Chapter 33

At 1800 hours I push the double stone doors to the Servant's Chambers open.
The Servant’s Chambers is on the first floor and it's dedicated to the maids and guards. Their sleeping chambers have big beds, flat screen TV's and the loudest sound system I've ever heard. Each servant/guard has their own room. Some live with their significant others.
When they see me, they stand to their feet and bow.
I stand in the middle of the hallway and they're quick to form a ring around me.
"Well, there's gonna be change. I'll be changing a lot of things around here."
They nod and glance at each other questioningly. The panic in their eyes is enough for me to remind them that their jobs are safe.
I give them a minute to digest that.
"Not to be rude, Goddess Imani, but why are we here then?" Onele tries her best to sound confident, but her voice quavers.
They're all looking at me, waiting. They're so still I wonder if they're even breathing. I probably wouldn't breathe too if I was in the same room as Leza.
"I want to address a few issues," I say. "I know ya give baths to King Father and many of the princes but that stops... now."
Onele shifts uncomfortably on her own feet. The others are putting too much pressure on her. Whispering their concerns and answers to her, asking her to then relay those to me. "But the King will be so angry."
"If any of ya encounter any problems, come straight to me," I say, gesturing first to them with my hand and then to myself. "Don't be scared. I will protect ya. If any of the princes force ya, direct them to me."
They whisper to Onele again. I can hear them though. Why don't they just address me directly?
Onele hesitates. "Thank ya."
I can see there's more she wants to say, but I won't push. I can't force a connection with them. It has to come naturally. And natural takes time. I have time. I will make time.
"Now, another thing, to the male guards, just for tonight..." I pause, mulling over the words. "When the King and the princes ring the bell for their baths please go to them and tell them I sent ya to relieve the maids duties."
The laughter is like a bomb explosion. They get where I'm going with this. Some of these victims are their sisters, their girlfriends, wives, their friends.
"Now I've organised a complaint box. It's in the grand hall. If ya have anything ya're not happy about. Please put it in writing I'll have crows delivered to ya once a week where ya can record any of yer complaints."
A guard standing by the door raises his hand. I give him permission to speak.
He pauses and thinks. "That's a good idea and all but surely the princes or princesses might be able to put a name to the voice."
He's right and I've thought of that too.
"Don't worry." My voice is small but confident. "I assure ya, yer privacy is guaranteed."
Someone presses a hot cup in my hand, I burn my mouth through it. It eases the hunger somewhat. I smile at the thoughtful young woman. She gives me a discreet smile back. She hesitates, she wants to pour me another. I nod, maybe a bit too enthusiastically. She erupts in giggles.
The same guard who'd spoken before walks towards me. The other servants open the path for him. He towers over me looking worried but relaxed.
I wave a crow over and it lands on my shoulder. The servants hurdle closer for a better view. They stare at it, waiting. I stare too, thinking. It starts moving and when it's done my thoughts appear on the board it carries; Ya are my people. I will not allow any harm against ya.
Onele cocks her head, unconvinced. "But what if the King or Queen or anyone of Royal blood insist on using our services.
I'm most proud of her. For speaking up. For challenging me. Demanding answers. For voicing her concerns. We need more female voices like hers.
"Then that Royal has challenged my authority. Royal Maids and Royal Guards, ya will never ever assist a Royal with their bathing or act as a masseuse or masseur."
I feel it as their worries and fears lift. I can't help my smile. Something twists in my heart; maybe a better tomorrow is possible after all. A future where women won't face any sort of abuse. I long for that freedom.
Onele nods. "I like this change already."
And so do I.
"Good." I take a sip of the coffee the yang maid has just handed me. "If there is something else ya'd like me to address, please say so."
They all look at each other. No one wants to take the plunge first. I wait, taking routine gulps from my cup.
"Okay, here's one," I say, running a finger over the rim of the cup. "I know Maids and Guards alike aren't allowed to eat before the Queen or King gives permission. As of now the new rule is: 0700 hours all servants must sit down for breakfast. At 1300 hours it's lunch. At 1800 it's supper."
The guard barely shakes his head. "But those are the times when Royals start coming down for food."
"That's gonna change too." I take a sip. "I did say change is coming. Since Royals eat until nine, some coming at odd hours for breakfast or supper. I'll give them a new schedule. "
Onele's breath rattles her small chest, while she fights to remain calm. "A schedule?" she finally sighs. "For the Royals?" She looks at me as though I've grown a third eye. I haven't. "Aibo."
A month ago this idea would've sounded dangerous to me too.
"The Royals will have breakfast from 0800 hours until 0845 hours. Lunch 1400 hours until 1430. Supper at 1900 hours until 2100 hours. If any of the Royals come before or after any of these times (unless I specifically give permission), ya're not allowed to serve them."
Onele frowns. "Specifically give permission?"
"These are days or hours that the Royal is busy with something...appropriate. Something like finding the Essence Thief. I'll ask the Royals to report these instances if they want our chefs to prepare them something."
"What about snacks between meals?" The male guard asks.
"Those are allowed. Both Royal Servants and the Royals but if someone wants a snack, they'll prepare something themselves, and then clean up. Anyone who goes against my rules will be dealt with accordingly."
We wrap up the meeting and I take the elevators to the third floor. In the hallway, I call to the nearest guard and ask him to take me to my room. It'll take me weeks to be familiar with these walls.
I take his hand and he doesn't move away from me. I'm dead on my feet. If not for him, I'd collapse on the plush floor already.
"Aren't ya going to have supper, Goddess Imani?" he asks. Then he laughs to himself. "Thank ya, about what ya did back there. At least my sister is out of harm's way."
I shake my head once. I won't go to the dining hall. My mother and brother will be at the table, whom I must avoid. What is a Noddon without their powers? My mother has always been proud of the fact that her gift is better than Queen Mother's. Now though she's reduced to a Saboni. If I know Queen Mother very well, she's flaunting that at my mother's face. Oh, and Papa too.
Papa left Mama for money, for power but a small part of him has always wished Queen Mother had more than just the lust sword. That Mama had some sort of Royal blood surging through her veins.
Kaseke is the worst. He's not particularly fond of his gift but he didn't want to trade it either, especially for a Saboni status. He's not used to not knowing, to having to page through yer words and decide whether ya speak the truth. He's not used to curiosity. He's not used to firing unnecessary questions. He usually gets all that staff from yer brain. The only place that doesn't lie.
We make it to my room and I thank the guard. He bows and pads away.
"Make sure I'm not disturbed," I tell the guards at my door. "It doesn't matter who comes here or what business they come here for. Do not let anyone in."
"Yes Goddess Imani."
I think I've heard this phrase a thousand times (possibly a million) since I got into the royal palace.
Apparently D'ziko is better at navigation then I'll ever be. He's spread out on our bed, limps so far apart he reminds me of a jellyfish.
When the lock clicks in place, he leaps to his feet.
It's so impossibly good to see him that I can't fight my grin and somehow I know he's smiling too behind the mask. A mask I wish he didn't have to wear.
D’ziko charges for me. He’s so fast I only take one step towards him and he's already reached me. He takes me in his arms. A crushing hug. We hold each other for so long and a sort of peace settles into me.