The Conqueror Series

The Conqueror Rebirth 1

Dike was a lover and a fighter. He was so handsome that he became a god in the eyes of single ladies of Abiam kingdom. He was strong, fierce, and courageous but Nneoma, her mother already knew that her son was not destined to marry any one.

He had a greater destiny and woman was not part of his life journey but Dike was in love.

He was a romantic lover who had a lot to give to his woman, Onwem. Onwem was a lover who dreamt always of being Dike's wife. She often told him that she would journey into the land of the dead if need be for her to bear his son.

But Dike was worried. His strength and fame grew every day just like the High Priest Predicted. "Dike, your fame will reach the ears of all the birds in the air, your strength will scare the neighboring kingdoms, Kings will pay visits to you, elders will admire you, ladies will want you...yes ladies will want you but you will not want them, you will only want one and that one is where your flaw is. Dike you are a destined Son of the soil but love, love is your doom"

Dike had consulted his mother Nneoma who was a seer in Abiam Kingdom.

"My son, my power can't be compared to that of the High Priest's. You must listen to him. Love has destroyed many great men"

"Mother, Dike began, The only thing that will destroy me is if any harm should come to my beloved Onwem. I gave her the name Onwem meaning " Myself" even The High Priest will not escape my wrath which will descend from the heavens like a heavy rain"!

"My son!" Mind your words. Many have fallen thinking themselves gods. You must Focus on the great war that is coming and remove your mind from Onwem!.

Dike left his mother's shrine in anger.

Battle between Abiam and Icho kingdoms was a thing to be remembered in ages. Children died and mothers wept. Abiam warriors being led by the Brave Dike, destroyed the Icho soldiers in the battle filed, matched into their kingdom and dragged their women and children home to Abiam.

Dike personally, out of mercy sent the King of Icho to Exile before returning to Abiam.

He was hailed and praised by Abiam warriors and civilians especially Onwem who was so happy to see him well and in his glory. Their eyes met and she gave him a befitting smile and he returned it. The princess of Abiam Kingdom stood beside her father the king and was giving Dike a romantic smile. The king of Abiam stepped forward to put a batch of commander of the whole armed forces of Abiam Kingdom on Dike's Chest. The joy from the people knew no bound.

Dike asked to make a request and the King granted him the privilege.

"I would be glad my king if you could let the mothers and children and old ones from Icho kingdom whom we took prisoners to be treated well as our guests here and not as slaves"

The king looked at his officials and chuckled.

"You have grown soft Dike. I heard that you sent the king of Icho into exile instead of bringing me his head. I also heard that you were advised to do so by Onwem, a daughter of this Kingdom before you left for this war. And so by the advise given by the High Priest and some of the Officials, Onwem is hereby sentenced to death"

There was chaos as the people were shocked. Dike was shocked. He looked at his mother and then to the High Priest before resting his eyes entirely on the King. They stare closely and just then two solders held Onwem by the hands. Onwem was confused as she called on to Dike to save her. " Dike please save me"!

Dike was about to react but a soldier behind him hit him on his head with a heavy stick and he fainted.

**********************

Dike woke up to find himself lying inside his mother's shrine. He was too weak to rise and so Nneoma said to her son " My love, lay still until you regain your strength " but Dike rose to his feet at once " Mother, what has happened to Onwem? Mother!

"Calm down my son, the king has made his decision"

Dike ran out of the shrine and made for the king's palace. He was running and panting, in his voice he was calling on his love "Onwem, I can't loose you, I can't stay alive and watch them execute you"

The king and the officials were in the palace when Dike struggled in, with the guards trying to restrain him. He was shouting on top of his voice.

"Leave him alone" the king ordered the guards and turned to face Dike. ' what do you want, has the power I bestowed on you not enough that you would intrude the privacy of me and my officials?"

Dike knelt in tears "please your Highness, spare the innocent girl. I was acting on my own. She gave me no advise. Please, I will leave this kingdom with her and never return, please set her free"

The officials sighed in disagreement. The king hit his hand on his seat as his face trembled in rage. "You set my enemy free and now you seek for mercy? Go and find the king of Icho whom you sent into exile out of mercy and bring me his head and I will let your woman go"

Dike stood up, bowed before the king and uttered "I will do as you have commanded but am I allowed to see Onwem's face again before I embark on this journey?

The king signalled the guards to take Dike to the dungeon where Onwem was locked up.

On sighting Dike, Onwem sprang up and gave him a tight hug, with tears in her eyes she begged him " please take me out of here. I have been starving, my people must be worried, please Dike, don't leave me here"

Tears filled Dike's eyes as he cuddled her close. "Hold yourself Onwem. I have to embark on a journey now. But I will be back for you"

"What journey? She asked in tears.

You don't need to know about it but you should trust me" he replied and tried to leave in heartbreak but her voice stopped him.

" you want to go after the king of Icho and kill him for Our king, but I put it to you that my life does not worth another person's life. Dike my heart, if you find him, promise me you will not kill him but bring him to Abiam alive. Promise me"

Dike turned to look at her. "I don't know what to promise you but all I know is that you can't die now. I will do every possible thing to save you"

Dike left at once and Onwem sat and cried silently.

While outside Dike saw the princess dressed in her war cloth.

"Dike, I will go with you" take me with you to find this king you sent away" uttered the princess.

The princess's beauty showed like the setting sun. Her hair cleverly packed to reveal her beauty. Dike thought (This is the opportunity to pay back her father for what he has put Onwem through. I'm alone now but with this princess in my palms, her father the king will be my puppet)

"Come my princess, I will take you with me" said Dike.

The princess smiled and they mounted their horses and rode off but that was after Dike's brief discussion with a palace guard who was standing by.

The king of Abiam was obviously happy as they merry inside the palace. The palace guard that discussed with Dike approached the king and bowed before him, giving him a letter.

"Who sent this?" The king asked.

"It is from Dike. He said I should deliver it to you before he rode off with the princess", the palace guard replied.

The king was shocked as he shouted, "with who?"

He opened the letter and read; "If you wish to see your precious princess again, your highness, you must release Onwem and send her and her people to Icho kingdom with five thousand foot soldiers to answer to my command. Failure to do this and you will never see your daughter again"

The king shouted on top of his voice as the officials stood in shock.