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The MONITORS (A Fiction) Copyright 2015

Writer's picture: Chioma OnwudiweChioma Onwudiwe

PART-TWENTY THREE Cont'd:

From one royal to another:

King Nerlak put his royal seal on the last parched sheets of proposals, that had been placed in front of him and sat back in relief. He then dismissed his hovering aide. Who checked to see on their way out, that every guard was in their position outside the throne office chamber. His majesty wanted some time to himself. He had past and pending agendas to review. Things he had put aside for too long now, he felt. The buzzing of activities and happenings in the kingdom lately, had been more than any other monarch had had to deal with at once. Thankfully, he thought Debeh’s murder investigation was moving along okay. Events of that day were all being reviewed. Her usual routine then and any other action she may have taken out of the ordinary or untypically, was being looked into. Every visitor, worker or passer-by’s activity that very day was being tabulated for the sake of the necessary enquiries. All with whom the personal maid interacted, had their day before the magistrate at some point. Every situation surrounding the shocking and disheartening murder, was being narrowed down to who, what and maybe why?

Prince Amil himself, was very focused on and precisely detailed with his first ever and highly important royal assignment. He had personally constructed most of the plans and actions that were being used to search for Princess Reinah. In fact, it had been reported progressively that someone seemingly fitting the princess’ description was seen crossing the street from the market place a few days earlier. The special scouts put together by the young royal, had gotten word that a girl about Reinah’s height and age had been spotted. It had been impossible to see the girls face, since it had been partially covered. An act that may have been by chance, habit or on purpose. However, by the prince’s directive that area was under surveillance. They would check it out again, but would refrain from any enquiries or questioning any person just yet. That decision was made by the palace in order not to raise unnecessary alarm. An alarm or excitement that might jeopardize the life of the princess. The king was very proud of his son. More so with how responsible he had been with such a fragile and yet significant project.

Looking at the pile he had set aside to peruse and review at a later date. The king settled himself comfortably to begin the task at hand. As he reached for the first parchment from the pile, an old satchel slid from the side of the stack and to the ground. The monarch turned and lowered his torso to pick it up. As soon as he had the satchel in his hands, he recognized it as the one the late Debeh had left with his wife the queen. Looking inside the worn but upscale bag, he also remembered that they had read the larger sheet together. But there was also still a second and smaller sheet inside the satchel. It was still folded and had not been opened or read by them. Maybe decided the king, they would all read it that evening after dinner. Debeh as the queen’s personal maid and so much more, had been a significant part of their lives after all. And they together as a family, would share the unveiling of her desires.

Glancing briefly and yet quickly one more time at the larger sheet before folding it away. King Nerlak read again:

‘…. A descendant of maids, blessed and secure

A friend to a queen, scorned yet so pure

A server of kings who reigns among snakes….’

The king chuckled to himself at the last read sentence. How ironic, that it had been the impending attack of a snake that brought Debeh to them in the first place. Some vipers would indeed serve a greater purpose than the evil they intended, he mused. And then continued on to fold the sheet and carefully place it back in its original container.

As he reached for the sachel one more time, in a bid to place the larger sheet back inside. His eyes caught on a distinct and outstanding inscription. Appealing to him more on a familiar ground than on a strange one. It was on the smaller sheet stilling laying inside the elegant enclosure. Pulling it out, the king looked closely at the spot that caught his eye. It was inscribed with what was now gently and slightly fading ink. It also bore an exclusive and detailed seal. It could not possibly be, thought the intrigued and curiously piqued monarch to himself. Could this really be what he thought it was? He further wondered to himself, as he pulled the sheet closer to inspect. And indeed, it was as the amazed king had suspected. The seal on the smaller sheet in the satchel that Debeh had left with his wife, was a seal of sovereignty. The maid’s package, was of royal origin and bearings.

Evil is blinding:

Xitus froze the swirling images on the large mirror with a touch of his hand. Then he began to systematically scroll backwards. As scenes upon scenes flashed back, his accustomed eyes darted to and fro. Scanning carefully, until he came to a certain person. Peering closely, he tapped on that particular image to enlarge it. After careful observation, he called out to his comrade. “Heinus, come over here and see this. I think he may have gone off the deep end.”

That one walked over and took a close look at what Xitus was indicating. Before him was king Nerlak, with his hands raised in front of him, lips moving and staring into space. One would have thought he was actually reading something, grimaced Heinus.

“There he goes again,” remarked the unimpressed monitor. “Remember we have seen this before. Maybe, all the confusion has finally gotten to him. Then he might stop the murder investigation and the search for the girl.”

“Maybe….” Finished Xitus, with an uncertain nod.

If wishes were darts, princesses would(c.o.)....:

The first girl tilted her head backwards, while the second dabbed around the bruise on her left eye. Lowering the piece of cloth into the small bowl of warm water, she rinsed and repeated her previous action. She continued that way for a few moments, only stopping when her patient winced and pushed her hand away.

“Stop please,” grunted Manipa. “I think that is all I can take for now.” She lowered her head, while placing her hand on the swollen left side of her face.

“I have never seen you have it this bad before,” started her friend Bitani. “To think that he looked like such a gentleman, when he came looking for that foolish girl. I mean I know the boys always have to beat us away from them. But still this is the worse you have had it.”

The friend who played the nursing part, dropped the piece of cloth into the bowl. Then folded her hands across her chest and stared at her friend’s face intently.

“Well, he changed after that night I snuck away to see him.” Manipa started woefully with her narrative. “He was upset about the thing I told him concerning Reinah and his aunt. But I offered to go with him and help him feel better. If he felt our relationship was going nowhere, then he should have made it clear from the beginning.” She stopped for a minute to touch her aching face, and then continued. “All he said when I followed him, was that he wanted to be alone and rethink the whole betrayal saga he had just heard about. The girl he said, had been like family to them and he was still in shock. Then he started to walk away from me. So I ran after him. You know how persistent I am in getting people to change their mind about me. So I made him an offer he could not refuse. It was ME after all. Welcome the crack of dawn the next day, he woke me up and told me I had to leave immediately. I was surprised and asked him what the rush was. He said there was no rush, just did not want his family meeting me there. Then I think he said something about preserving his reputation. Anyway, I had to rush over to Envila’s house at that time. It was so humiliating, I could not go home. Nobody knew I had left the house.”

She stopped again and cradled the throbbing side of her face as her friend looked on in anticipation. “The next day, I went to look for him. But his dog chased me down the street. Between you and me, I think it was him that set that animal on me.” She stopped, shook her head in disgust and then continued. “So for six consecutive days, I kept trying to go and see him. I felt we needed to talk about where all this was going. But he would not come out or answer the door. How deceptive and evasive can one human being be?” They both hissed in unison as the story progressed.

“When I could not get him to see me, I devised a plan. I lay ambush at around the time I knew he would get back to his home. And sure enough, there he was smiling and chatting with this girl as he walked.”

“What?! You don’t say,” exclaimed Bitani.

“Oh I do say,” responded the narrator rolling her eyes. “I then jumped out of my hiding place, right in front of them. Demanding to know why he did not get back to me. I mean how dare he, try to pull a 'one nighter'.”

“So what did he say to you?” Her friend wanted to know. Her eyes were nearly bulging from curiosity. She and Manipa had this very much in common. So many times, they had cleaned each other’s physical wounds. So many times, they had vigorously and persistently chased down the boys. Only to be turned out when the fools got what they wanted, she fumed. Then they would still chase further. Only a little more aggressively and the end result was a dabbing session. A very wet rag and venomous exchange. She had even gone as far as to spend all her allowance on convincing the boys, even though they initially ran away. She had her ways of tracking them down though. And then proceeded to trap them.

She was not to be trifled with for sure, she thought to herself. But, by some strange way. The boys still managed to escape. Leaving behind an empty purse and/or a black eye. Granted she and Manipa liked to throw the first punch in frustration and anger.

“You would not believe what his response was.” The bruised one shook her head in mock bewilderment. “He asked who I was and why he should get back to me? Can you imagine that? The absolute nerve of him!” She sneered. Bitani nodded silently. Knowing and understanding too well what her counterpart was talking about. However, knowing did not make it any better for the two of them. Besides, this was not the reason she stopped by in the first place. She had her own looming and equally pressing need.

“Manipa, I need to ask for your help,” interjected that one. Abruptly changing the subject much to her friends annoyance.

“What do you want now? Do you not see that I am hurting,” snapped the one with the swollen face.

“I see that and I know that too. But I really need some money.”

“Hahaha,” Manipa’s shoulders racked with false laughter. “Me give you money? Who told you I have any? I spent my last dime staking out that fool, who was not sure of what he wanted. I am in need myself.”

“But….” Started Bitani, who was suddenly interrupted by the entrance of Envila and Slaia.

“Hello girls.” Greeted the former cheerily. “Have you heard the latest gossip?”

“What latest gossip?” Managed an irritated and very uncomfortable Manipa.

“Well,” began Envila eagerly. Glad that she had their attention. “I overheard my brother and his friends, talking about meeting a strange girl in the woods. A girl I suspect might be the high-and-mighty snub of a Reinah.”

“Really? And what happened?” The black-eye sat up, instantly dropping her hand from her face.

“I am not quite sure yet. Like I said, I was eaves dropping. But I hope to fish out the details one way or another later.”

“Hmmm…. They beat darkness into and out of her.” Spat out Bitani as all the other three turned towards her and she continued. “That serves her right, walking around thinking she is all that.” She finished with her neck in a knot, as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Oh you heard about it already?” This came from Slaia, who thought it a bit hard to believe what Bitani was saying.

“No I did not hear about it already. But this is what I wished happened and this is what I want everyone to believe happened.” The envy and hate issueing from her was palpable.

Manipa sighed in exhaustion. How she wished Bitani would control her revealing and public outbursts. And refrain from showing the others their private frustrations. While exposing their secret desires, conversations and any discussion they may have had about their subject of threat.


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