Rose of Numen

by Olatunde, Biola;

  Ife laughed but was firm as she replied that she had no intention of getting Tinu drunk but giggled as the excitement of being able to share freely her joy and excitement flowed in her and she leaned over to talk with Tinu.

  Thirty minutes later, Babatunde and Ife took Tinu to the local car park to return to the village and the pair returned to Babatunde’s office.

  “What was it you wanted me to help you with?” Ife asked.

  “Do you know about the lost prince?”

  Ife was startled. “Is there a lost prince, truly?”

  Babatunde gave her a smile. “I was not sure of that too until I heard the story from an almost authentic source. Remember how we used to wonder if there was something to the story of reincarnation and we would laugh at me for even thinking that?”

  “Yes I remember, so there is a lost prince?”

  “Let me tell you a story which I think you know very well. Reincarnation is not just a concept with us but a fact of life and I am testimony to is, just as you are. However I was told a story that has left me with a sense of excitement that there is much more to just being allowed to come back, but that it could affect a society and even a community in a very exact way. When Adejare came asking to withdraw from the kingship race, I took his reasons with some doubts. Now I am no longer sure.” Babatunde told Ife the story of the old man.

  There was silence for a while then Ife sighed and wondered how they could identify the lost prince.

  “There is more, Princess. Two women who have reason to be jealous of the birth of the new prince took him to the forest, but before they could do anything further, one of them needed to move her bowels and stepped into the bush path to do just that. A lion roared and the other woman dropped the baby and took to her heels, followed closely by the other one. They waited to hear the cry of the baby but there was just silence. After overcoming the worst of their fright, they returned to the spot and looked around for what they assumed would be the remains of an infant but saw nothing. Now really scared they decided to search a bit more and gasped in terror when they saw the lion standing over the baby in apparent protection. They did not know how long they stood there but soon enough the light woman came and collected the infant from the lion and they both walked deeper into the forest. The women had then to decide what to do.

  “As they got to a point on the road that night, they decided on a secret oath, never to disclose what had happened and consoled themselves that they had not killed the child and were not about to confess that the goddess had taken the child. They felt that silence was best. Kneeling in the face of Mother Earth they made a pact that whoever betrayed the secret would be dealt a curse and will cause them to be swallowed by the Earth. They knelt by the ground and touched a piece of the ground to their lips. The oath was sealed and they returned home. Years passed and it seemed that they had taken care of the object of their displeasure except for the fact that the younger wife kept hearing the growl and roar of a lion in her sleep. In an effort to save herself, she went secretly to see an Ifa priest. When she had finished telling him her story, the Ifa priest told the shocked woman that she could only get relief if the other woman agreed on their return to the exact spot they had made that covenant, re-enact the event in full view of the king and the mother of the lost prince.

  “He told her that it was the only way she could lift the curse they had invited on their foolish heads. Of course, she did not tell the other wife what she had done. Six days later, while fetching water from the stream, she slipped and drowned before anyone could get to her.

  “Presumably Mother Earth had disciplined the woman for the act of betrayal. The older woman started swelling and in a bid to ease her conscience called her daughter and asked her daughter to help her dig a hole. She poured all the pain and fear into the hole and while still in that posture, fell into it. So the secret was passed on to each daughter.

  “The Ifa priest explained to the king what was going on and he felt very sad and went to the grove of Numen to ask for help, like I am doing now on behalf of the town. How do we find the lost prince?”

  Ife spoke without thinking, “When all who have done this evil reincarnate here and consciously ask for forgiveness, return to the scene of their crime and the Lion forgives the wrong.”

  She clamped her hand on her mouth as she finished speaking, horrified, staring at Babatunde. “I must mean that, right?”

  Babatunde bowed in respect. “Yes Princess, I only know of one, who is the other?”

  Ife was stunned. “You know of one? Who is that?”

  Babatunde looked lost in thought as he slowly replied, “Adejare’s mother was visited by the old man who told me part of the story. She kept dreaming of being dragged to a spot by a lion and could not understand the nightmares. One time she hid in a cave as the lion paced at the entrance. The old man came and she felt goosebumps and he called her by a name that was familiar to her even though she could not recollect where she heard that name. She recognized the slippers the old man wore and said it reminded her of someone she had liked but could not tell who that person was to her.”

  “But that does not mean anything.”

  “I asked her to give me the details of her dream the next day, and when I went back, she told me what I just told you as a dream.”

  “You mean she might be one of the women? How are we going to get the second woman?”

  Babatunde told her with a smile that he should wait until that understanding is received by her or through Ifa.

  “It is very interesting isn’t it to learn that all those involved may have been given permission and grace to return so they could redeem it and close a circle. That is love and grace indeed. How does Adejare’s mother feel now?”

  “I am not sure she feels relieved, she is puzzled and says her sense of fear that something could happen to her son was her only consideration. She says she can’t feel guilty about something she is supposed to have done hundreds of years ago, and who was going to believe in a lost line?”

  Ife spoke abruptly, “That is the easy one, the second woman is into a religion that does not definitely believe in reincarnation let alone accept she did something in her past life that needs redeeming even now. I have just been told!”

  “Do you know her?”

  Ife shook her head and said she might recognize her if they happen to meet but that was not likely as she does not attend church. Ife counseled that they will be shown what to do. Then she informed Babatunde that he will be needed in her family home.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It was a long journey and Numen allowed the cooler air to run through her hair as she climbed higher and higher up the mountainside. They soon came to a pass and she decided she could allow her horse time to renew its energy while she looked about her surroundings. It was new territory to her and she enjoyed the vegetation. She had been told there was a lake on the extreme edge of the mountain and that there would be a boatman waiting to take her across. Numen had listened attentively to the description as her vizier told her that he was not allowed to come that far but showed her a young being who had manes like a lion—all golden tresses looking like a young Greek god. He had merry gold eyes tinted with green and he had a lion’s mane across his left shoulder. He explained that he was from the Red Island. His horse was almost completely snowy white but for the tinted red hair that sat in a complete circle on its forehead.

  A very mighty Misty detached itself from the side of the Mountain and pushed a boulder across to reveal a stairway. Numen got down from her horse and moved towards the two guards who each held a light spear across the pass. She saw a pathway and a cave in the side of the pass at the other end of the Mountain. The cave was lit inside even though Numen knew no one could determine the source of light.

  Mae spoke to her from deep within her being, “You must keep the cave lit with your thoughts, Numen. Seek in humility the answers you are looking for and keep your supplications simple.”

  “Yes, Mae, I
understand,” she replied.

  In the cave, a beautiful lady with copper-colored hair sat in front of a few glistening stones that shimmered with a light of their own. She had a white traditional wrap elegantly over her shoulder and white, almost translucent, beads on her wrists. Numen could hear the constant roar of the sea and the soft hum of a running brook. It was an extraordinary room. The lady smiled.

  “My name is Adura and I have been permitted to talk with you. Please sit down and close all other thoughts. I already told Mae not to hover around you like a mother hen.” Her voice tinkled like a soft bell.

  Numen immediately felt at peace as she heard the laughter of Mae.

  Adura spoke softly as she ran a feather across the wings of Numen.

  “No race has been abandoned by the Creator. Every human being that has walked the Earth has always been given permission to seek from the table all the sustenance he requires. He is however not allowed to endanger the journey of others. Life is a gift from the Father and all who serve Him are required to understand the sacredness of that gift. The radiation of your blood is the passage and bridge that helps you straddle the worlds so you can learn and grow. You have the capability of getting all the helpers of Creation to help you grow. We will water you and show you paths we have trod ourselves. Each man can have a kingdom, and be king of that kingdom. You as Numen have made a long journey from your starting point and I rejoice with you on your journey. Lean over now and look through these stones. They want to tell you a story.”

  Numen leaned over and her thoughts became clarified as she was taken back several incarnations. She learned how she may bring about the closing of the cycle for the people she had opted to serve. When she looked at Adura again, there were tears in Numen’s eyes as she asked permission to attend the first hour service as she heard the bells.

  “Some soul want to say hello,” Adura said.

  Numen saw Raingirl, her hair pulled back in a braid. Raingirl smiled and wished her well that her replacement had incarnated before she left and she would be helpful to Numen.

  Numen spent a few more hours exhilarated and soon she crossed the pass back to the side of the mountain and rode back to the Blue Mountains.

  Tinu’s banging brought Ife to the present and she reluctantly went to open the door.

  “Is the village burning down?” she asked an excited Tinu, who brushed past her into the room. Her excitement made Ife give her a suspicious look. “You have won the lottery and are moving to Lagos then?”

  Tinu laughed. “She is in a trance and talking gibberish—only it is the village priest that is listening and everyone has been sent away from her vicinity, even her pastor with his holy water.”

  Ife was sharp. “You are talking gibberish right now if you don’t calm down and talking sensibly—who is in a trance?”

  Tinu paced in her excitement and clapping her hands. “You know it is possible that Adejare might not be king after all because this Mama Taiwo has been talking about the whereabouts of the lost prince, inherited secret and some such nonsense. She is saying hundreds of years ago she knew the secrets of the Earth and knew the Lion took the baby. She has completely lost it. Some of the youths have started gathering around. The chief priest Babamogba sent his junior officer to take the woman to the palace and well I came as soon as I could to get all the facts. You see, she is a witch.”

  Ife sighed in relief. “For a moment I thought they had caught a real witch. So she is the second woman.”

  “You mean another woman had confessed to being a witch?”

  “No they are not witches…hmm let me see…I have to get to the grove.”

  “Like right now?” Tinu asked.

  “I need to be at grove right now before Babamogba sends for me.”

  You are not an Ifa priest. He is going to send for the Lion.” Tinu paused as the import of what was happening finally got to her. “They can now know what happened to the lost prince? He has been found?”

  Ife impatiently said, “I wouldn’t know now would I if you stand there and gawk. Get a move on I have to get to the grove.” Ife hurried out.

  Babatunde hurried in shortly after, asking after Ife. Tinu simply pointed and he hurried out as well.

  ~~~

  Babamogba had asked him to hurry and come to the palace but Babatunde had wanted to see Ife at the last minute. She had asked him to go and that she would be with him in the usual way. As he turned to leave Sasa had walked in smiling at her and saluted him. Sasa shook his head and slipped the parcel into the hand of Babatunde, the one that he had to hold on until he was asked to present it.

  “You left it behind in the room and I remembered just in time.” Sasa said. There was some level of suppressed excitement around him. Babatunde scowled as he asked him if he was enjoying the difficulty he was going to have to contend with when the Elders demand to see the old man he had insisted would come to the meeting.

  Now he was sitting there, in the dark inner palace, there was no sign of Sasa and Babamogba had started the ceremony. All the other princes were there too including Adewunmi who gave a cursory look at Babatunde but otherwise kept silent.

  When Babamogba had finished talking, he asked each prince to step forward, mention his lineage and the spirit of the king his forbearer will be called forth. Babamogba cautioned everyone to observe the strictest honesty. Babatunde watched all of them, his hands splayed calmly on his knees.

  A sudden eerie silence descended on the men gathered as the first prince was called. There was the entrance to the grave of each dead king with bones of cattle depicting how many years each king had spent on the throne and some symbols signifying what type of object symbolized each reign. He went cold when his eyes roamed and settled on the door of the very first king. It had a crouching lion by the door. The hair on the back of his neck rose and he had goose bumps crawling all over his skin. He had a sensation of chills as well. He straightened his back and clenched his teeth to keep them from chattering.

  Babamogba was speaking to Adewunmi to point to the forbear whose kingship bore him. Adewunmi stood up and moved, stumbled as the men watched him silently. He was asked a second time to move to the entrance of the king he was claiming as his forbear. Adewunmi hesitated and looked at all the entrances. He was told he could only point at one, Babamogba spoke very softly saying he could claim the entrance of the first king as all sons of the village had been given that right by the first king. Adewunmi still hesitated—suddenly a thin wail was heard, the sound of running footsteps, a gasping noise, then all was still. Adewunmi collapsed to the ground shivering, unable to say a further word.

  Babamogba sighed and touched him on the shoulder with his horsetail.

  “The story you were told was half-truth, Adewunmi. Your mother ran to the palace pregnant, but not with the seed of the king but that of a farmer who gave her five pieces of new yam. She will have to come to the palace before seven days is over if she wants to save your life as the new king has a right to claim it as his first skull.”

  A soundless whistle was made and two palace guards led him away. The remaining princes stared and Babatunde saw some of them swallow. His heart was beating very hard and he sweated from his palms.

  Darn it I am not one of them so why am I so nervous, he thought.

  He jerked when Babamogba cleared his throat and told the gathering that he had no wish to prolong the selection process and he gave all the Elders gathered a glare. They all nodded. He cleared his voice and started an incantation, which Babatunde soon recognized as an invitation to the ancients to join them for the final selection.

  Then he told the story of the lost prince and now there was indication that the lost prince was with them that very night and in the presence of the first king, the rights of the lost prince are to be restored to him. He poured some powder into the burning fire and from that fire, the old man appeared.

  The blood in Babatunde’s veins was now running high and he had difficulty controlling his awe and excitement.<
br />
  So the old man is the first king. I should have thought of it. He is still wearing those darn beaded slippers.

  The old man, or rather first king, stepped out and there was such a thunderous salute from all that one could be forgiven for thinking that all the dead had risen to bid him homage. He raised his hands.

  “I have a story to tell you, but I will first give grace to the first Creator that created man and the also to the first created One. When we overcame the wolf-men, close to the smoking islet, it was to find our own kingdom and be masters of our own destiny. The first Created gave us the divining beads and said we would never get lost nor be vanquished by the wolf-men if we listened to the divining beads of Ifa. You all carry within you the story so I will not bore you. Through perfidy, jealousy, lust and silliness, we lost a prince. I made a vow not to create a seat for me with the ancestors because I am the first ancestor and a prince was lost. I pleaded that I may be permitted to search for the lost prince until he returns to his rightful inheritance since I am responsible for bringing about what happened.

  “Ifa told me of his journeys. That night the lion kept him warm with his body until Numen came and took care of him. She handed him over to a farmer and his wife with instructions never to ask how the boy came about. However the boy had a habit of following the lion everywhere and the lion allowed it. It learned to imitate the sounds of the lion and knew no fear. Numen explained to the farmer’s wife that he would always be identified by his ability to roar like a lion or growl like one. He was almost twelve, time to enter the grove and pick his spear in the initiation rites, Numen brought him to me and allowed me to know him. He was told nothing of his real nature. He learnt herbs and became a very good farmer. Suddenly the farmer went to the next village and was captured by some strange men. I could not trace him again. I was inconsolable but had to take heart knowing that line was still there.

  “Then came the drama of the wives and since I was not sure of how many wives were lying in wait I asked Numen to help me. She explained that the prince would not be king in my lifetime. When I asked why she said he was to come when the village needed him to stand in protection. She assured me she would be around then too, so I might be given permission to close the cycle in whatever form Olodumare might decide.”