The Sky at Dawn; The Boy at Court (2)

"We now adjourn the court," he announced when the Queen Dowager and officials had finished discussing new appointments and debating matters of the kingdom.

The officials in the Great Hall all bent to one knee, "May Oghene guide our thoughts, Ovye, and our blessed kingdom!" then rose and filed out through the great archways of the hall.

The Queen Dowager also rose. "Come, Ovye," she addressed the king but did not look at him. "Let us go and meet with the Council of Advisors."

It was more of a command than a supplication. She did not wait for a response, but descended the dais, her Chief Eunuch escorting her from the hall through the southern wing.

Alone in the magnificent hall, the young king scooted back in his throne till his head rested against the cold jewels of the embroidered backrest. He let out a small sigh of relief, turning his face against a cold, hard ruby.

He was grateful for this moment of solitude. Free of the ministers and Queen Dowager's watchful eyes. The gazes never felt so oppressive in the past. He had had his Sovereign Father and the late prime minister by his side.

He felt the sting of tears but shut his eyes firmly against them.

He heard his Chief Eunuch's steps as he climbed the dais to approach the throne, and intoned morosely, "She dismissed my tutors."

The Chief Eunuch's voice came steadily, "That is to be expected. They were appointed by the late Onóturode."

The young king stiffened. He pressed his eyes even tighter, keeping the tears at bay.

"She dismissed most of Sovereign Father's supporters!" He turned an afflicted look to the Eunuch, complaining, "The only ones left are the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Rites! Everyone else is under the influence of the Efetobo clan. This is the Queen Dowager's court not mine!"

The Chief Eunuch stood calmly beside the throne, his hands folded into the long sleeves of his silken, embroidered brown robes. He was a patient man in his early twenties, who had attended to the king since his birth. So, he knew this uncharacteristic outburst was one borne of frustration at the death of the late king, and the burden of the throne and lives he now had to carry.

"As Regent, the Queen Dowager, of course, has command of the court," said the Chief Eunuch. "Nevertheless," his voice inflected encouragingly, "it is only by Ovye's authority that court may be commenced or adjourned."

The king scoffed, looking disparagingly at his feet which dangled over the edge of the throne, "I am only a figurehead. The ministers do not take me seriously."

The Chief Eunuch smiled, taking in the king's small twelve-year-old frame on the imposing throne. "Indeed, they must see only a child."

But they are wrong, the king thought, recalling his Sovereign Father's last words to him as he lay dying. 'From now on you are the Sun, with power to nourish or destroy. My son, I know you will flourish.'

He had been a child until four months ago, when his Sovereign Father still sat on the throne.

Now, he was Ovye.

A trace of sorrow pierced him at the thought. For he was already beginning to taste the loneliness that accompanied the title. The distance between him and his siblings; the isolation of being venerated and referred to as a title, instead of his name.

With difficulty, he pushed the sorrow to a corner of his heart.

His duties to the crown and kingdom were drilled into him since before he could barely walk. He knew he could not dwell on himself. His burdens—his position—would not allow it.

He regarded his Chief Eunuch with hardened eyes. "We know who we are, Iroro, and we shall not be taken lightly."

The Chief Eunuch smiled, his hazel eyes shining with the pride of a parent. He bowed his head. "Yes, Ovyeme. May Ovye forgive my insolence. Shall we proceed to the Hall of Ministration? We must not keep the Queen Dowager and counselors waiting."

A shadow fell over the young king, and he turned warily to the golden curtains shrouding the northern wing of the hall, where his attendants waited.

"Ovye, what is the matter?"

The king turned back to him. "The new attendants selected by the Queen Dowager..."

A knowing look crossed the Chief Eunuch's face. "My subordinates and those of the Grand Maiden keep close surveillance over them."

The king nodded, but still looked troubled. He leaned forward. "We also want you to inspect the backgrounds of our new tutors. Their familial as well as their court connections. Especially the extent of their involvement with the Efetobo clan."

The Chief Eunuch's cool hazel eyes reflected his understanding, and the king sat back.

The Queen Dowager had always been strict with him, but she tightened her control since he took the throne. His daily schedule was congested with lectures on the principles of government, scholarly works, religious and ceremonial rites he must learn to perform, meetings with officials, and audiences with dukes and other noblemen.

Every moment of his day was directed by the Dowager. His actions recorded in detail and reported to her. He understood this, for he was under her guardianship, and she was expected to guide him to become a great ruler.

But he also knew his mother, and her control filled him with dread.

"What of the botanist of the Royal Pharmacy?" the king asked solemnly. "Were you able to locate him?"

The Chief Eunuch lowered his head, hesitating. "I was, but I regret to inform Ovye that it seems he committed suicide."

Alarm washed over the young king.

His shoulders fell, his brow knitting as he looked dispiritedly across the Great Hall. "I hoped he would set my doubts to rest. But if he is dead…"

The memories of the past few months flashed before him. The chaos surrounding his Sovereign Father's death, and his own helplessness.

He buried his face in his hands. "Must I carry this burden further?"

The Chief Eunuch regarded the young king with compassion. But only silence answered his anxious query.

Brilliant gold light poured into the hall from the yellow glass window above the throne, illuminating him in its warm glow as if to comfort him.