The news of Ekene's sudden arrest tore through Amosu village like a brushfire on a windy day. The celebratory shouts and angry murmurs were a stark reflection of a community divided. The reactions varied wildly as the people grappled with the reality of the situation and the complex questions it raised about their customs and beliefs
For those who held fast to the tradition, Ekene's arrest served as a triumphant affirmation of their faith in the gods and the customs that had been passed down through generations. Their voices rang out in the village square, echoing a sentiment of righteous vindication
"Serve him right!" One villager declared, spitting on the ground as if to cleanse it of Ekene's name
"Who can battle with the gods?" another added, shaking his head in mock pity
"A mortal man going up against the gods is like a rat going up against a lion." a third villager said
"He was bound to fall sooner or later" a fourth villager declared
For these villagers, Ekene's arrest was a validation of their deep seated traditions. It was proof that the old ways were right and that no one, no matter how brave, could defy the sacred laws
Yet, a different kind of anger simmered in Ekene's neighbourhood. These people dared to challenge the prevailing narrative, their eyes opened to the possibility of a different future by Ekene's bravery. Neighbours and friends of the young man gathered together, their voices tinged with disbelief and outrage
"When will this nonsense stop?" a woman asked, her arms crossed tight against her chest
"They said he offended the gods, but are the gods so weak that they can't fight for themselves? Why are the villagers the ones attacking the young man?" a man retorted, his voice rising in frustration
"Snakes have been killing our people for years, and now they want to punish the only brave young man who stood up to them? How stupid is that?" another said, his disgust clear
"We are not ready to move into a new era," a fourth villager concluded with a sigh of resignation, "An era free of this curse. Until we are ready to break this cycle, we will keep struggling. This is why no one has lived beyond 60 years in this village"
Amidst the chaos of the divided opinions, one person moved with singular purpose. Grace, her face a mask of worry, her heart pounding with dread, raced toward the palace. The news of Ekene's arrest felt like a physical blow, and she knew she had to get to him no matter what
The doors of the throne room swung open with a resounding crash, revealing a tear – streaked Princess Adaeze. The gathered cabinet members and Nze na Ozo society turned to face her, shock and concern etched on their faces as they took in her distraught appearance
"Adaeze, what is this?" the king inquired, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and surprise. "And why are you crying?"
Princess Adaeze wasted no time in cutting straight to the heart of the matter, "Father, why did you send the guards to arrest Ekene? What is his crime?"
The king's voice remained steady, though his heart ached for his daughter's pain. "My daughter, our customs and traditions forbid us from killing snakes, and you know it."
With a fire in her eyes, Princess Adaeze challenged the very foundation of their society. "Fine, I know about that stupid tradition of ours. But was Ekene aware of such a stupid tradition when he killed those snakes? Is it fair to arrest him when he knows nothing? Is it fair for him to stand trial when he is unaware of our stupid customs and traditions? Isn't the custom and tradition supposed to be fair?"
The cabinet members and Nze na Ozo society exchanged uneasy glances, unsettled by the force of Princess Adaeze's words.
The king, his resolve unyielding, replied, "My daughter, the custom is the custom. No man is above it, and thus, it can't be bent for anyone, no matter what"
Princess Adaeze, her frustration mounting, unleashed a torrent of emotion that had long been bubbling beneath the surface. "So if I'm dead now, will you be happy, father? I and most of the students of Divine Gift University are alive right now thanks to Ekene. If it wasn't for him, I'd have been dead now! It's been a decade now since mother, your Queen was turned into a snake, and you guys are not touched. How annoying. You'd rather uphold this stupid tradition of ours than save lives? You are all a bunch of old cowards looking for an easier way out!"
With her words hanging heavily in the air, Princess Adaeze stormed out of the throne room, her sobs echoing through the hallway as she retreated to the sanctuary of her chambers.
The air was thick with tension as a guard interrupted the proceedings, his voice cutting through the silence. "Igweeee! The offender has been arrested and is here in the palace"
With a heavy heart, the king rose to face the accused, his voice steady despite the turmoil that raged within him. "Alright, we're coming"
Accompanied by the cabinet members, the king made his way outside the palace to confront Ekene, the young man, whose actions have set the world aflame
Ichie Chinwetalu, his eyes fixed on Ekene, spoke with an edge of disdain. "So this is the Ekene that offended the gods"
Ekene, his confusion and fear mounting, sought answers from the king. "Igwe, why am I arrested? What did I do wrong?"
Ichie Chinwetalu, his patience thinning, interjected with a harsh reprimand. "Will you keep quiet? Nonsense!"
The king, his gaze locked on Ekene, explained the gravity of his charges, "Ekene, my son, you're being accused of killing snakes, which is against the customs and traditions of Amosu village"
Ekene, his eyes blazing with a mix of defiance and disbeliefs. "Oh? So, killing snakes s a crime now, huh? Would you guys be happy if your families were wiped out in one day because of a snake attack? Igwe, would you be happy if your daughter, the princess, had died had I turned a blind eye? This is stupid!"
Saddened by Ekene's words but maintained his composure, the king pronounced his fate. "My son, you'll stand trial in the next two market days"
The cabinet members and the Nze na Ozo society affirmed the decision with a unified chorus. "Igweeeeee!"
With a final command, the king sealed Ekene's immediate destiny. "Guards, take him away!"
As the guards ushered Ekene to a dank dungeon within the palace, the village of Amosu braced itself for the impending trial, the weight of tradition and the fate of a young man hanging in the balance