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Chapter 29 - Atejoku, and the Search for Sacrifice

Osabiegun's voice, which was immediately filled with confidence, struck Eleburu with happiness for what he heard. 

That, whom they serve accepted their desire and for them not to harken to Eleburu's wants will befall them a plague but their gold and silver they do not want and shall they take back to their kingdom for  a single piece they have not touched. 

The instance Osabiegun completed his words left Eleburu in gravely shock. Definitely, since Eleburu had been crowned the king, he had not seen a person reject his gift, not to talk of a gift as mighty as the golds and silvers he offered to Osabiegun. 

With only this had Eleburu pleaded further for what he thought was happening was only a plan to make him leave Ifa-ile only to make it a taboo for him to return. That, with this, his ties with Ifa-ile will become broken and if he dared return shall war begin. 

In his plea Osabiegun should heed his interest. For a marriage alone is what he needed with Ifa-ile and if Osabiegun should give this to him shall he be forever grateful and happy. 

But if he does not understand, Osabiegun asked Eleburu once more. That is his interest they accepted but his gold and silver they do not want. For those they serve do not want their gift and only for this should they take back their gift. 

Eleburu even in his dilemma had pretended to understand the words of Osabiegun but to confirm if indeed his proposal had been accepted had he asked a question when the marriage between Ifa-ile and Ilupeju be held? 

For in five days after the full moon had taken place and had been forgotten shall they hold the marriage between the crown prince and the princess. For on the day of the full moon will they have to meet their requirement with their gods. 

The words of Osabiegun which now gave Eleburu some comfort allowed him to expand his cheek for a smile and his entourage who couldn't hold back their happiness revealed them at the glow of Eleburu's smile. 

Among the entourage of Eleburu was his royal bard who began with his sonorous voice called the name of Eleburu and that of his father and his father's father. 

According to his melody, since in the days of Okiirumole had the rivers of Ilupeju flowed forth with peace and negotiation and his son after him, Ejigbo who hadn't failed his father in the task that instructed peace. 

And if not peace what then shall they preach for  beneath the wave is an ocean peaceful and in the peace shall the fishes swim and this also, has Eleburu not failed them. 

In his voice the royal bard lifted even more higher the praises of Eleburu and the eulogy of his name he began to sing. 

According to him, Eleburu remained the son of a spring that gushes in mighty volume and at his roars shall all rivers and lakes become silent. 

For who shall even whisper in the presence of a mighty? What lightning shall strike at the presence of the thunder or how can one compare the drip of rain to a mighty rainfall?

For only the mightiest holds the boldness to walk into the camp of his enemy and negotiate a peace with them and for every reason shall their words be harken upon. 

The hand Eleburu raised up, shushed the mouth of his royal bard and a plea for his transgression, Eleburu quickly pleaded. 

But only with a smile Osabiegun responded as the Chiefs and elders even Oranmiyan and the eldest priest remained shocked for the Kind of words Eleburu's royal bard had the boldness to sing and even more surprised that the only thing Osabiegun had done was to let out a smile. 

Osabiegun's royal bard, who remained comforting Osabiegun with gentle breeze, instantly began the praises of his own king. 

And according to his tune a king  remained a spring but Osabiegun remained the sea and in the storm of a sea shall even the spring be silenced. For a king remains a hyena in the midst of the forest but what boldness shall the hyena have in the presence of a lion?

The Chiefs and elders who revealed their happiness by the words of the royal barb had not failed to hail him even in a louder voice and more encouragement they gave to him. 

For a king needed to make tie with a kingdom for he knows without the kingdom shall his doom befall him but Osabiegun remained a lone wolf and with no kingdom he needs make an allIance and if they doubt him should they ask Efon what befell them as they stepped on the toes of Ifa-ile.  

The instant the royal bard ended his voice, Osabigun gently laid his horsetail whisk on him as he prayed for him.  For sure, Eleburu couldn't have allowed himself to be ridiculed but he remained seated before Osabiegun, Oranmiyan, his chiefs and elders and the eldest priest just as if nothing had happened. 

That his box of gold and silver from the last day he visited be returned unto him, Osabiegun commanded and the royal guard had not waited more moment to bring them out as Osabiegun commanded. 

With force an old woman was thrown before Osabiegun and in confusion had Eleburu become for what that began to happen became a mystery to him. 

Osabiegun who looked up instantly after he sighted  the old woman thrown before him within a glance asked his royal guard who she was. 

That she was the mother of the Atejoku and why his mother was brought before them instead of Atejoku himself, one of the elders asked immediately. 

According to one of the guards, Atejoku fled the village and no one knows to which Kingdom he escaped. 

That the guard repeat his word Osabiegun gently asked and the instant he did, his voice became stronger as he began to speak on the top of his voice. 

The chiefs and elders who had not stopped to react to the anger of Osabiegun folded their arms in their shoulders while others emit a continuous humming sound. 

That the birth attendant who had been before asked to excuse them Osabiegun commanded one of the guards to bring forward by poking at him. 

Even Eleburu and his entourage had begun gossiping among themselves for what they think had happened and if this will not make Osabiegun cancel their own interest which had brought them to ifa-ile. 

And since they know nothing of what happened shall they shush their mouths and not say a word for if they do can they add more coal to the already ignited fire were the words of Eleburu to his entourage. 

Osabiegun in his vexation rose from his throne and in a sudden exclamation had the chiefs and elders shouted at once. Even the woman thrown before him had not stopped to wail for mercy. 

If the woman thought she would go Scott free for the sin of her son she lied as the words of Osabiegun were accompanied with a dagger which condemned her. 

Where was she when her son was going against him, he asked while rambling to and fro of the palace. 

The instance she would almost answer the question, Osabiegun had already thrown another question: why she failed to teach her son the tradition of the land for among every person of the land shall not a king be gone against? 

That it was her fault if the sin of her son shall be paid on her head and a lesson it shall be for others who dare trespass him again. 

At this moment the royal bard began yet again with another eulogy of Osabiegun and according to his words, Osabiegun was indeed the lion of the Jungle who doesn't let go of his prey. For the antelope which asked him for what he shall do by sniffing into his cave shall be torn into pieces. 

That Osabiegun remained their King on his throne and who shall not fear him lest, experience the wrought that falls on them? And if they doubt him should they ask the dead for what killed them. 

With a snap of his finger, the royal bard heed to the command of Osabiegun to which closed his mouth for silence which began to prevail. 

And no matter the wailing of the woman which now disturb the peace of the palace shall she not gain any mercy was the words of another of the chiefs. 

With an unwavering stare at her, Osabiegun asked the eldest priest what shall be done to her. That she can be used as a lesson unto others who dare look down upon him, he further stressed. 

A lesson is paramount to be taught. For without a law shall the Kingdom become anarchy to which each villager shall do as they please and as they see fit. 

That her head be chopped off at the shrine and the witches shall taste her blood and her head be hung in the village forever to show to others no one dares the furnace and not get burnt.