Chapter 1

One faithful morning, as Chidinma arose to get vegetables from the farm, Amaka rushed to where Chidinma was standing panicking, she could see the fear in her eyes.

"Amaka what is it? why are you panicking like this biko(please in Igbo dialect) talk I'm busy". Chidinma said to her.

"Chidinma It..it's.." Amaka stammered.

Now Chidinma was worried because she was not saying anything and she knows she stammers a little but when she is nervous it is more pronounced.

" amaka what is it talk!" Chidinma yelled.

"OBI he collapsed on the f..floor o..on his way to work" amaka finally said.

Hearing my husbands name I threw what was on my hands away.

"where is he??" Chidinma panicked

"He's at home," amaka said

Chidinma dashed out of that environment straight to her house.

When she arrived home she met some of the elders outside and the native doctor as well who came up to her "I need to speak to you privately" he said.

"I want to see my husband please let me go in," Chidinma said

" that's what I want to tell you Chidinma your husband is ill and this type of illnes seems a bit strange..i have never seen this before in my life. I'm afraid to say there is no cure, he might die any second or minutes. I don't know if he has up to a day"

"What do you mean? he has never been ill. There was no sign of any illness when he left for work this morning. I don't understand what you are saying.. please excuse me I have to go and see him" Chidinma said rushing into the hut.

"Obi" Chidinma said rushing to him. Looking at him he looked helpless as he stayed stiff on the bed.

"Why did you not tell me you were ill?" She whispered to him crying.

"I did not want you to worry about me I might not survive it but I know you are a strong and brave woman my dear Chidinma," he said almost out of breath.

"Stop saying that, you will survive it..you are going to be alright...please speak no more." she said tears dropping out of her eyes.

"We both know that will not happen Chidinma..the doctor has said that much. Please I need you to be strong for us. I will always love you, my Chidinma."

"Stop talking like this " Chidinma cried burying her face in his chest. As she rose her head up, she saw that he was stiff "obi stop it get up" Chidinma yelled.

Her screams were heard outside the hut. Then everyone knew he was truly gone. Just like that Chidinma became a widow overnight.

People from all over the village came to see chidi as she is loved by all because of her kind gestures and love for her people.

Everyone knew that Chidinma's life has changed forever because she loved her late husband and they were devoted to each other. Despite their inability to have children, they were still the envy of all the couples in the community.

Chidinma has always been a voice in her community and involved in the welfare and culture of her people. But she withdrew from everything and stayed indoors to mourn her husband. She refused to come out her house or to attend the occasional meetings in the village square even after long completing her widowhood rite. Everyday, her people showed up with all sorts of gift just to show how much they love her and also to comfort her.

Amaka and some other young women also made it a point of duty to just sit with her everyday. In one of their visits, they decided to talk some sense into her head..she has mourned Obi for too long and they want her to move on, especially as she is the most beautiful woman in the entire kingdom.

" I know this is a bit too forward but I think you should look for another suitor there are many eligible men who would give anything just to have your hand in marriage..with all your beauty, charm and wealth" Olanna one of the women said.

" I... I agree to this as well " amaka said

"No I'm never getting married again. There can never be any man like my Obi. I will devote the rest of my life cherishing the memory of our love. Please just let me be, leave me to mourn my husband in peace," she said.

Amaka and Olanna decided to leave her alone as it seems she has already made up her mind to remain a widow. On their way home, they talked about it.

"Why is she being stubborn, she should just marry, I mean she's so beautiful, if I had her looks I won't even waste time I would marry immediately," olanna said

"Give her time she is m..mourning h..her husband. Although she seem to have made up her mind about not remarrying. If I know Chidinma too well, she is strong willed," amaka said.

Now in a far away kingdom ruled by the powerful king Abu of the Zaria tribe, he wagged war against all the tribes near the desert region and even beyond. All he wanted is to have one religion and every region under his rule as one Nation. He sent a message to all the 8 tribes in the desert region asking them to pay allegiance to him as the only true king or face the wrath of his powerful army. But all the regions ignored his threat message and concentrated on fortifying their regions against his attack. When Abu learnt of the regions ignoring of his message, he got so angry and felt disrespected. He vowed to go into war with his powerful army and kill everyone for disrespecting his authority.

"Call me awal now" Abu commanded his guards. Immediately awal came rushing in.

"Your highness" Awal bowed his head in respect

"Gather your men twelve thousand of them, we match to all the eight regions tomorrow enter their cities capture and take all their belongings, kill their men take their women and children as slaves now" Abu commanded.

" yes, your highness" Awal said