Saved by her admirer

Asha tried her best to rest but there was a gnawing feeling inside her that wouldn't just let her be at peace. First, she always felt alone without Elim and with days having passed by without him coming back for her, she still felt alone and miserable despite the fact Nse kept her company and the fact that she was taking charge of life. Something bad was about to happen, she felt it deep inside her, causing her to rise on her feet and pace around her room. 

When she had walked into the drinking parlour earlier, Ada and her parents had been acting strange. What had they been talking about? What were they plotting against her? Elim shouldn't have brought her this far and left her with these vipers! 

Asha felt an urgent need to uncover what Ada's family was whispering about. They could be plotting her very downfall, and she wouldn't even know. With that determination in mind, she walked out into the parlor to keep a closer look at Ada and her family. Even though she was usually afraid of being in the parlour while different men occupied it and watched her, she just had to endure their lecherous looks today. She could see Ada and her family still talking amongst themselves again but when she entered, they pretended to be talking about something normal like serving drinks and making more meat. But she was certain they hadn't been talking about that when she had sighted them from far.

"I need your help Nse," she said urgently when she hurried back into the place to knock at Nse's door. It wasn't her way to enter a man's chamber all alone but she had no other choice.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so upset?" Nse inquired, leading her to a seat.

"I don't want to sit. I must say what I've come to say and take my leave!" she declared, glancing fearfully around.

"You have nothing to fear from me. The few days you've spent with me should show you that I'm not the kind of man to force myself on a woman. I'll never take advantage of you, I promise!" He sounded so genuine, especially when he smiled as he assured her of having no ill intention towards her. Asha felt relaxed then and took a seat but soon began to breathe heavily like something evil was coming for her. 

"Now, tell me why you are so upset. I don't like seeing you this way"

"I tried to rest, but I couldn't. Something tells me I'm in danger here. Ada has never hidden her dislike for me, and as soon as my companion left me here, she and her family began to mistreat me."

"Your companion left you here? I always knew you weren't from here… A companion? A husband or…" Nse trailed off, studying Asha intently. She sensed he wanted to ask more questions about her, but she couldn't provide the answers he sought.

"Don't ask about me. I'm not ready to share that information. But I need your help, Nse. I need to eavesdrop on the conversation between Ada and her family. I have a feeling they're plotting something against me, but every time I approach them, they clam up. You can help me uncover their plans. Will you assist me?" she pleaded, and Nse readily agreed.

While Asha returned to her room to rest, Nse remained in the drinking parlor, keeping a watchful eye on Ada and her family. Even late into the night, he observed them speaking quietly, unaware of his presence in the poorly lit drinking hall. He lurked in the corridors as they closed their business for the night, and that's when he overheard their plan.

"We don't even know when he's coming or if it's truly her he's coming for," Nse overheard the father's doubts.

"That's not for us to worry about, my husband. Whenever he arrives, we'll find out who he wants. If it's Asha, we'll hand her over and collect our reward," his wife whispered.

"It sounds like a good plan, but Odomodu is a violent man. We must be careful how we handle this with him!" the husband cautioned.

"I'm confident it will go smoothly, and we'll be rid of that foolish girl. Maybe then, the handsome men around here will give us a chance," Ada whispered.

"Remember to act normal, all of you. We can't let her know what we're planning. Sleep well, my child," the father said before Nse heard the door shut.

Asha was half-awake when she heard an urgent knock on her door. Fear gripped her immediately, thinking her enemies had found her.

She crept to the door, her heart pounding as she contemplated her next move.

"It's Nse. Open the door," came the whisper, prompting her to slowly unlock it.

"We must leave before morning. Your hosts are vipers and intend to sell you to your enemies!" Nse urgently whispered.

Asha's heart sank at those words, though she had anticipated such betrayal. Now, she had no choice but to entrust her safety to yet another stranger. Why was life so unforgiving? she bitterly mused.

"You must trust me, young maiden. You have to. I'm your only way out of here. If you stay, you'll be putting yourself in danger," Nse urged, reaching out his hand, which she reluctantly took.

"I promise to keep you safe. My business here is done, so we can leave together before morning."

"Thank you," Asha managed to say, though she wanted to question his eagerness to save her. But now wasn't the time for answers; she needed to focus on escaping first. They waited until the early hours of the morning before Asha gathered her few belongings and left with Nse. Silently, she prayed they wouldn't be caught fleeing, her heart pounding in her chest as Nse led her through the backdoor to where he had tied his horse.

Once they were on its back, they rode off into the early morning without exchanging a word. Asha didn't inquire about their destination; she simply yearned to be safe, if only for the time being.

——

The following morning, Odomudo arrived at the inn, with his men, stirring up trouble along their way. They woke the whole of Akwara village up with their laughter and demands to see very young girl Asha's age. 

Ada and her parents' hearts raced with fear, yet they couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, knowing they would soon hand Asha over to Odomudo and collect their reward.

They had barely risen when Odomudo and his men pulled up in front of their inn, forcefully entering by kicking down the door. Ada's father hurried to greet Odomudo, while he instructed Ada and her mother to fetch Asha from her room.

"I trust you are aware of what I seek. I will need to search every corner of your home to ensure she isn't hiding here. If you resist, you will face severe punishment. You, your wife and even your daughter"

"There's no need for all that, great Odomudo. We know who you seek, and we'll hand her over to you for the right price!" Ada's father declared eagerly.

"Really? Well, that makes my job quite easy. Bring her out, then, and let me see for myself if she's the one I'm after," Odomudo replied.

With a nod of agreement, Ada's father entered the house to fetch his wife and daughter, only to find them in a state of distress. Ada had her hands on her head, and her mother sat on the floor, looking hopeless.

"What's wrong? Where's Asha?" he demanded.

"She's gone!"

"Gone? That can't be. Odomudo is here, and I told him we have her. How could she be gone?" Ada's father lamented.

His cries were interrupted by the sound of Odomudo's approaching footsteps. When he looked up, he saw the assassin standing before them, wearing a wicked smile.

"Where is she?" Odomudo demanded, drawing his sword from his robe, while Ada's father's eyes widened in fear.