens.

"Yes, Father. Hope there is no problem," Amaka replied, walking closer to him.

"No, my dear," Ozomo said, holding her hand and guiding her to sit close to him. "Amaka, you are now carrying a child—not just any child, but a royal blood. I don’t want you to lift a finger. Relax and take care of my grandchild. If you need anything, call on the maids."

"Yes, Father. I will do as you have said," Amaka assured him.

"Were you able to see the herbalist?" King Ozomo asked.

"Yes. He said I’m one month pregnant," Amaka replied, smiling and blushing.

"Wow, the gods be praised. Let me pour you some palm wine," King Ozomo offered.

"No, Father, I’m okay."

°°°°°°°°°°

A few days later, King Ozomo called Alex to his chambers.

"My son-in-law, how are you doing today?" Ozomo asked.

"Is that why you called me here?" Alex replied rudely.

"No, my son—"

"Stop right there," Alex cut him off. "Don’t ever call me your son. If you see your own child, don’t you recognize him? Or are you saying I don’t know my father? Old man, if you don’t have anything meaningful to say, I’ll take my leave."

King Ozomo was furious and wanted to respond, but he held back.

"You’re not leaving just yet. I want to tell you that Amaka is my only daughter and child. I have no other. So I’m begging you—take care of her as you would take care of yourself. You know she is pregnant. Please, take it easy on her. I know she sometimes acts out of character, but she’s your wife. Don’t let anything bad happen to her," King Ozomo pleaded.

"Bullshit! That’s why I’ve been saying I should take her to my kingdom, where she will be treated well," Alex said.

" You will do no such thing Alex . Amaka will stay here and give birth even grow old here"king Ozomo countered

"That will never happen. I am married to her—she is my property now," Alex said with authority.

"Over my dead body will you take my daughter from my sight!" the king shouted, standing up angrily.

"Over your dead body?" Alex walked closer to the king, staring directly into his eyes, daggers in his gaze. The king began to shiver.

"If you wish to be dead, I will happily grant your wish," Alex said. He brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the king's nose, choking him with it as they both fell onto the bed.

"MMM! MMM!" The king struggled, trying to free himself from Alex's hands, but Alex's grip was firm. After much struggle, King Ozomo lost consciousness... and gave up the ghost.

"Rest well, my king," Alex chuckled, then calmly arranged the king’s body.

"Your precious daughter brought this upon you," he scoffed and quietly walked out the door.

Hours later, news of the king’s death spread through the land like wildfire. The village of Adege was shaken—a great iroko tree had fallen, and the grasses could not bear the pain and loss. It was a tragic tale, one that could not be silenced or unheard.

It didn’t take long before sympathizers from other villages and faraway communities began arriving to pay their condolences. Mourning gripped Adege like a heavy cloud.

As tradition demanded, every man in the village shaved his head in honor of the fallen king. The people wore black clothing whenever they left their homes. Fires were lit in front of each household—a symbol of mourning and respect for the dead.

Everyone followed the custom faithfully... except Alex. But no one pressured him—he was still considered a stranger.

According to the village tradition, if a king dies without a male heir, the husband of his first daughter becomes the next king. In this case, that person was Alex.

However, Alex showed no interest in royal duties. He bluntly refused to participate in the king-making rites, shocking the elders and the council.

Something was off. The people could feel it. But the storm that was coming... had only just begun.