The royal party was met at the entrance of the camp by two of Rufar’s soldiers, and conducted to the meeting tent of the enemy king, where a large group of people awaited them. The king and his elders, Rufar and his countrymen, all rose with every appearance of respect as they entered. They were conducted to the area reserved for them, and delicious-looking savouries and wine were set before them, although these remained untouched.
‘When everyone was settled, the king spoke.
‘ “I count myself happy to see this day, when our two tribes sit down together to discuss our differences like sane men. For this I thank my friend Rufar, whom we all know and honour.”
‘ “Rufar bowed to the king. Adanna glanced briefly in his direction. In broad daylight, it was evident that his legendary hideousness had been much exaggerated.
‘He was not the monstrous creature that the fables would have one believe. In fact, apart from the scar, his towering height, and his heavy gold earrings, he was virtually normal.
‘She turned away quickly as he caught her eye, and looked again at the king, who had continued to speak.
‘ “Following much discussion, it has been determined among us that given two important conditions, peace between our nations will come. The first concerns our friend Rufar, and he will speak of it himself.”
‘ “Thank-you, my lord king,” Rufar began. “I will not waste words or time. Only one request I make of you, Prince Azi of the nomadic tribe of Ramai. That in return for the emerald scarab of your kings, and my everlasting goodwill, you give me the hand of your sister Princess Adanna, for it is my wish to marry her.”
‘There was a universal gasp of shock and outrage from Princess Adanna’s party. Adanna felt the blood drain from her face, and then rush back, as she stared at Rufar in disbelief.
‘Beside her she could feel her young brother tense with anger as Rufar continued to speak.
‘ “In all my travels and exploits, I had not till now found a woman to suit me. Not one that I did not consider too timid, too cowed, too docile. The Princess Adanna is both beautiful and brave, and has a wild and dangerous streak. It is my belief that she would suit me well.” ‘ “Trembling with rage, Prince Azi spoke. “Sir, you have gone too far. Do not think I will forget this insult to my sister and myself.” He addressed his party. “We need waste no further time here - rise, let us be going.”
‘Adanna restrained him with a gentle touch of her hand. It was vital that the delicate threads of diplomacy were not snapped by his impulsiveness.
‘ “Be not so hasty, my brother,” she said, with a calmness that belied her inner turmoil.
“I have not been insulted, as you suppose. On the contrary, any man who asks a woman’s hand in marriage does her the greatest honour, and deserves at least a considered reply.” She spoke directly to Rufar. “I thank you, sir. As you understand, I cannot give an answer straight away, but will give your proposal the consideration it deserves.”
‘She sensed that her tribesmen were even more startled by her reply than by Rufar’s request, but it was clear that both Rufar and the king were well pleased with her answer.
‘ “Wise words indeed,” said the king approvingly, then turned his steely gaze again to Prince Azi. “You will recall I said at the beginning that there was another condition. Two grown male lions cannot live peaceably in a pride. It is our wish that your tribe moves a little way to the south. In the years since your tribe settled in our land we have had nothing but war. Like us you are a strong and noble people, but we cannot live with you.
‘ “I know something of the history of your forebears; you have not yet reached the destination that they sought. Move away southwards, or eastwards if you will - establish your own kingdom and live in peace in it.”
‘There was silence in the vast tent after this speech. Then Prince Azi spoke.
‘ “You have given us much to think on, my lord king. Such great issues cannot be decided on at once. We will give you our answer in a week’s time. As you have hosted us today, so we will be your hosts. Next week you come to us.”
‘Rufar and the king bowed, and the king replied for both of them.
‘ “It shall be as you wish.”
‘Princess Adanna and her brother talked long into that night.
‘Upon their return to their camp, Abdu the commander of their armies and the tribal elder had spoken briefly before they retired. They had made it clear that they would abide by their decision regarding the migration of the tribe, regardless of what it might be. As the rulers of the tribe, the difficult decision rested with them alone. Of the other matter they said nothing.
‘At length, many hours later, Prince Azi spoke conclusively. “I am decided, my sister. The tribe shall move southwest again.”
‘ “It will be very hard, my brother,” said Adanna quietly.
‘ “It would be harder still to stay. We have lost great men these several years. We could perhaps lose more. And we have not yet found the land that Oman sought. The ruler of the lakeside people speaks the truth. We would find greater peace in a land that was our own.”
‘Adanna bowed. “The king has spoken.”
‘Azi looked searchingly at her. “And the other proposal, my sister?”
‘ “That is a decision I must make alone.”
‘In the small hours of the morning Adanna walked by the lake. She stared out at the rippling, moonlit waters for a long, long while. When she turned again towards the camp, her mind was made up.
‘On her way back, to her surprise, her brother met her.
‘ “I could not sleep,” he explained simply.
‘Daylight was breaking, the horizon a crimson pink with streaks of grey.
‘Azi glanced at her and sighed, a long, deep sigh.
‘ “You are decided,” he said. It was not a question.
‘She nodded. “I shall accept.”
‘ “But why?”
‘ “If it be the price of our wellbeing and the return of our precious heirloom, I will not obstruct the fortunes of the tribe.” She broke off for a few moments, then continued. “Besides all this, my brother, I am twenty-one years of age. The maidens I grew up with are all married, with children of their own.
‘ “I too had not yet found a mate to suit me. Our men are brave and strong, but like not these same qualities in their women. No other man has offered for my hand - no other would dare. It may be that I shall find happiness with that roguish general. And if I do not, my brother - there are horses, there are camels, and there is a wide world unexplored!”
‘Prince Azi shook his head. “He was right, my sister, you are a wild one.” There was infinite sadness in his eyes, and his voice grew choked. “What shall I do without you, Adanna?”
‘She touched his smooth cheek tenderly. “You shall be a king, my brother. Does not the blood of Prince Ramai flow in your veins?” You will be a great and good ruler, and your people shall love you as I always will.”
‘Azi embraced his sister with tears in his eyes, and together they returned to the camp.
‘There was yet one more sad task for the young prince, for when news of the decision to migrate spread around the camp, the elders of one of the great households of the tribe came to seek an audience with him.
‘ “We have heard of the decision you have made, my lord, and have come to ask you leave to travel also, not to the southwest but to the southeast, where we have heard news of a good land near the sea.”
‘Prince Azi gave them leave. “I wish you well, my brothers, and that you find the land you seek. Never forget that we are brethren, no matter how far apart we may dwell.”
‘Two great ceremonies were held before the tribe of Ramai left the area. Prince Azi was crowned king, and a week later he saw his sister Adanna married to the army commander Rufar. At this ceremony the king of the lakeside people was an honoured guest, and the tribes that in the past had shed each other’s blood now ate and drank and danced together, far into the night.
‘Shortly after this, King Azi of the tribe of Ramai bade his sister a fond and tearful farewell. With the ancestral scarab restored, and his faithful general Abdu at his side, he led his tribe southwest.
‘The tribe came in some years’ time to a place called Nok, near a great plateau, not far from the place where the two tributaries of the River Niger join in one. They found in that place peaceful people, who also practised the art of iron smelting, for migrants from a place called Oea had brought it to them generations before. From these people the nomads learned to make terracotta pots and figures.
‘They did not stay long in that place, but moved again, coming soon to the River Niger.
‘After this, my children, their journey was much faster, for they travelled due south by the river. But the journey was not easy, for many of them fell prey to malaria, and several of them died.
‘Eventually, they settled in this area, in Igbo-Ora, not far from the Niger delta. King Azi was then about forty years old, with children of his own. The people prospered with their trade in ironware and terracotta, and also farmed the rich and rain-drenched soil. Over the generations, their language developed into the Igbo we speak now.
‘There have been over sixty kings, or Ezes, in Igbo-Ora since Azi. Your father is the present one, and your brother the crown prince Azie will be Eze after him.”
Again, there was silence in their grandmother’s chamber. The lamp guttered and went out. Orie scurried to light it again. Outside, an owl hooted as it swooped on its prey.
‘And that, my children,’ Nne said, ‘is the story of your forebears.’
‘That is a wonderful story, Nne,’ Aku said. ‘Who told it to you?’
‘My grandmother, who heard it from her grandmother as well. One day, my daughter, you too shall tell your grandchildren the story of our tribe.’
‘One day, perhaps,’ Princess Aku replied. ‘But before that I shall travel.’
Her brother Obi snorted with laughter, and Orie’s high-pitched giggle echoed him.
‘You cannot travel, you are a girl,’ he said with exaggerated patience. ‘Who will cook your husband’s meals for you while you gallivant around the world?’
With a swift, sharp poke in the ribs, Aku showed him what she thought of this.
‘I wish to see the lands my forebears travelled,’ she said dreamily. ‘Where Ramai and Nerisa, and Princess Adanna, one time lived. And far beyond.’
Her grandmother had not laughed.
‘Who knows, my child, perhaps one day you will,’she said gravely. ‘You are named for the Princess Adanna, for that is one of your given names. I dreamt at your birth of an eagle, and a voice that seemed to say that this princess would be different from any born since the great King Azi came.
‘Rise, my daughter - your hair is done.’
