“Alright, I think I can handle that.”
Enitan paused and just stared at me.
“What?”
“You’ve really improved. The first time I met you, you didn’t want anything we offered. Kind of uptight. As if—”
“Uptight? Me uptight? How dare you! Serious-minded, maybe. I never had servants or people at my beck and call, so it needed some getting used to. Now I understand it’s not only about me. I too have to think about other people.”
“Okay, enough small talk. We have to hurry,” said Enitan. She picked up the bundle she had dropped and pushed it towards me. “These are from the princess.” She twirled a finger in the air. “This is for you to wear to the festival. There’s also a gift for Prince Segun to present to the king.”
It was all too much, a lot was happening at the same time. I took the outfits from Enitan and picked up the one for the presentation, confused. “Kintola already gave us outfits for the introduction. I don’t want to look different from the others.”
“I’m only the messenger,” said Enitan. “Why don’t you try it on and see the one you like better?”
The dress was a light blue bubba. I put it on, and Enitan said I looked good in it. I didn’t care much about it. It made me look like one nobleman’s daughter I’d seen around the palace winking at Taka or Segun. What I wanted to get into was the outfit for the presentation; a pair of tight pants, knee-high leather boots, a tunic, and a cloak, all black. Now that would look awesome with my weapons strapped on it.
“Where did these come from?” I asked.
“The envoy from Qtari brought them,” said Enitan. “I’ll hang the second outfit in the closet.” Enitan reached for it on the bed.
“No!”
Enitan placed her hand on her chest. “You scared me.”
“Sorry, just leave the outfit there. I don’t want it to be out of sight in case I change my mind.” But that wasn’t the reason. I didn’t want her snooping in the closet in case Mama Rikki was hiding in there.
“Alright, calm down,” said Enitan. “Everything will be alright.”
I smoothed down my buba, my mind still on the outfit with the cloak.
“Let's go,” said Enitan.
I walked towards the door, but Enitan remained where she was. She’d made no move. I stopped at the door. “You’re not—”
Enitan batted her eyelids. “No comment on my outfit?”
That was the first time I noticed what Enitan was wearing. A body-hugging tunic and pants that looked expensive. “It’s beautiful, they made this just for you. Fits like a glove.”
Enitan made different poses. “The expensive hand-woven material is called Aso Oke. You like?” Light from the window shimmered off the golden threads on the material.
I smiled and nodded. “I like it, and you are beautiful.”
The reception was at the ballroom of the palace. Enitan and I walked into the room, and I could literally feel the weight of all the eyes as they looked at Enitan. I was so sure she would attract a nobleman tonight.
“When you’re ready to leave, you’ll find me without difficulty,” said Enitan. “I’ll be the girl flirting with all the young noblemen.” She smiled and left.
Good, let me now look for the team, I thought. I looked around. There were familiar faces all over, but without Enitan around me, I felt like a stranger. Insecurities that had always made me a loner resurfaced. I took a deep breath, but it wasn’t enough. The urge to get away from the festival tugged at me, but I knew I couldn’t.
Olajuwon and his group of friends stood across the room and, looking at them, I realized I had another set of issues. It would be a hard sell to convince Kiki, Tokunbo, and Ifeoma of the need to leave as soon as possible, a dream to get Olajuwon to acknowledge my presence, and impossible to get him to talk to me. I looked around. Where was the team and Prince Segun? If I found him first and briefed him on Mama Rikki’s visit, he’d be in a better position to influence the others. What if he’s not convinced himself?
I whirled to the sound of applause. The king dressed in his ceremonial regalia, Agbada, made from the same material, funny enough, as Enitan’s outfit but with more gold threads, walked in. On his head was a hat that looked like an inverted boat with wings on its side. His face seemed so friendly when he smiled. If I didn’t know better, it would be tough to convince me there was evil lurking underneath all that pleasant disposition.
Tired of waiting for the applause to die down, the king raised his hands. “Thank you, thank you.”
He thanked everyone for coming and then attended to the yam festival. He started with thanking the gods for giving us enough to eat, journey mercies on his recent trip. I tuned out and searched for Kiki, Tokunbo, or Prince Segun, anybody. A few minutes later, the king said something that drew my attention.
“My daughter, Princess Bonetta,” continued King Kenzi, “just came back after a ten-year sojourn as the peace ambassador to the court of the King of Qtari.” The king paused and nodded towards a group of people that had just come into the room and dropped to the floor in prostration.
Rahima was with them. They wore flowing colored kaftans. Their complexion ranged from dark brown to bronze, and I knew they were the Qtarians. The king waved them up, with a broad smile.
“Our friends from Qtari are here to celebrate with us,” said the king. “You did an excellent job with my daughter. I thank you. The people of Ode thank you.”
A round of applause followed the king’s speech. I spotted Kiki standing between Ifeoma and Tokunbo. They looked very nice in their outfits. I wanted to get closer to them, but apart from the waiters, nobody else moved, so I stayed put.
“Princess Bonetta loves adventure so much that she jumped into another one, the same day she came back from Qtari. But my younger son, Prince Segun, decided to take over and let his sister rest after a long journey, despite just coming back from the interiors. We pray to the gods for him and the success of his team, and their safe return. Now let's eat and be merry.”
An orchestra supplied the music as people waltzed. I walked over to a boy with a tray of wine glasses. He had glasses of a bubbly golden liquid and also the white palm wine. I took a glass of the sweet palm wine from the tray and looked around, biding my time to make a move. To my right, Bonetta worked the crowd doing the princess thing, smiling, waving, and socializing.
“This is a good gathering,” said a nobleman to another.
“I’m hungry. Can’t wait for them to serve the food,” said the other.
Where was Prince Segun? He wasn’t going to abandon the festival, too. Ifeoma and Tokunbo stood together talking, and I headed towards them. They’d be the first to know and help get word to the others. Would they believe me? I tried to make eye contact, but each time they looked in my direction, they seemed to look through.
“More wine, please,” said a nobleman to an attendant.
The attendant stopped to let the Oloye grab a glass of wine from his tray and blocked my path. I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“May I have this dance?” a voice said behind me.I whirled around, ready to say no, and my heart stopped. Prince Taka stood there in a purple regal dashiki with golden embroidery, smiling at me.
Chapter Thirty-One
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and for a second, I was devoid of thought. I took a step back. “Prince Taka… I… I didn’t see you.” My hand flew to my chest to stop the pounding. He looked so handsome. “I… I don’t dance.”
Prince Taka had a crooked grin on his lips. “Nonsense! If you can move your arms and legs, you can dance. Come on.”
My mind raced. What was I going to do? I couldn’t dance if my life depended on it. This was no bluff. I’m supposed to be avoiding him, not socializing with him. If I stayed longer and argued with him on why I should not dance with him, it would draw attention. Maybe I should just dance and get it over with and then proceed with my plans.
“You look beautiful,” said Prince Taka.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I swallowed and looked around, looking for a way to escape. “You… you say that to all the girls.”
“Maybe, if they’re pretty, but it’s you I want to dance with.”
We stood there looking at each other. I felt that people were looking our way. I should get us off this dance floor.
“You are not keeping me waiting?” asked Taka, still smiling.
“Why don’t we go for a walk?” I said.
Taka said nothing for a moment, then cocked his head towards a door. “That is even better than dancing”
As we walked towards the door, I saw Bayo, Segun’s companion from when we rode from Nuso. I did a double take, then slowed. He must know Segun’s whereabouts. Then Segun walked in behind him, and our eyes locked. I slowed and was ready to shout his name. See what the dog dragged in, I thought. I had to talk to him. But Taka’s hand on the small of my back propelled me forward.
I smiled subtly at Segun and he nodded, no smiles. He needed to know about Mama Rikki’s visit. How do I get rid of Taka? It wouldn’t look right, especially to unseen watching eyes, hopping from one prince to another. Was that jealousy I saw in his eyes? I looked at where Kiki and the rest were; their backs were to me. The gods, Mama Rikki’s plan is falling apart even before it has started.
Desperate, I searched around for a solution, and this time met the beady eyes of the king, one of the unseen watching eyes. I lowered my eyes and ducked my head. If looks could kill.
“For you, sir.” A servant blocked our way as we got to the door and pushed a tray towards Taka.
On the tray was a piece of folded paper with a seal. Taka took it, broke the seal, and unrolled it. He held the paper up for a few seconds and smiled. He folded the paper and put it in his pocket.
We walked along the open corridor, the sound of our footsteps on the marble floor in harmony to the sound of music. There was a robust flowery smell in the air. Was that from the gardens below? Then I saw the source; rose petals placed on trays at intervals along the corridors.
“Good news?” I asked.
Taka spoke as we walked. “Ifaka wants to talk to me. Before we left, I’d asked her to put together some direction on where to look for the stones. I wouldn't forgive myself if I did nothing to help. At least give your team an idea of where to start.”
I was confused. As crown prince, it was in Taka’s favor if the stones were never recovered, yet he’s not hindering the process; in fact, he’s helping.
“You seem to do more than Prince Segun about the stones,” I said. “Why isn’t he interested?”
Taka stopped. “He’s interested. Remember he volunteered for the job and his neck is on the line.” Taka smiled. “My brother is like a duck swimming in the pond. The duck looks graceful as it glides through the water, but if you look underneath, its feet are working very hard to keep it afloat and moving. That’s Segun for you.”
The image Taka portrayed differed significantly from what Bonetta wanted me to believe. Who is telling the truth? We resumed walking along the corridor, the town of Ode spread out below us asleep.
“People important to me will face evil,” said Taka. “The least I can do is provide information.”
Something was not right, but I couldn’t place a finger on it. I looked away, then back at him. I had to ask.
His eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“If… if we retrieve the stones, wouldn’t that jeopardize the throne for you?”
Taka took a deep breath, threw his head back, and nodded. “Yes, it should, but over the years, I have learned to put my faith in the gods and people who know more than I do, who have been around longer. It was Ifaka’s call, and she’s been around. She heard from the gods. Who am I to think otherwise?”
“Okay,” I said, somewhat convinced.
Taka led the way down the corridor as if he had a plan. I heard the faint neighing of horses and couldn’t help myself. I walked to the side and looked over the balcony. About ten well-groomed saddled horses were tethered, feeding off a long trough filled with hay next to a large manger of water.
Taka walked over. “Some of the Oloyes’ mounts. I heard you’ve improved a lot in your equestrian skills.”
“I’ve only been riding for a week, but I adore horses.”
Taka smiled. “One of these nights, before you leave for the quest, we’ll go on a moonlit ride. Come on.”
Enitan's advice about Taka flashed through my mind. I brushed it aside as the tirade of a jealous woman. We were at a section of the palace I hadn’t been to before. Taka stopped at the door, pushed it open, and pulled me in.
“Where is this?” I asked. I was surprised by the sound of my voice; different, hoarse. The only light in the room came from under the door, the burning torches in the corridor.
“Just one of the palace rooms… Nuju, I couldn’t stop thinking about you when I was away.”
Taka cupped my face in his palms. I didn’t know what to say. My heart fluttered like the wings of a butterfly. My knees felt weak. I was scared they would give way and I would slide to the ground.
“Once you come back with the stones, there will be a lot of changes,” said Taka.
I felt his hot breath on my face. It smelled of champagne, then his nose brushed mine. Was he going to kiss me? I’d never been kissed before. I wanted him to stop, and at the same time, wanted him to continue. How can I want two things at the same time? Making a decision had never been difficult for me, but here, I was completely confused about what I should do.
Muffled voices floated in from the corridor, then somebody tried the door handle, and I drew back. Taka leaned into the door, pressing his weight into it. Whoever it was tried a few more times to open it and then moved on.
“It must be visitors high on drink,” said Taka. “Perhaps looking for a place to party in private.”
Taka leaned forward and rubbed his nose against mine again, and I pulled back. I was glad we’d been interrupted.
“Nuju, I have to go,” said Taka. He smoothed his clothes and left the room.
What just happened here? A few seconds ago, the Crown Prince of Ode and I were sharing a blissful moment, now he was gone. What did I do wrong? Enitan’s words came to my mind. I kicked myself for falling for Taka’s antics. The sooner I got out of this room, the better for me. People around only tolerated the rest of the crew and me because of our mission with Prince Segun. All that would change if we failed to bring back the stones. But why did he leave? Shame washed over me as I pulled down my buba. I opened the door and peeked into the corridor; nobody was nearby. I stepped out, shut the door, and walked away. Taka had succeeded in delaying Mama Rikki's plan.
Chapter Thirty-Two
I retraced my steps. I had to pass close to the great hall and then make a left to get to my room.
Enitan stormed out of the great hall. “Nuju! Where have you been? We’ve been looking all over for you.”
I lowered my gaze and touched my ear. “I was—”
“It’s almost time for the presentation,” said Enitan, cutting me off. “You have to change and be ready with the rest of the team. They’ve all gone to get ready.”
I was glad to hear that. At least that would bring me together with the team. They needed to be aware of the new development so we could come up with a plan.
“Where’s Prince Segun?” I asked.
Enitan hitched up her buba and walked faster. “He left to get ready.”
We got to my room, and I stripped off my buba, removing with it the shame I felt with what had just happened with Taka. I put on the outfit Kintola had given us. I didn’t want to be different from the others. Mine had come with a two-knife scabbard worn on the shoulder. My two swords went into it, and I strapped it to my back. I grabbed the cloak from the outfit Enitan had brought and swung it over my shoulders to cover the swords.
Enitan looked on in wonder as I dressed up and strapped on my weapons. “What is this?” she asked, holding something up.
/> “Oh, it's called a rang.” I took it from her and examined it. This was black compared to the red one I had trained with. It had a unique leather holster on my belt. The leather covered the blades so it wouldn’t cut me by accident. I tested it out to see how easily I could bring it out. It was perfect.
“Goodness me,” said Enitan, eyes wide, her breathing fast. “It must be thrilling to have all these weapons on you.”
“Better when you know how to use them,” I said.
I picked up the sheath of arrows and checked the arrow tips. I nodded. The twelve were metal-tipped with saw-toothed edges. The sheath I flung over my left shoulder fit comfortably close to the sword sheath. Neither obstructed the other. “I’m ready,” I said and grasped the bow.
Enitan looked at me with bright glossy eyes, her palm placed over her heart. “Nice.”
We entered the ballroom. This time the atmosphere was different. People were more relaxed. They placed heaps of yams prepared in different ways on silver platters on tables set up along one section of the wall: round and cubed pieces of steaming boiled yam, narrow strips of yam deep-fried, and roasted whole tubers best consumed with red palm oil spiced up with peppers, salt, and crayfish.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me that with all the excitement, I’d forgotten to eat. I spotted the group, Kiki, Ifeoma, and Tokunbo. They wore black just like me, while Olajuwon’s group wore gray.
King Kenzi stood in the middle of the room talking and smiling and exchanging pleasantries. Noblemen and their wives with their gele, head tie, sticking out in the air trying to out-do one another.
I started toward the group. They have to know so we can come up with a plan. If they don’t agree with me, then I must go it alone. I heard Mama Rikki’s voice in my mind; your destiny is connected to the outcome of all this.
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