A Tale Of Five Bandits

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 6

Everyone stared at themselves nervously, obviously shaken by the news. Sewa reflected back to her time in last village she had been in. She remembered the state of the village, the bony children she saw and the horrible condition of its inhabitants. It was exactly as the Bashorun described it.

“I understand what you mean”, he said glancing at Sewa, “We saw an infected village. It was a horrible sight to see

. If it spreads to other villages, the death-…” he trailed off shaking his head.

“I still don’t understand what this has to do with us?” Adejoke asked.

“You do have a role to play”, Adewole said, “The King, along with many of the nobles, believes that we have angered the gods. They believe that we have fallen from their grace and mercy and that this is their way of punishing us. The members of the Ogboni are also convinced that the gods are not pleased with us. Perhaps they are right. We have become lenient in our worship and adulation. The Ogboni believes that a sacrifice is the only thing that would sway their hearts. We offered the first born of our animals and the first fruits and crops but to no avail. Nothing changed

. I do not know who planted this delusion in the King’s mind or he came up with it himself but he is completely convinced that we have to sacrifice people. Not one or a dozen but multitudes, whole villages. He believes their spirits would soothe the gods’ anger and that the magnitude of this action would undoubtedly prove our devotion to them”.

“This is outrageous”, Duro snapped, “He has indeed gone mad”.

Sewa shook her head in disgust “gods? What gods? We failed them? Where were they when my home was decimated? Where were they when her family was defiled? Why didn’t they punish the unjust King that sat on the throne? The gods be damned, I forge my path and luck with my own hands”, she thought to herself.

Adewole sighed as he continued “It is outrageous indeed. He has instructed the royal cavalry to burn them villages with any sign of the disease. It doesn’t matter if there is only one infected person. He insists that the diseased are signs of the gods choosing who they wanted as sacrifice. If one person is infected then the whole is damned”.

“I can’t tell if he is being foolish or extremely paranoid”, Monifa said.

“So we are killing the King? I like a good challenge”, Adegoke grinned as he cracked his fingers.

“No”, Adewole’s voice boomed, “Not yet. I am consulting with the herbalists. Perhaps they could provide a medicine to this mess but they need time.

. Enough time to test and mix their herbs and potions or whatever it is they do in their sanctum. Your job here is to protect the people from bloody troops. All you need to do is to slow them down, to provide enough time for a cure. We have to try and you will be handsomely rewarded. When that is done, the King will be disgraced for refusing to attempt saving his own people and then I will enough power to dethrone him and appoint a suitable replacement. At the end of everything, you will all be rewarded with a pardon”.

“Works for me”, Duro said nodding his head in approval.

“If it’s possible, I prefer you don’t kill the soldiers unless it’s completely necessary. Some of them do it because they have to follow orders. Their hands are tied”.

Adegoke heaved a sigh “That would be hard and boring”.

Monifa laughed and punched the big man. Adeleke’s face remained serious “What happens if we can’t get a cure?”

Adewole’s face turned grim “Let’s just pray that doesn’t happen and remain hopeful. The massacre would be justified and the King will only get more allies”. Adewole stood up calmly and looked at each of their faces “Now, do I have you in my service?”

Monifa and Adeleke nodded.

“You don’t have to ask me”, Duro said.

“Who doesn’t like an adventure?” Adegoke smirked.

All eyes turned to the silent Sewa, awaiting her response,

“Count me in” she said.