They soon got to the village square and since it was not every day royalty left their palace to walk the streets they attracted quiet a number of stares and following, luckily the guards had to keep them away.
The tree was huge and the aura it emitted was cold, as the gentle breeze blew it touch their skin and it whispered into their ears like it was telling them something.
There wasn't anyone there by this time, it was still morning but then, they were not here to see humans but the spirits that habitat's these gorgeous tree, they walked under the tree and Ayanna went closer to it she was fascinated by this huge tree and when she touched it she felt the live in it.
Suddenly the place temperature decreased and they knew something was coming.
A tree spirit looking looking like a tree stump with branches for hands and legs its spoke from the tree after bowing it's head a bit and then it spoke to her, what do we have here? Princess to what do we owe this August visit? not waiting for her to respond it continued you know with your capabilities you kind of spooked my people?.
You already know who I am so what do I call you? Princess Ayanna asked.
Am called Igi the tree keeper.
Nice to finally meet you Igi am here because I heard your market so loud over at the palace each night I slept, since I was the only one who could hear you guys I was wondering if I could come and see how I can contribute .... is there any way I can help?
We are honored to have you here, Igi replied, guys you can come out she can see us.... wait can your people see us too? Igi asked.
My friend Hauwa and my Father Prince Martin they can see you but the guards no they can't.
You can see us, by now some ghost and other spirits were peeking out from various parts of the tree, this is good news most of them here have stories to tell and businesses to finish in other for them to move on.
Can you meet then today one after the other? in order of urgency? this will be a great help to us .... many of us can't go any where until the life forms on this planet dies off, for those that would have helped us have already moved on there are some of us who have been a round for thousands of years already.
Give me a minute let me speak with my people, Ayanna said even though she would have loved to start immediately with whatever they wanted her to help them with, but she has to put her father in the picture that's only being respectful.
Father, they want me to help them out with a bunch ..... I don't know but am willing to help, he says it is to help them move on.
Ayanna you don't need my permission to help them, we will be here with you taking the cool breeze, if there is anything you need us for just signal but my eyes are on them.
Ayanna nodded and she felt warmth all over since after coming to her father she had always felt his love and protection unlike in her younger days. She really felt protected.
She went back to the tree spirits who asked her to sit then Igi explained to her that they have chosen a case they wanted her to help out with as fast as she could.
Am all ears, Ayanna responded.
Igi then told her the story of Mr. Odo Junior who then came and joined them and asked to continue.
You see as we speak my parents are preparing to leave, back for our state in Anambra, what I can't even bear is the pain that is etched on their old faces, my woman her name is Izogie by the way he smiled, and our twins Osaro and Osaze deserve to know that they have grand parents who would be thrilled to know of their existence and I know it would give them on both side joy, perhaps they can convince her to move on, and the kids they are grown men now and they are doing well but they can do better be more stabilized if they knew their roots and finally, I get to move on.
Woah! I have not done something like this before, but I will be happy to but you are coming with me to confirm all I will be saying, also I think we should visit your parents first once they know then they won't leave while we try to convince Izogie and the kids to come see them. Ayanna said, or what do you think?
I don't have a problem of following you I will show you the way to my parents place, i think its a good idea to start with my parents, shall we go now then? Odo Junior enquired.
Yes we will go in my fathers car to meet them.
Igi we are leaving for Odo's parents place I will be seeing you once am done there, Ayanna said.
We will be waiting my lady, Igi replied.
Father are you coming? Ayanna asked her father.
Yeah! let's go!
The all got into the car as Odo Junior gave them the address of his parents place.
Mr. and Mrs Odo Nwaiwu were and average couple though money is not their problem they liked to live on the low key, they lived in their small bungalow with a maid who helped them with little chores.
When Ayanna got there with her father, and others, he told her that she should leave the introduction to him.
Once at the bungalow it was Mrs Odo Nwaiwu who came to get the door and was surprised to see a hunch of strangers at her door and she questioned them.
Who are you people? she had a beautiful voice.
Good afternoon madam Nwaiwu am Prince Martin Obaseki and this is my daughter Princess Ayanna may we come in please?
Inukwa! the people from the palace wants to come to my house is today Christmas? Mrs Odo Nwaiwu said.
Odo Junior started laughing she still has her sense of humour my precious mother.
You can come in my husband is in the sitting room.
Thank you mam Prince Martin acknowledged with a smile as they followed her in.
My dear! we have August visitors eh! the Prince and Princess from the palace are here to see us.
Once in the sitting room Mr Odo Nwaiwu greeted them with a slight bow and a questioning look, what is this about? he asked.
Princess here has a message for your family from your late son Odo Junior, Prince Martin Obaseki announced causing the Nwaiwu's to look up with a stunned expression.
What did you just say?.