by Owen Oakley
Adanya slung her arm around Ashanti.
“So, ow does it feel to be a Queen?”
“Nice, so faw no complaints.”
They both laughed.
“Any pointa’s fo’ a new Queen?”
Adanya thought for a moment.
“Jozt be ha,” Adanya said.
“Ha?”
“A Queen among so many Kings.”
That was something easier said than done.
⸞⸟⸞
“Adanya? Adanya?” Salim snapped his fingers in front of her face.
“I’m so’wy what did you say?” Adanya asked Salim still in a daze.
“I said soon it will be you twading in yoa swo’d to become a diplomat and Queen.”
Adanya gave a blank stare at Salim, her face was flushed from the heat. Salim threw his arm around her and pulled her in close.
“Anotha one?” He asked.
She nodded.
“Ow long was I standing tha’?”
“It could ave been no mo than two minutes. Ow much did you cova’?”
“Well ova’ a yeaw,” she said.
Salim made a low whistle.
They walked toward the water well for a drink of water.
“Will you change anything?” Salim asked her.
Salim asked her the same question after each premonition she had since they were children and she usually gave him the same answer each time.
She was worried though, her other premonitions had never been so intense with loss of life and caused her physical pain and suffering. She had many things to think about before she decided.
“We all ave to face oa’ destiny. Wewwiting it only pwolongs what will appen if it is twuly oa’ destiny,” she said.
“That’s a no then,” Salim said.
Adanya smiled.
“Can you tell me what appens?” He asked her.
She grabbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Jozt know you will enjoy the end.”
Adanya enjoyed the moment with Salim before her journey.
EPILOGUE
YEARS LATER
Adanya’s premonition proved to be a lot more than expected, she struggled with whether she should spare those she loved or fulfill her destiny.
Spared lives meant Kwame would be king, Kofi would still plot against their family and kill everyone, and she would never have known they held innocent people in Tigray.
The decision was a hard one for her; she thought about Imani, her father, and other innocent lives that were taken. Was it worth it? That type of sacrifice and the physical pain she’d endure.
After much prayer and meditation, she realized that the lives given wouldn’t be in vain but for a higher purpose. Salim and Adanya lived their childhood dream. They united the kingdoms of Iyego, Lark, and Waewood.
Salim and Adanya named their new kingdom Chawa. A kingdom that was beautiful and thrived; with more responsibilities, but the two paired together made it through their battles with ease.
However, their new kingdom wasn’t their only focus, they were parents to three kids. Ade, their oldest son, was fifteen years old.
Their daughter Jamila who was the second born was thirteen. The youngest of the three was their daughter Omorose, eight years old. All of which had the interest to become the next ruler of Chawa.
⸞⸟⸞
Everyone came together for Ade’s sixteenth birthday. Salim and Adanya made sure it was perfect.
They invited rulers from other kingdoms. Adanya reminded Salim not to overdo things. He was the only child, so it made sense he spoiled their children; especially the girls.
Adanya made sure everything was in order before their guests arrived. Ade was a quiet and humble boy. He wasn’t into parties, but he appreciated his parents’ gesture just the same.
He was very mature for his age and like his father he was tall, built, and handsome. Adanya lost count of how many women made advances towards her son. Salim told her he was soon to be a man and she couldn’t interfere all the time.
It made Salim a very proud father to see his son with an infinite pick of women. He lived through his son, Adanya had been the only woman he loved.
As guests arrived, Adanya and Salim greeted everyone and escorted them into the decorated ballroom. There were several tables filled with a mountain of gifts.
Guests continued to pile them on top; with no room left, the rest were placed on the floor.
Adanya’s face lit up at the woman who approached her.
“Woyalty suits you well sista’,” Adanya said.
Ashanti, Adanya’s dear friend, more like her big sister; had turned Plipool into a kingdom that flourished and gained wealth for not just the royals but everyone.
The Plipoolians welcomed her as their queen as thanks for the freedom from King Omari’s cruelty and oppression.
Ashanti never knew she was of royal descendent, it was Adanya who investigated her family’s history that found her royalties.
“Thank you,” she said.
Her role as queen calmed her aggressiveness; it took Adanya a while to adjust to her sister’s improved attitude.
Bayo had let it slip that her duties, however, didn’t cure her smart mouth, but Adanya was pleased to hear because she missed her fiery ways.
The two women hugged and talked among themselves. Bayo and Salim brought drinks to the two.
Adanya and Ashanti bowed their hands to the men. Adanya was so happy to see Bayo, he stepped into the father and grandfather figure with ease and delight; something Muto would have wanted.
He gave Adanya away at her wedding, and they never saw him smile as much as he did. He never had children but felt close to Adanya and her family. She hugged him as Salim gave Ashanti a kiss on the cheek.
“Ave you got the ang of being a king?” Adanya asked Bayo.
His grin went wide. In the beginning, he and Ashanti couldn’t tolerate each other but with time they fell in love, and Bayo asked her to marry him. It was a small ceremony because they wanted a more intimate wedding, among family and close friends.
Adanya worried about him finding his place as king. He was only accustomed to the position as a royal advisor. Salim promised her he would make himself available to help him if Bayo wanted it.
“The adviso’ aspect of it is fine, it’s the decision making as a wula’ I ave to familiaw myself with mo’.” He rubbed his hands together, the thought of it made him nervous.
“Ashanti ozually andles that and I jozt advise,” Bayo told them. He gave Salim a firm pat on his back.
“E’s a big elp also,” Bayo looked at Salim.
Adanya gave Salim a sweet kiss.
“I can’t believe e’s sixteen alweady, it seems like yesta’day you told me you wa’ pwegnant,” Ashanti said.
Adanya and Salim watched as their two girls ran around the room with their friends. Ade was in deep conversation with guests.
“Time flies. They mean ev’ything to us,” Salim said.
After the years Salim and Adanya were still in love, and their children only made their lives better.
The party was ramped with live music and other festivities, many of the guests drunk their fill, a few were asked to leave for their behavior, but everyone enjoyed themselves.
Adanya tried to enjoy herself, but she was protective of her children. Salim was the complete opposite, he allowed them their freedom to do as they pleased, which caused arguments between them.
Her premonitions were never written in stone; she could alter things with something as simple as a choice, but it concerned her when those visions involved her children.
Adanya looked around, she lost sight of Omorose. She searched the crowd for her.
Salim saw the panic on her face.
“Adanya! Adanya!” He whispered to her. He didn’t want to draw attention.
She hadn’t heard him.
The more she searched, she found nothing.
“Wha is she?” Adanya yelle
d to Salim.
“Who?”
“Om’ose! I can’t find her, she’s gone!”
Their guests were confused as they watched the queen dodge and weave between guests as Salim trailed close behind.
Adanya ran around the room and called for Omorose, Salim tried to calm her down, but it didn’t work. He sent an eye signal for Bayo and Ashanti to assist him.
Bayo grabbed Adanya with a bear hug.
“It’s okay, she’s okay,” Bayo comforted her.
She cried in Bayo’s arms, from embarrassment. Salim knew she dealt with a lot, between her premonitions and her past trauma, she was a ball of nerves. Children added to that only made her worry more.
Omorose walked over to her mother with a worried expression.
“Moeder!” Omorose called out to her.
Andaya didn’t respond. Omorose had tears in her eyes, she wanted to know if her mother was okay. Salim intercepted her before she reached Adanya.
“Come, sweetie, Moeder jozt needs to talk to Papa okay?” Salim explained to her.
He waved his hand for the band to play. Everyone went back to the party. Bayo helped Adanya to a chair and Ashanti brought her a glass of water.
“Dwink this,” Ashanti said. Adanya took a slow sip and calmed herself.
“I’m so’wy,”
Ashanti pulled her into a hug.
“I ave this feeling that something would appen and I jozt wo’wy so much about them.”
Bayo rubbed her back. Salim returned to them. Adanya’s apologetic eyes met Salim’s.
“Baby it’s okay. The childwen awe fine. Ev’ything is fine,” Salim reassured her. He was careful not to say the wrong thing.
“Why don’t we wejoin the pawty,” Bayo suggested.
Adanya felt foolish for the scene she caused. No one stared or acted weird about the episode. The party continued, and Adanya calmed down.
⸞⸟⸞
Salim and Ade thanked the guests for their presence and the many gifts. A few guests, mostly Ade’s friends made first remarks to honor him.
A young man, who appeared to be only nineteen, who they assumed was another friend of Ade’s stepped to the front. He addressed everyone.
“Who is that?” Adanya asked Salim.
“I don’t know. Anotha fwiend of Ade?”
Adanya shook her head unconvinced. “No, e looks too old. Who is e’?.”
Salim shrugged.
Adanya continued to watch the boy.
“When I was a little boy, my motha told me woyal sto’ies,” the boy said.
Adanya crept along the side the wall that brought her closer to the boy.
“I dweamt of meeting my family, it’s gweat to see the families a’ with each other today. Something I’ll neva’ exp’ience,” the boy said.
Salim furrowed his brow at Adanya. She kept her focus on the boy; she removed her dagger she hid underneath her long gown.
Ashanti and Bayo followed Adanya. They never doubted her instincts.
It took Salim longer than most to pick up on hints especially from his wife. The guests tried to make sense of the young man’s rambling.
Adanya, only a few feet behind the young man with Bayo on her right and Ashanti to the left.
“TAU MUTO!”
The people in the crowd whispered among themselves. Tau turned to face Adanya and saw they outnumbered him.
“Aunt Adanya.”
Adanya’s feeling was right, and she was not pleased by it.
“Why awe you a’?” Bayo asked.
Tau’s eyes never left Adanya.
“To weclaim what is wightfully mine!” He snarled.
Salim and the two guards positioned themselves behind Tau.
“Yoa motha should ave explained that you ave no claim,” Adanya told him. He glared at the mention of his mother.
“My motha is dead, jozt like my fatha, thanks to you!”
It was to be expected that Zola was bitter towards her exile despite her actions that led to her fate.
She needed someone to blame. Zola poisoned Tau against them; otherwise, he wouldn’t be there in a rage. Adanya hoped Zola would have changed, but it was clear she had other plans.
“I’m so’wy to eaw about yoa motha, but they both did te’wible things,” Adanya said.
The more Adanya mentioned his parents, the angrier he got.
“Don’t you da’e mention them!”
Many of the guests made their way out of the ballroom. Adanya, like the rest, was curious about what Zola told Tau for him to spat so much hate.
He had to know and understand that his parents caused innocent peoples’ death and destruction of an entire kingdom.
Adanya thought of a different approach.
“What do you know about oa’ isto’wy?” Adanya was careful not to mention his parents.
“Motha told me you killed my fatha the King of Lawk becaoze you wanted to be the wula’. You exiled my motha becaoze she ad the only wightful ee’ to the thwone, me.”
Adanya looked at Bayo and Salim in disbelief. Zola wanted to poison him against them, she raised him in hate, so he would later create chaos and avenge her. He was a pawn that Zola controlled even from the grave.
“I can assa’ you that’s not at all twue o’ ow it appened,” Adanya said.
“Did you kill my fatha?”
“Yes.”
“Did you exile my motha and took a’wy ha’ title?”
Adanya let out a deep sigh. “Yes.”
“Then it’s all twue.”
Ashanti was antsy, she shifted on her feet. Tau ruined Ade’s birthday, and Adanya waited to be rational.
“Enough of this! You ave no claim! Yoa fatha was a ma’da and bastawd without a dwop of woyal blood. Ow da’e you?” Ashanti asked.
For a second Adanya forgot her sister had such a bad mouth. Bayo had a better mussel on it, but he agreed with her this time.
Adanya made eye contact with her husband and mouthed for him to get the children out. They did not understand what Tau planned or his capabilities.
When the guards escorted her children to out of the ballroom, she sighed.
“Don’t you wo’wy. King Omawi’s family ave plans fo’ you!” Tau said as he pointed to Ashanti.
The four exchanged glances. Bayo took his job to protect his wife and hated threats.
He threw his dagger at Tau. He had perfect aim, it only seemed to get better with his age, but Tau caught it by its hilt.
It impressed Adanya. She’d seen no one dodge Bayo’s dagger let alone catch it in mid-air.
“It’s wild ow much you can learn to do, dweam of, and plan when you ave time. When you ave nothing.”
“Ow, can we wesolve this?” Adanya asked.
He was family and a victim of lies, she had taken enough from him, and to her knowledge, he hadn’t committed any crime.
Tau stood with passive behavior, no longer interested in what Adanya had to say.
“We awe faw passed wesolutions. It’s simple. wenounce yoozself and give me the thwone of Chawa.”
Adanya looked around at everyone, the guest stared back.
“If not?”
Tau moved closer to Adanya with dangerous eyes.
“I’ll destwoy ev’ything you love.”
She smiled at her nephew. Salim saw the look in his wife’s eyes, and he prepared himself for what would happen next.
Adanya rolled her neck and removed the other dagger from her thigh.
“What the ell, I could oze the exa’cise.
PRONUNCIATION
Words that contain the letter “r” will be shown with the letter “w” and should be pronounced with the letter it holds but carries the same meaning.
E.g., you’re – you’we
Some words that contain the letter “r” in it will be dropped entirely and should be pronounced without the letter “r” sound.
E.g., gender – genda’, general – gen’al,
her – ha, here – a’
E.g., Seriously – s’ioozly, yourself – yoozself
Words that begin with the letter “h” are dropped entirely and should be pronounced without the “h” sound.
E.g. Hello – Ello, has – as, his – is, hell – ell, or hall – all
Names
Adanya ah-DAHN-yah
Kofi KOH-fee
Muto m-oo-t-oh
Kwame Kwah-may
Salim SAH-lihm
Omari ow-MAAR-iy
Adayomi Ah-day-o-Me
Runako Ru-nako
Roho Ro-OO
Haji HAH-jee
Chipo Chee-poe
Imani Im-mani
Zola Zoh-lah
Rayo BAA-Yow
Oluchi Aw-l-oo-ch-ee
Ashanti un-sh-AH-n-tee
Lark l-aa-r-k
Iyego Ey-eg-o
Chanta CH-AENTAH
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Owen Oakley (Real name: O’licia Spears-Smith), was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, and graduated from Meridian Community College and attended Tougaloo College for Biology. She is a full-time writer, as well as screenwriter and filmmaker. She is married with one son and resides in North Carolina. This is her debut novel as an author. You can find Owen at www.owenoakley.com to join in on the conversation or email [email protected], and on Facebook (Owen Oakley), Twitter (@iam_owen_oakley), and Instagram (@iam_owen_oakley). Please leave a review, she loves to hear what readers think. Photography © 2018 Joan H Walker