"I lied," the maiden confessed after hearing Iyare's words. As long as there was a chance she might live, she decided not to continue lying.
No one was surprised by this outcome. After all, it was clear one of them had been lying.
"How could you tell such a lie?" Osaze was the first to question her. The maiden lowered her head, unsure of what to say.
"Father, I think her crime deserves severe punishment. She should be expelled from the village and flogged with fifty strokes," Osaro suggested. He had no intention of letting her speak further.
"Uncle, I just promised her a chance at redemption if she told the truth. Fifty strokes might kill her," Iyare disagreed. Why had she gone to such lengths if the truth would not save her?
"My good nephew, you are young. Giving her fifty strokes is showing mercy. Someone like her should be chased out of the kingdom," Osaro replied, unwilling to give the girl an opportunity to defend herself. Hearing she might be driven out of the kingdom, the maiden panicked.
"I'm sorry! I was confused and lied. I was scared that, after you all misunderstood the situation, you wouldn't believe me even if I told the truth. If everyone thinks my innocence is gone, I will never be able to marry. Please forgive me!" The maiden fell to her knees, crying and apologizing.
No one felt pity for her tears. After all, she had just falsely accused someone of a grave offense.
"I don't think you were confused. You must have already lost your innocence to those kidnappers and, seeing that my uncle misunderstood the situation, you took advantage and blamed me," Iyare replied coldly.
"At such a young age, you already know how to scheme so deeply," the first warrior remarked.
"No, no! I swear I haven't lost my innocence! I was only worried just now!" the maiden cried. Being flogged for falsely accusing someone was one thing, but having everyone believe she was no longer a virgin would be her undoing.
"Do you think anyone would believe you now? You were in the hands of those kidnappers for a while—something must have happened to you. Anyway, those kidnappers are ruthless. How did you manage to escape from them? You're already unclean, and you were just looking for someone to blame," Iyare said.
"What Efosa says makes sense. From the beginning, he clearly explained what happened. Why would you think we wouldn't believe both of you if you told the truth? We all have eyes. Although your clothes are untidy, you're still dressed. You were definitely covering up your loss of purity," Osaze believed his daughter's conclusion.
"No, no! Actually, I didn't encounter any kidnappers, it—" The maiden's words were cut short as Osaro struck her at the back of the neck, causing her to fall unconscious.
"Do you think we have nothing better to do than listen to your lies?" he said angrily.
"Osaze, take her to her parents. As for her punishment, she will be flogged in the market square on the next market day," Edosa instructed.
"Father, let me take her instead. Efosa has done well today; let my brother show him off properly," Osaro suggested. He needed to ensure his father never discovered what he had done.
"What are you saying? Efosa is his own son. No one is more suitable for this task," Edosa refused. He was beginning to suspect his son's involvement in framing 'Efosa'.
"Brothers, thank you for helping me search for my grandson today. Let's head back to the town square and continue celebrating," Edosa said, thanking the warriors who had accompanied him.
---
Later that night
"Efosa, Iyare, your grandfather has asked you to come to the welcoming hall," Edosa's subordinate announced outside Uwa's courtyard.
"I want to rest. Why is Grandfather calling us so late?" Efosa complained, fearing their grandfather might make them train at night again.
Iyare, standing nearby, simply got up. "Brother, we cannot disobey Grandfather," she said as she began walking away.
"Mother, look at her! Just because Grandfather let her share my responsibilities as my body double, she thinks she can tell me what to do!" Efosa whined.
"Hurry up and go. I'll deal with her later," Uwa said, comforting her son.
Reluctantly, Efosa got up and hurried after his sister, not daring to show his laziness before their grandfather.
When Iyare and Efosa arrived at the welcoming hall, they found their grandparents, their father, Osaro, Osagie, and three strangers seated.
"Good evening, Grandfather," they greeted Efosa first before addressing the other elders.
"You two should sit," Edosa instructed. Iyare glanced at the strangers and recognized the maiden from earlier. She guessed the other two were her parents.
"Osaze, tell everyone what happened today," Edosa ordered.
Osaro's heart sank in panic. Since stepping into the welcoming hall and seeing the maiden and her parents, he knew his secret must have been exposed.
"Earlier today, my brother Osaro noticed that my son Efosa was missing from his pair. He alerted me and Father, and we began searching. After checking around the town square without success, Osaro heard someone say they had seen Efosa heading into the bush. We feared he might have encountered kidnappers, especially since Efosa was injured from the competition and might not be able to fight. At my brother's suggestion, we took two skilled warriors to search," Osaze recounted, describing the scene where the maiden had falsely accused Efosa.
Hearing this, Uwa clenched her fists in anger. She wanted to punish the maiden herself but forced herself to stay calm.
"I followed the maiden to find her parents, as Father had ordered. However, what I discovered at her home was shocking. I couldn't make a decision alone, so I brought her parents here for Father to handle it," Osaze said before sitting down.
"I've gathered everyone here to hear what the maiden's parents have to say. Please, go ahead," Edosa said, addressing the maiden's father.
"My name is Eli, a member of the Idaho family, from the central region. I am an honest man, and my wife has raised our children well. My daughter is still young and can be easily deceived. Three days ago, your son Osaro found my wife and daughter. I have a son, Uze, who recently joined the king's army. Osaro told my daughter to approach your grandson, claiming that if she did, she would become the wife of the heir to your household. He also promised to take my son under his wings and ensure his success. My wife and daughter are women and didn't understand the consequences of their actions. What happened today was orchestrated by your son. General Edosa, you are known throughout the kingdom for your honesty. Please, give my family a way out," Eli explained.
The welcoming hall fell silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.