Prologue
Walking on the famous path that leads to the kings grand palace,Dele was besides himself in thought.He knew what he was about to do is dangerous but he's willing to do it.He has been a coward his whole life,from the times he's been called an orphan to the time he was abused for lagging in ifa(1) lessons. Until he met the princess and he suddenly felt the need to be brave and tell her how he feels.Although the princess didn't reject him,she gave him an impossible task;"tell it to me in front of the whole village on the next new yam festival".this was like asking a fish to climb a tree.Dele felt that approaching the princess has taken all his courage for the whole year.where will he see the courage to go and tell her again!,in front of the whole village this time!,the king will definitely have him beheaded no doubt about that.of all noble men and warriors,him a sorcerer apprentice wishing to marry the princess.maybe this will be the only courageous act he will do in his entire lifetime .The princess must have heard about his cowardice and decided to humiliate him.
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The chamber is quiet and deserted probably because of the festival.All the warriors and palace guards are now at the ceremony for security purposes."My princess we have to be quick,it's the first yam festival since the death of the Olori(2). We should not keep the king waiting for too long". Adedamola looked at maids going up and down trying to dress her up for the ceremony. Being a princess is no fun. She has been living this way since she was born and she finds it boring unto she met a man who told her he likes her and wants to marry her, she then challenged him to propose to her properly in front of the King. She only saw it as a way to add some fun to the boring festival, whether the king kills him or not is not of her concern. "Do you think he will come?", the princess asked one of the maids by her side. " who?,that young man? I don't know ", the maid replied her abstentmindedly." I don't think he would do it, he is known to be a coward in the whole village " another maid interjected. "And he's also known to be the talented apprentice of Baba Alado that powerful sorcerer ,except that he's a coward obviously "another maid replied amidst laughter. " enough of the gossip,we don't want to be late to the festival " the chief maid cut them off while dressing up the princess.
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Few minutes later,getting to the palace and seeing the multitude of people moving around and enjoying the festivities Dele almost had the thought of turning around and going back but he was able to steel his mind at the last minute."Woooh,just say what you have to say and prove yourself that's all" Dele noted mentally while moving forward amidst the crowd straight for the king's throne. He was able to get to the king easily since it's a festival and a lot of people will occasionally come and pay homage to the king.Upon getting to the front of the king he prostrated as the culture demands then raised his head to look at the princess. He could see the suprise on her face and a mischievous smile on her lips.maybe that's just how she smiles ,don't overthink Facing the King,he began explaining his for coming while maintaining a staring contest with the floor and profusely rubbing his hands together. After saying all he had to say he raised his head to look at the King expecting to see mockery on his face but the king remained expressionless. He only waved to the guard beside him as a signal for something. The guard then came up to announce the beginning of a segment in the festival. Standing there confused,Dele took a look around him only to discover a group of men coming forward to form a ring,before he knows a well built young came out to stand in the circle with him with a look of pride and mockery all over his face. " let the battle for the princess hand in marriage begin!" the guard announced loudly leaving Dele appalled amidst the noise coming from the crowd " no no no….. this wasn't why I've come…" Dele tried explaining to the guard but was ignored. He looked over at the princess to ask her to clarify the situation to the king but the smile on her shows him clearly that he has been toyed with from the start." you've got guts,coming here to challenge me for the princess hand in marriage " the warrior that was together with him in the circle taunted.
" you are mistaken….I'm not here to challenge you "
"Are you not here for the princess?"
"Ye…yes, but…."
"Then fight for it!"
The man cuts him off and grab him throws him to the floor. Landing heavily on the floor Dele felt like all air has left his lungs as he struggled to breathe while trying to get up only to realize that the man was already sitting on his chest making it hard for him to move away at the same time the man started punching him in the face. within a few minutes all his face has been battered and covered in blood. " if I don't die this time...… I swear I will strive to become the most powerful human there is….." Dele said slowly before silently dying under the barrage of blowsThe man stopped punching upon seeing the body under him has stopped moving. He stood up and the guard from before ordered the men to carry the body away so the king won't see the dead body (3)
"That's a little fun"
" why did you do that?" The king asked his daughter expressionlessly
"Nothing,just to spike things up a bit"
The king sighed and shook his head,he loved his daughter very much but she has been doing too much lately and he doesn't even know how to handle it anymore. Another poor man dead
1.oracle/ divinity. 2.Queen. 3. It is considered a taboo for a Yoruba king to see a dead body