Nircle Stories - NircleStories: Where Stories Thrive and Voices Shine.

Chapter 1

The entire palace was filled with agitation, as Queen Akugo, was in labor trying to give birth..

My King, please be at peace all will be well.. This time you will receive a good news from the midwife.. Chief Ezenna said to King Obidike, who is walking about restlessly.
How will you tell me to be at peace, when the Queen has had still birth not once but twice.. King Obidike yelled.
I believe this third one will be different. Let’s believe that this time, the God of our land will help the Queen to give birth successfully.. Chief Ezenna said.
Guard!! King Obidike called out.
Yes my King.. One of the guard responded.
Go and bring the Chief priest to the palace immediately! The King commanded.
Okay my King.. The guard responded, as he ran out of the palace.

Some minutes later, the guard came back with the chief priest.
Greetings my King, you summoned me.. said the Chief priest as he bowed to the king.
I summoned you because I want you to be present, while the Queen put to birth.. Do whatever incantation to make sure the Queen doesn’t have a still birth again.. The king ordered the Chief priest.
Yes my King.. Th Chief priest responded, as he brought out his items from his bag and lay them on the floor, to begin his incantation.

After few hours, the midwife walked up to the king, with a baby on her arm..
Congratulations my king, it’s a male child.. The mid wife announced, as she handed the baby over to the king.
May the gods be praised.. King Obidike shouted, as he raised the baby up.
Finally, I have a heir! His name will be called Ugonna..
King Obidike announced.
The Chiefs and the palace servants rejoiced.

The King handover the baby to the Chief priest..
Look into the child’s future and tell me what his future holds.. The King said to the Chief Priest.
After few minutes, the Chief Priest speaks up.
My King, your son has a bright future, he will make a good king.. The Chief priest said.
That’s a good one.. The Chiefs chorused as they shook their head in excitement.
You have check that of my son, also look into my future, I want to be aware and careful of unforeseen circumstances.. The King said.
That’s right.. The chiefs chorused.

Hmmm… The Chief priest shook his head.
Speak up! what did you see? The King asked.
My king, I saw your downfall.. The Chief priest replied.
What? My downfall? The King exclaimed.
Yes my King.. The Chief priest replied.
The Chiefs muttered to themselves.
What on earth can result to my downfall tell me?!! The King shouted.
My King, the child that will lead to your downfall, is being born the same day with your son.. The Chief priest said.
You mean, a mere child that is being born today will lead to my downfall in the future? The King questioned.
Yes my King.. The Chief Priest answered.
Never! Never!! A great king like me, can’t go down.. No one can bring me down!! The King shouted.
Guards!! The King shouted.
Yes my King.. The guards chorused.
Go into the village and kill every child that is being born today, regardless of the family status.. King Obidike commanded.
The guards bowed to the king in response to his command..

Kill all, spear no babies! The king shouted, as he watch the guards march out of the palace.
My King, you can’t kill all innocent babies, just because of the prophecy of the Chief priest.. said Chief Ezenna.
Yes my King.. How do you expect their mothers to cope with the pain of seeing their babies being slaughtered.. Chief Okezie said.
Other Chiefs muttered in agreement with what Chief Ezenna and Okezie said.
Enough!! Do you all expect me to sit down and watch that child grow up to cause my down fall?.. King Obidike shouted.

Meanwhile, the guards went into different homes and midwife’s apartments to slaughter new born babies..

Sounds of cry and scream filled the enter village as blood of infants was shed.
Mothers held their lifeless babies, as they weep uncontrollably..

Uchenna who was coming back from his trade, saw what was happening in the village, he quickly ran home to meet his pregnant wife.
On getting home, his wife was already in labor..
Congratulations, it’s a female child.. The midwife said to Uchenna.
Thanks.. Uchenna responded, as he paid the midwife off.
My husband, isn’t she beautiful? Ogadinma asked, as she smiles at her baby.
Yes she is beautiful.. Uchenna replied, as he packed their belongings.
My husband, why are you packing our belongings? And why are you so tensed? What’s the matter? Ogadinma asked.
We have to run away.. The King’s guards are killing newly born babies In the village and I wasn’t expecting that you will give birth today.. I can’t let them kill my only child.. Uchenna said.

Ogadinma, started crying, after hearing all what Uchenna said..
I have gotten few of our belongings, come on let’s run through the back door.. Uchenna said as he held Ogadinma’s hand.
While they were running, the King’s guards saw them and ran after them.
Ogadinma became so scared as she firmly held her baby.
They ran into the thick dark forest, not knowing where they are running to..

Table of contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 8 (THE DEATH OF OKOYE)