17 War

Oluborode as the king of Efon was seated in his palace in a dialogue with the chiefs and elders of Efon before the announcement of the arrival of the royal guard from Ifa-ile was made.

Not a homage the royal guard bid Oluborode and even every chief and elders present, fed their eyes with surprises. The command which fell from the lips of one of them to throw the royal guard into the dungeon to be taught a good lesson was halted by Oluborode.

For they should be calm and hear the words he had come to say was the words Oluborode spoke as he nodded a signal to the royal guard which was for him to begin talking.

With no delay, not even any Iota of fear the royal guard expanded his jaws widely as he spoke out a notification of war from Osabiegun. In his words will the village of Ifa-ile descend on Efon since they failed to stop their encroachment on the land of Ifa-ile.

But even when a slave is sent an idiotic message, he uses his wisdom to deliver the message wisely was the words of Oluborode's spoke man as one of the chiefs of Efon.

With waters of condemnation which spite on the royal guard from head to toe by Oluborode ordered the royal guards of Efon to throw him into the dungeon.

Okiki-osupa who had just arrived into the palace from the river of Olomitutu walked in her noble steps into the palace as the guard at the entrance bid her respect.

The royals bead stylishly worn unto her head and the beads wrapped around her wrist and her ankle complimented more to her beautiful. She remained the sun that shun brightly to the face of everyone who glared at her and even other females who in their heaviness condemned her beauty.

She had always walked in the troops of her slaves who walked closely behind her and each one of them who had carried a calabash filled with waters from the river of Olomitutu.

Certainly, her beauty could not have been resisted by any man not even the chiefs and elders of Efon who were always privilege to grace her beautiful face yet again as she walked past them after she had already knelt to paid her homage to Oluborode and to them she had already greeted.

The chiefs and elders might not have spoken their minds but it was always in their very thought for those who had a son to have Okiki-osupa as a wife to their son. Not for the reason that her father was the King, but for this enchantress that lies on her face.

This thought was based on the idea that a beautiful woman would always give birth to a handsome son and a handsome son can easily become a King if care is not taking because a young princess might not be able to take her eyes off him.

Even Oluborode will not deny this fact, he knew so well that many were drawn to his daughter because of what they thought of her and for this, a goddess he had always thought of her.

The instant Okiki-osupa had finally entered into her chamber with all of her slaves who trooped firmly behind her. He had ordered for the preparation of war.

Oluborode knew so well the kind of king Osabiegun was and for this, he understood anything he wanted to do, he would. Even, if it meant he would do it without properly examining the dangers it might cause.

Quickly enough, Oluborode ordered his commander in chief of forces to organize his armies at the bank of the river of Olomitutu for it was the time for them to meet.

The instant Oluborode completed his words, he dabbled into his chamber. He had not even delayed for a moment as he jumped out of his beautiful attire which was only attributed to the king.

In the same way, he took off his royal red beads which was before around his neck and wrist and gently placed them into a box as he now jumped into his war-hunt outfit which was totally sewed with charms of different functions.

As if that was not enough, he took away his crown and gently wore on his head another war hunt cap which was in the same vein sewed completely with charms of different functions.

Different incantation he spoke to the four corners of his chamber and the instant he opened his palm which was before clenched, an egg appeared on it which he swallowed without having bite his teeth on it.

In the same manner, he lifted his left hand up above his head and a longer Incantation he continued to chew loudly in his mouth.

A warrior does not go to war without the ammunition of war and the instant he called on his gun, he brought down his hand Immediately and as he opened his palm a long-short barreled musket appeared in his hand.

That, the gun would pierce through anything and everything it was short at was the good reason a cowry was nailed at it tip serving as a charm.

He knelt down instantly with the words of appreciation to the unseen forces which delivered to him his weapon as he for a short moment reloaded his musket after he had touched it beneath on the floor for a good three number of times with a short incantation.

With the left leg he raised up, and the closing of his eyes he disappeared from the palace and reappeared again at the bank of Olomitutu where all soldiers await him patiently.

The instant he appeared compelled everyone to their kneels as they welcomed him politely as the King of Efon.

One thing Oluborode cannot be disrespected for was the fact that he had always gone to battle with his soldiers each and every time there was a war, he had always brought victory back home.

As quickly as they knelt, he had commanded them to rise to their feet which was always his custom and the words he had always told them he reminded them again; that, on the field, they are all warriors, and he is no longer a King.

In this way had every soldier dressed in the same fashion of Oluborode in their own war hunt outfit braced totally with different charms and cap in the same likeness.

Certainly, an elephant cannot walk in the midst of the rest of the animals and not get easily spotted as this was the case of Oluborode to which his shoe gave him away to be easily spotted as the king of Efon.

What caused Oluborode his total surprise was Okiki-osupa who wrapped herself into a war hunt outfit. If she had taught she would not be detected she failed as Oluborode will not sight his own daughter and fail to recognize her.

Oluborode had not even looked at her the second time before he was put out into a state of vexation as he turned his face to questioned immediately his commander what his daughter was doing in a war hunt outfit.

Even Okiki-osupa who heard what her father said to the commander loud and clear ran before her father and fell on her kneel pleading with her father not to punish the commander for the sin she had committed because even the commander was not aware of her presence.

The only thing she wanted as according to her was the privilege to prove her worth as the princess of Efon. That, people might respect her as they did to him and trust in her as everyone trusted in him.

Despite Oluborode's reluctance even for a longer moment he accepted that she goes to war with them and only with the condition that she stays firmly behind him and avoid every danger of war.

The arrival of the priest at the river bank of Olomitutu began with the eulogy of Olomitutu as the goddess of Efon and as a warrior during her days on earth to which in her strength and the strength of the heavenly gods she prevailed in all battles for Efon and not a time had she brought shame to Efon.

That, even in her death and as she became their god, not a single time had she left them on their own. For every battle they went they win and many tribes because of them had been conquered thus, had Efon become a mighty Empire.

As according to their tradition in the preparation for war, their guns must be shot into the sky at once, for a good three number of times to which they did.

And according to the culture, Oluborode had the first drink from the river with his mouth directly shoved into the river. This act was followed by the commander who had done the same as Oluborode and yet the princess until the very last of the soldiers.

The shout of victory to which they opened their mouth widely. They believed firmly even Ifa-ile in their ignorance and confidence will be drawn into their defeat and their regret. They will feast on their dead bodies as even their land shall belong to them and their women shall become their slaves.