Chapter 12

"And what does it matter, eh?" Prince Adeola asked in an apathetic tone. "I'm soon to be king of this village anyway and all the women and virgins belong to me! I can take anyone I want and at any time. Even if you had a wife and I fancy her, she'll be mine for the night, but fortunately, the gods have forbidden you to revel in the pleasurable thighs of women, lest they cast you from their presence and seal the foresight they have gifted you!"

"Listen to me, Adeola..." The old priest began, "Like I said, you might be immune to me because the gods forbid any mortal from harming any member of the royal family, but keep in mind that you are not untouchable to the gods, and from the way you are going, you are soon to incur their wrath if you do not desist from your evil ways."

Prince Adeola threw his head backward and had a good deep laugh. "You really do have a sense of humour, old man. Well, let me tell you this, I'm untouchable, not by man and not by gods! Let that sink!" He said in an undaunted tone. "Now, do not waste anymore of my time on such triviality; tell me why I'm here if indeed you are the eye of the gods."

The priest reluctant threw his sacred cowries on the woven mat for divination. Soon, he looked up at the anxious Prince. "You have come to know the secret behind Adigun's wealth, haven't you?" He asked.

"Very correct...well get to it and ask the gods to give me an answer! I'm ready to pay anything!" Adewale eagerly said.

"Adewale, I'm sure Adigun has already told anyone who cared to listen that the secret to his wealth is Orisa Osun." The Chief priest said.

"And you expect me to believe that? The rest of you can be gullible all you want, but I've a feeling that Adigun is being economical with the truth! There's more to his wealth that he's not telling!" Stated the Prince angrily.

"But of what use is the information to you? You are no fisherman. You don't even know how to use a net!" Said the priest.

"I'm sure that Osun can bless a man in more ways than one. If she won't bless me because I'm no fisherman, then I want the very thing she gave to Adigun! I won't sit back and watch a pauper suddenly rise to fame and power overnight! Only the royal family deserves such affluence! Now, throw those cowries again and reveal Adigun's secret to me!" Adewale ordered. 

The Chief priest reluctantly complied. He threw the cowries again, waited as he read the message the gods had revealed to him then he slowly looked up at the Prince with apprehension in his eyes. "My prince, what the gods have revealed to me is better left unsaid. This information might be to your own detriment more than to your own good!"

"The gods cannot decide my fate! I'm in charge of my fate, now stop your nonsense talk, old man, and tell me what they said!" Adewale snapped. 

The priest heaved a sigh now, hung his head for a moment then said, "On normal circumstances, I'm not to reveal such a secret onto you, but because you are royalty, I've no choice and I'm bound by my oath to serve the royal family to the best of my ability...I just hope Orisa Osun will be able to forgive me for what I'm about to do."

"I do not have all the time to waste, old man, out with it already!" Adewale impatiently said.

"The secret to Adigun's wealth is...the daughter of Orisa Osun."

Adewale drew his shoulder back in surprise and a little bit of doubt. "Are you saying that Adigun has found favour in the arms of Osun's daughter?"

"Yes, and she has been dwelling in our midst for the past fourteen months." Revealed the Chief priest.