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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.”
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| 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)
