DANCE OF SHAME: Episode 2

It was another day of the popular Ede-Eki market of great ldheze kingdom. The market was full with traders from all over Isoko race.

At the peak of the marketing excitement, a hungry lion appeared, causing stampede. The lion roared as it dashed to the animals’ stall where it saw bounded goats meant for sale. Helplessly, fright jumped into their eyes as they sighted the hungry lion, licking lips with delight. He again let out a loud roar with hungry eyes.

As it was destroying the stable where the bleating goats were kept, Mayowa appeared. in annoyance, the hungry lion roared as it saw Mayowa. A fierce battle ensued. Frightened audience watched the battle of the century with hands covering their mouth. Mayowa fought the lion with bare hands!

Mayowa's body was plastered with sweat, his eyes red like hot furnace, blood gushing out from his body. But he took a powerful grip on the hungry lion, weakening it and throwing it thrice with his last strength. Like a dream, he threw the hungry lion as it struggled to wriggle free, but Mayowa pinned it under his armpit. With one strike, the hungry lion went limp and helpless.

A deafening crowd rushed to carry Mayowa shoulder high. The noise shook the foundation of the kingdom.

”l heard noises, like those from war front,“ King Ogiso told his chiefs and elders in the palace as they sat for the week’s meeting to decide the fate of those who would be appointed new chiefs before the fast approaching ldheze Festival.

“Your highness, you speak nothing but the truth; the noise is getting ctoser, closer a closer.” confirmed an elder, his bald-head glimmer from the glass of the bright sunny day. His frail frame shivering with fright. His hollow like eyes roving from one face to another, trembling as he remembered his children at home.

“My lord, what are you suggesting? We are not praying for war... but we are prepared. This is a well timed ambush. What do we do now?" Chief Rume added in fright. He excused himself. When he got to the bank of the Palace of Peace, he broke into a race. He tripped and stood up again to continue his race as he disappeared into the evil forest, panting for breath.

“My kinsmen, don’t be of little faith. A war is not fought from a distance. It is only a warrior that understands the demands of his game. Don't forget, I was a warrior during Emade war. I had fought as a mercenary before i was crowned. Do not forget the sword of the gods. If it means a real war as speculated, we shall not hesitate to face the fact. We are not afraid of war," King Ogiso said, growing in confidence and annoyance. He tried to encourage the chiefs as the chief priest hurried to their presence in prostration.

“Your Highness, I will go to the square to find out the meaning of this unusual noise, yes, it’s not war, my lord, the gods have not told me to expect war. All is well, my Lord".

“l was about to send for you, if it is war we are not lazy, the gods sometimes might be annoyed with us. We don't pray for war. Return with your words of wisdom," the king said.

The chief priest hurried out but was accosted by mammoth crowd at the gate of the palace. He ran back, frightened.

“My Lord, I have never seen such a huge crowd all my life. They are right here in the palace. I saw strange faces. Someone was carried above the head," the priest demonstrated, putting his hands in the air. Elders and chiefs stood up in confusion. As deafening noise enveloped the palace, the king's servant came in to explain what happened.

King Ogiso listened as his servant related the incident. “Amazingly, the gods are surely with him, " the king remarked.

Mayowa was smiling broadly as he was being transferred from one shoulder to another according to the rhythm of the songs.

KING!
Hail hail hail new king of the forest
Brace... them the rest
King is known to be a brave warrior
Mayowa conqueror king our eyes saw
Who else is a king?
Please join me sing
Praise the gods
Mayowa anointed from gods
Ah, killing a lion with bare hands
Hail, hail him
Hail, hail him
Stand up... arise
Oh! Hail new king of the forest
Who killed king of the forest?
Behold new king is chosen
Once in a season.

A large crowd trooped into the palace in wild jubilation. Eight hefty men were pulling a wooden cart which contained the tamed wild lion effortlessly. Noises of different songs serenaded the entire ldheze town. The market people abandoned their wares to follow Mayowa like a newly recruited faithful disciples.

King Ogiso was infuriated by the lyrics of the songs. During his last coronation, he was embarrassed as his neighbouring kings and chiefs had congratulated him on Mayowa who had helped them to solve second puzzle with his wealth of wisdom.

He remembered how King lteveh of Ope kingdom cautioned him on the rising profile and popularity of Mayowa. He also advised him to set him up using a woman. Else, he would one day wrestle the king's crown from his royal head. The king said the gods migh be showing Mayowa favour to crown him the king though the reigning king was still alive. No doubt, the goddess was in love with Mayowa.

Today, King Ogiso saw the traces of that revelation that soon Mayowa could be crowned the king.

I remain @emmaculate
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