The day had finally ended to the Balogun's relief and HO! What a day. Ṣeyi and Akin are presently resting at home under the supervision of some of the best healers of Ilu-inọ. The great Akọgun and the other able-bodied Ẹṣọs of Ilu-inọ are presently questioning the apprehended assassins and she has tightened the level of security of the village, that way, evil assassins will never find it easy to walk into the village again.
The Balogun firmly instructed the healers to keep the two boys in two separate huts so they can undergo the healing process without any interruptions; she wants them fully recovered before they go out to brag to their friends about their ordeals with the Jama assassins from Ilọrin. Though the security structure of the village has been improved, the Balogun still saw it fit to raise her voice on some of the security personnel. After all, it is an insult to her image if five Jama assassins can walk into one of the most powerful villages in the Adegunju province without her knowledge and she is determined that such will never repeat itself. There is a sudden knock on the door and the Balogun quickly walks over to her stool in order to receive the visitor no doubt she already knows who it is.
"Come in," the Balogun commanded, and in walked an anxious-looking Nikẹ
"You summoned me?" Nikẹ said fearfully, unsure of what the Balogun intended to say to her.
"Yes, I summoned you," the Balogun replied, "First, I will ask you to recite the oath of an Ẹṣọ as you remember it" Now she is thankful that the Akọgun talked her into postponing this foolish girl's punishment, she had calmly played this scene carefully in her head.
Nikẹ desperate to please the Balogun recited the oath from her heart accurately to her surprise, the oath of an Ẹṣọ remains embedded within the incision of every Ẹṣọ. A fail-safe to remind every warrior of what their duty to Oduduwa is, it is as though the words are written within the warrior's heart.
"Very good Nikẹ" the Balogun applauded "Next question, Akin was innocent; as an Ẹṣọ it is your duty to protect him. Did you fulfil this duty?" The Balogun inquired
"Balogun, I…" Nikẹ began defensively but was then cut short by the Balogun's firm voice
"Did you fulfil your duty?" The Balogun snapped
"No ma," Nikẹ replied
"When Akin was helpless, did you help him?" The Balogun continued
"No ma," Nikẹ responded
"When Akin was defenceless did you defend him?" The Balogun pressed
"No ma," Nikẹ replied, hanging her head feeling more broken than ever
"Akin is part of the heritage of Oduduwa, did you protect that heritage?"
"No ma," Nikẹ sobbed
"You have broken your oath as an Ẹṣọ, insulted me and this entire village and above all, you have disgraced your father. Now your father must offer a sacrifice to Ogun the god of iron, fire and war as atonement for your error." The Balogun growled, "Remember NIKE-YOU-BROKE-YOUR-OATH!"
Nikẹ could not hold it in any longer, she busted into tears of regret. She found it difficult to control herself this is not how she had planned to begin her career as an Ẹṣọ.
"As far as I am concerned," the Balogun continued, "I will not scold Ṣeyi for chocking the information out of you since in my own opinion it is a just punishment, he behaved like a true warrior of Oduduwa and forced you to surrender important information"
"Please, forgive me, I am sorry…" Nikẹ pleaded,
"I have not finished," the Balogun said sternly, and Nikẹ sealed her mouth shut "Your rank as an Ẹṣọ of this village will be taken from you and remain in question until you prove yourself otherwise. Your father's influence is the only thing that prevents me from declaring you incompetent, but, make no mistake, if this should happen again I will not hesitate to banish you from my presence"
Nikẹ shamefully left the presence of the Balogun no doubt to face further scolding from her father, unlike Nikẹ who shows no promise as an Ẹṣọ her father is a well-known title holder even though he retired a few years back. Agba Ibidun the Black Leopard they called him one of Ilu-ina's best, a warrior with a covenant, so powerful that it is also unstable, a danger to the wielder and those around him one of the reasons for his early retirement. To be scolded by such a man might even damage the poor girl's self-esteem, Nikẹ is definitely going to be in a deep depression for weeks, more than she deserves.