Chapter Five

Muhu, Dejoe, Yon and Onna were welcomed into the palace by the king and the Queen and other ministers who were present. They were glad to meet their parent again. It had been a while. They had been out of Niyeye which had left the Queen worried and the king, on the other hand, knew that it was not going to be an easy journey so he was rested assured that their arrival was imminent. They received a hug each from the King and the Queen and given a warm welcome. Tang and the Yoe minister who was at a far distance away from where the king and the Queen were standing to welcome the princes and the princesses. They immediately joined them in welcoming the princes and princesses.

Muhu who was the firstborn was a very tall boy with a kinda lengthy hand. He was the prime minister's best friend after the king. It was his absence that made the prime minister kinda lonesome especially if the king was busy with other things especially reading. The king spent most of his spared time to read. Muhu inherited the trait of a philosopher from his father. Though the prime minister was also close to the king but did discuss more with Muhu due to his intelligence and his calmy nature. Muhu was twenty-eight years old. He was sometimes referred to as "small king" by the ministers jokingly. He could spend his whole day practising his archery and sometimes reading. His days could easily be predicted because everything about him was around archer and reading. He was a library addict. He preferred spending the night in the library even if the king was against it. He couldn't do without visiting the library to read for a day even after having a rigorous training hour. He also had an interest in trading. He spent most of his time in the library reading about businesses and how he could improve as an upcoming merchant. He had a dream to become a great merchant. He was such a dreamer who had the dream of becoming almost everything. The prime did make jest of her divisions sometimes because he always wishes he was everything. He helped the minister of trading in summarising daily account, calculating etc. He was the most intelligent of the four children of his parent. He was mostly called upon by the ministers if there was anything that was logically difficulty for him to decode. Muhu gained the respect of all the ministers because he supported them a lot against anybody's wish even if they were on the wrong side but he never sits back to rectify their deed behind the closed door. Supporting the ministers sometimes did result in a rift between him and the prime minister but he was very clever and did talk to the minister concerning any rift they had. Muhu was said to be the best archery in the Niyeye. Arguably the best in the west. Many archery did attend Niyeye annual festival in other to participate in their archery contest so they could get a chance to go into a contest with him but, he had been winning for the past five years. He had won the best archery in Niyeye for five consecutively times and the one coming forth in weeks, he was already deemed the winner. Although it might be the toughest because several people had challenged him that they were ready to seize the title from him this time around. Muhu was on the course of being the greatest archery to have ever graced Niyeye if he was able to break the record held by a great Gladiator century back. The name of the gladiator was Yongue. Yongue won the best archery for a record of nine times which no one had been able to emulate since his death. Though Muhu knew it wouldn't be easy to break such record he was prepared. He knew there was a need for more rigorous training. He did practice with the prime minister that's also one of the reasons the relationship between them was stronger than people could imagine. The prime minister was also once great archery but muhu broke his record of using five arrows simultaneously to hit the target when he was still a young archer in Niyeye.

Yon, who was sometimes referred to as a man. She was very dangerous, especially on the battlefield. She fought like a monster and not so caring. Most people in the palace didn't like her due to her austerity. Her best friend was the Niyeye blacksmith head, Jangogo. She was the opposite of the king and the Queen in behaviour. Most times the king and the Queen did question themselves if they were truly the one that owned her because she didn't exhibit any of their traits. She was rarely seen in the palace but everywhere in the kingdom fighting hoodlums and thieves who disrupts the market activities. He did also spend most of his time at Jangogo workshop doing training especially with the army-trained assassin who did guard the Niyeye blacksmith workshop. She was very fast and agile. She was twenty-five years. Always ready to protect any trader who was a victim of theft.  Some crooks were really after her life because she always disrupts their plan of robbing and hijacking in the market. There was a time they were after her life when he was walking through the Kenne market. He saw the hoodlums behind her walking. She tried to but they followed her swiftly to the extent that she reached a place where the wall was way higher than her ability to jump. She had no choice but to fight them. She knew she would defeat them but didn't want to engage in the assault with them so she won't to be the talk of the market that early morning. The hoodlums after her were five in numbers. She fought them all and they were severely dealt with. Some even promised her they were the one that would kill her at last. She was the most loved among the traders because she was always at their rescue at the absence of market security. 

Dejoe, who was the second prince, a twenty years old boy and the penultimate child. He was very jovial and gentle. He rarely talks. He was always lonely in the palace. The only thing that did keep him busy was his practice. He was one of the great upcoming martial art fighters in Niyeye. He was also arguably the young best martial art fighter in Niyeye. He liked attending festivals so he could participate in contests. He loved practising alone. But sometimes he did practice with his elder sister, Yon, only if she decided to stay in the palace for that day. His dream was to become the leader and army general of Niyeye and the greatest general to have ever graced the west. He never had his psyche on the throne even though he had a chance. As it was stated in Niyeye's constitution that if the king had more than a prince, the heir to the throne must be determined by their ability to defend the kingdom in terms of martial art, archery etc. Dejoe didn't give a good relationship with his brother because he believed his brother, Muhu had pride. Muhu believed there was no one greater than him in Niyeye due to the feats he had achieved. But in Martial art, Dejoe believed he could defeat him to waterloo. Though Dejoe respected him because he was his elder brother. He wishes to has conceded the throne to him but he was prepared to fight it out with him at least to show himself also that he wasn't a fragile prince. He swore that he would do anything to make sure his brother never ascend the throne ahead of him due to his pride. Though Dejoe didn't have any taste to rule he believed his brother was too full of himself. Dejoe was also looking forward to the festival where the overall winner would also be announced which would be determined by the moves each and everyone takes to win his or her respective contests. Though he had participated in the festival contest once and this imminent one would be the second. He didn't reach any crucial stage for the first time he participated last year but he was ready to put an end to his brother five years greatness as he had gained more experience compared to last year.

Onna was a very young teenager, beautiful and the last child of the family. She was fifteen years old. She was the most loved by her parent. The ministers did refer to him as "the young queen". She liked dancing and she was among the palace dancing maid who dances to entertain the king every Wednesday morning. She was also crafty as she made a lot of designs from beads. Some of the Queen's chains and designed wears were made by her. The king also loved her because of the way she talked. She had almost all the traits of both the king and the Queen. She knew how to make dresses. She loved all her elders brothers and sister. She easily got angry and the Queen always try to do her possible best to make sure she was always happy.

The Yoe minister and Tang took permission to take their leave and the king reminded them of the second meeting coming up in three days, the same week. Though before the Yoe minister left he also welcomed the princes and princesses. The prince and princesses were surprised to see Tang because that was the first time they were seeing him. The Yoe minister and Tang walked out of the palace compound and head to their camp. The king also goes in with his children. The ministers that were still at the palace compound also took their leave as it was almost afternoon since they had concluded the meeting. The palace became cool and silent as it usually is in the afternoon.

Tang and the Yoe minister were on their way to the camp when some thieves were seen attacking a trader in Kenne market. Tang immediately go for the rescue of the trader and Tang was appreciated by the traders. They even offered him a gift but he didn't accept it. Some began to praise him due to the manner he attacked and injured the thieves. Everyone, there was left in awe. 

"Who is this man", said one of the pedestrian. 

"He must be a stranger"

One of the pedestrians replied, "That's the man that leads the Yoe men that come for their annual trade".

Surprised, "Oh! No wonder, Yoe is known for their strong military and beautiful ladies". Everyone went their ways.

In the Niyeye palace room were the Queen and the King talking to their children. They decided to hold a welcome party for them. They reiterated that much crowd wouldn't be allowed to be present. The palace workers, ministers and maids would be the audience. The princes and princesses would entertain everyone with their talents and skills. Muhu didn't expect the king to hold such a ceremony as they would need time to rest after returning from their long journey. But, the king insisted that it would be held in a week time. Onna was very happy hearing that because she loved the ceremony a lot. She knew everyone would be eager to see her dance again. Dejoe who was a quiet person didn't even say anything as he was okay with the idea and Yon also welcomed the idea. They all went to their rooms to have some rest.

Some minutes later, a guard entered to inform the king that he had a visitor. The king decided to go out to welcome the visitor. On reaching outside he was surprised as he saw the new king of Putu. The new king was recently chosen and the coronation was even attended by the Niyeye King. He was chosen after the assassination of the former king who didn't have any male child to succeed him and the throne was transferred to another family. They went inside to have some petty talks. The unusual visit was as a result of the king visiting a merchant in Niyeye and decided to pay homage to his friend, the king of Niyeye whom he just allied with before he took his leaves. After their lengthy-petty discussion in the guest room, the king escorted the Putu King to the entrance and he bid him farewell. He walked back into the palace and informed his guard not to allow anyone in as he needed rest. He also ordered him to go and shut the library door as he wouldn't be able to visit the library for the day again. 

Yon was seen on the fighting ground doing training after she returned from Duyeo. She was expected to have some rest but she decided to do some training instead. Maybe that's his rest because on a usual day she wouldn't be in the palace but rather in the market walking hitter thither with a sword looking around the market like market security or she would at the blacksmith workshop.

Three days later in the morning. The ministers were seen entering the palace for the second meeting of the week which was also the last of the week. The prime minister, as usual, was already in the palace making sure everything was in place. Since the princes and the princesses were around they were also expected to be present at the meeting. Tang and the Yoe minister arrived being the second meeting they would be participating in. Though the King had told his children a lot about Tang and the Yoe minister so they weren't surprised seeing them for the second time.

At the meeting, they discussed the annual festival that remains three weeks and some days. They had already begun the preparation and disseminating of messages. There was going to be a meeting among kings from different Kingdom next two weeks, a week after the welcome ceremony in Niyeye palace. Since the princes and the princesses were back, the preparation would begin wholly after the welcome ceremony that was going to take place next week. The king made an announcement concerning the welcome ceremony and urge all the ministers to be present. The Niyeye King also sought for the help of Tang as their army plans to attack a neighbouring region that has been terrorising them at the border. Tang was said to assist the Niyeye army who were already at the headquarter, so he would be directed to the headquarter where he would meet other army men of Niyeye, it was just a day fight. Some ministers were also warned concerning the reports the prime minister gave the King about their conduct in the palace.

The meeting was concluded and the King and the Queen took their leave passing through their usual passage. Tang was given information on how he could get to the headquarters by the Niyeye prime minister. The Yoe minister was worried about Tang as he was very crucial in the plan they are to initiate in Niyeye and he could not afford to let anything happened to him. Everyone vanished from the palace and ministers resumed their usual joint talk but didn't hang around long this time because the King was angry at them. Everyone mood dropped.

Tang takes his leave. He heads towards the headquarters to meet the Niyeye army men. The Yoe camp had been finalised and their ladies had settled down completely. The merchants were also at the camp chatting together with the Yoe minister about their imminent departure. Some had missed Yoe. The ladies were also at one corner gisting. Life in Niyeye had been good to them as things were going as they planned. The next step would be made known to Tang by the minister before he departs with the merchants. The camels were also in their house. The environment was cool.

The second day after the assault, Tang returned from the headquarters. It was an easy win. The king knew they would win without Tang but he didn't want to suffer any casualties that why he sent Tang to them to make the win easier. The Yoe minister was very happy on seeing the Tang, his worries disappeared. He couldn't sleep overnight because of Tang. Tang decided to have some rest before he had to visit the palace in the evening to relay one or two information to the king concerning the assault.

Tang and the Yoe minister went to the palace during the weekend that was the second day after Tang returned from the headquarters as he couldn't make it that day anymore as planned because he was so tired that after waking up he couldn't do anything again. The King welcomed him and he was rewarded by the king with some special royal wines. The Yoe minister was very happy with the wines because he loved it. Those wines were made for special people like the king or any other king that came visiting. Niyeye was also blessed with good palm wine rapper and a good forest where good trees were gotten to make those wines. After dispatching all the necessary messages Tang the Yoe minister took their leave.

It was the first day of the week as everything was already in place for the welcome ceremony. The ministers were already at the palace. The palace maids were also seen in their usual ceremonial gowns. Onna was seen with the maids whom she was going to dance with. Though she would also dance alone. The princesses and the princes in their royal gowns. The King and the Queen coming out of their rooms respectively. Tang and the Yoe minister also entered. Everyone faces could be seen full of smiles.

The dancing crew began after everyone settled down. The prime minister was the talker of the day as he was given the license to oversee all the activities of the ceremony. The dancing crew entertain everyone especially Onna with his steps. Some of the ministers were even planning to marry her off their sons but they knew it wouldn't be easy but it would be a great feat for them. Some entertainers were also invited by the king. Everyone was enjoying the party. 

It reached the main stage were the princes and the princesses were to entertain the audience with their talent and skill. They went in to change their gowns. The prime minister also changed as he planned to contest with Muhu and some other ministers who were once an archer during their youth days, they decided to experiment themselves against Muhu. It was a great day as everyone was curious to see whether Muhu could be defeated. The prime minister just wanted to exercise himself because he had already conceded defeat to Muhu in his psyche. The contest was a great one as Muhu defeated all of them by a great margin. The only person that came close was the prime minister. 

After an intense moment. Onna was to come on stage to perform independently and entertain the audience with his dancing steps. Everyone couldn't stop dancing the way he was drumming, singing and dancing concurrently. The Yoe minister and Tang were awed by his uncommon talent as they couldn't stop looking at each other with their mouth wide open. Such talent was rare. She pounded the drums rapidly as everyone could be seen jiggling their heads and legs. She was given a thunderous clap with a standing ovation as he concluded her dance.

Yon and Dejoe engaged in a duel. Though some ministers were seen betting. Some bet on Dejoe while some on Yon. A great  of people bet on Yon. Though between the two there wasn't a certain winner. As the duel entered the seventh round. The prime minister reiterated in his psyche that, that was the third-longest duel he had ever witnessed. The first was the great battle between the two greatest gladiators of all time, Jeygo and Cheun. The duel was still one of the memorable fights in the kingdom until the present. The duel lasted till 22nd round and Jeygo was defeated and killed in the battle ring named Kuku. Cheun later died some years after, becoming one of the Gladiators that were neither killed nor defeated The battle was tagged the "Battle of Kuku". Kuku today had become a historical centre where people did visit to catch a glimpse of what they were told and heard about the battle. The sword of Jeygo and Cheun were also hanged there. The second-longest which the prime minister had ever witnessed was the contest of "the race to the throne" between two princes of Kohoe that later became arch-rival of Niyeye. The fight between the two princes last till the nineteenth round and the youngest prince among the two won at last. It caused a spark all over the west. At the end of the contest between Dejoe and Yon when it was becoming intense the king called it a halt. There was no absolute winner. The fight marked the end of the ceremony.