Borji entered with unnerving confidence; he knew exactly how charming he could be when necessary.
"Grandmother," he said, bowing with just enough respect to be proper and just enough suave to make her smile."You're looking radiant this morning.Have you found the immortal pill of legend?Why didn't you share?"
The Dowager's laugh was genuine this time, the harsh edge from moments before dissolving like morning mist."You rascal!Still speaking nonsense with that glib tongue of yours."
"It's not nonsense if it's true."Borji settled himself on a cushion near her feet; the first grandson would always have a special place in his grandmother's heart."Though I apologise for my absence.The palace has been rather eventful lately."
"Eventful."The Dowager's expression sharpened slightly, though her fondness remained."Is that what we're calling the chaos in my household?"
"Chaos can be cleansing, Grandmother.Like a storm that clears the air."
Several wives shifted uncomfortably; the Ugoeze's smile tightened by a fraction.
"You always did have strange philosophies."The Dowager tapped his head lightly with her fan."Tell me, what mischief have you been causing?Are you still spending all your time at the training grounds, or have you finally decided to take an interest in court matters?"
"A bit of both," Borji said easily."Though I've also been playing scholar lately.I heard someone was copying Ukhel's scripture for you so I decided to study my theology so I wouldn't be lacking today."
The Iyom's face flickered with something dark.
"Ah, yes, the scripture."The Dowager's mood shifted again, the warmth receding."The girl.Where is she?I asked already and no one seems to know."
"Oh, the Akwaugo?"Borji asked."I passed her on the way in.She's been waiting outside, as is proper."
The Dowager's eyes narrowed."She's been outside this entire time?"
"Yes, Grandmother.I'm surprised no one mentioned it."Borji feigned confusion.
The Iyom's face was openly unhappy.Her lips pressed into a thin line, her hands clenching in her lap.She'd clearly expected Azul to be absent, to give them further cause for complaint.
"Summon her," the Dowager commanded."Immediately."
A servant scurried out.
The Dowager turned her sharp gaze on the Ugoeze."You did not think to inform me the girl had already arrived?"
"I...I was not aware, Mama."The Ugoeze's voice remained smooth, but there was a crack in her perfect veneer."Perhaps the guards failed to notify us properly."
Borji hid his scoff behind a cough.
The servant returned moments later, and behind her came Azul.
The Dowager's chambers were a shock to Azul, who was used to the natural lighting of the shrine.Despite being decorated with dark and warm ornaments, the room seemed stately and cold.The smell of medical herbs made her scrunch her nose.
The Dowager sat on a raised platform, her hair bound tightly in cloth.Her eyes were clear as ice, lacking any signs of delirium, like Azul was hoping.
"Akwaugo," the Dowager said, her voice dry as cracking leather."Present your work."
Azul bowed quickly, kneeling."May the Dowager see a thousand suns."She gestured to the servant who carried the bundled manuscript.The girl scurried forwards, placing it before the Dowager with shaking hands.
The old woman's gnarled fingers traced the first page.Then the second.Her expression remained unreadable.
Silence stretched like a pulled thread, ready to snap.
"The strokes are even," the Dowager said finally."The characters are well-formed.You have some skill."
Azul kept her spine straight."You honour me, Mama."
The Iyom scoffed in disbelief, drawing the Dowager's ire."Second Wife," the Dowager said, "why do you interrupt me?"
