WHEN THE WIND BLOWS PART 2

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WHEN THE WIND BLOWS PART1
The sun had gone to rest, handing over affairs to his wife, the moon. His absence was now evident as Isemili no longer burned bright with golden intensity, but instead, with the beautiful gentle brilliance of the moon and their children, the stars. All was still and all was calm. At least, everywhere but one little hut at the Igwe's palace and the other, in the heart of the village. In the former, another man's death was being plotted, unbeknownst to the clueless King.

"Okafor! I promise you. If sun rises tomorrow, and I have not the dead bodies of the Mazuebis lying in the forest, it shall be your own body occupying the graves that have been dug. Yours and your family! And do not test me!" Ezewanyi spoke harshly with disdain as she paced around her hut. Although she tried to keep her voice as low as possible, the threat could be heard, loud and clear. Ezewanyi was a woman of few words but plentiful action.
Regardless of the fact that the night air was cold, Okafor could feel the beads of sweat, gracing his forehead, threatening to cause a downpour.

"My Queen. If I may dare to ask, how many times have I failed you yet?" Okafor spoke, summoning all the courage he had in him to sound unafraid when in truth, he was trembling. The Queen's wrath was formidable. No one wished to incur it. Only woe had come to those who did. He continued, "Not once Ezewanyi. So why is it now, that you doubt my abilities? Where has your trust gone? Is it not I Okafor, who has delivered your enemies into your hands a countless times? Was it not just today, that I delivered the one who praised himself Tiger, into your very own hands?"

Ezewanyi stopped pacing then as she stood in front of Okafor.
"Very well, you have given me no reason to doubt you. Indeed, the vulture has been dutiful in its watch. So I will put my trust in you again, this time. But do not forget that this is Madu Ike. His strength matches his wit. He shall not be easy to get. Make no room for mistakes"

"My Queen, I give you my word. Tonight shall not be the night I shall fail you. By dusk, Isemili would be mourning the passing of two families"

Ezewanyi eyed him for some seconds, before silently nodding her dismissal, apparently satisfied by his certainty. In one swift move, Okafor stood from where he had been kneeling and backed out of the hut, his jaw set, his stance rigid, like a man on a mission.
After his boys left in his toll, Ezewanyi too moved to the door of the hut. Poking her head out, she checked around and when she was satisfied no one had been watching, she stepped out and hurriedly walk to the Queen's corner. Unbeknownst to her, a little bird had heard it all. One that the King trusted above all men.

Madu Ike had not gotten the chance to really explain to his family all that was happening. How could he? The only ones who would have understood were Ngozi and Osita but they were far too young to be burdened with such heavy secrets. He knew they were their father's children and were smart enough to pick up some hints, but he was determined to not only protect their lives, but also their innocence for as long as he could.

For now, he was glad that they were making good time. They had managed to pack enough necessities for their journey and had left the hut, the minute darkness kissed the skies. Now they all traveled in silence. Ifesinachi was now asleep on his back. Ngozi and Osita were in front and his wife Ngozi, followed with Ifeanyi's hand in hers. He had made preparations for Ikenna, the ferry man to paddle them across the Oshim river, to Osimedie. At least they would be save there, at least for tonight. It saddened him that it had to come to this. He should have moved them away from Isemili ever since this madness started. Before Ifesinachi and Ify were born. But after keeping a secret for so long, waiting for the right time to come out, he seemed to have forgotten that there remained a threat to his family. Somehow, he felt he had failed them. However, now was not the time for remorse.

"I know what you are thinking my Lord. I would advise you stopped. Maybe you did not make all the right choices in life, but I wouldn't have lived any where else, knowing I could have this life with you and the opportunity to bring justice to the evil ones" Ngozi spoke, bringing him out of his thoughts. One day, when all of this was over, he would love this woman more- if that was even possible- This woman who had stood by him through thick and thin.

"Hmmm. Mama Ngozi. I appreciate you. But then you should know, the camel does not search for water in the desert when he hears bandits are after his master. Of what good would justice be? If we were no longer alive to speak the truth we know?"

"Hush. No such thing shall happen. It is terrible that Okonkwo was met with such fate but I know deep down, that ours would end differently. You too must believe", she assured. And just as Madu Ike was about to reply, they heard shouts that sent them turning around in fear. No sooner than they did that, did they catch sight of huts going up in flames.

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They all exchanged looks. Even the children too, somehow knew what had happened. And in a quiet agreement, everyone quickened their pace, trying to run as fast as they could, with their luggages and with the littlest noise.It was not long, that they heard shouts of war and footsteps on their trail. Their enemies were upon them. And if they were caught, tomorrow, their bodies would be lost as the villagers would be left to believe an accident happened, and that they had all died in the fire.

Obviously, he had slightly underestimated the length the lion would go, to keep her secret. However as they moved further, the sound of flowing river filled their senses, and Madu finally sighed in relief, releasing the breath he did not realise he had been holding.
Strength and hope renewed, he urged his family on even faster. However, when they finally exited the trees and bushes, it was not just Ikenna they found at the bank but also a group of able bodied, armed men. The six of them stood with Ikenna who now had a quiet smile on his face and for the life of him, Madu Ike wondered just how many other men, he has mistrusted.

*** THE SAGA CONTINUES***