₦airaland Forum

Chapter 22
The Calvary

Irede looked around the cell and wished Suberu was there with her. The loneliness wouldn’t have had much effect if she wasn’t seeing Segilola tend to the injured Ojo and the way Feyisara placed her head on Adio’s shoulder, who was humming songs.
She couldn’t tell if they would be there forever, but from what Chief said, he would be out to get them the next day. Feyisara also argued vehemently about her father’s keeping his promise till they all believed her. A homely girl brought fried fish for them but brought more for Olu, who later said they liked each other and hoped to be married very soon. Her name was Tinuola.
“You’re not too old”, Irede said.

“But not too young for marriage”, Olu replied. “She will soon be Tinuola, the wife of Olu Tomori”.
Before long, noises came from outside. Irede rose to peep, but she could see nothing from the jail they were placed. Houses and forests surrounded it, but there wasn’t anything they could do.
“They are here!” Ojo said.
“Who?” Irede said as she became more eager.
“Ogaras!” Ojo said tiredly. “And I think the people that are passing through the town now have the opportunity they need”.
Tinuola ran to them with tears as she explained that a large army had overrun the town. She began tugging at the cage they placed them, but it wasn’t budging.
“Go!” Olu shouted at her.
“I can’t leave you alone, my love!” Tinuola cried.
“Go! Nothing will happen to us!” Olu ordered.
Tinuola nodded and obeyed as she escaped.

More rancour and noise filled the air. Soon, they started seeing people running down their way. Each of them was ready to fight, but there wasn’t a way they could get out. The guards had created the gate in such a way that only someone with force from outside could pull it.
“My father!” Segilola grunted as she was standing at the door.
Irede was angry that she couldn’t do anything to help that she began to shake the door. Adio came towards her and joined in the shaking of the gate. When it looked like all help was gone, Baba Oje limped towards them, and they could see that he was as fast as he could.
“Ah! This is where you are!” Baba Oje said. “Tinuola told me you were here!”
“We need to open the door!” Feyisara said. “Baba, can you help us?”
Baba Oje frowned. “Do you see any weapon here with me?”
“But you have magic”, Adio said.
Baba Oje laughed. “Me?”

Ojo placed his head on the door. “He’s not a magician. He’s just a seer”.
Feyisara turned to Segilola. “Segilola, tell this boy here that seer and magician are the same”.
“Not in any way. He only deals with medicine and can see the future”, Ojo said.
Segilola shrugged and looked away.
“This boy is really wise”, Baba Oje said. “You guys will need to break the door”.
“We don’t have a weapon here”, Segilola yelled, frustrated.
“Oh! I can do that!” Baba Oje said and sat down.
“What’s happening, Baba”, Irede asked.

“Someone is bringing the cutlass”, Baba Oje said and placed his head on the door. “I’m tired. I’ve been seeing the future a lot and I think it’s high I talked with Queen. We need to start working towards the big solutions”. Baba Oje turned to them. “When the time comes, all of you and your remaining people will save Ilu-Oro. You will need one more person. That person is bringing the machete.
Irede couldn’t stop peering.
“I don’t think he is coming again! Feyisara said. “He ran away!”
“Or someone killed him”, Adio suggested.
Feyisara looked at him and nodded. “You might be right there”.
“Patience. You need a lot of patience like you’ve been having”, Baba Oje said.
Soon, Tinuola hurried towards them with a machete. Baba Oje struggled to rise but couldn’t do that before she got to them.
“I told you to leave!” Olu said. He was both scared and happy.
“I couldn’t leave you”, Tinuola said and pointed the machete at Baba Oje, who collected it and began trying to break the cage. However, it was a futile effort. The door wouldn’t yield. After much trial, he turned towards them.
“You two are the chosen once. You have to use your power!” Baba Oje said. “Adio, give us music. Irede fight the cage!”
“Baba, there’s no instrument here!”

“From what Suberu told me. It’s not the instrument. It’s you!” Baba Oje said. “Try it! Sing something!”
Adio looked defeated for a while, but it worked when he gave it a try. Irede could feel herself becoming stronger. She collected the cutlass from Baba Oje, who quickly jumped out of the way.
With so much vigour, she repeatedly brought down the machete until they burst out of the cage. Before they ran away, Segilola prompted them to stop.
“Suberu and Yomi are not available here. We need to make sure our formation are different. Fight with your life. But this time, Ojo, I want you to look out for the weak spots that would give the whole village advantage instead of looking at weak people. So, even if it’s the strongest people that are there, that’s where we’re headed”.
“That will be hard”, Ojo said. “ I can’t stand well”.
“I will hold him up and care for him!” Tinuola said.

“No…No”, Olu shouted. His eyes were red now. “Tinuola, you can’t do this! Go into hiding!”
“I’m tired of hiding. I want to be useful to you. What if you die? Or what if I die in hiding, I don’t want a situation when I’m not around you”.
“Yeah! Yeah! We’ve heard”, Irede shouted. “She has to follow. We need her”.
Despite Olu’s angry stare, they soon hurried towards the war zone. This time, Ojo, Adio, Feyisara and Tinuola were in the middle while Olu and Segilola guarded the group against the attacks behind. It worked.
One by one, they started winning each group. People from Imoye noticed them and called for their help from different angles, but Segilola made sure they did not change their plan. They kept fighting only in the weakest spot.
However, things changed. The leader told his people to leave everywhere and join the fight against the Irede and her group. The group was surrounded.
“We’re going to die!” Olu said.

Segilola looked around, and Irede wasn’t sure she could keep up with that number of people. “We will try and try”, she shouted.
By now, Adio’s voice was cracking, Feyisara and Tinuola were holding up Ojo, and more people had joined Olu and Segilola at the back. Most times, these people almost made them lose the fight, but the group held on.
They kept fighting and were getting weaker. Adio’s voice cracked up, and Irede didn’t know how to take up the number of men coming for her all at once.
Suddenly, a noise came from the forest. Irede turned quickly to see what it could be. Before she could turn back, someone had hurt her.
Her group hurried towards her. Irede was still hurting. She looked around and saw Suberu leading a large army. The Oto group helped her back up. Before evening, they won the Ogaras for the first time. When they opened the face of the Ogaras’ leader, it was none other than Ajanaku.

Chapter 21
Rest in Prison
With Suberu gone to visit the Queen with what they knew was true, Adio knew they were in a bit of a dilemma.
“You’ve stopped singing”, Feyisara said as their horse rode on.
Adio nodded and remembered she couldn’t see him. “Yes! I don’t know how we will tell the Chief the truth we know”.
“And Balogun. Don’t forget Balogun!” Ire de called her horseback. Olu was now walking, guiding the horse through the path. Feyisara didn’t want Irede to leave her.
They all kept quiet. Irede was the only person anyone had ever listened to, even when they were trying to mock her.
“Segilola can talk to her father, and I’ll talk to mine”, Feyisara said tiredly as Adio and the group led them to the Chief’s house. The Chief was so happy, not minding that they were lost in the battle for his daughter.
Segilola, still distraught from Ojo’s injury, looked as if she didn’t care for anything else at the moment.
“I can only try”, Segilola said.
When they got home, they didn’t meet the expected reception. People were mourning the death of soldiers that fell into the Igara’s ambush. Segilola hurriedly took Ojo to Baba Oje.
“I think we have to wait!” Feyisara said after they were all settled down.
“Let’s just tell them after we’ve slept for a bit”, Adio said.
“No. We will tell the leaders when we’ve woken up”, Segilola said. “Tell anyone you can. People need to be ready”.
Olu was tired and wanted to sleep. “When I wake up”.
“What will Suberu do?” Ojo murmured from where he was lying.
Olu looked at him tiredly. “I will do my best”.
The group, despite being tired, told everyone to be ready. Panic set in. Instead of getting prepared, people started getting ready to run away from the village.
When Balogun heard the cause of the panic the following day, he was angry.
“Bring them to me!” Balogun shouted.
In no time, men have rounded up everyone except Segilola, whose name Balogun yelled the moment the others were around.
She came scampering to the coming, ready for anything. Adio didn’t know how they would end.
Balogun berated them, but Ojo wouldn’t stop talking about how he saw the change in many animal signs, like birds leaving that forest.
“It’s not new”, Balogun countered.
Ojo insisted that he had been studying birds for so long.
“Get them out! We just lost people and you still want to send more people out of the village”.
“They just saved me!” Feyisara shouted as she was being led into the compound by her manservant.
Balogun was so angry. “Boy, you know what? Take them to the prison. Throw my daughter too”.
“You can’t throw me into the prison. My father will have your head!” Feyisara said.
Everyone kept quiet. Balogun didn’t mind as he directed his men to guide the others to the jail. This was the same time Chief came arrived. One of his servants had informed him of what happened. Upon getting there, Balogun explained their plight to him. He turned to Feyisara.
“The way I heard you talk to them and the fact that you sneaked away back here, Balogun let her join your daughter in the jail. At least for the day, then we bring them back up because they’re our children. For now, take them all there”, Chief Ibikunle ordered.

Chapter 20
Man Down!
It took them several turns, but eventually, they got to where the men were. The Oto band sneaked till Irede could see the Ogaras surrounding a fire. Despite winning on the training field, Irede was sure this was the time she needed to excel.
The Ogaras’ army had been referred to as the most dreaded fighters. Most people wished their location could be discovered so they would be invited to the Queen’s tournament. However, Irede could see their faces, like every regular person.
“I trust you!” Suberu said, and he placed his hand on her shoulder.
That made her scared the more. She wasn’t all that old enough to be trying to fight some of the best armies in the world. She wasn’t sure that Adio’s drumming wasn’t a fluke.
“We’re in the night!” Ojo said. “We need light!”
“Light for what?” Suberu asked.
“Adio need to see Irede’s fighting and Irede needs to hear Adio’s voice”.
Irede was stunned. She didn’t t think things would be this hard, especially now that everything needed to be perfect.
“Eledumare o!” Olu said.
Yomi was quick to cover his mouth! “They’ll find us”.
Suberu looked about. “I don’t know what to do. We have to return home and tell Balogun”.
Segilola shook her head. “No. No. My father won’t do anything. They might be gone by the time we returned”.
“You are right!” Ojo said.
“Of course, she’s always right”, Yomi added.
“What do we do?” Suberu asked as he turned to them.
“We need light on her face only. We only need to go near their fire for him to see her,” Segilola said. “We can all go!”
Suberu shook his head. “It’s a grand idea, but it’s dangerous. I have something to tweak it a bit.”
“We’re listening!” Segilola replied.
“I will go first for their fire!” Suberu said.
“You need a distraction”, Olu said. “I’ll do that.”
“You need a backup”, Yomi said. “I’ll follow you”.
“That means we have only Segilola and Ojo watching Adio and Irede”, Suberu said. “That’s risky. I don’t like it.
“I will come back and support her”.
“No!” Ojo said. “I will go and set traps for them”.
“You’re lousy”, Segilola said. “He can’t go. He’s staying here with me”.
“But I know different traps”, Ojo said.
“Then, you have to tell me the traps you want to set and I’ll do it”, Segilola replied.
“I will go with you”, Segilola said. “What if something happens to you?”
“Nothing can happen to me?” Ojo contested.
“No!” Segilola said emphatically. “If I’m not going with you, you’re going nowhere”.
The argument seemed to run for a while before Suberu tried to settle it. “Let Olu go with him”.
Segilola was insistent. “I don’t trust you with his life”.
Ojo turned to her. “If anything happens to you, I won’t forgive you”.
He rose and walked away. Segilola rolled her eyes and sneaked after him. Irede waited for them, and while they were waiting, Suberu made everyone repeat their parts until their mouth was tired despite their quiet protest. If Ojo and Segilola hadn’t returned in time, they would have repeated it.
“Thank you!” Irede said as she clasped Segilola’s hand. Segilola looked shocked but must have thought it was because she followed Ojo to set the traps.
The execution was smoother than they had planned. Five of the Ogaras fell for Olu’s trick. They rushed towards the places where the traps were set and soon shouted for help. The remaining ones hurried to help out and discovered that something else was happening.
Before they could do anything about it, Suberu was done picking the suitable torch. He and Yomi sprinted back towards the others, screaming at the top of their voice.
“Irede o”, Suberu shouted.
The group hurried towards them. Adio got his drum ready and began to beat. Irede felt a spark coming from her ears to every part of her body. She could predict what the soldier would do. Everything seemed slow. She was prepared for the next moves before they came to face her. She was swift. At first, she wanted to beat them without injuring them, but the Ogaras were eager to maim the group.
“Those are my people” She shouted.
“Go! Go!” Segilola shouted instructions at both Suberu and Olu as they joined Yomi in searching for Feyisara.
Irede kept fighting the men, who were now becoming angry at the thought that a young lady was beating their men. They kept coming for her, but she couldn’t resist the chance to fight.
“We got her”, Suberu announced just as the last man went down, groaning.
Adio dropped the drum and ran to Feyisara.
“Oh! My clown!” Feyisara shouted and hugged him. “You came for me!”
Irede felt herself becoming weak and was crashing to the floor.
“Help me o”, Segilola cried at the same time Suberu caught her.
The moment she was rested in Suberu’s strong hands, she turned to see that Ojo had been struck on the leg.
“Take him to Baba Oje”, Suberu instructed. “We’re taking their horses!
Segilola got one of the horses and a torch. Soon, she bounded away with Ojo in one arm while the other arm held the torch fervently without waiting for anyone. Suberu placed Olu and Irede on the horse. Adio and Feyisara were on another horse.
Before she dosed off, she saw Suberu and Yomi getting on the last horse with one of the Ogaras in the middle. They head for the Queen’s palace.
“Farewell”, Irede shouted and dosed off.

Chapter 19
Defiance
Suberu looked about till he was facing Ojo. “What do you mean that’s not the right way?”
Irede pointed at the road Balogun and the other men sped towards. “I saw them. Look at the footprint”.
Ojo shook his head as he hurried towards the path that didn’t look like anyone had passed in a long time. He explained that some of them took the horses and escaped towards the path while the others went the way Balogun went. They masked their prints because they had a lot of leaves behind them.
“But since we’ve known Ogara, they always head that way?” Adio replied.
“That’s right!” Yomi looked eager to guard the border. “We should just do what Balogun said”
Ojo looked at Segilola. “See it this way, they have another plan. I think they are going to do something because of a big army is coming”.
“You think they’re working with the big army?” Suberu asked. Adio wasn’t sure he loved to run towards this new problem. But he knew she had to help get the girl that wouldn’t love him in the long run.
“Just like the one you told us about before we started fighting”, Segilola asked.
“Yes! Yes!” Ojo beamed.
Suberu nodded in the realization of something. “Yes! That’s it. Baba Oje have tales of how the King beyond the sea always used such methods to deceive people and create ambush!”
“But these are Ogara!” Segilola replied as she came nearer. Adio wondered why Segilola’s questions were not to disprove Ojo but to clarify what he was getting at.
“You’re getting it! I think the Ogara’s have made an alliance with this King Suberu is talking about. They’ll hide somewhere. Then, when we face the King when he gets here, we will have to fight on two fronts”.
“Are we even sure he’s right?” Olu asked.
Segilola hissed. Adio was more concerned about Feyisara at that point. So, he asked, “Which of them will then have Feyisara?”
Ojo looked at it. “I think it’s the ones in the hideout.”
“Hideout”, Segilola said at the same time as he. Ojo’s eyes became wider in excitement.
“You get me!” Ojo turns to them. “She’s getting me.”
“Why will they have her?” Suberu said.
“Leverage!” Ojo said.
Segilola nodded. “They will use her to win us when things becomes rough. Chief will ask us to drop our weapon and they will do something to us!”
“They will kill us!” Yomi added. “We will die”.
Suberu looked at both Segilola and Ojo. He looked at his Olu and Yomi as he was lost in thought. “We don’t know how many they’re.”
“We can do this”.
“I have an idea”, Segilola said.
She told them the idea that came to her head. Everyone gave their input to buttress her points. Only Adio wasn’t too convinced at this point. He felt they would be shorthanded in the long run if Segilola carried out the last part of her plan. So, he tweaked the plan a bit, making others got others at him for a while before eventually agreeing with him.
“Let’s win them first. Then, Olu can do just that!” Irede said.
Everyone wondered if he was right. Their plans could change.
“It’s true. Segilola, you’re our leader when it comes to fighting. When Irede is fighting we need you with us. As soon as everyone is done, I will do what is expected. I am fast and most of the army knows me. Then, I have a chance with the Prince. They will give me an audience.”
Irede had tears in her eyes as she stared at Suberu. “I’m proud of you!”
Adio’s mind wasn’t there. “Let’s go and get Feyisara”.

Calenikan:
Interesting

Gracias

Chapter 18
No Spotlight
Unlike before, when Suberu would make a fool of himself by trying too hard, he didn’t even try to win anymore. Instead, the group would practice everything they knew. Segilola was now in charge of their training, and she was efficient. Suberu was made the leader because of his zeal for the team always to win.
He was hardworking, getting to the training earlier, bringing as many gifts as possible for each day, scolding them when necessary, and encouraging them when tired. Ojo tried many things on both Irede and Adio. Sometimes, Irede wished she could beat him to keep quiet because of some of the things he kept asking them to do.
After several days and training, the group learnt something- they needed to fight around Adio, who can use any instrument. Anyone who fought in support of Adio and Irede always had upper power. Segilola was the first person to try this. She beat off the boys even when Irede was only practising moves. They tried it on Ojo also, and he won them all, even Segilola, without much effort.
However, when they tried only the drums without Irede fighting, Adio couldn’t play a good rhythm and winning became easier. Ojo brought several suggestions until they finally began to fight like a group. Since Irede had training from different people, she thought all of them her moves quickly whenever Adio was beating the drum.
“We’re winning the big fight”, Segilola said. Her eyes brightened despite the cloud.
“You look excited”, Ojo wondered.
“I’ll beat some people’s children”, Segilola replied as she rubbed his hair. “What are you looking at?”
“Animals. Something strange wants to happen? I’ve been seeing so many things I just don’t know what I’m seeing!” Ojo replied.
Irede now got their blessings for visiting those that trained her in other clans. Most times, the group followed her to watch her training. With the Chief preparing a massive wedding for both Feyisara and Ajanaku, she spent more time passing down messages, giving Adio more time to see Feyisara.
Five days before the wedding was a big fight. Suberu called them all around. “This is the day we’ve all been preparing for”.
“Now is the time to show everyone the stuff we’re made of and all the trainings we’ve been doing?” Suberu said. Then, he turned to Ojo. “Anything to add!”
“Yes!” Ojo reminded them of each group’s fighting patterns, and they could win them without much trouble. “But what I really want to talk about is that something is coming. Like a big war is coming”.
“What’s that have to do with anything?” Olu said.
“Listen to him!” Segilola cautioned.
“Wifey!” Olu said and rolled his eyes but kept quiet after she gave him a cold glare.
They all kept quiet. She was like their female leader; they listened to her because of her authority.
“Animals are becoming scarce and more birds are flying through this village regularly”, Ojo explained. “Some strange animals and fishes too have been passing through. I know of one fish that only Baba Oje brought back when he travelled out of the land to the other side. Now, Iya Asake found ten in her basket”.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Suberu said.
“Animals run when the earth is shaking or something is on their path or killing them”, Ojo replied.
Even Irede was confused. “And…”
“And the water too. The river is becoming dirtier. It means that some people are making it dirty from the top. And it can’t be one person or two… I’m thinking a lot of people.”
“That’s looking real.”
Suberu looked around. “Then, we really need to win this thing because we can explain better to Balogun.”
They all nodded.
Segilola motioned for them to stop. “Wait! Wait! From what Ojo is saying. The Ogaras must have raised a different soldiers to bring war to Ilu Oro. And where’s the only road to conquer the whole of Ilu-Oro?”
Everyone caught a drift of what she was trying to say. Irede didn’t know if she had the strength to fight a huge crowd. From what the group had been saying, she and Adio were called.
“We need to fight them here!” Segilola said.
“And someone must go and tell the Queen”, Adio suggested.
“Who?” Segilola asked and looked about. “The chief?”
Suberu looked distraught. “The Chief must first believe us”.
“That’s why we need to win this!” Segilola said.
She shouted and said other things to prepare them for the battle. They hurried through their games and won most parts of them. Everyone was stunned at the way they fought. Even Balogun was there. Irede felt like the world was running in her direction; all she needed was to fall them. Her movement was so smooth that she knew where to hit them without causing much pain but enough to win them.
Before she could revel in it, a horn blew. And more horns. And more horns. Balogun’s horse was soon galloping through the training soldiers towards the city. His sword was now out in public as he raced through the city. The soldiers did the same. They were armed with their machete and ready to fight anyone.
Suberu urged his group to hurry. They didn’t have horses, but they were all fast. Their training had ensured that even the worst of them could run and knew the basics of war. They were well educated in what they all chose to do. The trail of soldiers led them towards Chief Ibikunle’s house.
In no time, more people were soon at the Chief’s house where the horn came from.
“My daughter o!” Feyisara’s mother cried.
People were wailing. Balogun, angry, turned to the soldier.
“Oto group and the last two groups that always came last, I want you to stay back and guard the town’s border. Take the patrol from the people stationed there. Now to the rest and best of you, we’re going after Igaras to get our own daughter back. No evil will continue to win us”, Balogun yelled.
“But we were the best today!” Segilola shouted. “We are no longer the last!”
Balogun’s fierce look sent Irede back, but Segilola didn’t move an inch. “I can’t put the fate of Feyisara in the hand of those that won through luck. We need hardworkers and not lucky people”.
“We are….”
“You’re not going to war. Not in my lifetime”, Balogun yelled at her. He turned to the remaining soldiers and led them away, their dust leaving a trail behind them.
“That’s not the right way,” Ojo said to his group.

Chapter 17
The Secret Weapon
“I told them!” Segilola said.
“We couldn’t let you practice on your own,” Suberu said as he sat on the nearest rock. “Now, let’s get to your practice”.
Segilola took a seat near Ojo. “Another opportunity to leave home. My father had been talking about wedding since because today’s Feyisara’s introduction”.
“That’s just introduction?” Irede wondered.
“You don’t even what to know the extent of where they have gone for just this small introduction?” Segilola said. “Feyi is my friend, but I’m not a party to this. Her father wants the Chief of Kukoro to help us with resources and talk to the Queen to send Army to save us. But it can’t happen. The Queen said she won’t risk men for something that our warriors can handle”.
“Women”, Suberu said, disgusted. “Small or old. They talk like they were born to do nothing else in this world. See, this warrior girl too. Talkative. Adio, you know what? Play something”
“Are you sure?” Olu said, looking worried.
“Let’s just have some noise that’s not these girls talking”, Suberu said.
Adio sighed. He didn’t know which of his instrument would work. However, he didn’t play much before Suberu started shouting angrily at him to stop. Even the girls were angry at him for playing such foul sounds. Adio’s heart sank in dejection. Today is the last day I will touch an instrument, Adio thought. Suberu inhaled and exhaled repeatedly.
“Play it!” Suberu shouted. “It’s rubbish, but I present to you another rubbish somebody, Irede”.
Suberu pointed at Irede. Adio looked confused.
“Now, practice young man!” Suberu ordered.
“Ah! Ah!” Segilola said and burst into laughter.
“Irede, practice with the noise”, Suberu shouted.
Irede rolled her eyes as she got ready. Adio picked the drums. Irede lifted her practice stick. Adio began to play as subtly as he could but still loud enough to create a pattern for her. It worked.
Irede began to strike with the energy and skills he had only seen when Ajanaku and some giant warriors fought in the fighting pits. Suberu looked surprised.
“Olu and Yomi, go and fight her”.
Irede was faster than they. Her hands were moving as if a whirlwind directed them. And Adio could feel himself swelling with pride as he watched her. His beat became faster and more precise, as if he wanted to tell her what to do next. Her hands moved in rhythm to his drum, gearing him up for the next person coming against her. Every hit she made either synchronized with the beat or landed as a double of his beat.
Suberu looked stunned. He picked up his practice stick and went up against her alongside Olu and Yomi. Irede was as light as the wind as she fell him in two strokes. The other couldn’t get up before she fell them again.
Ojo hurried to Suberu and whispered something into his ears just as he got out of Irede’s reach. A big scowl crept up Suberu’s face, but Adio was so engrossed in Irede’s moves that he refused to be distracted by whatever they were doing.
“Stop!!!” Suberu shouted.
Everyone stopped. By now, Segilola was on her feet, staring in utter shock.
“Do your thing, Ojo”, Suberu ordered.
Ojo hurried to the middle.
“Olu, go and fight Irede. Adio don’t play”, Ojo said.
“But it’s better when I’m looking at her. I enjoy the way she fights!”Adio said. He couldn’t understand his excitement at that moment, but it had been a long since he felt that good. The beat was just perfect. Everything he dreamt of and imagined flowed through his hands like his hands were made of music.
Olu still looked scared as he tried to attack. Irede hurried towards him confidently, but it didn’t take Olu too long before putting her to the ground. All the boys except Ojo and Adio laughed.
Ojo turned towards him. “Adio, play!”
Adio started playing all the drums again.
“Olu, fight her”.
She didn’t take too much time this time before falling for him. Everybody seemed to get something Adio didn’t understand. Their expressions reflected that they had found a big animal in its trap.
“What’s happening?” Adio asked.
“Don’t you see?” Segilola said.
“No. Let me try out something. Adio play the drums. Irede, don’t fight”.
Irede sat on the floor as Adio tried playing the drum. He could see her holding herself together, and that made him sad. His beats faltered.
“Eledumare!” Suberu shouted as he came towards Ojo and slapped him on the shoulder. “We have found it the big weapon! We must show everybody. These are the people that were promised to us”.
“No… No....” Segilola shouted. “We have to do more training to be sure
“What’s happening?” Adio asked and rose.
“Yes! Why?” Irede also looked stunned.
“I don’t know”, Suberu said. “But whenever Adio sees you fighting, he drums better and better. And whenever you hear his drum, you fight well. We need to tell Balogun. These are the people they have been looking for. I can swear with my mother!”
“I said No….” Segilola said. “We have to keep it a secret!”
“You can’t tell us what to do!” Yomi shouted. “We’ve been here all the time practicing and only Suberu helped us. If Suberu says we tell Balogun, we tell Balogun”.
Segilola rolled her eyes at him and turned to Suberu. “See it this way. A big fight is coming. We will surprise everyone and win. If we don’t get it right, we will fool ourselves in front of Balogun again”.
“No. We can actually go to the Feyisara’s introduction and surprise everyone”, Irede said and glanced at Adio, who was too happy to oblige.
“I’m tired of being a fool”, Adio replied. The thought of being praised and hailed for his prowess made him smile sheepishly.
Segilola refused to look elsewhere but at Suberu. Adio could swear he saw her eyes pleading.
Suberu looked lost in thought. “Alright! But we will all train well. We need to train well”.
Segilola came over to Irede and touched her arm. Then, she turned each of them. “Good! I still think there are other things we need to train! I’ve had many ideas watching many of the others. Ojo told me some too”.
Adio wouldn’t hear a word of what they were saying. “But showing people today will help our reputation!”
“What reputation!” Suberu shouted.
“When we know all the ways we can use your gifts, we can easily have a better reputation”, Segilola said. “All of us have been abused together. It’s selfish to want all those good fame for yourself.
“Also! Adio, you will need protection all the time!” Ojo said. “We need to know how to do that”.
After much thought about it, Adio looked at them and hated himself for even thinking of trying to get fame without them around them. He nodded. Irede didn’t need much convincing before she agreed.
“Now, go and make a fool of yourself. Deliberately, this time”, Suberu said and glanced at Segilola, who nodded.

Calenikan:
Ride on

With all pleasure!

Chapter 16
No Secret Here
Irede didn’t like how the group kept failing. Everyone was trying to be better except Segilola, whom everyone now knew was refusing to prove herself because of her father. She wanted to be seen as the best, but that didn’t stop her from joining them in their punishment and showing up for their training against her father’s better judgement.

“He feels he can control my future?” Segilola said the day she sent away the servant that came to call from the punishment he gave their group because they were the last in their various competitions. They couldn’t win in a regular race, swimming, disguising, and everything the Chief wanted them to learn. Even Balogun was tired.

“There must be losers!” Ojo said when he asked them why they were always the last.
“Can you hear rubbish?” Balogun shouted. “That’s absolute rubbish! I’m not angry at you not winning. I’m tired of your being so bad that there’s always no effort from you. It’s like you want to fail”.

Suberu took this to heart. He trained better, encouraged them to be better, and asked Ojo to note what others were doing in their training.
Despite replicating these things, they weren’t doing better, especially Irede and Adio. They couldn’t get anything right. Tired, Irede left the village to visit Ajanaku. Truly, he was happy to see her because he had a message for Feyisara.

“I have something that can help you”, Ajanaku said. “It’s more than you can ever wish for”.
Irede’s eyes shone in excitement. “What is it?”
Ajanaku turned towards the next building, where they kept the drums. “Owoaje, come out. The girl I told you about is here!”
Owoaje wasn’t a warrior but looked as gallant as one. The man looked at her over and looked at Ajanaku curiously. “Can she learn fast?”
“I hope so!” Ajanaku replied.
“What’s he teaching me?” Irede said.

“It’s called dance like a fighter”, Ajanaku said as he went over to his horse. “It’s better than not knowing how to fight! When I come to your village for my wedding, after the moon has risen fully for the second time, we will pretend to fight or perform a dancing act. You can show people that you’re not all that bad. I want you to be so good that you can easily win”.

Irede had never been so happy. Luckily, the training yielded a better result than fighting. Very few could tell the difference. However, her group knew that any time Olu or Yomi tried to fight her, they didn’t need much effort to beat her.
“What I will be doing with you will be just for a show! We will call it dancing!” Ajanaku explained to her later. “We will entertain people”.
Irede didn’t mind as long as she was doing this with Ajanaku. She had no reason to panic. With each day, their groups bonded. They visited each other, ate together, and laughed. They went to the streams together and were mocked with their name, “Oto”. However, they didn’t stop. They raced everywhere. They rewarded themselves with pieces of meat or some other things that could make them better.
They joked and laughed at each other’s failure. Even Segilola partook in their jokes.

“You’re all hopeless”, she told them. “But I will be here with you too because what can I do?”
“I guess we’re all pathetic!” Ojo said and smiled at her.
She stared dagger at him for a while and burst into laughter.
Despite this, for her final preparation, Irede wasn’t sure she wanted them to watch her.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Irede asked Adio in the lowest tone she could muster. Luckily, he heard her clearly. She looked about.
The only person around them was Segilola, who didn’t look like she cared much about what they did. The only person that caught her attention was always Ojo.
Adio looked about and moved near her. “I’m coming here in the morning to practice for my presentation for Feyisara’s wedding”.
“Really?!”
“Yes!”
“Me too! Don’t tell others!” Irede said. “I will tell you why?”

After their agreement, Irede was eager to get to her training the next day. All she wanted was to prepare as best as she could.
When she got there the next day, Adio was indeed there. She explained everything to him, and they got ready for their training.
“You do your thing first”, she said and sat down to watch him.
“You’re right!” Someone shouted from the bush.
She turned to see Suberu coming out from behind a tree with Ojo, Olu, Yomi, and Segilola. All laughing.
Irede turned to Adio, who also looked surprised.

Chapter 15
Be My Clown
Each day counted for something or more reasons for everyone to laugh at the group. In his spare time, Adio felt like he should do something about Feyisara. Since he couldn’t get into his favourite band and faced the trauma of failure alongside his team, he would prefer to move to Feyisara. A dose of success could change his luck.
To prepare for that, he took his flute and hurried off to her usual resting spot, where she often sneaked off to, enjoying the view and staring at nothing.

Let me impress her, Adio thought as she continued playing with a nearby leaf.
Adio inhaled as he placed the flute in his mouth and played the best tune he had learnt from some of the best musicians. After all, if what one loved didn’t come out well, one could use the successful tunes. Adio played fervently and even forgot why he was playing as he became lost in the idea of her dancing.

Lost in the beauty of the tune playing in his head, he didn’t hear the leaves part ways until someone tapped. All he could see was Feyisara staring curiously at him. The curiosity on her face made him falter.
“I’m hallucinating!” He said and closed his eyes, ready to put the flute in his mouth once more.
“It’s not...a hallucination”, she replied.

“You’re truly here!” Feyisa said. Her curious look turned to an amused one. “What are you doing?”
“I’m playing “Let’s Be Filled, Let’s Dance, Let’s Merry”, Adio replied.
She shook her head. “No. Not that one. I know the first one. The second one”.
“‘Why Do We Always First the Sun’,” Adio said.
“What’s it all about?” Feyisara said.
“It’s a question on why do we at Ilu Oro wake before the sun rise and return home before it, but we’re not always awake when the evil lurks in the night because we spent the day with the sun”.
Feyisara looked confused.

“It’s like one is talking about lovers that leave us after we’ve spent the day with them.”
“No…No,” Feyisara burst into laughter. “That’s not what I’m talking about. It’s funny. The way you play is funny. I thought you were trying to be funny”.
“Can a flute be funny?”
“It sounds funny. I will like to invite you to my wedding with Ajanaku. I’ll tell my father. You will come and play on my wedding day. It’s going to be beautiful”, Feyisara clapped her hand.
“But that was good music”.

Feyisara burst into laughter again. “He says that’s beautiful… You’re really funny. You must come and act as a clown for my wedding”.
“Ah! Me?”
“Yes! You will be too fine”, Feyisara said and walked away, still laughing.
Adio had been abused. He had been teased. He had been mocked. He had been beaten in exercises but never felt as humiliated as this. Tears rolled down his eyes.

Calenikan:
Following

Thanks

Chapter 14
Pep Talk
Balogun told them they would be together every time and the best teams would get more rewards. However, the Oto band’s training didn’t yield much because only Segilola fought well. But her anger at her father always made her refuse to fight, practice, or talk to the groups. She hissed anytime she was with them.
“If you don’t like it here, you can go….” Suberu shouted at her one day as his machete fell for the umpteenth time. “You see us here. We’re trying to do something with our lives, for our village”.
“I’m here because my father would want to know where I was during the day and I wanted to leave home!” Segilola retorted.

Irede didn’t like that attitude too. “Then, go and play with Feyisara as you always did….”
Segilola turned to her and gave her a cold glare. After a while, she returned to drawing rubbish in the sand with a stick she was holding. Everyone had an opinion about her. Only Adio refused to say something odd to her. Irede didn’t like that he wasn’t supporting the team.
“What’s with you?” Irede nudged him.
“I shouldn’t be here. I should be practicing my songs. But now I’ve agreed that I’m not good!” Adio said. “So, I can’t abuse someone that’s not happy to be here with us. That is just here because of her father”.
Segilola rose angrily with eyes filled with tears. “You don’t understand. I’m not a liar. That’s why I didn’t go to meet Feyi. My father didn’t give me a chance. He just threw me here! With all of you, that are not good. Those three are clowns. Everyone knew they fail. Ojo cannot really fight. Adio cannot even play drums or anything well, but he thinks he is the best. And can’t fight. And Irede is just a noise maker. She can do nothing. He’s punishing me because I’m not a boy”.

Every one of them was quiet at the outburst. Suberu was breathing heavily as he stood in front of them. “And does that mean you should give up?”
“You don’t understand!”
“What?” Suberu yelled at her. “I’ve been abused every time but I still go there to that field. Irede has always wanted to fight since we were small. She’s trying everything. Olu and Yomi have been my friends since Irede and Adio’s parents didn’t want me to play with them again. But everyone called them all sort of names and useless, but they still want to be a part of this thing because Imoye is our land.”
Yomi rose. “It’s our land!”
“That’s right!” Suberu shouted. “We keep going because it’s our land”.

Adio looked at them, and Irede could see the disinterest in his eyes. “I just want to play my music”.
“That’s why you should be better. Don’t give up now because you failed. You’re not the first person to fail”, Suberu said. “But you still need to learn simple ways of defending yourself”.
Suberu nodded. “Like anyone else has failed before.”
“I know people that have failed many times”, Olu said.
“You, Segilola, show your father, you’re better than ten thousand sons! You, Adio and Irede, I will take you to meet Baba Oje.”
“What about me?” Ojo asked.
“We will see how we can help you?”
Suberu took them to Baba Oje, who told them nothing could help. They have to seek the answer from within.

“Just anything”, Irede pleaded. She was tired of being seen as worse than Suberu.
“But I have this medicine I will give you all of you in your group. Suberu had told me about all of you. It will help you to learn to do. It will not help you to fight or win, but you will know the right step to take”, Baba Oje explained.
“Give me!” Irede hurried to meet him.
“You all have to use it together”.
The moment Irede used it, she felt confident enough. As they were going home, she hurried to Suberu’s path.

“Try me! Fight me!” She shouted.
“Me? Who?”
“You! Fight me! I will beat you like I did that day! Like when we were younger”, Irede said and jumped up in excitement.
“No”
“Yes, Suberu”, Yomi said..
After much thought, Suberu came for her. She was sure she would beat them, but when she tried hitting him, she met herself on the floor, facing the sky, with Suberu looming over her. She sighed.

Chapter 13
The Oto Band
Suberu kept postponing the day he would give them the confidence charm. He said he had soaked it in mysterious water that would need them to wait 21 days.
“21 Days?” Irede shouted in disbelief.
“Do you want to go and fight with a half-prepared item”, Suberu said as he played with some kola nuts.
“Or is it that what we gave you isn’t enough!” Adio wondered.

Suberu looked at him. If they were in the night, Adio would have said what he saw in Suberu’s eyes were stars. While everyone went to war, Adio had been sneaking off to practice his different musical crafts. He hated that he could play beautifully whenever he was alone, but not when he needed it to impress others.
He hated that everyone in Imoye couldn’t do what they loved.
The Ogaras have made everyone from what was known in every other village. Young boys and girls in their teens were now going to practice for war instead of going to the farms alongside their parents. Although Baba Oje specifically told Chief Ibikunle that it was a teenager, the chief felt Baba Oje must have missed something, and it was proper he trained children too.

It took Irede and Adio several days to finally accept that they would have to miss the training sections entirely. Irede still sneaked somewhere to watch the soldiers. More and more soldiers kept coming for each person, and she was always eager to join them, but Suberu told her to go at her own peril.
“I can’t take this anymore”, she said on the 15th day.
She was soon seen in the middle of the pitch, trying her hands at the different training they gave them. Her level was gone past all these, but nobody could see the result. She wished she could do better than she was doing right now.

“On the next Aje day”, Balogun shouted from the top of his huge horse. “Everyone will be paired against different people to fight”.
“On Aiku, your medicine will be prepared”, Suberu said as he brushed down his chest to tell them to calm down. Each day felt like forever. Adio frantically improved everything he could play. He would hide away in the deepest part of the forest, fearing that his parents would come for him again.
On Aiku day, Suberu was by the river as he had told them. Irede came out from the second path that led to the river.

“This water will make you bold”, he said and brought out a little gourd. “Due to my training with Baba, I got this. Kneel!”
He poured it on their head and told them to repeat, “Nothing can hold me down” ten times.
The two of them did that.
Suberu urged. “Now! Hurry! Wash your head and keep saying ‘I’m the head!’ Go! Go!”
The two of them acted accordingly.

“Good!” He tapped Adio’s chest and grunted. “Yes!”
Adio took that as a cue to yell, “yes!”
He tapped Irede’s back despite the disdainful look she had. “Yes!”
“Yes!” She shouted.
“Go!” He told them.

Assured of their success, they went to the training ground. Irede was beaten by a young girl whom Balogun found intriguing and praised openly to Irede’s despair.
The musicians had another training ground. Adio couldn’t string five notes together clearly. They sent him back to the army, and he was beaten with one clean sweep.
Balogun looked disappointed, but he climbed his horse and rode to the top of a mountain. Then, he shouted, “Now, you all need to be in a group of seven”.

Adio wished no one would choose him because of how poor he was at everything, and luckily his wish came true. People hurried to team up with people they felt were the best. However, when he saw those left, he wished he didn’t make that initial wish. On the other side of the training ground was Irede, heads down from the shame of being beaten by a small girl. On another side, he could see Suberu, Olu, and Yomi, trying desperately to recruit others, but no one agreed to join them. And the last person he could see was Segilola, looking sullen, seated near an Iroko tree. Her sullen look and the fact that she was excused from the pairing fight made no one pick her. And the last person was Ojo.

Adio should have been excited that he would be there with his friend, but most people didn’t always have the patience to deal with Ojo because he talked about things no one knew or liked talking about.
“I’ll beat Suberu”, Irede said as she came near Adio. She turned to Adio and pointed at him angrily. “Don’t beg me. He cheated me and my eleda!”
Adio was eager to join them. “We will do it together!”
The two of them bounded towards him.
“You liar!” Irede shouted.

“What will you do to me? You Irede that even if a child could win,” Suberu said as he pushed Olu and Yomi aside.
“Not only her!” Adio said and could feel the anger boiling him up.
“You?” Suberu said and howled. “You want to beat me!”
“Try me!” Adio hurried towards him.
“Halt!”

They turned to see Balogun coming towards them with Segilola by their side. Despite their anger, they watched with trepidation as he came nearer. Balogun paused and stared at them disdainfully.
“Good! This is a right group for you”, Balogun said and pointed at them.
“But these ones won’t see any battle actions or will be killed early”, Segilola growled. “I’m too good for this group. Why do I undergo rigorous training if you didn’t want me to use it”.
“Well, just play around with them”. Balogun turned away. “You can practice your training on them.”
“They’re all like misfits”, Segilola shouted after them.
“Then…” Balogun turned towards her. “Call it Oto…to make it look like you’re important”.
“Yeah!” Suberu felt impressed. “We’re different in the way we approach things. I like that”.
“They’re misfits!” Segilola rolled her eyes. Tears filled her eyes.

Balogun turned away. “I’ve tried to make it feel special. I’ll call you people Oto….”
“Maybe, we can use it” Suberu slapped his machete on his palm. “Oto: a band of misfit”.
“Shut up!” Segilola shouted and walked away.

Aiku- Sunday
Aje- Monday
Isegun- Tuesday
Ojoru- Wednesday
Ojobo- Thursday
Eti- Friday
Abameta- Saturday

Calenikan:
Nice update

Thanks

Chapter 12
Suberu’s Dose of Confidence
The two of them looked at Suberu in astonishment. Irede was more surprised that she hadn’t been mindful of her environment because of her need to go to the training ground.
“What do you mean?” Adio asked.
“Where did you come from?” Irede asked.
Suberu explained that he followed her the day she was crying as she ran out of the village. Then, he lost her. Instead of coming back for her, he saw the prince of Ilu-Oro, Prince Adedimeji, and his servant sneaking into Kukoro. They were disguised as commoners. He spoke to them, and after several denial, the prince revealed his identity to Suberu but wanted to see how life was in different villages without people knowing he was in their land. Since Suberu toured other lands, he took them to different places. He couldn’t come to Imoye because Suberu refused to show him the secret roads.
“We enjoyed ourselves and he told me to visit him in the palace some days. I would have followed him today, but I decided to come here first because I want to go there with honour”. Suberu explained the last part as if he were talking to himself, not them. He was returning home when he saw Adio and Irede.
“But you can’t help us”, Irede said.
“What I mean is that I have the means of helping you, but it will take some things from you”, Suberu said.
Even when she tried to hide her eagerness, Irede couldn’t help being pricked by the opportunity she sensed there. She couldn’t believe that she was listening to Suberu, the village’s fool or was still in the company of the laziest person, Adio.
“We need to go!” Irede said.
“And do what?” Suberu said and hurried to their front. “I have followed the two of you. I used to be your friends when we were small. I know you can fight, Irede. I remember when we were small in our corner. Me, you, Adio, Ojo, Yomi, and Olu. You could fight. You beat everyone”.
Irede smiled and closed her eyes briefly as she tried to push back her smile.
Adio nodded. “Truly, she was really the finest fighter among us”.
“And you Adio, you used to sing whenever she was fighting. What’s that song? Yes! Yes! Akiti lo le ja”.
Adio burst into laughter and murmured the song.
Suberu looked into their eyes. “You both are good! All you need is confidence and I can get something for you from Baba Oje for a low price”.
“I can meet Baba Oje myself”, Adio replied. “I was in his place when the war was happening.”
“He is my uncle. The money you will spend for all these will be too much! But with me you only need to pay only a little. If not that I want you to understand the value of what I’m bringing! What’s in giving you freely?”
Irede wasn’t even sure that she wanted this opportunity to pass before Suberu changed his mind. She remembered what Majekodunmi told her, but she just couldn’t help wondering if she didn’t truly need it.
“I’ll pay!” Adio replied.
“Good!” Suberu turned to Irede. “What about you, fighter!”
“He will pay”, Irede said as she stared at Adio.
Adio didn’t like that he would pay for two people. “Me! I don’t even know what he wants, how will I say I’ll pay for two?”
“Then, be ready to fight Ajanaku”, Irede said.
Adio was scared. “Ah! Ah! I’ll pay, but this isn’t fair”.
Suberu looked from one person to another in confusion. “Don’t worry. If you use what I give you, you will find what you want!”
“I think we’re good to go!” Irede said.
“Really?” Adio said but didn’t get any response as he moved forward.
“Trust me! When you get my charm, your confidence will skyrocket!”
Adio burst into song. At that instant, a housefly perched on the nearest leave. Absentmindedly, Irede used her machete to slap the fly off, which accurately hit the fly. Suberu saw that.
“Did you see that?” Suberu said. “I gave you a little dose of confidence by just talking, you did something impossible”.
“What did she do?” Adio asked, turning to look at them.
“You won’t understand!”
Irede, too, didn’t understand how it happened, but she was sure her machete caught the fly because she saw it in the sand, wriggling and trying to fly off.

Chapter 11
Do Something
Adio jumped up in fear. He turned to see Irede behind him. Quickly, he glanced at the place the ladies were talking. Irede did the same. He was relieved that the girls were still talking nonchalantly in the forest, laughing hard.
"Who?" Irede said.
"Who what?" Adio said, still rattled.
Irede smirked at him. "Who do you like?"
Adio swallowed hard at revealing his thought to this girl who always intimidated him. It was high time he stood up to her. "Feyisara!"
Irede blinked repeatedly. And she opened her mouth to talk but closed it again. Her eyes glazed over him up and down, and then she burst into laughter. "You?"
"Yes, me! I believe when I have built my own land, we can be together". Adio stood erect.
Irede scoffed. "That wishful dreams might just kill you. She likes Ajanaku and Ajanaku likes her".
Adio's eyes widened in fear as he moved away from her. "How do you know?"
"How do I know", Irede looked genuinely angry this time. "Me that talks to Feyisara and Ajanaku. For asking me such a foolish question, I'm telling Ajanaku about you".
Adio dropped his flutes and clasped his hands together. "Ah! Ah! You want to kill me! Please o. Please. I beg you in the name of our creator".
"Then, you will do as I say", Irede said.
"What?"
"Follow me!" Irede nudged him towards the village. Every step looked like the last for Adio as he thought of himself fighting Ajanaku for a woman. He didn't stand a chance. And to worsen the case, Feyisara also loved Ajanaku. He would have found a way to talk to her and convince her that he was the better option if she didn't.
Irede stopped him when they got to the path that led to the training arena. "This is what you will do… You will get me to join the fighters".
"Me! Why?" Adio was stunned.
"They don't allow girls. You will help me or I tell Ajanaku". Irede pulled Ajanaku's hand.
"Why? There's no need for me to make you join them. The Chief already announced that both boys and girls will join their training".
Irede paused and looked at him. "Why?"
Adio told her everything he had learnt from his hiding. She was stunned but excited at the same time.
"But I still need you", Irede said and grabbed his hand.
"Why me? We have some other people there!" Adio wondered but didn't want to tell her why he didn't want to go near them again.
"Because if they see someone like you they will overlook everything that have ever happened and I won't be the focus of their attention. It will be you!"
"When you say me what do you mean?"
"I mean you… Everyone in the town knows that you always want to run from the war thing. So, you will be the centre of discussion," She said.
Adio frowned and snatched his hands from her. "I don't run from war. I'm just not built for it. It's music I like".
"Music! Then, join those drummers".
"I can't. They said…"
Irede faced him. "Excuses! It's only failures that refuse to opt for a thing they claim they so wish with all their lives".
Adio wished she understood how he felt at that point, but she didn't seem to care for his feelings. "If that's how you see it, then fine. I have cajoled them many times and failed. The day they eventually decided to give me a chance, I failed woefully…."
"Just like Irede here!" Suberu said and came to face them.

Chapter 10
Starting All Over
Irede noticed that Suberu was following her, and she had deceived him into thinking she was going to Kukoro when she was actually going to Eti Osumare. In this village, everyone can be anything. Although Majekodunmi, her tutor from Eti Osumare, believed she was a basket whose brain couldn’t retain what she was teaching her. Majekodunmi believed Irede’s mind needed to keep preparing for the day she could quickly become the next most prominent warrior.
“It’s all in your heart!” Majekodunmi told her the moment she eventually reached the village two days later.
Irede shook her head. “But I fought earlier, two days ago when the sun was still high in the sky. I fought and I won the boys. Now, I can’t fight even one of them successfully”.
“That’s really strange. If you fought one boy, I could have sworn it was sheer luck. But for you to win three boys and lose to one, then something is wrong”.
“What?”
“That, I don’t know”, Majekodunmi said. “But this is what I know. You have to keep trying. People fail. You too can fail. When you fail, it means you have missed something and can do better”.
“Or maybe if I get a charm!”
Majekodunmi held her machete in her left hand and placed the other on Irede’s shoulder. “Charm can get lost. Some people can find the antidote to charm”.
Irede’s section with her tutor took many hours, but soon she was on her way home after eating and sleeping. Despite two more days’ journey, she still wouldn’t stop wondering what was wrong with her. She didn’t use to be like this. She knew she failed at the fight, and even if anyone mocked her, she still found herself ready to fight. However, this time, she just felt utterly useless.
“God of mercy”, she shouted when she saw the state of things in the village.
Luckily, her father was still alive. She couldn’t say the same thing to others. The Ogaras didn’t destroy much. Some boys suffered. Only a few boys died from the incident. She walked about in shock. That was when she noticed Adio hurrying through a path she knew led to only one place- the path she always met, Princess Feyisara.
Adio hurried and sneaked towards the path until he got to a spot behind some trees. Irede sneaked up to him and traced what he was watching. On the other side of the road were three people, Feyisara, Chief Ibikunle’s daughter; Segilola, Balogun’s daughter; and a guard.
After several minutes, she came near Adio’s ear. “Which of them do you like?”

Chapter 9
Until You’re Ready!
Adio was still in the forest when mayhem happened. He had been hiding not very far from Baba Oje’s house, which surprisingly could see almost every part of the village. The first thing he saw was Irede hurrying through the forest. It was strange that he could tell the sound of every girl in the village when they were sad or angry. The only person whose voice always eluded him was Irede. Despite being distinct, he felt a different urge whenever he saw her.
The next thing he saw was Suberu running and shouting, “Irede, Irede…”
He didn’t have time to process it before he saw the light popping up from different parts of the forest. Soon enough, the bigger mayhem happened. People were yelling and running in disharmony. It could only be one thing- the Ogaras chose this time to attack.
“I must help!” Adio muttered under his breath. He rose and ran out of the forest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Baba Oje said from the front of his house.
Adio was too surprised that he slipped. “Baba...”
“Yes. I know you were there all these while. I’ve heard you rehearse horribly. The truth is that you can do nothing here. At least, not now!” Baba Oje explained.
“Let me go and help them fight”, Adio replied.
“Fight?” Baba Oje said and burst into laughter. A lamp appeared in his hand out of nowhere. For the first time, he saw the old man clearly. “You can’t fight. At least, not the way you want!”
“I need to help them do something. And how did you know?” Adio said.
“I know many things. Only God knows everything. But some of the things about this town, many people do not listen and it causes problem at last. Will you listen to me or run towards war and death?”
Adio knew his only choice was to listen. After all, his parents always warned against not listening to his elders.
“Stay with me here. Our people will soon be here”, Baba Oje said.
They sat outside. Adio was so scared for his family and everyone he loved, but Baba Oje was right. He couldn’t really do much than watch or cower behind something. In no time, lamps appeared on the path that led to Baba Oje’s house. Then, he saw a few people hurrying towards the house.
“Stay out of sight!” Baba Oje said.
Adio hurried towards the hut.
“No! No! Hide in the forest-!” Baba Oje said. “They may want to enter the house”.
The men were not much, but Irede could see Chief Ibikunle himself as he hid behind a rock near Baba Oje’s house.
“Baba! What is happening” the chief asked after he had settled down. “You told us to train boys that two boys will win”.
Baba Oje stared at him for a long while. “You didn’t want to listen to me!”
“Please, we need to listen now!”
“They’re two children. I told you they were two children. You shouted boys. I told you I wanted to learn more, you didn’t give me room to do more prayers”.
“To be clear, it can either be a boy and a girl”, Chief Ibikunle said.
“Yes. It can be a boy and boy. It can be girl and girl. But you need to check out for this. The two of them work best together”.
Chief was distraught! “That’s a wild goose chase!
Baba Oje looked into the sky and back at him. “But…”
Chief Ibikunle rose. “Go back to the village and tell them that I said all the boys and girls will be trained from tomorrow. Only the aged ones will not go to war. We will no longer lose our properties to Ogaras”.
Adio came out when they were all gone and faced Baba Oje. “Someone like me will not do well”.
Baba Oje looked at him and smiled. “Your craft is the best in the world. When everything is over, they will need you. If all the warriors are dead, they will need a new generation of players”.
“That’s far!”
“Yes! It only needs training. Opportunity comes soon. I want you to overlook the war and master your craft. Your ori needs you to practice this thing that you love doing”.
Adio stared as the torches held trailed away. He wanted to be in the company of the army, but not the way they wanted.

Solly1:
Poor Irede, I feel for her.

I have a feeling they'd make a great team, herself and Adio.

One hopes oo

Chapter 8
In the Dark
The full moon should be exciting to watch, but Irede refused to be distracted by its magnificence. All she wanted at that point was another chance to know what helped her get herself right when those boys were coming during the day. After Suberu ran off to tell Balogun about her, he told Suberu that he would meet with Irede when the moon was well in the middle of the sky.
“Why?” Irede was surprised when he asked told that.
“What do you mean why?” Suberu wondered and turned to Olu and Yomi. “She’s asking me why?”
“Yes, why?” Irede said.
“She’s still asking me the foolish question.” Suberu came up to her. “Nobody must be seen training a girl. It’s a waste of effort. Then, this is Balogun. A whole Balogun. When I told him at first, he told me to get out of his sight. Then, later, he called me”.
Irede rolled because whenever Suberu wanted to tell his story, one must allow them.
“I thought he wanted punish Suberu. Like he should go and fetch water from the river maybe ten times”, Olu said
Yomi’s eyes are shown. “Like that time when-“
“Shut up! I’m talking you’re talking! Shut your nasty mouth! Shut it up!” Suberu yelled.
“Don’t stop”, Irede said. “Oh! Yes, Suberu, continue. Tell me what Balogun said.”
“He said, you meet him here in the night”.
And she had been waiting so long that she was losing count of time. Soon, footsteps hurried towards the mountain. She held her cutlass, ready to prance on the next person that came out looking ominous. Under the moon, she saw the frame of Suberu, Olu, Yomi, Balogun, and Segilola, his daughter.
“There she is!” Suberu said.
“Baba o”, she gestured to greet the Balogun. He waved at her curtly.
“Sube told me you beat he and his boys. How’s that possible?”
Irede thought she was prepared for him, but the question still shocked her. “I don’t know. I was training and they wanted to attack me!”
Balogun looked at her. “Do you have any charm?”
She shook her head. “No, baba”.
“To make you stronger?”
“No!”
“To make your enemy tired!”
“No”
Balogun must be staring at her, lost in thought. She wished the moon was bright enough to see his eyes. “You will fight my boys. If you beat them, then you’ll need to fight my daughter over there”.
Irede braced herself, ready to beat the boys like before. Before thinking of her next step, she found herself flat on the floor.
“It’s the darkness”, she said
“What do you mean?” Balogun growled. “You can see me. I can see you. Wars happen in the middle of the night. The Ogaras come in the night and are violent. My daughter can fight but I don’t let her… I thought maybe two girls can….”
“Let me try again”,
“I made a mistake. Segilola, let’s go!”
Balogun walked away. Segilola remained rooted in her position. Irede was too stunned even to talk. She didn’t expect such a disgraceful act.
“My lord”, Suberu called. “I know what I saw”.
“You’re a fool, like always. Everyone already calls you that!” Balogun said angrily. “If you want to fight, I can make my daughter teach you everything she knows, but in secret. But you can’t join the army Boys! Let’s go!”
“Yes, sir”
“Suberu stay with her and follow her home!”
When they’d gone, Suberu ran to her angrily. “You’re useless”.
“Suberu, please let me be. I’ve been disgraced.”
“Stand up! Fight me! I saw you fight. Beat me!”Suberu shouted.
“I don’t know what happened to me before”, Irede asked no one in particular. She was so sure that something was good and was helping her. She couldn’t see the reason everything could suddenly change.
“I’m a disgrace!” Irede rose and hurried away!
She kept running away from the forest. She ran past the Townsquare and past Baba Oje’s house. She kept running. She just wanted to go to a town where women were trained and not forced to show their skills in the dark.

Chapter 7
Run
Adio wanted to stop playing to enjoy Irede's fight with the boys, but he had to finish the tune. Moreover, going over to meet her will see her or Suberu taunting him again, and he wasn't down for such. All he needed at that point was to get everything right in this tune. Some people would have called this tune the best thing they had heard, but to Adio, it wasn't very unusual. Some notes were off, and until he got it right, he would keep trying it.
His fingers played frantically because watching Irede fight like Ajanaku, Ajedola, and Majekodunmi all together was fun. He knew these people and how they fought because young boys had repeated their valiant stories around Imoye.
In Imoye, elders told the stories of war instead of folklore. Every boy and man ate with their weapon by their side. Every one of them grew to be a fighter. The women and girls did everything like farming, cooking, and everything. The boys only need to wake, head over to the training ground from morning to night until they die or get injured like Adio's father, and return home to eat again.
Adio returned to the present. Some strange noise wheezed in and out amidst his tune. At first, he dismissed it as some random sound. With much focus on each aspect again, he frantically played on. And that tune came again.
"Can it be the bird?" Adio's eyes opened.
He knew the sounds of birds. The sounds of metals. The sounds of creeping birds. All these were stored in his brain. He only needed some level of concentration to identify each sound. As soon as he started concentrating on the sound, everything would fall into place, and he would note the odd one. And true to his hope, he caught the odd sound.
"Odd!" Adio murmured as he realized it was a whistle. A known one. He moved his head in a different direction, hoping to understand what the whistling meant. "Ah! Ojo! Ojo"
Adio sat up as he tried to understand what the message could be.
"I'm bringing your father to you", Adio mouthed as he tried to decode the whistle.
With his eyes widened, Adio scrambled off the rock. Picking his flute and drums, he scampered towards the only path away from the mountain. As he got near the edge, he met his father and Suberu's father.
"That's him!" Adio's father shouted as he led the way. Baba Suberu too quickly blocked the path with his arms spread. After much struggle, they were able to overpower Adio. And off to the house, they went.
Baba Suberu urged them. "He said I should bring him tomorrow. Balogun has gone out and without him, this boy wouldn't understand the severity of our problem".
They locked him in the house. He couldn't escape through the window because his father had created a lock that could only be opened outside. Adio remained here till the night came when he heard the door creak. Adio was stunned.
Ojo was at the door. "I feel bad for leading them to you. I should have taken them somewhere else".
"At least you've done something!" Adio said they sprinted away from the house.

germaphobe:
so technically adio's beautiful tune helped in making her master the training, Adio the hero. lol. still looking forward to seeing what his friend have to offer. so far adio is who i connect with most.

We can say that the tune helped her. Lol. Ojo's role will still be seen.

Chapter 6
A Big Win
Irede stared at the warriors and closed her eyes. If only she took her training to heart, she would win anyone. Raising her rusted machete, she wished she had begged her father for something better. But he was a pauper and always loved her. Most people believed he had spoilt her because she was his only child and the only one left after his wife’s death. And he didn’t mind. Most times, whenever she felt like she didn’t need to act like a man, he would shake his head.
“No. Baba Suberu told me that you will be in the palace….”
Irede would shrug. “Baba, Yes! I know as a queen….”
“No. No”, Baba responded. “Although he didn’t say it, I think it’s something else. Something bigger. Do everything. Do anything you like. One day, the right one will hit it for you”.
So, as she stood on the mountain and watched them on the edge of the mountain, she knew this was what she liked.
Very faintly, a tune came from nowhere. She looked around frantically to see if it was from the forest. Then, she looked at the training ground and saw the musicians. Her ears were probably catching the faint sound of the flutes. The sound was so beautiful that she felt it rock her whole body, and the machete fell.
“Whoo! I’m good!” She shouted as she snatched her machete off the ground. “Let’s see… You’ll see that I’m that good”.
Immediately, she started making the gesture of the same training she had been failing at for weeks. Each stroke came just as she had imagined them. The deft was so silky and made her heart lurch with happiness. As she practised each stroke, she heard hurrying footsteps, prompting her to stay in a defensive position.
“Ah! I found you!” Suberu said.
“You found who?” Irede backed away from him.
“See! I had to bring you. Nobody respect me. I’m just a useless fool to all of them. If I catch you for my boss, then I’d gain respect and gifts”, Suberu replied.
“How does that concern me”,
“And give you!” Suberu pleaded.
“Suberu, don’t come near me. Don’t try it at all”. She said as she stopped withdrawing.
“I’ll just catch you and we will soon forget all this. I will share anything they give me!”
Then, more footsteps.
“Elder Suberu!” Olu shouted as he bounded towards them. His ribs bulged under his skin. Yomi also came towards them, hitting the ground like a mule.
“Fool! You’re calling someone you can give birth to Elder”. Irede scoffed. Olu, calling Suberu an elder, would be the same age as he.
Olu frowned. “The son of a whole Oracle’s lineage!”
“It’s his grand uncle that’s the oracle’s mouthpiece. Not even his father or uncle. Not even anyone he’s close to. Moreover, they have broken contact with the man”, Irede shouted.
“Shut up! You’re a foul mouthed girl!” Suberu frowned.
“Me?” Irede laughed. “If not that I’m not ready, I would be playing with my third child!”
“What of me? I could have married you and we will be having that third child”, Suberu said and burst into laughter. His goons also laughed.
“Guys, catch her. I’ve been called the fool for too long. We need her to win a spot with the top people and get the preferential treatment we deserve”.
The young men hurried to her, but she slapped them with the side of the cutlass in a few minutes as if she was playing with some children.
“Who thought you that?” Suberu said from afar.
Irede paused. “I’m really good!”
“Yes, I can see that!” Suberu nodded repeatedly. “Guys, stop! Stop! We don’t need to fight her anymore! You see that training is what all the soldiers have been trying to get. And she got it. Balogun will be happy. I must run to tell him immediately”.
“But she’s a girl”, Yomi replied. He looked about frantically.
“And so….?
Suberu rushed off and shouted from the midst of the forest. “Stay with her!”
In no time, he was back. “The head is calling you”.

Chapter 5
For Love and War
Adio’s caressed his perfectly shaped flute in perfect shape aligned with his mouth. After several days of practice, he was sure that his tune would be better this time. All he needed to do now was to wait for the warriors to start their training, and then the perfect tune would flow from him. Luckily, the warrior looked ready.
A lady in white had just finished hailing the top drummers. Adio didn’t see the essence of tradition, which he intended to stop the moment he became the head of drummers. The lady would instead be given a chance to sing alongside the drums if she wished.
Adio always claimed that his system was not right, but he hoped to play tunes to Kings and Queens some days because of his love for Feyisara, the Chief’s daughter.
He knew she had eyes for Ajanaku, but he would wait his turn. People make mistakes. Anytime they crossed paths, Feyisara sometimes looked at him and hid her love for him with a frown. What her face concealed, her eyes revealed. And that was all he needed to keep waiting for her to show her love for him.
The singing lady finished off by fading off. Her perfect voice made his ears tingle. She heeded his advice from the last time.
“Who are you to tell me what to do?” She shouted at him the day he explained how fading off would make her sound nice just after she had received an ovation for her rendition at the village square. Now, she enjoyed the benefit.
“Oya!” The head warrior bellowed. Despite the distance, the noise rocked the forest. At the same time, Adio saw a familiar girl on the other end of the mountain, who held dearly to her machete as she stared at the soldiers and was poised to do just as they. Adio’s position gave him the advantage of remaining in hiding. Now, he had to make the best of the time, become better, concern himself less about Irede, and focus on the task ahead.
Adio inhaled and blew his flute passionately.

AmaPaulOma:
Nice one here OP and there's nothing to complain of yet as this write up is just up there with the very best I have read in the past and recently.

Thumbs Up Man!

Thanks a lot....

germaphobe:
prophecy said "two boys" and immediately my mind went to yeye adio and ojo. lol. waiting to see how it unfolds. i too like stuborn characters too much shaa. bring the fun!!! Dear Mr divepen

Who doesn't like stubborn people. Na dem we dey root for pass

Chapter 4
The Disguise
Irede frowned the moment she saw her reflection in the streams. Her cloth did well in disguising her, but she could still see herself in the river's reflection. She wondered why it was hard to look like a man. Since she started acting as the messengers of both Feyisara and Ajanaku, she had mixed feelings about their plan.
On the one hand, she was getting closer to Feyisara, whom everyone regarded snub because of her beauty. Many other young maidens tried to compete against her, and different Chiefs wooed her hand in marriage for themselves and their sons, but she told them that she wasn't ready. Being an only child, her father agreed to her choice. On the other hand, she became aware that she couldn't get close to Ajanaku the way she wanted.
Another good thing about playing this role was the chance to see Ajanaku. Most times, blood rushed from her head at the sight of him. The best part of seeing him was that she learned from him. And only that. Her plan for him to train her still needed to yield results.
"You're like the worse person I've seen hold a sword", Ajanaku growled after too many attempts to attack him. He showed her several fighting techniques, but she could only visualize them. Immediately, she tried recreating the skill. It felt like she was doomed to fail.
"Please, it's because I'm a girl", Irede claimed.
"Foolish talk", Ajanaku spat on the ground. "We have girls in this village and everywhere in Ilu Oro all. Women are trained and they fight. I'm not teaching you any more".
Irede pouted. Fighting back tears, she sighed. "You don't understand. No woman is allowed to train in Imoye".
"Why?"
"They said- I heard that because one prophesy said that two boys will help us win those masked men that win us all the time, Ogara".
Ajanaku's eyes lightened like she had revealed something more than what she said. "Wow! You're making me angry."
"Please, I will try, Ajanaku", she knelt. "Whatever you say, I will do it".
Ajanaku stared at her. "I will bring some of my friends from other clans and see if they can train you better. Not that you can use it to save your land".
"It's for myself. I want to be better", she told him, but deep down in her mind, she believed that she could help the people that would win.
The training hadn't worked, but she was sure she would do well with a group of training soldiers. Thus, she intended to sneak into the training ground of the warriors. When she got near the soldiers, her head pounded excitedly. Men were hurrying through a small door.
"You!" One hefty guard shouted at her just as she crouched to pass through the door. She turned and frowned. "Yes! You! Come here!"
The man was standing at the far end of the forest. She glanced at the distance to the nearest tree and wondered if she should make a run for it.
"Yes!" She said with a gruff voice.
"Who are you?"
By now, others had stopped in their tracks and were watching the event unfold. Irede knew she must do everything to sell herself for them to allow her. Even the boy she hated the most, Suberu Oje, was there.
"I'm here to fight for my land".
"I said who are you?" He said again. This time, his hands were tightened on his cutlass.
"I'm a child of this land".
"And not a warrior here! You're a girl!" The man said.
"Ah! I know her! It's that Irede girl that always wants to learn how to be a warrior", Suberu Oje said. "And I thought I was the most foolish person here!"
"A girl wants to learn how to fight!" The first man shouted and burst into heartfelt laughter.
"I can fight!" She said and wielded her cutlass.
"How!" The man shouted and slapped her cutlass away with the back of his huge rough hand. The cutlass fell and clattered on the ground. This elicited more laughter, making her eyes teary.
"You don't know what you're missing!" She cried.
"Get out of here!"
"I'm going nowhere!"
"Anyone that can catch her before she reaches that tree has my profound respect and will be elevated above others!" Suberu and his goons, Olu and Yomi, chased her.
Irede sped off towards the mountain. The boys were still on her heel. Although she could hear someone calling them to return to base, she didn't stop to see if they obeyed.
She would go to the other side of the forest to see if there was any way she could watch them.

germaphobe:
Adio the problem child. front row seat secured.

Oh! Oh! It's so nice to see you here with us.

Chapter 3
Parents at Their Best

Even two days after escaping the wiles of Irede at Kukoro, Adio couldn't take his mind off the fine tune that came to his mind as he and Ojo travelled through the forest. That was the best tune he had ever thought of and the best he must have heard from anyone in the world.
This same tune had been on his mind as he fought the pounded yam his mother had made. Now that he was done eating, he wondered if hurrying off to clean his hand wouldn't also wash away the eager tune that wanted to play through his lips.
"A man dies once", he mumbled as he climbed out of his sleeping mat. His first instinct was to go for what his heart desired, but he knew it was a wrong choice. Quietly, he locked the door and hurried back to his mat. This time, however, he didn't intend to sit on it.
He pulled the mat off the earth floor, and there in the middle of the floor was a bamboo-made flute. His eyes shone at the realization of what would come to him.
Like one that had stumbled on money, Adio's hands quacked with each second of the flute in his mouth. He brought it to his mouth and immersed all his energy in ensuring the flute was as low as possible. The tunes flowed for a while, but soon enough, one note was wrong.
"Ah!" He grunted and tried again. Even after several trials, he couldn't bring himself to produce the tune. "I need freedom! Space!"
That was the best option. If he got to somewhere like the mountains by the Olude stream. There, he would be able to do what he loved. He would be far from the army training ground, his most detested place in the world.
Grabbing a buba for his cloth, he tied the ropes of his trousers well while his flute was under his armpit. When he was done, he unlocked the door and began to open it as quietly as possible. That worked. He poked his head into the passage. It was empty. Lucky, he thought as he proceeded into the passage.
Everything seemed fine until his mother barged into the passage holding a bowl of water, singing loudly from outside.
"Adio…" She said and paused. They didn't need much talk before he knew she knew where he was going.
"Ah! My husband o", she shouted and dropped the bowl in her hand. Instead, she spread her apart and her body to ensure that Adio couldn't go outside. "My husband. Adio is going again!"
Adio's father came out of his room. His big belly was the first thing that announced his presence, then the sweat on his skin from eating such hot food.
"Where are you going?" Adio's father shouted.
"Nowhere!" Adio replied.
"Ah! Ige! Ige!" Adio's father shouted. "Ige! Come! Come!"
In no time, his father had instructed Ige to hurry to Balogun Deinde to send his men for Adio. Ige was also too excited to hurry away.
"Your room!" Adio's father commanded.
"It's not what you think!" Adio protested. "I just want to go outside for breeze."
"Enter the house!" Adio's mother shouted. He could hear her voice's frustration, which pained him because that was the same frustration he had when he couldn't join the army's instrumentalists.
"The room! The room!" His father shouted.
After several back and forths, Adio entered the room, angry. His mother didn't hesitate to place a small stool in front of his room. "I want to see what you will do".
Adio sighed as he looked around until he saw the roof. The last time he climbed through that side of the house, he fell. He had to give it a trial, and eventually, he succeeded. And off he went to the mountain.

Chapter 2
Passion
"What?" Adio asked as he looked about.
"This…" Irede stepped back and raised her hands with a smile."Ah! Thief! Thief!"
Adio's eyes widened as he spun from place to place. Ojo ran off fearfully.
"You better run," Irede said with a mischievous smile lurking on her face as she saw Adio's scared face. "Follow him".
The boys heeded and dashed off. She hoped that no one caught them because she might have to let people know that she wasn't from Kukoro.
The leaves through which they stumbled away stopped shaking at the same time two lanky men ran to meet her. One of them was holding drumsticks for beating drums while the other raised a chicken drumstick with oil lingering on his cheek. Irede wasn't a fan of people that loved frivolities, but she had to use them to achieve her goals.
"Where is he?" The darker of the two said.
"There!" She pointed and gagged as if she was too scared. "He stole a drum!"
"Drum?" The fairer of the two, whose face had a long tribal mark, turned frantically and hurried towards the drum stores. After a few hesitant seconds, the other one followed him. They screamed a while later.
The two jolly friends would be gone by now, she thought.
The two men raced out of the store angrily, eager to bring the perpetrator to justice.
"Where" The darker one said.
"There!" She pointed in a different direction that led straight to the end of the Imoye river. Following that path meant they would spend the rest of the day chasing nobody. Seeing no other person was there, she hurried through their compound. Her initial plan was to look for a way to sneak over their fence.
As soon as she climbed the fence, she saw Ajanaku on the side of the fence, riding his horse confidently.
She had always wanted a glimpse of how he trained, how he ate, what he ate because he was the best horseman in the Ile Oro. Everyone that tried outmatching him either became his understudy or ended up wounded. She wondered what it would be like to fight him or alongside him. A big smile appeared on her face at the thought of that.
"One push and you're dead", a voice said
Irede gasped as she realized that Ajanaku was standing in front of her, his dark, sweating body heaving from the ride.
"How?" She was surprised.
"I'm not Ajanaku for nothing", he shouted and raised his machete swiftly till she could feel the slight sharpness of the blade on her neck. "Who sent you?"
"Sent me?" Irede frowned.
"Yes! Someone wants you to know my secret!"
Irede stood erect on the fence. "No one can send me anything! I do what I like and what I like it to watch you fight and learn from the best".
Ajanaku's eyes darted left and right. "What do you want?"
Irede was ready to seize the opportunity. She jumped down from the fence, hoping to jump down like a cat. But she missed her steps. "Argh!"
His hand held her in place. She smiled at him.
"Teach me! I want to be as good as you!"
"You're a girl!" Ajanaku said disgustedly. "Even boys can't meet up with my training, and I can't teach a girl from Imoye".
Irede swallowed hard. "Who is from Imo-"
"-I know how you lot are rash! No girl in Kukoro here can be this…" His cutlass moved around her. "I can't explain, but I know…"
"You're mistaken!"
"Am I?" He said and touched her hair to bring out a tiny flower.
"Here's the flower found only there!"
She had to keep her identity. "Teach me! Anything! At all. What does it matter where I'm from?"
"It matters!"
"You can go out of your way!"
Ajanaku licked his lower lips. "Okay! Okay! This! You'll take a message to Feyisara for me!"
She almost choked on her surprise. "Same Feyisara, the um… Chief's daughter".
"Yes! If you can be the go-between. Then, I'd teach you whatever you want…"
"And all I need to do is to take messages back and forth?" She replied.
Ajanaku climbed his horse and began galloping away. "I believe that's what it means to be a go-between."
"Yes! Okay! Yes!" She shouted after him. He galloped away and back swiftly.
"Good! Tell her that. The full moon at our place".