Men of Valor, Books 1

by Kiru Taye

  "I cannot go against her wish because we are bound by blood." Tears cascaded down her face.

  "You mean the oath you took?"

  She shook her head as her tears blinded her. "Not that."

  "What then?"

  "She is my sister!"

  Shocked by her words, Emeka's grip on her shoulders slackened, and he staggered backward as if she'd delivered a physical blow to his body. Finally free of his grip, she did the one thing she should have done last night when she first arrived at the palace pool. She ran.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She is my sister!

  Emeka paced his obi, his mind in turmoil. Ezinne's words ricocheting within his head. How was that possible? Ezinne was a slave. Nonye was a princess of Umulari. They were both separated by status. One instructed. The other served. How could a servant girl and a princess be blood sisters? He was nearly going mad trying to figure it out in his head.

  It didn't help that Ezinne had run off when she'd told him such abominable news. Was that a sign that she'd told him a lie? That she'd made it up. Was this staged for him? Was there another purpose to it all? What was really going on? Who were Nonye and Ezinne? Because he certainly didn't know either of them as well as he'd thought he did.

  He'd returned to the palace and sent his guards to summon Ezinne and Nonye. He would get to the truth of the matter today. He also summoned Ezemmuo. The chief priest was the one person he could trust to tell him the truth. He no longer trusted either woman.

  Like the smell of a decaying corpse, the rank arrangement between Ezinne and her mistress could no longer be avoided. Nonye's obsession with keeping Ezinne bound to her, and Ezinne's refusal to do anything to displease Nonye.

  He should have noticed it before. Now he couldn't miss it. Their relationship was unhealthy and had always been. He should have noticed it when Nonye presented Ezinne to him. Yet his lust for Ezinne had blinded him to the facts.

  Well, no more!

  He'd had enough of being fooled. And if he found out King Agbado had a hand in this whole sinister arrangement, he would convince his father to call off the peace treaty with Umulari.

  He whirled around as Nonye came into his receiving chamber. She didn't look pleased. He didn't care right now as he scowled at her.

  She curtsied. "Good morning, my prince. You summoned me?"

  "I did." He turned away from her to Jide, the head guard who'd come in behind Nonye. "Where is Ezinne?"

  "We haven't found her yet, my prince," Jide replied.

  "Keep searching. I want her found and brought here immediately."

  "Yes, my prince." The guard bowed, turned, and walked out.

  "What's happened, my prince?" Nonye asked.

  "You tell me."

  "How do I know what's happened? You stalked out last night. I waited for you, but you didn't return, and I went to bed. I only woke up this morning to note that Ezinne hadn't shown up to help me dress. Where is she? Why are you looking for her?" She glared at him, her expression suspicious.

  "I was with Ezinne last night."

  "What do you mean?" Nonye's eyes narrowed into a slit, and her frown deepened.

  "Ezinne and I are lovers. We spent the night together."

  Her eyes widened like a round dish, and she shook her head. "No, you didn't." She turned away from him.

  "We did, and this morning she told me something I cannot begin to comprehend. How could you have hidden something like that from me, Nonye?" He glared at her.

  Nonye whirled around her mouth agape. Now she looked frightened. "You cannot believe whatever she told you. Yes, I admit I was wrong in seeking Dike out, but nothing happened. I promise you." She took a step toward him, her hand lifted in a placating manner.

  It was as if she’d physically hit his face. Emeka’s blood turned to ice. What was going on here? "Wait." He lifted his hand stopping her from coming closer. "Who is Dike and what has he got to do with this?"

  Nonye froze, her features pained. She lifted her hand and clutched her head.

  "Answer me!" he snapped.

  Nonye's head jolted upright, her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Dike was the man I wanted to marry before my father arranged for me to wed you."

  "He is your lover?"

  The tears dropped from her eyes. "No, not anymore. I have not been with him in that way since my betrothal to you. On my last trip to Umulari, we finally called everything off, and I vowed to focus my devotion to you and our marriage."

  Emeka stood still. He couldn't make out what emotion he was feeling. Yes there was anger. After all, his wife had a fondness for another man. It was a blow to his ego. That's for sure. To think that all the while they were together, she was possibly thinking of another man.

  But then again hadn't he being doing the same thing, all the time he'd been thinking about Ezinne? Did that make him a better person than Nonye? Could he really stand in judgment of her deeds? He was no longer without reproach. He'd changed all that last night.

  So yes, it hurt him to know his wife was interested in someone else. But he would have to live with it.

  "Do you love this man? This Dike?" he asked as calmly as he could muster.

  "No, my prince." She lifted her head, her features shame-faced.

  "Tell me the truth or I'll not be held responsible for my actions." He was tired of all the lies.

  She nodded her head. "I did once. But I have put him aside. I promise you. We cannot be together. My father forbade it."

  What kind of man went about controlling and destroying lives at their whim? What was wrong with King Agbado? He appeared to be a mad man the more Emeka found out about him.

  "So you didn't want to marry me."

  "It doesn't matter what I want. My duty is to be a good princess and do my father's bidding." She knelt in front of him. "Please, my prince, forgive my indiscretion. I promise I'll do as you bid. I'll release Ezinne from her bonds immediately."

  "Get up," he said. He needed to think. There was so much information rattling in his brain. He needed time to process them all and make the right decision.

  Nonye stood and went over to her chair beside his and sat.

  "Yes, about Ezinne. How can you be so cruel to your own blood?"

  "What do you mean? I treat her better than the other servants. I take care of her like she is my own sister sometimes."

  "But she claims she is your sister."

  He couldn't miss the shock on Nonye's face. Her mouth agape, her eyes wide. "That's a lie." She looked as shocked as he'd felt when Ezinne had told him. So if she didn't know then how possible was it?

  "Ezinne wouldn't lie to me."

  "What? You would believe that nonsense. I'm a princess. My father is the king of Umulari. My mother was the queen. Ezinne's mother was a slave. How can you reconcile all those facts with her being my sister? It's impossible, and I refuse to believe it."

  "Do you know Ezinne to tell lies? To be untrustworthy?"

  "No. But this is outrageous. Impossible."

  "Who is Ezinne's father?"

  "I don't know him. I never met him. He was one of the slaves, I guess. Not much was said of him excerpt that he died before Ezinne was born."

  "But you and Ezinne grew up together, played together."

  "Yes, her mother was my mother's handmaiden. So she was often in the palace as a girl. Since we were about the same age we played together."

  "But after a while you stopped playing with her. Why?"

  "My father forbade it. He threatened to have her sold off. I cared for her and didn't want her gone. She was my best friend. The only thing I was allowed to do was to take her in as my handmaiden. I couldn't oppose my father. If he had sold Ezinne, things could have been a lot worse for her."

  "As soon as she is found and brought here, you will release her. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, my prince." Nonye paused, shifting in her seat as if nervous. "But why would she tell you she is my sister?"

  That he couldn't answer. "I don't
know."

  His guard stepped into the obi. "My prince, Ezemmuo is here."

  "Good. Send him in," he said to the guard who nodded, bowed, and stepped out. At last someone who could shed some light on these dark matters.

  Ezemmuo stepped in, his metal staff rattling as he walked, the stringed shells on his ankles jingling. His face and body were painted in red, black, and white markings. Around his neck he had an amulet which was said to ward off evil spirits. There was a leather satchel hanging on his shoulder.

  "It is well with this household," Ezemmuo said when he stopped in the middle of the chamber.

  Nonye stood, then curtsied. Emeka bowed. "Ezemmuo, nno." He welcomed the chief priest.

  "Nonye, please bring the okwa oji for Ezemmuo."

  "Yes, my prince." Nonye departed to bring the kola nut and pepper dip refreshment for their guest.

  "Welcome," Emeka said again to Ezemmuo. "Please take a seat."

  Ezemmuo moved to the seat closest to Emeka's on the right-hand side. Emeka also sat down. Now that Ezemmuo was here, he could afford to relax a little. Matters would soon be resolved.

  Nonye returned with the wooden bowl of kola nut and pepper dip and presented it to Ezemmuo. The chief priest took one on the nuts in his hand, lifted it up, and said incantations blessing the household. When he was done, he split the nut and presented it to Emeka who nodded and passed it back to him. Ezemmuo took a piece and chewed. Nonye presented the remaining to Emeka who took another piece.

  "Keep the other piece for your wife," Ezemmuo said when Nonye went to put aside the bowl.

  "Nonye, take a piece," Emeka said. Usually a woman didn't share in the kola nut except on special occasions.

  "I don't mean her. The other one."

  Flabbergasted, Emeka turned to Ezemmuo wondering if the man had lost his senses. "I only have one wife, and she stands before you."

  "Not according to the gods. The woman in front of me was never meant to be your wife. Why do you think the gods have not blessed your union? Even as I speak your heir grows in the womb of another. Or do I not speak the truth?"

  Nonye slumped into her chair, looking pained. Emeka froze in shock. How was it possible? He'd only made love with Ezinne last night. It was true that Ezemmuo was in conference with the spirits of their ancestors. But this?

  "Ezemmuo, what are you saying? Nonye and I were married in the traditional way. We performed all the rites. Why would the gods not acknowledge that marriage?"

  "There are untold evils perpetuated in Umulari. The gods are not happy about that, and it is time to reverse the fortunes of evildoers. Great offenses have been committed against innocent people. You are a tool in righting those wrongs. The gods say that you married the wrong sister."

  Nonye gasped out loud, and Emeka groaned in silence. So it was true.

  Just then, there was a scuffle outside the entrance, and Ezinne walked in looking harassed. His guard stood behind her. Ezemmuo turned to her and pointed.

  "She is the wife chosen for you by the gods. She is your princess."

  Chapter Seventeen

  She is your princess.

  Ezinne stood by the door, her posture rigid, unsure of what she'd heard. Her eyes moved from Nonye who was slumped in her chair looking like her world had ended to Emeka who looked at Ezinne as if he'd seen a ghost. The only one who appeared composed was Ezemmuo. But he was the one pointing to Ezinne while he'd uttered those unbelievable words.

  Had the man gone senile? Nonye was the princess. Not Ezinne. Never her. She was the one that primped and catered to the princess. Ezinne was the servant. As she was ordained to be from birth.

  "This is madness. Ezinne is a slave, sired and birthed by a slave!" Nonye was now sitting up, shifting in her seat, obviously agitated. Ezinne couldn't help feeling pity for the other woman. This news must have come as a big shock to her. It had shocked Ezinne when she'd found out the truth of her birth. At least she'd had years to get used to it. Nonye had only been told moments ago.

  "If she is a slave, then so are you," Ezemmuo interjected, his tone relaxed and matter-of-fact. "You were both sired and birthed on the same day by the same parents."

  Ezinne heaved a sigh of relief. At last someone else had validated what she'd known most of her adult life. She knew no one would have ever believed her if she'd said it herself. Emeka had not believed her this morning.

  The enraged expression on his usually friendly face had sent her running into the forest, wanting for the earth to open up and swallow her. If he didn't believe her, no one else would.

  Ezinne glance over at Emeka, but his eyes were on Nonye who made a gurgling sound as if choking. Nonye's eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped into her chair. Emeka moved and picked Nonye up as Ezinne raced to his side.

  "Get me some water," Emeka instructed the guards. One of them rushed to get the drink while the other waved the large feathered fan. Ezinne knelt beside him holding on to Nonye's cold hand. She bit her bottom lip with worry.

  Nonye had always been the weaker of the two of them. When they were children Nonye was the one who got ill more often. Despite her airs, she was the fragile one. This was one of the reasons Ezinne had always fought to protect her.

  "Don't worry. She has only fainted. The news has come as a shock to her. She will awaken soon," Ezemmuo said when he approached and placed his hand on Nonye's head.

  The guard came back with a wooden tray containing a bowl of water, a gourd and a bronze chalice. Ezinne took one of the cloths she kept on her waist beads, sprinkled water on it, and placed it on Nonye's forehead.

  Emeka looked at Ezinne, wearing a sad smile before turning to the chief priest with a frown on his face. "Ezemmuo, I'm even more confused. How can one be a princess and another a servant if they were both sired from the same parents?"

  "My son, I'll explain everything in a little while. Let the girl awaken first and I'll tell you how it all came to be." Ezemmuo went back to his chair. Ezinne tried to quell her own concern and restlessness about Nonye. Regardless of what had happened in the past, she didn't want any harm to come to Nonye. She was still her sister.

  Nonye stirred in Emeka's arms. He took the bronze chalice from the guard and gave Nonye some water. She gulped it down with her eyes closed. Then she opened them and stared up at Emeka in confusion.

  "What happened?" she asked before turning around to see Ezinne and Ezemmuo. "Oh no." She gasped, taking her head in her hands again.

  "Stay calm," Emeka said to his wife before turning to their guest. "Ezemmuo, please explain to us so that we can understand what happened."

  "Very well." Ezemmuo made himself comfortable in the chair and began. "As a young man, King Agbado was very ambitious. He was not happy to have a delegated council that made decisions for the kingdom. He wanted sovereign power all to himself. So he went to an unscrupulous dibia to help him gain power. He was told he was going to make a great sacrifice in order to achieve his aim. He agreed. Power was more important to him than anything else he owned."

  Ezemmuo paused as if to ensure everyone was paying attention to his words.

  "There was a power struggle between Agbado and other members of the council. He got rid of his enemies with the help of the dibia. To attain the throne, he had to sacrifice his heirs. His wife never bore him any children."

  Nonye gasped again, her face losing its color, and Emeka glance at her. Ezinne squeezed Nonye's hand, hoping to reassure her.

  "But Nonye's mother was the queen, wasn't she?" Emeka asked.

  "No. Agbado had several affairs with different other women including the woman who gave birth to Nonye and Ezinne. At the time she served the queen. In the queen's desperation to bear children and produce heirs, she had offered Nonye to the king. She wanted to bring up any child that was born as her own. The woman fell pregnant but unbeknown to them she was carrying twins."

  Eyes wide, Nonye turned to look at Ezinne, a silent query in her gaze. Ezinne smiled and nodded. She'd known they'd been born on the
same day.

  "You mean Nonye and Ezinne are twins?" Emeka looked shocked as well.

  "Yes, they are fraternal twins. Nonye was born first. The queen took her and presented her to everyone as her own. Several hours later, Ezinne was born. The king, who knew the consequences of having heirs meant he would lose his power, consulted the dibia again. The dibia told him the only way things would work for him was if one of his children served the other. He could only name one as his. The other he had to reject and abandon."

  "Ezemmuo, you are certain of this?"

  "Our ancestors do not tell lies," Ezemmuo replied in a stern tone. "The two girls have been aggrieved. The gods have been offended and waited for the right time to strike. This is the right time."

  Emeka watched both women. Ezinne could read the concern in his eyes. It must not be easy for him to take in all this news at once. It was unfortunate there had been so many secrets buried in their family. Ezinne was grateful it was now all out in the open. Maybe a solution could be found at last.

  "What do we do to set things right?" Emeka asked.

  "Agbado has to start by acknowledging both of his children. Otherwise the consequences on his head will be great."

  "What about Ezinne and the bond she has with Nonye?"

  "Those bonds have already been dissolved. Otherwise, you would never have noticed Ezinne. Why do you think your first wife offered her to you in the first place? When the path of destiny is set by the gods, you might detour from it, but eventually you get back on it. The gods have designed it so that we arrive at this day and the truth is bared for all to see."

  "Does that mean I'm to have two wives?" There was a frown on Emeka's face. Ezinne wondered if the idea was suddenly unpalatable to him as her heart sank. He had asked her again to marry him this morning. Had she changed his mind by revealing her true relationship with Nonye?

  Ezemmuo shook his head. "As I said before, Nonye was never meant to be your wife. Her life path lies elsewhere. Your future is with Ezinne. I have said it all. He who has ears let him hear. Now, I'm ready to leave." Ezemmuo stood.