12- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE PORTENDED PERIL - SECTION 6

“What?” Zaur snapped, then caught Quinher’s concerned look and, relenting, gave his friend the look of apology for his rudeness.

01- PHYSICIAN QUINHER YUNGAR  (3)

The physician’s empathetic eyes meet Zaur’s briefly as he then thoughtfully, stroked his sparse beard. “Well, I f…feel I should inform you t…that t…there is an s…slight p…probability he m…may t…take a t…turn for the worse. In t…that eventuality, t…there is only one m…more d…drastic m…measure I c…can... administer…to him.”  Then he reached into his (medicine) bag and withdrew a flask. His index finger traced the strange label on the potent application (concoction) with a query in his eyes (pupils). He explained that, in the eventuality Fradel Rurik Korvald took a turn for the worse, this would either hasten the unfortunate scholar’s untimely demise or reverse the illness, granting him his life back once more, though the aftereffects were as bad as the disease. Noting the pain in Zaur’s eyes however, he decided to withhold rest of the truth from him. Taking a deep breath and letting go of the tension, for his stuttering always worsened when he was anxious or uneasy, he rose from the chair and came around to place a placating hand on Zaur’s shoulder. “Hopefully, we will not n…need it, eh? Now go. You will b…be informed at once if t…there will be any….c…change.”

Acquiescing, Zaur Stugr thanked Quinher for all that he had accomplished already, and then, since there was nothing constructive (further) he could do there, he turned and hastily left the room. Zaur rushed his steps down the narrow corridor, to reach his other study, expecting to receive certain intel any minute. He was in fact, most anxious to talk to his men, which had been dispatched an hour ago in pursuit of the likely (suspected) culprit, and to learn, what progress had been made thus far.

Earlier, while Fradel Rurik Korvald was being tended to by the physician Quinher, Zaur Stugr hand briefly snuck away to the next room to examine the suspect garment and upon his careful examination (scrutiny), he had discovered the tiny poisonous pin fastened underneath the jeweled cufflink. This had proved most helpful in providing the correct diagnosis and the treatment of the symptoms, since it had provided positive identification of the suspected venom. And even though the near invisible, tiny prick on Fradel Rurik Korvald’s wrist had drawn only neglectable drop of blood, it had nevertheless been quite effective, as the poison was absorbed through the skin anyway. Now this particular (singular) poison being so rare and so hard to procure (get hold of), the only likely (probable) architect had to be the Dark Eunuch. Zaur had acted swiftly in dispatching his men to apprehend the collaborating culprits on the slight chance they were still alive and, to force confession out of them. While he waited for their return, Zaur turned his attention to the assembled servants that had failed him. He remained furious with all the staff assigned to Fradel Rurik Korvald, particularly Cholden.

02- HEAD STUARD CHOLDEN

Zaur’s icy glare sweeping over the assembled group silently chastised them for their dereliction of duty, even though deep down he knew, and had to concede (admit), that they could have done truly little to prevent this (impending) disaster. Thus, forgoing (abandoning) the long-winded reprimand, Zaur hissed out a contemptuous breath and sternly dispensed his harsh reprisals, for the sake of maintaining strict discipline. After their dismissal, he sat down with a heavy heart, to ponder on the future means (efforts, methods), with which to minimize the harm (damage). Unavoidable, Zaur’s mind reverted to the supposed (gaged) conspirators and the mastermind Egil Viggoaries who had devised this evil scheme before his departure from Channing; this made Zaur’s fists clench in irate fury.

Unable to sit still any longer, Zaur bolted (sprung) to his feet and began pacing the room back and forth; for secretly he knew, despite his wishful hope what the impending results would be. Subsequently, he was not surprised, not in the least, when his men came back empty handed and reported the eventual demise of the culprits, from an accidental fire, no less. It was a sudden, fierce one that at great expense been contained from spreading, but not before it had completely gutted the shop (establishment) and claimed the lives of the proprietor and the staff working for him (his employees). Hence no legitimate evidence could be had, not now, not ever.

Zaur had received this report sitting stiffly upright in his armchair positioned by the fireplace (hearth), his face showing no emotion, a perfect mask, though inwardly his disappointment and seething rage were barely contained. Long after the dismissal of his men he sat motionless with a wry grimace affixed to his lips as he contemplated his other options and brooded over the lost opportunities in the event of Fradel Rurik Korvald’s demise or failure to show up for tomorrow’s appointment with Ronterron Zuke, never mind the summons, for both amounted to the same thing. As it was, Zaur had every confidence in Quinher’s ability, since he had seen him work miracles in the past; but, even if the scholar could be rescued from the jaws of death, he could not be expected to recover fully in time and be fit enough, to keep his appointment with Ronterron Zuke, by the subsequent day.

Zaur Stugr huffed and shifted in his seat; he had delayed the inevitable long enough, now he must pay an urgent visit to the Prime Minister and inform His Excellency of this disaster before the news reached him through other means. It would be atypical of that despicable Dark Eunuch not to have arranged this aspect (phase, consequence) of the strike. Before Zaur could act on this decision however, an urgent word from Physician Quinher, sent Zaur rushing back to Fradel Rurik Korvald’s side.

As Zaur entered the room, he heard Fradel Rurik Korvald’s vociferous (vocal, uttered) entreating (imploring) with his mother, in an obviously delirious state, for her forgiveness. Zaur gave Quinher a questioning glance.

“Although its m…may not appear so n…now, it is s…still a p…positive sign.” Quinher halting what he was doing, smiled at Zaur reassuringly. “He m…may p…pull t…through after all.”

Zaur Stugr signaled the physician to follow him outside, but Quinher anticipating his next question, answered him grimly with a shake of his head, “I am afraid his c…complete recovery will t…take a week at least. He will not b…be able to attend the appointment with Ronterron Zuke, t…tomorrow.”

The anticipated words, nevertheless, weighed like lead on Zaur’s heart.

“T…take s…solace, at least he w…will not d…die. Not immediately, a…anyway.”  Quinher’s subsequent, consoling words were ignored, as Zaur Stugr, for the first time feeling vulnerable, turned his back on the physician, knit his brows in deep dismay and stormed out of the room. In the ensuing minutes Zaur strolled aimlessly through the exquisite garden, his head down while he racked his brains for the apt solution…Searching for the right course of action to take.

03- MINISTER OF CEREMONY ZAUR STUGR (KOZUR LEADER) JP

The worst had been averted, true, but they were not out of the woods yet. How best to extricate from this impending disaster? His Highness was well known for his intolerance of failure; yet he could not, in pre-emptive (preventative, defensive) move, throw it all away (flee or order self-destruct); not after years of the extensive effort of establishing bond and entrenching members of the Organization into the (key) core administrative body within the Capital. The blame was his, for not considering this inevitability, (albeit its unlikelihood). How could he have been so complacent, so short-sightedly unwise as to have underestimated his foe?

                                                                                 …….

All this while, despite Nevetsecnuac’s physical comatose state, his mind fully cognisant, he had observed the beehive activity around him. The chatter of sounds though discernable at first, as time went by, gradually became more muted. Abruptly his body, which had been up till then weighted down like a huge boulder becoming immersed in a brilliant light, his soul lifted from the listless body and ascended (soared) towards the ceiling. He was at present floating in mid-air light as a feather, and looking down on his listless, rigid corpus (physical body).

“Am I dead?” Nevetsecnuac (Fradel) recalling the earlier incidental prick on his wrist, loudly queried, but the silhouetted figures below gave no response (no inclination), neither hearing nor seeing his apparition that floated about in the room. Dismayed, he quietly reprimanded (reproached) self for his inaction earlier and, for being so remiss.

I should have; I should have…What? He quickly realized that there was little he could have done to alter the past. At one-point Nevetsecnuac drawing closer and looking over the shoulder of attending physician Quinher, he observed Quinher’s meticulous care. Avidly he followed the physician’s ingenious application of acupuncture, the precision punctures (stabs, piercings) to stabilize his lifeforce (pulse) and more importantly, stem the spread (flow) of poison from reaching the vital organs. Nevetsecnuac observed furthermore, the unique method with which the poison was extracted (leeched) from his body.

On the verge of complete success however, suddenly Quinher’s brows knit in deep dismay; a surprise setback, the anon discoloration of the skin on arm, neck, and face, added to the other visible symptoms (signs) manifesting now on Scholar’s (vitals and) limp body, clearly perturbed (disconcerted) hard working Quinher. He took in a long, exasperated breath and exhaling deeply, looked away.

Despite all, the patient was still at death’s door!

Quinher wiped away the sweat from his forehead and reaching over, picked up the cup containing the rest of the antidote but then after a momentary deliberation, he vehemently shook his head and put it down again. He had already administered the safe, right dosage to the patient; any more would bring serious harm to his vitals. There had to be another way! Refusing to concede therefore, he wracked his brains for that most allusive (circuitous) resolution that currently escaped him.

Intrigued, Nevetsecnuac reached for the same cup resting on the side table, but since he was unable to pick it up, for his hand went right through it, he contented himself with bending over and sniffing the contents, the small measure of the fluid, which had been left in it.

The rare, pungent smelling antidote, in diluted crab-apple and honey mix solution, was unlike anything Nevetsecnuac had known. Though his uncle Lord Asger had schooled him extensively on the variety of toxins and corresponding cures, this one being a mystery, Nevetsecnuac was pondering on its origin, when the room suddenly flooded in a blinding luminescence.

“No, I cannot leave… Not yet! I must return to my body.” Nevetsecnuac clung to the bedpost in protest, resisting being carried off by the sudden tempestuous rush of air that had at that moment inundated the entire room. But despite all his exerted effort, his grip was still violently torn away, and he was (sucked) propelled with incredible force into the whirlwind.

04 B - NEVETSECNUAC'S SURREAL EXPERIENCE

From there he was cast into a great void, where which he weightlessly floated within this dark, limitless expanse; and unfortunately, no matter which direction he glided (drifted), he always returned to the selfsame spot, or rather, it felt like that, for there was no variation of any kind in the eternal, infinite abyss.

At one point however he envisioned he was in midst of a sky over the vast forbidden icy peaks, whose summits were in the clouds, reaching up to Heavens. His hair was now completely white and there were dragons in the sky and a devastating whirlwind, a hurricane force winds over the planet Earth. Then came the fragmented images of the ground below that were utterly desolate, covered by ice and snow as far as the eye could see.

Despite the hopelessness of his situation, Nevetsecnuac was not one to give up so easily; relentlessly therefore, he strove to escape his dire, nightmarish entrapment till he expended every ounce of his vigour (energy). In the end, his heart pounding (hammering) fiercely in his chest, his breath heaving, he lowered his head in sad resignation. This outcome, had to have been, Heaven’ ordained.

“No, it was not.”  A gentle sound countered (contradicted this notion).

Nevetsecnuac reeled (turned) to see who had ejected those words and saw a beautiful, distinguished, noble lady floating towards him.

Are your Ladyship, a friend, or a foe? He was about to ask, when she with hurtful eyes, reading his mind, disappointedly, shook her head.

“You forgot your own mother, the one who gave you life?” she choked the hurtful words out, as her glistening tearstained eyes rested on him. “But then, you were ripped from (my bosom) my arms, in your infancy.” Lowering her head, she mumbled mournfully. “By rights I should have no cause for regrets for Lord Asger has sacrificed so much and (he has) devoted his whole life to bringing you up so righteously. You have lacked neither love nor attention.”

05-NEVETSECNUAC'S MOTHER ( INGRIT, ALSO KNOWN AS ARNORA )

“Mother?”  Nevetsecnuac, overcoming his shock, reverently bowed his head to her. It was all he could do in his buoyant (floating) form, to show his high regard (proper respect) to his mother. “Please, mother, forgive my impertinence, I…”

“It’s all right, son.” she interrupted him, opening her arms for an embrace. Rushing (floating) into each other’s arms both mother and son hugged (clasped) each other and sobbed.

“But this is no time for rejoicing or consolation either.”  Momentarily, curtailing her emotions, she drew away. Drying her eyes she spoke with affection, “I have come here, in disobedience (infringing, breaching) of the divine rules, on an urgent task. Your honourable father should have been the one to mend the error in your latest judgement and then guide you back on the right course, except that he is furious with you. He can be so obdurate (inflexible, obstinate) at times.”  She shook her head in exasperation.

“No matter; when he was distracted, I managed to get away (sneak away).”  She exhaled deeply and composed herself. “Listen, my precious, we are all aware of the turmoil that has been plaguing (afflicting) your heart and mind. You are a loyal, filial son but your recent, disagreeable experiences and odd events have deceptively, altered your perspicacity (logic, discernment, and wisdom). Please do not interrupt as I have truly little time to spare. Besides, its dangerous for you to linger in this abyss, an ambit (domain) between two realms of existence, too long. You could be permanently (eternally) trapped here, forfeiting your soul to the…” She shuddered, looked about her fearfully, unable to bring herself to even utter the name.

Nevetsecnuac, intuitive self however, suddenly tensed, as the name STHETOR manifested in his brain. But who was Shetor? Why did it evoke such dread…. There were also other disjointed words, such as ….  Nevetsecnuac’s mother’s voice, however, just then snapped him out from his private cogitations (deliberations).

When she’d spoken up again, understandably, her tone now was most urgent: “Please heed my words son, this is not about filial piety or righteous vengeance, though in part it could be construed as such; souls who had been condemned to roam the Earth or forever trapped in the eternal void, after your combat, finally vindicated, will be free (released) to enter Heaven. Yet your part (role) in all of this entails much, much more. You, my beloved, has been ordained by Heaven, to function as the instrument of Fate. Yes, on rare occasions it rests solely on the shoulders of a single individual (being) or,” dropping her head she inaudibly mumbled, “in this case also on another, hmm…The enviable bond between the two of y…” She abruptly curtailed (held) her tongue, and looking up at him, apologetically smiled. “But I digress; do you really think that it was by coincidence that you were lured out of the mountain abode prematurely? No, Heaven works in mysterious ways! If you do not go through with this, or if you fail, consequences, which I will now enumerate succinctly, will befall Wenjenkun: Zakhertan Yozdek has had a premonition, a warning; acting on it, he will execute Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund, the key component in future providence, sooner than he intended. If Zakhertan dies however, Qarzten will escape this catastrophe and Wenjenkun will be safe for a time under his competent rule. This will grant the heroes of Wenjenkun, a requisite, most valuable time to fulfill their fate (lot in life, their calling). If on the other hand Zakhertan lives, countless will perish, among them, Lord Asger, Fradel Rurik Korvald, my grandson Alric Svein, my granddaughter Lueling.”  She halted her speech at this point to dry her eyes, then choking back her emotions, she continued. “Instead of fulfilling their great destinies, they will be instead captured and in chains brought to Channing, to be tortured and ignominiously executed at the hand of that bloodthirsty Zakhertan Yozdek. That is the ill fate that will befall them. You must, therefore, do your utmost to eradicate Zakhertan Yozdek, this great evil of Wenjenkun. His reign is at an end anyhow; two years from now, because of a hunting accident which will permanently incapacitate (cripple) Zakhertan Yozdek, he would meet his imminent demise (death). By then the festering factional infighting, however, would have cast (plummet) the nation into a civil war, fueled in part by Deng Hedenko and those affiliated with Korion. During this time, the devastation in Wenjenkun will be insurmountable (immeasurable). After the eventual conquest of Wenjenkun, under the ruthless dominion of Emperor Deng Hedenko, the destructive elements would be so catastrophic that Wenjenkun as a nation would simply cease to exist.”  She shook her head grimly and paused, to simply allow it all to sink in. “On the other hand, succeeding in your noble aim… well, let’s just say that Heaven has given us a rare second chance.”  She smiled sweetly, reassuringly.

Mysteriously (inexplicably), through an innate magical power, Nevetsecnuac was then able to read succinctly, the arrested (checked), forbidden info, in her mind. “Wenjenkun (hardened by the fires of defeat) will rise again from the ashes to, one day under the leadership of its then benevolent Emperor, Alric Svein (the great-grandson of Zuronghan Therran Valamir), to become the mightiest, enduring nation for centuries to come. Wenjenkun, Korion, and even Kontu united under one benevolent ruler, will enjoy the lasting peace and prosperity.”

“Now, son, close your eyes and bid your soul to return to your body. You must strive, with all your might (vigour), to live again. Having said what I came to say, I shall now bid you my fond farewells, my most beloved son.”

Her words echoed in the void as she disappeared before Nevetsecnuac could respond with his own reassertion of eternal affection and gratitude to her. With his eyes misted shut, he followed her advice.

 

 

(END OF SECTON 6)

https://legend-of-ne-vet-sec-nuac.blog/2026/09/29/podcast-episode-legend-of-nevetsecnuac-book-12-the-portended-peril-section-6/

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 20

Here is a succinct explanation as to what really happened Stuart Chutek, far from the Capital Channing:

On route to Lord Tonzeye Yevgun in Chukset Province, Stuart Chutek’s journey was hindered by tumultuous rains, which had made the major highway and most of the alternate roads, virtually impassable (obstructed or treacherous); therefore, he had stayed for the additional two days at a modest Inn near the Nexoko Pass.

01 B- STEWART CHUTEK TRAVELLING- JP

On the second night, during a private repast with a very friendly merchant and his bookish assistant also on route to Chukset Province, he had been quietly drugged however, then robbed of his possessions. The still unconscious Stuart Chutek was then quietly taken out the back door, carried to the edge of a very high precipice by these clearly ruthless Wolfbane Brotherhood agents, then unmercifully dumped over the cliff’s edge- with the immediate danger extant (existent) from shards of rocks protruding from the periphery-into the deep, forested gully (ravine, gorge) that had a fast flowing river with tumultuous waves and currents, carving a snaking course through it (the canyon) at the very base.

The turbulent and foamy waves of the river had carried Chutek for a time, his head bopping (trouncing) in and out, every so often barely visible, amidst the rushing waters that carved a violent path across the ravine and then eventually cascaded over a spectacular waterfall thousands of meters down, which was picturesque, though very lethal.

Logically, anyone in Chutek’s predicament would have indubitably perished; nevertheless, the capricious (unpredictable, variable) fate had deemed that Chutek, even though he had scant chance to survive, would miraculously triumph over this certain catastrophe.

02- STEWART CHUTEK  (5)

Alas, as Chutek was swept along by the rapid currents of the river, racing alongside the tree stems (stalks, trunks, heavy branches) and, consequently, his head often crushing into or colliding with these floating (racing) wooden debris- he inexorably (unavoidably) was fated to suffer a future syndrome (disorder) of permanent amnesia (memory loss). Furthermore, Chutek ‘s mien (appearance), his once beautiful visage was also irrevocably (altered) marred by the three unforgiving deep lacerations (slashes, gushes) across his face. And so, his ordeal had transformed him from being strikingly handsome to just being plainly ordinary, if not an ugly lad (guy, chap). Then again, it was a deliberate feat (deed) of destiny, or a blessing from Heaven, for Chutek thereafter would remain aptly anonymous and fortunately, be well hidden (concealed) from those that would still seek to harm him.

Chutek was eventually washed ashore to the gravelly (pebbly) beach, and discovered by a recluse, aged warrior that bore physical scars on his body all over, which told of a once violent past. Halvar Gosta was his name, and two decades ago he had permanently turned his back to that way of life, deliberately forsaking all trappings of civilization and any human habitations (settlements).

Halvar Gosta, once a mighty warrior, he had back then been pushed to the brink of insanity; thus, a bedlam (turmoil, conflict, bout), instigated by an unforgivable past trauma, at the ramparts (parapets) of the heavily armed fortresses guarding Eastern far frontier of Wenjenkun, had resulted in an unavoidable two hundred pugilists (combatants, squaddies), one high official and four officers’ fatalities, as they had tried to contain him. Nevertheless, escaping the clutches of the law, he had made good his escape; however, from then on deemed a rebel, overnight he had become a wanted criminal with a hefty bounty (reward) on his head.

Halvar’s unyielding will to persevere had eventually cast him to this faraway (outlying,) corner, where which the hostile terrain (territory) demanded constant vigilance just to survive. Absconded (fled, settled) to this high altitude remote mountainous region (at the northwestern sector of the Konourek Province of Wenjenkun Empire) where all but the hardiest of souls could have persisted, and by existing (subsisting) in this arduous though natural environment, incessantly battling the harsh climate and the abundant, voracious, roaming predatory beasts (that lacked the guile, treachery and duplicity of humans)- he’d gradually (by degrees) tempered his core explosive (volatile) fury (ferocity) and reclaimed his sanity (lucidity, reason). Thereafter, he had lived the reminder of his solitary days in (mundane) routine subsistence and in equitable (relative) peace. He hunted game or periodically indulged in fishing trips, for variance and to survive.

But then again, his lot (destiny, luck) perpetually dogged by erratic (random, unpredictable) providence (divine intervention), once while pursuing a game, he had fallen into a deep chasm and lost consciousness; when he came to, he found himself encountering a most venomous snake, ready to strike him. Halvar’s strong grip had promptly sent (dispatched) the serpent to the netherworld, but not before the serpent’s fangs had targeted his calf (shin, lower leg).

 

03   HALVAR (11)B -JP

The venomous bite would have finished him off for good had it not been for the woman who had happened to be at nearby vicinity, quietly and unseen, gathering rare medicinal herbs on the very mountain.

She at once had acted decisively to save his life. He had learned of this later, that she had first successfully drew out the poison from the two puncher wounds of the viper; then, she had carefully applied herbal poultices to the area. Subsequently, she had torn strips from her oversize shirt and carefully bandaged the wound. The next step had been the hardest to undertake (accomplish, achieve, complete), as she with some difficulty, got him out of the deep chasm, then hauled (towed, dragged, pulled) his massive muscular (athletic, robust), fit form, with dogged persistence, till they reached the safety of her well-concealed (by the runners, ivy), sturdy wooden cabin that had been built long ago by her now deceased warrior father.

Subsequent days, despite her diligent care, the stranger had been delirious, his soul and physical body thrashing about, racked (beset, tormented) with fighting personal demons and dangerously high fever. She with her strong determination, had patiently however, brought him back from the edge of death, with her ancient herbal remedies and medicinal poultices that had been passed down to her.

On the fifth day, his fever had finally broken (subsided), and he had slowly regained his full conscience (senses); that morning waking at dawn, though groggily (dizzy and weak), he had at first lain perfectly still, with his eyelids closed willing agility and strength to his limbs and trying to make sense of his present circumstance. When he opened his eyelids again, this time his patient, stealth gaze had at first briefly rested on his bandages, then perused (scrutinized, surveyed) the immaculate (spotless, clean) and orderly interior of a sparsely furnished wooden, logged cabin:

 His eyes stayed for a time on the remarkable warrior’s shield (armor) with an unusual crest (emblem symbol) on it, the like of which he had never seen and next, rested on the adjacent (nearby), a clearly magnificent, sheathed sword with jewelled hilt (handle), mounted on the far wall. There were also bundles of strange herbs hung low from the ceiling, infusing (pervading) the interior air with their varied fragrances, some of it being positively intoxicating. On a two-tear shelf, besides the window with shutters, rested six glass jars of herbs and 8 jars of what looked to be preserved mushrooms or fruits.

It was then that he acutely became aware (also realized) that he was resting on the only bed in the room. His soft regard (respectful stare) next affixed on presumed saviour’s back, he watched her carefully for a time as she tended the fire in the hearth (central fireplace). Then, while Halvar surreptitiously (quietly) observed her practical, methodical efforts (actions, movements), he inwardly queried, amazed at the small, framed female, who clearly was alone, having so managed to extricate (rescue) him from the deep gulch (gulley, pothole), drag him, for presumed inconceivable distance (length), till they reached the safety of her bungalow (abode) in the woods. He was same time quietly perturbed that another human being had lived/survived on this mountain without him ever detecting her presence. Typical mountainous region overall was an unforgiving place; death stalked the weak, with prevalent dangers abound, not only from elements but from myriad creatures and predatory beasts.

He was curious to learn if the shield and sword belonged to her or another; more importantly, how long and what kind of reason propelled her to live in this harsh environment?

Norna, just then detecting a slight variance in his breathing (also, his slight stirring), therefore, knowing that he was fully awake, in an unhurried manner then had half turned and enigmatically smiled at him with that broad grin; she then nodded, and rising to her feet and turning to face him fully, exclaimed: Its good, you’ll live.

04 B- NORNA - JP

Delightfully then, she had introduced herself as Norna (purposely leaving out her surname) and then quietly asked after his name. He parted his lips to comply (speak) but then suddenly became aware that his throat was terribly parched (thirsty); wincing, and with difficulty he had then propped himself up to a sitting position. Before he could ask her for it, however, anticipating his need she had hastened with the tepid (lukewarm) cup of water, then cautioned him to take it slow.

He had gratefully drunk his fill, and then introduced himself as simply Halvar, taking his cue from her and leaving out his surname. He next with deep gratitude evident in his voice, had thanked her for saving his life and then stated that he was now, forever, indebted to her. Subsequently, noticing her bedding all rolled up, and tugged at the corner of the hearth, he, lowering his gaze had expressed his shame and guilt at occupying her bed, while she slept on the floor. She had dismissed this so sweetly with the wave of her hand, that for the first time ever tiny crack had appeared in his icy heart, threatening to thaw it, and edit (revise) his forever hardened resolve, his (antipathy) utter aversion of all human beings.

Later still she had helped him drink (ingest) a particularly nutritious warm broth, till colour returned to his cheeks. Halvar upon his inquiry, had learned then that she had once lived with her warrior father and that the sword and shield bearing their family’s crest had belonged to her now deceased father Jarle. She had fallen silent for a time and noting her reluctance to speak any further on this, he had let it pass.

05- JARLE (WARRIOR, FATHER OF NORNA)2

Later still, nights being long, as each sipped from clay cups the freshly brewed hot tea, a sort of soothing herbal concoction that would enable one to sleep soundly, it was then that she desisting tears (though it was evident in her face that her grief was still fresh), in a choking voice told him, that she lived alone and had done so, since the sudden, tragic demise of her beloved father Jarle.

Three winters past, on a particularly tempestuous day, a sudden snowstorm had blanketed the mountain by several inches of pristine white, reducing visibility to virtual nil; her father Jarle returning home from a hunt and being caught in this, had furthermore, suffered a fall into a deep chasm which had also trapped a voracious (ravenous) predatory beast. She did not need to finish the narration (account, story), as Halvar with certain understanding nodded his head. He had clearly understood that warrior Jarle consequently had been mauled to death and then mostly, if not entirely eaten (bone and flesh) by the ravenous beast, by the time she had tracked her father’s whereabouts. Halvar had surreptitiously looked at her brief time later, with sympathy gripping his heart, understanding the grizzly discovery of Jarle that still to date, hunted her peace.

Following days as Norna slowly and diligently had nursed him back to sound (fit, good) health, anticipating his every need and providing it without being asked; during this period Halvar, nevertheless, became impatient at being idle, wanting to at least in part, by doing specific errands or repairs, to repay her kindness to him. Understanding this need, she tasked him with minor chores that entailed (required) certain skill but did not necessitate sturdy (robust) strength or vigorous agility.

06 HALVAR (8)

Subsequently, quietly observing her ways, Halvar was utterly drawn by her natural beauty and her quiet grace, but more importantly, by her agility and utter competence in stoically handling (dealing) as she did, the daunting (intimidating), demanding chores, errands (undertakings) vital (essential) for survival in this remote wilderness. More remarkable still, she did all that while preserving (keeping intact) her innate sweet nature and her compassionate, loving heart. Trying not to stare into those captivating, blue eyes, for she was clearly abashed (embarrassed); he quietly appreciated her characteristic (natural), remarkable resilience, high intelligence, and at times dumbfounding physical strength, despite her frail frame. By now, he had insisted on sleeping on the ground while she again rested at night on her bed.

He did not know it then, but gradually, by degrees, as he convalesced physically and mentally, recovering increasingly more his prior robust capacities, he began doing more strenuous tasks and providing regular meat and for variety, sometimes fish (like salmon), with his frequent hunting trips. Meanwhile, he was gradually being besotted (enamored) by this incredible woman that took his breath away each time their eyes accidentally met, or, when she smiled at him.

He did not return to his cabin for a long time; her place being sturdier, more welcoming and more practical than his, and when he did, he was aghast to see that while he was away, a lightening strike had totally (decimated, destroyed) incinerated, his cabin and the immediate periphery (margin, vicinity) to ash. He would have expired, if not severely burned, had he been staying at his (hastily constructed) cabin during this catastrophe. He understood then that Norna had brought him luck and, also for the second time, had saved his life. With a totally thawed heart (ice completely gone- as the trust in another permanently taken root in his heart), now definitely infatuated and almost fanatical in his devotion to her, he returned to live with her, this time permanently.

And so, the two unlikely persons, begun their slow, patient journey towards becoming a habitual (usual) blissful pair, with a consistent tender moments of family, nourished by the quintessential feelings of laughter, deep affection, care, joy, passion, trust, filial loyalty- all wrapped up in the precious bundle of eternal love.

The once disillusioned warrior Halvar had never anticipated (expected) to have a second chance at happiness, furthermore, to encounter another solitary individual, a beautiful, remarkable woman, that eventually became his everlasting soulmate partner (wife). Their frequent, enthusiastic union had blessedly in time, produced his beloved, beautiful daughter Clara who had her mother’s eyes. She was also an accomplished healer, same as her mother once been.

07- CLARA (NARNA AND HALVAR'S DAUGTER)  JP2

After the loss of his beloved wife to fever, three winters past, Clara now seventeen, she often gathered herbs from the mountain gradient; furthermore, it kept her mind occupied and from wondering what lay beyond the mountain. Halvar was very protective of his daughter, though he, not wishing to stifle her innate nature (and her creativity), learned to be patient and tolerant of her often, wayward ways. Then happened another addition to their sturdy abode (home).

One invigorating (brisk) morning, when the first rays of dawn reached earth, Halvar had quietly exited his wooden cabin (humble abode); then, with quick sure steps he had descended down from the mountain, armed with his fishing-gear (and also, his fishing spear), and quickly reached his favorite spot along the rocky shoreline of the tumultuous (fast flowing) river. But then, as he was about to cast his line, his ears had just then detected a barely audible low groan of pain, and so, he had spotted Chutek’s battered and bruised, barely alive body sprawled over the gravelly-sand, half hidden in the thickets, and from then on, his way of life had altered irrevocably.

Would Alvar have tolerated and allowed the rescued being to live with them, one wonders, if he was not a eunuch?

 The young man, rescued from the clutches of death by Halvar and nursed back to health by lovely Clara, then renamed in a quiet ceremony Randolf, fit in perfectly within the range of their blissful coexistence and so, in the end Chutek had lived happily ever after, away from the trials and tribulations of the civilized world.

08- HALVAR - RANDOLF(CHUTEK) AND CLARA

                                                                                               ~

 

(END OF SECTION 20)