11 - LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 12

                                                                         

Worren Youkup had left Lady Sejon’s side nearing mid-morning mentally and physically drained. Profoundly concerned for the welfare of Prince Magnian, he had gone against his better judgment and given his word that he would not say or do anything to advance the matter of the stiletto (penknife) until Her Ladyship Sejon had first in private disclosed her involvement of it to the Sovereign. Worren, furthermore, had hoped and prayed that the good council he had given her Ladyship would be sufficient in obtaining the most lenient of corollary (outcome) from Zakhertan Yozdek, although no one could really be certain of His Highness' reaction on any matter.

Previous night Worren had been resolved to brave the same unfathomable ramifications himself after the conclusion of his visit to Lady Sejon... He would have laid open this shameful episode and hoped that, in view of his impeccable record of long and loyal service that Zakhertan Yozdek would have granted him the opportunity to end his life by his own hand. He may not have deserved burial with honors, but he also felt that he did not deserve the shame of a public execution either. Now, his own future actions, would eradicate that eventuality forever; however, for the sake of Lady Sejon and more importantly, Prince Magnian, a substitute, him, was warranted to bear the full brunt of Sovereign's wrath. His mind, therefore, was nobly set on, when he would be subjected to the inquisition, to doing his utmost and assuming full responsibility for the diabolical offence (wrongdoing), facing the full severity of the law, in order to appease Zakhertan Yozdek’ s insatiable craving for blood.

01-- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK  (61)

“Then again, would his old, decrepit carcass be enough?”  Worren Youkup inwardly queried, then shrugged: “Well, it’s the only one I have, and it will have to suffice.”  Worren for the first time ever, was happy that he had no living family or close relatives to share his fate (burden); with his trusted Steward Chutek soon safely out of the way, Worren’s heart rested easy knowing that no other of consequence would be made to suffer the anticipated torments, at the hands of  that fiendish Dark Eunuch, Egil Viggoaries.     

 “I have no regrets (compunction) for my age is advanced, and my life has been full and quite gratifying up until now, save for one small qualm. “Worren, looking down, quietly reflected. “I would have turned sixty-five in three weeks time; oh well, I will have to abort plans for the party; ironically, it would have been rather a momentous event, as both a celebration of life and a farewell. Alas, fickle fate has robbed me of the chance.”     

Try as he might, Worren Youkup could not evade the angst (anguish, heartache) that had suddenly, against his will, pained his heart; for he had never ever expected to end his life in such an ignominious manner. The very thought of it made him wince and he fought back the tears that started to form around the (brim) edges of his eyelids.

“Stop this foolish nonsense! “He inwardly, sternly, admonished self. “There's no going back now, Worren Youkup; you are committed to doing this and that is that!” He exhaled deeply, only to be beset with yet another set of worries. “Would there be sufficient time to get Chutek out of harm’s way? Poor Chutek, he would have to remain, even with different identity, in hiding for an exceptionally long while, to escape the clutches of that hound- dog Egil Viggoaries.”  

02- STEWART CHUTEK 7

Worren Youkup was angry at having also wasted way too much time because of his unscheduled visit with Sejon, now he must hasten even more, to do all requisite tasks (it needed doing) in much shorter period. Calling for his trusted aid Tedor (who’d been with him for well over twenty years), Worren without further delay, set things in motion. Soon after he was seen getting into the palanquin, as he was most eager to take care of this and other related business before his routine (habitual, expected) report to the Sovereign.

Worren first called on a certain official in the Department of Bondsmen whom he had made prior arrangements with, for an interim certificate of manumission for Chutek. The final stages of the official documents would be processed over the subsequent days, and then hidden, duly filed in the archives. Worren had been working towards this end (goal) for quite some time now and having already made most of the preliminary arrangement’s weeks in advance, was now able to finalize the last steps needed to ensure Chutek’s secured, comfortable life. Subsequently, he made another quick call at the Legal sector 3 Department where a document granting Power of Attorney over his affairs to the Scholar Tonzeye Yevgun of Chukset Province was promptly drawn up.

Upon his return home Worren went immediately to his vault and set aside bundles (parcels, packages) of currency (paper money, gold) to be given to the trusted officials responsible for the swift processing of his requests in both the Capital and the Province as well as the hefty fee needed for Chutek 's manumission certificate. Calling a trusted servant, he sent these gifts post haste to the various officials within the Capital. The wads (pouches) for the Provincial officials, a particularly larger sum earmarked for Tonzeye Yevgun, plus the sealed documents, were all then promptly put into a metal traveling cache. The sealed documents were of course the manumission certificate of free citizenship for Chutek, copies of the official papers that were in process, the Power of Attorney to Tonzeye Yevgun and a letter to him directing that all of the land holdings in Chukset Province which Worren had secretly acquired and had hoped to retire on, to be immediately transferred to his Steward Chutek. Hopefully Chutek, by then under a different alias, could escape detection and live out the remainder of his days comfortably in obscurity.

Worren Youkup next went to his study to prepare the last item needed.

 

03-

 In this letter Worren entrusted Chutek’s welfare and his prospects to the capable hands of his friend. In it also he bid his long-time friend farewell and requested his help with the Provincial authorities to ensure that his last (will and testament) wishes were properly conducted. Afterwards, the sealed letter too, was placed in the metal cache, which was then locked. Worren Youkup’s resources in Channing were nearly depleted now, but he did not care; for, what use would they be by the week's end, anyhow?

At dawn of the subsequent day Chutek, clad (dressed) in his travelling attire and, for fifteen minutes now having received his final instructions from Worren, was then imparted the key to the cache and was told to secure it on his person.

Chutek, had been purposely kept Ignorant of the enclosed windfall prize in the locked cache; with only a hint that it had contained Worren’s latest unpublished sonnets (private elegies) and that it required some edification (improvement) and expurgation (editing) , as well,  that it was of utmost importance to his friend the renowned  (distinguished) Scholar Tonzeye.

Steward Chutek, subsequently furnished with appropriate travel papers and expenses, was then instructed to, post haste deliver these to Lord Tonzeye Yevgun in Chukset Province.

04- STEWARD  CHUTEK - IN HIS TRAVELLING CLOTHES

Worren had awesomely disguised (masked) his inner turmoil to completely dupe the astute (incisive) Chutek; hence, the cherished (like a son) steward thinking that he would be gone only for a brief time, exuberant  and all in smiles (anticipating meeting the illustrious Scholar Tonzeve Yevgun whom he’d greatly admired), took his leave of Worren, carrying only one light baggage and a still lighter heart. He had no way of knowing, however, that soon after he’d departed, Worren had curtly (and without explanation) dismissed all his other attendants and then after locking the door to his study, had sat at his desk unmoving for several minutes and with a blank (void) stare fixed (pinned) on a distant (vague) object. This was an innocuous (innocent), unremarkable painting mounted on the far wall, which depicted a snow-capped mountain scenery; though, it held a secret and a specific, affectionate meaning to Worren, and thus, whenever he gazed at it, it had always lightened his soul and gladdened his heart. As he continued to stare at it now, a shadow gradually darkened his face and his expression increasingly became somber (dismal, gloomy), then altogether grave (grim, morbid).

Worren’s brows subsequently knit as his eyes glistened, brimming with moisture in sheer defiance of his will; eventually, a silent string of tears cascaded down, dampening (wetting, moistening) his pallid cheeks.

                                                                                           ~                   

 

The moment that Worren Youkup had left the South Palace, Sejon had began pacing the room back and forth with angry brows knitted in consternation. “All this trouble over one penknife; and now there is the looming threat of Egil Viggoaries on the horizon! What to do? What to do?”  

Sejon smiled wryly, realizing that she had picked up the phrase from Worren Youkup; then the flustered state (anxiety) swiftly returning, her cheeks flushed crimson and she sulked.

05- LADYSHIP SEJON- JP

All she had been able to do so far was to stall the inevitable; she had no intention of ever confessing to Zakhertan Yozdek, for her to do that, would mean, she was either foolhardy or brave, and she was neither. Like everyone else in the Palace she was terrified of Zakhertan Yozdek and his unpredictable riposte. Sejon held no illusion that, because of their intimacy, he would be forgiving or lenient; moreover, whenever she was with him, with an admirable skill she had always masked her fright, knowing Zakhertan despised passive and cowardly women.  

Lady Sejon quaked deep in her heart all the same, each time she was summoned to the cold and forbidding North Palace; for every summons could mean her death sentence and that, one day she’d inadvertently offend him in some way or other, and the next instant, she’d lose her pretty head; though that eventuality would no doubt be the most merciful end, considering Zakhertan’s appetite for blood and suffering.  It would, most likely be, an excruciatingly painful and lingering death! The birth of Prince Magnian meanwhile, had afforded her precious little security or an assurance; she was nevertheless still young, quite beautiful and being optimistic, she had accepted her precarious existence, for the trappings of luxury, power and prestige were all an irresistible draw, in the hope that her eventual, sure fate would be far away. 

For now, she was the Sovereign's favorite, but for how long, she could phantom. Many a sleepless night she had pondered on a concern, a careless word or an act that might have been the instigator to end what she had enjoyed and held dear; that’s right, all could be extinguished in one commanding breath by Zakhertan Yozdek.  Zakhertan's favor had limits, she knew all too well; also, that he had no tolerance for least stupidity, carelessness, or failure.

06- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK AND LADY SEJON

“No, I will not chance it. I will not be confessing to anything and that is that!”  Again, she had mimicked (imitated) another of Worren Youkup’s phrases. “The old coot gave his word for now, but I can only stall him for so long. He must be permanently silenced before he can utter an incriminating word to anyone. Nijel would know what to do. She knew people.”  She stopped abruptly and called out for Nijel, only to be told that her favorite had left without a word to anyone.    

 "Just find her!" Sejon screeched, stamping her foot. "I don't want to hear excuses! I want to see her now!"  The panic-stricken servants rushed to comply as Sejon resumed her pacing and grumbled aloud, "What to do? What to do?"    

                                                                                                                  ~

 

It also happened that Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund also had a strategically placed network of informants and was routinely apprised of all developments in domestic and foreign affairs as well as the plotted intrigues, the very moment they transpired, within the walls of the four Palaces. It could be said that he was the second most influential and informed official in the

Kingdom, His Highness Zakhertan Yozdek being the first, except that no one, other than Sovereign, knew of it.  

In Channing, as the Senior Grand Secretary, Qarzten Caimund had always concealed well his predominant aptitudes behind the reticent humility and polite decorum that put everyone, friend, and foe alike, at their ease, especially when with him. Since he was never perceived as an ardent adversary whom he could be, he received the full cooperation of all factions. Only Zakhertan Yozdek from the beginning, discerning beneath Qarzten’s deceptive façade, his strong analytical mind and aggressive sometimes brutal will that wielded the strong arm of the law to bring swift justice and order to all segments of the Central Government, appreciated and same time remained vigilant of Qarzten Caimund.

Zakhertan Yozdek was the only one who could so utilize Qarzten’s invaluable input, his subtle yet vital role in preventing, suppressing, or eliminating, chronic internal Royal strife that flared up from time to time, which if left unchecked, could have seriously undermined Wenjenkun government’s core stability. Meanwhile, under Qarzten Caimund ‘s directive his invisible force had always, in the aftermath of any sporadic Provincial insurgency swiftly and humanely, with minimal cost, restored lasting stability as well, the law and order. Of course, at times certain glitches (anomalies) had unavoidably necessitated brutal crackdowns of the suspected or budding parasitic cliques, and so, those violent nationwide sweeps, had become the consistent (regular) trademark of Zakhertan Yozdek’s reign. But mostly, Zakhertan valued Qarzten Caimund for his farsightedness and uncanny precision when he closed in for the kill. As it were, the Senior Grand Secretary had the eerie ability to perceive calamitous events well in advance of their germination into outright trouble and to present, through his timely intervention, had kept the adept Central Government’s diverse functioning body intact, as well, preserved the omnipotent power of Sovereign.  Sovereign Zakhertan impressed with Qarzten’s competence, had additionally, covertly, assigned Qarzten to the crucial, challenging task of checking the growing influence and maintaining the balance between, two key factions under the leadership of Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren and Director of Security Egil Viggoaries. Things being the way they were, however, the full extent of Qarzten Caimund’s specific duties had never been fully specified, leaving room for Sovereign’s future addendums in the Rules’ Book.

07- QARZTEN CAMUND (4)B -jp

Qarzten Caimund’s discerning mind nevertheless anticipating Zakhertan Yozdek’s future aspirations, had started, as early as when he held the position of Censor, the enormous task of compiling all (grievous offences and) damaging evidence against the two chief factional leaders, for their eventual, lawful incarceration and deposal. The result of Qarzten Caimund’s continuous, meticulous investigations of Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren’s illicit dealings, been the compiled stacks and stacks of documents, all, linking the PM to a multitude of crimes: everything from kidnapping, torture, bribery, extortion and even murder. Lamont Gudaren reeked of corruption to the very marrow, a typical representative of everything Qarzten detested in a man; furthermore, the amassed evidence could be deemed sufficient to expediently have His Excellency (PM) and his affiliates tried in the High Court and promptly executed.

Qarzten knew that the new Prime Minister had already, secretly been picked out by Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek, who was waiting for precise time to inform the candidate of his promotion. Qarzten Caimund wanted nothing more than to promptly rid the country of this parasite, this carrion crow Lamont Gudaren but he had patiently postponed informing His Highness of his latest findings, pending (awaiting) the final piece of evidence to, at right opportunity, simultaneously present both airtight cases, against PM Lamont Gudaren and Chief of Internal Security Egil Viggoaries, in one comprehensive report.     

Strangely enough, both culprits’ lives were intertwined in many ways. The hindrance (impediment) unfortunately, had risen from Egil Viggoaries’s sector and, despite all Qarzten Caimund’s intense efforts, he had not made as good a progress as he had hoped, this warranting the last minute, slight rescheduling. But once armed with the expected proof

Qarzten would then, petition (and strongly urge) Zakhertan Yozdek not to delay the inevitable. Furthermore, if managed properly, the situation could be brought to swift satisfactory conclusion, without involving the Sovereign's Elite Guard or kindle any new civil unrest. Delay would portend only more ills.

 

(END OF SECTION 12)                                                                                                     ~

 

 

    

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC– EVIL PERSONIFIED – SECTION 1

   

"Son of Wushing", Zonar called him. “Did he know? How did he know?”  Lenny never had the chance to ask the General. His closely guarded secret identity was known only to Sovereign Yoshikan Sousing Nokuzuk Binchan and now it seemed, to one other. He only hoped that it would go no further than General Zonar Kuntzu.  

01- LENNY SUKZOR (12)JP

Though Lenny Sukzor had returned to bed immediately after Zonar's abrupt departure, sleep till dawn had averted him; in an agitated state he had turned and tossed all night long, reminiscing, in his head considering missed (avenues) opportunities and possibilities and then, going over alternate plans.  

Lenny Sukzor recalled vividly the day which he had learned of his true parentage. His mother Ingrit, who had survived his father by just shy of two years, had confessed this to him at her deathbed, casting his heart, for a lengthy period, into utter turmoil. Lenny had undergone a drastic change then, discovering that all those years of his life had been a lie. Yes, all those closest to him had betrayed his trust, only they had called it "protecting" him. More likely it had served their purpose to keep him ignorant; but however, you termed it; Lenny Sukzor was the product of a grand indiscretion.  

At the time of Minister Keko Wushing’s trip to the capital Channing in Wenjenkun to elicit support for Korion, he had stayed as the houseguest of Minister Dongue Youlu and the two had found they had much in common. Minister Youlu, the most generous host, had given many feasts in Wushing's honor. After one such dinner, and more inebriated than usual, Wushing had chanced upon in the Fuchisia Pavilion, the Minister's beautiful fourth daughter named Ingrit. Unable to help himself, and helped along by the wine, powerless to resist her charm. He had fallen deeply in love and going against propriety, had seduced this innocent fairy maiden. At dawn, of course, he immediately regretted his indiscretion of the previous night and was of a mind to set things right by formally asking for her hand in marriage and taking her back, as his second wife, to his home in Korion. Unlike Wenjenkun, it was the norm in Korion at that time, for the well-off gentry to have more than one wife.

02- INGRIT YOULU- LATER BECAME INGRIT SUKZOR

 Unfortunately, events took a wrong turn and, before he could reveal his honorable intentions to Minister Dongue Youlu, he was whisked away to manage (oversee) other more pressing concerns. As affairs of the state took precedence over affairs of the heart, the matter had then been temporarily shelved.  

Wushing never learned of her pregnancy until after he had already departed for Korion; nevertheless, he vowed to send for her. But once again other things took precedence, like the complete rebuilding of the nation.  

Meanwhile, as she was from an old, well-established family, when her condition became known to her father, she had been forced into a hurried marriage with another, hence the surname of Sukzor.  

The ensuing turmoil of the following years, Zakhertan Yozdek’s rise to power and usurpation of the throne, his punitive campaign against Korion. It had been as though fate had conspired to keep Lenny Sukzor from ever knowing the truth. Thinking Keikon Sukzor was his natural father, he had cheered on relentlessly when Korion was subjugated and its populous nearly got extinguished. He had been brought up to believe that Wushing was a monstrous, most cunning political leader (statesperson) whose only purpose had been to oppose Wenjenkun; hence he should be despised and spat upon.  

03- WUSHING, THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR B

As it were, (believing in the state’s propaganda)  Lenny Sukzor had been the staunch supporter of Zakhertan Yozdek from the very start and had been one of the youngest statesmen that had devised the ingenious stratagems that had brought about the near destruction of Korion and, the subsequent expansion of Wenjenkun's territories, through the subjugation of many other border states to the north and then to the west.   

At the time Lenny Sukzor had been baffled by his mother's silent brooding and her seeming indifference when she heard news of the conquest and then the humiliating subjugation of Korion. Lenny Sukzor again winced recollecting his unfair, remonstrations with his mother that had resulted in her (copious) profuse tears.  

Lenny sat upright and, after drinking two swigs (mouthfuls) of water from the jug to quench his thirst, he went over and drew aside a crack the thick window (coverings) curtains, wishing to gaze at the night sky to calm his mind and bring about sleep. The remaining hours however had passed in a wink with no such luck; when the first rays of dawn (sunrise) caressed his face, “Oh well, I might as well get up now.” Grumbling, he threw his covers off and bolted from the bed.  

Shortly after dawn that same day, Lenny Sukzor arrived at Yoshikon Temple as he, a devout Hexoc, so often did, to offer prayers and give sacrifice to the local deity. As was the custom, a monk was assigned to assist him in bringing the complex rituals to completion after which he was served a specially prepared tea by the same monk in a private corner.

There was nothing unusual in this peaceful exchange and time for soothing reflection, a time in which, the monk clarified the scriptures or resolved a particular concern of a Hexos’ devotee. But appearances can be deceiving. It was not entirely by accident, that this monk had been assigned to Lenny Sukzor, nor was it strictly religious doctrines that were, with hushed voices, being discussed. With spies rampant everywhere, Black Molochs had developed an ingenious, coded dialogue where a rich duplicity of meanings was encapsulated in religious terminology and metaphors. This was one of three alternate means with which contact ‘couriers conveyed a vital covert message to the secret affiliate. Thus far they had been most fortunate that this means of communication had escaped detection by the ever-watchful agents of one of the other factions.  

Although Channing at night was a beehive of clandestine activities, necessitating the rigorous vigilance of the Secret Police to track (track) most if not all of it, there was by no means any laxity felt during the daylight hours either.  

Whether it was a brazen act or a foolhardy one, Wenjenkun’s Minister of Internal Security- Egil Viggoaries held the most secret meetings of his coterie in broad daylight right under their noses, disguised of course as official acts or plausible social calls. This afternoon, the members of the Inner Circle of the Order of The Black Molochs that were gathered in the meeting hall were particularly restless. They were all bound together by an intricate system of complex initiation rituals, secret oaths, and ceremonial intermingling of living blood, and it was one of their own who would be tried before them now. At the proper time, the news of Zhadol Borym’s capture, and subsequent incarceration had reached them all. Whether they admitted it or not, Zhadol had ingratiated himself with all the members of the Order's Inner Circle and, as the veteran member of the group, most owed him a favor or two.  

04- COMANDER ZHADOL BORYM

 Mindful of this stiff opposition, Egil Viggoaries had taken certain precautionary measures to curb all anticipated appeals on behalf of Zhadol. For some time now he had deemed Zhadol as expendable and already had his replacement waiting in the wings. As a means of demonstrating his incompetence and ineffectiveness, Zhadol had been assigned to a task that was doomed (with certain measure of certainty) to fail. When news of Fradel Rurik Korvald’s safe arrival in the Capital had reached him, Egil Viggoaries had neither been surprised nor particularly pleased. It had merely turned out just as he had anticipated it, although the subsequent reports of Zhadol Borym’s attempted suicide had taken him aback ever so slightly.  

Yes, that piece of news had disappointed, or rather, annoyed him, for he had at least expected, or hoped for a more fitting end to the old pro.  

Of course, Egil Viggoaries would never admit this, even to himself, and would have outright denied that a small part of him secretly harbored a certain fondness for his once lifelong companion. The simple fact was that Zhadol Borym had grown useless of late; he had softened up. Admittedly, the source of this weakness was his relationship with Lieutenant Yennic Zhiborym, and Egil Viggoaries was not above underhandedly manipulating this relationship to his own advantage. Once, at a rare moment’s weakness, Egil had regretted this ploy, but even so he could delude himself only so much. In truth, unable to purge his heart of this seething jealous anger, this dissatisfaction with Zhadol Borym. He had sought by this means to denigrate him, to pay him back for that insolent, ill-conceived act.  

As anticipated, it had been Yennic who had stopped Zhadol from terminating his own life while at the same time covertly abetted in Zhadol’s capture. Yennic thought he was invaluable because he could communicate with the ravens; a claim Egil Viggoaries did not truly believe, thinking it to be nothing more than a parlor trick. Ambitious cur that he was, Yennic had hoped to advance his own prospects through this act of treachery, only to find he had grossly underestimated the gravity of the situation and the dire outcome, not only for Zhadol but for himself as well.

05- LIEUTENANT YENNIC

“Did the worm really think that we would not find out about him; furthermore, that the Order would blindly foster his ambitions? He had some gall (some nerves, cheek). “Egil scoffed with utter disdain. For even if Yennic had been other than what Egil had suspected, he would still be of little use to the Order. Egil Viggoaries ate rodents like Yennic for breakfast.  

“Could it be that he did not understand the Ritual? He was motivated out of true affection?"  Egil Viggoaries, meanwhile, typically turned a deft ear to the sympathetic whispers about Zhadol.  

“Well, no point in delaying the inevitable.” Egil Viggoaries grimaced venomously as he descended the steps leading to the antechamber.  

As soon as he entered the room, they all snapped smartly to attention; heads slightly bowed in ritual submission. At the same instant, a strained silence took hold, enveloping the assembly. With deliberate slowness, Egil Viggoaries strode to the other side of the hall and assumed his position. When seated he scanned the faces of the eleven men before him, meeting their eyes as they stood rigidly erect, hands at their sides, motionless as if they had been cast in bronze.  

Egil Viggoaries’s eyes passed over Lenny Sukzor, resting for an extended period on this replacement of Lance Diostin as he stood farthest away in the circle, least in nominal order of importance. As he sized the man up, he noted how the recruit was puffed up with arrogance and he nodded coolly, absently as he donned a sinister grin. The starkly unoccupied chair to Egil Viggoaries’s right stood as a magnet for the ambitions spread out below him and as a grim reminder of the coming unpleasantness that awaited them at the end of this day's session.  

One by one, the more pressing matters on the agenda were swiftly dealt with. From this point on, the orders and instructions would be relayed to the rest. The eighty-nine subordinate officers who, each entrusted with small, strictly regimented contingents of their own in all corners of the empire, waited in the wings. It was indisputably the most efficient spy network, as well as a competent paramilitary force that was not to be trifled with. It was all the brainchild of one man, Egil Viggoaries, who had constructed the foundations of this network in theory when he was no more than thirteen years of age.

Briefly perusing the preliminary issues on the agenda for the next gathering, Egil Viggoaries then set up the ordinary business aside and motioned for the prisoners to be brought in to face their tribunal. Their trial and sure conviction had already occurred, in the mind of Egil Viggoaries and this scene was a sham, a mere formality to make a sure impression on the others under a pretense of fairness. It was a game Egil Viggoaries occasionally allowed himself to indulge in.

Despite the sure anticipation of Zhadol’s condition, his appearance all bound and gagged and his face bearing the sure signs of grievous maltreatment, which evoked in many of his former comrades the long forgotten, deeply buried feelings of compassion and pity.

06- WARRIOR FRIENDS (33)

No one cared about the inconsequential Yennic Zhiborym, whose face and body bore the traces of the most horrendous and brutal torture; and where once most of his refined, distinctive features attracted many, presently bore the marks of countless lacerations and ugly deep scars.  Yet this fact did not even elicit one furrowed brow; far from it, it pleased them to observe Yennic's obvious tortured state. He was so roundly despised for his role in the capture and vilification of Zhadol. They jeered and gnashed their teeth when viewing Yennic, yet heaved a secret, dejected sigh when stealing a glance at Zhadol Borym. Still, not a single whisper of protest mounted on Zhadol Borym's behalf escaped their tightly sealed lips, so properly intimidated were they by the wrath of Egil Viggoaries.

Nevertheless, in the averted eyes of a more enlightened minority, there were unmistakable indications (marks) of slight visible hint, as they looked for ways to exonerate Zhadol Borym from all blame. Truth be told, they had stealthily harbored the notion that their compatriot had been the unfortunate victim of an odious intrigue and that his failure was but compounded from that original failing.

07- FRIENDS OF COMMANDER ZHADOL

With a slight indication of the chin from Egil Viggoaries, the stone-faced guards pushed Zhadol Borym forward to fall to his knees before the Dark Eunuch. Egil Viggoaries had earned that distinction of being referred to as Dark Eunuch, because of the extreme cruelty of his innate nature and soul.  

Linked to Zhadol Borym by the heavy bronze chains, this action of the guards had also pushed Yennic Zhiborym on his knees, causing the manacles to sink further into the already gaping wounds in his neck, ankles, and wrists. But Yennic’s involuntary cry of pain had elicited only a brief mocking glances from few of the Inner Circle members of the Black Molochs; contrastingly, Zhadol's eyes had held a degree of compassion for the rag doll of a figure who had once been his friend. Looking away from Yennic, Zhadol Borym fearlessly glared round this circle of stone-faced leaders, forcing them one by one to avert their eyes before he next turned his burning, defiant, reproachful gaze to rest on Egil Viggoaries.  

“So, all these years of loyalty (loyal service) and intimacy counted for nothing? Now I am discarded like a dirty rag. I protest this injustice; I do not deserve this disgraceful treatment!”  

Despite the rush of memories Zhadol's defiant, intrepid manner had brought to Egil Viggoaries’s mind, he had remained outwardly resolute and pinned his icy, odious glare (eyes filled with loathing) on Zhadol. “There can be no absolution for your crime! You know the rules, yet you dared to stand stoically unrelenting!"  The Dark Eunuch’s furious roar suddenly broke the tense, eerie silence that had enveloped the room.  

"Death is death!" Zhadol Borym spat the words out of his bloodied, bruised mouth as he glared back at Egil Viggoaries. Bristling with anger, he cried out in a voice that crackled with hatred and revulsion. "My only crime is that prior, I tried to cheat you out of the great satisfaction my death would bring you. So why defer your perverse pleasure? Get on with it!” Then, scornfully, he added, "But have you considered all the possible ramifications of your actions?"  

Egil Viggoaries reared upwards like a viper (cobra) and hissed, "Are you finished?"  

"Finished; no, not by a long shot!" Zhadol Borym defiantly countered. As a condemned man he had little to lose, and he was determined to face his end with stoicism and a certain dignity. He spoke fervently, "We all know you sent me on that fool's errand knowing I would fail. You deemed I was expendable, and you wanted me to be supplanted (replaced, offed). But why should you go to all that trouble?"  Then Zhadol Borym gave a derisive laugh.  

All present in the hall quaked in their boots for his dared effrontery. Zhadol Borym may be a doomed man, yet they knew that Egil Viggoaries was not one to be provoked.   

“Such prodigious (immense, outstanding) audacity (nerve) Zhadol Borym had!”  All eyes were pinned on Egil Viggoaries, trying to gauge the cruelty of his response. Unfortunately, the Dark Eunuch's stone-cold face said it all.   

Even though Egil had remained outwardly, atypically placid, the threat was implicit in his eyes. Furthermore, his icy silence spoke volumes. Zhadol would pay, and oh so dearly, for this (impudence) outburst!  

08- EGIL VIGGOARIES - THE DARK EUNUCH

Lieutenant Yennic , unwisely (foolishly) at this point summoning all his strength, girded up his courage and edged forward, ready to use his glib tongue, while it was still attached to his mouth, to plead for both their lives. Before he could speak, however, he was struck flat by the stout, heartless guards. No one wanted to hear from Yennic at this juncture; he was nothing more than mere vermin.  

"I warned you," Zhadol’s reproachful and dismayed look said to Yennic, as he shook his head. 

"But would you listen? Would you listen to good counsel? (pay me any heed?)"  

   

Even though Zhadol knew it was useless, his compassionate heart nevertheless urged him to plead on Yennic’s behalf; Yennic might be spared small measure of punishment, if Zhadol humiliated himself enough, to appease Egil Viggoaries’s perverse sensibilities.  

Surmising his intent, Egil Viggoaries grinned. "You would do better to plead for your own self." He leaned forward to sneer (jeer, taunt, hiss) venomously.

"Would it do any good?" Zhadol Borym sternly asked.  

"No," Egil Viggoaries glowered down at him, "but it may amuse us and we may then possibly show some measure of leniency in the severity of and (length) span of time of “TK Cuts,” before your demise."  He was of course blatantly lying. There would be no mercy; his face contorted in a snarling grin as he leaned back once more to scan with narrow, pitiless eyes on the faces in the room.

“Ten Thousand Cuts,” Zhadol Borym winced and swallowed hard. "Why so severe a penalty?"  He then got a grip on his senses and, again defiantly, incredulously, shook his head.  His horror meanwhile was impromptu (involuntarily) mirrored on the faces of all those assembled. Suddenly, the profusion of images, those wretched beings, and the anguished cries of the past victims, which Dark Eunuch had doomed to this manner of death, now paraded before everyone’s eyes, and echoed in their ears.

Zhadol, despite his outward stoicism, inwardly could not help but recoil in horror, for he knew all too well; the prolonged suffering (of appalling shame, ghastly anguish) that awaited him in the depths of dungeons below before his life finally was terminated! His body, now defiant of his will, slightly trembled, and his knees threatened to buckle under him.  

“That’s a terrible way to die!” All eyes in the circle implored Egil Viggoaries. “This is not right; his crime is not grave enough to warrant such punishment. He is, or rather was, one of us.”  

Despite his ashen face, his quaking muscles, Zhadol Borym bit his tongue and clenched his fists, refusing to give Egil Viggoaries more of what he wanted, knowing in his heart of hearts that it would not do him any good. Even so, was there no one there brave enough to raise the slightest protest, the least objection for him? A fleeting tragic smile crossed Zhadol’s lip and then changed to a grimace of contempt as he looked. No, spineless cowards were all; he stood alone in all of this. After Zhadol’s eyes had searched the faces of his fellow associates, it had then abruptly caught Yennic's bewildered look and, fearing the worst for his partner, Zhadol turned his questioning stare back on Egil Viggoaries.

Answering the unspoken question with a venomous grin, Egil Viggoaries nodded.  

“How could I have expected any different?” Zhadol Borym lowered his eyes and ceded the point, pained that Yennic Zhiborym, too, awaited the same ill fate.  

  

(END OF SECTION 1)  

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 20

01- AEGEUS  (1)B JP

Only a handful of Elders of Karn and His Eminence Olavingemar had been privy to Aegeus’s secret, that Chandor (Zandar Kuntzu) and his offspring (twin son) Zonar, were both related to Aegeus by blood, and now it seemed, through his carelessness, the secret had been revealed to ambitious Sthetor as well. Aegeus put this concern aside and directed his attention instead, on the matter at hand.

01-ZONAR - IMMORTAL (46)JP

What made Zonar even more hazardous, was the fact that his blood also carried the mixed gene (although it was dormant) from his Immortal mother Tekubzan. She, the only daughter of His Eminence Olavingemar, had the rare phoenix chromosome, which had, once in every aeon, passed down to female genera of Kongrul. Zonar’s twin sister Arnora (also known as Ingrit) had died young, well before it could be determined whether she had the gene or not. The rare Phoenix genetic material (chromosome, DNA) once manifested at maturity, at about thirty-five, from then on would enable the immortal female to transform, at will, into a phoenix or into a phoenix/human hybrid. Such a being also, via the blue flames, would possess immense regenerative healing powers. They could utilize their power to heal or harm anyone, even Immortals.

Elder Aegeus had learned quite by chance, through divination, that Nevetsecnuac had also twins born to him some time prior; and one being female, she could carry that gene. He had kept this secret from all, while he decided on what this would entail and if it warranted any future action. He did not know why but an innate, dogged caution deep within, for half a century now, had kept him weary of Sthetor; and so, he’d remained decidedly silent even with Olavingemar on this matter, wishing to keep specifically Sthetor in the dark about this.

                                                                                     ~

The ancient race of Kongruls, despite the immeasurable distance, once had a kinship (alliance, special link), with the race of Karn. Unfortunately, the revered race of Kongruls had virtually been annihilated during the cataclysmic wars, save for the three (that Aegeus knew of): His Eminence Olavingemar, his precious daughter Tekubzan, and of course,

Sthetor. All three-surviving Kongruls, had been readily and without prejudice (generously) accepted into the main fold of, Karn race. Moreover, in a noticeably abbreviated time, both, benevolent Oavingemar and (problematic) Sthetor had achieved prominent positions.

Notwithstanding their different prior status in Kongrul Race, for Olavingemar had been a venerated, intellectual aristocrat whereas Sthetor had been an ordinary, (rigid, obdurate) intransigent warrior and a seir (diviner). The two although outwardly had been congenial (affable) towards each other and, often cooperated on pressing matters- underneath it all, Aegeus from the very beginning had sensed (detected), the certain, enduring (lifelong, unwavering) hostility between Olavingemar and Sthetor. They were, moreover, as different in disposition (nature, personality, temperament, and inclination) as day and night. This subtle (indirect) aggression had nevertheless reached its zenith once (becoming manifest), when in a private meeting between the three honoured Elders of Karn, Aegeus, Olavingemar and Sthetor, audacious Sthetor (who was Olavingemar’s age but didn’t show it), had proposed to wed Tekubzan when she had reached the age of maturity, to perpetuate their race. She was no more than (earth-years of) four at the time.

02-- STHETOR IMMORTAL (16)JP

Olavingemar barely able to contain his ire (indignation, wrath), he had simply bolted from his seat and, without a word, left the meeting. Things were supposed to have been smoothed later, but Aegeus had remained doubtful (sceptical) of the validity of that claim. Furthermore, from then on Olavingemar had stayed guarded against Sthetor.

Aegeus, nevertheless, not wishing to pry (meddle), had not broached the subject with either of them.

Then hundred years later, at a typical Divination Ceremony where, each new generation of Karn at the age of ten Earth years was evaluated, His Eminence Olavingemar the Supreme Elder, assisted by Sthetor, had disclosed then manifest ominous prediction that, the child Tekubzan was unfortunately, the carrier of a seed that would be the harbinger of the Race of Karn’s utter obliteration (eradication). To prevent this from ever happening, by a majority vote, she had been in a fortnight, condemned to death.

His Eminence Olavigemar, nevertheless, privately that same night had reconsulted the Heavens and, achieving a different interpretation, as well, an alternative to the execution, she had been instead, sentenced to a much crueler fate of being imprisoned for life at a secret location, behind an impenetrable one piece of solid rock, where which its thickness muted all sound, inside one of the divisions (tunnels) of the deepest recesses of the Cave. There she was left to live, the rest of her long life, in solitary confinement and in pitch darkness.

Secrecy being paramount, Olavigemar and Aegeus had been the sole ones that knew the whereabouts of her prison. At least she would be alive. Elders of Karn being habitually indifferent (apathetic), they had all agreed to this, save for Sthetor. Aegeus had seen his ugly side then, especially when latter’s arguments had been superseded (overridden). More importantly, Aegeus had detected just for a spell before Sthetor had supplanted it (replaced, masked), the hint of his unease in his eye- the almost feeling of foreboding or fear- at his inability to affect her immediate demise.

03-HIS EMINENCE OLAVINGEMAR  (2)JP

Olavigemar meanwhile, though relieved, from then on had been unusually tight-lipped and he had never mentioned or reminisced about his beloved daughter; furthermore, he had avoided, all communication (clairvoyantly) telepathically or otherwise with her. But despite the great passage of time, he had not, not once, forsaken Tekubzan.

This Aegeous had known for certain and chosen to remain silent. Aegeus likewise discerned, that Olavigemar had kept her life-stone along with his, in a secret compartment, somewhere in his room. Life-stones had been an essential part of life in Kongrus. One year after birth, each Kongrus received a singular, unique small stone (the kind only found in Kongrus’s homeland, Tarkon), which, in a specific ceremony, on the second full moon of the year, their drop of blood was absorbed by the stone, turning it into luminescent celadon color. So long as it glowed celadon, the individual was believed to be still among the living. Since her imprisonment, Olavigemar each night before going to sleep, without fail, had checked his daughter’s life-stone.

Elder Sthetor meanwhile, keeping in mind the harsh environment she had been imprisoned in, had secretly anticipated, moreover delighted, in the probability of her early demise. But the rare Phoenix chromosome had enabled Tekubzan to survive her terrible ordeal and exacting circumstance, to eventually reach maturity. It had been the innate advantage, for her surviving in those frigid temperatures of the cave during her captivity all those years. Fluke of fate, she was destined to meet and fall in love with Chandor.

                                                                                       ~

On typically ordinary late night, warned of her death by the Life-stone, Aegeus and Olavigemar had rushed over at once to investigate and discovered, to their great dismay, the breach, and the resulting clear devastation at that part of the Cave.

Olavigemar had evoked the spell, so did Aegeus, to discover the truth about what had transpired there. Both Elders had picked up Chandor’s and Tekubzan’s residues, but even then, they had failed to unlock the mystery of what sort of calamity had occurred there; and more importantly, who the evil perpetrator had been, that so brazenly violated at least two of their sacred laws.

Additionally, both had understood, that an unknown incantation, far more powerful spell, had been cast to hide the truth from both Elders of Karn. But the cave had disclosed five or six clues nevertheless, that there had been number of happy events there, that must have culminated in two young immortals eventually falling in love and becoming a couple.

04- CHANDOR AND TEKUBZAN

Aegeus had never cogitated the possibility of a union between (two varied species) a Karn and a Kongrus; he was shocked, as everyone else, when the secret liaison between the condemned Tekubzan and Chandor became known. The esteemed elders, Aegeus and Olavigemar moreover, secretly been elated and amazed, at the discovery of traces that revealed the existence of an offspring grandchildren, more specifically twins, born to the loving couple.

The spotted (noted, discerned) indicators had revealed next, of a violent intrusion and the subsequent dire (catastrophic) struggle, obviously, between Tekubzan and the evil perpetrator.

In the end she had perished in the fire, as her charred remains had been found in a heap. The offender, after the evil deed, had unfortunately, clear gotten away, as there had been no residue or remains of him, left behind.

05- THE RESIDUE IN CAVE

Fortunately, Tekubzan had successfully hidden her newborn twins well before her devastating engagement (fight, struggle) with the indomitable foe, for the infants (boy and girl) whom she had named Zonar and Arnora, had remained unharmed through it all. She had achieved this, by transferring a great deal of her powers to the babies, at the time of the twins’ birth; this unfortunately had left her vulnerable, and far less able to thwart (offset, counter) the perpetrator’s assaults.

It took no great imagination to envision Chandor’s frustration, his ire (rage, fury), self-blame, then ultimately, his inconsolable grief, to have arrived there too late and well after the devastating fight. Intrepid Tekubzan, anticipating his return had nevertheless managed to leave a message for him, therefore, following her (telepathic) instructions, he had discovered the unharmed, hidden twins, his son Zonar and daughter Arnora. Then, according to her wishes, for the evil perpetrator had been bent on destroying their precious offsprings, Chandor had absconded the mountain along with the twins, to permanently disappear (take refuge) somewhere in the vast mortal world of Humans.

06- CHANDOR DISSAPEARS IN THE MORTAL WORLD

Aegeus from the start had innately mistrusted Sthetor; but he had all the same, still passively stood by and let Sthetor with dogged determination, rallying support from the

Elders of Karn and utilizing their ancient laws, to set forth and to destroy Chandor (Zandar Kuntzu). At the time, Aegeus had deeply resented being put in such a predicament and blamed his renegade son Chandor (Zandar), for not being capable enough to triumph against all odds.

Even though this great mystery about the identity of the evil perpetrator had never been satisfactorily resolved, Aegeus had his own suppositions, which in absence of solid proof, to date he had kept to himself.

He had once or twice quietly ruminated on the fact that, Stheltor at that time, on the pretext of having fallen gravely ill, had timely (absconded) gone on a surreptitious retreat to convalesce, well before the detection of Chandor’s absence, and the finding of Tekubzan’s breached prison. On his return, he had taken to always wearing gloves. The reasons for this idiosyncrasy had been successfully explained to all, except for Aegeus. Additionally, Sthetor, had been the one strong component, behind the dogged persecution, the hunting and eventual capture of Chandor. Back then, Aegeus had assumed, vindictive Sthetor had intensely (dourly) hated Chandor for attaining the love of Tekubzan, whom Sthetor coveted since her age (earth years) four and, regarded (pegged) her as his owed prize. She had been the configured, essential part of his high ambition (and sinister reasons), which he had hid behind a noble claim, of wanting to perpetuate Kongrul Race, within Karn. That was why venerable Olavigemar, from then on, had remained on his guard. In the end Sthetor had still got her, and then, exacted his ultimate revenge on Chandor.

In hindsight, Aegeus anticipated that there had been a far sinister reason behind it all; unfortunately, to present, he had failed to resolve this enigmatic quandary (perplexing dilemma).

But Sthetor was now (single mindedly) targeting to destroy his grandson Zonar. Aegeus, despite his seeming indifference, was nevertheless caught in a bind. He knew all fate can be altered; he just had not conceived yet, how to achieve alternate means. His granddaughter Arnora was already lost to him; part of him secretly wanted to preserve Zonar’s life as he saw enormous potential in his grandson.

07- ZONAR - IMMORTAL (42)JP

On the other hand, at present, Zonar posed the greatest threat to Karn Race’s welfare and lasting existence; for along with the prophesy, Zonar, was the possessor of the combination of both dragon and, albeit dormant, rare, mutated phoenix- YBX - chromosome (DNA, genes). As the preservation, (safeguarding) of Karn Race had always been the paramount, (predominant) importance over everything in Aegeous’s life, he therefore anew, hardened his heart.

And so, Aegeus after his brief ponder, simply nodded, dispassionately acquiescing to Sthetor’s current, principal request; then, at the apt moment, he also gave Sthetor permission to enlighten the others, but only on the scant (limited), pertinent details.

Sthetor’s mind subsequently open to all, he checked his glee, and then looked about him for a spell, his inexpressive, (emotionless) soulless grey eyes sweeping the rapt faces.

“Indeed, it was a Divine Providence that interceded in sparing and extending Zonar's life, so that he may play a vital (most fundamental) role in determining the course of, mortal world's history.”

“Are we to do nothing, then?” All eyes asked.

“No, that's not what I meant at all.” Sthetor continued evenly, mutely. “Zonar should be apprehended at the appropriate time and accordingly dealt with; to do otherwise, would be irresponsible. But beware; it shall be a much harder task to accomplish, than we had originally anticipated. I would have thought it inconceivable but here we stand. There is no denying the fact that the renegade Immortal Chandor or Zandar Kuntzu, had somehow acquired the most ancient, taboo spell and innately passed it solely onto his progeny (offspring) Zonar; and he, in well enough time, must have learned to safely utilize it.”

“The proof lies before us. As things now stand, Zonar Kuntzu is far more resourceful than we originally anticipated. He is now a force to be reckoned with. Furthermore, if he knows this spell, which is a mere derivative, he must also be acquainted with the prohibited primordial Kekok Enchantment.”

“What!”  There was a quick exchange of looks and baffled thoughts. “But we have never heard of any Kekok Enchantment.”

“Of course, not… The very notion of its existence has been forbidden knowledge long ago. Believe me; you are all better off for not knowing it. It is the most dangerous; most volatile spell there is for, once evoked, there is no certainty of the results. In as much as it can grant you what you want, it can also, quite unpredictably and with one stroke, negate (undo, cancel out) the very Universe itself. All reality as we know it could cease to exist.”

“Zonar was by far the most fortunate being in that it worked exactly the way he wanted it to, with no serious (consequences) repercussions.”  

All this while Elder Aegeus, with his head down had remained in pensive silence; now suddenly terminating (breaking off) his pondering, he looked straight at Dwengzur.  A dour voice loudly intoned in Dwengzu’s head: “There is no getting around it. You must be armed with the same knowledge, rather, be imparted (bestowed) a superior edification, if you are to succeed. Even then it may not be sure guarantee, judging by the …. Hmm…But before you respond, stand warned that there is a dire cost for this information, a sure consequence, most grievous and unalterable one. Furthermore, once you have assimilated the Kekok Enchantment along with the rest of Ultimate Supreme Elder Yokanotek’s acumen and expertise, you may no longer be allowed to associate as before with others of the Karn. You will be given only one chance, one chance only, to accomplish your mission and, upon your return you will again meet with the Ultimate Supreme Elder Yokanotek. At that precise moment of your meeting you will become the new Ultimate Supreme Elder and be given a new name; the previous Ultimate Supreme Elder Yokanotek, will then be relieved of any and all obligation to race of Karn; he will of course ascend (rise) to the higher realm, transforming into pure energy and, as an iridescent light, roam or be part of the Cosmic Universe.”  

All faces regarded Dwengzur now with another strange, mixed emotion, blending of envy and abject pity, which had intrusively and suddenly resurged. As it was, they understood fully how, Zonar Kuntzu had the sure advantage over Dwengzur, to warrant such measure. Zonar endowed with unusual and not yet fully comprehended powers, would be able to coexist indefinitely (hundreds, if not thousands of years) with the creatures at the outside world. It was also clear to all that unlike Zonar, Dwengzur’s time at the outside world, after he had assimilated the Kekok Enchantment, would be provisional; he only had comparatively (limited,) shorter span, with which to fulfill his mission and return before his innate powers indubitably were sapped. If he failed, as consequence, he would then either became a mortal being with no memory of past or, if he were lucky, it brought about his immediate and dreadful end, which meant that he would simply cease to exist, no residue energy, no light, nothing.

08- DWENGZUR (8)JP

“Even so, I am resolute!” Dwengzur vociferously declared.

Elder Aegeus with an unreadable expression simply stared at Dwengzur for a long time.

“Very well then, after you take a moment or two, to bid your farewells, you may then follow me to the interior to receive the highly classified instructions from Ultimate Supreme Elder Yokanotek, for only he can impart to you the knowledge you will require.”  

The Elder Aegeus rose slowly from his seat and now waited until Dwengzur made his brief and unemotional farewells to those present then came to stand beside him. When Dwengzur was in position, Elder Aegeus mumbled the secret incantation. Instantly he and Dwengzur, were both reduced to two glowing, flickering balls of light that shot through the air towards the far cavern wall and passing through it, promptly disappeared.

 

(END OF SECTION 20)