Skin of the Sea

Back in the village, the rot has spread at an alarming pace, and the air smells like sickness. Angry people are gathered outside Kola’s home. The crops died overnight, and the people demand answers from the village leader. Kola’s father promises answers the following day, and the guards send the villagers away.

Kola’s father sends Ifedayo, a warrior from the capital who is helping the village, with Simi and the others, and the group prepares for their journey to Esu’s island. Before they board Kola’s ship, Kola sends Issa away. The yumbo doesn’t want to go, but Kola insists, pretending he’s mad so Issa will go home, where he’ll be safe.

Simi has a nightmare about Esu’s island and wakes to find everyone else asleep. Peering out over the water, she realizes they are near the palace of Olokun, the orisa who oversees the land of the dead. She dives into the sea, her tail forming, and swims down until she reaches Olokun’s palace. As a result of trying to drown the world, the orisa is chained to the ocean floor and bitter at his punishment. Simi offers to help him if he gives her his blessing and aid to succeed against Esu.