The survival

The truth

Chapter Three

The Truth.

After the boundary had broken, Uchenna and her children were exposed to several dangers that the hut was their only safe place.

After being attacked by a deadly python on a cold evening she gathered her children. After a few minutes of silent passing she took a deep breath and smiled bitterly, not understanding the reason behind the two sisters speaking together "it's okay mamma." They both said in a comforting manner who looked up and down before clearing her throat.

" Children … I know I've sinned against you and your chi by not telling you the truth … " she stopped looking at her children who exchanged gaze filled with surprise and confusion but still nodded in response.

" Today I've decided to put an end to your long suffering and wait. " She says, releasing a breath, they draw near to her pating her hand in a comforting way.

" Mamma .. please do not forget that two head is better than one and the problem shared like you used to say is a problem solved" Amaka reply with all earginess lining in her voice, supporting her Ada encouraged their mother to voice out as it might help them overcome their trauma and difficulties, with a nod Uchenna began the story and journey of her life .

There was a kingdom called Obiora, that is where your father originated from, you both are not blood sisters … I married your father 'Amaka' when I was thirteen as per oath of the land… Nnamdi your father was a great hunter, we never knew what our parent had vowed to get us married right from when we were babies but we both fall in love at a tender age, even at his young age he was greatly feared by his peer group and that alone made me an envy of many maidens in the community, we had no secret as became each other companion.

Your father Nnamdi was a lovely man to the core. He could often help me carry and fetch firewood and pot of water; people do think I tied him or charmed him into loving me. She smiled at the memories of the past as it kept flowing back.

" Mamma if my father was such a lovely man then what are we doing in this dangerous place ?" Amaka asks while Ada listens carefully, digesting every word or sounds around her.

We got married to each other with little or no pains either worries as our parents gave their full support of our relationship … he did everything he ought to do as a man, during this time, the king announced that the bow and arrow had gone missing which was passed down from generation to another has gone missing after hosting the seven neighboring villages afterward the king was reported dead; the king was a great man just like his ancestor so the people mourned his death for fourteen days … seven days of no food … seven days of purification to send his soul away, all this while I never knew I was pregnant of you my child … When the time came to choose a new king, the ought to be new king was almost my age. If he was older than me it could have been by a few moons either seven moons older than me … were friends long before I knew he was a prince. The heir udoka mourned his father's death greatly … he ordered the throne be given to his uncle. Behalf until he comes of age carrying out all necessary purification by himself .

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

"I crown prince Udoka IV crown you echie Maduabuchukwu as the next Igwe viii of Obiora … I now ask you to swear before the people and the gods to abide by all given rules and regulations our forefathers has laid down "

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

Everybody was surprised by this statement as no one has excepted the prince to utter such but nonetheless the new king swore and likewise swore to find the missing bowl and arrow and to take the prince as his own son.

After the coronation the head of the maiden was banished for conspiracy against the royal family.

She was led to the border in company of the guards between the living and the dead.

Blessing was beheaded instead of banishment by the umudike warrior who claimed she was their indigen. Two years after your father and some talented warrior was sent into the evil forest to look for the ancestral bowl and arrow of authority but till this very day your father never returned as he promised to. … It hurts so much that each day was like a living hell for me, as per the crown prince's duty he could always visit the widow especially those whose husbands were sent to the mission so he could often visit me… seeing the prince was much of a great discomfort to me that I decided to leave the village .

I had forgotten that the eke was the day the prince would go swimming in the river so I went to get something, only to find the prince half naked lost in admiration of the prince elegancy didn't know when the guards had capture me that was when I realized the trouble I had brought to myself as you my daughter starts to cry in the hands you the prince in embarrassment I kneel before the prince asking for pardon.

"What do you want in uchenna?" The prince asked, that was the first time I heard the prince called my full name.

I didn't know what to say as I stammered.

"Can't you speak!!" He shouted at me that it was the first in three since my husband died.

"Am sorry … I was just passing by." I answered unsure of what consequence my action could bring.

"Do you know that you can be charged for conspiracy?" he said, of which I pleaded, holding onto his robe, getting annoyed with my carelessness, he continued to pet you, I often zoomed off to what it could have been like if your father would have looked like by now.

" What do you have to offer me? " He asked me to hand you over to the guard.

" I have nothing to offer you, my prince! " I answered, he smiled before striking a deal with me that if either of us crossed paths I could be his personal maid and if he did he could grant me a wish . Upon getting to my destination, Umudike kingdom, my family compound was filled with a crowd . None noticed my presence in the compound. I tried coughing. Maybe that could draw attention but that did nothing, so I decided to push through the crowd. "What is happening ?" I shouted, then everyone looked at me… some shook their heads with pity while others looked with sympathy towards me, then the message began to sink in. I rushed into my mother's room but I couldn't find her step into my father's hut was stopped by youth then the message sank in. I weep and weep but could that bring back what I have lost.

Nothing could be compared to the pain and hurt I felt wetin me as I search through my mother's property after their burial only to find a golden bracelet with a crave of "my heiress" I don't really understand this message so I continue my search only to find a broken knife wrapped with pieces of cloth, then it's occured to me that whoever that killed my parent is probably after all this, that night I decided to visit the priest only to see the king's wife "Queen of Umudike " speaking with the priest in tears.

Uchenna cried out as she could no longer withhold her tears, weeping her mother's tears Amaka encouraged her to stop if she no longer wanted to continue.

"What did you hear?" Ada who has been silent asked.

I don't want that girl alive.. remember if she lives our secret will be exposed, the queen says as the priest starts to laugh .

"Don't worry my dear the king will soon forget about the death of his beloved … ``With this I ran away from there. It's obvious they were having affairs. I thought within me that was a great abomination. With this in mind I ran back home scared of sleeping alone. I decided to go to sleep with my father's friend along with you, my daughter… I explained everything to them, and they held me until midnight. I was woken by my father's friend only to see two guards heading towards my father's compound . A few minutes later the hut starts burning… I couldn't scream … where is my voice… Early that morning my father's friend ordered me to return back to Obiora and live like I have nobody. Things became harder as the reality of life started to sink in… it was no longer the fantasy world I thought I used to live in then turned to misery, I hated my self-pity state as I always ask myself numerous questions.

"Why me?" This has always been on my lips morning and night. The only thing I had in life then was the hut your father had built before he had left you and my child.

In my lamentation I never knew the prince was standing outside our hut, I walked into him, he pulled me into a warm hug … another sympathy I thought though it was different from the whole wide world that I felt I was hallucinating.

"Believe me uche … everything will be okay" the prince whispered to my ear. I cried even more .

"Am sorry … I never knew it was like this … I never meant to add to your burden … please forgive me. " He apologized, all I could do was nod in his chest… I wasn't thinking of what might follow suit but at that moment I wanted to enjoy that moment. I needed a strong backbone, so I felt if I played along with him it wouldn't hurt anyone. In conclusion , I told him I had forgotten about his Pat deed, and he smiled and kissed me .