Read Online Butterfly Fish by Irenosen Okojie - Free Book Online

thinking of her feet, soft front hard back. She wanted to cut them off.
    Once again Oba Odion went to his hiding place, between the soft folds of flesh of his Omotole. Whenever he laid his head to rest on her generous breasts, the howl of wild beasts could not drag him away. He forgot about rebellious villagers who needed to be made examples of and the nagging doubts of members of his council with selfish interests. He forgot about the invisible rope that hung around his neck daily.
    Omotole was the daughter of a nobleman who had travelled to Benin in search of fortune and prosperity. He did not find prosperity but found fortune in the form of a bow-legged, light skinned beauty who thought after she spoke and was never really made for motherhood. She bore him five children and each time she gave birth a little part of her seemed to die. Omotole was her last born and the Oba believed she schemed her way out of her mother’s womb. What she lacked in looks she more than made up for with her wily ways.
    It was Omotole who had devised the plan to snare more villages outside Benin to increase the kingdom and Omotole who whispered the idea of a fresh bride to confuse the greedy noblemen who resided in the royal court. If Oba Odion had his wish, he would have dismissed some of the council and appointed Omotole as one of his official advisers. But a woman could not be given such a coveted position and a king could not be openly seen to do such things. Omotole was dutifully rewarded for her contribution; the Obawas affectionate and of all the eight brides, she resided in the most comfortable quarters in the Queens’ palace, but to her, there was still more to be done and she knew that for her the Oba possessed an easily bent ear.
    â€œAh, tongues will be wagging that you have wickedly abandoned your new bride.” She said, tucking her legs between the Oba’s. They lay on a large leather mat that cushioned their bodies and their plans.
    â€œThen let them wag, the girl should be grateful. Does she know how many young women would like to be the wife of a king?”
    Omotole laughed coldly. “You should at least wait a few days before leaving her like that Odion, it is cruel and believe it or not, I sympathise a little.”
    â€œSilence!” Oba Odion stood abruptly and tightened the dropping cloth around his waist.
    â€œI thought this was what you wanted?” He reminded her.
    â€œYes but you must at least play the dutiful husband for sometime, let things settle eh?”
    â€œWho is the king of Benin, you or me?”
    She moved towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You are king, Oba of Benin and strong in your ways and will.”
    As she settled her ample frame into his, Oba Odion parsed a single thought and it was this: that he envied simple men, with their simple ways and trivial problems. Yet again that night he abandoned his new wife and stayed in Omotole’s quarters. While they slept, the spirit of his father, Oba Anuje chuckled outside Omotole’s door. And knocked. Twice.

Wahala Don Wear Shoe
    The fall of a great kingdom did not always start with war. Sometimes, it took a vicious wish shrouded by the hot breath of a bitter woman, or rebellious words broken out of the mouths of ambitious councillors desirous to form their own army, perhaps even the good intentions of a craftsman, locked in an arm wrestle with the voice of a king’s slain rival.
    Ere was such a craftsman who had toiled in the service of Oba Odion for many years. He worked leather, clay, wood and brass. There was nothing his touch could not mould or caress into life and there was no royal emblem that Ere had not had a hand in since Oba Odion fought his way to rule over Benin. These included the crown, ritual swords, the throne, showpieces and art brass pieces he had created, to celebrate Benin and the power the Oba possessed. Oba Odion also had a wealth of weavers, carvers and potters who threw