That was Dayo, ever the strategist, just like their mother. “I see,” Yenni said softly, resigned that she would come home to the shackles of responsibility.

“Sending you away for a year is bad enough, but it can’t be helped now. Come, I’m going to find our sisters to help you dress. You must look your best tonight.”

Yenni grimaced. She must look her best not because it was her birthday but because the Gunzu would be there.

“All right, N’kun,” she said wearily. “Send them along.”

Dayo hugged her, chuckling against the top of her head, but his laughter soon died away. He pulled back and squeezed her arm affectionately. “I’ll miss you, Kebi. Not a day will go by that I won’t pray for your safe return, and not just for the sake of the tribe.”

She rested her hand on his. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. The Sha will protect me while I’m away, and if nothing else, I know which end of the spear is for stabbing.”

Dayo chuckled again. “That you do. See you tonight.”

He left and Yenni went back to grinding and mixing ingredients, so focused that the faint creak of the doors to her sitting room barely registered. It wasn’t until her bedroom doors burst open, spilling forth a flock of pretty, chatty women and girls, that Yenni whipped her head up from her work. The group was led by her sisters, twin paragons of Yirba style and grace. They surrounded her in a flurry of color, clacking beads, and the musky-sweet scent of shi-shi root oil, and Yenni smiled despite herself.

“Time to dress, Kebi dear,” chirped high-cheeked Ifeh.

“N’kun is looking more harassed than usual,” said doe-eyed Jayeh. “What did you—ah!” She gestured at Yenni, her gold bracelets jangling. “You’re really going to make us work today!” She eyed Yenni’s paint stains as she kissed her back teeth.

“You call it work? All you do is supervise and dictate,” said Yenni.

Ifeh fanned her nose. “Draw a bath,” she called to no one in particular. “Oh, don’t you pretend not to like it. You always come out stunning.” She flashed Yenni her charming, gap-toothed smile.

“Yes,” said Jayeh, and winked. “Almost as pretty as us.”

Her cousins giggled. Yenni wanted to seem angry, but she couldn’t help but laugh at her sisters’ teasing. Tonight they coordinated in slim, flowing gowns that showed off the flawless, dark skin of their arms. Both dresses had a pattern of bird feathers: one orange and blue, the other pink and yellow. And each sister wore a tall, regal head wrap: Jayeh’s gold, Ifeh’s a shimmering rose. A wave of sadness chased Yenni’s mirth. She would miss them greatly.