The Sun at Court (3)

“You have been involved in quite a few transactions with other ministers and officials through the years. But apart from these unsanctioned exchanges, these books also reveal that tax amounts recorded in the palace’s records do not match those recorded in your personal account books.” Aslan fixed the minister with a steely stare. “Must we ask for an explanation?”

Minister Onomine sat forward, flustered. Beads of cold sweat formed on his brow. “O-Ovyeme, I—”

Aslan raised a hand to silence him. “Onótu Onomine, we understand that in her benevolence the Queen Dowager has often indulged our officials. But now, we shall take them all to task!”

An air of panic surrounded the minister, but Aslan gave a relenting smile. “Yet, we do not think you can shoulder the burden of imprisonment, as well as thousands in fines for years of bribery and tax evasion. And we know Emuvoke would be greatly distressed were you to be detained.”

He looked fondly on Emuvoke. “You see, we hold Voke in high consideration. He has sworn devotion to the crown; thus we bestow him our confidence and entrust him with many tasks. If you are at odds with us, however, this places him in an awkward position, indeed. Just as he is in now.” Aslan looked meaningfully at the minister. “Surely, you would not put your son in the disastrous situation of having to choose between his father and his sovereign?”

Minister Onomine studied Aslan’s staunch gaze, agitation etched on his face. He looked from Aslan to the books, then to his son, whose blue eyes were now fixed compellingly on him.

Emuvoke gave a slight, prodding nod.

After a moment of deliberation, the minister rose from his seat, bending contritely to his knees. He said remorsefully, “I have transgressed against the crown and kingdom. May Ovye grant me his judgement.”

“You will, of course, pay the fines. But we shall allow you to retain your position and grant you pardon from a prison sentence.” The minister looked surprised by this. But Aslan leaned forward, amber eyes relentless. “Now, what will you do for us?”

Minister Onomine met Aslan’s sharp gaze with his own. “May Ovye issue his command. His servant shall serve him wholeheartedly.”

Aslan’s demeanor turned grave. “Report nothing to the Queen Dowager as you conduct the investigations on the disappearances.”

The silence was stiff between them.

The minister’s gaze shifted, but when he faced Aslan again, his expression was resolved. “I met briefly with Her Majesty before coming here, and she ordered that I conduct a cursory investigation and close the case quickly. I assumed her request was because the Efekodo Province has been implicated.”

“It is for this same reason that we give you this command. We cannot allow for any interference with the investigations. We require, too, that you give particular attention to the group Okémeh. It is our understanding that it is also active in the Efekodo Province.”

Minister Onomine bowed his head. “Ovye’s servant dutifully receives his command. The Bureau of Investigations has already begun an inquiry on the group.”

“Very well. You may rise,” Aslan allowed.

The minister stood and bowed in a deep digwe. “Miguo for such gracious mercy. If Ovye has no further commands, I shall take my leave of him.” Aslan nodded, and with one last glance at his son, the minister backed away and turned to leave the room.

“Onótu Onomine,” Aslan called, “you have known us a long time.”

Minister Onomine stopped at the door. “Yes, since Ovye’s birth.”

Aslan locked his fingers, and placed his elbows on the table. “And what do you think of us?”

There was an unsure silence as the minister studied him, then answered, “Ovye has always been kind and diligent since his youth, just as our late Orodje Otaroghene was. The ministers praise him for this; it is our blessing to have so compassionate an Orodje.”

Aslan mused on the minister’s words. Compassion was a desirable quality, but he also knew that too much would cause the ministers to underestimate him. “Keep in mind, Onótu Onomine, that for one who safeguards millions of lives, clemency can be afforded but sparingly, lest people take advantage of it. With this,” he placed a hand on the account books, “and this,” he indicated Emuvoke, “we extend our compassion to you. If you refuse it, there will be no other offer. For there are millions more to whom we must show compassion.”

Minister Onomine turned fully to face him, and bowed in a low digwe. “I understand.”

“Then you are dismissed.”

Once the minister exited the room, Emuvoke released a slow breath.

Aslan faced him with an affectionate smile. “Were you nervous?”

He assumed a somber attitude, shaking his head. But his blue eyes and quirk of his mouth revealed his high spirits. “No such thing! But I shall have much to answer for once I arrive home.”

Aslan laughed. “We are sure you will find a way to mitigate the situation.”

Emuvoke’s expression grew inquisitive. “Once Ovye obtains the records of the other ministers from Efemuaye, will he use the same method on them?”

“Nonsense!” Aslan dismissed the notion. “The ruler of a nation going about and begging his ministers’ loyalty would be unseemly.” He used this method only because he knew, with Emuvoke’s assistance, that it would work on the temperate Minister of Justice. “No, we shall give them no choice but to yield to us!”

Emuvoke grinned. “But it certainly did not seem as if Ovye was begging. Ovye’s exchange with my father sounded more like a threat, and with me as lure.”

Aslan returned the grin. “We must be flexible in our position, Voke, and make room for certain allowances. And what are friends for if you cannot put them to good use every so often?”

Alarm washed over him, and Emuvoke dropped abruptly to his knees. “I dare not presume to be Ovye’s friend—it is an order too great! May he retract his words!”

Aslan looked dismayed at Emuvoke’s instantaneous rebuff. “Voke, we would not order you to be our friend, nor would we call you friend if it were an order.” Emuvoke was silent, and Aslan sighed. “Our words remain. Now rise, and report on the previous task we assigned you.”

Emuvoke answered uneasily, “Yes, Ovyeme.” Standing, he straightened his robes and folded his hands before him. “The records I have reviewed thus far recount that Orodje Otaroghene suffered from a chronic disease. This is well-known, as it was one which ailed him since his youth. The disease worsened in the weeks before his death, and the records list the symptoms he experienced. However…”

Aslan’s tone was apprehensive. “However?”

“In the few days before his passing, there were symptoms recorded that he had not previously suffered. For instance, trembling, loss of speech, and before he passed, convulsions. These must have been the effects of the poisonous nightshade.”

“You believe, indeed, that the poison was nightshade?” Aslan asked lowly.

“The symptoms Orodje Otaroghene experienced correlate to its effects.”

There was a long silence. “Voke, it is not these details we are interested in.”

Emuvoke bowed his head. “I shall continue my investigation. But it would help immensely if Ovye could direct me. Is there something in particular he wishes that I examine?”

Aslan’s expression darkened. His throat clenched to recall the days leading up to his Sovereign Father’s death. He had never voiced his suspicions to anyone but Eunuch Iroro and hesitated now.

“Voke…” A look of torment flashed across his features and he turned away. “You are dismissed.”