CHAPTER 1

"Ugo m. Nwanyi mara obi di ya (My eagle. The woman that knows the heart of her husband)" Uche called.

He traced his hands on her neck until they rested somewhere on her chest. She moaned when the spark of ecstasy traveled from his soft fingers down into her bones, igniting every limb with a longing that can hardly be expressed in words. It was as if her stomach had wings and was about to fly. Everywhere those hard but soft hands of his touched vibrated her nerves and sank her heart in that river of passion and love, which could only drown but not kill. The way he calls out her name was breathtaking. How long has it been since he left for the war? Two years? She couldn't tell. But every part of her yearns and glued to his bulging chest, as though it was the land of forever.

"You know we would die of starvation if we remain... in... bed," Ejima said, but her words had betrayed her. She had stammered, again.

"Dying in your arms would be amazing." He said, coming closer so that there was no space between them.

"Besides, am I boring you?" Uche asked.

"Yes, you are," Ejima swallowed, hoping he would not notice the wavering voice.

"Okay, I give up then." He said, but his hands went round her waist and caged her.

"Huh," Ejima chuckled and struggled reluctantly, "Okay, I promise to stay in bed with you as soon as I finish preparing your breakfast. Please, Morning Rose, you need to eat."

"Okay," came his sweet deep voice, "But on one condition. You must let me help you in the kitchen."

Ejima rolled her eyes.

"The last time we tried that, our house nearly went ablaze."

"That was not my fault,"

"I know; you were busy looking at me to notice to burning oil."

"Poor me, I should have married a woman that was not so beautiful. Anyway, It won't happen again, I promise."

"No, you want the other women to mock me. Not happening. Stay here until I am done. Besides, you need to relax your muscle. Two years of fighting is not two days."

"I have rested since I came back yesterday."

"No, you didn't, you've troubled me since yesterday."

"Did I?" He chuckled and pulled her closer, planting his warm lips on her forehead. "Okay, you win. Guess I should go and sharpen my skill"

"No," Ejima walked towards the door when he finally released her, "You are not going anywhere. I have your sword remember? And I will not release it until you have rested well enough,"

"Wait," he searched himself, "You stole my sword?"

"That's the power of a woman, my dear. Never let down your guard."

Ejima stuck out her tongue in victory and walked out of the hut. She could hear her husband's compliant but tried to ignore him.

The air was fresh and drift on her tanned skin as she walked towards the kitchen. Even though the sun was high above the sky, she could still see those white eyes of her husband in her mind's eyes. He was beautiful and she was glad that the gods had brought him safe from the war with Amegu, the neighboring village.

"Ututu oma (good morning)"

Ejima's tanned skin glittered when her coppery eyes fell upon the children.

"Utu oma" She laughed as one of the child collected the mango leaf and ran off to the neighboring hut.

The sight of the children brought back the feelings. It was hard to keep it away. Two miscarriages in in the last two years. Although her husband had said that he didn't care about children, but she was wise enough to let his love blind her. She wanted a child, even if it was an imbecile. If only the gods would be kind to her now and bless them with children. If only they could look down with mercy and bless her with a child that would live.

She picked up the machete, but was surprised when something dropped on her hands. She sighed and wiped her eyes, not knowing when the tears had formed. With the rag in her hands, she hurried down the sandy path, walking as quickly as her long legs could carry her. She needed firewood to make breakfast for her husband.

The forest came into view and she burst into it without thinking. She followed the familiar path that was carpeted with dried leaf, and smelled as if something had died and allowed to decay for ages. She knew the smell too. That was idodo river, which was not far from the forest.

Ejima slowed her pace and buried the tip of her machete into one of the standing trees. She weighed the firewood she had gathered yesterday with her eyes and nodded with satisfaction. It would do for the next four market days.

She wrapped the rag and placed it on the top of her head, but froze to the bone, when a cry pierced her ear. It was distinct, but was gone as immediately as it had come.

Ejima held her breath and listened to the voice of the moist morning wind.

What was that sound? Could it be a bird?

Her coppery white eyes searched the tree tops. The birds were singing the melody of a new day, but none of them was producing a distinct sound. They glided in their nest with harmony and seemed oblivious of the eyes of the woman which was watching.

"Or a wild cat?"

She hissed and rested her hands on her waist. Her eyes searched the green world. She was a slinger, the best in the kingdom, at least her husband had made sure of that. She could sling with both the left or the right hand at a strand of hair and not miss. This was not the first time she had met a wild animal. She and her husband sometimes compete on who could kill the fattest beast.

She turned behind when the cry came again. Her bright eyes folded with a frown as she listened. The cry was distinct yet she still could not make out the creature that could make such.

Dropping the rag on her firewood, she drew out her sling and picked up two stones. She followed the sound, which was emanating from the west wind of the forest. This part of the forest had an evening, cold feel. She has not wandered this far before, but that in itself might just be a blessing in disguise. Animals tends to hide in places where humans fears to trend.

She burst into a clearing, eyes searching every corner until they rested on a basket that was sitting some stone throw away from her. Her courage wax away when the cry came again. It was so human and agonizing.

What animal have this kind of cry?

She walked slowly towards the basket but jumped back with fright. Her heart raced and the hair on her body stood. The cold that clothed her now had nothing to do with the moist air.

Babies? Why do they have the same face?

She swallowed and walked towards the basket again. There, staring at her were four angelic eyes. Looking bright, but covered with tears.

"Who dropped these twin babies here?" Ejima asked as she looked around the forest and back at the children. They laughed.

"So cute," The fear in her heart melted as she reached down and touched their cheeks. One of the boys grabbed her hands and did not let go.

"Look at you," Ejima smiled. This was what she had prayed to the gods for. The charming faces of children. Why was it so hard for the gods to give her a child to call her own?

Have they not? A voice in her head mocked. Ejima wiped her eyes as she jerked her hands away from the children. The tradition of the people had suddenly struck her. Children like this are a taboo in the land and anyone who touches them is bound to be ritually unclean.

But I can't just leave them here to die, I can't even take them home.

"What kind of a gift is this? I asked for children that would live, not one that the entire community would despise and kill" She fumed and picked up her slings, but was reluctant to leave from the cries of the children which seemed to pierce her soul.

The gods were the ones that rejected them, not me.

Ejima hissed and walked back the way she had come. The cry of the children came again and she couldn't help the thought.

They would die if I leave them here. She turned back to the basket, but it would be better if nature kills them by itself, instead of some hungry beast.

She hung her sling on her belt and picked up the basket. The basket was well wrapped and had a cover.

Ejima carried it, following the moist smell of the river. I just hope that this is the right thing. She thought

The leaves that carpeted the floor gave way to the moist soil, revealing the brown face of the river. Ejima walked into it.

"my fathers" She said as she placed the basket into the water. "I let the lives of this children into your hands. Decide their fate. If you want to kill them, then do that yourself." She finished and let the basket flow.

She stood watching as the water carried the basket away. The cries of the children had stopped, but the pain in her heart had resurfaced. Why were these children born like this? She frowned and walked back the way she had come.