Chapter One

Numerous kingdoms neighboured Niyeye but Niyeye was so distinct and equipped that it drew the heart of other kingdoms to barter in their kingdom peculiarly at the main market,  Kenne. One prominent kingdom that depended solemnly on Niyeye kingdom for trading and they amass immense annual revenue was the Yoe Kingdom. The Yoe Kingdom was highly reputable and admired by many especially the westerners for the fact that they were great merchants and well educated compared to other kingdoms both in the east and west. Yoe kingdom was also sought after owed to the fact that they were blessed with beautiful women, great architectural artisans, strong and valiant army men. The Yoe Kingdom was very far from the Niyeye Kingdom. Before the people of Yoe kingdom could reach Niyeye they would have to pass through the desert and spend roughly 100+ days that's close to four months. Sometimes one could travel through the bush by using horse only if there was a prompt message to be delivered and one could spend weeks. So the main reason the Yoe did go to Niyeye was because of trade. Before the Yoe journeyed through the desert to Niyeye, they would have to schedule the journey. They had an organisation that regulated the departure and alighting through the desert. The Yoe decided to trade with the Niyeye because of their geographical location and their distinguished natural resources such as salt and gold. In Niyeye there was a popular market situated in the capital city where all the exchanges were done, it was located at the Capital city of Niyeye that was some miles away from the palace. The name of the Market was Kenne, where different traders did come to trade their goods owed to the fact that other merchants from other kingdom and regions saw Kenne as a crucial market centre In the western region, especially the merchants from Yoe. In the market were the state goods which were meant specifically to be exchanged with the Yoe Merchants. There were six routes in Kenne Market that linked other regions and kingdom, the first route was the one that linked three regions to the market which were Baebo, Jojoyo, and Cheng. The second route linked to two Kingdoms which were Hong and Deore. The third route linked to the desert where the Yoe merchants did pass through before they arrived at the Niyeye Kingdom. The remaining three links were connected to two neighbouring regions and a Kingdom outside the Niyeye. In the market they had market head named Chuchu who regulated the routine activities of the market such as the summoning of sellers, controlling the market prices, collection of market taxes, settling of disputes among traders, etc. The market was always vigorous and occupied to the extent that it was rare to know if good had been stolen or not due to the massive crowd. Anytime the Yoe Kingdom merchants arrived at the Market they did come in caravan passing through the desert. The merchants from the Yoe Kingdom were usually accompanied by takshiffs and eunuch whose job was to secure the merchants and the goods through the desert because in the desert were thieves and pirates who did attack the Merchants passing through there so, this Takshiffs had been trained to fight the thieves and safeguard the merchants in the desert. Arriving at the market they did come along with horses which they did exchange for gold and salt from the Niyeye Merchants in the market.

The Yoe Kingdom was distinguished in the eastern part of the desert surrounded by classy regions which saw Yoe as the main kingdom that served as the link between them and the Westerners especially Niyeye, since they weren't financially and economically buoyant to go on such course as passing through the desert or compete with Yoe. It costs a huge amount of money travelling through the desert. The Kingdom was known for its beautiful women that's the reason they were planning to go along with them in other to them accomplished their deceptive plans against the Niyeye. 

In the Yoe palace were guards at the gate who safeguarded it. It was only the King guests that were usually allowed to enter.  The Palace had a curvy font with the name of the King written gigantically at the top of it, though was a temporary-cemented work, after the demise of a king, the successor's name would I Their kings were usually referred to as Kae. They were competently respected according to the instructions given to them by the Kingmakers. At the entrance was a narrow path before one could reach the entrance into the main palace. The palace was very large, on the left-hand side were various women of different colours in beautiful attires with some attractive makeups on their faces. They were the Queen's maids. They sat under a chamber because the Queens were having a meeting in the palace. The Yoe kingdom was also endowed with strong and army men who were valiant, adequately trained and could put their lives on the line for Yoe. Their eyes were as red as pepper due to the rigorous training they did go through every day. Their chest was always seen dancing like a leopard ready to pounce being in armour. 

In the palace compound, there were different-small buildings with petty doors. The blocks used in building it were not more than seven roles counting from the foundation. Inside it was also small chairs. It was made for the visitors that weren't allowed to enter the palace and the ministers did have rest after they met with the king. They did entertain them after a lengthy discussion at the meeting. The maids sat in the small houses if they had nothing doing. The palace was seen as a sacred place one could only be allowed in if instructed by the king. At a far distance were some crews of belle dancing to entertain the palace guests and who did sit under the small houses, and also the ministers if eventually, they were also sitting. Either there were guests or not their job in the palace was just to be dancing, drumming and singing concurrently. The head of the palace dancers was called Lady Yao, and the assistant was then fifteen years old princess, Onna. A step up to the palace was a different floor design, it was smooth and transparent. It was so glamorous to the extent that one can use one tongue on it. There were also mobile guards whose job in the palace was just to be moving hither thither round palace in their armour and shield on their right hand. The palace wall was designed with different drawings that were eye-catching. For the fact that they were blessed with architectural artisan-made their palace one of the most gorgeous palaces to visit in the east. The palace front was made of great architectural designs. The Yoe Kingdom was known for that and they were well sought after. The inhabitants of other regions did wish they lived in Yoe due to the beauty and grandeur of the Kingdom at large.

In the palace were all the king's ministers standing according to their position right from the position of the prime minister followed by the army general to the lowest in rank. The ministers were dressed in red with red rob and black helmet, similar in colour to the one that the merchants did wear but they had a different design. The minister own were precisely different. They were not made for common citizens, one must be a palace minister before it could be made for one. And if found on the head of a non-minister, such a person would be severely dealt with. 

In the palace, the meeting was taking place, on the left and right-hand side of the king were his two wives dressed in beautiful and eye-catching, gold-like colour with the queenship crown wore on their head. It remained two weeks to the desert journey and the King enquired if everything was in place. The prime minister was the first to object, concerning the ladies they planned to go with. More ladies needed to be recruited. The beautiful ladies were a plan among the king, minister, and the merchant as the strategy to dominate and take over the kingdom of Niyeye. The Niyeye were aware that the Yoe Kingdom was blessed with belle. It was the dream of all the Niyeye men to get themselves a Yoe woman. Even the king of Niyeye had been asking the Yoe King's daughter in marriage to his first son, Muhu. The most beautiful daughter of Yoe king's daughter was Mira, she was the daughter of the second Queen. She was mostly referred to as the most beautiful lady in Yoe. Mira was an average height lady with busty cheek, curly and long hair, fair skin. She was the dream lady of every male in the kingdom both impoverished and the wealthy. But the king hadn't decided on whom he was going to marry her to because many other kings in the east were also after her including wealthy merchants in Yoe and kings. When the Queens heard the mentioning of ladies, they were surprised, pondering what had a lady had to do with the desert journey. The king caught sight of their reaction because they were not aware of the plan to take over the Niyeye Kingdom. The first Queen was about to ask a question when the king immediately cautioned her and ordered the two Queens to condone the meeting. They reluctantly took their leave, the fume could be seen all over their faces. Then the king continued his discussion concerning the journey.

"Why are we short of ladies? You knew of this why can't you inform me earlier?", The king asked.

Among the ministers was the head of the messenger, he was given the information on how they should to towns on the immediate summoning of the ladies to the palace for the audition, and other information was passed. If any minister was to converse to the king he was expected to move from the vertical line where the rest pose and stand straight facing the king. The messengers were ordered to announce to the towns concerning the king directive on the immediate call of ladies to the palace to select some for a course. All ladies that were to be present must come with all their belongings in case they were selected. The king took his leave. All the ministers vanished. The messengers did as ordered. 

In the Yoe palace compound, there were the king's ministers conversing concerning some discussions they had with the king. They were standing in cahoot some sat under the small houses in the palace compound. The talk of the day was about the ladies which the king and the merchants planned to go with for the annual trading in Niyeye. As they were discussing, the reinforcers were fetching in horses that were going to be exchanged with the Niyeye.

" My daughter must get an automatic ticket and won't participate in the audition, she likes exploring said the minister", said the first ministers loudly.

The other minister replied, "I have only a daughter and I can't allow her to go if I do who will take care of my old self".

Everyone began giving rise to his thoughts. Every other that hadn't settled down began to sit down under the small houses joining their colleague who had sit. The houses were not meant only for guests but also the palace ministers. They did sit under the small houses after had concluded their weekly meeting with the king and they were usually served food in other to quench the hunger that comes with excessive discussion with the king. The palace cooks were dressed in a white apron most of them were ladies, they were exceedingly beautiful, the eyes of some ministers were them. Among the cooks were also few men in an apron. One of the ministers began to discuss how he would marry one of the maids off to her son. 

"Marry that to your son?" Said the second minister.

"Have you forgotten she is a maid? NO! Don't do that" said one of the minister. 

The third minister replied, "is she not a human being?"

"Why insisting she mustn't marry her to his son", said the third minister, surprised.

The fourth official reiterated, "I understand you all, what will be will be" 

They all pointed to one another in agreement, echoed together "what will be will be!" 

Hmmm. They laughed it off. Their food was served immediately and they began feeding their empty stomach in a manner that one could think they had been fasting for weeks.

The messengers were already in town. They did as ordered by the king. Whistling from one neighbourhood to another, passing information, their vein rising as a Lion sent out of the Jungle, vociferating and hullabaloo in a gaudy tone, the viscosity of their voice could break a stone. Most of the ladies they heard the information, they were happy, jumping, and dancing because it had been the dream of every lady in the kingdom to work for the king and queens, most especially in the palace. As norms, the male wasn't happy because that would be a great menace to their relationships with some of the ladies in town. Some thought the king wanted to marry the ladies to one of his sons because a kinda unexpected summon had been called before when the King wants to marry to his stubborn first prince who had refused to choose whom to marry. But in this case, it was different. Outside compounds were ladies gossiping. 

"Wow! I must be there", said a lady. 

The second replied, "why won't we?"

"As I am like this, I have begun packing my cloth", said the third lady and they clapped hands together smiling to the respective homes. 

In a room was a family discussion concerning the recently disclosed information. 

The old man telling her daughter, "I am not sure you will be allowed to go as you can see, I am already old and your siblings are still young to take care of me, who will cook, who will take care of your junior ones, so you can't be allowed to go". 

The look daggers were was written all over her faces as she wasn't happy with her father's decision concerning the matter. 

" My only opportunity to fulfilled her dream of working in the palace will be aborted like that?", she soliloquized. 

Her mood was deplorable. Her hand was used to cover her face in disappointment. Looking at the roof like someone looking for something lost.

In another room was a guy who summoned his girlfriend to discussed the new development. The lady insisted she would go to the audition that it had been her childhood dream to work in the palace. The guy wasn't happy with her decision. The few males that had limited discretion over there female partner were the ones married. The restraint wasn't absolute because society gave females liberty irrespective of their marital status especially those married not to be confined by their husbands. 

It was the audition day, One eight of the kingdom were present. The palace was filled. What also led to them being too occupied was the luggage that all the ladies who come for audition came with except the mothers and some others who came to feed their eyes. Some parents were even praying that their daughters should be selected because their societal values would tremendously as a woman and they would be well respected when walking in towns as per they had a daughter working in the palace. The audition ground had been arranged. It was more or less like an open stadium where the king seat was located high above the ground where the ladies were to be called to showcase themselves. By the left and the right-hand side of the king were also separate-elevated chairs meant for the king's ministers, Queens, Princes and Princesses. 

The crowd continued to arrive at the palace for the audition. The entrance gate was widely left open due to the enormous crowd and the command of the king. Everyone was allowed to witness how the ladies are going to be chosen. Another occasion that did command such crowd was the annual festival where different events take place, such as awarding the strongest man, the most successful merchant, the best minister, the best archer, and the most beautiful lady and many others awards, the crowd during the festival was more massive. Mira was said to be the only lady to have received the most beautiful lady award back to back, she was the current holder and she was still touted to receive it for the third consecutive time. The crowd continued to arrive. One of the palace guards was surprised 

"Aren't the crowd going to finished", he reiterated in his psyche, awed. 

It remained two hours to the event and the king was being dressed for by his maids. The males didn't take time taking care of themselves, such was the case of the king, he didn't take time dressing but the Queens were already in his psyche because he knew they would certainly waste his time. They did waste his time, all-time there were going for occasion especially the second Queen. As norms, the king and Queen were expected to walk together to any event if eventually, they all wanted to attend. 

The Queens as norms was expected to wear the same coloured dress. The first Queen in her room dressing. 

"Can't you make it snappy?", Ordered her maids dressing for her. 

Entered one of the king's maids, she said, the king ordered that they should be time not to delay the crowd loitering outside. The second Queen on the other hand was a fashionista, she loved clothing so much that she could return home to take anything missing on her dresses. She wore her golden jewellery glittering like a flashy light. On her head was a special Queenship crown. She was the one that did delay while dressing. She was very austere and the most abhor between the two Queens. She believed, the king was always behind her since she was the most adored by the king being the youngest queen. But, the first queen was very calm and jovial. The most loved in the palace. The second Queen's maids always wish they were maid to the first queen due to the privilege and autonomy enjoyed by the maids of the first Queen. She was later to finish dressing as usual. The King wasn't glad because he had warned her several times concerning the way he did their time if they were going to any event. 

"If not that the norms demanded going out together to an event with the Queen do you think I will wait for you?...", reiterated the king, his face steam and look cool in his royal gown.  

Everyone had finished dressing, the king led the royal crew behind him were the Queens, his sons and daughters. Mira was the one that stole everyone's attention, she was a belle. Her beauty could be compared to the heavenly angels. Some even claimed she was a mermaid. The myth that narrated that mermaids are exceedingly beautiful was a fib from the pit of hell considering the dictum of Christopher Columbus when he said: "During my first voyage, I collided with a mermaid, they aren't as beautiful as everyone thinks they are". Her elegance surpassed everyone's imagination to the extent that even the King of Niyeye that hadn't seen her before but have heard from those who had seen her concerning her pulchritude and he demanded her hand in marriage to his first son, Muhu.

They walked out of the palace to the palace compound. All the seated crowd was on their toes bowing down for the king. He settled down. The event was opened by the prime minister who was an aged man. He was considered as one of the wisest and eldest men in the kingdom because he had been serving as prime minister for decades, he had witnessed many events and he knew a lot about the palace even more than the royal family. He had served under three kings until the incumbent one making it four. The King also had his respect for him because if he was faced with any vague occurrence that can't be discussed openly he did call on the prime minister's attention and most were effortlessly solved within the twinkle of an eye. One of the recent event he was able to solve helping the king was the choosing of an army general. The elders and the kingmakers had their choice and the people also had their's and the king was the only person that had the authority to choose who the army general should be. So it was a dilemma of who to satisfy between the people and the elders. But the prime minister was able to find a solution in a jiffy. 

The ladies who were to exhibit themselves grouped. Before the main event, some palace dancers performed for the king and the fitted ministers. He was astonished by their display. Other events followed before the main event. All the ladies were chosen randomly and some slots were kept for the palace ministers who wish their daughters were chosen. It was twilight when the event ended. Everyone began going home. The chosen ladies were celebrating and they were also congratulated. The one's that weren't chosen were left in a melancholy mood. 

"Another opportunity would certainly come and everything happens for a reason", reiterated some audience. 

The palace was empty after the day event. The selected ladies were to have a meeting with the queens and be told the dos and don ts of the palace. Though what maids were reinforced for hadn't been known to them but have to do their duties and responsibilities as the Queen in the palace. The meeting was to take place in the hall where the general meeting did take place with the kingdom's women on any issue arising and sometimes if the king had a meeting with other kingdoms they were in alliance with. All the selected ladies were given some special cloths which were to be worn as far as they were still in the palace. The King on the other hand was having a meeting with the ministers to conclude the desert annual journey discussion. The Queens joined immediately when they were informed that the meeting had started. At the meeting, the King made it known to them his plans of taking over the Niyeye Kingdom. The major reason for their plan was to be in control of the trade both in the west and east. The Queens were surprised especially the first Queen because she didn't like anything that had to do with war or disagreement. She was always keen to negotiate for peace. But the second queen on the other hand her surprised reaction immediately fade away and was the first of the two Queens to talked. 

She said, "that's a good idea, the kingdom is becoming more prominent in terms of land area". 

The first Queen wasn't surprised by her statement, she had known to always support evil opinions specifically to gain the favour of the Queen. The first Queen on the other hand tried to convince the King against it but it was all to no avail. The second Queen was known to always support the king's wish either deleterious or good. It was actually to gain more of the favour of the King and her attention over her rival. All the ministers' head was bowed as the king and Queens were discussing. The king roused his voice and called on one of the ministers in charge of horse reinforcement. The major goods they could afford in for their needs in Niyeye were horses as for the fact that they had it in abundance. But this time around, they weren't going there to trade alone but to execute their plan strategically, maritally and diplomatically taking over of the Niyeye.

After the meeting with the ministers was concluded, the king called on the body in charge of the desert regulations. They had a meeting behind the closed door immediately after the initial one with his ministers because the time to go for the journey was already at hand. The appropriate time to journey through the desert was always immediately the rainy season was concluded to avoid sandstorms. After the rainy season, the sand would still be held on the ground and there would be less sandstorm. The trip through the desert was normally 100+ days, which was roughly four months. Camels were the main transport system used. The horse was the initial transport system but, when the camel was discovered, the use of horse was relegated. The use of Camel encouraged more merchants because they could carry more luggage and could survive longer in the desert without water compared to a horse.

The king asked one of the ministers to arrange a meeting for him with the selected ladies. He wanted to shed more light concerning the main reason they were recruited and how the plan would be executed. The meeting was held, when the ladies learn of the idea most of them were delighted because they hadn't been out of the kingdom before and that would be an opportunity for them to explore other kingdoms especially a great kingdom in the west which they had been hearing about since their childhood days. Some were even curious to see the Kenne market that was said to be the largest in the west. Some of the ladies had already begun the discussion on how they were going to live and if eventually, they came back to the Yoe Kingdom everyone would treat them like great women. 

Immediately after the meeting with the ladies the assistant army general and some valiant army men over five thousand were also summoned to discuss the course of the journey. That was the first time an army was to follow merchants on a desert journey. The desert was generally called Chen desert. Along the desert, some merchants did lose their lives because they couldn't survive the rigidity of the desert, some illness etc. They did depart for the journey with adequate food and water. The horses which they were going to be exchanged for the Niyeye's gold and salt were also feed in other for them to survive the journey, unlike the camels which didn't need much food to survive.

It remained three days to the journey as announced by the organisation in charge of its regulation. The takshiffs were already at the palace, among the takahiffs were some old men who had been in the business for decades and their experiences would also be needed. They had been trained on how to detect the movement of the thieves and pirates that did attacked merchants treading through the desert. The merchants did wore on their head a brown-flat fez cap. The cap was worn to protect their faces against the desert harsh sun. The takshiffs sat under the small house to discuss the arrangement strategy and the newbies were also given instructions. Their faces were somehow scary because their facial front has been eaten by the sun despite the use of the flat-fez cap. Most of them were average in height and the average age was 30, they also had a skinny body like a person that had been fasting since the day he was born. But what marvelled people was how they did fight against the thieves though that's what they were trained to do.

Two days to the journey. In the palace hall, the organisation held a meeting to discuss the rigidity, the challenges of the journey and how they could be curbed. The sands were neither soft nor thick but very hot and the merchants were advised to go with a stronger helmet this time around due to the increasing rigidity of the desert. Historically, the desert was once filled with people living therein and it was once filled with water but how it became a desert remained a mystery that the historians and archaeologists hadn't unveiled. Some of the organisation officials even suggested that more takshiffs should be made available this time around because the journey would be the largest the Yoe would go embarked on. Other officials also provided their own opinion but were later rounded off by the organisational head. At the door was the first Queen sitting for the meeting to be concluded in other to discuss one or two things with the Organisation's head.

On the training ground in the palace compound were the army men training, over a thousand army men were armed with armour and shield, they were part of the plan they were to execute in Niyeye. Before settling down the king planned to found in Niyeye somewhat embassy which would serve as the Yoe's main home in the Niyeye Kingdom for the main time as the plan would be executed. The archers were also doing their training.

The head of the Yoe army men name was Huchi. Huchi was tall, strong, and agile he was recently chosen according to the advice given to the king by the prime minister when the King was faced with Dilemma on who to chose between Huchi the choice of the Kingmakers and Leung the choice of the people. A duel was later held which was won by Huchi. Huchi was also well respected due to his past exploits when he was a gladiator before switching to being a Soldier. He defeated the greatest gladiator until then. He was said to the strongest man in Yoe kingdom. The Assistant army general who was said to go along with the merchants to Niyeye name was Tang. Tang on the other hand was an average height man, neither too tall nor too short but very strong was deemed the second strongest man in the kingdom. Before Tang was chosen as the assistant army general, the king demanded a duel with him. Many saw the king demand as something not ideal but the king made it known to them that he just wants to test his martial ability which he once boasted of. The duel was a great one. Unfortunately for the king, he was defeated and Tang was endorsed as the assistant army general of Yoe.

The day of the desert journey was at hand. It was indeed a busy day in the palace as everyone was busy going from one to the other to make sure everything was intact and in other to avoid the wrath of the king. A similar occasion was when the king and his Queens were going out for an occasion one of the maids forgot to include a gift which the king ordered her to and unfortunately at the occasion, the gift wasn't found. At the arrival of the king, the maid was severely punished and banned from the palace despite the plea of the first wife and some ministers. The prime minister ought to have said something but he did respect the king's decisions sometimes. Hither thither were some army men perambulating like a vagabond. It was early in the morning. Other merchants aside the king's merchants who also had goods to exchange were present. Some even had a little discussion with the King. Not all merchants did the king did allow, they were allowed due to their position in the merchant industry and their contribution to the kingdom. Before one could easy effortless access to the king you must be a wealthy and influential person. The king was once an aspiring merchant before he succeeded his father as the king. He was the second born and his elder brother had already been crowned as the heir to the throne but fortunately and unfortunately for him, his elder brother died and he was named the heir to the throne. 

"Everything is in place", the merchants chorused. 

"You people have done a good job", replied the king. 

They were served some glasses of wine and they toasted, laughed, and drank in merriment. 

"This year's journey will be the greatest one", said a merchant as they were walking out of the palace.

Huchi and Tang were discussing how the strategy was going to be executed in Niyeye. 

"Don't let the army men overwork, it may lead to fatigue and the enemy might capitalise on that if the plans were eventually leaked and don't go fully with them some must stay back at the embassy in other to protect the ladies", said Huchi facing Tang. 

They both agreed and Huchi gave Tang a ring for remembrance. Huchi predicted the outcome of the idea of taking over Niyeye, he knew it was going to be a war and wish Tang survived. He could have gone with them but the king decision cannot be overruled. They were both good friends and they loved each other. They joke, people always wondered about the kind of relationship between the both of them. Some aliens did say they were siblings because they looked alike except the height that distinguished them. Their mode of dressing always complements. The humility Huchi had towards him is exceptional. It was sometimes difficult to figure out the head and the assistant of the army. But aside Tang, Huchi was a very strong and horrific soldier who no one dares face in war. Some even thought Tang use charm on him to be so friendly with him to that extent. Tang was a man of no mercy in war. He didn't in capturing of war slaves. His own was to kill anyone that came his way. Even if one surrendered to him he would still go-ahead to kill such a person. In the war, he bathes in blood. And his eye fury like a hungry tiger. The only person that could calm him down on the battlefield as his assistant because he understands him a lot. When Tang bid him " goodbye", they hugged each other and wish he could meet Tang again. The second time Huchi was emotional, the initial one was when his family was killed by some intruder who attacked from a remote village, that motivated him to joined the gladiator, fought his way to the top and revenged the death of his father, mother, siblings and wife. 

On the journey through the desert so quiet like a graveyard that if a pin should drop the sound would be heard. The desert comprises of short trees and thick grasses which could easily wound a person. Behind the merchants were also the Eunches. The crowd was very large going on the record journey. The journey could be compared to the day of Moses when he led over five hundred thousand Israelites out from the land of Egypt.