In the days following his uncle's burial, Ekene sought solace in the familiar rhythms of farming and hunting, the land providing a sense of stability amidst the turmoil that surrounded him. As the sun rose and set over Amosu village, Ekene's fortunes continued to rise, his skill and determination propelling him forward despite the shadows that lingered in his heart
Yet, as word of his exploits with the snakes spread throughout the village, whispers of discontent began to surface. While some saw his bravery and ingenuity, others saw his actions as a flagrant violation of the customs and traditions that bound their community together. This discontent soon gave way to unrest, and the voices of the dissent grew louder with each passing day
"He must be arrested! He must stand trial!" One villager demanded, his voice ringing with righteous indignation
"The custom is the custom! It can't bend for anyone! Justice must prevail!" another agreed, his fervor infectious
"Justice must prevail!" a third villager echoed, the cry taken up by more and more voices as the protests grew in number and intensity
"Yes! Justice for the snakes!" a fourth villager declared, his impassioned plea encapsulating the sentiments of many who sought to preserve the old ways in the face of Ekene's daring exploits
As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, the king found himself caught between the will of his people and his own reservations about putting Ekene on trial. Torn between the need for order and his desire to protect the young man who had captured his daughter's heart, he knew that decisive action was needed to quell the unrest that had consumed the village
Summoning his entire cabinet, the king prepared to address the matter head-on, the fate of Amosu village hanging in the balance as he sought out a solution that would satisfy the demands of the people without sacrificing the future of the young man whose actions had divided them
Monarchy
A Monarchy is a form of government rooted in antiquity. It is characterized by the reign of a single individual, that is the monarch, who serves as the head of state. With power traditionally passed down through the familial lines, the monarch's position is often inherited by their eldest child, frequently the eldest son. This hereditary system has persisted throughout centuries, with variations in the structure and extent of the monarch's authority
Derived from the Greek words "mono" which means one, and "archy" which means rule, the term "monarchy" refers to the centralization of power in a single figure. Royalty, comprising the monarch and their immediate family sits atop the social hierarchy. The monarch assumes various titles such as King or Queen, Emperor or Empress, depending on the cultural context. Directly below the royal family, one finds the nobility and cabinet members
In certain regions, such as the eastern part of Nigeria, the monarch is often referred to as Eze, also known as Igwe. The queen, Eze Nwanyi, shares the Monarch's elevated status, while their children and siblings hold the titles of princes and princesses
Unique to the Igbo people of Nigeria is the presence of the Ichies, an aristocratic class belonging to the Nze na Ozo society. While not part of the cabinet, the Ichies play a critical role in shaping the kingdom's cultural and social landscape. Serving as advisors to the monarch, they contribute to the decision-making process that guides the realm's trajectory
Finally, the cabinet members, headed by the Onowu, represents the governing body of the kingdom. Comparable to a prime minister in other monarchical systems, the Onowu collaborates with council of elders to ensure the smooth functioning of the realm and the preservation of its customs and traditions. In Amosu village, the monarchy isn't different
Within the walls of the royal palace, the king of Amosu village convened a meeting of his esteemed cabinet members and the influential Nze na Ozo society. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him as he sought the wisdom and counsel of these esteemed individuals in addressing the growing unrest among the villagers
"Elders of our land, I greet you all," the king greeted, his voice echoing throughout the chamber
"Igweeeee!" the cabinet members and Nze na Ozo society responded in unison, a chorus of respect for their sovereign
"I have summoned us here to reason together on the current situation that plagues our people." The king explained, his brow furrowed with concern. "As we all know, a young called Ekene has been valiantly fighting against the snakes"
At the mention of Ekene's actions, the room erupted in exclamations of alarm and disapproval
"Alu!" an elder cried out, invoking the spirit of abomination
"Abomination!" another echoed, the distaste evident in his tone
Undeterred, the king pressed on, "You see, it's not as simple as it sounds. The young man, Ekene, has been ignorantly fighting against the snakes and has been protecting everyone in the school"
One of the elders rose to speak, his voice commanding attention. "Igweeee! Elders of our land! I greet you! Regardless of his motives, Ekene has offended the gods by fighting against snakes and killing them. He must, therefore, be arrested and must stand trials"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber, the cabinet members lending their voices in support. "BAM!" they chorused, the weight of their customs and traditions fueling their resolve
"I believe I've spoken everyone's minds here," the elder concluded, casting a meaningful glance around the room
"Yes, you have spoken well," Another elder nodded sagely, his gaze settling upon the king
The king listened intently as the voices of his advisors rang out in the chamber, their impassioned pleas imbued with the weight of the customs and traditions
With a solemn nod, he addressed the elder who had spoken so fervently. "Ichie Chinwetalu, you have spoken well"
Turning his gaze back to the entire cabinet members and the Nze na Ozo society, the king considered the wisdom of Ichie Chinwetalu's counsel before offering his own perspective. "Before we condemn the young man, let us also consider the fact that some of the students he saved were our children. My daughter, Princess Adaeze, was also rescued from a massive python. Do you still believe we should arrest him?"
The king's words hung in the air for a moment, the tension palpable as the cabinet members exchanged easy glances. Their response, when it came, was immediate and thunderous. "YES!" they chorused, their conviction unshaken
"The custom is above all," the Onowu asserted, his voice steady and resolute. All offenders must be brought before justice. I believe I've spoken everyone's minds"
"Onowu, you have spoken well," Ichie Chinwetalu nodded in agreement, his gaze meeting the king's with a sense of finality
With a heavy sigh, the king resigned himself to the will of his advisors and the weight of the tradition that bounds them all. "Alright then. Ekene will stand trial. That's my decision"
The chamber echoed with the unified voice of the cabinet members and the Nze na Ozo society, their agreement resounding. "Igweeeee!"
Meanwhile Ekene was tying the final knot on his makeshift tool bag, the well-worn machete handle a familiar weight against his palm. The morning sun was already warm on his back, promising a long day's work on the farm. But the rhythmic growl of an engine cut through the peaceful morning quiet. A sleek, dark car pulled to a stop in the compound, a jarringly modern sight against the traditional clay walls of his home
The car door swung open and Princess Adaeze stepped out
Ekene's shoulders stiffened. He dropped the bag, the machete clattering against the ground. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low and hard. "Didn't I tell you I didn't want to see you?"
Princess Adaeze flinched but held her ground. "Ekene, I'm sorry. I concluded too quickly. I was scared." Her eyes filled with sincerity and regret
The memory of her reaction, the sting of her slap still fresh in his mind, fueled Ekene's skepticism. "You were scared? That's why you slapped me?"
Sensing his hesitance, Princess Adaeze implored him for a chance to explain. "I'm sorry. Please, can we enter inside? I will explain everything in the house"
Ekene studied her for a moment, his gaze searching for any sign of insincerity. Finding none, he relented, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Alright then, let's go in"
Relief washed over Princess Adaeze's features as she thanked him with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you very much"
Together, they entered the house, their steps tentative and uncertain as they prepared to confront the event that had driven them apart and threatened to irrevocably alter the course of their lives
Ekene placed a glass of water on the small table in front of Princess Adaeze , the ice clinking softly against the glass. He then took a opposite her, his arms crossed over his chest, his face a mask of wary impatience. "Alright," he said, his voice clipped. "I'm listening"
Adaeze took a small sip of the water, her hands trembling slightly. "Did my father deliver my message that day?" she asked, her gaze steady on his
Ekene nodded, the memory still vivid. "Yes, he did. I was looking for your room when I stumbled against that strange-looking one. I went in because I was curious. But then, I saw a python in the room. I noticed it was quite different from any other snake I had encountered so I grew interested in it. For some reason, it seemed sad, and I could feel its sadness. I was drawn to it. I couldn't attack it. Instead, I found myself patting its head. And strangely, it didn't attack me either. It was….. strange. That was when your slap landed on my face. You also called the snake your mother. What's that supposed to mean?"
Adaeze took a deep breath, her eyes brimming with a truth she had kept hidden for so long. "Ekene, that snake you saw that day, is my biological mother – the Queen of Amosu village"
Ekene's eyes widened in utter disbelief. He leaned forward, his mind reeling. "What? How? What does that even mean?"
Just then, a loud, angry commotion echoed from outside – a cacophony of shouts and the rustling of leaves.
Adaeze jumped up, her face etched with panic. "What's that?"
Ekene rushed to the window, peering out. A crowd of villagers, their faces grim and determined, were marching toward his house. They carried leafy branches and were flanked by two palace guards. Ekene's heart sank
Ekene and Princess Adaeze hurried outside.
"What's going on here?" Ekene demanded, his voice strained
"Are you Ekene?" one of the guards asked, his expression cold and unyielding
"Yes," Ekene replied, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What's all these commotion?"
"You're under arrest" the guard announced
"Huh?" Ekene's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation
"What?" Princess Adaeze's brow furrowed in shock
"For offensive actions against the gods. Now move!" the guard said
The guards grabbed Ekene's arm forcefully, their grips like vises. As eken was being dragged away, a sense of helplessness washed over him. The villagers' angry stares, the guards' rough handling, and the terrifying truth of Princess Adaeze's mother, the Queen, all merged into a single, terrifying nightmare. Princess Adaeze, her face pale with shock, scrambled into her car and followed after them, a silent witness to the chaos she had unwittingly brought to his doorstep