Way of The Pride

2| The Encounter

P. S: Refer to the glossary

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Main Village Square
Isimir
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In a land blessed with endless resources and bountiful lands, festivities were a thing of norm. It was truly the grandest way the people could show their appreciate to the gods they serve.

Today, one such festivity held the entire Kingdom spellbound. Howls of jubilation and celebration spread across the villages drawing in the curious and the eager to the source of excitement, the village square.

From men and women of old to the young ones the square was crowded to watch a once in a blue moon display. Excited spectators gathered around a group of entertainers who was at the center of the spectacle.

Songs of old filling the air from lips of seasoned women, the vibrant drumbeat of experienced drummers beating to their hearts content, smooth tunes from flutists flowing with the sounds of anklets beating against the ground in rhythm to the music.

In the eyes of the beholder, it was a great spectacle that would forever be etched in the hearts of all. All in preparation for the event to come.

The annual wrestling contest.

A festival held in honour of the god of war, ikenga, through a period of four days. Men in their prime representing the Four villages display their fighting prowess by outwitting their counterparts both in strength and mind. A contest where participants who came out victorious were not only regarded as men amongst men but also capable warriors.

To the observant eye, the wrestling contest was not just about the participants and the hired entertainers. Men cradling their money pouches closely to their waist-garment to be used in casting lots during the course of the contest.

Youthful maidens clothed in shades of colourful waist and chest-garments made of the finest material. Their waists and hips adorned with precious beads, their giggles and smiles both alluring as well as enticing as they huddled closer to prospective victors in the hopes of attaining a worthy suitor.

Crowded places provided good business opportunities. Most market women use the chance to make profit from selling their wares in form of palm wine, fruits and roasted plantain.

It was a contest guaranteed to send minds racing but as interesting as it would turn out, Agada did not feel up to it. As a man of the world whose heart was one with nature, the act of violence, however friendly, unsettled his spirit. So on the day when the people entertained their heart, he decided to indulge his with a favourite pastime.

Being the son of a healer it was not such a strange occurrence that he took to herb-hunting. He had picked up the habit from his father by accompanying him on his numerous hunting expeditions travelling as far as other Kingdoms of the East.

It was an obligatory process that followed the description of an ailment and extreme care was always taken while sourcing for herbs.
Most healers dreaded the experience especially when dealing with specific ailments like Fire Fever as it required a rare herb only found in dangerous forests inhabited by wild beasts.

But he was different. Then and now his mind still saw every hunting experience as an adventure.

In order to avoid questions from the villagers he decided to avoid the main path by taking the back route through Esu Village. Huts laid on the other side and only farmlands and plantations lined the route. With the contest holding at the village square no one would take the route, easier to avoid curious eyes.