PART THIRTY-EIGHT:
Stolen and lost:
Brightly colored tents, stood tall and straight. An imposing stance, but for their welcoming gaiety. Store owners and keepers, bustled around with the day’s preparation. Putting the finishing and final touches to their space and wares. Most would set-up props that beckoned louder, than the items for sale. Game areas and show arenas were gearing up to provide fun, laughter and merriment. The expectancy and excitement in the air, was as electrifying as it was palpable. Children, kids-at-heart and grown-ups alike. Basked in the lovely weather and festive atmosphere. The annual provincial Festival and Fair, had finally arrived. And it looked like it was threatening to be, the biggest and busiest the empire had seen yet.
The man hurried past the milling crowd. Winding seamlessly, on familiar grounds. Stopping for moving vehicles or carts, when necessary. Otherwise, gently nudging and pushing right through human pillars and clusters. Multiple gatherings that were just as distracting, as they were obstructing. Everyone else, was obviously not in a hurry. But he definitely was. As he verbally and physically plowed his way through. Occasionally having to leap over stationary piles of commodities.
“Excuse me, pardon me….” He offered, as he moved along swiftly.
His heart began to race, as soon as he saw them. It had to be them of course. Even though, he had never seen the real buyers. His initial communication, with the potential client’s party. Had been through a middle-man. An agent who contacted their representative. However, the ultimate transaction. Would definitely have the principals present. That was understandably sensible, the sprinting man surmised. A commercial activity of such magnitude and value, required notable presence and witness. Therefore, the two distinguished looking men. Closely guarded by a few around them, had to be the expected buyers. The ones he was supposed to be meeting, this very day. The very ones that made the offer he could not refuse. And in a few frightening moments. Would also be the same ones, that would refuse the offer he could not make.
The merchants’ representative, whom he had met only once before. But had interacted with him a couple of times, through a third party. Spotted him, before he could change his mind and retreat. The man indicated with a wave of his hand and a smile, for him to join them. With his heart still racing in his chest, he walked towards the small group. Rehearsing his absurd explanation, the whole distance. "You are late.” The representative started without preamble, as soon as the panting man approached. “I told you these men do not have time to waste. They are here for something. They expect what they are here for, to be ready and waiting for them. You know why?”
He paused with the question. All the while, glaring at the restless man in front of him. Then he continued speaking. As if he was expecting no answer to his question. Nor was he preparing, to receive an excuse either.
“Everything has to be ready, because they came ready to pay for everything. And that is all there is to it.”
The man who had just joined them, scratched his head and looked around. First at the merchants, who seemed engrossed in whatever it was that they were discussing. And then back at the representative, who was obviously getting impatient. He made a dramatic display of sucking in and exhaling air. Wishing there was a way, to steady his still racing heart. Even more so, find the words to speak.
“Ermm, there has been a slight problem.” He managed. “I don’t really have the item.”
“What do you mean, you don’t really have the item?” Snarled the waiting man.
“Are you trying to tell me, that I brought these men here for nothing? After all that has been said, done and promised?” He was struggling to keep his voice down.
“I was supposed to have it, after the last time I sent you a message.” The man paused, feeling embarrassed at how lame his excuse sounded. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to continue. “But when I got….”
“You either have it or you don’t. And if you do not, then why are we here?” Interrupted the representative feeling agitated.
“I had it, then….” The jeweler began his lengthy explanation.
Festive and faulty focus:
The hunter found the area that was described to him, hours before the crowd began to gather. His informant had advised him to find a good viewing spot, howbeit hidden. A position that would give him an advantage, over the double-crosser. Now as he looked over, from where he stood. He saw the grand and opulent carriage arriving. When the inhabitants stepped off, he absorbed their outfits in the utmost admiration. This was where he was headed, he thought to himself. This was what he always wanted. He was still enthralled by their regalia. Scanning the group intently, when the first man walked up to them. He looked and was clothed like a local. Probably their provincial liaison. A go-between, the hunter decided.
He relaxed and continued with his observation. From their interactions with the new man, it appeared he had come to welcome the visitors. He kept watching, as they talked with the local agent. Probably getting more acquainted with him, it would seem. Though the two affluent looking and main men, appeared aloof most of the time. He figured that was understandable, considering their importance. Without any doubt, they were used to focusing on the business at hand. Not socializing or making small talk. He too was all about that same mindset, at the moment. He was here for a specific reason. And had his own business, to take care off also.
He was not going to let anyone mess with him. No one should be able to ‘pull the wool over his eyes’. All in the name of carrying out a profession. His swindler, had backed up the wrong tree this time. A short while later, as the hunter looked on. Another man rushed towards them. Then one of the men from the group, who had been conversing with the first local. Waved him towards them. This too was an obvious indigene, he observed. Then almost immediately, the watching and hidden man perked up. As it dawned on him, that his man had finally arrived. It was about time he showed up, the hunter grunted to himself. Any amount of waiting whatsoever, always got him riled up.
The new arrival quickly hurried over to one of the men standing by the carriage. He had been pacing expectantly, as the hunter watched. He appeared to be the representative or contact person. Both men spoke with harried gestures, for a few minutes. With the new man rubbing his head occasionally. As if he was disturbed or nervous. Whatever the case was, the hunter felt that he had no time to be entertained by either of them. He was also not interested in hearing their conversation, or any planned discussions. All he knew, was that the sleek healer had double-crossed him. The gems that came with the possibly dead body, were his to possess.
They had found the body first. He and his partner, even though that one had now decided to opt out of this settlement. That was his choice to make as an equal finder. It was all up to him, if he wanted to give up his winnings. But he personally would not relinquish what was rightfully his. He did not like to be robbed or cheated. And he would not stand to be played as a fool. He lifted his hunting rifle. His aim was always with incredible precision. He was very good, even with distant and moving objects. But this time it was not an animal. And it was not moving either. It was a lying, cheating and stealing healer. A crook that used his profession, as a cover up. A standing man, which was such an easy target. He leveled the gun and then pulled the trigger.
The threshold of treasure:
Bronid tightened his hold on the medium satchel that hung from his right shoulder, across to his left hip. He then ran his fingers along the bulging shape of the gem secured inside it. Everything was just as fine, as he had worked for it to be. He would never be able to solve the mystery, of what happened to the broken and damaged cabinet. But he was glad, that the precious stone had still been there. He had run it through every test he knew and had also learnt from 'precious stone' experts. The stone was just as authentic and magnificent, as the first time he saw it. Now he just had to meet with the men that contacted him.
They were representatives of a very wealthy buyer, he had been informed. They would meet him right outside of the Festival/Fair grounds. It was to avoid the crowd and unwanted speculation. The wealthy merchant, probably moved around in grand style. He looked around to make sure he had located the right area. There was an old water well at the corner, as had been described. A baby cried within earshot. And two giggling children ran right by him. The healer clasped his treasure harder and waited.
Who is what?:
Xitus the second monitor, took one more look at his new reflection. Pride was a dominant and familiar emotion in the crypt. And right now he was feeling its full measure. He was the perfect picture of height and handsome. A sight and combination, he was sure those mortals had never seen before. With a slight wave of his hand, barrels of currencies and legal-tenders appeared. They would reprint and refill themselves, at every interval. Satisfied with the outcome of preparation. The monitor stepped into the large mirror and through the portals of spiritual darkness. And then seconds later, he emerged where earthlings tread.
The sound of amusement, on the Festival/Fair scene. Irritated the fiendish agent immensely. But he had work to do there. And for that reason, he would tolerate the high spirits. At least until the dark ones permeated and saturated this venue and other subsequent ones.
.