(If you have not read my prologue or previous chapters, please do so now. And, fair warning, this chapter will have graphic elements to it.)

Tales of Tanjia, Chapter 18 - The Steps to Take

   A burning sickness stirred in my stomach as I stared at the severed head of the Dai'rou that hung from the guard's belt. His eyes gouged out and the bottom of his hair soaked with the blood dripping from where his neck once was attached to his shoulders. While he did irritate me with baseless flattery, I refuse to believe he truly deserved murder and dismemberment. I could hear the guards exchanging words, but my racing mind couldn't latch on to the specifics until the head soldier called me. "Your Majesty, we need to go meet with the Grand Council." He gestured his spear in the direction of the south hall, but I stood firm.

   "Sir, I have made this one request to you, and it shall be my only request through this ordeal. I want to see my family before I meet with the Council." I stand to meet his gaze, wary of my shaking knees as they struggle to raise me up. "I will cooperate with you to the fullest of my ability, but please, understand that I need this one reassurance before I continue with false hope." My voice caught in my throat on that last word, effectively undermining the determination I put into the others. While my gaze did flicker in embarrassment, I steeled my resolve to have this one request fulfilled. "Please."

   "I can arrange it for afterward, Your Majesty, but you have to wait." He shifted from one hip to the other, clearly expressing his impatience both with the situation and with me.

   "Is my request offensive? I did not ask for hours with them, nor do I expect it to be a private visit, but I need to see them. If you could stretch your imagination and put yourself in my position, that of a frightened young woman surrounded by swords and spears that only moments ago killed no less than four people, one of whom was her father," My voice broke again and tears stung my vision, "Could you do it?" Could you suffer through hours of confusing and stressful talks about the impending responsibilities and burdens that you were not given time to prepare for, all while wondering if you were being lied to about whether or not your remaining family still lived?" I struggled to keep from crying, but a few rolling teardrops managed to escape my eyes before I could swipe them away.

   "I suffer those worries every day, Empress. I sympathize with your needs, truly I do, but now is not the time." Heaving a sigh, he took my arm and drug me to the hall entrance. "I will have them in your room when we return." He bid the other guards make way and so they did splashing more blood to the floor with their harsh movements. His grip on me is painfully tight; I feel it bruising my arm as he tows me out of the room. 

   "I will not lie to you, commander. In return, I ask the same of you." I lift the hem of my robe so as to avoid sullying another gown with blood today. The floor was slick with an unsettling amount of it and nearly caused me to slip when I first stepped in the wretched puddle. My footprints seemed surprisingly small, especially when compared to those of the guards. I am forced to keep pace with them despite my small stride until we come to the council room of Taj'erii's Capitol. It stood tall and intimidating, with its giant steel doors and still more soldiers to guard it against unwanted guests. They swung the doors open with a heavy creak; chilled air rushing forth into my face and burning my tear-stung eyes. An oblong table carved from grey jade and the twenty seats placed around it stood in the center of the room, the more prominent half of the Grand Council seated at the far end. I was ushered forward into the Council's presence and I offered my elders a respectful bow. High Priest Yo'urik stood and instructed me to take a seat on the side opposite the Council and bade the soldiers wait outside.

   "With all due respect, High Priest, we do have a stake in this matter." His tone of voice was calm and assertive as he spoke. He had no trace of doubt that he would be denied his audience. Lei'iren stood and proved him wrong.

   "You have no right to it, commander. You brought Ko'tuno's latest wrongdoings against Tanjia's people to our attention, suggesting that we consider removing him from his position as Emperor before the appointed time. And yet," She gestured heavily toward them in frustration, her increasing vocal volume echoing throughout the chamber. "You refused to wait for our verdict, instead deciding that a slaughter would be more to your taste than actual justice. A slaughter to take place during our most sacred festival, no less!" She shook her head and the other council members solemnly nodded in agreement. "Get out. We will call you in when you are needed."

   The commander growled in frustration, "Your Excellencies, please, reconsider-"

   "Out!" Ka'do demanded. "You have meddled enough in these delicate matters and now we must see to the amends that are needed. Leave us." The shouting made my heart beat wildly once more and I feared that I would bear witness to even more bloodshed tonight. A glance in the soldier's direction proved me wrong, however, as I saw them silently slink out of the room.

   "Sit, child. We have much to discuss." The High Priestess' voice was sweet and calm such a soft, comforting tone. She reminded me of my late grandmother; a comfort that I welcome wholeheartedly. Bowing once more, I oblige and take a seat on the side of the table opposite the elders before me, my eyes straining in the bright light of the alignment.

   "You look shaken and pale, child, did they hurt you?" Lo'raias is the Grand Healer on the council, so I suppose it's natural that he would ask about my health and wellbeing. He has a wonderfully voluminous beard and his emerald eyes shine with kindness.

   "Nothing too terrible, Your Excellency, they never struck me hard enough to draw blood." My voice is so weak it's humiliating. How am I to discuss what needs to be done if I can barely speak at all? 

   "We will see you taken care of, dear child, and placed under the watch of a group of more sympathetic guardsmen."

   "Whatever you think would be best, Your Excellencies, I defer to your wisdom." My head feels heavy, my eyes burn, and all I want to do is sleep. How will I make it through this discussion? Lei'iren smiled for the first time this meeting, leaning forward onto the table.

   "We haven't had anyone say that to us in quite some time. I'd say the last Empress to truly take our advice was your grandmother, and, even then, she feared taking action." Her sudden gentleness was jarring but I could understand it as well as appreciate it. I've had quite enough of yelling for a good, long while.

   "We look forward to guiding you during your reign, Ka'asume, but there are matters to attend to before you truly take the throne." Mae'rii, the Council's historian, was the last to speak of the six that had come to Taj'erii. "Your mother will reign as regent until your coronation is complete, but given the violent disapproval of the people, we will do our best to make sure that time is short. Your brothers' positions will remain the same as they have been, though, with a touch more security until you are solidified as Empress. We cannot have another contest for the throne rob us of the kind Empress we have been waiting for since Na'anaki was succeeded by Y'oren."

   I could not help but stare down at my hands. Only two hours ago they were smeared with blood, but now they were clean and manicured as if none of this had happened. If only I could do the same for my mind. I will be haunted by those memories, the images of my father being sliced open from chest to hip, or that of my mother being beaten and humiliated before a cheering crowd. And what have my brothers suffered? Have they been beaten, too? Bloodied and broken because of the man who fathered us only in the sense that we are the product of his seed, nothing more. My chin wobbled and I massaged my hands, hoping to distract myself at least a little bit. "So, how do we go about this?"

   "You'll have to endure through this week of the Festival, first, child." The High Priestess spoke once more, much more matter-of-factly this time. "If we distract the people from sharing in our Gods' joy, even in the face of your personal tragedy, it could make the situation worse. We will make preparations back in the Imperial City for your U'luul and anointment in the meantime." 

   "An U'luul? Have I committed a crime simply by being Ko'tuno's daughter? One so severe I must atone for through that?" The thought of the U'luul made me shake, it is a rite of spiritual cleansing, involving meditative isolation and a two week fast. That part does not worry me. What does worry me is that it is followed by the High Priest or Priestess joining minds with you to view your past wrongdoings and absolve you of them if you are worthy. A sweeping search of mind and heart, for someone who carries a secret as big as I do, is terrifying.

   Yo'urik held up his hand to silence me. "No, child, this U'luul would not be the same as one that criminals are put through. Every Emperor and Empress participate in one before they are anointed to relieve them of worry and prepare themselves for the responsibilities they will soon be burdened with." His words were strong, confident and left me with very little doubt that they would allow me to go without participating in the ritual. Still, I made a vow to keep this secret of mine and I do not intend to break that promise.

   "If I must complete an U'luul, I request that whatever burdens you might absolve me of being kept confidential." The tremble was back in my voice. Always at the worst possible times.

   "They always are, child," Ta'ameira reassured, "But we already know about your gifts as a Protector." My heart sunk deep into my stomach and the edges of my vision went dark. How? How did they know? I tried so hard to be as secretive and discreet as possible. Where did I let it slip? "Rest assured, we knew about Na'anaki's Protector gifts, as well those of the Protector that came before her. The Grand Council has always been allied with those who carry the burden you bear." She stood and guided me to the doors. "You carry two strong lines of blood within your veins, and we are loyal to both. We will be returning to the Imperial City, but be sure to send us reports of the state of the people during the festival. Ledi'ia will remain in Taj'erii with you until you send your first report to us. She's the fastest messenger in the court, and you can trust her with sensitive information, believe us."

   I was so focused on the Grand Council I failed to notice the Court Messenger Ledi'ia in the corner, which is saying quite a lot. She is known for her striking looks, both in beauty and fashion sense. She's nearly always wearing short, white dresses with crystal fringe and dark eye makeup that highlights the fact that her eyes are two separate colors. And to top it all off, she's an incredibly efficient messenger. "It's an honor to have you with me, Ledi'ia."

   "And an honor to serve, Empress." Her short curtsey caused an inky ringlet to tumble over her slender shoulder, which she promptly tucked back into place.

   "May I return to my chambers now? I'm very tired, and I was promised a visit with my family after our meeting here." It is mere hours until dawn, my head is still spinning from everything that has transpired, and I still have to endure the rest of this festival now with even more responsibilities than before. All of this with no time to mourn or recover from the shock of it all.

   "Of course, go rest. We will see you in the Imperial City very soon, Ka'asume." She gives me a light pat on the shoulder and sends me on my way back to the new room they have given me. The journey to which felt dizzyingly long, and the only sight that comforted more than that of my bed, was seeing my mother and brothers gathered safely on the cluster of pillows in the center of the room.