PART THIRTY-FIVE:
The meeting of man and monster:
The man observed intently, as the small offspring scampered to the other side of the cage. When it got there, it stooped and leaned back on the cold steely rods that formed the confines of the dark square box. The wizard slipped in four fingers. Cautiously reaching, for the seemingly frightened or alarmed creature. He attempted to stroke its rough but slimy skin. But all to no avail. He sighed in exasperation and watched helplessly as it once again quickly scurried away from him. He would have to be fed at some point, thought the sorcerer. And the tiny clumps of stale blood, mixed with a special preservative. Would have to be cleaned off his body also.
He had been kept in a large glass jar. As soon as he was separated from his mother's womb. The attachment and bonding chord, fell off on its own immediately after the birth. It was almost as if the young one, could not wait to be free and independent.
Unsurprisingly true to its gestation period. The offspring had grown very big in just four days. The wizard had refused to dispose of the baby. Like he had promised and was expected to. Not for the sake of compassion or even guilt for that matter. He was merely intrigued. That such a normal looking human, would be delivered of such. He was curious alright. But most importantly, his motivation had been to facilitate or produce something out of the ordinary.
A lifelong and innate desire, to prove that the spiritual was much more real than the physical. The sorcerer's daily transactions and torment from forbidden realms, would make him aware. An acquired obsession, not because he was more alive. Hardly, but because he was quite undead and gravely disturbed.
He had been alerted, by a certain aura of strangeness. That embodied the young man, who brought the mother-to-be here. An odd yet subtle physicality, that was guarded by a vague and evasive demeanor. His pupils had a slight slit, that only a trained eye would notice. He moved very swiftly. Almost dashing around, like he did not need to take walking steps. He was obviously some human alright, concluded the wizard. Nevertheless, there was still more to him that met the human eye.
Had he withheld some important information, about the woman and her pregnancy? And if so, why? Surely he did not expect him as a sorcerer, to wonder if the girl drank in her condition. Only an ominous presence or partaking could produce such. Yet the most valid and revelatory question of all, remained knowing the mysterious origin of the child. He would keep and raise it, until one of two things happened. It either grew, to unravel its source and nature. Or the one who sired it came for the claim.
He heard a soft growling sound and turned back to the cage. He had unconsciously taken several steps away. Distracted, by the questioning thoughts that plagued him. Then almost immediately, came yet another sound. But this time it was a low shriek. The young creature was clawing slowly at the rods. While it opened huge eyes, to stare at the sorcerer.
“Aaahh.” Exclaimed the excited man. “A little hungry now, are we? Huh?” The large baby’s stare was unblinking and unflinching.
“Not to worry. I believe I have exactly what you need.” Continued the undeterred wizard. “And hey, who knows? You just might like it.”
With that statement, the sorcerer scurried over to his wooden work table. There he picked up a small bowl, that he had prepared earlier. Shaking its contents, until the original jelly-like consistency. Slightly spread out in the container. The new born should like this meal, the wizard hoped silently. After all it had been specially prepared for him. And even more convenient, was that he already had the teeth to chew on the chopped liver.
Incandescent Exposure:
The face-off grew dense. As the two opposing sides inched closer to the other in fierce battle. Darkness flooded forward menacingly, as light countered, eclipsed and drank up the flush. Both teams wanted the same subject. One with the rightful ownership and claim. The other, with a wrong sense of entitlement. For the purposes to use and abuse. At the moment, it appeared like the two sides had an equal playing field and balanced resistance. Both teams were of the same origin. Though having now pledged allegiance, to two different masters. The first team was about a third larger in number. It also had the approval and backing of the ultimate pinnacle of power.
The tug fest between the opponents, was vicious. And it would never produce a truce. The thief would always come to steal what was of great value. Though loud and rambunctious, darkness could never really create and produce anything in and of itself. It must shadow the light to survive. Every now and then, it would leave a trail of tragedy and turmoil. Then light must counteract, but not fatally. Not yet, just apparent segments and components of varying successes. Not until the final battle. When ultimate victory will accomplished. A triumph that had already been decided, before time could be measured.
Reinah took the short-cut. Even though it required pushing through stray branches. Navigating violent shrubs and tripping over weeds. She had figured out, that she was safer staying away from the open roads. It was better, if she was not recognized. Besides, she would save herself the discomfort and possible fret of unusual stares. Maintaining a low and when possible, near invisible profile. Seemed the wise thing to do now. She stepped purposefully and surely. The open road ahead, becoming more visible to her prying eyes. Figuratively, she had seen a light at the end of this tunnel and was rushing gladly towards it.
She never saw the big black leviathan, glide skillfully towards her path. It lifted and stretched its head high. Rising up, to half of its nine feet height. It poised itself to attack. The girl was as easy a prey, as any unsuspecting victim could be. Just two days earlier, the vicious reptile had pounced and fed on a wild animal thrice her size. The huge snake thrust and whipped its tongue rapidly, as it waited. Reinah was raising dust, as she approached. Unsuspectingly announcing her arrival.
She never saw it. Until the two knotted sides tightened around her. Binding and lifting her up simultaneously. Some of the hay and grass, that had been used to camouflage the make-shift hammock. Fell off it, as it rose higher bearing the astounded girl. It finally settled on a protruding, but sturdy tree branch. Whilst the princess held on tightly, to the large ropes on both sides of the surprising structure. She had unknowingly, stepped into a trap prepared for a large animal. Twisting her body carefully, she pulled the entrapping ropes apart. Then she stepped onto the branch and sat down. She would continue with her journey. After she had caught her breath and her racing heart steadied itself. Thankfully, the open road was not too far away.
The snake dropped back to the ground. Embracing the familiar dust of the dry and unpromising earth. Then it slowly slithered away, into a dark hole. Meanwhile, the fiendish and dark forces, began to retreat in backward flight. While their resistance charged forward and advanced. Outnumbering and outwitting, the light emissaries cast their opponents down to a waiting fate. The princess feeling rested and calm, jumped off the tree and continued towards the road. The victorious warriors, then readjusted and regrouped. Tomorrow would be another day and a different battle. But right now, light had conquered darkness.
Unraveling a seal:
The man spread out the unfolded parched sheet, like he had done a few minutes earlier. He pinned down the worn edges, to keep it from curling up. Then he dragged the whole spread across the table. Placing it directly under the lamp. Which the king’s special aide, had brought in and propped up for his use. He adjusted the fold-able magnifying glass. Then peered even closer, than he had done before. He had to be very sure, about what he had previously deciphered. He had to be convinced of his findings before making any reports to his royal majesty.
“Your majesty.” Started the summoned expert of archives. Skilled specially in royalty and dynasty. He bowed his head in obeisance as he spoke. “It is indeed the royal seal of the past and divided kingdom. However, the insignia on the sheet. Is not that of the good and great king.”
“Is it then a forgery? With an intent to deceive the bearer. And then consequently the recipient.” The royal was obviously concerned.
“No your majesty. It is a valid royal seal indeed. It just happens to belong to the great king’s grand-daughter Queen Phinah.” He bowed his head again, to indicate the conclusion of his report.
“Queen Phinah?” He asked no one in particular. “It was the queen’s personal maid, who brought the parchment to her.” Stated the royal.
“Then permit me your majesty, to question her further.”
“Hmmm… I wish I could.” Said the king shaking his head somewhat sadly. “Unfortunately, she is no more. She was murdered to be precise.” At the last statement, the king’s aide turned to give the expert a warning look. Part of the protocol of preparation to meet with the king. Was that nothing seen or said in the room, could leave the room. Except of course, permitted by his majesty the king.
“Therefore your majesty. The bigger question, might be where the parchment came from. And who it was intended for.” The expert carefully and respectfully added. The king did not respond nor acknowledge that he had heard him. The royal seemed lost in his own thoughts. The room remained silent as they waited for his advice, input or his command.
“Then find out everything you can, about the divided and destroyed kingdom. And also, why the queen’s personal maid. Had important documents, that may very well belong to the late Queen Phinah.”
“Most certainly your highness,” responded the archival expert. The room remained silent, as the king stood up and headed out the throne meeting room. Flanked closely, by his aide and four palace guards.
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