Read Online When Gods Bleed by Njedeh Anthony - Free Book Online Page B

people of Alloida went about with their normal trade, ignoring the threat of the imminent storms. They were known for being insatiable, this was the result of a curse put on them by a virgin girl they burnt on a stake, claiming she was a witch. The real reason for her death was either her blatant refusal to marry Chief Hejieto or the acceptance of the religion of a group of missionaries.
    As much as the people tried to deny it, from that day, the respect for the missionary’s God grew to extreme heights. They watched these white missionaries kneel and beg for the life of this girl while the other Portuguese tradesmen laughed at them. After the girl’s death, the missionaries migrated from the province. Gbangba’s beheading of a Portuguese trader made the other white men in the province flee.
    Gbangba sat on his throne-like seat, which had arms made of elephant tusk and the hides of bulls, awaiting his guest. His visitor, the highest priest of the Ifa god, emerged looking fifteen years older than he was. He also did not have the characteristics of the highest priest. Firstly, highest priests were typically old and wrinkled, but this man was middle aged. Secondly, he seemed to have verve in his bones. Lastly, he did not seem like the kind of man who would bend over to publicize his god. The fact that he was blind was no surprise. In the past, the highest priests of each god always had a form of defect because of old age. Some could not see; they were normally unable to speak aloud, or they were partially deaf. As the blind man approached, the general and the chief's envoy were surprised by the unconformable features of the highest priest of the Ifa god.
    The Ifa priest ignored the presence of the men in the room. He walked directly in front of the chief. “I would like to talk to you alone.”
    Gbangba waited a while, looking at the blind man, then he signaled the men in the room to wait for him in another chamber. As they left, the blind man sat down.
    “I was under the impression that the custom of our society made a man like you require my permission before you sit,” the chief told the Ifa priest.
    “I could tell you a thousand apologies, but none of them would weigh as much as a feather.”
    “Now I see why they always choose an older man with eyes to be the highest priest of a god.”
    “I would love to engage in this petty encounter with you but my time is limited.”
    “I am so sorry, great one ,’’ Gbangba said with great theatrics. “If only I realized how totally useless my time is and how valuable yours was, I would have treated you as the King you are.”
    “Save your sarcasm, your friend's life is in danger.”
    “Which friend?”
    “Obi.”
    The anger in his face radiated and he rose as he spoke.
    “Who is the dead man that wants to touch a hair of his skin?”
    “The King.”
    “The King.” His voice faded as he sat back down. “Why?”
    “Did you ever hear of Queen Aneaton?”
    “The queen who refused to sacrifice her son when asked to by the King.”
    “Well, that son is your friend.”
    “That’s impossible. The Ogun priest sacrificed the child.”
    “Yes, there was a sacrifice, but there was a switch.”
    “It still does not make sense. I grew up with him and he does not look like the King. He is slim, whilst the King is as big as I am. Not to mention the King is lighter than he is.”
    “Your friend ’s life is in danger and he needs your help.”
    “How long has he known?”
    “A long time now. He always kept it to himself, but as of now he does not know that his secret is now with his father, the King.”
    “How did you know?”
    “I have my ways and I have a limited time to inform him before they get to him.”
    “What makes you think you will get to him before they do?”
    “As I said, I have my ways.”
    “I am to believe that you have Obi's infinite trust?” Gbangba's voice rose.
    “Honestly, I have never been acqu ainted with him, but by the end of the day, I