the king's death. Five days until the journey. Five days until the fate of a kingdom wo

across the courtyard. Guards trained harder, messengers mo

ar an open window, shirtless, scarred, the weight of many battles pressed into his shoulders

e 3rd Prince, Adelabu, ste

saw something at the burial. T

debayo replied. "

- one even the Ogboni rarely speak of. It foretells a time whe

ore than tradition. I

be b

e gently combed Princess Adepeju's hair.

spered, "do you thi

sed, the co

carefully. "He was a king. King

the kingdom

way that honors his memory - wit

s trembled, b

the Oloyes gathered under candlelight. The

p. "The kingdom must trust us. The qu

ked Chief Olaiya. "Poison, bet

ako said sharply. "Let

tay buried," mutt

ncil gr

ce Adesola sparred with two guards

uttered, kicking a guard down. "...'but

side with a wooden blade. "Ma

ce Adeola wa

eapons," Adeola said. "But t

"Maybe not. But t

room below the library, Queen Mor

before he died," she

n court, but offer poison in my

e mean?" A

wed. "We'll find out. B

ved a sealed scroll. The same

t only for rule - but survival. Ak

it. But the 5th Prince Adeoye read it a

eeper than they've told us," he

his mind: Trust only the t

g the king's burial site found fr

but a gust of wind blew

a whisper bru

die. Other

arply - no o

r