ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (13 page)

King Lethman stood in the empty court. It was late but he couldn’t sleep. The bodies of the dead men and the gargoyle had been taken away and the court had been cleaned but the round platform the gargoyle had stood remained. On it were gold inscriptions that glimmered in the dark hall. Lethman read them aloud, ‘When one rises, so shall all.’

The last word he uttered caused a tremor in the court. There were three statues of the past kings by the walls and out of the statues came white translucent ghost-like semblances of the kings. They glided around Lethman who kept his eyes on the inscription. One of the ghosts said, ‘Lethman, the prophecies of the goddess are coming to pass. The spirits will all soon rise. There is a restlessness beneath.’

‘Why is this happening?’

‘An enemy has come in with a jewel of the goddess Ida. The spirits can sense its presence. On the Day of Remembrance, it will be released, and all will be lost. It will only be a matter of time before the goddess rises.’

‘No. I will not let it happen.’

‘Then find the enemy and destroy the jewel. If it is released, all of nature will work in its favor.’

‘How can I find the enemy?’

‘You know the answer.’

‘No! You want me to send my men to the devil herself.’ he shouted. They disappeared as the door burst open.

‘Father, we heard your voice.’ said Gyron, walking in with his brother and a general. A guard came in with a burning torch that gave light to the hall.

‘It’s nothing.’ Lethman said, turning to face them.

‘Sire, you sent for me.’ said the general. He was a well-built man with greying hair, about the same age with the king.

‘Yes. Tharstin, did you find anything at the borders?’

‘No, but there is a sentinel who has knowledge you might find useful.’

‘Bring him in.’

The general signaled to a guard at the door and a man was shown in. He was blind in one eye with burns all over his face and part of his head just above his temple was bald. He bowed before the king and said, ‘Viden, my lord, at your service.’

‘You said you have something for me.’

‘Yes, my lord. I met a maiden in the forest journeying to Naphdael whom I suspect is a spy. She dropped this sword.’ he said, giving the blade to the king. ‘It’s a blade from
Helmford
.’

‘I’m aware of where it’s from.’ said Lethman as he examined the crest on the handle. It was a golden image of a bull. He ran his fingers over it.

‘Where is she now?’ he asked, his eyes still on it.

‘I don’t know, my lord. We were attacked by the chimera.’

‘Strange.’ he said. ‘The chimera has never come so close to our borders.’

‘Sire, it may have something to do with the girl.’ said Tharstin.

Lethman tossed the sword to the general. He caught it.

‘Tharstin, at first light, take some men with you and go to the witch of Wisgurn. Give her that sword. Gyron and Gisilfried, you shall man the gates with the soldiers. Be watchful for spies and enemies. We cannot afford to take any chances. We have only 16 days before the jewel of Ida is released. We must find the enemy.’ He turned to leave.

‘Father, let me go with the general.’ said Gisilfried.

‘No, it’s too dangerous.’

‘For how long will you protect me? If you say I must prove my worth then let me.’

‘I said no and it’s final.’

‘Sire,’ said Tharstin, coming forward, ‘it would be good if he went for experience. I swear on my life to protect him.’

Lethman pulled Tharstin close. ‘Do not let her near him or she would poison his mind.’

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Then you shall go.’ he said to Gisilfried. ‘But be careful, the witch is cunning. Do not let her deceive you.’ He dismissed them.

Gyron patted his brother on the back when they left the court. ‘Finally, you shall have your own adventure to share with me. Make it filled with fighting, blood and triumph.’

Gisilfried laughed, ‘and honor.’

‘Of course, honor comes first but make me wish I went with you.’

‘Ha! When you have a beautiful bride to occupy your time.’

‘Believe me, brother, I prefer the seriousness of battle to the frivolities of beautiful women. They may enchant you with their looks but when you have them you realize they’re only shiny trinkets in your hands. They know nothing of the world, but they think they are everything. I have no use for them.’

‘Yet you’re marrying one.’

‘I fear so.’ Gyron sighed, then added on a lighter note, ‘You have a long journey ahead of you. You must get some sleep. Good night, brother.’ He hit Gisilfried on the shoulder and left.

‘Be careful with your brother’s advice,’ Tharstin said from behind him, ‘he never takes them.’

Gisilfried smiled. ‘I’m aware of that.’

‘Good. You’re a wise man. Your brother talks of the valor and glories of war, but he has only seen battles. In a war, it is not the strength of numbers or blades but in the strength of hearts that men prevail.’ he said and walked away, leaving Gisilfried in deep thought.

Natalia braided her hair while examining her reflection in the mirror. She was learning to do things on her own. Her hair looked like an untidy mass, with curls and frizz sticking out everywhere. She sighed and picked up the parchment on her dressing table. It troubled her that she couldn’t understand it. An idea sparked in her mind and she smiled. With the parchment in hand, she left her room. Since the small walk of the day before, she felt renewed strength in her legs. She walked down the deserted hallway. It was still too early for the weavers to arrive. She turned a corner and followed the corridor leading to Anistral’s chambers. The door was ajar. She could hear Anistral and one of her assistants talking.

‘Anistral, you’re risking our lives for her. It’s not our part to get involved.’

‘Ziati, maybe that’s the reason why our race is dying and things are happening the way they ought not.’

‘It’s not for us to decide.’ said Ziati.

‘I think it is. That’s the reason why we’ve been given foresight.’

‘You’re abusing your position and you will destroy all you interfere with, just the same way you destroyed that family several years ago when you switched those babies.’

‘That’s enough, Ziati.’

‘But we both know the repercussions of interfering with destiny, we have seen it firsthand. My sister is now suffering because of it, because of you--’

‘Enough!’

Natalia’s mind was racing. She couldn’t make sense of what she had heard. She knocked on the door.

‘Come in.’ Anistral said.

She opened it wide. The room was spacious and well-lit. Anistral was dressed and seated on a chair by her bedside while Ziati stood composed, though unsmiling at the intrusion. Natalia had seen her face thrice before. She had a stern face that seemed impossible to break with a smile and it was always pointed upwards as though the air was too foul for her nostrils.

‘Forgive my intrusion but I need to talk to you.’ Natalia said, turning her attention to Anistral.

‘Of course. Ziati, you may take your leave.’

Ziati nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

‘What is it?’

‘Please, can you read this?’ Natalia gave her the parchment.

Anistral narrowed her eyes as she examined it. ‘Where did you get this?’

‘A friend gave it to me. Please, what does it say?’

‘It’s written in Gudlief. It’s the title of a poem called ‘‘The Sowing’’.’ She handed the parchment back to Natalia.

‘Thank you. Do you know the poem?’

‘I’m afraid not. But you may find it in the library—however, it’s in the palace.’

Natalia sighed. ‘So what can I do?’

Anistral smiled, stretching the wrinkles around her mouth. ‘You can accompany Merith to get supplies today.’

Merith was the most talkative person she had ever met. Natalia liked her company because they were the same age and all she needed to do was listen and respond in affirmation. They had met three days before when Merith came to clean her room. She had ended up talking for hours with no encouragement from Natalia. As she left, she had called Natalia agreeable and made it her sworn duty to visit her every day.

It was a market day. The streets were swamped with people moving to and fro, some with wagons and many on foot. In the stalls were pork hanging from stalls, water cresses, potatoes and mushrooms in wooden stacks. In an occasional stall was barley and the stall was usually surrounded by buyers. Voices were swallowed up in the commotion, however, Merith managed to make herself heard. To prevent losing each other in the crowd, they held hands as they made their way through the swarm while Merith talked about how she was born into poverty and was taken in by the mistress and learned to weave. She seemed proud of the sufferings she had endured like they were a legacy she had to protect.

Natalia listened to only portions of her monologue while she thought on what she had overheard in Anistral’s room. It troubled her that there were dark secrets amongst the people that sheltered her, people she was coming to trust. She knew she was linked in that conversation. She could feel it. Her heart was resolute on finding the answers. She turned her attention back to the city. She now understood why Naphdael was called the wet city. She had stayed only a short while, yet she had noticed that no matter the change of weather rain remained constant. It made the place gloomy and its walls and buildings were dull and covered with brownish-green molds from being frequently wet. It smelt the same way it looked, like damp clothes smeared with fish oil. It didn’t remind her of Helmford yet she felt a twinge of homesickness well up in her intermingled with fear. She felt uncomfortable walking around exposed in enemy territory. She drew her hood over her head. Merith didn’t seem to notice.

‘Do you know how much I paid? Fifteen Zira! To buy only bread. Those were all my wages from three days’ work—ignore them. That’s what they do, putting food in your face yet they charge so outrageously—as I was saying—Thief! Stop that man!’

In front of them, a young man had snatched a bent old woman’s bag and dashed away, knocking down people and merchandise. The old woman cried, ‘Help. Please. Thief.’

Natalia chased after him. He ran through busy market aisles, trying to shake her off but she was fast. Anger had strengthened her limbs.

‘Stop! Thief!’ she said. People tried to stop him but he was floored them before they could hold him down.

He followed a deserted road and stopped in a lonely alley, away from the bustle of the market. She stopped a few feet away from him.

‘Give me the bag and all will be forgotten.’ she said.

‘I don’t think that would be necessary, love.’ said someone behind her. She heard the footsteps of two men approaching. She scanned her environment for a weapon and saw long wooden poles resting on the wall. She grabbed one, backed the wall and held up the pole as the three men approached her. They were dingy-looking men with callous faces.

She brandished the pole at them. ‘Stay back or else--’

‘Or else what?’ said one of them, snickering. He was the closest one to her. With the pole, she hit him hard on the head and used her leg to hit him in the face. He groaned and toppled to the floor.

‘Or else that.’ she said. ‘Who else?’

The two remaining men looked at each other in amazement and drew out their swords. Natalia took a deep breath. They attacked her. She struck one in the stomach and fought with the second. Their swords chopped off the ends of her pole. The third man was waking up. She looked around for an extra weapon as she fought. The man groaned and unsteadily rose to his feet, drawing his sword. His face was twisted in rage.

‘You’re dead now, lass.’ he said. ‘You shouldn’t have interfered.’

‘Neither should you.’ said a good-looking stranger in armor. The man charged at him with his sword but the stranger dodged his attack and kicked him to the wall. He hit his head hard and went back to sleep.

                                                                      ***

General Tharstin led Gisilfried and twenty soldiers through the market to the city gates. A soldier rode in front of them, clearing the way for the others to pass.

‘My lord.’ Gisilfried heard someone call. He looked down to see a young girl fighting her way through the crowd to reach him.

‘Leave the prince alone.’ someone shouted in the crowd.

‘My lord.’ she persisted, finally reaching him. He stopped.

‘We need to keep moving.’ said Tharstin.

‘Let me hear her out first.’ He turned to the girl, ‘What is it?’

‘My lord, I and my friend were in the market and a thief stole from an old woman before our eyes. My friend ran to catch him but she’s been surrounded by cruel men who may kill her and no one wants to help.’

‘Lead me to where they are.’ he said.

‘My lord, we have more pressing matters.’ said Tharstin.

‘Matters more important than our people? I thought you would be accompanying me, General.’

‘Some of the men can go with you. Meet me at the gate.’ Tharstin rode off with fifteen men, leaving five with Gisilfried.

‘Show me the way, hurry.’ he said to the girl. She ran through the crowd, leading him and his men.

‘It’s not far from here.’ she said and led them to the alley. He paused when he saw a dark-haired beauty fighting two men with a short pole. A third man lay on the floor. Gisilfried got off his horse. The third man rose but the prince took care of him. The other two men saw they were outnumbered and they ran the opposite direction. The maiden threw her pole in between one of the men’s feet. He fell and dragged the other one down with him. Gisilfried gazed at her in amazement. Moments later, the men were bound and handed over to the guards. A small crowd had gathered and they threw vegetables at them as they were taken away.

Gisilfried watched as the beauty gave the bag to an old woman, who was filled with gratitude and hugged her. She looked surprised by the reaction and she laughed.

‘No, thank him for helping me. Without him, I would still be fighting three men with a pole.’ she said, referring to him.

‘Or you would be dead.’ said Gisilfried.

‘That’s highly unlikely.’ she said.

Before he could reply, the old woman took his hands and kissed it.

‘My lord, I’m grateful.’

He smiled. ‘It is my duty to help those in distress, even if they won’t admit it.’ He threw a glance at the young lady. She scowled at him and said, ‘I wasn’t in distress. I could have overcome them even without your help.’

‘So says the maiden who fought with a pole.’

‘The same pole that helped your men catch the other two.’ she said, moving towards him, her head raised in defiance. He chuckled. He had never had a woman stand up to him before, much less a commoner. Yet there was a glint in her eyes that thrilled him.

‘My lord, great prince, thank you for helping my friend.’ said the maiden who had called for him. The dark maiden’s eyes widened and lost their glint. She stepped back and lowered her eyes.

‘Merith, I think we must take our leave.’ she said, adjusting her cloak. He noticed a long strip of blood on her arm.

‘You’re wounded. You need to get home. I would gladly take you.’

‘No, thank you. I can get home without assistance.’

One of his men whispered to him, ‘My lord, we are expected at the gate. We’ve done our part here.’

Gisilfried said, ‘You and the others can go on without me. I’ll ride hard to meet you. Bring me my horse. ’

‘M--my lord, please do not trouble yourself.’ she said.

‘You’re no trouble at all.’

She turned to her friend, ‘Merith, please tell him that he doesn’t need to.’

‘Natalia, it might be serious. The mistress won’t like it if you don’t come home at once. I’ll manage the supplies.’

Natalia
, he thought with a smile,
so that was her name
. The soldier brought the horse and he got on it. He extended his hand to her. She hesitated.

‘You have nothing to fear.’ he said. She took his hand and climbed behind him.

‘Where do you live?’ he asked.

Merith replied, ‘The House of Flenos.’

‘Ah, the house of the weavers. I know the place.’ he said and hit the reins, riding off. He maneuvered his way through the crowded roads but still managed to keep a fast pace. She held his waist to prevent herself from falling. He felt a strange excitement at the warmth of her arms around him. Many ladies had ridden with him but it hadn’t felt the same. He wondered what she was thinking while she sat behind him.

‘So where did you learn to fight?’ he asked.

‘My brother taught me.’ she replied. He noticed that the pitch of her voice had dropped.

‘If he’s as good as you,’ he said, ‘you could tell him to join our army.’

‘He’s dead.’

‘Oh, forgive me.’ He bit hard at his bottom lip. He felt like kicking himself for asking. He changed the conversation.

‘Natalia is a beautiful name.’

‘Thank you, but I do not know yours.’

Gisilfried almost hit a wagon. ‘Really? Now, this is surprising.’ He added, ‘Are you a stranger in these parts?’

She hesitated and said, ‘No, but I grew up in one of the nearby villages.’

He was quiet for some time and said, ‘I’m gravely mistaken then. You have the bearings of a lady who has lived in the capital. Where did you grow up?’

‘In Ashten.’

‘I’ve been there many times.’

‘We’ve reached the house.’ she said.

The house was a stone fortress surrounded by tall trees. It was the last house on the street, the other houses were smaller in size with thatched roofs and smoking chimneys. The street was peaceful with only one or two passersby. Gisilfried stopped in front of the house and she dismounted.

‘Thank you.’ she said, curtseying. ‘I must go in now.’ She turned to leave.

‘Wait.’ he said, getting down from his horse. She turned around, her brow raised.

‘Is there a problem?’

‘I--I haven’t told you my name.’ he said, faltering as he opened his mouth. The voice was different from his own.

She blinked in surprise and said, ‘Forgive me, I should have asked but I felt it unacceptable to ask such from a prince.’

‘True, but I wouldn’t want a subject seeing me in such lofty heights. It’s in your place to ask.’ he said, moving towards her, his hands clasped together in front of him. He stood close--too close. She moved back, fidgeting with her cloak.

‘Subject, my lord?’ she said. ‘I hope it’s also in my place to ask if I may go in now.’

‘Wait.’ He held her arm. She looked at his hand then at him. They gazed at each other for a moment and all he could see were her eyes. Beyond their darkness was a depth that he let himself drown in. She looked down and pulled her arm from his hold.

‘Forgive me.’ he said. ‘What I wanted to ask is if I could come here and see you again.’

‘I thought you wanted to tell me your name.’ she said, pulling at her fingers, making an effort to avoid his gaze.

‘Yes, that and the other one. So what will your answer be?’

‘What is your name?’ She asked, looking up at him with a smile that lit up her eyes. He smiled back, relishing the idea that her smile was for him.

‘I’m Gisilfried, the second son of King Lethman of Naphdael. I’ve answered your question, so what is your answer to mine?’

‘I shall be leaving for Ashten tomorrow morning.’ She said, ‘I don’t think it would be possible.’

‘I’ll come and visit you then. I know the founding families there. Do you belong to any of them?’

He thought he saw a look of confusion pass across her face but she replaced it with a smile. ‘No, but you’ll be highly welcomed. I must go in.’

‘Of course.’ he said, smiling. She curtsied, turned around and let herself through the dwarfed gate and climbed the steps leading to the house. She looked back at him, smiled and entered the house.

He stood rooted to the spot gazing at the closed door, secretly hoping she would come out again. His mind returned to the quest. He mounted his horse, threw one last look at the house and rode off.