Seeing Ikenna standing before the king when other kids were still kneeling shocked everyone, still Obinna couldn't help the small smirk that appeared on his face as he was once again impressed by the boy foolish bravery.
"How dare you!" One of the chiefs closest to the king yelled.
"How dare a worm, stand before our king!," the man continued with a furious look, as he stepped forward to approach Ikenna.
"That's enough Amaobi," the king waved it off with a smile.
Ezeibe had to admit he too was impressed and intrigued by the boy, where others knelt and trembled in fear, he stood defiant, and his unique looks also captured the king's attention. His white dreadlocks and lightning pattern scars were something he'd never seen before.
"He is just a child and does not know our customs," the king said with a benevolent smile.
"I am sorry for this incident, my king," Obinna said with a small bow. " I promise it will never repeat itself again," he promised.
"It better not happen again Obinna, or…" the prime minister Amaobi, the same chief from earlier, spoke again, he couldn't complete his sentence since he felt his throat constrict and his feet trembling as a murderous killing intent from Obinna pressed down on him.
The soldiers knew that Ikenna had breached ethics, but Obinna had apologized on his behalf and having a useless politician insult their general was not something they could take.
He saw the glare coming from Obinna, Onyeka, and the other angry soldier standing behind them. Reading the hostile tension emanating from them, the man shrank back to his position to the left hand side of the king.
"Once again my brave warriors, you're welcomed home. There will be a banquet tonight in your honor, and I expect you all to eat, drink, and enjoy your achievements. But for now go back to your families, they've missed you all!" The king addressed the soldiers.
"As for you children, I am king Ezeibe, and I welcome you to my kingdom. I know you feel lost, scared and miss your homes, but fear not for this is your new home now, you will learn our customs, our ways, our arts and crafts. And when the time's right you will all go back to your homes as better men and women. Arrangements will be made to determine your aptitude and potential to determine the best course of action for your career." The king addressed the children in a calm voice, his tone reassuring.
"Get some rest, I know your journey has been harsh and grimy," with a clap of his hands, servants rushed forward to relieve the soldiers of the carts containing resources, and guided the children out of the palace.
One of the servants moved to guide Ikenna out but he struggled to move and kept staring at Obinna, despite his earlier bravado, Obinna is the only man he trusts and will not leave his side in this foreign place. Seeing the scene, Obinna gestured for the servant to leave Ikenna behind.
"That one has fire in his heart," the king said with a chuckle.
"Come Obinna, we have much to discuss, and you have to tell us stories of your conquest." The king waved Obinna forward and then turned around to walk into his palace.
Obinna and Onyeka relinquished their weapons to the guards and followed the king, Ikenna followed them too, which didn't please Onyeka one bit but Obinna didn't seem to mind.
"I don't care how much my brother cares about you, when we get in there, you must be respectful and won't speak unless spoken too, do you understand me?" Onyeka s asked Ikenna.
The boy didn't reply to him, instead he stared at Obinna to know his reaction.
"He is right, the king might have waved off the first disrespect but he won't be so merciful the second time." Obinna said.
"I know you're angry and afraid but even at that, there are rules and customs that govern our way of life, and you must follow them all or I won't be able to protect you anymore, do you understand ?" Obinna spoke with patience as they walked through the corridors of the palace, arriving in front of the throne room.
"Stay here," Obinna pointed to a small stool by the side and instructed Ikenna to sit, then the guards pushed open the double doors of the throne room and let them in.
The throne room was intricately designed, carvings on the wall displayed the feats of the ancestors of the king starting from the entrance. The closer one got to the throne, they saw the achievements of the current king. There were bronze, carved pillars at precise intervals holding up the ceiling of the room.
The throne sat on a raised dais, the throne was carved from ivory, and lion skin, projecting regal majesty to anyone who laid eyes on it. The setting sun filtered into the room from behind the king, and the light played around the figure seated on the throne, making it hard to make out the king.
There were ornately designed chairs arranged by the sides, for the noble men of the kingdom. The closer the chair is to the throne, the higher the standing of the nobleman or chief seated on it.
Onyeka took his seat in the middle of the hall, but Obinna kept walking till he arrived at the first seat by the right of the king.
"My king," he offered a shallow bow and then got seated.
"Obinna, how was your campaign, can you tell us your achievements and how far the influence of our kingdom reaches now?" The king asked, his tone shifting to business.
"Yes my king, we've conquered several lands…." Obinna gave an official report of his campaign, by the end of his accounts, everyone had a good idea of the achievement of their army.
"Very good," King Ezibe beamed with a smile. "At this rate, we will be an empire in a few years, and the world will tremble at the mention of Orlu," he continued.
"We will make formal plans on how to consolidate power in our new regions, but for now, if there is nothing else, we will adjourn the meeting." The king said as he looked around the room, to know if any nobleman had anything to add to the assembly.
"My king, I have a personal request to make," Obinna said as he got down to one knee.
"Stand Obinna, you're a dear friend and trusted companion, what is on your mind?" Ezibe was intrigued. He knew Obinna to be a proud man who rarely made any requests.
Obinna looked at Onyeka, his brother and signaled him to bring in Ikenna. Onyeka's forehead creased in a small frown but he still stepped out and brought the boy in. He walked with Ikenna by his side and they stopped beside Obinna as he faced the king.
Onyeka pushed Ikenna to his knees, which elicited a chuckle from Ezibe and a frown from the prime minister, but he knew not to comment on the matter.
Facing the king, Obinna made a request that shocked the whole assembly.
"My king, I want to adopt this boy, Ikenna, as my son."