PART SIXTY-FIVE:
The Sprint and Relay of Growing Life:
“There will be no need to rehash the unfortunate incident and outcome, of the previous visit.” The older healer, advised his companion. They had both returned to the palace, at the king’s permission and clearance. The older man thought he should prepare her, for their short meeting. It was imperative, that they get straight to the point. The sole purpose of their visit was prenatal and all that needed to be arranged, for the baby’s birth. The healer and his helper sat waiting, in the palace visitor’s lounge at the moment.
“Oh absolutely,” agreed the young woman. “I am just glad everything was worked out and we are here now. I was near devastated at the time, to have missed such a privileged and honorable opportunity.” She finished, thankfully accepting a saucer of pastry from a server. They were being served refreshments, as they waited for the royals. “I was also worried that the queen would think me rude, for being an ungrateful, ‘no-show’.” “Yes of course,” nodded the healer in understanding. "That would have been a deserving reaction, for a situation like that. But it was a relief to find out, that her majesty was more concerned than anything else. She had only hoped that nothing had happened to you, to obstruct the visit.”
“How gracious and kind of her,” responded a relieved Miluh. “Indeed it was,” the older man quickly agreed. “It was very gracious and kind, of our queen.” On that calm note, they both remained quiet. Lost in their own thoughts until the king’s aide walked in, to announce that the king and queen. Were now ready, to meet with them. When they finally got to the private royal meeting room. Miluh found herself hugely distracted, by the opulence of her surroundings. The conversation going on beside her, so far had not involved her. So she listened politely, while discreetly marveling at the décor.
The king and the healer, were discussing a proposed and pending plan for two new infirmaries. While the queen partially listened, as she instructed one of her aide. Who had come in with a question. A highly impressed Miluh, consciously returned to the ongoing conversation. When it became apparent that the topic was about, the expected baby. “The king has asked for you to stay at the palace, a few days to the expected date.” The older healer, turned to inform her. “And then I will check in myself, every day.” He added silently, as the royals were now in their own discussion.
“See it as a few days, of royal relaxation. And of course familiarization, with the queen’s staff. We will have to work with them before and after, the baby arrives.”
He added imploringly and in light-hearted humor. “How wonderful,” began the surprised and excited young woman. “What a privilege. It is always a privilege, to be of service to the kingdom.” She finished, with a broad grin. “Very well then, its all settled.” Concluded the equally satisfied man. He then turned to the royals, who were still engrossed in their own chat and waited. He kept his head slightly bowed, until the king acknowledged him. And then he was permitted to speak.
After about an hour in the presence of the royals, the king had to depart. Two of his aides and three security guards, had come to brief the sovereign about another meeting. There were dignitaries from two neighboring provinces, waiting on a previously scheduled meeting. The royal’s exit was swift and seamless, as the older healer answered some questions for the queen. Miluh found her mind roaming again, but this time for a different purpose. How fortunate it was, that she would get to spend a couple of days in the palace.
Depending on the timing and the arrangement of the stay, it seemed more likely. That she might eventually get to speak with the queen. Her friend was sure to leap for joy, when she heard this piece of long anticipated news. This was the moment they had all been waiting for, along with her husband. Doors were gradually opening up, for them. After her brief and jubilant reverie. Miluh willed her joyful thoughts back again to the ongoing discussion, between her majesty and the healer.
Apart from what they were talking about. She had to remind herself, that it was unacceptable to be absent-minded in the presence of a royal. She tuned into the conversation, just in time to hear; “It just feels like it is taking too long.” Said her majesty in a jest-full lament. “You feel like you want to hurry the baby,” she continued laughing. Meanwhile, the topic of gestation triggered a reminder in the healer. Though it was of a different situation and an opposite lament, than what he had just heard.
“Your majesty, speaking of the length of pregnancy.” He started tentatively and pensively. “Did your servant Rifra, bring anyone to see you?” “Anyone to see me?” Repeated the queen quizzically. “For what exactly?” She inquired further and interestingly. “Your majesty a young woman, with a very strange pregnancy.”
“A young pregnant woman? Why would he want to do that?” The royal inquired again, somewhat thrown off by what she was hearing. “Well your majesty,” began the older healer earnestly. “He brought this pregnant girl to see me….”
Implants, Impostors and Implementations:
Meanwhile, the coven girl began to shout again. “Be quiet! I said,” scolded the witch this time. “Your life is already in danger, as it seems. Why do you want to make it easier for your captors?” She turned away from the noisy girl, to look at Reinah. The attacked girl who was still lying on the floor, was beginning to stir and mumble words.
“…. She cannot go anywhere now, because she cannot be interrupted or hindered from this purpose." The woman explained and took the bowl of water, from the boy who had just returned with it. Then she began to gradually feed the water, to the sleeping princess.
When she felt that Reinah had ingested enough liquid for the moment, the older woman got up from where she had been stooping. She then walked over to the coven girl, who had now quieted down and was watching her intently. The girl backed away, from the witch at first. Until the woman, began to speak to her. “Have ‘they’ come to the high priestess yet?” The coven girl blinked rapidly for a moment and then rolled her eyes up. The two boys stared at her in mounting horror. And then as if from a distant time and place, the girl began to voice her answer.
“They have come to fix her body, for the days ahead. However ‘they’ are coming back again, because they anticipate opposition.” The witch nodded her understanding, before rendering another question. She was now standing face to face, with the girl. “How long will the plague, to suspend all activities hold?” “It will hold, until the ‘forerunner’ releases them. Yet they would never be completely whole and fully restored. Till they have met the ‘sent one’.” The witch nodded again, looking over at the place where Reinah still lay.
“Have you prepared a way for us to get in?” The older woman inquired again. “The way is ready for you, whenever you are.” Replied the girl, her eyes currently looking forward but without a focus. “And the warden of the lost souls, is he still there?” The sorceress continued with her interrogation. “Yes he is still there and he still seeks you.” Supplied the girl, her voice hoarse and low. The witch shook her head, in feigned unbelief. She knew the sub-organization director, had covertly attached himself to ‘shiny-shoes’ and her coven.
He desperately wanted to locate her and execute his revenge. The high priestess did not know about their history, or the rift. Otherwise, the younger woman would have given her away. The covert director who frequently had significant visits, from the crypt beyond. Had attached himself, to ‘shiny-shoes’ as her benefactor. While he sought out the fool, that had almost flattened and ruined his organization. She could not be very far away, or hidden for long. He had seen to it, that she was cursed and relegated. To go no further, than the spell-bound torment of a sorceress.
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