The forest that was once so alive now chills. The trees that sheltered so many with their spreading canopy of green and provided so much are now lifeless sticks of charcoal, no more vibrant than the old lamp-posts iin the villages, The unfettered light illuminates the scorched ground and still that smell of burning lingers despite it stopped burning.
They couldn't beat maria so Ocen burnt up the jungle . Who will stand in the way of their progress now? Now even if eyes are closed you won't feel the virescent mosaic above, and the humid air together with the sounds of the birds
Looking at the crouched trees, This reality was cruel enough, and the first time when maria stood mute before the shadow of the charcoaled trees,
"I don't think I could survive that again. She muttered.
The forest was gone leaving a jungle of charred stumps. Though the mourning of the dispatched warriors will go on for some time, but the yearning for that dappled shade and the noises of the creatures who dwelt there was missed, what comes next will be strong grasses and the mammals that graze.
"This is the way of life, this is what happens when fire strikes parched. She kept on muttering.
Looking so disappointed and confused, maria decided that they will have to go back to their ancestral land since the reason why they lived in the middle of the jungle was to avoid associating with outside community but since every kingdom now know their existence, there was no more reasons to hide.
"It's now time to go back to our ancestral home. She said
Looking at her facial expression, she was ready to take Akello's corpse back to her ancestral tomb in Morungatuny kingdom.
Unfortunate for them as they knew war may have been stopped with the death of Ocen, but unbeknownst to them, that Amun'ra come and took his body for unknown reasons that seemed unholy.
The group of the warriors gathered and slowly they treked back to their kingdom leaving the village they created in the jungle with a handful of watchers and few people.
The elder chief volunteered to remain and keep watch over the village as it will remain their backup Incase of anything in future. His family become names as the protectors of the jungle village. Six watchers, two male warriors, and a family of two boys and one girl together with the Chief elderly and his wife remained in the village as protectors and forever they shall pass it throughout generations.
"Oops! the village is now quite. Muttered the elderly chief.
Hours elapsed maria and her groy had reached the village and we're welcomed by the residents who went a head of them during the war. Slowly she brought Akello's corpse and layed it down taking it to her family cemetery. Every family had their own cemetery, and that's where she was layed to rests, villagers mourned her as a heroine and will be remembered throughout history.
"You will be betrayed... the whisper seemed to come out of the sword.
"Don't say l didn't warn you, he will betray you, while cracking a loud laughter that angered maria. But in a second thought, he pictured prince Odeke's expression especially when it comes to his father at the jungle and the manner of how they left was unpleasant to her.
"What bothers you? The great goddess of war. A voice come from behind her, approaching her was Okirror. Slowly she turned and asked him in a monotone that showed her worries.
Do you think Odeke will betray me and lounch attack on us? Though the question seemed easy but was tricky. And that wasn't her concerns, the most worring part was she and Okirror trained Odeke and he knows all their weakness and strength including their tactics and war strategy that he may use against them Incase of attack.
Okirror stood dump stamped without and answer,
A flash hit her mind "did you protect the young prince? She asked but why her sudden inquiry about the young prince abandoned by the late king baffled Okirror so much that his lips couldn't zip up rather he asked why she was suddenly curious about the young prince after it has been a long while.
All she had in her mind was to keep the young prince far from politics so that he may not fall into the footsteps of his greedy father.
But still everything looked odd in Okirror's eyes, "a boy! Uum! Am l dreaming? Or is this not Maria who has nothing to do with male gender? He thought, his ponderous attitude was noticed by maria.
"I know what your thinking, but do you want to know why l care about him? She asked, for it seemed she was in good moods.
It happened over 20 years back Maria's father was so eager to have a male child, and expected Agrippina's first pregnancy to be a boby but it turned to be an opposite, and gave birth to a bouncing baby girl.
It didn't please her father, controlled by anger, he gave a way his first born to one of his friend whose wife was barren. For years they couldn't have a child.
When Agrippina gave birth to Maria and the midwife announced her as aboy, her father was so happy knowing he has an heir. Which wasn't true.
It happened that the child he gave away was the mother of the young prince making him the only male child in her father's household. Although it was meant to be kept a secret but Grandma Magdalena couldn't keep such a secret and thought it was best if maria gets to know that she has an elder sister.
"I hope now you understand why l have to protect my niece!
Influenced by Epiru who never got along with Maria, prince Odeke's mind become corrupted with hatred for Maria because of killing Ocen who could have been a coraterall for the exchange of his father.