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)  

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 17

After so many hours of tending the Dark Eunuch’s extensive wounds (lesions), Royal surgeon Mosek stepped back and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Egil Viggoaries was then offered two or three excellent pain-numbing concoctions but despite the throbbing pain in his arm, he refused to ingest any potion and perfunctorily dismissed the Surgeon.

 

01- ROYAL SURGEON MOSEK

The Dark Eunuch thence left alone in the room, he stayed seated there for a while longer evaluating (assessing) his two provocative future machinations; finally, his thoughts reverting to Stuart Chutek, his mind pithily deliberated on the astute (shrewd) course of assertion (command, charge, contention):

His men had already been positioned in the very Inn Chutek was staying, awaiting his orders to apprehend him; before the Stewart Chutek crossed to the Chukset Province, to seek out Tonzeye Yevgun.  In a short while, when the moment was apt, Chutek would be lawfully indicted and convicted for the impending (imminent) murder of Worren Youkup based on that sheer evidence alone. Furthermore, with the established motive, Chutek could easily be portrayed as an ambitious servant who had deliberately and unconscionably seduced and coerced his senile, old master into declaring him as the sole beneficiary; then, before Worren had a change of heart, Chutek cold-heartedly had arranged to have him (the Royal Tutor) killed during Chutek’s absence from Channing, on a supposed errand no less.  Portrayed (depicted) as an insidious, scheming, malicious servant, Chutek could then be subjected the extreme penalty of the law; albeit he survived the preliminary inquisition, he could still be made to suffer the brutal indignities, before his slowest, most tortuous end.

But where was the challenge in that? Egil Viggoaries scoffed and shifted in his seat. Even without all that, any amount of incriminating evidence could easily have been amassed, since the old Tutor had shown such extreme favoritism to the strikingly handsome Chutek, incurring jealous animosities from all the other servants, one in particular…The one named, Lorenzo.

Egil Viggoaries turned his thoughts instead, to Enqui Rimeng's flask which presented far more intriguing possibilities. This flagon (evidential instrument of death) could be utilized to net the bigger prize, in addition to the accursed Herleif! But then, why would he cook the golden goose, or would it be more prudent to call her a pheasant; besides which, she may soon be infinitely more valuable as the Dowager Mother of the future Sovereign.

Egil Viggoaries sporting a wry grin, rose from his chair and walked to the window; as he absently stared out, suddenly, unexpectedly, he was reminded of Samnuk.

Dark Eunuch Egil, grimaced thinking of the time he had tricked the mixed gender rock sprit entity Samnuk, who had just escaped being imprisoned in that protective water crystal amulet which Dwengzur had always worn around his neck. Samnuk had impersonated his master Dwengzur, but Egil quickly wizened to this deception, had instead duped Samnuk into revealing one of his secrets. This was an especially useful tool (device, information), indeed, gaining the ability to shapeshift and assume any form or person; unfortunately, his (Egil) being a mere mortal, if he utilized this spell, there would be a grave consequence to him. Egil had been seriously warned about this, by non other than Dwengzur, before his eventual disappearance with then captive, mischief-maker, Samnuk.

02 SAMNUK 1B

“Oh well,” Egil Viggoaries shrugged; knowing there would be an apt future time, when the advantages would far outweigh the vile disadvantage, for its use.

Dark Eunuch’s thoughts once more reverting to Sejon and then to Magnian, he now indulged his mind in that future fantasy, where which Zakhertan Yozdek and Sejon would be long dead and, he would be the Regent Guardian to Magnian. A necessary short step to being the omnipotent emperor. Emperor Egil… Egil the Merciless! He did like the sound of that! The Dark Eunuch threw his head back and gave a hearty guffaw. A brief time later, sinister grin gone, Egil abruptly turned about face and went out the room; dismissing the respectful bows of his guards at the door, he walked briskly down the hall. Of course, his personal security had at once sheathed their swords and fell into step behind him. The Dark Eunuch walked quickly with long strides to keep his appointment, albeit a little late, with the Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund. Egil knew that the meeting was of a serious official matter, though it had rapidly been dwarfed in importance by these more recent developments.  

“When I see him,” Egil Viggoaries mused with wry smile on his lips, “I must at least make a point of thanking Qarzten Caimund for his recommendation of me to this case. The man has unwittingly done me a great service!” He threw his head back and laughed once more as he continued to advance without so much as breaking stride.

   

                                                                        ~   

   

That evening, when Egil Viggoaries received the expected word that Royal Tutor Worren Youkup was at death’s door after having suffered a damaging heart-attack, he quickly set aside all other business to pay the customary courtesy call on Worren, hoping to catch him still among the living and to whisper to him his spiteful news. As it were, the Dark Eunuch’s ingrained rancour (grudge) for the sanctimonious Worren Youkup and the Prince Herleif had been everlasting because, Egil Viggoaries’s childhood years had been glumly marred as the study companion of Prince Herleif. Young Egil had undergone nefarious castigations and ignoble humiliations whenever the unruly, wily Herleif had broken the rules. At each instance, Worren Youkup (heartlessly) indifferently turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the truth had compulsorily mated out harshest penalties on the unpopular Egil Viggoaries. Eventually young Egil had learned to fight back and once fended for himself in such a way as to make Worren’s and Prince Herleif's life, for a time being at least, an absolute Hell. Zakhertan Yozdek at the time was still waging his border wars and was frequently absent from Channing for extended periods; Herleif’s vindictiveness going unchecked hence, it was not long before Viggoaries was maligned and permanently replaced as the study companion, with a more malleable stooge. The ostracized Egil’s life from then on, had taken on a new, nightmarish turn.  

                                                                      … 

At present entering the private compound of the palace staff, Egil Viggoaries continued to make his way, in the same bold strides, towards the tutor's sleeping quarters. Coming to within an earshot of the old man's deathbed, he heard the attending physicians pontificating over Worren’s ailment and them arriving at the unanimous decision that he was at present beyond saving.

"We've done all that is humanly possible to stem the course of damage but alas, his sight and speech faculties (ability) are slightly (to some extent) impaired.” Kundo Rotek said with a tired, mournful resignation. Everyone knew he was in fact quite fond of the Royal Tutor.

“At least you’d in time mercifully administered the dose to ease his terrible pain, but I dare say, bit more excessively." His colleague (assistant) pensively griped.  

 "There is nothing further to be done." Three of the senior Royal Physicians, farcically, exasperatedly shaking their heads unanimously at this point sounded their firm estimation.   

"May Gods be merciful!" A young Royal Physician just then acerbically added, eyeing Egil Viggoaries’s entrance into the room.   

"And may his passing into the spirit world, be without fret." Another one called Polnar, hastily rushed in to say, same time gave his co-worker an apprehensively admonishing look that seemed to say: “Xamis Urmond you fool, you will pay dearly for this later! You have enjoyed the favor of His Highness Zakhertan Yozdek and basked in the rarely bestowed honors and privileges your youthful brilliance has earned you up till now, but nothing lasts forever, and no one is indispensable!” Polnar had rushed forward meanwhile, along with the others, to respectfully greet Egil Viggoaries.   

Polnar’s subsequent profuse apologies and amiable words, on behalf of his headstrong friend Xamis, had unfortunately was ignored (fell on deft ears), for Egil Viggoaries had already made up his mind to take care of this impertinent and upstart Royal Physician, permanently (for good).

03- EGIL VIGGORIES 1- JP

Outwardly, however, Egil seemed to be appeased; showing a particular concern for the Royal Tutor's increasingly deteriorating condition, he suggested (ordered) he be allowed a few solitary moments with his old teacher to convey his farewells.  

The Chief Royal Physician, Kundo Rotek, readily assenting, cleared the room at once of all persons; then he too, quickly exited the room. Then again, all were extremely glad of the opportunity to spread as much distance as possible between them and the Black Eunuch, for none wished to inadvertently offend him and risk his baneful (cursed) wrath.   

Egil Viggoaries nodded in satisfaction as he approached the old Tutor as, without interference, he was now able to assess for himself the specific symptoms of the poison. Though all had read his occasional dissertations about the progress of human diseases and thus would never question his motives, no one was truly aware of the full extent of Egil’s vast knowledge of medicine and toxicology, gathered over the course of many years of experiment and study.  Not only had Egil Viggoaries poured over and devoured the Royal Library's vast storehouse of medical texts (one of the subjects along with alchemy, astronomy, botany and military strategy that had been spared from the incineration) but he had for the past several years also conducted experiments on his own into the causes, cures and progress of a countless number of diseases that plagued mankind with terminal suffering.  As Minister of Internal Security, he was able to procure an unending supply of subjects from among the ranks of the condemned prisoners with which he strove to resolve the dilemmas posed by those elusive maladies that had eluded even the wisest of contemporary medical minds. Not that Egil Viggoaries was striving to find cures for these illnesses; rather, his fascination lay in inducing sickness into previously healthy individuals and then painstakingly recording in meticulous detail the variations of the disease's progress until the final deterioration of their condition.   

The suffering, the torment inflicted on these ill-fated victims gave him that perverse pleasure and bizarre sense of temporary satiation from his bottomless, sadistic curiosity. Egil Viggoaries’s compiled works meanwhile had proven to be a controversial yet invaluable contribution to the medical field, though the methods by which the information had been gathered drew to date, twenty or thirty muted criticisms from certain Court Officials as well as, secret censure by two of his medical peers. Regardless of these personal qualms, they nevertheless jostled each other in their rush to obtain, at great expense, his latest findings when they were, infrequently printed up for publication. For every now and then Egil Viggoaries would succumb to the human failing (an urge) to boast, to gain recognition for his unconscionable yet brilliant methods and theories. These published findings however had only ceded the surface layers of his knowledge of the tools of death. He had also, for self-preservation, secretly experimented, and duly become an expert in identifying the culprit poisons, in specifically, five unresolved murder cases.     

Looking at the old Royal Tutor, Egil Viggoaries presently noted with a bemused smile the obvious signs and the side-effects of the drug Worren Youkup had unwittingly ingested, which had escaped the learned eyes of those brilliant Royal Physicians. Haughty, Idiotic incompetents, the lot of them! Even that arrogant upstart had not caught on. Later, Egil Viggoaries was to learn that Xamis Urmond had indeed raised the possibility during his examination but had been roundly overridden by his more discreet peers. His apologist had even ventured as far as to advise Xamis, "Let the sleeping dogs lie."    

Dispassionately Egil Viggoaries studied the side effects of the potion that had, in its wake, left the Royal Tutor gradually (increasingly) more bereft of sight and speech.  That old boorish tyrant that had plagued his childhood, now nearing his end, was as vulnerable as a newborn babe, squirming in his silent pain. Yet there remained something in those sightless eyes, an urgent need in that contorted face to communicate something vital. Taking advantage of this chance, Egil Viggoaries ordered one of the waiting attendants at outside, to bring him a parchment and ink-laden brush. The attendant as he was leaving the room witnessed only of Egil Viggoaries placing the brush in the dying Royal Tutor's right hand and urging him to write.

No one bore witness to the Eunuch’s subsequent act of, leaning close to Worren’s ear and imparting to him in a whisper, while grinning with sheer malice, his exquisite plans for the darling Stewart Chutek. 

04- STEWART CHUTEK'S IMPENDING FATE

A brief time later Egil Viggoaries had emerged at outside declaring the result to be indecipherable scribbling that warranted thorough analysis later. The Eunuch’s back to them, Chief Royal Physician Kundo Rotek and the other Royal Physicians had all at once, frenziedly rushed (scrambled) back into the room, in time only to observe, Worren Youkup arch his back in pain and breath his last.

 

                                                                        ….   

 

 

(END OF SECTION 17)

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 19

Suddenly a call from the deep woke Under Secretary Lenny Sukzor and he sat upright with a start. He was drenched in perspiration, uncomfortably so.

"It’s about time you woke up, son of Wushing." the voice resounded in the night.

With certain trepidation Lenny turned to ascertain that his wife was still peacefully asleep by his side.

  

01  -LENNY SUKZOR (12)JP

"Oh, don't worry, no one else can hear me." The familiar voice in the shadows reassured him. "But I can linger only for a spell longer; for that hell hound Dwengzur is sure to pick up my trail."  He threw his head back and laughed boisterously, a sound akin to the rolling thunder.

As Lenny Sukzor quietly rose from his bed, he strained his eyes to see more clearly into the darkness.  

His heart palpitated wildly, suspecting yet refusing to believe what his keen senses were telling him. "Am I dreaming about this? Are you a ghost? Just who are you really, what are you? His murmured questions spilled out as he tried to light the oil lamp on the side table by the bed. "How on earth did you bypass the security?"

"How soon they forget!" the voice plaintively grumbled. "No, I am not a ghost, not yet anyway."  The figure, opting not to use magic, he instead moved nearer to the window and allowed the full moonlight streaming in to reveal his familiar features.

Lenny Sukzor, having finally managed to light the lamp at the same time, had turned and held it before him to illuminate the room. "You!” In his fright (and shock) the lamp nearly dropped from his grasp. For a heartbeat he was dumbfounded, and then found his tongue quickly, "General Zonar Kuntzu, is that really you? But how is this possible? I thought you were…  I mean, I've seen your scorched, mangled corpse."  His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh, that!" Zonar Kuntzu shrugged, dismissing it. He then perfunctorily put aside the miniature antique jade cauldron that had for a spell intriqued him and turned to fully face Lenny Sukzor.

02- GENERAL ZONAR KUNTZU - IMMORTAL (36)JP

"You could call the (corpse) remains an empty shell, a duplicate of sorts, for want of a better word. It’s a small trick I’ve acquired, from my father’s…mm; anyhow it was the only means with which to escape catastrophe; hah, I sure deceived that demon Dwengzur."  The last sentence Zonar’d half grumbled to himself.

Seeing Lenny Sukzor's puzzlement, he grimaced. "But never mind all that, it will take far too long for me to explain it in layman's terms."  He dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

“So, you're a magician (conjurer) as well.” Lenny thought.

"You might say that." Zonar, reading the other’s mind, again turned to face him squarely (fullfrontal).

"Then Dwengzur, he, too, is", Lenny Sukzor masked his amazement as he sought this confirmation, only to be interrupted by an impatient Zonar.

"Yes, yes. That kinsman of mine sought to destroy me, and very nearly succeeded too."

"But why? And where is he now? None have seen him since the combat." Lenny Sukzor asked anxiously, more concerned about Zonar. Now he understood the chance he was taking by being with him.

"Rest assured, he's far away; gone to give a full report to his masters. He believed that his mission was a success and that he had destroyed (slayed) me. As you can see, I’m unharmed, for the time being, that is."  Zonar mumbled this last bit to himself as he shrugged and looked away and then donned a mordant smile as he glanced at an unspecific, ambiguous point in the void and, knowingly winked.

                                                                           ~  

Within the deep cavern of a high elevation, in that remote, eternally (perpetually) permafrost region .... the image and the unfolding scene on the wall, had just then ceased (halted).                          

Several assembled immortals previously cold, unfeeling eyes suddenly flamed. Their inquisitive gazes one by one then turned to silently admonish Dwengzur: “So, you have failed after all! And now look how he is stirring up even more trouble!”

“Why didn’t we send proficient ‘Exterminators’ to do this job in the first place, instead of Dwengzur?” Sthetor could not resist needling (provoking) Elder Yuntak, even though he knew the reason why. He was, however, duly ignored.

“I do not understand it. I performed the sacred ritual that should have ended his existence, double or no double.” Dwengzur's eyes flashed gold, and his brow furrowed, as he inwardly mused (questioned the air).

03- DWENGZUR (29)JP

“Yet here it is. The stark reality stretched out before us, mocking us. Did you see how he turned just then, after saying you believed that your mission was a success and that you had destroyed (slayed) him; he looked straight at us with a sardonic smile and winked! No mistakes in that! That upstart has deceived you well, and good, Dwengzur. No wonder he has the audacity to taunt us. Worst still, you let Nevetsecnuac, Zandar Kuntzu’s and Tekubzan’s grandson, their twin daughter, Arnora’s kid, slip through your fingers as well.  This is all, your fault…You have botched it…. This is inexcusable!”  In unison, they reproachfully glared at Dwengzur. This whole race of immortals was intolerant of any failure, least of all, any weakness. Dwengzur stood on the threshold of extermination or far worse.

“You're all imagining it!” Dwengzur had protested it at first only to have acquiesced a moment later. “Still, it is conceivable. I should not have left Channing so soon afterwards. Had I lingered a bit longer, I would have anew picked up his trace (or life force) and also wizened to Prince Nevetsecnuac’s true bloodline. Though he is supposed to be half immortal, he has no special powers… None that I could detect.” Dwengzur gritted his teeth, not at all pleased with the way he had been tricked by both uncle and nephew.

Dwengzur rose sharply and first reverently bowed to Aegeus, then mutely (noiselessly) addressed the elders, “I respectfully request that, before you pass any judgment on me, I be given another chance to set things right. This, I believe, is my prerogative.”  He turned next and looked directly at the venerable elder Aegeus with an unwavering coolness that commanded respect.

“Now you are insolent! Even such a brief stay in the outside world has so utterly contaminated you.”  After this projected chastisement from Elder Tibek, all heads turned to Aegeus to gauge his reaction.

“Nevertheless, you do have that right.” Elder Bovets responded coolly. “Shall we give Dwengzur another chance, then? Or would it not be wiser to send someone else in his place, someone more assured to have greater success?”

“And risk contaminating yet another?” Elder Tibek, seated at the far back, projected his concern.

All the while eminent Elder Aegeus had ruminated (brooded, sulked); his mind closed to all save one, to whom he now communicated his wishes.

“Is there no other way?” The recipient, His Eminence Olavingemar from the most ancient branch of Kongrul of the Race of Karn, telepathically asked.

“I understand your hesitation sir, as he is your grandson.” Stheltor’s projected thought just then interjected, directed at Olavingemar.

04-STHETOR IMMORTAL (8)JP

Stheltor’s insolent meddling, plus sham (bogus) empathy, peeved (irked) Aegeus. His strong dislike of Stheltor was a grave concern to him.

“I’m afraid not.” Aegeus, nevertheless, mastering his ire and totally ignoring Sheltor’s rude intrusion, shook his head addressing directly and only Olavingemar. “Considering the fact that our very own existence is in peril, we must do all we can to stem or, if we cannot, amend this damaging course.”

Stheltor yet again, soundlessly addressing the assembled elders, brazenly interceded: “We know Nevetsecnuac also carries the royal blood of Shon Alric Therran Valamir, and he being bent on vengeance, his actions could destabilize Wenjenkun;  Zonar meanwhile, is very much involved with Korion’s politics and welfare; can we not just this once put aside our non-interference laws and trap and execute key culprit Zonar? If not through use of “Exterminators”, then, by simply placing Korion’s Sovereign Yoshikan Sousing Nokuzuk Binchan’s welfare in jeopardy?”

“What audacity, you have Stheltor; how dare you even entertain breaching one of our sacred laws?” Elder Tibek was quicker than the rest, in telepathically reprimanding Stheltor.

05- ELDER TIBEK (WHITE WOLF) IMMORTAL (16)JP

“You may now consult the Cosmos.” Aegeus, ignoring the tumult, firmly, clairvoyantly, commanded Stheltor.

 Sthetor complying (obeying), turned his mind inward then plumbed (completely) to the universe; as he did this, his physical body then underwent a drastic change to become spectral.

After a lengthy meditative state, his ethereal form once more returned to the norm. At which point, he simply shook his head.

The governing body of Elders, with their projected thoughts in unison, pressed him to speak his mind.

Prolonging his response to them, “It is not a question of you going back,” Sthetor addressed Dwengzur directly, telepathically, in a measured, even tone. “Nor is your competence being in doubt, after all, you had no way of knowing.”

“Knowing what, respected Elder?” Dwengzur instinctively asked.

Sthetor, indifferent to Dwengzur's inquiry and his subsequent thoughts, turned instead, to address

Aegeus privately, “You were quite right in your supposition sir; I had just now found out when I consulted the Heavens that things are precisely, as they should be. Zonar is destined to transform at earth-years of thirty-three and gain that ability. Unfortunately for us, this will make handling him much harder. Elder Aegeus, you must prepare yourself for that eventual confrontation, for when he comes to destroy us, only you have the means and genetic disposition, to effectively stop him or, more precisely, terminate him. In the interim, there is no harm in trying to postpone or initiate plans for altering (modifying) even a little bit, this dire outcome. I say we give Dwengzur another opportunity; if for nothing else, but to buy us valuable time. Per chance he succeeds, well and good, if not, then it will be all up to you, reverent sir, for only you

possess that apt (pertinent) potential to annihilate Zonar.”                                                                         

“I’m sorry I brought such trouble to you, my friend.” Olavingemar projected his sincere apology to Aegeus.

06- ELDER AEGEUS

 

But Aegeus’s mind was focused on Sthetor’s words, “Zonar is destined to transform at earthyears of thirty-seven, then fully gain that ability at forty.” Then he used the words, “Genetic disposition?”  “How much did he see?” Aegeus simply shook his head and again restraining his indignation at this ambitious upstart Sthetor, for he was partially right, focused his attention on the current, pressing concern. Aegeus knew all too well what was at stake here, for while

Nevetsecnuac was the grandson; Zonar happened to be the surviving, immortal twin son of Chandor (Zandar Kuntzu) and Lady Tekubzan. While doubts lessened Nevetsecnuac’s threat to them, it could not be said the same for Zonar. He had inherited the full special gene pool particular to royal lineage from his father Chandor, who was the secret son of Aegeus.As a result, Aegeus’s grandson Zonar would soon possess the unique ability to, at will, transform into a living, breathing Dragon.

This ability manifested at the earth years of thirty-seven or forty. Aegeus’s renegade son Zandar Kuntzu had been successfully terminated well before that time, when Chandor (Zandar Kuntzu) had just turned thirty. The contemporary (present) threat was due to Zonar’s impending (fast approaching) birthday where he would be of that threatening age.

(END OF SECTION 19)