LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC-
THE FISHERMAN’S PRIZE
(SECTION 13)
Kaimu spent the rest of that night at
the shed. The following morning, rising from his makeshift straw bedding before
the crack of dawn, with disgruntled air he washed up, re-entered the cabin and
without uttering so much as a word to anyone, plump sat himself at the table.
After downing a sizable breakfast ‘as if nothing had happened’, his huge
appetite not at all affected by the night's concerns, he then rose to leave for
work. All along he’d observed, on the
sly, how his son Yoansu seething in ire, had hardly touched his food.
In fact, having gotten nowhere with his
mother the night before, Yoansu was determined to have, if necessary, a violent
confrontation with his father when they were both out at sea. Barring all else,
he would threaten the old bastard in blatant terms and demand that he lay off
his mother, to stop hurting her, or else!
As father and son both earlier than usual
headed out the door, Kaimu suddenly breaking the ice half-turned his head and
grumbled his stern instructions to his wife. “We will be returning earlier
today, get the supper ready, after which I plan to go see Zianko.”
He’d detected a faint (dim) light at Zianko’s
place couple of night’s prior and again late last night. This telltale sign had
assured Kaimu of Zianko’s return. Hmm, but for reasons known only to him,
he’s still lying low. Kaimu now mused.
Zianko, he’s back?
Fine, the mongrel dog is defiant… For that I shall enjoy killing that churlish
fiend in a special, slow way! Yoansu
scowled inwardly, guessing only half the reason for his parent’s present
discord (dissension).
Ensa meanwhile, with a hung head had
remained unresponsive, silent, as though lost in her own private revere.
“Fine have it your way!” Kaimu’s
disgruntled words had again fallen on deft ears.
She dejectedly looked up to see Kaimu
with indifference shrugging his shoulders and then briskly giving his back to
her. Her blank, dispassionate gaze followed the two, with Yoansu in tow,
hastening their steps down the slope towards the crevice where the boat was
moored (fastened). With a hateful snort she then turned and slammed the door
shut behind her.
After the craft was brought out of the
protective cove, Yoansu and Kaimu with coordinated effort was about to push it
into the water when Kaimu, noting (sighting) from the corner of his eye through
the thick morning mist at some distance Zianko’s vigorous advance, abruptly
stayed his hand. Yoansu half turned his head to see what had momentarily
distracted his father.
This is
serendipitous. Things couldn’t have worked out any better than if I’d planned
it myself! Kaimu musing beamed, his eyes glued on Zianko.
Zianko’s heart meanwhile had skipped a
beat when he’d suddenly looked up straight on ahead and spotted at the far
distance Yoansu’s dark countenance bent over working alongside his father. The
difficult illicit deal had satisfactorily been completed late last night. At
this pre-dawn hour expecting no chance encounter, Zianko had planned to
retrieve a well-concealed vital bit of incriminating evidence from the cabin of
his boat. Ceasing this appropriate time
he meant to destroy this crucible item; afterwards he’d (intended on) contrived
to becoming scarce for another extended period, as he in the interim initiated
yet another criminal but unlawfully profitable act. This unwelcome chance
meeting left him in a terrible quandary (bind), for he was not yet ready for
the dire confrontation with Yoansu; therefore, pretending he’d forgotten
something, he’d abruptly turned about face and started heading in the opposite
direction towards his dwelling.
You’re not getting
away that easily! Kaimu
bent on seizing this opportunity however devilishly grinned. “Greetings old
mate!” Waving a hand, he bellowed after his pseudo friend, as he threw a
side-glance at Yoansu.
Blast! Zianko cursed under his
breath. “Greetings,” Came next, his
reluctant loud response. Facing unto the challenge, as Zianko stoically came
forward, he threw a cautionary glimpse at Yoansu. “I see your son’s visiting
you.”
“And he’s brought with him a wife.”
Kaimu jubilantly blabbed (burst).
“You don’t say! Well congratulations!” Zianko
feigned joy and gleefully nodded to Yoansu. Yoansu chewed the corner of his lower lip to
constrain his scorn; he was utterly disgusted by this ludicrously amicable,
farce exchange.
“But seriously, how have you been, old
friend?” Kaimu queried, goading both. “And it’s been so long since we shared a
drink last? I was beginning to get tad worried about your prolonged absence?”
“I’m afraid, a queer, bad incidence kept
me away.” Zianko with a dark countenance shrugged, purposely avoiding Yoansu’s
burning gazes upon him.
“I won’t pry by asking what incidence,
but now that you are here… I mean to ask you something.” Kaimu turning a blind
eye to the blatant hostility between the other two, as if in afterthought,
excitedly injected (put in). Zianko held
his breath in anticipation and waited while Kaimu cleared his throat with a
phony cough.
I’m thoroughly
enjoying this. Kaimu inwardly
laughed. Look at him sweat, in dreaded fear that I would break the news now,
in front of that cursed son of mine.
“You see, I’d detected a light at your abode late last night and so, I’d
planned to pay you a courtesy visit at the day’s end. I wished to confer with
you further on the matter of our mutual interest, but hey, why don't you come
by our place instead for as well, a sumptuous meal this evening. You’ll then
have the opportunity to also meet my new daughter-in-law and make her
acquaintance. She is a delightful sort. You’d certainly get along. And this
time, thanks to Yoansu’s generous gift, I’ll be treating you to a choice
brew…Ha, ha, ha. Yes, do come, for we
will certainly have an occasion to toast and celebrate after dinner!”
Yoansu looked away, inwardly fuming at
the despicable charade being played out in front of him.
“Don't tell me there is a cause for an
added celebration already?” Zianko smirked wryly, emboldened by the seeming
sincerity of Kaimu.
“Not one, but two.” Kaimu promised, as he for emphasis simultaneously
held out two fingers before Zianko's face. “The matter of Souko might also be
resolved.”
“I suppose I have to suffer the suspense
till then.” Zianko tensing answered tautly. His eyes chancing on Yoansu’s,
quickly averted those (them) - for that same moment an inexplicable fear and
dread had clenched (gripped) his heart and very soul.
In the thralls (throes) of danger, he’d
just then had noted that unmistakable ‘murderous craze’ in Yoansu’s pupils …
That infamous look he knew all too well! That alone had conclusively now
resolved his prior quandary. Without a serious means of support, why should he
stick around to be brutally maimed and butchered? As for Jiense, well that
delicacy could wait, till this more pressing matter had been indefinitely
resolved!
I’ll doubt he’ll
show up for the supper. Good riddance to bad rubbish! Kaimu mused again observing the hostile
exchange on the sly and grimaced coldly.
“It’s settled then!” He reached over and
(conclusively) elatedly padded Zianko on the shoulder; then having nothing
further to say, he turned his attention back on his craft. Hopefully, Yoansu’s
influence still carried some weight and no one dared intercept! …Anyhow, the
dye (colorant) was cast; fate would now determine the rest.
Observing for a spell Zianko’s hasty retreat, “Who the devil is
Souko?” Yoansu then abruptly turning-
curtly demanded an answer from Kaimu. His question, however, went unheeded by
his stubborn old father, who busied himself with the craft.
You can’t
intimidate me, curd! Kaimu
halted only, to in a grumble ask his son to belay the change of plan to Ensa.
“Do I look like your errand boy?” Yoansu
scowled at Kaimu.
“Never mind then,” Kaimu shrugged,
“she’ll manage.” And he looked away to hide the satisfactory grin on his lips.
You’ll get yours all in good time old man! Yoansu inwardly
seethed burrowing his contemptuous look (scornful ire) on his father’s
back. Meanwhile I’ll let you fatten
the pig, just before the slaughter! Yoansu’s, venomous side-glance before
boarding the craft, targeted the diminishing figure of Zianko. Despite the
distance, (lengthy span,) it still sent icy chills down Zianko’s (latter’s) spine,
and an involuntary shiver passed through him.
~
Ensa knew all too well that the men
would not be back before the dusk fell upon the earth, which gave her the added
advantage of time. For once, she was
thankful that her meddling daughter-in-law Tufan would not be rising before
mid-morning. She was further relieved to see Zianko on horseback galloping into
distance towards town not long after, with the amount of baggage enunciating (indicating,
telltale sign, divulging) an extended leave. This, more than anything else,
reaffirmed her belief that (‘fate’) ‘Heaven’ was on her side (and what’s more,
favorably disposed to her willful aim).
Circumstances being ripe, she had to act
now, and act decisively and swiftly… Or else, all would be lost!
Ensa without further due busied herself
in the kitchen and quietly made a bundle containing necessary provisions, such
as dried rations, baked buns, a pair of straw sandals, some medicinal herbs, a
small (earthen) jug of water and anything else she deemed (determined) it would
be useful.
Jiense in the interim had been entrusted
with the cleanup of dishes and other such tidying up chores. At the conclusion
of which, Ensa communicated her desire to Jiense that she should change back
into a man’s attire. The feminine garment once neatly folded- was also added to
the bundle.
With all the preparations done, Ensa
with Jiense then in tow quietly left the cabin. Going to the shed- that was
also the makeshift stables, Ensa using sign language first ascertained herself
of the fact that Jiense could ride the horse. Ensa knew the loss of a mount
would further enrage her husband and her son; but Jiense had to be given all
the advantages, if she was to make good her escape.
In a somber mood she carefully fastened
the bundle on the harness. The two leading the horse by the bridle then quietly
left the premise.
~
It so happened, in a previous night’s
premonitory dream, Ensa’s ‘spirit guide’ had directed (instructed) her onto a
precise path. Driven to desperation, but trusting absolutely in ‘Heaven’s
protection’, Ensa with resolute steps now led the way.
Of course, Ensa and Jiense’s flight was
covertly observed for quite a while by the ever watchful, unseen eyes of spies;
meanwhile, Yoansu’s exceptional steed, procured at very high cost, was well
known to all. However, such had been the notoriety of Yoansu, that friend or
foe, even the contending rival gang members complied without question all these
years to the standing order to lay off Ensa and Kaimu. Therefore, on this
occasion despite the seeming oddity, though it had baffled many minds, no one
dared to intercept her designated course.
Blissfully unaware of this fact, after
quickly traversing the vast open, rather vulnerable span, by mid-morning Ensa
and Jiense had reached the uneven, rocky, sparsely forested topography. At a
specific point, they managed the safe crossing of the tributary of a
thunderous, fast flowing river that eventually emptied into the sea, and
ascended the section of a steep hill that had been recently stripped bare by a
ferocious fire that had started by a lightening. Thankfully, the ensuing
relentless rains of the last couple of months had well cooled the grounds.
Nevertheless, the stifling air and the number of debris cluttering the uneven
ground still took its toll on human and beast’s limbs, forcing their heart and
lungs to further labor under the heavy strain. After a somewhat perilous
decent, the stout pair reached a clearing whereupon following subsequent period
of rest, that night taking advantage of the full-moon and the cloudless sky,
they made good progress with their swift ride on a horseback. At dawn when their path converged with open
fields, Ensa from thereon took a particular care for them not to be detected by
any prying, unseen eyes. At one point they even strayed from the regular paths
and despite the prevalent danger of being permanently lost, guided by her
hunches, they followed through instead, the maze of nature born (not man-made),
lengthy, winding crevices and seemingly endless gorges that scarred the
expansive landscape. This, in order to escape the anticipated invisible army of
spies, messengers, carriers, smugglers, bootleggers or highwayman that, (she
knew of from hearsay) as she’d been told, periodically thronged the other safer
routes regardless of time of day/night or seasons.
At dusk, having successfully emerged
from the dangerous labyrinth, they again rode for a while on horseback, the
strong beast carrying them both through small-forested region till they reached
a clearing.
This would be the parting point; from here
on their path would diverge.
In a previous night’s dream all these
steps, well cloaked in symbolism, had been prophesized to Ensa. Recognizing at
once the specific topographical features, right down to the tree, she halted
their advance. They sat in the alcove of a rock beside an ancient tree for a
well-earned rest and an intake of food. Ahead lay, a vast span (band) of level
ground with tall grass that endlessly stretched out before them; and then
beyond it, there would be gently undulated hills that were sparsely populated
with trees. Well sheltered from the elements, they spent the second night
there. At dawn following morning, after breakfasting on their meager rations,
with the aid of a stick Ensa drew a diagram, a sort of a map, conveying the
following message to Jiense:
A small conciliation, Jiense at least,
for the rest of the way, could proceed in full gallop on horseback, cutting
across the fields, a sort of shortcut, without any serious hindrance from
unlawful sorts, till she met up with the major thoroughfare. This well-traveled
bustling route eventually would lead the way to more prosperous town of Reaog.
It was a highly profitable commerce center wherewith reputedly, at least under
the scrutiny of government officials, some measure of law and order was
(observed) adhered. Perhaps chancing on kindhearted, civilized folks, Jiense
would fare better than the other lawless towns’ closer by. It was imperative however that Jiense steered
the course to the left at the major junction, for straying to the right or even
north might land her on a more dangerous, more treacherous course… that at some
point led to the dreaded “Five brothers” foothills.
Ensa then with sorrowful, tearful
(tearstained) eyes, using sign language, as well as being vocal- tried to relay
the rest of her intentions to Jiense.
“My dearest daughter,” she sobbed, “I’m
being forced to abandon you at this desolate spot (stretch). Unfortunately, the
time has come for us to part. I know that you stayed on with us out of perhaps
misguided love and obligation to my especially undeserving husband. Oh, how I
had hoped that you would be with us till the day I closed my eyes for the final
time, but alas this was not to be.” She heaved a deep sigh. “This may seem a
cruel recourse to you, but believe me, the precarious fate waiting for you back
at home is far worse. So please do not
misjudge me by misinterpreting my well-intentioned reasons and think that I
turned you out from lack of love or out of displeasure. Nothing could be
further from the truth!”
Then after thoughtfully nodding, she
added: “It's fortunate for us that you did not understand the basis of our row
(quarrel) last night, for you would have hated us, perhaps even hated me, for I
am powerless to stop my stubborn husband's selfish aim. He’s not a bad sort
really; but sometimes he gets into his head such strange notions!”
She wiped away the tears cascading down
her cheeks onto her sleeve and took in a deep breath, for she was too choked up
to speak. Swallowing she tried to desist, the subsequent onrush of tears, then
with the aid of serious of hand gestures continued in her mournful tone: “The
journey ahead of you may prove perilous; still you are young and pliant, and
you have survived comparable, even equivalent ordeal. I am hopeful that ‘Heaven’ pitying you, would
deliver you to a more propitious life.
May your ‘guiding spirit’ show you the way! I’m confident; an
immaculate, pure, sweet being such as you will always have strong spiritual
protection. Now, go with my blessings dearest and the blessings of
‘Heaven’. It’s imperative you make good
use of the remaining daylight. Spread a good distance between you and would-be
pursuers. You must leave me now. I’ll do my best to cover your tracks. Go
without delay!”
She urged Jiense thus, tears the size of
pearls streaming down her cheeks. She
was soon overcome with grief. She cupped
her face and sobbed uncontrollably. Jiense,
also in tears, hugged Ensa back, which she loved like a real mother, for the
last time!
Eventually, prying herself free from Jiense's
tight embrace, Ensa helped Jiense mount the horse, and then struck the rump of
the beast to make him go. As the steed galloped into the distance, she with a
choking voice cried after Jiense.
“May the ‘Nature spirits’ stand guard over you
also my precious… go now and don't look back. I shall pray for you always! I
shall always keep you close to my heart! I shall never, ever forget you!”
Ensa had remained rooted to the spot for
an undetermined span with her gaze glued to the distance trailing the lone
mounted figure appearing then disappearing amidst the thicket of tall,
undulating vegetation. She’d looked on with sorrowful eyes and an anxious
heart, until Jiense had appeared as little more than a speck on the horizon;
then that too had disappeared behind a relatively, minor ridge.
~
(THIS CONCLUDES CHAPTER ONE- THE FISHERMAN’S
PRIZE, OF THE LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC. STAY
TUNED FOR THE SUBSEQUENT CHAPTER TWO - THE ORDEAL; WHEREWHICH, POSTS WILL
RECOUNT THE MANFOLD, EXCITING ADVENURES.)
