Ekeocha continued to reign as a terror in Umudum. The people suffered different kind of cruelty and could not turn against his command, else they will be said to have.committed treason which is punishable by death. 

Twenty years after, the people kept celebrating the deceased King, Akaeze. In one of their celebrations, the king ordered they whoever is seen celebrating the late king should be arrested. 

This order seemed strange but some people would rather die than see King Ekeocha  banish the celebration of the life and times of King Akaeze. 

Perhaps, he was embarrassed that instead of his reign be celebrated, the people rather eulogized his late brother, King Akaeze. 

One of such people who as grossly involved in the celebrations is the midwife that was in charge of the delivery of Akaeze surviving son. She played active roles and never would listen to the decree made by King Ekeocha. 

The leader of the palace guard sent out a convoy of soldiers to arrest whoever is seen celebrating the late king. They set out on this mission with so much vigour. 

When they arrived the village square, the place was desetted but sounds of the Ogene drums could ne heard, playing. 

The guards traced the drums tinthe house of the King maker, Chief Udi. There were many people there too. They were merrying. There was enough to eat and drink. 

It looks like this people are having the fun of their lives, despite the condition they found themselves. 

Chief Udi was accosted to explain what the merriment was about. He simply gave a blind excuse that his wife escaped being lynched at the river bank in the early hours of the market day. With this, the guards had no grounds to arrest anyone. 

Okongwu Village

Omalicha, the daughter of a palm oil farmer is the most beautiful lady in the village. All young men want her as wife, including Udo. She is beautiful on the outside but has a very ugly mind. 

Since no one knows the history of Udo, they see him as a commoner. He isn't aware of his royal lineage. All he knew was that Ndu was his guardian and that he is an orphan and not from Okongwu. He worked tirelessly in his farm and earned the respect of the people for his vegetated and fruits. 

One day, he walked up to Omalicha and sang her panegyrics but Oma played it down, saying that she can't stoop low to get involved with a low life like Udo. 

Udo almost wept when he was referred to as a low life by a woman he had admired and loved. He walked away with his heart shattered by the hurting words of Omalicha. 

Mem from far and near came to seek the hands of Omalicha in marriage, she would first weigh how much they can spend on her before she would device whether to marry them or not. She continued the character and all the suitors went away disappointed. Some however kept coming, hoping that someday, she will change her mind. 

Udo decided to fave his farm business which was beginning to gain prominence in Okongwu and villages fat away. Every market day, traders from far away lands would come to visit Udo's farm to buy different kinds of vegetable that they seem. This made Udo become very rich. He employed helping hands in his farms and just supervised the business as it grows. 

Ndu, who had married an Okongwu lady now has a daughter who was just two years younger than Udo. She is Adaobi. She is as pretty as a goddess. Udo and Adaobi grew up to be very good friends and siblings. They would eat together and share their sleeping space with one another. 

Umudum

After the twenty years failed celebrations for King Ekeocha, he became bothered that he was losing his fame gradually. He knew now that the people do not have his trust. 

He decided to install his son, Amuche as the Prince. By so doing, he became anointed to be king after his father. The people of Umudum would never give support to Amuche to rule them. It will amount to the continuation of their sufferings. 

The midwife on hearing this, organized a women protest against King Ekeocha. She is old and the leader of the community women. The protest gained a huge ground as women, girls of different ages join. 

She was arrested and put behind bars while the coronation of Amuche for prince ship continued with interference but with murmuring in every book and cranny of Umudum. 

Lead image

…...Watch out for the next series.