We were now by the staircase and I hadn’t said a word, just listened.
“See you later,” said Enitan.
I wanted to ask her what she meant by “favorite”, but I felt I had a good idea. I walked as fast as I could to the training room and hoped the events of yesterday were now behind me.
Bisi, Ifeoma, and Kiki were already there waiting. They crowded me.
“So, what happened after we left?” asked Kiki.
I glanced at her and looked away. “Nothing happened.” I scratched an itch in my armpit. I didn’t want to lie. The truth always came out when you least expected it. I told them everything Prince Taka and I talked about minus the botched kiss.
“Horses?” said Kiki. “I’ve never been on one before.”
None of us had ever been on one.
“Well, that’s why we’re here; to learn,” I said.
The door to the training room creaked open, and Kintola shuffled in. “Why the long faces? You learned about the horses already? Are you trying to mimic them?”
Nobody said anything.
He looked at us longer. “Pull yourselves together; it’s horses all day today. Don’t waste your strength disfiguring your faces.”
The door opened again and we all turned. Tokunbo, Olajuwon, and the rest walked in.
“Did someone say horses?” asked Olajuwon. “I like horses.”
Kintola cleared his throat. “Whether you like them or not, from today they’re going to be your second-best friend after me. We’ll visit the stable, and by the end of the week, I expect you all to be excellent horsemen and women.”
Olajuwon pumped a fist in the air. “Yes!”
He seemed to be the only one with a good knowledge of horses. For the rest of us, it was trepidation.
Kiki walked up to me. “We have only one week left, and then the New Yam festival. The closer it gets, the more scared I am.”
“It's not just you,” I said and pointed at the others. “We all wear looks like something bad is going to happen. If we have no fear, then we are foolish. But we shouldn’t let fear distract us. Kintola has trained us well. We will find those stones and bring magic back.”
Kintola headed towards the door and clapped his hands loudly. “Everybody, follow me. To the stables, now!”
We walked on in silence, the odor of horses and horse manure strong in the air as we approached the stables. Horses neighed as the stable boys worked with them, reminding me of the first time I saw the stables during the first run around the palace. It had been torture, but now I could run around the castle without effort.
I glanced at Kiki. “Why did you trip me the first day we ran?”
Kiki kept quiet for a moment, then shrugged. “You had angered me.”
“I angered you? I didn’t even know you.”
Kiki sighed. “It's a long story. Two years ago, they took my sister during the harvest. That left me devastated. Somehow, inside of me, I knew they had killed her, and she wasn’t with any priests in a temple as they had told us. I prayed for the priestesses to select me, so I would be reunited with my sister. The gods answered my prayers. It was just a matter of time before I met with her again. But you changed it.”
“You wanted to die?” I asked.
“Yes, and they would have murdered us that first day before you saved the girl, drawing Princess Bonnetta’s sympathy. Next, Ifaka did her thing, and we became volunteers. I believed the gods spared me for a reason. Our success means triumph for everybody.”
I nodded. “So, you attacked me because I saved your life?”
“Very much so,” Kiki said and started to laugh. I joined her.
“Let's go learn how to handle horses,” I said.
The stable was made up of many stalls. A stable boy came over and started giving instructions. He smelled of waxed leather and saddle soap. First, he began by showing us the horse bridle and saddle.
“Don’t they come already bridled and saddled?” asked Ifeoma.
I thought that was an excellent question; who wanted to deal with that?
The stable boy fidgeted as if trying not to laugh. “Well, in a way,” said the boy. “You saddle and bridle the horse before you ride, and when you’re done, you remove them.”
To speed things up, a horse and stable boy were assigned to each of us. By the end of our first day, I could barely move. My thighs hurt from sitting astride a horse for hours. As we went back to the palace, doubt crept into my mind. We’d been trained to fight, but that did not make us professionals.
Nobody masters riding a horse in a week, and, most of all, no one has any idea where the stones are. The future looked bleak, and the whole thing seemed like death deferred.
Only Olajuwon seemed in high spirits. He took it upon himself to teach Tokunbo, who had a mundane fear of horses. Later, I tried to thank him for that, but he laughed at me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
From the stables, we dragged our feet back to the palace in silence, only saying goodnight as we separated to go to our different rooms. The quest for the stones would start in seven days, and the realization that it would take a while to figure out the horses was not lost on us. Before we rode, I’d been upbeat, but after that, the fact that we were not ready hit home.
As I dragged myself towards my door, I couldn’t help but wonder where Segun was. He should have been at the stables to show support, reassure us that we’d find what we sought.
For the next six days, we practiced riding horses, squeezing in some combat training.
“I don’t want you to forget the little you’ve already learned,” Kintola had said.
I wanted to be reassured, but deep down, I knew it might not end well. Tomorrow was the New Yam festival. I said goodnight to the rest of the crew and crawled to my door.
I sighed and opened the door, wondering if I should skip taking a bath tonight, then I heard muffled voices. The tiredness disappeared and all my senses became alert. The voices were familiar. I exhaled. It was Bisi and Ronke; they must be in the closet. Too tired, I yawned and sat on the bed, then lowered my back. I’ll wait for them to come out.
“Oh, I love this one,” said Bisi.
“What do you think of this one? Does it match my color?” said Ronke.
“I’m sorry she’s not coming back,” said Bisi. “It’s not fair, she and the other volunteers worked hard. But how does Enitan know they won’t make it back?”
“Enitan?” asked Ronke. “Maybe she overheard the king in his chambers while working there.”
They both giggled.
They are talking about me and sharing my clothes even while I’m still here. What did Enitan hear that made her so sure we would perish? What was going on? Since that night, I’d avoided Taka. The princess and Segun had not bothered to come around. I hadn’t heard anything new.
Footsteps approached. I took a deep breath, shut my eyes, and let out a low rumbling snore. I hoped they’d continue talking. The sound of the footsteps froze.
“Nuju! You’re back.” It was Bisi’s voice.
I opened my eyes and sat up. “Oh, hello, Bisi… Ronke,” I said groggily. “I’m so tired, we went horse riding today…” My voice trailed off.
“We… we came in to tidy up,” said Ronke with a stammer. “We didn’t hear you come in. We were arranging your closet. Are… are you coming down for dinner?”
“It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted,” I said. “I’ll eat up here and go to bed.” Bisi always had a soft heart. I’d send her to make an appointment for me to see the princess, and Ronke, some other place so I could talk to Bonetta in private.
Bisi and Ronke stood by the door with Ronke swinging it back and forth slowly. “Ronke, please inform Enitan I would like to speak with Prince Segun.”
Ronke hesitated. “Yes, I will. See you tomorrow then.” She opened the door and stepped out.
Bisi turned to follow her.
“Bisi?” I hissed and waved her over.
Bisi’s eyebr
ows shot up. She glanced at the door and came to the bed. “Yes, Nuju?” Her voice a whisper.
“Could you send a message to Princess Bonetta? Tell her I’d like to see her.”
Bisi nodded. “I’ll tell Enitan—”
“No. Go to Bonetta's quarters yourself.” I glanced at the door. “Tell Ronke I want food delivered from the kitchen as soon as she can.”
About ten minutes later, a messenger came with a message that the princess expected me in her apartment in thirty minutes. That was quick. I needed to shower and change my clothes. My dashiki smelled of horses and stale sweat. I took a bath and went into my closet. The girls had indeed gone through my stuff. I changed and came out. I was surprised to see Enitan with a tray of food.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Enitan placed the tray on the table. “Ronke gave me your message, but I couldn’t find Segun.” Her eyes roamed over me. “Meeting someone interesting tonight? Taka?”
I hesitated. “No, just the princess.”
“Why?” asked Enitan in a casual, uninterested voice as she placed the dishes on the table.
“Princess Bonetta summoned me,” I lied. “If it wasn’t so late and you were less busy, I would have asked you to come with me.”
“No problem, I’ll come,” said Enitan.
“You don’t have…”
Enitan waved a hand. “It's alright, I’ll have Ronke take away the tray.”
I looked at the food, boiled yam, and spicy palm oil. Steam rose from the cubes of white yam. They were from last year’s batch. The new yams would be served at the festival. My stomach twisted in knots; there was no way I was going to get food into it. I looked at the grandfather clock in the sitting room. I needed to leave right away if I didn’t want to be late.
“Eat, then we’ll go,” said Enitan.
I shook my head, “later.” I had no choice but to bring her with me. “I’m ready when you are.”
Enitan stared at me for a second. “Okay.”
We walked down the corridor toward the side of the palace where the king and the rest of his immediate family had their quarters. Enitan said nothing, but I knew inside she was dying to know why Bonetta wanted to see me. I was burning to know why Ronke and Bisi felt so confident I wouldn’t survive and decided to share my things.
We got to Bonetta’s door, and I knocked. The door flew open as if someone had been there waiting.
“Princess!” I blurted. “So nice to see you.”
“Same here,” said Bonetta. She looked over my shoulders. “Enitan, don’t worry about Nuju, you can go ahead and do what else is on your schedule. I’ll make sure she’s safely back in her room.”
“My schedule is free for—”
Bonnetta’s eyebrows narrowed. “Then go get yourself some tea!”
“Yes… yes, Your Highness,” Enitan said and curtsied.
I felt sorry for Enitan, but she should know better. When you’re not wanted, don’t impose yourself.
A smile appeared on Bonetta’s face. “Come in.”
I walked into her apartment, my initial fear after her outburst melting away. I wanted to wait for an opportune time, but I couldn’t hold myself. “Why is everything so secretive?” I asked. “I feel there’s something I’m missing.”
Bonetta laughed and looked at me with an amused look on her face. “You’re not intimidated by me anymore? The first time we met, I thought your heart would stop beating.”
My nostrils flared. I looked down. Bonetta was right. She pushed a piece of fabric towards me. She had a similar one draped over her shoulder, which she picked up and placed on her head, letting it fall over her clothes. She wrapped herself with it in a style I’d seen some women do after it rained and the air was cooler. Probably something she learned from Qtari.
Bonetta stood up. “Come, we’re going for a walk.”
I followed her, and we went down the stairs and towards the exit of the castle. As we approached the gate out of the palace, two men dressed in black with curved swords, the scimitar, fell in step behind us.
“We are leaving the palace gardens?” I asked.
“Yes, I suspect your team is becoming less motivated as the day approaches for the quest to begin. I want to show you why you must bring back the Eternity stones. It’s not just about you, me, and the rest of your crew; others would also benefit. It's about time you met them.”
We walked in silence out of the palace grounds and into the street. I looked behind; the two guards followed from a distance. As we walked past the square in front of the palace, I shuddered. I would have been sacrificed if Bonetta had not intervened. We walked on, mixing in with regular people, and nobody recognized the princess walking amongst them.
“I often walk among the people in disguise,” said Bonetta. “That way, I get to understand what is going on in the community firsthand. Nobody is putting up a show for me.”
“But where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see. Just look around and observe as we go.”
We walked past the temple, the market, past food vendors shouting out their wares, trying to outdo one another. We passed fishmongers, and the smell of fresh fish and spoiling fish filled the air.
“Sister buy from me,” said one little boy.
“I sell the best oranges in Ode. My oranges are sweeter than honey,” said another hawker.
I smiled and waved him away. After about ten minutes we’d walked across the market and now headed away from it. The street got narrower and dirtier. On either side of the narrow road, the people had created huts from whatever material they could get their hands on—wood, raffia palms, mud, all jumbled up.
“We’re almost there,” said Bonetta.
Even though our heads were covered, people were beginning to stare. We were out of place. “What is this place called?” I asked.
“The slum of Ode,” said the princess. “This is where enslaved people that keep Ode functioning live.”
I stopped in my tracks. Bonetta walked back to me.
“These are the families of the enslaved people from all over my father’s kingdom, who, over the years, have been toiling and building up the city. Before, I thought it was normal, a way of life. After a war, captives are enslaved. But here it was a one-sided war. Father invaded these people and took them against their will. But in Qtari, I was exposed to a different way; their captives were not placed in inhuman conditions. I knew father’s approach was not normal.”
Anger bubbled deep inside me and threatened to burst out. I took deep breaths to control myself.
“Come, we have to keep moving; otherwise we’ll attract unnecessary attention,” Bonetta said and led the way towards another section away from the residential area. “This is where the jobs are done, for those who are lucky. They work and then go back to their families at night. The worst situation awaits those transported to the mines; they work until they drop dead. Especially at the coal mines in Enugu and iron ore mines at Kogi. For the slaves and sometimes prisoners sent there, it’s a one-way trip.”
Bonetta was still a part of the leadership that continued to perpetuate this atrocity against fellow human beings. Anger festered inside me. “I’m beginning to hate your family,” I whispered. But loud enough for Bonetta to hear.
Bonetta smiled. “Hate is a strong word. My eyes here opened to the atrocities committed in Ode.” Bonetta placed a hand on my shoulder. “I just wanted to show you what is at stake here, why you must succeed and bring back the stones.”
I started to calm down and felt a new energy surge inside me. I turned to Bonetta. “I’ll tell the rest of the crew. Maybe I’ll bring them here and show them. Seeing is believing.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“We have to go back to the palace,” said Bonetta. “The New Yam festival is tomorrow, and there’s still a lot I have to do.” A smile tugged at the corners of Bonetta’s lips. “I have to make arrangements for Rahima and the Qtarian entourage.”
“Are you looking f
orward to seeing them?” I asked.
Bonetta stroked her neck, smiled, and nodded. “You have a strong attachment to wherever you spent your formative years.”
I felt a longing in my heart. “I miss my family. I hope I’ll see them again.”
“Of course, you will,” said Bonetta. “Our lives depend on the success of the team. A better life for the people we leave behind depends on whether the stones come back. And I know in my heart you will succeed.” The princess placed her hand on her heart. “And see your family again.”
As we walked back, more people were heading toward the slum than those who were leaving, slowing us down. One of the men in black stepped in front of us, and people scampered out of the way, making our progress faster. This was a defeated people. They could quickly overpower the guards and get to Bonetta and me, yet they chose not to.
Bonetta turned to me. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I brought you here.”
“Yes, but I’m glad you did. Seeing is believing.”
Bonetta sighed. “The task ahead for you will be tough. But I want you to know it's not just about us, others would benefit from your success.” Bonetta pointed at the people around. “Freedom for all these people.”
I looked around at the sad and curious faces looking at us as if we had two heads. Fatigue and hopelessness seemed etched into their faces. Right then, I was committed to doing everything in my power to make sure they experienced freedom.
“So, why did I end up in Qtari?” asked Bonetta.
I hadn’t asked, but I think she wanted to talk about it. The answer had been revealed to me by the cart driver the first day we arrived at Qtari, but I wanted to hear from her. “Why?”
“With Father’s conquest yielding him many treasures,” said Bonetta, “he set his eyes on other empires and expanded into other continents. The people of Qtari were weary, it was only a matter of time before Father turned his attention to them. They had a smaller army that could get crushed by Father’s might. So to avoid experiencing what had happened to other regions that faced Father in battle, they sent an envoy to appease Father. They brought gifts and promised more. Father, I guess weary of fighting and aware that the soldiers who had been with him for years might be wary of all the fighting, agreed to a peace deal with Qtari.”
Betrayed Page 9
