A Man's Graveyard/C2 CHAPTER TWO
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A Man's Graveyard/C2 CHAPTER TWO
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C2 CHAPTER TWO

Many pockets of soldiers had come into the capital to swear their allegiance to the king- Our mothers!, that is what they are called, what they have been called for years- The Aja family of states had fallen, and Dahomey had risen to become a force to contend with among its many neighbors- The voice of the commander echoed across the mass of soldiers,

“I know some of you have sworn to support Adandozan!”, his voice sounding sympathetic, obviously appealing to their sympathies… “But we must unite against a common foe”, he continued, in a sober tone- The army had successfully invaded and conquered Allada and Whydah consolidating their power under King Agaja, yet the yolk of the Oyo still remains- “We must unite to throw down the yolk of Oyo and to resist the slavers in our midst!”, he concluded.

King Gezo had just come to power through what many people in the kingdom believed was a controversial process, but he was determined to achieve what his predecessor had failed to try.

It was later on, while they sat away from the crowd. . . “We are not alone in this fight!” Chantel noted, and she continued.

“But my superior, I fear your personal vendetta, it may distract us from the war,”- referring to Qwe’s quest for her sister-” not forgetting your lust for Yoruba men,” Kemi added… bursting into laughter.

“Well,” Qwe started- I can focus on my quest while you focus on the war, and I hope that is okay with you- And as for the Yoruba men, I have found a way to deal with them,” she concluded sounding sarcastic!

The creature awoke- it stretched its body and vigorously scratched its upper limbs- noticing for the first time the mosquito bites- using the dorsal part of its carpals to clear debris from its eyes- the sun was up- but only a few rays were able to penetrate to the forest bed- it observed its environment- using the surrounding trees for support it stood on its hind limbs and moved in the direction of flowing water- showing obviously how it was familiar with its environment- Around, it came across the decomposing body of a small furry animal- that must have been the source of the feast of the colony of ants- picking it up it wondered; why does the inner part decompose, leaving the furry exterior intact?- it swung it around, throwing the ants and the remaining decomposing parts out- it could still be useful- it thought- now that its original owner has no need for it- It stood before the flowing water, and stared into it, noticing for the first time its own reflection- it did not look strong- but could strength be seen in a reflection?- it wondered, going down on its haunches and using its hands, it gulped hungrily the flowing water, after gurgling and spitting out mouthfuls , noting how refreshing it tasted. It Moved away from the stream and approached a nearby tree- The fruits were ripe; it reached its forelimbs and picked one, took a bite and noticed the fruit was sweet- is that why it keeps coming back?- Others will flee from trouble, and some others will dwell around what makes them sufficient. But it was weakness for one that was heathen to be controlled by the resources in its environment- It will throw away what was left of the fruit. Some other creature will continue from where it stopped…, it will not be so clear what some others will do- It trotted away.

In it will dwell a passion insatiable- was it the crossroads or Yanaya- it was oblivious of the happenings in its remote environment- somewhere close to it was a thing that did not scare it- it was the scary one- It was as complex for all creatures; the power within was greater than any power without- did the souls of dead priests go separately than the souls of the animals which they use for sacrifices to their gods?- Who can tell?- All creatures try to be a master of what abides within them before they master their environment- It is the same for all creatures- Was it Rada or Petro?- Only time will tell.

The Fon, as they were called have had a legendary relationship with the Yoruba from the early 16th century, apart from the common ancestry and language there also exist a similarity in religious worship. Though the Fon may appear more fetishist, but their core values remain deep, at some point a lingua franca was developed and a lot of the vocabulary common to both parties- Now the relationship that was brotherly had metamorphosed into a master vassal relationship- which was the beginning! - The Yoruba Cavalry had at many instances invaded Dahomey to plunder and burn houses just to show their military might. The Dahomeans stood and watched while their young men were dragged into slavery either to Oyo or its European allies, and their women and resources violated. For Dahomey to become what it will become, it had to cast off the yolk of Oyo, and under their king, Gezo, there seemed that possibility. And the mothers of the land were with him. Even as were the gods of vodun.

“Qwe”,” Qwe”….,Nadege called out, holding her hand and dragging her out of the smoky shrine- she had been blinded by the fumes; they had tried one of Rufin’s magic potions, they had sat down outside soberly, awaiting his return, expecting to see his anger, but he was to disappoint them as usual. He had laughed at them and showed them another potion promising them a better result. That was their father, and they his daughters. Rufin lived for vodun.

Their mother Aichatou was industrious, it was to people like her that the future of the kingdom belonged, the produce she brings forth could feed the whole village, or did she use magic?, that could explain her affiliation to Rufin- at least it was not love; she was never around, leaving all the domestic chores to the man, he never complained, rather he seemed glad- The couple had wanted twins, but after they had Nadege, Qwe was the twin that was born a year later, Rufin made sure of that. The extent to which magic was involved in their lives, they could not tell.

Now Dahomey was in dire need! Not of industrious women, but in need of warriors, Aichatou could stay at home and care for her farm and Rufin, while she will find her sister, which could not be negotiated. She had a band of friends who shared her passion for fighting- her passion for power- for Vodun- Gezo can sit on the throne of Dahomey for all she cares, but she could not be ruled by a proxy from Oyo…”Our mothers, mothers of our land!”, the commander of the Dahomean army addressed them, seated before them was the king, flanked by his guards.

She had gone to Abomey on an errand for Aichatou- then she met the man- she will regret that meeting. The sex was not as she expected, she should have come home that night, then the magic started; now she had to find her sister- Rufin had showed her the effigies cuddled together next to two others- and she did not have to guess whose they were- They were a happy family, and that had nothing to do with the magic, the trading Aichatou did make a lot of things available to them, and with Rufin they never lacked blood. They were happy, but that was before they had dragged her stronger side away, when they took her sister, along with many others, their destination was unknown. Where else will she search after Oyo? Some said they were slavers- were they taking them to Jakin, Whydah or Grand popo? It did not matter she had to find Nadege, she will die trying. If she did not find her, then there will be little happiness for her in Djougou.

What meaning did life have?- What did it make of itself?- At home among the bucks and serpents, lost in its own self- what creature is completely self sufficient?- Some are predators, completely devouring another, some need each other- There was a balance, some may deny or try to ignore, but at some point all creatures live to the benefit of others- Its hair was disheveled, it was without form- It will find a place where the sunrays will touch its dry scaly skin- what purpose did it have to its surrounding?- It will open its dentition when it looks on its scaly forelimbs.

The economy of Dahomey depended on the income it derived from the sales of slaves- but now it had to find alternative sources- agriculture was a good one, but the land was scarce- There was also the problem of Oyo- the Yorubas of Oyo also had their own problems- Mazidath had returned from spying the royal court- “It is rumored that Oyo is at the brink of a civil war!”, she announced…”you lie!”...Qwe retorted,” Oyo will not fall by a civil war…!”

“But it will be to our interest if that happens”, Chantel replied.

“Never!” Qwe started,

” I will personally have to go and destroy Oyo and the whole Egba kingdom”.

“But my superior, if Oyo falls from a civil war then your sister will not be there again; since she may eventually have to be moved”. Fatal interjected. Qwe pretended not to hear her.

“Or should I go there and march down all the Yoruba men so that they can come and bow before you my superior?” Mazidath said, laughing.

Qwe was quiet for a moment …then she spoke, her words commanding respect and admiration...”Oyo, Egba and Egbado will fall upon our swords, against our clubs and below our feet, and I shall unleash the fury of Oya, yansa and Petro on their land.

Their gods must bow to the power of vudon, and I shall behold once more my sister and my home, and Dahomey shall again take its place among these savages”. Her other companions sat and listened in awe of her declaration. She had vocalized their innermost desire which they all yearned to see it pass.

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