Chapter 2
“You must never let a royal catch you in direct eye contact.”
Minutes melt into hours as I await the introduction to the mysterious “her majesty.” Suddenly, the curtain to the formidable untouchable chamber opens but only slightly. Because of the way the shadows fall, I can only see boney fingers and one squinting eye and a cheek bone peering out.
“You are permitted to enter,” the crackly voice matches the boney fingers and squinting eye of an elderly woman. Could this wilted, old woman be “her majesty?”
I enter another exquisitely decorated chamber; the multiple candles mounted on silver plated candelabras, positioned to properly light up the room at every angle. I take a quick glance around the room to assess the surroundings adequately. If I am to guard this royal, I must know this room and any other as well as I know the back of my hand. Plus, I am also curious to know to whom this room belongs.
There are mirrors made of purest silver ornately framed in gold to my left. One of them mounts on the wall to the far left. Below it is a dark mahogany vanity with brushes and pins and even jewelry scattered on top. Another mirror is a stand-up full-length mirror six feet tall and three feet wide.
I surmise because of a vanity mirror and a full length one that this is not an elderly woman. By the size of the full-length mirror, I guess her to be a large woman or vain or both.
Straight ahead there is more furniture. Some of the furniture appears to be better suited for a sitting room – love seat, small end tables, and a couple of chairs. All placed at an angle partly facing me and partly facing the back wall. White and red are the theme for this furniture.
To my left is a red, white, and gold decorated canopy bed, large enough for two or three normal sized persons. This too supports my speculation of her being large.
At the foot of the bed is a dark mahogany chest which I recognize as one in which young ladies of means store precious objects and clothing for a future as a bride. She must be young.
Finally, just beyond the outstretched palm of my elderly greeter stands “her majesty” I presume. She wears two outer gowns. The outer garment is crimson and drapes off her shoulders flowing out over her arms until it brushes against the floor.
The inner gown is pure white – the whitest that I had ever seen. This inner gown hugs her majesty’s body tightly revealing every curve. A small glass beaded necklace adorns her neck and gently rests upon her bosom. She wears no footwear showing to me that she has no immediate plans for leaving her chambers.
Makeda is the one who I will guard. The thought incites mixed feelings. Am I to treat this as a promotion or a punishment? It will all depend on Makeda.
I recall that at our first encounter Makeda seemed insulted. Yet, just now, she invites me into her private chambers. I never thought I would ever see beyond that curtain. I drop to one knee and bow at once before our eyes meet.
“Thank you, Jida. You are free to go, now,” Makeda walks the width of the canopy bed from left to right.
Jida hesitates. I can feel her eyes on me.
“I will be safe, Jida. He is a proven loyal soldier.”
With that, Jida gives a half kneel and bow and disappears behind the curtain. I stay knelt in homage but filling with pride from the “proven loyal soldier” remark.
“Please rise, Captain Emon.”
Makeda’s voice holds a gentler tone than when she addressed me in the garden. Her voice is rich with the intonation of confident royalty, though. I can respect that.
“I permit you into my chambers to privately speak with you about your conduct this morning.”
“Yes, your majesty,”
“Your eyes loitered this morning upon my person,” Makeda’s voice transitions from gentle with each syllable until it reaches harsh.
Makeda is so beautiful and so fully female. Even her voice in its dominant tone sounds lyrical to me. The gentle fragrance of the rose grown naturally here radiates from her body.
“Even now you show disrespect to a noble. You must learn if you are to remain in royal service to never look upon a member of the royal family.”
“Yes, your majesty,” my gaze drops at once to the floor. I have not realized my eyes betray the wisdom to fight the temptation of one more glimpse of her majesty.
I can feel Makeda turn to walk away from me. I look up to admire her form one more time. Then, she turns suddenly on her heels. My eyes drop.
“You must never let a royal catch you in direct eye contact. It is your sign of respect and loyalty.”
I cannot help but wonder is the rephrasing, “never let a royal catch you” intentional or a reminder. I will find it easier to try not to be caught than to never look.
Superiors teach soldiers to notice details and to assess them. As a man, I have learned to enjoy the opposite sex whenever possible, especially the differences between the two sexes. I never thought of it as disrespectful until now. I never want to be disrespectful.
“Otherwise, I want your eyes busy studying my surroundings like a good soldier. I want you to predict danger and steer me away from it. Am I clear, so far?”
Yes. Your majesty,” I stare at my feet. The thought that Makeda would make an excellent commander flashes across my mind.
“What have you observed so far?”
“That area over there, your majesty,” I point to the love seat and chairs.
“Yes, what about it?”
“Do you entertain visitors there often?”
“Once in a while, yes. Why?”
“I ask that I be present when you do.”
Makeda studies this suggestion for a moment or two.
“Then, I must provide you another regulation if you are to successfully complete your service as a royal guard.”
“I am sure you are about to instruct me that I do not repeat private conversations that might occur.”
“I will rephrase that for you.” Makeda speaks more firmly than any time before.
“Yes, your majesty.”
“You must never listen to nor hear any private conversations that might occur here or anywhere else, especially conversations between members of the royal court. Is that understood?”
“Yes, your majesty,” The tone of her voice is emphasis enough for me to remember this command. Heeding it will be hard.
“One other thing. You will not enter these chambers at any time whether I entertain or whoever I entertain unless I give you permission. Is that understood?”
“May I speak boldly, your majesty?”
Makeda thinks on this awhile before answering, “I will allow it.”
“You charge me to be observant and if I sense danger to protect you from it. Did you not or am I mistaken?”
“Of course, that is your primary duty.”
“If I sense that one of your invited guests may mean harm to you, yet do not have your permission to enter your chambers, how do I protect you?”
Makeda turns and takes a few paces away from me and then returns. With her back to me, I see her with her hand to her chin. I drop my gaze when she returns to face me.
“I am extremely capable of good judgement about people. I saw your potential this morning. That is why I ask for you to serve me.”
Makeda wheels around again and takes the same steps forward with hand on chin as before. As she did earlier, she quickly returns.
Makeda’s eyes light up, “If I sense that one of my guests may have ulterior motives, I will permit you to enter.”
“If I may, your majesty, for the sake of argument and your safety,” I feel myself crawling out on the proverbial limb.
“I will allow it,” Makeda’s words come out slowly and cautiously this time.
“You are no doubt a superior mind with keen senses, and I admire your majesty for it.”
“Speak your mind but remember your place.”
“Yes, your majesty,” I lower my eyes even more and bow my head to my chin. “Yet, you are human and could possibly miss clues of danger.”
Makeda frowns, “You are treading on dangerous territory of your own, Capt. Emon.”
Yes, your majesty,” I want this assignment, so I nearly decide to stop while I am ahead. “I have been too outspoken, your majesty. Please excuse my ignorance and accept my apology.”
Makeda paces again. This time, I dare not look up.
“Again, may I speak boldly?”
“What is it, now, Captain. Haven’t you yet learned that I am highly capable of taking care of myself?”
“Oh, yes, your majesty. I have no doubt about that.”
“I hope I did not sense a tone of sarcasm in that reply.”
“No, your majesty. Never.”
“Continue,” Makeda’s voice rings with frustration, “cautiously as you are trying my patience and I can choose from many officers who will have the privilege of being my bodyguard.”
“What if the danger is immediate, like something about to fall on you or a servant about to attack you and do you harm?”
“Then act upon it as you must. Your commander says you have good judgment. I need to trust your judgment.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Just be aware that if you touch me and there was no danger, I can have you punished even unto death.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“If there is nothing else, I want you to do one more thing when you leave my chamber.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“I want you near me day and night. When you leave my chamber, you find in the middle chamber that Jida had a cot and bedding brought in. I want you to sleep between the two entrances so that if anyone happens to move past the guards guarding the door in the corridor, they will awaken you and you respond as necessary to protect me.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“You are dismissed, Captain.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
I begin to back out of her chamber through the entrance opening of the curtain. I am wondering, not only due to the sudden assignment, but especially because of this last demand, if Makeda or King Abati expect some type of impending harm may be forthcoming. I am up to the task, but I hope I become privy to more information if that is the case.
Categories: Adventure Arts & Entertainment Parable
Douglas Knight
Struggling to surrender “my right to myself” and identify completely with Christ.
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