PART TWENTY-EIGHT:
A sight for smoky eyes:
“How come you don’t remember, where we took the lady and her friend's body?” The first man asked his preoccupied friend.
“And how come you don’t remember where?” His friend shot back. Bearing an irritation in his voice, that stemmed from a desire to avoid that particular topic of conversation. However, he was determined to drive home his point once and hopefully for all. “Listen, I know we did the right thing by helping them. And then later carrying them to their home. I also know you still harbor some guilt because we walked away from the incineration. But we never planned to hurt anyone. It just happened. Do you understand? And besides, what were two young women doing out in the woods at that time? You know that is exactly why we chose those hours to work, because no one is expected to be roaming in that area.”
The first man scratched his head before replying. “I don’t remember the route clearly, because I was carrying the one who gave the directions. She was complaining of being in excruciating pain, so I concentrated on being careful. I hardly paid attention. I followed the three of you.”
“Well I paid good attention to where we went. And I must tell you it did not feel safe nor did it feel right. I could hardly wait to get out. I felt like I would suffocate. So I have made the sane and right choice to forget that specific experience.”
“What do you mean it did not feel safe and right? It was a nicely built and big hut. What could possibly have been wrong with it?” Asked the first man puzzled.
“Are you telling me you never noticed the numerous skulls and human bones. Sacred ornaments, occultic emblems and what have you, hanging on the door way and all over the walls?" The second man retorted aghast.
“Actually, I did not pay much attention to my surroundings. Like I told you, I was mostly guilt ridden and distracted by her cries of pain.” The first man reiterated.
“Well then,” began the second man. “I paid good attention and I saw all that and more. I have chosen not to revisit the scenario. Not mentally and definitely not physically. And I strongly believe that our two colleagues will concur.”
“Don’t sound so angry and final. I was just trying to follow through with a tragedy I feel partially responsible for. That is the only reason I keep bringing it up. I never knew it had such a negative impact on you.” The first man finished with the feeling that he had hit a brick wall.
“That sounds reasonable; I am all for following through. Now if you must follow through with something. Why won’t you remember the amazing sight we saw instead? You do know we will never be the same again after that, right? I mean how many times have you or anyone for that matter, seen three bright and winged beings singing in the fire? And yet they did not burn or even get scorched.” The second man waited for a few moments as his words sank in, before finishing.
“That should be an amazing and refreshing food for your thought. So I suggest you think on that, because I for sure will be doing the same.” He finished slightly sternly.
“You know what? I think you just might be right.” Agreed the first man. As thoughts of a fiery and entrapping darkness, made way for a melody of liberating light.
I spy and you lie:
“Get a carriage and two maids ready for me.” Started Ethia the queen mother, announcing her instructions without any superior pleasantries or preamble. “I will be going to the Festival/Fair later today.” It was early in the morning and Rifra the housekeeper was in the process of going through the days order with the palace cleaning staff. They were assembled at a far and inconspicuous section of the main and long palace hallway, when Ethia walked in from the garden. She was known to move around unexpectedly. In fact in many discreet occasions, she had been described as a sneak. It was her way of keeping personal tabs on what happened in the kingdom. She needed to know who came and went from the palace. That way she would know when and if anyone came after her.
“Certainly your highness,” responded the housekeeper. “Would that be all for today?”
“It will be all, when I decide to tell you so.” She snapped. “Until then, step away from that crowd. They are watching my mouth, as if I was making a public announcement.” She beckoned to him to move closer to where she stood, flapping her right hand sharply in the air. Rifra complied. Stepping away from the group of servants and a few steps towards the royal.
“Is the king sick?” She asked as soon as he was a few feet in front of her. She had observed the previous day, whilst sitting in her hidden enclave tucked inside the garden. A spot where she sat most of the time, because it afforded her a discreet view of all who came and went from the main palace building. The older healer being led by a palace guard and with him was a strange young woman. She had wondered what the source of the recent influx of strange women to the palace grounds could possibly be. Had the protocols become too loose and accommodating, or was there something else going on?
Every time she turned around, there they were. Armed with tall and ridiculous tales. Always with an aim to becoming some added liability to the kingdom. Even worse was the fact that they could eventually inundate her territory, if she did not stop this foolish encroachment.
“No your highness,” started Rifra enthusiastically. “His majesty the king is far from being sick. He is in excellent health.” Ethia eyed him with disdain and suspicion. No one told her anything these days. And if indeed he was sick, he would know how to handle himself. She did not have time for sentiments, never did. More so, she was on her own desperate quest for damage control. A business that required daily adjustments, repairing and maintenance. Any mishap whatsoever, from family or otherwise was a distraction she would have to reject.
“Then let us see. His wife must have pulled a muscle, from looking cute. Could that be it? Or maybe something along those mundane lines. Hurry up and fill me in.” Her gaze was cold and steely. Rifra shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, before responding. “Pardon me your highness, but I did not understand your question.”
“Of course you did not. I know better than to ask you air heads any question any more. Since I never get an intelligent answer anyway. But that is by the….”
“Your highness, if you are asking about the queen. She is doing quite well also. Beautiful her majesty, as always.” The housekeeper stated suddenly, with a broad smile. It would appear unclear to any onlooker, if he was aware that he had interrupted the queen mother.
“Shut up!” Shouted Ethia, startling Rifra who staggered backwards. And the waiting servants themselves, also began to slide backwards ever so slightly. There was an unspoken but known plan, to disperse from the premises. Should the present situation go from bad to worse.
“Which part of ‘that is by the way’, did you not understand?” The queen mother continued yelling. The housekeeper lowered his head and remained silent. After glaring at his scalp for a few moments. She continued with her line of questioning. “Why was the healer here yesterday? And I understand he was escorted by a strange young woman.”
“Your highness, the healer and his companion were invited guests of his majesty the king and the queen.”
“Invited guests?” She quirked her eyebrows. “And to what purpose was that invitation?”
“Your highness,” the young man looked incredulous. “I do not….”
“Forget it. I keep forgetting who I am dealing with. Now here is one question you should and must know the answer to by now; How is the search going?”
“The search your highness?” Rifra racked his brain for the precise content of their last conversation. He did not remember the exact progress he was supposed to have made. So he braced himself for the worst.
“Goodness, you are more stupid than I thought. Must be a product of daft parents, I must say. Were you not in the process of searching for a supposed employee of this palace named Hanad? Someone whom you keep missing, even as an overseer of the domestic aspects of the kingdom.” Ethia was breathing heavily now, as she flashed her eyes around. Making sure that no one else had overheard her mention the name ‘Hanad’.
Rifra’s face merely registered complete confusion as he looked at the irate woman. And all that the woman saw before her, was an expression void of any semblance of understanding of what she had just asked.
Mirror, mirror.... Who will I be?:
“Have you decided what or who you will become this year for the annual Festival/Fair of these gullible mortals?” Heinus tone was serious and matter-of-fact. But he wore a slight smirk. Xitus his comrade and the second monitor was in charge of human relations. And there were no holds barred, as to how far he would go to foster those relationships.
“Not yet. I dare say the whole nine yards possibly. Man, woman and/or any animal necessary or applicable. The large and often crowded Fair, is fertile ground for recruitment, realignment and reinstatement our influence among them.” Xitus appeared pensive as he answered.
This had been a very low scoring and scattered season for the dark world. It was either a glint of light pierced through a plot, stalling its progress and effect. Or a human agent stumbled and failed. Thereby aborting or completely eliminating their assignment. The monitors were slowly losing their influence in the palace, key ruling circles and relationships. That would have to change. He was dedicated to re-initiating the half committed agents. And destroying by death, the now useless ones.
“How about your concubine? If she retires to tend to burnt flesh, then we would have to extinguish her as soon as necessary. No need to saddle our mission with such inconvenience. We must weigh all our options.” It was as if Heinus had read his comrades thoughts.
“I still have need of her and the lot she controls. Let her nurse herself and wounds. Then when she is done, I will use her again.” Heinus simply nodded. He was now preoccupied with scanning the great mirror.
“I keep seeing traces of light invading the Festival. Yet there are no links or trails to identify them.”
“It may just be a residue from the past. Or the enemy trying unsuccessfully, to penetrate our region of operation.” Xitus attempted at an equivalent of consolation. He did not have the time to prevent his comrade from flying off the handle in rage. He himself was busy with the Festival.
“If indeed it is unsuccessful, then that is fine by me. No more surprises.” The first monitor proceeded to pull up the center square and Festival location.
He perused its four corners intensely. Watching as patrons and merchants alike, scurried about the business of preparation. Suddenly, the screen before him was scrambled and then it fizzled out. Eliciting a loud hiss from Heinus, who had begun another search to retrieve the lost screen. A signal popped up finally on the mirror's surface. It was an interruption from the future headed backwards to the Festival. Heinus tensed, as he enlarged the image. Peering closely at it the whole time. And then just as soon, he let out a loud yelp. When heavy shafts of light refracted from the mirror, hitting him head on.
.