Chapter 16:  The Dance Training

The sun was high, its bright rays casting long, stretching shadows on the ground. Adéjinéré and Uwarshigiri were in the midst of a fierce sword fight. The sound of their swords clashing echoed through the air with a sharp metallic ring.

As they fought, sweat began to trickle down Adéjinéré's forehead. The heat from the sun combined with the physical exertion made her grip on her sword slip for a moment. This brief lapse caused her to curse softly under her breath, a sign of her frustration as she struggled to refocus.

Uwarshigiri (teasingly, lowering her sword): Give up, Tsunzafi ta. You know you can't beat me.

Adéjinéré (sighing, wiping her brow): You know I cannot do that.

Uwarshigiri (chuckling, stepping back and sitting on a nearby rock): Yes, I know. Tsunzafi ta never gives up, her ego will never let her, not even when she's losing countless times to a humble soldier.

Adéjinéré (smirking, sheathing her sword and sitting across from Uwarshigiri): Ságo bú ìgó, humble soldier nbo. Fighting on par with the Queen of Blades is an achievement.

Uwarshigiri (shaking her head with a playful smile): uhm darling; you are not on par with me when it comes to the blade, stop giving yourself false hope, you hear me?

Adéjinéré (rolling her eyes, stretching her legs): Well, you are never serious when fighting. How do you expect me to be serious with you, back ode?

Uwarshigiri (gasps in mock offense, smiling broadly): Well, you don't expect me to take the fight seriously when you are not in the zone.

Adéjinéré (rolling her eyes again): Meaning?

Uwarshigiri (her gaze softening, leaning forward): You know what I mean.

Adéjinéré (frustration in her voice): Is it that obvious?

Uwarshigiri (nodding, a knowing smile on her face): I know it's because of the half-caste.

Adéjinéré (defensive, looking away): No, maybe... I am not sure.

Uwarshigiri (smirk widening): Tsunzafi ta, do you like the half-caste?

Adéjinéré (expression turning serious, staring straight ahead): No, never in a million years.

Uwarshigiri (pressing, eyes narrowing playfully): Then why is he disturbing your sense of reasoning?

Adéjinéré (voice dropping, recalling a flashback): It's because of what he said, remember? (Flashback: The half-caste passionately speaking) "And to think, all this time I believed I was alone in this fight; Alone in the struggle against the tyranny of the British Empire. But now, to see that there are others like me, others who know what is happening in the outside world yet refuse to do anything... It's beyond disappointing."

Uwarshigiri (thinking for a moment, then smirking): He was saying a lot of things, but my attention was on other matters.

Adéjinéré (with disgust, turning to face Uwarshigiri): You lustful creature.

Uwarshigiri (laughing, raising her hands in mock defence): What have I done now? (Exasperated): Wait ooo do not tell me you want to...

Adéjinéré (interrupting, serious tone): Yes, I want to leave this place. How can we be called the special ones when people need us out there and we are doing nothing to help them.

Uwarshigiri (standing up, pacing): And what about here? Have you forgotten your status? The outside world did not call us the special ones, the inside world did.

.

Adéjinéré (standing up, facing Uwarshigiri): You and the rest can still stay here and do the needful, also Ifádànà is around.

Uwarshigiri (insistent, stepping closer): It is rude of you leaving, Tsunzafi ta, without going with me.

Adéjinéré (questioning, arms crossed): ehn rude ke, why is it rude, ehn? Is it because I am your...

Both (simultaneously, breaking into laughter): Tsunzafi ta.

Uwarshigiri (after their laughter subsides, patting Adéjinéré on the back): You know Àrẹ̀ Ọ̀nà will never accept this.

Adéjinéré (doubt in her voice): Do you also think I am not ready?

Uwarshigiri (reassuring, placing a hand on Adéjinéré's shoulder): Oh, you are more than ready for that.

Adéjinéré (wondering aloud): So why is he not allowing me to go?

Uwarshigiri (thoughtful): I do not know what Àrẹ̀ Ọ̀nà is thinking or why he thinks you are not ready yet, but I will tell you this: this place also needs you. The people need you. We might be special to the rest of the world, but you and your sister are special to me, the Lady, and your father. I might be selfish for saying this, but I do not want you to leave yet. At least wait till the tournament.

Adéjinéré (mischievous glint in her eye): Do you want to place a bet on me again?

Uwarshigiri (playful): Why won't I? In fact, I am placing the bet on you and someone else.

Adéjinéré (curiosity piqued): Who do you want to place your bet on?

Uwarshigiri (teasing): Do not be jealous, Tsunzafi ta.

Adéjinéré (retorting): I am not, mumu. I just don't want you to lose your money.

Uwarshigiri (bored, standing up and stretching): Shut up, I am bored. Let's dance again.

Adéjinéré (picking up her sword, determined): This time you lose.

Uwarshigiri (taunting, twirling her sword): Ta ta ta, Tsunzafi ta. You know I never lose when it comes to blades. But I am tired of playing with that. Let's dance old-fashioned.

[Uwarshigiri stretches forth her hand. Adéjinéré smiles, stretching her hand towards Uwarshigiri.]

Adéjinéré: Jé ká ṣere gídígbó.

Uwarshigiri (laughing,): Mu yi rawa.

Adéjinéré and Uwarshigiri stand poised, their hands stretching forth like the branches of ancient trees, seeking to entwine. Adéjinéré's fingers find purchase on Uwarshigiri's arms, and with a swift, fluid motion, she hurls her friend to the left. Uwarshigiri caught mid-air, smiles—a glint of mischief in her eyes—as she twists her body, attacking Adéjinéré with the speed of a striking cobra, aiming to grasp her by the stomach.

Adéjinéré, ever vigilant, notices the impending grab. With a nimble flip, she evades Uwarshigiri's grasp, her body arching gracefully through the air. Seizing the opportunity, she grabs Uwarshigiri from above, attempting to throw her to the ground. But Uwarshigiri, like a cat, lands on her hands, somersaulting backward with effortless grace.

Without missing a beat, Uwarshigiri launches herself forward, her legs slicing through the air towards Adéjinéré's head. Adéjinéré, quick as lightning, blocks the attack with her fists, stepping back to reassess. They pause, smiles playing on their lips, before stretching their hands out once more, ready for the next round.

They exchange a flurry of punches and blocks, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Uwarshigiri aims a low kick at Adéjinéré's shin, but Adéjinéré hops back, avoiding the strike and countering with a spinning back fist. Uwarshigiri ducks under the attack, using the momentum to launch a knee strike towards Adéjinéré's midsection.

Adéjinéré twists her body, narrowly avoiding the knee, and grabs Uwarshigiri's arm, pulling her into a close-quarters grapple. They struggle for dominance, their breaths coming in short, controlled bursts.

Adéjinéré twists Uwarshigiri's arm, but Uwarshigiri mirrors the move, and they spin together, a whirlwind of strength and agility. Mid-air, they release each other, and Adéjinéré aims a spinning kick at Uwarshigiri's face. Uwarshigiri ducks low, her body splitting gracefully to the ground, and sweeps Adéjinéré's legs from beneath her.

Adéjinéré stumbles, momentarily losing her balance, but quickly regains her footing. Uwarshigiri stands, a triumphant smile on her face, which only serves to fuel Adéjinéré's determination. They both extend their arms again, ready for another dance of combat.

Before they can continue, a voice cuts through the air, halting their movements. It is Adéìsèlè, her tone commanding yet filled with warmth. The two fighters pause, their breaths heavy but their spirits high.

Adéìsèlè: Don't you two ever take a break?

Uwarshigiri (teasingly, bending her knee slightly in a mock bow): Nice to meet you, princess.

Adéjinéré (rudely): What do you want, sister?

Uwarshigiri (chiding): Tsunzafi ta, why are you rude?

Adéìsèlè (smiling at Uwarshigiri): You see her winning, right?

Adéjinéré (interrupting): The winner has not been decided yet.

Uwarshigiri (facing Adéjinéré, laughing): I thought we were just dancing.

Adéìsèlè (amused): Her face says it all, Uwar.

Uwarshigiri (joining in the fun): I know, right?

Adéìsèlè and Uwarshigiri start making fun of Adéjinéré, who becomes furious and tries to change the subject. She looks around, noticing the guards are scanty.

Adéjinéré: Where are the guards? I've only seen a few of them. What's going on?

They also notice the scarcity. Suddenly, a maid passes by. Adéìsèlè calls the maid, who approaches, greeting them with a bend of her knees and a bow of her head.

Maid: How may I help you, my ladies?

Adéjinéré: Where are the guards?

Maid: The guards are at a meeting, my ladies.

Adéìsèlè: Meeting? Who assembled a meeting?

Maid: Lady Adéọlá, my lady.

Adéjinéré: Why?

Maid: I do not know the exact details, my lord, but all I know is it's about the visitor. He is also with them.

Hearing this, Adéjinéré, Adéìsèlè, and Uwarshigiri look at each other, wondering what might be happening.

Adéìsèlè (dismissing the maid): You may leave.

The maid leaves, bowing her head. As she is about to go, Uwarshigiri, who has been watching her, stops her and moves closer.

Uwarshigiri: Have we met before?

Maid: We have, my lady, at the stream. I was part of the maids taking care of the visitor, my lord.

Uwarshigiri (smiling): Oh, yes, I remember that day.

Adéjinéré (confused): What happened at the stream that day?

Uwarshigiri (about to tell the story): Well, we met the hal...

Adéìsèlè (interrupting): It is nothing. Don't worry.

This makes Adéjinéré more curious. Folding her arms, she presses for more.

Adéjinéré: Now I want to know what happened.

Adéìsèlè: I will tell you about it later.

Adéìsèlè faces the maid.

Adéìsèlè: What is your name?

Maid: Bídèmí, my princess.

Adéìsèlè: You may leave.

As Bídèmí is about to leave again, Uwarshigiri stops her.

Uwarshigiri: Bídèmí, Bídèmí.

Bídèmí stops and replies.

Bídèmí: Yes, my lady?

Uwarshigiri goes close to her, raising her chin up with a smirk.

Uwarshigiri: You have a familiar scent. Before the stream scene, have we met?

This leaves the maid, Adéìsèlè, and Adéjinéré confused.

Bídèmí: I am not sure what you mean?

Uwarshigiri: You know what I mean.

Bídèmí is dumbfounded. Adéìsèlè and Adéjinéré are instantly furious.

Adéìsèlè and Adéjinéré: Bídèmí, leave now.

Bídèmí leaves instantly, moving faster not to be called again. Adéìsèlè and Adéjinéré continue to stare at Uwarshigiri as she watches Bídèmí until she is out of sight. Then she looks at her friends.

Uwarshigiri: Meh.

Adéìsèlè and Adéjinéré: O ò gbádùn.

Uwarshigiri (rolling her eyes): Just because I have multiple tastes.

As Adéìsèlè and Adéjinéré want to talk, Uwarshigiri interrupts.

Uwarshigiri: I bet my lady is trying to put the half-caste in a fight against the guards.

Adéìsèlè: Why would my lady do that?

Adéjinéré: She wants to recruit him.

Uwarshigiri: This is Àrẹ̀ Ọ̀nà's doing.

Adéìsèlè (confused): Why would Father do such a thing?

As they have this discussion, Adéjinéré and Uwarshigiri pause and look at each other. Adéìsèlè notices this.

Adéìsèlè: What is the problem?

Adéjinéré and Uwarshigiri: It's Ifádànà.

Adéìsèlè: What does Ifádànà have to do with recruitment?

She pauses, then realizes.

Adéìsèlè: Oh, Ifádànà just talked to you both, didn't he?

Adéjinéré (annoyed): I have said this times without number, but he never listens. I am going to kill that fool one day.

Uwarshigiri: Tsunzafi ta, wait till the tournament, dear. I do not want to lose my bet.

Adéìsèlè: You are going to the head again?

Both nod. She tells them to be safe.

Adéìsèlè: Come back safely, ooo.

Adéjinéré: We always come back safely.

Adéìsèlè: Just get out, jare.

Instantly, they leave the training ground. Adéìsèlè also walks out, leaving the place quiet once more.