WHEN THE WIND BLOWS; THE END!

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Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

Nnenna held her child close as the boat neared the outskirts of Isemili. Nostalgia gripped her as the place where she once called home came into view. This place which bore plenty memories. Both good and bad. Too much bad. Soo painful. That night when they had left, she had been ready to never come back. So she and her child, with the help of Obiora, had built a home in Olomali. Although Obiora had always told them it was only temporary and the day would come when they would go back to take their rightful places, she had always hoped that would not be necessary. However, she knew that Obiora was right. The wicked could not go unpunished. And the deaths of all those who have lost their lives, could not be in vain.. This might have started with her, but it was bigger than her. Much bigger. And today. It all ended.

Willing herself to be strong, she took a trip down the memory lane.
Nnenna had been a lowly village girl, from a humble home. She had had two best friends, Amaka and Adaora and they had never dreamed of having more than they did. In fact, they had been so contented with getting married to a hunter or a farmer one day, and bringing up children of their own. So when the new King took the throne after his father's death and the Chiefs requested he took a wife, she had been unbothered. It was not her business. However, they had left the maiden dance open to all and sundry, the lowliest and the highest and she and her friends could not miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime, even if it was just for the fun.

So the day had come, and they in their best dresses, had marched to the palace to partake in the dance. When the King chose her, she had been shocked but elated and after 8 days of marriage rites, she had left her ailing mother's hut, to the palace. Things were well at first, the King was kind enough, the King's first wife, Ezewanyi, whom he had inherited from his late father, barely acknowledged her, but she was ok with that. And when her mother died, the King had given her a befitting burial. She had fallen in love with him, and he, with her. Then she became with child, and her nightmare started.

The speed at which Ezewanyi had switched from ignoring her like a fly perching on the wall, to fighting against her with lies and conspiracies had shaken Nnenna. Remembering it all now, a tear escaped from her eyes. Oh! If not for Obiora, Nansi, Okonkwo and Ngozi's husband, Madu Ike, Nnenna would have lost her life and that of her child!
Ezewanyi had told terrible lies, accused her of adultery, saying the child she carried was Nansi's and the King had believed. Every attempt to reason with him by his best friend and kins men had fallen on deaf ears. Nansi had been murdered, but made to look like a suicide for his guilt, and that had sealed the deal. As if life wasn't wicked enough, Obiagelli took in for the first time, with her own child. The King had said to wait until Nnenna birthed her child, to confirm from the gods, what the truth was, but Obiagelli never intended to let that happen. So on the night Nnenna had her child, she, with the help of her allies, Framed her death and she and Obiora, escaped from Isemili. The blood still wet between her legs, and her baby's placenta, around his stomach.

Someone else had died for her again, that night. Even though the maid had willingly sacrificed herself by taking poison before she and her still born child had been stabbed to death in their bed. Thankfully, as per tradition, the King and Queen could not see dead bodies so no one, had been able to identify them. They had believed the lie quickly enough, that she and her baby had died in childbirth. Again, the King believed it was out of guilt for her sins and had spent little time mourning.
Obiagelli had had her son, Azuka and life had continued for them in the palace, just as it had continued for her in Olomali. Adaora had married Okonkwo and both her, her husband, and Ngozi's family had kept the secret, unknown to the Queen, waiting for the right time to unveil it. Then Obiora recieved the message that Okonkwo was dead, and they knew, it was either now or never.

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She exited her thoughts as the canoe rocked to a stop. It was dawn already and the first ray of sunlight was beginning to escape from behind the curtains of the clouds. She almost went dizzy when she stood on Isemili's soil for the first time after 16 years. But her son held her up, and she smiled up at him. Yesterday, she had told him everything and her wonderful son, had understood it all. Despite it all, he has turned out to be a charming young man, the striking image of his father. Over the years, she had gotten used to the ache in her heart, whenever she looked at him, and felt like she was staring at his father, her Obinna, the only man she had ever loved. He nodded at her as palace guards appeared and she returned the nod, taking his hands. It was time. And together, they would do this. Now or Never. Obiora had communicated with her through the gods, the end was finally here.

---

The entire people of Isemili were gathered by the shrine that morning. The town crier had woken before the first cock crow, beating his gong as he sounded the news all through the village. There was an emergency gathering at the shrine. And his majesty expected everyone to be present. Young and old, short or tall, dark of fair, man or woman. So they had gathered before the sun awakened from its slumber and now as they waited, everyone was anxious, to see what the occasion was.
A sudden hush fell over the crowd as Obiora exited the hut, his body glowing like the sun, with the presence of the gods. It did not take long before the murmurings started.

"Is that not Obiora?" "I thought he was exiled!"
"Impossible! He glows with the presence of the gods!"
"How dare he step foot back in this sacred place, after siding with that harlot years ago! He was better off remaining in hiding"
"Where is the chief priest, Aliogo?"
Obiora heard them all but none of their words bothered him. Decided he had had enough, he struck his staff on the ground and the earth shook beneath them.
"Silence! There shall be order in the sacred abode of our gods or the punishment shall not be metted out lightly". Whether it was the earth quake or the way his voice resonated through the air, everywhere suddenly became gravely. It was obvious, this man was of the gods indeed.

With a signal, the villagers watched as several bounded people were brought forward and made to go on their knees. Gasps went around as people recognized their Queen and the chief priest, Aliogo. Although, remembering Obiora's warning, they remained silent. What was going on?

After all the offenders were made to kneel, Obiora ushered in the King, and everyone bowed.

"Igwwweeeee!!!!" Obinna simply nodded, as he walked to stand at his reserved spot, more than ready for this to be over with. He looked at Obiagelli with a deep sadness and disappointment. He was broken.
Obiora cleared his throat before talking
"Great people of Isemilli. They say the snake does not live where the sun abides, for fear that it would be burned. So when it has to come out, it walks under grasses, hiding itself from its predator but most especially, from its prey. It is also said, that the gods are just and they do not leave any evil deed unpunished. The wicked must, and will pay. Today, people of Isemilli, we have come here, to witness the gods of justice, first hand. Although years have passed, truth remains truth." he paused to look at Adaora and Obiagelli
"And evil, evil". He as well as the King, Ngozi, Madu Ike, Ikenna, had been quite shocked to see Adaora captured with the Queen last night. It was then they had learned that Adaora had been in with the Queen from the start. She had been jealous of Nnenna for winning the King's heart. However, she had spared her husband and Maduike after Nnenna was believed to be dead, satisfied, that they had let it all go.
When she overhead her husband talking with Madu Ike weeks ago, she realized they had only been bidding their time, and were still going to talk. It was then, she went to Ezewanyi and they had decided to silence both men, determined to keep their secrets to the end.

Obiora shook his head, then returned to the villagers.
"We are all aware of the happenings that took place about 17 seasons ago, when the King's second wife, took in. I will have you know, that all that was said about poor Nnenna, were nothing but lies! Spurn by this wicked murderer here, all in a fit of jealousy and a bid to keep the throne to herself alone, forgetting that she too, came from lowly roots. Nnenna was innocent. Her child was the King's and Obiagelli here, has killed more than three souls, to keep this secret. Your much respected chief priest, Aliogo was not left out either. After all, he prepared the charm that hardened the King's heart and has been steadily trying to poison the King for years. So that when the time comes, the King shall die an early death and the seed he had sown in Obiagelli, will become King, making him the father of a King"
"Tufiakwa!"
"Aaaruuu!!! Abomination!" The crowd erupted again, overcoming their shock. However, Obiora held up his hands, and they quieted again.
"I will love, that they speak for themselves. Obiagelli, Aliogo, Adaora, defend yourselves. Tell us why you have betrayed friendship, love and trust, all for power that was never yours to begin with"

"I did no such thing! Lies! He speaks lies!", Obiagelli's desperate voice filled the air.
"My people, will you let him treat your Queen this way? Accuse her of such treachery? This is treason! And it is punishable by death! Do not let his appearance fool you. He lies! Why wait till this time? Why wait? I am certain, he too must have warmed the whore's bed. And after years in exile, he seeks to warm his way back into the King's favour. Lies! All lies! I'm innocent. That late girl is the criminal here. Not me! And Azuka is the King's son. I'm innocent! Imagine me, with the likes of Aliogo. Surely, I would not stoop so low".

Obiora was amused as he watched her desperately lie, and her cohorts nod vehemently in agreement. The King only shook his head, deeply saddened. How could he have been so blind?
Obiora struck his staff again, as confusion arose in the crowd, some believing their Queen.
"Obiagelli, may I remind you that you are in the presence of the gods and you only get three chances to say the truth, before you get struck. Now Obiagelli, confess your sins"

"I cannot confess to sins I did not commit! Everything is as clear as ice. Nansi killed himself out of guilt, you yourself ran away unable to bear the punishment that was sure to come for your disloyalty. And that wretch! The gods already struck her dead in child birth. Her and her bastard!"

Obiora laughed then. She was good
"Obiagelli. But you killed Nansi, did you not? You took advantage of his closeness to Nnenna as her personal guard. You framed him and killed him, then made it to look like suicide. You, also killed Okonkwo when you learned the time was near when your secrets will be revealed. Then you went after the Mazuebis, wanting to kill them and eliminate the last person you thought, had the power to bring your ruin. All with the help of Okafor and his fellow puppets"

"Lies! Lies! Okonkwo was attacked by an animal and Mazuebi's was an accident. I had no hand in it. Lies! I say it is the gods, metting out their own punishment. Just like they killed the wretch and her child", as she finished, something struck her back and she felt an ache and cried out. Now, everyone was watching with full interest.

"Not yet Obiagelli. It won't end so easily for you. People of Isemili, I present the Mazuebi's to you" they gasped in awe as MaduIke, his wife and children stepped forward, removing the scarves around their faces. Obiagelli's eyes went wide open then, real fear, gripping her. She knew it was soon to be over. There was no hope now.
"You seem surprised Obiagelli! You know they were not killed in the fire you caused but perhaps, you thought they would never return? Tsk tsk. But this is not all"
He turned back to the crowd.
"Isemili, you heard your Queen say the wretch was dead. You heard her say the gods punished them all for their deeds. Yet, she is the one who has just been struck mildly. Isemili, may I present your real Queen to you! Nnenna and the legitimate heir, her son, the King's son, Prince Amechi"

Everywhere went dead quiet as Nnenna and her son stepped forward, removing the wrappers from their face. Everyone, too shocked to speak. Except for Maduike, Obiora and Ikenna, the only three people who still knew of her existence. The rest, could only stare wide-eyed. Even King Obinna, felt his head spinning.

"You!", it was Obiagelli's scream that brought them out of their trance, as she became overwhelmed with something strange.
"No! It can't be! I killed you! I killed you!", she shouted on as she jumped to her feet, starting to itch her body.
"I killed you! Before the voice of you and your child could be heard, I killed you! Just like I killed Nansi, just like I was going to kill Obiora before he fled. Just like I killed Okonkwo. Did you know? It was I who drove the knife across their throats. It was I", now she was dancing, a malicious smile on her face, as she removed her clothings with her still bound hands. Everyone stared in pity, as they realised what was happening. She had run mad.
"Nnenna, you can't be alive. After trying to ruin my life. I was married to the old king for ten yeaars and bore no child. So I killed him that his son may be King and inherit me. Perhaps, he would do what his father had not been able to do. Only two years after, he had already tired of me and was seeking a new wife. Then he chose you and everybody loved you. Pretty humble Nnenna. I could care less! I was more than happy to ignore you, but you had to go and get pregnant! And make the King fall more in love with you! No! I would not have it. So I remembered Adaora's offer to get rid of you and we put the plan in place, wanting to destroy you beyond repair. Of course I went to Aliogo to demand for his protection against the gods, and he was more than willing to help me, provided I warmed his bed. So I did. And I liked it. So we continued. Again and again. It was only my luck that I got pregnant. He did what two Kings could not do to me. Yes. I killed them all. I lied. And I've been poisoning the King. I would not go back to being nothing. I am Queen! I am Ezenwanyi. Aaaayyiiiii!!!" as she finished, the sky went dark ad crackled with thunder and ligtning. Eight strikes and they all laid dead on the floor and the villagers shouted in fear.

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Obiora smiled, relief washing over him, it was over. Finally.
Nnenna only stood, everything surreal to her and her son, who was just as taken aback, regardless. It was Amaka's hug that snapped her out of it. Her old friend wept as she held on to her.

"Chai! Nnenna! Why did anyone not tell me you were alive? Did you know how much I mourned your loss, every day??" Amaka asked as she sobbed.

"Dear friend. It was best that only a few people knew. I'm sorry. So sorry". They remained like that for a while before they broke apart.

"Nke'm. Wow. You are the spilting image of your Father", Amaka said as she moved to Amechi and crushed him in a hug.

"The gods do not even need to confirm this" Maduike said behind them and they ended up laughing. After all that cared to had hugged her, Obinna stepped forward.

As they held each other's eyes, new tears poured. Years might have passed but the love was still there and she had already forgiven him.
Not needing to say any words, he crushed her in a hug, dragging his son in after a while.
"I have a lot to make up for. Forgive me?"
"We did a long time ago"
And the tears flowed on, as they let go of old things, embracing their new lives.

The End!