Arike

Chapter1

Men live their lives trapped in an eternal present, between the mists of memory and the sea of shadow that is all we know of the days to come.

George R.R. Martin

My thoughts ran wild as I looked through the transparent walls of my penthouse and down to the city of Lagos. It’s amazing. I tell you. Lagos might not be compared to other developed cities in the world, but it has its beauty. Speaking of beauty, my attention was diverted to the moon and her beauty as she shone so bright there was no need for me to light up my room. This beauty I can’t help but be blind to. When I see the moon shine so bright, I know I must die and live again.

Death. I am no stranger to death, for I have died and lived over and over again. I wonder what it feels like to be at peace finally and not live through this torture.

Turning away from the city and into my apartment, I sighed with satisfaction. I would count myself among those who evolve with time. My house is my haven. Looking at this picture never gets old. The walls are gray with a touch of white and all my furniture is black. I love to shop in my spare time, not for clothes. Art works, I could stare at a work of art for as long as possible, giving it meaning in every way possible. My apartment is full of them. Everywhere I go I have something to look at and to distract me from this boredom called my life.

My apartment has four rooms, but two are my major, bedroom, and pain room. Don’t get me wrong, I am no sadist. I just have to protect my secret on nights like this.

I slowly walked to my room and undressed myself. What’s the point of putting on clothes? As soon as I stepped into the pain room, I started to trace the claw marks with my fingers, knowing more would be added to these beauties. Making sure the door is properly locked with the utmost security, I walk to the end of the room awaiting my fate. Soon, I felt drowsy, it had begun and sleep took over.........

The dream.

The City of Owu 1800s

Just as my eyes opened, I heard the rooster crow signaling the start of the day. I got up from my bed of straws and stretched. Walking outside my hut, I looked up to see that the moon was leaving the sky and making room for her sister, the sun, to take over.

Taking my pot, I headed to the stream to fetch water to carry out my daily activities. After a few trips to the stream, all the pots in my house were almost filled with water and I just had to go once more. As I walked the familiar path, I couldn’t help but remember my trips with Maami along this same path.

Every morning when I was younger, Maami told me stories about who my father was just to remove the fear of spirits lurking in the dark. I was always fascinated by him, my father. Maami said he was a special man and that I was just like him ‘special’.

Seeing the stream up ahead, I walked right into it with my pot. The sky had become bright enough for me to take a look at my reflection.

My hair was wavy and long to my waist, unlike other girls whose full afro stood proud on their heads. My eyes were a very light shade of brown and my skin was lighter and clearer than an average light person. I had always known my father was a stranger who wasn’t from our land. This made me even more of an outcast.

I lived just outside the kingdom of Owu. It used to be just me and Maami but after she died, I couldn’t move just because I didn’t want to. Plus, I loved the forest and the feeling of peace and comfort I got from it.

I never tried to socialize with my age mates from the market because I was seen as an outcast. So, on days like these, Apomu market day, is the only time I make contact with other people. Mostly because people only go there to trade and no one cares who you are or where you come from.

Getting to the house, I dropped my pot and went to check out the produce which I had harvested yesterday, and the goat that was mature enough for sale.

Doing my morning routine, I noticed the sun had taken its spot proudly in the sky. I hurried to leave the house with my goods. I had a long walk ahead of me.

It was almost noon by the time I got to the market. The market was in full swing. I hurried to my shade and set up my goods. During the course of my trade, I always received extra attention from the male population because of my beauty and the fact that I was different. But I hardly ever paid attention, because once they got to know I was just a lonely orphan, they would all run. I don't blame them, everyone wants a girl from a good and noticeable family.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of horses in tens running towards the market from all directions. What confused me the most was the fact that nobody seemed fazed about this. Then I remembered, I was different, hearing from a reasonable distance was one of the things that made me special.

A few guards from Ile-Ife were lurking since they controlled the market. I had successfully sold my goat for a good amount of cowries and was about to hand it over to my buyer when I noticed the sound was much closer, and then I saw them.

They were the Owu army. The Owu people had pride in their army, or so I’ve heard. All the men on their horses were big and looked extremely strong. As they rode into the market, destroying everything in their path, they had extremely arrogant smiles.

The guards from Ife brought out their weapons and tried to defend the market but they were killed within the blink of an eye. Chaos was everywhere, men, women, and children running all over, but the market was surrounded.

In this chaos, an amazing smell hit me. It was so addicting and delicious. In this chaos when my life was at risk, when I could be dead within seconds I searched for the source of that smell with desperation.

Men were gathered together and made to kneel with their hands behind their heads. Some who resisted were moved aside and beaten to meekness while the women sat together crying. I was the only one standing, and somehow I was ignored by everyone. It was in the heat of all this that I saw him.

He sat on his magnificent white mare, his leg muscles flexed with every step his mare took, his chest looked strong from a little skin showing from his battle gear, his chin well-chiseled and well-defined, his lips were full, and it looked so attractive, his nose was not any different as it was perfect, his eyes held so much intensity and power it made me quiver.

His eyes met mine and the whole place seemed to fade away. It felt like it was just the two of us against the entire world. His lips moved slightly upwards, giving the most beautiful arrogant smirk I have ever seen.

Suddenly pushed to the floor

‘and who do you think you are? Standing there looking at Omo Oba, you swine!’ He raised his hands about to smack me

‘Adigun, let her be.’ I heard a voice say, and it didn’t take much to know where that sweet voice came from. Missing my eyes on him, I hurriedly raised my head to take in his beautiful form once more. His mare came to a stop, and he descended from her gracefully. He took slow and proud steps towards me and bent down. With his deep sweet voice, he said

‘Ki lo ruko e?’ His voice sent shivers down my spine as I replied timidly.

‘Arike’

He placed a finger under my chin and raised my head to look into my eyes. We stayed that way for seconds staring at each other.

Turning to the guard who had been standing and watching our exchange he said

‘she rides with me. Prepare others and let’s head back home.’ He held out his hand for me to take. Slowly I accepted his help and was on my feet again.

Suddenly there was a loud cry from the women, turning our attention to the source of the noise I saw Iyunloye, the wife of Okunade the artist. Walking seductively to the prince.

‘My prince’ She took a light bow and raised her head, maintaining strong eye contact with the prince.

‘My name is Iyunloye, Your Majesty, I have skills in the art of designing virgin adire clothes and with this talent, I can enrich you and make Owu famous from Benin down to the borders of Gold Coast and beyond. Wouldn’t it be such a waste to sell me off to another who would take advantage of my talent?’

She offered him another seductive smile.

I looked over at the prince and saw how captivated he was by her and I couldn’t help but feel a hint of jealousy, but again who am I to question him? Why do I feel like I have a claim on him already?

You ride with us. But if I find out you lied to me, you will be in great trouble.

The way he said the word ‘trouble’ and the seductive look he gave Iyunloye had me rolling my eyes yet feeling a sharp pain in my heart.