The Summons of Destiny (4)

Emeravwe slept restlessly through the night. She was disturbed by the visions which haunted her for the past few months, the woman’s blood-chilling scream jarring her awake with a pounding headache. She had the dreams more often since the night she discovered her family’s history in the records of Xxene’s House of Nobles. As she rose to medicate the pain throbbing in her head, it suddenly sunk in that it was her mother who had emitted that horrifying wail; it was her brother’s lifeless form she held. She had witnessed it all. She had been there when they died; when they were executed.

Emeravwe could not sleep after this realization. She sat against a wall in the darkness of the room, the images of her mother and brother’s dying moments playing over and over in her mind. She was not sure how to feel, but perhaps because the room was enveloped in darkness, and she had spent the day reminiscing on her past, her heart filled with despair and tears flooded her eyes. They died so wretchedly.

She wondered if it was okay for her to continue living knowing the crime her family was guilty of. Why had she been spared? Who was it that saved her, and why did they bring her to the palace? There was still so much she did not understand.

No, she thought. I shall not try to understand anymore. Her curiosity had already backfired once. If she pursued it further, she was sure the proverbial cat would not survive the consequences. It will all be okay once I enter the Inner Palace tomorrow, she assured herself. I shall be fine with Aslan. I only need Aslan.

By the time the Aya came to escort Emeravwe to the Inner Palace the next morning, Akpokene had already left the Maidens’ Compound to report to the Bureau of Court Affairs, and Emeravwe met the two Aya outside the living quarters of Maidens of the Ministry of Justice.

It was with chagrin that she beheld Aya Oluchi and Aya Ngozi at the bottom of the steps. For though four years had passed since she last saw them, there was no mistaking those hateful sneers. Aya Oluchi, who had once been a thin girl, had filled out around her hips and bust, her up-turned nose and blue eyes reflecting her pretentious carriage. And though Aya Ngozi, who had been unnaturally tall for her age, seemed to have mastered grace along with her height, Emeravwe feared she found no remedy for her wretchedness. Because the spiteful curl of her lips twisted her handsome features into something hideous.

“So it is true the red string of fate ties two types of people,” Aya Ngozi quipped as Emeravwe met them at the bottom of the building’s steps. “Like destined lovers, bitter enemies have no choice but to meet again.”

Aya Oluchi reproved, “Ngozi, this is no love story, but reality.” Her eyes narrowed at Emeravwe. “And bitter enemies fight to the death!”

Emeravwe had completely forgotten about the girls who entered the Inner Palace to serve the princess. Now she would be working alongside them again? Ugh, she groaned within, as if I do not have enough to worry about! Well, she would not let them trample her a second time around.

She lifted her chin, meeting their condescending gazes as she riposted, “It is also fate that snakes have no choice but to be venomous. Yet how sad, even with all the venom in the world they are still destined to grovel!”

“Grovel? Ha!” Aya Ngozi scoffed, “Rich words from a dirty beast which rolls itself about. I can just imagine how a worthless, valued child like you gained the position of Princess Ada’s attendant.”

Emeravwe looked perplexed at her words and Aya Oluchi stepped closer, whispering, “You have been working in the Ministry of Justice for just about a year now, have you?” She met Emeravwe’s wary stare with her own intent gaze, pressing, “Just how many influential officials have you met during this short period of time, huh?”

Aya Ngozi tittered and Emeravwe’s lips came ajar. Her face heated and brow furrowed with indignation as the meaning of Aya Oluchi’s words became clear.

She glared at the girls, and Aya Oluchi spat disgustedly at her feet. “Filthy beast, know your place! Let us go, Ngozi.”

Aya Ngozi sucked her teeth in a drawn-out tsk as she turned away, griping, “I cannot believe the princess insists on someone like her! She will only muddy the clear waters of the Inner Palace with her questionable blood.”

“We shall watch her carefully. She has no doubt used some dishonorable means to gain this position. Once we expose her, we can be rid of her for good! Just one pig in their midst is enough to soil the white feathers of swans. I shall not stand for it a second time!”

Emeravwe followed the girls silently, their words biting. Especially since they were not wrong. It was true she was entering the Inner Palace because of her relationship with an influential official, and it was true that her background was problematic, to say the least. But these were things she already knew before deciding to be with Aslan. If she was daunted now, when faced with only Aya Oluchi and Ngozi’s scorn, how would she deal with any antipathy from the other lofty Maidens in the Inner Palace?

She swallowed past the lump rising in her throat and gripped her cotton bag, lifting her slumped shoulders once more. She filtered out the girl’s hateful remarks as they walked the grounds of the Maidens’ Compound. They emerged onto the Court of Celestial Wonders through the compound’s main gates and skirted a crescent moon pond to the soaring golden gates which led to the Inner Palace. Emeravwe had stood before the imposing gates on countless occasions in the past, dreaming of the day she would walk through them.

They stood open now, with guards positioned in front and within. Aya Oluchi presented their entrance passes to the guards, and they were allowed through after a quick inspection.

As they entered the passage posted with guards along the walls at even intervals, Emeravwe felt hope and determination rise within her. She would leave all the pain of the past few months behind in the Outer Palace and start a new life in the Inner Palace. With Aslan.

End of Book One