Akinrinade and Lagelu quickly headed back to the east camp where they found everything in order. The leader of the guards wondered what to make of this. Had someone unknowingly put crayfish in the food of the guards or had it been a deliberate attempt to weaken their defenses? “My Lord, I think it wasContinue reading Oyinade Episode 8: “Blood and Fire.”
The day before her wedding, Oyinade and her three maids got permission to go out one last time. Iluope was a border town, and so on market days, traders came from the surrounding villages to buy and sell. It was usually a busy day with many strangers in the town, it was easy to getContinue reading Oyinade Episode 7: “The Washing”
“So you will be a married man in the next five days?” Obembe said jovially, slapping Oyeleke’s back. “You must have really offended your father!” Akinniyi teased, gulping down the bowl of palm wine a slave girl had just poured out for him. Oyeleke was not amused, he sat down between his friends staring forlornlyContinue reading Oyinade Episode 6: “To Talk, To Eat, And Be Married…”
“A Father’s Heart.” Oyemakin discovered the slave girl. He had abandoned his bowl of porridge, suddenly aware of the cessation of the rain and anxious to see the king. He saw her head first as he stepped out of his hut and recognized that she had been the one who served his meal. Was sheContinue reading Oyinade Episode 5: “A Father’s Heart”
It rained heavily for three consecutive days, the clouds remained dark and heavy. No one could go to their farms, and everyone watched from their doors how the rain was slowly becoming a flood. If it rained for one more day, the rain would seep into their houses. The atmosphere in Iluope was tense, IyaContinue reading Oyinade Episode 4: “The Heat of the Game”
“Let me make your hair.” Oyinade said to one of her maids one cool evening as they sat in the courtyard. “That is forbidden princess, the queen will be furious if she sees you making my hair.” “But I want to learn it, and how can I learn if you don’t let me practice?” “ButContinue reading Oyinade Episode 3: “The Creature With Ten Eyes”
Oyeleke, the son of Oyemakin crouched in the bush, his gaze intent on the grey bush rat beside the bamboo tree. The bush rat was the biggest he had ever seen. It scurried around the tree for a while and then settled on a rotten mango, gnawing at the flesh of the fruit. Oyeleke waitedContinue reading Oyinade Episode 2: “Wedding Guests”