‘I am certain, Domne,’ said Phillipo, ‘the compositions I had in mind originally will be entirely suitable for the occasion, with appropriate adjustment, even though the motifs were conceived to celebrate a masculine theme of power and strength.’
‘Should I be denied those attributes, Jha Phillipo?’ Aphra asked sweetly.
Phillipo hesitated abruptly, an awkward look on his face.
‘By all means, no, Domne!’ he exclaimed. ‘All I meant was, the overlaying of some more melodious, more rhapsodic elements, to symbolise the eternal feminine–’
‘I would rather like power and strength, Jha Phillipo,’ said Aphra with greater and more deliberate softness. ‘I would rather like it if my Inaugural score was worthy of Astartes marching in glory, so that hereafter, no man could say, “Ah, that music was writ for a woman.” Or is that not appropriate?’
‘O-of course not!’ Phillipo blustered. ‘A thousand times, no!’
‘In truth, jha,’ said Aphra gently, ‘I have purposefully forgone the trappings and regalia of war to respect the Hive’s suffering. I have chosen to manifest a harmonious aspect of peace, which you perhaps have mistaken as feminine. Do not let my gown deceive you. When I take my oath as Domne, I will appear in such finery and glamour as you describe, but let your music speak to the strength behind my tranquil composure.’
‘You will learn, Par,’ said Sire Hermoze with some amusement, ‘that our Domne is every bit as indomitable as our former master, much missed. We will make no distinctions of sex or gender, man or woman. The Domne is the Domne. Make this, Par, with gentle intent, your first lesson.’
