Kiriji | ONC 2021.

I - Pride of Iwara.

Fifteen hours before the elopement
of Young Lady Erica.

★★★★

THE MELODY of the birds communicated with the deadly darkness of the Iwara forest.

Molakeke, the whispering beast.

The Town gossiper is here, Jagunmolu stopped what he was doing to give the short man viper his precious eyes.

"Jagunmolu the great one, the mouthpiece of the gods, the pride of Iwara, the son of the high moons, the lords of the seven hills, the one-man-"

"Enough, what do you want, Molakeke," Jagunmolu asked, adjusting on his wooden stool.

"I come in peace, Jagunmolu," Molakeke said.

"You and I know there is nothing like peace in your visit, so speak, my head pants for my pillow."

"Very well then Jagunmolu, I have come to warn you, the elders say that the head that cracks the coconut never tastes out of the coconut meat." Molakeke stops to look at Jagunmolu, who had a frown plastered on his face. "The elders also says that the dog will never crunch his bones, the elders also say that-"

"Enough of the proverbs, no real man speaks like the limbering fields," Jagunmolu interrupted, his eyes simmering with anger, "tell me what do you have to say, I am a very busy man."

"Busy indeed, busy with the things that can kill you, you know I have always seen you as...." He trailed off at the sight of Jagunmolu's molded fist.

"Speak Molakeke or as your tongue suddenly goes for a dance with the girls at the stream," Jagunmolu said sarcastically.

"You speak like I am the one in danger now," Molakeke replied, Jagunmolu raised his hand, "Yes, you have only your fist but I have my words and your beloved secret, the one you have protected for years now,"

Jagunmolu smiled, if only Molakeke had known who he really was, he would not have underestimated his fist.

"Tell me what you know or I will break your teeth." Jagunmolu threatened.

"Threaten me as much as you like, it will not change the fact that I know something, and I can destroy your beloved life."

"Jagunmolu stands up at him, "Speak child before I lose my temper."

"I will speak but first you must tell me the story, you must tell me everything."

"You must be out of your mind if you think you can get a word out of me." Jagunmolu fired at him.

"I know who you are, I know what you are and I know what you have become, every single detail including the young lady." At the mention of the young lady, Jagunmolu collapsed back into his wooden stool, those who called Molakeke the whispering beast were right. "Do you want to tell me the story now?"

"Yes," Jagunmolu replied nodding like a fish fresh out of water.

"Good, I will sit at your feet like I used to do when I was young, where is your mat," Molakeke asked.

"Did your grandmother also tell you the story of the hare and the lion?"

"Yes, I never knew you could speak in parables."