The Age of Light (The Ava'Lonan Herstories Book 1) by Ako Emanuel

and complex in their ramifications and resolutions. The consequence of
the challenge was that upon the Heir’s return she would have to produce
sufficient evidence that her mission carried such import that it overrode her
required presence at the Bolorn . This had
the side effect that whatever that mission happened to be would be exposed, and
also possibly putting the High Queen in an uncomfortable position if the nature
of the assignment were sensitive enough. But if it were grave enough to warrant
her absence, then the challenge was remitted and the sensitivity did not become
an issue.
    There was the possibility that the purpose of the
mission was not that significant, but that the Heir had been seriously injured
in carrying it out. This was also acceptable, but just so, for if the Heir were
hurt and could not be moved immediately, then her absence, of course, could be
pardoned. There was also a combination of the two, a crucial but dangerous
mission which had resulted in injury of the Heir. In any of these cases Tokia
would be at the receiving end of the full brunt of the odium she had brought
upon herself and would lose much. Unless she could prove that the Heir had been
negligent, and that if she had been injured as a result of that negligence,
then this was not sufficient reason for the Heir to be absolved. The lines were
very blurred, depending on who could make the stronger case.
    What it came down to was this: that Tokia knew
something, or seemed to, though it remained to be seen whether she knew enough
to save herself, and that perhaps the High Queen was not on as sound footing as
was comfortable. They would know after the Tures ,
the Realm-wide holiday, when and if the High Queen made an initial statement to
the reason for the Heir’s absence.
    Soku put the subject to rest for the time being to
relax, and begin on her hair. A pot of royal jelly made of olia oil and hybiscus sat at her feet. She unwrapped the mass and parted it down the
middle, so that it fell to either side. One half became a fat bull plait while
she concentrated on the other. Dividing that mass into two again, she began the
tiny guinne at her scalp, moisturizing the hair at the roots and all down its length. She
had forgotten how much hair she really had, for by the time she finished the
quarter she had parted, her fingers, arms, shoulders and back ached with dull
fire. She made no plaint - it was well that she remembered how others labored
for her in service to the Tribe. But she was one, while the maddi that took care of her hair numbered four.
    She must have sighed, as she started the next
quarter, for hands joined hers in taming the wild, lustrous mass. She glanced
up to see her head maddi Kylia
kneeling beside her, comb in hand, helping. Her expression must have shown a
touch of consternation, for Kylia smiled and patted her hands to say that she
did not mind helping and that Soku should rest. And before the Doan Queen could
offer any form of protest, other hands soon joined Kylia’s, familiar hands. All
of her servants and maddi seemed to be
going about their usual tasks of their own accord, though it was not required
of them this eve. The only thing missing was their singing and the soothing,
ever-present chorus of drum-beat.
    Soku glanced around, expressing silent gratitude.
She made a mental note to obtain t’jal’li jewelry
and adornments in the Tribe colors for them all. T’jal’li were like badges of honor, given only to the most loyal and faithful of
subjects. It let all the world know that they were favored by their Queen,
faithful to their duty always. This would elevate their rank in the eyes of
those of their community and mark them as exemplary. And when they moved on,
they would have their pick of occupations.
    They finished quickly, putting the guinne up in a simple, comfortable style; and for once in a long time Soku found
herself not having anything urgent to do. Indio,
her favorite bather, chose that moment to come in