Agu the king of Dawanda was sitting under the big mango tree in his compound taking the cool evening breeze, when one of his guards announced the arrival of a visitor seeking to speak with the king ,he opened his eyes as they were closed as one taking a nape but his guards knows better than to think that his asleep.
They all know that there presence in the palace was just for formality sake because the king of Dawanda is more than capable of taking care of his own safety and that of his household.
He called the guard by name as he had made it a point of duty to surround himself with people he know and trust.
So he called the guard, whose name was Ozo and asked?, who is it? I hope is not another girl that ran from her father? Because I have no more room to take in more maids…the palace is already over staffed as it is right now. Ozo one of the warriors that grew up with the king ,that was close as what the king could call a friend but not really close because they share different views on the mater plaguing the kingdom.
Ozo grumbled and said to the king, you are the one troubling yourself taking them in when you could have wipe them and send them back to there fathers, those insolent girls are growing wings by the day someone need to teach them there place in this kingdom.
The king looked at Ozo who he had tried to caution about the way he treats these females and was unsuccessful because Ozo is too adamant in his believe that he is protecting the custom and tradition of his fathers.
King Agu took a deep breath and asked? Who is the person?
Ozo grumbled again and said , is it not that foolish man that spent a fortune celebrating the arrival of a common girl child, I don't just understand how stupid he can be..
The king cleared his throat and said to Ozo, in that case am stupid as well because if my memory served me well, I can vividly recall celebrating my own daughter too.
Ozo shouted and knelt on one knee …saying ..I can never call you stupid my king…how can I my king? Pardon me if it came out that way.
And if I may ask? How can you compare such peasant with the princess my king?
The king shook his head and asked Ozo to leave and send the man in,
Alone ?Ozo asked , yes alone responded the king.
Danddy walked towards the king following the direction given to him by the angry guard he met at the entrance, on reaching the vicinity of the king he stopped and greeted the king with a deep bow.
Greetings to the lion of dawanda, may you live long oh king. he remained in that position until the king responded.
You may stand … please have a seat.
What brought you to my palace this evening when the time of court has passed?
Danddy laughed and responded by saying, you have never been bothered about the etiquette of court my king, you have always had time for your people no matter the circumstance and I believe mine will not be different.
King Agu laughed and asked, is that so?
Yes my king, Danddy responded.
Alright if that is what you believe, then sit and tell me what brought you here.
Danddy sat down and started with an apology.
I want to first apologize to my king, if my actions of celebrating my daughter's birth has gone against the tradition of our people, or cause dishonor to the princess, it was not my intention at all. My king.
The king looked at the man sitting before him and laughed in his mind , knowing, he was not sorry at all. That if time was to go back ,he will do the same thing all over again.
So is that all you came for the king asked?
No my king Danddy responded, I came to ask the king for his permission to name my daughter.
The king raised a brow in shock and asked Danddy .. what if I refuse … Danddy grumbled then shifted in his seat and said…am sorry my king but I would have to defile you this one time.
King Agu's brows shot to his forehead again in another dose of shock.
Then he did something that shocked Danddy and terrified him at the same time.
The king laughed…. And laughed…. That all his body shook with the impact. If Danddy was shocked before he was more shocked with what the king said next …
Finally the spirit has answered my prayers,
Danddy looked at the king confused and said , wha..t ..what..t do you mean my king he stuttered?
The king then explained to danddy how he celebrated and named his daughter so that other people will follow in his steps but rather they interpreted it differently to suit themselves rather than the reason it was tended for.
Danddy looked at the king and asked,
But your highness if I may. The king gestured for him to go ahead.
My king if you are not fine with the way things are in your kingdom, why are you not changing it?
The king smiled and said to him. It does not work that way my brother, If I suddenly change that which has been in existence for years, that which is gradually becoming a custom of our people, then there will be rebellion, those that seek to covert my throne will find a way to do so, thereby turning Dawanda upside down with their wicked ways ...so you see ,I understood years ago that it was not my calling to change it ,but to assist the change…I've asked the spirit and they promised to send someone but I didn't know it will take 10 years, still I didn't stop praying and offering gifts to the altar.
Now you see why am happy that the spirit has answered.
So my brother is not dishonor to anyone but an honor to us all that the change has come.
Danddy was still confused about all that the king was saying , because all he came for was to get permission to name his daughter and nothing else.
But suddenly the king frowned which made Danddy to sat up straight.
The king said to danddy, wait …wait …the spirit promised her a protector where is he, Danddy was even more confused now , a protector? He asked , yes a protector… when they came to know of her real identity they will seek her life to thwart the agenda of the spirit.
At the mention of people seeking his daughter's life Danddy frowned and asked the king what in Dawanda is going on?
The king sensing the worry on Danddy's face tried his possible best to turn his excitement down and explain the whole situation calmly.
My brother the king began…you see , when I ascended the throne of my father I came to realize a shocking truth about our people, I search the laws, I asked the elders, I sort the priest and the seers just to prove my suspension wrong but realized that I was right all along. He took a break and took a deep breath which gave Danddy the opportunity to ask him …what were you suspicious about my king?
That it was never in any of our laws' both written and those passed down by words or even the ones in our blood' that women are inferior to men , that they shouldn't be treated with dignity in there fathers or husbands houses ..
What! Danddy stood up, shocked by the revelation of what he had heard.
The king continued, prompting Danddy to sat back down again.
I sort for answers am the king, so these answers were at my disposal, so when I didn't find it anywhere in our laws' I decided to change it, but was warned by the spirit not to, rather a prophecy came to me about one that will be the instrument of change , that her father will defile the king for her and her protector will never leave her side, you see why I took the measure I took when you came? And why am asking about her protector?
Danddy mumbled something about not leaving her side, which caught the king's attention and prompted Danddy to respond and told the king about the strange behavior of his nephew since he set eyes on his cousin.
The king asked how old he was Danddy responded that his mother traveled to her father's house to give birth to the child so his estimated age should be 8-10 years of age though he acts more matured than his age sometimes said Danddy while chuckling to himself.. in his amused state Danddy failed to see the shock on the king's face .
So if his 8 that means the spirit sent the promise early? That means they are only waiting for the protector to grow before sending the destined child.
Wow…may the Lord be praised he said.
Suddenly turning serious the king instructed Danddy not reveal this to anyone but his wife and to make sure to keep the child safe. That now that the child is here ,the evil once will know also and begin to search for her, know that it is your responsibility to keep her safe for now.
I will find a way to have her protector trained so he can protect her well in the future.
All the things that the king was saying was just too much for Danddy but he kept quiet and listened to the instructions that were given to him. Before leaving the king's presence.
End of flash back