Chapter 3 Eleven Days Await

The courtyard of Akun had never been so silent.

What once rang with the sound of children chasing peacocks, drummers announcing royal news, and the melodies of worshipers, now echoed with a tension no drumbeat could ease. Clouds hung low since the death of Kabiyesi Adeyemi Adesoji. As if the heavens themselves refused to shine on a kingdom losing its light.

A lone bell rang from the upper tower. One chime.

Then another.

Then silence.

The message was clear: the royal decree would be made public.

In the center of the grand square, the High Ogboni stood beside a raised platform. Cloaked in white, beads around his neck, his face unreadable. Behind him were the other council members - the Oloyes - and the surviving queens: Queen Akerele and Queen Morounkeji, veiled in black and red.

A crowd had gathered - nobles, priests, warriors, and commoners. Traders left their stalls. Children were hushed. Even the birds that nested on the rooftop shrine were gone.

At the heart of it stood the five princes.

The 1st prince, Adebayo, his face hardened by years of war. His shoulders carried more than armor - they carried pain, betrayal, and faith.

Beside him stood the 2nd prince, Adeola. Quiet, calm, eyes sharp.

The 4th prince, Adesola, had a small smirk. It could be mistaken for peace. It was really pride.

The 3rd prince, Adelabu, looked bored, but his eyes missed nothing.

And the 5th prince, Adeoye, the youngest, stood tall, wide-eyed, trying to understand the weight of it all.

"People of Akun," the High Ogboni began, voice strong, "the will of the late Kabiyesi is before us."

Queen Akerele's eyes twitched. It wasn't the king's will. It was his own.

"With five kingdoms threatening war, and the royal line uncertain, the path is clear - a quest."

The crowd stirred.

"In eleven days, the five sons of Kabiyesi shall leave to recover the Five Sacred Treasures - items demanded by the five kingdoms as a sign of strength, faith, and right to rule."

Adebayo, the 1st prince, frowned. This wasn't what he was told. He thought it was a test, not a peace offering.

"Whoever returns with the treasures - alive - shall be crowned Crown Prince. If two return, the kingdom will be shared. If only one survives, he alone shall rule. If none return..."

He paused.

"...the royal line ends. And Akun will fall into the hands of the five kingdoms."

Gasps filled the air.

Adesola, the 4th prince, flicked his eyes toward Adebayo, smirking.

"Let the crown's demand be fulfilled," the Ogboni said.

But not all bowed.

Later that day, in the inner palace chamber, the five princes, the queens, and Princess Adepeju sat in tense silence.

Queen Akerele spoke first. "This is not what your father wanted."

"We heard what they said," Adeola, the 2nd prince, replied, voice soft but sure. "But who witnessed the king's words?"

"Only the Ogboni," said Adelabu, the 3rd prince, tossing a fruit in the air. "No scribe. No seal. Just them."

Adebayo, the 1st prince, stayed silent, eyes heavy with thought.

"I don't believe he made this decree," Queen Morounkeji said. "He was sick, yes, but he wouldn't use his sons like this."

"Or maybe he saw that the crown prince wasn't enough to lead alone," Adesola, the 4th prince, shrugged.

Adebayo's eyes locked with his. Cold. Clear.

"Say that again."

Princess Adepeju stood quickly. "Enough."

Even Adesola paused.

"You all think this is just a game for power," she said. "But something else is happening. I've seen it."

Adebayo looked at her. "What have you seen?"

She hesitated. She hadn't told them about the letter.

"Dreams. Signs. The Ogboni are hiding something."

"We've always known that," said Adeoye, the 5th prince.

"No," she said. "I think they planned father's death. Or helped it happen."

Silence.

Queen Akerele stood. "Then the quest is a trap."

Adebayo finally spoke. "Then we go - not just to find treasure. We go to survive. And return with the truth."

Word spread quickly. In every corner of Akun, the news was the same: In eleven days, the princes ride.

Some prayed. Some doubted. Many feared.

At night, in the dark halls of the royal archives, Queen Akerele lit a candle and unrolled an old scroll. Her fingers traced the ink. It was a law passed long ago - a secret way to delay the quest - but it required three signatures from the High Oloyes. And she had none.

Meanwhile, in the secret chambers beneath the palace, the High Ogboni met with the rest of the council.

"Let only two return," he said, pouring oil on a scroll.

"And if one?" someone asked.

"Then he rules. But if none..."

He raised his eyes.

"The kingdom is ours."

They passed around a chalice, not in memory of Kabiyesi - but in celebration of what was to come.

In the training yard, Adebayo met with Adeoye.

"You shouldn't have to do this," said the 1st prince.

Adeoye, the 5th prince, looked up. "I'm ready. Maybe not like you, but I've learned enough."

Adebayo placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stick close to no one. Trust no prince without a sword in your hand. Not even me."

They shared a quiet smile.

Later, Adesola, the 4th prince, met with a shadowy figure in the western corridor. He handed him a sealed pouch.

"Follow the 1st prince. Make sure he never returns."

Princess Adepeju stood by the temple that night, her hands clutched around the folded letter. Her father's true will. Hidden. Denied. If only she had the courage to speak.

"What are you hiding, Peju?" asked Adelabu, the 3rd prince, stepping from the shadows.

She turned, startled. "You scared me."

"You're not the only one with secrets. But some secrets burn kingdoms."

She said nothing.

He smiled faintly. "Just be sure it's not you holding the torch."

That night, Queen Morounkeji met with Queen Akerele.

"They want them to die. All of them. Then they take control."

"I know," Akerele replied. "But if even one returns, he must be strong enough to stand against them."

"Who? Adebayo?"

"If not the 1st prince, then who?"

Morounkeji nodded. "Then we must help him. In secret."

Outside, the moon hung over Akun, pale and distant.

Eleven days remained.

Eleven chances for betrayal.

Eleven steps toward destiny.