Chapter 17: Loyalty No Be Play

Musa Adigun point the clause, look up, eye Chief Chinedu. "Chief Chinedu, we go negotiate this one too?"

His voice sharp, pain for tone. Eye red, fist tight. The question na challenge, na plea, na silent cry.

Chief Chinedu say, "Your Majesty, bear shame, dey endure. That year, old assassin fit use another man head; today, Bala Yusuf head suppose do the same."

Chinedu voice no shake, but the words cold. He look away, refuse meet Oba eye. For mind, he dey count cost, but for face, na only reason dey show.

Musa Adigun laugh. "Why you no use your own head?"

The laugh dry, almost bitter. The palace guards look ground, one servant almost drop tray. For Umuola, question na deep wound.

Chief Chinedu sigh. "Me na scholar, I no fit fight like General Bala. I fit only buy Umuola some years with negotiation. Gidan no get sense, dem dey hate Bala Yusuf, dem no know say na me be their real enemy."

His voice low, almost a whisper. The confession hang in air, like incense smoke for shrine. Some chiefs dey nod, others dey frown.

Musa Adigun open mouth, shock, no know wetin to talk.

His chest rise, fall. For mind, "Palace wey truth dey flow like this, na only wahala fit follow."