The soft glow of moonlight bathed the chiefs' compound as Adunni, Lekan, and Taiwo crouched on the rooftop, their eyes fixed on the door that had just opened. Their hearts raced with anticipation.
Then, through the doorway, Altine stepped out, her gaze sweeping the courtyard, searching. She paused, scanning for any sign of students. Her presence, calm yet commanding, made all three first-rates hold their breath.
Adunni sighed, breaking the tension between them.
"Well, there goes our time, it's just purist altine. We wasted time waiting here for nothing."
But Taiwo, ever observant, leaned forward.
"Wait… look at her. She's searching for something."
His brow furrowed as he watched Altine, curiosity piqued.
"What is she looking for?"
Lekan squinted, taking in Altine's movements. His eyes widened slightly as realization hit him.
"Quick, suppress your spirit energy!"
Before he could finish his warning, a pulse of spirit energy rippled through the courtyard, emanating from Altine in a silent wave. It washed over them, making their skin prickle with unease.
"Get down!"
Lekan hissed softly, yanking Taiwo by his shirt. They all flattened themselves against the roof, hearts pounding.
Adunni, lying next to them, whispered,
"Just now, she used soul detection, she knows we're here."
"Did we suppress our energy in time?"
Lekan asked, his voice tight with concern.
Taiwo, still tense, replied,
"What difference does it make? Her soul mastery is way beyond ours. She'll sense us, no matter what."
Lekan, ever the stubborn one, shifted slightly to peer over the edge, scanning the courtyard. He looked left and right, but Altine was nowhere in sight. A wave of unease washed over him. Then, behind him, a soft, familiar voice spoke.
"What are we doing here again?"
Assuming it was Adunni, Lekan half-turning.
"Are you serious right now? We came here to spy-"
He froze mid-sentence as he realized the voice wasn't Adunni's. It was Altine's.
He turned slowly, his breath caught in his throat. There she stood, barely an arm's length away, her expression calm, but her eyes gleaming with silent authority.
The others stiffened, their minds racing, wondering how on earth she had moved so silently...how she had appeared without even a whisper of movement.
Altine's gaze flicked to Lekan.
"You were saying? Continue, please."
Lekan stammered, his face paling. "Uh… s-spar…"
Altine raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. "Spar?"
Lekan, desperate to think of anything, nodded rapidly.
"Yes, we came here to spar with Segun!"
Altine's eyes narrowed, studying his face.
"You came to spar with Segun… in the middle of the night?"
Silence hung thick in the air as the first-rates exchanged panicked glances.
Adunni bit her lip, and Taiwo stared at the ground, trying to think of any way to salvage the situation.
Altine studied them for a moment longer, her expression unreadable. Then, to their surprise, she nodded.
"Fine. You'll spar with Segun tomorrow. But for now, go back to your dorms and get some rest."
The relief that washed over them was almost tangible. They scrambled to their feet, bowing hurriedly before fleeing from the rooftop, their hearts still hammering in their chests. As they disappeared into the night, Altine watched them go, her face softening with relief.
"Thank the spirits I sent Akeh through the back of the chiefs' house,"
She murmured to herself.
"Things would've been bad if those three had seen him."
Meanwhile, behind the chiefs' house, Akeh moved swiftly through the shadows. He tugged a small canoe toward the water's edge, careful not to make a sound.
With one final glance back, he slipped into the boat and began paddling across the dark river, the gentle slosh of water the only sound in the stillness of the night.
As he moved farther from the shore, a dark silhouette emerged in the distance. Akeh squinted, his pulse quickening as the figure grew clearer. It was unmistakable. Standing tall on the still waters, was Segun, the soul expert.
Their eyes met across the water. Segun's presence, silent yet powerful, filled the air.
To be continued...