"I didn't know."The words came out of my mouth as low as a whisper.
"Speak louder child, we cannot be straining our ears to hear you."A croaky voice came from the podium of elders and my eyes danced across their faces, disgust and irritation were evident and they were all channeled at me.
My eyes moved back to my father; although his face remained passive, I saw a slight nod.It was so subtle that I almost missed it, but somehow it gave me the little courage I needed to defend myself.
"I said—"My voice was now much louder than the first time I spoke, but still not as loud as everyone else today."I didn't know the papaya leaves could cause harm, I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"NO! Sorry will not bring back my boy!"Lady Uwen's scream suddenly pierced the air, the hairs on my arms stood abruptly from the sheer anger that emanated from her.
"But I really didn't know. If I knew, I wouldn't have given it to you. Why would I want to harm you?"My voice grew frantic with every word that escaped me; I didn't want to die for something I hadn't understood. For something that I wasn't taught.
I could see her rage so thick, chocking and impossible to ignore. Just like smoke from a wild fire. Her brown eyes blazed with so much raw fury, they looked at me ready to burn, and for a second there, I was certain she would lunge at me any moment and tear me to shreds if she could.
"Maybe, you don't want me to give birth to a son for the king so you and your weak mother wouldn't get replaced..."Her words triggered whispers from everyone in the court. Most of which were speculations in support of her wild claim.
"Enough!"My father's voice thundered, causing silence to fall upon the hall once more.
"Elders, please, you may give your input on the matter, so I may decide on the judgement."A rumble of murmurs and hushed whispers filled the hall.My stomach clenched tighter, I could feel sweat trickle down my back and my heartbeat thud through my veins anxiously with every second that ticks by.
The words of their whispers only added terribly to my plight:"If the king doesn't get an heir, does it mean we wont begin the war to conquer El Dorado, as we have been planning for months?"
"Bullocks! How can the king go to war without an heir to secure the throne?"
"So because of the girl we wont be getting more lands? Or gold? She has to pay for what she has done. Tufiakwa!"
Their words continued to pour in, mere whispers but each threw damaging blows against me. It was all too clear to me that they had made so many plans that ridded on Lady Uwen giving my father a son.
After hours that seemed to stretch to an eternity, an elder rose, his cowrie beads jingling as he bowed his head to my father."Igweee!" To which my father nodded in response to his greeting.
"My king, after we have briefly discussed taking all consideration into the matter, we have heard both sides and truly it is unfortunate.
However, by the law of Egwura, the penalty for killing a royal member is death. And so we deem that as the suitable punishment to be bestowed upon Princess Winter."
His harsh words caused me to drop to my knees,"No! Please! I swear on the gods, I swear on Ogun, I did not know! Please have mercy!"Tears cloud my vision and I didn't stop them from flowing. I couldn't even if I tried to.
Muffled voices shouted back, but I could only make out one of the elders' finger shaking towards me vehemently:"If you didn't know, then why were papaya leaves inside gbegiri? Do they use it to cook gbegiri? Igwe, it was clearly an intentional act. Don't mind these crocodile tears."
"I am only just learning to cook! How would I know something I haven't been taught?"My voice soon cracked under the strain of my weeping. I searched their faces with pleading eyes—
Stone, all of them. No sign of mercy. Not an ounce of softness. Just the quiet hunger of people who had already decided I didn't belong. And to them they saw no use for me.
"This is my judgment!"My father's voice cut through the noise. Everyone freezes, holding their breath. Only my small sniffles could be heard.
I glanced to my side and realized Lady Uwen had already exited. I hadn't noticed after her outburst, I had been so focused on the elders that I forgotten about my accuser.
"Winter claims not to have known what papaya leaves could do to a pregnant woman. I believe her."Oh my Gods! Did I hear correctly?
"However,"—my joy was shortly lived and cut short with that one word.
Gods please have mercy upon me.
"She shall receive one hundred lashes; may the scars remind her that her foolish mistake cost me my first heir."
What? One hundred lashes?!It would kill me! I can't take it!
From my kneeling position, I collapsed fully onto the ground, pressing my forehead against the cold marble floor.My arms hastily stretched out in front of me, as my trembling fingers clawed the floor."Please have mercy on me! I swear on all our gods I didn't know, please!"
"Mechie ọnụ! Ogini! Did you think you wouldn't be punished for the atrocity you committed just because you didn't know? Do you know how many people have died for what they didn't know?"
I lifted my head and searched for who spoke so carelessly and I saw it was the same elder who had shouted Otu ocha previously while the king spoke earlier.
"Oh! Wait o! Or do you think because you are a princess you are above the law?"
Gods please save me.I said nothing in response to him; I just lay on the smooth floor crying, there was nothing left to say but I have marked his face, if I survive this I will find a way to repay him for this.
Amongst everyone he seemed like he enjoyed my plight the most. Sick fool.
Unfortunately its not just him, its all of them. In their eyes I am guilty, and the truth is I am guilty.
My mother had told me to add papaya leaves to the gbegiri to make it more slimy and easy to swallow.But I couldn't tell them that she had instructed me, it is clear that they would kill or whip her instead. She's much too sick to bear any of this.
She wouldn't be able to survive this. And I... I can't lose her. She is the only one who loves me and has shown me real care in this merciless hell.
She's all I have.
Well, I would rather take the hundred lashes than she.
With that thought, I found the courage to slowly yet surely rise from the floor.The court's roar got louder as they argued amongst themselves as if they hadn't spent almost an hour earlier discussing my downfall.
—some called for my death, others argued the lashes were too much or too little.
Then it hit me like a brick to my face: no one had come to my aid.Not one of these men spoke in my defense, none showed compassion towards me.
Surely, they must have daughters, would they do this to their own child?
Do they treat their daughters this badly at home?I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is yes. I learned during my early years that men are more valued in Egwura.
"It is decided then. Winter shall receive one hundred lashes come tomorrow morning."
As affirmations rang through the court, I felt every piece of hope die inside me.
"Igweeee..."A deep, smooth voice rang out suddenly, and everyone—I included, searched for its owner.
That's when my eyes landed on him.
A tall, light brown-skinned man stood at the far end of the top podium. His reddish hair caught my attention first, then the freckles scattered across his face were pretty. I swear I could see just how bright his blue eyes were from here, they are so pale they could rival the sky.
What struck me most was not just how good he looked in his red and white Babban Riga, but also how young he looked—I could swear that he is twenty at most.How on earth did he become an elder?
"If I may?" He stayed silent with his head still bowed. My father offered only an "Mhmm."
"I stand here as an elder representing my father, Elder Barau Madaki. Because he is away on voyages to secure the treasures our seas provide."
Silence followed. The other elders' faces showed respect. This alone told me they all benefited from this man's father.
"Igwe, your word is law," his voice was calm yet it had managed to quiet even the most restless murmurs of these old men. Despite his composure, I noticed the way his jaw slightly clenched.
My father tilted his head, waiting.
"Princess Winter is eleven years of age, and I feel the punishment is too great for a lady as young as she. So, I humbly ask this..."We all waited for him to suggest a punishment more suitable for me.
However...
"Let me take the punishment on her behalf."