Chapter Four (Night Crawlers)

Prince Jade



Jade and his men got to Bayero in the dead of night after almost seven days journey. He was alone with three of his men. Jade didn't want to enter the city at night, so he wouldn't be mistaken for a spy. He came in as a commoner and not as a prince.

"We are here now, my prince, but it is quite late. I doubt we will be able to locate the palace this same night. What should we do? Give us the word my prince." One of his men asked him as they walked their horses into the city.

"I don't think we should go on. I wouldn't want us to attract unnecessary attention. We should lodge into a tavern if we can find one to take us in."

"Okay, let's look out for an inn, then."

They kept walking, following the signs that led to several places.

 Jade observed the slumbering city with its electricity, tarred road with carriages, and even motor cars parked in front of some concrete-built houses. Bayero has gone far ahead of Afonja regarding social amenities, he thought as they found their way into the city. 

Signs at strategic junctions lead to different places, making it easy for sojourners to locate their destinations. He could even see a sign showing the community school, clinic, and library. "Impressive," he whispered as they walked their horses on the tarred road toward the tavern.

"I must admit Badejo of Bayero has kept up with the trends of the Western world. This town is gradually looking a lot like a metropolis. It is beautiful and modernly attractive." Jade commented, "This place reminded me of my time in the big city of Lagos before traveling for my studies abroad."

"It is indeed, my prince. I hope one-day Afonja will have all these amenities and more." One of his men observed, obviously mesmerized by the beauty surrounding them.

He wouldn't blame the look of wonder on his face. Bayero is by far more beautiful than their community.

"Amen! If this journey is as successful as planned; we would one day soon boast of all these amenities."

"I can see a signpost indicating The Blue Inn far off." Another one of his men commented.

"That's good, I was almost thinking we took a wrong turn."

Encouraged by the prospect of good food and a warm bed, they hurried their paces.

"Can we get a lodge for the night please?" The prince addressed an older man who looked to be packing up for the night.

The man looked at them, probably considering the wisdom in admitting four able men into his inn for the night.

The man's expression didn't go unnoticed. Jade cleared the air. "See, we are men of honor, we are just sojourners in Bayero, who have endured days in the forest to get here finally. All we need is a place to rest for the night."

The man looked a tiny bit relaxed at his explanation. "I know you must not be from this part. Where are you from if I may ask? I mean it is not every day you see four strangers in our community in the dead of night, is it?"

"We are from the neighboring kingdom of Afonja. We are just here on business."

Jade saw the dawn of understanding in his eyes.

The man nodded, "I see," he answered before handing them the keys to the rooms. "I will see to your horses and ask what the cook can warm up for you, just give me a few minutes."

Jade nodded curtly, his eyes looking penetratingly at the man, who quickly averted his eyes and pretended to be going about seeing to their welcome.

"That man sure acted strange," Jade glanced back at the man and discovered he was trailing them with his eyes.

"I think so too. My prince, we should take turns guarding your room tonight." One of his men observed.

"That won't be necessary, we have all made the long journey, and I bet you all are as tired as I am. Besides, I can hold my own against an enemy." He gave them an appreciative but tired smile. "So, go to your rooms and rest for the night, we will proceed with our assignment tomorrow."

"I still think…. My lord, something didn't feel right about the way that man was looking at us, especially you."

"Do not worry about him; go on ahead and rest well. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Jade dismissed them in a stern voice.

"Okay, my prince," they chorused as they made their way tiredly to their rooms.

He watched them disappear down the corridor into their rooms before entering his room. The bed looked inviting, but he was famished, and the innkeeper promised to take care of their horses and send something up for them to eat; he would have to wait a little longer. He moved closer to the small bed and sat down. He was so tired that when he sat down to unlatch his sandals, he rested his back on the bed. The bed felt too hard. It's nothing compared to his bed at home, but way better than sleeping on the hard floor with a saddle for a pillow.

He heard the first bang and thought he was dreaming. A slumbering mind had a way of conjuring images when one was as dead tired as he felt. The incessant bang on the door became increasingly aggressive. He started from an unconscious state, looking around him, still lying on the bed, thinking about where he was; the fog clouding his brain didn't make it easy to process his surroundings.

"Open this door now, or we break it down."

He rubbed his eyes with disjointed thoughts about his whereabouts and remembered that he was far from home. The journey has taken a toll on him. Instead of waiting for the food promised by the innkeeper, he slept off.

Before he could rouse from the bed, his door was kicked open, and two hefty men in uniform pounced on him.

"What in God's name is going on?" he asked, confused as to why the men would want him arrested.

"We got news that you are spies from Afonja. The King demands your Presence immediately without delay."

"This is just great. Dang! That innkeeper, he thought as he allowed himself to be led away with his men. His instinct was right, after all.

***

Standing before the Badejo of Bayero, Jade realized why many people feared King Badejo of Bayero. He looked tall and muscular, sitting on his throne. His look was cold enough to make anyone quake to his core.

"I hear you are spies from Afonja. Is that so?" his deep voice thundered in the courtroom. His face was expressionless and unwavering.

"We are not spies, your highness." Jade clamped his hands behind his back, standing straight and tall, looking nothing like he felt. David of the Bible, which his mother used to tell him about when he was a young boy, must be a courageous young man; because he sure felt like David before Goliath, and he certainly wasn't exuding the same confidence as young David.

"What are you? If you are not spies…. Wait a minute…."  

The King sat straight, leaning forward in his beautifully carved chair, staring intensely at Jade.

"That proud shoulder…. Oh! Now that I have looked at you closely; you must be the prince of Afonja."

"Yes, Your Highness, I'm Prince Jade of Afonja Kingdom."

Jade almost jumped at the King's sudden burst of laughter. It was not the kind of laughter you share or admire, but an ominous sound, terrifying enough to send chills down anyone's spine. But he wasn't anyone, he told himself. He was the prince of Afonja, and if it meant giving his life, he would do it and even more to save his land and people.

"What was your father thinking, sending you down here to confront me? Wasn't he satisfied with what I did to his guards?" The King's cold-stone expression returned.

"Your Highness sir, my father is unaware of my presence in Bayero. I came of my own accord."

Jade made sure his eyes didn't waver from the King's gaze, despite the chills his stares exuded. He thought he glimpsed something akin to respect fleetingly crossed his eyes before it disappeared. He might be wrong; it was too fleeting to tell.

"You mean you came here to meet me without your father's consent."

"Yes, sir"

"Hmm… you must either have a death wish or be a very brave young man. Do you know I can decide to take you out, and that will make it even more easy to take over Afonja land."

Jade hoped his fear wasn't showing in his eyes.

Bayero of Afonja continued before he could process a response. "You know I never had much of interest in Afonja, but when that treasure mine was discovered, I thought your father being a mere village ruler and not much enlightened, might not know what to do with a discovery of that magnitude. I doubt he would know what to do with a gold coin, if thrown in his face, much less a gold mine."

Jade felt anger at the insult thrown at the man who made him into the man he is. His father might not be educated or enlightened, but he ensured his son had everything he couldn't, including a western education. So, he would be a bastard of a son if he stood there and allowed Badejo of Bayero to insult his father without a word in his father's defense, regardless of the fear he felt for this King.

"I'm sorry to deflate your opinion of my father, your highness. But he is a king, like you, village or not, sir! He is a man of honor who is content with what he has and is never afraid to launch out and work hard to ensure his people have food, clothing, and shelter, which are the essentials in life. He might not be a learned, but I assure you that what he lacked in exposure, he more than compensated for in humanity, empathy, and love for his people and his land, more than what I can say of some rulers I know." He finished, barely curtailing the anger he felt at Badejo of Bayero.

The King's nostril flared. Jade could see and feel the anger his words evoked in the King of Bayero, but he was beyond caring and wouldn't allow Badejo, who knew nothing about being human, to disrespect his father in the presence of his subjects. Judging by the anger that contorted the Badejo's expression, he half expected to be beheaded immediately.

There was silence, except for the birds whistling in the trees outside the large room. The atmosphere was tense, thick enough to slice with a pocketknife. Jade knew he had just dug his grave. Jade looked at the loyal men beside him and gave an apologetic nod. Hoping he got to make his final wish, he could beg for their lives. He failed his land just as feared. His gaze returned to the King, still looking at him with an undeciphered expression.

"Take them to the dungeon." The King commanded in a lethal voice.