PART THIRTY-NINE:
The Midas rub:
The woman rubbed the golden pot for the third time. Then stood by, as the coins bubbled to the surface and rolled out on to the floor. No, her house had not turned into a minting den. However as it were, she lacked for nothing these days. She and her remaining children, her two boys to be exact. Were well provided for. Their needs were met every day. Never too much and never too little. It was always just enough. Initially, she had marveled at the golden pot’s ability to measure out every unspoken need. And then advertently provide that. She was very grateful and hoped, that she could meet the elegant stranger again. It was imperative that she thank him properly.
It still boggled her mind greatly, how and why he would reach out to her in this way. Even more shocking, was the fact that he knew about her missing daughter. Thinking of her daughter, filled her eyes with fresh tears. If the girl was still alive, the mother surmised. She would probably be having a very difficult time. She had never left home and had never really been separate from her family. But then again, the kind and dignified stranger. Had promised that she would see her daughter again. And she longed so much for that, as the days passed by. Her daughter, the last of her three children. Was a very exceptional child. A special gift, that came as a welcome surprise….
The princess and the people:
The announcement of the beloved queen’s pregnancy, was a joyous moment for the province. The grand-daughter of a great and honored king. The only off-spring of her father, now a reigning monarch. Her ascension to the throne, had also been a grand affair. An event that made the people happy and hopeful again. When the awaited and beautiful princess was born. A day was selected for the people of the land to visit and rejoice with the royal family. They came from the farthest parts of the kingdom, bearing gifts, tokens and well-wishes. They had thronged the luxurious palace. Their support, respect and homage to pay.
Though her husband had been working at the palace that day, he could not join her in the congratulatory procession. Her two boys were with their grandmother. So without any pending engagements, she immersed herself in the celebrating crowd. She was happy and free. At least for a few hours. She clutched her family’s gift for the princess, to her chest. Meanwhile, looking around in amazement and intrigue. A hall and waiting area, had been set up. A magnificent and lavishly draped cot stood in the middle and front of the large hall. A few feet away from the royal couple, who sat and watched. They were close enough, to see the baby inside the crib. Yet farther away, so that the crowd would have room to move around.
There were also guards stationed at every corner of the large, decorated and palatial hall. Since she had spent some time with her husband earlier, before joining the crowd. She was among the last group of people, set to be ushered into the hall. From a far distance. The cot covered with white gorgeous, but transparent sheets. Was easily visible and admirable. People would file through a line, place their gifts at a designated area (if they had any). Look at the princess and then move along. Some sang, some spoke words of benediction, others clapped and danced. And all wove to the monarchs on their way out.
As the royal guests left, they were handed small royal gift bags and tokens. It was the palace’s appreciation of their visit. As the woman’s group got closer to the cot area. She noticed that the man and woman in front of her, were arguing as they fidgeted with a bag. The bag was held between both of them, with each clutching one handle. It was without question, their gift to or for the princess. Since the only packages allowed into hall, were those that had to be dropped off. Visitors could only take in, what they intended to leave behind. And if they had nothing to give, that was just as fine. However, the observing woman thought it was strange. That the couple seemed hostile and agitated. They bickered at a time, when everyone else was exchanging pleasantries.
Their tense but muted conversation, caught her attention. So she discreetly listened.
“How close to the cot, can we get?” The woman asked, her hands shaking as she spoke.
“How many times do I have to tell you? Close enough to drop it on top.” Replied the man curtly.
“But the packages have to be dropped at the far designated corner, before anyone can walk by the cot.” The woman supplied with doubtful concern.
“That is fine. We will walk to the corner, pretend to drop off the bag. You will cover my movements. Then immediately we head towards the cot. The bag hidden between us. It should take only a few quick minutes.” The woman nodded nervously, as she added. “I feel uncomfortable with this.”
"This is not about you, or your state of ease." The man began sounding irritable. "You heard the oracle. She lives and we are exposed and subsequently destroyed. Now does that make you feel better?” His sarcasm was deliberate. And it seemed to have achieved what he intended for it to. She nodded again and then gripped her side of the bag tighter. The now keen eavesdropper, could not believe what she had just heard. Had she just witnessed a plot, to harm the precious and innocent little baby? What were they planning to do, when they got to the cot? Whatever it was, was sure to wound or eventually distress the dotting parents. And without doubt, plunge a celebrating kingdom into grief.
She looked around the busy hall. The guards though strategically stationed and stoic. Were attentive, yet obviously not expecting any mishap whatsoever. She looked over at the royals, as they graciously greeted, waved and smiled at their subjects. Then she looked back down at the bag, still held by the apparently treacherous couple. Something appeared to have moved inside of it, which caused her to gasp and step back. And then, almost as if to confirm her suspicion. Whatever was in the bag, began to thump around in cyclical motion. She needed to get the attention of the guards and fast. So she began to jump and scream. Causing the man holding the bag, to turn and strike her in the head.
Benefits and Benedictions:
She woke up a day later. To a smiling queen, a gurgling princess and a throbbing headache. She did not know which made her more nervous, the opulence of her surrounding. Or the fact, that the queen was watching her up close and personal. The royal baby girl, kept trying to jump out of her mother’s arms. And unto her stomach. It made her smile, though she was still queasy from the blow. Two days later, when her husband came to take her home. Though empathetic with her pain and concerned about her well-being. He was beside himself in elation. He had been greatly rewarded on her behalf. And was allowed some time, to stay with her until she was fully recovered.
It turned out that the couple, had been emissaries of mischief and murder. Sent on an assignment. To quench the new born baby’s light, before it would shine forth. While she slept, her husband relayed further. The queen had come in with an older woman, whom he had never seen before. The woman gently placed her hand on the sleeping woman’s head and uttered the following benediction:
“May it be done for you, as you have done for these.
May your heart receive its deepest desire.
May your enemies be their enemies.
And may you and yours, be protected. As you have done for this
Precious little gem.”
A month later, she was pregnant with her only daughter. For so long, she had secretly desired a girl. And she had been told, that she could not have another child. How elated they had been as a family, when she was born. Unfortunately, that daughter was lost now and possibly dead. She shook her head in heavy silence. And sighed heavily in utter confusion.
Whispers and wiles of wickedness:
“Can you lift that potted plant for me please and place it right here.” Dirata the market woman addressed her relative. Indicating, by pointing to the item she was referring to. She was hanging flowers, on one of the side planks. That temporary held up the make-shift stall. They had erected a temporary store. In an allotted space, on the Festival/Fair grounds. Her distant nephew, had come to join her today. like he used to do in the past. His uncle, her sister’s husband. Had asked him to come by, after a short while of being away. She was fine with him taking some time off. If that was what he needed. But her cousin, who was in town for some family business. Had really wanted to see and chat with the young man. He was expected to stop by also. On any one of the Festival/Fair days.
When she got no audible response after a few minutes, or saw any visible action to her request. She turned away from the corner where she had been working, to see why. Realizing then, that she was the only person in the stall. She walked over to the front but narrow opening of the stall and looked out into the Fair grounds.
“Asco. Asco? Asco!” She called and then stopped suddenly, when she spotted him. The young man, appeared to be talking with someone. It was a person she did not know, nor had she seen before. The man was tall and elegantly dressed. She could not really make out his face. But he carried an equally looking expensive satchel, in his hand.
“Asco!” She called again, urgently this time. When he turned towards her, she warily waved at him to come. He then said something to the man, who nodded. Before he headed back towards the stall.
“Yes ma’am,” he said when he got closer to her. His eyes danced with new excitement as he struggled to stifle a smile.
“Who are you talking to?” Dirata plunged in, almost immediately. “He does not look like he is from around here.” She finished, suddenly feeling an unexplained sense of foreboding.
“He is not from around here,” offered the lad with strange certainty. “He is a travelling merchant, who is here for some business at the Festival/Fair."
“So how did you know him then? Is his business with you?” The market woman was nonplussed, at her relative’s swift familiarity. It somehow had a woeful feeling to her.
“He came in here and called me, remember? He asked you, if he could speak with me. And you said yes.” The woman stared at the boy in shock. Not just because of what he had just said, but because he was honestly convinced of what he had just said.
“He did what?”
“He came into the stall and asked you, if he could speak with me. And you said yes he could." He looked at the older woman strangely as he continued with his explanation. "He just had a simple question and request, that’s all. And he already paid for it.” The boy announced gladly, flashing wads of cash in her face.
The woman looked from the waving currency, to the spot where the strange man had been standing. But he was already gone. There was no sign of him. She then turned back to the beaming young man in front of her. With all the calm she could muster, she asked him;
“What was his simple question and request?”
“Oh….” Started the young man nonchalantly. “He just wanted to know where Reinah was and if I could get her for him.”
.