Chapter 98

"Well," I said turning to Mercury, "This is it..." But he was gone! He had went back into the cellar. It was now or never! I cautiously walked up the stairs, unsure what to expect. There were women standing on the stoops with huge eight foot fans, waving the grassland insects away. The women wore skimpy attire, woven bikinis from the far east. In the center of the balcony was a massive dark ebony table. On the far end was an empty throne chair. It was where the king would be seated but he hadn't come out yet. It made me all the more uneasy. On each side were eight seats, all occupied by poised and well groomed people. All eyes fell upon me, a feeling of unworthiness beginning to puddle within me. Nonetheless, I trudged forward. Their judgmental eyes then turned to warm smiles as the woman sitting closest to the king's throne, the queen, pulled out a neighboring empty chair. She urged me to come and sit. Nervously, I made my way to the chair. All eyes scanned me from head to toe, trying