EMPIRE – THE RULER (Episode 8)

EMPIRE – THE RULER EPISODE 8
© OLADIPO DANIEL

The two young ladies sat together, they both have much to say but who should first talk. They quietly gazing at each other for a while. BANKE coughed while RONKE cleared her throat.

RONKE
I know you’ve gone through a lot since you have been in this palace. Let me quickly tell you what is coming…

BANKE
I will like to tell you something before you talk…

RONKE
Don’t act stupid. You better listen to me. My father is marrying me off because of you. He bartered me to marry you.

BANKE
(Frown with her two hands on her chest)
Ori mi o (my head!) What madness!  A lovely child like yours because of marriage!  Devil must be put to shame.

RONKE
I heard him reached agreement with the new man.

BANKE
I pray you say to your mother.

RONKE
The deal is done already,  My mother might be aware. Less I forget, who is the prisoner to you?

BANKE
(Confidently)
He is the good one. He helped me got here, I think he knows more than everyone in this village.

RONKE
(Teasing)
How lovely?

BANKE
A temperate, more lovely and good one. He took my burden upon himself (she said rom-ntically)

RONKE
(Slightly smiled)
You must have been in love ❤️

BANKE
I am not sure if it’s love, my heart beats  strangely…

RONKE
(Jumped up in excitement)
Wow! My friend is in love. (she held her hands)  I am glad you found yourself.

BANKE
 (Moody)
But wait, would the palace grant me to live my life – marrying the choice of my heart?

RONKE
(Infelicitously)
There comes the problem.

The two young ladies were sad, no one to console them. They both wept for an hour.

*****

King ADEDAPO was on  his throne, meditating. He thought his plans worked this time – making intermarriage will establish his throne the more. He would have a son from BANKE and also became a ruler once RONKE his only daughter became their queen in another kingdom… A guard came in and prostrated on the group. “KABIESI O” (meaning your Highness)

KING
Rise up, who gave you audacity to enter my palace anyhow and what brought you here in the first place?

The king looked at his face as he rose up,  it was the GUARD 3.

KING
(Surprised)
You!  Are you still alive? What brought… What… What…

GUARD 3
It is for your sake I have never tasted water for days my lord. I walked round the village to see the secret in everyone’s heart.

KING
You’re a fool. If you like you don’t eat for years what’s my problem. Leave here at once, this is my happy hour.

GUARD 3
My lord, sadness is coming into your happiness now. I have seen it

KING
(In range)
That sadness is for those in your family. None of them will know peace. In fact,  I promised to kill your mother last time. Where does she live.

GUARD 3
I beg you, because of my mum I will tell you the truth. I swear.

KING
I’m teaching you a lesson, your mother’s head must be cut tonight at OGUN (god  of iron) shrine.

GUARD 3
(Compassionately)
Eeeeeh!  I’m dead. Pls save my mother. (With tears) I will live to please you as from today. Plssssss.

KING
I command you speak, where is your mother living?

GUARD 3
She is in the grave at the front of my father’s house. Pls don’t kill her.

The king looked at him, he did not even know what to speak. The only word out if his mouth was “You’re mad”.

GUARD 3
My lord, I told you I walked round for your sake,  I saw ASIPA and DAPO, they are planning your downfall.

KING
(Adjusted his seat)
Who is DAPO and what plans?

GUARD 3
DAPO,  a friend of your late son – ADE.

KING
Ok!  Go on

GUARD 3
DAPO is the master plan, he hired ASIPA to destroy our village if you failed to release lady BANKE.

KING
Yes yes yes. Go on

GUARD 3
He said you are very stupid that you and your forefathers are evil.

The KING was furious, how a mere guard could call him “stupid” but  calm to know more.

KING
Did the ASIPA say a thing?

GUARD 3
Yes my lord, he said their deal is over. He told him he does not care about destroying this village or whatever you and your forefathers have done. But,  the only thing he wants is to become king in his village which you have granted him the solution.

KING
Good, good. What now is their conclusion?

GUARD 3
ASIPA said he cannot stand to fight you anymore because you are his in-law-to-be while the young boy cursed him and said as they were departing, he is a traitor and will look for another means.

KING
You are the best ever guard I have known in my life. I will double your food and your payment. So, I need to get every information about that DAYO. I must know if he deserves to live or not.

GUARD 3
My lord, I will do that for you. But will you still kill my mother in grave?

To be continued…

⬅️ PREVIOUS episode