54 My name is Ikemnefuna (1/2)

”So what are we going to do next?” her question interrupted his thought process.

”Are you sure everyone has taken the oath?” He inquired hastily.

”Yes, apart from the people that went with me on my just-concluded travel”. She replied him seeing no reason why they should be made to take the oath because she felt there was no chance they would have done it.

”They must also take the oath,” he said sarcastically.

”Is that really necessary?”

”Woman, are you questioning the gods?

”Of course not” She responded immediately ordering Onumara and all the people that traveled with her to come prove their innocence. They were about six in number. They passed through the same process and to the astonishment of everyone especially Okemmiri no one fell under any spell, no one said or did anything out of the ordinary.

”Is this everyone in the compound?” He inquired.

”Yes, apart from my son sleeping inside” she responded as she was beginning to lose faith in the dibia just like everyone around.

”Something is wrong somewhere,” he thought aloud as he began pacing forward and backward. ”The gods have never been wrong. Someone has not taken this drink”. Now talking to Ego ”We have to carry out the exercise again beginning with this man” he said pointing at Ndubisi.

Ndubisi giggled and said ”Because of my dear, I agreed to take the oath willingly and was proven innocent. There is no way I'm taking that substance again” he said with no sentiment.

”Then we have a problem” the great one confirmed.

”We sure do; I'm not taking that unsavory substance” he stood his ground.

”If you are truly innocent, you should not mind taking it again” Okemmiri replied.

”I'm beginning to think you have something against me on a personal level,” he said as the sparkle of anger began to ignite within him.

”I'm beginning to think you have something to hide,” Okemmiri said not threatened by his growing ire.

Ego knew she had to step in, return peace and bring these boys back to why they are here. ”It is alright” she began addressing Ndubisi ”Dim oma” this was the first time she is addressing him by that in public. It immediately melted away the growing walls of anger around his heart; he smiled.

”Please for my sake, take the oath again and prove once more to us all that you are truly innocent” she pleaded, smiling at him.