56 SEARCHING FOR SACRIFICE 2

That the King was disappointed is an understatement, for us to understand his pain we need to know how much he loved his first wife, the fact is he actually believed that out of all his wives she would actually be the one that would most likely to stick out her neck for him, but being rejected like that actually broke His heart.

During one of the commonly held festival's in Benin to celebrate its history past and present, known as Igue and Ewere festivals of the Benin clan a very colourful and crowd pulling festival a combination of even celebrating past Obas who brought about the Benin customs and traditions, he was young and carefree and had come for this festival because his father the then present king of Benin insist that he be present. He came to the festival with his best friend they conversed as they moved around.

He was glad he came because this years festival was rich and the attendance was massive to mark the end of the Beni year.

While marvelling at the number of live stocks that was brought in for the festivities, this year just as he raised his head he say her, she was stunning, and her beauty left him staring, mouth wide

open.

The beautiful lady that attracted him so much was Princess Amanze then the princess of the royal house of Eho.

That was how they met and soon fell in love not long they were betrothed as soon as we the prince was made the crown prince officially they got them married.

For a long time they were happy together even when he became the King at his father demise and needed to take other wives to expand the palace it took him long to do so, She master minded the wedding arrangement of the king and his second wife queen Adesuwa he has always had a soft spot for her, so why this?

Queen Idia consoled the in consolable king as they made their way home to continue their search the next day.

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Queen Amanze was so infuriated that she couldn't contain her annoyance then she took steps to make sure the king does not get help from the other queens with children for him.

Calling in three of her man servants she gave them a message each to take to queen Efe, Amoke, and Adesuwa, tell them the King was here with that his good for nothing wife queen Idia and areusing the ploy that they want to cleanse the land to ask us to bring our children for sacrifice to the gods in other to restored the authority of the king of Benin.

I have rejected their evil offer andyou should too, he is accusing us of abandoning him when he needed us the most. Who wants to stay with a king that could not hear his own peoples cries?

Now go and deliver them my message already hurry there and hurry back.

Just like that even before the king could have a chance to see and discuss with the other queens their minds has been spoilt.

The next day the king and Queen Idia decided it was Queen Efe they would see next, on their way just as they were enteringqueen Efes village they met one of the messengers of queen Amanze leaving thevillage, he happens to pay his respect and when he was about to go the king asked him what he came to do and he responded that he only came to deliver a message then he excused himself and left. speaking aloud the king said let it not be what am thinking.

On getting to queen Efe's place his children ran out to greet them, then queen Efes voice could be heard calling them inside the house and not bordering to come welcome her husband and king that was when the king knew that queen Amanze had already came here and spoilt everything, yet he went in after the children to still try and speak with her no matter what.

Queen Efe didn't even give the king a chance to explain why they were there and lashed out on him and queen Idia of having evil intentions towards them just because they left the palace he now want to wipe them off them and their children off the earth surface, well they did not need to say anything her answer is no and she will go make sure her children are complete with none missing at all.

The king was so embarrassed that he left queen Efes place without even sitting down once.

My King please don't be bordered about any of what she said, since its still early let's go to queen Adesuwa's place since her place isn't far from here ....

kikiikikikiki ah! they king laughed why are you laughing so hard my king?

Queen Idia you don't get it at all .....

What my king? Queen Idia was not on the same page at all.

See since Queen Amanze took out timeto inform queen Efe is it queen Adesuwa that is her very close friend she won't tell?

Oh! oh! you mean we might have a worst reception over at queen Adesuwa's place?

Yes please so please let's go home I havehad enough insults and disappointed for one day.

On getting home the king became almost depressed again. He refuse to go round searching again he was sure he wont get any favorably reply from them.

After trying to convince him to no avail to go see the other queens she decided to go see the seer again after much deliberation with the seer the decision was made.

She came home and announced that she has found the sacrifice.