FEAR DEATH, THE WAR HAS BEGAN

Obiagu paced around Aguiyi warriors and cleared his throat "people of Aguiyi, the great crocodiles that feed on any beast that tries to set its foot in the river, I greet you all." "EEEEEH!" The people responded, both the young and old, warriors and chiefs, all tempers are high, the warriors were bulky and intimidating, their veins protruded and their chests vibrated up and down, creating quivers of waves on their rippling muscles.

Today we attack the Umuenyi. Why are we doing this? For two reasons one, they killed our daughter, she is laying cold and needs to be avenged, the gods are angry, and mothers are unhappy. Secondly, we need to establish the fact that other villages fear us and that should include Umuenyi. We have beaten them before and we will beat them again!"Thunderous applause was given to the orator and the warriors began to leap and trash every tree in sight to show both strength and anger. Finally, the chief priest waved his old staff in the air and the scattered crowds of warriors began to gather around him silently.

The name of the chief priest is "Agwo" meaning snake. Whenever he speaks he wags his tongue in imitation of a reptile. He was busy making incantations, seeking the face of the gods. He looked up and looked down as if perplexed and shook his head. "My children," he began "this is a lost battle, the gods are not on our side, let us seek to dialogue in case it fails, we will make a great sacrifice before we strike else we won't win this war."Keep quiet old man!" Iroko, the one who eliminated Ziki in the wrestling contest, the uncle to Olumba spoke up. "We do not need any favor, just as my nephew Olumba dealt with them, we will continue this assault till they are defeated.

We will make them our slaves and expand our territory, now tell the gods there is no time to waste. You fool." cursed the chief priest "this is no time for arrogance, neither is it time to waste." chipped in Olumba. "Dede, your work is to intercede with the gods on our behalf, we will strike tonight and see if the gods are in favor or not." Iroko nodded in approval and tapped his nephew on his broad shoulders, "Yes, well said, tonight we the warriors of Aguiyi will strike and show them what fear is.

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The people of Umuenyi are silent. Ofunneka's eyes are still wet from mourning Somto, the king has placed a curfew that exempts the guards and the warriors who are permitted to guard the village. The chief security of the village Mr. Ekwueme Obiora has decided to guard the village entrance with some village warriors, while Uwago the leopard killer, and his son with Arinze the archer, will attack the frontline. It is no surprise that both Obieze and Kamdili have withdrawn from the battle. Obieze gave a flimsy excuse of having a fever while Kamdili took the permission to take care of his sick brother, the King looked at his sons and shook his head silently, in his mind he already concluded that neither of the boys would make a good king; they are deserters, and they cannot defend the people of Umuenyi.

The battle between Umuenyi and Aguiyi clan began at midnight, both villages clashed with each other at Amaezi forest, a few yards before you arrive at Ngene river. Both parties met themselves even though the night had fast approached. The battle began when Arinze let loose his arrow at the sight of the men of Aguiyi, he took down a great, bulky, potbellied warrior while the rest gave a bloodthirsty war cry and attacked. The clinging of swords and the piercing screams of dying, wounded men could be heard in the dead of the night. Olumba attacked from the rear while Iroko attacked from the front. Despite the nice strategy, Umuenyi had succeeded in breaking the line – the idea was to corner Umuenyi round but Umuenyi broke the defense. Arinze no doubt had proven to be the fastest archer in the battle; his arrows had taken down eight warriors including Obiagu who gave the war speech.

Iroko single-handedly took down seven men, while Olumba took down nine. Uwago was wounded by an arrow and seemed pretty slow, he managed to hold down the defense of Umuenyi and had an arrow lodged between his calf muscles. He had taken down twelve alone until Iroko spotted him and attacked him. His son Ziki was busy with Olumba, this time he was relentless with the swing of his machete, Ziki found an opening and cut Olumba deep, it was Olumba's cry that created a distraction for Iroko, at that second he decided to turn to the voice of his wounded nephew and uwago seized the opportunity with a speed of light and severed Iroko's head. The warlord of Aguiyi is down, the rest of the warriors grab Olumba and disappeared into the dread of the night.

Umuenyi could hardly believe their luck and victory, they were shocked that they defeated the Aguiyi clan in a single night and the head of their leader is with them as a won prize.

They came back singing victory songs. King Maduka had decided to visit Uwago to congratulate him and Ziki on the victory.

He got to the compound and Uwago's wife Amara came in with heavy eyes and greeted the king on her knees "Igwe may you live long, you are welcome to my humble home, I hope it befits your comfort." The king smiled and nodded in a sure approval "This is my second home no matter how it is I remember I use to play around this compound with him when I was a kid. By the way, how is he feeling? Hope he is responding to treatment." with these words, Amara couldn't hold back her tears "He is getting worse day by day."Ziki came in and embraced the King; that was his way of greeting the king whenever he visits their home. Together they went in and saw Uwago breathing heavily and slight groans escape his lips despite the pain, he knew the king was present so he stretched forth his hands and shook him. "My friend you have done enough for Umuenyi and our son Ziki must know that this bond of brotherhood must continue to exist." The king mumbled

Uwago coughed in response. The king continued "I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, brother, can I talk to my son now Ziki." Ziki looked confused "Father, he looked at Uwago who managed to whisper "Please Ziki listen to your king while am here because soon enough I won't be here any longer, I will join my ancestors and dine with them." Ziki shook his head in disagreement "Don't talk like that father I will listen to the king.

The king began to thank Ziki for all his contributions and how he should carry on his father's mantle. "My son you are now of age, do not be frightened in case tomorrow I am found wanting, your destiny lies on a kola nut tree, the tree that brings forth fruit that gives life. You must give life to Umuenyi, you must lead this village to the greater heights, the gods have destined it to be so and your father has acknowledged it.

May these words I spoke never be repeated; I told your father not to reveal the much he knows concerning your destiny, remember what I have told you, and cherish it in your heart." He takes a brief pause then continues "Nothing in this world comes easy, when trouble comes, compose yourself and remember peace conquers all.

Do not take advantage of the poor or broken-spirited folks, do not speak harshly of anyone. I am like a father to you, remember the tree of kola brings life and your destiny lies there. Goodbye." with these words he offered gifts and left. Oke Dibia's visit came with tragedy, he arrived in the evening to administer Uwago his daily drugs and he sent for Ziki. Uwago embraced his son and repeated the words "My son you have done well, but your destiny lies in the tree that brings the fruit of life, having said these words he breathed his last.

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The whole community mourned Uwago, Amara was crying and Ziki's younger brother Emelie joined his mother in tears. Ziki was holding Adanna in his arms, he wasn't crying, he was pondering on his father's last words. He knew what lay ahead – a great task of leading the Umuenyi. He is too young to lead a war but with the help of the chief security, he believed he will do just fine.

Uwago was mourned for three days and Umuenyi went about their peaceful life. One faithfully day, eight daughters of Umuenyi went to Ngene River to bathe and only three came back in tears, they were attacked by the men of Aguiyi, and five were killed. The war gong was heard once again and the village gathered, this time the king was putting on this armor, prepared for a great battle.

The Aguiyi clan has sent a message that spelled doom for Umuenyi and this war is going to be greater because the king of Aguiyi himself is leading the attack as warned by a messenger. The king and ziki are to lead the front attack and behind was the second batch led by the chief security and kamdili who was present this time because of pressures coming from women who teased him that he is not man enough like his rival Ziki.

It was around noon the battle began this time Olumba was so flawless, that he attacked and cut down several men, as usual, he was on his seventh kill until Arinze shot an arrow in his direction, the arrow instead of meeting its mark simply divulged to another direction. Arinze could have sworn he saw his arrow change direction like he was daydreaming. He tried the second and the same thing happened, Olumba noticed it and started running in Arinze's direction, he collided with Arinze and knocked the wind out of the boy, he raised his machete to cut Arinze and the chief security Ekwueme got in the way, he cut down the chief security. Arinze's arrow was lodged deep in the soil, he desperately put the arrow in his bow and drew again, this time Olumba gave a loud cry and raised his machete but Arinze had quickly fired his arrow and the arrow indeed made its mark deep in Olumba's chest. In a quick flashback the Dibia who gave Olumba the talisman had carefully instructed him "Do not get shot by an arrow buried inside the earth or get cut by a machete carried by a man pregnant with a tumor." he then laughed at the Dibia's words which seemed impossible but now it was too late, he fell like a log of wood. Before it was evening, the king of Aguiyi was killed by Kamdili and the people of Aguiyi had accepted defeat and had surrendered. The king of Umuenyi was struck by an identified archer and he was carried home. Kamdili and ziki were unhurt and led the troop home.

Oke Dibia revealed that the King of umuenyi will live and that Aguiyi had lost the battle. The dead were given a mass burial and mourned for seven days. The king had recovered and he was in a celebrating mood, he had ordered that the new yam festival should hold in three days and everybody was jubilating, that same day, the kings from the other nine villages, except Aguiyi who hasn't been coronated a new king, would be absent for the new yam festival. The maidens and youths are preparing a new dance routine, everybody was in a festive mood except for Kamdili who had suddenly grown dark and gloomy overnight, nobody knew what was wrong with him.