PART TWENTY-TWO:
The un-holy trinity:
Heinus clapped his hands together in a satisfactory gesture. Expressing himself in what would be a dark version of a gleeful mood. He was also beginning to feel a noticeable amount of bloating in his pride level. That was understandable, considering that he may have been the first to detect what he just saw a few moments ago. Beating the resident monitor seer Wizus himself to that revelation. It was usually the fourth monitor that poked and fished for signs and indications of what might be coming or about to happen. He was almost never precise, the Enemy saw to that. But the familiar results of intense monitoring and observation produced enough information for them to get by. The 'fly-lord', did not confide in them all that he did. However, he expected them to be up to date with whatever it was he was doing. It was necessary, that they tailored their treachery and attacks to his moves. He demanded it, in order to promote his works. Their lord was the most 'pleased' if ever such a word applied to him. When his cohorts were proactive in their offences and destruction.
In fact, he expected proactivity all the time. It produced a stagnation, disruption and interruption, that helped stall the Enemy's work. The only time it was productive for them to wait for the enemy to complete His moves, was for the purposes of false reproduction. The imitation or counterfeiting of an action of light. For the sole purpose of discrediting, dousing or completely killing its influence. What he had just seen, was probably a combination of all their modus operandi in high effect. Reproducing a known or foreseen phenomenon. It was also customarily or characteristic, for the 'fly-lord' to hastily burst out with an overly hyped version of an anticipated person, plan or phase. A move made strategically, to confuse and conflict with the real expectation. Amassing in the process, a credibility to gain trust, time and territory. A collective acquisition, that was capable of immense destructive effect.
The head and first monitor Heinus, second only to the 'fly-lord' himself. Readjusted the angle of the great mirror, and moved himself closer to it. Swiping backwards and anti-clockwise, he tapped on the image he had stilled earlier. He then leaned back and proceeded to watch the scene again. Taking his time as he did, to look for cues or clues that he may have missed the first time around. As the image became active again, Heinus ran his finger in a criss-cross motion across it for enlargement. The mortals image bubbled up swiftly and in place. The head monitor had been careful not to loose the time frame attached to the image. The exact time of the event was not clear or concise to them. Even the signs had become a maze of humanly accelerated events. But its seasonal and global effect was undeniable.
As the image expanded into an almost life-like state. It emitted sparks of red flames that quickly sputtered to and then disappeared from the surface of the mirror. The monitor shuddered. How could this possibly be a mortal, he thought to himself. The atmosphere of evil around him was near palpable. Even he Heinus did not think he could make that much of a wave. Leaning closer, he peered more intently at the scene before him. That was when he saw it. A visage of the 'fly-lord' himself, embedded behind the mortal. It was so close, they could have been one and the same. Possessing and using the human mind and body, was not new to them in their line of work. It was indeed the brunt of their very function. But what he was witnessing was different. A possession and a unification were two different items.
The head monitor marveled incredulously at was depicted in the scene. It was as if their master was the mortal and yet he was apart from the mortal. The combined and formidable force of two propelling elements. The lethal fusing of the human will and the relentlessness of darkness. Heinus simply gaped. The figure stood clad in the appropriate outfit of its time. Strategically planted to fit right in position. Rounded eyes beamed lasik rays of pride, contempt, deceit and destruction. Before him were a multitude. They reached and yearned, as if their very lives were in his hands. The figure opened his mouth to speak. And by that action, released a double headed serpent from that trap. The multitude swayed and bowed under the spell. Raising their hands in adulation and demands for more whilst the mortal image grew larger and stronger.
"Who or what in these 'condemned flames' is that?" Xitus the second monitor, who had just happened by. On his way, going about his own pending assignment stopped to ask. Compelled and momentarily spellbound by the captivating scenery and images on the great mirror. Heinus grimaced. With his eyes still fixed on the mirror's surface himself, he proceeded to answer his counterpart.
"It's the dark version and corrupt duplication, of the expected Light to come."
"Expected Light?" The second monitor looked on aghast and befuddled. "But it is so dark. It contends to be darker than even we are." He added still staring.
"Yes, it is quite possible it contends with us. For you see, it is powered by the 'fly-lord' himself." Heinus the first monitor supplied.
"Powered by the master?" Xitus looked at his first counterpart, as if he had lost any sense he might have had. "We are all powered by the master. He is evil and darkness personified, remember? And we chose to follow him. Baptized and unified in his condemnation. So of what exactly do you speak?" That one waited defiantly for an explanation.
"Well this is definitely different." Started the first monitor. "For the reason the Enemy chose to manifest Himself in flesh, is the reason there will be a copycat version doing the same thing. In other words," Heinus bid his time before continuing his explanation. "He is man and devil. He is made to replicate, yet remain a covert opposite. A prototype that is against the original and typical."
"Who ever heard such a thing?" The second monitor was stunned but plowed on with his question. "And why does he look that way, so real so human. Even outfitted like them." He observed further.
"The attire of his times," began Heinus. "He is donned to deceive. For he must fit in, be accepted and extolled to function effectively." The head monitor stated flatly and looked away to nowhere in particular.
"And what is that close to his feet? Fierce and snarling, with teeth like iron bars." Heinus quickly snapped his head back to the image and the spot where his comrade was pointing at. "That's a beast," he responded expertly. "His beast. Here you have the 'fly-lord', his mortal image and their beast."
If searches were horses....:
Ethia glowered in annoyance, as the prince mounted the horse for what felt to her like the umpteenth time in twenty minutes. Why in the world, was he riding around in circles? She wondered to herself deprecatingly. As the young royal dismounted yet again, with his young aide in tow. Is he going somewhere or not? Or should I stand here and waste a whole day waiting for the priviledged brat? The queen mother continued to fume inwardly. Though the thoughts formed rapidly in her head, she managed to refrain them from escaping her lips. She knew better than to abort her mission, thereby killing the plan before it even formed completely. She was determined not to botch this stolen opportunity today.
The prince was rarely and not easily seen around these days. Something to do with tightened security measures she had heard. It seemed her son was still bent on appeasing the death of a worthless slave. The whole episode, was now making her sick. For the life of her, she did not understand why he would not let the death go. Why he kept tampering with spilled rotten milk, was besides her. It was all really exhausting her mission and purpose. Now she would have to set up a special time to meet with them, in the guise of a family gathering. But she knew her son and his giddy wife would not agree with her line of questioning, if and when she finally came out with it. So she ingeniously decided to sneak by the private royal stables, where the prince rode his horse about 2-3 times a week.
She had never been in these parts before and never really cared to. The horses or the other animals for that matter, were of no interest to her right now. So the sooner she got what she wanted and exited the stinking stable, the better for all concerned. The prince spotted her, as his horse began to trot away from the original practice circle. As soon as he recognized who it was watching them, he waved politely with a smile. Howbeit surprisingly. Ethia waved back just as calmly and composedly initially. However, when she could no longer control herself or hidden intentions. She began to wave forcefully and excitedly. The registered confusion on the child's face, prompted the queen mother to calm down. And then resort to a gentle yet beckoning gesture instead. All activities were now nicely sealed with a forced smile.
At her relentless inviting motion, the prince brought his horse to a complete stand still. Slowly and systematically, he alighted form the animal. Having readjusted his riding seat, he headed towards Ethia. His aide had followed suit and was now walking directly behind the prince.
"There you are my sweet grandson," exclaimed the woman profusely. Smiling just as broadly, she secretly feared she might tear her face. "How are you doing this day?" She continued. "I see you are becoming a great rider, as the days go by. Second only to your father, huh?"
"Thank you grandmother." Was all the boy said. He was actually unsure how to respond. Since he had never really seen his grandmother interested in anything thing he was doing. Much more get all excited about it.
Even his parents never elicited this much involvement from his grandmother the boy mused. No matter how awkward it all felt, he would remain polite like he had been taught to. "Now what in the world are you looking at my mouth for?" Snapped Ethia, at the aide who was now standing very close behind the prince. "Are you also my grandson?"
"No your highness. I am merely accompanying his royal highness the prince, like I was instructed to. I am only to leave his side, when he is with his majesty the king and with her majesty the queen."
"Only in the presence of the king and the queen...." Ethia mimicked disparagingly. "And who do you think I am? Or what do I look like?" Scolded the queen mother further and angrily. All the while oblivious to the fact, that the prince had stepped back. And was now watching her with a horrified expression.
"You are the queen mother, your highness." Answered the aide with his head lowered. "So?..." The woman Inquired, as if seeking further validation.
"I have been instructed, not to leave the prince's side. Except he was with his majesty the king, or with her majesty the queen." Reiterated the young aide politely. This time slightly lifting his head as if to plead for a release.
"I bet this was his mother's idea," scowled the irate royal woman. Hissing so loudly, the prince flinched and stared.
"No your highness, it was...." Began the trembling aide.
"Shut up! Just shut it up."
"Yes your highness." The servant lowered his head again.
"Now back to the reason I called you, before I was rudely stonewalled by all these protocols." She swiftly put her broad smile back in place, as she then turned to address the prince.
"I was wondering, my dear grandson. Is Hanad your friend?" She had once heard, that the prince had a penchant for remembering any name he had heard once. And referring to the servants by their names also. He never got it wrong they said.
"Is who?" The prince still looked shaken and bothered, by the previous onslaught on the aide. "Hanad, you do know him. Don't you?"
The young royal shook his head slightly. A puzzled expression etched on his face.
"How about you 'mr. shadow'? Do you know where I can find Hanad the servant? Your fellow servant." She thrust her jaw towards the aide, eyeing him with contempt as she did.
"I am but his royal highness, the prince's aide. And I do not know who Hanad Is?" Replied the aide politely.
.