CHAPTER SEVEN

It was the Oroorun Market day, even if activities has reduced, this day was still as bubbly as ever. It was as if the people here were not the same people that has been attacked by the forest spirits. The Oroorun market day hold a significant place in the heart of these people and they saw it as a relief mechanism.

The people were oblivious to the lurking danger in the shadows. This day was one of the time Moremi visits the Market, the people all paid homage to her. The lurking danger drew closer wanting to seize the distraction as an opportunity.

They appeared as fearsome as before screeching in an inhuman voice scaring the souls out of the people. The market became chaotic as everyone tried to save themselves. Moremi's guards tried to fight off these monsters but were subdued and Moremi was taken. Mothers for a moment forgot about their children corpse begin to litter the ground, the place erupted in pandemonium.

Cries and shouts filled the air, by the time the town guards arrived the place was disrupted and chaotic as they hurried frantically towards where they see their queen been dragged.

They tried to fight but was killed and some taken as captives. By the time reinforcements came the perpetrators were long gone. This was the biggest raid the people had faced. Mothers cry in loud voices for their children and children also for their parents. A warrior among the reinforcements saw his daughter crying, she and her sister had decided to come sell some beads in the market that morning. She rushed to him trying to explain in tears that her sister was missing. The others could not comfort him as they also were searching for their families and most importantly their queen was missing. Nothing could pacify the hearts of the people. This was the biggest blow they have been dealt with and it hit very hard. They hurried back to the palace.

The king stared dumbfounded at one of the servant girl that escorted Moremi to the Market as she cried trying to explain what happened. The palace chiefs all stared helplessly in fear

"Why are you here and not her??" The Ooni shouted. The girl didn't know how to reply as she laid flat in fear.

The Balogun walked in with his warriors, they were all bare chested with their machetes and weapons.

"Kabieyesi ooo" they all prostrated

We have failed you but we know our mistake we will venture now into the forbidden forest and tear that place apart until the Queen is found" their commander the Balogun assured.

"Do not return until she is found..cut down anything that stands in your way this is the last straw spirits or not. Leave.. everyone included" The Ooni dismissed them as the servant girl was dragged away. She knows her life now has come to an end it was better she had died than anything to happen to the Queen. She could not even cry for herself but for her queen who was like a mother to her.

The captives were led deeper and deeper into the forest. Their hands were all tied together as they cried their way into the forest.

It was now dark they were tied in groups to trees.

The forest spirits conversed in a strange language further enhancing the belief if the captives that they were spirits.

About Dawn

The shared the captives into two groups and moved in different directions further confusing the people. Moremi was put in the group of a burly looking spirit. On its head there was something like a crown indicating its leadership. Most of the captives in his group were young looking women or beautiful ones.

They journeyed for 3days straight only stopping to rest in the night. The burly leader noticed how Moremi shared her food despite how little it was and how respectful the others treated her. Her eyes held no fear and there was a regal air about her. His eyes are set on this one he will definitely own her. He will tame her, obviously she was one of the Ooni's wives.

They got to their destination on the third day, They were tired, hungry and thirsty but was also shocked this was beyond their imagination. This was like a small village another world. They were all covered in raffia palm looking fearsome. This is the village of the forest spirits.

Is this another dimension?? A young girl asked as they were led into the village. No one answered but their thoughts were filled with this notion.

Moremi heart filled with uncertainty for the first time. She saw some people being dragged out, what she saw in their eyes scared her "helplessness! No hope" her heart clenched painfully.

"Olo.. ri!! Someone cried out from among the people. This caused the forest spirits leading them to stop turning their gaze to the victim.

It was a young boy, he has bruises all over his body with his face swollen definitely from beatings, his hair was dirty. He moved away from his group stretching his hands towards Moremi. She stared at his almost unrecognisable face and gasp in shock. This was her son's friend that was taken by the forest spirits some months ago.

He was pushed back forcefully and dragged away. His eyes continued to stare at her as their group left. Moremi cried for the first time they were taken. Her son Oluorogbo how is he?? How is he taking the news?? She cried for her people, for her king and herself. She must fight this even if she lose her life in the process she must fight this.

They brought her group to another larger compound. She saw then what was happening, they were being sold. Her group which was filled with more beautiful women was pushed into a cage like compartment. Cries of the captives filled the air, little children were dragged from their mothers as they sold them off. The buyers were like the forest spirits perhaps from another settlement. Moremi saw both familiar and unfamiliar faces among the captives. Hate grew in her heart as she stared at their captors with disdain.

They all stood up as a figure walked in. He seemed like the one with the highest post. He spoke in a strange language as they all cheered.

They were celebrating their victory, after some hours they led her group to the main stage. The people cheering became louder as they laughed happily. The man raised his hand and everywhere became silent. The lead captor, the burly spirit, walked to the front then knelt in front of the leader speaking in the same strange language gesturing with his hands towards them.

The ladies hurdled together in fear they were looking at Moremi as if she knew what was happening. The leader stared at them, his gaze roaming their figures. He saw Moremi standing there as if she was not a captive.. hmmm...interesting he gaze was fixed on her.

Definitely of royalty he thought, another spirit noticed his gaze then whispered something to him. Interest flickered in his gaze then he nodded. The more beautiful ones were reserved for the leaders and the rest sold or given to other forest spirits.

Moremi wondered what do these spirits want with them, or do spirits also have urges like men?? She was confused. She was later led into another place with two others. She expected them to be mistreated but they one handed them over to some women who led them into the bathing house. They were stripped naked, scrubbed and oiled. Their hair were washed and plaited. Then later they led them into different rooms. Moremi tried the door but it was locked, she stared at the room, it was finely decorated with beautiful materials. She knows how much some of these costs obviously they are plunder gained from ravaged palaces. She lied down and swiftly slept off as she could not resist the softness of the fur bed. She was still deep in sleep and didn't notice the man staring at her with lust. She would have seen that he was none other than the burly spirit man.

Thank you for reading up to this level, due to some inconveniences I would have to stop writing.

That's a lie aluta continual 🤪🤪

How you guys doing?? comments your thoughts

Let's get to know each other where are my readers from??

I am from Ondo state, Nigeria. But I live in Lagos state.

This burly man sounds like a pervert now we've got some perverted spirit on our hands.

Remember the people of Ile Ife believes this people to be spirits

Will you sleep in this kind of situation??

Just wondering tho.