Meanwhile Ocen and his men were treking, little did they realize that the chains are being unchained slowly by Maria and her female warriors.
Maria pretended to fall, please help me my leg is hurting. She screamed ". Please can we rest a beat we're tired. Said one of the slaves"
Maria had already reached where Okirror and his men had layed an ambush. She then made a sign on the six warriors who were with her , it was time to attack.
They had already unchained their chain including of some slaves too. Then maria whistled it was a signal for Okirror to attack. Hey you! why did you whistle. Said Ocen's warrior". I love whistling. Maria replied
Immediately Maria and her girls took down seven men at once. As Ocen was still figuring what had happened, Okirror and his men attacked too from both sides, engulfing the enemy in the middle using cow horn tactics leaving them with no escape route.
As the the warriors were busy fighting Ocen's men, the four remaining warriors were evacuating the slaves to the nearby hideout in the forest.
After a serious battle, Ocen was seriously wounded and his men defeated but he managed to escape from Maria's hands.
Where's Ocen?, asked Maria ". His no where to be found , l think he has escaped. Replied Okirror". That son of abitch! How did he even manage to escape?, asked Maria disappointedly". Anyway fourth one day for the thief but one day for the owner, l will meet him again. She said".
Then Maria left with her girls and Okirror back to the village with the freed captives.
Where's that idiot who was laughing at me and my girls screamed Maria as she entered the village, she was referring to the prince.
But Maria you haven't rested yet your screaming about Mr stranger man. Replied Akello ". The prince stood like a status with his face down, filled with a lot of fear for Maria, he dared not to say aword.
Maria come Infront of the prince. Plea..... Plea.... Please am sorry for underestimatimg your abilities. Said the prince with a trimbling voice".
Haha..... Laughed Maria loudly, listen Mr stranger, l have grudges against youas you can see am in good moods. Replied Maria".
She then went to address the freed captives.
Listen everyone, l brought you guys here not to be my slaves rather l just freed you guys.said Maria ", if you want to go, you can go back to your families and those who have nowhere to go can remain have but you have to register with the village chief if you can stay. She said", make your choice, no one is forcing you . She added.
It was a moment of joy to all the villagers including the freed captives. Those with families left but their eyes were folded when they were bought, some when they were leaving cause nobody should know where the village is located. As for those with no more relatives remained.
The rest of us are not leaving, we have no where to go. Said one of the captives ". You saved us now it's time for us to repay your kindness, we shall serve you for the rest of our live. Shouted another captive with courage". As you all wish. Replied Maria" , then Akello find a place for them to settle down and from now henceforth they are your responsibility, she said. Okay Maria. Replied Akello".
The whole village was happy seeing Maria's bravery,
All hail to Maria they shouted, all hail to the queen of the jungle. All hail Maria, all hail the queen of the jungle.
Maria.... Please!! accept us to address you as our woman
king since we have none said village chief". Yes maria we have seen how courageous and caring you are towards us. Said one elder".
Being addressed as a King is just a title, weather addressed as a king or not l will remain the same as l am. Replied Maria " . But never you expect for aman to rule this kingdom not now not ever, only weman will do it. Said Maria.
Long live our first woman king , long live goddess of war, Long live the protector. Shouted the crowd.
Though the crowd didn't know that Maria is the reincarnation of the war goddess, they called her the war goddess because her bravery when it comes to protecting her people and her fighting tactics in the battle hence earnings the names, "queen of the jungle , war goddess and woman king"
Meanwhile Ocen returned to his kingdom seriously wounded.
What happened to you and where're your men? Asked the king out of curiosity". My king they're no more,l survived by the grace of the gods. Replied Ocen. We were attacked near the forbidden forest. He said"
Though Ocen told the king the truth, he could not stand saying he was attacked and defeated by mere weman, it could be embarrassing.
My king is that not the same forest where the escaped prisoner disappeared from and when our men followed them, they never come back alive? responded one of the king's guards.
Yes! I think something is strange about that forest now days? Replied the king.
Ocen was burning with anger cause no one has ever defeated him, not to talk of losing battle.
My king l think it's time we be venture deep in that forbidden forest to know what's going on. Said Ocen". An abomination!! Should the king. Even our forefathers never went in that forest and those who enter never come out, he said.
Then let me be the first man from Getom kingdom to enter and l will come out alive. Responded Ocen with confidence. Am not ready to risk the lives of my men. Said the king". Then let's use the captives in pretend that those who make it alive will be freed. Said Ocen. Brilliant idea. Replied the king.
Immediately Ocen went to the prisons to pass the information.
If you want to be free then choose wisely, either you come with me or you forever remain a slave in our hands He shouted.
While on the other hand Maria was walking along the river only to see Asad boy seated along side the river..
What are you doing iat this time of the hour here? Don't you know that it's dangerous? She said. Well maybe because am bored, he replied.
She then seat next to him.
You know when ever am lonely, l go to a quiet play, lay down and lock at how beautiful the stars are . Said maria in alow sad voice, how they hagup in the clouds carefree. She said.
Do you want to be like those stars? Asked the prince ", l wish it was possible but it's not , l have a heavy load on my shoulders. She replied". You can try to remove those heavy loads at night just like now. Replied the prince, if you need someone to confront, and always there. He said.
As the prince's entrusted guard Uben and Epiru together with the rest were searching for the prince.
Getom kingdom was preparing to unravel the mistry existing in the forbidden forest..