PART FIFTY-TWO:
Slithery and sealed for delivery:
Juja’s eyes were very heavy, as she blinked them open rapidly. She must have fallen asleep, from what she could remember. Everything around her was very dark and bumpy. She did not think, that she could move or stretch her body. She could feel its form and familiarity, but was not really able to do much with it. Then suddenly, some of what may have transpired. Before she possible fell asleep, began to come back to her. She remembered that she had been, in the process of being transformed into a reptile. After which she fell, into a deep unconscious state or a trance.
Thankfully, her seemingly desperate and risky attempt to break the spell over her mind had worked. At least, she hoped that it had. She was currently aware at the moment, that her body was being conveyed to some place. So it had obviously proven to be a smart method, after all. Every now and then, she would get thrown from one side of the conveyor to the other. Bounced up and down, by the same mode or vessel of transportation. And then eventually dropped with a startling thud. The fact that she felt constricted, constrained and cramped. Must have helped prevent her from vomitting.
Now reminding herself, of the real reason she had wanted to retain her soul and consciousness. Juja decided to stay still, in order to be able to pay attention to her surroundings. And of course, to whatever else might be going on around her. First she heard a raised angry voice, belonging to a man. He was saying something, about a snake in a bag. Then after the barking, came a smaller voice. That was probably responding to the man. The captive woman could not hear what the second voice had spoken. But it sounded like it was a distressed female speaking.
Juja wished she could quieten her racing heart, to listen even further. The man was apparently explaining some sort of plan, to the woman and whomever else was present and listening. He talked about the palace, some gathering and then a princess. The baby princess?! Juja thought wildly to herself. She struggled to make sure, that she was as wide awake as she could be. The male speaker, proceeded to make mention of a snake in the bag again. To which the second voice gasped and then said a few quick and inaudible sentences.
Almost immediately after that exchange, the contained woman felt herself rising. As she ascended, she was once again rolled to and fro inside the carrier. For the first time since the discussion had begun, she was able to hear the second voice clearly. Just before she was dropped instantly again.
“Are you trying to tell me, that there is a snake in the bag?” She shrieked and paused, as if waiting for an answer. When there was no response, at least none that Juja had heard. The alarmed woman continued.
“You mean we have to carry it also?” To which the man replied; “I don’t see or know of any other plan right now. Or do you?” He inquired sarcastically. There was no reply. Just a seemingly long space of silence. Meanwhile, the trapped woman strained her hearing even harder now. Afraid that she might miss something very important, in the conversation. “Well I don’t know either, that I want to carry a snake. And for that reason,” she started. “It all feels too extreme,” she finished into another momentary lull.
“Here is something you should know,” the man snapped. “I don’t know that you have a choice. And by now, you should know that you don’t.” He finished, raising his voice at the last word. When she did not respond, he spoke again in a commanding voice; “Pick up the bag!” There was a hesitant silence, followed by some sniffles. Then Juja felt herself rising one more time. And suddenly, it hit her. Dawning on her, like a forbidden yet expected plague. She was the snake in the bag. Headed uninvited to the palace. And it was not for a good, or congratulatory cause.
Did the fruit fall near the tree?:
Rifra checked again, to make sure that the door was locked. The last thing he needed at the moment. Was an interruption that would eventually demand an explanation. And since he was not ready for either. It would become yet another situation, creating more reason to be elusive and to hide. It was hard enough, keeping the queen mother uninformed and at arm’s length. Until he figured out what she wanted from Hanad. And there was still the old letter that was sent to Methus from his mother. He often wondered about the woman’s mention of the blood, in the queen mother’s chambers.
Why had she warned her son, to stay away from Ethia? He pulled out and unfolded the script that he had carefully put away in a hidden pocket. No one knew that he had found it, or that it even existed. He was glad that he had removed it, from the former housekeepers belongings. Just prior to the chief magistrate, ordering all the deceased’s property taken for investigation purposes and eventual disposal. He looked at the worn pages again and began to read:
'..... Ever since your father cleaned out all that blood pool from her room, he has not been the same. He could not sleep at night, without dreaming of three infant boys screaming at the top of their lungs. Then as always, one of the boys fierce and determined would knock out the other two. The day he finally told me about this torment, was the day his heart seized. He died two days later as you children know. I myself do not know how long I will live after I write you this letter and all that it entails. But my son I beg you. Take this advice from your possibly dying mother. Grant me this last wish even on my death bed. Stay away as much as possible from the queen mother's business. Your father suspected that what may have transpired in that room that day......'
Rifra felt that he had a lot of things troubling him lately. And they were subsequently piling pressure on him, mentally and emotionally. Last week was the visit to the palace, from the woman that looked like Debeh in an unnerving way. The dead woman, though having been pleasant and kind. Had made him tremendously uncomfortable, whenever he was around her. He had always felt threatened by her presence. And had often needed to get away from it. However, her murder was still a shock to him. Then there was the trip to the wizards, that compounded the severe strain he was already feeling. As a result of Ashea’s mental disturbance and instability.
How could the sorcerer tell him, that the child his wife delivered was a devil? Then she must be a devil and he never knew it. The very thought caused him to shiver, as a chill ran down his spine. Speaking of his wife, he remembered the incident in their room. When she still lived with him in the palace. She had described some transformations that had taken place with him. And some actions that he had taken, as a result of that. He did not believe it then, even with the bruises that showed up on his skin. And he was not prepared to believe it now. Unless there was something his parents forgot to tell him. And if there was, what could it possibly be?
Tale bearing and time boring:
“What do you mean, that the housekeeper’s sister came to see him?” Ethia snapped in irritation. As much as she needed the functional benefit, of Tufad’s wife’s loose tongue. The younger woman’s airheadedness, was beginning to get under the royal’s nerve. “Since when does he have a sister?” The queen mother shook her head at her own rhetorical question. “It is Methus’ sister, who won’t stay away from these grounds. But has to come and bother me at every turn,” she complained. “And besides, since when has the palace become a spot for servants and their families to gather?” She inquired further, unable to hide the disdain in her voice and face.
The news bearer stared at Ethia blankly, for a few seconds. She was not sure if she was supposed to answer all the questions, that the royal had just voiced. It felt like a whole lot of inquiries, had been thrown at her suddenly. When all she wanted to do, was report a story she had just overheard. However, recognizing the queen mother’s anger. She decided she would stick to her initial narration. “I heard one of the laundry servants, talking about it. While I was washing clothes the other day.” When there was no reaction from the older woman, she continued.
“The servants were saying, that while transporting the laundry to the main building some days ago. They overheard a commotion at the palace front gate. After much whispering, they found out that it was a former worker. Looking for the housekeeper.” She stopped speaking and waited, because it appeared like the queen mother wanted to say something. And indeed she did. “What housekeeper are you talking about exactly? The dead or the living one?” Ethia asked derisively, wanting so much to get rid of the woman and her jumbled tales. "I believe it was Rifra, the living one your highness.” Supplied the younger woman tentatively.
The queen mother only shook her head, as her focus began to shift to something else. “And one more thing, your highness.” Tufad’s wife added excitedly. She had also heard, that part of the reason for the commotion that day. Was the fact that the visitor inquired with a different and unrecognizable name. Thereby throwing the guards and every onlooker into a quandary, as to who she wanted. “The woman asked for him, with a strange name. And that is what ignited the confusion.”
“Yes,” started the older woman with a sneer. “I can see how that can happen. For just like you, she could not tell the difference between the living and the dead.” Finished Ethia, dismissing the other woman with a careless wave of her hand.
.