Chapter 8 Lady Marconda Goes To Meditate

Lady Marconda had completely changed her mind after the devil met her and suggested her to meditate. He had advised her to enhance her power. Though she was an experienced ogress, she needed more power so that she could succeed in her attempt and her wish could be fulfilled.

She had been meditating for the whole period till Melissa, the snake girl, turned 10. She had got to please the three devils that were considered to be the most powerful of all the devils there had been, and were called the masters of black powers. The first one was named Ruomolas and had only one eye, on the centre of his forehead. He had broad shoulders and flat nose similar to that of a bull dog. His jaws were strong. His laugh was very dangerous and frightening. He had two pointed horns that were bent to the front.

The second devil was named Baragolas. He was a funny one. His face was bigger in size in proportion to his body. His nose was a little longer while his eyes were very small. He had two small horns on his head as goats have. His hair was very long.

The third devil was the same one who had met the witch earlier. His name was Tarapolas. The similarity among them was that they all had long canines and harsh voices.

Lady Marconda had to meditate in different stages. First of all she thought to please Tarapolas, who was uglier than a pig and had come to her once, in her dark room. He liked muddy and bad smelling places. Moreover, the nasty liquor prepared by mixing the blood of small animals and reptiles was his most favourite.

***

It was evening when the birds had begun to return their homes. The sky was clear. The stars twinkled in the sky to show their presence. But, there was no sign of the moon anywhere. Crickets had started their melody that broke the sleepy silence.

There was a large rock in the bushes under which someone was sitting. It was a woman, dressed in a cloak. She had a scarf around her neck. A cauldron was placed on the fire that was burning just before her. In that cauldron something was being boiled that produced some odd sounds. The smell was so strange and had covered the entire area. It could be smelled from a long distance.

In another container nearby was the skeleton of a wolf whose skin was lying close to the container. An owl was flying over the cauldron, sometimes hooting. A piece of bone and a human skull was put on the right of the woman.

"Gamora!" cried the woman. It was no other than the witch herself. She was bare footed, looking very furious. Her eyes were fixed on the cauldron from which vapour was coming out that mixed up with the smoke of the hearth and rose higher in the air. The trees around her stood still in fear and silently watched her performing each and every action.

The witch stood up and picked up the piece of bone near the skull in her hand. Then, reciting some charm words, she went round the cauldron seven times. After that, she sat back on the seat where she was earlier sitting, and recited again some magical words waving her hand, that held the piece of bone, in the air.

All of a sudden there was smoke in front of the ogress and then appeared an aged man who was bent by the waist. He was very thin and had narrow chest. He was bald and some of his teeth were missing. His hands and fingers were long. He had neither moustache nor beard. His eyes were dark enough. His left leg was a little smaller than the right one. He had a cloth bundle with its loops tied to his neck. The bundle looked old and dirty, with something tightly stuffed in it.

He looked to his left and right very carefully as if there was some danger. His eyes met with that of Lady Marconda. He smiled, showing all his teeth along with his gums and said in a tone of whisper, "Sam has come, Your Majesty!" He took his left hand to his back and scratched twice or thrice with his nails and said again, "Sam has brought all that you need." His voice was still low.

"Well done, Sam!" the witch said admiringly. She rose from her place and went close to him.

"Take out them one by one." she ordered.

Sam untied the bundle loops from his neck. The creatures inside the bundle were all alive and their movement could easily be seen from outside.

He put his hand inside the bundle and took out an ugly grey mole. It was very fat, squealing with all its might. Sam's grip was so firm that the mole couldn't move. It could only wave its long tail.

"Ha... Ha... Ha... Fantastic, Sam!" she exclaimed. "You've done a great job." She took the mole from his hand. Her canines at once increased in size. She nastily cut the head of the tiny creature with her sharp teeth and poured all the blood in the cauldron by squeezing its soft body.

She then turned to him and demanded for the next item. She was looking a bit impatient. Sam took out a bat this time. It was larger in size, trying to flap its wings but in vain. A cunning smile spread out on the ogress's lips. She snatched the bat from his hands and did the same what she had done earlier with the poor mole. This all went on with the frog and the chameleon, too.

***

"Melissa! Reply to me!" cried Catherine. She was looking a bit nervous not to find her child.

"Melissa! My child!" she again called her. But, there was no answer. Catherine stepped down clenching her robe with both her hands. Her eyes were searching the child everywhere. Cool wind was blowing that had reduced the feeling of heat, although, it was summer time. Albert was not at home. He had gone to the field to work.

Albert and his wife were happy now. Their only wish had been fulfilled. They had got what they had been longing for – a child. The child was cute and lovely, but a little naughty, too. The couple was contented with the child.

Catherine was losing her patience. She had searched almost all the places where Melissa could hide. But there was no sign of Melissa. Her eyes were wet. Tears were about to make a way in her eyes when she suddenly got an idea. She quickly ran to the place where cattle were kept.

"Thank God!" she gasped. Melissa was playing with the sheep. She was holding a sheep by the ear and scolding him.

"You naughty girl... you're here. I was worried about you. Catherine said in a raised voice and took the child in her arms.