Mirrored Shadows

Queen Callisto

  Instead of a bucket of cold water, the next morning Monika was woken up by the gentle squeak of the cell doors. She opened her eyes and saw Camelback coming in with a mop and a bucket of water. The unlucky creature made a nervous gesture, seeing that he woke her up.

- Good morning. - she whispered, not to alarm him.

  Camelback did not reply. He didn't know how to behave in the presence of a kind person. Instead, he took the mop, soaked it up with water and started scrubbing the floor as loud as he could in order to avoid any kind of conversation.

- Thank you for taking care of me. - she said.

  He remained silent, persistently moving from place where Monika would stand, to another.

- My name is Monika. What's your name?

  Camelback was shivering. Someone was addressing him, treating him like an equal, and not as an object of mockery. That was so different from the usual, that it felt wrong. He took the mop and the bucket, moving towards the door in desire to avoid the awkward situation. But Monika placed hand on his shoulder.

- Please, don't go... I don't have a lot of good friends. Everything is falling apart, you know...

  He listened to her cry as the well known sound and realized that his eyes are wet too. What a familiar type of sadness. Loneliness and fear.

- At least your name...

- Camel... back... people... me... calling. - he tried to shape the words. Being quiet for so long, he forgot how difficult talking can be.

- Camelback? That's so cruel... Don't you have a real name?

Down in the bucket of water, he could see his deformed face.

- Camelback... called...f-f-rom birth.

- Humans or demons, they are all equally evil...

-They no like... - he attempted to reach the bump on his back but it was too tall.

- We all carry a burden on our back, my friend. The worst kind is the one that you can't see, yet it bends you more than all the bumps of this world...

 That made Camelback stop and think. He looked at nothing specific while processing what she said.

- We'll leave this place, my friend. - she promised. It sounded like an oath. - We'll show them who we are. And you will never be alone again, nor treated like an animal.

  Camelback's eyes were widening in wonder as he listened. Could his life change, he wondered. Is that even possible? Even if not, he wished Monika could see how much his heart is jumping with joy, just for having something to think about. He had a friend. It was his sweet, little secret that he could keep and think about any time he wants. In time, he started visiting his dear friend more often. He spoke more and pitied himself less. It was impossible for him to hide the happiness on his face. Many had noticed that, but he didn't care. The insults became irrelevant. Because there was someone who doesn't think like they do.

  At night, as always, he'd sit and look at the moon. Now the Camelback was mocking him instead. ''Now you... alone.''

                                                                                         ***

   A tall figure is standing next to a window, looking outside. It had wide, strong shoulders, holding the sleeves of a long dress. But the dress was not what you'd expect a dress to be. There was no silk or velvet, nor ravishing colors. It was a dress made out of iron and silver, as a complete armor. The figure stood firmly, like a marble statue. Rough facial lines and hair, gathered beneath a black crown, were erasing every trace of stereotypical femininity. Two horns were breaking through the forehead and twisting backwards. Queen Callisto. An example of strength. Of tenacity. Her big hands rested on a hilt of a massive sword. That thing looked like something at least ten people would have to hold in order to move it. She kept squeezing it, while thick eyebrows were approaching one to another in silent anger, like two clouds ready to spill down a storm.

  After a quiet knock, the door of the queen's cabinet opened. A woman with long, red hair came in, dressed in a simple dress of green velvet. Her eyes cautiously sought the queen.

- Why do I smell humans, Mira?

  The queen's voice resonated deeply, making the crystals on the chandelier shiver, even though it was almost a whisper.

- The guardsmen you asked for are here, your Majesty. - the woman said, looking down.

- Bring them in.

  Two men in armor came inside and knelt on the floor.

- These are the humans we gave a prison duty to?

- Yes, your Majesty. The ones caught in courtesans quarters.

  One of the guards on the floor raised his head to look upon the queen, but her appearance forced him to look down again.

- P-please...your Highness... I have a wife and a child...

  She did not dignify their presence nor words. To her, they were cattle making noises.

- Execute them.

 - NO, YOUR HIGHNESS, PLEASE!

   More guards came inside, taking the two accused away. The queen took a seat on her chair, as if nothing happened.

- These human animals breed like rabbits, Mira. - she said indifferently, looking through the bunch of papers on the desk. - Order an execution on the spot. I have no time to deal with that nonsense every time a guardsman unzips his pants.

- It shall be as you command, your Majesty. - the woman bowed. - I was free enough to visit the dungeons. I asked the captain Corfold if courtesans are visiting the guardsmen or the prisoners, but he denied it in quite a nervous demeanor.

- Men. If he was nervous, then he lied. They all lie. Weaklings.

- If your Majesty wishes, I could follow the courtesans.

- Don't be foolish, girl. They know you. If they see you, they will know what you're up to. We need a new face for that.

  The girl took a moment to think, then snapped her fingers:

- We could take one of the prisoners to do that.

  The queen lowered the paper she was holding and looked at her advisor.

- To take a prisoner?

- We did it before, with all due respect Majesty. Their faith is sealed anyway, why not make a use of them?

 Callisto got up and turned towards the window again, as she usually did when making decisions she's not fond of.

- And how many new prisoners do we have down there?

- Only three at this part of the prison, your Majesty. The rest were taken further down to the 6th circle.

- That could work... Keep in mind that they are criminals... Alright, but I don't want them to know why we need them. No one can know, or they will definitely say something to the rest and the whole plan will fail. Tell them that the queen requires a reliable chambermaid or something like that.

- Yes, your Majesty.

- Bring all three. I will decide which one suits the position the best.

- As you wish, your Majesty.

- That was a fine idea, Mira. I am satisfied. You may leave.

  The girl's eyes were glowing with happiness. She looked at the queen without hiding her worshiping and admiration. Bowing with a wide smile and feeling that she helped, Mira left the cabinet.

                                                                                     ***

- It must be very difficult to stand in chains all day... - Monika whispered, leaned against the wall that connected her and Aaron's cell.

  There was no answer.

- What did you do to end up here?

  Aaron was still quiet.

- I'm sorry, I know it's none of my business.

- When the black carriages came... - he started talking quietly. - Demons made me watch... as they took my wife on the ground... I broke about ten necks until they finally overpowered me and brought me here...

- That's horrible!

  He spoke no more. Monika could hear his sigh and sense how much pain is in it. She wanted to say something comforting, but she knew words cannot comfort him. In that moment, a guardsman stopped before her cell and unlocked the doors.

- Come on, get out.

  Monika looked at him in confusion and stepped out in the hallway. The twins, Lona and Alma, were there too. She looked at them interrogatively, but they just shrugged.

  Soon, the queen's advisor Mira arrived.

- Come with me. - she said without a further explanation. The three of them followed her down the hallway.

  She took them up across numerous stairs and webs of hallways. Their pathway was becoming cleaner and richer the farther they were from the dungeons. Demonic aristocracy on the paintings followed their movement from the golden and silver frames. They had long horns, twisted like curls and snail shells. Strikingly red tapestries replaced the naked walls, while the floors were filled with soft carpets and rugs.

- Where are you taking us? - Lona dared.

- Our queen needs you. She will explain the rest herself.

 Monika didn't know how to feel about that, but she noticed that the sisters are upset.

  Mira took them to a grandiose room, made out of white marble, with dozens of polished statues. In that stainless environment, all three became aware of their dirty appearance in which they will stand before the queen.

- Wait here. - Mira said and pointed towards a stony bench, then disappeared behind the next door.

- What could the queen want from us? - Lona asked, as if the other two knew the answer to that.

- Nothing good, that's for sure. - her sister said.

  Monika was quietly looking at the floor, feeling nervous. Lona, on the other hand, carelessly walked around the room, touching the half naked statues of demons.

- Don't touch anything! - Alma hissed her. - All we need now is for you to break something, as if we're not deep in mess already!

 Lona scoffed and sat on the bench. Alma jigged her leg uncontrollably.

 The doors finally opened, but instead of Mira, came someone else. Monika immediately recognized chancellor Piri - the comical little man who came before them at the gates of Hardcoat. He walked in on his fingers, elegantly like a ballerina. He wore a strikingly yellow, silky suit, while his lacy socks were rising up to his knees from the lacquered shoes. Piri closed the door behind him and turned towards them in a pirouette. He quickly looked at the prisoners and brought a tissue to his mouth in disgust.

- Ah! Ah poor me! - he cried. - This will take my entire day! You three look like street cats!

  With a finger on his mouth, he started analyzing, thinking.

- No, no, you cannot go before the queen looking like this. No, you need to take a bath. Go on, quickly now, hop hop! - he clapped his hands several times until the servants came. - Take these three to wash themselves, head to toe!

  After two weeks in the dirty cell, Monika felt how clean water brings back her strength. She did not notice the maids curiously look at her as she ran fingers through her long hair and over milky skin. They tried to determine whether she's of a noble blood or not, but it was hard to do so without horns.

  After the bath, the clothes have arrived. All three got something simple, but elegant, and a pair of shoes to go with. Piri was looking at Monika with satisfaction on his face, as some sort of a masterpiece of his own, admiring his work.

- Yes, yes, this is it. - he evaluated her. - This one here has a chance, but these two can't be saved by all the dresses and jewels of this world.

  The servants were giggling at Piri's remarks. Lona closed her hand into a fist. She wanted to punch him, while Alma furtively looked at Monika, comparing herself with her.

- Come on now, come on now, the queen awaits. - Piri said, making nervous gestures with his hands. - You two hags stand behind the pretty one, we don't want the queen to get a stroke right at the door.

  Alma quickly grabbed Lona's hand that almost flew at Piri.

- This way!

  They went through two more grandiose chambers until Piri finally stopped. Before he knocked on the door, he turned to them:

- When you enter, you will bow before the queen. You will speak only when she asks you something. At the end of a sentence, you will say ''your Highness'' or ''your Majesty''. Is that clear?

- Yes.

- One more thing. The queen hates humans. So really avoid looking directly at her. But if there's one thing she hates more than humans, then that would be men. Men of any race. She despises them. They disgust her. So I suppose you're lucky about that, at least. Although I'm not entirely sure about these two.

  Monika felt her heart pounding and breathing became difficult, even painful. She was sure her face became as pale as the snow.

- Uh... Well, this is it. We are going in, and hopefully we'll leave in one piece. - he sighed and knocked.

  The queen's deep voice allowed them to enter. He opened the door and bowed all the way to the floor:

- They have arrived, your Highness.

  The three of them stepped inside the much darker room. They spotted an unusually tall woman in a dress-like armor of iron. At first they were certain it was a man. She looked like another muscled statue of a demon knight. Her enormous shadow was stretched across the floor and swallowed all three of them. Next to her stood her advisor Mira.

  They bowed.

- You may leave, Piri.

  The chancellor bowed exaggeratedly once again, and left the room walking backwards, still bowed. When the door closed, silence took over the room. Their lowered glances curiously climbed over the back of the queen who was facing the window. To frightened Alma, that demoness looked like a deity, with her long horns that seemed quite heavy, and that noble and divine, yet knightly posture. She turned towards them, and they quickly looked down. In a blink of an eye, the queen pulled out a massive sword, then placed its tip against the floor with an irony racket.

 - Scum! - her shout made all three jump. - Thieves! Not only that you are humans, the lowest form of life, but criminals to that. I see lies in your eyes even though you haven't said a word! Weakness! Weakness in all three!

  Alma twitched each time the tone of her voice went up, as if she was about to get slapped.

- I summoned you here because even a waste like yourselves can be useful when it takes a stench to lure mice out in the open. And I have far too many mice around me.

  Monika and Alma were looking down in silence, but Lona stared directly in the queen's eyes. It was not a dare, nor bravery, but a petrified reaction that completely froze her in that pose, not allowing her to look away. In the silent horror, Lona noticed that the queen, despite the human-like features, she still looked like something much more, much higher, even from her own race. Her eyes were a shade of red, and when she caught Lona's glance, it seemed like a small flame kindled inside of them. The way she stepped towards the girl would kill a horse if it laid on the floor.

- What are you looking at? You think you are worthy to look me in the eyes?

  The girl swallowed saliva and finally looked down.

- Look at me now! Let me see that quasi strength!

  Lona sobbed.

- I thought so. - the queen turned back at her and stepped away. Just a moment after Lona relieved, the queen turned around and in one swift movement swung her sword. It whistled through the air like a whip. A line of blood fell over the walls and tapestries. Alma screamed, looking at her sister who stood still. Her gaze was empty, and mouth half opened. After a few seconds, her head slid down from the neck and rolled over the floor. Alma could not contain herself. She screamed and cried, shivering on her knees. Monika bit her lip and continued to look down. She realized the way things are: the queen despises any sign of weakness.

- Guards. - the queen called and several strong women in armor walked inside. - Take this weeping b***h out of my sight.

  The girls grabbed Alma and took her out. Her screams echoed through the halls.

- You. - the queen addressed Monika. - What's your name?

- My name is Monika, your Majesty.

  She bowed accordingly with demonic rules: slightly bending knees and looking down, while keeping back straight. Her knowledge of decorum surprised the queen.

- Are you a noblewoman? I see that you are familiar with our decorum.

- I'm not a nobleman, Majesty, but I have served in a castle, so the royal etiquette is familiar to me.

  She could  feel the queen's glances of doubt on herself.

- Why are you here, in this part of the prison?

  It was a call for a quick lie without hesitation.

- I stole a gem from a demon.

- So a thief. Here we cut hands for that.

  Monika remained quiet.

- You are staying. Don't get too happy. This is temporary and I WILL keep my eyes on you.

- Your wish is my command, Majesty.

  Callisto stood for a while, observing her. She then turned to her advisor Mira:

- Show her to her room and explain the rules.

  She sat on her chair by the desk and paid no further significance to Monika's presence. That was a sign that the conversation has ended. Mira bowed and walked to the doors. Monika did the same and went after her.

  Mira took her through the Hardcoat's royal area, explaining the rules on the way.

- Your duties are simple. You will take care of queen's wardrobe. That implies washing and ironing, also the polishing her armor. As well as anything she asks from you.

  The courtiers were everywhere, looking after Monika and whispering among themselves.

- Do not pay attention to them. - she said, noticing that Monika is uncomfortable. - Idleness is the most dominant disease in this place, and the symptoms are gossiping and minding someone else's business.

  They stopped next to a door in an empty hallway. Mira unlocked it and enter first, inviting Monika in. They found themselves in a simple room with blue wallpapers. In one corner stood a bed and a nightstand, while in the other was an armchair and a small shelf with books.

- Get up at 6 am. You must not be late. The queen will not forgive it.

  Monika was still trying to figure out why is she here. Why would the queen take a prisoner as a servant?

- There's one more thing that you should know. - Mira moved closer to her and continued to whisper in confidentiality. - I'm telling you this as someone who knows the queen well, so listen to me carefully. Her Highness is... She is a magnificent woman. Her strength and decisiveness are keeping not only this place, but the entire plain of Hell, from falling apart. Her wisdom helped us through centuries of misfortunes. Still, you must know... Her Highness is very impulsive. She reacts instantly, governed by current emotions of a moment. Many heads fell down just for one wrong glance. So watch what you're saying. It would be in your interest not to speak at all.

  With those words, she turned around and walked towards the door.

- Excuse me. - Monika stopped her. - Why me...? Surely there are much more qualified people in this place, closer to the queen.

- Of course there are, and those are far too important to have their heads severed. - she opened the door and, before stepping out, she looked at her once more and reminded: - Wake up at 6. Don't be late.

  The door closed. Monika stood and looked at it, wondering what just happen. Only this morning she was on the floor of her cell. Now there was a fine, clean room that promised comfort. She wasn't sure whether to be glad or worried.

  Looking around and, still under the influence of what happened in the queen's cabinet, she feared to even move, let alone touch anything. After a while, she started familiarizing himself with her new room. By looking at the books on the shelf, it came to her knowledge that demons are obsessively proud of themselves. There were titles like ''Things you shouldn't do at the Third circle'', or ''The conspiracies of the Bible''. There was also one that made her laugh. It was called ''No horn-crossing, please''.

                                                                                           ***

  That same night, when the entire Hardcoat fell asleep, something rustled in Monika's room. She lighted up a candle and looked around. The bookshelf was gently shaking. It looked like someone was pushing it from the other side. She waited, holding her breath in suspense and took a candle holder, raising it above her head, ready to strike.

  The shelf moved with a squeak and Camelback's face appeared in the light of the candle.

- Oh! How did you get in here? I thought you were a burglar or something.

- Camelback knows... all the secret passages. - he attempted to giggle. - Camelback lives in them. Camelback got scared... scared you be hurt.

  Monika smiled and pat his shoulder.

- Don't worry, I am fine. I'm in queen's servitude now.

  He looked at her worryingly.

- Queen dangerous. Queen kill fast... Much dead, every day... That's why always new servant... Always new...

- She won't kill me. I don't know why I got this opportunity, but I won't miss it. This is my chance, my friend. Our chance. Now I have to be smart. I must use this.

- Friend... has a plan?

- Not yet. I have to see how things work here first. And I need to gain sympathies of the courtiers. Maybe even some from the queen herself. And then, my friend, comes the easiest part.

- Easiest? - he tiled his head.

- That's right. A part known as ''Divide and conquer''. Whoever survives will remember me forever.