*blows dust of mic* I know I know. It has been over a year since the last post. I apologize. My excuses *cough cough* consist of the usual work, school, lack of time, overly busy variety. Forgive and forget? Arigato!!!! Enjoy the post (I hope). Oh and anyone  who can suggest a good title will be much appreciated.

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A lone wolf could be heard howling at the full moon in the distance. The eerie sound sent a shiver down Brother John’s spine despite the warmth of the numerous candles which lit up the spacious hut. Numerous trinkets and other artefacts hang from the crudely painted walls but none of them interested John as much as the man who was standing in front of them. This was the hut of the Chief Priest of Ile Ife and Brother John had brought his last son to be diagnosed by the Priest, Amalinze.

He laughed inwardly at the irony of the situation he found himself in. Just last month he had been preaching at the Pillar of God church against those who consulted with witch doctors for solutions to their problems but these were desperate times. When one lost two of one’s children to the same mysterious disease and the last one falls ill with the same symptoms desperation sets in. More so when doctors had no idea of the illness or its cure and all prayers to God Almighty had seemingly fallen on deaf ears. He had resisted the temptation to come see Amalinze the Priest until Isaac had also fallen ill. Then he knew he would try everything to save his son and one remaining child.

A sudden burst of chanting from Amalinze who had been silently chewing kola nut and staring at cowries in his palm whilst bent over the shivering body of Isaac snapped John out of his thoughts. “Ebununu amaari ose mi nkaso. The Almighty is not pleased. Ise lai sommi kenamowo. For he who sows seeds at night forgets that he cannot hide a fully grown tree.”

Amalinze threw some powder into the flames causing it to burn brighter and hotter for a few seconds before it resumed its peaceful blaze. He fixed a deathly stare at John his eyes the color of blue fire and in a voice that echoed and seemed to fill the whole cave he spoke, “Ijona Okonkwo, son of this land who has chosen to be refered to as John”, Amalinze practically spat the Christian name out, “this is what the gods of Ile Ife say. You are the cause of the misfortune that has afflicted your family and taken root in your compound. For the toad who heeds not the warning of the serpent shall surely be swallowed”.

John felt his wife recoil away from him immediately. “Me?? What have I…”.

“Silence!” Amalinze’s voice filled the hut. “You have taken from the Almighty to fill your belly and that of your children. This death that chases you and your family around like a cock on heat that has spotted a hen is the punishment for your deeds. You took from the Almighty and now the Almighty takes from you. There is no cure only one solution. Your son shall be sick for two more weeks. You must confess in front of the council of elders of your church in exactly two weeks. They shall pray for your son and if The Almighty finds it right to forgive you and have mercy your son shall be healed. Otherwise…..”

Amalinze sat cross legged on the floor and murmured to himself for a bit with his eyes closed. Brother John was unsure whether the session was over and what to do next. His wife was still standing in shock behind him processing what the Chief Priest had just said. Suddenly Amalinze’s eyes flew open, “What are you waiting for you betrayers of the gods of your father? Leave my presence before I turn you into half cooked eggs”. Brother John needed no further motivation. With his son on his back and his wife hot on his heels he fled into the night.