The MONITORS (A Fiction) Copyright 2015

PART TWENTY-THREE:

Stand, shake and scatter:

The 'fly-lord' swiftly scrambled to his feet. With deft and determined extremities, he straightened out his human inspired garment. He was not hurt in the body of his physical manifestation. And if he had been hurt, he would still not have felt a thing. However, his ego was heavily bruised and would be the case till the very end of time. The pride that got him where he was in the first place, would never dissipate. Not just because of a sealed rejection, eviction and condemned fate. But because it was also who he was and needed to be until he fulfilled his mandate and mission.

After all, at some point he had been the most magnificent and beautiful. Shining and glorified like the rays in the stars of a studded galaxy. His adornment alone had spoken in gaiety to all who beheld, whenever he walked by. Ripples of adoration rolled and roared in his stately stead. Unlike most, he knew his real place, limits, boundaries and impending closure. That piece of information would remain hidden from his counterparts, subordinates and the ever clueless humans. Unfortunately for him though, it would be revealed to the wise that search it out. The ability to know, made possible by their proximity to his Maker and now turned archenemy.

His hatred for this Sovereign, was a perfect hatred. It could never get worse or better. For this reason, he would pick himself up at the moment and continue with his dark assignment. Hoping that as he did, this freshly occurred incident would not put a dent in his haughty aura.

The 'fly-lord', the very epitome of darkness himself. Looked over, from across the chamber. Scanning with piercing and sinister eyes for any initially undetected observers. Any that may have witnessed this insulting and humiliating episode. Seeing none around, he immediately directed his thoughts towards his assistant.

Heinus had been standing right next to him when the quake-like tremble hit. The monitor must have been flung not too far away, thought his master coldly. The dark master's search for his right hand man was not to know about his welfare, because he did not care. Any damages the monitor may have incurred due to the invasive shaking, was entirely his business alone. He would bear it as his own personal peril. But his duties to him as his lord, he must perform.

What he the 'fly-lord' really wanted to find out was if the monitor understood what had just happened and its daunting implications. He the dark master needed to know if the incident had diminished the monitor's awe and worship of him. Did the situation expose him as hardly all-powerful?

He did not have to wait or ponder for long. As Heinus the head monitor came hobbling from across the chamber towards him. With an obvious limp that had definitely been caused by the disastrous tremor and scattering of their physical bodies. Trailing the head monitor also, was a visibly shaken Xitus the second monitor and Bivus the third.

The shaking and disturbance moments earlier, had been ground altering to say the least. They had been rattled, spun around, shaken and eventually flung to the various corners of the large monitoring chamber.

“Master!” Shouted Heinus. As he got closer to where the ‘fly-lord’ stood with a scowl, nursing his invisible wounds.

“Did you make it out fine? Is all well?" Inquired the monitor further. Not out of concern or care also, but a necessary protocol.

“Such foolish questions, from a fool.” Bellowed the dark lord in anger and frustration. “And why would I not make it out fine? Have you forgotten to whom you speak?" He was done yet. “And just for the record, which you are definitely bound to forget and foul again. It could never be well with any of us here, just a certain insolent remnant.” He turned to walk away, but stopped slightly turning his neck as Heinus was starting to speak again.

“In no way at all, did I forget who you were master.” Responded the monitor to the initial question which may have been rhetorical. His tone of voice was flat. Though inwardly, he too was seething with his own portion of rage. “I was merely asking in accordance to what is expected. You have always stressed that organization is a key element here. If any of us or thing is out of it's place and sync, then we have a functioning problem. For that reason alone, I asked after your well being.” Heinus finished and waited, while his two counterparts Xitus and Bivus looked on silently.

The ‘fly-lord’ now turned his whole person towards the monitor. In a bid to end the annoying conversation once and for all. “Did you in anyway, understand what just happened and its implications?” He was glaring at the monitor now. Expecting him to answer the question, yet at the same time daring him to state the offensive and obvious. Heinus contemplated the answer he would give. Knowing exactly what the question meant.

“Ermm…. What actually happened, was that HE stood up… HE…” Heinus stammered, not sure how to continue. Feeling suddenly too wary to be flung away, a second time under the space of an hour. He looked around at his comrades. Knowing as he did, there was really nothing they could do for him or for themselves. Armed with the same awareness also, Xitus and Bivus promptly lowered their eyes.

“What did you just say?!” The ‘fly-lord’ was livid. As his mounting rage threatened to suffocate all four of them.

“I said, the Enemy stood up. He deliberately rose from His throne and thus we were unceremoniously distributed to every nook and corner of the chamber. In other words, we were flung hither and thither. We were without permission dispersed to and fro. We….”

The ‘fly-lord’ felt himself die yet another death as he listened to Heinus’ endless but accurate explanation. Was the blow to his pride unending? He then began to step towards the blabbering monitor, who had abruptly stopped speaking and was backing off too. Whilst the other two monitors, somehow also began to simultaneously shuffle backwards in haste.

The prince, a predator and a pleasant payday:

Debeh was not sure if she should remain rooted to the spot in which she had been standing for the past few minutes. She had leaped right onto that space and did not need to do much else afterwards. The mayhem that had ensued, after her unplanned and discovery scream. Was still in full swing all around her. It was like a circus ring performing and she was in the middle of the cycle directing without a word. Actually, it was more like she was not even there. She understood that the urgency of the situation, precipitated a reaction void of lapse or interruption from any source whatsoever. The prince, the heir to the throne’s life was in danger and demanded everything else in need attention pale.

She was also glad and impressed at the quick thinking action of the prince’s aide and bodyguard. For as soon as Debeh had unscrupulously leaped from her hiding place screaming ‘snake’, while pointing towards the prince. The whole waterside became lit like a wild bush-fire and every reaction simultaneously synchronized like clockwork. Even the queen herself made an unconscious dash for the river, though heavily restrained by a magnificent robe of identity, status and duty. Which reduced her panic race, to about two scuttling steps forward. After which she was gently, but firmly held in place by a female guard.

All was beginning to settle now it seemed. As the once former royal maid herself, looked on at the royal assembly. The prince was now safely and calmly seated in the carriage, securely draped by his mother’s shawl. Almost as if that piece of cloth itself was calamity or predator-bite proof. All the while, the guards and other workers busied themselves. Readying the carriage and its adjoining wagon for their return to the palace. Deciding that her job there was done, Debeh turned to walk away discreetly. Fearing as she went, the possibility of getting caught. The very thought of having to explain to whomever might ask; What she a mere stranger, was doing there in the first place.

The penalty of breeching royal protocol and invading the privacy of the monarchs made her shudder. For whatever it might turn out to be. She would sneak away now and never return again. This snoop game would be the final one and her departure indefinite.

“Excuse me.” The voice interrupted without warning of its approach. The former maid once again froze in place. A mixture of shock and fear coursing through her veins. “Her majesty the queen, would like to speak to you.” Continued the female aide who had walked over to Debeh, as she planned her exit from the scene. It was just a gentle tap on the shoulder. Yet the startled and stuttering stranger was a pitiful mess to behold, mused the queen's aide to herself.

“I did not mean to…. I just wanted…. It won’t happen again…. I thought….”

“Her royal majesty, the queen. Will like to speak to you.” The aide repeated as if Debeh had not spoken.

“Yes indeed.” Managed the confused and flustered intruder. Who now allowed the royal aide, to lead the way back to where the queen herself stood waiting. The fact that her majesty was flanked by very stern looking guards, made the former maid even more nervous than she had originally been. It would have been nice, she thought to herself. If she could send word to her sisters, informing them that she was headed to the palace dudgeon.

“It appears you may have saved my son’s life from a poisonous predator today. Thank you.” The queen stated without preamble, as they both reached her.

“There is no telling what could have happened if indeed the snake got to him.” The gracious monarch finished.

“Yes indeed your majesty.” Agreed Debeh quickly, curtseying as she did. Not sure if her answer was the right one, or what else she was supposed to say. Howbeit, still preparing a lengthy apology and a plea for mercy.

“Where is your family? And what else do you do, when you are not spotting snakes and protecting princes?”

“I have two older sisters. We live a little far off from here. And I have nothing else that I do.”

“Very well then,” stated the queen matter of factly. “How would you like to work at the royal palace?”

“Oh your majesty.” Debeh thought either her head was rotating or the ground was spinning. Though no stranger to the royal occupation herself, she was simply stunned at how quickly things were turning out.

“Me? The palace? Yes your majesty. Oh yes. I would love and appreciate that.” Gushed a now teary eyed but smiling Debeh.

“Sounds good to me.” Finished the queen as she elegantly stepped back towards the carriage. Where two waiting aides, carefully settled her inside. The thankful maid looked on in admiration and bowed her gratitude once again. As the royal envoy waited, another aide got off the wagon and walked over to where the former maid stood still gaping and smiling.

“I am here to work out the necessary details of your palace employment.” Said he, to an elated Debeh.