The Eagle Team
The Ifa priest insisted that Ṣeyi remained with him for the rest of the day and the night as well so that he could regain his strength and then blew some sleeping powder over the boy, then ordered Akin to fetch a bucket of water to bath Ṣeyi should he develop a fever. Bọlaji was planning on giving Ṣeyi the good news the following morning but he still needed to recruit someone as capable as he was to make his new group a reality and he knew who would be willing to help. Bọlaji picked his way towards the home of his most loyal friend and confidant, someone else who enjoys the presence of Ṣeyi and his unusual hunchback of a friend. None other than Lakan Oye the son of the great Juggernaut of Ilu-ina village, Bọlaji reached his friend's house an hour after sunset and knocked on the front door.
"Ta Ni ẹ!" Lakan cried from within, Bọlaji had half hoped to see his friend's father as well hoping that the elder would give him a bit of advice or two concerning the decision he had made.
"It is me Bolaji" He replied, "Lakan we need to talk"
"Why now" Lakan complained impatiently "I was hoping to have a long sleep this night but it seems the wise one is heavy with the seed of wisdom to share" he continued as he walked towards the door of his hut.
"You are right; I am pregnant with wisdom but the wisdom wasn't conceived by me" Bọlaji responded, "Let us go for a walk towards the market square, the words I am about to feed you are very heavy and might even change your life should you make your choice in my favour, today you are going to be planting the seed of choice"
"Then let's go," Lakan said with a hint of inpatients in his voice. Bọlaji chuckled in his mind, his friend never changed. Lakan has always been the restless type always charged with an excess of adrenaline quick to react at a given opportunity. The two friends walked silently for a few minutes enjoying the evening breeze with Bọlaji thinking of how best to share the story but then he just decided to grab the bull by the horns, he took a deep breath and spoke.
"I am about to ask you to betray the warrior group that you have given your loyalty to." He began,
"What?" Lakan inquired in confusion
"Calm your impatient mind while I plant the seeds of knowledge" Bọlaji began, he started from the beginning by explaining his experience with Ṣeyi during the first mission two years ago. Then he related the nature of Ṣeyi's predicament and how the Jagunas had all agreed not to allow any of those they claimed to be unworthy to join their warrior group. But if you refuse to accept I …"
"And why would I do that?" Lakan responded with a hint of being offended in his voice, "We've been friends for a long time, If you need my help then I will be there to champion your efforts no matter the consequences; plus, Akin is my wrestling partner this will bring us even closer. I'm in!"
Bọlaji gave a big sigh of relief as he realized that he had his best friend's vote of confidence "But!" Lakan continued and Bọlaji caught his breath in surprise "Your sister is joining us as well"
"Gba!" (Accepted) Bọlaji acknowledged. "Now I can give Ṣeyi the good news," he said with a hint of jubilation in his voice.
"And now I can go to bed" Lakan added as he yawned "We'll meet tomorrow to give Ṣeyi the good news, but you must tell your sister tonight"
"She's not my sister," Bọlaji said, "and why are you so insistent that she joins, do you like her?"
"Nope," Lakan replied as he walked towards his home "I just like the way she bullies you all the time". And Bọlaji chuckled at that reply
******
The sun filtered into the Ifa priest's hut as the dawn approached and for the first time in several months, Ṣeyi had a peaceful sleep without the regular nightmares. "Fear" he chuckled as he attempted to rub the last traces of sleep away from his eyes, ironic how the priest's wisdom applied to his situation. Then he wondered why would demons of that calibre be afraid of him, he's just a harmless boy who might not even become an Ẹṣọ; after all, he failed all the tests given to him by all the Jagunas of the village he might as well sign up for palace guard duties. The only flaw in that plan is that anyone considered to be a curse or in his case accursed would never be allowed to serve as a royal guard they might take pity on him and allow him to serve as a royal sacrifice, use him as a replacement for the chicken they had initially planned to use.
"Ṣeyi" Akin called in his usual dragged tone, The next line he had hoped to hear was 'I am hungry' Instead the next words were "Are you still very hungry?" Odd, he wandered.
The hunchback walked in accompanied by a few others in persons of Bọlaji, Lakan, Modupẹ, Kayọde, Kenny and Bọlaji's sister Yewande. He could see both concern and relief on their faces, and he could tell that they were all glad to see him alive and well.
"Good to see you Ṣeyi" Bọlaji greeted as he sat down at the edge of Ṣeyi's mat
"Gbabe" Ṣeyi exclaimed, "I won," he said "Or at least I think I did, that was one tough fight" remembering the battle but failing to remember what happened when the summoner used the last beast
"Baba Ifa said that you will make a full recovery," Akin said
"I know," Ṣeyi responded as his face began to reveal the shadow of his deep failure because they were unable to make a warrior group "It's a pity my full recovery will not help us to become warriors in this village"
"What!" Lakan said catching unto the last three words that Ṣeyi said,
"Ṣeyi," Kayọde said and then remained silent thinking that he had spoken too soon. Which is more to say for someone afraid of his voice.
"Agba Rashida promised that if none of the Jagunas of this village is willing to acknowledge our strength she would put in a good word for us and we can join a warrior group outside the village" Ṣeyi replied without looking into the faces of any of his friends "I feel it deep down in my bones that the Jagunas tests were unfair and they used the false test to punish us for a crime that we didn't commit. Gbabe" the last words came out with a growl of disgust.
"Funny you should say that Ṣeyi" Yewande smiled as she slightly shifted away from Akin, it seemed like the ugly hunch back still irritated her "But my weakling little brother has something to tell you" Lakan chuckled at her last words and Bọlaji flinched, the girl knows how to get under his skin.
"Ṣeyi," Bọlaji said carefully measuring his words, "I need to plant the seed of wisdom when sharing words with you," He said carefully.
"We're friends," Ṣeyi said in a neutral tone "You can tell me anything, I promise you I won't be offended"
"Good so I'll start from the beginning," Bọlaji said as he focused firmly on Ṣeyi, "The only reason they gave you the tests in the first place is because of the deep respect they had for the Osi-Balogun, but no power on heaven and even on earth would have convinced them to recruit you into their warrior group," he said then took a moment to catch his breath then continued by saying "and that was why the tests were rigged for your failure"
"Ki ni mo sọ (What did I tell you?)" Ṣeyi exclaimed
"Nimbẹ of the Rhino group gave you a basic test used on new intakes but then at the very end of the test he used a chant far too powerful for underlings like you to overcome, he was afraid that you would disgrace him by beating his so-called unbeatable test," Bọlaji said.
"He told us that we failed Whereas, in actual fact, we passed" Ṣeyi observed, "And Jaguna Baṣọrun?"
"His test was also rigged for your failure," Bọlaji said in a firm tone "Only warriors who have been in service for more than 5 moons and have obtained substantial skills in Agbara manipulation could have made that stone glow. The man's pride can only be rivalled by that of the Alaramide tribe itself, which is why I have come to this decision"
"Let me guess the ambush test given to us by the lion group was also arranged to make us fail," Kenny growled, "I will never respect him in my life again"
"And the last test was also absurd" Bọlaji continued, "Segun Mofedamijo asked you to tell him what you saw"
"There was nothing there," Modupẹ said in a defensive tone,
"No, something was there," Bọlaji said, "Ẹṣọs duties go far beyond protecting the innocent from physical threats it also reaches the spirit plains as well, and the chant he wanted you to use was the Ọlẹla (reveal) chant"
"I didn't know about that," Akin said in shock
"And you're not supposed to know about it until you reach a higher rank, the Jagunas were all unfair to you and it makes me sick"
"But there is nothing we can do about it; it is after all a corrupt world" Ṣeyi concluded.
"There is a way beyond this problem, that is where I need your help," Bolaji said,
"And why do you need our help" Kenny growled, "We don't even qualify to be warriors"
"Actually you do, The seed of opportunity has sprouted in your favour, I have just left the elephant group and I am forming a new group with Lakan and my sister's assistance" Bọlaji began, "What we need right now are members, 5 members do you know anyone who would be interested in this group"
"And what is the name of this group" Ṣeyi inquired with a concealed smile, "because I know that powerful groups reveal themselves as an image of their names"
"And you will join right" Lakan mocked
"No, not interested," Ṣeyi said with some measured pride, "How much are you going to pay us for joining your group"
"Forget it, I dissolve this group immediately," Bọlaji said in an irritated tone
"No agba Bọlaji" Ṣeyi sprouted with a high sense of panic, he couldn't believe that his foolish cunning mind might cost him the only opportunity to become a true warrior of Oduduwa. "We will join I was just acting tough"
"Ọdẹ (Idiot)" Yewande whispered as she gave Ṣeyi a playful knock on the head.
"Seems like we are officially warriors now," Kenny said in an excited tone and then he started rambling about the things they were all going to do as official warriors of the village Akin soon joined in the conversation followed by Kayọde who managed to break his silence due to the excitement.
"Bọlaji!" Ṣeyi said in a serious tone with a smile
"Yes Ṣeyi" the Senior Ẹṣọ replied
"Thank you" he replied as a tear trickled down his face "I know you made this sacrifice for us"
Bọlaji smiled in reply, joining a group is the first step but the journey is not going to be easy. "There's no need to thank me, we still have a long way to go"
"Do you think we can call the group the eagle team after Bojubọle, the eagle that is always looking at me" Akin suggested
"I couldn't have thought of a better name" Bọlaji acknowledged a group that represents the sky, unlike the elephants, lions, sharks and rhinos.
"Agba Jaguna is going to be very angry" Yewande suggested
"Don't care" Bọlaji said "I will only do what my conscience tells me, it is the seed of fate that I have planted. By this time tomorrow the eagle team will have her first meeting, agreed" he said with more authority
"Sir" they all replied in obedience. Ṣeyi couldn't help but smile, he found it difficult to contain his excitement now they were all members of the same warrior group perfect, a success despite all the odds. He should have known that there would be a solution, he felt like shouting for joy finally good news that could brighten the rest of his life.
Friendship and betrayal
The Ifa priest walked towards the edge of the shrine to observe Oluṣeyi's reunion with his friends hours after Bọlaji and the other senior Ẹṣọs left, he smiled as he observed the boys, behaviour. His high spirit and his hyperactive mouth ran like that of a wild monkey exposed to a plantation of banana trees. Ṣeyi told them the biggest ghost story he could come up with, of how he looked at Ọbatala in the face and declared, "I'm the bigger boy" Obviously he is still filled with the excitement of being a member of a warrior group.
"Did the god Ọbatala, shut you up?" Kenny asked amidst the laughter
"I wasn't talking about Ọbatala the god, I was talking about Oloyede Ọbatala the big belly chief," Ṣeyi said and there was another general laughter among all the boys
"Ṣeyi is it true that a bowl of pounded yam can wake you up from the dead," Lekan continued
"Only when it is served with the Igbo ẹgusi soup," Ṣeyi replied and the result was another spasm of laughter
The Ifa priest chuckled bemused by all of Ṣeyi's jokes, the boy had indeed made a speedy recovery, for some reason, all traces of his Agbara had vanished the moment he had made a full physical recovery. It seems like his Agbara is going through a reverse circulation or something else, he has not discovered yet.
"He no longer possesses the small incision," the watcher said suddenly as he materialized suddenly from the shadows
"It has evolved into the large incision through sheer force; it might have been in the heat of battle or through some other means" the Ifa priest responded "I just hope it will not be too dangerous"
"Your assumption is close to the truth Ọrọ-Ifa, Ṣeyi has unconsciously unlocked one of his hidden powers, a power he couldn't control, and in the process, he almost lost all his senses. Even I the great watcher couldn't stop him, I was far, very far away" the watcher said with his head held down.
"Neither of us could have known this would happen, will it have any effect on Ṣeyi?" The Ifa priest said in an even tone.
"No, because he remembers nothing of what happened and as for his incision, luckily his Agbara circulation is now stable so no one is in any immediate danger. But as a precaution, I'm going to place a seal on him, that way he won't be able to gain access to the forbidden Agbara again" the watcher declared
"Good" the Ifa priest approved "But I'm not sure that the seal will last forever"
"Until we can fathom the true potential of the power Ṣeyi received from his father we must keep him contained," the watcher said as he faded into thin air.
The Ifa priest wondered if the Watcher knew about the new warrior group that Ṣeyi and his friends had joined but then he dismissed the taught, knowing that the Watcher had nothing hidden from him so the only thing left to do was sit down remain silent and observe.
The Fruit of Ṣodipọ's lies
Ṣeyi and the rest of his friends left the immediate vicinity of the shrine for the village square an hour later, All the younger Ẹṣọs organised a race amongst all within their group Ṣeyi was even able to convince some of the females to join in the race, including NIkẹ. Bọlaji being an immediate senior was made the referee and Lakan was made his assistant
Ṣeyi being in a high spirit had made up his mind that he would cheat during the race and make himself the official winner, sometimes being in high spirits leads to a lot of embarrassing mistakes. As soon as the race started all the younger Ẹṣọs put in their best, all except Ṣeyi who remained at the starting point pretending to clean his nails.
"Ṣeyi" Bọlaji said, "don't you want to win the race?"
"I am going to win," Ṣeyi replied with a sly grin "in style"
"Foolishness of the highest order" Bọlaji taught, "but then you are always good at planting seeds of deception" Maybe Ṣeyi has a plan
Meanwhile, the race progressed with Nikẹ in the lead, For some reason her movement was graceful and her muscles responded with an agility that she never had before; obviously, the incision ceremony had improved her physical strength. Nike easily outdistanced all the other contestants and reached the final lap in seconds, but before she crossed the finish line, she found herself surprisingly on the starting line. Everyone started to cheer for Ṣeyi who had won the race without any effort, even Bọlaji was shocked at the result.
"Winner! Winner!! Winner!!!" Ṣeyi shouted in an effort to convince himself that he had won the race and fooled others into cheering for him.
Akin, Kenny and some of the other boys rallied around and lifted Ṣeyi Solder high shouting "Ṣeyi is the winner!!" To NIkẹ's intense displeasure, she knew that Ṣeyi had pulled one dirty trick or another out of his bag to win, but she didn't know exactly what that trick was and that's what had her blood boiling with anger. She picked up a stone and threw it at Ṣeyi with all the hate in her being; the stone struck Ṣeyi on the side of the head, and this immediately knocked him unconscious.
The jubilation suddenly turned into a gathering of confusion as everyone tried to revive the unconscious prankster.
"Quick" Lakan shouted, "Someone get him some pounded yam!"
"With Ẹgusi soup" Akin added
"Hurry up! We don't want him to die" Lakan shouted with the utmost urgency "Pounded yam and Ẹgusi soup ooooo!"
The stone had indeed knocked Ṣeyi out, but like all Ẹṣọs of his rank, an attack on that level did not do any real damage. Ṣeyi regained his consciousness a few seconds later but chose to remain in a weakened state the moment he heard the words pounded yam and Ẹgusi soup, who could pass the opportunity for free food? Unknown to Ṣeyi the Balogun happened to be passing by that area and saw the commotion, out of pure curiosity she decided to investigate.
"And what's going on here?" She asked commanding the attention of all those present, including Ṣeyi who jumped out of his pretend unconscious state with a start
"Nothing" Ṣeyi exclaimed, unable to conceal the large lump on his head
"He's alive!" Kenny Exclaimed foolishly "God be praised"
The Balogun ignored Kenny's foolish cheering because she had noticed something that gave her a reason to worry "Ṣeyi! You know that you're just recovering from your mission, you're supposed to be at home resting, and how did that lump get there?" She said pointing at Ṣeyi's heads
"Eeem!" Ṣeyi sounded scratching his head for the perfect answer even if it is a lie.
"Nike put it there" Akin replied foolishly, Ṣeyi groaned, It seems like everyone is doing one foolish thing or another today, he thought
"Have you been disturbing that girl again? Ṣeyi," the Balogun demanded
"No ma," Ṣeyi replied, coming up with a plan that could remedy the situation "It is Akin, he was...," He said
"It's not me!" Akin shouted instinctively, the sudden memory of Ṣodipọ's wicked words beginning to take root.
Ṣeyi usually blamed Akin for some of his mischievous pranks, not that he has anything against his best friend, but to him, it is all part of the game. If only he had known about Akin's encounter with Ṣodipọ, he would have chosen his words more carefully.
"Ṣeyi! Why are you always blaming me for all the bad things that you have done? Why?" Akin growled
"Akin," Ṣeyi said calmly, not understanding the gravity of what was happening "It's all part of the game, I blame you then you blame me and then we make our big escape" he chuckled
"That's a lie," Akin said in an enlightened tone, "You think that I am nothing to you but a toy"
"Akin, why are you talking like this?" Ṣeyi said finally grasping the situation "This is not the first time that we've played this game"
"That's right, this is not the first time you've used me as the scapegoat," Akin said with a broken heart "I am nothing to you but an object of ridicule"
"Who told you that" Ṣeyi roared in rage, The light of the situation had finally revealed its ugly face, someone had poisoned Akin with negative words "Who is the bastard that tampered with my best friend, who is trying to steal my brother away from me?" He shouted
"It doesn't matter Ṣeyi," Akin said, "I don't want to be your friend again," he declared in front of everyone, and then he walked away angrily.
Everyone present found it difficult to believe what they were hearing, Akin had completely lost it. The Balogun suddenly had the feeling that separating the two boys might not have been a good idea after all, and why did she just stand there, she could have stopped their argument after all she is the Balogun, throughout the entire argument nobody moved a muscle; this is the first time they are having a real argument. Well, she will worry about that later, for now, what she needs is a way to solve the problem between Akin and Ṣeyi. The Balogun does not intend to let the blossoming friendship that has lasted for more than two seasons end just like that, not while she is still alive.
"Don't worry" Ṣeyi said in a comical tone, "he'll come back, All friendships must pass through the test" Ṣeyi grinned in a forced effort to prove to everyone that everything was alright, but they could all clearly see the signs; the joy has been forcefully leached out of his body.
"I don't like this at all," the Balogun said "Bọlaji!" She called
"Ma," Bọlaji responded
"Meet Akin tomorrow morning, remind him of Ṣeyi's sacrifice during the first mission," She commanded
"It will be done" Bọlaji replied, "even if you don't command me, those two are close to me as well, and it is my duty as the Jaguna of the Eagle team to keep my men unified"
"Good," the Balogun smiled "I want a report on your progress by this time tomorrow. 'The eagle team,' that's a good name"