Chapter 20: Noon of Realization

The afternoon sun streams through the narrow window of Káòṣù's chamber, painting his features with a warm, golden glow. The light dances on his face as he stands before a large mirror, lost in thought. His attire awaits his touch—a symbol of both honor and duty.

Káòṣù's black armor, polished to a near mirror shine, bears the emblem of a four-winged crescent bird. The metal plates interlock seamlessly, protecting him like a second skin. His trousers, woven in the style of fine aso oke, wrap snugly around his legs, and his sturdy leather sandals, laced meticulously, promise both durability and grace.

As he fastens his sash, the echo of the Balógun's harsh words rings in his ears, slicing through the quiet afternoon.

"You clearly don't know, you imbecile! You do not understand what your mere presence has wrought the moment you stepped into this realm—how fragile your life is and how easily it can be snatched away! And yet… YET YOU LIVE! You stand like a hopeless citizen, waiting for pity instead of fighting like a soldier to prove everyone wrong. So I ask you once again, Káòṣù… DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?"

Káòṣù's hands tremble as he struggles with his buckle. His eyes darken with doubt.

Káòṣù (murmuring, to himself): Do I really know who I am? I'm not an imbecile… am I?

Kehinde (teasing, with a sarcastic smile):"Well, you were standing like one at his presence."

In the background, Kehinde is crouched beside a low stool, carefully fixing Káòṣù's sandals. His face is set in a calm yet playful concentration as he notices Káòṣù's distant gaze.

Káòṣù startles and his cheeks redden with embarrassment.

Káòṣù:(embarrassed) "How long were you listening to me? Did you… hear me? I didn't realize I was speaking aloud."

Taiye, busy straightening the straps of the armor, snaps without pausing, his eyes sharp and impatient.

Taiye: "Who cares imbecile? Just shut up so we can dress you up on time so we can get back to the hall."

Káòṣù's eyes flicker between the two men, filled with a mixture of hurt and gratitude. He wonders silently why these twins—barely five years younger than the Balógun—tend to his needs like a royal, even when he feels utterly lost. His thoughts drift to the debt they mentioned earlier… Who are they truly repaying? And who sent them?

Before Káòṣù can voice his unspoken questions, a towering guard strides into the room. His broad chest and imposing frame cast a long shadow on the clayed floor as he silently moves toward a side table, intent on retrieving something.

Taiye (irritated, calling out): "You're his dorm mate, right?"

The guard's silence fuels the twins' growing frustration. Kehinde's eyes flash with anger as he shouts in a forceful tone:

Kehinde (annoyed):

"Are you not the one my second is talking to ehn"

The guard listening to this raises his head up looks at them in disgust as he hisses then he went back to what he was doing. This response fuels the twins' growing frustration. Kehinde's eyes flash with anger as he shouts in a forceful tone pointing at the guard trying to attack the guard by charging his right fist at him

Kehinde (shouting in yoyoruba):Iwo ọmọ ọdẹ yìí

(Translation: "Foolish child!")

The guard's face hardens into a scowl. He sidesteps sharply, and with a swift movement, he pushes Kehinde aside. The impact sends Kehinde stumbling to the floor, his expression a blend of shock and indignation.

Taiye's face contorts with fury. He steps forward and delivers a powerful kick to the guard's chest. The guard staggers back, a smirk tugging at his lips as he taunts in Igbo:

Guard (mocking, in Igbo): Ọ bụ ndị okenye a ka anyị na-achọ ugbu a?

(Translation: "Is this the sort of old men we're recruiting now?")

Without hesitation, Taiye lunges again, aiming a swift blow at the guard's face. The guard quickly dodges and prepares to strike back, but Káòṣù steps in. With calm authority, he catches the guard's raised fist in mid-air, his eyes gleaming with unshakable determination.

Káòṣù (firm yet smiling): "I'm not from here—but I know you're not taught to treat your elders this way."

The guard struggles against Káòṣù's unyielding grip. His face transforms from arrogant amusement to grim frustration. The more the guard tries to free himself, the tighter Káòṣù's grip becomes. Káòṣù tilts his head, a teasing smile playing on his lips

Káòṣù (laughing softly): "So, you're all muscle and no sense?"

The guard tries to free himself with his other fist, but Káòṣù intercepts it just as decisively. The guard grunts, his legs trembling like leaves in the wind as Káòṣù's grip tightens. His face turns a fiery red, and sweat pours down like a waterfall. Struggling like a trapped animal, the guard's efforts are futile. Káòṣù leans closer, his voice a low, mischievous whisper.

Káòṣù:(mischievously) "I can smell your fear."

In one swift, decisive movement, Káòṣù spits on the guard's forehead and delivers a sharp headbutt. The guard crumples instantly, falling like a sack of potatoes onto the cool clay floor. The twins stand in stunned silence, their expressions a blend of shock, awe, and reluctant admiration.

Kehinde rises slowly, dusting himself off like a cat shaking off water, while Taiye's eyes remain alight with both residual fury and shock.

Kehinde (softly, in wonder):

"ah by the gods…"

Taiye (grudgingly impressed):

"That… was something else."

Káòṣù extends a hand to help Kehinde up, his face soft with concern yet marred by confusion. Before Kehinde can grasp it, Taiye intercepts with a firm slap, his tone brisk.

Taiye: "Forget it. Let's move on—back to the hall."

Káòṣù's eyes shimmer with a mix of hurt and disappointment as he watches the twins. He wonders silently, "Did they just refuse my help? Why are they still so harsh?" Then, as the weight of responsibility settles on him, he remembers—the mess they're in is because of him.

Overwhelmed by remorse, Káòṣù falls to one knee in the soft glow of the afternoon light. His voice trembles, carrying a respectful, British lilt.

Káòṣù (quietly):

"Emabinu…"

(Note: "Emabinu" is uttered with a tone of humble apology.)

The twins freeze, their expressions caught between surprise and exasperation. Kehinde shakes his head with a slight smile and chides gently:

Kehinde: "Your Yoruba is off. Stand up, and let's go."

Taiye adds with a smirk and a shake of his head:

Taiye: "Remember, Yoruba men don't kneel to elders—they prostrate."

Káòṣù stands slowly, his eyes still reflecting the golden afternoon sun and the turmoil within. As they begin their walk toward the hall, Káòṣù's curiosity gets the better of him.

Káòṣù (inquiring, softly): "Tell me… why are you helping me? What debt are you repaying?"

Taiye and Kehinde exchange a brief, understanding glance before Taiye answers, his tone warm yet resolute.

Taiye: "There's a kind-hearted girl in the palace who always shares the best of its food and warmth with us. When we were lost, she—along with her friends—showed us the way."

Káòṣù leans in, his brow furrowed with earnest interest.

Káòṣù: "And what exactly did she ask of you?"

Kehinde's gaze softens as he recounts the memory, his voice gentle.

Kehinde: "You know we were once lost like you since we just joined the army, she and her friends always guide us. She once guided us when we were hopelessly lost. We even ended up at the women's river by mistake—it was both embarrassing and strangely beautiful. They led us to the men's river and assured us they won't tell anyone what happened.

Káòṣù's eyes light up with hope as he pieces the story together.

Káòṣù: "So, she asked you to watch over me?"

Taiye (nodding with a gentle smile):

"Exactly. When she asked this from us we could not deny her request.

Káòṣù's expression softens, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he dares to ask, his voice filled with vulnerable hope.

Káòṣù: "And who is she? What does she look like?"

Taiye's face turns wistful, his voice filled with reverence.

Taiye: "She's one of the most beautiful souls I've ever seen—her skin is as smooth as polished ivory, and her eyes shine like the morning sun. And her friends—they're like beams of light, full of youth and grace."

A tender smile spreads across Káòṣù's face as he dares a quiet question.

Káòṣù (hesitantly): "Is her name… Bidemi?"

For a heartbeat, the twins exchange a look before both reply softly in unison.

Both:"Yes."

Káòṣù feels a wave of surprise and gratitude wash over him. His heart flutters as he listens, his mind drifting back to a promise from the past. "Bidemi…" he whispers to himself under his breath, remembering the words she once said to him. "we'll always be with you, even when we are not with you."

It's then that it hits him — they're doing it now.

The maids, Bidemi and her friends, are still helping him, still looking out for him even when they're not physically present. The realization warms his chest, and a soft smile breaks across his face as he reflects on how true her words were.

He pauses for a moment, overcome with emotion, and before he can stop himself, he murmurs aloud, "My three beautiful maids..." His voice is thick with gratitude, and for a brief second, tears glisten in his eyes.:

Káòṣù: "My three beautiful maids…"

Kehinde's eyes widen in surprise while Taiye arches an eyebrow, a gentle teasing smile forming.

Kehinde (confused): "ehn—what did you just say, Káòṣù? 'My three beautiful maids ke'?"

Káòṣù rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Káòṣù (flustered): "I—I didn't mean it out loud. My heart sometimes speaks before my mind catches up."

Taiye (surprised ):

"I am not concerned about that how do you have maids? Ehn sọ fun mi

Káòṣù laughs softly, the sound mingling relief and tenderness.

Káòṣù: (Looking at the twins, smiling slightly, but with a hint of uncertainty) It's a long story, sirs

Taiye: (Tapping Káòṣù's left shoulder with a grin, a playful gleam in his eyes) You're going to tell us every bit of that story, boy.

Kehinde: (Tapping Káòṣù's right shoulder, raising an eyebrow, confused) What is 'sirs'?

Káòṣù:(Smiling back, though a little embarrassed) It's a word of respect for elders and respectful people. Sir.

Taiye & Kehinde: (Exchanging a glance, both breaking into wide smiles) Good boy.

Kehinde:(Looking at Taiye, teasing Káòṣù with a smirk)

He just needs to learn how to speak the language.

Káòṣù:(Chuckling softly, playfully)

Will you teach me?

Taiye:(Grinning, enjoying the moment) We'll try. But you have a lot of work to do, boy a child still sucking has a better chance of getting the language than you.

The twins laugh, their energy light and teasing as they continue walking down the hall. As they walk through the corridors, their voices light and filled with laughter, they reach the hall. The moment they enter, they notice the commander of the guards storming out, his face red with rage. The three soldiers exchange knowing glances—something had been said, something that had provoked the commander's fury.

But the expression on the Balogun's face tells a different story. He is calm, his face an unreadable mask.

Káòṣù's heart skips a beat when he notices the general standing at the front of the hall. As their eyes meet, the general's smile vanishes like mist in the morning sun. His gaze shifts from the twins to Káòṣù, and Káòṣù feels a chill run down his spine. The general's face tightens, his eyes narrowing like a predator sizing up its prey.

Káòṣù's mind races. What have I done to this man? He wonders, feeling a sense of unease building in his chest. He hates me so much…