Glimpse of a Fading Moon in the Dawning Sky (2)

The double doors of the building opened, and a group of women emerged from within.

They were dressed in identical deep blue garments covered by a sheer outer robe. The robe was fastened in place with a gold and silver brooch in the shape of a sun flanked by crescent moons. On their heads were matching sheer blue headscarves with wide bands which covered their foreheads.

At the sight of them, the girls in pink immediately ceased their whispers and composed themselves. The women, noticing the man on the patio, greeted him as the girls had done. Then each triplet of pink-clad girls rallied behind one woman and made their way from the building.

"Good morning, Orori," a portly woman addressed the man as she and her triplet walked past him.

She peered deeply at him, as if trying to see through the cloth covering his face. "It is quite rare for a Eunuch of the Inner Palace to be seen in the Outer Palace, much more in the Maidens' Compound."

The man responded stoically, "Our duties have expanded for the time being, as the palace is yet unsettled."

"Unsettled?" The woman breathed deeply. "Indeed, there is no softer way to describe our current state of upheaval. May Oghene* guide Ovye* and the Royal Queen Dowager."

"So we pray."

Presently, the girl who entered the building to deliver the man's message reappeared to announce, "Orori, the Rode Aye will see you now."

The woman bowed her head, "May you go in peace," and departed with her triplet of girls.

Emeravwe and her guide entered a wide hallway and were greeted by another slim girl in pink. She opened a door, indicating for them to proceed within.

They entered with Emeravwe clinging timorously to the man's side. She had heard him say they were in the palace, but she did not know anyone in the palace. She did not want to be there; seeing so many people rushing around frightened her.

The room they entered was simple. A row of windows lined one wall, and a long table surrounded by chairs sat at its center. Three women stood before the table to welcome their guest.

When the man entered, he once again unwrapped the ends of his headcloth from around his face. The three women gasped in surprise as they recognized him.

"So it is Orori Odirin who wishes to see us!" the short woman in the center exclaimed.

They all stepped forward, paying obeisance as they greeted, "Miguo, Orori Odirin!"

They were dressed in the same deep blue garments as the women Emeravwe saw earlier. Unlike the other women, however, their robes and headscarves were also brocaded with the golden sun and crescent silver moons design that adorned their brooches and the man's headcloth.

The man gave a slight bow of his head, answering, "Vrendo. You may rise."

"Orori, we are honored to have you grace us with your presence this morning," the woman in the middle addressed him. Though short and slight of frame, her sharp brown eyes and air of authority made her seem as tall as the two women who flanked her on either side and stood a head taller.

The man nodded politely, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his robe. "A meeting with the Rode Aye, whether by Oghene's design or with human purpose, is always a pleasure."

The short woman indicated the table. "Let us sit and discuss what human purpose has brought you here. For, surely, you did not find yourself in the Maidens' Compound by providential whims."

The man shook his head. "I shall simply thank you for your gracious reception, Aye* Adewemimo, and remain standing. This matter must not be further forestalled by formalities."

"As you wish," Aye Adewemimo nodded.

"Tell us, Orori, what is this matter with which you seek our assistance?" said one of the other Rode Aye. A gangly woman with deep-set eyes.

"Honored Maidens," the man unfolded a hand from his robe, reaching to his side to gently guide Emeravwe forward, "it is she."

The Rode Aye looked upon the child who had large, fearful gray eyes.

She was six years of age and dressed in a yellow blouse and skirt. Around her was draped an outer robe of sheer yellow cotton with floral trimmings. On her head was a headscarf to match. The band of the headscarf rested at her hairline, revealing the large red ruby embedded in her forehead.

"Her name is Emeravwe. I have come to implore you to receive her into training to become a palace Maiden," the man informed the Rode Aye.

The Rode Aye looked curiously to one another, then to the man.

"But Orori," the gangly woman protested, eyeing Emeravwe's forehead, "the child is bejeweled."

"You are aware that the foreheads of palace Maidens and Eunuchs must be unadorned," said Aye Adewemimo.

"It is a circumstance I hope you can overlook," the man pleaded, looking from one Rode Aye to the next. "She is the daughter of an acquaintance of mine who recently became impoverished. He took great pains to ask this favor of me, now I humbly ask the same of you."

This gave Aye Adewemimo pause, and concern darkened her features. "An impoverished acquaintance? Might I ask whom?"

The man answered steadily, "Indeed you might, but I am not at liberty to reveal his identity. Let it be sufficient that I, personally, am making this request."

Aye Adewemimo's brow knitted as she looked warily from the man to Emeravwe. Her voice was skeptical, and a bit hesitant, when she said, "Surely he had naught to do with the recent incident?"

The other two women faced her with alarm.

The man lifted his chin, his voice cold with reproach. "That is a matter whose utterance has been forbidden! Do you doubt I would break the law by harboring the daughter of renegades?"

Emeravwe shrank back, startled by his harsh tone.

Aye Adewemimo lowered her head penitently, the other two Aye following suit. "Please be at peace, Orori." She appealed, "I simply sought to exercise caution in these troubled times. It was not my intention to offend you."

There was silence as the Rode Aye awaited the man's response.