Women Of Steel | ✔

XVII

Today's update is dedicated to SLVADENAuthor. Enjoy the update, this chapter gives way to the most important aspects of this story, don't forget to share your thoughts in the comment section.

I remain awake throughout the night and at the crack of dawn several servants pile into my chambers with heads bowed low but eyes swimming with curiosity. No doubt that the palace will be buzzing like flies with news of me and this strange trip that the king has refused to speak about.

I am accompanied by guards and servants to the river for a bath. The villagers know not to come to the river by this early hour. However I am surprised that other nobles or their wives are not present. The water is warm, this river links with another from the neighboring village and the spot where the two rivers meet is warm.

With the absence of the nobles I am almost certain that Tadenikawo has ordered his guards to drown me. The water is a fear that I cannot seem to conquer. I can swim but my skills seem to desert me when I am in water. Hence, I always remain in the shallow parts, even then I quake in my feet and offer prayers to Osun.

My hair is washed and my skin scrubbed while the servants chatter, firing words quickly in Yoruba, only the poorest or uneducated and perhaps the old timers continue to speak Yoruba, our own language has been traded for a sophisticated one - Ede language. I make no attempt to eavesdrop on their conversations even though I clearly understand what they chatter about.

Their chatters follow me back to the palace as I am dressed in basic attire - iro and buba - nothing like the king would have normally have me dressed in. Sweet smelling oils of coconut and roses are applied on my hair and it is braided again into an elegant up do. I sit on my bed and await the next pampering.

Breakfast soon arrives and still no word from the king, I chew on a single ball of akara and abandon the ogi, I stopped eating it since I was a child, mother called me an unusual child because of my dislike for the food. With a twitch of my lips, I realize my mother trained me like one would train her first born son.

There are guards standing outside my chambers, I should feel safe but all I feel is wary. What if the guards are not meant to protect me but to keep me in?

"I want to see the king," I demand. The shorter guard looks briefly at me before turning his gaze ahead. The other shakes his head exasperatedly as if to say; obirin - women -

"Kabiyesi is attending to important issues." He says.

"Those women are really in for the king's wrath -" The taller guard's words are cut off as his companion jabs him in the side. Already late as my eyes narrow in suspicion.

"Is there something you were saying?" I ask, batting my lashes coyly. I imagine I only make myself look scarier as the guards seem to shrink.

"Nothing your highness, just busybody women." The short guard answers. "Some women staged protests after the Orisha festival, shouting and cursing the name of the king. They were arrested yesterday."

My chest wells up with pride and fear, pride that my women stand for themselves and fear that there might not be a cause to fight for when there is no army.

"How many women were arrested?"

"Four, the rest escaped. Some of them fought off guards." The taller guard shakes his head. "Women now, something else nowadays." Something brave.

Only a moment later does he seem to realize that I am a woman. He throws me an apologetic glance.

"Not you your Highness, you are as graceful and beautiful -- as Osun." He stutters and a small laugh escapes my lips unwittingly. It does not last.

"I need to see the king now," I demand again. I have to find out who is imprisoned and how to get them out.

"His Majesty will not be seeing you now," A sudden airy voice calls out, the morning light casts a warm glow on his face. It is the boy that plays the flute at night in the stables. Shock registers in my face before my expression morphs into anger.

"And what right does a servant have to tell me when my husband will see me?" I sneer. Closer his face looks even more appealing, he is dressed in his usual attire, plain white shirt and trousers.

It is the way he carries himself that tells me that this boy is not a slave, he couldn't be when he carries himself like royalty. Every single step only solidifies my suspicions.

"Leave us," He dismisses the guards and with a quick bow they leave, casting me one last glance.

"I am sorry your Highness, the king asked me to inform you that he will not be seeing you this morning."

The boy inclines his head sharply in respect. His chin is dusted with a light stubble making him look older than he was when I first saw him.

"You don't dress like royalty," I say in mere curiosity.

The boy smiles slightly. "Royalty is not always recognized by fancy clothing."

A scoff escapes my lips, something about this boy rubs me the wrong way already. Maybe it is the way he seems to keep his expression open and even friendly. Like he has nothing to hide, I have learnt that the ones who look innocent have the worst secrets.

"Are you related to the king?" I ask. Tadenikawo does not have any living blood relative except his half sister, not when his own father had his family murdered in fear that one day the throne could be stolen away by his family.

Tadenikawo's father has surely secured the throne for his generation, this village will suffer in the reigns of this evil family.

"Rara, omo Kabiyesi Obanikoro ni mi." He says.

King Obanikoro rules Ile Alaafia, one of the eight Yoruba kingdoms. His kingdom is strongly tied with Tadenikawo's. This boy is a Prince, a prince that takes pleasure in the strangest things, flutes, music and unconventional clothing.

"What is your name?" I ask.

"Tobi, Oloruntobiloba." His eyes seem to contradict his lazy stance, they almost dare me to challenge him.

I stare at him unflinchingly, nose up in the air like my mother taught me, "Take me to my husband."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, my husband stands by the door flanked by several guards.

"I am right here wife, I see you have met prince Tobi."

My husband looks immensely pleased with himself, a self satisfied smile sits on his face. "And I have brought you a gift."

A figure in chains being dragged to me curses loudly and is forced to kneel, fear grips me as I stare into the face of a snarling Sade.

Translations;

Akara and ogi - akara means bean cake and ogi means pap or custard. It is a meal commonly eaten in the morning.

Rara, omo Kabiyesi Obanikoro ni mi - I am the son of king Obanikoro.

Ile Alaafia - means house of health, the second fictional village that makes up the Yoruba kingdom. Ruled by King Obanikoro.

Oloruntobiloba - means God is big enough to be king. Shortened form is Tobi. Tobi is pronounced Toh-bee.