The survival

Chapter Eleven: The purification

The Purification

The king of Umubantor gathers himself the prince and princess of his kingdom, chiefs, warriors and alongside his subjects both young and old, infant and toddlers to the village square for a reason none knows.

The priest, young and old if the Ezeomu and likewise the great seer of the gods the ọkara mmadụ ọkara mmụọ together soon after the arrival of the people and everyone to whom the call might have gotten to, the king greeter walks in followed by the king the people greets him, he weave his horse tail in acknowledgement before he proceeded with his speech of the day.

"As you all might have heard or known that … the palace have being harboring some stranger for some days now… as per culture and custom of our land 'he waits to see his subject reaction before he proceed' we are here by custom to welcome them into our mist on Afo day but before I call them I will like you to show them equal respect you show me and that of the royalty"After this the subject were permitted to voice out and speak out their mind.

" Why … they are only strangers who are to be assigned to farm work or better still work in the palace …why giving special treatment?? "A man asks as the people chorus yes in agreement they start to nod their head murmuring filled the gathering.

The Ezeomu clears his throat as tells them the strangers or whatever they call them are a special kind an average woman asked in what way were special and in what account..

"They are people of my equal …people or should I say children who will build a great kingdom for me and you, Obiora and unite three kingdoms together, in order to make this we… they need our support, love, care and show them affection to them" The king explains as the people murmur and responds with an 'Oh' he asked if they understands which they chorus yes, presenting the two sister dressed in royal attires , their beauty became the talk among the people as each of the walks up to thank the people and make a pledge of their loyalty to the kingdom and its subject.

"Just like my sister had said … we are grateful for everything you have done for us both now and in the future regardless of the fact they see us as outcast … just like the physician see to save a person life, same goes the warrior must strive to defend his father's land regardless of all challenges and obstacle till his last breath… so we vow not to rest until we correct all atrocities in both kingdoms and repay your kindness ! "Ada says the people said nothing but remained silent as Amaka added.

" In order for us to acquire and obtain all this we need your support and help!" She said as she further pleaded with the people in the name of gods, goddess, the dead and the young girls being molested , with this the two sister knees begging the people afterward followed by merriment, chatting the Ezeomu stands to address after teasing and cracking jokes with them.

"Now the two will be purified by midnight along with some able warriors who are dim fit to fight.!" He said and left to stare at the silent crowd before he continued.

"It's going to be a tough and hard fierce battle, we will go before the idemmiri river consulting the goddess and seek her blessings and final all this will be done by the two" the chief priest says before he exist the gathering it's was such a long day, tired and exhausted Amaka and Ada on their way to the training ground when they encounter the king's son walking towards them complimenting their speech and manner, inviting Ada for a private talk Amaka trained along with the other guards and warrior who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nearest future Amaka urges them to not show any sign of weakness but rather strength in front and at the back of their enemies to those sent as species to Obiora and Umudike kingdom she plead with them to remain vigilant as she is putting her trust and that of their family in their hands.

**. **. **. **.

In order for the sent spices to acquire information from their enemies they had to mingle with the palace guards of Umudike and pledge full loyalty to the queen and her daughter, the princess and her secret lover's had started training able bodied man to attack Obiora kingdom and the few community remaining under them not knowing in their mist lies spices.

Among the spices sent to Obiora one was caught stealing food and sent to the dungeon to be beheaded only to contact the princess pledging his loyalty to her.

The two sister trained earnestly with the warrior and guards, after the purification by the priests the sister gets stronger and stronger each passing day as they were being trained by the best of all warrior from each kingdom, they fought and defeated some of the warrior making them outstanding and their name spread throughout other kingdom… the spices reported the king of Umudike missing during and after royalty meeting.

All effort to track him has prove to be fruitless, Obiora kingdom and community has become restless each day as most of its subject are either found dead or beaten blue-black the virgin maiden sent into the forest none made it back alive,children are scared to go out,women scared to go to the market place no where could afford to go out.The king regular lamention has always being "who will save my people?" Only the queen "princess" doesn't seems to be affected by this, the king kept pacing up and down the throne chamber restless lost in the word of his own thought didn't know when the Ezeomu enter incantation, he tap the king bringing him back to life the priest sits while the king remain standing.

"Igwe there is trouble in the kingdom !" The Ezeomu says the king smiles what trouble would be greater than that of the one they are presently in.

"The gods have spoken … I see strength and energy returning to us and then in between lies betrayal and bloodshed!" The priest says making sure his words sinks in.

"Who will do all this and where is the bloodshed coming from the gods are speaking in riddles' ' The king replied with ease… the priest suggested they visit Ezenwanyị of idemmri she might have an answer to his question.