Naagin (rise of the serpent)

Deep in the land of Agbejor community stood a castle. It was kinda beautiful and well suited a royal family. It was about two hundred kilometers away from the Agbejor fortress.

The king of Agbejor community as well as his royal family lives in the castle. The castle was made of bricks and was painted white, adding to it's beauty.

Agbejor warriors filled the castle, matching and doing patrols. It was just like any other castle setting.

On the walls of the castle, Agbejor warriors were also positioned there. Maids moved to and fro within the castle grounds. And like I said,it was like any other castle settings.

The castle gates were opened and two cars drove into the large castle premises. The guards didn't bother to know the visitor who had entered the castle. They all continued doing their jobs without paying attention to the visitors.

The first car that drove into the castle was a white Jeep while the other was a black Ranger over.

Two men in all black came out of the white Jeep while one man came out of the black Range Rover. The other man that came out of the black Range Rover was Lance. He waa also in all black.

Three guards walked over to their visitors. They were heavily armed Agbejor warriors and they seemed capable during war.

Getting to both Lance and his men, they threw them a smile and they got a smile in return.

The man who seemed to be the leader of the three guards was the first to talk. He exchanged handshakes with Lance before he went straight to the point.

"Master Lance. What brings you here?" The Agbejor warrior asked while smiling broadly.

Lance smiled as he like being called master.

"Hey Oscar. Nice to see you again. Just wanted to see the king and the elders".

"Another message from Huck?" The Agbejor warriors now known as Oscar asked.

"Probably".

Oscar nodded.

He motioned to the other two Agbejor warriors that were behind him to return to their posts. They carried out his order obediently and left.

"Please, let me take you to the king" Oscar said.

Lance nodded as he allowed Oscar to lead the way.

"That will be alright".

Oscar led Lance into the castle as they headed for the king's throne room. The other two men that were with Lance also followed behind.

As they headed for the king's throne room, passing through the lots of hall of the castle,they entered a full fledged conversation.

"How are you? It's been long since I set my eyes on you" Lance said starting the conversation.

"Quite well and doing my job as a castle guard. What about you?"

"As you said, I'm doing well and so is my business" Lance replied with a smug smile.

"Yeah, your drug product really hit the market" Oscar said while chuckling.

Lance couldn't help but chuckle along.

'only if they knew that the people of Agbejor community were dying seriously because of that drug product'.

Lance thought as he smiled evily.

"But anyways, what brings you here to the castle? Because the last time you came here was when you and Huck were convincing the king to wage war against Umuguor community. So, you being here again could mean something important" Oscar stated with a clear mind.

Lance only laughed at Oscar's words. Oscar looked at him, not quite sure why he was laughing.

Once Lance was done laughing, he cleared his throat. But still,a smile could be seen on his face.

"Did I say something funny?" Oscar asked with a slight annoyed look.

"Not really. I was laughing, hearing you say both me and Huck were convincing the king".

"But that's not funny" Oscar murmured with a pout. "Besides, it's true".

"Yeah, it is true. Maybe, I just felt like laughing".

Oscar just shook his head sideways and sighed. He quickened his pace leaving Lance behind. Lance only chuckled and also quickened his pace,so did the two men in black behind.

In no time,they reached the castle's throne room. It had a large door as an entrance into it. Two Agbejor warriors stood in front of the door, doing their job of guarding it.

Upon seeing Oscar approaching with three other men,they opened the door without questioning.

It seems Oscar has some kind of influence on the Agbejor warriors of the castle.

Oscar turned to Lance and the other two men stopping them in their tracks. Lance gave Oscar a questioning look.

"What is it?" Lance asked.

"Wait here while I go in first".

Lance nodded and Oscar went into the throne room and the guards at the huge door closed the door.

Oscar being inside the throne room, had nine pair of eyes staring at him. It seems the king and his elders were having a meeting.

Oscar walked calmly to the middle of the throne room and knelt down before the king. Also bowing as well.

The king,an old man at about 80 years old,was seated on the throne with a calm demeanour. (Such an old age).

He waved at Oscar, prompting him to stand up. Oscar stood up and greeted the king and the elders, once done, he went straight to the point.

"Oscar,why are you here? What do you have to report that you had to barge into our meeting?" The king asked calmly.

"Your highness, sorry for the disturbance and interruption. But someone would like to see you".

Oscar simply stated.

The king coughed a little bit and looked at Oscar.

"Who is it?"

"It's Lance, your highness. Huck's partner" Oscar mumbled loudly.

Sudden surprise seem to be written all over the king's face. So was also the elders. The elders who were about eight, whispered within themselves causing a noise.

The king kept quiet, slowly stroking his white beard. He gave a sigh as he knew the reason why Lance was here.

He could remember vividly the last time both Lance and Huck visited the castle. It was because of them that the wrath of Hijirar was upon the people of Agbejor community. The people of Agbejor community were dying, one by one. And with each deaths, he and the elders became convinced that Hijirar's wrath was upon the community.

He and the elders decided to release the people of Umuguor community. They thought that, maybe the sudden deaths in Agbejor community would stop.

He knew that Lance was here to convince him not to release the people of Umuguor community. But he knew he had to release them, maybe Hijirar would no longer incur his wrath on them. So he thought.

The king sighed after a while of thought. The elders were still murmuring amongst themselves. He raised his right hand as a sign of silence and a graveyard silence actually followed.

"Let him in" the king said with a smirk on his wrinkled face.

Despite his old age, he still had the tactics of a young king. In no time, his crown prince would be taking over his throne.

Oscar bowed and left the king's presence.

Coming out of the throne room, his eyes landed on Lance and the other two men.

"Lance,the king would like to see you" he announced.

Lance gave a smug smile. Oscar could have called it a victorious smile.

"You two stay here while I go in"

Lance ordered the two men. The two men gave a nod in returned.

Lance walked over to Oscar,he tapped him on the shoulder. Oscar gave him a smile.

"Hope we meet again, Oscar" Lance said in a friendly way.

Oscar nodded and left, heading for his duty post. Lance looked upon the door. He smiled at the two guards but they gave him no smile. They only opened the door and he entered into the throne room,ready to carry out Huck's orders.

He had to convince the king of Agbejor community and the elders. They must not release the people of Umuguor community from slavery. He had to convince them, just as a way of saving their lives. He knew that Huck would kill them and take over power in Agbejor community if they don't heed.

But if one must know,both Oscar and Lance had been friends during the war. The time when Huck had succeeded in convincing the king of Agbejor community to wage war against Umuguor community. Somehow,fate had led both of them together, maybe for a reason.

But, both Oscar and Lance are not that really the best friend type. Let's say their only simple friends. But the truth is, Oscar is a brother to Praise, Ovie's best friend.