His Burden (3)

Emuvoke continued, “Also of great concern are the disappearances in the northern Efekodo Province.”

The mention of the northern province gripped Aslan’s attention, and he sat forward.

“For some years now, there have been random disappearances among the lower castes in that province. The Ehwoéki, Ehworegha, Ivyogbere, and Wuhwuh. The officials of the provincial tribunal did not seem to think much of these cases, however, and most were dismissed as individuals quitting their work or eloping with lovers.”

Aslan furrowed his brow, folding his hands on his desk. The northern Efekodo Province was home to the Efetobo clan: the Queen Dowager’s clan.

“We have received no such reports,” Aslan said. “What do you make of these cases?”

Emuvoke shook his head, his blue eyes somber. “In truth, the numbers are staggering. The circumstances around the disappearances are unclear, and the residents affected certainly do not think their loved ones abandoned their families and homes. Neither does Okémeh.”

“Okémeh?”

“Yes. It is a group formed by members of the lowers castes. They began by protesting the Insurgence of Onorogu, which occurred ten years ago. I became aware of Okémeh’s activities in the capital when I looked through the records of the Capital Police. I was surprised to find it also operates in the Efekodo Province.”

Aslan fell silent in thought.

Emuvoke asked, “Shall I look further into the matter?”

“No. We shall have the Bureau of Investigations conduct a formal inquiry.” Exchanging a deep look with Eunuch Iroro, who stood to one side of the dais, Aslan rose from his desk. “For you, we have a different task.”

Emuvoke stood as well. “Is it regarding my father?”

“No.” Aslan asserted, “That will be another day. We have already assigned Efemuaye the task of surveying the ministers’ records.”

As Aslan descended the dais, Eunuch Iroro approached Emuvoke. “This way, please, Oga,” he directed, taking the lead as they wove past a column of chairs to one of the closed rooms on the left side of the hall.

Eunuch Iroro opened the door and stepped aside to allow Aslan and Emuvoke entry, then proceeded within, shutting the door behind them. A wide, thickly curtained window spanned one wall of the room, and plush carpeting covered the floor. Situated at the center was a long table surrounded by carved, ornate wooden chairs. At the head of the room, against the far wall, rested a desk with a richly upholstered seat.

Aslan settled at the desk, and Eunuch Iroro positioned himself beside him. Emuvoke stood before them, hands folded in his sleeves.

Aslan studied him silently, an air of solemnity falling over him. “Voke.”

“Yes, Ovyeme.”

Aslan leaned forward and placed his hands on the desk, interlocking his fingers. He stroked the iridescent black opal on the ring that covered his right index finger. “You are aware of the controversy surrounding the late Orodje’s death?”

Emuvoke’s brow rose in surprise. “Yes. Though the Queen Dowager forbade anyone from uttering the matter, even the common Yaroy of the marketplaces know the events around Orodje Otaroghene’s death.”

Aslan nodded, staring gravely at his ring. “It was an event that shook the kingdom. We are sure it was to prevent further disturbance that the Queen Dowager prohibited the discourse of this matter.” He turned his sharp stare to Emuvoke. “But there are uncertainties which must be made clear, and lives to set aright.”

Sensing the air of gravity weighing on his king, Emuvoke fell to one knee, bowing his head and cupping his hands before him. “May Ovye command me as he sees fit.”

Rising, Aslan made his way around the desk. “We spoke before of your dedication and the meticulous nature of your work.” He lowered to one knee before Emuvoke. “We want you to put these to use,” he leaned forward, his voice hushed, “and inspect the details of the late Orodje’s death.”

Silence swallowed the room.

Emuvoke lifted his stunned eyes to Aslan’s. He held the intense amber stare but a moment, then lowered his head. His voice was choked as he responded, “B-but Ovye, was it not already determined that Orodje Otaroghene died… of poisoning?”

Aslan’s voice was low, yet compelling, “It was proven without a doubt that Sovereign Father was poisoned. What we want you to find are the minutiae of the events surrounding his death.”

Emuvoke looked up, perplexed. “According to the records, the clans… those suspected of Orodje Otaroghene’s poisoning were put to death. Does Ovye have doubts about the case?”

Aslan simply stared at Emuvoke, his eyes grave and unreadable. Emuvoke bowed his head.

Aslan stood. “As this is a matter concerning the Royal House, and one whose utterance has been forbidden, you must carry out your investigation in utmost secrecy. We have charged the Royal Secretariat with reorganizing the genealogy of the House of Nobles, and updating the records of the Royal House. The Chief Royal Secretary will select a team of officials to undertake this assignment. We suggested he include you.

With the guise of this task, you will be granted access to records of the House of Nobles and Royal House. This way, neither the Queen Dowager nor ministers will be alerted. But even with this access, the records you may be allowed to view will be limited. So you must take care not to be discovered as you conduct your inquiry. Be warned,” Aslan said grimly, “if your actions are uncovered, we cannot guarantee your life. You are dismissed.”

“As Ovye commands.” Emuvoke rose and bowed from the room.

Aslan watched his retreating form, then stared at the empty doorway, his face clouded. Finally, he had taken the first step after biding his time for the past ten years. His heart felt heavy. “Iroro, once we find the truth we seek…”

“Ovyeme,” Eunuch Iroro intoned as he moved forward from behind the desk, his face etched with concern, “be freed of this burden. The events that transpired were not Ovye’s doing, and Ovye must not feel responsible to bear every weight.”

Aslan turned somber eyes to him. “You are wrong, Iroro. Everything that occurs in our kingdom may not be our doing, but the people will not accept our silence because of this. They require our response, for we are Ovye. They are all our responsibility.” His expression darkened. “Every one.”

“Yet Ovye’s responsibility to everyone is not the same,” Eunuch Iroro argued, his hazel eyes disturbed. “The obligations Ovye has to the Royal House transcend many truths. I fear Ovye will subject himself to a quandary no man should have to face!”

Aslan regarded Eunuch Iroro silently. His amber eyes grew cold with reproach, and the formidable air of a sovereign rose around him, weighing down the room.

Eunuch Iroro cast down his gaze and bowed deeply. “May Ovye forgive me. I was careless in my speech.”

“We fear the same outcome, Iroro,” Aslan admitted, his voice harsh, “but let us not jump to hasty conclusions!”

“Yes. May Ovye forgive my insolence.”

“You are excused.” Aslan said as he strode to the door, “No matter our obligations to the Royal House, we cannot allow Emeravwe to continue to suffer. We must restore her identity and return her to her rightful place!”

He paused at the door, and turned to Eunuch Iroro with a pained expression. “If the outcome is what we have feared, and she refuses to stay by our side… We must accept that, too.”