Chapter Three

Seizing the moment of confusion, Gustavo and his men fled the palace with Ogwo and Ulari. They took refuge in a secluded part of the town, hiding from the inevitable retribution of Agbai Ikenga, who would blame them for his father's death.

In the face of imminent danger, Gustavo kept scheming. He became enamored with Ulari, Ogwo's beautiful and innocent daughter. Her grace and beauty captivated him, and he decided she would make a fine prize to present in Calabar, where his merchant ship was docked.

At the confirmation of Eze Ikenga's death, Agbai Ikenga awoke to a stark new reality. The weight of his father's legacy pressed upon him as he stared at the lifeless body of the once formidable patriarch, now cold and still. Determined to honor his father through the sacred ritual of Mbem Ishi, Agbai knew he must acquire the heads of a virgin, a blacksmith, and a white man. This gruesome ritual, steeped in dark tradition of vengeance, was his only path to restoring his family's ominous legacy and securing his own power.

The moon cast long shadows over the compound as Agbai declared a hunt for his enemies, his voice echoing with a mixture of grief and resolve. His father's spirit demanded vengeance, and he would not rest until it was satisfied. He placed a bounty on Gustavo, Ogwo, and Ulari, the three who had been directly connected to his father's death.

Agbai's men, loyal and fierce, fanned out like a dark wave across the land. They moved silently and swiftly, their eyes glinting with the promise of reward and the thrill of the chase. Gustavo, known for his cunning, would be a formidable target. Ogwo, with his strength and skill, would not fall easily. And Ulari, elusive and mysterious, would test the limits of their perseverance. The hunt had begun.

Nwa Akpụda was a symbol of justice in Awom , a figure of striking presence. His tall, lean frame was always draped in flowing robes of indigo, intricately embroidered with symbols of his mystical craft, an old raffia bag hung across his shoulder. His piercing eyes, set deep within a face etched with the wisdom of countless years, glinted with an otherworldly knowledge. His long, greying beard flowed like a river of ancient secrets, and around his neck hung an array of charms and amulets, each with its own potent power.

The great dibia was deeply troubled upon hearing the news of Eze Ikenga's demise and the subsequent manhunt for Gustavo, Ogwo, and Ulari. The situation became even more alarming with the announcement of a bounty on their heads. Acting swiftly, Nwa Akpụda resolved to send Egwuatụ ahead of Agbai Ikenga and his men, tasked with the mission of capturing Gustavo. Nwa Akpụda harbored the hope that by presenting Gustavo's head, he might be able to negotiate for the lives of Ogwo and Ulari.

Egwuatụ, his trusted emissary, was a formidable sight. Young, muscular and agile, he was more like a son to Nwa Akpuda, having grown under the care of the old man since he lost his parents at the age of seven, a memory that hunted him all his life.

That night, Ogwo alongside his daughter Ulari and Gustavo's entourage found refuge in the shadows, concealed from prying eyes. Escaping from Ikenga's palace, Ogwo guided them to an abandoned palm oil mill, its once-bustling machinery now silent and ghostly in the moonlight.The mill, a relic of past industry, loomed large and eerie against the night sky. Its walls, covered in creeping vines, seemed to whisper secrets of forgotten times. Ogwo, with a wary glance around, left the group there, promising to return with his bag of tools. 

In the dim, flickering light, Gustavo's eyes fell upon Ulari, her silhouette graceful even in the gloom. Seized by his dark desire, he made an advance. Ulari, with fiery defiance, blatantly refused him. Enraged by her resistance, Gustavo struck her with the butt of a blunderbuss and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The Aro soldiers, ever loyal to Gustavo, moved quickly. With ruthless efficiency, they lifted Ulari's limp form and vanished into the night, leaving the haunted mill as a silent witness to their cruelty.

Under the cover of darkness, The Portuguese merchant and his loyal soldiers kidnapped Ulari and made their way towards the coast.

He dreamt of the fortune and power he would gain upon returning to his homeland with such a valuable prize. A virgin slave girl.

To be cont'd

Obi Ogbuehi©