For more two days, I encountered other dwellers of the forest. Tree imps, gnomes and minor deities, but I paid them no heed for none of them was whom I seek. They also avoided me because of the dark aura emitting from Oshe, I was anxious to find my quarry as soon as possible, delay may prove costly for I still harbored hope of seeing my friend and bard, Obembe and the rest of my band alive.

On the third day, I began to despair and grow doubt, what if I was late? what if the elder god was lying and Oshe failed to cut the daemon deity’s divine skin and I ended up at the bottom of his stew pot, turning back had never felt so tempting, my purposeful steps began to falter as the dreadful thoughts ran through my mind, then I realized my adversary was the Orisha of despair and hopelessness, I then resolved in my mind that I must be getting close to the evil god’s lair which explained the change in my mood, turning back was never an option for I also have the price to pay for the weapon I had purchased, so I hardened my heart and pushed on.

The forest began to change as the trees grew thicker and darker and eerily quiet for I neither heard nor saw bird or beast, the grounds were littered with the bones of different animals so thick I waded on in a marsh of bones then I knew I had gotten to Elegbara’s groove.

Lo, I beheld the monster and nearly flew from his presence, for Elegbara was terrifying in appearance. The Orisha aspect was a massive being, a single horn protrudes from his forehead, burning with an unnatural black flame. He sat chewing through a human skull with lion like teeth stained with blood, he was surrounded by dozen human corpses while he ate from a very large pot boiling with the same flame on his horn.

He was so engrossed in his gory feast that he took no notice of his august visitor. Alas, I recognised some of the dead men as the lost members of my band and my heart fell further when I saw Obembe’s drum amongst the dead men. Reckless with righteous anger, I hollered boldly at the feasting god.

“Greetings Elegbara! I hope the salt is not too much and the meat not too overcooked.’’

Elegbara must have been in a good mood for he mumbled greetings as he sucked through the skull that looked so much like Obembe’s head. My blood boiled at his nonchalant gesture and yelled again rudely this time.

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“Oh, one-horned father of smelly he-goats, have you no respect? or are you simply too dim to recognize honored guest as the one standing before you?’’

The daemon deity paused at this to peer down at me. I noticed another smaller horn protruding from his chin like a beard. He shook his head, probably amused at the audacity of the foolhardy mortal before him, he resolved I was either mad or some god in disguise.

“Who are you and what do you seek?’’ His hoarse voice sent chills down my spine.

“I am Shango, the son of Oranmiyan. The great grandson of Oduduwa, I have come seeking for your head for the wrong which you have wronged me.’’

The Orisha did not look impressed as he sucked on a leg bone.

“I know Oduduwa, for he offered me offerings as a mortal king, paid his respects, kept out of my way and knew his place before he ascended unto godhood to the invisible realm of the Orisha, I know your lofty sire Oranmiyan for his conquests and wars fed me much blood and misery.

You on the other hand are just an impudent youth trying to move away from his father’s illustrious shadow, to create a shade of his own, go home boy and learn more wisdom, for when a child’s hand cannot reach round a sword hilt, surely he is not ready to avenge his father’s death.

I will let you go for your father’s sake. Run home to your mother’s breast for I see you are not weaned completely, because a dog that enters into a leopard’s den will surely have its coat soaked in blood, only a fool ventures into Elegbara’s groove, beheld my divine calamity boy for no mortal born of a woman has seen such terrible presence and lived to tell the tale.

I am Eshu Elegbara; the daemon deity, father of incubi, succubi, windhorls, tree demons and ghommids of the dark forest. I am the hopeless calm after despair, the acceptance of the inevitable, the dreaded one that snatches the infant from its mothers safe arms, I am Eshu Lanroye’s twin for we both own the roads and crossroads, serving out accidents and chances to world travelers, for when a man is content and his cup is filled to the brim, his cattle fat at the moor, his barn filled with bountiful harvest, his household rings with songs and laughter, I will enter into his house, add bitterness into his life, take away his happiness and leave sorrow behind.

I am Eshu Elegba the terrible, the blood of man is my favorite brew, and his tender fleshes my favorite snack. I bath in his tears and cloth in his despair. Now that you know into whose house you had foolishly ventured, disappear from my sight before they bring news of bereavement to Oranmiyan’s household.’’

On saying this, Elegbara returned to his gory meal.