Asger
(Stark), after a restless night’s sleep (repose), just before dawn quietly rose
from his bed and after dressing exited the room. The last hot pot of Alec’s tea
had been spiked, Asger knew that Alec would be dead to the world till noon,
which gave them plenty of time to prepare.
Advancing, he quietly
tapped at Svein’s door, then going over sat at his usual place by the fire.
Svein, anticipating his
uncle’s desire, emerged outside shortly after, properly dressed and most eager
to hear what Stark (Asger) had to say.
Stroking his beard with a
thoughtful air, Asger signaled Svein to the chair before him.
"Svein, circumstances
dictate that I now be frank with you. I am therefore well prepared to disclose
all secrets, mysteries and unveil all truths that had until now, been kept from
you.” So saying, Asger rising, pseudo
straitened (the creases of) his garments then abruptly falling on his knees,
prostrated himself and addressing Svein in most dignified voice, proclaimed,
"I, Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon, Son of Lord Wutenzar Thuxur Marrog Zhon
hereby pay my respects to Your Royal Highness, sole surviving true Heir to the
Throne of Wenjenkun, Prince Nevetsecnuac Alric Therran Valamir , may you live
long and prosper!"
Nevetsecnuac, quickly
overcoming his surprise, hastily stooped to raise his maternal uncle to his
feet, “Please rise uncle, I should be bowing to you!”
When eventually, on
Nevetsecnuac's insistence, the two finally regained their respective seats, the
prince, in sincere and respectful tone, urged Lord Asger not to endow him with
such honors.
"After twenty years of being nurtured and mentored (guided), living
under your unstinting care as your nephew, I would be imbued in shame to my
very core if I were to now receive your obsequies. Please, Uncle, treat me as you always
have. Allow me the privilege of serving
you, as your’ most grateful and devoted nephew. And please address me only by
my name without the onerous title- a most undesirable and unwarranted feat
(endeavor) at this remote milieu.”
Nevetsecnuac
looked down as emotions choked the rest of his words; after brief, thoughtful
reflection, he simply shook his head and said: “I can only guess at the enormity of sacrifices and
long suffering you have endured on my behalf.
My only regret is that I have but one lifetime in which to repay your
kindness."
Deeply touched by
Nevetsecnuac's show of love and humility, Asger looked away, constraining any expression of the intense and therefore
inappropriate emotions from bursting forth; then perfectly composed, he leaned
forward and affectionately placed his hand on Nevetsecnuac's shoulder.
Nevetsecnuac in turn,
looked up at him with eyes brimming with tears of gratitude mingling with
affection and said: "Uncle, I am anxious to hear all, particularly the
circumstances, of how and why I alone, have survived my immediate family's
tragic fate?”
“Yes, the time has come
for you to be apprised of it all.” Asger, nodding thoughtfully,
acquiesced. “Hmm, but I shall do my
utmost, through tact, to spare you the worse of it, my dear boy, while
imparting succinctly, all the pertinent details.”
He then smoked his pipe for a spell as he
deliberated on how best to begin. Every word had to be chosen with care to
minimize (and not burgeon) the angst that was already tearing at Nevetsecnuac's
heart and soul.
The following narrated
data (recounted facts) oscillated naturally between past and present and in
this gentle, yet somber tone Nevetsecnuac was informed of his true heritage:
That
he was the only offspring of the 7th Prince Shon Alric Therran Valamir and
Ingrit, the adapted daughter of Lord Wutenzar Zhon. When Asger was ten years old, she’d become
Asger’s loving little sister, a girl child of about six years old, who’d
suffered abduction and amnesia at the age of five. The frail female child had
been rescued from the clutches of death, just barely, one stormy afternoon, by
Lord Wutenzar Zhon, while he was on his way to visit a close friend (a blood-brother),
keen to oversee (manage) an urgent matter, in Korion. She’d later been named Ingrit and lawfully
adapted by Asger’s Lord father, when despite year’s intense investigation, her
true lineage had remained a mystery. Asger thus, was not Nevetsecnuac’s (Svein’s)
biological maternal uncle.
When Ingrit grew up and
was 17 years old, by then an exquisite beauty, during an annual Royal hunting
expedition, as the two children had accompanied Lord Zhon, she’d caught the eye
of Prince Shon and the two had fallen deeply in love. A few years later,
overcoming many obstacles, the loving pair had been happily married off and a
year and a half later, they had Nevetsecnuac (Svein).
Asger then proceeded to
relay succinctly, the subsequent, true version of state affairs at the time
(politics), which had adversely shaped Nevetsecnuac’s benevolent grandfather's
reign and instigated (caused) the altruistic (humane) Monarch's downfall.
"First there were the
prolonged wars, lasting over a decade, with powerful neighbors like Julge to
the north, Tunesar in the north-east, and Senje in the east.
Then the cataclysmic
natural disasters came to pass: the powerful earthquakes that leveled whole
towns to rubble and floods that ravaged the river plains. The already tottering economy was devastated,
and the strength of the central government was greatly taxed.”
“This precarious time had,
meanwhile, further empowered the rising influence of Grand Field Marshal
Zakhertan Yozdek , who’d lead an army of
several million on successful campaigns against Julge and Tunesar and by doing
so, restored our lost territories and pushed them back to more natural
borders. Zakhertan next had marched his
army straight to Senje and annexed that kingdom. The tribute and booty from these campaigns
strengthened the treasury for a time and in due course augmented Field
Marshal’s own popularity with both the people and the court.” Asger took a puff
from his pipe, before resuming.
"In Imperial Capital
Channing, the Inner Chancery, which was charged with the responsibility of
presenting policy options to His Highness Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir, was
gradually taken over by the Yozdek aristocracy with the full support of Prime
Minister Morvald and Grand Secretary Lu Therkan. His Higness Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir
was gradually by then relegated to the status of a mere figurehead; lending an
ear to rumors (false or fabricated accounts) he was opportunely alienated even
from the Crown Prince Langley. Prince Langley was well loved by the people and his peers;
he was an upright, brilliant tactician and a fine warrior. Because of his
sagacity (shrewdness) and farsightedness, he posed a real danger to the
ambitious Yozdek clan. Time being ripe, Yozdek faction decided to first
illuminate this threat; before they instigated their bold action and worked to underhandedly
gain effective control of Wenjenkun .”
"At the time Crown Prince Langley, who excelled
in archery and was very fond of hunting, whenever his responsibilities allowed
him, he with a group of loyal childhood friends, I would say, two or three
times a year, held an affable competition of hunt at the Royal Game Preserve (forested,
high-altitude ambit, sphere, sanctuary) on the outskirts of the city. “
On that fateful day, during the hunting trip, after
having spotted a rare white stag, Prince Langley took off after it (in
lightning speed) in full gallop, leaving the rest of the riders far behind, who
had no hope of matching the speed of his fine stallion. “
“Now come to think of it,
I believe Fourth Prince Ruen was among the party that day. Nevertheless, when the stag dove into the
depths of dense woodland, Prince Langley recklessly led his horse after him in
hot pursuit. By the time the rest of the
hunting party reached the prince, they were horrified to discover him gasping
his last breath, mumbling something about a huge snake raining down on him, his head lying in a pool of
blood and a trampled adder nearby testifying as to the events. It was presumed that his frightened mount had
bolted detecting the snake slithering on one of the branches overhead and had
thrown the prince onto the sharp-edged rocks which littered the area.”
“Suspecting foul play some
ardent friends (and courtiers) stayed behind to meticulously search the area,
in the hope of collecting incriminating evidence or finding the culprit; but
their concerted efforts provided them with only a torn piece of homespun cotton
that inevitably led to nowhere.”
"The untimely death
of the heir apparent consigned the aging Monarch to his bed, stricken with a
malady of the heart. Rumors circulated
at the time claimed that His Highness' affliction was, in fact, induced by his
own physicians, under the coercion of the Prime Minister."
"The Prime Minister
Morvald that had been colluding with the Yozdek faction.... It is clear who’d been behind that scheme.”
Nevetsecnuac grumbled.
Asger nodded thoughtfully.
“You would think so, but certain findings later, rumors really, cast the
suspicion on Third Prince Vidar instead.
Some claimed he was also involved in the conspiracy against the Crown
Prince. He apparently was under the
assumption that he would be next in line to ascend to the throne."
After clearing his throat Asger once more
commenced with his narrative.
"Zakhertan Yozdek, a
national hero, returning from his victories with the borders secured and more
lands added to the kingdom Wenjenkun, took advantage of the Monarch's
indisposition and, relying on his immense popularity, laid siege to the
Capital. Moments after His Highness,
Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir passed away, while the Royal Family was still
in shock and mourning by his bedside, Zakhertan
Yozdek marched unopposed into the palace and seized the throne.”
“This self-proclaimed
Emperor deeming his act, the Mandate of Heaven, in a move designed to
consolidate his power, subsequently passed his first evil edict which placed
the entire Imperial Clan of the true Monarch under the executioner's blade. The newly appointed heir apparent Second
Prince Tzen, as well as Third Prince Vidar, were murdered shortly afterwards
along with subordinate Princes and members of the Royal House of Valamir."
Through misted eyes, Asger
related how many had chosen to commit suicide to deny Zakhertan the pleasure of
directing their demise.
"So, all, without
exception, perished?” Nevetsecnuac murmured solemnly.
"Not all.” Asger
rejoined (responded) desisting tears.
"Fourth Prince Ruen had been inexplicably
absent, Fifth Prince Guylar had sent his son, Wuke, in his place due to a
lingering illness which made travel impossible, and your father, Seventh Prince
Shon had fortuitously as well, been elsewhere at the time.”
"Fifth Prince Guylar
had unavoidably suffered much at the hands of the Yozdek Clan. Earlier still, Prime Minister Morvald and
Third Prince Vidar had launched a vile scheme to repudiate Prince Guylar. They renounced Guylar and his absence from
court to the Old Monarch, claiming that he was not ailing, that his infirmity
was shammed, (sickness faked) as cover for his planning a rebellion. They accused him of having grown too
overbearing and dangerously strong away from the keen eyes of the court and
they lost no time in presenting fabricated proof of this claim. They offered exaggerated numbers of the
occasions Prince Guylar had failed to respond to a summons from the court,
supposedly drawn from the palace records, and added to it reports of the prince’s
arms buildup, necessary to repel the border tribes, altered in such a way to
also make this appear most suspicious.”
“These potent innuendoes
of Prince Guylar's alleged conspiracy to foment rebellion had evidently caused
His Royal Highness to fly into a rage.
Guylar's son Wuke, upon his arrival at the capital, was immediately incarcerated
and an officer of the court was dispatched with credentials and the Imperial
Tally to affect the prince’s arrest.
Before the officer's arrival, however, Guylar was informed of his
dangerous predicament and, gravely ill already, in his indignation hastened his
end (chose to end his own life) by forsaking all medication. Sadly, his wife, sons and daughters were all
taken away to the Capital under arrest, where they arrived just in time to be
executed by the new emperor Zakhertan
Yozdek."
"What about Fourth
Prince Ruen?” Nevetsecnuac asked, hoping that at least one uncle had survived.
"I don't rightly
know.” Asger confessed. “Again, there
were rumors, but I cannot attest to their validity (legitimacy).”
“I still would like to
know.” Nevetsecnuac interposed.
"Keep in mind, what I
am about to disclose is only a supposition.”
Asger warned.
"Once, during an informal (gathering)
feast, Zakhertan Yozdek had allegedly
boasted of killing the said Prince in a most gruesome manner, but, when
prompted, he’d refused to divulge the details.
Since Prince Ruen has never been seen or heard from hence, many had
concluded that the rumors had to have been based on the truth. Great many however disputed this claim
(claimed otherwise), stating that Prince Ruen a distinguished warrior, an
eccentric sort and an ardent lover of adventure, who frequently under disguise
traveled to the furthest frontier regions of the kingdom in search of new
thrills, was on yet another such escapade. I cannot support or deny this.”
Asger shook his head.
"I did not know the
prince personally.” Asger hid his true dislike of this selfish, reckless Prince
with this disclaimer. What will it serve
to dredge up the unpleasantness of the past, and strain Nevetsecnuac's already
tenuous connection to his dead family?
Some things are better left unsaid.
Left unspoken also was the
violent clashes of Asger’s and Prince’s personalities, how they both had
countless disagreements and oftentimes quarreled, in the end settling to a
mutual avoidance of each other.
“Some claimed he was a
brilliant scholar.” Asger grimly looked away for a spell. “And that Prince Ruen
insisted on uncovering the true knowledge that lay, not with the institutions
of learning, but in the remote mountains with the hermits.”
Hah, that was a laugh!
“Often seeking this lifestyle, he would be
absent from the court and palace."
In truth, it was but
an effective cover for his vile deeds. Asger inwardly
scoffed, but at the outset with an even tone he’d resumed with his narrative.
"So, when the
sovereign fell ill during one of these sojourns, Prince Ruen could not be
contacted and summoned to his deathbed.
To date no one has heard from the prince, so assumedly, he too perished,
perhaps from the elements.”
Nor do I care what
happened to that faithless brute! Asger dismissively waved his hand; then
quickly changed the subject.
"Your father, Seventh
Prince Shon, was a brilliant scholar with a retentive memory. His kindly, circumspect and unassuming manner
cloaked his political and military genius, and he avoided any contention for
power. Prince Shon was seen by the court
as unmotivated, weak and rather obtuse and was largely ignored by all, both
high and low. Yet, when it came time to
awaken the Old Monarch to the existing danger posed by the Yozdek Clan, it was
he who spoke up first. Others, even
Crown Prince Langley who despised the Yozdeks and harbored long secret desires
to sweep them out of power once he was enthroned, shrunk from saying
anything. Your father, even at the young
age of sixteen, had the prescience, discernment and foresight to rightly
predict the future outcome of things.
With bold determination he forsook his
disguise and, in a private audience, risked his father's anger to try to
persuade him to guard against the Yozdek Clan and curb their core power or,
failing that, abdicate his throne in favor of the Crown Prince. The Monarch had quietly and patiently
listened to all that Prince Shon had to say yet remained unconvinced. After a brusque promise to consider the
matter, he abruptly dismissed your father.”
"'I will be
banished.’ was Prince Shon's solemn prediction to his Stuard Kenny (childhood
friend and confidant) once he had reached his private quarters. ‘My father
could not be swayed, and my words were no doubt well documented by the Yozdek
spies for the Prime Minister Morvald's repudiation. I grieve, not for my sake, but for the sake
of the many others who will suffer at the hands of the Yozdeks.'"
Nodding thoughtfully,
Asger drew a long puff from his pipe before continuing the narrative. "Yes, just as your father had foretold,
Prime Minister Morvald and others of the Yozdek Clan thereafter conspired to slander
the Seventh Prince Shon to the Monarch and the Crown Prince. They alleged that Prince Shon, despite his
young age, was harboring ulterior motives and high ambitions for himself in his
desire for the Monarch to abdicate in favor of his heir at just the precise
time when the country was beginning to
enjoy the peace and prosperity of Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir's benevolent
rule.”
“Public orators with false
accusations further incited the populace and the Monarch against The Seventh
Prince Shon; once his father's favorite, the prince fell fast from His
Highness’ grace. Even Crown Prince Langley
was duped and remonstrated angrily with his younger brother (from the same
mother) Prince Shon, suspecting him of conspiracy and masking his selfish,
wicked thoughts. Under these
circumstances it took very little for the prince to offend His Royal Highness
again and, in angry reproach; two days after his nineteenth birthday, Prince
Shon was stripped major part of his inherited land holdings (bequeathed to him
from his then deceased mother, Princes Beatrice) and banished indefinitely to
the far province of Chio.”
"Once he had
traversed the jurisdiction of the Capital province there were several expected
attempts on Prince Shon’s life. After three
years of failed attempts, however, the culprit Prime
Minister Morvald, finally aborted his
evil schemes and resolved to hold back until a more favorable time in future.
In the interim, prince Shon encountering your mother Ingrit in a quiet ceremony
had married his beloved. Upon the sudden
and unexpected demise of the Crown Prince Langley, His Majesty's heart softened
once more, Prime Minister Morvald, speaking eloquently on the hidden virtues of
the Seventh Prince Shon, persuaded His Highness Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir
to grant amnesty to your father and recall him to the Capital for his brother's
funeral. “
“The Yozdek family
intended to gather all the Royal Family you see, for a swift and definite
annihilation. You were only two months old when your father, always a filial
son and brother, embarked with your mother and a large entourage on the return
journey (to the Capital). Since my
mother was his elder sister, Prince Shon took this opportunity to have a brief
visit with her; after which, my parents would have travelled alongside them to
the Capital. “
“So, you are my true
maternal cousin!” Nevetsecnuac took in a breath, suppressing his elation in the
face of Asger’s humble demeanor and his as a matter-of-fact way of relating
it. Lord Asger was rather too preoccupied
in his mind with the forthcoming subsequent facts. He halted briefly for
another puff from his pipe.
“Had the way been
unobstructed and their advance been conducted with normal speed they would have
all reached the Palace at the time of the usurpation and succumbed to
subsequent tragedy. Mercifully however,
Heaven had played its hand to foul the Yozdek family's plans, for unseasonable,
torrential rains plagued the earth just after the Prince Shon and His Royal
entourage crossed over the border into our province of Toren. Given that the bridges ahead were all washed
out and the roads turned into fast flowing rivers, Prince Shon was constrained
to stay as our honored guest bit longer than anticipated, at least until the
tempests had abated.”
"When the roads
finally became passable (traversable), the day before we were all to depart, at
the final gathering after repast that night, fortunately after the ladies had
retired to their quarters, the news of Zakhertan Yozdek's treachery reached us. The eerie silence that permeated the large
hall, before it erupted into loud ruckus (commotion, uproar), was quite
unbelievable.”
“All our spirits, you see,
had sunk into a gloom too deep to dispel, and tears welled up in our eyes; but
Prince Shon with calm composure, quietly rose from his seat, walked down the
steps and went outside. Alone and away
from prying eyes, gazing up at the sky, only then, he shed some silent tears. “
“This I can attest to
since both my father and I had hastily followed the prince to outside. Once there, however, reluctant to disturb His
Highness, we had tactfully maintained our distance. Prince Shon, nevertheless
once aware of our presence, quickly dried his eyes and coming over to my father
the Prince said with dignity and humility, 'In a few days’ time, Lord Zhon,
Zakhertan Yozdek will be sending troops
to apprehend us. We rest entirely at
your mercy. You must choose whether to
resist, or to hand us over to them, for even if I had been still empowered to
do so, I could not, with clear conscience, ask you to risk all on our behalf.’”
"My father, advancing
on his knees before the Prince Shon, cried, 'You have shamed me, Your Highness,
with your doubting of my loyalty’, and then he indignantly reviled
Zakhertan Yozdek and swore to live and
die at the Prince's side. Kneeling
beside my father I, also, intoned; 'Your Highness' fate shall be our own.'”
"His eyes filled with
sadness, the Prince Shon bowed his head to thank father and me. When we were all seated once more the prince
said, 'This is proof that Heaven has not forsaken our Royal Family. With your help, Lord Zhon, we may yet stand a
chance. I have well observed how your
court's administration and the relationship between you and your vassals are
all properly regulated. “
“There is no breach of
convention or discipline here, hence your province is prospering, and its
subjects are all loyal and contented.
You can depend on them to give full support to your decision to resist;
however, one province cannot hold its own against an entire country. Therefore, it is my contention that we
urgently seek alliances with other Lords.' “
“Father concurred and
immediately sent several envoys laden with rich gifts to our neighboring
provinces urging them to join with us against a common enemy, but they were all
too cowed to respond when their turn came.
Each shamefully bowed their head and quietly submitted to the new
regime.”
“Lord Shonne Gulbrand
happened to be gravely ill at this time; he was in fact at death’s door. He
suspected later, and told me as much, that his own immediate family taking
matters into their hands had deliberately incapacitated him, to prevent him
from aligning with us and to ensure
their own survival.”
"Left on our own to
defend our principles, with all exits from Toren now blockaded, father summoned
his advisors for a War Council.
According to their recommendations, fortifications around Chenko city
were reinforced, strong archers were placed on the cliffs on either side of the
River Yulan to defend its narrow pass, and Nanku Pass was blocked. Strongly entrenched, we stockpiled supplies
in Chenko, preparing for the long siege.
By the time the Yozdek forces reached Toren, father's generals had
rallied several thousand good fighting men to defend our province along with
the peasant auxiliary.”
"Yozdek's forces
attacked in strength, but our army put up a stiff resistance and drove them
back. Then a greater force was mobilized
in the Capital under the command of Grand Marshal Gustav Erling and was ordered
to destroy us entirely if we resisted. “
(END OF SECTION 13)
……
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