"His right hand has a bigger problem. Although it can be cured, it will take a few months before he can wrestle or use a sword," the healer replied.
"Thank you," Edosa said, feeling depressed. Although Efosa was not very skilled, Edosa wanted him to stay in the camp to train. If his hands could not be used for a few months, it would mean the training would be over by the time his hand was completely healed.
The healer nodded and walked away. She knew that Efosa was currently undergoing training and that this accident had caused a major setback.
"I will come with you to settle the payment," Osaze said after a short moment of silence. At least his son could be cured, he comforted himself.
---
"Father, what should we do now?" Osaze asked on their way back to the training camp. Iyare had been left behind at the healer's mountain to take care of her brother, as the healer advised that Efosa should not be moved too often while his legs were being treated.
"We will come back in seven days to check on him," Edosa said. No matter how frustrated he felt about the situation, he could only accept it. If only Efosa had not gotten injured in the presence of so many people, Edosa would have let him stay in the healer's mountain while Iyare took his place in the camp.
"But the training is going to get intense this week. If he misses these days, it might be difficult for him to catch up," Osaze said worriedly.
"What can we do? Efosa's injury is serious this time. We cannot have her take his place; it will only arouse unnecessary suspicion."
"Well, Father, how about she joins wearing the mask you gave her earlier?" Osaze suggested.
"That cannot be done," Edosa said. He had that mask made after deciding to let Iyare become Efosa's body double.
"Why?" Osaze did not understand his father's reasoning. Although no new person could join the training after seven days, it should not be impossible for Efosa, as the first general, to have someone join.
"What identity would she use to join? Besides, wearing a mask would make people suspicious," Edosa answered.
"A servant of our family. The reason for the mask can also be explained: she got injured and has a horrible scar on her face," Osaze replied. Although getting injured is part of being a soilder, no one wanted to look at a disfigured face.
"What benefits can a skilled slave bring to our family? Besides, if the king asks us to give him this skilled slave, what can we do then?" Edosa asked.
Osaze thought about it and sighed. Indeed, what his father needed was a capable descendant to inherit his title. He could not make a slave his heir, and he could not refuse the king if he asked for the slave.
Edosa took a deep breath. He felt that if he had known Iyare would be this skilled when they were born, he would have announced that his daughter-in-law had given birth to twin boys.
---
That night, Iyare could not sleep well as she had to watch over her brother, who spent the night complaining about pain and discomfort. His leg had been wrapped with sticks and bandages to prevent movement. The process of resetting the bone had been hard, and it was crucial for him not to move carelessly.
Iyare woke up early but was feeling tired as she had to help her brother twice during the night to relieve himself. When the healer came into the room, she first examined his leg. Since the bandages could not be removed, she checked to see if the small wooden supports were still in place. After confirming that everything was okay with the leg, she checked his right hand.
The physician at the training camp had not noticed that his right hand was fractured. As a result, Efosa missed the critical window for first-aid treatment, which caused his hand to swell, complicating the treatment.
The healer sat by the bed while her assistant opened a small bowl containing oil. The woman dipped her hands into the oil and gently began to massage Efosa's right hand.
Iyare watched the healer's actions intently. Although the healer did not say anything, Iyare felt she understood the woman's careful movements.
Efosa felt immense pain from the massage, but he did not cry out like the previous night, feeling it would be embarrassing for his sister to see him that way.
When the healer finished, she gave Iyare the medicine.
"Go to the kitchen later to collect breakfast for your brother, then ensure he takes his medicine," the healer instructed.
"Yes, ma," Iyare said, placing the pot of medicine by the side.
"Also, remember to get hot water and clean his wounds with it," the healer added before leaving the room.
Iyare did as she was told. After her brother finished eating, she used the hot water to clean his injury.
"Be gentle," Efosa frowned, feeling that his sister was deliberately hurting him.
"If I don't do it properly, your wound might get infected," Iyare explained and continued.
When she was done, she applied the balm given by the healer and handed Efosa the medicine.
"Ahh," Efosa spat out the medicine as soon as it touched his mouth. "It's so bitter!" he complained.
"You'd better drink it," Iyare advised.
"I don't want to; it's too bitter," Efosa said.
Back home, whenever he was sick, his mother would encourage him to drink his medicine and then give him honey to sweeten his mouth afterward.
"Who are you to tell me what to do? I won't drink it unless I get honey," Efosa said.
"Where do you want me to get honey? We're not home. You'd better drink up," Iyare insisted.
"No," Efosa refused. He felt that with such a serious injury, he should be pampered even more than usual.
"If you don't drink it, I will go to the camp and tell Grandfather that you're refusing your medicine," Iyare said.
Hearing this, Efosa angrily pushed the bowl away, spilling some of the medicine. Iyare managed to save a portion of it.
"Go ahead, I'm already like this. Grandfather won't punish me," Efosa said.
"Are you sure? Grandfather is already angry that you acted recklessly and ended up here. The healer said it would take seven to ten days for your legs to heal, and your hand will need at least two months. I wonder what Grandfather will think if you don't cooperate with treatment. Anyway, you're not his only grandson. There's still Osagie," Iyare said.
"I'm Grandfather's heir; don't mention Osagie," Efosa snapped.
"Are you?" Iyare asked with a mocking smile.