The Summons of Destiny (2)

Emeravwe had gone long periods without seeing Aslan in the past, but he had never been gone for such a length of time. She became so distressed over the matter that her mood and energy suffered, and the anxiety affected her work, as well. So when she was called to the office of the director of the Bureau of Court Affairs one day, her nerves were drawn tight, and she was sure she would be reprimanded once more.

When she arrived at the director’s office, she found Eunuch Ejerute, Eunuch Otase, and Aye Chioma there, along with two Aye she did not recognize. The two women were dressed in the standard royal blue garments of Aye, but their attires were made of fine silk, and the bands of their headscarves were embroidered with the Heavenly Bodies symbol. Their looks were strict, their backs as straight and stiff as columns.

“This is the Agaenaye Emeravwe you seek,” Onori Oghonoro said to the women when Emeravwe entered the room and paid respects.

The two women scrutinized her with cold, patronizing stares. They were of average height with dark brown eyes and skin, though one had a fuller build and more domineering look than the other.

“This is Aye Adaego, and I am Aye Ugoulo,” the broader woman introduced herself and the other Aye in a clipped tone. “We serve the Chief Maiden of the Department of Court Ladies. You will kneel and receive your orders.”

Confused, Emeravwe knelt to both knees and bowed her head, cupping her hands before her.

Aye Adaego handed Aye Ugoulo a scroll which she unraveled to read, “With the sanction of the Honored Maidens, the Rode Aye, this order is issued by authority of the Chief Maiden of the Department of Court Ladies. On this, the eleventh day of the fourth month, in the eleventh year of Orodje Uvo’s reign, Agaenaye Emeravwe of the Bureau of Court Affairs is hereby promoted to the rank of Égodo Orodje Aya. She is appointed to serve Her Royal Highness Grand Princess Isio Mik-Jiban Onomavwe Ada in the Inner Palace. So it is decreed.”

Emeravwe’s eyes widened in bafflement at the Aye’s declaration.

Onori Oghonoro and the others in the room looked just as confounded. “Aye Ugoulo, is this true?” the Onori questioned.

“Indeed, it is,” the Aye said, rolling up the scroll. “The Chief Maiden issued the command just this morning. The appointment is to go into immediate effect.”

“You fail to show your gratitude, Aya Emeravwe,” Aye Adaego reprimanded as Aye Ugoulo stepped forward and placed the scroll in her cupped hands.

Gripping the scroll, Emeravwe bowed her head and uttered distractedly, “Her Royal Highness’s grace is boundless, and the Chief Maiden abounds with benevolence. This servant is eternally grateful and shall serve wholeheartedly.”

Aye Ugoulo huffed haughtily. She said to Onori Oghonoro and Eunuch Ejerute, “Please settle the paperwork for her transfer and issue any final instructions.” She eyed Emeravwe. “You will promptly assume your new position. Aya will be sent to the Maidens’ Compound early tomorrow morning to escort you to the Inner Palace. You are excused.”

“Yes, Aye Ugoulo. I shall take my leave of you.”

Emeravwe rose and bowed from the room, but stood dumbfounded in the hall with the scroll in her hands. Still in disbelief, she unraveled it to read for herself. There was no mistake; it addressed Agaenaye Emeravwe of the Bureau of Court Affairs, and was stamped with the seal of the Chief Maiden of the Department of Court Ladies. She had been promoted to Aya and appointed to serve Princess Ada!

How can this be? She wondered.

It was just recently that she received pardon for a crime deserving execution. If anything, she should receive an order announcing her demotion or expulsion from the palace. But a promotion?

Emeravwe panicked. The Department of Court Ladies was an exclusive office, which Maidens did not enter unless they had the proper background and connections. There should have been no way she would ever be selected to enter the department and serve the princess. A cold chill hugged her flesh. Was it some sort of ruse? Maybe her infraction in the Compound of the Royal Secretariat gained some higher-up’s attention, and they wanted to investigate her?

No. She thought, If so, there is no need to promote me. Then what was the meaning of it?

Emeravwe waited in the hall until Eunuch Otase and Aye Chioma emerged from the director’s office to confront them.

“Oga, Ayeme, please, could you tell me what is going on?” She held out the scroll nervously, distress eating her voice, “Why have I been appointed to the Department of Court Ladies?”

Eunuch Otase glowered. He said bitterly, “You should know better than us, Aya Emeravwe. If you had such good connections, why did you bother to enter the Bureau of Court Affairs to begin with? After wreaking havoc on the bureau, you now see fit to move on to the Inner Palace, do you? In the meantime, our office’s reputation remains in shambles, and Onori Oghonoro and Onori Ejerute must still answer for your transgressions.” He furled his lips in distaste, “Even in the Ministry of Justice there is no justice to be had!” and stalked away.

Emeravwe turned to Aye Chioma, but she also looked upset and said tersely, “Onori Ejerute has no further instructions for you. You may leave the bureau and prepare to enter the Inner Palace.” She, too, strode away, leaving Emeravwe utterly discombobulated.

Emeravwe returned to her chamber in the Maidens’ Compound, but did not begin to pack her belongings. She sat against a wall, contemplating her scroll of appointment, her anxious thoughts rampant. If she had received this appointment just a few months earlier, she would have rejoiced and accepted it without question. She thought, Entering the Inner Palace to woo the Orodje. She could not help but smile at the irony. It had been her goal for so many years yet only now, after she discovered it was an impossible dream and had given up on it, did she gain such an opportunity.

She placed the scroll aside and pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face in her arms. Refusing the order was not an option, but entering the Inner Palace could well be her undoing. It would have been better if she could leave the palace altogether. She did not know how she would survive, but at least then she would not have to constantly worry about her identity being found out. But palace Maidens could never leave. She would have to live with such anxiety for the rest of her life, fearing when she would be discovered and executed.

What about Aslan? She wondered, How will I see him now?