Tide - Part One

Sometime ago in the west, very far away, a great king once lived; named king Zoa. He was a very influential and wealthy ruler who had everything he ever wanted and wished for. He was very authoritative and dictatorial and had everything at his beck and call. He hardly smiled. Because of this everyone had great awe for the king.
On most occasions, he would command that a servant be put to death for failing to serve him his favourite wine at the appropriate time. Whenever he settled a dispute amongst his subordinates, he would always command that the guilty one be executed for lack of respect for the kingdom and mainly to serve as an admonition to all. No one dared challenge King Zoa for anything. Not even other kings of other kingdoms around the world. He was seen as a god.
Although not everything was entirely perfect for him, he had no significant heir. He had all females. He married many wives and also had a lot of concubines but still no woman was able to bear him a male child. So, he relented and accepted it as his fate not to have an heir.
King Zoa had a brother, Badmos who lived just a few metres away from the King's castle. Badmos was a peasant farmer. He hated his brother's idiosyncrasy, so he never went to him for anything. He was very independent. Badmos was married to a very pretty woman, Cora. He was his rare gem; the apple of his eyes. Cora was very supportive and industrious as she assisted her husband with his daily farm work. They were happy and contented with the little they had.
The seraphic beauty of Cora caught the eyes of her brother in-law, the king. Most times, King Zoa would stealthily go to Cora whenever she was alone in the house, asking her to lay with him.
"I can never disrespect my husband, my lord". She would always say bowing her head to the floor and starring at her toes. The King would try all he could to persuade her, promising her all earthly treasures and glory. But she would always refuse and rebuke him.
"How can I show my husband such infidelity and treachery" she would always add.
King Zoa would go almost everyday to make his demands, but was always turned down by the faithful Cora.
One day, the King went ballistic, he could not bear her refusal anymore. So, he sent his warriors to go fetch her to his castle at once. Meanwhile, this was the day Cora had decided to tell her husband of her secret meetings and demands of the king when he returns from the farm.

Author: Omokaro Collins