EHI

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The intense stare-off was starting to make her eyes twitch.
She glared daggers at him, with no words spoken between them, the tension was thick enough to be sliced with a bread knife.
Although she had to admit, this man could dance.
He swayed their body to the rhythm of the music, his fingers sliding dangerously down her lower back.
With her hand on his shoulder, she fought the soothing feeling the movement of his fingers brought.

He was a fine man, she thought, taking a closer look at him for the first time since they were introduced.
He was dressed like most gentlemen, but his strong build and height made him stand out. His pale skin looked tanned, but it complemented his honey-brown eyes that held a glint of mischievousness in them.
His dark brown hair hung loosely on his shoulders, making him stand out.

Even if she failed to notice this physical quality, she couldn't be oblivious to how he carries himself with authority.
"This was one powerful man", she told herself.

He reminded her of the ONOJIE(king) and chiefs that ruled her village before she was stolen.
The thought of her people jolted her back to reality, reminding herself not to get carried away because a man like him once ruined her life.
She could not afford to get swayed or distracted from the task at hand.
Osanobwa (God) has used the Duchess to grant her another chance, and she would rather die than let it go to waste.

"I was told it was improper for gentlemen to be rude, especially in the presence of ladies", she breathed out, finally breaking the silence.

"And when, if I may ask, did I come off as rude m'lady?"

"Acting oblivious is even a bigger crime, M-lord", she gasped dramatically.

"I assure you m'lady, I have no single iota of idea"
"Do tell me how I offended you?" he jested.

She took slow, deep breaths to keep herself from throwing him over her shoulder.
Ohhh, she would kill to see the horrific look on her governess if she did that, the thought alone made her smile.

"Well, M-lord, I believe you rudely stole a dance from that gentleman.
"I certainly do not remember seeing your name on my dance card."

"Apologies, M'lady, I was so captivated by your beauty, I couldn't help myself."

"I also cannot assure you it won't happen again. I plan to steal all your dances tonight.", he declared.

"You certainly must think you are charming, M-lord, but I only speak the truth when I say you are one infuriating man."

His shoulders vibrated as he chuckled deeply.

"You are a bold woman m'lady, very few have the guts to speak to me that way"

"And I only speak the truth when I say your beauty is enthralling"

"I must leave now, M'lady, but I look forward to seeing you again."
He bowed, planted a kiss on her hand, and walked out of the hall.

Her face heated up. She was tongue-tied and didn't get enough time to reply with a snarky remark.
How could she? When he abruptly left her standing in the ballroom alone.
His egotistic attitude riled her up and her temper flew out in sparks.
She said a silent prayer for men like him to be kept from her path, or she might end up beating them to a pulp.

________________________

The carriage raged against the wind, the occupants as quiet as the night.
They all had masks on, hiding their features and identities. The intense rage in their eyes always terrified her.

This was not her first raid
but each time they went for it, shards of her already shattered soul bound together.

The moon shone bright in the sky as they all shared a knowing look.
"It was time."
A song was raised as the melody of their voices intertwined.
The melody spoke of their pain. Ehi could see her young self in each of these women, they have all lost their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters & husbands. She shared in their grief to a giant extent, and this made them soul sisters, with bonds even stronger than that of blood sisters.
It was an honor to lead them as they broke into the night, freeing their people from the claws of the pale-skinned men.

Fighting blood for blood, with every last strength in them, they had rescued hundreds of their people from slavery.
The blood of her comrades had been spilled until the last drop since the raids had begun, they all knew the risks and concluded it was worth it.

Her people are returned home with the help of the duchess, while some choose to stay back, joining them in their pursuit for freedom.
No one knew the reason the duchess was, she was helping them.
She rescued them and gave them a new life, a purpose.

_________

Ehi found it strange when she woke up months ago in a new environment.
She thought it even more strange when the duchess had promised to help her through the pain of losing her child and getting justice for her.

Ehi was suspicious but agreed as she had no other choice. She immediately got flooded by dozens of lessons and trainings.

She had no idea why, but she put her entire energy into making sure she got the revenge she sought.
She had several governesses, teaching her all about mannerisms & etiquette.
Eventually, after months of rigorous training, she became a "force" as her trainer described.

She could never forget how liberating her first assignment was.
It was the estate of her former master. The place her daughter was murdered.

Her blood thrummed as she recalled the havoc she wrecked on them.
She had slowly severed Duncan's limbs from his body with her sword as they fought tirelessly.
The sickening crack sated her beast as she ended the fight by twisting his neck the opposite way.
They raided the room where the slaves were kept and broke them free.

With everything that happened, her former captors would never be able to afford a meal.
It would take generations to recover from the financial loss they had cost him.

That night, she went to the duchess with a smile on her face and a sated mind.
It was finally over, she thought as she slept soundly for the first time since she was rescued by her sisters in a raid on that dreadful night.

She could have died if the duchess hadn't been invited to the ball and ordered an immediate rescue raid when she saw what happened to her daughter. Ehi was grateful to her, they all were.

The next day, a knock landed on her door.
The duchess had walked in and showed her a bigger picture.
A time when people of color are no longer purchased like animals.
A place where they can live freely without the fear of being enslaved, a future where their women are no more raped and bred like animals.

And for all of this to come true, Ehi had to change her identity and become a daughter to the very people who destroyed her.
This was not a matter of what she wanted anymore, she knew she had to make the right choice for herself and her people.

Ehi had only insisted on two things,
Firstly, she kept her name
Secondly, she continued to raid with her sisters.

NOTE
Writing about this phase of Ehi's life has been the most difficult yet challenging.
I look forward to exploring my writing skills to its full potential.
So what do you guys think about Stephan?
Plus, show your support by voting and commenting.

TRANSLATIONS
ONOJIE: Means KING in my dialect.
OSANOBWA: Means GOD