Chapter 4: The Dance of the Spirits

W

e were all seated around Pa Chiakpugodike (the gods have molded a strong man), he chewed on some cola nuts and told the story of our birth, it seemed like folk lore and totally unrelated to me and my sister, I had to interpret everything to Ure bit by bit. After he was done telling the story and the prophesies that came with it, I was so sure I couldn't possibly be the one, it had to be Ure, after all it was her who was named beauty of the gods! And who else will Amadioha come down to mate with asides the most beautiful woman in the land.

It all made sense now, how we didn't fit in to the 1970 picture of Lagos,

How all I've ever wanted to make was epic art, how our mother disappeared 2 years ago, now that I think about it, she is probably somewhere in Obodochi, maybe she'll give us more clarity, maybe finding her will bring us some kind of peace.

Ur looked like she had just swallowed a snake whole, this was no way to find out you're not who you thought you were, or that the woman you had called mother was your aunt and that both your parents were dead. It became more certain as I thought about it that it had to be Ure, but when would this Amadioha come?

How?

Would we recognize him?

How would we know?

How on earth are we supposed to help the people of

Obodochi until then, the people of Obodochi, our people..... my people.

Thinking about it aroused a sense of responsibility in me, so strong that if I wasn't already told the queen was immortal and powerful I would have risen and tried to go kill her myself.

My thoughts were broken when Pa Dike spoke with a voice that was once power but nor seems to have lost most of it vigor.

"Umu m amam na akuku unu nuru Kita GA enye unu nukwu Nsogbu, mana ujo atuna unu, chi obodochi na mkpuru Obi nne unu na nna unu nnonyere unu"

("My children I know that the story you just heard will trouble you immensely, but fear not, the gods of Odochi and the souls of your parents are with you") he encouraged.

"Agam Abi nawa, Obi ndi Ndu obodochi Aburo IjeAbali, gba nu mboga egwu onwa Asandu, ebea ka Njem unu ga ebido, mana esikwala na akuku Obiamarachi were puo."

(I'll take my leave now, the abode of the council of Obodochi is not a nights journey, ensure that you attend the moonlit dance of Asandu, but make sure not to leave Obiamarachi's side) he said.

Reaching towards us, he touched our foreheads and mumbled words of blessings and turning around walked like he couldn't get to the front entrance before night fall, it wasn't long when he went out of sight.

Heaving a sigh of relief and not realizing it I stumbled to a stool with Ure following suit, I didn't realize how awestruck I was until now, not just the story and the implications of it, the reassurance in Obiamarachi's eyes while the folk lore went on was baffling.

How is it that even after all I've just heard about my past present and future from a man whom three hours ago didn't exist, that after being told that the fate of thousands of people depended on me and my sister, that the woman we've always called mother should have been called aunt, or that we have a step mother who wants us both dead and is responsible for the death of our parents.... How is it possible that after hearing all of these, the day after I walked through a portal, away from my absolutely normal life into this haze of a reality... How is it that all I can think of is the way this strangely heavenly man looked at me and how it made me feel like I should be a deity if beauty or grace.

How? ....how do I begin to explain the way my heart jumps at the slightest brush of his skin against mine, how do I explain that I want his palm flat across my chest and traveling the remainder of my body on a mission of discovery. How do I explain that I want my fingers lingering on his, and possibly his mighty looking lips savaging mine?

How do I explain how uncomfortably amazing being stuck here with this man makes me feel, this man for whom I'd walk through more portals, as long as I'll find him on the other end, I'll walk through portals my whole life?

We had just arrived the palace, everyone was quiet as midnight, the music was monumental, young men and women moving in twos and threes, here and there. Everywhere was filled with youthful glow and excitable chatters, half the people here were obviously unhappy and looking like they were forced to be here, I was trying to find the queen when Obiamarachi noticed my search and said..

"Asandu ga ha abia"

(Asandu will soon be here)

I turned to look at him and I didn't realize how closely we were standing, or how intense his stare was, hot chills ran all the way down to my toes and out of my body, in degrees and levels of sizzling arousal. I smiled as hard as I could praying that he doesn't see, or notice how aroused the heat of his body close to mine made me, how willing I was to go down on my knees and kiss his very toe, just to express how much I'm willing to submit to this man, this man whose stare turned me into a sack of liquid wax, a sack of molten hot wax!

"Kedu ndi na agba egwu?" I managed to utter.

(where are the dancers?)

"Nne ka ha na akwado" he said pointing at some colorful dressed people stretching.

(look they're getting ready)

He placed his palm on my waist, warm and large and comforting, sent wavy tingling all through my body, get a hold of yourself I thought, "get a freaking grip!

We were seated on eloquently crafted woven wood and it was at this moment that my attention was drawn to the architecture of the palace, and now that I thought about it, it was my palace too, my father's house, this mighty display of architectural mastery.

I had to literally turn back severally to look at the entrance, guarded by gladiator-looking men, two eighths each point for all four points. One larger than the rest, as if it was meant for big lorries, the sand in the palace felt different on the animal skin foot wear I had on, all eyes was on me, it was either the wealthy dressing or the man by my side, which ever reason it was, it was all because of Obiamarachi, we were directed to the court yard, the throne was visibly majestic, made solely out of gold and adorned with choral gems and different shades of animal skin, it was obviously comfy and soft. Next to it lay a slimmer but elegant version, most probably for the queen, for my mother. The thought of four year old me running around this compound brought a feeling of nostalgia, in wish I could remember what they looked like, what they sounded like, anything.... Anything at all about my parents.

The dance floor was adorned with flowers of different colors and petals, beautifully lit by the rays of the moon. It was indeed a moon lit dance.

The arrival of the queen came with silence everywhere whilst the flute was played, each sound promising a new time of regal bliss and the later clouding the former, I would be lying if I say I wasn't captivated by her gracious entrance. She looked nothing like what I expected of a wicked immortal queen who married young people every year and who killed my parents.

I would fill your heads with lies about how I saw a wrinkle or two, an improper dentition or a single strand of grey hair, but no!

Hair as silky and rich as that of a blessed newborn, held in little circular molds with strings of choral beads rich in color and texture, her eyes deep as the blue of the sea. I didn't think epic people were allowed to have blue eyes, she was beautiful in every way!

From the slender feminine curves, to the long flawless legs, her lips full and pink, nose bridge as pointed as an arrow sculpture! Sculptures that's what she makes me think of, unrealistic beauty carved into existence. Looking at her I could understand why after all I've heard of her, a large number of people have still gathered to dance their hearts out for a chance to be her companion for a year, maybe less... Rumor has it that people she picks disappear after a while.

She completed her entrance and sitting on the throne signaled for the dance to commence .

Waist swirling, glorious feet stumping and several other displays of elegance captured the dance floor and captivated the audience. She called to a guard and whispered to her, yes her! They were female guards too!

Then she stood up and left, everything about her was majestic.

The guard had picked two people from the dance floor and taken them in the same way the queen went, there was tremendous jubilee as the music got louder and refreshments were passed around. Everyone else joined in the dance and if I had wristwatch it'd be 3 am when we left the palace.

Fatigued but not exhausted we returned to Obiamarachi's residence.

I was starving when we got to his obi, swiftly he made roasted yam and sauce, I would explain how sumptuous the meal was, but I can't list more than one ingredient that was in it, with confidence. We all went to bed after the meal, Ure and me in the room we had previously slept in, the men, in what must have been Enyichi's room.

Curled up next to me, my sister slept, I watched her sleep, and the peaceful rise and fall of her chest gave me hope, hope that one of this days Obodochi will be safe for its inhabitants and maybe for us too.