THE RETURN OF THE EARTH MOTHER SERIES: BOOK 1 DAUGHTERS OF NRI RENI K AMAYO PRAISE FOR DAUGHTERS OF NRI ‘Oh . my . goddesses! This book is something special. There is so much myth, fantasy and genuinely great storytelling packed into the pages of this novel. Excellent writing, brilliant book.’ Dorothy Koomson, Best-selling author ‘From a rich and deep culture, Amayo weaves a world of literary magic. Daughter’s of Nri is a beautifully written novel paving the way for a powerful collection to follow.’ Buzzfeed ‘A phenomenal debut from a brilliant writer which kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. This is a beautiful story full of heritage, passion and bravery that every young black girl should read.’ Black Girl Book Club ‘With Daughters of Nri, Reni K Amayo conjures a magical world that truly centres black sisterhood. Combining lush prose with a fast-paced plot, this is one read that everyone – but especially black teens – will struggle to put down.’ Alex Sheppard, Author of ‘Oh My Gods’ ‘This book is a love letter to black women. It is beautifully written and its message is so powerful and incredibly important. Every black woman needs to read. We deserve this story.’ WCAN First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Onwe Press Ltd This paperback edition was first published in 2019 All rights reserved; no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Copyright © Reni K Amayo, 2019 Maps and graphics © Onwe Press, 2019 The rights of Reni K Amayo to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Printed and bounded by Clays Printers (UK) Ltd. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Paperback ISBN 978-1-91604-292-6 eBook ISBN 978-1-9160429-2-6 Hardback ISBN 978-1-9160429-3-3 This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise citculated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser To my sisters, you deserve the world. THE TRIALS TO ALA Nsibidi of Soul Trial: She has seen her inner God Igbo translatiom: Chi Nsibidi of Ground Trial: She has spoken to the earth Igbo translatiom: Àlà Nsbidi of Air Trial: She has been carried by the air Igbo translatiom: Ikuku Nsbidi of Love Trial: She has given herself for another Igbo translatiom: Ihunaya Nsbidi of Death Trial: She has taken breath Igbo translatiom: O. nwu Nsibidi of Life Trial: She has created breath Igbo translatiom: Ndu. Nsibidi of Creation Trial: She has moulded beauty Igbo translatiom: Okike Nsibidi of Peace Trial: She has found freedom Igbo translatiom: Udo Nsibidi of Ala Trial: She has returned Igbo translatiom: Ala CHAPTER 1 THE BLACK AND GOLD ORACLE Akoko, 891 AD He stood outside the cave and took a deep breath, but the fresh night air did nothing to calm him. He tensed as the vine-covered entrance drew him closer. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as low, inhumane sounds from the creature within filtered through the moonlight. The Eze was not completely sure why he had chosen to leave the comfort of his akwa nest to wander into the starless night. He was neither intrigued nor was he curious. When the blubbering village chief had spoken about the mythical creature that his people had supposedly found earlier that day, the Eze had been filled with nothing but contempt. He had watched as the old chief ’s eyes had grown larger with greed; the man’s tongue had hung over his chapped lips and his fingers had rattled agitatedly. Chief Akunna was clearly hungry for recognition and thirsty for fame. His reckless rumour had brought the great Eze, the ruler of the entire kingdom, to his humble village, and now the chief ’s palms were laid open for a reward. If it is a reward you are seeking then you shall receive it, the Eze had thought as he’d considered killing the man right on the spot. But he had not. Instead the Eze had ended the conversation abruptly, with his right hand raised dismissively in 1 DAUGHTERS OF NRI the air. The chief had lowered his eyes, visibly withdrawing into himself as he recognised his mistake. The Eze’s eyes had glazed over the wide-eyed village folk. They’d stared back at the large, powerful man with whispers of the umu ada ogu, the lost goddesses, stuck in their throats. What did they know of the umu ada ogu? the Eze had reflected inwardly. He had regarded their simple expressions and frayed clothing, dulled by the red sand. They’d seemed to him like shadows of people, with no thought or life behind their eyes. He had found himself clenching his fists. ‘What a waste,’ he’d murmured as the village chief had cowered before him. The Eze had been certain that not one of these dull-eyed people had wandered further than the ten cubits of forest that enclosed them. It was simply impossible to believe that these were the same people that had somehow stumbled across one of the most majestic beings that had ever walked this earth. No living soul had laid eyes on the umu ada ogu in centuries. They, like all of the magical entities, had died with the Mother. He’d been certain that whatever the villagers had found and locked away was anything but an umu ada ogu. Yet here he was, standing alone outside the cave. He had closed his eyes to sleep that night but something strange had lain heavy on his soul. A low and inexplicable sound. It had drawn him from his nest and compelled him towards the cave. Now it crept, thick and dark, over his black skin. It tasted like fear. ‘Remember who you are,’ he said under his breath. ‘Remember what you have done,’ he added quietly. He stared blankly into the cave’s veiled mouth and took a deep breath. The Eze descended like a shadow, blending seamlessly with the deep black that met him. He hesitated in the nothingness for a brief moment, before taking another step forward. He waited. He could still hear the leaves rustling in the 2 THE BLACK AND GOLD ORACLE wind outside the cave, but everything was still within. He shook his head. What was he expecting to find here? ‘Nothing,’ he muttered. Just as he turned to leave, the air shifted. The Eze stood deathly still. Hushed whispers suddenly bounced off the walls like birds dashing through a summer sky. The sounds started slow and low before growing in intensity and speed. ‘Ke iso Ala.’ ‘Ikenga.’ ‘Ekwensu.’ ‘Amadioha.’ ‘Anyanwu.’ ‘Agwu.’ The whispers crept closer and closer to him, until they suddenly stopped and the cave fell back into silence. The Eze turned around as a heavy sigh was released into the air, and watched as two shadows materialised before merging into what appeared to be a woman seated cross-legged on the ground. Her eyes were shut and her bare black skin was outlined by a golden glow. ‘So it’s true,’ he said, bewildered. ‘Aljanes.u-ojo.o.. You have finally come.’ Her voice was strange, both low and high, as if she had two souls trapped inside her, both struggling to be free. She opened her large eyes and they darted across the room before settling on him, shimmering with the same brilliant golden glow that coated her body. The Eze stood frozen as he gazed with astonishment at the creature. She had spoken in the forgotten language. ‘An oracle?’ he gasped. A crippling shock overtook his body. Seconds passed as a cold sweat trickled down his forehead. The Eze sank into a sickening combination of anger and fear. Stay strong! The phrase pounded harshly though the Eze’s head as he shook himself, before falling into a defensive warrior stance. He forced himself to 3 DAUGHTERS OF NRI focus on his one strength: the enchanted crystal that lay hidden within his garments. Oracles were said to be marked goddesses amongst the umu ada ogu, uplifted because they were not bound by time or space. They were the only beings with the power to utter words in the forgotten language. Oracles had always been a rarity, even during the time of the Mother, when it was commonplace for gods to roam the earth. Many considered them to be myths even back then. Only a select few students of the magical realm knew the true extent of their power. The Eze felt a cold chill run down his spine. Despite the fragile smell of mortality emitting from her bare skin, he could still feel the pulse of that intoxicating power. ‘What are you doing here?’ he said, his voice so low and deep it sent vibrations through the small cave. The oracle opened her mouth, as if she were going to speak, but stopped and settled back into herself. Confusion suddenly flashed across her beautiful, dark face. ‘I don’t know,’ she finally replied, lowering her bright eyes and staring wildly at her hands, as though she had never seen them before.