Overthrown #ProjectNigeriaUC2017

Chapter 10

Once again I was taken captive but unlike before, I was not alone.; Obuike was with me. He was better now and was breathing normally but he was still weak from he beating he sustained earlier on. I still held on to him as if to make sure he never slipped into the claws of death. I imagined how life would be without him. If the Slave Rebellion was successful, then it would only be a matter of time before they ended Obuike's life and me as well. But Wami was in this, and would look for a way to prevent that from happening to me. Even if I managed an escape back to Eleishiali, I would most likely meet an empty hut, if at all it remained. Somehow, I knew in my heart my mum never survived the Invasion. Wami was the only friend I ever had but that would not be so again. I had not just betrayed our land which he so loved, I had also betrayed him. With no other friend or family, the rest of my days would be spent lonely and gloomy. I had no desire for such a stricken future, I decided that come what may, I would face it with Obuike. I had expected this, Obuike's stepmother had foretold me of it.

"Oroma you can release me now," Obuike croaked.

"I am sorry," I apologized releasing him. He gave me a weak smile and tried to sit up.

"Oroma thank you. You have saved me once again."

"No, it was nothing," I replied immediately, "But I am really relieved that I got there in time before worse happened."

He nodded.
"You were there when one of them made mention of being under orders from Chikweri?"

I recalled when Wami mentioned that name.
"Yes."

"Chikweri was my childhood friend."

"Huh?"

"Ebuka, Ikechukwu, Chikweri and I had been close friends ever since we were very little. But when I was made king and engaged to Ebiere, we noticed Chikweri gradually withdraw from us. We thought he was jealous, I understand why now.

Like me, Chikweri was a child of slaves. His both parents were slaves from Ikwerre land. When I was not only made king but also engaged to Ebiere, he must have felt I was no better than him and therefore did not deserve it. Perhaps, he is right. Under my leadership, Apaba is experiencing anarchy and it would not be long before king Pere takes over. Still I never imagined that my once close friend would be the one to see to my fall. He must have been so bitterly jealous he decided to take sides with the the slaves to kill me."

I took his hand saddened by this.
"Obuike you are a good king with a kind heart. It is not your fault you were hated so much. Maybe things were just destined to happen this way for a reason. At this point, the best we can do is to put all our trust in Chokike."

He smiled softly at me.
"Okay, I will. I will trust in your Chokike to save us and restore the kingdom back to me."

I could not respond at this, I just gave him a reassuring smile. I did not want to tell him that the will of Chokike may be different from his wish.
Just then, someone entered. Even in the the dark, I could make out it was Wami. I would know his silhouette anywhere.

"Oroma,there is something I have to tell you," he said tautly.

I wondered if he realized that Obuike was fully awake.

"Oroma, I lied about Chikweri giving us orders to spare the king till King Pere arrived."

He groped for my hand in the very poorly lit room.

"I had to lie because of you. I did not want them to harm you neither could I let them kill him, that would sadden you. Look, we still have a future! We can return to Eleishiali after all these are over and start again together. The king would have to run away far from this land if he does not want to get killed. This is the only choice we have."