Episode Twenty-Five: I Am That I Am

Wuraola waited patiently outside Adeloye’s room till she heard the sound of the door opening, and Shade coming out. “I am surprised you can stand him,” she said, startling Shade, who jumped briefly then calmed down when she saw it was Wuraola.

“Oh! It’s you,” she said dismissively, walking away. 

This annoyed Wuraola so much that she grabbed Shade roughly by the hair, pulling her to a corner. “Because you have watched my son treat me horribly, you think that you can disrespect me?”

Shade struggled to get out of her hold, but Wuraola’s grip was firm. She was so desperately in need of unleashing her anger that she forgot briefly that she needed Shade on her side.

“Should you not be ashamed of yourself? You are old enough to be his Aunty, yet, you let him use you day in, day out. What did he promise you? Marriage?” she asked angrily. The jealousy she felt about the way Adeloye treated her, while making Shade feel like his Queen was evident in her voice.

“I will scream so that the King himself can come and answer your question,” Shade replied, and it was all the ammunition she needed to get Wuraola to comport. She even surprised Shade by not only letting go of her hair gently, but by her next statement as well.

“We are on the same side,” she said, trying to sound friendly, “We both want Adeloye to look upon us favourably. Adeyeri will not do anything for us if he becomes King, so we must never let that happen.”

Shade didn’t understand the woman. “From what we can both see, and based on your news, we already know that it won’t happen. Adeloye’s men will kill Adeyeri soon.”

“Killing Adeyeri is one thing, staying on the throne of Iludoyin is another. If both of us can come together as allies to help him get this one thing right, then he will worship us forever,” Wuraola explained.

“Why do I need to join forces with you to guide him and prove my relevance? From what you said, and what I can see, Adeloye cannot stand you, but I have found favour in his eyes.”

Wuraola smiled wickedly. “Till when? Haven’t you seen him in action? This is a man whose mind changes like the wind. How can you rely on his feelings for you right now to determine his feelings for you tomorrow?”

Shade stared at Wuraola intently for a few seconds, her words making sense. “Even if that is true. What do I gain from joining forces with you?”

Wuraola smiled, glad she was getting through to her. “I can teach you how to control him and use your feminine powers to get what you want.

What we want!” she added, and Shade mused over her words for a bit as though considering it.

After a brief moment, she shook her head in refusal. She may need allies, but it couldn’t be Wuraola, a woman who willingly gave up a boy she had called her son for twenty-five years. Shade may not care for Adeyeri, but a part of her still felt something for Tade, and they were together now.

Even if she would choose a path to elevate herself, she would rather it wasn’t the one paved with the blood of innocent people. Most importantly, she needed a plan on how to save Tadeyanju.

Adeyeri had been wary and alert, second guessing everything as they moved from village to village on their journey to Oyo. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something very bad was about to happen. This was the same feeling he’d had on the morning of his birthday; the morning of the day his beloved father, the King, and his loyal servant, Areo, had died of poison. If he shared his worries, it could be perceived as paranoia, or worse, it could spread fear amongst his small team when all they needed was courage.

“When you are afraid, pray. When you are happy, pray. When you are confused, pray. When you need guidance, pray. In all seasons, and at all times, we must stay connected to God,” Adeyeri had heard Brother Joseph say to Tade the day before as they made dinner, and she had nodded, as though he reminded her of a fundamental truth. 

Adeyeri wondered if he could try that too, but he didn’t know how. He also didn’t think it was the kind of thing he could tell them to teach him. He had to figure it out on his own. Bothering Tade about this didn’t feel right as well. The journey was beginning to take a toll on her. She tried to hide it, picking up her steps after slowing down a bit, taking longer to come out after making an excuse to relieve herself. For her sake, he wanted to ease the intense travel hours, but he couldn’t. They had to keep moving. The fate of Iludoyin was in the aid they could get from a stronger ally.

How to get Alaafin and his people in Oyo to support him was still a conundrum. There was no proof that he was who he said he was. For all they knew, he could be an imposter who merely wanted to use the Alaafin and his resources. From the tales he’d heard about the senior Yoruba monarch, he was as brutal as he was merciful, and wouldn’t think twice before silencing a threat. So, while others were focused on getting to Oyo as soon as possible for protection, Adeyeri was bogged down with the additional pressure of thinking about a strategy.

When everyone had gone to sleep that night, he took a short walk to pray because his fears were growing, and he felt powerless. Now that he had dropped allegiance to the gods of his father, he was determined to build his connection with this new God he had chosen. Tade had told him that her God did not require burnt offerings and blood sacrifices. 

“Jesus has died for all of us, and that’s enough for God to redeem you and make you His own. You have been bought with a high price, Adeyeri, so don’t have any fear. The only thing God requires of you is fellowship and communion. Spend time with Him, and you can begin a relationship,” she had assured him days earlier when he had asked her how to serve her God. From what he had overheard Brother Joseph say to her as well, the business of serving this God was basically prayers; using words to seek him.

“You are a special God, I haven’t heard about anyone like you,” Adeyeri started, feeling weird as he listened to the sound of his own voice. He paused for a bit, then continued. “If it were not for you, Tade’s God, I don’t know where I would be, so thank you. I may not act grateful in front of others, but in my mind, my gratitude knows no end, and even though I don’t understand you, I will serve you forever. The chance you have given me will not be wasted. I will avenge my father,” he continued, then paused because he thought he heard something.

Vengeance is of God.

“Who is there?” he whispered, but got no answer.

Vengeance is of God.

He heard it again, then sighed.

Was that Tade’s God? He wondered.

Your God too!

Adeyeri looked around him, bewildered. Was this God speaking to him? It was all so confusing. If he says vengeance is of God, then what was he supposed to do? Sit back and wait? He sighed. Tade’s God may be good and powerful, but he was also kind. He literally died to save bad people, something he couldn’t even wrap his head around. If he waited for this God to take revenge on his behalf, a bad man would sit on his throne and oppress his people for a very long time.

“What is this? How is this even a counsel? God, what I need is a strategy. I need to know when to move and how to move, as well as who to choose as my allies. In a few days, we will arrive at Oyo. I need to know how to play my game.”

Games didn’t save your father!

Adeyeri bowed his head in frustration. Stepping out from the camp for these prayers had worked. He hadn’t expected it to, but it seemed that God had been waiting for him, ready with answers for him. He wasn’t hearing the words out loud, but the whispers from his mind felt real.

Vengeance is of God.

Games didn’t save your father!

“God, what am I going to do? Please, help me. I cannot afford another mistake. It will no doubt cost me in blood. My wife is young, I have only two men, and a white man that no one will acknowledge. What can I do with them without a strategy? What is my strategy?”

I am.

The atmosphere changed, the breeze blowing softly.

I am.

“God, what does that mean?”

I am.

Adeyeri rose from his knees, suddenly not feeling alone. A powerful presence enveloped him.

I am.

“I am,” Adeyeri repeated the words out loud, but it didn’t make sense. How was that going to be a strategy?

I am with you.

Those four words jolted him into reality.

This God was powerful, He was all he needed, Adeyeri realised. He had the power to do more than a thousand men at once, and they wouldn’t even get a thousand men in Oyo. 

Yes, I am, that I am.

Before the prayers, Adeyeri couldn’t get rid of the fear that enveloped his heart. Now, he had a feeling that God was revealing himself, so he did the one thing he knew how to do well as the son of a King – give praise. He mentioned all the times that God had come through for him; saving him from a poisonous meal, rescuing his life from a deadly arrow, literally bringing Tade back to life, giving him an escape from Adeloye, surviving in the forest as they ran away, and he went on and on.

I am with you. I am.

Adeyeri’s confidence grew as he continued his prayers, and suddenly he gained clarity. He knew what to do, and the exact next steps to take to win the battle.

Shade sat under the Araba tree, patiently waiting for Iyalode to show up. The tree was at the outskirts of the village, far away from the prying eyes of villagers and Adeloye’s guards. This meeting was a risk for both of them. Naturally, they should not be meeting, but they were both passionate about solutions. 

Shade hoped for one final move that might change Tadeyanju’s fate, while Iyalode wanted information that could rescue Iludoyin from tyranny. They were both desperate. She knew this because her messenger to Iyalode had returned within a very short time with this location. This was why Iyalode’s lateness worried her. The weather was turning dark, and she was beginning to get scared, looking over her shoulders. There was no more security in Iludoyin, no guards roaming around to protect villagers. Instead, what they had were the horrible men of Adeloye, who have been known to unleash terror on the people, raping girls, and stealing from farms.

Where was Iyalode? She wondered, and was about to leave when she heard footsteps. There was definitely more than one person coming, so Shade quickly ran for cover until she saw Iyalode and Osi strolling towards the tree.

“Why did you come so late? I have been afraid,” she said irritatedly as she came out of hiding, clearly displeased to see Chief Osi, and he knew it.

“Watch the way you speak, woman. Don’t you know in front of whom you stand?” Osi asked her, irritated by her insolence as well, but Shade couldn’t be bothered.

“Before whom I stand does not matter in light of what Iludoyin Kingdom is going through, so please let us focus.”

Osi hissed. “So because you are sleeping with the self-imposed King, you think you can be bold? Or do you think we don’t know?” he stated angrily and accusingly, but Shade simply laughed.

“I don’t care about what you know, or do not know. Besides, I am not here to see you. I set a meeting with Iyalode, and if I cannot speak to her in private, I had better take my leave.” 

She started to walk away, but Iyalode pulled her back. “Calm down. Let’s not pour coals in a raging fire. The situation is already very bad, let’s not make it worse,” she said through her teeth, clearly unhappy that she had to stoop low to confer with a commoner.

“I will only speak to you if he leaves,” Shade declared.

Iyalode sighed. “He can’t leave. We are here to talk about the fate of Iludoyin, and right now, with Adeyeri gone, it lies on our shoulders.”

Shade looked from one Chief to the other, wondering if she could trust them. For all she knew, they were also like Otun, nursing ambitions to take the throne themselves. If this was the case, coming here wouldn’t help her. Yet, this was her last card towards saving Tadeyanju.

“Adeloye knows where Adeyeri is headed. He has put together a group of skilled assassins, and they will soon depart with Tadeyanju…” 

Osi didn’t let her finish. “What is Tadeyanju’s role in all this?”

Shade sighed, the words heavy for her, but she didn’t need to answer the question because they both understood, and unlike her, couldn’t be bothered. To them, Tadeyanju was already dead. They didn’t know about his role in the late King’s death, but they knew he should have died with the King, but escaped. As far as they were concerned, his abomination brought the calamity that Iludoyin was suffering.

“We cannot let that bastard kill Adeyeri.” Iyalode said to Osi, downcast. Sharing her emotion, Osi nodded too. “We need to come up with a plan.”

“The only plan there is right now is to find men who are willing to fight,” Osi replied, and Shade scoffed in mockery.

“Where do you want to find men that are strong enough to withstand the band of assassins that Adeloye put together.”

Iyalode paced, musing. ‘I think we need to call a meeting with the Kings and Chiefs in the other six neighbouring villages. There is no way they are happy about what is happening here.”

“We need to involve the Chief Priest in our plan. He needs to consult the gods to tell us what to do,” Osi countered, but Iyalode shook her head in disagreement.

“There is a place for the gods, but there is also a place for the wisdom of men. The gods are angry, they won’t answer us. We are suffering the wrath of an abomination. At this moment, we are on our own, and we have to get ourselves out of this mess.”

“You have spoken like a woman that you are,” Osi stated, not in agreement with her.

“I have spoken like a Chief that I am,” Iyalode countered, rolling her eyes at him. In all these unfortunate incidents that have befallen us, I have been at the forefront of trying to find a solution while you cowered in your home in fear. The future of Iludoyin lies in our hands, and we must stand firm and make a decision to save it. If those are the counsel of a woman then I say we go with it. In the end, whatever saves Iludoyin is the best decision.

Osi paced, knowing she was right, yet not wanting to own up to the fact that he was very afraid of the consequences that becoming rebels could bring. “I hope you are ready to die, because that is what befalls people who go against a King.” 

“We are all living dead as it is. Besides, most heroes die. I am no longer afraid of death, and the consequences of courage. The whole of Iludoyin is hoping that someone is doing something to fix things right now. Osi, look around you, there is no other person to bring the solution. We are the solution, and we must act now.”

As Iyalode’s boldness grew, and Osi seemed to be getting confused, Shade couldn’t shake the feeling that the information she just gave them was not going to favour her in any way. Tadeyanju was going to die, and if the Chiefs succeeded in getting aid for Adeyeri to defeat Adeloye, then she too would go down because everyone now knew her to be his beloved mistress. There was no way out. She was going to lose one way or another, and the previously rejected idea of colluding with Wuraola began to sound like a viable plan.

“We are going back to Iludoyin,” Adeyeri said as soon as he joined the camp. Everyone looked at him as though he had gone mad, except Brother Joseph who remained expressionless.

“That is dangerous.” Banji said, stating the obvious.

“They will kill us,” Alani said, thrown off by the change of plans and hoping it wouldn’t affect the plans the new King had probably made to arrest them.

Adeyeri smiled. “No one can kill us. We must trust in God and believe that if He rescued us the first time, He has the power to rescue us again.”

Tade was bewildered by the manner in which Adeyeri was speaking. Yet, she could see a new passion in his eyes.

“Shouldn’t we be going to raise an army to fight with us in Oyo?” Banji asked, trying to remind Adeyeri of the goal. They had gone too far to turn back now.

Adeyeri smiled, excited about the burst of certainty he had in his new decision. “You will go on to Oyo with Brother Joseph. We are only two days away from arriving there. When you get there, tell them about everything, and hopefully they will send men to come with you to our aid, but even if they don’t, we will be fine.”

Banji rose from his sitting position to face Adeyeri and get him to see reasons with him. “You need me by your side, not away.”

Adeyeri clasped his shoulders. “And you will be by my side again, but right now, both of us need to go separately,” he said, trying to convince Banji who shook his head vigorously, unable to accept.

“You can’t send me away with only this white man. They won’t believe me.”

“They will believe you because God will be with you, and we won’t stop praying about it. I would have sent Alani with you, but I sense very strongly that he has a role to play on our journey back home.”

Alani scoffed secretly, clearly irritated by this new plan, but it was only Tade who saw him, and her fear was confirmed. She had been suspecting that Alani’s intention towards them was not pure, but she couldn’t place why. His expression just now confirmed that she was right, yet, Adeyeri had chosen him to travel back with them to Iludoyin kingdom alone.

God, what is all this? she wondered, feeling tired despite the full night rest they just had. She had travelled on long journeys before, but this one was weakening her. The thought of going back to Iludoyin nauseated her, but a sick wife wasn’t what Adeyeri needed right now.

“I will not be able to travel with him. I am here for Tade, and I will go where she goes,” Brother Joseph said, making Adeyeri scowl.

“How dare you go against my word. You will go where I say you will go, or you might as well leave us,” Adeyeri declared, and Tade gasped his name, but before she could say more, Brother Joseph spoke, shocking them all.

“I am a trained medicine man. Tade will need me, and I insist on staying with her,” he said, and Tade, who was about to defend him, became confused.

“Why will I need you?” she asked.

“Because you are with child!”