The Wraiths Of Alkebulan

CHAPTER 12

THE  INNER HAND
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    The Vizier Sedaq gazed at the beautiful waterfall that streamed downwards majestically. The grey hills towering above his view. The flow of the blue river moved past the royal outdoor palace.
A round table with a thick white candle lit on top, was surrounded with ten brown leather chairs. High torches of candle lights hanged on the pillars of the royal outdoor palace.
He turned his attention towards a cat mask faced figure. The black cat mask was covered in golden strips around it. A black crown, it's design a delicate feminine touch covered it. The ears of the cat mask protruded outside it.
Heavy chunks of beautiful golden earrings pierced through the cat mask. Through the dark hole of the eyes was a big thick golden ring.
The neck was covered in golden ancient patterns on a thick black cloth that covered the figure.
How was your journey to the royal palace? The Vizier Sedaq asked in a slow manner.
The cat mask was lifted. A woman's face appeared. A sight of calmness and ancient beauty. Meryt. The maid from the Sanctuary of the Black Pharaohs.
It was well My Lord, she said as she placed the black cat mask on the table.
My child, I believe you came all the way here to deliver great news to me, the vizier spoke as he looked at her face, her beautiful black hair fell perfectly on the black cloth.
I have managed to stay hidden in plain sight, she said as a slow smile formed on her pink soft lips.
The vizier, being a sly fox, had found a way to raise a wraith and place it inside the body of Meryt when she was a day old.
At the royal palace, the crown prince was taken away after witnessing the breath of life. And, Meryt was born from a maid inside the palace on the same day.
He thought quickly to use the innocence of a child and placed upon it a wraith he had released from the depths of hell.
He had managed to scout for over a thousand years, an ancient ritual that can free a malicious threat. He found it and used its knowledge at the right opportunity.
He knew the gods would not harm a child and tested them. He believed the child would pass through the hidden sanctuary that was heavily protected against wraiths.
He had managed to place a spy in a sacred land. He believed in his strategy. The maid was sent away to the Sanctuary of the Black Pharaohs with both the crown prince and her child, Meryt.
You have indeed. Now, he slithered through his words. Tell me, what is it you know.
My Lord, the crown prince has awaken the king's star. And, a high priestess from the line of Kahina has been found, she spoke calmly, her soft voice pouring every truth.
Vizier Sedaq shared a heart felt laugh. That of a proud father. You have done well. I knew you would bear a large reward, he spoke proudly.
So, the time has come. But, why so early? The powers of elemental magic are activated after every one thousand years, he aired out his honest opinion to his loyal follower.
You know best My Lord, she said obediently. Her heart was living for the Vizier Sedaq. He had given her a chance to busk in earthly pleasures and eternal beauty. Away from the horrifying confines of hell.
She respected him. Looked up to him through a father figure lense. The wraith inside Meryt felt human and it loved the sweet sense of feeling emotions.
Keep the crown prince close to your proximity, the vizier ordered. Make him tell you his every move.
Yes, My Lord. I will follow your great command, Meryt said as she rose from her chair and walked towards the open view of the waterfall.
How did you manage to control the spirit of Sedna? The vizier asked as he rose from his sit to stand next to Meryt.
She was chaotic My Lord. With her great dark power, she is unable to rest in human form, Meryt said as she freely moved her hands through the air.
I knew we were not low-tier demons. We have a calm nature that blinds the human eye and will allow us to live in a better world, the vizier spoke thoughtfully. My dear, a new world is upon us. Be prepared.
Meryt looked up at his face. What will become of the crown prince?
Have you fallen for a mortal man? The vizier asked sacarstically, but, he wanted to mock her for her delusions. You are not experiencing real emotions. You are not born human.
Meryt reflected on his words and felt the essence of the pain in words that are brutally honest.
Thankyou for your wise words My Lord, she said almost silently.
Child, the vizier said in comfort. You will have him for yourself. After I conquer my vision. So, help me diligently to aim for the greatness that will walk through.
Meryt's face shone with a glimpse of hope when she heard his words. My Lord, indeed you will raise a great nation, she said her tone full of praise.
Nothing will go against the belief Maid Meryt had placed on the vizier. She was intentionally following his commands. They were her law.
How is the royal palace life My Lord? She asked to continue the conversation.
The Vizier Sedaq looked at her with a face begging to answer. It is the most grand! He exclaimed almost in victory.
The most luxurious lifestyle a man can live. And, you my child can enjoy this next to me as the best of my creations.
Maid Meryt was attracted to shiny objects and the display of a flashy lifestyle. She was also a slave to the pleasurable feeling to burst in royal flavour.
I will help you see through it all, Maid Meryt said confidentally. I will like to make a humble request, if you allow me.
Ask and you shall receive, the vizier spoke as he patiently, as he watched Maid Meryt shyly part her lips.
I went to the Ermes Ankh of Style and my favourite dresses were taken, she pleaded what disturbed her. I need them back. The high priestess keeps them in her bedroom chamber.
Could you please order better replicas of them for me? I get to wear anything I want when we complete the mission.
The Vizier Sedaq looked at the glowing puppy eyes Maid Meryt shot at him.
Do not do that. Okay, I will request the Pharaoh to call upon the best dress makers.
Really? She asked in thrill. Yes, it is for the job well done, the vizier said.
Maid Meryt felt her thirst quenched beyond satisfaction. She had hidden how jealous she felt when the crown prince granted the high priestess a full escort to her favourite place.
I am eternally greatful for your care, she said softly and sweetly as she imagined the outcome of her desires.
I see you loved the mask and cloth that I prepared for you for this meeting, he said in a measured tone. If you have something better for me, send out a dove to the window of my secret chamber.
Yes My Lord, she respectfully said back. If it is beyond my expectations like today, I will have one of the most beautiful dresses waiting for you. That you will wear when you are betrothed to the crown prince.
Maid Meryt gasped in surprise. Marriage to His Highness?
Yes, he instructed. If you are able to do anything to have him. Let it be known that we need to find the sources of the elemental magic powers before him.
I will make sure to get more information out of him My Lord, Meryt said her voice full of motivation.
She will have a chance to have the crown prince to herself. She resented how he could be with other women but her, when in truth the crown prince had only been with her.
The vizier had shone a new light upon her once again. A path that was guaranteed to manipulate her to work devotedly to him. She was like a rat chasing cheese it will never catch.
You should head back to the Sanctuary of the Black Pharaohs. To not arouse suspicions, he said in a serious tone.
Yes My Lord. That is best for me, she said pleased. Maid Meryt took one last glance at the beautiful view of the waterfall and moved towards the table to retrieve her black cat mask.
She covered her face. Her loyalty to the vizier brought out from the look she had been gifted.
As we have practiced. Ride slow. Return the cloth and mask back to the pyramid prestige of eternal style. All those clothes in there will be yours one day.
Allow the crown prince to do as he pleases. Your time will come, he said to the maid
Of course. I am grateful to you for even allowing me access to such, she said devoted to her worldly cravings.
The crown prince entrusted his key to me. He allows me freedom to wear what I want in there, she said as she felt more love for the crown prince.
Okay. I will await your message, the vizier said as the maid bowed before him and made an exit.
Maid Meryt had been secretly escorted inside the royal palace through a secret tunnel showed to her by one of the guards who secretly followed the Vizier Sedaq.
The secret tunnel led to the royal outdoor palace that was a grand view of heavenly nature and royal taste. The Vizier Sedaq had made a humble request to the Pharaoh to have that space for himself.
Being the most trusted by the Pharaoh, his wish was granted without question. It came to serve a great purpose as a space he secretly met with Maid Meryt.
The maid was escorted out of the royal palace through the secret tunnel and she quietly rode off to the sacred sanctuary. No one noticed.
The vizier had his curiosity killed without doing much. He had now the answers to present before his next secret meeting.
He felt the more urge to pursue his mission and come out as the arch among all wraiths. He was certain he was on the right path.