Numen!

by Olatunde, Biola;

  Biola Olatunde is a writer, poet and blogger.

  Numen! is the last of her Numen Yeye trilogy.

  Over the years Biola has been preoccupied with the effects of her culture on her people. Puzzled by the contradictions of faith, politics and the simplicity of tradition, Biola has striven to understand these dynamics.

  “I wrote the Numen Yeye series as an act of appeal and rebellion. While I lived in the Northern part of my country I had heard terrible reports of the ritualistic South West. Some nights I stayed awake, terror-stricken by the wild tales by the moonlight. Then my maternal grandmother saved my sanity when she softly told me stories of love, goddesses and gods and said I had nothing to fear.”

  Biola has been writing consistently for forty years. From simple romance plays in her days as presenter with Radio Lagos to intervention drama series for international organizations like UNFPA, USAID/STAYWELL, ARDA/UNICEF, on issues of reproductive health, parenting, HIV/AIDS etc., to stories on disability education and awareness by some NGOs.

  Some of her notable writings were made into television series including I NEED TO KNOW, Grapes of Pain, A share of the Sun, and Blood on their Hands.

  She has self-published a few novels and poems, and has been included in poetry anthologies, nationally and internationally.

  Numen Yeye trilogy by Biola Olatunde

  Numen Yeye (Book 1)

  Rose of Numen (Book 2)

  Numen! (Book 3)

  Also published by IFWG Publishing

  Blood Contract

  Sunset Tales (chap-ebook only)

  Numen Yeye Book 3

  Numen!

  Biola Olatunde

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters portrayed herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places, events or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher.

  Numen!

  Book 3, Numen Yeye trilogy

  Biola Olatunde

  Copyright Biola Olatunde 2017

  Version 1.0

  Published by IFWG Publishing International

  This ebook may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  IFWG Publishing International

  ifwgpublishing.com

  Acknowledgments

  Quite a number of people have impacted on me through the years as I learned how to write and put my thoughts on paper.

  I am grateful for discovering my own concept of the Almighty and having been strengthened over the years by His Infinite Mercy. I learned Love.

  I thank my husband Tony for the quiet and consistent love he has given me—you might say for me he is Lije.

  I wish to also thank Gerry Huntman. I have taken him through some storms, never met him physically but I have learned to call him brother…Ake!

  Particularly this time, I wish to mention these three girls who became women and my friends on my watch: Ella—who is my first daughter and evolved as my closest friend and confidant; Serena—petit, confusing, full of love, mystery and who taught me to smile at her; and Diana—the huntress, calm, sensible, artistic and very analytical but deep, loyal and giving me the gift of her love. These girls became welcome guests in my incarnation, gave me love and became my closest friends.

  Author’s Introduction

  I wondered for a while as I was finishing this sequel if I needed to make this comment. After all, my publisher would be giving a disclaimer at the beginning of the story.

  However I want to be able to state this: religion has not helped the human spirit much in his evolution. What I have learned in my current incarnation indicates that every once in a while, the Creator, by whatever name we want to observe Him, is supremely indifferent to our pretensions to piety. The Natural laws are so embedded in His activity and we recognize or ignore it at our own discomfort.

  I have a conviction that my arrival in paradise or hell will have nothing to do with the concepts of the religions, but with an understanding of the eternal truth. I have no wish to pontificate.

  I am concluding the Numen Yeye series here, but I would like to state that I have enjoyed the journey. It started out as a rebellion against the Western notion that the African is a savage, thus his religion will be one. I did not want to accept that. I have a conviction that for every human being no matter in what part of the planet he is placed, the supreme Creator has stamped the Truth in it, to serve our needs and help us grow. Our ego and racial coloring has made us arrogant and blind in assuming that we hold the one truth. We may be right but we are probably very wrong.

  I have learnt that the Truth is not racial, tribal, nor does it have a color. The Truth is. Like Love, it fulfills without bothering with our opinions; it deals with our spirit.

  I have come away from this journey enlightened about my background, accepting the inadequacies but trusting that we shall continue to grow. Eternity is such a long time and there are always opportunities.

  My experience has made me happy and proud to be an African, a Nigerian, warts and all. There is a reason why I am here but I have no intention to be confused by religion but I trust in Edumare, the absolute dispenser of Justice who makes sense of it all through His Laws.

  Biola Olatunde, 2016

  To all who seek the Truth and make an effort to live it.

  Prologue

  Then…

  He told the story of the lost prince and now there was an indication that the lost prince was with them that very night and in the presence of the first king—the rights of the lost prince was to be restored to him. He poured some powder into the burning fire and from that fire, the old man appeared.

  The blood in Babatunde’s veins was now running high and he had difficulty controlling his awe and excitement. So the old man is the first king. I should have thought of it. He is still wearing those darn beaded slippers.

  The old man, or rather first king, stepped out and there was such a thunderous salute from those who were witness, one could be forgiven for thinking that all the dead had risen to bid him homage. He raised his hands. “I have a story to tell you, but I will first give grace to the first Creator that created man and also to the first created One. When we overcame the wolf-men, close to the smoking islet, it was to find our own kingdom and be masters of our own destiny. The first Created gave us the divining beads and said we would never get lost nor be vanquished by the wolf-men if we listened to the divining beads of Ifa. You all carry within you the story so I will not bore you.

  “Through perfidy, jealousy, lust and silliness, we lost a prince. I made a vow not to create a seat for me with the ancestors because I am the first ancestor and a prince was lost. I pleaded that I may be permitted to search for the lost prince until he returns to his rightful inheritance since I am responsible for bringing about what happened.

  “Ifa told me of his journeys.

  “That night the lion kept him warm with his body until Numen came and took care of him. She handed him over to a farmer and his wife with instructions never to ask how the boy came about. However the boy had a habit of following the lion everywhere and the lion allowed it. It learned to imitate the sounds of the lion and knew no fear. Numen explained to the farmer’s wife that he would always be identified by his ability to roar like a lion or growl like one. He was almost twelve, time to enter the grove and pick his spear in the initiation rites. Numen brought him to me and allowed me to know him. He was told nothing of his real nature. He learnt herb-lore and became a very good farmer.

  “One day the farmer went to the next vil
lage and was captured by some strange men. I could not trace him again. I was inconsolable but had to take heart knowing that his line was still intact. Then came the drama of the wives and since I was not sure of how many wives were lying in wait I asked Numen to help me. She explained that the prince would not be king in my lifetime. When I asked why, she said he was to come when the village needed him to stand in protection. She assured me she would be around then too, so I might be given permission to close the cycle in whatever form Olodumare might decide.”

  Babatunde poured more of the powdery substance into the flames and briefly the flames illuminated 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 been given permission to attend this invocation, 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.

  And then…

  Chapter One

  The ritual of restoring full kingship rights began for Babatunde. He had to ask someone to send his request for a temporary leave of absence to his office. He did not leave the palace that night. He was therefore unaware of the stunned shock and surprise that awaited his father and half-brother when they were summoned to the palace at the crack of dawn.

  Babatunde, who had been shaven, stared at his father’s blank face and the uncomprehending look of his half-brother. He imagined he looked as blank-faced as his father. It was like he was watching a film and what was happening had nothing to do with him. He kept expecting to wake up from the dream. He had a sense of déjà vu.

  They all listened to Babamogba, the Chief Medicine Man, who explained to his father, “You have something in safe keeping with you. Ifa says that you will find some of the things at the extreme end of your farm on the left side that shares a boundary with our stream. Our ancestors thank you for the way you have looked after this special king. That was why he was not allowed to pick a bride. When I was told to give you that message, Olodumare did not bother to explain why that decision was made. Now in Olodumare’s good time, it is revealed. I thank my ancestor that has permitted me to live to see this.”

  Babatunde saw tears well up in his father’s eyes and Tope bowed his head. There was silence in the small room.

  His father swallowed, then in a very quiet voice he thanked Babamogba, said he had received the impending dramatic changes through a friend who had a habit of visiting him once in a while. His father had done as instructed and the rest of the rites had proceeded like clockwork with Babatunde just accepting things like an automaton. When that word came to him he felt some relief.

  Then of course, there was the coronation and the letter officially giving him recognition. He also got a letter from the Ministry of Local and Chieftaincy Affairs inviting him as a member of the state’s council of Obas.

  Letters of congratulations came pouring in. His leave of absence was not only approved but he retired voluntarily from the civil service. Yomi came over and said his gratuity was being processed. Everything became a whirl for him and Babatunde did the best he could to keep up. He was not born a prince and thus all the princely airs was strange to him but he had a natural grace that made him to listen to Babamogba.

  Babamogba was a different person now; he seemed to Babatunde to have adopted him for he sat in on all meetings and would signal or whisper to him what he was supposed to do. They became quite close. Then there had been the issue of picking a name for his reign and Babatunde thought hard. Sasa came to him one misty morning and explained to him that he held the kingship in trust for the people and would only be successful if he learned how to serve. As they spoke, the name ‘Adeolu’ came to him and he said it aloud. Adeolu meaning the crown of the Lord. It became his name as a king but he always preferred that his close associates refer to him as Babatunde for he explained that his name reflected his journey.

  ~~~

  Oba Adeolu looked around at the seated chiefs as they stared at him. He was crowned barely a month ago and he was formally meeting with his chiefs. The palace still had traces of the coronation, but it was time to start something he had always dreamed of the opportunity to do. However he needed to set his home up and an inner excitement at the prospect of Princess in the palace held him. He had waited it seemed to him forever for her to be always beside him. Babamogba, his chief adviser, understood his impatience and with a smile had said things had to follow a pattern.

  “Good things come to those who wait, my Kabiyesi,” Babamogba said with pride. “You do not have an ordinary queen but the Princess herself; we must go about it with deliberate honor and pomp. I have taken the liberty to inform the Kabiyesi of IjokoAyo to head the formal delegation. I hope you will agree with me.” Babamogba said the last sentence looking round all the chiefs.

  They all nodded with someone throwing a lewd joke about the impatience of the king. Oba Adeolu grinned and thanked the chiefs. He was learning to adjust to his new identity and name. He was excited about the responsibilities that had been placed on him with that startling and out of the world experience almost four months ago.

  That night that was burned into him in ways he could never describe and the following months. He knew he had gone completely numb and seemed to hear all that was happening from a great distance.

  What he could not forget was the roar that kept reverberating throughout his being. The sensation of height, lights and trembling as he felt water poured over him from a stream The endless nights when he was taught the history of his people, why they had the religion, the simple laws and the secrets of the strength of the people.

  It took a few seconds before he was brought to the present by his chiefs. Babamogba gave him a keen look asking if there was something more. Oba Adeolu shook his head and quietly thanked them.

  When he had been one of them as the young Lion, he had never really wondered about loyalty or trust or any of the emotions that plagued humans who gather people around them. He now understood the loneliness that would be his companion when he sat amongst them.

  He stood and walked towards his private office just as his brother gave a knock and bowed formally before him. They stood standing facing each other. Adeolu waved his brother to a seat and sat back giving permission for the palace orderlies to leave them as this was a private family visit.

  Tope sat and gave his brother a friendly grin. “You know I should have delayed my wedding if I had an inkling I was going to be brother to the Kabiyesi. I would just sit beside you on the next maiden dance and have my pick.”

  “Thought you have stopped all that nonsense since you married.”

  “I am a full-blooded male.”

  “Yeah.”

  There was a short silence as two young ladies came in and served him palm wine. He eyed the ladies and exchanged small banter with them. They smiled, curtsied and exited.

  Tope looked up from the rim of his calabash of palm wine and said he was bringing greetings from their father and mothers. He put the calabash down, dipped his hand into the folds of his big agbada and brought out a brown package which he handed over to Adeolu.

  Oba Adeolu opened the package and stared in wonder. It was a beautifully made local shoe with tiny beads sewn in. He looked at it for a long time.

  Tope chuckled and asked him if he liked it and Adeolu simply nodded.

  It was a gift from his father and he held his emotion in check as he tried to picture what his father would be thinking as he dusted and handed over the family heirloom.

  His father said a woman had given him the shoes for safe keeping but nobody ever wore it as Ifa told them the owner would send for it one day. It had been passed from one generation to the next but nobody asked for the shoe until now.

  Babatunde sat in his private office ne
xt to the official reception room. He was going through some drawings with an architect. It was the palace and he had asked the young architect to visit him there. The office was functional and had wide windows, no air conditioning, but you did not feel hot.

  Babatunde had decided to make some renovations to the place. So he explained to the architect Wale what he wanted. Princess was making her renovations and they had agreed to convert an old building at the end of the wide palace courtyard as their own private living quarters. It gave a sense of privacy but still was within palace grounds. Princess had also insisted on having a small garden and lawns. She had not started living with him until the formal wedding but she was always there supervising the renovations.

  “I am not some curio that is brought out once in a while to be viewed by gawping strangers. I want us to look at some parts of the palace that could hold offices, meeting rooms, receptions and a grand hall for social gatherings. I want the premises landscaped and flowers planted. In short I want the palace brought into the present century,” Kabiyesi told Wale.

  Wale bowed as his eyes glowed with the enthusiasm of such a job. He had met with Ife who encouraged him to picture each room and give it a personality.

  Babatunde laughed and put out his hand before Wale could speak. “Hold on, just a second, I am not putting such a great responsibility on your young shoulder without guidance from others. I am looking forward to Prince Adejare heading your team and he will get in touch with you. I will be at your first meeting to formally inaugurate it. Is that okay with you? I know you have been in close contact with Olori so I guess you are in safe hands.”

  Wale nodded with enthusiasm. “Yes Your Majesty, she explained a lot to me.”