Each year comes the glooming light that surrounds the four corners of the village of Ikem. This glooming is just about the true ritual that's always carried out every second day of the second month every year. They always arrange rows of straws for every virgin that has got to the age of twelve. It's always a bad omen when the shortest straw is picked.
“Mum, I wish I can run away to the city just to skip this task”, Ada was sober while speaking to her mum as she turned twelve.
Meanwhile, her mum was a strong woman who believed in luck. “Don't worry, it's going to be the best year for you”, her mum replied as she had this feeling that it will be the best year ever.
“Mum, are my going to become the priestess of the land?” She asked while shaking profusely without having any idea of what would become of her eventually.
“Those who chose the shortest straw will indeed become the priestess of the land”, her mum replied keenly.
“I would rather not become the priestess”, she began to cry profusely as she was talking to her mum. Her mum began to console her just to be patient. “What if you did not eventually pick the shortest straw?” Her mum asked.
"Then I will be the happiest being on earth ", she replied having some elements of a smiling face in her.
The day arrived and the whole community gathered. The chief priest showed up as the crowd bowed to welcome him. They began to wait just to witness what was going to happen and who will be the next priestess.
“This year, I received a revelation from the gods. They told me to inform you all about their new changes”, everyone as well as the elders of the land were amazed as they raised their ears and eyes to hear the new development.
“We want to hear the new revelation”, some of those in the crowd said.
“Spill it out”, others echoed.
“The gods sent me to you, being the mouthpiece of the gods. They said this year's method of participating in the task will be different”, everyone yet again wanted to listen keenly. Although, there was a moment of murmuring among the youths.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Ada, there was a moment of relief even though she had not heard the revelation.
Guryan“The one with the shortest straw will have to go to the dark mystery land to fetch dark water from the dark, but dangerous stream. Anyone who carries this task will be told what will become of her whenever she returns. I have spoken”, the chief priest said.
Seven virgins came out, including Ada. The chief priest brought out the straws. He stretched it out for them to choose. Four of them picked theirs but the longest. It were was with the shortest straw which Ada finally picked. She began to cry as everyone believed the journey was the toughest among all.
“The mystery land has not been a place to visit, even the chief priest knew about it”, some community members said as they watched Ada proceeded on the journey.
“You don't need to be fortified, but you just need to bring home the dark water and must be from the dark stream”, the chief priest added.
Ada set out for the journey. As she was going, her mum was still comfortable and convinced that her daughter was going to come home safely.
She got closer to the mystery land and sighted it ftom afar. She was scared as she had heard that the dark desert always speaks and can call out the evils around the desert to overshadow any intruder. Her mum had always given her words of advice, and she carried that within her.
“Your presence is welcome”, she heard a strange voice from behind. “Don't worry, we have been waiting for your arrival”, another voice said. She became scared and wanted to make a U-turn. “Just take that way, you will find the dark stream”, another voice ordered. The mystery land looked so dark all round, and she was unable to see properly. A bright light from the woods shone glowing welcoming Ada just like a queen. As she moved to the stream, she saw a calabash which appeared on the shore. She fetched the dark water and began to leave. “My queen, safe journey”, this gave her courage but was still surprised to hear the voice called her queen.
Few hours later, she got home and everyone were so surprised to see her back home without harm. The chief priest welcomed her just the same way she was welcomed by the strange voices. She got more surprised.
“Welcome my daughter. I said it that you will come back home successfully undoubtedly", her mum welcomed her.
The community gathered again as the chief priest announced Ada in the present of the community members who were expecting Ada to become the priestess, “all hail to our new queen”. Everyone got up in amazed. They were shocked, and they had no choice other than to welcome their new queen, Ada.
