ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (12 page)

‘I’ve told you before; if we don’t go we all will die including Fanndis. We cannot turn back now.’

‘But why does everyone want her dead?’ she said, sitting beside him and picking up the gourd.

‘Not everyone. It seems you heard what Mara said.’

‘Yes.’ she said, tugging at her coily hair. She had never thought Mara could say such things. It made her feel vulnerable and distrusting of the people around her. She didn’t want to tell Amse that, however. Instead, she said, ‘Kaheem said things to me about Fanndis and my parents.’

‘What did he say?’ Amse said, as he took more of the greenish-brown mixture in the gourd. Kalani sniffed it and jerked her head away.

‘Careful now.’ he said. ‘It may not smell pleasant but it is effective. You can keep it aside. I’ve used enough. It is good you found her in time--so what did Kaheem say?’

She dropped it by her side. ‘He said something about what Fanndis is going to do, that’s why he has to kill her. He also mentioned that I’m more like my mother or something like that.’ She waited for a moment before she said, ‘Amse, who were my parents?’

Amse sighed and said, ‘I wasn’t sure when to tell you. I wanted you to have a normal life, so did your mother. She was…my friend, a powerful woman your mother--’

‘Amse.’ Fanndis said, opening her eyes.

‘Yes, my sunflower.’ He turned to Kalani, ‘We’ll talk about that later, when the time is right but not tonight.’ She nodded. She felt her anxiety building but she knew she couldn’t force him.

She said to Fanndis, ‘How do you feel?’

‘Tired. I saw the man come in. Before I could stop him, he—’

‘Calm down.’ Amse said, soothing her sobs. ‘I’m here--nothing is going to happen to you. Should I take you to your tent?’

‘No, I want to stay here with you.’

‘I’m about to tell Kalani a story.’

‘Are you still telling the same tale?’

‘Yes, it is a long one.’

‘I would rather sleep.’ she said, snuggling close to him.

‘I would rather you did.’ he said, chuckling.

Kalani said, ‘So Natalia died?’

He smiled. ‘I never said she did.’

Natalia opened her eyes, feeling the sun on her face. Dazed by the brightness coming from the window on her right side, she used her hand to shield her eyes. She looked around. She was in a room, on a bed and in clean clothes. She tried to sit up but the pains all over her body prevented her. She groaned.

‘You need to lie down. You’re still recovering.’ said a voice behind her. It was feminine and rich. It spoke of a level of age and breeding, but it was also hoarse and, overall, strong. The woman was used to giving orders. The woman walked around and sat by her bedside. Natalia’s eyes adjusted to the light. The woman had flowing grey hair. She had wrinkles on her face but Natalia couldn’t tell her age. She looked old yet youthful. She was dressed in a grey tunic that did nothing for her green twinkling eyes.

Natalia said, ‘Forgive me but who are you? Where am I? And how did I get here?’

The woman adjusted her pillow. ‘I am Anistral, Princess Natalia, and you are in Naphdael.’

‘How did you know my name?’ Natalia said, trying to lift herself again.

‘You’re stubborn, aren’t you?’ she said, helping her into a sitting position. ‘Your name is no secret in my world.’

‘In Naphdael?’

Anistral rose. ‘All I will tell you now is that my world is in Naphdael and Naphdael is in it.’

Natalia howled in pain. She had tried to place her feet on the floor but she had hit her wounded ankle on the bedpost. Anistral lay her down again.

‘I said you need to rest. It will take a few more days for such a wound to heal.’

‘Such a wound? You mean such a bite. You know the creature, don’t you? The creature that bit me.’

‘It is the chimera. Its bite slowly and painfully kills its victims, but for some reason, it spared your life.’

‘But it bit me.’

‘And licked your wound after. That is the only cure for its venom.’

Natalia rubbed her temples. Her head throbbed and her vision was blurry.

‘How long have I been here?’

‘Two days.’

‘Two days?! How did you find me? Where’s my bag?’

‘You ask many questions. I’ll answer all when you are rested. At the moment, you must concern yourself with regaining your strength. You’re safe and so is your leather bag.’ she said with a smile as she covered Natalia with a blanket.

It was four days since her arrival. Natalia sat on the chair by the window as she looked outside. The window gave her a full view of the court yard below. She had never seen a place more filled with plants without flowers.
Even forests had flowers
, she thought. The grasses grew wild and the place was filled with stunted trees and creeping plants that crawled up and around the walls. Everything below was green except the seven stone seats in the middle arranged in a circle. No plant grew there. The space in the circle was covered with stone and it extended to the pathway that led into the building.

There was a knock on the door. Anistral came in followed by a plump woman in a grey tunic.

‘As expected, you’re awake.’ she said, while the other woman changed the sheets.

Natalia turned her gaze back to the court yard and said, ‘Sleep has never been a friend. It makes me fear for the future and for my parents.’

Anistral moved towards her and looked outside the window. ‘I’m sure they fear more for you. You took great risks to come here. If the king of Naphdael found you, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.’

‘I fear it’s the same amongst my people. My father can go through great lengths to make treaties yet he would still despise Naphdael because of what happened in the past.’

‘What did he say happened?’ Anistral asked, turning to look at her.

‘He said that my great-grandfather, King Meldric the first, was a great ruler who united all the kingdoms in Calderon under the Council of Kings. However, one night, after a meeting, King Lainan of Naphdael went into his tent and beheaded him. When Lainan’s bloody dagger and robes were discovered, my grandfather, King Mesianus, declared war on Naphdael. The king of Arngeirr became the Head of the Council but the union was already divided.’

Anistral smiled. ‘You know your history well. Come, let me show you around.’ Anistral helped her to her feet. Natalia held unto her as they walked out of the room, leaving the woman within, and ambled down the hallway. The bite had healed but her legs were shaky. The corridor was wide and airy due to the large open windows. Sunlight streamed in with the music of the trees and birds creating a warm ambience in an otherwise plain stone corridor.

‘We are respectable weavers.’ Anistral said, showing her a room filled with over fifteen women behind looms weaving cloth. In the hallway, girls greeted Anistral as they passed, throwing curious looks at Natalia.

‘Do they know who I am?’ she asked, glancing back at them.

‘No, only a select few that I trust. The others think you’re just a weaver girl who caught the mistress’ fancy.’ Anistral said, helping her down a flight of stairs.

‘But it’s still dangerous for you, being from this kingdom--’

‘I’m not from this kingdom.’

‘Then where are you from?’

Anistral stopped at a door and said, ‘I am a wanderer just like you.’

‘What do you mean? Did you run away from your home as well?’ Anistral opened a door by the left, which led them to the courtyard.

‘I rather see it as leaving.’ Anistral replied. ‘I was searching for something but I wasn’t sure what it was.’

‘Then why would you leave if you weren’t sure?’

Anistral smiled. ‘Maybe it’s the same reason why you ran away. You had more questions than answers.’

There was something about being in the court yard that Natalia hadn’t felt when she sat by her window. She felt free. The smell of the plants made her nostalgic of times when things were simple. The coolness of the air warmed her spirits but it also brought haunting memories with it.

‘Anistral.’ she said, sitting on one of the stone chairs in the middle of the enclosure.

‘Yes?’ Anistral sat beside her.

‘The creature that bit me.’

‘The chimera.’

‘Yes. It was one of the most frightening creatures I had ever seen, yet it had the most unusual eyes.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Its eyes were almost--if not--human. It looked…sad.’

Anistral sighed and patted her hands. ‘Legend has it that there was once a man who fell in love with a maiden, but she also loved another and was tricked by the devil to run away from home and find him. The man chased after her and he made a bargain with the devil that if he chose to be the chimera for two years and work for him, the girl will return with him, but he mustn’t kill anyone during that period of time. He agreed, unaware of how strong the nature of the chimera was. The devil sent men after him to kill him but he killed one of them. Now, he will carry the curse till his death.’

Natalia fondled her talisman. ‘How come when he saw my talisman he spared my life?’

‘The talisman had a past before it got to you. I’m sure it has lots of stories to tell if you would only listen.’

Anistral stood up to leave.

‘How did you know who I am? You know so much about me yet I’ve told you nothing.’ Natalia said.

She grinned and said, ‘Your talisman said it all.’

‘What do you mean? You didn’t answer my question.’

‘I did though I’m not yet obligated to. All you need to know is that you’re safe. If you would excuse me, I must find out how our meal is getting on. Think about what I said, you will find your answer.’

Anistral walked towards the door.

‘Anistral,’ Natalia said, ‘There was another creature in the forest. It spoke to me in a song and tried to put me to sleep. Was it also the chimera?’

Anistral didn’t turn around. ‘No, my dear,’ she said, ‘unlike Helmford that fears what is within, Naphdael fears both what is beyond and beneath its walls, some of which should not be named.’ She walked back into the house.

That night, there was a banquet in the royal castle of Naphdael and the hall was in a hubbub, with lords, generals and their women drinking goblets of wine, eating and making merry, unaware of the reason for the celebration. The answer came in the arrival of King Garmar and his company. King Lethman rose from his throne to welcome him and so did everyone in the hall.

‘Great Garmar of Neyron,’ he hailed, ‘I thought you would never come.’ They embraced.

‘Nonsense, cousin. Haven’t my enemies told you that I always keep my word?’ Garmar said, holding him.

‘So should I fear your visit then?’

‘Not you, your son. He’s the one marrying my granddaughter.’ Laughter erupted in the hall.

Lethman’s wife, Queen Priscine, stepped forward to greet him and so did his sons, Prince Gyron and Prince Gisilfried. Both men were tall with long chestnut-colored hair and blue eyes, but Gyron was of a larger frame than his younger brother. He looked more like a fighter than a prince. King Garmar held him before he retreated.

‘Gyron,’ said the old king, ‘I’ve heard stories of your prowess in battle. It pleases me but I hope you can please my granddaughter as well.’

‘I’ll do my best.’ he said with a straight face.

‘You had better, or your skill won’t stand against me.’ He then added on a lighter note, ‘When will the wedding hold?’

‘A month at least, my lord.’

‘You have a fortnight.’ Garmar’s face was hard but Gyron didn’t flinch.

‘Garmar, come sit by me and stop trying to scare my son.’ said Lethman. ‘Let us see his betrothed.’

Garmar laughed, deepening the wrinkles on his face. ‘I fear my tactics do not work on him.’ He let go of Gyron, who quickly put some distance between them.

Garmar said, ‘I present to you, my granddaughter, Princess Seraphin.’ His guards cleared the way for her to pass. She was an image of loveliness, dressed in sparkling blue that matched her eyes and a beautiful gold pendant that hung against her fair skin. Her hair was scarlet red and it draped over her shoulders, embellished with gold beadings like a tapestry. Everyone in the court paused to take in her beauty. She smiled and curtsied.

‘My lord, it’s an honor to be here.’ she said, her velvety voice audible across the room.

King Lethman was pleased. ‘The honor is ours. Don’t mind my son. He’s speechless at your beauty. Gyron, do you have anything to say?’

Gyron studied her as he moved around her. He said, ‘I admit she has the face of a princess, but I must follow the traditions of my fathers. Seraphin, can you dance?’

Garmar laughed, taking a seat beside Lethman. He said, ‘I know of no one that could rival her.’

‘Forgive me, great king, but it’s said that the heart trumps judgment even amongst the best of us, so I must judge for myself.’ Gyron said, staring into her eyes. Seraphin kept her head raised, unwilling to be stared down.

With a snap of his fingers, the middle of the hall was cleared and the musicians took their positions. Seraphin went to the middle of the space cleared for her. She began with passion and danced with emotion in every movement, her body moving in rhythm to the music.

Gyron went to the most crowded area of the hall and leaned on a pillar as he watched the maid who was serving the wine. She had seen him but ignored him.

‘Emelie.’ he said.

She stopped to watch the princess dance.

‘She’s beautiful, isn’t she?’

‘If that’s your conclusion.’ he said, glancing at the dancer.

She turned to him. ‘But I heard you say it.’

‘I said she had the face of a princess, that’s different.’

Emelie shrugged and said, ‘But she’s a beautiful dancer.’

‘There’s no denying that.’

‘Then marry her. You have my support.’ She picked up the empty jars and turned to leave but he blocked her way.

‘I don’t want your support--I want you.’

‘Then make your decision fast. You know I’m not the only one in this.’ she said and walked past him. The people around were either too drunk or focused on the dance to notice what had happened.

Seraphin finished and she received a thunderous cheer. Gyron returned to where he had stood.

‘I told you she has no rival.’ said Garmar, taking a swig from a goblet.

‘Is that good enough for you?’ she said to Gyron.

‘It’s fair enough for a princess.’

‘My lord, blood!’ one of the men cried out, pointing at the statue of a gargoyle in the middle of the court. It had been a water fountain but now blood poured from its mouth.

There was a stir in the hall. ‘Silence in the court.’ Lethman said, rising.

‘It’s the curse, my lord.’ said one of the generals. He pulled out his sword and struck the statue. There was a cracking sound coming from its feet. The statue cracked opened and a black gargoyle came alive, grabbing the general by the neck and swinging him to the wall close to the entrance. His head was smashed in, his blood and parts of his brain splashed on the walls and on the people close by.

There was confusion in the hall. Soldiers pulled out their swords. Five soldiers surrounded it. It swung around and, with a paw, sent all of them flying.

‘Stand your ground.’ Gyron said to the soldiers.

The gargoyle turned towards the throne with a gruesome smile and said, ‘The time is at hand.’

It looked at Seraphin and charged at her. Gisilfried drew her away and she fell on him. Gyron threw his sword into its open mouth. It pierced to other side.  The creature fell dead. Relief flooded through the crowd.

‘Cut off its head.’ Lethman said. A soldier obeyed and the creature’s head went off. Steam oozed out of its dismembered body, blood gushing out. Everyone was too shocked to applaud.

‘Does this happen normally in your parts or is it just because we’re here?’ King Garmar asked, his hands trembling. He had poured his wine on himself during the incident.

‘An enemy has crossed our borders.’ Lethman said, staring into space...

Seraphin didn’t know if the chills she felt were because of the gargoyle or that she had laid on Prince Gisilfried. It had only been a few moments but she knew she wouldn’t forget it. Later that night, she was shown to her chambers.

‘You’ve had quite a day, my lady.’ said her nurse, as she helped her undress.

‘Tell me, Prasima, did I dance beautifully?’ she said, as she ran her hands down her hair.

‘Of course, my lady.’

‘Did it impress the prince?’ she said. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

‘Prince Gyron obviously couldn’t--’

‘I mean Prince Gisilfried.’

Prasima stopped working. ‘Prince Gisilfried? But you’re about to be married to his brother.’

‘Please don’t remind me of him. He repulses me, but his brother, on the other hand--’

‘Your grandfather won’t be pleased.’

‘I don’t care. I think what I want.’ Her nurse resumed her work without speaking.

‘And I know what I want.’ Seraphin said with finality.