EMPIRE – THE RULER (Episode 5)
EMPIRE – THE RULER EPISODE 5
© OLADIPO DANIEL
There in the king palace, the chiefs and the warrior leader were all gathered to discuss the sound of the war heard at the outskirt of the village, it was still the wedding’s day.
BALOGUN
Your Highness, as I have said, the case might really…
CHIEF 1
My lord, I don’t know why a tiny man will be raising his voice against us.
CHIEF 2
You are right, OOSI (the left to the king). We are not a village anymore. The gods have blessed us, they have made us the father to other villages.
BALOGUN
I want you people to listen to me…
CHIEF 1
You are a warrior and they said a strong man must be found in hærd places. How would BALOGUN, a leader warrior talk like yours.
CHIEF 3
I plead you my people, the warrior leader said he has something to say. I will pray us we let him speak.
Some clapped in agreement, some nodded, Ok! They said.
BALOGUN
I greet you the rulers of the land. I left the village immediately I received the message from the king. I met the enemy warriors at the outskirt, they told me they have not come to fight if ONLY we agree with their terms…
CHIEF 1
(Angrily)
Terms?
CHIEF 2
What terms?
BALOGUN
Thank you, they demanded a lady in your custody that once we surrender them the person they will return peacefully
KING
You mean they are wagging war against us because of mere lady?
CHIEF 1
This is madness, nonsensical…
CHIEF 3
Let’s please wait, if it is like he said, it shows the matter is like a stem of plantain, which we don’t need a sharp cutlass, the elder says, to cut down. My warrior, go and ask them the lady and we’ll give them. This time, we still need to mourn the lost prince.
BALOGUN
Thank you OTUN, I have done exactly what you just said, they told me a lady brought from DORO…
KING
Doro what? That can’t …
CHIEF 3
Consider it done!
KING
Do what! It can never happen. If they demand for my wife, I will never hesitate. But this girl! They want war.
BALOGUN
Your Highness, I will suggest we give them…
KING
Look at a person we made king of hawk that is running away from chicken…
CHIEF 1
Your Highness, I think the case has been settled, our prince is no more to marry her, so let’s return her.
CHIEF 3
You’re right. Let her go back.
CHIEF 2
Something I don’t understand in this is that who is the lady to these people?
BALOGUN
Who cares?
KING
(Furiously)
Let me sound this very clear to you all, I am the ruler of the land, nobody can threaten me, I will never release the lady in my custody. Let them do their worst.
He stood up angrily and left them.
CHIEF 2
(He clapped with the back of hands)
Well, the king has spoken. Nothing anyone can do…
CHIEF 3
BALOGUN, go and prepare yourself for battle…
It is in the inner palace, the king was standing, facing the wall with one hand on the wall, he bent down his head meditating. The queen entered.
OLORI
The ruler of the land, here you are thinking, I plead you take the matter levity. This lady is more or less exhibit in this palace. We don’t have a son to marry her, let her go back. We don’t…
KING
(He turned with eyes full of range)
Woman! Woman! If you don’t want your head cut for the god of iron, you better hold your tongue.
OLORI
Maybe we cannot run beyond fate, maybe you should accept the desti…
He rushed to slap her before she could finish the word destiny but he missed the target. They heard a running steps. They both looked at each other.
KING
(Shouted)
Who is that?
OLORI
(She went to check but saw no one)
No body is there, who could that be?
KING
Guard!
(Guard 3 entered)
KING
Who just ran out of this room?
GUARD 3
My lord, I was sitting over there
(He pointed to the entrance)
OLORI
Are you mad? He said who ran out just now.
GUARD 3
I have never slept since I woke up today (he put his right hand on own head and raised up the left)
KING
(He was tired of his character)
I thought I once told you today to leave the palace, what are you still doing here, huh?
He rose up from his knees and wanted to leave
OLORI
Hey! Mad man, come back here. Where are you going?
GUARD 3
The king ordered me to leave.
OLORI
Something has entered your head. Come back here, Is there guard with you at the entrance?
GUARD 3
I never saw any guard, I sat down alone and thinking alone. Even till now I have never shared my thought with anyone.
KING
You should have brought your thought to me, stupid fellow.
He stood up again and walking towards the king
OLORI
(Slapped his back and pulled him back)
Where do you think you are going, huh?
GUARD 3
My lord asked me to share my thoughts with him.
OLORI
I can see now the only idiot in the world is you.
KING
If you did not tell me who just ran out of here, I will kill everyone in your family.
GUARD 3
I beg my lord, I promise I did not see anyone running out but I saw BANKE tiptoeing out of the room. She thought I did not see her.
OLORI
But you said you did not see anybody?
GUARD 3
Yes my lord, there is different: she did not run out but secretly walked out.
Guard 2 ran in,side, he bent down with a knee on the ground.
OLORI
Has this palace become psychiatric? How could you run in to the king chamber. (she turned to the king) what is wrong with the guards your Highness?
GUARD 2
(Breathing heavily)
My lord, I could not find BANKE in the palace anymore maybe she has run out of the palace.
KING and OLORI
What!
To be continued
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