PART FORTY-SIX:
Baby Bada-boom boom:
“What is this mess, that you have caused?!” Shouted a very livid Rifra, visibly shaking from anger. “You were supposed to make her forget, that she was ever pregnant or expecting a baby. Not completely lose herself and who she was or still is.” He continued ranting, glaring pointedly at the seemingly subdued wizard.
"I am quite sorry to hear that,” began the sorcerer. Halting for a few seconds, to wipe sweat and blood from his brows. His clothes were tattered, not from being old or worn. Large ripped and jagged lines, ran from the top of his shirt to the lower hemmed part. The shredding, an apparent result of either a large and sharp needle running through it. Or most likely, the nails and/or claws of a vicious animal.
“The intent of course, was always to make her forget the existence of the pregnancy and the expectation of a baby. Not to erase the past, present and everything else in between.” Rifra continued barking furiously. “She has now gone mad. And is completely out of control.” At the last phrase, the wizard began to snicker sardonically. An action that led to him to begin to wheeze and cough continuously. When he finally stopped, he grabbed a small bowl from the floor. Which was probably put there for that reason and spat blood into it. He chuckled again, heaving his shoulders this time. Then he straightened himself and faced the younger man.
“Uncontrollable, did you say?” The wizard began to speak, after muffled fits of laughter. But was like before, interrupted by another coughing session. When that had calmed down, he did not reach for the bowl this time. Instead he cleared his throat loudly and continued to address the other man. “I will tell you what is uncontrollable or out of control like you put it.” His voice was tinged with sarcasm and distress. “My life, from the minute I laid eyes on you. Has been rapidly spinning out of control.” He cleared his throat again, waited a few thoughtful seconds. Looked the young man over for any obvious reaction. Then proceeded with his speech.
“You show up here, with little explanation. About who you really are or where you come from. Demanding a wizardry process, stranger than most among other things. And you stand here and suggest, that I have cramped your lifestyle.” With that, the wizard went into another fit of wheezing. Howbeit, for a shorter period. When he stopped, he grabbed a lone stool standing in the center of the room and sat on it. Then he lowered his head and rubbed it with both hands.
“What in the 'searing flames', are you talking about?” Countered Rifra impatiently, while shaking his head in animated disbelief.
“Did I not pay you, for all your services? I even went ahead, on your demand. To add an extra jolt of remittance. Which unfortunately, is the reason I am here now. And we are having this time wasting and foolish discussion.”
The housekeeper heaved a sigh of exhaustion, crossed his hands across his chest. And then began to pace around the meeting room. After a few back and forth steps, he began to speak again. “I came here, to find a solution to this mess. Not to listen to or entertain meaningless accusations.” He stopped to watch the man intently. He did look more frail and tired, than when they first met. But that was not his reason for coming, to check on the old man's well-being. After making sure he was listening, Rifra continued. “I want Ashea back to normal. I mean I cannot afford to have her barging into my place of employment, every time something new snaps in her head. It is way too risky. Something I cannot….”
Suddenly, there was a loud thump from somewhere behind the wall. Rifra startled and stopped speaking abruptly. Then he looked to the direction from which the sound came and then back at the sorcerer. An alarming and questioning look, adorning his face.
“What was that?” The bewildered younger man asked, urgently and a little nervously.
“That,” started the wizard slowly and deliberately. “Is exactly what I am talking about. And sadly have had to deal with for a while now.” After his reply, he inspected his arm and chest simultaneously. Unconsciously looking for any more scratches he may not have noticed, during his early morning examination.
“What do you mean by that? Is….” Another thump came through, before the housekeeper could finish. This time, it was accompanied by a loud and hair-raising roar.
“Do you have some sort of wild animal in the house?” Asked an obviously panicked and confused Rifra. While mentally deciding, that it was time to leave. Maybe the whole memory conundrum, could be solved at another time.
“Yes I do.” The wizard started to speak calmly but pained. “I do have some sort of wild animal, like you call it in the house. One that is highly demonized.” He finished holding the younger man’s gaze.
“What?” Started the perturbed housekeeper. “Why would you do something like that and what for?”
The wizard chuckled once again, before answering. Howbeit seriously and sadly. “I did it, to prove a point. And bring my life’s worth to fruition.”
“Prove a point? And what exactly, would that be?” Asked Rifra with puzzlement and keen interest.
“A point, that among humans or what remains of them. Boldly roams devils and outer-worldly beings also.” When he got no verbal reaction from the younger man, he continued speaking anyway. “They comfortably yet inconspicuously, live and even procreate with us. And that young man is a verified fact.” He finished looking at Rifra sorely.
“That is the most ridiculous thing, I have ever heard.” Responded the housekeeper dismissively. “Have you lost your mind? How can you even say such a thing? And what makes you think, that such fallacy can be conceived? How much more proven.”
The sorcerer lifted his hand with evident difficulty and effort and pointed. “Right behind that wall, lies viable and living proof of what I say.” He stated conclusively, as another loud roar was heard.
“What do you have there?” Demanded the housekeeper pressingly.
“I have the son of the woman, that you brought here to me. She was no doubt, impregnated by a devil.”
Throwing the baby with the birth water:
“My baby?! I am not giving away my baby. Whatever are you thinking?” Cried the young woman desperately. Looking as she did, from her lover to the other young woman in the room. “That is the only hope we have right now,” stated the prince coolly. “It is either the sacrifice is done, or we will all perish. Of course, we can always have more babies later. But that is only if we get to be alive. That is why it has to be done. Don’t you see?” He cajoled, howbeit detached and unfeeling.
“This was all her idea, wasn’t it?” She said accusingly, pointing her finger at the other young woman. “She put you up to this.”
“No she did not,” responded the prince. His tone was flat as he promptly riveted his eyes. “The oracles have demanded it and we are soon running out of time.” He finished, sounding bored and tired at the same time.
“I know you’d rather go, than your precious baby.” The other young woman submitted. Smiling with practiced and feigned gentleness. “I also have been there, but then we do what we have to do. Besides the requirement is strictly for fresh and innocent blood.”
“Shut up!” Shouted the young mother at her, before turning away to sob.
On that note, the other woman walked towards the door. Beckoning to the prince as she did. “We have to leave by night fall. The witch…. My mother said the offering, can only be carried out at a certain time. We cannot afford to be late.” The prince nodded his understanding. “And where will the baby be prepared?” He asked subsequently. “Here and by you,” supplied Ethia quickly. “You will kill the baby yourself.”
Unsavory and unsatisfactory returns:
Juja placed the bowl of soup, in front of her sister and proceeded to nudge her. When she showed no signs of waking up from sleep, she shook her lightly. That one lifted her drooping head and sighed. Then she mumbled some unintelligible words and finally opened her eyes. “You have to eat something,” coaxed the older sister as she pushed the bowl towards her. They were at their parent’s house. The younger sister, had gone ahead to sacrifice her child. For the power, privilege and position that was offered. Only shortly after that, the bad kingdom invaded the good one. And unfortunately for the invaders. They were conquered and defeated.
The prince, who was actually the son of one of the king’s concubine. Was slain in the attack. The queen’s children, then proceeded to evict the mistresses and their children from the royal castle. Thus the battle they fought outwardly, was inflamed inwardly. Her sister had returned to their parent’s house, sick and delusioned. Juja returned from her new home, for a few weeks. To help out her aging parents and ailing sister. However, her sibling was no better later, than she had been in the beginning.
“They took my child, I will have to make them pay.” She concluded.
“Who took your child?” Asked Juja more rhetorically than not.
“You made a foolish, selfish and barbaric decision and bargain. Why would you blame anyone else?" The older sister wanted to know.
“If they had not killed the prince, we would still be in the castle. With the chance of getting married, building a family and possibly reigning.” Juja rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. It felt like constantly having to hit a brick wall, dealing with her stubborn sister. “You do remember, that it was the prince and his counterpart. That invaded their brother kingdom. And the besieged, had every right to defend themselves.”
“I don’t know about all that.” Countered the younger woman petulantly. “All I know, is that kingdom took everything I had from me. And I will make them pay.”
Of dazzle, devotion and decisions:
Juja and her aunt, watched as the queen and her entourage. Rolled in systematically and ceremoniously. It was always a refreshing and dazzling sight. This queen was a monarch by marriage to the reigning king. She was an honorary member, of their peaceful organization. She had scheduled times, when she met with the leaders. Her influence and provision, had helped the group immensely. Today, she had arrived with the little princess Phina. Her only child so far and the subsequent heir to the throne. “Your majesty,” echoed Juja after her aunt. Both women curtsied, as the royal walked by them and smiled in response. Flanked closely, by her eager and attentive entourage.
“You know, I never got to ask you. Like I have been meaning to for a long time.” Began Juja’s aunt, one day as they prepared to leave for an organizational session.
“What are your plans, for the future? I mean, what would you like to do? Or should I be asking, What do you want to do? You still have your whole life ahead of you.” Finished the older woman.
“I have been thinking about that myself too.” Started Juja contemplatively. “And I believe I want to work for the organization.”
“Are you sure about that?” Inquired her aunt attentively. “You could pick any other vocation and still be a part of the organization. You do know that right?” The older woman prodded further.
“I know that,” assured a determined Juja. “But I want nothing else more.”
.