PART TWO: THE SHIFT
Uneasy lies the head...
The king repeatedly skimmed through the array of delectable dishes, most of which were his favorite. But the new delicacies were what he really eyed and not so patiently hankered for as his wife the queen ordered the finishing touches to this very special banquet for just the two of them. He was not yet sure about what it was they were celebrating. But whatever it was, was worth his attention after this guiltless display of edible opulence. When his wife had asked him to their special banquet, it appeared the timimg would be off with him having to settle a festering dispute between two magistrates, share acquired land from a recent conquest and then round up his unprofitable magicians. And then there was that impending meeting with his mother....
The queens radiant smile was a welcome distraction, not just for his weary mind but also for the fact that he had not seen her so happy in a long time. She was practically prancing all over the place, bumping into scurrying servants when need be. She was also glowing with health and he could not wait to join the excitement band wagon for once in a long time. As the king dove into the necessary and displayed task at hand, he was pleased that the assortment of fare was just as tasty as its visuals had promised. As they ate, the queen reported that their son prince Amil was doing quite well. His tutors were amazed at his level of understanding and his apt ability to grasp advanced concepts. Every extra-curricular activity was just as laudable and he Amil was loving it. So all was well with his cherished ones thought the king in relief.
"So tell me my beautiful treasure and ever adventurous 'heart-string', what in this world are we celebrating? For I cannot take the suspense of the 'dancing stars' in your eyes anymore. Or do you want me to beg, before you spill this mystery that obviously has you overjoyed?" The king half pleaded and verbally prodded all in the same breath.
"We have all night to unfold the mystery my love. I just want you to enjoy the meal first and without any distractions." Encouraged the queen with a gentle and reassuring smile.
"But I am besides myself with curiousity." Continued the king with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh I know..." He said raising his utensil as he spoke without pausing. "You are with child!!" He exclaimed in jubilation.
"Well.... yes and no." Replied the queen, stunned and uncertain how to proceed considering her husband's fast pace. "I am with a new child indeed," proclaimed the queen with shaken gusto. "But she is all grown up!!" She finished with just as much elation as her husband had displayed a few seconds earlier. A deafening silence suddenly engulfed the room, as they both stared at each other smiles frozen in place. Then there was a grunt and a croaking sound as it appeared the king was trying to say something. But he struggled with what felt like a lump wedged in his throat, blocking his windpipe. No sound could be heard even as he opened and closed his mouth. Then it occured to him that he had forgotten to chew that last piece of meat before he tried to swallow it....
Of pumpkins and glass shoes:
The girl looked at her mother as she knelt and fussed over the lock of hair that fell across her forehead. She often did that as she fought so desperately to make sure the mark was not easily visible. But today her fuss was for a different reason. She was holding her hair up in a roughly elegant bun. Her mother was always in a productive frenzy. She knew what to do, when to do it and most importantly how to do it it quickly. Like this moment. Suddenly, she had rushed into the girls sleeping room and grabbed her for a wash which felt more like a vigorous scrub. Then she produced this clean dress, which was not really pretty, but it was clean. And now she was doing something completely different with her heavy mass of hair, something she had never done before.
She had expected her mother had rushed in to scold her for hanging around to play with the prince but it had not been so. That act of disobedience could have cost her her life. She knew she would get into trouble when she responded to the prince's beckoning but she could not restrain her feet from moving forward. And besides, he was the prince. They had all heard about the prince and heir to the great throne and had only the luxury of those tales to hold on to. Their young dreams of princes with shining armours riding in on horses to rescue them from an inevitable calamity would always be relegated to a figment of their imagination or so she thought. To think that she was not even a part of the original draft recruited into the palace, and now here she was getting prepped up for who knew what?
Her mother always covered half her face with her hair and instructed her never to say much. She said she had been given those instructions while the little girl was yet unborn. So with a half shrouded face and a mute existence, the prince's notice of her was an astonishing concept. She had tried to blend in with the other kids and pretend it could not have been her he was signaling. But he sent his riding instructor to bring the exact girl! Such clarity, determination and purpose in a very young mind left an indubitable impression indeed.
Who runs this place?
Methus had been in a very foul mood the past couple of days. Rifra could tell because he got the brunt of his master's sour temper. He no longer gave orders, he barked them at all and sundry and constantly sought for reasons to complain about the work that they all did. Now Rifra was wondering what else he intended to spout with this latest summons.
".... We will be cutting back on their food rations and the amount of time and space alloted for play immediately." Methus was referring to the grafted kids whom most especially the queen mother referred to as slaves. "We are to monitor their every move." He continued disdainfully. "None of them and I mean absolutely none of them is allowed to come close to the king, the queen and the prince." "Especially the prince. If they do, they would be banished and possible killed eventually. Is that clear?" Methus was shouting at the top of his lungs. Rifra only nodded as his master's rant continued. "Speaking of the prince," Methus was not done. "I heard that one of the slave girls ventured to his side of the grounds, to entice him hmmm?" He glared at Rifra inquisitively and the poor man was not sure if an answer was expected of him, as he just looked on. "Well then, how about I use her as an example for the consequences of disobeying me and the laws of this wonderful kingdom huh?" He was now shaking with rage. "Get that traitor here to me immediately!" He barked at Rifra. But before Rifra could move into action, two figures peripherally caught the eye of Methus as he turned sharply to verify what he just saw. It was Debeh pulling a girl along with her and they were purposefully half marching and half skipping towards the queens quarters.