(If you have not read my prologue or previous chapters, please do so now)

Tales of Tanjia, Chapter 14 - Time Together

   With my meditation finished, I take the rose-colored lantern I was given and ascend the stairs. The praise and comfort that the High Priestess gave me was more than enough to give me the courage to face my mother. Who knows exactly what she has planned for today. When I reach the main hall of the Temple, I can hear the midday hymns of praise and thanks echoing through the corridors. I'm thankfull that I got to spend some time in this holy place and take a break from the rampant selfishness and materialism of the Imperial Court. As I exit the Temple, the two guards assigned to me for my little outing bow to me and open the doors to my transport. "We will be returning you to the Capital Palace, Your Imperial Excellency." They spoke in unison, their strong, deep voices emphasized by each other.

   "Thank you, both." I enter the cushioned interior of the transport and settle myself for the short trip back. I have no idea what my mother wants to do, but I'm sure that whatever it is, it will be extravagant. The doors hiss as close and we set off back towards the Capital Palace. Looking out the window I can see the Vitki'i-nyaxixi trainers and their animals practicing for their performance tonight before the tide dips low. The alignment will cause the water surrounding the city to recede, low enough for the city to lower its energy shields and view the phenomenon unobstructed. How happy our gods must be, only one day away from reuniting.

   Our speed decreaces gradually until we come to a halt, and the guards open up my doors. "We have arrived, Your Excellency. The Empress awaits you inside." The guard holds out his hand and helps me step out of my transport. They close the doors to the vehicle, escort me through the front garden, and open the massive doors to Palace. Some days it's nice to be waited on hand and foot, and other days it's just annoying. Remembering my mother's usage of her servants, today will probably be the latter. The moment I enter the immense foyer I am greeted by a dozen or so female servants. All of whom are wearing simple silver robes, and their inky black hair hangs just above their shoulders. One of the girls walks up to me and bows on her knees.

   "Her Imperial Majesty has everything arranged, and would like to leave as soon as you've changed garments."

   I look at the white embroidered gown that I'm wearing for a moment before addressing the maidservant. "Is there something specific that she'd like me to wear?" 

   She stands, keeping her head bowed and her hands folded respectfully in front of her. "Yes, Your Excellency. I will lead you to the changing room." She turns and does just so, walking at a pace that is quick without being rushed. She leads me into a simple room with a changing screen, a vanity, and a chair. An intricate garment of bathing beads has been lain on a large warming stone, and an opaque slik robe is hung next to it. "Would you like any help changing into the bathing garment, Your Excellency? I will arrange your hair when you've finished changing."

   "Thank you. I should be fine changing on my own, but I appreciate your helping me with my hair." I lift the bathing beads off of the warming stone and slip behind the changing curtain. My white gown rolls off my back and pools on the floor, and though the air and beads were warmed, a chill still came across me. Going from a gown that covers nearly all of me, to a garment that leaves me almost entirely exposed feels a little strange. I check myself over briefly, making sure that I was not unnecessarily exposing myself to the servant girl, and step out from behind the changing screen.

   She quickly picks my gown up from off the floor and folds it neatly. "You look lovely, Your Excellency. Surely the Empress is proud of her daughter's beauty." My face flushes with color and I sit in front of the vanity. Genuine compliments always fluster me.

   "Thank you. Though I'm not sure she's so much proud as she is satisfied. It seems she always expects exquisite beauty from everything."

   She starts working on my hair, braiding and looping it into an intricate style for bathing. "Then you should have no problem meeting her expectations, Your Excellency." Her hands are quick and precise, but they lack that finesse that Rii'ei has. In minutes my hair is done to her satisfaction, and with the addition of a few accessories, I am deemed ready to meet with my mother. The girl slips the silk robe onto my shoulders, and I tie the amethest fabric closed over my frame. Though it would have been acceptable to wear the beads alone, personally I'd rather not be so exposed in public. 

   Upon returning to the foyer, I find my mother being attended to by the many servant girls. She is dressed in garments similar to my own, but a little more intricate. When my mother sees me, she stands and shoos away the two girls closest to her. She approaches me and cups my face in her hands. "Daughter, I'm so glad you came." Her lips curl into a smile, showing off that they are now painted in dual colors, deep red and a pale purple.

   I bow lightly. Her grip wouldn't allow for the proper depth for showing respect to someone of her stature, but it's all I could manage. "Of course, Empress. It is an honor." Her grin stretches a little wider, tugging faint lines around her mouth and eyes. She looks slightly behind me to both my left and my right, and her smile fades.

   "Where is your handmaiden? She should be with you. If she's getting so lax in regards to her duties, then a perhaps lashing is in order."

   Taking a short, sharp breath, I reply to my mother. "That is not necessary. I've simply given her the day to herself, Empress. I figured that it would be better to have her well rested for tomorrow, when I will need her more often than today." She raises an eyebrow and gives a slight shrug.

   "Well, I suppose she is your handmaiden, not mine." She waves her hand dismissively. "Never mind her, then. I've got a day planned for us that I know you'll love." Somehow, I don't think I'll love it. Maybe I'll enjoy it, but it's likely to be too indulgent for my tastes. The maidservants lead us out to the courtyard where two silver coated palaquins and their bearers are waiting for us. Each one is elaborately decorated with carvings and gemstones, and the sheer ivory curtains separate the interior of the intricate cages from the outside elements. These are always so showy, and they're not very quick, so we don't use them for much more than brief ceremonious public appearances.

   "Palanquins, Empress? Where might we going?"

   "To the bathing hall, child. Why else would you be wearing those beads underneath your robe? I reserved the hall for just us two today. Well, us, our maidservants, and some entertainment." She steps into her palanquin and motions for me to enter mine. I feel a little awkward stepping in, knowing that these men will have to carry both me and the cage to the bathing hall. With a short word and wave of her hand, the bearers lift us up and carry us toward our destination, with the servants following close behind. It doesn't take very long to reach the bathing hall, but probably longer than it would have if we'd just walked there ourselves. The bearers set us down gently and help us step out of the cage. Mother again motions for them, and they open the doors to the bathing hall.

   The moment the doors are opened, a breeze of warm, sweet-scented air billows forth and ends the chill I've had since donning these beads. Mother glances over at me and tilts her head, calling me closer to her side. I oblige and quicken my pace to join her side. "What sort of bath did you have them prepare, Empress?"

   "One infused with Tzei'la wood oil and Hia'asu blossoms, as well as other fine herbs." She pats my cheek as if I were a small child who had just asked a very silly question. "I've also arranged other luxuries in addition to the bath itself. Only the finest things for us today, my daughter." I struggle to match my mother's unusually quick pace, and the knot keeping my robe closed begins to unfurl. The silken panel on the left of my gown slips off my breast before I am able to resecure the sash. My face flushes with color and out of the corner of my eye, I catch a smirk playing on my mother's lips. The padded tapping of our feet echoes through the expansive corridors, and suddenly we stop in front of an intricately carved entrance. With a short bow, our bearers open the two heavy doors to reveal the Imperial Bathing Suite.

   An incredibly large dodecagonal room is revealed. Twelve gentle waterfalls surround the room, one flowing down each of the walls, framed by pale pilars decorated with sage colored vine carvings. There are two  tables set for massages off to the northeast of the room, and opposite them in the northwest corner, there are three Muses and six musicians. Several shallow steps lead to the sunken center of the room, which boasts an impressive bath. Several fountains pour heated water into the pool, and the attendants of the bath hall refresh the Tzei'la oil infusion for my mother and I.

   "You see child? We hold such a dignified position in life. The gods have designated us the rulers of our people, and thus have given us a glory that no one in our world posseses. We must use it wisely, but also, we must allow ourselves indulgence. Come." My mother's voice was smooth like a fine liqueur, but carried a tone that made me uneasy. She gestures to her maidservants and they remove her silk robe, revealing her elaborate garment of bathing beads. Each bead highlights a feature and hides a flaw, nearly a perfect bathing garment. "Remove my daughter's robe as well." Her attendants obey and I allow them to remove the robe covering me, showing my own figure and bathing outfit. She releases a light sigh of delight, and tilts my chin upward. "You are lovely, child. Such beautiful, young skin and silken hair."

   "You are too kind, Empress." I fold my arms over myself, slightly uncomfortable being exposed in my mother's presence. I am not nude, but I almost feel more vulnerable in these beads than I would if I were simply without garments at all. My mother steps down into the water and instructs me to do the same. I slowly move down the steps, and when my chilled feet sink beneath the hot water, it takes strength not to pull away. I steel myself against the stinging heat and rest beside my mother. "Empress, if I may ask-" She raises her hand to stop my speech.

   "Child, we are alone, call me 'mother', would you?" My brows knit together in confusion as I glance between her and the many other people in the room. She notices my confusion and rolls her eyes, loosing a chuckle at the same time. "Them, child? Please. That's like saying the furniture is listening to our conversation." The Muse in jade green sneers at that statement. It's fortunate for her that my mother's back was turned to her. "They're maidervants and Muses, none of whom are even allowed to speak without our permission, so relax. I just want some quality time with my daughter."

   "Yes... mother." My body is adjusting to the heat of the water, and the scent of the oils and blossoms begins to soothe me.

   "Did you notice who is providing our entertainment? I've procured the finest Muses available. Two of them are Whispers, the highest rank attainable in the Muse Order. The third muse is very close to becoming a Whisper. Perhaps if she performs well today, I will have them grant her the title." She lifts her hand from the water to gesture to the three beautiful women. "Rie'shka and Aii'kaubue of the Whispers, and La'lua of the Muses." They bow deeply before returning to the musicians, who then begin their set. My mother sighs happily at the sound of the music, and grins when the Muses join in song. "You wouldn't believe what I had to do to convince La'lua's patron to let me have her for the day. It's like the man didn't know who was asking him."

   "I have heard that artists can be very difficult when their inspiration is taken from them." I cup the fragrant water in my hand and pour it over my shoulder. My chest is so tight, and I'm anxious over every criticism my mother might have for me.

   "Perhaps, but it's only for the afternoon. He'll manage." With her foot, she lifts one of the many floating blossoms out of the water and onto her toes. Inspecting it from its pedicured perch, she smiles with satisfaction and lowers it back into the water. She pauses a moment, and the silence is tense. "I am proud of you, my daughter."

   The statement takes me by surprise and for a few moments, I am speechless. "...What was that?" She looks me in the eyes, knowing that I heard what she said, and motions over a maidservant holding a bowl of cherries.

   "It is no great secret that I am the wife of the most hated Emperor in myriads of millenia. He is hateful and violent, among other vices. He married me for power and approval and it did him little good. Though he is not a terrible husband, there are often many things left to be desired from him. Including faithfulness to his mate." She laughs facetiously as she picks a cherry from the bowl. "It wouldn't surprise me if he were killed before you reach the age to succeed him." Taking another piece of fruit from the handmaiden, she carefully looks it over. "Dowager is such an ugly word, isn't it? It makes you think of some fat, old woman whose better days are behind her, doesn't it? I don't want the title of Dowager Empress." She tosses the berry into her mouth and grasps my jaw between her thumb and index finger. "I'd much rather simply be the mother of a new and beloved Empress."

   "Oh... I don't know if I'll be-"

   "Nonsense. You mirror Na'anaki in so many ways it's eerie. She was ever so loved by our people, practically worshiped. Your uncle was, too. If you are as much like them when you take the throne, as you are now... By the goddess, you'll be adored." She gestures forward, looking to the future. "The benevolent young Empress replacing her iron fisted father. It'll be spectacular, and I'll suffer no loss of power or privilege. It'll be perfect."

   My heart is pounding. This is the first time I've ever heard my mother express such opinions, and it's unsettling. I have to steady myself before I reply to her, so I take a cherry from the bowl. The fruit is fresh and tart, the perfect companion food to the heat and rich scent of the bath. "If you believe so, mother, then I'm sure you're right." I sink lower in the water so that my shoulders are fully submerged. "This is a wonderful atmosphere you've created for us today, mother. Thank you." My compliment was half hearted, but my mind was in so many places, it was all I could manage. She takes my chin in her fingers once more and smiles.

   "The best is yet to come, my child."