CHAPTER TWO

His royal majesty Gado , the 6th SARKI of the northern region was dark in complexion , muscular and nearly 6ft tall, his presence alone commanded authority and respect, watching such a man move in a hurry made Hasan wonder what exactly was going on. Everyone stood up in respect as soon as the SARKI entered ,the council men wondered what made their king look annoyed or had they not won the battle? They wondered. Gado sat down on his throne and beckoned on Hasan to stay at his right hand while Rashidi sat amongst the council.

" ME KE FARUWA"??( What's going on?) he questioned angrily

The council men looked at themselves in confusion.

" Am I speaking to deaf people?" Gado asked again this time his voice was higher.

" SARKI ... A council man stood up. YA KURI ..BA ..BA . FARUWA ( Please we don't understand)

" So Hamidu, I know speak in parables ? SARKI asked the council man.

"A'a" ( No) , SARKI ....." Hamidu tried to explain .

" YI SHURU" ( be quiet ) Gado commanded.

" I thought the MAJALISA was made up of the wisest ... Since you have decided to play ignorant, Rashidi tell them .

Rashidi stepped forward and bowed slightly , when I returned from battle with the SARKI I was greeted with bad news.

" There was an infiltration" he announced showing them the war bracelet ," and this was found on the dead body of two patrol guards " he continued.

The council room was quiet , everyone was in shock , they didn't know how to react.

" Well...?" Gado asked them

" SARKI we had no idea " a council man spoke on behalf of his colleagues.

"The question now is what should we do?" he asked , this should be treated with caution

"EH( yes) , yakubu I agree with you Hamidu answered.

" Bawa what do u think?" SARKI asked an elderly man sitter at the back. He was the oldest and had been a member of the MAJALISA since his father.

Bawa stood up slowly and cleared his throat , when he spoke he did so slowly .

"SARKI... this matter must not be taken lightly but also we can't jump into conclusions , I suggest we send spies to go and stay there for some time to monitor things ".Bawa adviced and sat down.

" But no one as ever been there since the time of the treaty " Yakubu argued, " and they also speak a different language.

" Don't forget Yakubu , that royalties and some of the royal guards are made to study of the culture of our neighbors" Rashidi reminded him.

" Very well then , Rashidi arrange 2 guards you trust , they will be present with us in our next meeting. Gado finalized and left the council room

" No one must hear about this news" Gado warned Hasan

" I know UBA" ,Hasan replied.

" Very good, you may leave "

" NA GODE UBA" ( Thank you father) Hasan bowed slightly and walked away.

Gade turned to leave but noticed a shadow behind one of the statues of the previous SARKI'S , he tightened his hands on his sword and moved closer , he saw a small figure trying to hide , he recognized the figure.

"MURNA!!! He exclaimed ... What are you doing here ? He asked her in surprised

Murna grinned at her father ,he caught her and she was thinking she hid very well.

"UBA good night " and with that she ran back to her mother's quarters as she did she kept wondering what an infiltration meant ... But it must be something bad she could sense the relief in he father's voice when he found out she was the one hiding.