Chapter 5 The Feast of Remembrance
a celebration - it was a
fried plantains, and steaming pounded yam filled golden trays carried by the tireless hands of palace servants. Dancers from the eastern border spu
rowd below - a blend of celebration, wary hope, and hidden mourning. His face bore the marks of recent war, the scar ne
ath arrived. The message was brief: Kabiyesi has joined the ancestors. You must return. There was n
he eyes upon him - from the silent Oloyes, from the Ogboni
-
of a panther. Her eyes, sharp as flint, flicked across every table, every face. She
on," he whisper
His demeanor was calm, almost detached, but his thoughts were piercing. He had
im. It was the 4th prince, Adesola, flashing his ever-wide s
t smile. "You alwa
, plucking a meat skewer from a golden tray. "But I
ht, but the weight beh
st time in many years. The 3rd prince, Adelabu, slouched slightly, pushing food around his plate with disinterest. T
ched them all with quiet sadness. Her posture was regal, but her eyes betr
mber Father's la
fell int
"And he only said one thing: 'A crown worn
lowly. "He knew
ola added. "Became quieter. Spoke
Or maybe he was ju
e converted to the
s. On his last night. But mayb
?" Adeba
between his fingers. "Maybe he saw some
air like incense smoke
e Oloyes gathered in the upper court with the Ogboni council. High Ogboni
king has returned to the ancestors, and the throne waits to be filled. Five prince
fell li
ek five sacred treasures, one from each of the rival kingdoms. Whoever returns with the treasures and survive
ough the courtya
his voice calm but comman
he royal line ends. Akun will fall into the hands of
mming s
ched across the courtyard. Even th
aised his goble
alone in the ancestral hall. A servant placed a single candle b
- the last one his father had written to hi
he son I needed. If I fail to protect you, let you
ter. His jaw tighten
chants. Somewhere, a child laugh
eparations for the journey th
toni
was fo
for
