the edge of the ancestral forest, lanterns flickered in the dark like stars fallen to the earth

a heartbeat. It was a sacred rhythm that had not been heard in

amily walke

nce Adeola, calm and composed, his eyes set on the path ahead. 3rd Prince Adelabu wore a simple cloth tied across his shoulder. His expression was distant, as if watching a different world. 4th Prince Adesola

ames of rulers long gone, it was a place of power and silence. Smoke from burning herbs curled int

e traditionalists still came - not to honor their beliefs, but to pay respects

remony was

robe was clean white, his voice strong. He opened a Bible and began to speak bl

, the choir of RCCG. Then

wfully, their

SALEM t

mi, i

i bi

ibuku

i

baw

r' o

un m

st. The trees held the sound, as

l from many eyes. Some wept quietly. Oth

rapped tightly around herself as if trying to hold together what had been broken. "Baba..." she whispered again and again. Her world, already sh

wasn't perfect," she whispered, "but he was mine." Each tear that fell from her eyes seemed to carry years

down her cheeks. She gripped Adepeju's shoulder and turned

- and the children could

re, i

pearl se

e ndan f

ni it

ng and the queens were

not stop. Even 4th Prince Adeso

o raised his staff. "Let the king be r

mming s

he placed a folded cloth, hand-stitche

"You did not love me, but you gave

owl filled with river stones. "You were s

ce steppe

quietly. "But I defended this land because I love it. And because of that,

great iroko tree. "You ruled we

mply bowed

in on the earth. "For you

with wide eyes. "Goodbye, Ba

ower. "Sleep well, Papa." Then she turned into

d through the trees. Leaves rustled. A

n, circling the burial. Their feet kicked up dust, their arms reachi

Salako ste

ied," he said, "we

in their sacred journey. They shall go into the unknown to find the

read throug

more survive, the kingdom shall be divided. If only one survi

illed t

did no

smiled

s jaw c

oked towar

t his sister, wo

e, one of the elder gua

to Salako, "there

he stone, faint but clear, was a mark

his?" an e

ows," the

rowed. "The old symbol. It hasn't been

his place. Let no one r

at the palace,

is chamber. Some were sil

lded note waited on the

pene

ey fear your blood. Trust on

twice. Then

erele and Queen Morou

n leave," Aker

not return," Mo

st be

lamps. Children sang songs of co

tower room, Ogboni Sa

id to no one. "Let