68 SEARCHING FOR THE PRIESTESS.

Ah! my Princess it never even for once occur to me like these at all, my God! these total means might just be the architect of our own problems all these while? I had no idea! papa Ehi? did you at any time think this way? Mrs Rukewe asked her husband.

Not at all my dear, and to think it could just be true, Mr Osaro responded.

Wait that.....could be ....my god! that could be the reason all our children blamed us you know, their eyes all had that accusing look in it, my second son even told me that if I loved him then I could stop his pain,but I still never understood his taught process, oh! Osenobuwa its all clear to me now.

Yes! that was exactly why they did that, now we can't wait for another festival to solve this, we have to look for the Priestess of the river etinosa and get their opinion on solving this, my reason is that Ehi is almost seven years old are my correct? Princess Ayanna asked.

Yes he will be seven years old in about a months time, replied Mrs Rukewe.

Do you then know where we can find any of the Priestess of river goddess Etinosa?

Yes Princess, on my way to the market I usually sight some of the worshippers near a compound close to the market square, just before the detour to the path leading to river etinosa, Mrs Rukewe explained.

That is great its getting late now, at first light tomorrow I will be here again so we can go see the Priestess of river etinosa, hopefully what Ihave in mind will play out, you made the wrong request but I hope you will be heard when you make the right request tomorrow, when I get here tomorrow morning I will tell you exactly what you should say to keep Ehijiator with us this time, even i dont want to miss Ehi, Princess Ayanna finished.

OK my Princess we will be prepared. Mrs Rukewe replied

I will leavenow, Ehijiator am leaving I will see you after school tomorrow and I will take you to the palace, do you like that? Princess Ayanna asked Ehijiator whose eyes were already as round as can be and the grin on his face making him even more cute with excitement.

Yeeeee! yes! Ehijiator exclaimed, I will go and inform my Friend that I will be going to the palace to see how beautiful it is and to see our king, thank you Princess. Then he ran off, obviously to go share the good news with the said friend.

Then is settled, I will be off now, see you tomorrow, and the Princess with Hauwa and the two guards all got up to leave, the parents of Ehijiator also followed them just to the entrance of the compound then they bid them good bye and left while they turned back to their quarters.

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The next day Princess Ayanna and her entourage got to the compound entrance to find Mr and Mrs Eharuyi there waiting, by the looks of things it seem they didn't even sleep well the previous night, judging by the tired expression on their faces.

Welcome Princess we decided to wait here for you so we don't waste time and head there directly, Mr Eharuyi said

No we need to go a bit later as I still have to teach Mrs Rukewe what to say once she is asked to make a request.

Oh my! I forgot that, please pardon me let's go back home then. Mr Eharuyi said.

They all went back to the house of the Eharuyi's and after everyone made themselves comfortable..

Mrs Rukewe what ever happens at the Priestess place take it in good faith but I will try my utmost best to make sure she requests an audience with the Goddess of etinosa so you can make another request.

Listen carefully, ask the goddess for forgiveness in jumbling up your request thereby turning her blessing into something that gives sorrow instead of joy then ask that your present child Ehijiator's life be spared to live long, in health and in wealth and be a blessing to her and to you.

All I said is it clear or do you have something to say?

No I understand perfectly Mrs Rukewe replied.

Sir Eharuyi do you have something to add or minus?

No Princess this will surely do for what does a parent want from their children if not that they live long to bury them at their death and to have all the wealth they need. This request will do just fine. Mr Eharuyi enthused. He then made his wife repeat what the Princess said which she said with even more feeling.

That will do, I think we should go look for the Priestess, Princess Ayanna suggested.

Yes let's go the Eharuyi's agreed pulling his wife up to her feet.

They set out for the Priestess place by now people were already up and about and the early morning sun was peeking out slightly but the wind was still a bit cold soon enough they got to the market square and to the mud wall that was decorated with people artworks of pots and mermaids were clearly drawn on the mud wall in white and entering into the compound they could find some early worshippers there on seeing the Princess coming towards them they slightly bowed and greeted her. Then she requested to see the Priestess if possible its rather urgent Princess Ayanna said making one of the assistant to run off to go inform the Priestess.