LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 30

Zunrogo had not been bluffing, when he had earlier subtly hinted to Disaidun Agripe that he knew far more than he was letting on.  Few weeks prior, he had in fact, from the painstakingly gleaned information, pieced it all together to determine just who had written the letter and, more importantly, the contents of it.

01- SHOUZI YOZDEK 1 JP

Lod Shouzi Yozdek, only two years Sovereign Zakhertan’s senior, as children the two had been (inseparable) thick as thieves.  In fact, up till puberty, the mischievous duo, which shared similar characteristics and interests, had once embarked on many hair-raising adventures to nosh (nourish) their innate, perverse appetite for carnage. But for unknown reason or reasons, their close kinship had abruptly and drastically altered (changed) when the two were in their mid-teens; aside from the estrangement, it also transformed their once close bond to that of stealthy, adversarial one in nature.  

At any rate, well before His Highness Zakhertan Yozdek had solidified his rule, his second Cousin Lord Shouzi Yozdek, long since discontented with Zkhertan, had once colluded with Kujoge Yozdek to overthrow Zakhertan in an uprising.  In a moment's madness, forgoing his usual precautions, Lord Shouzi had sent a confidential letter to Kujoge, with certain incriminating words and some details of intended rebellion, with his trusted steward.  Unfortunately, the letter was intercepted, and the mutilated corpse of the steward was, after a frighteningly long time, sent back to Lord Shouzi with a single letter "R" carved into the corpse's chest.

Plotting a rebellion had always been regarded, by Zakhertan, as the most grievous of crimes; hence, even members of the Royal family were not exempted (spared) from the (horrendous) extremely abominable punishments.  Of course, the plot had been abandoned and all plans scrapped or, as Zunrogo suspected, temporarily postponed.  Since then, however, His Lordship Shouzi Yozdek had been living under the fearful dread of his entire family’s (his precious sons, as well as his wife’s family’s, this going back ten generations,) utter annihilation (extermination); meanwhile, his vast resources (funds, assets) were being perpetually (continuously) drained with exacting extortions (blackmails, shakedowns) from an indomitable secret foe (source).

Last two years Lod Shouzi had paid the steadily increasing ransom amount without fail, but of late, more was required of His Lordship, some of it highly dicey. In time the extortionists’ demands became even more unsavory, further contemptible.  The vile deeds which His Lordship Shouzi Yozdek was forced to commit, forever hunted the Lord’s conscience, and made him quake in dread. He spent many terror-struck days and evenings fearing his ignominious end, or worse, of his own flesh and blood beloved’s sons’ abduction and reprehensible demises.

Wishing to put an end to this intolerable (nightmarish) situation, His Lordship had naturally enlisted the help of his longtime friend, the Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren and they had jointly employed every covert means, sparing no effort or expense, to find the letter and wipe out (bring an end to) the would-be culprits. But despite years of effort, the perpetrators had ingeniously eluded detection, till now.

02-ZUNROGO TUGO - JP 23

Zunrogo mentally patted himself on the shoulder for his latest, crucial string of successes, and then turned his attention back to the woman.

Notwithstanding (despite) his seeming disinterest in the letter, his subsequent manipulative questions and the specific reference to the pouch and its seal, had presently (currently) beguiled Disaidun Agripe (Miss Jepipi) into suspecting that he already had the letter in his safekeeping.

“But how could he have stolen it without me knowing it? He did not lay-a-hand-on-me. And certainly, I’ve never not once, left it out of my sight. Earlier, roughed up by that beastly guard Tzan, could he have …? “

 Disaidun Agripe’s heart palpitated wildly just then and, as consequence (result) of the seed of doubt that he had so firmly planted in her mind, she absentmindedly placed her hand over the hidden pocket near her bosom.

“No, thank goodness, it's still there!”  Nevertheless, she knew she had been careless, way foolish, to even suspect that it could have been nabbed.

Disaidun threw Zunrogo a contemptuous look. “Well played…You think you're so smart, don't you?  All right, so you got me to betray its whereabouts, but you'll get it when Hell freezes over! “

“Furthermore, I have you know, I’m not afraid of death.” She then inwardly lied. “I’ll destroy it if you even so much as try.  Just try it!”  She sized up the distance to the cabin's porthole. Could she be fast enough?

Zunrogo had been thoroughly entertained by the web of conflicting emotions that had passed over her face, surmising the array of her thoughts.  “How delightful she was when issuing those silent threats.  How utterly delightful! “

“But now, it was time to put an end to this fun and plunk her in her proper place.”  Smiling mischievously, he asked, "How long has it been?"

"How long?"  Disaidun Agripe raised her eyebrows.

"Don't play coy with me.  How long has it been since you've had a good one?" he grinned.

This time she caught his meaning.  Her eyes hardened.  Glaring at him she snarled, "Since you seem to know everything, you tell me."

"Oh, why articulate such righteous anger?  You were proud once to be so well sought after in high circles.  You should be flattered that your reputation precedes you, even after all this time."

"That's right," she frowned. "That was all in the past.  I've buried it (former life) long ago."

 She’d denounced it hotly, indignantly then, lowering her head, ejected sadly, "It's so cruel of you to dredge up the past.  It all happened then, before I knew any better, before I had any sense."

"Before you were under eighteen years of age, I believe," Zunrogo cut her short, unfazed.

Truncating her subsequent, near comical retort and words of self- pity, "And don’t forget, just four months before your enlistment into Secret Society of KokuTizanrez…. Only eighteen, eh?  Still, even in that short time you had built yourself up quite a reputation, didn’t you?  Learned a few good tricks too, I'll bet."  He asked forcefully.

"But tell me, how was Zohuj Kez?  How does one worm one's way into the black heart of a eunuch when he lacks the proper equipment to satisfy a woman's desires?  You must indeed be exceptional."

The question had achieved its desired effect and Disaidun Agripe blushed profusely.  “Incredible,” Zunrogo shook his head in disbelief, “after all that she's experienced, succumbed, all she’s been through, the vixen can still blush!”

"How dare you!  What gives you the right to talk to me that way?" She cried out indignantly, trying to hold back her tears but she'd taken this insult to heart and, in-order-to shield herself from his piercing gaze, looked away as two defiant strings of saltwater pearls rolled down her cheeks.  Covertly, she wiped them away as she kept up the angry response, determined not to afford Zunrogo the satisfaction.

He threw his head back and laughed coldly, viciously with sure delight.

“Now she'll be ready.  Oh, but look how frantically she tries to purge guilt and shame from her heart.  How desperately she strives to maintain her dignity and prove me wrong. Oh, poor little vermin (mice), I almost feel sorry for you!”

In the ensuing moments, however, he sustained his heartless prodding, poked fun, and unreservedly enjoyed observing (watching) the predicted change taking root in her, the whole time each struggle ensnaring her deeper and deeper into his tightly woven net.

Disaidun Agripe realized too late that she was hooked, well and proper.

Earlier on she had discerned but foolishly ignored, her intuit warning, that her worst nightmare was about to come true.  Her feelings vacillated to each extreme, according to what he said.  Each tone of his voice seemed to manipulate her responses independently of her will.  Despite her valiant efforts to deny the feelings raging inside her, his insinuations, his rude, suggestive remarks both irritated and enticed her.

Satisfied with the end-result, Zunrogo eased off a bit, though by no means was he through toying with his prey.

“Now let’s see just how ambitious you are.”

 The time was now ripe to tempt her with some purpose, some hope.  Would she take the bait?

 "But tell me, “He changed the subject, "hasn't a capable girl like you ever aspired to some greater goals in life?"

"As if I have a choice," she huffed; the words had poured out of her unbidden.

Checking her discomfiture, she stared back at him questioningly.

03- DISADUN AGRIPE JP 222

“No sense appealing to his sympathy. He has no heart, no understanding.”

 What she had heard about him was all true; he was a cruel and manipulative brute.

“Oh, what's the use?” She hung her head.

She (for a time) thoughtfully affixed her gaze onto the floorboards of the cabin, to hide her deep resentment for him; then, bit the corner of her lip to get a grip and, again, looked askance at him.

“Why did you insist on dredging up the past, if not to humiliate me?  What was the point of all those mean, nasty questions? What am I supposed to believe when, you are stern (harsh, demanding, hardhearted) one instance then turns unexpectedly judicious (fair) and humane (caring, gentle, kindly, charitable) the next…Oh, my brain is so befuddled with all these mixed messages?  What could you possibly want from me besides that, same old, oh …?”  

Suddenly she recalled what he had said earlier on that he may have certain use for her in future.

 “Is he, by any chance, thinking of recruiting me?  Is this just a test?”  Narrowing her eyes, she overtly scrutinized him. “Why else? “

Suddenly Disaidun Agripe bounced back out from her deep depression.  “Then I'll show him a thing or two and just what I'm made of; but first, I’ll get him back for putting me through all that grueling.” she inwardly swore.

“I’ll show him that I have what it takes; then I’ll refuse him flatly.”   Her confidence fully restored; she had the spunk to plan apt retribution (payback).

Zunrogo grimaced as he surmised this turn in her thoughts. It was precisely what he had hoped to make her feel at this point.

“Nearly half the work is done; good!”  He sat back and braced himself for her anticipated questions.

"Why have you sent for, me?" Disaidun shifted uneasily in her seat, her soul unknowingly bending to his whim

"Two reasons." Zunrogo answered gravely after a deliberate, painful pause.  "You did say they meant nothing to you, but how do you feel about that old official, Luvet?"  He looked at her meaningfully.  He had had him checked out.  He was clean.  He was not a spy.  Still, he strove to be certain, to leave no loose ends behind.

"The same," Disaidun Agripe shrugged coldly.  Then, understanding fully what he expected of her, she asked, "You mean all three?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No.", she shook her head spontaneously, studied Zunrogo for a moment then nodded her cold commitment.  "Consider it done."

"It must look perfectly natural, you understand."

"No problem."  Her confidence mounting, already she had conceived the plan in her mind; it had been played out many times on countless opera stages.  "No problem at all. You'll see, even you will be impressed.”

"Good."  Zunrogo was pleased.

“What?  Not curious about the details, not in the least?”  Disaidun thought she was the mastermind of this brilliant plan, not realizing how subtly, methodically she’d been manipulated to contribute to this specific plot. As she was most eager to earn his praise, she now readily volunteered the specifics all in one burst. The simplicity and efficiency of her ideas did please him, but all he let show was his slight amusement.

"You said that there were two things.  What's the other?"  She, with racing heart, eagerly asked.

"Not so fast." Zunrogo chuckled at her keenness.  "Don't you want to know why?"

"Not particularly." Disaidun Agripe lied.  In truth, she was dying to know the reason.

"Good, then I’ll save my breath.”  He paused to watch her desperate attempt to remain calm, to control the emotions erupting within her.  He was sorely disappointed in her.

“You'll have to do better than that.  You're not so hard after all, and you can be read like a book.  One wonders how you've managed to survive this long unless you've fortuitously dealt only with morons!”

He's still testing me; she raised her hurt filled eyes up to him.  “Am I measuring up?”

"Perhaps,” His icy, spontaneous answer startled her.

 But then, “why be so surprised?  So, he’s discerning my thoughts. I made no conscious effort to conceal them.” She inwardly lied to herself; then, looking at him squarely in the eye, she asked: "You would really consider recruiting me?"

“No…It depends."

 The vague answer exhilarated her, nevertheless.  It was more than she’d hoped for.  A hint of gratitude and joy registered in her eyes as Disaidun looked at him needing, searching for some sort of confirmation.  Then a sudden darkness cast its shadow over her dreams. 

She lowered her eyes and shook her head in deep despair, "No, it can never be.  I'm under contract."  Disaidun looked up at him tragically, "They'll kill me before they let me go.”

“I…  I know too much."  Even this low-level assignment she was on had been sanctioned by their leader, of that, she was sure.

“Silly girl; even if I were to consider this in earnest it would not be their opposition I would be concerned with.”

Instead, he fed her further hope, "They are small fish.  They would not dare go against my wishes."

"Oh, I'd be ever so grateful."  Disaidun’s heart palpitated wildly.

Looking up at him with certain elation, as if he was some demigod, she utilized her winning feminine charms, wanting, needing further affirmation; but again, his unexpected stern composure froze her, dead on her tracks.  She abjectly (grimly) lowered her head and kept her silence.

"Your gratitude is premature.” He ejected coldly at this point, suppressing his laughter.

 "You have not yet proven your suitability, and there is still the High Council's decision yet to be made.  However, I may be able to sway their decision if I could tell them how you...” he deliberately left the rest hanging in air.

 

(END OF SECTION 30)

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE STATE OF THINGS - SECTION 9

Dokurak most thankful of the fact he had a sympathetic ear, with a secret purpose in mind had ceaselessly unburdened his heart: “Beginning a new life with only a measly pittance I had concealed from the authorities, I first purchased some worthless piece of land and after initializing irrigation, proper crop rotation and a great deal of work, managed to turn my luck around.  Soon the land began to yield a good return, enough at least for me to properly care for my children. “Dokurak, falling silent for a spell, looked down.

“Unfortunately, the former owner who’d sold the land to me for a song now regretted his hasty decision; additionally, most envious of me for the beget bounty (profits), have harbored a personal grudge against me.  That was the precursor of my fresh troubles.” Dokurek pensively shook his head.

"When my eventual pardon arrived, and I was allowed to settle permanently in this region I ignored my neighbor’s envy and animosity and falsely thought that the past had finally been put safely behind me. For a short while things looked promising. My sons, meanwhile, going against my will and ignoring my good counsel, chose not the agrarian (farming, rural) livelihood (occupation), but that of erudite (literate).  Then again, there was a measure of leniency in the law and a few good posts and desirable government positions were once again being made available to promising learnt (scholarly) candidates.    Gradually I relaxed my vigilance and even allowed my heart the joyful pride when one of my sons, Kuer, was promoted to a good position in the Magistrate's office.”

02- KUER

"How was I to know?  How could I phantom that some unscrupulous, grasping officials would, within a decade, instigate yet another onslaught against the Literate?  You see, in their greed, they had come to realize the immense profits that could be reaped from the land and property holdings of the successful intellectuals (scholars).”

"Zakhertan Yozdek, a military man and an autocratic landholder, had, despite his outward policies of leniency, still harbored in the crux of his being a deep contempt for the scholars because of their analytical (logical, critical) way of thinking and their accrued (amassed, retained in mind) vast reservoirs of knowledge of past rulers.  Meanwhile the extensive military campaigns he had waged to secure his throne and Wenjenkun’s borders had nearly depleted the treasury.  The Office of Revenue was already hard pressed to come up with additional sums via (by means of) burdening taxes and forced labor, and besides, extra funds were now needed for the new campaign against Korion.

“It took only a little persuasion and a staged incident by the new Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren, to make the literati into scapegoats once more.  Thus, the holdings of these affluent families were laid open for pillage and were sold at auction once the unfortunates had been blamed for the discontent, turmoil and hardships that plagued the country.”

Dokurak suddenly stopped talking and after his long, dubious look at Fradel, his voice tinged with jealousy, he said:

“You have really been most fortunate, Serek Vern (Fradel Rurik Korvald), to have escaped these disasters… these genocides.  I wish that I had been empowered to do the same for my sons.  You see, I had the foresight; right at the beginning of it all, I had read the signs and predicted the outcome. The ill-fate hovering at cusp (verge, edge), over the horizon, had left all too prevalent signs for anyone intelligent or discerning, to be wary.  Foolishly, though, I imagined that my pardon and the quiet, model (exemplary) life I had led, would exempt me and my two sons from all of this impending (looming) catastrophe” Dokurek shook his head then sullenly bit the corner of his lip.

"My second mistake was to place too great a store in my influential friends and the Magistrate that had mentored Kuer.  I could not envision that they, too, would collude with my enemies and turn on me for a share of the gain.  Of that, I am sure.  That oversight, unfortunately, was my gravest mistake and for years I've been eaten alive inside, bit by slow bit, by the burden of regret I've carried in my heart.” Dokuek desisting tears, wrung his hands.

"My heart aches so sorely (agonizingly) whenever I think of my two boys…my poor, innocent boys!  When the disaster fell Kuer had been married two years and, what's more, his beautiful, virtuous wife, Luokil, was carrying my grandson. “

03- KUER AND HIS WIFE LUOKIL

"But alas, my world once more collapsed when Kuer and Ruek were arrested and taken away in chains.  I knew that the charges brought against them were pure fabrication, that there was no solid evidence at all to convict them on, so I immediately dispensed generous sums in bribing the right officials trying to buy justice and extricate my sons from (false) blame. “

04-KUER AND RUEK FALSELY CHARGED 

 “All my efforts were in vain, however, for they wanted it all.  My property was confiscated in the blink of an eye and sold for the state's gain to the very same people who had laid the false charges against us.  I was again, shortly after,  reduced to a beggar's state.”

“Kuer was well liked and had countless influential friends but none; none dared to speak up on his behalf when...” Dokurek, abruptly stopping,  bit hard the corner of his lip; anger and despair registering in his pupils, he looked yet again  in the direction of the large mount, quite oblivious of the trickling blood that slowly made its way down his chin.

"You can't imagine the anguish I felt at seeing my boys, as they were dragged mercilessly down the street in chains, then …. Then… buried alive under that accursed big mound." Dokurek swallowed and pointed.

"But not a whimper escaped their lips.  My heroic sons!  I would have ended my own miserable existence right then and there, but I summoned all my courage to live on, enduring misery and humiliation in order to care for my unborn grandson.” Dokurek swallowed hard, and eyes brimming with tears, he dismally (gloomily) shook his head.

“Alas, as cruel fate is, he and his mother both died in childbirth. She went into labor soon after she had witnessed her husband's murder, you see."  Pointing to the two smaller mounds under the weeping willow tree, adjacent to the big mound, Dokurek lamented in a choked voice, "They lie there, close to my son Kuer and Ruek.  I cared for their graves all this time and offered continuous prayers for their comfortable existence in the afterlife.  Now I'm old, too old and too feeble to be of much use to anyone.  I would have joined them long ago, but I have not a soul to count on to bury these old bones and I have nothing left to barter with."  He buried his head in his hands.

"Oh, all those years, how could I have been so foolish? How could I have been so utterly beguiled?” He lamented. “It’s taken me a lifetime to see the error of my ways.  My eyes are finally opened. But what good is all that now? If only I’d listened to my younger brother’s words for, he was right all along, right about a lot of things.  I’m filled with endless remorse that eats at my soul?”

“Still Heaven, it seems, has at long last taken pity on me."  Dokurek abruptly looked up, smiling wryly and, with the back of his hand, wiped away the deluge of tears that soaked his pallid cheeks and neck.

 "For here you are … Good sir, can I impose on you, can I rely on your compassion and good graces to perhaps trouble you, to do me this one last great favor?"

Fradel was nonplused by Dokurek's imploring gaze and, understanding his meaning, frowned.  "I shall not be party to your murder sir.  Surely you have many long years still ahead.  Do not despair.  You have persevered this long, undergone so much; perhaps an emancipated future..."

Before Fradel could finish the old man had flashed a blade he had concealed deep within the folds of his rags.  With a swiftness that belied his age, giving Fradel no chance to move, Dokurek buried the knife hilt-deep into his chest. But missing his heart just barely, he lived long enough to still implore Serek (Fradel).

"I do not deserve your kindness, sir. Ugg…. Still, I know you will not disappoint me.  Far too long have I endured this loneliness, burdensome guilt and unbearable heartache?  I make no excuses now and accept full blame for my past miserable life choices. Having paid some penance; let me embrace fate and join them now.  Please, pray that we all find peace in the… afterlife." He gasped his last breath and, (blood oozing from his mouth,) was no more.

Fradel had done the right thing by Dokurek and, although he had buried the old man's body in a mound next to his grandson and daughter-in-law under the same willow, all rites duly carried out, he still carried away with him the pain of Dokurek’s misspent life.

 

                                                                                    ~

Fradel was from then on burdened with a series of fresh concerns.  The guilt ate at him to the crux of his heart: guilt for being spared, for having led a privileged life of ignorance while so many had perished.  Fradel now pondered: Had he (Fradel) the right to do what he planned?  Wouldn't his intended actions unleash yet another bout of purges resulting in blood baths and fresh persecution of the Literati? 

This was at the root of Fradel's dilemma as he rode away from the graves beside the ruined hut.

Fradel, tersely now, as if with a special understanding, nodded.  Yes, things being the way they are, whatever I do will have little bearing.  The outcome would invariably be the same.  So long as evil reigns (rule) supreme and corruption festers like locusts on this land, salvation will be a distant dream for everyone.

 

                                                                                         

(END OF SECTION 9)

                                                                                              ~