Chapter Nine: Shadows of Betrayal

Princess Talatu was sitting in her beautiful room in Balda, accompanied by two of her servants, Purwa and Asakal. One was massaging her feet, and the other was braiding her hair. Her uncle, the Waziri, came to visit unannounced. As usual, his Gare bellowed angrily as he moved.

Hayah was unhappy. Even the visit to see his beloved the previous day did nothing to uplift his spirit. He had been avoiding the Lamdo, who was upset with him over the recent incident. Not only did he fail him woefully, but he also lost a lot of his soldiers in the process, including two of his lieutenants, Umaru and Bawuro. The kingdom at that moment was vulnerable to attack and in dire need of military fortifications.

There was also the issue of his proposal to Fantah. How should he approach the Lamdo about the issue? Was it even the right thing to do, given that he was married to his daughter? Nonetheless, he needed his blessings before he went ahead with the marriage. But that was not a good time to tell him. He would have to wait for an opportune time before going to him with the issue.

Arabian Tea

In the past two months, Hayah had been deliberating with his remaining two lieutenants, Adamu and Arabu, on what to do. They all agreed that the Habe had made a strong statement and they needed to make an even stronger one to maintain their position of power over them. Lessons had been learnt on both sides. The Habe tribes had learned to cooperate, especially in war, and it was a bad omen for the Fulani. If they didn't put a stop to it, the Habe might become too strong for them to handle.

They decided the best strategy was to go on the offensive, a surprise attack to disorient them and stop whatever they were planning before it had time to grow. And so, the following week, he sent a few of the dark skinned young Fulbe men to dress like the Habe and go into their communities in the mountains to spy on them. That way, they would know their exact locations and how to deal with them. They would also find out if there were any other surprises waiting for them. He had learned never to underestimate them.

Armed with the new and vital intelligence, Hayah planned to attack them at night. Failure was not an option for him. Not only was he desperate to get back into the Lamdo's good graces, but he had also tasted failure in the past, and he didn't like it. In fact, he had come here to correct the wrongs that were done to him back home. His father was bypassed for the throne due to a mistake he made, and it was given to his uncle. Because of that, he was disqualified from any aspirations to the throne of the Sultan of Sokoto. He could only secure the minor position of Sarking Gwandu, and even that was taken away from him when he was forced to abdicate.

He left Sokoto in shame and headed east. Along the way, he heard of a very powerful king named El-Obeid in Sudan, who ironically was referred to as a Savior by his people. He thought the king might be of help to his cause. If he was to regain his lost throne, he needed all the help he could get, especially a powerful ally with the resources and a well-trained army to defeat his enemies. Sokoto was a very powerful kingdom, which required an equally powerful counterforce to defeat it, and the Mahdi seemed to fit the bill.

He had been corresponding with the king secretly for several months, but shortly after got to Yola, the king died, forcing him to change his plans. He didn't receive the support he wanted from the Lamido of Yola, so in the interim, he proceeded Eastwards. However, when he reached Maroua, an opportunity presented itself. They needed military help, and he proved himself. That was how he got to where he was, and his plan was progressing smoothly until then.

They waited until after dark, then started climbing into the mountainous territory very slowly and quietly, hiding behind the rocks and placing themselves at strategic points to wait for the villagers to retire to bed. At about three in the morning, when they were satisfied that everyone in the Habe settlements was asleep, they attacked. They descended on them with a sudden fury that took them by surprise. They broke down doors and killed any males they found in the huts. They took the women, children, and elderly into captivity. Some were given the charge of setting fire to the straw roofs, while others were looting, for bounty. The Habe didn't know what hit them. They were running helter-skelter and were being hacked down as they ran. The determined Fulani soldiers made sure they left no route for escape. The very few Habe who got away ran deeper into the mountains. Some of the soldiers wanted to follow them, but Hayah ordered them not to as it was too dangerous. They killed about eighty percent of the able-bodied men in the several settlements they attacked and took their women and children away. Only a handful of survivors were able to escape. It was pointless to risk following them. They would not be able to reorganize and come back for them for a long time. And when they finally do, the Fulbe will be more than ready for them.

The Lamdo was very happy with the turn of events and elevated Hayah to a higher position in his court, with several celebrations held in his honor. There were three days of feasting and jubilation in Maroua, and everyone was happy. Even his wife got to see more of him, and she was happy.

After the festivities, Hayah decided it was time to tell the king about the proposal. He waited until everyone left, but the Waziri refused to leave. In fact, since he came back, the Waziri had been hanging around the Lamdo a lot, as if he suspected something. Hayah couldn't tell him to leave. He was the Lamdo's brother after all. So, when he couldn't wait any longer, he decided to blurt it out. The look of surprise on the Waziri's face was priceless.

"Wow, Imam. This is good news indeed," The Waziri said.

"Yes, it is." The Lamdo also said. "You are a royal and should marry more,"

"Talatu is going to have a sister," the Waziri laughed nervously.

The Lamdo gave his blessing. And they decided that Hayah and the Waziri should be accompanied by two other royals to go to Ndokula for the induction ceremony in three days' time. As soon as Hayah got home, He sent a messenger to Ndokula to relay the message to Fantah.

The next day, the Waziri waited for Hayah at the palace, but as soon as he arrived, the Waziri excused himself to go and see Talatu privately.

"I told you he was up to something. Look at it now; this woman seems to consume him. Stop deluding yourself that you have the advantage because you are a princess. He loves her. And when a man loves a woman, she has a hold on him. Soon, you will be powerless in this house. Is that what you want?" He was very angry.

"But uncle, what can I do? I can't tell him not to marry her," she protested.

"Well, for starters, you can give him a son or several. That way, you know you have secured the kingdom for yourself. God help you if this woman comes here and delivers a son before you do." She did not say anything. "Have you been taking those concoctions that I gave you?"

"Yes, uncle," she answered.

"What about the one for him, has he taken it yet?"

"I put it in his food... but he has not been eating here lately..."

"Enough! I will send the Magajiya with more potions. Make sure you do it right this time." With that, he stormed out.

That night, Hayah had a heart-to-heart talk with his wife. He took time to explain to her gently why he had to marry Fantah, and since she was a princess, she understood the many reasons why a prince hardly stays with only one wife.

"Allah rene, you don't have to explain to me. Whatever you do is fine with me. I respect your wisdom," she said gently, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"You have every right to be upset. No one wants to share their spouse with anyone. But you should know that as the first wife and princess, you will always be esteemed above her," he said, trying to console her.

"Allah rene, mi yetti." She spoke.

The next day, Hayah went around to get the items they needed for the journey. According to Fulani custom, during the introduction to the bride's family, the groom's people will come along with and present to the girl's parents at least a bag of salt and a bag of kola nuts, both scarce commodities in those days. He prepared two donkey loads of both salt and kola nuts. To that, he added bags of rice and maize, twenty live chickens, and twenty geese.

He wanted to make a powerful statement. He wasn't just any ordinary suitor but a powerful prince.

While Hayah was out and busy preparing for the journey, Magajiya, an old woman who was responsible for the princess' well-being and previously her nanny while growing up, came to see her. She was sent by the Waziri to bring Talatu the items that he promised her.

"Add this one to your bath water and put this one in your meals. Make sure you eat everything, no leftovers, and do not share with anyone!" she explained to the princess. "This one you give him to eat." She handed some dates to her. The princess gave them a skeptical look. "His Highness told me that you were unsuccessful in getting the prince to eat his 'special food.' Well, it is always the most difficult part. So, we have decided that the dates will be better. He can eat them even when he is not hungry. They are his favorite after all.

"Yes, Magajiya. They are," she couldn't hide the pain and sadness in her voice.

"Make sure he eats them, my princess. These things work; believe me." The Magajiya sensed her reluctance. "You have no idea what we went through to get them. If you want to maintain your position in this house, you have to be proactive. Love and feelings are for poor people and those who lack ambition. Forget about love and focus on protecting and situating yourself."

"Okay. I will. I promise."

Later that night, Hayah returned home exhausted but satisfied with his outing. He ate in her room, and after dinner, she presented him with the dates in a beautifully carved calabash.

But she was very nervous. He picked one of them to eat, but just as he was about to put it in his mouth, he noticed that she was shaking like a leaf, and he dropped it.

"Be careful, princess," he said quietly but authoritatively. "You cannot stop me. And if you try to hurt me, you will only end up hurting yourself." With that, he got up and left to spend his night elsewhere, away from her.

[End of Chapter Nine]