Chapter 7: Pride for Survival

I know where Musa Danladi's wahala for me start from.

The wahala no be today—e dey root deep. Everybody for border sabi say Musa no trust capital people.

Elders send food two times, but after all the checkpoints, wetin reach border no even do.

Food loss dey pain everybody. Some soldiers dey thin, eye hollow. Some dey manage garri and salt for night.

Soldiers dey risk life, but when dem come back, food no dey.

I hear dem talk for midnight, their voices low: "How we go fight on empty stomach?"

Those corrupt people for capital suppose chop punishment, but front line matter first.

War first, wahala later. If you talk now, dem go say you no get respect.

So I use my royal power, escort the food myself.

I tie scarf, hold staff, tell my mother, "If anything happen, tell papa make him no vex."

E do.

Journey rough, but food land, soldiers cheer. For that moment, all pain pause.

With war serious like this, I go get chance deal with Musa Danladi when he reach capital for reward.

For my mind, I dey count days. Every pain, I dey store am like cowries for pot.

I stop Lin Nwosu's drama, raise hand for whip.

My hand high, soldiers silent. Even wind quiet small.

Musa Danladi dey look as I use all my strength flog am.

Each lash loud—pain and justice join together. He no shake.

Na when I see red mark, my anger small small cool, I turn go inside.

Red line across his back, sweat drip. My heart slow down, chest release small.

Musa Danladi look the mark, eyes full of scorn, smile wide.

His mouth twist, "Na this small flogging?"

"Grain Officer never chop? That one just dey tickle me."

He talk am like say I dey do small pikin play. Pride full everywhere.

Before I fit talk, Lin Nwosu start to shout for am again.

His shouting echo for yard, birds scatter for nearby mango tree.

I pause, see as Musa Danladi still dey form stubborn.

No tears, no beg. He just dey shine eye.

This boy na real wahala.

For palace, one look from queen fit humble pikin. For border, na stubbornness dey reign.

"When Young Commander Musa reach capital for reward, I go chop well first."

I grind my teeth, voice low. The battle line dey draw, but only me and Musa sabi.

I talk with teeth tight.

My jaw no loose. The words come out like stone.