Chapter Four.

Part One

After the Ife festival, peace and tranquility seemed to return to the village, at least,the king's palace. It was all over. Their daughter was not punished. What a great joy.

The king's palace was the largest in the state and was well fenced all around. The palace was surrounded by uncut bushes ( in the cover picture) . It was so small and old and as a palace that it is, it was very old and has been existing for centuries.

That was the traditional way of building houses in the Yorubaland. Other villagers lived in Hamlets across the town.

That day,the king's palace was a bit deserted. It was awkwardly quiet. The only sounds that could be heard audibly were the bleating of sheeps, noises of goats and chickens. A typical yoruba village setting. From a 3D view, the compound was lonely without joy or happiness,or the sign of anything human.

The king sat on the throne in his palace. He was quiet, probably having a rethink over the Ife festival that just passed yesterday. The baby that looked like a monster turned out to be a quiet and meticulous baby. It was full of joy and celebration and seemed to profer solution to his major problem.

As he was still brooding over these things, his personal adviser, chief Ola (wealth) came into the palace breathing heavily as if he had been walking very fast. Something must have happened.

"Kabiyesi ooo, he said and prostrates on the floor, ( Yoruba way of greeting the king)

"Ah, Ola, stand up. What is the matter? what happened? Why are you walking so fast?

"Ah, Kabiyesi, there is a big fight in the market."

"Fight? Why? What happened? And why should people go to the market after Ife festival? Is this not the time to rest?

"Kabiyesi,it is not against the laws. Ever since the beginning of last year, the flocks of people in Ife land has increased drastically as people come in from all over the country. The people resort to trading in the market as a means of income and Owo ( economist) said that the people that trade there are thrice much more than the ones last year"

"So how has that caused a fight?

" Kabiyesi, I don't know what happened. But from what I could gather,some new traders occupied the space of the traders that were there formerly. That is what is causing the fight."

"So what are we know going to do?

" I don't know, Kabiyesi."

The king looked down and after some minutes,he said to Ola.

"Go and call me all the chiefs of Ife and Owo. Let them come here immediately.

"Ok. Kabiyesi"

End of part one. Thanks for reading. Make sure you comment and vote this book.
Ensure you read the next chapter.

Part Two.

All the chiefs gathered at the palace that day. In their numbers, they were ten in number. Together with Owo.

Owo was the village economist,( even though he did not go to school). He was put in that position because he was intelligent and seemed to have a natural knowledge about the work. Also, he was conversant with the people and their needs. Like the king, he did not like the chief priest.

Owo believed and saw that particular chief priest as a liability to the village. His domineering and Bull headedness was known by all and sundry. He pictured as an autocratic leader trying to use customs and traditions to control and punish the king.

Owo believed in the system of governance where the king had his personal cabinet as well as other committees such as financial committee, health, environment, administrative and personnel committee each headed by a chief who would all come together to form a cabinet. The chief priest should only come in situations where the gods needs to be worshipped or matters that has gone out of hand.  See why he was an economist.

He was the first to arrive at the palace. He greeted the king in the proper way. That was also his childhood friend. The king was so happy to see him and they discussed crucial matters before the others came in.

" Kabiyesi, how is the crown? and your family?

"My dearest friend, the crown is very heavy. I am hunted every where I go"

"Ah, ah, kabiyesi,why do you say that? What is happening? Is everything okay? What about your family"

" Hmmm. Owo
" Ever since I took up the crown, it has been terrible for myself and my family. The chief priest is the cause. He is fond of holding tight to the customs and traditions. He is so harsh and strict. Very rude and impatient to me! The king! This is terrible.
" I am sure that you must have heard about the verdict he gave to my daughter. To go into that evil forest alone by herself in the middle of the night to appease the gods. And my daughter, such a stubborn and unruly girl."

" My king, you are a victim of circumstance. What the chief priest is doing to you and your family is totally out of place. Your daughter should not have by any reason go into that evil forest alone. The chief priest hand is in it. I want to advise you to heed no more to his counsel. As a king, you are empowered to make your own decisions.

" Thank you so much my friend. Now let us face the matter on ground. The market.

" Exactly,my king.
And the other chiefs arrived at the palace and took their seats after greeting. Ready to commence the meeting.

End of chapter Two. Thanks for reading. Make sure you comment and vote this book. Endeavor to read the next chapter.
God bless you 🙏 🕊️.


© All Rights Reserved
Majaro Toluwani Christiana.