Rose of Numen
Page 20
Babamogba poured more of the powdery substance into the flames and very briefly the flames illumined the old man’s face. He looked very tired except for his eyes, which glowed.
“I am not physically here, but in my wanderings, I have permission to this recognition, and I do not have much time. I gave the lost prince the symbol of kingship. Let the one who has it now stand up and present it so all may know and greet him.”
There was dead silence as everyone looked round wondering who that could be. The old man growled deeply and Babatunde stood up slowly to his full height as he roared in response. Everybody fell flat except Babatunde who stood opening his clenched fists. The parcel the old man gave him fell from his hands revealing a gleaming stone that flashed lights. The old man now almost completely skeletal dropped the pelt of a golden brown Lion on Babatunde’s trembling form. The skeletal form gradually dissolved but all could still hear the roar as it gradually faded and the flames died. The lamplights came on and Babamogba slowly, but with gathering force and confidence, saluted. Adejare went up to Babatunde and gripped his shoulder giving him the one fist salute as the other princes followed suit. The drums rolled and the first thunder and light streaked across the night sky as the old man left for his next realm.
xxx
The drums beat out the words.
Orijajoogun has left a son,
orijajoogun has brought back the lost prince
may the spirit of orijajoogun now sleep amongst the ancestors
may his seat be golden
as the son lies at his feet
and the lion is king again.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Three Months later
The town hall was full and there was barely standing space. The palace had been redecorated with fresh palm leaves and there were colorful buntings everywhere. The Airegbe maiden dance was really something to behold. The inner palace courtyard had chairs set, the governor was expected to come and handover the staff of office to the new king and everybody was gaily dressed. Nobody had seen the king since that night. It was a new style. Babamogba, in declaring that a new choice had been made, explained that the new king was in seclusion and would emerge on his coronation day.
All types of reporters had descended on the town asking questions. There was the romantic angle of the goddess marrying the king for real this time. In the last story it had been Numen offering to help the town and walking away. However this time Numen was going to marry the king. Everyone had different versions of how the lost prince was found. It didn’t make sense to quite a lot of people, but well, it was an opportunity to escape from their daily miseries into merry making.
In the distance the siren sounded and the sky darkened. Tope, who had been watching, dropped his jaw in dismay. He was standing a bit away chatting with Lucas and Tinu. He pointed to the sky that had gone dark. Tinu also cast worried glances and asked if anybody remembered to pay the rainmaker. Tope said he had paid and even added a bonus. The sky rumbled and a fork lightning broke through the clouds. The chiefs did not bat an eyelid but went on with their incantations and frenzied drumming, then the hunters danced into the square in leather skins and animal skins and made terrifying noises sending some of the women scampering.
A mighty roar rent the sky and all was still. Two more roars came tearing across the courtyard and Babatunde stood in their midst, spear in hand and dressed in the gold colors of the lion. A simple white horse with a gold mane stood beside him.
The whole place erupted in jubilation.
Oba Adeolu turned to salute his people and the governor arrived.