As she came down the ivory hallway, no one passed her. She was almost to the training area when she heard voices. Male voices. Men weren’t allowed in this area. They were forbidden from getting this close to the harem. She was one of the few who were allowed to move between the harem and the main palace. She was allowed in this outer area, but not further without her father’s permission. The curtains and veils kept all who walked in this section hidden. There was little that was kept from her so her curiosity was piqued.
She slipped closer to the curtains which separated the main palace from this interspace. She moved to the marble pillar and leaned against it. She carefully moved her hand as she listened to the voices on the other side. One was her father. She knew his voice probably better than any other male’s voice she had ever heard. He had never hidden himself from his children. Unlike other Ihe Khaan, he delighted in his children and took time out of his day to spend with each one.
Her hand moved slowly through the veils and curtain. The golden rings on her fingers held the veils covering her arms and connecting to the rest of her dress softly rang out as her hand moved through the veils and curtains to separate them enough she could see out to the outer room. There were two other male voices. One was an older male. He spoke with strength and dignity which often came from the noble houses. She wasn’t sure however if it was one she knew or one of the many she had no more than a name to identify.
“The celebration of Mia Gonji’s betrothal should be one of the joining of royal houses. This is why I beg you to reconsider this petition to allow her to be wed to a meer Taiji. She should be wed to no less than a Jinong. I cannot advise my dear Ihe Khann otherwise.” the older male continued as she focused on the conversation “Not only for the state of the Empire, but for her own happiness. Would you wish to have her pushed aside for a lesser?”
A younger voice spoke up “I’m sure the great Ihe Khann doesn’t wish his daughter to be anything less than her mother. Yet, these are progressive times. One could argue her happiness would be better served by allowing her to chose her own mate, or even more barbaric as to have a galla with the eligible consorts for her her hand to meet and woo her in hopes you would approve one of them.”
There was a growl from her father as the comment clearly made his anger flare at the two men. She moved to see the men. She could see her father’s profile as he looked at the two men with their backs to her which she presumed had been the previous speakers as their body language made it clear they knew they were close to offending their sovereign lord.
Both were shorter than the man whose face she could almost see clearly as he faced her father. It was his voice which now entered the conversation. “While I must agree the Gonji is worth more than a mere Taiji. There were other proposals before you. Are you saying the Jinong of a sitting Khann is not appropriate for the Gonji? Would you rather submit her to your barbaric suggestions which would most assuredly break the protection and traditions of the Empire. She is to be honored, not shamed with the choice of a lesser mate or of being paraded out for those with mostly dishonorable intentions to see before they bid and barter for her hand. I cannot see her nor your Ihe Khann accepting these proposals.”
She couldn’t help, but grin under her veil. She liked how he spoke and the tones of the words of their ancient and native tongue moved to her ears. She didn’t know his face. She wondered who this man speaking so boldly to her father and his advisors was. His voice was not familiar, but it had the air of her father’s voice. As she studied his face, her father paced a moment between the three of them.
For a brief moment, her violet eyes met his. She swallowed quickly unsure if he actually could see her hidden behind the veils barely parted for her to see the four men. When he gave her a small slight grin, she drew back from the veils and curtains hiding herself completely. He had seen her. If her father knew, depending on the man’s status and his own mood, he would imprison the man or kill him outright. She may never know who the mysterious man who had defended her was. She hurried from the column down to the chamber where her blade mistress waited her.
“You’re late Gonji,” the woman said without turning to look at her. “What dalliance shall I tell your father kept you from your lesson today?”
“Nothing Behi,” she said a bit breathless from her run. “I was just slow to leave.”
The woman turned to study the girl as she spoke “You heard something you shouldn’t have.”
Her eyes shot to the other woman’s as if she’d been caught. “I ...I was curious,” she started but was stopped by the hand raised towards her.
“Those matters are those of men. They do not concern me or you. We have no need to know of their discussions,” the blade mistress said sharply. “It is not part of our world. The ancestors guide them in matters concerning us and others. Now get your blade once you have changed appropriately.”
She wanted to protest. It was her concern. It was her future they were discussing. However, her words were not welcome. Nothing she said would be met with anything other than disapproval. She nodded and bowed respectfully then moved to a bamboo cubicle to change out of her dress for the lesson.
December 1st 2016, 5:37 am
