PART-TWENTY FOUR Cont'd
Small stall, small world:
Dirata the market woman pulled at the string on the bunch of flowers in her hands, one more time. To be assured it was secure, before placing it in the basket on the floor. Carefully and selectively, she began picking a whole new bunch. Going through the arduous task of pruning and aligning the flowers. Even though she was very detailed when she worked, she was still able to carry on her conversation.
“Are you saying, she never mentioned the deed or the property?” The woman stopped plucking at the plants she was holding to turn and look at her cousin.
“She never mentioned much, my grandmother. Yes she lived and helped well, but never said much. I mean no one ever knew a maid to have been as rich as she was. However, rumor had it that the great and good king and his queen took good care of her. Rewarded her it seemed for a very noble act.”
“Hmm….” Mused the woman softly. “What a humble and sweet legacy indeed. I did hear she was a remarkable lady, when we were growing up.” She finished with admiration in her voice and a smile on her face. The past had begun to reverberate through her mind now. She had not seen her cousin, for quite some time. Though their families had lived in one province close to each other. They had all began to be scattered and dispersed, occupationally and maritally. She herself had moved further away, in her passion and pursuit of horticulture. Trying successfully to make a life in these parts that she had come to love. And thankfully, every now and then her family could still find her here.
Her cousin had travelled a distance to seek customary and legal counsel. This was the ruling province and most of the other provinces, had to come here for very serious, volatile or highly classified situations. That was the reason he had come. And would be spending a couple of days with her, while he sorted himself out. Though they were cousins, the side of the current situation was not related to her. His mother’s mother, his grandmother had been a maid to the good and great king’s queen. The story, though it was never really officially confirmed. Was that she had uncovered a deadly plot to assassinate the king and his sons. And that had precipitated years of provision and protection for her and her family.
The maid had only one daughter with her husband, who at the time had worked as the king’s butler. Her husband had died during the first infamous palace invasion and coup d’état. Therefore, she as the queen’s faithful maid. Had left with the royals, during their time of safety and self-imposed exile.
Her only daughter, went on to marry a municipal builder. The builder was the market woman's father’s younger brother. She had two sons. One of which was her cousin sitting in the stall with her now. They had grown up more like siblings, even though Dirata had two brothers and a sister of her own.
Her cousin’s grandmother, the noble maid. Had lived for more than a century before she died. And now that she was dead, a large piece of property given to her by the king. Was involved in some kind of a dispute.
“Yes indeed, she was remarkable.” Agreed her cousin with even more admiration. “But hopefully, the process of proving that the great king indeed gifted their maid with such an enormous property. Would end up being just as remarkable.” The man stated finally. And then on second thoughts asked;
“By the way, I heard that Keta’s husband’s young relative. Was here with you.” Keta was the market woman’s sister.
“Oh you mean my brother-in-law’s nephew. Yes he used to come here a lot. But then stopped abruptly, due to a fight or so it seemed.”
“A fight? With whom? He seemed such a hardworking and promising young man.”
“I thought so too,” supplied the woman with a weary sigh. “But I guess peer pressure and the wrong crowd, can make all that dissipate overnight.”
“Do you know where he lives or where he is now? Would you like me to talk with him?”
“Honestly, I have not heard from or seen him since the said incident. But I can always send word to find him while you are here.”
“Sounds good to me.” Stated her cousin, as he nodded his agreement and pointed to a floral arrangement hanging on the wall of the market stall.
“That’s a very interesting and eye catching piece you have there. Quite innovative, I must say. With all due respect,” he continued with a chuckle. “I would not have thought you would make something quite like that.” “You are quite right,” she agreed giggling herself. “I did not put it together. Reinah did. It was her idea and piece.”
“Reinah? Who is that?” Her cousin looked at her questioningly.
“Yes Reinah….” Began the market woman, losing the previous giggle to teary eyes.
Baby born and baby gone:
Rifra's mother stole a glance at the other mother and her daughter, seating at the other side of the wooden cot. The woman looked distressed and confused, as she chatted incessantly in lowered tones. Whatever it was she was saying, her younger daughter hung onto it as if for dear life. She had invited them here, for Ashea's sake. Even though her son had only wanted her there for the 'special delivery'. She as a mother herself, could understand any angst that the other woman might feel. Therefore, she did not think it was fair to alienate her from a situation such as this. Besides, she knew her daughter-in-law would need to and be happy to see her mother and sister.
Had Hanad really picked this questionable and creepy hole to deliver his child? Thought his mother to herself, as she looked around and shook her head. And of all the mid-wives and healers that he could afford to take her to or hire. He chose this place and this man. She could not really see who the man was, or what he looked like. It was impossible to tell, for all the hair that was in his face and the markings that crisscrossed it. The whole place reeked of smoke and something else she could not exactly put her finger on.
She had come to witness the birth of her grandchild. Strange as it was, considering he had barely been carried for three months. However, since Ashea had gotten so big, weak and sick. It was obvious and inevitable, that she was ready to be delivered and quickly so. The strange man had not wanted her to see anything that he was doing. So she simply held and stroked her daughter-in-laws head until that one fell into a deep sleep. How could she sleep, while giving birth to her special child? Who would do the pushing for her? Did this trance have anything to do with the mixture/potion he had given her to drink? So many questions, still no answers.
Yet Hanad had strictly instructed her to keep her inquisitions to herself and stay out of the man's way. There had not even been a whimper, nor had there been any cry whatsoever. She never saw the baby and it was over before she knew it had started. She had asked Ashea's mother and sister, to wait for them in the adjoining room. Now she wished they had been in there with her, when the strange man announced that the baby was dead at delivery. Her curious and devastated demand, to see the baby's body. Led to a near heated argument. One for which she knew her son would not applaud nor thank her for. He had arranged for all this and surely he was prepared to handle the consequences.
Now here they all were, at the unfortunate's mother's bedside while she slept. Wondering how she would take the horrid news about her delivered dead baby. Ashea stirred on the cot, muttering incoherently as sweat glistened on her brows. Her mother stepped forward and wiped her forehead, as her sister looked on in worried anticipation. Rifra's mother remained close-by but silent. Allowing them some needed time of bonding. Finally, the patient opened her eyes and looked around. First at her mother, at her sister who looked ready to jump out of her skin. And then lastly at her mother-in-law, who had very deep concern etched on her face.
Seeing the questioning and confused look on her face, Rifra's mother moved to clarify things quickly and gently.
"Oh my dear, good to see you are awake. How do you feel?" Ashea only looked around again, as if figuring out the place and location. So her mother-in-law cleared her throat and made another attempt at broaching the looming matter at hand.
"Ashea, you see...." Started the burdened woman, trying so hard to pick her words carefully.
"Where am I? And what is going on?" Interrupted the patient with a dry and gruff voice.
"You were here to have the baby, but it...." Rifra's mother sat up straight. This explanation would need all the strength she could muster.
"What baby?" Was Ashea's gruff but clear question and interruption.
Smoke scenes and smoke screens:
Heinus watched the rising smoke cover the screen. Though it was merely a scenery of images, it felt and looked like the mist was physically on the mirror's surface.
"What just happened here?" He barked, his enquiry not just rhetorical but near impossible to answer. Xitus who was watching the same scenes, merely shrugged.
"You beat me to it. I also meant to ask you the same thing."
"Did we just have two agents fall into the fire?" Again Heinus was not really expecting an answer.
"Surely you must have seen that coming." Xitus sarcasm was undeniable.
"How many times must I tell you, we cannot see the future." Snapped the first monitor. Then he explained grudgingly. "We just see glimpses and clues that we diligently study and observe to give us ideas of alignment and expectations."
"Then I guess the 'smoke screen', should have been more telling." Muttered Xitus as he got up and walked away.