Town Crier, Emissary, The Hung

Even at the first light of the day the chiefs and elders gathered at the palace. Osabiegun who still remained in his chamber was equally being dressed by the royal slaves for his function he had with the chiefs and elders. 

Definitely, their sleep throughout the night was a peaceful one since they had fulfilled one of the wishes of the witches, and another of their desire they had begin to solve which therefore guaranteed them peace as even Oranmiyan had made love again to Okiki-osupa throughout the night. 

Though Okiki-osupa had been displeased with the event that happened the day before, she knew there was nothing she can do against it as Oranmiyan can only survive if he succumbs to the wishes of the witches and perishes if he goes against the witches. 

A word of promise Okiki-osupa demanded from Oranmiyan that aside from the princess of Ilupeju shall there be no other queen, nor can there be concumbies. For only her should remain the rose he would always sniff and the statue he will always admire. 

In a song Oranmiyan answered as he sang her first the eulogy of her name. For a stingy woman he called her and a stingy woman he wanted her, even hIm, wanted to share no man with her. 

That only her beauty was enough to make a man fall at her feet as she would do unto anyone her will. For a fool only sees her and says he had not seen the face of a goddess. One that even the blind man had testify to her beauty. 

What a prince shall he be, or what a king shall he become, if he failed to cherish her only as she will be what he will worship always and forever more. 

A word of promise as according to the words of Oranmiyan shall he not be seen with the princess of Ilupeju for only a statue with no worshiper or an admirer she will become as solitude and boredomness shall only be her friend and lover because not him shall move close to her.  

That his words were enough, Okiki-osupa kneel gently before him and loosen slowly on her back the first layer of attire nutted to cover around her bosom. In the same manner, loosen slowly the attire nutted on her waist to cover her buttocks. 

The only thing that remained on her was the beads as crown on her head and the beads around her neck, wrist and ankles as she now remained unclad. 

Oranmiyan who had gently caressed his fingers from her hair downward to her back and slowly bending towards the direction of her bosom could not have imagined anyone more beautiful than Okiki-osupa. 

Her words which now disturbed the prevailing silence sprouted out from her lips gently. According to her, asked her lord to be unto her and show her his love. 

With only this, Oranmiyan had not wasted any more moment that he now quickly lifted away his attire from his body and with same strength, loosen his rope that tightened his trouser as he rested her back on the mat where he laid on her gently. 

The whole of the chiefs and elders fell upon their faces at the entrance of Osabiegun who now sat on his throne as they bid him their homage. That the king will live long were the words they chorused together in one accord. 

At this moment Osabiegun had rendered to them a smile as he shook his horsetail whisk in the air which graced them with his command for them to rise to their feet and have their seat. 

Without any further delay, the words of the chiefs and elders had backed up that of Osabiegun how soon the darkness was going to prevail upon Ifa-ile and anything they needed to do should be as fast as the strike from a thunder. 

Osabiegun in his calmness immediately hearkened to the words the chiefs and elders said to him gently. That it will only make sense and good for them if they at this early time bring in the infant for the sacrifice. 

With only a snap of a finger, the royal guard standing next to Osabiegun stood steadfast at attention to hear the command that sprouted from the mouth of Osabiegun. 

That he should walk in hastened steps further into the village, down into the house of birth and in his presence shall the birth attendant know what to do. That he shall not go alone, for with him shall five other guards accompany him. 

At the disappearance of the royal guards who immediately marched away from the presence of Osabiegun after they had formed together and Osabiegun was done issuing his command. 

Osabiegun summoned immediately the town crier who, according to the tradition of ifa-ile delivers the message from the king to the whole community. 

Before Osabiegun the town crier had quickly responded to his call as he kneel before Osabiegun and paid attention to all the details which he said. 

According to him shall no man born of a woman, no woman born of a woman and no child born of a woman step outside of his home at the time the darkness shall fall on Ifa-ile. For anyone who disobeys this command whatever he sees, he should endure because, he shall not live to see the sun which will shine on ifa-ile the day after. 

From outside the palace the town crier began with the message he was sent. At the top of his voice he shouted with his veins cropping  out around  his neck. 

Everyone who heard his voice came out of their home to get the message clearer as even him walked further.  

The instant he completed the message he started all over again as he continued to walk the whole of ifa-ile and those who had completely listened to him remained to gossip among themselves for their displeasure in every policy that guide Ifa-ile. 

While some condemned Osabiegun for not being any different to his father who also succumbed to the tradition of birth sacrifice and if all their children shall be an instrument for their rituals they continued to lament. 

Even though some of the villagers were afraid to speak what shall be considered a treason against the king. For the walls have ears they always believe. Others with such boldness had not been concerned as they kept expressing their displeasure. 

If Osabiegun was not a king who worshiped Sango, and if he had not offended Sango why was there a need to succumb to the witches? For Sango was the god of thunder and shall sango watch them pluck out the eyes of his worshiper? 

Only a strike of the thunder, all the witches will collapse into their destruction and Ifa-ile shall be free of this curse. But what can they do, since even their king already sucked the breast of the witches? 

The instant the presence of the royal guards was made known to some villagers who begin now in their flying limps for their separate homes, everyone else quickly dabbled into their homes and binded their doors and windows closed. 

Certainly, meeting the royal guards could have caused them in trouble as the word of the town crier already streamed into their ears for the coming sacrifice, the presence of the royal guards was dangerous. If they waited, perhaps themselves shall be the meat for their purpose. 

Even in their safety, as their doors and windows were already vehemently locked, they had peeped to see the royal guards from their strap windows. 

Definitely, the infant they saw on the shoulders of one of the guards had not by any way surprised them but empathy they feel for the mother who loses her child for the purpose of their ritual. 

As they continued to hiss and show their anger even inside of their homes, they continued to curse the witches, even Osabiegun and the whole of the chiefs and elders who indeed worshiped them. 

According to their words they shall know no peace and from trouble upon trouble they shall continue to eat until they see their wrongs and seek forgiveness from those whom they have made to weep. 

The intention to migrate from Ifa-ile into another village some of the villagers developed at that moment and at the disappearance of the royal guards had they parked their loads on their heads and secretly headed towards the border of Ifa-ile even in broad daylight. 

For it was a taboo for them to be caught leaving the village for good and this sin was always punishable by death. 

According to them, only a snake which left its trace on the ground can be followed and killed in the long run but a bird which flew away with no eyes that beheld it shall be free forever. 

At the palace remained Okiki-osupa before Osabiegun to which she must now go to Efon and a message of the King she must deliver lest, they eat their yams uncooked. For what shall happen to them if they deviated from the command of him, no one shall be able to live to tell.