13- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR - SECTION 1

Far from the political hub of Channing where incredible events were transpiring, beyond the remotest border province of Zhincho, near the summit of the towering snowcapped mountains, in a concealed location under the dense canopy of the forest, cohabiting a wooden cabin, Lord Asger (Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon, Stark) and Tekuob had been living their days in accordance with the proprieties of a father and daughter, in relative harmony. Each day’s routine much the same they kept up the hopeful anticipation of soon receiving the positive news from Prince Nevetsecnuac.

01A - LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON AND TEQUOB  (60)J JP

Time passed swiftly with days blending into weeks and weeks into months, though despite Lord Asger’s growing impatience, his hopes of one day being called to arms having never wavered, whenever he could get away and in whatever time he could spare, he kept up with his vigilant martial exercises and edifying (improving) his theoretical, tactical military expertise (proficiency). 

Oftentimes for diversity giving in to Tekuob’s persistence, he routinely (habitually) instructed her on the (mostly defensive) martial arts. Subsequently, with inner pride he watched her day after day, by degrees blending the imparted techniques with her own innate skills to develop her own varied manifold fighting style and thence, becoming a very proficient archer and, with her incredible prowess, wielding a deadly sword.

But with the passage of even more time, it became increasingly more difficult for Asger (Stark) to maintain his optimism; fearing the worse, he grew impatient with creeping inner resentment, at being (stranded) bound here at the mountain where he could lend no useful assistance to his (first) priority.

What if some harm had already befallen Nevetsecnuac? Consequently then, in all this time he would have lived in vain, guilty of being derelict in his crucial obligation and breaking the oath (covenant) to his maternal uncle, Prince Shon (7^th Prince Shon Alric Therran valamir). On the other hand, he was also bound by the oath to Nevetsecnuac, the oath of taking diligent care of his wife and children. Therefore, competent as Tekuob was, he could not, in good conscience, leave her behind to seek out any news of Nevetsecnuac, nor could he bring her and the twins along with him on such a, perilous, fact-finding mission.

Lord Asger Zhon, duty-bound yet constrained, had often fretted thus, at the conclusion of each day, at those solitary moments before retiring.

02- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON (167) JP

At dawn with iron determination, he regularly resurrected the hope in his heart and directed his full attention instead, to the preservation (protection, safeguarding) and nurturing (educating) Nevetsecnuac’s beloved wife Tekuob and his identical twins Alric Svein and Lueling. As it were, in all this time Tekuob had borne so many hardships stoically that she had earned (besides his fatherly love,) his lasting admiration; meanwhile, her increasing proficiency in wielding the sword gave Asger some solace, for if nothing else, he was arming her to defend herself during his absence of periodic hunting treks, where which he provided the nutritionally requisite supplement, the meat, for especially, his growing niece and nephew.

Asger’s heart, meanwhile, had secretly ached noting her terrible longing for her beloved husband, even though she had often admirably, filled her days and her every waking moment, with caring for her children, chores, study, and martial exercises, so that at dusk her energies utterly spent, left little room for her to worry. This sort of deterrence, however, could only work so far; naturally, in the continued absence of any news, it became increasingly more difficult for her to conceal her mounting (rising) inner melancholy while maintaining her outwardly hopeful facade. Since nothing escaped Asger’s (Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon’s) notice, and he had also, excellent hearing, it aggrieved him knowing that in the small hours of the night, Tekuob had often quietly shed tears until sleep overtook her. But even then, the fears and the terrible ordeals of her childhood and the demons from her past manifesting vengefully in her sleep and fueling the persistent nightmares, robbed her of scant tranquil respite; thence, she would often wake with a start drenched in the cold pearls of perspiration and then pace the room to and for till dawn broke.

This naturally concerned Asger, fearing that her obvious sleep deprivation and her suppressed (bottled up) emotions might one day acutely harm her mental and physical state. He unfortunately could do little besides (despite) his subtle counsel and the nightly concoctions (curatives) he prescribed to get her to relax and, she still slept badly or not at all.

03- TWINS, ALRIC SVEIN  AND LUELING, ARE HANDFUL TO MANAGE

In daylight hours she fared better, during which time Tequob was far too (busy) preoccupied with routine chores, training and tending to her toddlers, who were with all that boundless energy, was a handful to manage. And those creative interaction with the very inventive and rambunctious twins, added to Asger’s diversionary tactics and subtle teachings of meditative techniques, which Tequob in time had embraced, kept all three resilient and healthy.

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One stormy night when gale (tempestuous) winds, thunder, and lightning yet again robbed Tekuob of any sleep, she decided on adapting another of Asger’s suggestions; thus, rising from her bed and then going over to her dresser, she quietly fetched a writing brush, ink and the small hand bound book, a journal, bypassing however the ivory-colored silk bundle (a scroll roll which she used for artistic expressions, such as drawing), which Asger had given her not too long ago to do with as she pleased.  This was the most encouraging sign of all as she, after a momentary hesitation, opened the journal (personal diary) to the first page and began in steady succession, writing down (scripting) her sundry private thoughts and concerns she would never outwardly speak, addressing them alternatively to Nevetsecnuac or, to her toddler son Svein and daughter Lueling. On subsequent nights, this routine confidential mental exercise (provided) had afforded her the much-needed emancipating succor (relief), until her anticipated reunion with her beloved Nevetsecnuac. She had remained thus, most grateful to Asger for his suggestion, as well, his unwavering patience and sensitivity.

In truth, Lord Asger’s countless, subtle attributes, so rare in a man, as time went by had endeared him even more to Tekuob. With all her heart (and soul), she felt indebted to His Lordship for his generous and accommodating ways and the fact that he had always shown her such forbearance. His loyal, warrior soul, heart, and mind, she knew, would always be with Prince Nevetsecnuac, as it should be, yet he had borne the added responsibility for her and her children with such magnanimity. She understood full well how hard it must have been for Lord Asger to bear with her feminine eccentricities (oddities), living in such close quarters; yet he had remained most upstanding (virtuous) and astoundingly (remarkably) tolerant of her vacillating moods, quirks, and foibles.

04- TEQUOB WRITES IN HER JOURNAL ABOUT LORD ASGER ZHON  (61)JP

Eternally grateful, she had once written to Nevetsecnuac, “I’ve never experienced such broadmindedness (no judgement or criticism) and tender care even from my own kin; as soon as the opportunity avails itself, I shall do my utmost, to accomplish a meritorious act, to repay a small portion of a huge debt I owe him.” “Heaven has blessed us, allowing Lord Asger to be an integral part of our life. We can all learn so much from such an honorable being, with incredible courage, moral rectitude, compassion, and loyalty.” Another time she had counseled young Svein and Lueling in her private diary (journal, memoir).

“Regardless of your future fates’ outcome, you must never waver (falter) in your courage and resolve; always emulate (the ways of) Lord Asger and, as your father before you have done, honor him and pay (strict) heed to all his invaluable teachings.” Subsequently, recounting succinctly, most recent (four) set of events about Lord Asger’s heroism, particularly the one about rescuing the toddler twins from the jaws of death, she had on yet another time, with this heartfelt statement, concluded that night’s entry. “Despite the overwhelming obstacles fate has (waylaid) thrown in his path, never once has His Lordship Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon ever deflected from his true purpose. He has stoically sacrificed so much and endured much more than any man would bear; therefore, this heroic warrior deserves our utmost gratitude (which can never be re-paid, not in the brief span of just one lifetime) and high esteem.”   Often, in her diary (journal) she imparted Nevetsecnuac, the exciting current events and Svein and Lueling’s growing progress, as well, their lovable characteristics and periodically, surprising, and most hilarious (amusing, humorous) adventures. Thus (Hence) in her heart, she had found the means to bridge the great distance (gap) that separated Nevetsecnuac from them.

05- TEQUOB WRITES IN HER JOURNAL, TO HER BELOVED NEVETSECNUAC

                                           ~                                         

 

Time passed quickly; but few days before Nevetsecnuac’s decisive combat with the villainous Emperor Zakhertan  Yozdek, when Nevetsecnuac was deliberately poisoned by an invisible prong (spike) hidden in one of the facets (module) of a jeweled cuff clasp on the jacket ( part of a keepsake tribute gift from the Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren’s offices, a traditional/ceremonial court attire, a garb, that had actually been tampered with the deadly, rare poison, by a Black Molochs’s agent, as part of Dark Eunuch Egil Viggoaries’s dastardly scheme), and therefore, Nevetsecnuac’s life was perilously at death’s door, on that date, all day long try as she might, Tekuob could not conceal her overwhelming feeling of restlessness and, same time, the disconsolate (gloomy) mood that had gripped her soul.

All matters vexed (irked) her; she was uncharacteristically incensed (angry) by the children’s rambunctiousness (boisterousness), at the howling winds outside, her chores did not go as well as she had hoped, a wild animal the night before had rampaged the vegetable garden, the windowpane in her bedroom had developed a small crack that needed an immediate repair. When the meal she had labored for the greater part of the morning burnt, she felt utterly dismayed and hiding in her room for an hour; she cried inconsolably.

Shortly afterwards, however, Tekuob, with admirable (reserve) willpower had suppressed her inner turmoil, dried her eyes, and emerged from her bedroom. The next two days, she continued to redirect (channel, convert) this persistent unease and the consequent restless energy towards completing the necessary tasks: which besides her routine chores, included patching (fixing) the crack in the windowpane (opting not to bother Lord Asger with such trifle), rescuing some of the plants and re-organizing the vegetable patch and cooking preserves (jams, jellies, conserves).

06- LORD ASGER ZHON GONE ON HUNTING TRIP (128)JP

Fortunately, Lord Zhon had been absent from the premise (vicinity), having departed shortly before dawn on an essential hunt. Armed with sword, bow, and arrows, he had descended from the mountain (high elevation on foot); and, Tequob knew, he would then venture into the dense forest’s perilous depths (thick foliage) to supply (provide) them with fresh game.

All this while, Tequob had been incessantly, fighting to supress her inner demons; on the third day her agitated state had unfortunately reached an apex point.  Nevertheless, by the time Asger had returned (that very afternoon) earlier than expected with a week’s worth of bounty, she had mastered her wayward (recalcitrant) emotions, and everything on the surface appeared placid and ordinary.

Later still, after the three had a nourishing midday meal Tekuob, as part of the daily routine, put the children to bed for an afternoon nap (cat nap, siesta) then settled herself at her desk to commence her studies of the classics and reading up on Wenjenkun’s history. Try as she might, however, she could not concentrate her thoughts (direct her undivided attention) on the lessons at hand. Her exasperated mind, in defiance of her will, kept straying onto diverse topics, majority being, unpleasant.

“What is the matter with me today?” Finally, putting the book down, she demurred. “Why is my mind in such perplexing bedlam (confounding mayhem)?”

In his seated position, though he was engrossed in what he was reading, sensing her irritation, Lord Asger abruptly looked up and subtly scrutinized (studied) her.

07- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON (168)jp

In that instance, Lord Asger’s perfunctory (fleeting) observation had told him there had been an assiduous (perpetual) serious concern praying on her mind; however, not wishing to intrude (as she will inform him when ready) he instead gave an indulgent smile and then, without a single word, reverted his undivided attention back to the ancient manuscripts and the amassed (summative) revisions of the time-honored war stratagems.

In truth, he too without cause since dawn, had felt intensely perturbed, but upon his return he had pushed it aside, relieved to see that (in their humble habitat) all was as it should be. Soon the toddler twins Alric and Lueling will be waking up from their afternoon siesta and they, being particularly lively and spirited (not unlike Nevetsecnuac at the same age), yet still too young for the implementation of strict discipline, Asger remained reluctant to disrupt the current peaceful repose, which was an integral part of their midday revitalization routine. As it were, despite his strong stamina, Asger had endured a particularly grueling morning, condensing weeks’ worth of hunting into just few (three) days, for he dared not be absent from them too long. Unfortunately, the quiet (silence) he had craved, did not last for too long.

Tekuob’s attention having again strayed from her studies, after a thoughtful pause, she abruptly looked up and then, begging Lord Asger’s pardon, started to say something that seemed imperative (most urgent), when suddenly at that fateful moment, back at Channing Nevetsecnuac’s life was in sure peril, Tekuob’s words in mid-sentence abruptly froze on her tongue and she, as if in dire agony clasped her hand over her heart. Consequently, overcome by the brusque, overwhelming feeling of deep dismay, plus the excruciating pain that had just then gripped her soul, her lovely face became ghostly ashen (pallid, pasty white).

That same instance, Asger had pricked his finger by the splinter jutting from the vintage (ancient) tome’s leather-bound spine casing (sheath, jacket), drawing blood; nevertheless, disregarding this, he rushed to inquire, “Are you all right, my child?” 

Tekuob at first had remained unresponsive, but then, with glazed eyes and, her face bearing the tragic look of a soul plunged into the abysmal depths of misery, she looked up at Lord Asger. When tears threatened to manifest, it was all she could do, but to turn her head away.

“Nevetsecnuac!” A stifled groan (moan, grunt) escaped from Lord Asger’s lips as the inexplicable fear and dread had just then gripped his pulsating, loyal heart.

The toddlers, who were just moments before peacefully asleep in the adjacent room, suddenly burst into loud wailings, as if startled-awake by a terrible nightmare.

 

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(END OF SECTION 1)