Chapter 4 The Hidden Seal

A thick fog rolled through the eastern quarters of Akun as dawn broke, wrapping the palace in grey silence. A faint scent of burning wood drifted through the halls, and the cold air clung to the skin. The morning bell had not yet rung, but there was movement inside the royal archive.

Queen Akerele - mother of the 1st prince, Adebayo - walked quietly across the cold stone floor. A heavy shawl hung from her shoulders. Her steps echoed in the large chamber, and her heart beat faster with each one. Every torch along the wall cast long shadows that flickered like ghosts.

In her hand was a scroll - old and fragile, sealed with red wax shaped like a crown. This was no ordinary scroll. It was older than Kabiyesi's reign, hidden deep in a chest beneath sacred items. The faded ink spoke of forgotten laws and ancient truths.

She had waited for the royal guards to switch shifts before sneaking in. Very few knew about the scroll - and none had dared to use it.

Adebayo had read it aloud to her years ago, his young voice full of wonder. The scroll contained a law: "In times of unfair succession, a royal mother may call for a delay, if she can get three Oloyes to approve within eleven days."

Three Oloyes. She had none.

Her hand hovered over the wax seal. Should she break it now? Would it even matter?

Then the door creaked.

She turned quickly. It was the 2nd prince, Adeola.

"I thought I'd find you here," he said softly.

"Does your mother know you wander before dawn?" she asked, slipping the scroll behind her back.

"She says wisdom walks before the sun," he replied with a small smile.

He walked closer. "You're planning something."

Queen Akerele looked at him closely. Adeola's calm tone belied the sharpness in his eyes, always observing.

"I want to buy time for you all," she said, her voice low.

He nodded. "You think the quest is unfair?"

"It's more than unfair. I don't believe Kabiyesi approved it."

"Then let me help," Adeola said. "Oloye Tanimola listens to me. I can talk to him."

She smiled. "You really are your mother's son. Quiet, but sharp."

"And Adesola is not. He's already planning something."

Queen Akerele frowned. "He fears Adebayo's strength. He'll do anything to win."

"Then we'll need more than strength," Adeola said. "We need truth. And we need allies."

Elsewhere, in a quiet part of the palace garden, the 3rd prince, Adelabu, sat with Princess Adepeju. Their feet dangled above the koi pond. She hadn't spoken in minutes.

"You read the letter again," he said, watching the koi stir the water below.

She nodded.

"You think it changes everything."

"It does," she said quietly. "It names the 1st prince, Adebayo, as the true heir. And it warns that someone in the Ogboni might betray us."

"Then tell him," Adelabu said.

She clutched the letter tighter. "If they find out I know, they might kill me before he can wear the crown."

Adelabu leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. His face was calm, but his eyes showed something deeper - something worn. He plucked a fallen leaf from the ground, turning it between his fingers.

"You know someone may not return from the quest," he said.

"You speak like you're ready to die."

"Not ready," he replied. "Just realistic. I've seen too much in this palace to expect safety. Father wasn't always the strong man people believed. Some things I know, I wish I didn't."

She looked at him, frowning. "Then why do you act like you don't care?"

He paused, then said, "Sometimes, pretending not to care is the only way to survive. And doing nothing... lets you listen, observe, understand. When everyone else is busy acting, I see who they really are."

He picked up a small stone and tossed it into the pond, watching the ripples spread.

"This place makes people lie. Even to themselves."

In the training yard, the 1st prince, Adebayo, stood with the 5th prince, Adeoye. The young prince was practicing with spear and shield, copying Adebayo's movements.

"Don't bend your arm. Keep it straight. Let the blade move naturally."

Adeoye nodded, breathing heavily. Sweat ran down his face, and his hands trembled slightly from exhaustion. His next thrust was weaker, and the spear dipped low.

"Focus," Adebayo said gently. "Don't rush your form."

Adeoye lowered the spear and looked up. "Do you think any of us will come back?"

Adebayo didn't answer at first.

"I plan to," he said. "Even if only to find the truth about our father's death."

"You think he was poisoned?"

"I don't think. I know."

The air grew quiet.

Then a knock on the door.

Queen Morounkeji entered.

"The Ogboni want to meet all five princes before the day ends," she said.

"Why?"

"They say it's tradition. But I think it's more than that."

Adebayo looked at Adeoye, then nodded. "We'll go. But this time, we ask the questions."

By midday, the five princes stood in the ceremonial hall. The Ogboni council sat in a half-circle, wearing ritual veils. In the center of the floor was the seal of Akun, carved deep in stone.

High Ogboni Salako rose. "Sons of Kabiyesi Adeyemi Adesoji, we meet not to test you, but to remind you of your duty."

The 1st prince, Adebayo, stepped forward. "Did our father approve this quest, or is someone using his name for their own plan?"

The council murmured.

"You ask boldly," Salako said. "Your father was a man of many secrets. Perhaps you were one of them."

Adebayo clenched his jaw.

The 2nd prince, Adeola, also stepped forward. "Secrets or not, we deserve the truth. We won't walk into danger blindly."

The 4th prince, Adesola, stood back, smirking.

Salako raised a hand. "You have eleven days. Use them wisely."

As the princes turned to leave, a junior Ogboni slipped a note into Adeola's hand without anyone noticing.

That night, he read it with Queen Akerele:

"The seal is false. The king's true command was hidden. Seek the priest of Oke Ireti."

The waiting days were no longer a delay. They were the only time left to prepare.

The hidden seal was not just a scroll. It was the final key.

And the countdown had begun.