DAYS OF THE CARNIVAL: THE FALL (PT 3)
BY: Wolfa Moon
The fog had rolled in early and had not departed all day. The town feared the show might be canceled. But fear not, the show continues. All the unperforming characters stood around holding torches to keep the place lit for people to see.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are sorry for the fog. One of our little ladies thought a fog would get her away from doing her spot. Out as they say the show must go on." The ringleader stood back. A group of acrobats come out. They do juggling and flips and things. Maria Theresa looked over the crowd the Doctor had arrived well and sat on one of the local window ceals. Tessa glanced at all the other people in the Square, when she looked at her, it was crowed, as it was before when they performed.
*
Helm looked over at the crowd. Maria Theresa Alvardo was looking at him again as he noticed her she looked away. He pondered in his head to why she was looking at him. Robert looked over the crowd again. Senora Vera Haldiago gave him a seductive smile. He smiled back to her then regained his attention to the performers. The jugglers were finished and the next act came on. A rope was set up between to stands. Two performers walked on with swords in their hands. They bowed to the audience then got to it.
"Unguard."
"Thanks for the warning." The two began to slash about.
"You killed my mother, you killed my father, you killed my dog, and you at my horse."
"Yes well, if wishes were horses, then beggars might ride."
"Oh how dare you." the two slash about again. The fighter who just spoke hit the other fighter. The sword was tucked under his arm and may it look painful then fell the short distance to the ground. The other man held his hands in the air.
"I am invincible." He jumped down next to the man he head played with. The other man got up beside him. The two bowed and walked off. The ringleader came back on clapping.
"Wonderful balance and god performance of daring. Speaking of daring. The next act is it.." The ringleader went on and on. A hooded man approached the doctor. He handed him a message and left.
*
Marta looked around on the street they had taken over as their local. She was looking for the gypsy woman. She walked into the tent where she was the other day. The cards were laid out. THREE OF SWORDS. NINE OF SWORDS. WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Marta realized that all these meant doom, but when. Marta walked back to see how Tessa was doing.
*
"During the daylight fog we set up a line between these two building." Pointing tot he hotel and to the church. Senor Haldiago straightened his spectacles to get a better view. "Now ladies we need total silence. This is a dangerous stunt. We only have nets as small areas. Not all is covered. So we need absolutely silence. " The man pointed up to the hotel. A pair of mirrors reflected the light from the torches up on her so the people could watch. "Our Lady to perform this act. Our muse, Linthia." She raised her hands in the air at the sounding of her name. "Now remember complete silence. "Ready!?!"
"Yes!"
"Any request!?!"
"Keep that damned light on the ropes!" The ringleader smiled back to the crowd.
"Though women are angels, yet wedlock's the devil. No remember complete silence." With that Linthia took her first step onto the wire. The crowd's gazes stay stuck on the Muse. Marta's attention was taken back to the ringleader. The gypsy from the stand was talking with him urgently. The ringleader looked up at the girl in shock. He called over another performer and pointed to Linthia. He ran off grabbing another performer. The ringleader talked back to the gypsy. She got down on the round and drew a circle around her. A prayer circle she realized. Marta looked back to the Muse. She was midway past the first net. She was now over the space between the two. Marta lent over to Tessa.
"Something is going on." Tessa looked over at her. Marta just gave the look of danger. Tessa looked up to the rope. It was swaying but looked of no risk. But then out of the corner of her eye she spotted a black figure. The rope swayed a little more and she keeps her balance. Tessa looked back to the dark figure. The man was cutting the rope by the small glint of reflected light. There was a snap
*
When you look out over the crowd form here they seem so small. I am always amazed at that I am amongst these small things on this huge earth. The rope sways and I realize the thrill that I dare the life that I risk. My life I risk here for show. I am nothing but a, but a Muse. A singer of songs, an entertainer, a bastard daughter. So what is life except a simple thrill. Why do I walk here? I hide many secrets. They all catch you in the end. The rope sways more but not from me. I look back and see one of those many secrets. I move forward trying to get to the other net before they are done their job. I am such a small person. I am just an entertainer. Shakespeare had written the best line. 'All the world is a stage and all the men and women are simple players.' I guess my games chess. I'm on that board and that queen is soon gonna stare me down. The rope twinges. He got through one of the layers. The crowd looks unworried but worried. Scared for themselves as well as for me. I feel another twinge.
CHECKMATE
TBC