11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 26

 On the evening of the day that Qarzten Caimund and Lenny Sukzor had both at dawn departed from Channing, Minister of Ceremony Zaur Stugr conducting business as usual in his secret offices, had next received Kozur affiliate (member) Qunen Yummer.

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As Zaur had listened with due patience to Qunen’s lengthy report, in his mind's eye Zaur could not help but envision all the committed, ghastly, disturbing acts/atrocities at the hand of that blood thirsty Egil Viggoaries.

Zaur was both relieved and quietly intrigued to hear next, however, when at dawn of this very day the Dark Eunuch had again gone down to the subterranean dungeons to further torment Nijel Pinng but had instead, discovered her lifeless, headless body.

Deprived of this pleasure, Egil Viggoaries’s subsequent reaction had been fierce. Imagining the mayhem, Zaur could not hide the manifest slight grin on his lips; though, he continued to listen with an unreadable stone expression and learned how as consequence, all Hell had broken loose, quietly of course, within the ranks of the Black Molochs.  

Zaur, thinking back on the pre-dawn’s (daybreak’s) minutes now quietly contemplated, “Soon as he had woken up this morning, he had sensed something grave in the air!

Zaur Stugr, briefly and pensively looked away, before pinning his gaze back on Qunen Yummer who, incessantly (nonstop) stated the subsequent succinct details of his report.

Now, admittedly, this was the most charitable course for Nijel Pinng; but who had dared, more specifically, who had accomplished such an impossible feat?   Zaur inwardly queried; he knew that security had always been rigorous in that segment of subterranean dungeons and that it had always been impenetrable for any unsanctioned breach (gap, entry).

Zaur Stugr, again, while landing a half ear to the report, cogitated:  A while back Kozur elite force had tried but in vain, to rescue one of their valued secret agents from the clutches of that despised, dastardly Eunuch. Sadly, the mole (infiltrator) in the end had died stoically, without giving Egil Viggoaries what he was after (wanted).  

Zaur’s attention abruptly just then reverted to Qunen, when he heard him say, “Forgive me Chief for my omitting lone factor prior, as I could not decide whether or not it held any significance…"     

Qunen Yummer had then momentarily paused to receive an affirmative nod from Zaur, before resuming, his voice lowered only by a fraction. "After Minister Lenny Sukzor’s undoubtedly grueling meeting at small hours with Egil Viggoaries, and subsequently, at dawn this morning, before his prompt departure from the Capital that is, I had covertly observed for a spell a rather unexpected and odd reaction of his…This had happened you see when Lenny Sukzor was alone with me in his study, overseeing some last-minute details." 

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"What kind of reaction?" Zaur Stugr impatiently cutting Qunen off with a sharp gesture of his hand, curtly asked.  

"Well, sir, when one of the crystal figurines, the one Her Ladyship had presented him with on his last birthday, in his haste was bumped onto the floor from the mantelpiece, Lenny bent over to pick up the decapitated head, not the body; and I caught just then the strange gleam (twinkle) in his eyes. I knew that figurine held special sentimental value to him, yet at that moment his expression showed no remorse for his carelessness, only relief. His eyes (focus) meanwhile had stayed glued to it for a spell. He unmistakably was thinking of something else.”    

"Are you suggesting that perhaps it was he who intervened?" Zaur Stugr tad regaled (amused), eyed Qunen Yummer quizzically. “What an intriguing concept!”    

Qunen Yummer’s face flushed (reddened) feeling for a spell rather foolish; but then with a lowered gaze pondered the question carefully before answering, “No!" and then shook his head with definite conviction in the end. "He would not dare; however, he could be in some ways indirectly involved, sir."    

“Highly unlikely,” Zaur Stugr nevertheless on the outset nodding, mused. “No. Lenny Sukzor would not undertake such callous risk (action). He had too much at stake. He certainly would not jeopardize it all over an insignificant being (spy).”    

Since Qunen Yummer had again stopped, Zaur signaled for him to continue with the rest of his report. Whilst Zaur Stugr listened on, he pondered on Lenny's sudden departure under these mysterious circumstances, anticipating that it had a far-reaching political significance. The fact that he was headed in the opposite direction from Qarzten Caimund after their private conference last night, carried intriguing inference (connotation) and it made it worth looking into it, a bit more extensively.  Just the same, Zaur had already assigned two of his best agents to tail Lenny and send reports back on his activities; while he waited for the results, Zaur would utilize few other avenues to uncover Lenny's true/actual (objective) mission.   

Sometime later, armed with his new instructions Qunen Yummer, had left Minister Zaur Stugr’s offices, and blending into the shadows under the starless night, swiftly made his way back to Lenny Sukzor’s mansion.   

    

                                                                          ~    

 

Burning the midnight oil that same night, Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek was overseeing four other grievous matters that needed his immediate attention. He had worked tirelessly most of the night, desisting going to bed, for of late the moment he’d laid down his head on the pillow his mind at once raced with day’s pesky unfinished tasks, as there was so much one could fit in a day’s agenda; and if he was fortunate enough to catch forty winks, without fail his sleep would then be assailed by incessant, grotesque nightmares.  

Though Zakhertan Yozdek would never outwardly admit it, he had already missed the invaluable company of Qarzten Caimund and their rather intense, exhilarating, sometimes philosophical, but always highly cerebral, nightly repartee that provided him with small degree relief at the end of a typically wearing, sometimes trying day.

His thoughts abruptly turning to disinherited Prince Herleif, Zakhertan angrily looked away. The ignoble son, who had been nothing but a disappointment from day one, could simply rot in jail for all he cared, but eventually Zakhertan knew that he would have to execute him. That part did not disturb him as much as the dread that Herleif would shame him further when he faced the hour of his end, for Prince Herleif had always been innately deficit in both courage and honour.

 

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Zakhertan had even considered dispatching his assassins to the subterranean dungeon to finish him off quietly in the dead of night, but part of him still wanted to further punish this reprehensible spawn, therefore, no easy death for him for being such ignominy to Zakhertan. This thought unfortunately brought to his mind another disappointment, Lord Shouzi Yozdek, a relative that Zakhertan had once actually respected and bore certain affections (fondness) to.    

A second cousin from the paternal side of the family and only four years Zakhertan’s senior, as children the two had been (inseparable) thick-as-thieves. In fact, during the memorable period prior to and up till puberty, the mischievous duo that shared similar characteristics and interests, had embarked on more than fifty hair-raising adventures, each of which to date Zakhertan fondly remembered, to nosh (nourish) their innate, perverse appetite for carnage.   

The unleashed zest for bedlam and violence had (ultimately) paved the way later for Zakhertan to achieve his utmost ambition. Alas, change being inevitable, Shouzi during his teens had sadly undergone a drastic, inexplicable conversion (change) in character, which to date Zakhertan did not know the cause or reasons for it. All the same, Shouzi had readily each time answered Zakhertan Yozdek’s call to arms and, it had been Shouzi who had without fail bolstered Zakhertan Yozdek during those difficult campaigning years, making it possible for him to ascent steadily in power.

Zakhertan now pondered with a leaden heart how in all those years Shouzi, with his estimable courage, loyalty and prowess, had once been a valuable kin and an intimate friend, fighting alongside him, when Zakhertan one by one toppled (eradicated) all opposition, vanquished all his nemesis and consolidated his power to establish his present, enduring and omnipotent reign (dynasty, empire).

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Zakhertan Yozdek, moreover, had never forgotten how Shouzi at a crucial juncture once, had mounted a daring rescue and delivered him from the clutches (jaws) of death, after Zakhertan because of his overestimation, had been caught in a terrible ambush. His life had been spared because of Shouzi’s intrepid feat and for that, Zakhertan owed him a life; hence, the reason for his present, troubled mind, and pained conscience, having already initiated the only viable recourse, to curb (if not stop) Lord Shouzi Yozdek’s future objective (aim).

How swiftly time had passed; how capriciously family and friendship bonds went astray!

Zakhertan did not know this, but he stood at the cusp (threshold, verge) of more akin perfidies (betrayals) from those he trusted the most.

Zakhertan Yozdek had always presumed (believed) that he was a great judge of character and astute observer; he could spot a fake sincerity or sham loyalty from slightest shift in nuances (tones, hints, tinges) of facet (face, characteristics) or mien (demeanor, aspect) of any Royal family member or a liege subject (pledged, vassal, warrior, official, aristocrat or a plebian) in his kingdom. He knew he had never stinted with his gratitude and recompense of any good deed. Zakhertan, besides which, had bestowed far more favors on that unappreciative (surly ingrate) truculent (insolent) and audacious Lord Shouzi (a second cousin), than he’d done for anyone else.

And, he had raised no objection to Lord Shouzi’s third son Konnur’s nuptial’s (marriage) to Lamont Gudaren’s daughter Arabel, which had established a strong, mutually beneficial bond between the Lord and the Prime Minister; albeit this shrewd political maneuvering, had warranted Zakhertan’s perpetual, close monitoring of their coalition (association, link) over the past years.

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Moreover, last ten or more years, Zakhertan had been more than generous and lenient with Lord Shouzi Yozdek’s other akin, political, and economic transactions (maneuverings), allowing the Lord to amass his present, copious wealth, and influence.

   

Then what had happened? What grievance had been at the root, that so propelled Shouzi, a once close friend, to turn on him? Zakhertan with disdain pushed aside the stack of documents before him on his desk and then letting out a long, exasperated breath, he eased his weary back into the cushioned chair.

Deep down of course he knew the basis of Lord’s dissension, though he refused to admit Lord Shouzi's apparent weakness and his recent indifference. Until recently Shouzi had been dependable kin, an ardent loyal friend and a good vassal, whose analytical mind and actions had always been ruled by logic. He had proven that more times than Zakhertan cared to remember it. All that had changed however when Shouzi’s eldest son Wasmund, having been found guilty of mutinous political views and his reckless association with the known rebel group, was incarcerated and subsequently executed. By rights Lord Shouzi should have understood his (Zakhertan’s) obtaining confirmation much too late of the boy’s inadvertent part in that conspiracy. But then, Wosmund could be said to have brought that misfortune upon himself; for the young upstart brazenly and passionately in military court had defended (championed) the culpable faction's right to rebel! He’d called him a barbaric Narcissist! Imagine that! Besides these unpardonable offences Wosmund had furthermore, blatantly renumerated in thundering voice, the insurrectionist’s novel grievances (list of criticisms and objections) against the present regime, which had been fought and lost two years prior by the movement's cofounder, Zakhertan Yozdek’s beloved son Prince Qijerrik. The old wounds rehashed, despite Lord Shouzi's entreaties (to Zakhertan) to grant his twenty-year-old son a reprieve, a life for a life in exchange for the debt Zakhertan had owed him, Wosmund had to be made an example of and so, was duly decapitated.     

 So, what, Zakhertan Yozdek scoffed. At least he was not quartered.

Besides, Zakhertan’s loss had been far greater; for he had lost his beloved Qijerrik at the tender age of fifteen. But even after the swift execution of all suspected instigators and participants, the insurgency far from being quelled at the root, had in fact arisen anew in four years in two isolated pockets of the nation, threatening to mushroom into another fully fledged rebellion. These budding malcontent dissidents had to be at all costs suppressed (crushed); subsequently, after Qarzten Caimund’s effective and precise (efficient) measures, Wenjenkun had enjoyed the four years of stability and peace.  

 

 

(END OF SECTION 26)