Dethroned episode 36 – 37
DETHRONED
Episode 36
By AMAH’S HEART
” Rana I have a feeling that you want to save that young boy from the clutches of dëäth… Am I right…?” Great asked looking at me piercingly as though he could see through my soul. It’s funny how he still knows me too well despite the many years that has passed.
Well Great Uba is actually right, my compassionate nature couldn’t have allowed me leave this village without finding a way to set the young boy free.
I inhaled and exhaled deeply. Then I turned to look at Great Uba as I calmly replied to his earlier question
” You’re right… that poor woman’s tears pulled at my heartstrings and as a mother I can relate to how she must be feeling after seeing her child being snatched from her. That woman and her son is currently in a helpless state hence I would love to help her Great Uba!”
” I know Rana. I saw the way your eyes flickered with untold emotions and I didn’t need a messenger to tell me that you would go out of your way to save that young boy. This only means one thing Rana… that there’s still compassion and love for humanity left in your heart despite how many times you deny it” Great Uba said almost inaudibly and I laughed hysterically for a few seconds.
” You’re wrong Great Uba. I honestly don’t have any affection or care left in my heart for anything and anybody that relates to this village of mine…” I begun and paused to take a short breathe.
After a while, I continued my statement with my eyes still fixated on Great Uba
“..the only reason is that… seeing that scenario only brought back the memory of when Nene wanted to snatch my pregnancy away in my helpless state. Great Uba that’s solely why I’m moved to help her and her child.. it’s not because I love or that I’ve forgiven them!” I said shrugging my shoulders
” Rana you were once a sinner too. Recall that in the past, you had asked the gods to forgive and pardon you for your sins as well as for your countless mistakes..? Why then is it hard to forgive others for their sins against you…?” Great Uba asked and I scoffed without remorse.
” You already know the answer to that question Great Uba. It’s simply because I wasn’t forgiven neither was I pardoned.. nobody ever pitted or had mercy on me hence I paid the huge painful prices and bore the consequences for all my sins as well as the wrong choices I made” I replied with each word laced with bitterness and justifiable ánger.
” That’s why you were given a second chance to have a family which you’ve always dreamed of… besides even your daughter Olamma has been chosen to continue your reign and correct your mistakes against the gods and your land. So Rana I honestly think you should forgive and forget the past!” Great Uba uttered whilst staring at me but I was unmoved by his words of wisdom
” Great Uba I’m sorry to say this but your words still doesn’t change my mind about forgiving or forgetting what this people did. I paid the prices for my sins so they should do same by continuing to süffer in the hands of ruthless Nene whom they had later chosen to be their Priestess over me!” I answered nonchalantly with a firm resolution.
Great Uba sighed heavily after seeing that my mind is firm on my decision
” It’s okay Rana. I would no longer insist that you should forgive your kindred but please do me this one big favour. Would you do it for my sake..?” Great Uba asked now looking intensely at me and I answered in affirmation
” I consider you a father Great Uba. And I’ve told you already that you can request anything of me and if it’s something I can readily do.. then be rest assured that I’ll do it for you father!”
” Are you sure…?” Great Uba asked doubtfully and I nodded affirmatively
” Yes I’m very sure Great Uba” I responded reassuringly
Great Uba seem convinced and he heaved a heavy sigh of relief while I waited patiently to hear what his request could be. Great Uba begun..
” Rana after saving that boy… I want you to defeat Nene and her aides so as to set the villagers free from oppression and anguish…” He paused to exhaled and then continued regardless of my swift change in countenance followed by the unpleasant look on my face.
“…you’ve chosen not to forgive your people and I won’t keep insisting further but please and please do set them free Rana. That’s what I want to ask of you my daughter!” Great Uba said whilst looking at me with sorrowful eyes.
I looked at Great Uba amusingly before erupting in laughter. Honestly, I just couldn’t believe my ears at the funny request Great Uba is asking of me.
I continued laughing out loud in sarcasm and scorn.
Then gradually, I stopped laughing after observing from Great Uba’s facial expression that he wasn’t pleased with my sarcastic behavior towards him.
” Great Uba I’m so sorry for laughing at what you said earlier but I just couldn’t help it.. please tell me you were joking.. am I right…?” I quizzed hoping deep within me that it was indeed a bad joke!
” I know you are worried about your daughter Olamma…well she is safe. I led her to your old maiden hut and she’s been there awaiting the next instruction from me” Great Uba said ignoring my last question and changing the topic.
” You’ve been communicating with my daughter…? Great Uba don’t tell you are the one who had put Olamma up to this myopic act of coming here without seeking prior permission from me..?” I asked looking wide-eyed at Great Uba as I was trying my best not to be ângry.
” You left me with no other choice Rana! you were being too stúbborn and I knew that you wouldn’t agree to this. That’s why I had to pass through Olamma to get to you to come back here. I’m very sorry if I got you worried my daughter” Great Uba tendered an apology which immediately softened my heart.
” I honestly don’t understand why you want me to forgive and help this same villagers that hürt me… they wished me dëäth despite how much I loved and ruled them with utmost care. Besides Great Uba I no longer have my past powers with me… so there’s logically no way to set them free from oppression!”
” You know there’s a way to help them if you truly want to do so. Search your heart Rana and tell me the truth. Do you still not know how to set them free…?
I sighed in exhaustion because Great Uba is actually right.
I can help set my people free if I truly make up my mind to do so.
But then I don’t want to forgive or help out especially after remembering how these people had despised me so much.
” I’m sorry Great Uba if this would mean turning down your request… but I don’t think if I will want to risk my life and that of my daughter to save anybody!”
” Well Rana like I said earlier… it’s an humble request. I’m not going to impose anything on you so I’ll give you time to think this through. I just want you to keep it in mind that whatever decision you opt for wouldn’t change your place in my heart nor would it make me love you any less.” Great Uba said conclusively as he faded away from me.
After Great Uba left, I inhaled and exhaled feeling grateful that I will still have Great Uba’s fatherly love for me regardless of what decision I opt for.
I don’t know if I should sincerely forgive my kindred from my heart or I should just help set them free and afterwards leave this village without forgiving them…? I thought tiredly as I sighed.
I have decided not to forgive or help out but I don’t understand why my heart is still weary with many emotions.
I’m also feeling inwardly confused if I’m actually making the right decision or a wrong decision which I will regret later.
DETHRONED
Episode 37
By AMAH’S HEART
It’s been exactly two days since that day I spoke to Great Uba.
Honestly, I don’t think I can continue ignoring and paying deaf ears to the suffering that my kindred is being subjected to on a daily basis.
Yesterday, while disguised in my husband’s clothes I was present at the compound when the judgement on the young boy was being passed.
True to the helpless mother’s words, Nene had given the instructions that the boy should be put to dëäth by hanging after three days in príson.
As expected, both the mother and child cried as well as wailed on top of their voices but it didn’t change anything as the boy was wriggle away to the príson.
As I stood that day watching the whole scenario, my mind was greatly troubled and my deepest emotions were triggered by their tears.
I knew without being told that I needed to stop being self-centered especially when a child’s life is at stake.
That’s why I swing into action immediately, although it took a great deal of a mind battle before I could pull myself together to help Olamma maximize her full powers and potential.
Thankfully, Amarachi did a good job in nurturing her so it wasn’t very hard to pick up from where she had stopped.
I gave in my all to ensure that Olamma was duly prepared physically and mentally for the battle ahead of her.
Already we both know that fighting Nene would not be an easy battle at all because obviously her dark powers had gotten stronger over the years. Either ways, I am certain that my daughter Olamma’s powers is more stronger.
Inasmuch as I am still scared as a mother would be, I do trust my daughter’s capabilities. I believe that Olamma has it in her to defeat my enëmíes and set her people free from Nene’s wícked reign and oppression.
Today is the last day of our practice and tomorrow is when we’ve made up our minds to face Nene.
It’s after a tiring evening of helping Olamma train, that we sat on the grass at the bush we’ve been using for our two days practice sessions.
” Thank you mother for the training. I’m so happy you are finding reasons to help out… now you’ve seen how my skills has greatly improved since you begun training me. Thank you so much mother!” Olamma said looking lovingly at me and I smiled looking back at her.
Olamma is right and it’s equally a thing of utmost joy to know that her powers were indeed at its perfection now.
” I’m glad you’ve improved greatly in your skills. And Amarachi deserves more of the applaud and accolades for training you to this point… she’s truly amazing” I said turning my gaze to stare at the running insects on the grass.
” Mother can I ask you something…?” Olamma asked looking intensely at me
” What is it Olamma..? Hope I’m safe..?” I asked sarcastically as I pretended to be more focused on what I was viewing
” What is the connection between Priestess Nene and your past here…? Mother it just amazes me why you are still withholding your past from me” Olamma quipped whilst sighing aloud probably to get my attention on her.
Slowly, I turned my gaze to Olamma and I heaved heavily before I gave a reply
” Well Nene is one of those who hurt me in the past. Olamma I’m not going to tell you the full details because it’s not yet time for you to know.”
” But mother I…” Olamma was about saying when I abruptly cut her off
” Olamma!!!! I believe what you should be more bothered about is on how to defeat Nene tomorrow… you know that I want you to win and make me proud!”
” I am aware of your expectations of me and I will make sure to make you proud mother…” Olamma answered and exhaled deeply before she continued
“…I may not know why you are keeping your past from me but I believe you have a good reason for it…either ways, I will not ask again. I will rather wait until when you are ready to tell me!”
I smiled widely at her thoughtfulness and sense of understanding. I am so proud to have her as a daughter.
” Thank you for your understanding Olamma…you and your brother makes me so proud of you two. I love you very very much and thank you for always making me a fulfilled mother!” I said lovingly touching Olamma’s cheeks
Hearing that, Olamma beamed in smiles and when I least expected it she happily threw herself on me in a tight hug.
” I love you too mother… you’ve been like my strongest backbone. I’m sorry I disobeyed your warnings by coming here and making you worried. I just couldn’t turn deaf ears to everything!” Olamma whispered close to my ears whilst still holding tight onto me
I sighed sadly. I understood her perfectly because just like her I am a kind, loving, caring, thoughtful and compassionate person.
Before and after I became a Priestess, I had a good heart. And even till date, no matter how many times I try to deny it, I know deep down that I still do.
Somehow it’s gives me joy to see that my daughter inherited my kind of heart but I’m still scared for my daughter’s safety.
I’ve come to the realization that people with good and beautiful hearts tend to be taken for granted and oftentimes crucified a lot. As a mother, I won’t want my daughter to be victimized in anyway.
Moreover beyond the palace and crown’s glamour I more than anyone else is aware that it is a lonely place for anyone to be,
how much more for a young girl who is barely eighteen years old..?
My daughter is so full of dreams and it is my desire that she grows to live life to its fully, eventually have a family and stay happy in her home. But the gods seems to have a different plan altogether.
” Olamma I am scared for you.. the crown isn’t as fun as it sounds. But then I’m glad you are more determined than I was and I believe with your kind of zeal, you will pull through successfully!” I said slowly disengaging from the hug.
” Trust me, I promise not let you down mother. Ah! my bowels is full… I will love to relieve myself. Please give me a short while mother.. I’ll be back” Olamma exclaimed and before I could respond, she ran off into the bush.
I smiled widely whilst looking at Olamma disappear into the deep bush. It’s obvious she did that to avoid more advices and counseling from me. Naughty child!
I kept lovingly looking at Olamma until she was completely out of sight and then suddenly, I felt myself being forcefully lifted from the floor.
I was practically floating in the air which got me wondering what exactly is happening to me.
” Look who we have here. Rana! Rana! Rana! we’ve finally met again after so many years. Hope your journey into my territory was great…?” I heard a voice that gave me goosebumps all over.
I looked down and it was none other than my worst enemy; Nene Ude.
From the wicked smirk on her face, I know she came prepared for wār.
” You’re being partial Nene… I believe we are more matured than this. Lets have a fair fight instead of these childish games!” I blurted out angrily
Nene scoffed sarcastically as she waved her hands and I fell to the ground. I fell down on the grass close by, and it’s a good thing I didn’t get bruised.
” You’re powerless Rana.. just tell me you want a painless dëäth.. a weakling of your kind can not do anything!” Nene said and I slowly stood up.
I dusted the dust on my clothes before turning to look at Nene defiantly. It’s at this exact time that Olamma came back from where she went to relieve herself.
” Nene I will not be the one fighting you today. It’s my daughter that would do that!” I said to Nene who seems quite shocked whilst Olamma seems confused at the scene in front of her.
” Yo..yo..youuu have a daughter..? Wait! don’t tell me that she is the new chosen Priestess of the gods..?” Nene asked looking at Olamma wide-eyed but I intentionally ignored her questions as I beckoned on Olamma
” Olamma please come forward.. the time you’ve been awaiting has come for you to fight for your people!” I said and Olamma did as I instructed.
She came forward and stood fearlessly facing Nene. I sighed sadly fully aware of what would be coming up afterwards.
I thought all this will wait till tomorrow but since Nene brought herself here, then we would have to finish our past unfinished business today and now!.
Tbc