OSUPA DUDU (Black Moon)

ACT 3: Ajadi

Osupa Dudu village.A forest clearing. Ajadi enters, tall and muscular dressed in a warriors attire. A blade and a axe tied tightly at his hip . watching around cautiously. He stops at the middle of the stage, poised and ready to fight. listening to a rustling sound. He relax after awhile, An animal he suspects. He swings his head around once more to observe his surroundings. Moonlight and grayness of fog and Ajao his right hand man, are all he can see.

Ajao: (Quietly) My lord? (Ajadi ignores him) Ogigi o’logun o!

Ajadi: What is it?

Ajao: Forgive my curiosity…

Ajadi: Speak Ajao

Ajao: We are closer to the border. It might be dangerous to cross. Before us lies the soldiers of our rivals. I would prefer we rather turn back my lord.

Ajadi: A lion does not hide from little pests with no threat, he walks with pride. I fear no one, I have too many battles to fight to worry about this peace-devoted enemy. You should know this by now Ajao.

Ajao: Forgive me my lord.

Ajadi: Come, we must continue. The night is against us. I must find a new ogun-aje

Ajao: And you plan to find her tonight?

Ajadi: (Halts his steps, as if speculating oh the matter) No. Not tonight…. but in my dreams, this is where she appears.

Ajao: At the border? Perhaps one of our enemies has her.

Ajadi: (He directs his gaze to the moon, disappointed) No. She is yet to come.

Ajao: Again pardon my curiosity, but from where do you expect this ogun-aje to come?

Ajadi: From the edge of the world. (He turns to leave) Come. she is not here.

Ajao: …..Emmm… my lord (Ajadi ignores him again.) ogigi-ologun o!

Ajadi: Speak

Aajo: Did your dreams say when she would come?

Ajadi: Dreams are like shadows, even I cannot fully capture them.

Ajao: Except the one about your ogun-aje….

Ajadi: You play with words! You dare tease me Ajao?

Ajao: Forgive me ologun.

Ajadi: It is different this time, she will be here. I know it. (His gaze lingers into a distance before him) It is my destiny to reclaim the lands lost by my bloodline before the era ends.

Ajao: We have less than a fortnight my lord.

Ajadi: She will come.

Ajao: I know the value of a good ogun-aje. We can post a guard, if please you.

Ajadi: Very well then. A dead one wont do me any good. (He brings out a black stone-like carved gem from around his neck, a powerful representative of osupa dudu village. He lends it to Ajao) use this on my behalf to instruct our scout to claim her.

Ajao: Your wish is my command. Ogigi-ologun o!

Ajadi: (looks at his skeptically) Why then do you call me your lord?

Ajao: You are our most powerful and most feared warrior, you rule this land with the topmost supremacy, no one dares cross your path lightly. Definitely we obey you so you are our lord, my lord.

Ajadi: You are quite the praiser Ajao.

Ajao: Ogigi-ajadi- ologun o! (He praises as Ajadi leaves the stage proudly)

(Blackout)