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

Tales of Tanjia, Chapter 16 - An Eventful Day

   The young man turned to face me. His slouching bedclothes were unfolding themselves, revealing the mark of the healing profession branded on his chest. "I'm sorry. Did you call my name?" He stepped closer, surveying my face while searching his memory, trying to determine who I am and why I would know him.

   I offered him a soft smile, my exhaustion was catching up to me, but now my mind was wide awake. How odd that I would find Kii'jah here. "I did. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. I was just curious to find out if you were who I thought you were." I slide a few inches over on the bench to make room for him to sit next to me. He takes the seat I've offered, still searching my features for something to recognize.

   "Exactly where do you know me from? I don't have much of a reputation, good or bad, so I'm curious." It's a little disappointing that he doesn't remember, but I suppose it was more of an event for me than it was for him. I shift in my seat and tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. This is much more awkward than I would have hoped.

   "You helped me about two, maybe two and half months back. It's almost funny that you don't remember... You'd think I would be the one with memory problems after I'd hit my head like that." That was a terrible joke. He doesn't even remember helping me, so why would I joke about it? I glance back over at him, expecting him to look at me like odd creature I must seem to be, but he doesn't. His expression is soft but focused, his brows rest in the barest of furrows and a light goes off in his emerald eyes.

   "Wait, are you the noble girl that was attacked by a drunkard? You had collapsed after hitting your head, and had to spend the night in my home?"

   "That's right. I honestly didn't expect to see you again Kii'jah."

   He runs a hand through his hair. "No, I didn't think we'd ever meet again. How are you feeling?" Things are a little less awkward now that he remembers, but this is still a peculiar sort of conversation. 

   "I'm feeling much better, thank you. I'm not sure what I would've done if you hadn't come to my aid. Are you in Taj'erii for the Alignment Festival?" I smile over at him but he seems distressed by my question. He heaves a sigh and stares at his hands.

   "Yes, I came for the festival but my visit is going to be cut short. There was a mine collapse over in the Eastern territories and they need as many healers as possible."

   "I just heard about that yesterday. That's awful." I fidget with the tie on my robe and in the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of his expression. It's a cold one, mixed with confusion and disgust. I don't know this Kii'jah, I feel strange around him. It's like I don't belong in a conversation with him. 

   "This is just the latest in a string of collapses. Fourteen mines in the span of six years have suffered events like this, and this is the first you've heard?" He stares at me, clearly disappointed in what he perceives to be apathy or willful ignorance on my part. "People are injured, and angry, and frightened. Some are starting fights and others are talking about taking this issue to the Grand Council. Even villages closer to the Imperial City like Wa'iyen-nekyevi are being affected." He shakes his head in disgust, his expression hard and cold. "No one has actually done anything, though. They're all too afraid of the Emperor and what he might do if he disagrees with what they have to say. He's a terrifying and famously violent man."

   "Yes, he is, but I would have done something if I had I known about these collapses. Information like this hardly ever comes my way. I hate that." I sigh, my back and shoulders are tensing and my head begins to spin. I'm so tired, it's getting increasingly difficult to keep myself awake. "My position, at the moment, is an awkward one. I have a measure of influence, but little authority to enforce the changes I'd like to make." Kii'jah props his chin in his hand, seemingly willing to listen to more.

   "And what exactly is your position?" He chuckles to himself. "How much should I have charged you for the salve and bandages?" A friendly smirk plays on his lips, and I can see the Kii'jah that helped me two months ago.

   "I doubt you'd believe me if I told you." It's not often that someone I meet is unaware of my stature, and it's honestly so refreshing that I almost don't want to tell him. "You see, my father, well, he-"

   "Find her! Guard the exits! Search every room and corridor!" A man's voice booms out from around the corner, followed by the thundering footsteps of at least a dozen other men. 

   "Well, that was odd. What do you think is going on?" Kii'jah looked toward a soft blue light coming from the steps at the end of the hall. Two armored guards come running around the corner, lanterns in one hand and their spears in the other. Looking back at me, Kii'jah's expression was entirely that of confusion. "What in the world is going on?"

   "There she is! Your Highness!" The two come rushing toward us, one seizing Kii'jah while the other takes a hold of me, the light of his lantern blazing in my eyes. "Your Highness, are you alright? Who is this man? Did he harm you in any way?" Kii'jah struggled a moment against the guard's grip, but he quickly gave up in exasperation. I roll my eyes and remove the guard's hand from my own.

   "That's absurd. Relase him this instant."

   "But, Your Highness, he-"

   "But'nothing. Release him. We were having a simple, polite conversation. I couldn't sleep, so I went for a stroll around the- Will you just release him, please? Honestly, you're being ridiculous." The guard holding Kii'jah loosens his grip and instead places his hand on Kii'jah's shoulder. "Release him entirely. This man is no threat to me whatsoever." With a noticeable grumble, the guard takes a step backwards from Kii'jah, placing his hands firmly at his sides.

   "What is going on?" Kii'jah spoke in a demanding tone. His expression quickly shifting from that of confusion to one of irritation and anger.

   "Precisely what I would like to know, Your Highness. Why were you missing from you bedchambers?"

   My cheeks are hot with embarrassment. I understand that I shouldn't have wandered without at least leaving a note, but honestly, this is ridiculous. Going this far feels too extreme. "I had a mild case of sleeplessness, so I took a walk around the palace. When I stopped to rest here in the foyer, I started a conversation with this young man, and it was a pleasant and harmless conversation mind you, and that brings us to where we are now. So, please, leave him be and I will return to my bedchambers." My brows furrow in frustration and I offer Kii'jah an apologetic look, though I'm not sure he took it as such. I can understand he'd be upset by this. 

   "Very well, Your Highness, we will escort you back to your chambers and this man to his."

   "I'm sure he can manage to get back on his own." With a sigh, I turn to Kii'jah once more. "I'm terribly sorry about this. I had no idea taking a walk could prove to be so dramatic. Hopefully, I'll see you again under less extreme circumstances." He nods slowly, coming to an understanding of the situation, though still baffled. "You are not to escort him back to his room, do you understand? Leave him be."

   "Yes, Your Highness." With that, the man gruffly led me back up to my room, keeping an almost frantic watch the entire way. At this point, it feels as if I'm under house arrest. The heavy doors to my bedroom swing open and I see everything as it was when I left it only three-quarters of an hour ago, except, now, Rii'ei is awake. She ran to hug me as soon as she caught my gaze.

   "I was so worried when I woke up to find you missing. Where did you disappear to?" I brush her hair out of her face and offer a smile. 

   "Don't worry, I'm fine. I was just having trouble sleeping, so I went for a walk." As I sit back on my bed, the softness of it surprises me. It didn't feel nearly as comfortable an hour ago when I woke up. "You can leave us now, sir. Thank you for your service, but I would very much prefer it if you stood guard from outside the room." He nods in a curt manner and exits, leaving us in peace. I lie back on the bed, the plush pillow nearly swallowling my head. Rii'ei's eyes were fixed firmly on me, as if she suspected I'd disappear again if she looked away. "What's wrong?"

   Her eyes cast down to the floor. "You scared me, running off in the middle of the night. Usually, when you leave like that you at least tell me that you're going somewhere. With the Festival starting tomorrow, people are getting anxious for the opening ceremony and trying to catch private glimpses of the Imperial Family as they prepare. When I was out with Ku'uri, we heard two groups talk about trying to find the princes, and three talk about sneaking in on you." She spoke so seriously and without any trace of her timidity, though her tone was still respectful. Her gaze met mine once more, those violet eyes have such a piercing stare. "Princess, I worry that if you wander off again, given that so many strange and bold people are in the city, especially now, that something will happen to you. Please, for your own sake, until the Festival goers have calmed down please don't go off on your own." She left the bed to pour two glasses of water, taking one for herself and offering the other to me.

   I take the glass in my hands and sip the water given to me. I thought I'd be back before too long, I hadn't even thought about how she'd react if I weren't here when she woke. "I'm sorry, Rii'ei, I didn't mean to worry you. You have my word that I won't go off without someone at my side, be that person you or a guardsman." I take another sip of my drink, the cool liquid refreshing me from the stuffy air in the room. "Though, to be honest, I greatly prefer your company, Rii'ei." Setting the glass on the table beside my bed, I lie back and pull the sheets over me. "You should go back to sleep, Rii'ei. Tomorrow is a busy day."

   She smiles with relief and returns to her own bed. "Goodnight, Your Highness." Those words caused an ache in my chest. I had worried her, but she spoke to me as a servant to her mistress, not as a friend. I suppose I thought that, as long as Rii'ei didn't use those terms with me, my being the Heir wouldn't truly alienate me. That must've just been a fantasy of mine, then.

   Uneasy sleep captured me, the night melting away into dreams, dreams that ended all too abruptly when the noise of at least six people came sweeping into my bedroom, lighting each and every lamp as they entered. I sat bolt upright, clutching the sheets to my chest, hoping my eyes adjusted to room's newfound brightness sooner than later. "What is the meaning of this?" I demanded as I blinked away the spots in my vision. Six of my mother's maidservants, each one clad in sliver with a plum sash hung on their hips, each girl starting various tasks in my room. 

   "Forgive us for waking you, Your Highness, but the Emperor requires your presence at his private breakfast this morning. We've come to prepare you for it." She offers her hand for me to take, as she is bent over in a bow, a small lock of hair falls from the tidy bun fixed atop her head. I glance and see that Rii'ei is awake and dressed in her usual peach gown, now adorned with an aqua blue sash and beaded bracelets. At least I know I have someone familliar with me in this hectic room.

   I take her hand and she pulls me out of bed. Like lightning, three of the other women rush to her side, one pouring hot water into a basin and the other two remove my nightgown. The moment I'm nude they wash my body with hot, perfumed water and dry me off with soft linens. I understand that this is supposed to be a luxurious experience, but being stripped and washed so soon after being woken from deep sleep just feels irritating. "Could one of you pour me a cup of drei'lai tea? I would very much like some this morning." As one of them pins my hair up, the other slips a mauve robe onto my naked frame. 

   "I'm afraid we haven't the time to fetch it this morning, Your Highness. We can't afford to keep the Emperor waiting." They add more layers to my robe and gowns, finally sitting me down at the vanity. Rii'ei puts the finishing touches on my hair and its various accessories. No one can do my hair like she can. Just as I open my mouth to thank her, someone puts brush to my lips, painting them with a sticky lipstick. "You look lovely, Your Highness. The Emperor and his wife will surely be pleased with you this morning." Once my makeup is applied, I can't help but tense my jaw. I'm made up for the day, and in record time, but I am anything but ready for it. Nothing but stress, tugging me here and there, making sure I'm the perfect picture of an Imperial Heir for father and mother. I've had enough of being made up and it isn't even dawn.

   The six line up at the door, lined up three to the left and three to the right, with Rii'ei standing next to me at my right side. "Everything should go just fine," she whispers to me. "I doubt you'll need to speak much, so you can just enjoy breakfast." 

   "I hope you're right, Rii'ei." We leave my bedchambers in a steady procession, led by two guards in front and followed by two in the back. I gaze out the windows as we walk, dawn has just barely risen, but it is genuine dawn that I can see. The tides have sunk low enough that the city is no longer submerged, though they won't drop the energy sheilds until the ceremony begins at moonrise. We are led through a series of doors, the final one being carved out of blue granite and decorated with silver geometric designs. 

   "Just through here, Your Highness." They push open the heavy entranceway and I enter, alone, into my father's private dining chamber. Before me, sitting on embroidered cushions at a long, low table, sat my parents.

   I am directed by one of my father's manservants to sit on the opposite side of them, positioned between the two. Father was dressed in his teal robes and my mother is clothed in amaranthine silk. Neither one looked particularly happy, but seemed at least satisfied. No one spoke and I was afraid to ask where my brothers were or if they'd be joining us. Before long, breakfast was served. Egg dishes, smoked breakfast meats, savory pastries, a clear broth, and bitter Pu'h Larr tea filled the table, though there were only three to be served. I have no idea why my brothers were not invited, but I feel very vulnerable being essentially alone with my parents this morning. 

   "The people are excited to see you at the Festival's opening ceremony tonight." My father broke the silence, his deep voice was graveled before his first sip of tea. Afterwards, his tone was much clearer. "You will not disappoint them with an absence or any irregular behavior." A rude awakening and an awkward, expensive meal, all to be told to behave myself today. 

   "Yes, my Emperor." I sipped my bitter tea. Pu'h Larr tea is one of my least favorites, but father adores its 'strength of flavor.' Mother slipped a vile from her sleeve and discreetly poured its content into her tea. My guess is that it was either a sweetener or alcohol that she just flavored her drink with.

   "You and I will make a few appearances in the halls before moonrise, child, but mostly we will be preparing to open the Festival." Mother chimed in before emptying her cup. I nod once, submitting to the will of my parents. My appetite was nonexistent, making the excellently prepared and presented meal seem unappealing, but I tried to finish at least one pastry. Before long, I am escorted out and back to my room, where I am stripped, changed, and brought out to the gardens. Taking a forced leisurly stroll, accompanied by Rii'ei and three guardmen. We offered polite greetings as we passed other people, but my escorts seemed to prefer me to be out of sight. My day went on in this way: change, walk, wave, and eat. Over and over again all day, doing hardly anything more than that until two hours before sunset.

   I changed for the final time, this time in the same room as mother. They washed and combed my hair, perfuming it and adorning it with pearls, pins, and braids as it dried. My makeup was redone in a more traditional style, with heavy eyeliner and mascara painted on my eyes. Two dots were placed on each of my cheeks, one aqua and one cobalt, representing the moons our gods reside in. Finally my lips were painted lavender with a mint green stripe down the middle of my lower lip. My face felt heavy or that it might melt off entirely and I wanted nothing more than to wipe all this painted mess off. But I can't. It'd be a waste of time and would shame me to do such a thing. A gown made of ten pastel layers of gossamer fabric was to finish my ensemble. The pearl strings in the top layer of the dress felt sure to rip the delicate material, but I was assured that they were secured in a way that no such thing would happen. 

   Once more, I am a doll. Dressed now, not for my mother or irritating polititians, but for my people and my gods. My family stood beside me, costumed in the same way I was, each person with a solemn and dignified expression. For every member of my family, there were two guards, and each of them wore their gleaming ceremonial armor and held their polished glaives firmly in their hands. On the other side of the door in front of us was a balcony that looked over the entire city of Taj'erii, and the cheering crowd that filled it today. My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to jump free if given the chance.

   There was a lull in the cheering, and music started to play. The grand entrance to the balcony was opened to us, and all five members of the Imperial Family appeared for the people. Another cheer roared forth from the crowd, and my ears started to ring. I vaguely heard the Dai'rou announce our arrival and call for the dancers and Muses to begin their performance. Each one of them perfectly excecuting their dances, and I was even able to spot a few of the dancers I'd met before. Aii'kaubue and Gi'anna standing out as particularly splendid performers. 

   Looking up to the sky, I could see that the moons were nearly at their peak and would soon eclipse. Our Heavenly Parents will be reunited at last.

   The Dai'rou called out in his loudest voice for the sheilds to be dropped, and a rush of sweet-smelling air rushed forth to hide the smell of the sea trench Taj'erii sat in. Dramatically, the amber-shaded energy dropped from around the city like a curtain, and the people cheered louder and louder. Father stood at the edge of the balcony and held out his hand for the crowd to silence themselves. They obeyed and he lifted both his arms dramatically, his long sleeves flourishing like a wave. The silence of the people allowed his booming voice to echo throughout the city and the canyon.

   "Behold, my people, the majesty of our gods!" As he spoke, the moons eclipsed, bathing the visible land in a turquoise glow. "They bless us with their union, and we celebrate the lives they have given us!" He opened his arms wider, gesturing as grand as he possibly could. "Now, my people, is a time for joy and revelry! Celebrate the love of our gods and show them your gratitude!"

   His words sounded so empty and rehearsed, like he hated what he was saying but had put on a face for the people. I don't doubt that, actually, these were never father's sort of affairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see one of the guards shift anxiously. That ceremonial armor must be uncomfortable for him. I'm uncomfortable in this, but at least I'm not made to wear heavy, overly elaborate armor. 

   Father took a deep breath, ready to send out another booming proclamation. "Now, my beloved people, is the time-!" Father's words stopped suddenly, interrupted by a blade run straight through his abdomen. The guard from just a moment ago had lunged forward to plunge his glaive through his Emperor, my father.

   "Now is the time for change!"