Love and Liberty

Many centuries ago, Ifa diviners found out something which they believed was a prophecy of future events, it told the story of two special lovers who would deliver the Oyo Empire from the hands of tyranny and liberate them from the b*****e of the foreigners. It's been over five hundred years since then, and Oyo hadn't experienced what was told by the Ifa diviners, many called them liars, and people thought they only said that to save their asses from the shackles of an issue they once faced in the past. Now we are under the rule of King Adewale Adetunji, a benevolent king who ruled with compassion and the joy of his people at heart. King Adewale's only brother, Ademola had an idea that he believed was the next big thing, and he thought it would grow their empire in ways unimaginable. He wished his brother would listen to what he had to say. One evening the brothers went riding and ended up at the shore of the Sea, as they rested Ademola saw a perfect opportunity to tell his brother his ideas, "Brother all the King in the other lands are a part of this new trade and it has proven to be the best trade so far, I wouldn't want us to be the last to join in" Ademola said pleading with his brother, King Adewale replied "Brother you are being naive, I have heard of this trade you so fondly spoke about, the trade of selling Our people, you know me well enough to know I won't be part of such debauchery" he continued, "we are a blessed people having many tradeable resources with great value, and also serve as means of subsistence, we do not need to sell our people to the foreigners to maintain Our Empire". "But brother-" added Ademola, as King Adewale yelled cutting him mid-sentence, "I will hear no such from you again". King Adewale rode ahead. Ademola stayed behind and watched the waves looking for a way to convince his brother into doing his bidding, soon he could make out a ship on the sea sailing his way, at first he panicked and thought they were being invaded, so he hid and waited, as the ship docked he saw the foreigners he so wanted to work with exit the ship, some sense of courage and hope for a better Oyo Empire came upon him and he made his way to the ship, on getting there he disarmed himself trying to communicate with them, I mean no arm, I want to see someone in charge, a soldier came close and Ademola was at gunpoint, then a warden came out of the ship and ordered he was brought to him unharmed. Ademola was treated like a king and given the utmost attention, as he was taken to the warden's cabin as Ademola waited for him to arrive. As the warden arrived, Ademola was shocked to hear the warden speak his maiden tongue, "You speak our language" Ademola asked, "Yes, I had to learn it to remain the warden, every high-class official in our land knows our tongue" replied the Warden, "It makes our job easier, eliminating the need for a translator and makes it certain they can't go behind our backs. Now for the most part, why did you come?" Ademola answered, "Well I am Ademola Adetunji the brother to King Adewale Adetunji, and I know about the new trade of your people, and I am interested in it, I tried bringing my brother to the light but he is a strict man, and wouldn't condone it" "So why exactly are you here, I should be speaking with your brother instead," said the Warden. Well, I have a plan but I'd need help to Carry it out" replied Ademola. "What do you have in mind?" The Warden asked. The rays of the radiant morning sun combined with the intensity of his mother's voice woke up Olamide from a very deep sleep. Ola! Shouting at the top of her voice " won't you go to work today". She asked aggravatedly while leaving his room swiftly. But Olamide looked indifferent about his mother's nagging all thanks to the power of repetition. "Ola! are you deaf go and bathe and go to work" Aduke aggressively talking to her son. "Mom I have to tell you something" Olamide attempts to talk to his angered mother while ignoring him sharply so he raises his voice to emphasize the need to communicate with her. Aduke sees how her son is serious about speaking to her. "What again," she said. "Leave the market early today," he said surely. Aduke, it's time ooo lets us be on our way Adufe alerts Aduke she has overstayed at home quarreling with her son, "I am coming my sister" she responds. She then grabs her basket and walks out on her son. "You are late again", Olamide's blacksmith boss said, I won't put up with this your lackadaisical attitude is which is becoming too frequent. "I am sorry sir" olamide responded. "Enough of doing nothing go and add more wood to the fire and clean up the farm tools you made yesterday, Mr. Alao could arrive at any time from now and also forge those tools that are in the chart". He commanded. It seems he was keeping Olamide because was a special lad compared to other apprentices, he could see events that would happen in the future. A very rare gift Ola's boss uses to make decisions for the future which makes Olamide his boss's favorite among all his apprentices. Olamide was like the apple in his eyes but Olamide's indolent nature is getting on his nerves. Ola, I would be going to the association meeting, when Mr. Alao comes, give him his products, you are in charge till I get back", Olamide's boss said. "Oh here he comes, Mr. Alao, I'm heading out get your products, from Olamide". "Olamide my friend, what do you have for me today", Says Mr. Alao. "Good afternoon Sir, these here are your farm tools", Olamide replied, "I see a Good harvest for you soon, but you mustn't go to the farm today, I see darkness", "Ok Ola thank you, you've never been wrong, these tools are quality, you are getting better". Ola laughs and waves goodbye as he leaves. A young maiden with Shadow black bold skin, smoldering doe brown eyes, her coral black hair crashed over her shoulders, her sculpted figure and acorn, her quarter moon eyebrow and seashell eyes, and also her button nose that curtained her oval face. she elevates herself with both her attitude. She rushed to her mother asking, " Mother what's happening here?" as she dropped the pitcher full of water on her head, "Abeni, they are here again for the pay" She says opening her arms to receive her, "Is father back from the farm yet?", Abeni asks, "I Don't Care" the Fat man yelled "The loan is already overdue, and I need my money", He looked at Abeni erotically and smiles viciously, "I like her, if I didn't have many wives, I would have made her mine", He says as he smacks his lips seductively, Abeni's mother grips her harder, The Fat man continued, "Well there are other ways I could make my money" he smirked and added, "bag her". Abeni was then forcefully apprehended from her mother's arms. As they rode back to the palace, Gbenga asks Ademola in disbelief "Are you sure you want to do this, you know when started there is no going back, and also if we fail we would be hanged for treason." Ademola quite sure about his plans nods in positivity. Both were as scared as rabbits in a wolf's den as they were approaching the palace. Although, when they reached the palace they were already inclined to the aftermath of their actions. Stepping into the throne room, "Your majesty I wish to discuss something very important with you" Prince Ademola stated, "what do you intend to discuss with me" Adewale replied. Ademola went further "King Adetola of offa was not on the top richest Kings in the Yoruba land, he was a minor King before he started a new trade, now he has guns, mirrors and money in his reach." He continues "This trade is the most lucrative business you can ever indulge in." "So what is this trade you intend I hope it is not what you have been pestering me about?" Brother this trade is still the same but it could......"Enough of this, you had the guts to come here and tell me about a trade that will risk our people, you didn't even think about what our people will face in those abominable lands, not in my reign will such nonsense happen, if you ever speak of this with me I wouldn't spare you and get out of my throne room now before I call the guards on you now!". Are your ears on vacation, Get out!. Ademola was startled by his brother's response to his idea. "It doesn't have to end like this Adewale". Ademola threatened while storming out enraginly. Aduke has a gnawing feeling that she has to listen to her son, so she tells her Adufe that she has to leave very early although Adufe tried to convince her that more buyers could come to purchase more items. But, she didn't heed Adufe's advice by making an excuse that she was feeling dizzy so Aduke bid her friend farewell. " How was your day Olami?" she asked "it was fine but I am very tired I wish to have a long bath and a refreshing sleep" he responded. Aduke then goes into the kitchen to cook for herself and her son. While Olamide was lying on the mat and waiting for supper, Adufe rushes in sweating and breathing very heavily reports the current state of the town to Aduke and her son. "Your majesty! Your Majesty! The palace has been breached there are intr........," The guard reported before he was shot and killed in the king's presence, while Adewale hurriedly attempts to get a weapon to defend himself and quickly noticed he was outnumbered by white slave traders, he wasn't sure how his palace got breached by foreigners because his palace was heavily guarded. While he was at gunpoint thinking about who the traitor was Alas, he saw prince Ademola at the vanguard of the centuria that was sieging the royal abode. "You see brother I informed you about the easy way we could make things work out for everyone without nobody biting their fingers but you didn't heed so we had to switch methods up a notch". While smirking, he instructed one of his soldiers to apprehend Adewale's wives and children and bring them to the throne room where Adewale is being held captive. Now the hour of Incidence is upon us, a rough estimate was given that two-thirds of the town's population is here to witness Adewale's aftermath while being captured by Prince Ademola and his symbiotic slavers at his side. Unfortunately, King Adewale was still adamant about his decision and was ready for martyrdom and royally facing death. "It doesn't have to end like this Adewale". Suddenly, a Loud report of the rifle was heard who was shot the common people asked. But only one man was seen to be lifeless for now Alas, Adewale's body was seen in cold-blooded screams and cries of the commoners, but to their awe, it was Ademola that killed his brother and his offspring but they couldn't rule out why exactly. "All hail king Ademola, first of his name, king of the commoners, opulent, peasants, slavers, traders of the Oyo Empire". The Oyomesi declared very loudly while the members of his late brother's council pledged their allegiance to him instantly except the Bashorun who was a senior member of the Oyomesi. "So you won't bend the knee Bashorun". Ademola asks in amazement, " I have paid my allegiance to your brother, so I will never bend the knee for another", Bashorun replies. "Cut his throat", Ademola commanded and he was executed while his screams were heard at the time he was been slayed by the slavers. "Olami there is a problem in the town, the king has been killed and the government has been overthrown we have to elope this town or else there will be terrible darkness". Aduke said to her son." So what and where are we going to mother?" Olamide asks in a baffling manner. "Now you will go to Oritameta and wait for me at the junction, I'll meet you there when I am done packing our pieces of luggage." But mother that place is usually Empty and with records of bad events, Ola states in contempt. "Don't worry you'll be safe when you get there stay I'll be with you shortly. Aduke reassures her son. Olamide was anxious as he waited for his mother but it seems it was taking her an eternity to pack all their pieces of luggage. Fortunately, he sees his mother in distance, and the joy that filled his heart was unmeasurable just to see that she stops abruptly, waving her hand and bidding him farewell, he couldn't understand what it meant. Immediately, three slavers jump out of the bushes and capture him. They knocked him unconscious as they took him to the ship. Aduke was paid for her son as she weeps unceasingly. Soon he regained his consciousness and found himself in shackles in a tiny room filled with many others, he peeped out of the hole in the wall behind him, and sees his mother at shore bidding him farewell, while the ship sailed away, Mother! Mother! Please where are they taking me to". Olamide continues to scream while the ship sails farther away from the shore.