Chapter 8: Gifts and Intrigue

Northern envoys still bring two fine girls join.

So fine, e be like say moon and flower dey shame—fish go sink, bird go fall, all those kind.

Pretty, sabi talk, fit write, paint, sing, dance—everything.

Dem ask if I like am.

I nod, smile for the girls. See as dem get talent—my son dey lucky.

So I wave hand, accept dem into harem.

As the girls enter palace, northern envoys begin find excuse to stay longer.

I hear say during this time, dem try send message to the girls, but e no work.

Heh, wetin dem dey think?

Once you enter my Umuola palace, you be our person.

The northern envoys no just bring ordinary things; they bring George wrapper, lace from Kano, and coral beads—things my people no fit buy every market day. As for the ministers wey dey do anyhow, I chase some, sack some, with Auwalu help, everywhere calm down, everybody face work.

Northern envoys see say no chance, dem run go back their place.

Dem carry long face go, as their wrapper no touch ground again. For Umuola, we sabi protect our own. Even the market women for village square dey gist about the northern people trick.