PRIESTESS OF KEBRA.
Episode 5.
Amah’s Heart.
When Dembe couldn’t find Lydia after spending time in the market, an idea occured to him.
He was going to go to the tent makers house by the lone road and check her.
The tent maker lives with his wife and he has no child but he opens his house for every worshiper like him.
They all gather under his roof singing and praising God.
Lydia told him about it and he has attended once but couldn’t stay because of time.
He planned going there but the night was fast approaching and it will soon be time for the evening sacrifice at the priestess temple.
Going to the tent makers house will be of a great risk and what if he goes there and did not see Lydia.
What if today is not the normal day of their gathering?
Dembe has questions running through his mind at the end of his thought he decided to go home.
Aprin’s big day was fast approaching, while Phatsy was folding up her new wedding wrappers that Bash and his people got for her, Aprin sat on the bed in her chamber motionless.
Phatsy looked at her and knew she was in a serious thought.
“My lady…what is bothering you? Your wedding is in three days and you should be excited about it. What troubles you…
Aprin knew she can trust Phatsy who has served her for seven years.
She is her handmade servant and knows alot about her.
” This whole wedding plan does not excite me Phatsy. I wish is with someone my heart truly beats for and I deeply love. Don’t mistake me, I adore Bash, his appearance is fitting for a priest and I guess he is more excited about this priesthood title that comes with getting married to me than with any other thing. I see through him most times even though he thinks I’m naive. Sheila my sister is far more into him than I am and they will make a great couple. After wedding and mother initiate him into been a priest…Bash will think he is on top of the world but that is not what he was called to do. Being a priest allows him to work hand in hand with me so that we can serve the people better, help the spiritual needs of people, intercede for them and consult the great gods for their sake. Bash will do things out of his own selfishness. Mother saw it clearly, I also do. She asked me if I still want to proceed with the wedding and I said yes with the hope I will change him and make him understand what is at stake if he turns away. Phatsy… sincerely, I don’t want to proceed with this wedding anymore. I don’t want to marry Bash. My heart beat for another and is not Bash.
“Pardon me my lady but if I may guess could it be a bond servant of this household or another free wealthy man from Kebra…
Phatsy asked indirectly.
She knew who lady Aprin was referring to. It was an abomination to even think she is in love with Dembe. A whole priestess of Kebra.
“Deep down Phatsy you already know who I’m referring to. Don’t be afraid for me. My happiness, my life and legacy is all I cared about. Every other thing can wait. When I’m close to Dembe…I feel so safe. I know he is very handsome and hard-working but I’m looking beyond his physical appearance or his personality. Dembe is more human than Bash. I hate to compare but is a glaring truth. He will make a better priest than Bash because he has been serving in the temple for years now. He understands the rules and if he opens his heart to the gods they will use him greatly to do wonders. Yes, Dembe is the man my heart truly desires and I don’t want to force anything on him because he is a servant. He has the right to hate or love anyone he chooses to.
Phatsy stopped folding the wedding cloths and moved closer to Aprin.
“My lady, this may not go down well with people. Your mother, Lord Bash and many others who looks up to you. Getting involved with a common bond servant is a bad omen. You are not an ordinary lady, you are the next priestess of Kebra. Dembe is just a nobody and has no identity. Dembe is in love with another slave girl who lives close to the market square. He sees her often whenever he is sent to the market…
Aprin nodded but wasn’t about to change her mind because of what Phatsy said.
She needs to hear from Dembe first before concluding.
Aprin knew that her marriage with Bash won’t be a happy one because she was begining to loose interest in him.
Dembe was out again after two days.
Aprin’s wedding was the following day and everyone seem busy. His absence won’t be noticed if he is gone for an hour
He was on the road to the tenth makers house.
That is the only place remaining for him to look for Lydia.
The road dust covered him but did not mind as he race down.
When he got closer, he can hear singing and clapping coming from The man’s house.
He tapped on the door twice and a middle aged woman opened. She smiled at him warmly as she opened the door before asking him to come inside.
Dembe wanted to ask of Lydia but instead he entered.
Their were about 13people gathered in the room.
Their singing goes up in unison, he was ushered in and everyone was okay with him.
Dembe began to scan the faces of people in the room as they chorused together.
Lydia was among them, she looked up at him too without any facial expression.
Dembe’s heart was relaxed after seeing her. Since he doesn’t know the song that the people were singing, he joined in the clapping until a round man with white bears began to speak.
His voice was filled with authority, everyone listened to him.
Dembe listened to his teaching as he learnt some of the things he doesn’t know before.
He has come to seek for Lydia but his heart was bought over through the words that poured from the tenth makers mouth.
He ignored the timing and enjoyed the moment.
After it was over, they all prayed together and everyone introduced their selves again and also welcomed Dembe to the fellowship.
On their way home, Dembe had the opportunity to speak to Lydia.
“I thought something bad happened to you. I kept coming to the market but did not see you. Are you mad at me? What exactly is my offence Lydia.
“No, I’m angry with myself Dembe. I was loosing my real self and my belief for a selfish love. I was going deeper and deeper into you that I forget what Godliness entails. Anytime you mention Aprin or any lady I feel bad and jealous. I also saw you in the market with lady Aprin. She looks happy walking with you. I was so jealous and angry that I didn’t want to talk to you but after few days I realized I was just being selfish and stupid. Dembe, I’m sorry that I made you to be worried about me. I did not want to do the seek and hide love game anymore. I want to be where God wants me to be. And you were only carrying out your duty to Aprin and I wasn’t suppose to be angry over that. I’m back on my feet to render my service to God and it doesn’t matter if I’m bond or free. Instead of running to the hill to talk about our fleshly love and desires that is still far fetched I decided to put same amount of time to serving God…
Dembe listened to Lydia as they walked down without interrupting.
After she was done talking the only thing he could say was
“That’s okay by me Lydia. Your God is my God and is a good decision. I can always Join you and other believers at the tent makers house and worship together. I feel so much at peace today while I was there.
They both kept talking and laughing until they got to where they said goodbye to each other and went their seperate way.
As Dembe got home that evening the house was in uproar
He saw visitors with the priestess sitting out in her open lodge.
Everyone looks sad or troubled, they looked at him strangely.
Aprin’s wedding was supposed to be the following day.
When he asked what was going on, he was told that Lady Aprin canceled her own wedding.
The servants were still talking when a messenger came to tell Dembe that the priestess sent for him.
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