PART FIFTEEN:
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"Oh," was all the senior guard could utter. A sense of foreboding washing all over him, as he looked at the queen mother waving frantically from across the huge palace garden. His companions however, fixed their gaze on him. They were not sure what to do next. There they were, two pairs of eyes looking on steadily at the senior guard's next move. One with confusion and curiosity, the other with dread. Both definitely quizzical.
"We have a problem." He managed to mutter without moving his lips, still looking across the flower beds. The other guard nodded his understanding discreetly but remained silent. Every person within the walls of the palace, knew what this scenario could mean. A major disruption, then an intricate web of manipulation to hide the real intent of the initial disruption.
"I can go and talk to her, while you both go ahead to the king's meeting section." Suggested the surbodinate guard, his whole face and expression a picture of worry. "No, that would be of no use." Countered the senior guard immediately but gently. "Besides, she called for me. She would have it no other way, if you went instead." "You head on to his majesty's chambers with her. I will see to the queen mother." Instructed the senior guard as he turned to go.
"Certainly." Agreed his comrade, as he indicated to the woman to follow him. No sooner had they turned back to continue with their intended destination, than the senior guard exclaimed again. Albeit, a little louder this time. "Oh my...." When the two departing companions heard him, they both turned back to see what it was again. They were greeted with the sight of the queen mother, walking very briskly towards them. At some time, nearly leaping over flower beds as she grappled to control her long robe. She also appeared to have been having a full blown conversation with herself. And no one else was permitted to hear or contribute.
All three onlookers, were now frozen in place. They watched stupefied, as Ethia covered the last lap of her cross-garden hurdle. Suddenly realizing how ungraceful and how undignified she had just acted. The queen mother let go of the robe she had lifted to leap, re-adjusted her wrap and then straightened her shoulders to face the gaping trio.
"How long, does it really take to respond to a call around here?" She started as she first and foremost glared at the senior guard before turning her eyes to the other two. "And where is everyone marching to, this early morning? I see we have someone new in our midst, don't we?" She asked no one in particular, but conspicuously eyed the strange woman over as she spoke. That one had now curtsied in greeting to the queen mother.
"And who are you? From where do you come?" Ethia shot at her, completely ignoring her greeting.
"From far away and long ago, your highness." Answered the woman still in a posture of greeting. "And what brings you here? Far away should always remain that way, far. And long ago is best left alone." The royal sneered, her voice dripping with obvious anger and a hidden effort to quieten her racing heart. She could not really tell the reason for the latter condition. was it a result of her latest sprint, or the sudden attack of fear.
"I bring word and information for the king, your highness." Said the woman her head still lowered.
"What word must the king hear from a journeying peasant, so early this morning?" Snapped Ethia as her face distorted unrecognizably, from disdain.
"It is for the state in which we must continually live as peasants, your highness." Answered the woman. "Our land is barren, the crops are withered and our children buried before they are weaned. We travel so far to appeal to our only hope his majesty the king." The woman now lifted her head at the final statement and looked at the queen mother.
Ethia felt a momentary unease, but it was too fleeting to decipher or dwell on. Looking the woman over again with no less disdain than earlier, she hissed loudly and then turned to walk away. Complaining bitterly for all to hear as she left. "Lazy bunch of peasants. Always looking for the easy way out. Your crops are withered, so what?! Is it the fault of the palace? Must we feed you?" She hissed loudly again, as she quickly dissappeared around the bend leading to the servants quarters. She was still intent on and bound for her Methus mission. The two guards suddenly turned to the woman with a new found admiration. "That was very well done." Said the senior guard with a wide smile. The first the woman had seen since she met him. He was visibly impressed. If this incident had gone any other way, they would all be looking at torment and agony. That might lead to who knows what?
"Thank you sir," said the woman interrupting happy thoughts. "Being a peasant, does not always equal being foolish."
The way of rumors, fabrications and un-truths:
"Counsellor!" The queens maid was already out of breath. She had run all the way from the queen's quarter's, right through the king's and now headed to the meeting and official section of the grand palace. This area was really out of bounds to her and those of her crew. They technically had no business being in this section of the palace. Their services, simply were not required there. However, the queen had made a request and so it was. The look on her face when she asked for the king, had spurred on the racing maid with due dilligence. "Counsellor, sir!" "Yes! I heard you the first time." Reprimanded the older clergy. Then displaying facial dismay at what she might be doing wandering in those parts, he stopped to hear what she had to say.
"Her majesty, your honor..." She stopped to catch her breath slowly.
"Yes. What about her majesty? Should you not be over at her quarters right now?" All the servants, workers and their divisions. Could always be identified by the color, texture and style of their uniforms.
"Her majesty the queen sir, has asked to call his majesty the king." Explained the maid. Finally able to complete her sentence without gasping for air.
"Ermm...." Contemplated the counsellor loudly. He knew the King was just about to go into a scheduled meeting. He also knew from the king's personal protocol, that the queen was never to be put on hold. No matter the situation. His majesty would definitely not thank him for this precaution. "Okay then." Said the counsellor, indicating to the hopeful maid to wait.
"I will let his majesty the king know right away." He stated, as he turned to head towards the throne's meeting chambers.
"One more thing." The counsellor had turned again, his brow creased in curiosity. "Did her majesty mention what might have been the problem?"
"No your honor." Replied the astounded maid. All the while thinking that, that was surely a stupid question to ask a servant. "Your honor, her majesty did not discuss any problems with me. But I believe she mentioned something about seeing princess Reinah."
"She saw the princess?"
"Yes your honor, she did mention that." The maid who was now feeling very relevant answered quickly. Off went the counsellor again, with more hastened steps this time.
A few minutes later, the king and his entourage exited the meeting room they had only just entered. Purposefully marching on, with the king himself sheltered in the middle. They were all headed towards the queen's quarters. "His majesty has adjoined the meeting to another time. Word has it that the princess has returned. She is in the queen's chambers." The first margistrate was now informing the fifth counsellor who was in charge of security details for the palace. "Tell the senior guard to see to it, that the woman has a place to stay until the meeting is re-scheduled."
"Certainly," replied the counsellor. Nodding with understanding.
The MONITORS: Another one stomps the dust:
"There goes the circus of confused mortals again." Complained Bivus the third monitor, as he stroked the image of the current and active scene to enlarge it. "These foolish humans, could never be relied upon to see anything through." He was sitting alone by the large mirror. Heinus and Xitus were plotting an attack at the far end of the crypt, when they heard Bivus' loud lament.
"What is it now?" Asked Heinus as he got up and began walking towards the monitor and the large mirror.
"I am not quite sure what the commotion is about, but I do know the king just walked away from what might have been a death sentence."
"What do you mean?" Demanded Heinus, who was now by the large mirror.
"Well he never heard anything and did not have to do anything. Which saved his life, at least for now." "Are you suggesting that the old cruel queen saved his life?" Mocked Heinus as he sniggered.
"Hardly." Replied Bivus coldly and factually.
"It was a message from the queen about the princess."
"I knew it!" Howled Heinus, as he banged in exasperation on the high stool standing next to the large mirror. "I knew it! I knew she would interfere!"
"Then hit her already! Make her pay!" Came the 'fly-lords' voice out of nowhere. Booming with a signature nefarious intent and callous calculation.
Borders, babies and burdens:
"its too much for me to handle right now." Said the woman as she quietly observed her older brother who was pacing about the not so large room. He seemed to have aged a little more than he should have. But he looked very well kempt and she knew he was doing well as per his welfare. "I mean I thought I could for a while. But with the fourth child on the way, we are finding it hard to cope or make the time." She stopped and waited for his reaction. She knew he would work something out. He was always good at sorting and planning, since they were kids. He was the organized one. It was a gift that he had. She really wanted to be there for him, when she agreed to the added responsibility of caring for their father's piece of land. He was not able to concentrate on it at the time. He had acquired a whole lot more to do then. However, for both their situations. This was a better time for him to take over if ever there was any.
"Did you contact Cleran?" He asked her next. "I tried to, but the province where he lives now is so far away. And my husband never had the time to make the trip. And also, I thought you should know before anyone else where things stand."
"That is quite right," agreed her brother. "How about you? Have you been in contact with him?" Asked the sister expectantly. She was hoping he would have more information than she did. They had become near estranged now, leading different lives.
"Not in the recent months." Replied her brother, who walked over to seat on the egde of the big table in the room. After a few silent moments, he continued. "I will send for him, and find out if he needs the added revenue that the land can provide."
"That would be lovely." Said the sister, breaking into a beaming smile. "I am very sure he would like that. Things have been hard for him in the recent years. You know, with his wife getting sick and all."
"His wife was sick?" "Oh, very well so. You mean you never knew?" The sister was surprised.
"He never indicated that or told me when we visited and spoke." The brother responded with a shrug. There was a moment of silence again, as the woman retreated to her thoughts. Both wandering and present. Her brothers were never really that close while growing up. But she hoped everything would be evened out soon enough.
"I will have him come over then, so we can talk." Offered the brother as he stood to end the meeting. Then they both hugged.
Knock, Knock....:
"Come in, the door is un-locked." Methus responded to the knock on the door of his working chamber. He had decided to finish some pending inventory, before retiring for the evening. His assistant Rifra, was not yet back from the trip he took. Usually, the housekeeper would have delegated the ardous task to him. The door creaked open, then remained ajar for a few seconds. Seeing nobody making an entrance yet, Methus called out again. "Come on in. Hello! Who is there?" The door now opened wider as his visitor stepped into the room. "What a surprise...." The housekeeper started to say. "I thought..." he never got to finish the sentence. As the recognition registered on his face instantly turned to horror.
The visitor covered their stride in as much time as it took to inhale. So quick was their movement infac. That Methus never got the chance to dodge the mallet that came crashing down on his temple. As he slumped heavily to the ground, his assailant swung the deadly object one more time for good measure.