PART FIFTY-THREE:
Peek-a-boo, do you see me?:
Juja could hear the buzzing of the milling crowd, as they either passed by or came towards them. She had been bounced all over the place, from the original location. Through the carriage ride and then now inside the royal grounds. She could ascertain their progress, from the discussions and mostly arguments of her handlers. When she heard the familiar clanging of the main palace gates, her heart sank in terror and trepidation. So they were actually going through their devious and savage plan, the young woman thought sadly.
If only she could find a way to escape and not become the horrific weapon of destruction of innocent life or lives. As they had gotten closer to the royal grounds, Juja struggled to listen to the conversation of the man and woman carrying her. Hearing only fragments and isolated words. She needed to know and prepare for whatever plan, they were getting ready to execute. So the reptile woman, continued to listen intently to the now muffled voices. And making the most of piecing words together, to get a sense of what was being communicated.
The crowd’s excitement, was palpable as they all headed towards the palace. Juja noticed, by the lessened amount of times she was bounced around at the moment. That both her handlers, were holding the bag close to them. Probably in an attempt to avoid easy detection and/or arouse suspicion. Almost immediately, the noise and chattering began to quieten down a bit. While the shuffling of feet and ruffling garments increased. Juja assumed that the reason was that they had now arrived at the main building. And were probably filing in systematically, into the celebration hall.
She heard what appeared to satchels, bags, boxes and whatever it was the people had brought, opening and eventually closing. Her heart began to race, wondering if she would be detected. Hoping that she would, in order that this wicked charade would come to a close. For a moment, there was some pleasant exchange and giggles. And then the constrained woman felt light coming into the dark and dingy space. They had to open the bag, it was mandatory. Surely someone would see or discover that they had her. Poised as an object of attack and ready to strike.
After the shaft of light had come through, Juja heard more voices overhead. The captive woman tried to sit up, or what felt like sitting up. Her heart started to pound again, this time in anticipation. It was imperative, that they find she was in there. She thought in a panic, while trying to wriggle and move. But rather, felt something pressing down from the top as people spoke. So she stopped and listened.
“And what do you have in the bag? Only gifts and tokens are allowed inside. You can place it here safely and pick it up on your way out. Along with a token from the royals.” A male voice informed clearly and pleasantly.
“We just have a large hand woven shawl with beads, for the little princess. I am afraid and sorry I cannot pull it out, in case the beads begin to fall off and roll all over the place.” The woman responded with a nervous laugh. There a pause and some movement. Juja figured that the guard had looked into the shawl, layered at the very top of her. “Very well then,” the first voice replied. “Please move right along.” Nooo!!! Juja screamed inside her head. How could they not have checked further to find her? Why did they easily trust these villains? She slumped mentally and sighed despondently to herself.
The constrained woman, found her body being thrown about again. Even more frequently, than the previous times. Her carriers must have been moving quickly, thereby swinging her back and forth carelessly. It appeared they had walked by the palace guards, unfortunately. Somehow, deceptively clearing the security that was supposed to apprehend them. Juja knew she had to come up with a plan and fast. After all she had done as an impostor and implant, to these innocent and kind people. Who neither meant nor caused any harm to her or anybody else for that matter.
It would kill her, to be a further source of tragedy and trauma to them. She had lain low and inactive in this reptile form, the whole time. Any type of movement on her part, had been when she was thrown about in the bag. She had wanted to avoid drawing attention to herself, or this agent of devastation that she had become. However, she had to do something and quickly now. If only she had the time, to learn how to maneuver the new lithe and hopefully temporary body. Either way, she had to do the best that she could. She would try to reduce the amount of ruination caused.
Juja wriggled up along the soft, sloppy and shaky side of the bag. She could not really see around the dark hole, that she had found herself in. Nevertheless, her eyes were sensitive to the light. And she would keep moving towards the glow, until she reached the edge. She was careful to wriggle, only when the bag was in swing motion. But all of a sudden, the two people carrying the bag stopped and then began to argue. Catching the climbing reptile off guard. Where she barely hung on awkwardly and was positioned in an easily detectable spot.
She gripped and clung to the side with fangs, waiting for them to stop bickering. Knowing that if they saw or discovered that she was moving, they would kill her. And then find another way, or reptile to proceed with the deadly mission anyhow. In the hanging and waiting duration, one of them grabbed the bag forcefully. Causing Juja to drop, at the other side of the bag. And just as instantly, she heard the most piercing cry and blood curdling scream. Coming from the outside. As a chaotic stampede ensued subsequently. Then someone flung her, against something hard. And everything as she knew it, went blank.
Extraordinary expectations and exchanges:
When the witch stepped out from behind the tree, the crippled and the coven boys both began to shout. The coven girl was still standing in the same spot, as if frozen. Her hand was still hanging in midair, with a stone in it. As it had been ready to strike, a second time. However, the emerging sorceress ignored the noise and the statue. Heading urgently instead to the side of the girl, who still lay on the grass. The older woman examined the unconscious girl’s head and grimaced. She was hardly surprised, that the considerably large stone. Had only left a slight bruise and scratch on the princess.
The witch was very well aware, that under ordinary or any other circumstances. The size, weight and the velocity with which the stone had been thrown. Would have killed the victim. But there was nothing ordinary about the situation, the girl and all that was transpiring. She shifted the sleeping girl with ease, so that her face was facing up. Then she went about plucking some leaves, from a nearby plant. When she had collected a considerable amount, she placed it on the side of the girls head. And then began to chant:
‘O blessed and favored one,
May He who owns you.
Raise you up again,
To finish that for which you must.’
The two boys had stopped screaming now and were watching the older woman closely and intently. Intrigued by how knowing, gentle and careful she was with their friend Reinah. They also tried to listen to what she was saying, but could not make sense of it. After her proclamation, the sorceress walked over to the standing and frozen girl. Then slapped her on the forehead with her open palm. The girl dropped the stone instantly. Blinking her eyes, she looked around in shock and confusion.
Then she looked back at the witch standing in front of her and began to shout also.
“Sssshhhhh, be quiet.” Cautioned the woman sternly as the girl complied immediately. “You don’t want your high priestess finding you, before she has to.” Finished the sorceress. “How do you know about us?” Asked the coven boy, his voice suddenly rising in panic. “I can see, that you do not recognize me son.” The witch replied, as she pulled off the disguise and shawl that had covered her face. “You are the witch,” the boy yelled in alarm and recognition. “Oh, not again.” exclaimed the crippled boy in exasperation, as he bounced up and down in obvious distress. Meanwhile, the coven girl began to shout again.
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