PART THIRTY-SEVEN:
Remains by the Riverside:
They heard the alarming and rustling noise again. Only this time, it was coupled with the sounds of muffled voices. Reinah turned from the direction of the noise, to look at her companion. He was already looking up to her, in a failed attempt to hide his panic. They had been warned about the woods and its recent episodes of kidnappings, by the boy's father. He also knew the families of the two missing kids, of recent abduction incidents. Victims, whom almost everyone now presumed were dead. The missing girl’s father and the handicapped boy's biological parents, could possibly have worked in the divided and eradicated kingdom at the same time. At least that was what his father suspected.
The older man and former soldier, had met with the missing girl's mother in the aftermath of terror. And as a result of the very unfortunate circumstances, that had befallen the divided kingdom. Her husband just like countless others, had been killed in the invasion and massacre. The boy's father had then deflected, from his army mentally and emotionally. Right after rescuing him as a newly born baby, from a deadly and impending doom. Then almost immediately afterwards, he would abdicate his military position physically also. He had discreetly begun to help the fleeing and the wounded at the time. And when his fellow assailants retreated, without him. He stayed back, to help the lost reconnect with their families. And aid the grieving in burying their dead.
The changed invader, had only one regret throughout that period. He never got to see the queen's husband. The valiant, well reputed and wealthy merchant. No one ever saw him or the queen's body again. It was said, that he never returned from his trip. Maybe the news of the palace massacre and murdered monarchs, were just too much for him to bear. He died of a broken heart, the story went on. The thought of never seeing his beloved queen and the precious infant princess again, had proven too fatal in the end. Even more devastating, than all the previous battles he had won. The kingdom, land and its people. Had indeed suffered a dreadful blow.
When the shuffling feet and dragging noise, got louder and closer. Reinah thought fast and hard. If she ran, the boy would not be able to run with her. And she also could not leave him alone. She could climb a tree, with a bag full of rocks and see what happened. If they came for the boy, who could not move fast enough. Then she would dispose of her hard items from on high. As she contemplated her plan and her next move, she heard a scream. It sounded like it came from another girl too. The princess’ heart began to race. If another girl was in danger, then it would not be long before they also found her and the boy.
And just as suddenly as the scream was heard. What seemed like an argument, erupted between the two or more people behind the bushes. The princess and her companion exchanged nervous and confused glances. Nevertheless, Reinah perked up with an idea. If their would be assailants and/or attackers, were now embroiled in an argument. Then that should buy them some more leveraged time to act or escape. First, she would sneak up on them. Only to see how many they were and what it appeared they might be doing or planning to do.
Before she moved, she indicated to the boy to keep silent. By placing her right index finger, against her lips. Then carefully and cautiously, she began to walk towards the wooded and covered area. From where the voices and sounds, were coming. When she was close enough to hear and probably get a glimpse of what was going on, without being detected. She hid behind a large tree trunk and waited.
".... Here, I think this hole is large and deep enough for what we have. We just have to throw all the parts inside." A young male voice stated flatly. Partly trying to convince his partner and partly pleading. There was silence, as only tweeting birds and human sniffling could be heard. When he got no response, he continued to speak.
"We really need to hurry up. We have a set time to be back at the coven. If we don't get back, when they expect us to. Then the high priestess will send those big men, to come and take us. Do I have to remind you? That we would be beaten again. And then have to go without food. I don't want to go without food again. I am very hungry and tired." More sniffling and then:
"I just don't want to touch this basin anymore!" A girl cried. "I have blood all over me. I don't want to do this anymore. I want to go home." She began to sob. "I want to go home, I want to go home." She continued to cry.
"The coven is our home now." Interjected the boy, sounding sadder than when he first started speaking. "Besides, you can't remember where you came from. Or where your home, really is. Can you?"
“No,” replied the girl. Sounding emphatic and morose all at the same time. Probably shaking her head, as she spoke. Then there was a lot of movement. Footsteps crunching on dry leaves, as they walked back and forth. Then the audible heaving sounds and dragging movements began all over again. They were now apparently dragging, whatever it was they had brought with them. Pushing closer, to where the large tree was and the princess was hiding.
As the two kids pulled and heaved along. Reinah summoned the courage, to stretch out her head from the side of the tree trunk and look. What she saw, caused her to throw her head back in revulsion. And then just seconds later, throw it forward to vomit.
Of blood, basin and burial:
The two exhausted and sweating teens, dragged the heavy basin of remains and stale blood through the woods. The boy led the way. He had been brought there twice before. The first time, for his own gruesome initiation. Much like the induction, the girl was supposed to be having now. It was really her exercise, to perform on her own. But he had felt sorry for her. She looked very frail and vulnerable and cried all the time. So he decided to help. There was also his own selfish reason, of wanting to get out of the coven. He had found that, every time he left the premises. Either to run an errand for the high priestess, or her assistant. He felt better and freer.
So now he volunteered to help her carry the remains and prepare a burial spot for it.
As they moved along, howbeit sluggishly. The boy scouted the area, with the only memory he had accessible to him. Any previous bank of recollection they had, had been erased. But every coven induced instruction and activities, were still intact. Only because, it was imperative that they locate the right spot for disposal. The section procured by the high priestess' coven was marked and protected with items of ritualistic symbols. Even the wild animals kept their distance, from the claimed territory. Was it possible, that the predators wanted no part of anything. That they neither hunted nor killed themselves?
As the boy and girl got nearer to a wooded and secluded section, that looked familiar to him. He ran ahead, in order to start digging a fresh but shallow hole. So that by the time, the girl got closer with the large basin and its contents. A freshly dug and shallow hole would be ready. Then they would both drag the basin, the rest of the distance. Eventually lifting together, the nauseating item and emptying it into the waiting pit.
"Aaarrggh....!" Exclaimed the girl in disgust. As she furiously wiped splattered stale blood, from her face. "I can't do this anymore," she kicked at the basin infuriated.
"We don't really have a choice," shouted the boy. While he scooped sand away, from the hole he was digging.
"I have a choice." The girl shouted back in defiance.
"What is it? I'll sure like to hear it," the boy taunted.
"Stop making fun of me." The girl stomped her foot in frustration.
"I am not making fun of you. But I think you have forgotten that we are captives of the coven and we have to do this. So please, let's stop arguing and hurry up." Having stated that, he examined the hole thoroughly. Feeling satisfied with the work he had done. He invited her to inspect it also.
"Look here, I think this hole is large and deep enough for what we have. We just have to...."
Hidden and hindering enemies:
"Have her wait in the general reception lounge." Rifra the housekeeper slowly instructed the palace guard, howbeit offhandedly.
"But she says, that she has an appointment with her majesty the queen. Should she not be at her majesty's reception area?" Defended the slightly perturbed guard.
"I will have to verify the appointment, with her majesty's aide first. Won't I now? I can't just drag everyone who wants that, to the queen's quarters." The housekeeper retorted, with feigned diligence.
The guard observed him for a few moments, his expression hard and unreadable. Meanwhile, Rifra met and held the other man's gaze stubbornly. Mentally preparing a counter- response. But instead, the guard turned around. And without a word, headed back to his post.
As soon as the guard had left, the housekeeper marched straight to the office of the queen's aide. He met the woman, just as she too was stepping out of the room.
"Oh good Rifra," she started. A little startled, that he had showed up suddenly. "I was about to send for you. Her majesty the queen, was expecting a guest. Her first name is Miluh I believe." She quickly scanned the sheets held in her arm and against her chest.
"Have you seen her yet?"
"No ma'am," he began. "I have not seen any guest for her majesty the queen yet."
"Okay then," concluded the aide. "Guests are instructed and advised to come at least thirty minutes before their slated appointment time. To be prepared and versed on royal etiquette and palace protocols. So I will have to classify this as a no-show." She shook her head regretfully. "And she seemed like a serious and respectful young woman too. One whom the queen herself, had approved. Even if she does show up now, there will not be a meeting. Lateness to a coveted meeting with a reigning royal is hardly tolerated."
The housekeeper nodded his awareness and agreement. Then waited, until the queen's aide went back to her office. Before heading himself, to the general reception area of the palace.
.