Chapter 1
The day is coming to an end and the night is taking over. "Honey go to bed, I'll see you tomorrow" my mom tossed me like eggs to Farah, my maid. "Let's go, Bryan, it's raining," she said, holding my hands pressed to my shoulder and arms.
I heard the clouds vibrate like it was about to break, light glowing out of it, and tiny droplets of water falling heavy on the rooftop. I didn't get to see the water though, I just heard its sounds - very heavy. My room was on the top floor, no doubt it was falling over my head directly.
Farah was the only person I got to see, my dad was out on a meeting for three days. I didn't really know why, but I overheard the name Zainas Abubakar. Looked it up on my computer, stocked at the right flank of my cabinet. I knew it was the President of Nigeria. The present one I suppose. But what can I do about it? I'm already folding and sneezing on my 12 inches bed, with Farah by my side I felt more comfortable.
"Sleep Bryan, Sleep, sleep good tidings I bring. When you're lost in your dream world I will be with you. Even if your wild mind sends a dragon to me. I'll cut him down with my fire sword".
She sang this song repeatedly all night until I had slept. "I'm not a baby" I opposed. She'll cuddle more and even further. I didn't like the way she treated me - like a prince. I know I was a prince but I didn't like it. My heart was in a solo jungle and I was claustrophobic. I didn't want to see her leave and I didn't want her to keep singing. I couldn't send her away, I always loved her company.
Lying in the middle of the bed all I was thinking about was my father, Dean Sutton - The Prime Minister of the U.K, but was he doing the same. These thoughts filled my head for a while then I slept off. Farah was still singing, by the time I slept she was already with her flute. Blowing in it, continuously, with her mouth tossed to one side, sweet sounds flowing through the other I couldn't resist the voice of the short dead calling me from the other side. So I wangled into the dry thick bedspread and died for a while.
The next morning I was vibrant and strong, I didn't seem like that in a while. Looked around and didn't see Farah. I knew I woke up before 6 am. "That smells like good pie", I said, rushing down the vertical stairs with my bikinis. I tried tying the knots altogether while running through the corridor to the living room. "Morning mom". Staring at me in full, "morning Bryan" she said.
"Farah told me you slept well. Legs stretched out, arms thrown into the wide corners of the bed".
"I did. I was also worried about dad, don't know if he's alright".
She dumps her fork on the plate and walks towards me then carries me. "you should always yank any thoughts that tell you, father is in trouble, he has the whole of the U.K to protect him if trouble comes calling". She looks me in the eyes and drops slowly. "You should eat, your dad won't be happy seeing you shrinked and get leaner by the day. But first, what did I tell you about the mind?
Looking at a seven-year-old me - "My mind is like rickety, I said. It can collapse at any time if not built twice a day with words and prayer" we chorused together in sweet harmony, "I pledge to my mind to serve it the best way I can, like a true soldier in a one-minded army, like a swordsman amidst the darkness in the days of the old, like a squire to his master, I pledge my loyalty and I'll serve you for eternity.
Farah claps over and over, standing across the kitchen table - "pitch of the chart this is". She says as her British accent made everything more fun. Mother dragged me towards the dining and served me hot pie before escorting me to school.
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A day later
Aso Rock is in perfect shape, the breeze blowing in the right direction, the blind polished and covered. A platoon of the U.K military arrives with Dean Sutton. Getting out of the car one step at a time, he greets the Nigerian people piled up at each side of the road. No doubt, Dean is afraid, his heart palpitated, his head whirling many thoughts. He manages to move into the building amidst the crowd, "move, move" two bodyguards hold him hands clocked to his.
"Welcome Prime Minister Sutton glad to see you", Zainas with a fleet of his Ministers moves into the reception to welcome Dean.
"There's no time for this, let's get started…in your office, alone. I will be alone too so don't be afraid" Dean said looking him full in the face. They both walk a few km, pass three checkpoints and enter the president's office.
"Welcome to my office. Please have a seat" he points his hands to one Leather chair in his office. Continues, "I was handed this position yesterday, and today it's already a war we are discussing…"
"They're five houses in the U.K and you're well familiar with those houses, I am from House Emmett just so you know. Our possessions are wealth and money, not war. You can ask the head of house Bentley to tell you about war. We were blessed by nature with golds, and wealth even the great Queen Hazel, the third of house Ashton, doesn't have more. I'm not here for war strategy, I'm here for peace and as the newly elected Prime Minister I intend to make peace predominant".
"Former President Abdul Mohammed was a good man but one thing he didn't understand was the law of process, he gave the wrong promise and here we are paying for his sins '.
"Queen Hazel told me a lot about Abdul, she said he was a good man, but he sold Nigeria to Hazel and as we all know, The Queen isn't a type of highborn that quickly gives away her toys".
"That's why we need to work together".
"You mean to betray my people".
"No, no of course I don't mean that. I mean to be together. Help me go around Hazel, if she strikes me: our allies will join her, please" he whispers.
"Your allies will join her? Why are they allies anyway, if they won't help in desperate times".
"Hard to tell, but it's the truth. How many people do you think want to be the giant of Africa; South Africa is one, Ghana is another, Senegal. Count them if you must"
"I'll talk to Hazel, and see how far it will go, until then I'll be in touch. Thanks for having me" Dean tries standing and staggers from his seat holding the arms of the chair.
"Thanks for coming - Zainas' calls Dean after he had moved a few steps - if this goes well, I'll forever be in your depth -"
-and if it doesn't?
"It won't, too many hands will be on deck, this one".
"Most of which are allies" Dean wears a hard smile on Zianas. "I better be going. Four more places to visit before home".
A few minutes after Dean had gone, Zianas sat solo in his office ragging his brains of the best ideas he could find. Four books sit breast open on a small desk, 2½ fit tall.
Sir, we have a problem. A dark tall man with a mustache walks into the office uninvited.
"Pet, who let you in?"
"Sorry sir but it's necessary" Pet, Zianas' personal security says
"What? Are we having issues with…"
"It's Hazel, she has her army on the outpost, 983,765km west, 543,765km east…"
"Enough with the count, I know the dimensions… - Zianas walks a few steps and drops helplessly on the couch - fix a meeting with Hazel, I'll be going in alone, no guards".
"Sir, let me come with you?" Pet says
"I said no guards. Tell Abeola he'll be in charge till I return".
"He'll be pleased if things go South" Pet looks weird.
Subtle and angry Zianas says "the meeting will be by 7 in the evening, I may return tomorrow until then; Vice President Abeola is in charge. I'm I clear?"
Yes sir? Pet bows.
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Wheels up in the air, its blades running in circles horizontally, Zianas steps down from a chopper. "Stay here" he yells at his pilot, his breath running out like water gushing down a hill. He manages to find his way to one captain amid hundreds of portable shelters made of cloth, supported by one or more poles and stretched tight by cords, hooked up with a vertical strong iron rod.
"President Zianas'' Captain Blackburn parroted with his two hands in his pocket.
"I want to see Queen Hazel?".
"Is she expecting you?"
"No?"
"This way" takes him through the crowd to the Queen's tent. Both reach the Queen's tent in one piece.
"Wait here," Blackburn tells Zianas as he Flips the cotton of the tent, "Ma'am someone is here to see you".
"Who? She answers sitting across her dining"
Blackburn opens the cotton and Zianas follows - face first, then his two shaky legs and hands"
"Have a seat" She says "why are you here"
"I came with no one you came with tons". Zianas sits across Hazel in a well-furnitured tent somewhere in the outpost.
"You know I can kill you here and no one would dare to raise a finger"
"Who better to do the execution than the Queen of England and controller of 14 realms all combined".
"It will be 15 soon when I'm done colonizing Nigeria the second time"
"Abdul sold us to you for colonization but I didn't" Zianas looks pale
"Don't worry I'll compensate you after I'm done…" she hunches and sips her wine
"Compensate? Is that what you call this? You're insulting my government and Nigeria, the number one country of the blacks".
"You won't let me? I'll take it by force. You should ask Abdul. When I'm done you will regret you handed Nigeria to me earlier".
"You think we're some ant on the floor you can get pass anytime you feel pleased".
"The SouthEast, North, SouthWest, you name it, are in loggerheads with one another. They most likely need someone to keep the balance".
"That's why I was e-l-e-c-t-e-d President in the first place. I don't need your help to lead my people". Zianas protrudes a little out of his seat.
"I will give you two weeks to come to your senses. I won't start with bombs and rockets, I'll tear you inside out limb from limb, and only then in the '2 last straw moment' will I come in with full force"
"I'll be waiting".
"You don't seem like someone who understands the situation, Zianas".
"I understand the situation Hazel, you just don't know what I'm capable of. We'll see?. I'll make my own demands. Take your men out of here in 3 days or I'll make you suffer".
Zianas walks out of the tent confidently to his chopper and zooms off.
"Prepare for war," Hazel tells her General, "Zianas doesn't look like someone who gives up easily"
