11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 17

After so many hours of tending the Dark Eunuch’s extensive wounds (lesions), Royal surgeon Mosek stepped back and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Egil Viggoaries was then offered two or three excellent pain-numbing concoctions but despite the throbbing pain in his arm, he refused to ingest any potion and perfunctorily dismissed the Surgeon.

 

01- ROYAL SURGEON MOSEK

The Dark Eunuch thence left alone in the room, he stayed seated there for a while longer evaluating (assessing) his two provocative future machinations; finally, his thoughts reverting to Stuart Chutek, his mind pithily deliberated on the astute (shrewd) course of assertion (command, charge, contention):

His men had already been positioned in the very Inn Chutek was staying, awaiting his orders to apprehend him; before the Stewart Chutek crossed to the Chukset Province, to seek out Tonzeye Yevgun.  In a short while, when the moment was apt, Chutek would be lawfully indicted and convicted for the impending (imminent) murder of Worren Youkup based on that sheer evidence alone. Furthermore, with the established motive, Chutek could easily be portrayed as an ambitious servant who had deliberately and unconscionably seduced and coerced his senile, old master into declaring him as the sole beneficiary; then, before Worren had a change of heart, Chutek cold-heartedly had arranged to have him (the Royal Tutor) killed during Chutek’s absence from Channing, on a supposed errand no less.  Portrayed (depicted) as an insidious, scheming, malicious servant, Chutek could then be subjected the extreme penalty of the law; albeit he survived the preliminary inquisition, he could still be made to suffer the brutal indignities, before his slowest, most tortuous end.

But where was the challenge in that? Egil Viggoaries scoffed and shifted in his seat. Even without all that, any amount of incriminating evidence could easily have been amassed, since the old Tutor had shown such extreme favoritism to the strikingly handsome Chutek, incurring jealous animosities from all the other servants, one in particular…The one named, Lorenzo.

Egil Viggoaries turned his thoughts instead, to Enqui Rimeng's flask which presented far more intriguing possibilities. This flagon (evidential instrument of death) could be utilized to net the bigger prize, in addition to the accursed Herleif! But then, why would he cook the golden goose, or would it be more prudent to call her a pheasant; besides which, she may soon be infinitely more valuable as the Dowager Mother of the future Sovereign.

Egil Viggoaries sporting a wry grin, rose from his chair and walked to the window; as he absently stared out, suddenly, unexpectedly, he was reminded of Samnuk.

Dark Eunuch Egil, grimaced thinking of the time he had tricked the mixed gender rock sprit entity Samnuk, who had just escaped being imprisoned in that protective water crystal amulet which Dwengzur had always worn around his neck. Samnuk had impersonated his master Dwengzur, but Egil quickly wizened to this deception, had instead duped Samnuk into revealing one of his secrets. This was an especially useful tool (device, information), indeed, gaining the ability to shapeshift and assume any form or person; unfortunately, his (Egil) being a mere mortal, if he utilized this spell, there would be a grave consequence to him. Egil had been seriously warned about this, by non other than Dwengzur, before his eventual disappearance with then captive, mischief-maker, Samnuk.

02 SAMNUK 1B

“Oh well,” Egil Viggoaries shrugged; knowing there would be an apt future time, when the advantages would far outweigh the vile disadvantage, for its use.

Dark Eunuch’s thoughts once more reverting to Sejon and then to Magnian, he now indulged his mind in that future fantasy, where which Zakhertan Yozdek and Sejon would be long dead and, he would be the Regent Guardian to Magnian. A necessary short step to being the omnipotent emperor. Emperor Egil… Egil the Merciless! He did like the sound of that! The Dark Eunuch threw his head back and gave a hearty guffaw. A brief time later, sinister grin gone, Egil abruptly turned about face and went out the room; dismissing the respectful bows of his guards at the door, he walked briskly down the hall. Of course, his personal security had at once sheathed their swords and fell into step behind him. The Dark Eunuch walked quickly with long strides to keep his appointment, albeit a little late, with the Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund. Egil knew that the meeting was of a serious official matter, though it had rapidly been dwarfed in importance by these more recent developments.  

“When I see him,” Egil Viggoaries mused with wry smile on his lips, “I must at least make a point of thanking Qarzten Caimund for his recommendation of me to this case. The man has unwittingly done me a great service!” He threw his head back and laughed once more as he continued to advance without so much as breaking stride.

   

                                                                        ~   

   

That evening, when Egil Viggoaries received the expected word that Royal Tutor Worren Youkup was at death’s door after having suffered a damaging heart-attack, he quickly set aside all other business to pay the customary courtesy call on Worren, hoping to catch him still among the living and to whisper to him his spiteful news. As it were, the Dark Eunuch’s ingrained rancour (grudge) for the sanctimonious Worren Youkup and the Prince Herleif had been everlasting because, Egil Viggoaries’s childhood years had been glumly marred as the study companion of Prince Herleif. Young Egil had undergone nefarious castigations and ignoble humiliations whenever the unruly, wily Herleif had broken the rules. At each instance, Worren Youkup (heartlessly) indifferently turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the truth had compulsorily mated out harshest penalties on the unpopular Egil Viggoaries. Eventually young Egil had learned to fight back and once fended for himself in such a way as to make Worren’s and Prince Herleif's life, for a time being at least, an absolute Hell. Zakhertan Yozdek at the time was still waging his border wars and was frequently absent from Channing for extended periods; Herleif’s vindictiveness going unchecked hence, it was not long before Viggoaries was maligned and permanently replaced as the study companion, with a more malleable stooge. The ostracized Egil’s life from then on, had taken on a new, nightmarish turn.  

                                                                      … 

At present entering the private compound of the palace staff, Egil Viggoaries continued to make his way, in the same bold strides, towards the tutor's sleeping quarters. Coming to within an earshot of the old man's deathbed, he heard the attending physicians pontificating over Worren’s ailment and them arriving at the unanimous decision that he was at present beyond saving.

"We've done all that is humanly possible to stem the course of damage but alas, his sight and speech faculties (ability) are slightly (to some extent) impaired.” Kundo Rotek said with a tired, mournful resignation. Everyone knew he was in fact quite fond of the Royal Tutor.

“At least you’d in time mercifully administered the dose to ease his terrible pain, but I dare say, bit more excessively." His colleague (assistant) pensively griped.  

 "There is nothing further to be done." Three of the senior Royal Physicians, farcically, exasperatedly shaking their heads unanimously at this point sounded their firm estimation.   

"May Gods be merciful!" A young Royal Physician just then acerbically added, eyeing Egil Viggoaries’s entrance into the room.   

"And may his passing into the spirit world, be without fret." Another one called Polnar, hastily rushed in to say, same time gave his co-worker an apprehensively admonishing look that seemed to say: “Xamis Urmond you fool, you will pay dearly for this later! You have enjoyed the favor of His Highness Zakhertan Yozdek and basked in the rarely bestowed honors and privileges your youthful brilliance has earned you up till now, but nothing lasts forever, and no one is indispensable!” Polnar had rushed forward meanwhile, along with the others, to respectfully greet Egil Viggoaries.   

Polnar’s subsequent profuse apologies and amiable words, on behalf of his headstrong friend Xamis, had unfortunately was ignored (fell on deft ears), for Egil Viggoaries had already made up his mind to take care of this impertinent and upstart Royal Physician, permanently (for good).

03- EGIL VIGGORIES 1- JP

Outwardly, however, Egil seemed to be appeased; showing a particular concern for the Royal Tutor's increasingly deteriorating condition, he suggested (ordered) he be allowed a few solitary moments with his old teacher to convey his farewells.  

The Chief Royal Physician, Kundo Rotek, readily assenting, cleared the room at once of all persons; then he too, quickly exited the room. Then again, all were extremely glad of the opportunity to spread as much distance as possible between them and the Black Eunuch, for none wished to inadvertently offend him and risk his baneful (cursed) wrath.   

Egil Viggoaries nodded in satisfaction as he approached the old Tutor as, without interference, he was now able to assess for himself the specific symptoms of the poison. Though all had read his occasional dissertations about the progress of human diseases and thus would never question his motives, no one was truly aware of the full extent of Egil’s vast knowledge of medicine and toxicology, gathered over the course of many years of experiment and study.  Not only had Egil Viggoaries poured over and devoured the Royal Library's vast storehouse of medical texts (one of the subjects along with alchemy, astronomy, botany and military strategy that had been spared from the incineration) but he had for the past several years also conducted experiments on his own into the causes, cures and progress of a countless number of diseases that plagued mankind with terminal suffering.  As Minister of Internal Security, he was able to procure an unending supply of subjects from among the ranks of the condemned prisoners with which he strove to resolve the dilemmas posed by those elusive maladies that had eluded even the wisest of contemporary medical minds. Not that Egil Viggoaries was striving to find cures for these illnesses; rather, his fascination lay in inducing sickness into previously healthy individuals and then painstakingly recording in meticulous detail the variations of the disease's progress until the final deterioration of their condition.   

The suffering, the torment inflicted on these ill-fated victims gave him that perverse pleasure and bizarre sense of temporary satiation from his bottomless, sadistic curiosity. Egil Viggoaries’s compiled works meanwhile had proven to be a controversial yet invaluable contribution to the medical field, though the methods by which the information had been gathered drew to date, twenty or thirty muted criticisms from certain Court Officials as well as, secret censure by two of his medical peers. Regardless of these personal qualms, they nevertheless jostled each other in their rush to obtain, at great expense, his latest findings when they were, infrequently printed up for publication. For every now and then Egil Viggoaries would succumb to the human failing (an urge) to boast, to gain recognition for his unconscionable yet brilliant methods and theories. These published findings however had only ceded the surface layers of his knowledge of the tools of death. He had also, for self-preservation, secretly experimented, and duly become an expert in identifying the culprit poisons, in specifically, five unresolved murder cases.     

Looking at the old Royal Tutor, Egil Viggoaries presently noted with a bemused smile the obvious signs and the side-effects of the drug Worren Youkup had unwittingly ingested, which had escaped the learned eyes of those brilliant Royal Physicians. Haughty, Idiotic incompetents, the lot of them! Even that arrogant upstart had not caught on. Later, Egil Viggoaries was to learn that Xamis Urmond had indeed raised the possibility during his examination but had been roundly overridden by his more discreet peers. His apologist had even ventured as far as to advise Xamis, "Let the sleeping dogs lie."    

Dispassionately Egil Viggoaries studied the side effects of the potion that had, in its wake, left the Royal Tutor gradually (increasingly) more bereft of sight and speech.  That old boorish tyrant that had plagued his childhood, now nearing his end, was as vulnerable as a newborn babe, squirming in his silent pain. Yet there remained something in those sightless eyes, an urgent need in that contorted face to communicate something vital. Taking advantage of this chance, Egil Viggoaries ordered one of the waiting attendants at outside, to bring him a parchment and ink-laden brush. The attendant as he was leaving the room witnessed only of Egil Viggoaries placing the brush in the dying Royal Tutor's right hand and urging him to write.

No one bore witness to the Eunuch’s subsequent act of, leaning close to Worren’s ear and imparting to him in a whisper, while grinning with sheer malice, his exquisite plans for the darling Stewart Chutek. 

04- STEWART CHUTEK'S IMPENDING FATE

A brief time later Egil Viggoaries had emerged at outside declaring the result to be indecipherable scribbling that warranted thorough analysis later. The Eunuch’s back to them, Chief Royal Physician Kundo Rotek and the other Royal Physicians had all at once, frenziedly rushed (scrambled) back into the room, in time only to observe, Worren Youkup arch his back in pain and breath his last.

 

                                                                        ….   

 

 

(END OF SECTION 17)

 

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 16

 Fortunately for Surgeon Mosek, Egil Viggoaries had once more turned his thoughts back to the barbarian giant and the marvelous combat: In an uncontested, swift maneuver Viggoaries had not only freed himself from this Barbarian giant's clutches but had also struck down his opponent instantaneously as soon as the other’s subsequent, murderous assault had been launched. Admittedly the giant had been quite skilled and dexterous for one his size. Amazingly, he had been quite adroit in his defenses and counter strikes, fending against the lightening speed deadly blows aimed at his head, legs, and chest even as he fumbled for his weapon, which had, at one point, taken flight and wedged between ice covered rocks, at the distance of a hundred feet away. Egil grimaced, thinking of his ensued, signature kick to the man's spine, launched after a mid-air somersault, which had dropped the giant at Viggoaries’s feet, his legs still kicking impotently.

Egil could have decapitated him that instant, but instead, he had taken his time, delighting in the giant's paralysis, and his impotent (powerless), anguished pain (though still defiant with his daggers ‘glare); choosing instead to finish him off,  in that grindingly slow, tormented way before he applied just a bit of pressure, just so. 

01- EGIL VIGGORIES

Subsequently, Egil Viggoaries leaned back, his mind oblivious to the pain in his arm which was now spreading to his chest and neck; looking away to a distant void with his mind already devising (conceiving) apt steps to destroy his intended target, the corners of his mouth just then lifted slightly as his lips sported a (pitiless) malicious, cynical smile.

At that moment a sharp knock at the door abruptly interrupted his pleasure (hideous reverie) and thus he scowled. His deputy, Caunze, was eventually granted admission and, after a deep bow, came to stand before Viggoaries and to inform him of agent Rukon's urgent request for an audience.

 "Let him in.", Viggoaries gestured, condescendingly.

 

                                                                                     ~

Once admitted, the newly recruited agent stopped in the center of the room, reverently bowed low then stood at attention for permission to speak. Just inside the door, the Deputy Caunze waited at ease, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well, what is it?"  Viggoaries's obvious impatience made Rukon flinch reflexively.

In fact, it was the sudden searing, bolt of pain radiating from his arm that had put the Dark Eunuch in a foul mood; this however he would never admit to himself, for he despised weakness and all forms of human frailty.

Egil Viggoaries had constantly (in his adult life) striven to be indifferent to physical and mental pain, and likewise demeaning human deficiencies (limitations), ever since that humiliating lesson he had learned at the hand of Zakhertan Yozdek when he was but eight years old. That mortifying experience had permanently marred and altered his character. Additionally, there were those four incidences, before puberty, that Egil had buried in the deep recesses of his conscious mind where they could never be surfaced (recalled) for to do so would instantly rob the Dark Eunuch of the last shred of his dignity and any remaining self-respect.

Egil Viggoaries grimaced, being abruptly reminded of the other, the supposed him, languishing since infancy in fact, like a subhuman criminal, in the darkest recesses of the dungeons. Zakhertan Yozdek had gifted him to Egil as an outlet, when he had turned into his teens, to torment as much as he had liked, with only one condition, that the prisoner lived. If you could call it that; the wretch lived, lived to endure yet another day’s torment.

The agent Rukon, meanwhile, had opened his mouth, steeling himself before he spoke. Still, he hesitated, his eyes darting to Surgeon Mosek who, with rapt attention was bent on sewing up the remainder of the wound after the tendon was re-attached and the veins cauterized. Would it be prudent to expose these findings in front of this physician? Granted Mosek's reliability was beyond question. Still, this could be a test.

There was a peal of eerie, mocking laughter as Egil Viggoaries subsequently shot Mosek a cold, stern look that effectively dismissed the physician. The closing of the wound would have to wait, irrespective of future complications. Egil Viggoaries’s eyes tracked Mosek as latter promptly and without least protest exited the room; afterwards, Egil’s stone (unreadable) gaze fell on Caunze for a moment or two, before reverting onto Rukon.

02-AGENT RUKON

The agent’s face paled, so cold was the Dark Eunuch’s scrutiny that it sent shivers down his spine; thus, Rukon bit out the words without so much as a pause, injudiciously reporting all, even the inconsequential stuff (matter) of his findings:  This well included the redundant details of Nigel's visit to the kitchens (under the pretext of ordering a specially prepared repast for Lady Sejon) and, after identifying that night’s allotted dishes for Royal Tutor Worren Youkup, she had then discretely emptied the entire contents of the pilfered (pinched, stolen) flask into one particularly sweet saucer.

"Have you retrieved the flask she discarded?" Egil Viggoaries now brusquely cut short (terminated) Rukon’s ramblings.

"Yes sir; it took some doing but I’ve…” Noting the fierce disapproval in Egil Viggoaries’s eyes, Ruken abruptly fell silent, and his flesh started to crawl.

“What breech of conduct can I be guilty of now?”  He knew better than to ponder that question too long and, he at once removed the flask, which by then had lost the label, from his tunic and rushed forward to hand it to Egil Viggoaries, mumbling also copious apologies as he backed away.

Egil Viggoaries removed the tightened lid and wafted the air above the opening toward his face. He made no effort to conceal his venomous grimace or the certain sober calculation in his eyes. Her previous indiscretions, the conspiracy to murder and its associated misconducts were not sufficiently grave to suit his purpose; but now, he would add premeditated murder to the list of her crimes, and then, when the time was ripe, he would reap the bountiful harvest.

 "That will be all." the words spoken to Rukon were sharp and abrasive, but Viggoaries’s icy eyes went past the agent to rest on Caunze.

The Deputy nodded, his face placid, almost inscrutable in its masklike quality; no one could have anticipated the smoldering rage deep inside the man as he bowed stoically and exited the chamber promptly, with Rukon at his heels.

Surgeon Mosek had all this time stood patiently at the outside corridor (hallway), awaiting word (a command from the Dark Eunuch) to rush back in and to finish his laborious task. He gazed after the retreating pair with blank stare. Halfway down the hall, at a safe distance, Caunze abruptly halted and pivoted.

Thrusting his hostile face right up against Rukon's, his fiery eyes burrowing into Rukon’s, he then sneered incredulously, "Just what did you think you were doing back in there? And wipe away that stupefied look from your face!"  Caunze grabbed Rukon’s shoulder roughly and yanked him aside then shoved him further in the quiet niche to escape the curious eyes and ears of the guards.

Leering menacingly, Caunze again pitted his face right up against the other and curtly enumerated every instance of inappropriate and plainly erroneous conduct, all the violations that Rukon had been guilty of, back in the room. As Rukon listened, his heart (palpitated) hammered violently against his breastbone (in his chest) for he had just then realized how close he had come to forfeiting his very life through his carelessness and deficient compliance of the stringent protocol.

03- DEPUTY CAUNZE (2)

Constraining the sheer disgust he felt from his voice, Caunze next pointed out sternly how just this once Rukon had been given this rare leeway, that for which he should be thankful. “And be sure to have your future reports more defined and concise.” Caunze tersely added before with a snort of derision he turned and walked away, not caring if Rukon followed.

He subsequently tossed a swift parting shot over his shoulder as his voice trailed into the distance, "His Excellency is not always this charitable.”   

Ceding this one point, Rukon stared after the Deputy with resentment smoldering in his heart. “To think after all I've gone through, having striven so hard to retrieve that cursed flask from a whirling cesspool, for him!”  Rukon bit his lip to hold back his anger and obvious disappointment then quickened his pace to return to his posting.

Subsequent days, Rukon’s routine tasks, his administrative duties, had increasingly became more arduous, his life much more a living hell. Rukon did eventually learn, quite by accident, that the greatest part of the blame for his failings on that day, had rested squarely on the shoulders of his immediate supervisor Caunze; hence, the consequent hostility and the ensued hardships.

                                                                            ~

    

No sooner Caunze and Rukon had disappeared down the hall, surgeon Mosek had been summoned back in to finish the job. Mosek with assiduous speed set to at once tending, cauterizing stitching, and then bandaging the rest of the terrible (extensive) wound on the arm.

All this while, the Dark Eunuch's mind was focused on an intriguing matter, more specifically, the detailed report on an insignificant Steward Chutek in Worren Youkup’s employ. Knowing Worren’s unnatural infatuation (obsession) with Chutek, Egil Viggoaries had the steward shadowed, for a long while, by his agents. Of course, when Egil had first learned of Imperial Tutor's clever manoeuvrings, long before his formal charge, (condemnation)- including the naming of the steward Chutek as the lawful, sole beneficiary of his estate and, anticipating unforeseen adversity his timely implemented certain measures to circumvent it- Egil Viggoaries had been both irate and amused. 

Subsequently, once the Imperial Tutor fell under suspicion, the actuated (triggered) land title search revealed the true measure of Worren’s vast holdings and secreted investments that had been amassed in his long lifetime. Since Worren Youkup had lived so frugally, it had taken everyone by surprise that the old Tutor had been underhandedly so brilliant with his investments, that it had led to the accretion of such magnitude of wealth.

 

04- STEWART CHUTEK TRAVELLING- JP

Recent developments, which entailed the hasty departure of the Steward Chutek from the Capital (Channing) on a facade urgent errand, meanwhile, had mildly elated Egil; nevertheless, he had not yet issued any order to have Chutek apprehended.

In the wake of other troubling reports, the Dark Eunuch's cold heart now contemplated on the added (relevance and) benefits of this, foible of Worren’s, to the case.

Dark Eunuch grimaced, cogitating, as this had then enabled Egil to in the future, formally charge Chutek and those he suspected of being in league with, for the Tutor’s well anticipated, untimely demise or, more specifically, murder.

Currently as things stood, even if Worren Youkup were to be posthumously exonerated, with no living relative to lay claim to his now exposed vast estate (numerous prime properties and funds), it would all still be automatically absorbed by the central Government (the state); then, with only a bit of subtle engineering, the major portion of it could easily, permanently be made to disappear into Egil Viggoaries’s own coffers.

 

                                                                               ~ 

 

(END OF SECTION 16)

 

 

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 15

The newly decoded message unfortunately, had also confirmed that, Lord Shouzi Yozdek had failed to acquire (obtain) and destroy the letter, referred to as the 'prize', since he was still interested in its whereabouts. This latest bit hampered developments and, made Qarzten’s job of persecuting key culprits even more arduous: for without the incriminating object as evidence Lord Shouzi Yozdek could not be indicted and, since the letter was no longer in Egil Viggoaries's grasp, the Dark Eunuch escaped denunciation (condemnation) and charge of extortion and worse, treason, for his withholding vital information essential to National Security. 

01-SHOUZI YOZDEK - JP  11

  

Of course, Qarzten Caimund had typically guessed months ago the contents of, Shouzi Yozdek’s bane, cursed extortion letter. He was mildly amused pondering on the advantages, which could still be reaped by routing (fueling) these heightened animosities into damaging, outright altercations. All the same, Qarzten knew that it would not be an easy task, as each adversary's offenses were equally grave and, with their fates so intertwined, each would rather shield the ardent foe (rival) than expose him.

Qarzten Caimund’s thoughts reverting to Nijel Pinng, Qarzten inwardly queried:  How on earth could she have attained these facts? Just what kind of organization was she a part of? Qarzten was peeved and same time amazed, at the extent of Nijel's resourcefulness. Best not to underestimate this young filly in future. Still, the gleaned information from her smitten stool pigeon was, surely erroneous. Qarzten had of course in mind, the very Eunuch in Egil Viggoaries's employ, that she had been seen cavorting under questionable circumstances; unfortunately, this lead had also gone cold, as eunuch Kanbi, had since then, mysteriously, without a trace disappeared.   

For months now, no news of him could be had anywhere in the entire Kingdom. By the time the covert search had been called off by Qarzten, it had become evident that infatuated 'Kanbi' had been a stooge (exploited)spy, planted to deceive Nijel quite unwittingly, by yet unidentified, quiet proficient faction, that zealously opposed the Dark Eunuch Egil Viggoaries.

If only they had attained any lead on that courier before he too unfortunately, had disappeared without a trace. This was quite unacceptable; their elite trackers, hence, should be reassigned to manage this job. Having made a mental note, Qarzten Caimund turned his attention back to the decoded version of the second message which read: Plan A executed successfully. Desired results with Hare achieved. Plan B will commence after elimination of unforeseen danger from Crane. This time the use of mammal and bird names, for Prince Herleif and the respected Royal Tutor Worren Youkup, deemed impertinent, put a bad taste to Qarzten’s mouth. His sharp mind had grasped at once that this farcical attempt at a clumsy assassination had all along far deeper connotations for Shouzi Yozdek than anyone else had imagined.

Qarzten still had the means to run interference against Lord Shouzi’s plan, but he could conceive of no urgent reason for a hasty attempt; meanwhile, it had become patently obvious that it was not just Worren Youkup’s reputation but his very existence (life) that was deemed expendable (a sure forfeit, a sacrifice), in this dastardly scheme.

02 QARZTEN CAMUND (9)D jp 2

The implicit threat from Lord Shouzi Yozdek bent on vengeance, with the help of his strong affiliates firmly planted within the Court and throughout Capital however, warranted a more serious concern: The balance of power Qarzten had worked so hard to maintain, the stable nucleus of Government could be permanently offset (disrupted) if the corrective addendums to initial (preliminary) measures were not implemented at once.  It would require certain sacrifices, certain unorthodox measures but it had to be done. Qarzten Caimund took small comfort in knowing that as long as it was within the bounds of lawful activity the unavoidable repercussions could be kept to a minimum.

Dipping his brush to the ink, Qarzten summarily drafted demarcated (fixed) coded orders to be transferred via his assistant to the special branch later. He turned and nodded to his assistant; his adrenaline still pumping, then stood up and quickly went outside.    

Qarzten subsequently, had hastened (rushed his steps) to take care of one or two urgent matters that needed his delicate touch before his usual mid-morning audience with the Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek. Qarzten had hoped to broach the subject yet again this day with his Highness, after he took a detour to his private quarters first, where he could attain few hours of repose, bathe and then don a change of clothing. Since he rarely slept, he found he could get by on only two hours sleep, before waking (refreshed) revitalized and eager to go. And he never, ever, remembered his dreams.

                                                                                                 ~

Egil Viggoaries had at first been irate at the deemed trivial assignment (for he’d already had his hands full with other more pressing concerns); however, as he, in his discerning mind promptly deduced the culprit and her co-conspirators, he had quickly recognized the hidden potential of this case and the multitude of benefits that could be reaped from it.  Moreover, Viggoaries had always detested the sanctimonious Royal Tutor Worren Youkup and he was of course elated to learn the true extent of Tutor’s involvement in this debasing scheme.

A sinister smile enveloped his lips as he imagined the subsequent degradation of the Royal Tutor, when his being so artfully manipulated by nefarious Lady Sejon, would be made public. When Lady Sejon expectedly fell ill with an unknown malady so shortly after the unpleasantness with Worren Youkup and required the ministrations of a Royal Physician, Egil Viggoaries seized (grabbed) this opportunity to discreetly arrange for the special recruit young Enqui Rimeng, who was yet to undergo a surgery that would make him a eunuch, to be the only one available to attend to her needs.  Once this part of the ploy was implemented, he had only to leave the key players alone long enough for the predictable developments to take root.  

   

                                                                                ~   

   

During Lady Sejon's examination, when asked to bring forth Physician Rimeng's bag, Nijel harboring a sly aim of her own, had laid open the bag with the two specific flasks (blue in color) adjacent to others in various colors, visible in plain sight for her Ladyship to notice.   

Oblivious to this subtle coaching, Lady Sejon predictably conceived the gambit (scheme) in her mind, with her customary self-congratulation.

As it were, this medicine (a drug, in the form of a white powder) within the specific, cobalt flask was typically administered to an ailing patient, each time in small doses, as means (remedy) to strengthen a weak constitution. Caution dictated however, that in larger quantity it would cause the heart to adversely, uncontrollably palpitate and most certainly burst a major artery (blood vessel). Taken orally, it was odorless and tasteless especially when mixed with sweets. More importantly, it was undetectable in post-mortem examination, unless suspicion warranted the specific tests to be conducted immediately or, within the first two hours of death. Who would suspect the cause of sudden demise of a seventy-year-old, stout, industrious Royal Tutor, to be anything other than a heart attack? This ripe opportunity, hence, was not to be missed; therefore, after discreetly conveying her wishes to Nijel, Sejon had feigned dizziness and collapsed quite convincingly into the handsome young physician's arms.

Despite the compulsory professional decorum, the hot-blooded young physician’s senses were inescapably (unavoidably) swayed by her innate, intoxicatingly sensual perfume; moreover, absolutely besotted by her coquettish smile, Enqui’s face flushed crimson and his heart pounded so wildly that he thought it would simply burst right out of his chest.

03- YOUNG PHYSICIAN ENQUI RIMENG (1)

While Enqui Rimeng fought hard against the raging hormones stirred up by this effective diversion, Nijel Pinng had quickly pilfered (swiped, stolen) one of the cobalt (caerulean) flasks from the bag and shifted the rest around to disguise the gap it left.

 Enqui with a timorous (bashful, nervous) demeanor, promptly concluded his examination, made a hasty diagnosis, and then reached for the bag to dispense the appropriate prescription. Nijel's efforts at concealment proved unnecessary as young physician Enqui Rimeng was too ruffled to notice that anything was amiss.

Afterwards, he abruptly snapped the bag shut and practically ran out of Lady Sejon's chamber lest (in fear that), he would commit serious breach of propriety.  

Later that evening Nijel had completed (finalized) rest of Sejon’s explicit instructions, returning at night to report her triumph, unaware that patient spies had observed and documented her every move.

                                                                                          ~  

                                                                            

Minister of Internal Security Egil Viggoaries, for usual outlet, had often sported in private tournaments with the deadliest convicted criminals destined for the gallows. This late afternoon’s barbarian outlaw, a giant of a man (foreign lawbreaker) being a noteworthy adversary, before his inevitable demise had succeeded in inflicting a deep gash, a serious wound, in Egil Viggoaries’s left forearm. And so, this evening as Egil Viggoaries was being tended by his personal physician, Surgeon Mosek, who was busy patching up the cut in the most feared Eunuch’s forearm without the aid of sedative as it was Viggoaries’s way, Viggoaries (showing no indication of stress,) in his mind’s eye was actually re-living the most thrilling aspects of the prior combat, the likes of which he had not encountered in quite a long while.

An indistinct shudder of pleasure passed through him, every so often, as he recalled the key highlights, the five or six near-death experiences he had had: latest memorable one, at the precipice of the icy falls, when death’s breath fell on him during the lethal combat. The adversary in this case was a particularly agile one for one his size and, his skill in wielding his deadly weapon had been truly magnificent.

04- BARBARIAN OUTLAW 2- JP

Those hands, like bearpaws, solid muscle and powerful, the way they had gripped his neck at one point and, how impressive it had been, the way that weather worn face had twisted with pure unadulterated, murderous rage. The articulated (expressed) utter contempt…those menacing, flame-darting, ice-blue eyes…! Ahh, it was utterly glorious!

Even now, it sent ripples of (tingling) shivers down the Dark Eunuch’s spine and he got goosebumps, simply thinking of it: a bit more pressure and he could have torn out his esophagus (pharynx, throat). A longing sigh escaped Dark Eunuch’s taut (stretched), trembling lips, as he akin experienced the glorious, intoxicating dread.

At brink of death, such times he truly savored his own otherwise dreary (boring) life, his else tedious (dull) mortality; how thrilling it was to be so near to being extinguished by the talons of the swooping (looming) Death!

He knew it was a perverse sense, but Viggoaries had such an insatiable and intoxicating hunger rising in him then, wanting to devour, to absorb his nemesis’ soul, crunching on his bones then sending him straight to Hell, to be tormented and enslaved for all eternity.

But then, Egil Viggoaries dispassionately shrugged and grimaced menacingly, alas, how quickly it had all ended. He was bit angry with himself, for expecting it to be any different; predictably, even in that other unrelated incident, when the odds had been so stacked against him, hadn’t he still won? Life was getting too monotonous; for he always triumphed.   

Of course, Egil Viggoaries could have attained indefinite pardon for the man, to be used and tortured repeatedly, after all his crime, gruesome as it had been, was nevertheless an act of self defense. However, the Dark Eunuch knew there would be others in this one’s wake, hopefully, more ferocious, and more deadly. That recently subjugated uncharted territory, populated by violent, proud race of Tunker, their whole existence revolving around warring and retribution, was just ripe for the picking; Egil Viggoaries could still have his ample supply to satisfy his innate craving for extreme barbarity and violent cruelty.

It was possible that one day, he might be pleasantly surprised. A searing pain from his arm shooting up to his brain just then, turned his attention back to the matters at hand. Egil Viggoaries looked down at the physician-surgeon who was bent on working furiously to complete the unpleasant task with beads of perspiration forming on his forehead.

 

05- EGIL VIGGORIES - THE DARK EUNUCH

"You are too damn slow!"  Egil snorted in disgust, knowing full well the meticulousness of the surgery being performed was most trying especially in these most unorthodox conditions. Ordinarily Surgeon Mosek would have had assistance and a plethora of equipment to fall back on.  

Mosek held (caught) his breath, as the blood in his veins turned to ice. At least the Dark Eunuch had not called him ‘incompetent.’    

 Mosek steeled himself, careful to maintain his abject, professional decorum, as he worked around the major arteries; he continued on with vigor and a certain diligence, pushing aside the terror that had gripped his heart, mindful of his predecessor's sudden, untimely cruel death under much the same circumstances, because, even after such a long, faithful service, he had been unlucky enough to have incurred Viggoaries's sudden displeasure (wrath).  A grunt, a complaining breath, and, in an instant his life too, would be forfeit just like Nevek; he was such a brilliant surgeon mentor too.

 

(END OF SECTION 15)

 

 

                                                                                     ~

 

 

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 14

Qarzten Caimund’s shrewd policy of routinely checking beyond the official records of everyone, who had entered government service in Capital Channing, had yet again proven fruitful. Especially since, his hand-picked expert team in no time at all had uncovered lost bits of interesting facts about Nijel Pinng; that, an astute Censorate official had incidentally, purely by accident discovered, just before his suspicious death from a sudden stomach ailment (rupture):  that Nijel Pinng was the illegitimate half-sister to Lady Sejon. 

 

01- KENON RIEN

On further inquiry Qarzten Caimund had found the circumstances of Nijel’s life unfurling like the plot of a lowest currency denomination, a marketplace performance (play):

Sejon's aristocratic, philandering father Kenon Rien, had once passed through Moulon Province and result of one nights’ unbridled passion, with one of that region's rare beauties an innocent young girl named Arnora, he had begotten (produced, precipitated) the illegitimate twin offsprings.

 

02- ARNORA (14)

As the beauty Arnora was, unfortunately so far below Kenon's station/class, instead of doing the honourable thing, Kenon had through intimidation (bullying, strongarming) secured the mayor’s (village burgomaster’s) and her parents’ silence and instead arranged, well before her pregnancy showed, for her to be hastily married off to an aged but respectable Esquire Niet Wanner. The Esquire’s young wife had recently passed away because of a fever, leaving behind a wailing infant girl, which was Sejon. Such things did happen in the remote villages.

At the time, the Esquire Niet Wanner was in his mid fifties, and Arnora barely eighteen years old. Despite the age difference, Esquire Niet was a gentle soul and so treated his new bride Arnora with gentle respect, tolerance, and adoration.

 

In this blissful co-existence, laughter, and music once more permeated through the halls of Esquire Niet Wanner’s modest size, three story-mansion (villa); and typically, during this harmonious period Sejon experienced the unconditional love from her stepmother Arnora- alas, it was not to last!

After the nine month’s pregnancy, Arnora had opportunely expired from a complication of a difficult birthing. The case of her sudden, unexpected demise, was expediently covered up (without the knowledge of Esquire Niet Wanner); this, with secretly dispensed generous bribes from the Rien Clan, therefore, permanently silencing the attending physician, the mayor, and the other pertinent (relevant) local officials.

 

03- ESQUIRE NIET WANNER - JP

Esquire Niet Wanner, meanwhile, was utterly devastated by this terrible loss, for he had from the first, been besotted (love-struck, smitten) with his enchantingly beautiful young wife; now, considering himself unlucky or jinxed, he swore never to wed again.

Consequently, the three infants, Sejon and the twins were thus placed in the care of a wet-nurse Luse, who had providentially (conveniently, luckily), when the old nanny suddenly succumbed to an accident, by falling down from a flight of stairs and breaking her neck, in Esquire Wanner’s household: At that juncture, Luse had showed up seeking employment as a wet-nurse.

Luse, claimed her Scholar husband, she, and their seven-week-old infant son, had just happened to have arrived at Moulon Province; unfortunately, result of a boating accident, she had lost them both. Furthermore, she had no other family in this region, she was now stranded here, left all alone to fend for herself. In truth, Luse had been secretly handpicked by Kenon, and furnished with documentation this background-story, to keep an eye on what he deemed was his property, till more apt measures could be implemented.

 

04- WET-NURSE LUSE

Qarzten’s men had also uncovered, that Arnora had in fact, as Qarzten Caimund had suspected, been murdered on Lord Kenon's implicit order; after her father Tom Raygard, in his desperation, had attempted to, unsuccessfully, extort funds from Kenon Rien.

As consequence of heavy flooding that year, his crops had failed miserably and he stood on the brink of ruin; more importantly, Tom Raygard had lacked the essential funds for the medical care that was required to preserve his wife’ life. Farmer Tom, as he was known to most, was a decent sort but was forced to this despondent (extreme) measure.

Tom Raygard in his unrelenting pursuit of justice for his  deceased daughter Arnora, meanwhile, anticipating Kenon’s diabolical aim, had just made up his mind to confess all about the unlawful coercing which had forced him and Arnora to accede to the demands of  Kenon Rien and to warn Esquire Niet Wanner of the more current hidden threat from Rien Clan, pertaining to his infant twins.  Before he could act on this however, his aim had been abruptly, promptly thwarted (foiled, terminated); when during the violent, stormy night, a lightening struck the roof of his homestead, setting the structure completely ablaze. The ensuing (resultant) fire had gutted the decade old, partly decrepit two-story wooden farmhouse within seconds and, everyone previously tugged in their beds on the second story (floor, level) being unable to get to safety, had perished.

 

05- TOM RAYGARD -JP

There had been two or three mutely (wordlessly, murmured) raised, though quickly supressed queries (questions) about the spread of the fire being far too rapid; thus, feasibly precipitated by intentionally (purposely) placed tinder or a flare, it had unfortunately, tragically begotten multiple fatality.

Definitely one irksome speculation, in fervent whispers, had persisted; this,  founded on  an offhand remark, an accusation, from a bold constable- that besides the conflagration (inferno) caused by the lightening at the rooftop, there was also, though beyond coup (reduced to ashes, embers) scant evidence (trace) of strategically placed kindling that had proliferated (burgeoned) the seriousness of devastation from above and below.

Afterwards, these annoying inklings (whispers, notions) too were checked; particularly since the ultimate result had conveniently (for the aristocrat Rien Clan,) tied up the reminder loose ends. The matter was expediently wrapped up and filed away as consequence of natural disaster; this, so as not to impede (hinder, hamper) Kenon Rien’s future political ambitions.

Sejon, however, was soon to be orphaned herself as the Esquire Niet Wanner, a week before his suicide, had acquired an insurance policy with an efficient, fearsome organization covertly known as the Brotherhood of Kozurs. The powerful federation (association, alliance) that had operating members, even at the farthest reaches of the Wenjenkun Empire, for a minimal cost, discreetly (prudently) addressed without fail, extremely difficult and all outstanding injustices. No one, however powerful, could escape their deadly talons; two days hence, the invincible (indomitable) Kozur assassins sent the aristocrat Kenon Rien to accompany the Esquire in death, but on an ignominious journey, straight to Hell!

The twins, meanwhile, because Esquire Niet Wanner’s had overlooked this eventuality, had been successfully secreted away (abducted), the moment of Niet’s demise; this order was issued directly from the top echelon of the Rien Clan, which considered the twins, akin Kenon Rien, as Clan ‘property.

Subsequently, twins were separated; the fate of the male child was still a mystery, the girl however, had been successfully traced by Qarzten Caimund’s competent men, to the household of a Magistrate Ronian Keru in Moulon Province, now under the suzerainty of Lord Shouzi Yozdek.

 

06- MAGISTRATE RONIAN  KERU OF MOULON PROVINCE

Qarzten  Caimund had long suspected this region (the Moulon Province), to be a hotbed of insurgency, as well as criminal (illegal) activity, though regrettably, he had lacked solid evidence to indict His Lordship Shouzi Yozdek of a serious breach or a treason. As Ronian Keru was on his concise list of conspirators, Qarzten Caimund had been keeping Nijel under surveillance way before she had showed up in the Capital.

About a month ago, Qarzten’s patience had finally (paid off) been rewarded when his agents had intercepted a letter from her former master who, despite his leave of absence for health reasons, was still the pawn of his Lordship Shouzi Yozdek. Alas, the coded message had been more difficult than usual to decipher and though Qarzten Caimund had a special team working on it around the clock, to date there had been no real progress (reported).  

As it were, this setback had come closely on the heels of another more devastating one. A while ago the only sure evidence against Shouzi, an incriminating letter written by him to Kujoge Yozdek, had been the means of an extortion attempt on the Lord. This letter had been traced to a freelance spy identified as a Ms. Jepipi. Just as Qarzten Caimund’s operatives had been about to close in on her at the bustling port of Kenzo, she had mysteriously vanished along with her trackers. The trail of the letter had gone cold from there on.

Of course, Qarzten Caimund could have incarcerated Nijel Pinng, on the charge of gaining her employment under false pretenses to spy on the throne and then tortured her to extract the required confessions. This would have only gotten him as far as her former master Ronian Keru however, who would have long been dead before the adequate law enforcement forces could arrest him. And so, temporarily Qarzten had ignored Sejon’s pitiful efforts to hide Nijel’s involvement in the business of the penknife. But then, Qarzten had much bigger fish to fry, and he did not want to draw up his net only to find two small shrimps ensnared in it. Nijel Pinng was far more useful kept as bait to trap all other significant conspirators. For that reason, if nothing else, Qarzten had bided his time till he had attained more solid evidence that was sure to follow. Then with these indisputable proofs in his arsenal, he could in one swoop (precise action), cleanse the system of all its parasitical elements.                                    

                                                                           ~

 

The subsequent day's extensively compiled report on Imperial Tutor Worren Youkup’s early morning unscheduled visit to Lady Sejon and the particulars of that meeting had both disappointed and exasperated Qarzten Caimund. He had expected more from one with Royal tutor’s competence; meanwhile, the specifics of Sejon's brilliant performance had made Qarzten wince. He had secretly abhorred her for her deceitful ways but now he held Sejon in even greater contempt for, not only corrupting the impeccable reputation of an innocuous old tutor Worren Youkup but also using his lifelong principles against him. This needless complication had come about because of Sejon’s informants had failed to pass on in time to her, Zakhertan Yozdek’s recent change of heart and his subsequent decision to establish Magnian, once the boy prince had reached the proper age, as the new Crown Prince. Nijel's palliative, sneaky suggestion meanwhile in reality, a double-edged sword, had caused Sejon to further jeopardize (sabotage) her standing.

Qarzten Caimund quietly reflected on the (previously) intercepted, second secret message from Nijel; though not yet deciphered, he could deduce (fathom) the contents from the subsequent corresponding events. The sudden onset of Lady Sejon’s illness after Worren’s visit for instance had come as no real surprise, although the choice of surrogate Royal Physician, who had attended her, had piqued (annoyed) Qarzten’s interest. Particularly since her ordinarily a robust personal physician had so abruptly was indisposed by a mysterious ailment, necessitating this opportune replacement by Enqui Rimeng, the personal physician of her nemesis Prince Herleif.

 

07- YOUNG ROYAL PHYSICIAN ENQUI RIMENG (1)

A barely detectable frown registered on Qarzten’s lips as he had quickly pinpointed the devious hand behind all this. Even though these recent developments would only slightly alter the portended course of events, Qarzten leaving nothing to chance, set to cover all bases, as well, manage any fluke insidious eventualities.

Later that evening, following his usual routine, Qarzten Caimund dismissed his assistant for a time and shut himself up in his study to deal with this and other most urgent (pressing) and delicate matters of the day. Most nights Qarzten had typically skipped sleep altogether (being a habitual insomniac) examining all vital reports, before presenting these with apt addendum resolutions, to Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek (the only other who never seemed to need any sleep) later in the hour.   

In just less than an hour the first eight cases were summarily dispensed with when, upon opening a file and perusing its contents with one glance, a thin smile supplanted the habitual stern expression on Qarzten’s face.

“Good!” He hissed, very much relieved at having received confirmation of the postponement of Prince Herleif’s actual conspiracy to eliminate Magnian.

This was certainly welcome news for it eradicated another burdensome matter from Qarzten Caimund’s hectic schedule. Had his gentle coercion not worked, he would have had to implement dicey measures or lethal force to thwart the assassination attempt on Prince Magnian. It was not because he had been ordered to preserve Magnian's life, nor was it out of kindness that Qarzten had taken upon himself the task of safeguarding the boy. In the past he had not intervened in the demises of the other Princelings but then the circumstances had not been as volatile. This course was warranted because of the precarious (foreign) political circumstances created by both Korion and Kontu, with the greater danger stemming from Hedenko. In the likelihood of Herleif’s premature demise, the absence of an immediate replacement would set a dangerous precedence within the realm of Wenjenkun.

At this point Qarzten Caimund feeling tetchy, rose and walked over to stand, hands clasped behind his back, before the open doorway that led to the private veranda. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains that had been pulled back to either side, letting in the cool, crisp air into the room to gently caress his face. Qarzten had worked all through the night yet felt unaffected by it. Stretching out his limbs, he absently observed how the first reddish glow of the dawn streaking in over the high wall, then bathed the tranquil scene in the garden. The low-lying mist on the dew simply glistened like precious gems on the green grass, plump leaves and on the petals of the exquisite orchids. No artist's brush could create such a breathtaking depiction as that which now lay before his eyes; nature alone, that one unrivaled expert craftsman, had the only means with which to embody (illustrate) such wonder!

The rising songs of the awakening birds and insects next greeted his ears announcing the impending arrival of another brilliant day; despite his outward passive complacency however, his mind was still beset with worrisome loose ends. Suddenly feeling famished he turned away, sauntered (moseyed) back to his seat then comfortably settled in, he called out to his assistant, the one who had just moment’s prior reported for work as the shift had changed.

Indicating with a slight movement of his chin, the night's completed work for him to dispense, Qarzten succinctly next instructed the trusted aid to see to it that, after his quick sluice (sponge down), he be served his customary light breakfast, this time at the terrace.

 

08 -QARZTEN CAMUND (17)A - JP3

Once the simple repast was placed in readiness before him Qarzten Caimund, followed his habitual routine and partook of it quickly then, returned inside and went immediately right back to work. Marveling at his master's stamina, the assistant brought in the newest stack of documents and then stepping aside quietly waited, for them to receive Qarzten’s stamp of office (mark, hallmark).

In no time at all the Senior Grand Secretary had finished with this first pile and reached for the smaller second set of correspondence, marked "Confidential" in red lettering, which had next been quickly brought in as soon as the first pile was taken away. Qarzten pulled these new documents squarely in front of him and picking up the topmost one, broke the seal, retrieved the inside letter, then eased back into his chair to peruse its contents. In one glance he had absorbed the contents of the carefully worded report. A glint of a smile just then brushed his lips, “Good, they have finally deciphered the code. From now on we will have a much better idea of her correspondence and of their future, illicit activities.

It was about time, too; fortunately, at present, no drastic measures were warranted. Nevertheless, he impatiently drummed his fingers on the desk for he had never liked being stymied. He re-read the last part of the report and the decoded succinct messages once more, this time more assiduously, his lips forming the words noiselessly. "Cock not in possession of prize. It’s whereabouts still unknown."  Qarzten Caimund leered despite himself at the whimsical reference to the feared Black Eunuch Egil Viggoaries as the 'Cock'. This was a good turn of phrase; Nijel had both guts and a sardonic sense-of-humor.

More importantly, Caimund’s hunches about Viggoaries being the extortionist had been right on the mark, but now the Dark Eunuch had lost the advantages of the leverage it had given him over Lord Shouzi Yozdek.

“He must be livid.” Qarzten Caimund looked away, continuing with his quiet reflection, “That explains the Eunuch's latest series (cycle) of unbridled, perverse tyrannies. Worse still for Viggoaries, Lord Shouzi Yozdek has finally put a face to his tormentor and will now bring to bear his full vindictiveness against him. Even so, Viggoaries has enough devious power to thwart these impending assaults and extricate himself totally from these troubles in the same way he always has.”   

 

(END OF SECTION 14)

 

 

                                                                                     ~