Return of Eleburu

Quickly as Osabiegun concluded his words, Okiki-osupa rose to her feet after she had responded with her understanding to the command of the king. 

Even though the chiefs and elders glared ridiculously at her, she only walked back into the chamber which she came out from.

But if that had happened without a single word that polluted her silence was only a fallacy as the instance her presence had disappeared, words that condemned her were spoken by the chiefs and elders all at once in a murmur. 

According to one of the chiefs , who then spoke defiantly but mindful. If the queen of the future can be trusted with this task and if she will not fail them as she had failed her own people, not to mention disgrace her father's image and ancestors? 

But if the chief thought he could speak ill of Okiki-osupa at the presence of Oranmiyan left him to be bathed with words that condemned him by Oranmiyan. 

In a question he asked if that was how his mother failed her own father before she married his father? 

At this moment silence prevailed and everything that happened remains the reaction of the chiefs and elders who looked at each other with total confusion if Oranmiyan had just said what he said. 

If Oranmiyan was only a commoner of Ifa-ile would he have regretted his words for what he had not imagined they would do but Oranmiyan remained their crown prince and they intend not to step on his wrong toe even at this moment. 

Osabiegun with his horsetail whisk which he stretched further ordered everyone to stop the reaction or murmuring that was radiating in the palace. 

If he made the right decision was the question Osabiegun asked the eldest priest and a response which confirmed he had done rightly the eldest priest answered. 

The royal bard, who hadn't waited for any more words, lifted up in his highest voice a song which praised Osabiegun for his wisdom. 

A story he began to tell which he likened Osabiegun to a bird of prey. According to his words in a melody, had the bird of prey with broad rounded wings and a long tail, cut his prey by surprise with a short chase.

For only him since the creation of the man could have fallen a mountain and only him with only a snap of a finger could have made the mightiest seem powerless. 

That from his father's generation, down to him and to his generation to come shall they be known for their bravery and the king of the people for even Oranmiyan was not a difference, a noble warrior who handled the neck of a wolf and slaughtered it as if it was only a fowl. 

Osabiegun with the gesture of his hand which he raised up a little bit in the air ordered the stop of the royal bard who immediately held a pause but continued to comfort him with gentle breeze with the royal hand fan. 

How would they approach the needs of the witches was the question Osabiegun asked facing the eldest priest. For a sacrifice the witches demanded before the end of seven days they must offer a male child born at dusk. 

For a marriage between Okiki-osupa and Oranmiyan which they instructed, they have done and the acceptance of the princess of Ilupeju, they will accept only to leave the sacrifice which they haven't yet prepared for. 

That Osabiegun should not be bothered were the words of the eldest priest as a tortoise cannot be without a way forward in the face of danger he said aloud. 

They will only do what they have always done. Offer the sacrifice as they have always offered it and the witches shall accept it. 

Definitely, his words gave Osabiegun some solace to which immediately he called on his royal guard who should then go into the house of the birth attendant for her presence which must not fail this moment. 

As soon as Osabiegun closed his mouth for his words, the royal guard picked his leg above his head and walked in triple steps in the direction of the house of the birth attendant. 

On the street as the villagers saw the royal guard from afar hid for him to see them for no one knew the message he had and if he was sent a message of death shall they seek their safety. 

Each villager with their window opened, at the glance of the royal guard whose face was with a dagger forced the window closed as they peeped from the strap. 

The arrival of the royal guard at the birth attendant's yard met with different cryings of infant babies but for the birth attendant was the news of her murder told. 

Definitely, one of the former royal slaves which the birth attendant had librated even before Osabiegun at the moment they were given to her as a gift replaced her as the new birth attendant after her murder and behind the royal guard, they had returned to the palace. 

With her kneel glued to the ground and her face covered with earth she presented herself before Osabiegun as she paid her homage. 

That she was not the one who came the last time, Osabiegun barked. For the one he spoke to the last time was an old woman with a hunch back and for what business had she come in her stead? 

But a sigh the new birth attendant let out as according to her words, it was only the evening of the day while they were at the middle of their work had a drunken man come with a dagger in his hands. 

For his words rained the condemnation of the birth attendant for the death of his wife even so with pregnancy. That where she sent his wife, he will also send her. 

With a shock Osabiegun, Oranmiyan, the chief and elders and even the eldest priest reacted for such effrontery in Ifa-ile. For not a person had done so before lest, face the destruction that will fall on him and if he or she had so soon forgotten the tradition of their land shall he be taught and a scapegoat he will become. 

If it was a he or a she, Osabiegun asked again just to be sure for such a person with that boldness to have dipped his hands in the mouth of a tiger and hoped not to get devoured. 

Atejoku, was the answer of the new birth attendant with her head bowed to the ground and If it was Atejoku, the son of Ejonnla, from the compound of Oniru, Osabiegun asked in his anger. 

For it is certain in the culture of Ifa-ile that every person of ifa-ile belonged to a compound which comprised families from a certain ancestor, who were the first inhabitants of Ifa-ile.  

Osabiegun in his annoyance called upon four of his royal guards and a strict order he gave to them that even if they had to drag Atejoku on the ground unto the palace, or carry him on their shoulder down unto the palace. For it is his devil's face he wants to see and shall they fail, will they themselves be torn apart by the claws of his tiger. 

At the departure of the guards was the announcement of the king of Ilupeju who had come yet again with his entourage and the beautiful damsels by his side with a beaded crown on their heads. 

Definitely, the crown had easily given them away as the princess of Ilupeju. And at the right side of Eleburu, one held her sit before Osabiegun just as her father had done and the two others at the left of Eleburu and their entourage behind them. 

Eleburu in his words had not failed to introduce his princesses  to which he continued to smile and more gifts he ordered two of his entourage to open before them and Osabiegun. 

According to him, just in case Osabiegun would change his mind had more golds and silver added to the last one he brought. For the only thing he wanted in return was for the prince to hold the hand of one of the princess who he wants or even two who he wants. 

Osabiegun whose eyes had before filled with anger became easy and as he persistently fixed his eyes on the glittering golds and silver as clear as crystals. 

Oranmiyan in the same vein had not blinked at the stare on the gold and silver for the faces of the princesses were not important but how richer they would be for the gold and silver that lay before them. 

The more they fixed a stare the more silence conquered their conversation which had Eleburu shrouded in dilemma for what was happening. 

More golds and silvers had Eleburu commanded one of his entourage to open before them yet again as he words had not changed.  For only a relationship he wants with Ifa-ile by marriage.