Chapter 2: Learning the Land

Since His Majesty enter throne, everywhere come calm. No more shout of war or talk of Northern Campaign. The village square quiet like after heavy rainfall, only gangan drum dey tap faint for distance.

But e come dey more serious to learn, dey call local chiefs every day to ask about land, river, customs, people, and money matter. I dey sit for council, listen to elders wey get mouth for village, learn why Ogbono dey scarce and how Okpa sellers dey fight for corner. The smell of roasted corn and palm wine dey always waft for air during council, making the palace feel alive.

Baba Okon sef begin doubt himself. Na this same pikin wey dey chase goat and chicken every day before? Abi na ancestors spirit really enter am? E go sit with old women, hear dem gist about market trouble, as if e dey collect wisdom with basket.

Anyway, His Majesty dey do well. As long as e no cause wahala, if we fit balance Umuola for three to five years, we go fit try Northern Campaign. Baba Okon dey pray for night, "Chukwu, abeg, guide this boy."

"Chief Minister, wahala dey!" Palace doorman burst enter, breath hang for throat, sweat pour like man wey run from masquerade.

Chief Minister no like panic. As e see the man scatter body, e frown, voice low, "Talk with respect! Na palace be this."

"His Majesty dey do horse riding with General Audu, e fall, faint again." Doorman voice tremble, as if e fear spirit go vex for the news.

"Chief Minister, take am easy! Your shoe don fall." Another helper try hold his hand, but Baba Okon just push am aside.

Baba Okon run out, dey complain inside mind, "This pikin no go let person rest. Which kind wahala be this?" Wrapper almost fall for waist as e hurry.

For palace hall, everywhere just dey awkward. Nobody wan talk, silence heavy like pot of yam.

Uchechukwu arm dey for sling, face full of wound, mouth bend, eyes one kind—just look like person wey dem beat well. Cut for eyebrow still dey bleed small, but pride dey shine for eyes.

Audu stand for hall, dey shame, no know wetin to talk. E shift foot, horse whip forgotten for hand.

Baba Okon face cold like say harmattan blow am. The air for hall stiff, nobody fit cough.

Uchechukwu no know wetin to talk too. At eighteen, I fit draw big bow, drink palm wine, ride wild horse, even play with fine women... Okay, make I calm down. Inside, I dey laugh at myself. Youth and old age dey war for my body.

Who know say stirrup go be like this now? Uncle Audu no even talk. For warriors, small wound no dey fear us. Who run go tell Chief Minister? My pride no go gree me show weakness, so I just hold face.

Audu sef dey wonder. His Majesty wan practice archery and horse riding. As king for this kind time, e good to sabi fight. That time, we dey enter and commot Palm Forest together, nothing do us... Who go tell Chief Minister? The unspoken bond of warriors dey between us.

Baba Okon just dey look. Audu, you don old reach to dey get white beard, you still dey play horse with His Majesty? E sigh, remembering the days when him own bones dey strong.

E clear throat: "The late Oba always say, ‘No let small wahala block big dream.’ His Majesty must take care, no forget to revive Umuola." He drop the speech wey suppose last one hour for two seconds.

"Chief Minister talk true, revive Umuola. When we go start Northern Campaign?" I press the matter again, my eyes dey stubborn like goat.

Chief Minister just tire, drag Audu, waka commot. Dem two dey whisper, "Dis boy head no dey house again."

Uchechukwu sabi say this trick dey work, smile, pull him wound, come look more pitiful. I enjoy small drama; if dem pity me, my wahala go reduce.

"Call palace doctor again." I command, voice soft, but mind dey sharp, already dey plan next move.