Head-of-Government signaled to the general to speak.
“We did not meet them in their home. They seemed to have fled— ”
T he King’s servant interrupted the general in announcing the arrival of the King’s envoy.
“You may leave and get the best pathfinder around,’’ Arubi told the general. “He will probably be heading toward his mother’s people in Utagba.”
Arubi then asked the King’s envoy to explain the status of the relationship between the King and the provinces.
“We are all aware that we have only nine provinces because the Utagba people have still refused to merge with our kingdom and they are growing stronger under total allegiance to their Okpala. They still don’t have a chief,’’ the envoy responded.
“Okpala ? Who is an Okpala?”
“An Okpala is the oldest retired chief in a province, My King.”
“I know what an Okpala is you fool.” The King sighed and put his left hand on his waist. “Forget about them. We will talk about them another time. Continue.”
“We have Ihua of Ahoda. As long as you can give him the power to do what he wants, he is for us. The Ezeonisha of Abogima is indifferent to the King, but he is strict with the customs of the land. Atani of Ozuoba has an unshakeable loyalty to you. Okon of Ndemili still despises you since Arubi became the Head-of-Government. He still feels the position was taken from him. Akuna of Ogwashi is loyal to you because he has not gotten a better offer. We can’t say what Gbangba of Alloida is capable of doing. Ike of Ogbe will give you his honor till his death. Otiotio of Suyema is a man that you can rely on, but I don't know if his allegiance to you is till his death. Last of all is the Head-of-Government, who is by your side.”
“Thank you, Envoy, for your explicit dialogue. That will be all for now.”
The Head-of-Government discharged the King's envoy, who was disappointed that they did not let him share the other information he had to give.
“Somebody told them,” the Head-of-Government continued. “They were aware when we were coming. The leak came from this room.”
“Talk me to in a straight manner,” the King said.
“Okonjo's loyalty is questionable.”
“Be logical, he won't be stupid enough to warn them because he has nothing to gain.”
“Then someone dangerous to us is protecting the young man. We are not sure how long we can keep the information from reaching the commoners. The boy will definitely have chiefs who will embrace him when he gets to them, not to mention that he happens to be a good friend of Gbangba.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s my job to know, Your Majesty. He grew up to have a brother who happens to be the general of Ozuoba, but it seems they are now grave enemies, all the better for us.”
King Nwosa shouted for his servant and told him to get the Ishu priest and the Okpalaukwu. Then turning to the Head-of-Government he said, “Give me an open view of where we stand.”
“Sire, we are not sure, so let’s look at it from the worst perspective. He is definitely supported by a man or men of some degree of power, so we call a meeting inviting all the chiefs to the Conference Room. Anyone who does not make himself available has violated his allegiance to his King with death as the only punishment. But if they should all be present, then we take advantage and eliminate any chief capable of dishonor.”
” Supposing he really is my son?”
“That has nothing to do with the situation at hand, Your Majesty.”
“I was under the impression it has everything to do with the situation at hand. I have this painful intuition that he is my son and the people seem unsatisfied with my successor…I was thinking about accepting him publicly as my son because the thought of shedding a drop of blood from my own son…burns me somewhere inside.”
The Head-of-Government smiled and nodded.
“ That is an alternative. But I doubt if your other son will give up the chance to be King. Even
“We did not meet them in their home. They seemed to have fled— ”
T he King’s servant interrupted the general in announcing the arrival of the King’s envoy.
“You may leave and get the best pathfinder around,’’ Arubi told the general. “He will probably be heading toward his mother’s people in Utagba.”
Arubi then asked the King’s envoy to explain the status of the relationship between the King and the provinces.
“We are all aware that we have only nine provinces because the Utagba people have still refused to merge with our kingdom and they are growing stronger under total allegiance to their Okpala. They still don’t have a chief,’’ the envoy responded.
“Okpala ? Who is an Okpala?”
“An Okpala is the oldest retired chief in a province, My King.”
“I know what an Okpala is you fool.” The King sighed and put his left hand on his waist. “Forget about them. We will talk about them another time. Continue.”
“We have Ihua of Ahoda. As long as you can give him the power to do what he wants, he is for us. The Ezeonisha of Abogima is indifferent to the King, but he is strict with the customs of the land. Atani of Ozuoba has an unshakeable loyalty to you. Okon of Ndemili still despises you since Arubi became the Head-of-Government. He still feels the position was taken from him. Akuna of Ogwashi is loyal to you because he has not gotten a better offer. We can’t say what Gbangba of Alloida is capable of doing. Ike of Ogbe will give you his honor till his death. Otiotio of Suyema is a man that you can rely on, but I don't know if his allegiance to you is till his death. Last of all is the Head-of-Government, who is by your side.”
“Thank you, Envoy, for your explicit dialogue. That will be all for now.”
The Head-of-Government discharged the King's envoy, who was disappointed that they did not let him share the other information he had to give.
“Somebody told them,” the Head-of-Government continued. “They were aware when we were coming. The leak came from this room.”
“Talk me to in a straight manner,” the King said.
“Okonjo's loyalty is questionable.”
“Be logical, he won't be stupid enough to warn them because he has nothing to gain.”
“Then someone dangerous to us is protecting the young man. We are not sure how long we can keep the information from reaching the commoners. The boy will definitely have chiefs who will embrace him when he gets to them, not to mention that he happens to be a good friend of Gbangba.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s my job to know, Your Majesty. He grew up to have a brother who happens to be the general of Ozuoba, but it seems they are now grave enemies, all the better for us.”
King Nwosa shouted for his servant and told him to get the Ishu priest and the Okpalaukwu. Then turning to the Head-of-Government he said, “Give me an open view of where we stand.”
“Sire, we are not sure, so let’s look at it from the worst perspective. He is definitely supported by a man or men of some degree of power, so we call a meeting inviting all the chiefs to the Conference Room. Anyone who does not make himself available has violated his allegiance to his King with death as the only punishment. But if they should all be present, then we take advantage and eliminate any chief capable of dishonor.”
” Supposing he really is my son?”
“That has nothing to do with the situation at hand, Your Majesty.”
“I was under the impression it has everything to do with the situation at hand. I have this painful intuition that he is my son and the people seem unsatisfied with my successor…I was thinking about accepting him publicly as my son because the thought of shedding a drop of blood from my own son…burns me somewhere inside.”
The Head-of-Government smiled and nodded.
“ That is an alternative. But I doubt if your other son will give up the chance to be King. Even
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