Children of the Benin Kingdom by Dinah Orji

Author:Dinah Orji
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dinosaur Books Ltd
Published: 2021-06-22T17:38:06+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The feast

The next morning Ada got to Chief Iwe’s compound while it was still dark and sat under a tree, ready to work. Dawn brightened the eastern horizon. Two women swept the compound with brushes, but neither seemed to notice her.

Then more people began to gather. Amaka arrived with the sun, speaking sharply, giving out instructions – and Ada pressed herself to the back of the group. Today, all she wanted was to find Madu, get the message to Nosa and not be noticed.

“You. Where did you go last night?”

Amaka was in front of her, pointing.

“Nowhere,” said Ada, keeping her eyes to the ground. “I went back to my dwelling. Where you told me.”

“That is not your dwelling. And today, you do not leave until I tell you.”

Amaka squeezed her shoulder roughly.

“Do not think I am stupid.”

Ada stared at the ground.

Her heart was beating fast as she joined the others, sweeping their brooms around the compound. The fire had been lit and the morning meal was being prepared for Chief Iwe and his guests.

*******

Around midday Chief Iwe’s seat was carried out and set up in front of his obi, opposite the compound entrance, with an awning of bright cloth stretched over it to give shade.

Then the chief himself appeared, richly dressed in blue and red, followed by his elder sons and wives. He sat stern-faced to watch over the preparations, cooled by the fan of feathers.

Through the long afternoon more guests arrived and Chief Iwe waited to greet them. For some, he stood, laughing and embracing them with his strong arms. For others, the poorer farmers from neighbouring lands, he stayed seated and waited for gifts to be laid at his feet before nodding and bidding them to come forward.

The warriors that Ada had seen the previous day were warmly and respectfully welcomed. They politely presented Chief Iwe with a bowl of kola nuts, but it was Chief Iwe who was keen to impress. He sprang to his feet and smiled as they approached.

“Welcome to my home – please, come and feast with us.”

Ada was relieved to be sent out of the compound again. Lodgings were being prepared for guests.

“The feast will go on late,” said Itohan, a thin woman who was showing her how to arrange the bedding. “Tomorrow Amaka will have us working again early.”

Ada nodded. But she was thinking, tomorrow I will be gone.

As the others chatted she kept looking out for Madu.

*******

Her chance came as she was following Itohan and the others back to the compound. A huddle of workers were coming towards them, carrying food for the guests.

Ada caught sight of Madu among them.

This might be her only chance.

As the two groups passed, Ada let the cloth that she was carrying fall to the ground. She walked on, pretending not to realise.

“Pay attention!” snapped the man leading Madu’s group, pointing.

Ada turned, looking confused, and dropped another bundle of cloth.

Madu, whether he somehow understood or was just being kind, sprinted out before anyone could stop him to pick it up.

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