Amina

The next day Ṣeyi woke up several hours before sunrise because of the strange nightmares that still disturb his rest, reluctant to go back to sleep Ṣeyi decided to go out and look for his friend Akin. The hunchback might still be confused about his tribe and still in dire need of a friendly shoulder to lean on; Ṣeyi found Akin crouched on a huge tree stump. The tree once stood tall and proud a great monument of the village up until the witch attack 14 seasons ago, when the descendant of the fire deity sliced the tree. Now it is just a husk, a void memory of how glorious the village used to be before the attack. Akin spent many nights on the tree stump under the watchful eye of Bojubọie the silent eagle.

Akin grew up in the Balogun's house, under her supervision and her protection; she has been the one feeding him during his younger days and when he clocked the age of 10 seasons she had some of her men build Akin a mud house to live in and she paid him visits every evening. The Balogun is seen as Akin's official guardian, but for the hunchback, she is the mother he is always proud of. As Akin grew older, he developed strange kinds of habits, for instance, he developed the fear of being in tight spaces. He prefers to sleep on a tree stump seating down instead of in bed and he has a strange affinity for singing, especially when he is seated under the stars.

"Are you still troubled by yesterday's news?" Ṣeyi asked as he landed on one of the branches of a nearby tree closest to Akin

"Yes!" Akin replied "my tribe, my people, a tribe" the thought still made his mind spin in circles.

"Don't be troubled, be happy" Ṣeyi said in a cheery note

"Why everything I ever knew lived for and believed in is a lie," Akin said, trying to mask the pain in his voice

"Think of it this way" Ṣeyi pointed, "Now you have a family, as for me, I'm still alone the only family I've ever had is you"

For a short moment Akin looked at Ṣeyi without speaking a word, he felt a strong bonding between himself and Ṣeyi, one he did not even know existed. So, this is how close they have become during the past few seasons, if not for Ṣeyi his world would have been dark and empty...

"Think about it Akin, an entire tribe of hunchbacks just as ugly, if not far more ugly than you," Ṣeyi said ruining the emotional moment with his twisted sense of humour

"Wow!" Akin said with a lot of his good humour back "do you think they will all have bottomless stomachs like me?" More laughter

"If that is true, then every farmer of this village is in trouble," Ṣeyi said, more laughter

"Akin" a melodic female voice called, Ṣeyi looked up to see that the sun had finally begun to reveal its yellow face

"Amina!" Akin exclaimed with a slight blush

"Go," Ṣeyi said to his friend, after all, he can tease Akin about it later

Amina is a special girl filled with the wisdom of an adult at the age of 12 seasons, each time Ṣeyi has an encounter with her it seems like he is talking to a 20-season-old woman. She is filled with a lot of patience and the inner beauty that seems to radiate in her immediate vicinity, no man can stand next to her without being affected by her strong positive aura. Ṣeyi noticed that more than fifteen worthless men of the village have a greedy eye for her and a few Ẹṣọs as well including Ṣodipọ. Amina's father is no different from all the worthless men of the village who seeks to possess his daughter. Her only redeeming feature is that her father has wits enough to estimate the true value of his daughter, he sees her as a priceless gem that will make him rich one day and he does not intend to accept the bride price from any man who is not a member of the royal family. Amina usually wears a red native dress, her long plaited hair reaching down to the middle of her back, beautiful brown eyes, a perfect body shape for her age, a virtuous personality and the strong aura of love flowing out of her spirit.

Why she ever noticed someone like Akin, is because of his melodic voice, Ṣeyi remembered Akin mentioning it once. The sun had just risen in the morning, several seasons ago; Amina woke up earlier than usual that day to urinate on her father's back yard and that was when she noticed the sweet melodic voice that blended into the beauty and texture of the morning breeze. A voice so sweet that it melted into the morning aura and it never repeated the same melody twice. A voice so beautiful that it joined the birds in rendering the morning chorus. Amina stood spellbound; transfixed by the beauty of the song until to her disappointment she sensed by instinct that the beautiful performance was at its end. As quickly, as she could, Amina rushed out of her father's compound following the sound of the mysterious voice, compelled by a strange sense of urgency, if she did not find the source of the music today her whole world would crumble.

The moment she reached the tree stump, she found the ugliest being on earth standing on a tree stump surrounded by a flock of singing birds, raising his voice to his heart's content, oblivious to the happenings of his immediate surroundings. "How can something so ugly, produce something so beautiful?" Amina wondered as she admired the performance of a hunchback. Akin noticed that he was not alone he suddenly fell silent.

"Please, don't stop" Amina pleaded

"Why?" Akin asked in surprise, why didn't she react to his hideous look? "Why don't you hate me?" Akin asked again, he's used to receiving insults and negative looks from all the females of the village, but this is different, for the first time a girl is talking to him without expressing the emotion of hate or disgust.

"Olodumare taught us never to hate anyone," she replied, "please don't stop singing"

"It is morning" Akin voiced "the only time I sing, is when the stars beautify the sky"

"Tonight then" She concluded

"Tonight" Akin acknowledge

"Promise?" She pressed

"I promise," Akin said in an affirmative tone

What does this girl see in my voice, Akin wondered as he watched her run home to her father, I don't understand what she sees in an ugly boy like me. The following night Akin sang louder and longer than he had ever done before, his happiness reflected within the melody of his voice and Amina listened from her opened window entranced by the music. That was how Amina and Akin became close, naturally, her father does not approve, yet he held his peace knowing that it would be careless of him to take action too quickly.

Ṣeyi smiled as he watched his best friend follow Amina the same way a dog would follow a bone; no doubt she's going to have Akin run a few errands for her, "she is beautiful to a fault" Ṣeyi thought to himself, she makes Nike's beauty look like a withered flower. Many men would have seduced her by now just to get her pregnant, the only thing that gives her an advantage is the fact that Amina is a grown woman with a small girl's body, bold, sharp, wise and strong-willed. She can tell a man's true intentions simply by looking into his eyes. The aura of love and beauty leaks out of her very being, making everyone ignore her strongest nature and that is her sharp mind and mature response, she knows when to run when in danger and how to find help if needed.

Amina is the kind of girl that can never be motivated by the vices of other promiscuous women; she ignores ambition, greed, fame, and power. In Ṣeyi's opinion, she is the perfect match for Akin, if only he is not so ugly. "Beauty and the beast" he chuckled to himself

The covenant oath

Ṣeyi was just about to leave for the stream to have a quick shower when he felt a strange presence walk into the street, at first he wanted to ignore the odd sensation but a trigger from his memory changed his mind. He had felt this presence before, it seems like the presence of someone familiar, he signed with a smile the incision didn't only make him stronger it also sharpened his senses. Now he can sense people's aura from afar, and this particular aura exposed itself deliberately to test his abilities.

"Who are you?" He whispered as he cautiously moved forward, glad that Akin had left. Ṣeyi did not intend to get Akin in any danger. The presence grew stronger and stronger causing a growing uneasiness in Ṣeyi's mind, then the stranger emerged from the shadows enshrouded in darkness it didn't help that the sun had not fully covered the village with its blanket of light. Ṣeyi felt at a disadvantage should this be an enemy then he is in real trouble.

"It's been a long time Ṣeyi" the shadow greeted

"You" Ṣeyi growled, of course, it would be him who else has the wits to sneak up on him without his knowledge. The Watcher! is the only person who is able to best him in a game of smarts. Ṣeyi had vowed to get even with the so-called demon one day, but that day never came until now "What do you want"

"Is that how to greet your elders" The watcher mocked as he glided towards his object of interest

"I don't remember telling you that you have earned my respect" Ṣeyi retorted as he tried to walk away.

"Just when I came bearing gifts" the watcher continued

"The only thing I want is for you to keep the promise you made to me two seasons ago gba!" Ṣeyi snapped, "Nothing else interests me"

"So you're not interested in your covenant," the watcher said with a hint of venom in his voice and this stopped Ṣeyi in his tracks.

The truth is almost all the Ẹṣọs who have sworn loyalty to the legacy of Oduduwa the previous day had left the village on one covenant enlightening quest or another, Ṣeyi felt a little jealousy because of his inability to go on a similar quest but it seems like the watcher is offering him a golden opportunity.

"I was placed in charge of your progress, which means that I am also in charge of your covenant and your training," the watcher continued with a smile glad that he had Ṣeyi's attention. "Who knows, you might even be able to learn something about your parents and yourself"

Ṣeyi cursed under his breath this man is just as dangerous as they say, and there is no way he can ever say no to such a devious offer as despicable as it seems, "how do I know that you are not trying to manipulate me?" he inquired

"You don't know how powerful you are Ṣeyi" the watcher replied "and I am freely offering this help with no strings attached. To refuse the gift of the elderly is equal to insulting the ancestors, you are coming with me"

Ṣeyi chuckled, once again the watcher has him in a corner. It seems that as long as he needs something the watcher can use this information as a weapon of control; he is like the watcher's dog under a very short leash. "What do you want from me?" Ṣeyi said grudgingly

"Nothing but your progress" the watcher replied, "The question is not what I want but what you want"

"I want to become a great Ẹṣọ" Ṣeyi replied

"Then come with me, let your guard down and come with me" the watcher voiced in a gentler tone "I cannot help you unless you let me, you can force the goat to the river but you cannot force the goat to drink from the river. I cannot help you reach your full potential until you trust me, make your decision now"

Ṣeyi looked at the watcher with a hint of helplessness in his eyes, it is obvious that he does not like the watcher but it is also apparent that the watcher is the only one who is able to unlock his full potential as a warrior. He hears it in his heart and he hears it in his soul, there is no way he can say no, human or whatever he is. "I don't trust righteous demons"

"There is no such thing as a holy demon" the watcher added with a hint of sadness in his voice "but you must trust me, the birds trust the sun when they fly, the insects trust the stars to guide them during the night, children trust their parents and the people trust their kings. What you need right now is someone you can trust and I bow by the will of God I will never lead you astray"

"Then I will trust you," Ṣeyi said gazing in the direction that Akin had just taken "I'll be back my friend, let's go"

Now they had been talking for so long that they had lost track of time the dawn had finally come, and the sun shone brightly filling the morning with a warmth that can elevate the human spirit.

*******

They had been travelling for more than 3 days Ṣeyi had his suspicions concerning the watcher but then remained silent, the watcher was not a bad travelling companion but he wasn't an entertaining one either. There was this awkward silence about him, at first Ṣeyi assumed that the man was filled with words and it would be difficult to shut him up but now the silence is deafening. Many times, he tried to break the ice between them and engage in any kind of conversation but the watcher simply dismissed him with a brief remark and then the silence continued. The watcher led him through the enchanted forest and through a valley, the walk was tiring and soon Ṣeyi was out of strength. On the third day, Ṣeyi had lost all sense of direction and would have found it difficult to walk home if he was alone, he was now completely at the mercy of the watcher.

"We are here," the watcher said as he broke the silence

"Where?" Ṣeyi inquired with a sign of relief

"In this world, there are many places with strong spiritual influence, in each region houses a spirit entity that the creator has placed in charge of one element or another" the watcher continued, "Every family, tribe or warrior that manages to locate one of these regions can establish a covenant that can be time bounding or eternally bounding"

"The origin of covenants," Ṣeyi said, "So that's the nature of covenants, I want a really powerful one like the fire covenant, Gbagbe," he said in excitement a lot of his good humour returning

The watcher chuckled "Covenants don't work that way" he replied, "If it did then I would have asked the Ifa priest to give you a random covenant with no strings attached, a farmer can never perform the duties of a palm wine tapper. Compatibility is an important aspect of a warrior's covenant, if you absorb the covenant of fire or of Ogun the god of iron fire and war you would suffer great pains in both your spirit and in your soul the flames would burn through the covenant that you have inherited from your parents"

"So which covenant is perfect for me?" Ṣeyi inquired,

"This way," the watcher said as he gestured towards a hidden path for Ṣeyi to follow

The path led upwards, towards the side of the hill the scenery was breathtaking. Beautiful flowers filled the air with the fragrance of sweet richness, for a second Ṣeyi forgot why he was there in the first place. "I'm glad you like it," the watcher said breaking the silence "this is the place of refuge for the marshals of the winds and the air of certain regions of the Adegunju province"

"The Marshals?" Ṣeyi inquired

"When God in his absolute wisdom created the world he placed Marshals in charge of the balance, each martial is in charge of a specific element within a specific region." The watcher lectured, "Here we are going to meet the Marshals in charge of the winds and the air but you are only allowed to choose one of the two so consider your options wisely"

"Options?" Ṣeyi inquired not understanding the watcher's instructions.

"Greetings" another misty voice began "Oluwaseyi son of Adeọlọde (crowned hunter) we are here at your disposal, I am known as Akumina the Marshal of the winds"

"And I am Ategunruna the marshal of the air"

Now Ṣeyi understood, these two spiritual entities know something about his father, he must have made a covenant with one of these two spirits. Indirectly the watcher is keeping his promise because now he knows the name of his father, 'Adeọlọde' he should see this as an advantage and find out more. "Tell me more about my father," he said hopefully

"We are marshals of the elements not the keeper of the ages," Ategunruna said

"Our knowledge is limited" Akumina added, "Choose which covenant you desire"

Ṣeyi chuckled in amusement, so this is the watcher's game, dish him the information bit by bit until he has learnt everything a slow painful game yet not unexpected. He looked at the watcher with keen eyes trying to read his expression, but there was nothing to see; the watcher always moves around like a masquerade completely concealed from crown to sole.

"Which one of you is stronger?," Ṣeyi asked still confused as to the choice he would make knowing that the watcher has no intention of aiding him in his choice

"Power depends on how you use us, we are equal in every way but our nature diversifies," Akumina said "the greater your power is the more powerful we become"

He should have known, now he must choose and he has no idea how. For many years he had thought that he would obtain a really powerful covenant but now he understands that the power is not in the covenant but in how the caster uses the covenant. "Which should I choose?" he said addressing the watcher

"Ọyọ (On your own)" the watcher mocked,

"You are no help, gbabe!" Ṣeyi retorted, then he faced the spirits "Which covenant did my father choose?" he inquired

Akumina vowed to Ṣeyi and said "It was me that your father choose and his power was without measure and knew no equal, he moulded many chants during his lifetime and won many victories. Never in a hundred years has anyone used my power so effectively, he made the winds dance within the beauty of the moonlight"

"Gba!" Ṣeyi exclaimed fascinated by her words. "I should pick you" but then he saw the hint of sadness in the eyes of Ategunruna "but I haven't made my choice yet"

"I thought you wanted the wind because of your father," the watcher said breaking his silence, "The cub will one day grow up to become a lion"

"I'm not my father," Ṣeyi said "And he's not here to lecture me concerning my choice so I must consider all my options. Tell me Ategunruna when last has someone used your power effectively"

"No one has used my power, the choice has always gone to the wind," the marshal replied

Ṣeyi thought for a while and then considered, that the wind and the air are not so different but the wind is air in motion so it's obvious that warriors would choose the wind thinking that it is more powerful but with air, he can also control the powerful essence of the wind. "If I choose you," Ṣeyi inquired in a goofy way "Can I make solid air?"

"Yes!" Ategunruna replied

"Gbagbe!" Ṣeyi announced, "I've made my choice"

Covenant ritual

The Balogun sat down with the Akọgun waiting beside her with a slight smile on his face, she can tell that the elderly man was pleased with the development of the village's defences. A few seasons back the village was lacking when it came to fighting men and warriors willing to lay down their lives for the innocent individuals of the village but now almost every family is willing to take a stand against the enemies of the village.

"Most of them have been gone for more than 5 days now," the Akọgun pronounced, breaking the silence

"You're right, Agba!" the Balogun replied, "The covenant quest is not something that a family should joke with. I just wish I knew how each covenant ritual is done"

"I do" the Akọgun responded

"What!" the Balogun exclaimed, "How do you know this?"

"When I was younger I wanted to learn the source of each and every chant" the Akọgun continued "When you had obsessions of making your ideas real I wanted to learn every secret that the Ẹṣọs world has to offer so I always sneaked about learning all I can while I can"

The Balogun stood up and walked towards the Akọgun "Will you share this knowledge with me" she inquired humbly

"All you need to do is ask" the Akọgun replied, "The covenant of the Alaramide tribe is by far the most painful and brutal"

"A fight to the death?"

"No, the journey takes them to a remote cave within the desert region beyond the borders of Ilọrin, Ṣodipọ is expected to sit upon the throne of the scorpion spirit. Then two scorpions will crawl slowly towards his head and sting the base of his skull while he is chanting the covenant oath"

"That would kill him," the Balogun protested

"it is the culture of the Alaramide tribe and no one has died from it yet. He will be fine" the Akọgun said as sweat tickled its way from his brow down to his nose, he sweats often

"The Oye tribe?" the Balogun pressed

"They have no covenant, so they don't perform the covenant ritual" the Akọgun replied "Lakan is blessed with huge virgin Agbara, unsoiled by the aura of the elements. he'll be unbeatable one day; his ancestors would be proud"

"What about the Ewedemi's?" the Balogun pressed

"Even I don't know everything," the Akọgun said in a defeated tone "their secret was never revealed to me, I planned to steal the knowledge during the initiation of Kenny into the covenant but due to his weak body the covenant oath never happened"

"And Bọlaji?" the Balogun pressed,

"We still have our duties," The Akọgun said cutting the Balogun short "It's time for us to see the Ọba"

The Balogun signed in disappointment such knowledge is very hard to ignore, she decided to make it a mental goal to milk out all of the Akọgun's knowledge when the time is right, she has no intention of letting the man's grey hair go into the grave without passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

******

New Training Schedule

Ever since the oath ceremony, the training schedule for all the Ẹṣọs had changed for one thing they were all asked to choose two out of eight warrior disciplines that the village has to offer to apply to, each discipline is led by an elite Ẹṣọ, a master in the art; and each discipline requires absolute dedication. The Osi-balogun told them himself as he addressed them for the final time under the tree which is their usual meeting ground, from the look in his eyes they can tell that he is pleased to be given the parting speech although he avoided a direct gaze with Ṣeyi and all the others he had asked to go chant hunting.

"The eight disciplines are listed as follows Awọn egbe Alagbo (The herbal healers)," He continued "Awọn Ẹgbẹ Ọlọdẹ (The hunters), Awọn Ẹgbẹ Ologun (The warrior scouts), Awọn Ẹgbẹ Ilẹkun Ojiji (The Shadow Gates), Awọn ẹgbẹ Egungun (The masquerade Cult) and Awọn Ẹgbẹ Ẹranbayan (the Badas or beast riders)." Ṣeyi was inclined to join the hunters and the warrior's group since he is not too inclined to make use of herbs and other instruments, Akin on the other hand joined the warriors and the Badas since he has a small affinity for liking animals.

"Each ẹgbẹ has its laws and its discipline," the Osi said as he addressed the new Ẹṣọs. "once you have joined the ẹgbẹ you are not expected to leave them unless to change your discipline or the master of the discipline has declared that you have completed your apprenticeship"

"Yes sir" the trainees replied

"I believe that by now all of you have already sworn the oath of covenant," the Osi Balogun continued.

"Yes sir"

"Now these are the names of those with special requests to join one of the 4 major warrior groups in this village," The Osi-balogun continued, "Ayo and Nike, you are to report to Jaguna Baṣọrun of the elephant group; Niyi, Abiodun and Sanyaolu are to report to Adebanjo Nimbe of the Rhino group."

"Yes sir" those concerned replied,

"Ṣodipọ, Olawale and Folakẹ are to report to the lion group Ṣegun Ooni has asked for you to report to him personally"

"Yes sir" they replied, Ṣodipọ had a gloating smile on his face.

"Mawo, Fowokan and Alabi, you three are to report the Shark Group, Ṣegun Mofedamijo has personally asked for your skills," the Osi said

"Yes sir" the three replied

"As you report to these groups, remember that it is not just your image that is on the line but also the image of your family and the image of your tribe. From this day henceforth you are no longer under my supervision, make me proud"

"Yes sir" all the candidates replied

"I'm proud of you, the learning period is over and now it is time for you to serve as the legacy of Oduduwa. Do not fail as a warrior"

"Yes sir"

"You're dismissed," the Osi announced,

Ṣeyi quietly waited behind along with the others whose names the Osi neglected to call, he wondered why they had been going through so much trouble if the elders had no intention of letting them join any group. As soon as all the other candidates left, Ṣeyi approached the Osi with Akin, Modupẹ and Kenny in tow, he didn't need to ask any direct questions the Osi knew exactly why they waited behind. He quietly gestured for them to sit under the tree and then he addressed them directly.

"I know why you are here," the Osi said "Don't give me that face Ṣeyi," he said as he saw said person scowl.

"Why weren't we chosen?" Modupẹ inquired,

"I'm the one placed in charge of training" the Osi began, "But when it comes to recruiting into the various warrior groups then I am lacking. So if you need to be recruited then you must meet each Jaguna and convince them that you're worthy"

"And if they refuse to let us join their groups?" Kenny inquired

"Then you will have no choice, you will haft to join the king's guards and serve the king for the rest of your life," the Osi said with pain in his voice

Ṣeyi and all his friends including Kayọde gazed at the Osi-balogun in horror, so this is where it ends. So this is where their careers as warriors to an end, Ṣeyi struggled to swallow the information he had just received with pain and then he took two steps forward.

"We will force them to make us join their group, we will never give up" Ṣeyi pronounced with conviction. This is the conviction that encouraged all of the others who stood by his side, Akin smiled and Kenny clenched his fist in determination.

"Wise words Ṣeyi," Kenny said, "Now let's go and make the Jagunas acknowledge our importance"

"Do your best" The Osi encouraged, "make them regret not picking you for their group. And before I forget the Balogun asked for the two of you" gesturing to Ṣeyi and Akin "To see her after the meeting"

"Yes sir" Ṣeyi and Akin replied

"You're dismissed"

"Thank you sir" they chorused

The Punishment

Ṣeyi and Akin reported to the Balogun's hut immediately after the Osi dismissed them hoping that she was not in a bad mood, but judging from the look on the Balogun's eyes he can tell that she is in one of her foul moods. In fact, the cold scowl in her venomous look told them that she was furious with something they have done. Ṣeyi can tell that the Balogun's burning rage had reached a point where she could slap him unconscious at the slightest provocation, in other words he'd better keep his witty mouth shut if he intends to survive today's encounter.

"Ṣeyi I just received a message from one of our neighbouring villages" She began sternly "it concerns you"

"Ma?" Ṣeyi replied in an innocent tone, but the sweat on his brow and his inability to look directly at the Balogun's face speaks otherwise. He has committed so many crimes that he cannot actually place his finger on the exact one.

"Is it true that you and Akin made the people of the northern villages believe that there was an evil spirit in their wells?" She inquired, "And that you asked them to give you some cowries as a peace offering?"

"O!" Ṣeyi exclaimed in relief, a relief so contagious that he did something stupid "I was so afraid she would talk about the time we charged the Fulani's for the grasses their cows were eating," he said to Akin

"Remember the time we threw that eating contest in one of the villages," Akin said, getting into the conversational tone "we almost got ourselves beaten to death"

"What are you two talking about?" The Balogun demanded

Now they are silent, Ṣeyi couldn't believe that he got too carried away by his useless exploits with Akin that they had started to talk carelessly, especially now in front of the one person who's not supposed to find out. "Now we're in trouble," he whispered under his voice

"Did you commit all those crimes?" The Balogun demanded, her reply, alarming silence and blank expressions "so you committed all those crimes"

"And a vast majority of others" Akin added to Ṣeyi's horror

"Akin!" Ṣeyi exclaimed

"How many others?" The Balogun demanded in a firmer tone determined to extract everything from these two troublemakers, as predicted they were silent

"No man lies to the gods

No man lies to his elders

Actions reactions and

Reasons bring forth solutions

Nothing done in the light of day

Is hidden in the shade of the night

And all secrets shall be revealed as I say

Ṣeyi every question I ask, you shall answer

Akin, nothing but the truth shall come out of your mouth

If I question the dead, the dead will speak

So who are you to resist my voice?

Answer according to my demands"

The Ilu-inọ truth chant, a chant with the ability to force people to tell the truth, but useless on Ẹṣọs because they have the ability to break chants of very weak levels, and Ẹṣọs are very stubborn with the truth. The only reason the Balogun thought to use it on them is because they lack the fundamentals of how to break a chant at that level. At first, the Balogun thought she had the upper hand but when Ṣeyi and Akin had finished confessing all their crimes, her face was white with terror

"Arrrrrr!!" She screamed "you"

In an instant her Agbara began to increase in its intensity, Ṣeyi sensed it, and it seemed like his body reacted to it with excitement, such is the nature of her frustration. Her Agbara circulation got so intense that it leaked in the form of purple dust.

"Ṣeyi?" Akin called in a panicky voice

"Yes" Ṣeyi replied

"She is really angry," Akin said

"Yes" Ṣeyi replied

"What is she going to do now?" Akin inquired trembling

"Pray we never find out" Ṣeyi replied with more sweat on his brow than ever

The overwhelming heat of the rage of the Balogun vanished almost immediately it appeared, she cooled down instantly and to the amazement of both boys, she had a very alarming smile on her face.

"That's it," she said, as though she had just realised something very important "why didn't I think of it in the first place"

"Ṣeyi?" Akin inquired in a panicky voice

"Yes" Ṣeyi replied

"What is she thinking about?" Akin inquired

"Pray we never find out" Ṣeyi replied

"I will separate the two of you," she declared with a sadistic grin on her face

The perfect punishment, separation, Ṣeyi and Akin have been together for a long time and all the mischief they had committed they did them together; the mischiefs began the day those two met so it will end in the wake of their separation. Even though the Balogun is not, against their friendship, she is against their exploits as troublemakers and the solution is to hit them hard where it hurts, separation is the answer.

"Ṣeyi tomorrow morning you are going on your second Iṣẹ, without Akin" she commanded

"But" Ṣeyi protested, "I haven't been acknowledged into a group yet"

"Very well then" the Balogun said, "as soon as you have seen all the Jaguna's then you will leave on your Iṣẹ"

The look of surprise plastered on the face of both boys in the Balogun's opinion the look was priceless, for the first time in a long time she is actually pleased with her decision.

"Please" Akin said, "what will happen to me with Ṣeyi gone?" He pleaded

"Nothing" the Balogun replied, chuckling "you must learn to stop depending on Ṣeyi, he is not your god, he is your friend. Learn to start depending on yourself"

"Balogun" Ṣeyi said in a sober tone, to the Balogun's delight, "we will not do it again"

The Balogun smiled, finally she had managed to strike these two boys at their weakest point, and she is really going to enjoy this power.

"Please ma," the two boys pleaded on their knees "we will not do it again"

"My word is final" the Balogun declared, "You're both dismissed"

"Balogun please, use the koboko," Akin pleaded, "Aunty please," Akin said (after all she is the one who raised him)

"Akin, you need this the most, without Ṣeyi you'll be just another weak boy easy for all the predators of the wild to step on, learn to stand on your two feet," the Balogun said as she sent them out of her hut.

The two boys left the Balogun's hut filled with dejection and self-doubt, that woman had actually scored a clean hit; it is going to take a long while for them to recover from a punishment like this one. For the first time the Balogun has defeated them.

"Ṣeyi what are we going to do now?" Akin asked in a confused tone as they walked away.

"Akin" Ṣeyi replied in an equally confused tone, "I have no idea"