They had finished scrubbing the floors and were adding the last touches of polish, when Omote Oluchi and Ngozi crossed the hall, having completed their side.
As they passed, they pretended not to see Emeravwe and Akpokene kneeled in their path. And each took turns, viciously crushing the girls' hands underfoot.
Akpokene shot to her feet with a howl of pain. Her large brown eyes blazed like the Xxenen sun.
"Oh no!" Omote Oluchi and Ngozi spun around, sounding apologetic.
But Omote Oluchi's face twisted in disgust as she looked on Akpokene. "Oh. I thought I stepped on a human being, but it was just the little Wuhwuh beast. Come, Ngozi, let us—"
The slap flung the rest of Omote Oluchi's words from her mouth and resounded around the hall.
It was followed by a cry like a banshee signaling death. Before Emeravwe could process what was happening, Akpokene lunged at Omote Oluchi. She tackled her to the newly polished floor and mercilessly assailed her with slaps, as she simultaneously pulled her hair from her scalp.
Omote Ngozi jumped on Akpokene, shouting, "How dare you!" She tried desperately to pry her off Omote Oluchi.
But pugnacious little Akpokene refused to budge, even as Omote Ngozi slapped, kicked, and assaulted her with curses.
Seeing the unfair match, Emeravwe's hands shot out to defend her friend.
She grabbed Omote Ngozi's headscarf, along with a handful of hair, and yanked her hard off Akpokene.
Omote Ngozi whirled around with a yelp and slap that bit into Emeravwe's left eye. Then immediately caught hold of Emeravwe's headscarf and the hair at her temples.
Emeravwe could not think for the pain that rippled through her eye and scalp. And she did not quite remember what followed, save that she landed blows and pulled hair, and the hall was filled with the tumultuous din of screaming Omote.
****
With a soft thunk, Emeravwe set down the large wicker basket loaded with the headscarves, skirts, blouses, and robes of Maidens.
Akpokene, who was crouched beside the stream with her own basketful of dirty garments, eyed Emeravwe and her load wearily.
Emeravwe returned the look in kind.
After their scuffle with Omote Oluchi and Ngozi, the Aye of the Bureau of Halls and Chambers reported them to the Bureau of Corrections, and Emeravwe and Akpokene were each flogged ten lashes.
Now, for two weeks, they were mandated to assist the Maidens of the Bureau of Wardrobes with daily washing. Afterwards, they were to report to the Bureau of Halls and Chambers, and attend to their regular assigned cleaning.
In addition, not only would their wages be withheld for three months, but they were also required to take supplementary lessons in Mannerisms of a Maiden each evening.
Emeravwe sagged exhaustedly to the ground beside the stream. She winced at the twinge in her bottom, and groaned.
Because of the lingering pain from the lashes. And because the thought that she and Akpokene still had over a week of their punishment to endure sapped her energy.
To make things worse, she would not be able to see Aslan for two entire weeks because of the additional lessons, and he was sure to worry.
"It is our fault for being born the way we are," Akpokene said, scrubbing a blouse against her washboard.
Emeravwe glanced at her. She looked up, her brown eyes joking. "Why were you born a nameless valued child? And what was I thinking, coming to the palace with my Wuhwuh blood. Serves us right!"
Emeravwe frowned. She knew it was no joke.
That was exactly what other Maidens thought of them.
Without a doubt, it was what Omote Oluchi and Ngozi thought. They had said as much when she and Akpokene were punished by the Aye of the Bureau of Halls and Chambers and Bureau of Corrections, while they were not.
Emeravwe lowered her head. Her throat felt tight; her eyes stung. She said quietly, "I did not choose to be born this way."
She had not chosen to enter the palace, to be nameless, or bejeweled. Yet, she was always judged because of these things, and she could not change them.
She looked through defiant tears at Akpokene, demanding, "Why is it our fault? We did not choose to be born this way!"
Akpokene stared silently at her, then lowered her eyes. She said dejectedly, "But there is nothing we can do about it."
The words struck Emeravwe like lightning on a clear blue day, and despair flooded her.
If even Akpokene, who was spunky enough to challenge the Maidens, felt this hopeless, then…
"That is a lie!" she cried, jumping to her feet and startling Akpokene. "You do not believe that!"
She pointed an accusing finger. "You said your mother told you a Wuhwuh should never fight back. But you are always arguing with the other Omote. Is that not because…" She trailed off, seeing the hurt tears brimming in Akpokene's own eyes.
She lowered her arm, finishing softly, "Because you want to do something about it?"
They were silent a moment.
Then Akpokene wiped her tears. "I do not believe there is nothing I can do. Even my mother does not believe it—that is why she sent me to the Sun's Court."
Emeravwe moved closer, her spirits reviving as she settled beside Akpokene. "What do you mean?"
Akpokene set down her washboard, eyes gleaming. "She said that though a Wuhwuh cannot amount to much in Xxene, it is different inside the Sun's Court. That if you can find your way here, anyone can become someone important!"
Emeravwe's eyes grew large. "Anyone? Even a nameless valued child?"
Akpokene's nod was firm. "Just wait," she said, "I will not always be a Maiden in the Bureau of Halls and Chambers. When I become a Rode Aye, no one will dare call me a puny Wuhwuh!"
She picked up her washboard and slapped a wet skirt vigorously onto it. Cold drops of water bounced off and splashed the two girls, who burst in shrieks of laughter.
Yes, Emeravwe thought, I will do something about it.
She would not spend the rest of her life as a neglected and abused palace Maiden.
She refused!