Dé John looked at his colleague intently with a sad look on his face "how could you do this...why did you do this....all this while elder. Why?"
Pa Kenneth clenched his teeth "he was my son..bone of my bone..!" he replied bitterly.
"You framed Okudili, you killed him!"
"He was a menace and a nonentity"
"But he was human, and he was innocent!"
At the same time, Dé Nwachukwu and Amara arrived at the market square.
"Jesus...what's going on here?!" Dé Nwachukwu demanded raising his voice above the noise from the crowd.
The noise died down as Dé Nwachukwu walked to the front, looking at Pà Kenneth and then studying the charred remains of his son.
Benedict was the first to speak "Elder...Bartholomew was found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to death...pa Kenneth on the other hand is guilty of aiding the killer"
"Hmm....we don't burn our people in Amaife! That is not the law of the land!" Dé Nwachukwu said with a disgusted expression.
"He was never one of us sir...never!" A voice shouted from the crowd.
Dé Nwachukwu looked at Dé john. He avoided pa Kenneth's eyes. "Dé...you allowed this happen?"
"Actually I only just arrived myself...but what can I do, the people want justice...jungle justice and to be honest I quite agree with them"
Dé Nwachukwu sighed tiredly "this is still not right...what are we going to do to Pa Kenneth now"
"He's going to face another trial but truth be told I see him suffering the same fate as Bartholomew" De' John said solemnly
Pa Kenneth scoffed and Dé Nwachukwu looked at him finally
Benedict strolled to the elders "Dé, we want to commence the trial of Pa Kenneth"
"Who are the we? Are you now in charge of this village?" Dé Nwachukwu asked.
"Elder...It is not possible, I am a loyal indigene who is only the voice of the youths" Benedict replied, managing to look contrite.
Dé Nwachukwu nodded, satisfied. "We will have the trial, but this time no death sentence...it would be a taboo to end the life of the oldest man in our village like that"
"But Dé-" Benedict protested.
"He's right...we can not afford to treat our elder in such a disgraceful manner" Dé John agreed.
"Okay sir...I agree, but what punishment would be suitable for him? Remember Bartholomew got away for so long because Pa Kenneth shielded him."
There was a brief silence then Dé Nwachukwu said "Exile...we exile the traitor permanently"
"Okay Sir... But the crowd may want-"
"Benedict...forget the excuses, you're a blood thirsty young man, now call the crowd to order, whether you like it or not you're one of us now" Dé Nwachukwu chastised.
For the judgement of exile to stand, two of the three elders must be in support of the verdict and in this case, De' John and De' Nwachukwu were in total agreement.
De' Nwachukwu cleared his throat after Benedict had riled up the crowd with more chanting. "My people, in trying times like this, what makes us strong and special is our ability to lean on each other and collectively stand for what is right no matter who is involved" he looked at Pa Kenneth then glanced at the charred remains of his son in the distance "This man, our leader, the man who comforted us when we cried but still stabbed us the minute our back was turned is guilty of aiding and abetting batholomew, that is why as your leaders, dedicated to stand for truth and justice for everybody in the land of Amaife, we hereby banish Pa Kenneth from the land, total banishment from the land. Should he return, he would be killed immediately"
The crowd began to boo and murmur. They needed more blood.
But De' Nwachukwu was having none of it. He held his ground and De' John joined him and echoed "My people....that is final...the final verdict is Exile!"
Benedict had his own band of supporters in the crowd, namely; the youth and they all kept on booing and watching him closely as he kept on frowning and looking at the elders. He was obviously not happy with the call and it seemed like he was going to try and instigate a riot right there but suddenly he smiled and nodded "My people our elders have spoken. They are blessed with wisdom, the type of wisdom we can only hope to learn from. We accept their verdict loyally"
Immediately the general crowd began to make sounds of agreement.

"wow, that's a very influential man right there" Reverend Okorie said to Gregory who still held the handkerchief to his ear. Gregory nodded in agreement. Although he would never say it to the reverend but he wouldn't have minded if the elder was stoned to death.

.·.·.·.·.·

The storm is over, storm is over now....

Osi found himself singing along before his eyes fully opened and he came to. The music floated in the room and so did sunlight. He couldn't tell the source of either, although he suspected a small radio hung somewhere in the room and there was a small window behind his bed.
He closed his eyes as he struggled to remember everything that had happened the day before. Then it hit him suddenly and he had a hard time keeping up. The images flashed in his mind, frame after frame like a horror slideshow. And he could almost hear a fast rising intense instrumental in his head as each negative (which in more ways than one was a negative image) was placed under the amber light that was memory and the image developed in the dark room that was the clinic; The woods, the chase, the blade in his chest, the bright room, the clinic, the-
It was too much for him and he drifted off again.

.·.·.·.·.·
When his eyes opened for the second time the song was gone and so was the sun, but he wasn't alone. The Reverend was on the only chair, looking at him. Behind him Gregory was slumped on the second bed in an awkward angle. He probably fell asleep while sitting and waiting for Osi to wake.
He didn't see Amara and he turned his head taking in every angle of the room, hoping to see her.
"She's gone, not long ago" the reverend's voice was soft and understanding and it drew his eyes to the older man immediately although he looked away quickly.
"It's okay son, what I saw there was real, there's no way I can be against that" Reverend Okorie said, reading his thoughts perfectly.
"Her father had to almost drag her before she left your side" the Reverend studied Osi intently as he divulged the information.
If it could be done, Osi would have wrapped his thoughts with a dozen blankets. There was something about the reverend's gaze that made him feel his thoughts were naked, as though he could read it perfectly through his intense soul searching gaze, like he was doing now.
Osi changed the topic quickly "what happened, was Bartholomew in Pa Kenneth's house?"
"Yes, I must say that young Jelemba is really a smart lad"
"Yes...yea he is so.... no one was really hurt?"
The reverend didn't reply. Instead he stood up abruptly. "You know God works in mysterious ways...when I decided to have the youth church take over the crusade, I just did it on impulse. It was a split second decision I took when it became evident I won't be chanced and the evangelist would be travelling also. The deacon was the next option but somehow your name popped up and I was certain in my heart that was what God wanted..." He nudged the chair backwards roughly and the movement caused Gregory to jerk awake, he yawned as he tried to stretch which wasn't possible and began to untangle his twisted limbs.
Osi was aware the reverend had avoided his question and the possibility that lives had been lost while he lay unconscious gave him a sharp raw burst of pain. A burden of failed responsibility he was beginning to get too used to. Did Bartholomew or his father kill anyone else?
The reverend began pacing. For all his intense gazing and thought reading abilities, he seemed unaware of the flashes of emotion mirrored in the young pastor's eyes.
"The faith has been damaged in this village son, terribly damaged. The people trusted and their trust was abused, they believed and were decieved and for that they may never believe again. It's our mandate to build again, to rebuild... And this time ensure that the house is founded on the rock"
"Wait.... I don't really get you sir...what are you saying?" Osi badly wanted to sit up. This was the kind of news you took while sitting down.
"We'd be opening a branch, a foundation of life church here in Amaife" the Reverend stopped by the bed and touched Osi's shoulder. "And you're going to head the church"

.·.·.·.·.·
He had lost everything in the blink of an eye. His boys, his reputation, his home, everything! It had been taken from him, snatched from him and there was nothing he could do. He had paid his dues, of course he had done a lot of nasty things in the past but he had still been a good leader, he had been fair and strong, showing love to his people yet they had the guts to banish him. He gritted his teeth as he envisioned his so called colleagues in his mind's eye. They had the guts to give a verdict against him. Send him into the woods and away from his home, his legacy! Him, Pa Kenneth chased away like a rabid dog! They were going to pay! He was going to make sure of it. For taking away his sons from him, burning his first son like a dog in the streets and murdering his second son and putting the blame on Bartholomew still, the daughters of Amaife were never going to know peace! That was a promise. He smiled wickedly all of a sudden and stopped to relieve himself behind the tree. He searched the ground for soldier ants and convinced that he was in a safe spot, began to urinate. The thing was, nobody knew he had another son in Amaife. And just like Bartholomew he had groomed the boy at a young age. His son was going to remember everything one day, and when that happened...

"hahahahaha...." He laughed to himself, imagining all the commotion that would be unleashed. And he would make sure he'll be near by, to guide and offer protection for him when it started-

"Elder....it's good to see you can still laugh"
The voice jerked him out of his skin and he turned hurriedly, soiling the travelling bag he had placed beside the tree in the process.
Benedict stood few feet away. His eyes were hard and the sharp blade of his matchete glinted in the moonlight. He looked like an avenging angel "you didn't think I would just let you go sir, did you?" the butcher asked, approaching slowly the intent clear in his hard eyes.
Pa Kenneth stumbled backwards in fear "no, no...." he tripped and fell, in his own piss. "no pleeeeaaaseee....."

The last thing he saw was the blade.
The last thing he felt was the pain.
The last thing he heard was the slice.

.·.·.·.·.·
Osi was very restless when Amara came by the hospital. His legs were itching to walk and he was feeling claustrophobic, even though the room was airy.
"Oh....Osi!" She charged at the bed and grabbed him in bear hug.
"I'm okay....I'm fine" he struggled to sit up and she helped him.
"Where...where is everybody....the reverend?" he asked
"They're at the marketsquare...the Reverend conducted a service earlier and everybody in the village came"
Osi swung his legs to the floor, but he didn't stand up.
"The villagers are having a meeting now in the market square, that's were the reverend is" she touched his chest gingerly, careful not to touch the bandaged place he had been stabbed "does it still hurt?"
"Not really....where's Greg...is he there too?"
"Yes...everyone, my father and Dé John too"
"Okay... It's needed, everyone would still be in aftershock, they need guidance...direction"
"Yes, but one thing that made us feel better was when the reverend said you'd be opening a branch here...it made me feel better" she looked at him directly, challenging him with the emotion in her eyes and Osi looked back, stared back boldy although he blinked alot.
After what felt like hours, he found his voice.
"Yes....I won't be going anywhere....it seems it was God's plan all along to get rid of the fake doctrine Bartholomew was spreading and have his real messengers here"
She smiled and he knew she knew he had purposely changed the subject. She decided to oblige him. "How about your former colleagues, the ones who followed you before, the dark lady I can't remember her name...and Ovie...I can't forget Ovie" she remembered with a smile the afternoon he had accompanied Osi to her place. It felt like ages ago.
"Oh....They're coming... Probably by next week"
"And you won't be going back?" She asked again.
Osi suddenly felt a burst of emotions....the reverend was right....this felt right....it couldn't be wrong....the kind of beautiful feelings this fiery, spirited and determined lady awakened in him was too right.... He felt too alive. Deep down he knew it was real, he knew she was the one.
He looked in her eyes, and this time he didn't blink.
He took her hands slowly "Amara, I'm staying"
"I'm glad" she looked at him and his lips found hers of its own accord and their lips blended into one. She had the softest lips and he knew he wanted to kiss her everyday for the rest of his life.
Slowly they broke apart and he stared into her big brown eyes, seeing his own reflection in them. He smiled, suddenly at peace "I'm glad I'm staying too"

.·.·.·.·.·
"Oluchi I heard what happened to your brother....how is he now" Dé Nwachukwu held on to Oluchi as she hugged him and burst into tears.
"He can't remember... Dé....he can't remember anything....Oh Paul....Dé imagine, my brother can't remember me"
"It's alright....It's alright.... He'd come around" the older man patted her back gently as she sobbed harder.
"So...where is he now?" He asked looking over her head expecting to see him.
"He's at home with mama....it seems he's calm with her...a little bit at least"
"You see....he's getting better...trust me, no child forgets his mother...no matter what" Dé Nwachukwu assured her.

.·.·.·.·.·
"We start construction immediately" the Reverend announced as he and Dé John stood observing the plot of land.
"Yes...the villagers need this kind of stability immediately" the elder agreed.
"I have a good architect in my church, he's flying in from port Harcourt by tomorrow."
"What's the name of the church again" the elder asked.
"It's the foundation of life church" Reverend Okorie replied.
"Perfect....perfect...lives have been crumbling recently, we really need a new foundation"

.·.·.·.·.·
"Oh mama....I'm feeling confused.... I'm remembering things I don't even remember...." Paul grabbed his head and slumped on the couch tiredly...the blow from the pestle must have affected his memory badly.

"Shhhh....shhhhh....it's OK nna'm rest your head" His mother guided his head to her lap and he stretched on his back.
"It's okay...it's okay my son, what do you remember?"
"I remember...my childhood...I see images of myself running around, playing ball"
"Hmmm...." His mother was quiet....she continued stroking his brow. "What don't you remember?" she asked slowly
"I don't remember going to Lagos, I don't remember my father died 21 years ago...after Oluchi's birth...I don't remember any of it.....!" he began to sweat profusely
His mother smiled. "That's good...they're to be forgotten....because that is not your real past. Now tell me what you remember, what you really remember?"
Paul began to shake his head violently but his mother held his head firmly.
"It's okay...tell me"
"I remember my father...I remember the meetings....the night meetings...I remember the girls.... "
"Good, he always said you would remember" she replied
Paul sat up and stared at his mother with a strange expression and she got up, gently placing his head on the couch. "I have a message for you...wait here...things are not still as clear as they should be. I have something from him to you....to enlighten you dear boy. Your father was greatly misunderstood but he was a great man!"
When she returned she had an envelope in her hands, she tore it open and handed him a piece of paper.

.·.·.·.
The foundation of life church had it's first service that Sunday. Surprisingly, the service (held at the market square) was full and overflowing.
As Osi closed the service, he looked around as they shared the grace. The villagers were vibrant with a kind of positive energy. Despite the tragedy, there was a buzz of hope within them. Osi looked at Bukky as she led the dozens of people that had responded to the alter call. They headed to a secluded spot under a tree and she began speaking to them. Full of energy;
"Thank you Lord....thank you for the doctrine of truth....for the sword of truth that helped cut off the head of the beast that had been plaguing this village.....!"

Her voice drifted to Osi as she prayed and he put his hands in his pocket and frowned deep in thought.
For some reason what she said triggered a memory and he found his mind going back to history classes, to one of his favourite fields; Greek mythology; the nine headed serpent known as the hydra; When one head is cut off, two more grows in its place...

It was strange he'd think about something like that now....too strange, or wasn't it?