CHAPTER SIX

It was eerily silent, the feeling one gets is that someone or something is watching. The Bush here were overgrown as one has to create a path for themselves to pass through. It was as if the path has not been treaded upon for a very long time. The sun was hot as it beats with a vengeance upon the people. A young man raised his machete as he brought it down with strength to cut off his target

The sound swish swish swish could be heard as he continued within an hour the grass as been levelled. He turned his gaze upon his companions  gesturing for them to pass through. The remaining four persons waste no time as they followed after him. They moved swiftly as they know not the dangerous things lurking in the shadows, after all this place was a forbidden territory. If the people had looked back perhaps they would have been shocked to see that the grass they just levelled has just grown back as if the young man had not spent almost an hour to clear it. The path the young man in front was clearing grows back as they walked further. These people walked further and further into this place until they got to their destination. They saw a building decorated with white wrapper and chalk . They all stood outside as the woman amongst them walked into the building. Her eyes roamed about surveying her environment. The place smell of burnt hide amongst other things she couldn't even begin to analyse what and what. Her mind was set on another thing. But one thing stood out the inside of this place was decorated only with white cloth material. This is one thing that stands out in this water spirit worshippers. She pushed the other door leading to the inner room it was silent almost as if no one was inside she started to feel uneasy. As much as this place was similar to other Osun shrines in terms of decoration that was as far as the similarities. For one, this place lack the life and warmth of the Osun shrines. Here gives one a creepy feeling as if there are eyes in the shadows are watching which she believes there are.

"Come in" a voice rang out jolting her with shock.

Don't drop anything just pick a stone from inside the calabash from the pot at the centre." The same voice continued. She hesitated for a moment before bracing herself after all her intentions for coming here wasn't bad. The calabash was surrounded by seven pots wrapped with white cloth. She stepped into the circle, she picked a white stone from the said calabash.

"Speak your wish into the stone" she did as she was told and another covered calabash this time small in size appeared in front of her.

    "Place it back. Now you can go back with the         calabash

    When you get home wash your face with the contents of the calabash and our mother Esimirin will pay you a visit" The voice said, it sounded like when one scrapped his feet on a hard surface eerily annoying.

" Thank you great one" she stood as she left. She only heard a creepy laugh as she left before the place plunged into its unsettling silence.

Later that night

Moremi washed her face with the water as she was about to go to bed praying in her heart for her wish to be granted. Sleep came later than expected maybe because she was trying to hard to fall asleep there was still some uncertainty in her heart as she don't know what to expect.

The grass was wet beneath her feet as she continued down a clear path. The place was familiar like the road that leads to the stream in her hometown where she frequented as a child. The Esinmirin shrine came into view, she walked through the door as a strong wind gush forth almost blowing her out. The scene changed in front of her but the wind was still blowing. A chilling cold enveloped her being but she still steeled her heart despite the shivering and continued taking small steps. Moving forward, she saw a river but the area was almost covered with fog making it almost invincible. The fog and the wind dissipated and everywhere became quiet and calm and the cold disappeared almost as if she had imagined those.

She turned to the right as she saw the back of a woman. Fear struck her heart, this is fear caused by our instinct when we are in a dangerous situation. The woman turned slowly but it was as if she was already staring at her before her gaze landed.

Mo...re..mi hmmm why are you here" she asked smiling Evily

I need your help " Moremi replied, she knew why she was here but this creature still asked her.

My help?? Why will a queen need a mere me's help?? What can I do for you?" The creature question with a teasing smile.

Iya wa ( our mother )! I am your child and a child is never too old to ask help from his mother.

You say I am a queen but what is a queen when her people are being ravaged and destroyed and she can do nothing but be as helpless as they are??

A queen that will still lose her kingdom

Am a queen of nothing! A nothing! If I can't be what a queen signifies to her people then I am no queen... Moremi sighed sadly as she bowed her head in sorrow.

Hmmm... so you want to do what then?? Esinmirin asked

"I want Esinmirin to grant me Victory. My people are in bondage, I want to set them free.

Esinmirin I want your guidance.

The people of the great land of Ile Ife are suffering as strange spirits invades and steal our joy away. Our children are being snatched from under our nose, we can't live like normal people anymore.

I want you to grant me power to fight these spirits ", Moremi answered as she knelt down with her eyes brimming with tears.

I will help you... but I want something in return Victory after all is earned and bought". Esinmirin walked in to the river no! More like floated but Moremi was oblivious to this as her heart clenched when she heard her words.

"Anything,Esinmirin of mine is yours. If I gained Victory over these spirits then I will give you anything you wish for even my most prized possession.

Emi Moremi nkan ti o dara ju

Ati nkan ti mo nife ju ni ma fun eyin

I swear on my life"

(I Moremi, will give you the best and most loved possession of mine)

Moremi swore as she wanted nothing more than  victory over her enemies. What are clothes, beads , animals, cowries in the face of earning Victory that can't be sacrificed. Esinmirin smiled knowingly as a light flashed in her eyes.

"Words are like butter, they melt away..

Promises are nothing but mere sugarcoated words

You say all these because you are desperate

Esinmirin is not moved but remember human! you have made a vow that can only be fulfilled.

There is a white stone in your hands that will start to turn black after you gained your Victory and refuses to pay up your debt. When it turns all black and you are yet to honour your words. The forest spirits are nothing compared to what I will do".

Moremi opened her palm as a white stone like that of the one she spoke her wish on in the Esinmirin's shrine

  She understood how important the words she said then were and how she can never jeopardize her people. She sighed in her heart realising the Creature was no longer in sight as the scene changed again. Now she could see herself kneeling beside her bed post there was another figure on the bed yes! It was her.

Was she dead?? Why am I looking at myself haa has she been tricked?? So many thoughts rushed her mind. The figure in bed suddenly opened her eyes and spoke in a voice that was clearly hers

           Emi ni iwo

           Iwo sini emi

(You are me and I am you!)

Moremi jolted out shouting from her sleep, she suddenly checked around her to see if truly she was alive. She heaved a sigh of relief, events that occurred in the dream rushed into her brain. She checked her hands to see her fingers closed in a tight fist. She pried it open revealing a white smooth looking stone. Surprise flickered in her eyes as she stared dumbly at her hands.

But later on a smile stretched out on her face. One thing was sure, Victory!!!

Moremi stood up opening her window, it was dawn already. She washed her face, chewed her stick called one of her Guard instructing him to invite Iyalode and iyaoloja to her courtyard.

Do you think Moremi stone will turn black??

What do you think of River goddess Esinmirin??

I am trying to finish this story, I have a bad habit of not but I will beat it.

This is a challenge to myself.

School is yet to resume perhaps till September or November

If its left to me next year January is better...

Don't mind me am a bad student😋