The people of Dakoma, who had earlier rejoiced over their new king following the death of King Edo, began to regret their choice only a few months into King Egado's reign.
Mr. Okro, a hardworking farmer, was speaking with his friend, Mr. Ogbeke, while they worked on the farm.
"Our land is no longer yielding well," Mr. Okro lamented. "Every day we sweat like goats in the sun, yet it feels as if we are wasting our time. Since King Egado became king, instead of things getting better, they have grown worse."
"You are right, my friend," Mr. Ogbeke replied. "Everything is now in bad condition. This king, who never sets foot on a farm, has laid down a rule that we must pay 30% of our harvest to him every month. No king before him has ever done such a thing.
"And as if that is not enough," he continued, lowering his voice, "our daughters of marriageable age, especially the beautiful ones, must be careful not to cross the king's path. If care is not taken, they will end up as concubines in his palace. In this land, a goat that strays into the lion's den should not complain when it does not return."
Mr. Okro shook his head. "You are right, friend. But one thing we must ask ourselves: Did the gods choose King Egado, or was it the king's council that imposed him on us? For I know the gods cannot choose wrongly."
Mr. Ogbeke responded, "The king's council knows our customs and traditions. They would not dare to act without the gods."
"Maybe you are right," Mr. Okro sighed. "We can only pray the gods deliver us from this wicked king. When a tree grows crooked, the axe will surely visit it."
Meanwhile, the king's council gathered at the Traditional Prime Minister's house to discuss the troubles that had plagued the land since King Egado's coronation.
Chief Brutata spoke first. "What we feared has begun to happen. My fellow chiefs, what shall we do? Our hands are tied like a goat's legs before market."
Chief Araba rose. "Do we not think the gods are fighting us?"
Chief Okere nodded. "It must be the gods. We forgot the warning of the Chief Priest on the day we refused to wait for divine guidance and chose a king ourselves. He said we would regret it, and now his words have come to pass."
Chief Odele added, "We are not yet sure. We must consult a Chief Priest to know what is truly happening."
"Are we going back to our own Chief Priest?" Okere asked.
Chief Efe shook his head. "Not necessarily. We can go to another kingdom to seek help. Our Chief Priest will not even want to hear our plea."
The Traditional Prime Minister cleared his throat. "We shall decide in the next market day. Either we confront the king about the happenings in the land, or we seek spiritual help to know how to solve this kingdom's problem."
Meanwhile, in the Peninsula Kingdom, the king had shown great interest in Paramodice and Princess Oasi. The princess teased Paramodice in the room given to them by the king.
"My love, you are the best magician," she laughed. "I never thought you would later turn to magic."
Paramodice smiled. "Loving princess, I am no magician. I only follow the instruction the old man gave me, and I believe in the God who sent him." They both laughed.
"We thank God for keeping our love alive," Paramodice continued. "There is no beauty like that of a flower, and that is you, my princess. There is no scent so sweet, and that is you, my princess."
The princess laughed. "You are just trying to flatter me, right?"
Paramodice smiled. "You deserve more than flattery. You are everything to me. As air is to life, so you are to me."
The princess replied thoughtfully, "Love is more powerful than death. Even when we were about to be sacrificed, our love did not die. Perhaps that is why God Himself chose to keep us alive."
"Yes, my love," Paramodice said. "Death has no grip on us, for love is stronger than death.
They were now treated like true children of the kingdom, not just as strangers but as part of the royal household.
"You are right, my love," the princess said. "See where your 'magic' has brought us."
Paramodice chuckled. "Magic ke? I am not a magician." They both laughed again.
Taking her hand, he said, "I will always fight to defend you, even if it costs me my life. If we must die, then we will die together."
The princess smiled. "I love that we now live among people who accept us. Are we not like lovers who once made love in the forest?"
Paramodice teased, "But you always loved being in the forest. Maybe you should go back there while I stay in the palace."
"Do you not love me?" the princess asked, feigning anger. "Did you not say you would always be with me?"
"I am just joking," Paramodice said quickly. "How could I ever let you go alone into the forest? To do what?"
"We have a dream," he continued. "A purpose we share, and we are building a great future together. Do not forget, my princess—our kingdom awaits us."
"Let us sleep," the princess said softly. "It is getting late. Do not forget the king has something to discuss with us tomorrow."
"You are right, my princess," Paramodice replied. They lay down, holding each other tightly as sleep overcame them.
At cockcrow the next morning in Dakoma, Chief Araba stormed into the Prime Minister's house, his face dark with rage.
"What has happened, Chief Araba?" the Prime Minister asked.
"I think the king is chewing more than he can swallow," Araba spat. "This I will not take. He has touched the crocodile's tail, and it will bite him."
Chief Brutata, the Prime Minister, tried to calm him. "Please, tell me what happened."
Araba's voice trembled. "This morning my son came to me in tears. Yesterday evening he was flogged by the king's guards because he refused to release his fiancée to the king. He was passing through the palace road late, never expecting to meet the king. The guards seized his betrothed, beat him, and released him only this morning—after the king had slept with his fiancée and decided to make her his concubine."
The Prime Minister sighed. "I understand your anger, but storming the palace may cost you your post or even your life. Exercise patience until the next market day when we will meet again. Please, heed my advice."
Meanwhile, the youth of Dakoma, led by their leader Obati, arrived at the Prime Minister's house, singing songs of lamentation.
"The great youth of Sakoma, I greet you," the Prime Minister said.
They responded in unison, "We greet you, Traditional Prime Minister."
Obati stepped forward. "We, the youth, are tired of what is happening in this kingdom. If the king's council refuses to act, we will take matters into our own hands. A chick that cries too long invites the hawk."
"I greet you again, great youth of Sakoma," the Prime Minister replied. "I beg you, take it easy with us. We, the chiefs, are not blind or deaf. We are planning what to do. Please, do not make any rash moves."
Obati turned to his peers. "Am I speaking the truth?"
"Yes, you are!" they chorused.
"But if we do not see changes soon," Obati warned, "we will have no choice but to act in our own way."
The youths then marched back to their homes, still singing songs that expressed their displeasure.
The next morning in the Peninsula, the king summoned Paramodice and his wife. He dismissed his guards and spoke plainly.
"I want to thank you for what you have done for my household," the king said warmly. "Especially what your God did."
Paramodice and Princess Oasi bowed. "Long live the King of Peninsula. We appreciate your support despite being strangers in your kingdom."
The king asked curiously, "I never knew the kingdom you came from. Where are you from?"
Paramodice replied, "I am from Sakoma. I was held captive and imprisoned by Dakoma before I escaped with my princess.
Princess Oasi is the only daughter of the Dakoma kingdom.
The king's eyes widened. "Do you mean your wife is the princess of Dakoma?"
"Yes," Paramodice answered. "I escaped from Dakoma with her help, for we love each other dearly."
King Tatara leaned forward. "It is good to know this. But do not let anyone in this kingdom—not even my council—know she is a princess. Dakoma is our greatest enemy. If they find out, they will want to kill her."
"Once again, you are welcome to my great kingdom and my family," the king concluded.
Paramodice and Princess Oasi replied, "We also appreciate you, great king of Peninsula." They then went back to their room.
But unknown to them, one of the palace guards—who had been unhappy since the day Paramodice and his wife were promoted—had overheard everything.