After Ayanna decided to quench her patched throat with some chilled water, others also decided to get something to drink too. While they were at it they deliberated on the King's story, what will happen? will the king be successful with the sacrifice? I mean, will anyone agree to just lay down their life or allow their child to be used as sacrifice? so many questions, let's go back so Ayanna can continue this awesome story.
After a while they sat back down to continue listening. The Prince was holding onto her hands, smiling up at him Ayanna continued her story.
Remember its me Ayanna still relieving that great queens life, it was as though there was something they wanted to pass to me or a message they wanted me to see, so, still in the late queen Idia suggested to the king to meet his other wives to see if anyone of them or their children would be willing to be the sacrifice so they can get their positions back. This the king agreed to, after breakfast that day, we set out together to the hometown of one of the Queens.
The king did not go in his kingly regalia, but a commoners clothes so was queen Idia so they didn't attract unnecessary attention, on getting to Queen Amenze place by noon that day, she was told she had visitors by her family's housekeeper on seeing the king she was shocked and asked him, is this what you have been reduced to? the king only shook his head he actually looked pitiful. Please sit down she offered.
After the king and his two queens sat down, the king then addressed queen Amenze, my Queen you left the palace without informing me, what actually happened?
Oba atukweye, she greeted, I am glad you can even ask me this now, while at the palace severally we came to speak to you but you were lost in yourself, physically we can see you but your mind was not with us, then the high chief's came to us that we are in great danger because of the high taxation the people wanted to eliminate the royal house so its better if we left before it happened, yet again I came to you, but you couldn't hear me, so I left with my four children.
Hmmm! so instead of calling my mother or even gathering your co wives to look for a solution to my issue you decided to save yourself first, my enemies used my strength which was my family to fight against me no problem, I and Queen Idia saw the seer and he has told us a solution to the issue,..... em!.....ehm....the great king stuttered to a stop.
My King what is the solution? no matter how big a problem is, we won't use knife to cut it, so tell me.
Breathing down and seeing that they were both staring at him one pair of eye encouraging him on, while the other was probing.
Actually, the seer said a sacrifice has to be offered....
Ok, that's good encouraged queen Amenze.
The thing is the sacrifice has to be willing, it's a human sacrifice .....and...and it has to be from my family, he finished and turned his eyes on queen Amanze to see how she was taking it, and was shocked.
Queen Amanze had on an ugly expression on her face, her chest was heaving like she couldn't breath properly.
Calm down queen Amanze, queen Idia tried to comfort her....I know its not easy but its for the rejuvenation of the throne of our husband, if we allow another king to emerge then how can we face ourselves? can we even be able to refer to ourselves as Queen's? please my co wife let's put head together and.....
Now the hatred in queen Amanze was directed at queen Idia, directing her burning eyes at queen Idia she lashed out on her, you this Barren and witch of a woman since you can't bring fort your own children, you then came up with this horrid idea to kill our own children right?
Queen Idia was stunned into silence.
No, no, queen Amanze, the king cut in, this was never queen Idia's idea but the seers....
And you came to me?.....why? why my king, why did you come to me instead of your other wives? ....
Amanze you forget so easily, you are my first love, my first queen, you should understand me better I came to you first, for in my palace you are first....
First queen you say, wow then what is she doing with you then?
You all left me, you know, every single one of you that I accepted, as long as you bore me a child, she the one I rejected her presences, the one I told not to enter my chambers was the only one who stayed with me. When I looked left and right, when I looked back and front, no one was there for me, she was the only one standing there in the entire Palace.
So queen Amanze what happens? join hands with me let's do the bidding of the gods and our ancestors, so that we can go back to the thriving times of Benin kingdom and even more.
My king this can't befall me and my children, no, no way .....which of our children do you think I should allow this kind of fate to befall one of our three sons or our daughter?
I know how hard this is, remember they are my own flesh and blood too and I know this is even more difficult as you are their mother but think about it.
Noooo....no I can't do this, I respect you my king but this is unacceptable by me, luckily am not your only wife with kids go and try queen Efe or perhaps queen Adesuwa this is a big no for me.
Queen Idia patted the kings back in a comforting way as they stood up to leave and queen Amanze staring at them like two lunatic, while they departed her village.