Star of Persia

Chapter 5

The hallways are alive with activity as we are led through the corridors lined with gold and regalia. It is such a contrast to the quiet, empty halls that I wandered through merely hours ago that I can't help but gape at the prettily dressed women being led by servants in every direction.

Zala walks confidently as the other two handmaidens guide us. Emitta presses close to me as we meander past another trio of women, all with star-struck gazes and a dazzled gleam in their painted eyes.

It does not take us long to arrive on the lower levels of the building and join the flurry of movement that greets us. We arrive at the base of a grand hall where two eunuchs stand at the entrance.

"This is where we leave you," Zala tells us brightly. "May the gods be with you!"

With that, the women turn and leave the three of us at the entrance to the hall.

"Wait!" Emitta calls after them, eyebrows furrowing and lips pursed in confusion but the handmaids don't respond, and soon vanish from sight.

"Well, now what?" Ahatsunu says tartly.

Her question is promptly answered as a eunuch standing by the large door steps closer.

"My ladies," he addresses us in a nasally voice, "please enter the Selection Hall."

The doors swing open and I hesitatingly lead the way, encouraged by an approving nod by the eunuch.

Inside we are met with a large room filled to the brim with women lounging on velvety couches and settees. The room has a high ceiling and grand pillars which stand imposingly along the outskirts of the hall. Like everywhere else in the Virgin Court, riches decorate every surface. I can't help but wonder at the wealth of the king if even this 'small' building is full of uncountable treasures. I can't help but wonder what this palace was used for before the enormous influx of potential queens and concubines was ordered by the king.

Low ranking eunuchs offer drinks and light refreshments to the gathered women who wear expressions of excitement, fear or uncertainty and I understand why. This hall wasn't what I was expecting.

Evidently, I am not the only one wondering how we are to be 'selected' from what looks like a comfortable reception room. A young lady who I have never seen before is standing close to me and asks the very question on my mind to a tall, clean shaven man. She is around my height and carries an air of sophistication as if she was raised in the nobility. Thick tawny brown hair is swept into an elegant updo glittering with bejewelled combs.

"What are we doing in this room?" The woman asks in a refined voice, "are we not to be sorted into groups?"

"Ah, but of course, my lady," the eunuch says simply, "this is but the waiting area until you are individually summoned to stand before the head eunuch, his guest and assistants."

"I see," the polished and courtly woman acknowledges.

We are soon ushered to take a seat by two polite servant women who gesture for me to sit on a comfortable armchair next to a padded chair which Emitta has chosen for herself. Ahatsunu quickly vanishes into the crowd, pleased to separate herself from my companion and me. What we did to earn her displeasure, I doubt I'd ever know.

"Will we have to wait here long?" Emitta whispers to me, leaning across the gap separating us.

"I'm not sure," I reply. I gaze around the busy room and notice a young woman escorted through a gilded archway that leads into a narrow corridor.

"See over there?" I point to my young friend, "I think that is where we will be taken."

Emitta stares at the door with eyes as big as saucers.