Cabals | The Ink Well Prompt #155

Akanni held her hand tightly, refusing to let go of her despite the plea of the head hunter. Olokun forest is believed to house the most dangerous spirits and games you can ever think of and hunters from Ilufemiloye are only permitted to hunt in Olokun once a year in a festival that is watched by all great sons of Ilufimiloye.

Mali Maeder

The most dreaded of all the spirits in the Olokun forest was Akanni, the first King to be crowned in Ilufemiloye who was banished for refusing to sacrifice his only son when the community was afflicted with a pox. The chief priest had to consult the Oshimili oracle.

Oshimili has spoken!

The chief priest said in a protest at the council meeting. All the elders and chiefs were so keen on knowing the mind of the oracle. They needed a cure for this disease.

The son of the King, Aremu has committed a sacrilege. He brought stolen goods to Ilufemiloye.

All the chiefs and elders looked at each other. They were shocked at the audacity of the chief priest. Even if it were so, they thought that preference should have been applied, rather than the open disgrace of king Akanni.

Oshimili is not a respecter of persons.

The chief priest continued.

King Akanni clears his throat. Then said:

What then did the Oshimili oracle demand as a sacrifice?

With eyes wide open, all the chiefs and elders looked as the chief priest spilled the beans.

Banishment!!!

The son of the king, Prince Aremu must be banished to Olokun forest, where he will live among the deities of Ilufemiloye.

In seven days, the procession to lead the accursed shall take place.

The chief priest said, hitting his long staff on the ground, and walked out of the council meeting, murmuring some words in the language of the spirits.

King Akanni was bitter. He knew that something was not right. How can theft lead to an outbreak of disease? There must be a hidden truth about all this. But can he unravel it in seven days?

Aremu! Come here at once.

The King ordered his son, his only son, to appear before him.

His majesty. You called.

Aremu said in the presence of King Akanni.

Yes, I called. You are about to embark on a journey from Ilufemiloye to seven villages away. This journey will be made tonight in the company of four of my most trusted guards.

Mali Maeder

Aremu was speechless as his father spoke those words. He just listened and nodded his head in affirmation.

That night, Aremu was whisked away from Ilufemiloye, from the agenda of sending him into the evil forest. He wasn't happy about it but that was the best thing his father the king could don't the moment.

Seven days later, the chief priest led a mon of angry youths to the palace, singing war songs and demanding the presence of Aremu, the son of the king. Instead, King Akanni held his hands up in surrender in place of his son.

Take me, you people of Ilufemiloye. I give my life for my son. Do to me what you ought my son.

Immediately, the king was stripped of all the paraphernalia of the king. The horsetail, the crown, and all the kingly beads around his neck and waist were removed. Then, they led him like a criminal to the mouth of the evil forest.

Ilufemiloye's throne became empty. No one dared to become the next king. They all moved away from the throne because of the way King Akanni was excited.

Seven years later, Aremu returned to Ilufemiloye as an alien. He did not participate in any native activity. He just lived a lowly life. No one ever thought that Aremu could be seen again. He was watching how the entire village was run without his father. The chiefs were growing pot bellies while the villagers grew thin.

In the ninth year after the banishment of King Akanni into the Olokun forest, during the yearly hunting expedition, the women hunters were for the first time allowed to participate in the hunting game. As they approached the grove of Akanni who was perceived to have become one of the biggest spirits in the wild.

One of the daughters of the chief priest was among the entourage of the hunters. She was brave as a man. Throughout the journey in the forest, Sangodunni delved into dreaded places until she unknowingly walked unto Akanni's grove where she was held.

Akanni, let her go.

Other hunters chorused together but Akanni won't let go of her.

Go, call the chief priest, else, his daughter will live in this groove with me.

After much pleading, they saw that Akanni did not yield. The head Winter asked some of the hunters to run to the village to call the chief priest.

When he heard what had happened to his daughter, the chief priest wore the regalia of his priesthood and ran behind the hunters as they led the way into Olokun forest.

Leave her at once or I cast a spell on you.

The chief priest threatened Akanni. Seeing that Akanni was desperate, he brought a horn, making incantations but he started confessing. The spell fell back to him.

Hahah!!! I did it. I spoke in the voice of the gods. Your son did not commit any crime. I spoke so that we could take over the throne of Ilufemiloye.

All the hunters listened with grave silence as the chief priest purged all his atrocities in the open. All the hunters agreed to return to Ilufemiloye with Akanni so that he would be reinstated as the king while the chief priest and all his household be banished into the Olokun forest.

The gravity of the fall of the chief priest was huge. His judgement came on the day he was relaxed. Ilufemiloye became free from the antics of the cabals.