Women Of Steel | ✔

XXII

The Picture above reminded me of our fierce queen, I thought I'd share with everyone. Credits go to the artist. Enjoy this chapter, don't forget to leave a vote and a comment, tell me what you like about ACOT and what you like or dislike so far about the characters.

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One moment, the stench of blood and sweat seems overwhelming and turns my head. Blood stains my face, my clothes and the sword I snagged from a fighter. The scent is both addictive and head spinning.
War is like fresh palm wine, and I am drunk on it. The power it feeds me numbs the pain in my joints.

The next moment the fighting ceases, swords stop clashing and the enemy lower their weapons at the sound of a shrill whistle.

All eyes follow the sturdy man standing in the middle of it, at least a foot taller than I am. Power pulses and emanates from him, nobody needs to tell me that this man is the forest king. The way my husband glares at him is enough proof.
If I thought Tadenikawo was scary then this man is a thousand times worse. An unwanted shiver racks through me as realization dawns me - this is the man I am supposed to marry and trick -

Tricking such a man is near impossible, especially the way my husband glances at him with a twisted jealousy and fear. It is hard to make out what the two snarl at each other about, but I can clearly understand that the forest king is here for me. My time is up.

A hand grips my arms strongly and I strike out on impulse. My sword strikes against skin and blood pours out, I almost drop my sword in surprise as my captor comes into hindsight, Babatunde, the King's main chief.

He does not cry out in pain at my sudden attack, in fact, he ignores the open would and yanks me away from the small crowd watching the king and the forest king throw venomous words.
I keep my lips sealed, to avoid unwanted attention of about fifty bloodthirsty warriors, including my husband' and future husband'

I let Babatunde draw me away to hide behind the burning throne building. The fire burns slowly and it's heat has consumed more than half of the once magnificent building. The smoke reaches high and above, like a sacrifice to the dark sky and the moon.

Once we are well out of sight, I yank my arm from the chief's grip.

"Don't ever touch me that way again." I warn him. The usual proud smile is missing from his face, with a jolt, I realise Kosoko is missing from the battle field and I wonder if he is among the pile of dead bodies or if he fled like a coward.

"Amadi must not see you, not yet." Babatunde tells me. His sword is sheathed by his side and he looks well, save aside from the wound I caused. I feel a grudging respect and envy for his fighting prowess. My own body is not as spotless as I would want it to be.

A large slash on my right leg oozes blood and a small cut adorns my forehead and cheeks.

"Who is Amadi?" I ask.

Babatunde shushes me, I bite his hand. He withdraws his hand with a grimace of disgust.

"Don't say his name Oluwademilade." He spits my full name in disgust and shakes his head. "The forest king, that is who Amadi is. And you'd best stay quiet or we draw attention to ourselves."

I let him continue speaking.

"You are going to do two things and obey like a good little wife."

I grit my teeth and consider gutting him and throwing his body to the growing flames. Maybe Oya will accept my humble sacrifice of this boastful chief.

"You well quietly leave this place and run to the river side, you will enter the shed by the river where the princess hides with Kosoko, some slaves and guards." Babatunde continues. "You will be bathed and clad in prettier clothes," His gaze roams my dirty and bloody body in distaste.