13- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR - SECTION 6

Asger was at his wits end when he heard the desperate cries of the children, the clamor of thrown furniture, the clash of the swords, the desperate struggle that must have ensued as Tekuob while protecting her children, fended off (fought off) this dastardly fiend’s murderous, vicious assaults.

01- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON (99) JP

Heavenly Gods, preserve us!

 

Asger’s eyes at this point inexplicably had fallen on Zandar’s parting gift the empty puzzle-box that rested inconspicuously on the small mantlepiece in his bedroom; thus, a flicker of recall (recollection) and then the grateful tears suddenly manifested in his eyes.

Lord Asger straightaway hence, and this time without interruption, inwardly invoked the “Ewbinuko Hex.”  He then using his life-force, his core energy (chi) and utilizing the mental steps- summoned (commanded) every molecule of the poison coursing through his bloodstream, tissues, bone marrow and all, to detach from the host bodies, to congregate, then to advance (march) towards his stomach cavity.

 

02- LOR ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON INVOKES THE EWBINUKO HEX - JP

His will next directed every particle (cell, atom) tainted by poison to rise to his esophagus, to the throat and then finally the last bit of the journey, the entire jot (hint of poison and tea), now propelled by one awesome force, got lobbed out (hurled, thrust, vomited out) from his then compelled (forced) agape mouth. Once the poison was extracted in its entirety in this manner, Asger, then released from paralysis, he at once leaped to his feet. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and hastened (darted) out of the room, stopping only to retrieve the twin sword from the locked chest.

                                                                                         ~

  

Earlier on, Tekuob sensing danger, had woken up with a start. Desiring to investigate but not wishing to wake the children, she had crept across the room, quickly dressed and then armed with the sword she had just reached to turn the handle of the doorknob. But try as she might the doorknob would not budge. By some inexplicable reason it had refused to give way(budge) and the door remained sealed tight, closed. Just then Svein, also awakened, had quietly crawled out of his bed, one hand rubbing his eyes, with the other he tugged at his mother’s skirt. Three years old, with his limited grammar

(vocabulary), he asked, “Things wrong mommy?”

“Yes, my darling, things very wrong!”  

Just then Lueling had also woken up, and she hastened over to their side; Tekuob picked her up, and then all returning to the bedside, in hushed voice she calmly instructed both children to hide under the bed.

“Mommy, you be all right?” Svein again asked in a worried voice.

“Yes, darling nothing bad will happen to me, this is only a cautionary measure; now no matter what you may hear, stay well hidden, and keep safe” She directed the twins. “Svein, I know you are brave but promise me you will not be reckless and come out from under the bed…And please for now take care good of your sister, till all danger has passed.”  Tekuob had barely finished saying this when just then the door had suddenly, violently burst open; she at once jumped to her feet and wheeled to face the armed foe.

 

03A- TEKUOB FACES THE INTRUDER (19)

 

“Tisk, tisk, tisk, girls shouldn’t be playing with swords, you may cut yourself accidentally.” The Dark Eunuch Egil Viggoaries threw his head back and laughed uproariously, before he launched his swift, murderous attack on Tekuob.

Despite her proficient martial skill, adroit (dexterous) strikes and implacable wielding of the blade, his prowess was so unearthly, and he fought with such supernatural potent force and velocity (speed) that, she soon was (situated, placed) compelled to fight defensively.  It was all she could do to keep him at bay; but in fact, he was only toying with her, amused as he was that she could wield the long dagger with comparable warrior’s competency (skill). Nevertheless, her sword’s blade being short and far inferior, he knew she would not last too long. Meanwhile with his supernatural prowess, he could have at any instant, bested her yet he’d deliberately held back (his ability), knowing after the lengthy anticipation, at the end of this superfluous scuffle, when it came time to devour this morsel, her screams would cause still greater anguish and anxiety(torment) to Asger.

 

04- TEKUOB FIGHTS WITH  EGIL VIGGORIES  (55)

The Dark Eunuch Egil Viggoaries, before long tiring of this charade, however, with ferocity of a rapacious beast, he then pounced on Tekuob to finish her off; thus, with a preponderant swipe, in one powerful blow, his sword’s blade at that moment sliced clean through hers, leaving her with the hilt (handle) and a four inches stub of blade at the end of it. In a blinking of an eye, she was disarmed, then tripped and pinned to the bed.  When Egil Viggoaries’s powerful grip reached for Tekuob’s keck, though suppressed by his supernatural power, she still had fought off the Dark Eunuch (commanding Fradel’s body) with her last ounce of strength, again to the ultimate amusement of Egil Viggoaries.

 

Impetuous Svein could not stand by and do nothing any longer, not when his mother was in grave danger; he crawled out from under the bed and with a fierceness of the lion’s cub, his sister following suit, Svein and Lueling both pounded their fists and tried to bite the assailant’s legs, at the same time relentlessly (with unrelenting zeal) tugging and pulling at his trouser.

The bothersome children now mildly annoyed Egil Viggoaries, though he could not have asked for a better outcome than this! His subsequent, curt (brusque, gruff) threatening bark stunned the toddler twins, but only for a spell; despite their age, understanding of their mother’s dire-straits, and witnessing her desperate struggle to free herself, Svein with child’s innocence, had next, bravely rushed off to retrieve, his mother’s discarded and partially broken sword from the ground where it lay, and returning, then putting all his might into it, he hacked at the intruder’s ankle, shin and leg, that was well protected by the thick knee length leather boots he wore.

 

Egil Viggoaries had been amused at first by the twin’s raw courage and their futile attempt to rescue their mother; when the novelty wore off, however, typically intolerant of children, the twin’s persistence now irked the Dark Eunuch. Tekuob still paranormally (mystically) pinned down, Egil half-turning, first with the back of his hand ruthlessly knocked (dispatched) the little girl clear across the room and then, grabbing Svein by the leg, he held him up high in midair.

“What a feisty piglet!” Egil Viggoaries roared, observing the still kicking and irate child; then, with a malevolent grin, he as well cast (discarded) Svein to the far corner.

 

“Oink, Oink… Oh, look at the little piglet fly!” Egil Viggoaries’s vicious, cruel laughter had reverberated in the tense air, as his eyes had trailed Svein’s catapulted form which eventually had slammed hard against the tall dresser, rendering the toddler promptly unconscious. The tragic scene appeared far worse, however, with the blood from the children’s lacerations instantaneously staining the furniture and the floor mat, in part assuaging Egil’s wrath; nonetheless, children’s bodies are malleable (supple) and resilient at that age, and even though, they both lay there perfectly still, thankfully they would survive this terrible ordeal.

 

“Finally, some peace!”  Egil Viggoaries exhaled in relief and turned his venomous gaze back on Tekuob.

 

“Vile beast!” Tekuob (with her mother’s love) momentarily overriding the spell just then, her fists clenched she struck (hit) a fierce blow at Egil Viggoaries’s chest; unfortunately, Egil’s unearthly powers interceding, her fierce punch was rendered useless, it came to naught!

 

“Oh, you think the little piglets are no more?” Egil Viggoaries in an incredulous tone, pursing his lips, flashed Tekuob a delighted grin.

Her attention, meanwhile, was at once drawn to the assailant’s sword, temporarily cast aside, leaning against the commode (or chest) just behind him. It was within an easy reach! Summoning all her strength she kneed him in the groin and in that moment setting herself free, she made a dash for Asger’s ancestor’s sword.

 

Egil Viggoaries had been a Eunuch (nearly) all his life, now in Fradel’s body, experiencing this kind of intense pain, for a spell it had derailed him. Rage fueling his swift recovery however, in an agile maneuver he then had not only retrieved the sword forcefully from Tekuob’s hand, but wrathfully, with the back of his fist (and the hilt) he struck the side of her head. Her knees buckled and hit the floor hard; meanwhile, she was overcome with sudden vertigo (dizziness) and her right temple (pounding) throbbed with excruciating pain.

05- TEKUOB FIGHTS THE DARK EUNUCH EGIL  (58)

Tekuob had nevertheless fought to stay cogent and focused. Egil Viggoaries squatting in front of her next, his free hand viciously grabbed her by the back of the neck, lifted her up to her feet, pinned her face right into his, and he growled: “Beauties are not allowed to play with swords! But I forgive you, just this once!” The Dark Eunuch, so ejecting, as if on second thought, he abruptly pressed his vile lips onto hers, but she fiercely bit down hard his lower lip, drawing blood.

His reaction was cold and sinister; his tongue in slow motion licked the blood off his lips. The unnatural power at the next moment augmented; she felt her iron resolve and her total physique (body, corpus) being forcefully subjugated. He let go and stepped back to critically appraise her. Her body meanwhile rigidly, like a post stood in front of him; she was floating in air, with her feet three inches off the floor.

“You are the beloved wife of Nevetsecnuac….” Egil Viggoaries pensively stated out loud; his piercing fiery eyes, meanwhile, burrowing into her flesh, he studied her form (figure) for a long while and then he lewdly (lecherously) grinned. “Where is he? Where is your dear husband now….?”  He read the fierce protective defiance in her eyes and nodded with understanding, ‘even if she knew she would not tell him.’

“Have it your way, you’ll tell me eventually; I have time ….” He then with malevolent glint in his eye, gripped her chin and forced another kiss on her lips, but this time his mouth had pressed so hard against hers that it had practically stolen all her breath away.

“Too bad he’s not here to save you…” His implicit threat further incensed her.

Lueling at that moment coming to, impulsively grabbed the exquisitely carved wooden wolf spear (one of her favorite toys) and with a wild scream, “Stop hurting my mommy!” She rushed to stop the villain’s next aim. 

“Children should mind their own business.” Egil seeing red, reeled (turned right around), presently brandishing his sword, and this time bent on permanently eradicating (slay) the annoying (bothersome), galling pests.

A mother’s innate love and devotion overriding the effects of the spell, however, Tekuob spontaneously and in lightning speed at that instant, had just hurled herself into the sword’s deadly path.

Was this it, was this the end of Princess Tekuob?

No, indeed; for at that precise juncture, a strange phenomenon had occurred: first a miasmic cloud enveloped her, as simultaneously, predominant time simply stood still. Everything froze.

Subsequently, from this growing miasmic (vaporous) white cloud emerged a most potent (powerful), immortal being.

 

06- IMMORTAL SHETOR AND ELDERS OF KARN 999  -,JP

This intrusive power was none other than the (ambitious, conniving) alien Sthetor who had his own secret agenda to fulfill. Sthetor a key Immortal, was one of the three sole survivors (the other being His Eminence Olavingemar and his daughter Tekubzan) of the most ancient branch of Kongrul; subsequently, both Olavingemar and Sthetor had joined the Race of Karn.

Acting on his premonitory vision, Sthetor had secretly absconded (snuck out without permission, as he had done once before, when he had affected the demise of Chandor, Zonar’s father,) from the Immortal realms, right after Dwengzur’s departure and descended on this mountain abode.

Sthetor’s concealed powers being almost omnipotent (supreme), he had easily bypassed the protective spells put on the mountain by mere mortal Lord Asger. Intrigued by what was happening with Asger, Egil then with Tekuob, he had watched it for a while, the unfolding scenes, undetected, from the shadows. Knowing, however, what would follow if he did not intercede- that Tekuob’s allotted time prematurely would expire, that she would next instant be mercilessly, instantaneously cut down by the very blow that had been intended for her beloved daughter- Immortal Sthetor had decisively made his move.

Though she was a mere, puny human being, she was, in fact, far too valuable a player, a chess-piece, a commodity, to be lost to providence. Aside from her lineage and her link to the Emperor of Kontu Deng Hedenko (a once promised bride to be), who was a key component in Wenjenkun and Korion’s future history, she was also the wife of Elder Aegeus’s (half-breed) grandson Nevetsecnuac, who happened to also be the renegade Zonar’s nephew. She could, therefore, be used as an effective source of manipulation, as a leverage, a bargaining chip, to constrain Zonar, Nevetsecnuac and, even Elder Aegeus, when those future confrontations transpired.

And so, suddenly from the miasmic cloud this invincible immortal Sthetor in pseudo human form, with long white hair and pallid face, precisely the moment had warranted it, had manifested in the room.

 

07- AN ALIEN BEING AND TEKUOB  (22) JP

Agast Egil Viggoaries rooted to the spot, watched in mesmerized awe, this clearly omnipotent alien being, without moving his lips invoke a spell; subsequently, the miasmic clouds grew and drifted towards Tekuob and soon engulfing her, the vapor lifted her into air and delivered her (floating) to the Immortal’s hands. Next instant, in a flush, both he and Tekuob had simply vanished without a trace, into thin air.

 

Tekuob one minute stood in peril in the path of the blade, the next instant she was gone; this fact defying all sound reasoning... Reality extending beyond all existential and metaphysical (ontological, unearthly) truths. Was this an abduction or a rescue, was it for the better or worse, Egil Viggoaries could not (rightly tell) determine which.

                                                                                            ~

 

https://legend-of-ne-vet-sec-nuac.blog/2026/10/26/podcast-episode-legend-of-nevetsecnuac-book-13-the-unexpected-visitor-section-6/

 

(END OF SECTION 6)  

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 29

Disaidun Agripe was brought before Zunrogo in a distraught state, crying bitterly and trembling like a leaf; but as soon as she was released from Tizan's iron grip, she turned to,  with fire burning in her eyes, unflinching, meet Zunrogo’s icy, stone gaze, then in resounding (evocative, ringing, decisive) voice  beseeched Zunrogo to be merciful, to spare her and not inflict this disgrace upon her family.

01-DISAIDUN AGRIPE 4 JP

Tizan, missing this entirely, looked at the captain expecting him to be furious but, with a cruel half-smile on his lips, Zunrogo was shamelessly sizing her up from head to toe, mentally undressing her with his eyes.

Turning his attention to Tizan momentarily, Zunrogo snapped, "What are you standing there for?  You are dismissed!"

"Yes sir." Tizan responded sharply, “Sorry, sir." 

As he whirled about on his heels to face the door he stole a brief, sly look at the quivering, terrified, distraught woman.  Outside the cabin he shrugged dispassionately, a broad smile on his lips, “Why not?  She is a looker.  Some savory dish…Bon appetite, Captain.”  

Then his face darkened, and a sinister grin painted his face, “Very interesting…  I guess he's not infallible after all.”

Still sobbing, Disaidun Agripe contemptuously watched out of the corner of her eye as Tizan closed the door tightly behind him.

Zunrogo, not in any great hurry, strolled to the cabin's porthole and stared out at the dense veil of congealed mist and fog.  He felt like he was floating in a cloud that obscured everything.  He reflected on how the tasks he had assigned to Tizan would take him at least a couple of hours to conclude, ample time for what he craved.

“Perhaps,” he thought, “it might relieve this oppressive boredom. It might even be entertaining in the slight, to toy with this captive mouse for a time.”

                                                                                  ~

 

Few moments after Tizan had left the room and she was certain that he was long gone, Disaidun Agripe abruptly ceased her dramatics, straightened her posture and then with a callous (uncaring) hand brushed the imagined dust off her skirt, as she waited patiently for Zunrogo to speak.  When no sound came forth, she briefly glanced at the door then asked, "Don't you trust him?"

"Why should he know everything?" Zunrogo answered truthfully, continuing to stare out the porthole as if distracted.

“Not a trace of fear in her voice,” he noted his back still to her.

“We'll see about that.”  His eyes narrowed.

"I suppose," Disaidun shrugged.  Surveying the room with avid interest her eyes rested on Zunrogo's magnificent sword with its jeweled hilt.  She rubbed her arm, the arm she could use if needed to effectively wield that sword in her own defense.

02- DISAIDUN AGRIPE JP 5

"He needn't have been so rough," Disaidun Agripe let out a plaintive grunt as she contemplated how best to edge closer to the weapon.

"He wasn't."  His back still to her, Zunrogo knew instinctively where her gaze rested, and he grimaced coldly.

 "Sit down," he ordered in a stern voice.

"Don't mind if I do."  Disaidun abandoned the risky plan and, swaying her hips, she sauntered in the opposite direction and sat herself boldly in the most comfortable chair, his chair, and rested her hands demurely on her lap.

"Now suppose you tell me why I was summoned here then," she indignantly demanded, a faint, seductive intonation hiding under her arrogance.

To try to get some emotion from this hardened, unsentimental warrior would be a real challenge.  Oh, but she loved challenges.  All men, no matter what kind, sooner or later had always succumbed to her charms.

She remembered her latest triumph (challenge), just before she came on board, and a fleeting smile crossed her lips as she thought of him.  “Yes, it had done a lot to boost her confidence even further and, what's more, it had been done right under her unsuspecting husband's nose.”  She shivered slightly as a special thrill coursed up her spine.

“But hadn't that clenched the deal, made the conquest of her prey even sweeter?  He coveted her affections despite the absence of his manhood.  He coveted her because he knew, as the half-brother of her husband; he could never openly claim her.  He craved her because, though many despised his kind, she did not.”

"Why aren't you afraid?" Zunrogo asked dryly, suddenly breaking the deliberately prolonged silence.

"Why?  Should I have a reason to be afraid?  Are you not just going to maul me or something?" Disaidun answered alluringly, suggestive in her coquettish shyness.

"Don't be so impertinent," he barked then half-turned.

His fiery gaze burrowed through her, making her flesh crawl.  "Only fools have no fear."

The awful threat implicit in his icy tone instantly sapped all the courage, the confidence, the arrogance from her.

As if mesmerized, Disaidun Agripe in that instant came to believe him capable of most horrific, vile acts.  Moreover, he had no weaknesses; he was immune to it all.

 A sudden, potent fear gripped her chest and made her heart palpitate wildly.  Yet, strangely enough, at that same moment she felt irresistibly drawn to him.  He awakened in her a strange set of conflicting emotions. “No, she'll never succumb to the likes of him; not ever again!” 

Summoning up all her courage and will to withstand the overwhelming pressure, she bit her lip and looked angrily away.  She will remain defiant to the end.  

“He did not scare her, not one bit!”

“Good,” Zunrogo allowed himself an inward smile. “I hate easy conquests.” 

Softening the expression on his face, he allowed a warm smile to reach his lips as he walked across and eased himself into the next (less comfortable) chair.  His tone as he subsequently addressed some non-committal issues should have disarmed her, but he could see that she was wary of him now and was fighting with all the resistance she could muster to remain vigilant.

03- ZUNROGO TUGO- JP  17

 Unknown to Disaidun, this pleased him more.  His voice was superficially polite, but stern he asked, "First tell me, is he for real?"  He kept the question purposefully vague to test her wit.

"Yes, he's legally my husband (spouse)."  Disaidun understood and responded truthfully.

“Stupid woman,” he scoffed. “You needn't have gone to such lengths.  You were set up to succeed with that despicable eunuch Zohuj Kez whether you had married his half-brother or not.”

Though Disaidun was studying him astutely she could not tell in the least what was playing through his mind, and this unnerved her once more.

Zunrogo’s demeanor unchanged, he tested her with another seemingly innocuous question,

 "What about the child?”  He knew the answer already.

“Tait is not mine.  Ceroz, my husband, lost his precious former wife in birthing it."

"And you stepped in, seizing the opportunity to fill the vacuum in his destitute heart and home." Zunrogo curtly cut her story short.

Then, grimacing wryly, he asked, "How did she die, again?"

She looked him straight in the eye.  "It was heart failure, I believe."

"That's how the coroner's official report read.  How did she really die of?"

Before she could indignantly demand what, it was, he was insinuating, he cut her short.

"Tell me, do you care at all what happens to either of them now?"  His voice was cold.

Disaidun shrugged, seeing no point to her denials, "Not particularly."

Smiling tightly, she then reached for the tea, "May I?'

"Help yourself.  And don't worry; it's not been tainted with the deadly ‘Sschrofik’ blossom."  Zunrogo studied how she struggled to keep her composure and failed, as her face turned ghostly white, and fear enlarged her pupils.

 "Only a slight touch of ‘Yourek” has been added." He indifferently, intoned.

 When she threw him a questioning look, freezing in her gesture, he added, "The truth drug.  You're not afraid of the truth, are you?"

Settling back in his chair, Zunrogo gave a short laugh and noted how she debated with herself whether to respond with a witty, convincing feint or a curt remark to put him in his place.

By then she had come to detest him. Disaidun would have wrung his neck if she could.  He was not there to arrest her, though, because of that she was certain.  What's more, she knew a squeeze play when she saw one.  Unfortunately, she could not figure out his angle.  What was it that he was after?

"You may serve me one as well."  Zunrogo decided to let her off the hook.

“So, he was just bluffing,” inwardly she heaved a deep sigh, “The nerve of him, asking me to serve him!” 

He was watching her closely and noted with some amusement her momentary outrage, followed by sound reasoning, subsequently, how she vacillated on whether to do as he bid her.

“She could accidentally knock the pot off of the table.”  In her defiance she had, for a spell, entertained an apt rebuff; but relenting, quickly aborted that snub also.  Besides, her throat was parched, and she had been craving some hot liquid ever since she had ceased all that emotional outburst, crying and pleading, in short, splendid performance. 

In the end she gave in and poured herself a cupful then, after a brief hesitation, poured one for him as well.  Her inbred (ingrained) manners took root as she offered it to him with a courtly flourish, "I can take the truth if you can."

His stone gaze deliberately pierced her to the quick and he inwardly savored how her hand trembled slightly as she stubbornly held the cup out to him when he did not move, right away, to take it from her.  She could have given up and placed the cup back onto the table, but she had a point to make.

"Thank you," he finally accepted it.

Seething in anger, she lowered her head and drunk the tea in quick repetitive sips to hide her irate thoughts.

In contrast, he took several prolonged sips then, with deliberate slowness put the cup down, his eyes glued to her all the while.

Her thirst sated, she looked up, unflinchingly meeting his stone gaze.  "There is no such thing as the truth drug, is there?" she asked.

His response was delayed.  His face showed nothing as he disregarded her question altogether, "I called you here because you may be of some use to me."  He lied, "And because I believe you are quite capable.  After all, you have succeeded, where others have failed, have you not?"

"Capable of what?" Disaidun’s coy laughter registered her nervousness.  She swallowed hard and lowered her eyes away from Zunrogo's stern gaze.  Then, raising them again she narrowed them instinctively as she studied him boldly, looking for any trace of deceit or lechery in those cold, gray pupils. 

What did he want from her?  But the wall he set up was impenetrable.

Zunrogo, surmising this, smiled again with a strange glint in his eyes.

For now, his sole requirement of her was to learn who dispatched her on this assignment, even though he suspected she would be ignorant of this, having been covertly approached by someone acting as an agent.  He was confident, none the less, of his ability to deduce who this mystery man might be from the gleaned bits and pieces of information from her.

Still, he was in no great hurry.  He rested his intense scrutiny on her briefly then, disinterestedly, looked away.

This put Disaidun Agripe more at her unease.  She hung her head.  “He's toying with me.”  

She decided to push, to get some answers.  "You say I may be of some use to you?" she investigated his face and demanded.  "But, if I were to do your bidding, what would I get out of it in return?  Will you release me unharmed to go on with my way?  Or am I destined to perish like the rest on board when it’s all over?"

So, she understands more than she lets on.  

Gripping the edges of the small table Zunrogo menacingly leaned across, his breath brushing her face and his expression suddenly hard, uncompromising.  "You are hardly in a position to bargain, Missy."

His cold, gray eyes again burrowed into Disaidun, eroding in an instant all the confidence she had fought so hard to maintain since that first episode when she had come into the room. But then unexpectedly, his expression softened once more and, with a broad grin, he leaned back.

"Certainly, you will be spared.  You have my word on that, Miss Jepipi.  I would not dream of obstructing you further."  He answered her with a cold voice that belied his warm, disarming smile.

Disaidun Agripe’s (Jepipi’s) surprise was clearly marked on her face.  "How do you know my code name?" she asked.

"I have my resources.  I trust you have completed your recent assignment with due expedience and satisfaction?"

Even though she knew that the attempt was futile, she met his gaze unflinchingly and flatly denied it, "I don't know what you're talking about.  I'm through with all that now I'm a happily married woman.  I lead a simple life, the kind I've always wanted."

"Oh, come now!" Zunrogo threw his head back and laughed, "A simple life?  That's hardly your style.  You're contradicting yourself; happily married indeed!"

His countenance suddenly became stern as he added in an icy tone, "But your secret is safe with me, Miss Jepipi, so long as you cooperate.  Now tell me, how much longer do you intend on keeping up with this farcical charade?"

His cold insinuation visibly startled her.

Clearly, she was done with her husband, but why hadn't she discarded him yet, why this ambivalence?

"Are you infatuated with him?" Zunrogo's question echoed in her mind.  "Granted he is good looking and rather well off."

04-DISAIDUN AGRIPE JP

“How much does he know?  He knows an awful lot already, as if he can see right through me.  Unnervingly, he seems most capable of deciphering my innate feelings, my innermost thoughts, even before I, myself, become aware of them.”  Disaidun Agripe took a shuddering breath and, after studying Zunrogo from the corner of her eye, turned her head away.

“He’s really beginning to terrify me; I must stand firm, must defy this overwhelming sense of panic.” 

Disaidun did not even notice the first effects of the ‘Yourek drug’ as it infiltrated her brain, causing the emotions to act with that small bit of control missing.  Such were its subtle effects that, as one sunk deeper under its spell, one was not even aware of one's loss of inhibition, or of its inevitable suppression of all normal censors.

Just then a thought, an idea flashed across her mind and, turning her curious gaze back to him she wondered, “Was he the same covert figure who had mysteriously appeared in my bed chamber in the dead of night and approached me with this unusual assignment?”

“No,” she quickly answered herself. “His voice, his manners, even his gestures are all so different, so wrong and Zunrogo is far leaner and taller than he.  Could he then be my anticipated contact?”  Again, the answer was negative.  “He didn't use the secret password for identification, and he hadn't responded when I posed the coded inquiry earlier.  This is proof positive of a leak.  When I do meet the contact, I must warn him of this infiltration and of the dire repercussions that are possible from this Zunrogo.”

Just as she, eyeing Zunrogo suspiciously with her guard up, was about to put a question to him, his abrupt, pointed inquiry startled her anew, "I trust that you have the letter, from…well we won't mention any names or titles, in your safekeeping?"

Disaidun Agripe threw him a furious, forbidden look as if to say, “No!  You can't have it!”

But strangely, he seemed not to be anxious about it at all, nor did he press his inquiry about its exact whereabouts or make the least attempt to seize it by force.

Having directed (turned) her concentration to the letter, Zunrogo, subsequently (in short shrift), through his artful manipulation, guided her into revealing to him all the pertinent information about the covert contact, to determine who it was that had dispatched her on this assignment.

When after a spell he had pieced it all together in his mind, the unexpected result took him totally by surprise, for his calculations had revealed the most unlikely candidate, one with an obvious conflict of interest and the one farthest from his mind.

While Zunrogo kept on the outward pretense of a grueling exchange to conceal his surprise, he quietly contemplated on the side, how best to confront this culprit in the future.

“Yes, armed with further proof, he would first humble him, grinding his nose into the dirt where he would squirm like a pig.”

Zunrogo looked away, suddenly delighted at all the prospects that had availed themselves, to him.

“This assignment,” he inwardly gloated, “has thus far provided me more advantages over my most ardent foes than I could have ever dreamed of.”

"Tell me", he abruptly asked Disaidun, "have you read the contents?"

"You know it’s sealed," she let out without thinking.

 Then, lowering her head she pursed her lips and grumbled, "Besides, it has been made perfectly clear to me that if I tampered with it in any way, it would mean my death."

 Coyly inclined her head, Disaidun Agripe looked away.

In fact, this had been a bone of contention with her.  Sensing the letter's grave importance, she had fought hard against her nature not to sneak a peek inside and see what all the fuss was about.

"Oh, come now, surely a resourceful girl such as you would not rest until your curiosity is satiated?  You mean to tell me that you made no attempt at all?"  Zunrogo could not resist his desire to further beleaguer (needle, pester) her.

"Think what you will," first was her initial curt retort then, realizing she had been manipulated; Disaidun expelled her breath and vehemently protested her innocence.

Inwardly Zunrogo was laughing up a storm, scorning her naiveté, her utter stupidity.

As it were, Disaidun Agripe had sealed her fate from the very moment she had accepted this assignment of securing the letter within her safekeeping.  It made no difference whether she had tampered with it. 

“Fool, you are just an unwitting, doomed courier, like so many others who preceded you.”  He almost pitied her.

Zunrogo’s ardent investigation thus far had uncovered that, within last two years at odd unspecified intervals, the task of safekeeping the letter had fallen on varied (diverse) individuals with covert sponsorships (backing, patronage).

Zunrogo had only recently identified, with some measure of certainty, the patron from the lethal sorority that had masterminded it all.

The secret organization (club) was none other than the most feared covenant fraternity, The Black Molochs.

The carefully procured couriers, the moment they’d outlived their usefulness, methodically perished/disappeared without a trace, severing the only weak link outside of this clandestine brotherhood. That is how The Black Molochs, had until then, avoided detection (exposure).

05-LANCE DIOSTIN JP  7

But once Zunrogo had discerned that Lance Diostin was the member of Black Molochs, that’s what had clued him in from the start; that, and the indisputable proof that the expandable courier was on board this vessel.  After that connection had been established, it made perfect sense why Lance Diostin was in such hot pursuit, to intercept them.

Zunrogo had never bought the advocated perception that, Egil Viggoaries, albeit furtively, gave any credence to superstition. Nothing, nothing at all (disconcerted) fazed that villain.  Typically, contrary to the fostered, erroneous belief, Fradel Rurik Korvald was not the bulls-eye target here, though it had no doubt served the Eunuch's purpose, as well as Lance Diostin’s, to on the sly, advance that cause.

 “Yes,” Zunrogo congratulated himself. “I’ve had had a significant breakthrough in these last few months.

 But even though the letter was as good as in his keeping, few details still needed to be ironed out. For one thing he did not entirely trust Disaidun’s husband, the Official Caroz Agripe, a supposed official on the way to taking up new post. Of course, Caroz had been thoroughly checked out and reports cleared him of all suspicion; however, Zunrogo still had his qualms about him. For one thing he was way too soft and cowardly despite his superb physique; it could all be a ruse, a good cover-up, to throw off suspicion. Zunrogo would devise an effective plan later to properly test him (flush him out); if he proved otherwise, he’d be then quickly disposed of. His wife Disaidun Agripe could be manipulated into playing a big part, a kind of borrowed knife; in setting him up and affecting his eventual demise. Meanwhile Zunrogo, not being privy to the covert identities of the rest of the Black Molochs, his next course of action could be placed in jeopardy; given that for all he knew, a Black Moloch affiliate, could have already infiltrated this vassal, going about all this time, totally undetected, keeping an eye on things while working to undermine him (Zunrogo). Once this impediment was flushed out and eradicated, his next course of action would then be, is to defeat Lance Diostin and take him alive so as to extract the desired information from him before his sure demise.

Competent as Zunrogo was, he was not entirely certain he could manage this daunting objective alone and so, considered enlisting Tizan’s help. That might be the key ingredient for his eventual success.  Afterwards he would decide on what to do with Tizan.

Zunrogo had been informed that the letter had always been kept in an airtight pouch of waxed leather.  The seal itself was indistinct but bore unique properties, not the least of which was the fact that it was laced with a deadly poison and a trick pin embedded cleverly within it, all to discourage unwarranted tampering.

“You have no inkling at all of what it is that you're carrying, do you?” he threw Disaidun (Jepipi) another cursory look.  “It’s just as well that you curbed your curiosity out of fear of reprisals, at least it has prolonged your life this little bit, long enough for me to...,” Zunrogo smirked and eyed her wantonly.

                                                                                              ~

 

 

(END OF SECTION 29)

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 13

 Zhadol had narrowed his eyes and had spoken thoughtfully that last part, but then he sharply looked up and grimaced, "Yet, you know what, Egil Viggoaries is not entirely to be blamed for all that he’d…. “Zadol abruptly stayed his tongue, then simply shook his head. “What I mean to say is that he’s only the product of his circumstances.  Zakhertan Yozdek’s former Chief Eunuch, Mokan had a lot to do with molding Egil Viggoaries’character; yes, since the time he’d been made his guardian, when Egil was in his early teens.  Now there was a devious, callous brute; his heart was black, far blacker than Egil Viggoaries's now. You are most fortunate that his early death spared you from having any dealings with him.”

01- CHIEF EUNUCH MOKAN

Zadol pensively looked away for a time, then after a nod, said: “Since the time Egil Viggoaries’s training was entrusted to that demon Chief Eunuch, furthermore, he was given free rein to do anything he pleased…. well, is it any wonder that Egil Viggoaries is the way he is now?  In a rare, vulnerable moment once, much to my surprise, Egil tearfully opened his heart to me and confessed his deepest, darkest secrets; how he had been savagely, brutally …. oh, I cannot speak of such….” Zhadol suddenly dropped his head and fell silent, as involuntary shudder just then passed through him.

"Then I should think that His Excellency Egil Viggoaries definitely had a hand in his guardian's untimely and rather suspicious demise (end).  After all, didn't he have everything to gain and nothing to lose?"  Yennic's pitiless (cold) tone was deliberately provocative.

"I see that you are not above lending an ear to these unsubstantiated, idle and malicious rumors that obviously persist to date." Zhadol huffed angrily.

"Mokan had a multitude of enemies and any one of them was capable of engineering that bizarre, freakish accident, infinitely more capable than a mere boy barely fourteen years of age.  Mokan got exactly what he deserved.  Frankly, it’s strange that someone didn't off that brute long before."   Zhadol gritted his teeth then, growing quiet, looked away.

“How fervently (vehemently) you rush to the defense of Egil Viggoaries, while inadvertently perhaps, exposing your searing contempt for your old benefactor, Mokan.” Yennic mused, studying Zhadol out of the corner of his eye.

 “One would think that you shared Egil Viggoaries's pain at first hand, despite your prior claims.  Well, why not?  I should be cross with you for keeping the truth from me, and your denial has confirmed my suspicions.  Egil Viggoaries was only fourteen at the time, but you were nineteen and certainly felt protective of him.  You both were in on the conspiracy, weren't you?  Though perhaps I'll milk the confession and the details some other time from you.”

Assuming a gentler disposition now, Yennic on the outset conceded, smiling, "True enough, it’s too far-fetched to consider… mmm… true enough, such a deed would be way beyond any boy's capacity.  Still, Mokan's demise was very beneficial for His Excellency Egil Viggoaries.  Wasn't he chosen for some personal, private service to the Crown Prince Herleif, shortly afterwards?  A decidedly advantageous gain, wouldn't you say?"

02- PRINCE HERLEIF (1)

"You would think so, wouldn't you?" Zhadol scoffed.

 "First of all, the appointment came much, much later and secondly, there, too, Egil Viggoaries suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of Zakhertan Yozdek's once, favored son Herleif.”

“No, Yennic," Zhadol asserted grimly, "it was not an advantageous position.  In fact, it was quite the opposite.  The damage done by his humiliation and degradation was almost irreparable.  However, it was somewhat countered by the scant attention and due recognition he received from our Sovereign."

 Zhadol shook his head. “Yes, I could tell you horror stories about that episode in Egil's life as well.  Still, while emotionally bound to His Highness, Egil to date credits all blame on his rebellious father: he’s been held solely responsible for all Egil’s suffered pain and abominations since the time of Egil’s abandonment at infancy.  In fact, so doggedly Egil loathes, to the very marrow of his bones, his biological father, that I think…" But then Zhadol suddenly falling silent, pensively looked away at some distant point.

 When Yennic drew closer and appeared, about to speak, Zhadol, surmising the inquiry, shook his head and answered readily, "No, Yennic, I don't know the insurgent Lord’s name.  I don't even think Egil Viggoaries knows for certain. "

"Then again, maybe he does know it; but he feels far too shamed to…” Zhadol in afterthought shrugged then stroked his beard.

Subsequently, his brain flooded with a rush of memories Zhadol, nodded absentmindedly as he inwardly examined the scant clues he’d previously overlooked. "Yes, maybe he does know, that would explain so much!"

“Shamed…?”  It was such an odd choice of words, that, Yennic, meanwhile, had looked questioningly at Zhadol; but the Commander ‘s mind already drifted off to distant memories, mired in his own recollections, he simply ignored Yennic.

In the ensuing minutes Zhadol then had quietly reminisced about the infrequent moments of kindness he'd experienced with Egil Viggoaries and the knotted muscles of his face relaxed their hold fractionally.  With a softer expression he looked up and smiled, "You know, Yennic, he does have a vulnerable side to him, though you'd rarely see it for he never drops his guard, even when asleep."

03-EGIL VIGGORIES

"Listening to your accounts one could easily be misled, or worse, disarmed, by His Excellency Egil Viggoaries." Yennic laughed cynically. "You paint a picture of a victimized, vulnerable, oh so tragic being!  How can you speak kindly of him after all you've seen, after all the atrocities you've witnessed and after all your suffering at his hands?  Is abandonment, or a deprived childhood love, any excuse for all his sins (depravities) he’d committed, or was it just his evil innate nature surfacing to begin with?  I'd suspect you'd find something nice to say about even the most vicious beast as he stood above you, threatening to devour you whole."  Yennic grinned, shaking his head.

"I've always said that you are too soft hearted.”  “Or does it go deeper than that?  Could it simply be guilt? And so, despite it all, you view Egil as replacement for your long-lost little brother-one you’d failed to protect; Egil hence, filling that void of mentoring and protecting, as means for absolution?" Yennic conjectured (theorised), as he sternly (unsympathetically, hardheartedly) scrutinized Zhadol.

Just then however, Yennic’s eyes suddenly lit up and a sinister smile brushed his lips as if he recalled a new way to goad the Commander.  "Speaking of Egil Viggoaries's favorites, I just realized it’s been some time since we've heard about Heng Erling."

04-- HENG ERLING

Still perched on the tree branch, Nevetsecnuac momentarily tensed at hearing that familiar name.  So much had happened since that fatal encounter.  A cold shiver rippled through him as he instantly recalled Heng Erling's deception, the intense combat and finally, that shattering disclosure (revelation) that had irretrievably altered his future. (Detailed account of this is at- Book 6- The Assassins- Section 17)

 

"You didn't do something drastic to Heng Erling, did you?"  Yennic's teasing tone disclosed a slight hint of jealousy.

"I hate to disappoint you but no, I didn't.  He left some time ago on a secret mission and I did not care to ask His Excellency anything about it."  Shrugging his shoulders dispassionately, Zhadol looked away.

"Understandably", Yennic masked his cruelty to play at being sympathetic once more.

"Well, perhaps he'll have the good fortune to fall prey to some serious adversary and never darken your thoughts again.  Tell me, though; was there any truth to those rumors concerning Heng Erling and His Excellency?"

05--HENG ERLING

"You know it well!"   Zhadol fixed his cold gaze back on the Lieutenant.

"But I thought that they had despised each other all along?" Yennic needled.

"The animosity between them was real enough.  They were rivals since childhood.  Heng Erling had always been close to the Crown Prince Herleif and never missed a chance to entice Prince Herleif into torturing Egil Viggoaries for being different.  Yet you know how opposites attract.  Besides, I believe Heng's recent change of heart was instigated by his mother's ambition.  That artful, calculating enchantress (wiccan) Lady Lingrace controls him absolutely. She has high ambitions for him, you know, particularly since His Highness has now two remaining living sons and only one living illegitimate one that we know of. “

“Wasn’t Lady Lingrace a lady-in waiting, to Lady Elin?” Yennic pondered out loud. “That’s right, she had been attendant to Prince Qijerrik and Prince Herleif’s mother Lady Elin, during which, she had an affair with His R.H. Zakhertan Yozdek. Later still, her husband Gustav Erling was executed for treason; Heng’s elder siblings were promptly executed, but the younger Heng Erling was spared, and we all know the reason, why? Rumors had it, because he was His Majesty Zakhertan Yozdek’s illegitimate son. Lady Lingrace is considered old now, she has lost most of her attractiveness, but still is around and furthermore, maintains most of her power.”

06- LADY LINGRACE

“You would think so, wouldn’t you?  But I think that is not entirely true. Meanwhile, she must have noticed the balance of power shifting towards Egil Viggoaries lately and so pushed her son into aligning with the sure victor.” Zhadol pensively ejected.   

"And she thinks that, when it comes to it, His Excellency Egil Viggoaries will politely step aside?"  Yennic could not hold back a laugh.

"You're dangling over the (razor’s) blade’s edge again!"   Zhadol knitted his brows in anger.  "I warned you about that kind of dangerous talk!"

"I was only hypothesizing; I meant nothing by it." Yennic retracted it at once, grinning sheepishly.  "His Excellency's devotion and loyalty to His Highness is above question.  Everyone knows that."

 Zhadol elected not to dwell on it.  "Come now.  Patient and tactful you are not.  I know you've been burning with curiosity all night, so why haven't you asked me yet about the cause of the recent trouble between Egil Viggoaries and myself instead of talking about nearly everything else?"

"I figured you'd get around to it eventually."  Yennic shrugged his shoulders, feigning indifference.  "Besides, you'd assured me that there was nothing to worry about."

"Pretend all you want; I know you better."  Zhadol laughed in good humor.

"Well then, I'll tell you but don't expect any elaboration on it. “

                                                                                 ~

 

(END OF SECTION 13)