The Defender, Page 2

elders I want to suggest that we inquire from Anyanjo the seer of our neighboring village to consult the oracle on our behalf.

  Obichi:(Shock)

  Ewh woo… is that coming from you Nnejikam do you dear to call our priest evil.

  Nnejikam:(Not minding Obichi)

  No don’t get me wrong but we are just taking caution, did it not happen in Ojojo community. Maybe, we just send messenger to Anyanjo secretly that we may confirm our discussion. The king can make the order just incase it true at least before our messengers return.

  Igwe:(After a deep breath)

  I do not want to believe my ears but I have to listen to Nnejikam. I will

  send my two best guards to Anyanjo and they shall bring us answers.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE ELEVEN

  EXT: SHRINE – MORNING

  Odomofia sitting at his shrine watches the guards of the king with Anyanjo and decides to flee

  to obum-nneke village a neighboring community to live with his brother Tobe.

  Odomofia:(Viewing the discussion via a magical mirror with Anyanjo shows fright)

  Igwe you have killed me. I shall return back. Eeh-woo!!! but this is not right when I give order no man has the right to investigate my order but let me leave here before Anyanjo send fire on me for lies.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWELVE

  EXT: IGWE’S PALACE EARLY MORNING

  Guards return with the news from Anyanjo

  Guards: (Postulating before the king)

  Igwe!!! May you leave long? Anyanjo sends you greetings and told us that Odomofia lied and he was watching our conversation and has fled for his life knowing that his evil has been exposed.

  Igwe:(Furious)

  Go and search every nuke and crane of this community and ensure you return with Odomofia’s head. Then you invite my elders back here.

  Guards:(Serious)

  Igweee…

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE THIRTEEN

  EXT: INFRONT OF IGWE’S PALACE - DAY

  The elders are all seated before the king. Then deliberate and arrives at inviting Anyanjo to help in electing a new chief priest.

  Igwe:(Remorse)

  My elders’ Nnejikam was right we were being fooled by Odomofia

  Elders:(Acting shock)

  Ewo

  Igwe:(Remorse)

  He has as well fled from our community as reported by my guards so we are to invite Anyanjo to come in and give the Nfor to a new high priest as directed by the gods.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE FOURTEEN

  EXT: NNEJIKAM’S COMPOUND - EVENING

  Odomofia begins to strike as he comes in different forms to kill the elders one by one he begins with Nnejikam. A wide snake appears by night and strangles Nnejikam to death while wife watches in fright.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE FIFTEEN

  INT: IGWE’S PALACE - MORNING

  Nnejikam’s wife drops in and narrates Nnejikam’s death to the counsel of elders

  Nnejikam wife:(Weeping)

  I woke up this morning and found my husband dead with his throat plugged out.

  Elders:(Speaking as though in wonder)

  (Yelling) what! No wonder his not here. He is always on time, who must have done such a thing?

  Igwe:(Feeling angry)

  Guards run as fast as your legs can carry. Call the chief priest.

  Guards:Igweee

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE SIXTEEN

  INT: IGWE PALACE - NOON DAY

  Chief priest arrives before the king and elders and tells them that it was Odomofia

  Igwe: (Shocked)

  What has happened to the eyes of the gods? Who responsible for his death?

  Chief priest:(Walking hastily)

  I also heard the news and I consulted the gods and it was revealed to me that Odomofia is behind all this. He has acquired so great a power that it would take great preparation to stand against him but fear not the gods are not at sleep.

  Igwe:(Zealous)

  So what do we do?

  Chief Priest:(warm)

  The gods have directed that we listen to the Osu’s prophesy. Some time ago an Osu was chief priest but your pride would not let that be. So the only way out with the Osu is that you must apologize to her and to show you that she has forgiven you she will take you to the source of power of a defender who would destroy Odom.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE SEVENTEEN

  EXT: ON THE ROAD BY MORNING

  The elders sort for the OSU and on their way they discuss how almost everything she said has come to being with them taking notice of it.

  Oruomma:(Smiling hysterically)

  So it is an Osu that kept us in this situation may be we should abolish this Osu system. If the gods were ok with an Osu as our chief priest then every man is indeed equal.

  Obichi:(sounding serious)

  Maybe we should call her back and stop this Osu system, it will solve our problems.

  (The finally got to her house and began negotiations)

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE EIGHTEEN

  INT: NNEDUM HOUSE - EVENING

  Nnedum:(Surprised)

  My elders I greet you, welcome my elders, what brings you to my humble tent.

  Obichi:(guilty)

  We came to apologies to you for everything that happened please if you want, you can take back your sit as chief priest. We are sorry.

  After a period of silence Nnedum takes a deep breath.

  Nnedum:(happy)

  Two captains can not be on a ship. I have forgiven you long ago but I did not curse you I only spoke what the gods asked me to tell you. Tomorrow, we shall head for Ikoko hill please come with Nnejikam sick son he will be healed and be given great power to face Odomofia.

  FADE IN

  FADE IN

  SCENE NINETEEN

  EXT: WALKING UP A HILL, MORNING

  Takes two shot at on procession

  They head for Ikoko hills in silence and raffia in their mouth.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY

  EXT: AT MOUNTAIN TOP, CLOSE TO A TREE AT EVENING

  At the hill top she picks a leave from a special tree and gives it to Nnejikam son Ochiendu. Immediately he recovers but develops into a gigantic person. He turns out to be more of a giant than a normal person with his eye turn blue.

  Obichi:(Shock)

  What is happening?

  Nnedum:(Feeling as a diviner which she is)

  Fear not for I told you. I told you this will happen but it will turn out for good.

  Obichi $ others:(Exclaiming)

  Ehee wo, Eeh,

  Oruomma:(curious)

  How can you tell us that making our son mutate is sign of good fortune?

  Nnedum: (divining)

  Be calm Oruomma, my elders, he is to defend us as he has obtained great power and will appear to defend us at any spot of danger.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY-ONE

  EXT:Ochiendu sit on a tree on a tree close to the river and Ezinne sees him come to meet him sitting on the tree.

  Ochiendu: (shy)

  Considering my new look I was expecting you to avoid me

  Ezinne:(shock)

  Amadioha forbid that I avoid you owing to your looks. I know some day you will get better again and will be together for ever.

  Ochiendu:Thank you for believing in me. I believe since I got this look because of the terror in our village. I was told be Nnedum that after all this passes away I recover my real self again.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY-TWO

  EXT: OBICHI’S COMPOUND - MIDNIGHT

  Another attack from
Odomofia but this time Ochiendu begins defense against him. Whirling wind in Obichi house as Ochiendu appears and the following takes place.

  Just trembling voices are heard.

  Ochiendu:(anger)

  Who are you? Don’t you know I defend this land?

  Odomofia:(curious)

  Who do you confront?

  Ochiendu:(angered)

  Odomofia be warned Obuofia now has a defender who now warns you to stay off Obuofia or face the consequences squarely be warned Odom! Be warned.

  Odomofia:(curious)

  We shall see defender. You think Obuofia will not pay respect to whom due. Then we shall see.

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY THREE

  INT: KING’S PALACE, EARLY MORNING

  Obichi before the king to report what he heard last night? Early in the morning he runs to the king’s house.

  Obichi:(panting)

  Igwe my mind alone can not contain this. You need to have heard what I heard last night. Igwe Odom visited me but I think Ochiendu appeared and confronted him to a battle.

  Igwe:(Curious)

  How did it happen?

  Obichi continues explaining.

  FADES OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY-FOUR

  EXT: ON AN AISLE OF A BUSH BY EVENING

  This time Odomofia plots to kill the king, while he walks the street in thought.

  Odomofia: (lost in thought of his departure after a short thought recovers and says)

  But the Igwe was too foolish. How could he take such a stupid decision on me? In-fact I will set a lesson with him this night. But wait oh! Who was that defender? Just! Imaging his gods. After the king, he his next!

  FADE OUT

  FADE IN

  SCENE TWENTY-FIVE

  EXT: IGWE’S PALACE BY NOON

  The Igwe is saved after a short battle between Odomofia and Ochiendu again. On a cool night while the Igwe sleeps, Odomofia appears in the form of a snake. The Igwe feels the touch and as though he had a bad dream. Stands up and begins to spell out incantations on the snake suddenly Ochiendu appears as the snake turns to Odomofia and then battles with Ochiendu with spells and charms then turns to a snake again before he disappears to thin air.

  Odom:(Feeling mysterious and powerful)

  Ochiendu I treated you as a boy have you recovered and have now gained power so much that you call yourself the defender? When a boy dance sorogede he should know too well that sorogede is the dance of the spirit. Leave now and await your turn or die now.

  Ochiendu:(Angered)

  Hmm! since I have warned you before now and you would not listen now face the