66 THE REQUES (1/2)

The road was dusty as the air blew red dust and dried leafs, people were going back home mostly from their farms as you could see some riding their bicycles with cassava stems or tubbers in their baskets tied to the bicycles seat or the baskets balanced on their heads with their hoe's and cutlasses right on top of the baskets, walking in pairs or even in groups.

Ehijiator took the Princess and her group through a foot part towards his parents home as fast as his little legs can carry him through as people raised their heads from their chores to see him and Princess Ayanna they wandered if he has offended the Princess or just why is he leading the Princess to the route leading to his parents home?

Soon enough some curious children soon followed behind them and not long they reach a massive compound, which was obviously a family compound their were different families perhaps different brothers separating their families for privacy sake with bamboo walls.

This is my own house let me go and call my mother and father out, Ehijiator said and took off to the back of the big hut.

Almost immediately a very pretty woman came out front to greet the visitors and looked shocked to find the Princess and her people there, looking flustered she gently greeted the Princess and asked if she was the friend Ehijiator was talking about?

Yes, I am his friend Ayanna answered.

I hope he has not offended you my Princess?

Not at all, he told me something and I will like to discuss it with you if you don't mind.

OK with me, what of my husband? she asked making a face.

His presence is important too, Mrs ....?

Pardon me my Princess, am Mrs Rukewe Erharuyi.

Princess Ayanna could hear this woman's worried taughts and erratic heart beat as she worried that her only son must have definitely done something that made theRoyal Princess come visiting.

My Princess Ehi has gone to call his father they would soon be here, he just went to see his elder brother just at the other hut, Mrs Rukewe said.

Ayanna only nodded.

Please Princess come to the back of the house so you can sit down while I get you drinking water.

Thank you that would be nice, Ayanna replied.

As the were about to sit down under a tree at the back of the huts Ehijiator came in with his father Mr Erharuyi who welcomed the Princess in the customary way knowing her double identity as the one holding the powers of the revered queen Idia.