Glimpse of a Fading Moon in the Dawning Sky (3)

He replied smoothly, "You are excused."

When the Rode Aye raised their heads, he continued mildly, "Rest assured, Honored Maidens, I would jeopardize neither your positions nor my own with so treacherous an act. I come to you simply with this humble request."

He placed a hand on Emeravwe's shoulder, drawing her again from her hiding place in his robes.

The Rode Aye settled scrutinizing eyes on her. Their gazes betraying, still, hints of reluctance.

"As you can see," the man began, indicating the ruby in Emeravwe's forehead, "she is of noble birth, and is thus worthy to serve as a palace Maiden. I expect no further partiality beyond that you accept her into the palace's service. And I shall not meddle in the affairs of the Maidens beyond this.

As the Rode Aye it is, of course, your right to decide who shall and shall not be accepted into the Sun's Court. Yet," his tone deepened, infusing the air with an aura of superiority, his voice resounding with authority, "we must not neglect the fact that the Sun which reigned hitherto has set, and a new Sun has risen in the skies of Xxene."

He looked intently at each woman. "And I assure you, this Sun promises to shine for many years to come."

The Rode Aye regarded the man with understanding and respect. They looked to one another and seemed to come to a consensus.

"Though unusual, it is not unheard-of for a jeweled child to serve as a palace Maiden," said the third Rode Aye. A tall, shapely woman with deep blue eyes.

"Not at all," said the gangly Aye.

Aye Adewemimo turned a skeptical eye on Emeravwe. "While it is not unheard-of for a jeweled child to be accepted into service, one of unknown background has never yet been accepted."

She faced the man, her expression grave. "Know that we make this exception only because you have personally requested it. She may be allowed to spend her life here as a palace Maiden. But unless you can disclose from what family this child hails, her life in the palace will not be an easy one, and she may be forced to live in obscurity."

The man regarded Emeravwe sympathetically, then turned to the Rode Aye. "I am aware these circumstances are unusual. But as I said, I wish no further partiality where she is concerned. It is enough that she is accepted into the palace."

Seeing the Rode Aye's looks wane doubtful, he added, "I assure you, when the time comes for the Lunar Bloom to appear again in the skies of Xxene, you will look favorably on the decision you have made this day."

Aye Adewemimo eyed him curiously at his words, but bowed her head. "We shall rest our faith in you, Orori. Agaenaye* Adanna," she called to the girl who stood outside the door and instructed upon her entry, "Take this child to the quarters of the Omote-in-training and inform Aye Omojewe that she is to be educated alongside the other Omote*."

"Yes, Ayeme*," the girl answered. She walked to Emeravwe and extended her hand. "Come."

Emeravwe's eyes widened at the girl's offered hand. She gripped the man's robe, tears flooding her eyes as she shrank into the folds.

Stepping aside so he could see her, he reassured, "It is all right. This is to be your new home."

Emeravwe looked at him through tear-blurred eyes. She did not want to go with the girl; she did not want a new home! The man also unnerved her, but she felt if she did not stay with him, she may never find her way back to her own home.

No, she thought as she looked tearfully up at him, I want to go home! I…

Her chest felt tight, the headache at her temples throbbing. She could not even remember where her home was.

Bending in a squat, he lightly rested a hand on her shoulder, his hazel eyes soft. "Do not fear. Go with this Maiden and she will see you taken care of."

Loosening her grip from his robe, he gave an assuring nod as Emeravwe looked into his steady hazel eyes.

Agaenaye Adanna took Emeravwe's hand and led her from the room. She guided her through the double doors of the building, across the patio, and again onto the wide flagstone walkways.

They made their way toward the pavilion at the rear of the compound. It was raised on a man-made mound planted with palm trees. Its high stone ceiling supported by tall pillars.

As they neared the pavilion's steps, they turned onto a narrower walkway, skirting the front of the structure to its side. Here, they passed through an archway covered with twining vines of brilliant blue dawn to step into a garden.

Emeravwe walked silently hiccupping beside the older girl. She was too heartsick to notice the garden planted with vibrant flowering royal poinciana, orchid, and golden shower trees. It was filled with such gleeful chirping of birds and impregnated with the fragrance of the blooms. But Emeravwe saw only the tears blurring her eyes; the pounding in her head drowned out the bird songs.

At the end of the garden, they passed beneath another arch teeming with vines of blue dawn, and the walkway opened onto the opposite face of the pavilion.

Here, before the pavilion, was a cobbled courtyard. It was surrounded on three sides by neat rows of apartments, each with a raised patio overhung by a painted awning.

Agaenaye Adanna took Emeravwe across the courtyard to the row of buildings opposite the pavilion.

Little girls dressed in identical light green garments rushed in and out of the buildings. They carried sheets, blankets, curtains, and all other draperies and filled large bins on the patios with them.

On each patio, too, were several girls in pink who directed the younger girls in green.

"Agaenaye Rukevwe," Agaenaye Adanna called to a freckled, pink-clad girl on a patio as she and Emeravwe climbed the steps.

Agaenaye Rukevwe turned to see Agaenaye Adanna approaching. "Oh, Agaenaye Adanna, good morning."

Agaenaye Adanna freed her hand from Emeravwe's, and the two girls greeted one another. They curtsied briefly as they placed cupped hands before their chests.

Straightening from the greeting, Agaenaye Adanna looked around the patio bustling with girls. "Where is Aye Omojewe? Have the Agaenaye been left in charge of the Omote again?"

Agaenaye Rukevwe nodded, sighing heavily, "It is true everyone is busy because of the Orodje's* coronation, but it is really because of that horrible affair four months ago that the palace is still so—"

"Agaenaye Rukevwe!" Agaenaye Adanna interjected reproachfully, "You know the Queen Dowager has forbidden anyone from speaking of that incident! You will find yourself in the Bureau of Corrections if anyone overhears!"