Chapter 11: Palace Drama No Get End

Chief Chinedu sigh. "Your Majesty, Bala army only sabi Bala Yusuf, dem no sabi Oba. To give Bala Yusuf command again na risk."

Chinedu voice soft, tired. He remember years of politics, how soldiers dey follow face, not crown. The danger dey clear for im tone, as if e dey warn child from fire.

Musa Adigun look am, confused. "So? No be normal be that? Even if all Bala army sabi me, I still no fit lead dem win."

Oba open hand, palm up, expect answer. The question innocent, but pain dey inside. The room feel small, as if the weight of old Okpoko dey rest on roof.

Chief Chinedu: …

Chief Chinedu lips purse, hands clench. For mind, "If I get cane, I go flog Oba sense into this matter." He swallow anger, body tense, but face still smile as palace demand.

That moment, Chief Chinedu just wan break something.

He tap foot, look ceiling, pray make madness no enter palace finish. "Who I offend for this palace job?"

Which kind wahala be this? You no dey like this before. Which Oba go dey so dull for power?

He glance at Sunday Yaro—see the way Yaro dey squeeze face hold laugh. "Oba wey lose him mind na wahala for everybody."