Chapter 20 The Plan

Mbaku went to the King's harem to visit the Queen. The Queen was very surprised to see him. She knew Mbaku was there because of Diemo. The Queen had heard of the riot and the King's assignment from Zima. She felt Zima was reluctant to save his brother and her only hope was Mbaku. She had called Eyeki and talked to her to meet Mbaku as soon as possible but she wasn't expecting Mbaku to come to her. Mbaku greeted her politely and she offered him a seat. "Mbaku, how may I help you?" Queen Abiola asked. "His Majesty will have to take a decision on how he is going to punish Diemo soon, because of the riot. I want you to help me" Mbaku replied. "What do you want me to do?" "The person behind the framing of Diemo and the riot is unlikely to be simple. He or she won't let go until Diemo is dead. There's only one way to save Diemo right now" "What way is that?" Queen Abiola asked in excitement. "I want you to hand over Diemo to me" "How? And why?" "I want you to give me a go ahead with the plan I have" "How can I trust you?" "Because I will never hurt Eyeki"   The Queen knew more than anyone that Mbaku cared about Eyeki and would never hurt her, but she didn't want to trust Mbaku with the life of Diemo. She had no other option because she couldn't save him even though she was the queen. "Alright! Do whatever you want to do. You can torture him but make sure he doesn't lose his life" the Queen warned. "I will save him. I promise" Mbaku said. "But I want you to do something else" "What?" "I want you to give up on him" "Mbaku! How dare you?" "He would survive if only you give up on him" Mbaku said coldly. "You must know that; he lost his right to the throne after he tried to poison me. There is no way to clear his name even though we all know he didn't steal the golden scepter" "What exactly do you want?" "Support Zima and give up on Diemo" Mbaku replied. "Call Zima and let him know that he's the only option you have right now. You are going to support him to win the throne" "Honestly, I am confused right now. Mbaku, don't you want the throne too? Isn't that why you married Zui?" Mbaku looked sternly at her and replied; "I married Zui not because of power. I don't want the throne. I have never been interested in it" "If you say so, then I'll do it" the Queen replied.   Mbaku told her to call Zima as soon as possible to let him know the new development. But she must make sure she doesn't disclose what he, Mbaku, had told her to Zima. Mbaku bowed politely to the Queen and left. The Queen sent for Zima immediately Mbaku left. ***** Eyeki arrived at Mbaku's manor immediately he left to the King's harem. She felt a little at ease when met me. She greeted me politely and asked me if my husband was around. I knew and understood her misery. I told her, Mbaku left a few minutes ago.   "To where?" Eyeki asked desperately. "I didn't ask him" I replied. "But where do you think he will go?" "I have no idea"   Tears began to drop from Eyeki's eyes. I knew she felt helpless and didn't know what to do. "Zui, do you hate me?" Eyeki suddenly asked. "No, I don't" I replied. "Then please help me" "How?" "I don't know what tomorrow holds in stuff for me. If Diemo is killed as a traitor, I may be killed too and my children may be sold as slaves. Kindly buy them, in case it happens"   I was stunned and couldn't move. I understood her plight. The only thing I could do for her at that moment was to give her my word.   "It won't happen. Even if it will, I will make sure to buy them and raise them as my own children" I told Eyeki. "Thank you and don't forget what you've told me this evening" Eyeki said as she sobbed. "Let Mbaku know I came here to look for him when he returns" "Eyeki, can you wait for some few minutes?" I asked.   She nodded and walked back to me. I gave her a seat and sat beside her.   "I never had a chance to meet you after I married" I said. "I heard you've been Mbaku's only female friend" "Yes," Eyeki replied and kept her eyes fixed on the ground. "Then you must know he thinks of you as the sister he never had" "Yes" "Then why must you be so brokenhearted?" "Because it's almost impossible to save Diemo now" "I understand but please calm down. I don't think Mbaku will be happy to see you like this" "Hmmm" Eyeki sighed. "He will arrive here very soon" "Ok"   A few minutes later, Mbaku returned and walked towards Eyeki and me. He walked to us, greeted us politely, looked at me and asked; "I guess you two have talked long enough. Can I take her away?"   "Yes, you can"   Mbaku extended his hand to help Eyeki to get up. Before Eyeki turned to leave with Mbaku, she said to me; "Don't forget it, please. I will be counting on you" "I won't let you down" I replied with a smile as Mbaku stared at us cluelessly.  ***** "Eyeki, you don't look well" Mbaku said. "How can I be well in this situation?" Eyeki replied. "I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I have lost all hope" "I gave you my word. I meant it. I will save him" "Mbaku, I don't want to lose you too. My children and mother are in the cave you made. Kindly keep them safe in case of anything" "Eyeki, do you trust me?" "Yes, I do. If I didn't, I won't have told you where my children are. Do well to take care of them for me in the future" "I went to see the Queen. We are going to work things out this night" "Really?" "Yes. Stay calm and make plans to move out of Wailand soon" "Really? What are you planning to do?" "Planning to get Diemo out. All I need from you right now, is to assure me that you won't do anything stupid because your children need you more than you think. Nobody can take care of a child more her mother" "I won't do anything stupid. I promise" "Good! Right now, you're all Diemo has. You know all his other wives have left him. Don't disappoint him by doing anything stupid, please"   Eyeki smiled and assured Mbaku she was not going to harm herself but Mbaku refused to allow her to go. Instead he made her stay in his manor to spend the night there. Mbaku had everything set and was planning the next course of action when Jabari arrived. "Your Highness, it is done. Just as you expected"