People lined up to see the gifted one in front of the platform where Ikenga and his team stood. And because of the sun, everyone could see their faces. There was no smile on Ikenga's face, unlike his followers who broke into cheers and applause.

After Ikenga appeared, the crowd became even more cheerful. They called his name and sang different songs of honor for him. Right behind Ikenga was an old man standing in a simple white robe. Behind him were some devotees wearing different armors and face masks like bandits.

Armad realized each of them exceeded a thousand years of pol. But that didn't bother him. The only thing he cared about was to hear Ikenga out and then he would leave.

Ikenga stood on the platform for a long moment, staring at the followers with mere curiosity, and then he turned around and left. The spectators silently looked as he left. The old man and the five masked men behind him followed behind Ikenga. Another commotion broke among the followers. Everyone started looking around them, wondering what was going on.

Armad harrumphed and returned to his tent to prepare for his departure. He was so angry he didn't even speak to Sailári. Then it came. A voice that was all too familiar.

"If you want to know about my goal then go to the wall and close your eyes. Walk for fifty steps toward the east, calling out 'Shaibal'shísu'. You will appear in my palace."

Armad raised an eyebrow, wondering how Ikenga got into his mind. Unable to find any damage to his mind or body, he headed for his tent and packed his things. He opened the door into his magic ring and put his belongings inside. The only thing left was to say goodbye to Sailari.

Outside the tent, people talked about why the gifted one had left but no one seemed to be angry about it. Many of them thought what he did was in line with his status.

Armad found Sailari in the crowd and had to yell to talk to him because of the commotion. "Sailari, you don't seem to care about how Ikenga... the gifted one treated you. May I know why?"

Sailári smiled. "This is nothing. The masked men standing behind him are the strongest in the prison. People like us don't even deserve to go near them. It's a blessing to even see him."

Armad was beginning to understand the way things worked in the prison. The strong was a king. Armad wanted to tell Sailári about his meeting with Ikenga but the young man could insist on following him.

"Is that so?" Armad said, deciding not to tell him about the meeting. "Anyway, I'll be gone for a while. Take care of yourself, will you?"

Sailari nodded, intending to ask Armad why he was calling the gifted one 'Ikenga' but realized Armad was in a hurry and let him go.

Armad walked through the crowd to the wall. He headed east and counted his steps while calling the incantation Ikenga gave him. There was no fear or hesitation in his mind. Ikenga wasn't strong enough to hurt him, not before and certainly not now.

When he reached the promised forty steps, he stopped and opened his eyes. He found himself in a small garden surrounded by a stream. Everything looked the same except the water in the stream which was red as blood.

Armad found Ikenga alone sitting on a couch. Opposite him were an empty chair and a small table with a clear drink on it. Ikenga motioned for him to sit on the empty chair and pushed the drink forward to him.

Armad sat down and took a sip of the drink that looked like water but tasted like some kind of juice. He looked at Ikenga inquisitively.

Ikenga smiled. "You must have a lot of questions but they are gonna have to wait. I called you here to offer you a deal. A deal you don't get too often."

There was some silence as they gauged each other with their eyes.

"I want you as the Heir of Wilberforce to pledge allegiance to me. If you do that, I will give you four blessings."

Armad burst out laughing. "Are you pledging allegiance to me, or do you want me to pledge allegiance to you?"

Ikenga ignored the sarcasm and went on to explain why he wanted Armad to pledge allegiance to him. "Four blessings. First, I will tell you where your soul fragment is. Second, I will tell you about your father. Third, I will give you the incantation you need to get out of this prison safely. Fourth, I will protect you from a great evil the will befall you in the coming year."