On the Way (2)

Emeravwe began thinking of what she would do when she saw the king; how she would attract his attention.

Even if he did visit the bureau, he would be surrounded by attendants and officials, she was sure. So how could she meet him, let alone make sure he would not forget her, but summon her to the Inner Palace?

She realized she did not know.

If I casually approach him, she thought with assurance, his royal guards may casually slice off my neck. If I could be assigned as one of the Maidens who serve him when he visits the bureau... That would mean all his attendants, officials, as well as the higher ranking Maidens and Eunuchs of the Bureau of Court Affairs are all dead or useless. And even then, it still would not be my turn!

The more she thought about it, the more complicated it became, and the more impossible her plan began to seem.

Emeravwe decided she would not think about it. She had already determined to let things take their course once she entered the bureau; thinking about it now would only cause her to lose her focus near the finish line and dampen her high spirits. For as they entered the New Year, the Maidens’ Compound was hit with a frenzy of excitement, as it was each New Year.

This year, however, more so than in previous, Emeravwe was swept up in the excitement. This was the year she turned sixteen, the age at which she would be recognized as a woman and officially given the title Égodo Orodje Agaenaye.

Each year, a celebration was held in the Maidens’ Compound for all Omote in the palace who would turn sixteen. This celebration was both to commemorate their appointment to Agaenaye, and to honor their coming-of-age. Though the celebration was not till March, following the festival of the Day of Rebirth, preparations began as early as January.

Emeravwe, Akpokene, and other Omote turning sixteen that year all had their measurements taken by Maidens of the Weavers’ Department in preparation for their attires as Agaenaye. And whenever Emeravwe met Aslan in their garden, she spoke excitedly of the approaching celebration.

****

The Maidens on either side of the doorway pulled apart the light silk curtains, and the Aya entered the bright, cavernous chamber with textured walls embellished with geometric patterns and lined with golden sconces.

The yellow alabaster floor was carpeted with ornamental rugs of exquisite design, and a wide bay window overlooking a verdant garden spanned one wall. The ceiling was domed, making the room seem even more capacious, and adorned with opulent decorations of splendid patterns and vivid colors.

At the far end of the room, standing before the low dais upon which was situated a vast, circular platform bed surrounded by translucent golden drapes, was the king.

Aslan stood with arms apart as Maidens and Eunuchs moved around him, dressing him for his outing.

The Aya who entered knelt to one knee in a butu of the first degree and relayed her message, “Ovyeme, Grand Prince Etegah seeks an audience. May I show him to the parlor?”

“No.” Aslan instructed, relaxing his arms, “Escort him here to our sleeping chamber.”

The Aya humbly backed out of the room. She returned shortly and announced, “His Royal Highness, Prince Etegah.”

“Enter,” Aslan allowed as Eunuch Iroro fastened the last buttons of his inner garment.

Entering the room, Prince Etegah bent to one knee in a digwe and greeted, “Umogu.”

“Kada,” Aslan answered, walking to a broad embroidered couch covered with cushions. His attendants trailed him with sandals, headcloth, and accessories. He took a seat, and they continued to dress him. “You may rise,” he excused Prince Etegah.

Standing, the prince was silent a moment as he watched the Maidens carefully wind up Aslan’s long copper locks and wrap the brocade headcloth around his head, just above the two resplendent gems in his forehead. Onto his right index finger, Eunuch Iroro slid a royal heirloom passed down from generations of kings. A golden full-finger ring embedded with various tiny gems: rubies, imperial topazes, blue sapphires, jadeites, and alexandrites. The grand centerpiece, a large iridescent black opal.

The Grand Maiden placed pearl ear studs in each earlobe.

Prince Etegah began, “I was informed Ovye would continue his inspection of the ministries today. And that he would be inspecting the departments of the Ministry of Justice.”

“Yes,” Aslan answered, lifting a foot as Eunuch Edewor slipped off his silken slippers and strapped on leather sandals. “But why do you not look pleased by this, Etegah?”

The prince’s perpetual scowl had darkened upon Aslan’s answer, his brown eyes registering his displeasure.

Aslan smiled at his brother’s inability to mask his thoughts. Many would mark his character as difficult, but that was because they did not understand the prince as he did. Prince Etegah had always been the most reserved of his two siblings, and also the most sensitive.

When their Sovereign Father had been alive, however, he had smiled and laughed more. For their Sovereign Father, though often ill and engaged in court matters, had done his best to shower his children equally with affection. Upon his death, though, Prince Etegah became more withdrawn.

Aslan attempted to draw him out again by engaging his brother in the sports and arts he had enjoyed with their Sovereign Father. And by assigning him tasks such as aiding the Bureau of Court Ceremonies in organizing celebrations and performances. Or overseeing the purchase of prized horses for the palace’s racetracks and hunting excursions.

Through these, Prince Etegah became more engaged, and Aslan came to understand his brother, who simply needed affection and wanted to be useful.

The prince said measuredly, “I wish Ovye would not personally take part in these inspections. It is enough that the ministers oversee them. If there is a matter which concerns Ovye or… a subject whose audience he desires, he needs only to summon them to the Inner Palace.”

Prince Etegah paused, glanced briefly at Aslan, then proceeded cautiously, his voice low, “Though I would advise that Ovye use discretion with regards to whom he chooses to meet. Be it in the Ministry of Justice or… elsewhere in the palace. I fear his frequent visits to the Outer Palace will be frowned upon by the court. And it grieves me to see his dignity lowered in such a way.”

Aslan studied his brother. The full lips drawn in a grim line and clenched jaw. A look of affection crossed his features, but he intoned solemnly, “Etegah, our dignity is not an entity to be so freely esteemed, nor will it suffer readily. Dignity, too, will not gain us control of our kingdom or our subjects’ trust.

These inspections are neither simple formality, nor are they a guise for dalliance in the Outer Palace. Through them, we are able to learn of each department’s activities in a way reports do not detail. And they provide an occasion for us to interact with our officials in a way court audiences do not allow.” Aslan paused, his expression growing steely. “A way in which the Queen Dowager cannot interfere.”

The prince’s scowl deepened at the mention of the Royal Queen Dowager, but his eyes registered guilt. He bowed his head. “May Ovye forgive my impudence. I failed to see the depths of his intentions and gave rule to my doubts.”

Aslan stood, spreading his arms as Eunuch Iroro and the Grand Maiden clothed him, finally, in the diaphanous royal outer robe. The back embroidered with a golden dragon emerging from a flaming sun.

“Dear Etegah, be at peace. We know what troubles you, just as we know you are aware of our night excursions.”

Prince Etegah looked up with surprise, then cut a quick glare to Eunuch Edewor, who ducked his head.

Aslan’s voice was stern as he said, “However, it is not for you to judge whom we meet in the Outer Palace.” Prince Etegah stiffened, and Aslan paused. Observing the prince’s contrite expression, his tone softened, “Yet, to set your mind a bit at ease, you may accompany us on our inspection today.”

Prince Etegah nodded remorsefully. “As Ovye breathes, so does he command. May he excuse me to prepare.” He began to back out of the room.

“Etegah,” Aslan called to his brother. The prince looked up and he said, “Your affections are not lost on us. We shall entrust our dignity to your protection, but you must always act within reason.”

Prince Etegah nodded firmly, his eyes shining with new confidence. “I shall not disappoint Ovye’s faith in me!”