The Conqueror Series

The Conqueror Rebirth 2

Dike and the princess of Abiam arrived at Icho Kingdom. Dead bodies of Icho people who were massacred by Abiam warriors led by Dike littered every nooks and crannies of Icho.

The princess covered her face with her palms at the sight of blood and dead children.

"Did you kill the children too"? She asked pitifully.

"I didn't command the killing of Icho children but my warriors were thirsty for blood. They killed whatever they saw" Dike replied.

They entered the palace of Icho and saw the dead body of the Queen on the floor beside the throne of her banished husband.

"I can't believe my father ordered this kind of murder. This is murder not war" The princess cried.

Dike looked at her for a while and held her hand. " what made you to follow me?" He asked.

"I wanted to see for myself how cruel my father can be. These children didn't deserve to die. And also I wanted to come with you. With you I feel safe Dike"

Dike shakes his head. "I don't think so princess"

"What do you mean? She asked suspiciously.

Dike let go of her hand, slowly walked to the throne and sat on it.  The princess was staring at him, not knowing exactly what was on his mind.

"I'm now the new King of Icho Kingdom and you are my prisoner" He said aloud and the princess was shocked.

"Dike?" She called as her heart beat raised rapidly.

"Don't mention my name you daughter of a king that imprisoned the woman I love. I will make your father pay for daring me!!!" Dike thundered In rage.

"Please calm down. I have never supported my Father's cruelty. I'm not aware of what you are saying now and it breaks my heart to learn that you are in love with another woman" she knelt and continued with tears. " Dike, please don't hurt me"

"I will not hurt you. But unless your father send five thousand foot soldiers alongside the woman I love and her family, I will not hesitate to hurt you" Dike uttered and stood up and walked away from her as the princess cried bitterly.

Back to Abiam Kingdom, the king of Abiam was pacing in his palace. All the officials were standing. The High Priest was standing beside Dike's mother, the seer.

The king ordered the immediate arrest of Dike's mother. The officials were shocked as the guards took hold of Nneoma.

"What is the meaning of this your Highness?" Nneoma asked.

"That traitor is your son. I will get my daughter back or I will send him your eyes as a warning"

He ordered the guards to throw her into the same dungeon where Onwem was locked up.

Nneoma did not struggle but willingly followed the guards as she smiled. The king ordered three of his most trusted guards to go to Icho and give Dike a message. In the message it says " send back the princess or we will send you your mother's head"

The three guards prepared and set off to Icho kingdom.

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

Inside the dungeon, Dike's mother, the seer was seated on the dirty floor, with her long tick hairs covering her beautiful face. Onwem tried talking to her but she ignored her.

"What has happened oh priestess of the land. Has the son of the soil, Dike left for his journey. Is our king so cruel that he had to imprison his mother? Onwem cried.

For the first time Nneoma looked up to her face and gave her a smile. Onwem knelt beside her.

" I know that the great seer doesn't want me to near her son. I know that you forbid me to love your son but great mother, I mean no harm. People call me Onwem because he called me Onwem. I want to be his strength and his consolation. Please I beg for your mercy" Onwem was in tears as she knelt.

Dike's mother looked at her beautiful face and smiled again. " my daughter, she began. I know your pains. But what I see while sitting down, you can't see it even when you climb the Abiam  Sacred iroko Tree. My son's journey has just begun. You will be his distraction, his weakness, his doom. If you must help him, you have to leave him" Dike's mother sounded.

"But can't anyone see through my soul? I can't hurt a fly. I can't hurt Dikem." Onwem c