CHAPTER SEVEN

The rOne of the elders rose from his seat and face the people 'i greet the people of Afudo. Heeeee the people replied. The people barely contain their excitement

He shouted, dragging out the syllable of the greeting.

The people cheered, matching his passion, till their cries reached a crescendo that shock the forest of Umuachi, the neighbouring village.

The chief priest stepped out with his rod, the tiny bells tied around his waist making clanging sounds with each step he took. Eze Kocha had been the chief priest of Afudo since Ada had been a child. He wore his traditional White wrapper around his waist, another red one went around his shoulder. Chalks marked his eyes and back and whenever his name was called or bells clanged fear gripped Ada's heart

People of Afudo, behold the wife the gods have chosen for the prince, 'he said.

The prince walked out from his father's side on the throne and stood facing Ada, staring into her eyes with a look that would frighten any maiden. This one looked undaunted

Ada closed her eyes, willing to be done with this ceremony once and for all. She had gone over it countless times with her mother. When to kneel, when to bow, when to offer the prince the palm wine (a tribal wine). There was still a long way to go.

The chief priest continue, every sentence end with a tap on his rod. Finally he ended, 'May she bear the royal family sons and daughters.

Tap!

The villagers answer with a joyous saying'so shall it be'

The chief priest gave Ada a cup of palm wine(tribal wine)to hand to the prince, as was the custom during a marriage ceremony. Ada's hands trembled as she knelt down and collected the cup. She dreaded the day she would have to collect anything from this terrifying man. As she approached the prince, she noticed a girl staring at her coldly. Before she could make out a face the girl turned quickly and was lost in the crowd of villagers struggling to get the front spot.

Ada walked to the prince and knelt, giving him the cup of palm wine without looking at his face. She stared hard at the Earth and wished again that it would open up and swallow her. Instead, the king walked towards Ada and took her hand.

'Behold my daughter!'

The people cheered loudly as music began again and the dancer's took the floor. The kind led Ada to sit by the queen.

The bride's mind wandered as the latter activities of her wedding ceremony went on. She sat quietly, watching the villagers sing and dance. What would happen when her and the prince was left alone? She couldn't bring herself to eat anything as she pondered on it..

Sorry guy for late posting am always kind of busy in every morning now so I'll be updating every night

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