Chapter 18: Hunting Season, Hidden Gifts

When baobab leaf for palace turn yellow, na harmattan hunt time.

Air dry, leaves swirling. Palace buzzed—hunting season.

All years Tola Shun rule, never hunt before.

Everyone whispered, wondering if he go break tradition.

Tola Shun: hunting na generals’ party, make I look forward.

Eyes sparkled, I rolled mine.

Wetin I wan look forward? I no sabi ride or shoot, I felt mocked.

I pouted. Hunting felt like test I go fail.

I told him, he called me mumu.

He laughed, ruffled hair. "Mumu, you go learn."

I just break with am—sometimes roll eye, sometimes step his leg...

We bickered, but I liked having him near.

That day, I dey chop dried meat Mama Zainab made, Baba Sani said Tola Shun dey wait for stable to pick horse.

I wiped hands, excitement bubbling.

I wan refuse, but queen mother’s loving eyes stopped me. For her front, I no fit rude, or etiquette nanny go lecture me taya.

I sighed, nodded, smoothed wrapper.

Plenty horse for stable, all similar, except one black pass others.

Stable smelled of hay, leather. Horses stamped. I eyed black horse, coat shining.

I stopped for black horse.

Animal snorted, tossed mane. I reached, fingers trembling.

Tola Shun came, patted horse, horse nuzzled him.

He grinned, proud.

I said, "Na your horse?"

He nodded, stroking neck. "Na my padi."

Tola Shun: "Yes, you like am?"

I shrugged.

I tried pat horse, horse dodged.

I laughed, pride stung.

Tola Shun laughed, I said na bootlicker among horse.

He grinned, called me jealous. Horse snorted.

Tola Shun: rare horse, horse wey know master better.

He spoke with pride. I pouted, determined to win horse over.

As he dey defend, I said, "You wan give me?"

He raised brow, teasing.

Tola Shun: "I fit give, but you no go ride am for hunt."

I rolled eyes, but he looked serious.

I asked why. Tola Shun: "Because I dey always be target. If you die because of my horse, I go blame myself."

His words heavy.

I said e make sense, picked brown horse wey no stand out.

I chose, hoping to prove myself.

Before hunt, I learn ride. Tola Shun surprised.

He clapped, "Bloodline strong!"

He winked, called me lion daughter.

I proud, ran show queen mother, she praised, "Lion daughter."

Her laughter echoed, I danced.

I carried all dried meat Mama Zainab made.

Scent filled my bag, guards eyeing.

That day, queen mother sent riding clothes to my palace.

Wrapper fine, gold thread. I twirled, admiring.

Only as we go, I heard queen mother no follow.

Heart sank. Her eyes glistened as she wished luck.

I ran ask why.

She hugged tight, whispered, "Go make me proud."

Mama Zainab stopped me for inner hall, no let me enter.

She shook head, eyes soft.

She said queen mother and late Oba fell in love during hunt.

Story sweetened my heart.

I waka commot.

I joined others, ready to write my own story.

Since Tola Shun dey ride, queen mother no go, na me get big carriage.

Ride bumpy, but I felt important, waving at villagers.

As we reached hunting ground, I tire.

Sun hot, wrapper clinging. I stumbled, eager to stretch legs.

I came down, ran meet Tola Shun.

He smiled, helped me down.

He dey talk with people. As he saw me, sent them away.

They bowed, he offered kola nut.

I asked which tent be mine, he pointed.

Tent large, decorated with beads.

I went, remembered, "Which one be your tent?"

He said, "Next to yours."

I grinned, comforted.

I said, "Anything else?"

He laughed.

I said, "I go stay for tent next next to yours, so you fit put guards for one near you."

He rolled eyes, called me stubborn.

He said, "So promising."

Smile softened, pride in eyes.

He showed tents, "That one, that one, that one—guards full."

I relaxed.

I grinned, "I go rest. That carriage nearly finish me. I no dey come again."

He laughed, ruffled hair.

See am, nothing to look forward. I just sat under Tola Shun, watched young generals rush bush as he command. Then long wait.

I watched hunters disappear, forest swallowing. Air buzzed.

As Tola Shun dey calm, I asked, "No dey boring?"

He shot look, lips twitching.

He glared.

I giggled, poked side.

People began return.

One by one, hunters emerged, carrying catch. Crowd cheered, drums beating.

Finally, all returned on time.

Tola Shun nodded, satisfied.

One masked young general had more prey.

Crowd gasped, whispers. Who be this masked champion?

I thought na him win.

I clapped, eager.

True, dem gave winner flag.

Champion raised flag, bowed. I cheered, heart pounding.

As I wan rest, person beside masked general said, "Your Majesty, all my oga prey and prize na for Miss Ifeanyi Tangola."

Words stunned me. I stared.

I shock. Looked again, young general tall, black, stood upright.

No close, so I no see, just upright.

I squinted, curiosity burning.

Tola Shun gave eye, "Granted."

He nodded, smile playing.

I dazed as Tola Shun gave heavy dagger.

Weapon beautiful, handle carved.

Oh, na dagger be prize.

I turned in hand, weight solid.

I asked if dagger get value.

He grinned, "Na only you fit carry am well."

He glared again.

I stuck tongue, laughing as crowd cheered.