LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 11

                                           

Back at the Under-Secretary Lenny Sukzor’s private residence, for a long while sleep had averted the intrepid Minister; lying awake in deep contemplation, Lenny’s stare had been for some time now affixed (glued, set) on the canopy of his four-poster bed. Incessantly his eyes (pupils) traced each cleverly executed embroidery, woven so colorfully yet mockingly beautiful, depicting patterns of marital fidelity and family’ loyalty, that of which now taunted him with their lies.

01- -LENNY SUKZOR (12)JP

Their creator, his wife Juyin, was as beautiful as she was talented and, if the truth were to be known, he had loved her deeply from the first moment he had set eyes on her.  Despite his present denial, despite all that had since come between them he was still enamored of her. He still treasured every moment they spent together and warmed in the ecstasy, the pure, unadulterated joy she infused down into the very cockles of his heart.

On this night of all nights, he longed to embrace her, to pretend that all was simple and good between them, but his adored wife was not where he desired her to be. She was not in bed beside him. The moment he had feigned sleep, Juyin had snuck away.  Extending his hand, he felt the residual warmth of the mattress. His brows knitted as he turned to his side and (smelled) smelt her perfume still lingering on the pillows and sheets.

02-JUYIN SUKZOR (1).pngJP

He had known of her recruitment from the very start. Until this major incursion he had boasted with impunity how he had kept his household clear of spies but on that day when he had received certain confirmation his anger had welled up intolerably in his chest.  He had conjured up thousands of tortures to pay her back for this ultimate betrayal.

It mattered little that she had most certainly been (coerced) forced into carrying out her actions, if she had been truly loyal, she would have taken her own life rather than submit to the course that was imposed on her.  He had even considered disposing of this viper nestled in his bosom, by administering a slow-acting poison that mimicked “Breakbone Fever”, killing her with long, lingering, excruciating pain.  Then the anger and disappointment had subsided to rest deep within his marrow, and he’d reasoned in a cool, dispassionate way that, he was being too idealistic, and, even if he’d disposed of her, another would be planted in her stead, one who might be far harder to detect.

Subsequently, with things seemingly remaining as they were, Juyin was only given to convey the certain information that Lenny wished for Zakhertan Yozdek to know.

03- JUYIN SUKZOR (6)JP

Even with the apparent benefits of having this direct link (contact) to the Sovereign, he had to argue his case long and hard before Egil Viggoaries and, had endured the lasting humiliation of being verbally, virtually cuckolded in front of his brothers and peers, in order to merely win the continuance of her life for just a while longer before her eventual and certain, sentence to a painful and ignominious death (demise). For nothing less, would satisfy Egil Viggories. The Dark Eunuch Egil, his superior, had so many varied ways to inflict pain and humiliation on a being, and after filling Lenny’s ear with it, each time Lenny had felt wronged by her, like tonight, overriding his mixed emotions, his imagination simply ran rampant with the many possibilities of her imminent, dire punishments.

“Oh, what is the use of tormenting my-self?  That day will come soon enough!” Lenny Sukzor quickly shunted these thoughts aside.

“Better to think of something more to the point, like Dwengzur, for instance. Where has he gotten himself to?”  Inwardly Lenny Sukzor reviewed the same, haunting questions. He had asked discreetly about but none knew of the Immortal's whereabouts since the last assassination attempt on His Royal Highness Zakhertan Yozdek. It was as though Dwengzur had vanished into thin air. The wizard's disappearance without a trace, though not out of character, the long duration (timespan) of it, had baffled everyone.  Of course, the usual rumors circulated, some even reaching the status of a plausible hypothesis, but Lenny had not given any of them much credence.

“Or maybe he’d returned to whence he came...Korion.” Lenny Sukzor, at present, speculated.  He had his certain reservations about Dwengzur from the very start, yet that night, he had been constrained by Egil Viggoaries's bidding to allow Dwengzur to penetrate his deepest most innermost thoughts, in the demonstration.

“If he had retrieved my most confidential stance (position, perspective) he had not let on, had not disclosed the one most damaging fact that would have spelled my immediate doom.  Moreover, he could have extorted me, to secure his silence.” Lenny, thinking back, now pondered on the concern once more.

04- DWENGZUR (AS lENNY REMEMBERS)

Lenny also recalled the fleeting, knowing smile and the Immortal’s perfunctory reaction had been, when the opportunity had finally availed itself for Lenny, to broach this most delicate subject in privacy with him. Dwengzur had curtly declared that he was not at all interested in the politics of Wenjenkun, or of Korion for that matter.  His manner, at the time, had indicated that he had a far greater purpose in mind. Of course, that purpose had since become clear, after the last assassination attempt on Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek.

 Dwengzur had established himself at Court solely to apprehend one of his own!

“Perhaps the hoary legends of this red-haired race were true after all?”  Lenny nodded absently.

Just then Lenny Sukzor was startled from his reverie by the faint sounds of footpads in the hall.  The door handle slid against the latch.  He lay perfectly still in mimed slumber as she crept inside, quickly disrobed and slipped between the covers. She sniffed. “Was she crying?” 

Lenny longed to turn to her, clasp her to his heart and tell her that it was all right, that come what may, he would protect her in the end, but he knew that it would be a veil of lies that would only soothe his conscience temporarily.  He lay like a stone statue, cold and unmoving as her warm body snuggled next to his and she buried her head under the covers.

“Blessed sleep will overtake you soon, my love, and then you will find the solace you seek.  Or will you? Will the nightmare of your betrayal haunt your peace even then?”  Lenny Sukzor cursed himself, cursed his ambition, and cursed the times and everything else that kept him apart from his heart's desire (urgings). Soon, out of sheer emotional exhaustion he, too, was impervious (unreceptive, as he was asleep) to the stirrings of the night.

 

                                                                                  ~

 

In the dead of night an unusual thud had abruptly and with a start awakened Nevetsecnuac; but now all seemed deathly still in semi-darkness. Just then however, his ears detected (picked up) another slight thump. There it was again. This was followed by a faint rustling of leaves and then a crunching sound.

This very night being exceptionally hot and humid, to gain some relief Nevetsecnuac had left the windows wide open; a slight breeze moved the curtains aside at that point in time to expose the culprit crouched in a corner of the windowsill, but he scurried off, frightened by the minute disturbance in the room.  A fleeting smile brushed Nevetsecnuac’s lips as he rubbed his eyes and then languidly (indolently) surveyed the room.  Why had he slept so long? He had only meant to doze off for a few minutes, just long enough to fool that busybody steward!

He reached for the empty cup by his bedside and examined it. His nose creased having at once picked up the faint but distinct odor that anyone else might have easily missed.  Earlier on, alerted by the steward's uncharacteristic insistence, he had had only a sip before slyly giving most of it to the resident cat that, of late, had taken to sleeping in Nevetsecnuac's room.

05- SLEEPING CAT

The feline was now sprawled at the foot of the bed, (out cold) dead to the world. Nevetsecnuac’s keen ears at that moment having picked up yet another suspicious sound, this time from the hallway, Nevetsecnuac swiftly shoved the drugged feline under the bed where she could recover from her misfortune without alerting the staff to her state. 

Nevetsecnuac then returned to bed and slipped under the covers to feign sleep just in time, when suddenly, the door creaked open, and someone tiptoed into the room.  Nevetsecnuac distinctly (became aware) felt, the change in airflow as the bedcurtains were parted and then the hot breath of someone bending over him as if to assure himself that Fradel Rurik Korvald was, as he should be, in deepest slumber. Once this had been ascertained the intruder walked over and shut the window, locked it, and pulled those curtains tightly together; he next reached over to the night table and picked up the incriminating cup.  Afterwards, just as silently he exited the room and closed the door behind him.

"Go to bed." Nevetsecnuac heard the hushed command at outside.  "There's nothing more to be done here. He will be sound asleep until the morning."  The sounds of their reassured footfalls gradually muted down the length of the hallway.

The evidence now gone, Nevetsecnuac bit put out, bolted upright in sitting position in bed.

 What warranted this precaution?

He had been intentionally, for an unknown reason, drugged to be rendered incapacitated. If it had been a foe, he would have certainly used this opportunity to finish him off.  His suspicions all the same aroused, Nevetsecnuac pushed the covers aside and quietly got out of the bed; after he changed into dark garments he walked over and pressed his ear to the door.

“Good!”  Nevetsecnuac exhaled deeply, knowing full well the sentry and the night attendants had all left; not a soul stirred at the hallway’s extended (comprehensive) perimeter, therefore, it was now perfectly safe for him to exit the room and (scout) reconnoitre the grounds. Having already conceived the notion, just what and where the main action- the covert meeting might transpire, Nevetsecnuac once at the outside, advanced stealthily and vigilantly through the pathways, for under the canopy of winking stars and the full moon’s silver rays the checkered grounds were perfectly (completely)illuminated.

Nevetsecnuac persistently then stuck to the right, his silent steps traversing (going forward) without hesitation on the snaking flagstone trails that would eventually around the bend, disappear behind the manufactured mountain. 

06- GROUNDS AT NIGHT

He crossed several small walking bridges that hopped over bubbling brooks and streams of diverse sizes and depths, taking care all the while to be swallowed up by the shadows to avoid detection by the increased number of security patrols that were out and about this very night, dutifully scouring that segment of the complex.

At one point, Nevetsecnuac had been constrained to wait in concealment as two groups of guards met midpoint and shared some bits of idle gossip before resuming their rounds. Soon as the coast was clear, Nevetsecnuac quickly skirted the heart shaped pool filled with golden carp sparkling in the moonlit water and delved into a thick pine grove to avoid the next cordon (barrier, blockade) of guards. Following the thin meandering gravel path, he quickly emerged at its far side in the forbidden section and headed straight towards the location of Zaur's secret office. 

Surprisingly however, the wing was just as dark and perfectly quiet. Nevetsecnuac climbed up the unusually tall trellis, covered with lush green vines (decked bluebell flowers), which was on the shaded side of the building, to reach the apex of the roof and then to survey the grounds from there.  Just as he was about to reach the peak (top), he noticed some ways off down below, a faint, quivering sliver of light blinking behind the iron shutters of an oblong window tucked under the eaves of a solid structure (building), nestled in the thick bamboo grove, in the most ancient part of the mansion.

His senses on the alert Nevetsecnuac crept stealthily towards it, as his determination to unravel this newest duplicity of Zaur's, wounded itself tighter and tighter into his will. Once there and perched under the eaves like a bat, he peered through the narrow slit that was his only view into the room and, strained his ears to make out what was being said. Despite the deceptively small proportions of the structure on the outside, the hall within was in fact spacious and, elongated away from his viewpoint, it comfortably (assembled) accommodated   some twenty or thirty stout (robust, sturdy) cloaked men. 

Nevetsecnuac quickly comprehended from their various accents that these were the sectional leaders, congregated here from the various, far-flung reaches of Wenjenkun.  He had to marvel at the apparent scope (extent, reach) of this secret organization and the strict discipline to which masked members unquestioningly adhered.  With keen interest he observed how they all moved as if one body to reverently face the alter and, as Zaur Stugr stood off to one side, swore the ancient oath of allegiance as if with one multi-toned voice, renewing their bond to the Brotherhood.

The ceremony ended in a bloody ritual sacrifice after which the cloaked figures, in a steady stream in which their positions were obviously dictated by differences in rank or seniority, exited the hall through a hidden tunnel.

 

(END OF SECTION 11)

 

 

THE WEDDING - SECTION 7

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE WEDDING - SECTION 7

SVEIN AND TEUQUOB

In the small hours of the night when all were fast asleep and not a soul stirred, Duan quietly rose from his bed and stole into Souko Yeru’s room.  With contempt in his eyes, he severed the head with one merciless stroke, without waking Souko’s companion that shared his bed.  Instantly the pillow and the bedding were dyed crimson red.  With the coolness of the assassin, Duan wiped his sword’s blade clean on the quilt and then withdrew from the room, not disturbing the cat sleeping just outside their door.

Slipping back to his room, Duan began packing the supplies and some of his belongings; Brandt, fortunately a light sleeper, jumped from his bed with a start and very much afraid to be left behind, hastily followed suit.  Nothing untoward in Duan’s manner warned Brandt of the murder.  Since Duan never had breakfast, another hardship which Brandt was forced to bear; the two quickly and quietly descended the stairs and made their way to the stables in back.

Riding two fine chargers, one black and one red-brown, Brandt and Duan passed quickly through the deserted streets well before cock’s crow, as the day’s first light began breaking.  When they cleared the town’s gates, which were almost never closed or locked, they encountered a level stretch of wild fields stretching out into the distance where they changed into wavelets of low-lying hills, some decked with trees, some stripped bare to supply the town with fuel and building material.

“Look,” Brandt pointed (his riding crop) off into the hills, “another early riser; I wonder who he could be?”  After fixing his gaze on the back of the rider, he nodded his head and answered his own question.  “But of course, it’s that remarkable youth I conversed with at the tavern yesterday.  The one called Audun Colden, the false lead I told you about.” Frowning, he looked at his companion. But Duan, appearing somewhat distracted paid scant attention to the rest of Brandt’s words.  His eyes narrowed to slits, as he suspiciously followed the stranger’s advance in the far distance.  Inwardly he questioned a premonition, tinged with misgivings that had suddenly gripped his heart.  He vacillated on whether to pursue this Audun person or not, when just then Svein’s horse suddenly reared then galloped forward at lightning speed.  Within minutes both rider and horse had been reduced to a mere speck, leaving only a long trail of dust behind them. 

When the dust completely settled and their vision was no longer obscured, the lone horseman had totally disappeared.  Duan knew that there was a fork in the road up ahead, with each branch rounding the hills in different directions.  With the gale force winds fast sweeping away (obliterating) any existing tracks, they would doubtless squander unwarranted time before construing with measure of certainty the stranger’s path.  Better to follow this other, more tangible lead; than tracking this youth on the sole basis of a hunch.

                                                                                    ~

 

With the incessant wind moaning in his ears and flailing away at his face, Svein had held tightly to the reins, anxious only about the security of the bundles.  After several hours of riding at this speed, however, his stomach threatened to discharge the breakfast the innkeeper had pressed on him.  When Fiery Comet finally slowed down, well after clearing the hills and the forest beyond them, Svein found himself once more in the wilderness, far removed from any civilization, not even a lonely woodcutter’s hut.

“Whoa… What brought this on?” Svein pulled on the reins and, presently, managed to halt the steed.  Then leaning over, he affectionately patted Fiery Comet’s neck and asked,

 “What was wrong, dear friend?  What made you hasten so, without my command?” 

But, lacking human speech, Fiery Comet neighed and whinnied, his hooves churning the ground twice to make him-self understood. He was already covered in pearls of perspiration and did not need this added exertion. 

As it were, Svein, with his keen senses, had already picked up the presence of the two riders in pursuit. Furthermore, he’d discerned the reason for the horse’s initiative; still, he could not resist teasing Fiery Comet.

 “Up to your old tricks, I see.” he smiled as he dismounted.

 “All right then, let us rest for a bit before having another go at it.”  Still chuckling, he led the horse to the fast-flowing river. 

Securing his footing, he squatted, cupped his hands, and started to drink the water and wash his face.  The wind puffed up his sleeves and flailed his loosened hair furiously against his wet face, obscuring his vision. 

He heard Fiery Comet’s approach but ignored it.

 The horse, annoyed at Svein’s earlier taunting, stopped quite close to Svein’s side but, instead of quenching his thirst, in one quick move he simply shoved Svein headlong into the river.

 

“What’s the matter with you?  Can’t you take a joke?”  Svein cuffed (smacked, thwacked) the water in pretend fury. Fortunately, Svein was an accomplished (proficient) swimmer and therefore well able to manage the deep, fast-flowing currents of the river.

 Showing his teeth, Fiery Comet just whinnied in reply. 

“Oh well, you did me a favor.  I needed cooling off.”  Good naturedly forgiving the horse for his insolence, Svein then dove in and around and had an exhilarating few more laps of swim.

Fiery Comet quenched his thirst despite the interruptions when Svein drew near, expecting certain retaliation from him, then contentedly set to feeding on the lush green grass flanking the riverbank.  He had worked up quite an appetite from all that exertion.

At last, having cleared the sky of clouds, the wind died down and now with the midday sun blazing in all its glory, once more began to scorch the earth’s surface, sending all frolicking wild inhabitants of nature into the shade.  Emerging from the water by then chilled to the bone, Svein (shed) divested his wet clothes and hung them on the lower branches to dry, then spread out on the soft, already drooping grass for some warmth.  Soon the heat proved uncomfortable for him however, and he joined Fiery Comet for a well-earned respite under an ancient tree that had spread its generous shade to accommodate them both.

                                                                                        ~

                                                           

Svein’s sooner than anticipated safe return, delighted both Stark and Teuquob.  This short parting had endeared prospective couple still more to each other.  The bashful exchange between Svein and Teuquob barely contained the bursting affection and joy each carried in their heart for the other.  The great warmth and love that flooded the room gladdened Stark’s heart, but the air of contentment was overshadowed by Stark’s discernment that something unusual had transpired with Svein on this journey.  Nevertheless, Stark’s reserve constrained him, and forestalled his inquiry until the following morning when they could converse in private out of earshot of Teuquob.

At the conclusion of their routine martial practice, before Svein could find the words to broach his concern, Stark sat himself down quietly on a fallen tree trunk, and then motioned Svein to do the same, after which he acknowledged his perception and encouraged Svein to speak his mind without reserve.

“Uncle, does the name Brandt Dustin mean anything to you?” Svein burst forth with his question.  He did not expect Stark to know Brandt, but perhaps the family name Dustin could recall to Stark’s mind an old enemy.  Svein knew his uncle had an impeccable memory.

“No, I know no one by that name.” Stark obligingly replied then, affixing his questioning eyes on Svein, patiently waited for an explanation.

“Then, as I supposed, he must have given me a false name.” Svein muttered to himself then, mindful of his rude behavior, he quickly apologized and related the entire encounter with Brandt that night at the tavern.  As he did this, he kept his uncle under scrutiny, searching for the answers to his silent questions, but much to his disappointment, Stark’s expression underwent no change.

Just then, for a fleeting moment, Svein thought that he had detected and inkling of a grave look that had registered in his uncle’s eyes.  Encouraged by this, he pushed further to get results.  Falling on his knees before his uncle he, in an emotional outburst, implored Stark for enlightenment.  What measure of importance was Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon to him?  Was his uncle bound to this Lord by loyalty and respect, out of friendship or fealty?  Since, admittedly, the other of the twin swords was in Stark’s possession, how had Stark come by it?  Svein’s entreaties had erupted in a ceaseless flow of emotion, leaving Stark no word in edgewise.

Stark’s face flushed with anger as he sprung to his feet, freezing Svein’s next set of questions in his mouth.

“Such insolence, how dare you act so weak?” he stormed at Svein.  “Get up at once!”

In obedience Svein complied but an uninvited resentment flooded his heart.  Surely Uncle owes me some explanation.  Why must I abstain from raising these questions? Why is Uncle being so obstinate and closed-minded?  I’m old enough to be wed in two days’ time hence, can I not then be trusted to assimilate and then confront any situation, however grave, however shocking?

 Instead (of airing these however,) he apologized to his uncle for speaking out of turn.

Stark had anon (almost immediately after) regretted his outburst and now softened his disposition; he nodded his head and stroked his beard thoughtfully.  Then, after a momentary silence, which seemed more like an hour to Svein, he ejected in a more conciliatory voice, “Svein, it is with good reason that I must insist on you showing more restraint.”

 He again paused at length for emphasis.  “Please expend more effort to curtail your curiosity.  The knowledge you seek will be imparted to you at the proper time, when I shall be better disposed.”

“I will refrain from making such transgressions, Uncle.” Svein acquiesced in earnest.

“Good.  Let us now forget all about it and return without delay, there are a lot of details to be seen to before a proper marriage ceremony could transpire.”  So, saying, Stark started towards the bath cabin. 

As it happens, ever since Teuquob’d come to live with them, for the sake of modesty, certain routines had to be altered or entirely changed- one such was the fact that they no longer indulged in bathing in the nearby stream during the hot summer months.

As they washed beyond the partition Svein recalled Brandt’s reference to the Yukorskyi fighting style and briefly requested Stark to instruct him in it the next time they practiced, believing his uncle to be the master of all existing fighting styles.  In past, from bits of information received from his uncle during their casual conversations, he had concocted his own theories about his uncle’s past vocation, deeming him to be anything from a scholar with military prowess, to a military advisor, instructor, minister of war, field marshal or simply a general in the imperial army.  His uncle’s qualifications certainly attested to the validity of any of these titles.  The absence of response from Stark constrained Svein to remain silent and his thoughts once more reverted to Teuquob.

In truth, as Stark had emptied the buckets of cold water over his head letting the ripples course down his body, in uncharacteristic dissociation from the present, he’d begun seeing in his mind’s eye (envision) the unfolding pictures and scenes from the pages of his past. Subsequently, as he rubbed his body clean, he absentmindedly caressed the stump of his severed arm; at that juncture he was transported to the time of a singular incident that had changed his life forever.

He was on a tall, precipitous cliff, its summit crowned in frigid, feathered mists. At this high elevation, the thin atmosphere made one lightheaded. Still clad in his court gown, the child held in his arm and sword in hand, he was scattering his assailants to either side of him like petals in the wind.  Though he had always fought with two swords, being indisposed, the other rested in its sheath.

 He fought on foot for his horse had long been lost to him, brutally maimed then forced off the cliff into the abyss.  He was one against many, and their numbers could not be extinguished.

 With such odds stacked against him, despite his excellent prowess he was nevertheless forced into a defensive position, with his formidable foe, the one man who equaled, if not surpassed his own skill in swordsmanship, Grand Marshall Gustav Erling, close at his heels.

Brilliant tactician Stark had retreated up a narrow goat’s path that allowed only one man at a time to ascend; the Marshall’s army unable to flank Stark, fidgeted helplessly behind the Marshal like the long body of a serpent several miles in length, swords drawn, ready and anxious for a chance to fight. 

Grand Marshal Gustav Erling clashed swords so fiercely with Stark that cold, blue streaks of lightning cracked at every meeting of their blades.  Stark was again forced to retreat to still higher and higher ground to escape the Marshall’s deadly strikes, many of which were directed at the innocent child in Stark’s embrace.

“Why pursue this hopeless course. Unless you sprout wings and fly away, there is no place you can run to for safety.  Surrender now and I will show you mercy.”

“And the child, will you extend that mercy to the child?”

“I’m sure something can be arranged.”

“Not good enough!”

The life and death struggle thus had raged on ceaselessly for more than half a day on that ascending goat’s path. At times the trail was so tapered that Stark’s footing barely stable, dislodged rocks at the edge of the precipice and pieces of earthen debris, giving way, tumbled to the depths to be swallowed up in the fast-flowing river.

Once more, Grand Marshall Gustav Erling made a lightning thrust and again Stark parried it with equal agility. Despite the expanded effort and the unwavering intensity neither of them seemed to be abating in strength or stamina. Neither of them would succumb to defeat or capitulate.

 In order to break the stalemate, the most renowned marksman, who had been led close to the front of the serpent, now took careful aim and loosed his arrow.  But Stark nimbly deflected it with his sword letting the shaft glance off the cliff, and then with incredible dexterity he intercepted every one of Gustav Erling’s subsequent strikes and lunges.

With agile sideways turn, Stark escaped the next lethal arrow, just in time to parry Marshall’s sword.  At that point a newly loosened shaft, taking flight, missed its mark and by providence, pierced Marshall’s arm instead, rendering his left side momentarily useless.

 As he cursed them, with his eyes riveted on Stark, at lightning speed he yanked the arrow out and continued with his attack; he would be damned if he let a little thing like this get in the way of capturing his nemesis. 

Interlocked in fierce combat with Grand Marshall Gustav Erling, Stark smiled wryly. Now at least they were equally matched. Moreover, this blunder would discourage the elite marksmen from discharging any more arrows, let along using poisoned arrows.

More time elapsed with the exchange of blows ensuing with all its ferocity. Then, as if fate had to (intercede) play its hand, the child squirmed and let out a sharp cry at the very instant more earth partially dislodged (gave way) under Stark’s feet.  Jumping to safety and steadying himself, with his attention temporarily distracted (sidetracked) by the child, he’d unavoidably presented a singular opportunity to his ardent foe.

In that fleeting moment, having failed to intercept Gustav Erling’s deadly strike, the Marshal’s blade sliced clean through bone and flesh severing Stark’s arm just below the elbow.

That scene– with the hand still gripping the hilt of the sword, arching over the cliff and spiraling downward into the depths- had played out in slow motion a hundred times since, in Stark’s mind.

At present, blood spurted from the stump dying his light blue garment a crimson red.  Pressing the child closer to his chest, he turned and fled towards the summit, as retreat now became his only viable option.

With roaring laughter, Marshall Gustav Erling pursued Stark, shouting his demands for Stark to cease his running and to surrender, with intermittent words of assurance that the child would not come to any serious harm.  But Stark was not swayed, for he knew only too well the cruelty of Marshall Gustav Erling, and how he could not be relied upon for mercy, despite any dispensed promises of amnesty.  His own salvation was of little consequence to Stark, but the child’s safety was paramount, and in keeping with that faith so many had sacrificed so much already, to afford this precious being a chance at life… How can he let all that be in vain?

  Reaching the end of the path, he halted, for sheer rocks rising ahead made any advance impossible.  Left defenseless, with nowhere else to retreat, Stark had to make a quick decision.

Though providence (destiny) presented this paltry chance, if any, of survival, it was still a preferable alternative to surrendering to that treacherous Gustav Erling, to in the end die ignominiously and by so doing, give satisfaction to that bloodthirsty usurper.

Determinedly thus, with the child clutched to his torso, and before Marshall Gustav Erling could reach him, he’d hurled himself and the child over the sheer cliff’s edge into space.

Gustav Erling had stamped his feet and cursed furiously in Stark’s imagination. 

And so it came to pass that both Stark and the child were airborne and with winds as their wings they floated in descent, providentially averting the jagged rock protrusions.

 The Gods were indeed merciful to them on that day and after some while (of flight) they plunged unscathed into the fast-flowing depths of the frigid river.

Quickly recovering from the shock of the cold, Stark still clinging to the child, using all his might had swum upwards to clear the surface of the water. But despite his resolute effort to swim towards the bank, both he and the child had been wildly tossed about and swept far, far away by the maddening, churning currents of the river. 

In danger of drowning himself, Stark (all during this ordeal) had held the child tightly against his upper torso, pressing the child’s cheek against his, as he tried with concentrated effort to keep both their heads above rushing water.

 Inwardly his heart had been laden with concern and unwanted dread, for the infant’s vital signs appeared so weak, his conscious state tentative and hardly a sound, not even a gurgle, had emerged in a long while from the poor thing. Just then however, the most welcome piercing cry both assured and comforted Stark.  In the interim, the tears of gratitude that flowed down his cheeks quickly got wiped away by the foamy waters flailing against it.

Despite the loss of blood, he strove hard not to lose consciousness and steer his body towards the weaker currents, the eddies where they would stand a better chance of escaping the enormous falls, whose sound now roared in his ears. 

Succeeding in this task, Stark let himself be swept away by the secondary currents, their heads from time to time bobbing in an out of the foamy turbulence.  Had Stark not been a champion swimmer, he and the infant would have surely perished in the torrent.

Subsequently, they were carried over the lesser falls, escaping the main cataract, and dumped into a basin from which the river meandered onto more level ground.  Further expended energy enabled Stark to pull himself and the child to safety on the muddy bank of the river.

At once Stark set to binding his severed arm with strips cut from his undergarments and stopped the incessant bleeding.  No sooner had he completed this task than, already pale and seeing stars before his eyes, he’d collapsed against his will into a state of deep unconsciousness.

When he revived (regained his senses), it was already twilight.  Cast onto this deserted embankment, the child’s bawling was the only sound that interrupted the enveloping silence of the surrounding air. The eerie atmosphere, in fact, was quite unnerving, foreshadowing the ominous future.  Quickly pressing the famished, bawling infant to his chest for warmth, he’d allowed him to suck on his finger as he rose to survey the surroundings.

Casting his eyes on the sky above him, he saw at once that a severe storm was brewing.  There was no time to waste; he had to secure some form of shelter. 

He could barely make out some thatched roofs among tall trees beyond the surrounding soaring bulrushes and reeds that flanked the river on both sides.  Without a moment’s hesitation he delved into the thick vegetation, the child now secured at his back, pushing his way towards the thatch cottage where he hoped to acquire some information as to his whereabouts and obtain proper sustenance for the baby.  Racing to the spot, mindful of the impending storm, he paid scant attention to the stabbing pain of his legs, compounded further by the thrashing, slashing of the sharp edged, thorny undergrowth.  But he had underestimated the distance, for halfway there came a loud ‘Crack’ as the ominous sky tore open with crashing thunder. Just then another bolt of lightning found its mark, this time only a few yards away, bringing down an ancient tree which barely missed them in its fall.

All the while mounting demented winds tossed and thrashed the willow branches and Stark alike, making Stark quite unsteady on his feet.  ‘Crack, Crack’, again and again the air was repeatedly split by the peals of thunder and lightning bolts.

 Once more they were drenched, this time by torrential rains which instantly turned the ground under Stark’s feet into streams of mud.  Slipping and sliding, Stark relentlessly pushed on.  Eventually the rain tapered off, but the night which cast the earth into pitch darkness, with the moon hidden behind some persistent clouds, presented yet another hindrance to Stark’s advance.  Blindly, in part groping about, he led himself in the general direction of the thatched hut.  When he stopped for a moment to catch his breath, something furry brushed against his leg and nibbled at his feet.  Fortunately, a swift kick was all that was needed to scare it away.                                                                 

 “Would you be much longer uncle?” Svein’s sudden query snapped Stark from his trance.

“What?  Oh...no.  I’ve nearly finished,” Stark hastily responded.  “You go on ahead, Svein, I’ll be there presently.” 

As another bucket of water emptied over his head, Stark’s thoughts once more reverted to the past.

Overjoyed to learn that the region that the river had cast him out upon was near the border of one which rested under the authority of Lord Shonne Gulbrand, he had, from then on, pushed with renewed exuberance (zeal) towards the Lord’s country estate; this, after he had exchanged his rich garments with the local peasant’s in order to thwart any or undue suspicion along the way.

Now, as he slowly dressed, Stark’s thoughts succinctly trailed over the countless hardships and obstacles he had endured and overcame before finally reaching his destination.  Recalling his old friend’s warm greeting and the kindness and support he had received, at the risk to Lord Shonne Gulbrand’s own family’s wellbeing and security, Stark’s eyes became moist once more with tears of gratitude and longing. Wiping them away, he slipped on his footwear and hastened towards the main cabin where a hot breakfast now awaited him.

                                                                                           ~

When the auspicious day finally arrived, in a proper wedding ceremony with Stark officiating as the master of ceremonies, Svein and Teuquob were duly married (enjoined).  After the newlyweds drank together from the paired goblet of matrimony, the three then sat down at the decorated table to partake of a kingly feast and rejoice together as one family.  That evening the cabin resounded with the cheerful sounds of laughter and merriment.

Now, Stark had never disclosed to Svein that Teuquob was of royal descent, lest Svein would feel unworthy of her and raise an objection to this union.  Teuquob, in accordance with Stark’s decision, had also maintained her silence.  Thus, it came about that it was long after this very night that Svein came to know of the truth, that on this very night he’d been wed to a beautiful princess.

At the appointed hour, on Stark’s discreet urging, the newly married couple blushingly withdrew to their specially prepared room to revel in matrimonial bliss, abandoning themselves to love and tender ecstasy. 

Stark had also retired shortly afterwards, carrying some wine with him to his room.  Enveloped in stillness he sat upon the bed, fully clothed, drinking without reserve with the peering moonlight falling through his windowsill, as his only company.

 For the first time in twenty years, he’d allowed himself the pleasure of letting go and falling into an inebriated stupor.  Gradually, however, as he emptied cup after cup, his happy state of mind gave way to one of loneliness, followed by one of deep despair.

 Unable to stop the welling tears, he wept as though his heart would break over Ivar Marrog Zhon ’s fate and the tragic loss of all those whom he had loved.

With his heart in the grip of this bitter desolation, his mind in desperation gave way to fantasy.

One by one they drifted before his mind’s eye; the lovely form of his beloved wife dressed in her favorite celadon laced brocade garment, carrying in her bosom their only son Ivar Marrog Zhon , a precious infant. How he’d loved him, how overjoyed he’d been at his birth!  He had such aspirations for Ivar Marrog Zhon.

Stark felt his heart would break into a million pieces. An enormous pain gripped his heart, such inexplicable sorrow surfaced anew to smother his conscience and soul. But he shook his head and determinedly checked his bursting emotions.   No, he must not grieve; to do so would infer that he regretted the actions he took!

Looking up, he asked forgiveness then, for his momentary lapsed sense, for his temporary weakness, and then uttered a silent heartfelt prayer for his son’s salvation and quick deliverance.

 After a time, to preserve his sanity, he strove to turn his thoughts to the joyful occasion at hand. He toasted to the newlywed’s wellbeing, whom he also loved very dearly and to their everlasting, blissful co-existence.

 But uninvited, (unsought,) once more his melancholy returned (resurfaced) and in his heart wrenching loneliness, now giving rein to fantasy, he envisioned his parents coming forth to greet him.

ANORA AND 7TH PRINCE SHON ALRIC THERRAN VALAMIR  (32)

His beloved (adapted) sister Ingrit, (also known as Arnora) and her husband, 7^th Prince Shon Alric Therran Valamir, and countless other relatives all, donning smiles and mouthing joyful rhetoric streamed in next, to extend their warm felicitations and congratulations to him.

They all came over in their ghostly form to visit him, filling the small room to the brim.  As they smiled and conversed gaily with him, echoing their familiar mannerisms, they appeared so real that, more than once, forgetting the truth, he’d stretch out his hand into the emptiness, to touch them. 

Then the steward, appearing at the doorway, announced the arrival of his closest friends, and the family withdrew under various pretexts, leaving him to greet his friends with unrestricted familiarity.

Just as it had been in the past with their happy gatherings, they chatted and drank merrily, as if these last twenty years had never happened, with servants shuffling in and out of the room carrying more drinks, cups and trays filled with all manner of exquisite, choice dishes to delight their palate.

Suddenly Stark was in his favorite pavilion, amidst the breathtaking scenery.  Built at the foot of a majestic mountain, the Azure pavilion looked out onto an emerald lake whose tranquil ripples were etched in brilliant moonlight.  The fragrance of the exquisite flowers carefully planted around the pavilion drifted to assail his and his friend’s noses.

  In this placid atmosphere they conversed happily as they consumed (downed, drunk) cup after cup, not stopping until Stark’s eyes drooped in tiredness.  Now no longer able to carry on a straight conversation, he stumbled over his words, causing his guests to break into waves of laughter and jest; yet they were in no better a state than he.  Together they roiled in laughter till they felt their sides were splitting.

“Enough… ha, ha, ha… that’s enough!  Stop jesting, I can’t bear it any longer!”  Kunig, the youngest of the bunch, pleaded with them to stop with their antics, while clutching his kidney as he rolled himself into a ball.

“Gentlemen,” at this point the conscientious Lord Shonne Gulbrand suddenly rose to his feet to announce, “the hour has grown rather late, and I fear we have overstayed our welcome.”

Then, pointing to Stark, “Look, our host is tired.  Let us take our leave now and allow him some respite (to gain some rest).  If providence allows it, we will meet again in the not-too-distant future.”

“I would like to invite all of you to my country estate in three days’ time.  That is, if it’s agreeable to all.” Chion suddenly suggested, also rising to his feet.

“Excellent.”, all, nodding their heads, voiced their assent.  Then, rising to their feet, one by one they came over to bid Stark their farewells.

“Please don’t go, I’m all right, really! “Stark, blushing with shame, cried out within. He strove so hard to rise up, to detain them a while longer but, as if stymied by an invisible force, try as he might, to his great consternation he could neither lift his head from his pillow, nor could he part his lips to utter a single nuance of plea for them to stay.

 It was as though he had been struck down, crushed under tons of earth; all he could manage instead was to shed tears of regret at their parting, bearing the knowledge in his heart that they would never meet in this earthly domain again.

 

When the sun’s burning rays reached his eyes from the small opening of the window it woke him with a start.  He was greatly surprised to learn the lateness of the hour.  Despite the great heat, however, his head rested on comfortable coolness.

 Odd, how did my pillow get so drenched? He mused as he rose to his feet, forgetting his previous night’s sorrow. 

He hastily washed his face and hands, combed his hair, put on a clean set of garments, and then went out to greet the newlyweds, donning a broad smile and a cheerful face. 

That late morning the joy that Svein and Teuquob’s beaming faces brought to him was boundless and renewed his hope for a promising future.

                                                                                             ~ 

(This concludes The Legend of Nevetsecnuac, Book 5, The Wedding.  The epic story of The Legend of Nevetsecnuac continues in the next post, Book 6, The Assassins, Section 1)