The Baṣọrun of Ọyọ and the Enchanted Mask
He found it difficult to shake the strange unsettling feeling, why didn't Gbokọyi find the boy in the village? Chances of such an obvious behaviour are simply impossible, something else is at play here. The Baṣọrun sat down by his window and quietly observed as the little children played their game of suwe, but his mind was far-reaching, he dug deep into his experiences for answers to the question that had been bothering him since the last time Gbokọyi had contacted him. As soon as he decided to let the matter rest to clear his mind and think about something else, he felt every strand of hair on his balding headstand rise in discomfort. This issue is so serious that it is invoking the spirit of fear and caution within his soul, but why should he be afraid? He is after all the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ the head of the kingmakers and the most influential man in the whole of the Yoruba Empire. He is the very epitome of fear, to vex the Baṣọrun is equal to vexing the gods, and to provoke the Baṣọrun is equal to courting death. However, the unsettling feeling persisted, better to contact Gbokọyi and ensure that the retrieval of the item is going smoothly.
The Baṣọrun hurried towards his shrine, the shrine that he built not too far from his home, the shrine was located within the borders of several banana trees and he visits it every morning to offer worship to the gods that he serves. The god Oriṣa-Oko being the highest of the gods in his own opinion, the shrine was filled with several household gods and with several items of power. The shell of the tortoise, the eggs of the vulture, and several calabashes with wild designs on them and of course several human skulls based on the number of human sacrifices he had made in dedication to his gods. The item that the Baṣọrun was interested in was the white cloth nailed to a tree, identical to the one Gbokọyi used a few days ago.
The Baṣọrun then picked up two charms in preparation to the first one happened to be a short rope tied to a large ball of clay and the other a calabash filled with several enchanted stones. The Baṣọrun started to shake the calabash to invoke the spirits that dwell within the shrine, to summon their power and cause them to heed his call.
"Gbokọyi, is I the master whom you serve
The one you have sworn allegiance to
The one whose life you must preserve
You are my slave and my apostle
Answer the call of your master
Even if you sleep in your wife's arm
Your oath binds you to answer
It is for me that you take up your arms
I summon you this day
Answer every word I say
It is to me you must pray
Gbokọyi ooo! Gbokọyi ooo!
Even if you are dead, you must answer
Even if you are asleep, you must answer
You must reply to the call of your master
Gbokọyi oooooh!"
"oooooooooo" Gbokọyi replied faintly from a distance
The white cloth finally began to reveal the immediate environment of Gbokọyi's vicinity, to the Baṣọrun's horror the entire place was stained red with blood and body parts. His feeling of uneasiness about the retrieval mission has now been confirmed, someone or something that was also interested in the primal sacrifice had killed them all. It took the Baṣọrun months to prepare them for the sacrifice and even years to gather the ingredients to be used in the sacrifice only to be foiled by an enemy that is also interested in the primal sacrifice.
"Who dares to openly oppose the will of the Alaafin of Ọyọ" the Baṣọrun barked in rage "the day I lay my hands on him is the day he breathes his last"
Then the Baṣọrun started to chant, with the sole intention of finding out who was responsible for the deaths of his minions. The thought of battling a new and unpredictable enemy might be too dangerous, he had better move to a location where he'd have a greater advantage the desire to win this battle should not make him careless, he needs to move to his hidden shrine of power. He might have used the chant of the trees to reach there within a few seconds but it might be too dangerous, only a fool battles an enemy within his fortress.
"Funny, I thought you'd be more concerned about the death of Gbokọyi? After all, he is one of your greatest servants" A voice from the background mocked
"You!" the Baṣọrun voiced in anger "how dare you interfere with my prey; the boy is mine by right"
The watcher had suddenly appeared within the confines of the shrine, the Baṣọrun might not like the watcher but like all Yoruba leaders, he is forced to deal with the watcher directly or indirectly. The watcher chuckled at the Baṣọrun's last statement
"Yours by right" he mocked, "the child is the property of Oluwa-orun (King of heaven), you have no right to own him so leave him alone"
"You should remember, my title is Baṣọrun (Iba= lord, Ọrun= heaven) I am the lord of the heaven, so since you're a slave to Olodumare that means that you are bounded to serve me" the Baṣọrun pointed "you will fetch me the child and prepare him for the sacrifice"
"Power," the watcher mused "it is so seductive that it can make a man believe that he is god," the watcher said in a weak tone "the next time you attempt to command me, I promise you an experience that will humble you in the eyes of the entire Yoruba Empire"
"Watcher," The Baṣọrun chuckled "What makes you think that I am ignorant of the ways of the spirit, I am the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ and this title came with a prize. The Ọpa Ọrun (police of heaven also known as angels) are servants to the whim of man and you are no different. Now slave do as I have commanded"
The watcher was suddenly serious, who does this puny mortal think he is? To have the guts to command the watcher of all people, sacrilege! of the highest order. The watcher walked purposely towards the Baṣọrun and drove his hands directly into the Baṣọrun's chest. The Baṣọrun gasped in with a mixture of pain, fright and horror.
"Tempt me again," the watcher growled "and I will rip out your heart out as easily as it is to kill a fly"
"Jọ, Jọ, dakun." (Please) the Baṣọrun pleaded, gasping for breath.
The watcher laughed at the Baṣọrun's pathetic state, a man who is bold because of his authority and position. Take away the intoxicating power and you will find the spineless coward that dwells within.
"Me-e ni ṣe bẹ mọ, Jọwọ" the Baṣọrun continued holding the watcher's hand in an attempt to prevent the demon from ripping out his heart "I will not do that again, please"
"The only reason why I am sparing your life is because Oluwa-orun still wants you alive, but the plans of Oluwa-orun require the boy far more than it requires you. This is my last warning for you, go after the boy and you will be replaced" the watcher said as he loosened his grip of the organ
"As you wish" the sweating Baṣọrun replied
"O, and by the way tell our mutual friend that Oluwa-orun knows of his existence, I should be visiting him soon," the watcher taunted
"Who," the Baṣọrun said after catching his breath, the watcher had just withdrawn his hands from the Baṣọrun's chest
"The one hidden within the evil forest, the one whose spirit is sealed within the mask," the watcher concluded as he vanished into nothing
The moment he mentions the deepest secret of the Baṣọrun, he trembled in fear.
**********************
"As I have promised the child who would succeed the throne as the new Timi of Ẹdẹ," The watcher said triumphantly
"How did you get here so quickly?" Ṣeyi Shouted, indignantly, it seems as though the watcher had just used him as an errand boy for a mission that he could have performed himself and this burned Ṣeyi considerably
"Young man, watch how you address your elders," One of the chiefs rebuked
Ṣeyi could read the situation clearly, the chief was right to demand respect. However, that did not ease the mental scars inflicted on him by the watcher. He wanted to see the doom of the old Timi of Ede from a front roll seat. Unfortunately, the watcher had robbed him of that pleasure, reluctantly and deeply troubled Ṣeyi and the rest of his companions greeted the chiefs formally.
Then an elderly looking chief who wore the symbol of respect took command of the situation, expressing his great wisdom attained through years of experience.
"Guards, take Adekunle to the shrine of Ifa and confirm his kinship," the high chief commanded, gesturing to the two king's guards that stood at the doorway.
The guards hurried in to carry out the order, leading Adekunle away from the throne room, and then the high chief looked at Iba-ile and Iba-ayọ with the highest regard.
"You both have proved yourselves to be true Ẹṣọs of Ede you are hereby promoted to the rank of "Seriki" and when the king is crowned your rank will increase to the rank Ọtun and Osi-Balogun, depending on the king's interests".
Dumbfounded Iba-ile and Iba-ayọ, just vowed in their gratitude, they had not expected such good fortune from such a dangerous mission.
"And as for you three," the elder continued, gesturing to Ṣeyi, Akin and Bọlaji. "you are welcomed to stay in Ẹdẹ for as long as you want, or you can go back to your village with some of the best gifts Ẹdẹ has to offer. Remember, if you decide to stay you will be blessed with houses, wives and other pleasures including palm wine" most of the other elders chuckled the moment palm wine and wives were mentioned.
"Ṣeyi I'm hungry," Akin said in a confused tone
"Bọlaji?" Ṣeyi said not knowing what to ask for. He might have been the one placed in charge of the mission but he had no problem handing over all his authority to a more experienced Bọlaji.
"We are Ẹṣọs faithful to our oath as guardians of the Yoruba Empire, please, give us your prayers and blessings, some food as well. Our ugly friend here is very hungry, and then send us on our way, so that we can report the result of this mission to our superiors" Bọlaji replied
"And also to pay" the elder added in a conversational tone "tribute to your Balogun, it will all be done, thank you"
Ṣeyi, Akin and Bọlaji were ushered to a hut, where they were given a hero's treatment and well provided for. Iba-ile convinced Ṣeyi to stay a week longer to witness the crowning of Adekunle as the new Timi of Ede, Ṣeyi and Akin would have played their usual tricks and pranks as they did in Ilu-inọ but for Bọlaji who kept them busy by teaching them some basic chants and arts of fighting.
Ṣeyi of course still had a score to settle with the watcher, and at every opportunity, Ṣeyi would attempt to engage him in a conversation, but to his disappointment, the watcher had skilfully avoided any encounter through systematic evasion. Ṣeyi was finally able to speak with the watcher on the night before Adekunle's crowning, he strategically positioned himself in the watcher's path to intersect him.
"Watcher! Watcher!! Watcher!!! "Ṣeyi shouted as he ran up towards the watcher prepared to give chase.
"Ṣeyi, tell me, how much are you enjoying Ẹdẹ hospitality" the watcher replied as though he was innocent of all charges placed against him.
"You knew the Timi would be dead upon our arrival, still you sent me. Why?" Ṣeyi asked in a hurtful tone.
"That only Iba-ile and Iba-ayọ will continue to wonder, the mission was not about Ẹdẹ it was about you this mission was needed to train you." Ṣeyi felt a lump grow in his throath as the watcher's words pierced his ego. "and as for the Timi. There are many ways to kill a king, the white calabash, the sight of a naked woman and a host of others, all I had to do was pick one" the watcher replied, Ṣeyi could sense a sly grin beneath the Watcher's mask.
"How did you get here before us?" Ṣeyi growled, finding it hard to conceal his anger
"You should know; I am not human distance means nothing to me." the watcher replied calmly.
"So you could have taken Adekunle to Ẹdẹ on your own" Ṣeyi said, daring the watcher to deny his guilt
"When would the young mortals learn," the watcher said philosophically "that the ways of the spirit are different from the ways of the flesh" then he moved towards Ṣeyi, releasing a substantial amount of Agbara that could've summoned fear in any man, but not Ṣeyi "A Spirit such as I should not intervene in the affairs of man"
Ṣeyi nodded in understanding
"Why did you choose me?" Ṣeyi asked.
"Now that is the right question Ṣeyi, but I will not give you an answer, find it in yourself and compare, who you once were to who you are now" the watcher began walking away.
"Wait one more question, Agbako's last words were that everyone in the underworld knows who I am, tell me everything about me, as you promised or I'll meet someone else".
"Never trust the watcher," the watcher quoted gloatingly "I promised you your name and I will keep it, I could simply tell you one hour before your death 80 years from now, you have your whole life ahead of you, I have an eternity ahead of me, I am patient".
"But!" Ṣeyi said, shocked by the sudden betrayal
"And, don't think of asking another, I said only two can tell you, you are known by many, but recognized by two if anyone else tries, he dies, goodbye Ṣeyi" the watcher mocked, right before he faded out, leaving Ṣeyi alone and disappointed. He had asked several questions and received not a single answer.
"We will meet again Watcher, we will meet again and when we do, I will be the one who gives foolish answers," he shouted
"We will Ṣeyi, until then, I am no longer needed" the watcher responded from the background in a misty voice.
Iba-ile walked out from his hiding place and placed his hand of understanding on Ṣeyi's shoulder.
"Don't hate him Ṣeyi, only try to understand him, he's not evil, everything he does has a reason, maybe you would understand that one day.
"I want to go home," is Ṣeyi's reply to the whole situation, he is fed up with the quest, now all he wants is to return to his village.
The next day Adekunle was crowned as the Timi of Ẹdẹ there was a great celebration and many people rejoiced. Adekunle thanked Ṣeyi and sent him home with the blessings of a king. He also gave Ṣeyi a white bead to replace the white cowrie that Ṣeyi sacrificed while killing Agbako, and as a parting gift Ṣeyi told Adekunle.
"Remember Kunle you can choose to be a king that is pure or that is corrupt, you can die and people would weep or you can die and people would rejoice it is your choice," Ṣeyi said.
"Thank you Ṣeyi," Adekunle replied gratefully "you will always be an Ẹṣọ in Ede I hereby pronounce you Iba-ṣeyi, Iba-Akin and Iba-Bọlaji," in response, all the villagers cheered "one last thing, if your friend can make another cowrie for me I would be grateful".
"I'll remember that, goodbye my friend" Ṣeyi replied.
Early the next morning they said their final goodbyes then jumped into the trees, though the people of Ede begged them to wait for a few more days, Ṣeyi and Bọlaji's unerring determination to return home kept them focused. They followed the directions Iba-ayo gave them, Bọlaji led them through the enchanted forest jumping from one tree to another, none of the 3 boys spoke a word because they shared a bond that made them closer than brothers.
Bọlaji made a quick stop very close to the evil forest and threw his black calabash into it, with the excuse that it is dangerous to keep an evil spirit in your possession for too long, they finally reached Ilu-inọ village, 5 days later.
***********
The Balogun looked out her window and to her delight, the eagle Bojubọle had returned, which symbolised the return of Ṣeyi and his team, she smiled.
"Osi the eagle has returned," she said with feeling
"This is great news, this means Ṣeyi and Akin are back," he said in excitement "good news indeed I was so worried about him"
"Well, he proved to be the true son of his father before him," the watcher said as he materialized from the background.
"Tell me what happened watcher" the Balogun demanded, "was his performance satisfactory and will the Baṣọrun send someone else to collect him for the ritual"
"You will be told every single detail, including the event that led to Agbako's death" the watcher replied as he walked over to the Balogun's table to help himself with her palm wine. "As for the Baṣọrun, I'm sure he's running to inform his superiors about the fatality of his quest"
"The baṣọrun of Ọyọ has a superior?" the Balogun inquired surprised
"He does," the watcher replied "But I will not give you his identity, that knowledge is privileged"
"But with that knowledge, we can find out who we are up against" the Balogun protested
"Divine orders" the Watcher pronounced as he faded away. The Balogun chuckled at that reply, divine orders can only mean one thing. The God that the watcher serves had forbidden him from giving the identity of the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ's master.
**********************
Ṣeyi, Bọlaji and Akin arrived in the evening just in time for evening practice, though Bọlaji and Akin wished to return home for a well-deserved rest Ṣeyi insisted on going for the evening practice. So Bọlaji and Akin followed, when they arrived, though other Ẹṣọs were surprised to see Ṣeyi alive and well, they still gave him the cold shoulder treatment after all a curse is a curse. Ṣeyi was not discouraged, not even in the least bit, he simply smiled.
"Continue running away, and you call yourselves Ẹṣọs," he taunted "I Iba-Ṣeyi challenge you all to a wrestling match to prove that I am a true Ẹṣọ and you are not, Oya! Runaway, cowards!" Stressing the last word
Those words were enough to rouse a lion from its slumber, all boys were infuriated by Ṣeyi's bold challenge and accepted it grudgingly. Of course, Ṣeyi was no wrestler, hence, he was slammed several times over. Akin, on the other hand, defeated anyone who tried to challenge him and through this both Ṣeyi and Akin were able to make more friends and their peers began to lose their fear for them.
After the wrestling match, Ṣeyi and Akin went to mama's house and to their delight one of her daughters had come to watch over her. As the Balogun had promised, they spent an hour there eating and keeping the old mama company, then they decide to go home. On their way home, they met Nike Ṣeyi as usual went looking for trouble.
"Nike!" Ṣeyi said, "I missed you, did you know that Ẹdẹ was a rich place".
"Ṣeyi" Nike snapped, "leave me alone"
"I wonder which side of his face, she will slap this time?" Akin thought aloud.
"Nike I brought something for you from Ede and you say I should leave you alone," Ṣeyi said pretending to be hurt.
"Ṣeyi, please! Go home and rest it will not work today"
"Okay," said Ṣeyi pretending to walk away "I guess I will give this golden egg to Yetunde"
"What, a golden egg!" She exclaimed, now interested eyeing Ṣeyi greedily "Ṣeyi you know I was only joking, you mean you cared so much about me that you brought a golden egg".
"Yes" Ṣeyi replied, with a grin of mischief
"Where is it?" She demanded
"Close your eyes," Ṣeyi said, feeling the elevation of triumph "and open your hand"
Ṣeyi placed a seed of groundnut in her right hand and kissed her cheek
"Open your eyes," he mocked
Nike was completely flabbergasted seeing a seed of groundnut instead of a golden egg, and in reply to Ṣeyi's kiss, she gave him 2 dirty slaps, placing a bold handprint on the side of his left cheeks.
"Ṣeyi why don't you just leave, the poor girl alone" Akin inquired
"Don't mind her Akin, one day she will marry" Ṣeyi retorted, as he joined Akin
"You?" Akin asked
"Ha! Oluwa-orun forbid" Ṣeyi exclaimed "you of course"
The moment Ṣeyi had finished speaking, he noticed the girl who gave him the white cowrie.
"Akin go home, we will report to the Balogun tomorrow morning," he said to his friend, for some reason the urge to be alone with this mysterious girl had taken over. There is something about her that intrigues him an instinct to protect her no matter the cost, no matter the fortune for some reason, he feels connected to her in ways he can't understand.
"Try not to be late Ṣeyi" Akin responded and rushed home, snapping Ṣeyi out of his private thought.
Ṣeyi slowly walked up to the girl counting his steps carefully, she was washing by the river and had not noticed Ṣeyi's silent approach.
"Now," Ṣeyi said, with authority "tell me your name"
She looked up to see who is addressing her, the moment she laid her eyes on Ṣeyi she became shy again, (if a white man should blush he would turn red, but what happens when a black man blush?) And blushed.
"My name is Modupe, Oluwa-modupe," she said after a short pause
"Thank you for your gift it saved my life," Ṣeyi said, "but I lost it in the enchanted forest"
"I'll make you a new one," Modupe said, brightly, hoping that, that would bring her closer to the boy she strongly admires.
"I would be very grateful if you could also make one for Akin and my friend the Timi of Ẹdẹ"
"Yes," she replied in an excited tone. Then she smiled, for some reason, Ṣeyi sensed that this might be the first time she had smiled in a long time. What kind of tragedy must have happened in her life to rob her of her happiness?
"Modupe! Modupe!! Dupe!!!" Her mother called from afar off.
"Ṣeyi, will I see you tomorrow?" She asked
"As always" Ṣeyi replied
"My mother's calling me we will meet tomorrow, Oluwa-orun Bless you," she said, then Modupe carried her buckets and ran off to answer her mother's call.
"Oluwa-orun bless you," Ṣeyi thought, so she is a worshipper of Oluwa-orun. That might be the connection between them, the aura of Oluwa-orun.
**********************
The evening breeze rushed through the horizon as the red sun illuminated the forest canopy, most of the hunters were returning from the forest with their sacs filled with their kill. The farmers returned from their farmlands and fields bearing sacks filled with their crops in preparation for the market day, which happens to be tomorrow. The Baṣọrun stood by the door of his hut counting the moment uneasily, the horrific experience with the watcher more than spooked him. The experience shattered every ounce of his self-confidence, the confidence he once boasted he possessed. A demon refused to acknowledge the power of his Ọfọ, a demon powerful enough to rip his way into his heart. What about all the sacrifices he had made to the great Oriṣas of Yoruba land for the power he now possesses? His coronation as the Baṣọrun made him the second most powerful man in the empire, but to be humbled by a demon was more than he can endure. What frightens him the most was the fact that the watcher knew all about the secret hidden within the evil forest, his master must know. He cannot afford to remain silent.
There was only one problem, it is not easy for him or any other mortal to reach his master through the usual means. The moment anyone walks into the evil forest the phantoms would crush them in seconds, the ritual necessary to venture into such a cursed land requires patience and tact.
"Bale me" (My husband) "please come inside, your food is getting cold" his third wife called
"Cover it, woman," the Baṣọrun snapped, "When I return, I will eat"
"Are you going somewhere?" she asked
"None of your business" the Baṣọrun retorted
She remained silent, better not to anger her husband any more than he already is. The Baṣọrun felt too agitated to ask her for advice, what would she know about it anyway. Finally, the sun dropped behind the horizon the signal for the Baṣọrun to move, the ritual dictates that the Baṣọrun must move into the forest moments after sunset on the eve of the market day. The Baṣọrun hurried through the town greeting all those he encountered on the way as his rank demands, and then he reached the forest and began the second part of the ritual.
First, he had to anoint his head with the urine of a cow to ward off any spirit of misdirection, and then he placed a leaf in his mouth to prevent himself from speaking a word while he journeys through the evil forest. The truth is that these precautions are supposed to be taken in the enchanted forest moments before he walks into the evil forest, but given the state of mind that he is in it would be better for him to perform the ritual right here and now. The final part was simple the Baṣọrun brought out a powerful talisman from his pocket and blew the dust about himself using his nose, some of the white dust ran up his nose causing him to sneeze but that didn't cause him to spit out the leaf from his mouth. The dust serves as a protection spell against all the enchanted plants that flourish within the enchanted forest, with the preparation over there was only one thing left to do and that was to move on. The Baṣọrun spent the next 40 minutes fighting his way through the foliage of the forest, all this would have been easy had he used the chant of Leopard shadowing the trees or the more advanced chant of the tree gateway but the ritual dictates that he precedes on foot. The moment he reached the evil forest, he felt his hair stand on edge, the mysterious place still gives him a shudder. He can feel the evil essence emitted from its demonic core, it is a curse if a man should die within the confines of this forest and an even greater curse if he is buried there. The Baṣọrun plunged into the forest headfirst and to his relief, the hut, which happens to be his destination stood not too far away, the ritual had served its purpose. If the ritual had failed, then the Baṣọrun would not have found the hut and that means that he will haft to wait another week before venturing into the forest again.
The Baṣọrun hurried towards the hut with all the speed he could muster, despite the ritual, some things can still cause him great harm within this cursed environment, better to always be on guard. The Baṣọrun forced his way into the hut and quickly shut the door behind him, the hut was empty and filled with nothing but a pedestal and a traditional mask sitting in the centre of the pedestal at the other end of the hut. The Baṣọrun suddenly started to tremble, he does not like being in this evil place.
"Oluwa me" (my lord) he stammered "Oluwa me" he called again
Then the hut suddenly lit up, all the clay candles attached to the wall busted into flames and the mask was suddenly engulfed in fire but not consumed then the Baṣọrun bowed to the mask that sat upon the pedestal.
"How dare you disturb my rest?" the idol protested
"Forgive me my lord" the chief begged, "but I had no other choice you see there…"
"Do you have the item?" The idol demanded
The chief trembled uncontrollably, "T-That's why I'm here m-my lo-lord, we encountered a slight complication"
"Do you have the child" the idol growled in rage
"No-no m-my lord" the Baṣọrun replied
"WHHAAATT!!" the idol vibrated "how dare you, to return to me empty-handed"
"But my lord!" the Baṣọrun pleaded
"Silence!" the idol pronounced, the Baṣọrun was immediately rendered voiceless "the penalty for failure is death" and suddenly the Baṣọrun was given unspeakable pain, pain that could force a normal person's brains to explode
"As usual acting before considering the consequences," a new voice said from the background. "The Baṣọrun of Ọyọ is your only eyes and your only ears so what is to happen to you if he is killed here and now"
The alarming silence that followed after the intruding voice lasted for more than a moment, it was obvious that the idol remained silent to identify the strange presence and then it spoke "Who's there?" it demanded "Just remember this is my domain, here I reign supreme to oppose me would be foolish"
"No need for me to hide" The watcher replied as he materialized into existence "well if it isn't the greatest alchemist of his time, the great Baṣọrun of Ọyọ long dead and buried"
"Did God send you, errand boy?" the idol mocked "I am the true son of darkness that boys sacrifice will fill my veins with blood and my lungs with air his purpose is to give me life. The life that was forcefully taken from me he is nothing but a sacrificial item"
"Hmmm!" the watcher mocked "The problem with the rich and stupid is that they start to believe that they're gods, so tell me who gave that boy to you"
"He's mine by right" the idol pronounced violently "and I will not hand him over to anyone"
The watcher laughed "Who gave him to you? Ṣango, Ogun, or is it Ifa? Greed always turns men into fools" he mocked "That boy is now the property of Oluwa-orun, not the god that is worshipped by the white cult but the creator of all creations so don't you dare lay a finger on that boy or in your case a twig"
The idol growled in frustration "You will not take this from me"
"No, I have already taken it from you" the Watcher responded with an unseen smile "That boy is under divine protection"
"It's not over, I will find a way to use the boy" the idol growled "I will never give up"
"Well you are welcome to try, but I know you will fail" then the watcher touched the tip of the idol's wooden surface with his index finger, the aura within the hut changed, then the crackling sound of burning wood can be heard as smoke emerged from the wood where the watcher's hand made contact "it is true that God ordered me not to harm you but He desires that boy far more than He needs you half alive. If there is a choice to be made between you and the boy, then I will be obliged to end your afterlife"
"Grrrrrr" the idol growled
The Watcher pulled away and then vanished, with a slight shimmer giving the few parting words "You have been warned"
"Damn you Watcher" the idol roared "One day that God you serve will no longer favour you and then I will have the pleasure of ending your demonic life" the idol roared bitterly.
"My lord" the Baṣọrun of Ọyọ called in a panicky tone "I tried to tell you that this wasn't my fault, the watcher has ruined all our plans"
"Not necessarily" The undead replied "I needed the boy's blood, to begin the process of restoring my physical body, the real plan to turn the entire empire into a paradise remains"
"So we can still make good time on the power process?"
"Indeed my faithful underling, but now you begin the process of poisoning the heart of the Alaafin, we need his influence and the blood of Oduduwa to complete our plan. There is still time, the kingdom will always be there for me to conquer tomorrow, I baṣọrun Gaha shall one day rise again"
The darkness engulfed the solitary shrine as the evil entity planned with the current baṣọrun of Ọyọ on ways to put the whole of the Yoruba empire to its knees…
END
Watch out for the next books in the series also written by Adebayo Olusanya and BissyAluko Seyi.
* The Crowned Hunter.
* The Assassination Attempt.
* The True test of a Warrior.