Love and Liberty

Chapter 2

This is the fifth day of mourning of the late king Adewale and his descendants, some people saw king Ademola as a psycho the murdered his brother and at the same time buried and mourned him for 7 days while throwing feasts and tournaments in the name of grieving.

The concept of s*****y was quite Alien to him, all thanks to King Adewale, a man of the people. So this made it quite difficult to believe his mum would willingly do this to him. Why?, Olamide couldn't get that thought off his mind. He needed answers to these burning questions, why would the only person that has ever been by his side do such, these were the thoughts that filled his first week on the slaver's ship. It was bad enough that his city was under siege, now the feeling of betrayal struck him. He had never felt this way his entire life. The sea was new territory to him, he had never gone fishing in waters greater than the magnitude of Odo Owa, the village stream. Although, he handled it quite well compared to how others were taking it. Many were seasick and several had died already and their bodies were thrown into the sea, Worst was that they were left for days before being taken out causing a stench in the tiny rooms where they were kept. His powers had failed him because he could see all their sad aftermaths, he could see the future events in the lives of those he met but couldn't see his own, this was something he learned to live with, but they would have come in handy in helping him avoid this whole situation. Looking at the people he was kept with, he could tell who wouldn't survive till the end of the journey and had to watch them go through those gruesome conditions, Just to die before the ship docked. He considered escaping, but the sea was more than an obstacle in his way. Days passed, days became weeks and weeks became a month on the slaver's ship which was getting tougher than he thought, the winds on the sea were nothing he had ever experienced which made the ship be tossed up and down by great waves. The next morning, as he watched the new set of deads being taken out, he sees this amazing and Intriguing damsel, she was in the corner all alone, he did what he always does trying to know if she would make the journey, but he found out he couldn't. This was odd there was no one he couldn't see at least a glimpse of their future aside from himself and this beautiful damsel in the corner. As the guards left, he approached her, "Hi I'm Ola I saw you alone and quiet and decided to approach." She turned her back while looking at the tides of the sea and was mute. Olamide tried to get to know her but all his efforts were futile he even thought she was disabled until one day she got irritated by the forceful union he was trying to create with her. " You are so irritating, what is your problem with me can't you just leave me alone?" she declared loudly it seems she was pissed by Olamide's lousy behavior. "I just want to know you that's all, so what's your name". He asked so "if I told you my name you would leave me alone and stop disturbing me". She said "maybe," olamide said while glancing into her brown eyes. "My name is Abeni, so leave me alone now" she threatened. That's a beautiful name but I never said I would leave you alone". "You are the most annoying figure I have ever seen in my life can't you just take your s**t to another person or place and leave me alone!". Olamide was lost in her orchid-pink lips, it was pretty clear he wasn't in the know she was cursing with them while Abeni irritatingly left his presence.

"Hey come here ." One of the drunk slavers rambled with a hardened ale in his right-hand struggling into where the slave's cabin, "we want you to come make our bed warm.", Another slaver said to Abeni. "Please leave me alone." She shrilled for aid while the slavers grasped her arms tightly and dragged her towards their cabin for a gangbang. While they heard a voice behind them threatening to engage in an altercation with them if they refuse to let her go, turning around to see who that could be, and abruptly they noticed it was Olamide, "So you would beat all three of us because of her" he said sarcastically. "Okay let's see how that goes then". Abeni is been thrown away carelessly by the slavers while they prepare for combat with Olamide. While they rush towards him with a poor stance and poorly held fists knocking him out on his feet, olamide now lying flat on the floor while being beaten to a pulp by the slavers. "You black piece of s**t dare to involve in combat with us". One of the slavers cursed while pouring alcohol into Olamide's wounded face just to mock him.

Abeni drags unconscious olamide all by herself for help to resuscitate him from the deep 'sleep' he inflicted on himself all because of her.

"You didn't know how to fight, then why did you fight with them all because of me", Abeni questioned him. "So you don't know you are special to me." He responded. "I don't know what you want from me, I don't even know you", she replied. "But I do know that we have something in common we are extensions of the same root". "What did you mean?" Abeni asked "You are from Oyo right?" Ola said. "Yes, so what do you want now?".Abeni repeats the same question. "I just want to know you, that's all". Olamide uttered while looking into her eyes waiting for her response to be positive. "Okay, but there will be boundaries" Abeni stated, while her eyes bore into him.

Olamide was still baffled why he couldn't see anything about Abeni, not even a peek about her. His supernatural ability started when he was 4 years of age and since then he could see future events of anybody he meets in form of watching a play.

"How are you feeling now" Abeni inquired. "I am feeling good thanks to you," Olamide replied. "I should be thanking you instead you fought for me and won," she said sarcastically. He smirks and tries to inquire about her past even when she stated that there will be boundaries between them. Olamide is impetuous and asks her about her past. "So what brings you here", immediately she yelled at him saying, "I told you earlier there would be boundaries" while standing up to leave him angrily. Olamide was amazed by her reaction to his question.

"I am deeply sorry for stepping on your toes just to satisfy my curiosity" Olamide apologized. "What is your deal with knowing my past?" Abeni asked

"My mother always says yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present," Olamide said while at Abeni's side. "Wise woman right?", Olamide continued. "Just because of your past doesn't mean you will reject this gift and remain doleful for the rest of your life." "The worst mistake you could ever make is letting your past determine your future."

"Instead of me knowing you maybe we should switch sides a little bit, you could know me now and when you feel like talking you could always speak to me," Olamide uttered in a low whisper whilst holding her hands and looking into her eyes affectionately. "Apology accepted, Mr. Curiosity what do you want me to know about you", Abeni said sarcastically. "Anything you want to know", "Hmmmmmm what about how you got here?" She asked, "My mother was the only person I had from birth and would never do anything to hurt me, she would do anything to protect me from harm and always provide food for us. She was the best person I had known but unfortunately, she was the one that sold to these motherfuckers I still ask myself why did she sell me despite everything we've been through together"Olamide said with his eyebrows low and pulled closer together and a pool of tears in his eyes with tears streaking down his cheek. Abeni full of compassion for Olamide's stories but she is not certain if she could trust him.

"So you aren't that bad but just indolent, Mr curiosity'" her voice rang in his head several times saying the same sentence with a nickname he earned from a close relationship with Abeni. Although, they met in an unpleasant situation which was the slaver's ship where they were tortured and molested. It was only her touch that could be a relief for this unfavorable condition. Her stench was always in his mind since they are always allowed to bathe only 2 times in two weeks. He could always long for her company anytime he wasn't with her.

Olamide sitting in a corner of their cabin thinking about her all day suddenly noticed she comes to sit beside him, quite shocked about how she's changed over the days. "But first she was repellent at first" he whispered to himself. "So how are you today?" Abeni inquired "I am am goo.......d" Olamide said in a stammer. "So what brings you here my queen", Olamide asked. "I have just missed your aura and I need to check up on my Mr curiosity" Abeni whispered. "So do you have an idea of what we are going to face in those abominable lands and you would be separate from me", he said whilst his expression became doleful all of a sudden. Abeni clasps him in her arms with affection during which she reassures him and caressing his velour black hair.

Olamide was lost in her walnut-brown eyes wishing he could be with her till eternity. She was like the missing puzzle in his life but he could not see anything about her future.

Since he could not see her finality but he was enjoying every moment with her.

"You know I have not told you about my past" Abeni muttered, "So are you ready to speak to me about it?"

"Yeah I think I am ready now", Abeni said

"Okay I am all on ears" Olamide uttered

"My full name is Abeni Akinwale, my father was a farmer and my mother a palm trader unfortunately my father's farm was infested by pests and diseases, so when had to borrow some money to run the family. But he was unable to pay his debts so my father, mother, and the usurer connived to sell me to the slave dealers all because my genitors thinks I am not useful to them by my being a female. " Abeni sobbed while tears rolled down her cheeks.

Olamide draws her closer her arms closer for a very passionate cuddle to console her.

"So how did you know that they conspired to sell you to these assholes?" Olamide implored.

"I was captured by the usurer, so while I was in his custody he divulged his conspiracy with my parents and stated the reason for their actions to sell me to the whites" Abeni stated. "Hmmmmmmm it is now clear why you were been stern with me " Olamide blithered to brighten her outlook.

The slaver's ship is close to the end of her long journey which will terminate at The port of Southampton. Although, all slaves are resigned to their fate whilst some are praying that they get good masters to serve.

Knock knock, My Prince, the king request you be in the throne room now, Prince Jasper rolls on his bed, swings his legs to the side, and stood up to the massive window, yawns, and yells "Be there in a minute", He gets ready and as he walks to the throne room many servants were busy preparing for a feast, "My Prince" they saluted as they passed. He gets to the throne room, and the King's Cabinet bows to him, "Father you requested for me" Prince Jasper said happily, "Happy birthday son, I shouldn't be the one to tell you to look good for your party", King Stephan replies, "You know Princess Myrcelle will be there, and as we were discussing before you arrived tying the knot of the engagement with her would strengthen the kingdom and increase our resources". "Father, not this again today, I just want to enjoy my day, it's not every year I turn 25, maybe some other time we may discuss this, just maybe," Prince Jasper said as he bids the council farewell.

King Jasper continues his meeting with the cabinet, "How are affairs in Africa, are things going well". "Yes your Majesty, we received a message that a ship would be arriving today, and with good news". The master of ships replied. King Stephan nods in approval.

By noon many guests had arrived for the celebration, King Stephan and his son sat high in the throne room as they received their guests, "Jasper, I'll be heading out in a moment, word has it that a ship from Africa has been spotted. I would like you to be there with me. King Stephan says, "and don't you think I forgot your gift, an open request son, anything you want". Prince Jasper replies, "I would be honored to join you father, and thank you for the offer, but I just got a feast I don't think I'll be needing anything else".

Finally, she docked at Southampton all slaves have been forced out of their cabins, in shackles, rags, and full of stench.

"Your Majesty, I bring news from Africa, we have control of the Oyo Empire, we facilitated a coup and the new king is in line with our ways, We would receive a ship full twice a year. King Stephan was pleased with the warden and his crew. "I am truly delighted with this turnover, I hereby promote you Liam Moore son of Bobby Moore from the post of warden of the ships to the Lord of slavers in Africa now stand", King Stephan declared while Liam gets up on his feet after accepting the badge of honor bestowed on him by his king.

While the slaves were brought out from the ship, abruptly a young male slave knocked out a crew member from his feet and runs away from the slavers foolishly in a stranger land but it was better to be lost in this alien land than be property to a citizen in this tera incognito. "Run after him and bring him to me alive".Liam commanded immediately his crew members ran after him to apprehend him. Unfortunately, he was caught by the crew members after a very hot chase. "Bring him to me"Stephan declared. "You dare run away from the English royal, you wretched black worthless piece of life, slit his throat immediately"King Stephan commanded. O

"Please father don't kill him" Jasper pleaded

"This is more than you, my son so just stay out of it," Stephan said when he was fuming with rage.

Liam while sharpening his blade, prince jasper reminded his father of the promise he made to him so moments ago.

"Father I want the life of that slave as my birthday gift if you may be benignant" Jasper begged.

King Stephan not making a word and raising his left hand which was a royal gesture for the mercy of the condemned. While leaving the shore with his red cloaks.

"So, what is your name? Jasper asks from the spared slave.

"My name is Olamide" He answered the prince.