LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION - 12

"But what’s with this entire hullabaloo (commotion) over scholar Fradel Rurik Korvald?"  Yennic's question grabbed anew Nevetsecnuac's full attention.

 "Why has he been drawn into this conflict?  I mean, why he specifically, when more brilliant, articulate poets reside close at hand to His Highness?"

01- BRILLIANT SCHOLAR

"I know who you're referring to,” Zhadol grimaced wryly, "but he would hardly do.  It’s not the quality of the Scholar's work that is in question here.  Well, maybe a little bit."   Zhadol shook his head.

"More specifically, Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren’s recommendation of Fradel Rurik Korvald was politically motivated.  He aimed, of course, to further ingratiate himself in Her Ladyship's good graces while she still enjoys the good graces of His Highness.  Since Lady Sejon has acquired a certain fondness for this poet's earlier works and was intrigued by his elusiveness, his required presence in the upcoming event is merely an exercise in power."

"Is it as trivial as that?" Yennic smirked.

"Trivial it may be, but Fradel Rurik Korvald is another strategically placed pawn on the game board of the two rival factions.  Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren knows, and cultivates, Her Ladyship's particular dislike of Egil Viggoaries and, as already her favored uncle, he aims to…"

"I understand." Yennic interrupted impatiently and completed Zhadol’s line of reasoning. “Lady Sejon, an enchanting beauty (of about twenty-three years old, with clear blue eyes and long wavy, golden hair,) is the Emperor Zakhertan Yozdek’s most recent, favored, chief consort.” Yennic could not resist boasting of his knowledge, so he simply rattled on.

02- LADY SEJON YOZDEK (2)JP

“She is particularly important, since she is also the mother of fourth Prince Prince Magnian, who is by all accounts, a little darling, captivating all courtiers ‘hearts at five years of age. Besides which Lady Sejon also happens to be the P.M Lamont Gudaren’s much beloved, deceased, third sister’s daughter, is she not? The Prime Minister, through her, hopes to effectively slander His Excellency Egil Viggoaries; however, if Fradel Rurik Korvald fails to appear for the summons, it will reflect badly on Lamont Gudaren, and Her Ladyship's tolerance of failure is not unlike that of His Highness."

"Precisely," Zhadol nodded.

"Still, Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren has no doubt-built safeguards against this inevitability." Yennic asserted his fresh argument.  "He wouldn't launch any idea without first having a foolproof backup in place.  Besides, aren't you always counseling me not to take things at face value?  It’s no secret how the Prime Minister's tentacles extend far beyond the Court itself into several provinces where, as I understand, several governors and viceroys are his clients. “

“At least twice Egil Viggoaries's age, he's nevertheless calculating and far-sighted and his political strategies are supremely effective.  He has a hand in most of the conspiracies.  His agents are dispersed widely across the Empire such that there is little that escapes his attention.  But so far, his forces and wide influence have been seemingly kept in check by His Excellency Egil Viggoaries who, rightly so, is shrewder and far more ruthless.  Am I right?"

"Yes, yes.  Why are you telling me what we already know?  What's your point and what do you mean by 'seemingly'?

"My point is that contrary to P. M. Lamont Gudaren’s belief, what if Dwengzur is, in fact, collaborating in one of Egil Viggoaries’s diabolical plots and we've been sent on a false trail, chiefly to get us out of harm's way?  Why should it be inconceivable that, in this instance, even His Excellency may be duped with the diversion of an upcoming assassination attempt on His Highness?"

"A conspiracy… Is that what all this has been leading up to?"  Zhadol shook his head.

"That's highly improbable and, I should say, too premature.  Even if Dwengzur did secretly align with Field Marshall Yonku, Chancellor Tiver and the rest of the Prime Minister's despicable lackeys against Egil Viggoaries, it would be sheer madness for them to try anything.  The forces that have been dispatched, including us, constitute a relatively small contingent of the Elite Divisions.  The main body, as far as I know, is still stationed in the Capital and our absence has not even made a small dent in the scope of things."

03-COMMANDER ZHADOL AND HIS LIEUTENANT YENNIC

Relentlessly, with a calculating gleam in his eye, Yennic inclined towards Zhadol and suggested, "Still, we've been quite out of touch here, Zhadol.  Suppose that, after our departure, the rest were dispersed as well on other pretexts."

"You’re not suggesting… the Imperial Guards?” Zhadol shook his head.  "Not likely.  You know they can't be bribed.  And there's the flaw in your hypothesis.”

“Besides, despite the low profile His Highness prefers to keep, he still maintains absolute rule in all facets of the Government and the Military.  Everything is closely monitored and passes only when it receives His Highness' seal of approval.

“Zakhertan Yozdek’s Secret Police, aside from the Internal Census Bureau, are so potent that no one would dare make the slightest move.  They would cut down the instant they tried anything treasonous.

"Oh, but what a fantastic imagination you have!" Zhadol laughed heartily, throwing his head back.  "You always manage to entertain me when I'm least expecting it, brightening up my darkest moods.  I confess, for a moment there I almost took you seriously.  You almost duped me into thinking you were in earnest.  Go on; elaborate more on your conspiracy theory if you please."

Yennic was thoroughly annoyed at the Commander's condescension but, with an effort, unclenched his fist and masked his fury.  Grimacing sheepishly, he played along in shamed naiveté, "Yet His Highness allows the two factions that contend for power to grow in strength daily."

"In fact, His Highness encourages it."

"Is that not disruptive to the State?" Yennic asked wide-eyed.

"On the contrary," Zhadol smiled knowingly, "I should think that it strengthens the State."

“Quite right,” Nevetsecnuac acknowledged. “As long as these two are kept feuding with each other, there's no danger of either of them usurping the usurper.  It’s a simple, but effective textbook strategy.  The moment one of them topples the other, the overconfident victor, in his exhausted state, can easily be vanquished (eliminated)”.

"All right, then, maybe it’s not a national conspiracy.  Maybe it’s you and I that are targeted.  Maybe we're the ones who are being set up." Yennic growled  his insistent, despondent retort.

Strangely enough, at that moment a cloud of concern brushed Zhadol’s face.  He knitted his brows and, narrowing his eyes, studied the Lieutenant intensely but, shaking his head to quickly disperse the questions and suspicions that invaded (encroach) his mind, he rebuked Yennic, "You're talking nonsense again.  I don't see why.  Even if it was his intention to rid himself of us, there were ample other avenues, more plausible and less costly alternatives that could have been (employed) utilized."

04- NEVETSECNUAC  UP IN A TREE LISTENING

“His intention…”  Nevetsecnuac was intrigued.  “Was that a slip of the tongue?”

 

"Besides, you're overrating your own importance."  Zhadol turned sharply and, despite himself, sneered maliciously at Yennic.  Obviously, something of what was said had touched a raw nerve in him.

Yennic wondered, “Could some of the rumors that have been circulating have some validity after all?  If so, there's too much at stake here.  I mustn't act rashly.”

Yennic knew enough when to back off.  Rising in silence, Yennic began pacing back and forth, irritated.  “It had taken him many long, painstaking months to worm his way into Zhadol’s confidence.  Jeopardizing that now would have far more serious repercussions, yet his impatient nature gnawed at him, egging him on to act now… All right, how about a different angle of approach?”  He stole a sidelong glance at Zhadol, who was lost in thoughtful silence with his blank gaze, all the same, tracking Yennic.

Halting his steps abruptly, Yennic turned and said, "Well, if that cursed scholar is going to show up, I wish he'd hurry up with it.  The men have been quite restless for some time for some serious action.  They may prove unruly if we wait much longer."

"Now, Yennic, are you really speaking for the men, or for yourself?"  Zhadol, quite disarmed, smiled and stroked his beard.

Yennic looked away in agitation, not returning the smile.  Hand grasping the hilt of his sword, he turned his fiery gaze back on Zhadol and stamped his foot like an impatient child. 

“Yes, I admit it; I’ve had just about enough with all this waiting.  My sword is thirsting for his blood.  I can hardly wait to present his learned head to His Excellency."

"Why, I didn't realize that you were so ambitious, Yennic."  Zhadol frowned with mock displeasure to lighten the other's mood.  "Are you, by any chance, now planning to go over my head and curry favors from His Excellency for yourself."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so presumptuous."  Yennic rushed over to sit beside the Commander and shook his head.  "Nor would I have the nerve.  I know fully well my own shortcomings, and I've seen something of His Excellency's whims and tempers.  I wouldn't have a prayer for a chance."  Looking into Zhadol’s eyes, he added in a sincere, earnest tone, "I'm far safer where I am; under your good guidance and your protective wing."

Pleased with this unexpected praise, Zhadol smiled and nodded.  Fixing his gaze on the other, he counseled him in an affectionate, concerned voice, "Don't take this to heart, but you really are too impetuous for your own good, Yennic.  You know that don't you?"  He waited for the other's nod of assent before he resumed, "Granted, I was once just like you.  I, too, acted rashly, bursting with youthful vigor but now, things are far more complicated, far too dangerous.  You say that you'll never go over my head to curry favor with Egil Viggoaries."  He shook his head and raised his hand, "No, wait!  I suspect that you firmly believe that now but one day, when you've outgrown me, that will be your intention.  I'd like to caution you beforehand not to act too rashly.”

“Don’t make the slightest move until you're ascertained your-self tenfold of the outcome.  Egil Viggoaries 's inner circle, I'm referring to the Black Molochs, play for serious stakes and, if you're not strong enough, they'll swallow you up, crush your dignity and strip off your self- respect beyond any repair.  I've had my own share of regret and pain in the past as I came up the ladder.  I thought that I was ready, too, when I entered the playing field," Zhadol could not hide the bitterness from his voice, "but they exposed weaknesses in me I never knew I had.  I'm fond of you, so I want you to take the counsel of one who's already been there.  If nothing else, I'd like to spare you from my own (humiliation and) heartaches.”

“For now, however, you would do well to exercise caution, cultivate perseverance and curb your ambition a little.  You're bold, too bold for your own good if you ask me."

"Old age has made you weary." Yennic teased to lighten the gravity of Zhadol's mood but, seeing the frown on the other's face, quickly retracted his gibe.

 In a sincere tone, he added, "I do appreciate your concern, Zhadol, and I promise I'll mend my ways… all right?”

Zhadol was appeased and, the next moment, they had both put their heads together in an animated, inaudible conversation.  Yennic gesticulated wildly and went on, his lips twisting into a provocative smile one minute, a savage sneer the next.

Nevetsecnuac was about to take his leave when Yennic asked with clear concern, "The trouble between you and Egil Viggoaries, tell me, has it passed?  Are you back- in- his-good- graces now that you've been invited to that?"

"Ah, that's it; it’s finally out!"  Zhadol smiled coldly, interrupting the Lieutenant.

 "So that's what's really been praying on your mind all night?  I'd guessed as much because of what happened, but you need not have taken such a roundabout way to it.  Why didn't you just come right out and ask me at the start?"

Seeing the uselessness of denial, Yennic conceded with lowered head, "I wasn't certain how you would react."

This may prove interesting.  Nevetsecnuac nodded and decided to stay a while longer.

"All right but first tell me the exact details of what you have heard concerning this,” Zhadol prompted (pressed) Yennic.

"Nothing too specific," Yennic grunted.  "Only that you defied His Excellency's wish on some matter or other and that he was seriously cross with you."

"And that was enough to give you cause for alarm?"

"Certainly," Yennic nodded.

"It’s very good of you to be so concerned about my welfare," Zhadol smiled broadly, "but I assure you, things have been pacified.  You needn’t worry about me any longer.  I haven't survived this long for nothing, you know.  However, don't think for a moment that I haven't paid dearly for it."  Zhadol gritted his teeth and absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck.  "You know how Egil Viggoaries carries a grudge.  I suspect that, one day, it will all come back to haunt me all over again and compound my miseries.  My mistakes are tolerated somewhat at present because I have not yet outlived my usefulness and because I once meant something more to him."

"As well, being one of the twelve of the Inner Circle of the Black Molochs helps." Yennic interjected.

"I have well-earned that distinction!"  Zhadol studied the Lieutenant from the corner of his eye.

"No one would dispute that.  At least you were once his favorite." Yennic mumbled, envying Zhadol’s position.  "Precious few can own up to that prestigious, most coveted distinction.  Surely you can't discount the benefits you've reaped, the favors you've received from the ones who have rushed to ingratiate themselves with you?"

"Do you think that this was a privilege that made up for all the warring, truculent existence and degradation?"   Zhadol shook his head, smiling bitterly, "You don't know what it is that you’re wishing for.  You can't imagine what I had to go through and do; to what ends I was driven to satisfy his perverse appetite for suffering."   Zhadol dropped his head, as if in shame.   "Some of the things he made me do!"  His features crunched up as he meekly ejected, "Yennic, even now, I can't bear to even think of them."

“Yet you call me ambitious!” Yennic scoffed under his outward visage of sympathy.

"After all that, after all I'd done for him, how readily he turned on me that night!"   Zhadol looked up, indignation firing his eyes.  "It is true what they secretly whisper about him, that he is devoid of any decent human feelings, least of all compassion.  And his cruelty, his cruelty knows no bounds.  He feasts on bloodshed and delights in humiliating others.  Hah, he's a carbon copy of one whose name I dare not mention aloud!  Many a time I was the unfortunate target of his rage, those sudden and violent outbursts but..."   Zhadol abruptly fell silent.  "We've got company," he whispered as he jutted (stuck out) his chin pointing in the direction of a pair of watchful eyes.

Yennic stirred slightly, clutching the hilt of his sword, and was about to suddenly spring into action when the gleaming eyes receded in a flash and darted back into the bush.  The next instant two pairs of scuttling feet were heard pattering into the distance.

 Zhadol grasped Yennic's arm, holding him back.  "Let it be.  Foxes are strange, unpredictable creatures."  He nodded thoughtfully as the Lieutenant complied, settled back.  "You want to know something, Yennic?  Egil Viggoaries has a strange passion for them; it may even be called an obsession.  It may have something to do with an incident that happened when he was barely seven.  He had accompanied Zakhertan Yozdek on a hunting expedition to Kaporelon.  Seeing this as a mark of privilege and high favor, Egil Viggoaries was determined to prove his own worth."

"Wasn't he then made to…,” Yennic looked down, bit the corner of his lip then quickly added, “to punish the spirited animal that had given them quite a chase?"

"So, I've told you about it already,” Zhadol grimaced.  "According to Egil Viggoaries, he did it unflinchingly and so earned the regard of His Highness and the respect of the other courtiers.  However, one of these courtiers, long since dead, once told me the young Egil Viggoaries had lingered over the task, his eyes like glass, his heart turned to stone, as he then relentlessly pushed to complete it, just to gain Zakhertan Yozdek’s approval.  The experience, however, had left an indelible mark on young Egil and had far more serious repercussions than he would ever care to admit.  Perhaps at the time he’d secretly felt an innate kinship with the trapped beast, whose resilience had been likened to one of his prior experiences.  One thing is for certain, all who knew him commented afterwards on how he had returned from that hunting trip with a cast-iron confidence, stone heart, and resilient (hardy) character."

 

(END OF SECTION 12)

                                                                                    ~

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE STATE OF THINGS - SECTION 32

 

 At some distance from Hecun’s contingent, Mouro and his two guards, traveling ahead on the major highway, by nightfall had already checked in to a long-established inn and were, indulging themselves in a fine feast and a good measure of the local wine. All during dinner Mouro had been staring at the young waiter, one of the groups that were tending their table.  His exceptional good looks, fine features and delicate mannerisms drew Mouro out to the point of infatuation; discretely at first, but after a flagon or two of wine, Mouro had flirted more openly (uninhibitedly) with the young man.

01= MOURO KERR

One of the guards, called Dag Diez, found this rather amusing, joined in the fun but the other, called Kade Luir, having some scruples, found the show most distasteful. Soon as he could, Kade Luir therefore asked to be excused and retired early to his room. After divesting himself from his travel garments, Kade Luir had just slipped under the covers when the other guard Dag Diez staggered in, curses and complaints on his breath.

Ranting and raving incoherently, Dag finally settled down, "That Mouro!  Just because he's in charge, where does he get off!  The gall he has, ordering me around in that manner!  I'll show him!"

 Dag Diez slammed his fist into the door, his face dark with anger.  "He's too much!  I'm not even tired."  He was striding to and for across the room now, rubbing his burning fist.  "Am I less deserving than he?  There's nothing amiable about his...eh?"  Dag sheepishly threw a glance at his companion, who had indifferently shifted and turned his back to him.

"Besides, why should I retire when I haven't even had my fill yet?  All because he wants to indulge himself in perverse pleasure.  Was I crowding him, or something?"  Huffing, he plumped himself into the chair.

After a moment's silence, his mood had changed, "Yeah, he always did like them that way best.  He toys with people’s lives; he likes to play games and moreover, always have be the alfa dog, the domineering one…"

Kade Luir, feigning to sleep with his face to the wall, ground his teeth in anger, or was it jealousy?  He was so incensed with Mouro, and this intoxicated fool that he had to struggle to contain his bursting rage.

"Did you see how annoyed the innkeeper was?  What a sight to see!  That old sourpuss squirmed like a pig back there."  Dag Diez slapped his knee drunkenly and roared.

"But he wouldn't dare openly say a word against it.  He didn’t have the guts!  Even if Mouro hadn't flaunted all that money around, the greedy wimp knows enough to keep his trap shut and his tail tucked between his legs.  He knows enough not to stick his bulbous nose into trouble.  How else would he have lasted so long and prospered so? Boy you are a sound sleeper.”

“Yes sirree… Not by being stupid, that's for sure!  Yes, he knows enough to keep out of trouble."  Dag Diez rose and went over to the other bed, shaking Kade Luir, who was feigning sleep.  "Hey, this is no time to be sleeping, I'm talking to you.  Open your eyes!  Are you making a mockery of me?"

Finally giving in, and checking his anger, Kade Luir pretended to being awakened. Then shaking his head and yawning, he exclaimed that he was still (groggy) tired and demanded that Dag be brief with whatever it is he had to say.

"Bah!  Who needs you?  Go back to your precious sleep if you like." the obnoxious Dag retorted in a gruff voice and waddled back to his chair.

02- DAG DIEZ

Before long he was singing the same tune to himself.  "That's right; he knows enough to keep in line.  He knows that ones Like Mouro, rich wastrels that they are, are too dangerous to be trifled with and deadly to offend.  I'm not sure, but Magistrate what's his name is, he might even be a distant relative."

Kade, now exasperated, sat up and resorted to fine reasoning to persuade the other to get some sleep.

"Sleep… Sleep?  Why should I?" rowdy Dag snarled as he ignored the drooling down his mouth.

"Eh, your kind will never understand."  Dag idly fingered the copper water pitcher.

"Imagine him having all the fun and not me!  I… stranded here with the likes of you!"  In a burst of anger, he hurled the pitcher violently against the wall above Kade's head.  Luckily there was very little water to spill.

Wiping the spray from his face, Kade Luir clenched his fists, not obliging Dag with a fight.  Quietly reclining again, he turned his face to the wall and remained that way, unresponsive to the vile, disgusting slanders, muttering and provocation of Dag.

"Oh, what's the use?"  His anger spent, his energy consumed by his temper, Dag Diez had finally consented to sleep.  "I might as well get some rest.  Of course you wouldn't take me on!  You know you'd lose.  You just look competent, but you're soft!"

As he pulled up his covers, fully clothed still, he muttered to himself, "And tomorrow, tomorrow, we'll see.  Eh, let him enjoy it while he can…ha, ha, ha!"

Dag’s sinister laughter grated on Kade's nerves.  “Won't he ever shut up?”  But the obnoxious filth kept pouring from Dag’s mouth well into the night until; finally, after several loud belches and yawns, he drifted into a deep, snoring slumber.

Unable to get any sleep Kade Luir tossed and turned then, sitting bolt upright, fixed his brooding gaze on the door, contemplating going after Mouro.

 But what would be the point?  What could he do anyhow?

"He's always preening (grooming) himself like a prize goose," the drunkard Dag stirred in his sleep, "but we'll see.  We'll see how much longer he'll enjoy this privilege."   He snorted a couple more times then rolled onto his other side and began snoring even more thunderously than before.

                                                                             ~

Mouro, meanwhile, after changing his clothes, had patiently waited until all the activity had abated outside his room then, bolting to his feet and with the sealed drum of fine wine tucked under his arm, he headed for the door.

"Don't wait for me, now."  He half turned to address the young waiter, Ted. “I’ll be a while; best you try to get some sleep." Stealing across the deserted dining hall in the dark, he quietly slipped outside and entered the stables.

Leading his horse by the reins, he walked the beast some measure away to the edge of the forest.  At this safe distance, he then vaulted into the saddle and galloped through into woods, disappearing in the paths among the thick foliage.

 He continued to press his fine mare for speed over hedges and ditches as man and mount covered an incredible distance in but a short time.  Finally, he arrived at his destination, the deserted ruins of a temple, hidden among the towering cliffs and ancient cypresses.  Dismounting, he led the mare cautiously across a dilapidated stone bridge spanning a bottomless chasm.

The sentries on duty at the other side were relieved to see that they had accosted Mouro.

03- GUARDS ON DUTY

Hecun, after the formal greeting, asked, "I am indeed pleased to see you, sir, but I feel constrained to inquire what purpose brings you here at this hour.  Were we not supposed to meet at the Magistrate's offices?  And where are your guards Kade Luir and Dag Diez?  I hope nothing untoward has happened to them."

"The guards… Oh no, dear old friend, they are sound asleep and dreaming of the girls or man back at the inn, no doubt."  Mouro's informal greeting put the Head Bailiff at ease.

"I know you're a stickler for protocol, but out here?" he clapped Hecun on the shoulder as they walked to a more private corner of the compound.

 "Let us dispense with the formalities of office.  I'd rather address you as in the past, eh, Elder Brother, if it’s all right."

He waited for Hecun's nod of assent before resuming, "As for my reason for (stealthily, covertly) coming here, I've taken these great pains in hopes of delivering you from an anticipated dread predicament.  Why else?  Tell me, are your water rations not depleted?  That's what I thought; I would have been greatly surprised if they hadn't.  Let's see your map."

Mouro sketched a line of route on the parchment Hecun provided.  "Now, if you start tomorrow along this shortcut I've indicated and, upon reaching the fork, keep to the left for about a day and a half, you should without much difficulty reach the modest inn I'm thinking of.  There one can have their fill of drink and gorge on generous portions of deliciously prepared meals at a fraction of the normal cost which will, no doubt, also please the men.  The proprietor is a bit eccentric, however.  Advise the men not to stare or make any rude remarks about the ugly scar on his face.  No one knows to this day, I suspect, who inflicted it on him many years ago but, if you keep on his good side, he'll lavish you with hospitality, the like of which you have never before experienced.

"But tell me, Elder Brother," Mouro looked at the encampment about him, "surely you had more men than this when you embarked on this journey."

"Two hundred to be exact," Hecun nodded.  "Along the way we suffered several setbacks.  Some were killed and others tried to desert and were appropriately punished but it would take too long for me to go into that right now."  He hoped that Mouro would press him for the details.

"Quite right, we can discuss at length all that later.  We have more immediate concerns we need to address now." came Mouro's disappointing response.

"I'll say this, however," Hecun could not hold back, "along the way we even had a run-in with Zonar but, oddly enough, he opted not to engage us or attempt to free the prisoner."

Robbing the other (Hecun) once more, of a chance to boast, Mouro interrupted. "May I make a suggestion, then?  Since there is no real danger to speak of in this province, and since that cowardly assassin was obviously issuing only empty threats, why should you continue on these remote paths?  Why put yourself and your men through unnecessary hardships?  After a brief stay at the inn, I told you about you can keep to the highway and, in less than three days’ time, you can arrive with ease at Magistrate Rue's offices.  I'll be riding on ahead to inform His Honor of your arrival.  I really should be there now, if it weren't for this detour.”

“Hmm…  Micen Do will be furious about the delay and, no doubt, demand my head on a platter upon our return.  Don't worry, though.  He doesn't scare me one bit and, besides, I know how to deal with him.  As I see it, this was unavoidable.  I had to make amends when, a few days back, it suddenly dawned on me that I had neglected to mention the location of the only well at this temple which still contained water.  Yes, brother, there is another one located here other than the two obvious dry ones you have already discovered.  I stumbled across it quite by accident some years back when I was caught in a similar predicament.  Feeling responsible as I did, I took appropriate measures and raced here over some treacherous terrain in the hope of meeting up with you tonight."

"I'm indebted to you for your concern and trouble." Hecun thanked Mouro gratefully.  "Now, brother, if you'd be so kind as to direct me there."

04-KADE LUIR

"Wait, there will be time for it soon enough." Mouro held up a hand, smiling.  "First, I've brought a surprise with me.  I know how fond you are of good wine and had anticipated that you'd be craving a good cup just about now.  If, by some misfortune, I had not met up with you tonight I had planned to leave it hidden here along with the instructions on the whereabouts of the well.  Please allow me to have the drum fetched for you now."  Mouro called for the guard.

Mouths watered and neck craned to observe the unloading of the special drum from Mouro’s horse and its transport over to Mouro.  The guards looked on with hungry, yearning eyes as they waited with trepidation for their turn to partake of the sure to be a rare wine.  They hoped there would be plenty to go round once Hecun and Mouro had had their fill.

Mouro, after a sly grin, called for a cup as he, at the same time, unsealed the mouth of the small barrel.  Filling it to the brim, he ceremoniously presented it to Hecun who received it with appropriate thanks then, politely smiling, put the cup down and called for another cup to be brought.

Filling this one to the brim, Hecun reciprocated the courtesy to Mouro and proposed, "Let us drink together one more time for old times' sake, before we are joined by the others."

"You are too polite.  All right, brother, we'll drink to your good health and to a long, prosperous life."  Mouro grimaced as he obligingly received the cup.  Subsequently, as custom decreed, each deferred the honors of first toast to the other.

After a few turns, Hecun unable to resist any longer, congenially toasted, "To our lasting friendship," before he raised the cup to his lips and was about to gulp it down all in one go when, Mouro, suddenly assuming a stern visage, in a flash discarded his own cup to the side and violently knocked Hecun's cup from his hands, spilling entire contents of the wine all over the bailiff's face and garments.

 "What disgraceful conduct?  How dare you insult me in this manner?" Mouro stormed.

 "You may be my elder, but I'm still your superior and don't you forget it!"  He shook a threatening finger in Hecun's face.

"And you stay out of this!" Mouro turned to lash out at the sergeant Tubak who, (standing by at close proximity,) aimed to intercede on behalf of his commander.

 Mouro once more reverted his menacing gaze back to the Head bailiff and, with curses on his lips, he demanded, "How dare you be so presumptuous?  How dare you behave in this outrageous manner, just because I'm kind enough to treat you with courtesy?"

Aghast (shocked, appalled), Hecun's face flushed and, even though he did not know what he’d done to offend Mouro, finding his tongue, rushed to apologize, but there was no placating (mollifying) Mouro. 

Placed on the defensive, inwardly Hecun remained most resentful of Mouro's inconsistencies, “What kind of game are you playing at?  How dare you set me up, make me breach etiquette, then make me lose face in front of my men like this?”  

Head Bailiff Hecun just wanted to squash this upstart, ungrateful vermin like a bug, but knew only too well of Mouro's hot temper and obstinate nature; therefore, he wisely opted to suffer passively and with total restraint, this heaved, unending abuse, hoping that Mouro's anger would summarily be spent (pass).

Far from being appeased, Mouro was, in fact, further antagonized. He bellowed furiously, "Why in blazes did I take all this trouble…For the likes of you?  You're beneath my contempt!"  Scoffing, he sprung to his feet and stormed away into the darkness.

Alarmed, Hecun raced after Mouro, still apologizing. Eventually he caught up with him beyond the courtyard and, in a hot pursuit, dashed after him behind a half-collapsed tower. The moment he’d entered the full darkness, however, a hand extended from under the dilapidated flight of stairs and forcefully yanked (pulled) Hecun into the ink black crevice, where he was brought face to face with Mouro.

Hecun's fear soon abated when, in a passive voice, Mouro explained, "You can stop worrying now, brother.  I'm not at all offended.  It was a charade, enacted for their benefit."

"Whose benefit,” Dumbfounded Hecun strained to see more clearly.  "What madness is this?"

Moving out of the shadows, his hand still clasping Hecun's shoulder, Mouro smiled wryly.  "Rest assured, my faculties are intact…  I couldn't go through with it, anyhow.  Still, I had to stop you from drinking it, while casting suspicion, that the drink was spiked."

"The wine was spiked.  What are you talking about?" Hecun asked in exasperation.  "We have no enmity between us, why should you try to poison me?"

"You're not listening," Mouro snapped.  "The wine is perfectly fine; they only think it's laced with poison, and I had to play along with the pretense."

Now it was Hecun's turn to be temperamental, "Your inference to 'they"…  Just who are 'they'?  Why do you talk in riddles, or is this just another one of your underhanded ploys to make me look like the fool?  Are you purposefully trying to muddle me?"

"There are turncoats, you fool!  Renegades planted among your men."

"Are you sure?  How do you know this?  Who are they?  How many are there?  Tell me and I'll have their black hearts torn from their chest."  Hecun clenched his fist repetitively.

"I don't know who they are."  Mouro shrugged and walked away.  "I came to know of their existence myself only quite recently, but I didn't have the means to find out their numbers, but I surmise it must be over thirty.  In any case, it’s up to you to flush (hunt) them out."  Reading confusion and disbelief on Hecun's face, he continued, "You still need convincing, don't you?  Why must you always be so obstinate?  I should be furious with you for not trusting me but, oh, all right, I'll start at the beginning and clarify this situation for you, even though I'm pressed for time.”

"Listen, my coming here tonight was not accidental, nor was my failure to tell you about the functioning well. The purpose was obviously other than the one I expressed in front of the men."  He cleared his throat.  "Actually, I was instructed by Micen.  Yes, Micen Do.  Now, don't interrupt.  I was instructed by him to deliver some poisoned wine to you as part of a diabolical plot to bring about the demise of yourself and your men, saving the spies who were obviously warned not to drink the wine."

"But why would Micen want to kill me?" Hecun injected in surprise.  "I was never out of line with him.  I served him loyally for all those years and did nothing to incur his enmity.  What could he gain from my death?"

"You were only the instrument, the insignificant pawn, please forgive my saying so, who had to be sacrificed in the scheme of things.  It had nothing to do with you personally, or with your performance of your duty. “Mouro explained dismally.  "You think you mattered anything to him at all?  Your only fault was that you let yourself become expendable.  Added to that, your mission was doomed from the start, even if you had survived the ambush and other conceivable dangers on the road as you have done.  Yes, I'm well aware of the traps you've avoided all along the way in order to reach this point.  Never mind how I know."  He held up his hand to stay any questions from Hecun.  "Even the desertions you experienced earlier, I suspect, were the workings of the implanted spies, working within to assure your perilous end.

"It would have been their objective to reduce the numbers of those to be doomed way before now and, no doubt, you played right into their hands.  You would have done better, my friend, to have, just this once, acted contrary to your nature, to have made concessions and exceptions to the rules.  Your flaw, besides being too predictable, is that you're a stickler for rules and regulations.  Don't you see how much of an easy target that makes you, how much more vulnerable?  Never mind, it’s pointless to harp on that now."

"How deep is this conspiracy, anyway?" Hecun grumbled, gritting his teeth.

Mouro, agitated, turned away.  "Listen well and you'll learn the extent of it."

                                                                                ~

(END OF SECTION 32)