Aláàfin

Chapter 33

ADEDAYO
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       After permitting Jakuta's request, Ogundele ushers a meeting with the rest of Akogun while me and the vice chief priest Olabode stay to bear witness. Priestess Adunni leaves to attend to other matters but with a promise to be back so she can finish up her healing of the Akogun.
     Since he's the leader of the Akogun,  Ògúnlolá explains how they lost to the Olossis in Ilaro. How the Olossis managed to tear down the Ojúbo agbara protecting the market Town, thereby letting them using the Black Rain to gain advantage over the Akogun and the rest of OYO's forces at the field. Apparently the Olossis were able to do so due to a guru in their ranks who had inside help. Ògúnlolá says he's called "The Baddo" and he's the leader of a new strike force that have half blooded Olossis called The Fangs.
       " Baddo?..........So the witch has finally decided to put him on the frontline. The igbimọ of the Olossis don't usually  fancy the deployment of half blooded soldiers when it comes to leading their attacks. Having a half blooded queen is already sour enough. The fact that they are involving them means the sea Orishá wishes that they get more aggressive with their invasion. Unlike our Orishas, he very much still speaks to them."
        " We have to act quickly. We can't let them get relaxed at Abeokuta with the Alake in their custody. You would think that man would have learned to use his lands' mountains to his advantage when facing these demons after his last encounter with the Olossis."

       " I'm guessing that our retaliation will be of similar circumstance to what we did the last time they took Abeokuta." says Ògúnlolá with the rest of the Akogun looking at Ogundele expectantly.
     " Yes, I will be leading person at when we go to take Abeokuta back. But this time, I won't be stopping there. From then on, I match to cut off the head of the snake."

    " You wish to lead us all the way to Eko?!" exclaims Setemi with his eyes screaming of excitement.
      Contrary to Setemi's reaction, Ògúnlolá asks Ogundele with a look filled with shame
     "You want to advance that far without Jakuta or an Agbaje in the Akogun? Do you wish to gather forces from other states in the kingdom? Going that far with Ogedengbe and his legion in Ilesa would definitely give us enough bite speak even less of our forces in Ilé-Ifè and other states."
        Rising up to leave, Ogundele proclaims
       " NO.....Doing that will leave those lands unprotected. Those infidels can transverse into our lands using the water of the sea that touch them. Besides some of their leaders won't agree, Ogedengbe for one will never Ilesa. That's why we haven't been able to attack the Olossis at their capital with all of OYO's armies. It will leave too many of our spiritual seats prone to their infection."
         He takes a brief look at the Akogun and says
        " So cherish the moments you sworn recuperating......for once our Prince leaves for Irúnmolè. After the necessary preparation, we leave to take back Abeokuta."

     " Ehn.. Irúnmolè keh? What is he going to do there?!" Setemi exclaims with the rest of the Akogun looking at me with confused expressions but Ogundele pays them no attention as he leaves the pool area with me following suit.
   As we near the entrance to the cave, sounds of Ògúnlolá calling for my uncle halts our steps.
        " BALOGUN!...."
We turn to see the soun of ogbomoso limping towards us while holding his midsection.
          " BALOGUN ...I know Jakuta tried taking punishment for losing Ilaro by himself. But I am the leader of the Akogun, I ask that you grant me my penance..."

Ogundele takes a stern look at Ogúnlolá as the man tries to stand at attention with his injury, a look of forced sincerity on his face.

" Soun, I know Jakuta what you are doing but you don't get to escape this fight. You want penance? Bring me the head of the Baddo."