Chapter Three - War Upon Us

The evening breeze was cool, blowing gently across roof-tops and with it, whistling sounds like that of many hhiset congregating for yet another funeral was all Sade could feel as she sat near the window of her room looking so morose. One could rightly say she's just as sad as the noise the breeze was making.

Sade a native of Ponle village, was the daughter of Jagunmolu of Ponle.  She was an only child and therefore a prized possession of her parents, so much that they caged her daily in her room and seldomnly let out.

Ponle a much larger town with such a vast land that it's inhabitants kept doubting if their king even knows the status of some places under him.

The news of the birth of Kolawole had gotten to Ponle and this was through Sade. Sade who has been known for quite sometime now as a mage had told the priest of Ponle of the arrival of a rival. Kolawole's birth meant trouble for the kingdom of Ponle as the kingdom had always had an advantage in terms of war compared to their rivals. They go into war with another kingdom regardless of how mighty the army of their opponent was, because with the power possessed by the  Mage, they always had an edge over others.

But with the birth of Kolawole and the prophecy given by the priest which he had heard from Olododo, the Mage had seen all these and heard their sayings in one of her night visions.

She quickly told the Priest who then told the king of Ponle and the head-warrior (Jagunmolu) ; her dad was informed.

Ponle started planning how to attack Ilu Igbasaye and kill the boy child before he grew into something they wouldn't be able to control .

Jagunmolu was with his men who were the too generals in his army and with him they all planned on how the attack was going to go. And with that, they say out that same night.

.... it was a long road from Ponle to Ilu Igbasaye,  so they rode on horses and with full speed and anger burning in them,  they went... riding fiercely without much care for the horses, they kept on. After about 4 hours ride , they came upon a hill near Ilu Igbasaye and there, Jagunmolu gave them the command to attack.

You'd think the men were thirsty for blood, they way the plunged ahead, swords basking in the flames of their lit torches.

The men rode in groups, making their way through the valley below and taking anything on their way with the sword in their hands.

It was but for the neighing of the horses that the watchmen of Ilu Igbasaye woke up to the imminent danger before them. They rang the alarm, but it was too late.

Sitting on the horse just near the cliff was the Mage and the King of Ponle.

The king of Ilu Igbasaye was woken up by the sounds of blades clanging just outside his palace, he quickly wore his war regalia and took his sword in hand, his wife came running and pleading with him not to go

"I'd rather die a warrior than sit and watch other men give their lives for a just cause " and with that, he took hold of his blade and off he went.

Slicing through men, the king burnt with anger as he fought, his eyes lit with red flames as he kept fighting.

On the other hand, Olododo was talking to Mr Okin after running to his home to quickly take his son and run as far as he could, telling him he heard from the soldiers that they were looking for a child who was just given birth to in less than a week.

Mr Okin became more scared as his adrenaline told hold of him. He didn't know what to do and by the time he realized what was at stake it was rather late. The army of Ponle had reached his compound.

"Where is your wife and son? They enquired

"My.. I..  I..  don't have a wi...

Before he could finish his statement, some men had eu  into his house to search.

Mr Okin became furious and in the process, unsheated the sword of the soldier standing before him and

Pheeeew.... And thud! Was the sound heard as the soldier's head came rolling down.

Mr Okin then started fighting with the other soldiers satndg guard outside.

His wife had taken the baby and passed the back door trying to run to her husband. But she only succeeded in bringing the child to those who wanted him gone.

"Bring the child here, or die with him" said one of the soldiers

Mr Okin had been captured, blood draining from his head, he was almost going blank

"Noo! Shouted Kolawole's mum

And just as one of soldiers stepped forward to take the boy from his mother's arms,

A bright light engulfed them, it was so bright, it dazed everyone. The soldiers ran in fear, Mr Okin had no words to say, kolawole's mum held the baby in her hand that felt so numb, she wondered where she even got the strength to keep the baby still in her arms.

The terrified soldiers ran and as they were running, the other soldiers who saw them running, joined in and soon, the men of Ilu Igbasaye took the advantage to say more of Ponle's soldiers and sent the rest back to where they came from.

The news got to the king and Mage on the cliff. In anger, he turned and vowed to return again.