The Sun at Court (2)

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At the Hall of Solar Reflections, Aslan found Emuvoke standing patiently before the open doors. The glow of dusk had evanesced, replaced by the shroud of night and glimmer of stars. A pool of light flooded the entrance from the brightly lit hall, enveloping the official who, along with the attendants present, bent to his knee on seeing Aslan.

“Umogu,” they greeted.

“Kada. You may all rise. Voke, why do you stand outside?” Aslan questioned as he climbed the steps of the hall. “You might have taken a seat inside. Edewor, how remiss of you!” he accused Eunuch Edewor, who stood beside Emuvoke.

Eunuch Edewor looked flabbergasted. “Of me? I coaxed and begged Oga Onomine to wait inside, precisely because I knew I would be accused just so! I tried to bribe him with wine—I even offered to show him the monkey-shaped birthmark on my buttocks!”

Aslan raised a brow, looking to Emuvoke, who nodded. He turned skeptically to Eunuch Edewor. “Do you truly have such a thing?”

“I speak the truth!” Eunuch Edewor proclaimed proudly. He said haltingly, “I would offer to show Ovye, too, but…it may cost me my life.”

Aslan laughed. “Very likely. Come, Voke.” He said, leading them inside the hall, “Henceforth, be sure to wait inside.”

Emuvoke shook his head. “It is not proper.”

Aslan raised a dismissive hand. “We shall allow it.”

“Please have a seat, Oga,” Eunuch Iroro instructed Emuvoke, indicating a wing chair. “Ovye shall be with you momentarily.”

The Grand Maiden emerged from one of the private rooms on the right side of the hall, and Eunuch Iroro escorted Aslan within. When they reappeared, Aslan had changed out of his court attire into a royal blue robe, his crown replaced by a blue and gold damask headcloth.

He beckoned Emuvoke as he crossed the hall with Eunuch Iroro to a meeting room on the left side. “Did you acquire the account books from Efemuaye?” he asked, referring to Efemuaye Iwaka Efemini, son of the Minister of Finance, who worked in the Department of Taxation. He was among the individuals Aslan invited to join him in his studies many years ago. He also secretly ordered Efemuaye to audit the ministers’ records without anyone knowing.

Emuvoke produced two books from the folds of his robes, which he handed to Eunuch Iroro. “Yes. Although he is still working on the accounts of the other ministers, he finished that of my father’s. I also obtained his personal account book from our home.”

Aslan looked surprised, receiving the books from Eunuch Iroro. “Truly?” He flipped briefly through the pages, then turned to Emuvoke with a smile. “You cannot be counted a filial son.”

Emuvoke's blue eyes were bright. “On the contrary, Ovyeme, I believe it marks me exceedingly filial to right my father’s wrongs, especially for the benefit of my country.”

Eunuch Iroro opened the door to the room, and Aslan beamed as they entered. He indicated the long table. “Sit. Let us look through the books before Onótu Onomine arrives.”

Minister Onomine reported to Aslan not long after he and Emuvoke finished poring over the books. A man in his late forties sporting a characteristic short stubble beard, the minister had the distinctive blue eyes and sand-colored hair of the Iwaka Tribe. His eyes were an alluring aquamarine like his son’s, the ruby in his forehead an oval cut.

Though he supported the Queen Dowager, he had once studied with and championed the late prime minister. Circumstances compelled him to change his alliance, but he was still one of the more moderate officials, and Aslan knew he could be cracked.

When the minister entered the room and paid respects, he looked surprised to see his son, who stood beside Aslan at the head of the table.

“Emuvoke, what are you doing here?”

“We have required his presence.” Aslan indicated the chair to his left, “Have a seat, Onótu Onomine.”

The minister gave a digwe in thanks and took the seat. “How may I be of service to Ovye this evening?”

“Ah, yes.” Aslan sat forward and folded his hands on the table. “Through our inspection of the departments, we have been able to build rapport with many of our officials. But it came to our attention that we are still quite estranged from our ministers.”

“Not so, Ovyeme!” the minister protested. “Ovye’s ministers hold him in high regard.”

“We do not doubt it, Onótu Onomine.” He held the minister’s gaze. “Just as we do not doubt in what regard you hold the Queen Dowager.” A wary look flashed across the minister’s features. Aslan continued, “But, of course, she is deserving of such reverence. She took control of the kingdom in a time of upheaval and led it to a state of stability. Not to mention, she took the ministers under her wings, that they may flourish as well. You owe much to the Queen Dowager, including your position as Minister of Justice. Are we correct?”

The minister was hesitant, his eyes searching Aslan’s face as if to determine his intention. He answered cautiously, “Yes, Ovye. Her Majesty has bestowed me with boundless grace though I am undeserving. I can repay her favor and Ovye’s mercy only with wholehearted service to the kingdom.”

Aslan nodded, stroking the iridescent black opal on his ring. “It is reassuring to know you are so dedicated to serving the kingdom.” He looked to the official, amber eyes keen. “It follows to reason, then, that your allegiance is to the crown?”

“Of course, Ovyeme!” the minister answered disconcertedly. He glanced warily to his son, but Emuvoke averted his eyes.

Aslan looked chagrined. “We would not doubt you, Onótu Onomine, but it has come to our attention that your actions have not always been in fidelity to the kingdom.” He beckoned Emuvoke, who placed the two books before him on the table. He rested a hand on them. “One of these is a copy of your tax record from the Department of Taxation, and the other is your personal account book obtained from your home.”

The minister’s blue eyes bulged. He gripped the edge of the table in shock, and his back became visibly more rigid as he stared at the books. He turned disbelievingly to his son. Emuvoke lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.