Traitors Amongst Us

Ife, Northwest Africa

Her skin was obsidian. Her dark brown eyes covered him with lust as he undressed before her in the dimly lit room. She strutted over to him with only her lustful stare, “Thank you for all that you have done,” she said as she showered him with tiny kisses.

“What will you do with the girl? I promised Enofe we would not harm her.”

She chuckled, “You should not make promises you cannot keep.”

“We have no reason to kill her.”

She held his chin, “That blessing she has was supposed to be our daughter’s.”

When Aminata worked under Nneka’s command, all the women were warned not to get involved with outsiders. But Aminata found herself spending time with Joaquin. Rumors began.

After several weeks, Nneka confronted Aminata and said, “You are spending too much time with that pale-faced demon.”

“The man is not a demon.”

“So you don’t deny?”

“He’s harmless. Only asks questions about how we live here in Ife.”

“And you have not given yourself to him?”

“Nothing more than a kiss.”

He touched her face, “Do you ever think about her?” he asked. He was told that the baby didn’t survive birth. His heart was broken. That was his first and only child.

“Yes,” she replied. Her mind flashed to that night she delivered her child in the woods. She looked at the child and cried, “NOOOOOO! Why would the Gods do this, noooooo!” she left the crying baby in the woods.

“Right now, I just want to feel you,” she said as her hands caressed his muscular back and tight ass. I have waited all day to feel you inside of me.

He lifted her. She guided his monstrous cock into her opening and moaned loudly, “Ahhhhhh, Kwento, yes!!!!”

He held her tightly by the ass. He bounced her with ease on his thick long cock. Their lips touched. Years went by since they had been lovers. He had never married or had children. After Nneka lost their child, she moved away and married a man she met in Northern Africa who was mixed with both Roman and Arabic blood. They had a son. Then they went to Rome to live there for a while.

“Ahhhh, ahhhh, oh,” she moaned in delight. He filled her center with plenty of gooey substance. She hummed, “By morning, Enofe and his sons will be dead, and we will make sure you, my love, become the leader of that village.”

He smiled, “And you will marry me. We will have another child?”

She smiled, “If the Gods deem it so, yes.”

******

Northumbria

It was time for a meal. The staff went all out to serve King Charles and his family. They were excited to hear that his daughter was marrying Prince Oswald. As they sat enjoying their meals. Darleen sulked. Winfred nudged her, “Now, who is the grumpy one?” she joked.

“I’m not grumpy. I’d simply prefer the comforts of a palace meal and not whatever this is.”

She grabbed her cup and sipped. As she sat pouting, suddenly, she felt a strange sensation. She squirmed in her seat. She took a deep breath.

“Are you all right, cousin?” Winfred asked.

“Yes, of course.” She looked across the room and saw two familiar faces. The eyes of the women pierced into her. Her heart thumped. She gulped. She grabbed her cup and took back every bit of ale before standing.

They looked at her oddly. The Queen squinted, “What is it?”

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, “I’m going to find the little hole that is my room and see if I can get some rest. The faster I go to bed and wake up...this nightmare can be over.”

They watched as she marched off.

Darleen made it to her room. It had a twin-sized bed, and one round table with a candle, the walls were rustic, and the floor was a little dusty. “Dreadful, just dreadful,” she complained as she undressed. After she placed her dress on a chair in the corner of the room, she sat on the bed. To her surprise, it was comfortable.

She laid back. Her eyes were on the ceiling. In the morning, this will all be over, she thought, before closing her eyes. She hummed as her mind pulled up images of Liam. Soon she would be at the castle, close enough to sink her claws into him. He would be a nice catch, a prince, a brother to a future king.

She smiled as she imagined him kissing her mouth. She moaned in delight. Her thoughts gave her pleasure, as did her finger on her gem. Lost in passion, she climaxed and giggled. She was officially ready for slumber, but there was a sound...a deep groan.

Her eyes peeled open, and she sat up and searched the room; it was only her. She laid back once more, “uuuuuuuuuuuuuu,” the voice sounded.

She sat up in a panic. She saw the faces again. Two sets of eyes glued to her. She shook her head frantically, “This isn’t real.” She closed her eyes and opened them. They were gone.

She laid back. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind. Anything she did or had done was in service to her cousin. She would do anything to keep her favor. Her chest rose and fell. She was asleep.

After falling into a deep sleep, she started to gag. Her eyes opened. Agnes’s hands were around her neck. Gunna stood by the door watching. She watched as Darleen kicked and fought for air. Her eyes teared. She was fading. There was a loud thud. Darleen sat up and gasped. She felt her neck as she scrambled to leave the bed. Her feet carried her to the door. It opened; there was Graham, “Is everything okay?”

“Where is your room, Graham?”

“M’lady, it’s just down the hall.”

“Let’s go,” she demanded as she grabbed his arm.

He protested, “There is no way you’re coming to my room. I rather like my job at the castle.”

“Please. I need to stay with you until daylight. I can’t be in that room.”

Reluctantly, he agreed: they walked to his room. “No one can know I slept here,” she said rudely.

His eyebrow lifted as he removed his shirt, “Believe me, I won’t be telling a soul.”

Her eyes danced across his skin. He had muscles. A sexy older man. She cleared her throat, “I don’t know that the bed will be big enough for both of us.”

“There’s a chair in the corner,” he replied as he lay in the bed.

She looked at the chair and sighed.

*******

Scandinavia

Since Ida was taking care of things while Sigurd was away, she kept a room in the great hall. She was in her room when Yana entered, “Am I disturbing you?” Yana asked.

“I was preparing for sleep; what do you need?” Ida asked as she sat on the bed.

“We hardly speak. I was hoping we could be friends. Your brother and I are married. I am having his child.”

Ida was silent for a moment, “Friends. I don’t have many. Beyond my brother, I don’t trust many people. There usually seems to be some motive behind their friendship.”

Yana cleared her throat, “That is such an unfortunate life.”

“Yes. But it has kept me alive thus far.”

“You don’t like me. I can see this. I’ve done nothing to you. All I’m asking for—”

“I’ve seen you prance around here bossing the servants around. I have not seen you communicate with them as if they are people. You are ambitious. This I know. That is what I see.”

“And what about you? You speak of trust as if you're the only one that has to be weary around others when you---”

Ida stood, “When I what?”

Yana took a deep breath, “I won’t fight you.”

“I wasn’t going to fight you. I am merely asking that you state what you mean.”

“You lie with another woman’s husband and disrupt their marriage. How can you even be trusted?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation. I don’t have to prove myself to you or anyone. You can go now.”

Yana was about to leave. Ida stopped her, “You should be careful of those that run to you with tales of sorrow, gossip, and hate. You could find yourself in a much worse position than you started with.”

Yana gulped as she turned to leave. She stomped back to her room with tears in her eyes. She dropped down on the bed.

After calming her nerves, she received a visit from Revna, “Come with me,” Revna insisted.

Yana reached for a jacket and stepped outside, “What is it at this hour?”

“We have to leave.”

“Leave?”

“I got word from the Seer. I saw her leaving. She had her things packed. There is danger coming.”

Yana was at a loss. “This is my home now. I can’t just leave. What if we sent word to my husband...he could return and defend—”

“There is no time. We have to leave tonight or first thing in the morning.”

“Shouldn’t we tell the people?”

“Ida would never leave this place undefended. She will want to fight. Our best chance at surviving is to leave. We can eventually find our husbands and start new someplace else. You can raise your new baby away from here.”

Yana nodded, “I’ll meet you in a few moments. I must pack some things.”

Revna smiled and hurried away.

******

Ife, Northwest Africa

Enofe was about a mile from his home. There were men with him, “Stay here,” he ordered them, “I need time to get home so no one will be suspicious of me.”

The men nodded. The most sinister one asked, “And where will the girl be?”

“She sleeps in the bedroom with my niece. I don’t want anyone else harmed. Just do what you came to do, and take the girl and leave.”

“Perhaps you can do something to encourage the girl to leave the room. It would be better if we could capture her alone.”

Enofe nodded, “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Here, take this,” The sinister one said as he handed Enofe a bag.

“What is this?” he asked.

“Burn these in the rooms; it will help everyone fall into a deep sleep. We’ll take care of the ones camped outside.”

Enofe nodded, “I will have to wait until I draw the girl out of the room.”

The men agreed. They watched him hurry off toward his house. The man gave an evil grin that matched his mean eyes, “We will do exactly what we were paid to do.”

*****

Late that night, Enofe snuck into the house. First, he burned the incense in the boys' room where Samba, Sani, and Oluwa slept. Then he burned one in his parents’ room. Afterward, he went to his room. His wife was still up. Her eyes were glued on him, “Where have you been all day?” she questioned as she positioned herself upright.

“Keep your voice down.”

“My voice is down,” she snapped, “answer the question. Are you sleeping with some other woman?”

He huffed, “It’s enough to deal with you. Why would I be crazy to add another woman?”

“What are you up to, Enofe? Your father and sisters expressed a lot of concerns about your behavior—”

“Nothing is going on. You said you wanted a better life. I am trying to provide that.”

“By doing what?”

“Just go to sleep,” he commanded before leaving the room.

*****

Sade was passed out on the floor. Yande lay in bed next to Chidi. “Are you sure you’re okay with me courting Oluwa?” Chidi asked.

Yande smiled, “I am very sure. You two belong together. In two years, I will return. You both will welcome me at the docks, just as Kalu and Adefolake welcomed my mother and father. Your belly will be full of life, and you will be so happy.”

Chidi smiled as she welcomed Yande’s prediction. She yawned, “I’m going to sleep now; love you, cousin.”

“I love you too. Yande left the bed. She went to the floor rest next to Sade. Around her neck, she wore a black crystal and a tiny locket. The house was quiet, but her mind was loud. Her mind flashed to the blind girl she saw. The woman grabbed her arms. She sighed. In the morning, she would go with her grandfather to question the killer about his actions. That brought her some peace. She wanted to discover what her uncle was up to.

There was a soft tap on the door. Yande stood. She walked a few steps to open the door slightly. She saw her uncle’s wild look, “Yes,” she answered impatiently.

“It’s my father. Come to check on him. He has fallen ill again.”

Without thinking, Yande left the room and turned right. As she walked, she didn’t feel her uncle’s presence behind her. She stopped, turned, and saw two men standing there. Her gut told her they were there to cause harm, but to what extent, she was not sure.

“Come with us, girl.”

“I am not going anywhere with you.”

They looked at each other and laughed. She backed slowly toward the room of her grandfather. Suddenly she heard an awful sound. It sent chills down her spine. Yande left the men in the hall and hurried into the room.

Her grandfather held his bleeding throat. She saw a man standing over her sleeping grandmother, “Don’t,” she demanded.

“Come with us, or she dies.”

“I’ll come. Just step away from her.”

He stepped away from Chiagoze. His feet brought him closer to Yande. Just as he stepped to her, she opened the locket and blew the dust into his face. His eyes turned red, his veins turned black, and blood oozed from his mouth. She snatched his sword and then drove it into his belly. She turned to see the other men closing in on her.

“Samba! Oluwa! Sani!” she called to the boys.

The men laughed, “They won’t be coming to save you.”

Yande readied herself for a fight.

The men drew closer, “Come on, pretty girl, you don’t want to fight,” one man said.

His sword was drawn, “We aren’t supposed to kill you, but things happen.” He swung hard. The swords met. Yande and the men fought for several minutes. Enofe entered the room.

She knew by the look in his eyes that he was behind the **** of his father, “How could you?” she asked him.

He suddenly felt guilty seeing his father lying on the bed fighting for his last breaths.

“Help me stop these men, Uncle. So I can help grandfather live, please,” she begged.

He pulled out his weapon. One of the men laughed, “So you have had a change of heart.”

Mahammadu ran into the room with a blade. He cut the villain on the leg whom Yande fought, causing him to collapse. Yande took the sword and pierced his heart. Just as Enofe was finishing off his villain, they heard another sound.

Yande saw blood spewing from Mahammadu’s mouth. There were more men. The leader sent a spear through the young man’s heart from behind. His body dropped, and life escaped him instantly.

Yande gasped.

Enofe screamed, “That was my son, my son!”

“We know. We are only doing what we were paid to do,” he said with a sinister grin.

Enofe held his son in his arms.

“He is gone. And so are all of your other sons.”

Enofe stood. He shook his head in disbelief, “No. No, not—” he ran out of his parent’s room.

Yande heard her uncle wail. A deep gut-wrenching sorrow. The man stared with bloodshot eyes at Yande, “Come with us before we kill the rest of your family.”

“What have you done with my parents?” she asked with concern. She wondered how they didn’t hear the commotion and come to their aid.

“They are still alive. Our boss gave us something to help them fall into a deep sleep. When they wake up...you will be long gone. Now come.”

She turned and looked at her grandfather. His eyes were still open. She stepped to him.

“Grab her,” the leader commanded. “And don’t even think about putting any juju on us. There will be more men to return here and finish the job if we don’t return with you. Your entire bloodline in Ife will be erased.”

Mobo's voice was raspy; he was fading, “It’s okay, granddaughter. I am going to be with my ancestors. I will watch over you with my mother.”

****

Northumbria

Most nights, as Liam lay sleeping, he thought of poems he could pen for his future lover. Lately, he had been writing more. That night as he lay sleeping, he dreamed of her.

He saw her standing by the river. Her hair cascaded down her back in luscious waves and curls. Her skin was fair, yet had this golden hue like a sunset. And her eyes. Her eyes captured his essence.

He approached her and spoke. She simply smiled. He smiled in return. His heart raced. They stood side-by-side and enjoyed the breeze of the day. Then she turned to him and said, “My prince.”

He smiled. His hand reached out to touch her pretty face. He moved in closer for a kiss but she disappeared.

Liam woke up. He looked around his room. There was no one but him. His cock was wet with his DNA. He huffed as he realized he needed a wash bowl to clean himself.

*****

Soft rays of sunlight poured through the window of the small room. Graham lay in bed. He grunted. His right arm was numb. He turned right to discover why. He found Darleen nestled in his arms. He gave her a little push.

Her eyes opened, “Oh my,” she said as she sat up.

“You should get back to your room before anyone notices.”

She nodded, “You’re right. Thanks for being a gentleman.”

He nodded to her just before she left his room.

On her way back to her room, The Queen spotted her, “Darleen,” she called out.

Darleen attempted to fix her hair as Queen Godgifu approached her, “My goodness, Darleen, you look awful.”

“I couldn’t sleep. I have been up practically all night.”

“Well, hurry and ready yourself. We will be leaving shortly. If we start now...we can be at the castle before nightfall.”

******

Kattegat

It was rare, but sometimes, Jarl Erick would entertain both wives. The morning arrived. He would be gone soon in search of treasures on the open sea. However, he was perfectly content with the two in his bed.

He watched as his wives kissed as he stood by the foot of the bed. He fingered their wet centers. They dripped honey on his fingers and giggled as they turned around and tooted their asses in the air. He kissed each and rubbed before he pushed his cock into his youngest wife, Emma.

He stroked passionately. He gave her every inch; she pushed back on him. She took it with ease. His left hand caressed his older wife, Freja. Once he felt Emma’s walls vibrate on his cock, he pulled out and pushed into Freja, “Ummmm,” she moaned as she looked back at him.

He pulled her ass cheeks open wider. He watched his rod glide between her pussy lips, “SSS, ahhhhh,” he groaned.

He was near the peak. He felt it rising. His eyes closed, and he remembered that Emma wanted another child. So he backed away from Freja. He slipped into Emma. He stroked rapidly and exploded. It was done.

He pulled out. His cock dripped with juices. Freja smiled as she looked at Emma, hopefully, by the time our husband returns, you will be with his child.

*****

The men were at the boats. Their families gathered to watch them sail off. Lovers hugged their loved ones. Parents hugged their sons and daughters. They offered prayers and blessings to the Gods for a safe voyage.

Jarl Sigurd was on his ship with his best friend and right-hand man, Sven. “May Odin bless this journey.”

Sven smiled, “He will. I am sure of it.”

For a moment, he looked at the ship where King Knud was. The King acknowledged him with a head nod. Jarl Sigurd returned the gesture and said to his friend, “I do not trust that man. I am sure he killed my father and brothers.”

“Then why are we sailing with him and his men.”

“The more men on this raid, the better. Besides, as soon as I find proof, I’ll have my reason to cut his throat and leave his body in England.”

******

Scandinavia

It was a small ship. The crew consisted of six men rowing at a nice pace. Yana sat near the rear of the ship with Revna. They looked out at the vast ocean before them. They had been sailing all night. It was now daylight. Yana was feeling a bit queasy. She had not been on such a long ride since she was taken from her birthplace.

“How much longer?” she asked Revna.

“My cousin says as long as everything stays calm, we should arrive soon.”

The captain, Revna's cousin, Sif eyed her. Revna stood and walked to the other end of the boat, “Where are we going?”

“I told you I had business in Finland. Once I’m done there, we’ll go back to Scandinavia to my lands near the mountains. You will be safe there until Jarl Sigurd returns.”

Revna smiled. Just as she was about to walk away. He grabbed her arm, “Why am I pretending to be your cousin?”

Revna sighed, “You know why.”

He smirked, “I don’t know why you married him when he loved another. I would have gladly given you anything.”

She was silent. He licked his lips, "Tonight. I expect payment.”

“I will pay you. We have to be discrete.”

He rubbed her ass before she walked off.

******

Ife, Northwest Africa

The sun was shining, but it was a gloomy day. Sade’s eyes flickered, and she moaned before slowly sitting up, “My head, I feel so tired,” she said as she looked around. She didn’t see Yande next to her. She saw Yande’s things; her shoes, her clothes, her bag of crystals, and her weapons.

She got up and walked over to Chidi and woke her, “Wake up. Where is Yande?”

Chidi sat up. She was still groggy, “I feel horrible.”

“I feel the same. I was fine before I went to sleep.”

“So was I.” Chidi got out of bed, “And Yande?”

“I do not know.”

They both hurried from the room. They screamed in terror. One dead body of a strange man in the hallway. Next to one of their cousin’s dead bodies.

The boys hurried to their aid, “What is wrong?” Oluwa asked; he quickly realized the issue when he saw the blood and the bodies.

Samba’s eyes widened, “Where is my sister?”

“She wasn’t in the room,” replied Sade.

They heard a terrible cry from their grandparents’ room. They hurried inside and saw Chiagoze rocking back and forth on the floor. On the bed was Mobo.

Chidi cried and fell into Oluwa’s arms. Samba approached his grandmother, “Grandmother, what happened?”

All she could do was rock back and forth. Samba looked back at Sani, “I have to get my mother.”

Zauna and her husband were away for the night. They had no idea that terror had struck their loved ones at home.

“And where is Uncle Enofe?” asked Sani.

The three young men were at a loss. They took the young ladies out of the room. They consoled them as best as they could. When they reached the main room, they saw Enofe’s other sons and his wife were slain.

Samba hurried out of the house. He went to his mother’s tent outside. “Mother, father!” he cried out.

Inside the tent, everyone seemed to be affected by some chemical. Samba saw the weird-looking sticks outside the tents. He had seen one in their room. His mother and father emerged from the tent groggy, “What is it, son?” asked Joaquin.

Aminata saw the terrified look on her son’s face, “Where is Yande? What has happened?”

Before Samba could speak, she saw that he was holding something, a burned stick with a substance covering it, “Where did you get that?”

“These were by the tents and in the house, Mother—”

She shook her head. Kalu and Adefolake emerged, “What on earth is happening?” asked Kalu.

“I’m afraid something terrible,” replied Samba, "In the house."

Aminata grabbed the item from Samba and showed it to Adefolake. Her eyes widened, “It couldn’t be.”

“It is her. She will never stop trying to hurt me or my family.” She screamed as she hurried toward the house.

They followed her. Inside, Chidi was being consoled by Sade. Oluwa and Sani were busy carrying the dead bodies to the main room. Aminata held it together when she walked inside, “Where is my mother?” she asked.

“She is still in her room,” replied Sani.

She nodded. She walked that way. She saw her mother sitting on the floor. She rocked back and forth and cried out, “No, no, no.”

Aminata reached for her mother, “Mother, come, let’s make you an herbal tea to settle your nerves.” She helped her stand.

“Why, why, all we ever did was love him. Why would he do this?”

“Who, Mother?”

“It was Enofe. He came into our room. He burned those incense. I couldn’t move, but I heard their voices. I heard everything. He knew. He watched those men kill your father. He let those men take your daughter.”

Aminata gulped. Rage burned inside her, but she remained calm and walked her mother to the main room. By then, some of the aunties from the village had come to see what was happening. The cries in the room were enough to break anyone’s heart.

One auntie pointed at Joaquin, “Maybe you should have stayed away from here. You should not have brought those cursed children here.”

Samba looked down at the floor.

“My children are not cursed! This has nothing to do with me or my children. Only the greed and ambitions of your nephew, Enofe.”

“Enofe?” she scoffed and kissed her teeth.

“Yes. Enofe,” Aminata said as she stared into her aunt’s eyes. “How dare you accuse my husband and my children of bringing this chaos here. Chaos was here long before our ship arrived back in Ife. This is Enofe’s doing. His entire family is dead, and where is he? He allowed this to happen. He let them take my daughter.”

Her aunts remained silent. Aminata looked at Kalu, “Someone has to get word to my sister; she has to return.”

He nodded, “I’ll go. I’ll take Oluwa and Sani with me.”

“Chidi,” Aminata spoke to her niece lovingly, “I know you are sad. I need you to be strong. Grandmother needs you to be strong.”

Chidi nodded. She wiped the tears from her eyes, “Yes, Auntie.”

“I will go with Joaquin and Adefolake to question the man who attacked yesterday's village meeting. He can give us some information on where to find the woman who took Yande.”

“And what will I do, mother? You can’t expect me to stay here while my sister is missing?”

“I need a man to stay. You are in charge until a new leader is determined.”

“Me?”

“Yes,” she placed her hand on his shoulder. You are not only Portuguese. You are Yoruba as well. You are a Mbengue. This is part of your birthright.

“I will stay. Bring back, my sister.”

Just as they were about to leave, there was a knock at the door. Aminata answered. It was one of the guards of the prison. “I have a message for the Chief, Mobo.”

“What is your message?”

“The man who attacked the village meeting was found dead. Someone slit his throat.”

Aminata turned to Joaquin. He hugged her, “We will find Yande.”

******

Scandinavia

Her hair was braided on the sides with four small braids. Down the center was a larger braid. She was dressed in a black gown. She stood and smiled; her thoughts were of the first time she fell in love with Sven.

It was during a battle. She almost lost her brother Sigurd that day. As she weaved through the field trying to get to him before he was stabbed, Sven threw an ax into the man’s head. She hurried over to Sigurd as he lay bleeding, “Don’t you die on me. You’re all I have left.”

“He won’t die.”

She looked up and saw him. His handsome face was covered in mud and blood. He helped her carry Sigurd off the field.

She took a deep breath, “May the Gods protect you, my love,” she said before leaving her room.

She went to the table where the servants were serving the meal. Ida looked at the table and smiled. She sat and began to eat. Moments went by; she noticed that Yana did not join her. She saw Mary walk by, “And where is Lady Yana?”

Mary shrugged, “I am not certain. She wasn’t in her room this morning when I went to help her bathe or dress.”

This concerned her slightly. Mary could see it on her face.

“Perhaps she went to see the Seer. She likes talking to Astrid.”

Ida nodded. She called one of the older men who stayed behind, “Will you visit the seer, Astrid, and make sure lady Yana is okay? She is carrying my brother’s child.”

“Yes, Lady Ida.” He nodded before hurrying off.