CHAPTER ONE
In the chest of a woman, lies not only an annexation of breasts and fiery heart but a flaming desire to process and use power.
In the sparsely inner court of Amanirenas's palace at Azurethra, was one of the finest you could come across since it holds the symbol of royalty and integrity, making all powers lie beneath her feet in that part of her world. Amanirenas is a strong yet resilient queen who find no pleasure in surrendering to just mere history of men holding the topmost role in light of kingship, but believes equal rights must be served since hierarchy is concerned. It is nearing dusk. Amanirenas and Akinidad Linnette are engrossed in a game of Owari, a game played amongst the elite and royal families of ancient African dynasties. There comes a transitory pause.
Akinidad: Who's turn, is it?
Amanirenas: Your turn, of course (Akinidad collects the marbles from one holes, counts them, and having satisfied himself, begins to play)
Akinidad: (Excitedly) See, I have won six marbles of three holes
Amanirenas: (Laughs) That is what the elders refer to as serious tactical error. (Laughs again)
Akinidad: (Confused) I don't understand
Amanirenas: You should have waited patiently for me to play the marbles in these two holes, thereby leaving my last three holes here with two marbles each. That way, when it's your turn to play, you'll win twelve marbles out of four holes. (Teasingly) Hahaha, you needn't look so sad; all isn't lost yet. There might be another chance. Just keep your eyes and mind open.
Akinidad: Mother, it is your turn to play. Go ahead and play so I can….
Amanirenas: Alright… Alright… I'll play. Watch me. (Plays) two, three, four. Now, you play.
Akinidad: Mother, why didn't you use the six marbles in this hole to win the four marbles here in my territory.
Amanirenas: That would have been suicidal for me.
Akinidad: Suicidal? It would have fetched you four marbles out of two, and isn't that something worth grabbing?
Amanirenas: I would not only be winning four marbles but would be adding extra fire power to your armory, and that will get my territory cleared of all marbles.
Akinidad: (Nodding his head) I see.
Amanirenas: As things stand now, you can not get beyond the empty trench I have dug here, if you should decide to fire any of those bullets.
Akinidad: You can't be sure mother.
Amanirenas: Those marbles are eight in number and, in case you decide to use them, you are going to end up right in the empty trench here.
Akinidad: (Quickly takes count of the marbles and is surprised at the result) But mother, how did you know there are eight marbles here?
Amanirenas: Hahaha, only fools plunge into battle without doing any homework about their enemies' strength. Hahaha. Let's go on with the game. Play, my child, it's your turn.
Akinidad: All right. Now, supposing I play this way, adding this one to the eight I already have.
Amanirenas: That gives you nine which means you are aiming at the two soldiers on sentry duty beyond this trench. Now, you see what blander you have committed.
Akinidad: What blunder?
Amanirenas: In your desire to capture these two marbles by hook or crook, you've left your rear unguarded, thereby giving me to clear options; either to let you capture two of my soldiers and I take six of yours out of two. Or I rescue two of my soldiers to allow you to re-marshal your forces. (Pause) No! it is a stupid battle strategy to allow your enemy time to kill whilst the troops are still in utter disarray. That way, you are assured of sweet, quick and lasting victory. Hahahha… so I am going in for the six, whilst you have the two out of one if you still want it. (Plays, but Akinidad seems not to be responding) What's the matter with you my child, aren't you going to play the game no more?
At this moment, Akinidad is focused on studying the moves and tricks used by his mother in the game. As compared to many games around the world, the game of Owari can easily be compared to the game of cheese, commonly played between royals and the elites in our modern civilization.
Akinidad: I am hot.
Amanirenas: (Teasingly) Hahaha…Why sit down starring at them. Call for reinforcement!
Akinidad: (Amidst laughter) From where?
Amanirenas: Call for the palace guards… (Both mother and child break into an infectious laughter)
Akinidad: How about observing a three-minute truce for…
Amanirenas: Yes, that's it. Truce! Another cardinal strategy in warfare that is often employed by an army. You need truce to take stock, replan your next offensive based on fresh intelligence that might have filtered in, of defense, evacuate the wounded from the front and check on your casualties. Learn the lesson right away. Should the lot fall on you in the future to lead your people to battle, never give in easily to request for truce unless you are very sure it offers you the maximum advantage.
Akinidad: I understand that mother.
Amanirenas: It could be a well-calculated attempt to create, very cunningly in the mind of an opposing army, a false sense of imminent victory.
Akinidad: I don't seem to get you. (Looked confused)
Amanirenas: Well, you see, in warfare, it is generally assumed that any army that first sues for truce is only bidding time to assess its heavy casualties.
Akinidad: I see.
Amanirenas: Such an assumption causes the non-truce-seeking opposing army to feel superior and, often, cause it to lower its guard. And at that very instant, the seemingly capitulating truce-seeking enemy attacks more fiercely and takes its opponent by utter surprise.
Akinidad: It is so amazing how such wonderful military maneuvers are hidden in the game of Owari. (Greatly impressed)
Amanirenas: That is why it is a game for royals; kings, princes, princesses, I mean people like you.
Akinidad: (Coyly) Oh mother.
Amanirenas: Now let's come back to our immediate task. The game. It's your turn.
In the history of conflicts, truce is usually an ad hoc, nonbinding agreement, that indicates a temporary halt and typically comes after a period of intense fighting. In modern terminology, truce is also known as a cease fire in stoppage of wars, which sides agreement with one another to suspend aggressive actions, often due to mediation by a third party. This is commonly used in the game of Owari, since it deals with strategies.
The game now continues...
Akinidad: No truce?
Amanirenas: I believe in fighting to the finish, once the enemy is on the ground…Charge!... (A knock at the door)
Amanirenas: Could it be here.
Akinidad: Possibly. (Knocking is repeated)
Amanirenas: Is it here? (Shouts out)
Voice: Yes. Your Highness.
Amanirenas: Put on your cloth properly and see who is there. (Alinidad adjusts his cloth and goes to see who is there)
Alinidad: Mother, it's the Emissary.
Amanirenas: Let him in. (Enters the Emissary) Yes, you may speak.
Emissary: Greeting to you, your Highness.
Akinidad: Greeting. (Paused) Yes, what brings you here this evening?
Emissary: Your Highness, a delegation of three has arrived in the palace here with a message for you, from your brother, Masinissa Linnette Duah II, ruler of the Kingdom.
Amanirenas: (Nonchalantly) And what is the message?
Emissary: Your highness, the leader of the dele….
Amanirenas: (Suddenly getting furious) Look here! Must I keep reminding you that each time you talk to me you ought to go down?
Emissary: I forgot.
Amanirenas: You what? (Asked furiously)
Emissary: I mean I almost did… I am sorry.
Amanirenas: (Sternly) next time you forget, I shall hand you over to the executioners to take care of your head, so you don't forget anymore.
Emissary: (Prostrating in an absolute submission) before you, her royal highness, I shall make the ground my sleeping place and wake up only when you ask me to do so.
Amanirenas: You'd better. (Pause) Now tell me what the message is.
Emissary: Your Highness, the chief messenger from your brother's palace has refused to help anyone's ears with the load on his tongue, except yours.
Amanirenas: I see…(Authoritatively). Go back and give them water to drink.
Emissary : Your Highness, we of your court did not side-step tradition and custom. Water was the first thing we offered them, as a token of our warm hospitality, but they refused.
Akinidad: You mean they refused to accept the water you offered them?
Emissary: Yes
Akinidad: (Rhetorically). Why if I may ask?
Emissary: Perhaps they feared the message they have might get wet.
Amanirenas: (Angrily). None of your silly remarks. You must know where you are.
Emissary: Forgive me.
Amanirenas: One more of such tasteless remarks and I will strip you of all tittles. (A long pause) Go and offer them seats.
At this instance, the whole palace is engulfed in silence filled with suspense, in the wait for the news yet to be made known to the royal family.