A New Encounter (1)

On the morning she reported to her assigned office in the Bureau of Court Affairs, Emeravwe donned her new Agaenaye uniform.

The pink blouse and matching skirt that barely kissed the ground. The sheer outer robe that stretched as long and loose as the skirt, and fastened in place with the gold and silver Heavenly Bodies brooch all palace Maidens wore. The transparent pink headscarf whose wide red band covered the ruby in her forehead and distinguished her as part of the Ministry of Justice.

Emeravwe felt empowered by her new apparel. It was a welcomed change from the green Omote garments she had worn for ten years.

More importantly, the red band of her new headscarf marked her as an official of the court. A position much more prominent than a mere Maiden of the Bureau of Halls and Chambers.

The attire not only signified her transition to womanhood, it marked her entry into a new stage in her life. One she hoped would lead to the king, and distinction.

Upon gaining their new appointments to the bureau, Emeravwe and Akpokene also moved into the apartments in the Maidens’ Quarters designated for Maidens of the Ministry of Justice. They were given the chance to room together, but were assigned to different offices within the bureau.

When she arrived at the bureau to begin her duties, Emeravwe and another Eunuch were welcomed by the head of their office, Eunuch Ejerute.

She dipped her knees in a butu and the new Eunuch bent his waist in a digwe as they greeted Eunuch Ejerute and their fellow team members.

“I am Eunuch Akpome,” the Eunuch said.

“I am Agaenaye Emeravwe.”

They said in unison, “May you guide us with grace and forbearance as we find our place and learn our tasks.”

“Indeed,” answered Eunuch Ejerute.

He was a Eunuch with a scholarly air who looked to be in his late forties. Wrapped around his head was the red headcloth worn by officials of the Ministry of Justice. It was adorned with two gold bands, which revealed him to be a sixth rank official.

The small office they occupied contained two desks on opposing walls. Tall shelves stood beside the desks, and they were lined with books, bound documents, brushes and ink wells. At the back of the office, before a wide window, sat a long table where the other members of the team were gathered.

Eunuch Ejerute introduced them, beginning with the Maiden and Eunuch who occupied the desk opposite his.

“This is Eunuch Otase and Aye Chioma,” he said, indicating the short Eunuch with one gold band on his red headcloth. The Maiden was a petite woman with the same number stripe on the red band of her blue headscarf.

“They are your direct supervisors. Eunuch Otase handles matters regarding the inspection of Eunuchs, and Aye Chioma, Maidens. They also coordinate with the other offices of the bureau during inspections, and manage cases as I direct,” Eunuch Ejerute continued.

He turned to the long table, where two Maidens and two officers stood.

He introduced the two Maidens—Agaenaye Ugonma and Agaenaye Fatima—then the officers. One, Oga Adedire, was dressed in the yellow uniform of the Royal Guard and had a sparkling ruby in his forehead. The other, Oga Mudiaga, wore the deep orange garb of the Palace Guard.

Oga Mudiaga especially stood out. Because of his bright orange curls and the yellow apatite in his forehead, and also because of the light scar that ran along his right cheek. He also brazenly winked at Emeravwe as he was introduced.

Eunuch Ejerute explained that the officers served as the team’s liaisons with the Palace and Royal Guards, as well as its protection during field missions.

“You will do well to get to know your fellow teammates. You will be assigned many tasks together, and your teamwork will dictate your performance,” he advised Emeravwe and Eunuch Akpome.

“We are assigned tasks by the director of the bureau, and often work on more than one at a time. Cooperation and communication are essential. Aye Chioma and Eunuch Otase will allow you time to familiarize yourselves with the bureau and your colleagues. Make good use of it.”

He turned to Eunuch Otase and Aye Chioma, instructing, “I shall be in a meeting with the other division heads and director of the bureau until later this afternoon. You will see to the office.” With this, he gathered documents from his desk and exited the room.

Upon his departure, Aye Chioma crossed her arms contemplatively as she watched Emeravwe and Eunuch Akpome. She had a pleasant heart-shaped face and playful smile.

She turned to Eunuch Otase and asked, “What shall we do with them? We are in the middle of preparing for the quarterly inspections, but Onori Ejerute wants to give them time to adjust. So we cannot assign them anything too difficult. Do you have any errands they might run?”

Eunuch Otase scoffed, “I would not entrust even an errand to a couple of neophytes fresh out of training. You, Ehwoéki!” he called, pointing his chin at Oga Mudiaga. “You have not reported to the Palace Guard this morning, correct? Take these two with you and show them around the bureau. You can manage that much, I am sure.”

Emeravwe cringed. Her first impression of Eunuch Otase was that he was short, his small beady eyes stern. Now she saw he was also offensive. She had hoped to leave behind cruel harassment and isolation with the Maidens of the Bureau of Halls and Chambers.

She held her breath, expecting Eunuch Otase coarsely pointing out Oga Mudiaga’s lesser caste to create a tense atmosphere. But she saw that only she and Eunuch Akpome, who lowered his head meekly, were affected by the comment.

Oga Mudiaga flashed a dimpled grin, bowing theatrically in a low digwe. “Of course, Oga Onorogu! I can manage much more if you’d like.” He walked around the long table to approach Emeravwe and Eunuch Akpome, then pointed to the desk Eunuch Otase shared with Aye Chioma. “I see you have unfinished reports there—I’ve finished all mine. Should I lend you a hand when I'm back?”

Aye Chioma began to giggle, but covered her mouth and feigned a cough when Eunuch Otase glowered at her.

He trained his glare back on Oga Mudiaga. “The day I let an ignorant Ehwoéki touch my work will be the day I bury my aspirations!”

“Oh?” Oga Mudiaga titled his head and blinked innocently. His brow furrowed in wonder. “Then what did you bury the day you joined the same office as an ignorant Ehwoéki?” He gasped suddenly, “It couldn’t have been your manho—”

“Oga Mudiaga!” Oga Adedire interjected, commanding, “That is enough! Be on your way!”

Oga Mudiaga grinned at the other officer—who clicked his tongue and gave him a pointed look—then turned to Emeravwe and Eunuch Akpome. “You heard the man, let’s go!” He winked at Emeravwe once more, flashing a crooked smile.

“Insolent peasant!” Eunuch Otase spat as they made their way to the door.

Emeravwe heard Oga Mudiaga mumble beneath his breath, “Wretched eunuch.”

Shocked, she thought, So this is why Eunuch Ejerute spoke of teamwork.