Chapter 17:Echoes of Resolve

After being knocked down by the commander, Káòṣù is unconscious as he met himself in a dream;

The world around Káòṣù is a blurry mess, the air heavy with the sharp smell of gunpowder and the distant sounds of rifle fire. Every breath feels thick, each step is slow and difficult, like moving through a bad dream. The noises of war are all around him—guns booming like thunder, men shouting, and the high-pitched screams of children and women cutting through the air. His heart races in his chest, pounding harder with each moment, as he struggles to see through the swirling fog, but everything is hazy and confusing.

As he pushes forward, the fog starts to clear a little, revealing a scene that stops him in his tracks. Through the mist, he sees a British soldier standing over a black woman, hitting her with raised fists. Her cries are sharp and painful to hear, stabbing into Káòṣù's heart and filling him with a deep, burning anger. The sight of her suffering is like a spark that sets off a fire inside him, one that he can't ignore or control.

KÁÒṢÙ (shouting, voice trembling): "Stop! Stop it!"

He charges towards the soldier, his feet heavy as if weighed down by the thick fog around him. The soldier turns, his cold eyes locking onto Káòṣù as he raises his rifle. Káòṣù freezes, instinctively raising his hands in surrender.

KÁÒṢÙ (desperate): "Don't shoot! Please, don't—"

A deafening gunshot rings out, and everything turns black.

When the darkness lifts, Káòṣù finds himself kneeling on the cold, hard ground. His hands are drenched in blood as he cradles a body in his lap, the person's stomach and neck horribly wounded. Blood seeps through his fingers, warm and sticky, as he desperately tries to stop the bleeding.

KÁÒṢÙ (whispering, voice trembling): "No, no, no… Hold on… Please, hold on…"

The person's breath is shallow, their body cold. Káòṣù's heart races as he looks around, his vision still blurred, but the shapes of bodies scattered around him become clearer. There's something terrifyingly familiar about them, but his mind refuses to process the horror.

KÁÒṢÙ (whispering, voice cracking): "This… this isn't real… It can't be real…"

He hears the rustling of leaves, the distant cry of a bird, the stillness of death in the air. The forest around him feels alive with the presence of the dead, their faces obscured, their identities hidden in the fog of his mind. All he can see is a golden dagger clutched in the hand of one of the bodies, its blade stained with blood. A shiver runs down his spine, cold and relentless.

KÁÒṢÙ (crying out, voice filled with despair): "Who could do this? What is happening?! This… this has to be a dream!"

He weeps, his tears mixing with the blood on his hands, until a voice calls out from the shadows.

VOICE (echoing, urgent): "My lord… My lord… My lord!"

Suddenly, Káòṣù jerks awake, his eyes wide with terror, his heart pounding in his chest. Tears stream down his face as he blinks, trying to make sense of the world around him. He feels a hand on his shoulder, and as his vision clears, he sees Bídèmí standing before him, concern etched on her face.

Bídèmí (softly, with concern): My lord… it's just a dream.

KÁÒṢÙ (sobbing, clinging to her): I… I thought I'd never see you again, Bídèmí… I was so scared…

Bídèmí says nothing, simply holding him as he cries into her shoulder. They stay like that for a long moment, his sobs gradually subsiding until he pulls away, wiping his tear-streaked face.

BÍDÈMÍ (comforting): I brought you some food. You need to eat, my lord.

Káòṣù looks at the food but hesitates, his appetite gone.

KÁÒṢÙ (softly, struggling to regain composure): Where… where are Amarachi and Kadada?

BÍDÈMÍ (smiling gently): They're busy right now, but they send their greetings. They miss you too, my lord.

KÁÒṢÙ (nods, with a faint smile): Tell them… I miss them. I can't wait to see them again.

His smile fades as he looks down, his expression clouded with guilt and sorrow. Bídèmí notices, her gaze softening.

BÍDÈMÍ (concerned): What troubles you, my lord? Why do you look so sad?

KÁÒṢÙ (voice filled with regret): It's my fault, Bídèmí… I had the chance to keep us all together.

BÍDÈMÍ (concerned): My Lord...….

KÁÒṢÙ (shuns....voice filled with regret): Do not call me that, I do not deserve that word I lost I am no longer your lord and you are no longer my maid, including Amarachi and Kadada. I was so close….. so close, but I was not strong enough... I failed. Please… tell Kadada and Amarachi that I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I swear, I'll find a way to make things right. I'll make sure we're free, that we don't have to serve anyone anymore. You don't have to serve anyone anymore. I promise... I swear, I'll become strong enough to challenge her again…

Bídèmí places a hand on his cheek, her eyes glistening with tears.

BÍDÈMÍ (tenderly, with a smile): My lord… you're such a kind and loving man. We know that. But all we wish for is your happiness. If becoming stronger will make you happy, then be the strongest man in the world. But remember, you are free now, no longer caged. Prove yourself, not to anyone else, but to yourself. "Ọ̀gbọ́n tí ó bá ṣójú, ẹni jẹbi ẹ̀ ni." (This translates to: "The wisdom that guards the master also protects the servant.")We'll always be with you, watching over you, no matter where you are.

Káòṣù is touched by her words, feeling the warmth of her hand against his cheek, but a cold shiver runs down his spine. Tears fall from his eyes again, and he pulls her into a tight embrace.

KÁÒṢÙ (whispering, determined): I may not be able to free you yet … but I'll protect you. I must…

Bídèmí smiles through her tears, gently pulling away.

BÍDÈMÍ (softly):I have to go now. The other guards will come soon, and I don't want to cause a scene.

She stands, and Káòṣù rises with her, a mix of emotions churning within him.

BÍDÈMÍ (playfully, with a smirk): Before I go, I have a message for you, my lord.

Káòṣù's heart skips a beat, curiosity piqued.

KÁÒṢÙ (eagerly): From who?

BÍDÈMÍ (smiling): From the princess.

Káòṣù's eyes widen in surprise, his heart racing.

KÁÒṢÙ (stammering): The princess? What… what did she say?

BÍDÈMÍ (teasingly): This what she said: "how are you feeling, half-caste. I am so sorry I couldn't intervene when I heard about what happened I tried to get there as soon as possible to stop it but when I got there you were already unconscious. I am so sorry the lady is very harsh on you she is not a person like that, she just instantly hates anyone that tries to affect her loved one, please do not be annoyed at her at all. Once you prove yourself, you'll see a different side of her. And… the situation at the stream wasn't your fault .I have been told you are blaming yourself for what happened that day, you didn't do anything wrong, you never did anything wrong, it was never your fault, that day if there was anybody to be blamed, It should be me, you never knew someone will appear to the stream unknowingly so do not blame yourself again. There are still things needed to say which I will tell you face to face. Once again I am so sorry for everything. Goodnight, you have a lot of work to do starting from tomorrow, make sure you sleep well

Káòṣù's heart swells with joy, a smile spreading across his face as he hears the princess's words.

KÁÒṢÙ (hopeful, eagerly): When… when did you meet her? When… when can I meet her?

BÍDÈMÍ (laughing): Well it was just luck to meet her, my Lord; about when you will meet her, she didn't tell me that one oooooo, my lord.

KÁÒṢÙ (sad): ooooh

Bídèmí smiles at Káòṣù then turns to leave, but not before offering one last piece of advice.

BÍDÈMÍ (seriously) My lord, be careful with yourself. We can't help you with your headaches anymore. Anytime it comes, find water and wash your face. Pour it over your head. We won't be there to do it for you anymore.

Káòṣù nods, both happy and sad as he watches her go. Her words linger in his mind, her touch still warm on his cheek. As she disappears into the night, he returns to his makeshift bed which made him uncomfortable this is not like the ones he used to sleep at his royal room, a sense of determination settling over him.

KÁÒṢÙ (to himself, smiling) When did I get used to royalty? This bed is comfortable compared to the ground I used to sleep on…

He lays down, still thinking about Bídèmí's touch, her words echoing in his mind. A shiver runs through him again, a strange mix of warmth and coldness, but he pushes the feeling aside.

KÁÒṢÙ (to himself, determined): I must protect them… I must…

He closes his eyes, a smile on his face, and drifts into a dreamless sleep.