Chapter Two

The six female servants returned to the palace panting. For some minutes, none of them could find her voice or courage and explain what had happened when they were summoned before the king.

“Where is Inikpi, my beloved daughter?” the king kept demanding. “If you don’t answer me this second, I will have all of you beheaded!” he threatened. Ele found her voice at this point. “She...she...we...we...were...attacked by...by Jukun warriors... and...she...she—”

The king could take no more.

“Summon the warriors!” he commanded the town crier who was one of those in the palace, jumping from his throne and rushing into his chamber to put on his armour.

In three minutes, King Ayegba returned fully dressed in his war gear. The skin of a lion covered him all over with his head covered by the lion’s mane. He was holding a sword in place of his staff of office. “Where are the warriors?” he demanded rushing outside only to meet some commotion in front of his gate. He saw people gathering around two human figures sprawled on the ground. He soon sighted Inikpi and rushed to her, picked her in his arms and made for his chamber once again. No one is supposed to see an Attah Igala cry for that was what King Ayegba did as soon as he was alone with her. He only stopped when his fourth wife—Inikpi’s mother—came in.

“I am alright, father,” Inikpi suddenly whispered. It was her mother’s turn to cry. The relief was so soothing. “Where is Ogbadu?” she soon demanded. “Ogbadu? Who is that?” the king asked.

“The brave man that rescued me, father.”

With that, they all rushed out to find people still surrounding Ogbadu who was now sitting on the floor beside his machete. He was still trying to get his thoughts together. It had been a narrow escape. He did not know how he had managed the distance of about two kilometres carrying Inikpi on his shoulders. All the people gathered had an overwhelming sense of relief on their faces. Some of the warriors arrived at this point. ”Agabaidu!” they greeted prostrating. “Move at once to the stream and ensure the marauders are dealt with!” Ayegba commanded. ”Agabaidu!” they responded rushing out promptly. There were fifty of them.

The warriors moved fast but stealthily especially when they got to the about one kilometre stretch of forest that completed the three-kilometre journey to the stream and scattered in different directions. They knew their adversaries were not novices in the art of guerilla warfare and did not want to take chances. Their suspicion was confirmed minutes later when, without warning, men suddenly sprang out from different directions clutching matchetes and thrusting, slashing and stabbing at them. The battle was bloody but by nightfall, the invaders were sent scampering through the stream to their territory. Ten of them laid dead while the Igala people lost only two of their men. The maidens they had earlier tied to tree trunks in preparation for the return journey to Jukun land, across the stream, were all released. Tears of joy flowed from their faces on the return journey home amidst singing and dancing.

Back in the palace, Ogbadu prostrated before the king on regaining his composure. ”Agabaidu!” he greeted. “Stand up! Stand up my son,” the king replied bending to pick him up. “You acted gallantly and rescued my daughter, my precious daughter, Inikpi, and you shall be handsomely rewarded. Whose son are you?”

“I am the first son of the Inalogwu, your majesty,” Ogbadu replied.

“No wonder. I am not surprised at all. Your father’s blood flows in your veins. I shall give you two of my rare white horses and ten cows. In addition, you shall be drafted among my chief warriors,” the king offered.

“Thank you very much, your majesty. I am most honoured but I only did what is expected of me. Anyone would have done the same thing. The gods only should be praised so I humbly decline to accept the gifts but will gladly accept to join your elite warriors. It is high time we put a permanent stop to the activities of these marauders and secure lasting peace for our people,” Ogbadu replied prostrating.

“Aww! Stand up my son. I see you are even more noble than I thought. I know what to do. I shall persuade your father to keep the gifts for you,” the king said smiling. “I shall send for you soon,” he said and left Ogbadu smiling. He made straight for Inikpi’s room.

Inikpi was being forced to eat by her mother when the king entered. She just did not have the appetite. But for Ogbadu’s bravery, she knew she would have been somewhere in Jukun territory at this point and, going by the look on the faces of the men, she knew she would have been in serious trouble by now. Warriors were known to take turns in raping anyone they found admirable and she shuddered at the thought. She made up her mind to ensure Ogbadu was properly rewarded.

“Has Inikpi eaten enough?” the king asked. “She has hardly touched the food, my lord,” the queen replied. The plate of akara or beancakes as well as the bowl of pap or akamu was truly barely touched. “Don’t worry. I shall soon have a cow slaughtered in her honour so you can prepare pounded yam and oro okohio for her. You know that’s her favourite food.” The queen nodded.

“How are you feeling Inikpi?” he asked. “Fine, father. The hoodlums did not harm me in anyway, thanks to Ogbadu’s bravery,” she replied. “The gods be praised,” the queen stated raising both hands to the heavens. “From today, no more visits to the stream for you,” the king stated. “But father—”

“No ‘buts’ Inikpi. That’s an order,” the king said and walked out of the room.

Ogbadu visited the palace three days later carrying an antelope or atu as the Igala people call it, in a basket he placed on his head. “This is for the royal family,” he said after prostrating before the king. “I caught it while hunting today.”

“You don’t cease to amaze me, young man. Thank you very much Ogbadu,” the king replied smiling broadly. “We really appreciate this.”

“How is the princess doing?” Ogbadu asked genuine concern in his voice. “Oh. Very well, my son. She recovered from the shock that same day. She is somewhere in the garden since I have left strict instructions she is not to be allowed outside this palace for now,” the king replied and beckoned on one of the guards to take him to her.

Inikpi was sitting on a low, beautifully crafted wooden stool when Ogbadu entered. She was watering some flowers but she jumped to her feet instantly on seeing him. ”Oloroka,” she greeted blushing and bent her knees slightly. Ogbadu was touched. “Good afternoon princess. How are you doing?”

” Fine, Ogbadu. Thanks to your bravery. The story would have been different.”

“Anyone would have done same. Only a blind man would have acted differently. You look just like the goddess of beauty herself, you know, princess.”

“Thank you very much. I am flattered.”

“I did not mean to flatter you. It is the truth.”

Their conversation stretched on and on for hours. Soon, it was time for Ogbadu to leave.

"Are you leaving so soon?” Inikpi quipped. “So soon? I have been here two hours and even had lunch here and you still feel that’s too short a time?”

In truth, though, Ogbadu was wondering how two hours could have passed so soon.

“You call the little snack you were offered lunch?” Inikpi was unrelenting. “You call that potful of goatmeat and oje abacha snacks?” They both laughed heartily.

Inikpi returned the visit a week later in the company of three of the king’s elite guards and some of her maidens and Ogbadu and his entire family was overjoyed. They were treated to a royal banquet. At the end of it, Inikpi rejected almost all the gifts presented to her. They were so many. She only kept a crown made from beads and thanked Ogbadu’s family immensely. It was so beautiful.

Later that night, King Ayegba and Inikpi’s mother discussed nothing but the growing intimacy between Inikpi and Ogbadu.

“Have you noticed how Inikpi blushes anytime he is around?” the queen teased. “Only a blind man would not notice that,” the king replied and they laughed heartily.

The conversation ended with the king promising to accept Ogbadu anytime he came knocking on their door with wine and the queen acquiesced smiling broadly. “I think they will make a fine couple,” she said.