Chapter 2
THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER
Amara’s thick hair hangs down her back in huge plaits, a stark difference from the elaborate threaded hairstyles among women of her status.
Although she would not be attending the festival,
her body is adorned with the Uri designs that she was well-known for.
She was very popular among the young women, who visited during events,
looking for symbols that would help accentuate certain features and draw
the attention of the attendees.
She is washing out the uri paste from a clay bowl when Erinma greets her.
“Ndewo”.
“Ndewo”.
“What do you want?” her voice is sharp, disrupting the melodious harmony of the ogene and oja of the village musicians.
“I need help.”
“And what makes you think I can offer you what you need?”
“Because you are one of the only few people that have been to Ajaala."
A message passes between them then. One that did not need to be spoken out loud.
“Because you are one of the only few people that have been to Ajaala."
A message passes between them then. One that did not need to be spoken out loud.
No one talked about it. That the daughter of the chief had once runaway with a man from Ajaala without her parent’s knowledge.
Some even called it a rumor.
Some even called it a rumor.
Amara’s eyes shine and for the first time Erinma notices the Uri crescent symbol that seems to blend into the skin around her left eye.
Amara quickly gathers the bowls and disappears into her home. She comes out a minute later with a woven sack in one hand and an object in the other.
Amara quickly gathers the bowls and disappears into her home. She comes out a minute later with a woven sack in one hand and an object in the other.
She notices Erinma's eyes on the sack and smiles.
“You think you’re the only one with this idea? My sister was taken last week.” She doesn’t say more than that and just stretches out her hand towards Erinma.
“Here, just in case”.
“You think you’re the only one with this idea? My sister was taken last week.” She doesn’t say more than that and just stretches out her hand towards Erinma.
“Here, just in case”.
An abreba dangles from her hand, its blade reflecting the gaze of the moonlight. Erinma had seen but never held one before. She grabs it and revels in the smooth feel of the metal.
“There is someone we need to meet first.
We need Nne Iruoma’s blessing.”
“There is someone we need to meet first.
We need Nne Iruoma’s blessing.”
Amara was right. Any task blessed by Nne Iruoma was sure to be accomplished.
However, she always required something in return.
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