Chapter 5: River’s Edge, Royal Rescue

Moonlight thin like cloth rest on red palace wall. Old lantern dey hang for corner, flame dey shake as breeze dey blow. I dey inside small food box, hear footsteps outside, dey imagine as I go return expose fake princess.

I no know how long I hold before sleep carry me. Dream dey toss me like egusi soup for pot, I dey hope say Oba go save me.

As I wake, small light enter. River dey slap stone for bank, sky dey bright small. One woman carry me from box, her eye wicked. "Little madam, no vex for me."

"If you die, cousin girl go safe, and I fit answer Young Master well."

Her teeth set, like she don already plan her market gain. Help o! Help!

So, no be swap—dem wan kill me. Fear grip me, I begin cry with all my strength. My cry scatter the bush, even fowl for far side dey cackle. Distant dogs dey bark, dry leaves dey rustle for underfoot.

Bisi no send me, raise hand wan throw me for river.

Na that time—

Two black-feather arrows fly come, hit her wrists sharp sharp. The arrows land with gbam like slap, Bisi scream like agbero wey police hold.

Tonight, the river almost swallow royal blood—who dey hide for palace shadow?