13- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR - SECTION 4

 Lord Asger was warily (cautiously) concerned by the stranger’s unstable, irresolute  conduct particularly since it became quite evident from his sheer exasperation that some mystical force had overtaken control of his physical and mental faculties (free will). Asger therefore, quietly now considered moving the stranger, soon as he’s able (and his weaken state improved) to the barn, to ensure safety of his three charges (Tequob and the twins).

 

01- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON (173) - JP

Lord Asger had not been too far off in this assumption; actually, since before the stranger’s arrival at the cabin, his mental state, more specifically his soul, had been incessantly trapped (caught) in a dire, despondent struggle (battle) for dominance with a malevolent spirit bent on utter possession of his very being.  Now in his further enfeebled (debilitating) state because of the side-effects of the medicine coursing through his veins, even with his indomitable spirit, he had struggled hard but in vain, to override the combined effects of the evil potent force and the linctus (remedy)steadily depleting his resistance. His cognizance, his grasp on reality gradually abating (diminishing), he eventually was overpowered by it and subsequently, hopelessly, succumbed (capitulated) to its abysmal (execrable) control!

Asger, despite his misgivings, for the time being pushing it aside, had indulgently smiled then placed a gentle, conciliating (mollifying) hand on the stranger’s shoulder and kindly advised him: “Do not fret or fight the effects of the drug.  You are safe; best you conserve your physical energy for now and surrender (give in) to sleep! We can address your cognitive (mental) and spiritual, difficulties later (all in good time), never fear.”

Having so persuaded the patient to again lie down, Asger was about to head out the door when the stranger just then mechanically turning his head, ejected in a gurgling sound, “I’m parched (thirsty)…. T…”  His subsequent words unfortunately were too indiscernible (Incomprehensible).

“You wish to have some Tea?” Asger (turning around) reeled in surprise to question the stranger, to reaffirm what he had thought he had heard was in fact correct. (right)

“Yes please,” the stranger nodded, “and if you’d be so kind, Lord Zhon, I would be most honored (and obliged) indeed, if your Lordship were to join me!” The stranger had appeared quite lucid just then when he had uttered those words, before lapsing again into a state of apparent confusion.

Asger again momentarily brushing aside his trepidation and inner foreboding, nodded his ascent; but before exiting the room, he discreetly retrieved the miniature flagon (flask) containing a potent sleeping potion from his medicine bag.  

At outside, he shook his head to dispel his dark thoughts, knowing he would deal with whatever may come. Judging by the extent of the stranger’s injuries, the source of them, some not being elusive at all, Asger could accurately determine his past terrible ordeals, which offered at least in part, an explanation for the stranger’s deranged state of mind. The sword, meanwhile, was meant to reassure Asger of his trustworthiness. The stranger obviously held in his brain (been privy to) vital information yet to be communicated, this constraining Asger hence, to be both patient (tolerant) and tactful.

One thing was for certain however, while the stranger, presumed scholar, was in that weakened state with his chaotic mind affecting hazard (menace) to self and anyone else, he had to be somehow, at some point, confined (restrained).

Asger, with such ponderance, had walked over to the hearth (fireplace)and with a small protective cloth he reached for the iron pot’s (teapot) hot handle; the pot was already filled with boiling water with steeping tea leaves within it. This brewed fresh pot of tea was then further allocated (dispensed, shared out) into two different size porcelain carafes (vessels, decanters): the large one resting on the centre of the table and then the smaller pot alongside the three empty cups already positioned on the silver tray. Asger added the wooden spoons next to each of the three bowls filled to the brim with steaming porridge and then quickly took all of it straight into Tekuob’s room. As she and the children were still sounding asleep, not daring to disturb them, he quietly placed the tray on the night table and exited the serene premises by gently closing the door behind him.

 

02- THE SCHOLAR STRANGER - JP

He was surprised (shocked) to find the outlandish scholar this time seated at the table in the main hall, with no signs of past ordeal (no visible lacerations or bruises on face or body, hair perfectly combed, waring a different and spotless attire), brazenly having already helped himself to a cup of tea, from the larger pot on the table. The flask containing the sleeping potion, clearly untampered, in plain sight rested on the same table.

 

The scholar, furthermore, having quite unabashedly helped himself to an ancient manuscript and, appearing very much at home, was presently pouring over the segment of the scroll.  Asger’s prized possession sprawled all over the kitchen table lay dangerously close to the hot carafes and the clay jug that was filled to the brim with honey.  

Asger, naturally was taken back, nevertheless masking his unease he politely inquired: “Your astounding recovery afforded me some ease (comfort); however, you have me at a disadvantage sir, may I now know your name?”

 

The scholar with an unhurried manner rose to his feet, and then reverently prostrated himself before Lord Zhon.  His subsequent apologies quickly dispensed with; he formally introduced himself as the noted Scholar Fradel Rurik Korvald.  He followed it with his deep appreciation for the care he had received from Lord Asger Zhon, giving Asger full credit for his miraculous recovery. His subsequent brief account of his background (credentials) dispensed with; he was about to mention Nevetsecnuac when on second thought, he curtailed his tongue. He remained silent for a time, as though he was lost for words.  

 

Asger feigned being satisfied, signaled for scholar to take a seat and then with certain decorum (composure) sat down across from Fradel. Before he could question Fradel on how he came by Lord Zhon’s ancestor sword, or more importantly, about the wellbeing of Nevetsecnuac, right at this point Fradel interrupting him, sprung to his feet.

 

After Fradel’s exaggerated, respectful bow, and words, “Please forgive my presumption, Lord Zhon.” He quickly rolled up the rare manuscript and, going over, placed it back on the top shelf of the bookcase that was by the far wall. On his return, grimacing sheepishly then wryly, his eyes briefly had stayed at Tekoub’s door, then swept over the flask, before apologetically sitting down and then, helping himself to yet another cupful of steaming tea.

Asger, though he did not show it, was infuriated with himself for not detecting the underlying thread and letting in this danger inside; now he would have to exert (labour)much harder feat (act) to fix (resolve) this breach and prevent the anticipated sure peril. The fact that the Scholar Fradel had bypassed the security and the spun spell that had guarded the premise from malevolent forces up till then, had secretly both alarmed and confounded (perplexed) Asger; meanwhile, overlooking Fradel’s purposely diverting, brazen audacity and seemingly inane erratic conduct, Asger had striven all this while to determine, without much success, the scholar’s perceived, hidden agenda.

 

03- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON   (90)JP

 

Fradel Rurik Korvald, after pensively consuming several sips of tea from his cup, raised his head only once, to address Asger with forced polite demeanor and to express his appreciation: “I must compliment you sir, on the excellent infusion!”

 It is the best I have had in a while. This rare brew is reserved for the exclusive use of Royalty; it must be imported from Kontu at exorbitant expense and trouble. The Scholar nevertheless masking these thoughts stole a quick glance at his host and then turned his attention back on the superb landscape scroll mounted at the far wall. An ancient masterpiece adorns his walls, as well; rare manuscripts, and this most exquisite tea, you lack nothing, do you? Fradel snorted; his head lowered.

 

The uneasy curtain of silence meanwhile had descended on them both for about three minutes as each had considered their subsequent moves. The tense atmosphere within was further compounded by the thrashing winds and pelting rain outside, as it drummed impatiently, incessantly on the cabin walls and on the roof.

 

Thankfully, Tekuob and the twins were still fast asleep. If only he had paid heed to Fiery Comet’s warning and to his innate intuition! What a complacent fool he had been!

Asger knew however that he had precious few minutes before he could swiftly and decisively affect (shape, modify) his plan to check this present, dire danger (circumstance). In his ponderance, Asger had distractedly poured himself a steaming cup of tea and then raised it to his lips.  

Oh no! He had detected the odd odor too late, after he had absentmindedly swallowed a mouthful and put the cup down. Throwing an angry, cursory glance at Fradel, Asger bolted from his seat just as the effects of poison were taking root and hastened to his room to validate his suspicion. He at once reached for his medicine bag and, retrieving it, he was about to rummage through the contents quickly when…

 

“You are looking for these?”  Fradel Rurik Korvald just then appeared at the door, hissed in a sinister voice as he held out the two slightly different dark grey miniature flasks for Asger to see. The darker grey flask contained the dreaded poison; the lighter shade one held the rare antidote for it.

“How…Why?” Was all that Asger (could manage) managed to eject (cry out) before the anticipated paralysis of the body set in. He remained, hence, as he was, speechless, unable to move a single muscle. In his catatonic state, because his cognitive function, the only one, had remained unaffected (not hindered or debilitated); his eyes showed the anxiety and rage that had swelled up from deep within him.

The scholar Fradel Rurik Korvald meanwhile smiling smugly, had closed the door behind him, then going over. He comfortably seated himself in the chair.

“How indeed!” He shrugged. Then suddenly his face turned hard, and with a venomous, contemptuous glare, he gritted his teeth. “I laced (tainted, spiked) the inside bottom of your empty cup with the poison, a single drop that was all it was needed; the potful of tea was quite safe.” He grinned maliciously.

 

04- SCHOLAR FRADEL  JP 5

Now in answer to your second query, “Why?”  He derisively ejected and then huffed. “I should be asking you that very same question! Why? Why have you betrayed me? For what? Duty? Misplaced loyalty? Honor? For that Princeling?” he growled.

“Have you any idea what you put me through my whole life?” Fradel’s voice now thundered with rage; that could not be assuaged.

“God damn you!” He hurled the poison flask smashing it to Smithereens on the floor, as the same time bolted from his seat. Going over next Fradel uncorked the lighter shade flask containing the antidote and, with a venomous sneer, he deliberately emptied the entire contents onto the floor. He coolly (coldheartedly) watched as the parched wooden planks thirstily absorbed (lapped it up) the last drop of hope and salvation for Asger.

“All gone!”  The incredulous tone of the contemptuous Fradel, infuriated Asger.

His defiant, threatening glare (eyes) however, further unleashed the scholar’s pent-up rage; Fradel squatting, his scowling face inches from Asger’s, he hissed venomously then hit him hard right across, with the back of his hand, bloodying Asger’s nose.  

 

 “I alone have the right to indignation, not you!”  Fradel barked.

 

The subsequent blows of his fist to Asger’s face turned Asger’s swollen face range of deep purple; there was such terrible ringing in his ears now, his head swam and, from the cuts and lacerations in face, as well the split lip, copious blood oozed onto his chin and neck then down.

 

The brutal pressure of Fradel’s knee crushing (pressing) down on his chest meanwhile, had constrained Asger’s lungs in his bruised chest cavity, and he had labored for that precious intake of (breath) air! Ruthlessly constrained from retaliating, Asger became even more fearful for the welfare of Tekuob and the children.

This deranged lunatic; this vile, raving brute had to be stopped at all costs before he affected (brought) serious harm to them!  But how?

Asger indifferent to hurled insults and inflicted pain, had wracked his brain for an apt solution; however, despite his strong will, he had failed (been unsuccessful) to alter his dire circumstance (predicament). All he had managed thus far to do was to move his eyelids.

But Asger was not one to give up so easily; closing his eyes and according to ancient principles mastering his circumstance hence, he summoned his vital energy source from deep within him. Before he could utilize (direct) it, however, “Snap out of it!” A vicious kick followed by a sharp, searing pain across his chest just then, interrupted Asger’s revival and fitting retaliation.

The villainous Scholar, meanwhile, on second thought, had restrained (constrained) his urge to break every bone in Asger’s ribcage. Then his sinister gaze for a second fell on the Asger’s ancestral sword that had not yet been put away.  

 

“Patience!” Fradel pursing his lips, sneered. This singular pleasure will have to wait, as he needed this dastardly fiend alive for now!  

 

“Oh, but in the meantime, I shall enjoy tormenting your sanctimonious mind, and later, ….!” Chewing on the last set of words, he rancorously promised. “Shame will eat you up alive as you perish by slow degrees!”

 

Fradel’s subsequent sinister laughter made the hairs on the back of Asger’s neck stand on end and rage swelled within him anew. Nevertheless, Asger with a blank stare, turned his attention inward once more and focused on purging his heart (soul) of all human sentiment. Afterwards, to gain time, he would direct his will to slow down the effects of poison coursing through his vitals.

 

“Look at me!”  Fradel Rurik Korvald’s bark, however, once again interrupted Asger’s concentration. Fradel subsequently pressed his seething face right into Lord Asger Zhon’s and demanded (commanded), “I said, look at me! You cannot deny my existence any longer, maggot! I am here to make you answer for your crimes!”

 

 

 

  (END OF SECTION 4)

 

 

 

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