WEEK 29: THE SLAUGHTER OF THE GOAT, Part 5 of 5

"Away, Amaka!" shouts Obi impatient
"'Tis most unseemly to be repetitious!"
In a flash, Ifegi-oku is out the door
Before Obi hurls the lantern at her

Leaving Number Four still fawning the floor
Will miseries never cease, she thinks dismally
First, there's the tree that accursed my leg
Then the lost sons and now a mad master

She lifts her head to behold his feet
Then cascades his wrapper all about him
She cranes her head up to see him naked
His manhood as erect as the glint in his eyes

"Rise, My Supreme, for I want thee now!"
This sudden turn of things is too much for her
Wife Number Four falls down in a heap
Obi gathers her up and lays on the skins

She opens her eyes and stares at him blankly
"I do not understand," she says fearfully
"What ail suffers you, my lord and master?
The Gods have been cruel to me all my life."

"Henceforth, My Supreme, that tide is turned.
You'll begin everything by calling me 'Obi'!"
"You kill me, sir! I couldn't possibly!"
"I would kill you surely if you refuse me!

"Next, you must relocate into my hut.
That may not prove wise in eyes of the others,
But am I not Obi, Master of My House?
They'll fall in line or off to their fathers'!"

Tentatively, Number Four reaches up
Feels his forehead which burns not hot
He takes her hand, kisses it gently
Then moves to her lips and finally her womb

Laying his head atop her stomach
He whispers to her these tender words:
"Do not be alarmed, My Supreme One.
Madness do I not suffer, 'tis joy!

"Since you've come, hope springs within.
None before thee has even come close
To breaking the curse of my wicked dam.
You gave not one but two boys in need.

"From thee do I feel my house will stand,
For I feel in my heart more sons will come,
Though one at a time, ne'er again in two.
Thus will you fulfill your father's words to me."

He kisses her ravishly and takes her there
As tears of joy fall from Number Four's eyes
As all around them grows the sound of a din of
Ifegi-oku proclaiming the slaughter of the goat!

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