PART FIFTY-FOUR:
Multiple personality patron:
Dirata felt a cold chill crawl up her spine. As she bent down to pick up the flowers, that had just fallen to the ground. It was a sudden and strange gust of wind, that blew into and through her small plant stall. It knocked over most of the plants and flowers, that she had been arranging on a flat and elevated surface. When she finally straightened up, with the retrieved items in her hand. There was an unfamiliar and odd looking woman, standing a few feet from the still closed door.
“Oh my,” gasped the market woman startling. “I never heard you come in,” she addressed the unknown person with a nervous and forced smile. Feeling an internal struggle, of reaching out in hospitality to a potential customer. Or reacting in hostility to the unannounced and suspicious entrance. “Yes of course, I never heard my self either.” Cackled the strange old woman dryly. “How can I help you then?” Interjected the store owner, eager and anxious to end the awkward and uncomfortable meeting.
“Where is the young man?” Asked the visiting stranger. Apparently ignoring the question, by rendering hers. “The young man? What young man? I believe you have the wrong stall.” Dirata offered quickly and successively. “Actually, I do have the right store. I know, because the lad I seek is your nephew. Or should I say a relative?” She chuckled in a hair-raising manner again. “Oh, you mean Asco?” Was all the market woman could offer sheepishly. The visitor continued again, as if the stall owner had not spoken. “I came to find out, if he delivered on the job for which I paid him.” She finished, her cold gaze never flinching nor leaving the market woman’s face.
Whistle blowers and weapon bearers:
When the man heard the woman behind him scream. He knew instantly, that she had seen something. A guilty and unclear conscience, always tethered on the edge. Constantly in expectation of discovery, calamity and doom. And what was even worse about the nosy woman, was that she would not stop shouting. If she had only screamed once, the guards would have been alerted. Then they would simply walk over to their section, to find out what was going on. That would have given the both of them, time to get out or hide the evidence of commotion.
However, the annoying woman just kept going with the noise she was producing. And simultaneously pointing at the bag, they were both carrying. Therefore, he had to do the only plausible thing that came to his mind. At least for the sake of his safety and non-detection, it was the right action to take. When he raised the bag and flung it at the woman’s head. He knew one of two things, was likely to happen. Or maybe even both results, were a possibility. He would kill her and lose the snake in the process. But at this point of critical decision and chaos, he did not care much for either outcome.
If the snake fell out of the bag and crawled away. It was likely to get trampled and killed in the stampede anyway. If that happened, the organization would not have to worry about discovery, interrogation and then finally exposure. His main concern and aim at the moment, was to get out of the palace with their plan and secret still intact. The hall was now in an upheaval, due to the foolish and intrusive woman’s alarming cry. The confusion and unrest that was created, was quickly escalating. So much so, that he did not think anyone else had noticed. That the whistle blower, had been knocked out cold.
The bag handler, turned to his companion reluctantly. What he really wanted to do, was run out of the royal grounds alone and to safety. The woman partner, that they had assigned to him. Was becoming more of a burden than a help. Yet if he left her behind and she was captured. He knew she would definitely talk and jeopardize the whole process and organization. “Quick, let’s get out of here.” He beckoned to her, as two screaming women brushed past them. Suddenly it felt like there was a lot of aimless activity going on.
The addressee just stood there, with a shocked expression. Staring at the woman lying on the floor. “I think you killed her,” she exclaimed instead. Holding her face in both hands, as she did. “I killed her?” He started with mock surprise and a sneer. “You do realize, that we are in this together. Right….” He glared at her, apparently waiting for an answer. “Yes, but you hit her rather hard. And I think she is dead.” The woman screeched, gearing for an argument. “There will always be casualties, in wars and operations such as this." The man concluded coolly, before demanding further. "Now let us get out of here.”
He reached out at the same time, to grab her arm. But she pulled back from him. Recoiling in horror, as if he was a deadly object. “Are we in a war?” She proceeded to ask him pointedly. “Well,” the man started matter-of-factly. “Whatever it is, I know it is neither peaceful nor friendly. Now can we get out?” He proceeded to grab her hand, forcefully this time. Meanwhile, she struggled to be free from his grasp. “Is there a problem here?” Asked a deep and authoritative voice. They both stopped the tussle, to turn and look into the calm but curious face of a palace guard.
The king moved faster than any of the guards or baby sitters could. He had already grabbed the baby princess from her crib, before anyone else realized what was going on. As soon as the royal sensed, that there was some sort of melee or confusion in the hall. He asked the queen to remain seated, while he dashed towards the baby. He swiftly covered the distance between the make-shift throne, constructed specifically for events such as they were partaking in. From where they were watching the princess and visitors, to the crib in no time.
After he had lifted the baby into his arms, he turned around to find three guards standing behind him. Together they flanked him, as he returned to where the queen was sitting worried. Three more guards joined them at this time and began to lead the royals, towards a secret exit. It was a small door, hidden behind a large mirror in the large hall. When they got the door, it was locked. One of the guards carrying a bunch of keys on him, began to try to open it. Two other security personnel, gently led the family to a couch. It was situated inconspicuously, at the corner where they all gathered.
When they got to the seat, the king tried to help the queen settle down.
She had been carrying the baby princess, across her shoulder. So that when she was seated, her majesty turned the baby around to face her. And then subsequently, place her on her lap. However her first attempt at lifting the baby off her shoulder, felt strange. She was heavier and almost acted as if she was reluctant to be pulled up and turned around. So the queen cooed lovingly into the princess' cheek. Then she casually looked over her shoulders, to see what had the baby’s rapt attention. It was then, that she saw what the princess was holding.
'Mirror, Mirror.... I'll tell you who the fairest is':
“I heard Asco has been seen around town, looking good and happy. They even said he has been spending a lot too.” Manipa commented, as she fidgeted with her brows in front of the mirror in her room. She could also see her two companions, sitting behind her. Without her having to turn away from the mirror, or look behind her as they conversed. She was simply occupying her habitual spot and perusing her favorite person. Therefore, as always did not care much for intrusions and interruptions. The only reason she had them there, longer than usual. Was to confirm the very statement, she had just introduced.
Slaia had a habit of needing to be looked at, whenever she was speaking. It was almost as if, that helped the words roll out of her mouth. And Manipa herself, was not up to giving that attentiveness this day. Or any other day, for that matter. It was all about her and right now, she was inspecting her show-stopping beauty.
“Yeah,” started Envila excitedly. “I heard something like that also. Actually, what I heard was….” She paused to see if Manipa was listening. Knowing from experience, that it was possible she was not.
She was most often engrossed in herself study. But to her surprise, that one was watching her through the reflective glass with dangerously narrowed eyes. “Ermmm,” Envila quickly re-thought her decision to inform. She did not feel like bearing the brunt of a delusional outrage at the moment. “Never mind, it does not matter.” She concluded quickly. “ Hey girls, let us talk about the Festival/Fair and its coming attractions.” Offered Slaia tentatively, hoping to diffuse the familiar rising tension and situation.
“What did you hear?” Manipa had now turned away from the mirror and was staring coldly at Envila. “Well I heard….” The girl paused in obvious discomfort. And deeply regretted bringing up the thought. Though it was what they did, a huge percentage of their time. Making up stories, plots and schemes to entertain their warped imaginations. And feed their presumed sense of entitlement. She just knew that this particular discussion, might finally do her in. “I am still waiting to hear, what you heard,” snapped Manipa. A cynical and hostile expression, settling on her face.
“Alright then,” Envila attempted once again. “I heard that he is seriously searching, for a girl.” “Oh,” responded Manipa almost immediately. Her face suddenly breaking into a broad but wooden smile. “You should have said that earlier. So he is looking for me now? I knew that would happen, when he realized who I was." She peered intently at the mirror, as if it would confirm her fallacy. Meanwhile, Envila cleared her throat and stole a glance at Slaia, who quickly looked away. “No, not all.” She continued with her narration. Choosing this time, to ignore any form of manipulation of her knowledge and thoughts.
And for the first time, since their mythical relationship. Envila realized how vain, greedy and shallow their desires and concerns had been. How often they had grinded axes of illusions, on borrowed platforms. Eventually believing a superficially confabulated press, about themselves. She sighed and then spoke; “Asco has been assigned to look for a very important girl. One who is worth more than we can even begin to imagine.” Envila must have been mentally prepared. For she expertly dodged the object that came hurtling towards her.
.