ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (19 page)

Natalia had never thought about the way they had come until she was descending the slope from the gates. She stopped, trying to remember the route. The sky rumbled. The people on the slope gathered their wares and hurried to shelter. She continued walking, glancing around her hoping for something to spark her memory. The wind swept past her, bringing with it dust and a drizzle that promised to get heavier.

A rider came from behind her and blocked her way with his horse.

‘Let me presume you have a good reason for leaving. In my city, disobedience can cost you your head.’ Gisilfried said, with a straight face.

‘My lord, thank you for your concern but let me worry about my head. I have pressing matters at home.’

He got down from his horse. ‘Then let me take you home.’

‘I’m sure you have more urgent things than taking me home in the rain.’

‘No,’ he said with a smile. ‘I live for these moments. Besides, I cannot leave you here while the cloud gates are opened. It would take you a long time to get to the House of Flenos. By then, the floods must have swept you away.’

She sighed, knowing there was no way out of it.
She was lost
. Seeing the resignation on her face, he got on his horse and extended his hand.

‘As my lord pleases.’ she said, taking it and climbing up behind him. She held his waist as he rode off. The roads were almost deserted. He rode through shortcuts and muddy alleys, under the pressure of the ever increasing rain.

‘I’ve never been through these roads.’ she said, looking around. She harbored suspicions about him that she couldn’t shake off.

‘I promise I’m not leading you astray.’

‘How would I know?’

‘Because we’ve reached the house.’ he said, riding out from behind one of the houses on her street. He stopped in front of the gate. She got down and folded her arms to shield herself from the cold.

‘Thank you.’

‘I finally get that response.’ he said, smiling down at her. She smiled back and ran her hands through her wet hair. Her flustered face and dark fluttering eyes looked innocent, yet desirable against the cold wind. It created a heat within him that even the weather could not cool. He wiped his eyes, realizing they were under the rain. She was retreating to the gate. His stare had created an awkward silence.

‘Forgive me.’ he said, getting off his horse. His hair was wet and clung to his face but it didn’t bother him, nor did his wet clothes. ‘I was wondering if you would let me show you the city.’

‘Why?’ she asked, surprise registering on her face.

‘Because you seem not to know your way around. You would learn many things and I would also show you things only few know about?’

She smiled. ‘Why would you show me, a commoner, the city’s secrets?’

‘They aren’t the city’s secrets but mine.’

‘Why would you show me yours?’ He caught a glimpse of the boldness in her voice that she masked so well.

‘Because I want to and I want you to say yes
.
’

‘No, my lord.’

‘Yes.’ he said, moving forward.

‘I cannot.’ she said, moving back.

‘If you don’t enjoy it, you have my word that I would never bother you again.’

She looked up at him. ‘Very well. I accept.’

The wind howled and the rain grew heavier but all Natalia could see was his face. She saw herself in those blue eyes and, in a strange way, she liked it. She felt a squeeze in her chest when he smiled. She had a strong urge to kiss him. She bowed her head. She couldn’t allow herself to think such thoughts.

‘May I see you tomorrow then?’

‘Yes.’ she said, keeping her head bent.

‘Good.’ He mounted his horse. ‘Expect me in the morning. You had better go in now.’

He rode away as she opened the gate and ran into the house.

Natalia smiled, inhaling the damp air, as she sat by the window fiddling with her hair waiting for the sun to rise. She had had a dream that she was carrying a laughing toddler with eyes as blue as the sky and with hair as dark as hers. She knew he was her son. She saw the love in his eyes and felt the connection between them. Her eyes fell on a round red mark on his cheek but they didn’t linger because she felt someone behind her. The person kissed her cheek and held her by the waist, resting his hairy chin on her neck. The warmth that crossed her body told her that it wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. The little boy’s eyes had left hers and turned to the man behind her.

‘Father.’ he had said, reaching for him. She had turned to see who it was but she had woken up. She smiled at just remembering it.
Maybe Anistral was right
. She shouldn’t be afraid of Gisilfried.
Maybe he was the man
, she thought. Her stomach rumbled in anxiety as she chewed at her bottom lip.
She was going to see him today
.

                                                                                    ***

Gisilfried examined his bare chest in the mirror. It was pale and smooth, chiseled like the statue of Dionysius. However, he was more focused on a brown mole the size of a key hole on his abdomen. It was a birthmark that had grown bigger and darker in only a few days. He sighed and put on his clothes. He would tell the physician when he got back. Today was not a day to be worried about such things.

The sun was high up in the sky when he left the castle. He rode through puddles of mud but every turn caused a heightening of his emotions. He had only one face in his mind and he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw her.

He saw her descending the steps of the house in a blue dress partially covered by her grey cloak. Her olive-skinned face glowed, and she smiled at him. He wanted to stop himself from staring but couldn’t imagine looking at anything else.
She looked like she was born to be a queen
. He got down from his horse as she got to the gate.

‘My lord.’ she said, curtseying.

‘You needn’t be so formal with me.’

She smiled. ‘If I’m not, I may forget my manners and say something I ought not.’

He leaned over the gate and whispered in her ears, ‘Then I would rather you forget them.’

She turned her eyes away. ‘I think we best be on our way.’

‘Of course.’ he said, opening the gate for her and getting on his horse. He gave her his hand and helped her climb behind him.

‘So where are you taking me?’ she asked.

He smiled and hit the reins. ‘To a place where dreams come true.’

He rode past the busy streets and out of the city gates.

‘Why are we leaving the city?’

‘Be patient.’ he said and turned left, riding across the plains into the woods.

‘Isn’t it dangerous?’

‘Not when you’re with me. I have traversed these woods many times. These paths are almost a second home.’  He rode up a long slope covered by trees. The trees grew sparse the higher he climbed and were replaced by grass when he reached the top.

‘Here we are.’ he said, stopping at the peak. She got off the horse and moved closer to the cliff as she stared down at the city. Naphdael looked perfect and peaceful, surrounded by vegetation.

‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ he said, descending from the horse and approaching her.

‘Yes,’ she said, lost in the view. ‘yes, it is.’ She turned with a smile on her face. ‘It’s almost as if the city is in a large glass orb--but it looks like it’s breaking at the top. Can you see it?’

He was confused. ‘See what?’

‘You cannot?’ She looked surprised, then she turned away. ‘Forgive me, I must be seeing things.’

He moved closer and stood behind her. ‘Natalia.’ He whispered in her ears. She turned to face him and he stroked her cheek. It felt warm under his touch. She drew away from him. ‘Please, excuse me.’ she said, and moved towards the horse. Gisilfried felt his pride shatter at her rejection.

‘Why do you fear me?’ he asked.

She turned and said, ‘I fear no one. But you are a prince, I only give you the respect you should be shown.’

He drew closer. ‘Respect is not in running away, it is in understanding.’

She scoffed, ‘In understanding you say? What do you understand about me then?’

‘That you flee when I’m close to you and when I touch you, and your eyes hesitate, almost unsure of what to feel--so full of fear, yet not knowing you have nothing to fear. I won’t dishonor you, nor will I take advantage of your position. With you, I am not a prince, I am Gisilfried, a man with feelings, who wants to draw near if you would let me.’ He stood a breath away from her and her eyes had not left his. He could see she was wrestling with her emotions. He took her in his arms so she wouldn’t draw away.

She turned her face away and said, ‘But your family, if they heard--’

‘It’s not for my family to decide.’ He pushed her chin up so she could look at him. ‘I’m not the first son so I can do what I want.’

Natalia sighed and held his hand. ‘Why did you bring me here?’

He stroked her cheek and put an arm around her shoulder as he led her towards the cliff.

‘Legends say Naphdael began as a small rock. Galian spoke to it and a spring broke out, its waters filled the valley becoming a lake. Then Galian blew sand on it and it became land—land that floated upon the water. That was how Naphdael became the City of the Living Spring. It is said the rock is still beneath the city and the water still flows out of it.’

‘What does it have to do with you?’ she said, looking up at him.

He smiled at her and said, ‘Naphdael is a big city, sometimes it’s overwhelming, but from here everything looks so small, like I could hold it with my fingers. From here, I realized anything is possible. If a rock can become a city, then all wishes can come true.’

‘So what is your wish?’

He turned to stare into her face. ‘Mine has come true and she is as I imagined.’ He leaned towards her. ‘Everything is as I imagined.’ She didn’t pull away. Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted, expecting the kiss. He closed his eyes and joined his lips with hers. Her lips were soft and wet, and her mouth was warm--too warm for him to stop. He was wrong--it was kissing her that made everything look small. And from the way she drew close to him, her hands clasp around his neck, her mouth hungry and yielding to his rhythm, he knew she had finally let herself go.

***                                                                                                 

‘Amse,’ Kalani said, holding his hand as they plodded ahead of the others, ‘how could she be falling in love with an enemy?’

Amse cast a weary look down at her as beads of sweat rolled down his face. The day was like a seething cauldron with a vengeful fire in the sky.

‘What would you have done if you were her?’

‘I would keep away from the prince and focus on why I was there.’

‘Even if you both had feelings for each other?’

‘The more reason I would stay away.’

‘Maybe she was meant to fall in love.’

Kalani scoffed, ‘Love! That cannot save her mother from dying.’

‘But it could save the princess.’

She shook her head and said, ‘What about King Meldric? Doesn’t he return?’

‘He returns during that time but let us leave that now--look.’ he said, pointing below them. They stood at the end of a sand hill that slanted downwards. Below them and across a large sand mass was a clump of grey buildings surrounded by a moat.

‘Is that Halldorr?’

‘Yes, we are almost there, but…’

‘But what?’

‘I see no clouds.’ He sighed. ‘We’re almost there all the same. We’ll reach the gates by sun down tomorrow.’

Amse shouted to the people, ‘We’ll be in Halldorr tomorrow.’

There was a stirring like an awakening spirit amongst them.

‘It seems I have strength to continue our story.’ he said, smiling. Kalani smiled back. Seeing him smile gave her strength.

Akasha stood on the steps of the palace with a scowl on his face. Everything seemed to be getting him vexed--the crow that hovered above making ominous noises--the rumbling sky--and the king’s return. He clenched the handle of his staff as he adjusted the weight off his weaker leg. It was hurting but he had to remain where he was until the king arrived. He could hear the noise of trumpets approaching. The palace guards stood still, arranged from the open gate to the palace stairs, just two steps below where he stood.

King Meldric rode through the gates with his men, their bronze helmets gleaming in uniformity. The guards raised their swords in salute. Akasha remained still. Meldric stopped before the palace steps, removed his helmet and climbed down his horse. He gave his helmet to a waiting guard as Akasha stepped down to greet him.

‘Welcome, king. Your presence has been sorely missed.’

‘I would have believed it if your face matched your words, Rahmon.’

‘Forgive my countenance, but your delay saddened me, but I rejoice now that the queen of Vernon has finally released you to us.’

Meldric gave him a hard stare as he took the goblet offered to him by his steward and said, ‘Don’t speak of things you know not of. A band of assassins tried to kill me on our journey here, but I have a seer to thank for my life.’

‘I wish he was here so I could thank him in person.’ said Akasha.

‘You’re in luck.' he said, dropping the now empty goblet on his steward's tray. 'When I asked him what he wanted in return, he told me he wanted to come to Helmford and serve me. He also mentioned his desire to meet with you--that you’re old friends. So he is here with me.’

‘And where is this old friend who saved the king’s life?’

‘Here I am.’ said a bent old man as he stepped out of the horde of soldiers. He wore a loose brown tunic too big for his feeble frame made more evident by the walking stick he leaned on. From the whiteness of his eyes, Akasha could tell he was blind but he walked with a certainty in his step.

Akasha was too shock to move. His heart raced and his legs shook but he gripped his staff tighter and swallowed. The man had a grin on his face. It made Akasha sick to his stomach. He knew the name before Meldric said, ‘Rahmon, this is Rinosius, a confidant to the queen of Vernon.’

‘I thank you for saving the king’s life.’ Akasha said, taking a step down towards him. With a swift but powerful movement, Rinosius pulled Akasha’s robes, bringing his head closer and he whispered, ‘No, we both know it is you that should be thanked for making the king so indebted to me.’

Akasha caught his breath and withdrew from him. ‘King,’ he said to Meldric, ‘let us go in. A feast awaits you.’

‘I have no need for feasts. My daughter is missing, my wife is ill and my people are dying. First, I shall see my wife then we’ll talk in private--the three of us.’

‘As you wish.’ Akasha said as the king bounded up the steps into the castle. He turned back to Rinosius, who still wore a grin.

‘Are you going to keep staring’ the old man asked, ‘or are we going to the king’s court?’

                                                                                       ***                               

King Meldric felt emotion well up in him when he saw her. The queen lay in bed asleep, her hair with streaks of grey were sprawled against silk pillows. Her face was pale, her lips chapped, and her breathing was heavy.

Meldric approached, the heaviness in his heart deepening with every muffled step. He sat on a chair by her bed and held her hand. It was cold. He placed her hand between two of his and kissed it as tears rolled down his face.

‘What have I done to deserve you--I who left you for so long? You don’t deserve this. I should be where you are.’

‘Hush. Don’t say such things.’ she said as she opened her eyes.

‘My love.’ He kissed her forehead.

She smiled. ‘It’s been a long time since you did that. I miss it.’

‘I wish I could take back all those years.’

‘What is that to us now when we have this moment?’ she said, touching his face.

‘What did the physicians say?’

She shook her head. ‘Nothing. Even the temple water did nothing.’

‘Why would it? It cannot even heal the people.’

‘My love, the plague will pass.’

‘I know because I brought someone who’ll make sure it does.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Do not worry your head over such. Tell me instead why Natalia ran away.’

                                                                      ***                                                                                                 

Akasha and Rinosius were alone in the court waiting for him. Rinosius sat on a chair on the dais eating grapes while the Rahmon paced the floor below.

‘You know, pacing won’t hasten the king nor will it lessen your discomfort.’ Rinosius said, sipping from a goblet.

‘How are you still alive? I thought I killed you.’

‘I thought so too but answer me this first. There are two kinds of men in the world; men who have power and men who are only means to get more power. Which of them are you?’

‘They are not different.’

‘Ah, but they are and I suspect you’ve picked the wrong answer. What happened to you? You used to be smarter than this or has immortality dulled your mind? You’re a man losing hold on power. The power you seemed to have stands in the balance.’

‘You know nothing.’

Rinosius laughed. ‘We are one and the same, you and I.’

‘We are nothing alike.’

‘Oh, but we are--angry and bloodthirsty, slaves of Machish. The only freedom from him is death. It’s only a matter of time before he finds someone else to take your place as you did mine.’

‘It seems you’re still angry about that.’

‘Angry?’ Rinosius laughed. ‘I’m delighted. Look at you, destroying lives and complicating your own. He’ll spit you out when he has no use for you. You’re not immortal. He only made you believe you are.’

‘You speak like a fool. Why are you here?’

‘To buy forgiveness of my sins.’

‘There is no forgiveness for you.’

‘Don’t be so certain.’ he said, grinning.

Meldric walked into the room and threw a crumbled parchment at Akasha’s feet.

‘I just received this letter of my daughter’s supposed betrothal to the prince of Turbarnia. What do you know of this?’

‘I know only that the prince brought it here and wanted a wedding date as soon as possible.’

‘As soon as possible, you say? Without
my
presence, is that what you mean?’

‘Yes, king.’

‘And how is it that you did not suspect something?’

‘He had your seal.’

‘My seal! I didn’t sign it and the only person with my seal is you.’

Akasha raised his head and narrowed his eyes as he said, ‘What are you saying?’

‘Akasha, why did my daughter run away?’ Meldric said, holding Akasha’s gaze.

‘I don’t need to answer such questions.’

‘You do, I am your king.’

‘I heard’ he said, ‘she may have gone through the secret door.’

‘Of course, she did, and no one saw her. In a castle heavily guarded no one saw her leave? Where is her lady-in-waiting? Bring her here.’

‘That won’t be possible.’

‘Why?’

‘She ran away yesterday.’

Meldric paced the dais as he said, ‘Why wouldn’t she? Someone with something to hide. The only person who knew I was returning was you, so how come she ran away at just the right time?’

Akasha drew closer to him. ‘Say what you most want to ask.’

‘Where is my daughter, Akasha?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘So the great gods of our land--our sworn protectors--cannot even find the princess?’

‘They are silent on the matter.’

‘Of course they are. When they cannot even heal the queen, how would they be able to do something as simple as that? Rinosius, where is she?’

‘I see she’s in the city of Naphdael, my lord, among a group of weavers.’

Akasha said to Rinosius, ‘You
see
?! You cannot see anything, you’re blind.’

‘No, your gods are blind, not him.’ said Meldric.

‘You dare speak blasphemy against the gods?’

‘They have failed. Tell me, what do the gods say about the sickness consuming my people?’

‘They need time.’

‘Which means nothing.’

‘It is beyond them, my lord.’ Rinosius said.

‘Old bat, nothing is beyond them.’ said Akasha.

Meldric said, ‘You know that if the people who pray to them for help do not get their answer, they’ll rise against them.’

‘The higher god says the only solution will be burning down the temple.’ said Rinosius.

Akasha looked from Rinosius to Meldric. ‘Who is this higher god?’

‘He means Galian.’ Meldric said. ‘Rinosius is his servant. Akasha, I heard everything. Galian brought this upon us and both Machish and Sheroth cannot solve it, so he must be the higher god.’

‘Blasphemy! From the king--’

‘I will not fold my hands and watch my people perish. If the gods we pray to cannot save the people that worship them, if they appear weak, then we must do away with them.’

‘They need time.’

‘They’ve had their time. We’ll turn to the god who will help us. Rinosius will act in my place and tear down the temple.’

‘I act in your place.’ said Akasha.

‘And my people are dying because of it. You are the high priest of Machish. I have no need of you. Tell your petty gods to provide a solution within three days or the temple will be torn down.’

‘But--’

‘Your king has spoken.’ Meldric said, heading for the door.

‘So where would you be if he acts in your place?’ Akasha asked, stopping him.

‘I’ll go to Naphdael to get my daughter while you, Akasha, will remain in the temple till your gods answer or you can pack your things and leave the city.’

‘You cannot do this.’

‘I am king. I do what I want. Do not be here when I return with my daughter.’ he said, leaving the court. Akasha was shaken. He felt the ground swept from under him.

‘The king has spoken.’ Rinosius said, chuckling.

Akasha turned. ‘You—I’ll gladly kill you again.’

‘I hope so.’ Rinosius said as Akasha stormed out of the court.