The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,20
the private box; they were watching.
So I inclined my head to Scimina in greeting, though I could not bring myself to return her smile.
Two chairs stood unoccupied at Dekartas left. Assuming the nearer seat was for my yet-unseen cousin Relad, I moved to take the farther of the two. Then I caught Dekartas hand movement; he did not look at me, but he beckoned me closer. So I took the nearer seat insteadjust in time, as the Overseer called the meeting to order.
This time I paid more attention to what was going on. The meeting proceeded by region, beginning with the Senmite nations. Each region had its representativenobles appointed by the Consortium to speak for themselves and their neighboring lands. The fairness of this representation varied widely, however, and I could not make heads or tails of how it was organized. The city of Sky had its own representative, for example, yet all the High North continent had only two. The latter did not surprise meHigh North had never been highly regardedbut the former did, because no other single city had its own speaker. Sky wasnt that important.
But then, as the session went on, I saw that Id misundertood. As I paid close attention to the edicts that Skys representative put forth and supported, I realized that he spoke not just on behalf of Sky the city, but Sky the palace as well. Understandable, then, if unfair; Dekarta already commanded the entire world. The Consortium existed only to do the ugly, messy work of world governance, with which the Arameri couldnt be bothered. Everyone knew that. What was the point in being overrepresented on a governing body that was little more than a puppet show to begin with?
But perhaps that was just the way of power: no such thing as too much.
I found the High North representatives more interesting. I had never met either of them, though I recalled hearing complaints about them from the Darre Warriors Council. The first, Wohi UbmI think the latter name was a title of some sortcame from the largest nation on the continent, a sleepy agrarian land called Rue, which had been one of Darrs strongest allies before my parents marriage. Since then any correspondence that we sent her got returned unopened; she certainly didnt speak for my people. I noticed her glancing at me now and again as the session went on, and looking extremely uncomfortable as she did so. Had I been a more petty woman, I would have found her unease amusing.
The other High Norther was Ras Onchi, a venerable elder who spoke for the easterly kingdoms and the nearer islands. She didnt say much, being well past the usual age of retirement and, as rumor had it, a bit senilebut she was one of the few nobles on the floor who stared directly at me, for nearly the whole session. Her people were relatives of my own, with similar customs, and so I stared back as a show of respect, which seemed to please her. She nodded once, minutely, in a moment when Dekartas head was turned away. I didnt dare nod back with so many eyes watching every move I made, but I was intrigued by the gesture all the same.
And then the session was over, as the Overseer rang the chime that closed the days business. I tried not to exhale in relief, because the whole thing had lasted four hours. I was hungry, in dire need of the ladies room, and restless to be up and moving about. Still, I followed Dekartas and Sciminas lead and rose only when they rose, walking out with the same unhurried pace, nodding politely when a whole phalanx of aides descended upon us in escort.
Uncle, said Scimina, as we walked back to the mosaic chamber, perhaps Cousin Yeine would like to be shown around the Salon? She cant have seen much of it before.
As if anything would induce me to agree, after that patronizing suggestion. No, thank you, I said, forcing a smile. Though I would like to know where the ladies room is.
Ohright this way, Lady Yeine, said one of the aides, stepping aside and gesturing for me to lead the way.
I paused, noting that Dekarta continued onward with no indication that hed heard either me or Scimina. So that was how things went. I inclined my head to Scimina, whod also stopped. No need to wait on my account.
As you like, she said, and turned gracefully to follow Dekarta.