EMPIRE -THE RULER (Episode 2)

EMPIRE – THE RULER EPISODE 2
© OLADIPO DANIEL

It was early in the morning, people were coming in. The marriage ceremony of young prince – Ade. Adedapo has brought a beautiful damsel from another village to be his daughter-in-law. Olori, the food should have ready, what happened to the ladies in kitchen? Our visitors have arrived, please you guys should not put me to shame, the king said. Hope the bride has been fully set? Yes my lord, the queen continued, But the ladies with the bride said something was missing. I will attend to them now my lord. Ok, better let everything be in place, said king. I heard a king from Doro village just arrived, let me attend to him in the lobby. Queen was about to open a door that leads to the bride’s room when she heard a voice, oh by the way, where is the Prince? She turned and to look at the speaker, it was the king. Your Highness, I thought you have left. Ehm! He should be in his room. Please, check on him, the king said. I will my lord, she responded.

She got to the entrance of the groom, knocked, but no response. My prince! She called out loud. But still the same. She forced the door opened, and saw the room empty. This is no good, she exclaimed. The groom of whom everyone was awaiting. Kings from various kingdoms, Chiefs and many important personas. What would I tell the king? Guards! guard! Two able guys ran in,side. Yes your Highness. Search every nook and cranny of palace, I must see the prince, Go! She sat down thinking if peradventure the prince ran away or could he have been kidnapped? A guard carried a calabash jug of palm wine, crossing the path. hey! Hey! Are you deaf? She shouted.

 GUARD 3
 I’m sorry my mother (he prostrated before the Queen)

QUEEN
your mother will cry over you. Thunder will fire the mouth you used to call me mother.

GUARD 3
Don’t be annoyed your Highness

QUEEN
 Have you seen the prince?

GUARD 3
what prince?… I mean which prince my mother?

QUEEN
 I know you want to die young. Did I not send you to fetch me the prince?

GUARD 3
Your Highness, I never saw you today.

QUEEN
Oh, that should have been the other guards. Hmm, well, by the way, where is the prince?

GUARD 3
 MY mother, (he looked round to ensure no one was around or listening)…

QUEEN
Are you deaf? Why this charade? Where is my prince?

GUARD 3
 I want to know if I can talk, Your High…

QUEEN
 (cuts in) you are the first graduate of madness. I’m asking you if…

GUARD 3
(in low voice) my mother… The thing is not pleasant at all… I heard that…

QUEEN
Heard what? From who?

GUARD 3
The walls have ear, can we leave this place, please your Highness?

QUEEN
Now I know, your mother never did your naming ceremony. You want to rape me right? You are taking me to a seclusion… Who can help me to deliver the madness from this boy o (she put one of her left fingers on her l-ips, tapping it as if she was drumming)

GUARD 3
Your Highness… Well, if you insist I should talk… Boripe said he heard the prince this morning talking about escape with his friend Dayo.

QUEEN 3
 (put her hands on her head)
 My ancestors! Where have you been that you would let this evil befall my house.

GUARD 3
My lord! I don’t want you to take it serious. The boy has been drunk when he was talking… He did not only say that… He was talking gibberish as well… He also said the king will die yesterday…

The queen collapsed immediately she heard this…. The two guard she sent an errand came in and took the queen to her chamber… The king entered.

KING
 where is prince?

GUARD 1
The prince!

GUARD 3
your Highness, she was talking to me… I… I… She… I mean… I…

KING
 who is this madman?

GUARD 2
 he is not in good position sir.

KING
 why do we have couple of mental disarray in this palace?
Who is not in position?

GUARD 3
madam too is not in good position.

KING
Forget about queen’s health. She will recover later. I want my prince right now!

Guard 2: hmm.. It is unexplainable

KING
 Guard! Go and cutoff these people’s head under the god of iron.

GUARD 1
 your Highness, I will talk…

KING
 talk.

Guard 1 & 2:
we cannot say it your Highness…

The king was sweating, he has been pressurized. He hærdly breathe, it seemed he too would be fainted. The two guard saw how the king was going down. They finally uttered, your Highness, come and see this for yourself. The king whose strength has been weak, sat down beside his queen where she was laid, stood up as he heard them saying this. He followed them from behind and was led to the back of the house. There laid the prince, in the middle of battalion soldier ants. He was foaming. The king alarmed, “these people have killed me”.

The question is, What causes Ade’s death?

To be continued

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