---The drums of the palace thundered through the kingdom, summoning every chief and elder to the great hall. Whispers rose like smoke as they gathered, faces tense, eyes flickering with questions.
Some said it was time -
The year had come. The year the Law of the Ancestors must be fulfilled.
The royal hall of Oyo-Ile trembled with murmurs as chiefs, nobles, and council elders gathered beneath the towering rafters carved with the stories of past kings. The scent of burning incense lingered in the air, heavy with anticipation and fear.
Men were talking in twos and threes.
"Uhh..do you know why the emperor has summoned us?"
"Do you think it is because...?"
"Of course...it is that time already."
"Why do we have to follow those old rules anyways?"
"Are you saying we should forgo what our ancestors have laid down?"
"You.."
"Be quiet! The Emperor approaches!" a guard's voice boomed.
At once, the crowd straightened. The massive doors creaked open, and Emperor Ajibade III, dressed in flowing crimson robes and crowned with the golden ade crown, strode into the chamber. Every step he took was splendor accompanied with his handsome visage. His presence alone silenced even the most arrogant chief.
The emperor's gaze swept across the hall. For months, whispers of his failing health and the lack of a heir had unsettled the empire. Now, everyone waited for his decision.
Raising his staff, Ajibade III's voice echoed, deep and commanding.
"Mo ki yin, eyin oloye. I greet you, nobles of this great land. Today, I bring forth a decree that shall shape the future of the empire."
A ripple of unease ran through the hall.
"You all might have been surprised that I called you on short notice. You all know what year this is - what it means for me and for the country as a whole. This year is supposed to be a joyous one in the kingdom for my son will be crowned the new emperor..."
Little murmurs were heard in the palace.
The emperor continued. "...but unfortunately, I don't have a son who can ascend the throne after me. This is unfortunate for me but then I will not go against the laws laid by our ancestors. These rules were made by those who have lived before us and I shall not go against this. Thus I say this, by their command, one of the princes of our beloved country shall become the emperor."
The emperor continued, "Our people need a ruler strong in wisdom, courage, and compassion. To find such a one, I send forth three princes—each from the noble line of our allied kingdoms. Their journey shall decide who among them is worthy to sit upon this throne."
Once the emperor finished his speech, gasps rose from the council. Everyone had something to say. This was a crucial topic. Mouths opened then quickly shut. No one dared let loose words that might anger the crown.
Chief Lade, one of the highest ranked elders of the council, stepped forward with a scowl.
"Kabiyesi, this... this is unheard of! To place the fate of the empire in the hands of mere boys? These traditions are old, we don't have to—"
"Enough, Lade." The emperor's voice cracked like thunder. "Do you doubt my wisdom or that of our forefathers?"
The old chief faltered, bowing low. "Forgive me, Kabiyesi."
But the hall was already alive with whispers. The nobles leaned into each other, voices hushed yet sharp.
"The three princes?"
"What task will they face?"
"And if they fail?"
Emperor Ajibade III slammed his staff against the floor. The sound echoed like a drumbeat of war. Silence reclaimed the room.
"Each prince shall depart from his kingdom. He shall journey through strange lands, face trials unknown, and prove his worth. They shall not carry their titles; they must walk as ordinary men, for only then shall their true nature be revealed."
The emperor's eyes narrowed, his tone carrying the weight of prophecy.
"In six months, one shall return. One shall ascend. And one shall fall."
The words struck the hall like a sword through the chest. Some chiefs gasped, others bowed their heads in fear.
Chief Lade whispered, almost trembling, "And if none returns?"
For a second, it seemed like a smirk appeared on the emperor's face. Dade, his most trusted personal guard, saw this and thought he must have seen wrong. The smirk disappeared almost immediately.
"Then this empire is not worthy of a crown at all," the emperor replied.
A heavy silence fell. No one dared speak again.
From outside, the drums of the palace guards thundered, sealing the decree in the ears of all present.
---
Far beyond the palace walls, another pair of ears had heard the decree... an old man with long grey hair, blessed with supernatural powers by Ifa, a deity of wisdom. He walked outside his hut. He looked to the skies and despite being blind, he saw what a thousand men could not. He heard some sounds beside him and looked towards the direction. With the aid of the staff in his hand, he found his way towards a big rock and sat on it.
"I'd like to tell you a story," he said to no one.
He was alone, he was aware, but he knew... They were there. People—behind a screen—waiting, eager to hear what he has to say.
"In a country located in the western part of Africa, a decree passed from generation to generation has it that, given the emperor fails to produce an heir to ascend the throne after him, the emperor's seat should be handed over to one of the three princes from the three kingdoms in the country.
In the north is Irele, a kingdom known far and wide for its strong armies and great mountains.
Ikoro in the west, known for its wealth and elegant architecture.
Awe in the south, known for its solid mineral and craftsmanship. The capital kingdom being Oyo, where the emperor resides.
Unfortunately during his 30th year and his final year on his reign as the emperor, the emperor of the country who resides at the central kingdom has failed to have a child even after taking in his third wife. Following the law that has been preserved and maintained for ages, one of the three princes of the country would be chosen and will ascend the throne as the new emperor. Given that this is the first time in history such law will come to reality, will it be successful?
Who would the new emperor be? Would it be the prince of Irele kingdom known as the first prince?
The prince of Ikoro, known as the second prince? Or
The prince from Awe, known as the third prince?
What love, friendship, secrets and betrayal awaits these noble princes? When hearts entwine where crowns are at stake, passion may either be your shield... or the fire that burns your destiny to ash."
Sighing, he knew he wouldn't get an answer from the people behind the screen. He stood up and headed towards the hut only to stop halfway on his track.
"The hour has come. The world will decide who among you deserves the throne."
The old man paused, his blind eyes fixed on the unseen horizon. A dry smile crossed his face.
"Your greatest enemy might be the one who walks beside you. Beware, young princes... for the fiercest blade may not strike from afar, but from the hand you trust most. And know this—love itself may come to you in the form of an enemy, and your greatest trial may come from the one who holds your heart."
And so began the journey that would decide the fate of princes, kingdoms, and an empire itself.
---
To be continued...