"Iyare, you seem to have something to say?" General Edosa said. At this time, the maiden's parents had been sent out of the residence by Edosa's subordinate.
Edosa had noticed that Iyare was trying to get her brother's attention, but he ignored her.
"Grandfather, I just feel sorry for my brother. If he had not been quick-witted today, he would have lost his reputation. Yet, those who tried to hurt him have their reputations protected," Iyare said, lowering her head.
Since they had decided to settle the matter between the two families, no one would ever know the crime of the girl or Osaro's role in it.
When Edosa heard this, he frowned. He could not help but think back to when Osaze accused him of being biased toward his first son. At that time, he had scolded Osaze, but now he knew Osaro deserved to be punished.
"Father, Iyare is still young and only a girl. Don't take her words too seriously," Osaze pleaded for his daughter, even though he felt the same way. His father never liked his decisions being questioned. He worried Iyare might be punished for her statement. After all, she had performed very well that day. Besides, he did not want his son to be implicated because of Iyare.
"Iyare, do you think your grandfather was wrong?" Edosa ignored his son's plea and turned to Iyare.
"I dare not, Grandfather. I understand that everything you do is to keep the family united and at peace. The first Oba did say that a peaceful and united home means a strong kingdom. You are the first general of Towanda; our family must live by this example. But I feel that Uncle does not care about the peace of our family. For his personal interest, he set my brother up. If my brother had not shown great self-control and proven his innocence, he would have become the subject of ridicule in every household today. His future would also have been affected. While I find Grandfather's decisions wise, it still feels unfair to my brother," Iyare replied calmly.
Osaro and his mother cursed Iyare silently; after all, Osaro had almost escaped without punishment.
Edosa nodded. The more he looked at this granddaughter of his, the more he admired her. He only wished she were a boy. "Then, how do you suggest we make it up to your brother?" he asked.
"Grandfather, you are wise, and I trust you will give a suitable punishment to Uncle so that we, the younger generation, can learn not to make such mistakes. Also, this maiden can be sent to our side of the family. After all, getting a new servant after making such a big mistake would be strange," Iyare suggested.
"Osaro, do you have any objections?" Edosa asked his first son.
"This time, I was blinded by jealousy and almost ruined our family's peace. I will accept Father's punishment," Osaro said, knowing his father would not be too harsh since he had admitted his mistake.
"Tomorrow, you will be flogged 50 strokes of the military rod. After your injuries have healed, your side of the family will move out of the Edosa residence and establish your own household," Edosa declared.
"My husband, it is unheard of for a son to leave his father's house before his father's death. This punishment is too severe," Osaro's mother cried, throwing herself to the floor. She could not bear the thought of her son leaving, as it meant losing hope for their side of the family to become the heirs.
"Too harsh? Osagie, tell your grandmother what the first Oba said should happen to a person who hurts a family member and disrupts the family's peace for personal gain," Edosa said. Iyare lowered her head to hide the smile in her eyes. She had mentioned the first Oba just now to force her grandfather to punish her uncle severely.
Osagie took a deep breath. "The Oba said that such a person, depending on the harm caused, should be killed or exiled from the kingdom for at least five years, or for life."
Osaro's mother felt her body go cold upon hearing the punishment. "But husband, Efosa is fine," she argued weakly.
"Fine? If I stab you with a knife and you survive, does that mean I didn't want to kill you?" Uye interjected. It was a golden opportunity to deal with Osaro and eliminate the threat to her grandson, and she was not about to let it slip away.
Osaro's mother could not find the words to argue further but was unwilling to give up. She threw herself on the floor, begging for mercy. "You can punish him however you want, but please don't send him away. It would seem to others that you have disowned him. He is still your first son."
"Father, please give me another chance. I promise I will not repeat the same mistake," Osaro begged.
Edosa felt a headache coming on from their pleas. Seeing the situation, Iyare approached her father and whispered something to him.
"Are you crazy?" Osaze frowned upon hearing his daughter's suggestion.
"Father, this is our only chance to get Uncle's family to move out and lose the chance to challenge our side of the family. You must take this risk," Iyare advised.
Osaze thought over his daughter's words. Although it was risky, he wanted to try. This time, Efosa had managed to escape the trap, but who could guarantee his safety next time?
"Father, I think you should let my brother continue to stay in the residence. He is the firstborn, and..."
"What nonsense are you saying?" Uye demanded, shocked by her son's statement.
"Mother, it's not nonsense. Osaro should have been the heir to begin with. If he were the heir, he would not have tried to hurt my son. This time, he tried to frame him; next time, he might try to kill him. I would rather have my son alive. The position of heir was never ours to begin with. I will return it to my brother and let my side of the family move out so that my brother can rest assured that we are no longer competing for it. There is nothing more important than life," Osaze said.
"You... What nonsense are you saying?" Uye glared at her son, not understanding when he had become so foolish. How could he offer to leave instead of pressuring his father to send Osaro away?
"Mother, think about it. Efosa is my only son. I don't know if the gods will favor me with another in the future. Even if they do, he will not be Efosa. I am the second son; it is only right for the first son's family to be the heir," Osaze reasoned.
Uye wanted to curse her son, but Edosa struck his walking stick on the floor, silencing them all.
"Why is everyone making such a fuss? I have already shown mercy by compromising and protecting your interests. If you think I am being unfair, hit the gong and summon the council of elders. Let them judge," Edosa said sternly.
He was unwilling to entrust his family to a son who lacked real skills but excelled at scheming. Tricks could help in war, but strength won wars.
Osaro and his mother dared not utter another word. Moving out was bad, but bringing the matter before the council of elders would lead to even greater trouble. In Towanda, harming a brother was a grave offense, and such a man was despised.