Chapter Twelve: Luxury

After breakfast the next morning, Hayah took an elegantly dressed Fantah on a short journey to Maroua to finally meet with the Lamdo. This time, they rode on different horses. One of his trusted guards was given the task of harnessing her horse to prevent it from galloping too fast. It made Fantah feel a lot better as she had never ridden alone before. They also had two other armed escorts.

Looking at her, no one could tell if she slept the previous night or not, and she didn't. She was too nervous to. All kinds of thoughts about the journey were running through her mind. To begin with, she had never met any Lamdo before. So, she wouldn't know how to comport herself in his presence. To make matters worse, he was Talatu's father. She didn't know if he would be happy to meet her given that she was about to marry his son-in-law.

Arabian Palace

She was lost in thoughts when they arrived in the city of Maroua. It was pleasantly different from Balda, much bigger and more alive with people. As they rode through the streets of the city, the townspeople recognized him and were kneeling to greet him as a mark of respect, and he smiled and waved at them. It suddenly began to dawn on her that Hayah was a very important man, indeed.

The palace of the Lamdo Garei was a sight to behold. It flabbergasted her. The walls were huge and covered with colorful murals and writings. There were four huge domes, one on each corner of the wall. The tip of each dome was golden in color and shone beautifully in the sun. The entrance was huge and lined with giant, well-built guards who were armed to the teeth and dressed in red outfits, with black turbans on their heads.

To be within the palace was like being transported into another universe. As they rode farther into the palace, it appeared massive and honeycombed with different stand-alone apartments. The Lamdo's apartment was the largest and most elaborate one, located close to the entrance, followed by his administrative quarters where he meets and interacts with his subjects.

The Chiroma's wife, as her first hostess, took her further into the palace to greet all the Lamdo's four wives, starting with the eldest, whose apartment was the least elaborate of the four but where she felt the most welcomed. The woman, fondly called Dada, was so warm and welcoming.

At the entrance to the Lamdo's chamber, the Kofa loudly announced their presence before they were ushered in. They went into a large oval parlor, which was earthy, red in color, and furnished with rugs, carpets, and curtains of various shades of red and white.

The Lamdo sat on a large wooden throne, dressed in an elaborate silver alkibba and a white turban wrapped around his head and neck. He was also holding a white and silver staff of office. There were many noblemen in the king's court, dressed in different colourful babban rigas, who were all seated on the sprawling rug in a semi-circle formed around the Lamdo's throne.

Later that night, at midnight, Talatu was in her apartment when her uncle, the Waziri, suddenly walked in unannounced. Her servants scurried away while she quickly tried to compose herself.

"Uncle! I had no idea you were coming."

"I know." He replied. "I just came from the Lamdo's palace." He paused a little for dramatic effect. "Do you know that he gave his blessing to Hayah and his new concubine?" She didn't say anything. "It is obvious he loves her very much. Anyone can see that, and after he marries her, where will you be?"

The next morning, Fantah was in her room with her two assigned female attendants when without warning the 'lady of the house' walked in, followed by two female attendants.

"What are you doing here, Fantah?" The princess asked her; it was more rhetorical than direct.

"I don't follow."

"You have no place here."

"But His Eminence brought me here himself."

Hayah was inspecting the work being done on his farm when he spotted her from a distance. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but when he moved closer, he realized his eyes were telling him the truth.

"Fantah!" He yelled her name. She turned around briefly, but as soon as she saw him, she started to run.

"Listen to me. I am Fantah; the daughter of Buba Bunu, the great-granddaughter of Bunu Balewa. A free woman from the proud Bororo tribe of Ndokula, and I can never be your slave. So let go of me or my people will have your head for supper!"

He saw that her mind was made up, so he helped her to mount the horse, and they started towards Ndokula. On their way, they discussed things, especially their marriage plans. They reached the village late at night, but Hayah had a very important meeting with the chiefs in Maroua scheduled for the next day, and so, had to go back immediately.

[End of Chapter Twelve]