10/06/2026
ACT 1 SCENE 2
In the king's palace, the king is seated on a throne raised on a pedestal. Animal skins are decorating the walls. Two crossed sword hang at the back of the throne. On each of the throne stands two guards: one with a fan made of animal skin, the
other wirh a sword. Four chiefs are seated facing one another- two on each side. The mood in the palace is sober.
CHIEFS: (Bowing) Long may you live, O, king! May your reign be like that of your father: peaceful, productive,and blessed.
KING NAMBE:(Waves his horsetail whisk at them) Thank you, my chiefs. It's that peace we need now more than any other thing.
CHIEF ASKARI: My King, you summoned us and we have come at your bidding. Woe betides whosoever you call and such a person refuse to hasten down to the palace.
KING NAMBE: (Looking at them one after the other). Thank you for responding quickly, my chiefs. I've been on tenterhooks since. You can never know when a chicken sweats because of its feathers. It is often said that it is a dangerous thing to be sleeping when the house is on fire. I' m uncomfortable witn the recent happenings in the communities up north. It's a worrisome trend because rain does not fall on one roof alone.
CHIEF EKOTA: (Agitated) You have spoken well, your Majesty. I have also been thinkingabout the raging fire upland. The inferno is increasing daily. I heard that the bandits have ransacked the towns, the women were r***d, even the pregnant women were not spared, the children were torn away from their parents, houses were burnt, properties were destroyed, and the people are now living like refugees in their own land. What a disaster!
KING NAMBE: (Empathetically) I will not allow my ancestral home to be desecrated; neither will i allow my land to be ransacked like the others. My people shall not be turned to slaves in their land.
CHIEF MODA: (Spreads his hands wide) But what can we do? Many of our youth have run away in fear.
CHIEF ASKARI: Indeed, many have run to the big cities! And i heard that even over there, the situation is no better. However, we still have some strong agile ones who decided to stay and defend the women and the children.
CHIEF MODA: My King, may i suggest that we invite the Head warrior and the leader of the youths?
KING NAMBE: (Nods his head) That's a good idea! Thank you for that wonderful suggestion. Other people's wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. When a king has good counsellors, his reign is peaceful. (Calls a guard) Kapeche!
KAPECHE: (On one bended knee) At your service, my Lord.
KING NAMBE: Hurry, get Akakija and Bonu right away!
KAPECHE: (Bows)Yes, my Lord.
CHIEF EKOTA:(Makes as if to spit on the floor) Make sure you return before my spit dries up. Don't loiter on the way. It's an emergency.
Exit Kapeche. He returns shortly with the two men who were instructed by the king to beef up the security of the community. Both exit as the light fades
