Return of the Maca

Chapter 2: A Reprieve

Chapter 2: A ReprieveIs' assurances about the Sisterhood proved correct. They scorned the Kenning Woman's words from a vision. What the Counselor of the Realm found annoying was the green clad Kreppie screeching at her about the Maca of Don returning prophesy given in a public place. Beauty wore her official Counselor of the Realm white uniform and listened patiently. The Kreppie's greenish cheek scales were almost jiggling by the time he screamed at her, “You will arrest that woman and send her to Ayran!”

“We will nay give credence to her words.” Beauty sat straight in her rounded chair, glaring down at the official. “If we send her to Ayran, Jolene will smack her bottom, put her to bed, and shower her with gifts from House. That tis nay punishment.”

“You forget. This Ab is responsible for the Maca of Ayran defecting to the Abs and to Martin.”

“I have nay forgotten. Ye and the Justines approved it as fulfilling the old prophesy that Ayran would become Abs. As for the former Maca, she was always whining about the old religion. Di did nay persuade her. All Di wished was to become House and she thought Jaylene would grant it for the love of her body.” Beauty practically spat words at him.

“The Ab must be made an example of for others to see.” The Krepyon put his hands on the desk and leaned towards her.

“I demand to see the Guardian of the Realm.”

“My mither, the Guardian, grows eld and she tis resting right now. She will awaken within the hour.” Beauty smiled at him. “I will, of course, discuss this with the Great Betta and will defer to her wisdom.”

The Krepyon, appointed envoy and administrator of Thalia, glared at her. He knew full well that Beauty ran the day-to-day functions of Thalia. Beauty, he thought with abhorrence, was a complete misnomer. The woman stood at least six-foot four and was muscled from head to toe, plus she possessed but two skimpy mammary glands. Thalians had a strange concept of beauty, He shuddered. His policy would be carried out.

“That woman must be silenced!”

“I agree with ye, Coordinator Balen. She must be silenced, but not by making a spectacle of her. If she does nay spout those words again, they will be forgotten and go nay further than Betron.” The woman will die, she thought. The words about her long-ago betrayal must nay be repeated.

“Do you believe that?” Coordinator Balen pounded at the desk. “The Abs will sign for work duty by the end of this cycle. They'll carry it to every continent on Thalia. She must be confined.”

Beauty sank against the back of the chair and smiled. “Coordinator Balen, I promise if she speaks again, she will be silenced, but nay by condemnation. There are other ways.” She leaned forward.

“Consider how ridiculous her words are. It has been over one hundred and twenty years since they left. The Maca of Don is dead.”

“We have no proof of that. The Justines do not believe that one of their own has been lost out there. When Ricca returns, he will tell us how he disposed of Llewellyn.”

Beauty looked at him. Stupid Kreppies. Always they credited the Justines with Gar like powers. She made her voice all innocence.

“We believe they've disappeared into space. Even if they return and the Maca tis with them, he canna have a laddie. He tis a mutant and there tis nay seed, or so the Justine teachings go.”

Balen's face whitened with horror. “You doubt the Justines? I'll report you.”

“I? I doubt the teachings of the Justines? Ye must be mad. I used Justine teachings to remind ye of the foolishness of her words.”

“The Tris and Abs of Thalia give too much credence to the words of the Kenning Woman.”

Beauty straightened, her hands grasping the chair's arms, her eyes becoming brown agate, her voice rising in protest.

“There tis nay Kenning Woman! She tis a fraud.”

They were reduced to glaring at each other when Betta entered the room. Her white hair glistened, and the white, full length over-gown hid her aging body from view.

“Ye both are nay thinking.” She looked at the two. “I had the troller on so I have heard your words. Beauty tis correct. If the woman holds her tongue, all will be forgotten. If she speaks again, we will deal with her and she will die, but nay as a condemned in Ayran. There are other ways.” She went to the other side of the desk and sat.

“Now, tis there anything else?”

Balen looked dubious. “Won't a death of such a young, healthy Ab be suspicious?”

Betta gazed at him complacently. “The old prophesy from the last Kenning Woman said, 'the new Kenning Woman would stumble.' She will stumble.” Betta smiled at them both.