11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 21

On the day specified for the resolution of the (penknife/assassination) case, the Dark Eunuch Egil Viggoaries armed with solid proof that guaranteed a sure win of his litigation, prostrated himself before Zakhertan Yozdek, in a closed Court preliminary hearing. In meticulous detail the ingeniously compiled evidence, against the identified culprits and conspirators, were then one by one painstakingly presented for His Highness' perusal and for his final judgment.

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Zakhertan Yozdek, of course, had already been well apprised of the developments, including the confirmation of certain tampering with the key evidence. Not letting on, he gave the presentation a thoughtful consideration and carefully examined all Egil Viggoaries’s documentation and testimonies. Zakhertan’ momentary ambivalence at the end of it, however, did not escape the eagle eye of his Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund, who had conducted his own independent inquiries. When His Highness expectedly dismissed all the courtiers including Egil Viggoaries, save for Qarzten Caimund for a private consultation, on cue (nod) the Senior Grand Secretary, armed with his arsenal of facts, advanced his steps boldly to reach the dais.

Qarzten then vociferously enunciated the accrued information with perfect lucidity, without mincing words and left nothing out, spared no one. He starkly (plainly) stated the part Royal Tutor Worren Youkup had played, the complicity of Lady Sejon, the breakdown of just what crimes could accurately be attributed to Royal Physician Enqui Rimeng and prince Herleif, as well, which facts were merely elaborate fabrications. Qarzten listed additionally, the names and means of all those who had perjured themselves and then related how Egil Viggoaries’s manipulative power had a hand in all of this.

Qarzten Caimund could not leave out the matter of the apprehension and eventual death under torture of pseudo-Stuart Chutek who was an affiliate of the Wolfbane Organization; Qarzten was of course, betting on the fact that the Sovereign had already been appraised of all these facts. He was quietly pleased, therefore, noting the lack of Sovereign’s reaction affirming his suspicions.

Qarzten could decipher (accurately read) every bit of the Sovereign’s nuances (hints), the slightest subtleties of his face and body; and so, when Sovereign’s slight shift had told him that Zakhertan was about to question him further about the real Chutak’s whereabouts, presumably another test, Qarzten had cleared his throat and readily volunteered the  succinct results of his thorough investigation, the kidnapping and the supposed presumed demise of the unfortunate Stuart whose only crime had been, which the Stuart was ignorant of, was to be instated as the sole beneficiary of Worren Youkup’ s amassed, comprehensive estate (fortune); Qarzten concluded it by stating the manner of Chutek’s eradication, when the Stuart had proved useless in the end, to the Wolfbane Organization. The matter (of this insignificant Stuart) therefore, as far as the Sovereign Zakhertan was concerned, was promptly dropped (satisfactorily shelved).

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Qarzten Caimund had finally mentioned the (Egil’s issued) untenable arrest warrant for the scholar Tonzeye Yevgun which he had temporarily stymied. At this point he paused, to receive Zakhertan Yozdek’s approval (judgment, appraisal) or further instructions.  

"That's all?" The Sovereign's question unsettled Qarzten Caimund as at the same time an ominous ripple (wave) coursed down his spine.    

"There is more, Your Highness," he coughed to briefly clear his throat, before he resumed with his, not yet fully validated facts, about the complicity of Lord Shouzi Yozdek and the extortion plot involving Nijel Ping. Meeting Zakhertan Yozdek’s hard eyes briefly, Qarzten’s face externally remained placid, an almost inscrutable mask; yet deep in his heart he was terrified, for he had just then realized, how awfully close he had come to, not only losing Zakhertan's confidence, but also risk forfeiting his own life, by withholding, yet to be solidly confirmed (authenticated), information.    

It had been made perfectly clear to Qarzten, by that single glint in Sovereign’s eyes that, Zakhertan Yozdek had already been notified of this and much, much more; and he (Qarzten), yet again, was evaluated. What did it matter that he had, all these years, an impeccable record and steadfast loyalty; every subject of Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek’s lived a precarious existence, with their lives only a hairsbreadth away from the executioner's blade. Fortunately, he had heeded his intuition and once more dodged catastrophe.   

As if surmising his vassal's thoughts, Zakhertan’s lips curled in a disdainful sneer. With a cynical smile on his lips, he leaned back and, with a small gesture of his hand indicated that Qarzten was to proceed.   

Since Qarzten Caimund now felt that the time was ripe, he fearlessly delved in all the way. Asking His Highness' indulgence, he presented the summation (backed by ample documentation to be perused later by the Sovereign) of Minister of Internal Security Egil Viggoaries’s and Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren's sordid, illicit activities. Based on this irrevocable proof, and the amassed evidence against both culprits, he next petitioned the throne for permission to proceed with their simultaneous indictments in the High Court. Finally,(he hoped,) justice could be served swiftly and effectively. Heads removed, the bodies and tentacles of both organizations could then be effectively crushed with the minimal cost and much less bloodshed. At present there was, at Sovereign's disposal, a military force capable of suppressing any uprising in the Capital or elsewhere, as only a small contingent had been dispatched to Korion. If prompt action were to be taken therefore, Wenjenkun's political system could be swiftly purged of these deleterious elements, before the impending confrontation with that troublesome Northern Nation Sazkeroan and its secret ally, Kontu. Qarzten Caimund had assumed that he had done his best to effectively communicate to Zakhertan the urgency of this matter. He had stressed that it was imperative they launched these offensives on both fronts simultaneously and now, or face an inevitable, more arduous course after the impending great wars.    

Zakhertan Yozdek, after having listened to all Qarzten's arguments with due patience and seeming consideration, in the end however, with an unwavering stone face, had once more shook his head, remaining staunchly averse to the urgent recommendations. “The time is not yet ripe.” Had been the only snap explanative given to Qarzten, for His Highnesses adamant refusal.  

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“What am I missing here?” Qarzten inwardly queried, mystified by this negative response (negation).  

   There had to be another, more enigmatic reason for His Highness’s not utilizing this (relatively calm) apt period, which was a prelude to change, the last bastion of lull before the cataclysmic change that loomed on the horizon. On the board game of life, the pieces had taken up their respective positions already. Qarzten Caimund, affixing his gaze on the floor, searched his brain for the allusive reason. It had taken Qarzten only a second or two however, when all at once he had understood Zakhertan’s true reasons. Then with humility he had bowed his head, acceding to his Sovereign’s wishes.   

There was a slight leer on Zakhertan’s lips; after which, Qarzten was directed to, currently say, or do nothing and to guard his records with vigilance until such time they would be required for testimony against the Prime Minister, Egil Viggoaries and Lord Shouzi in court.    

Qarzten was then promptly dismissed.   

   

                                                                            ~   

 

“Could those unconfirmed reports be true?” Qarzten Caimund pondered once more, on the way to his offices.     

“The acuteness of Sovereign’s mind is truly amazing and quite humbling.” Qarzten Caimund shook his head and hissed out a long, exasperated breath. “He’s adroit brain must have conceived…Hah, I don’t know how he does it but he’s always two steps ahead of me, infuriatingly so, in particular with foreign affairs.”       

Eventually, Qarzten’s thoughts had reverted to the most intriguing findings regarding Egil Viggoaries’s parentage, disclosed to him in yesterday evening’s covert report; he had opted to sit on that explosive info however, directing his men instead to dig up further proof till the facts were absolute. Qarzten once more had to remind himself not to get too distracted (sidetracked), conserving his strength instead, for the pending challenges, the tumult (ahead) in not-too-distant future. He had reached his offices with his head laden with such concerns and took no notice of the well armed guards saluting him smartly or, when one on the left promptly reached out and opened the door for him. Once inside the anteroom (subsidiary room), Qarzten Caimund had few words with his assistant, who rushed off at once on an errand.     

Qarzten placed five of the documents on his assistant’s desk then with the remainder secured under left arm, he thoughtfully walked over to the bookcase where which on the second top shelf there were two juxtaposed, unusual small stone statues of no value. The carving however was exceptional. One represented the Moon Deity, a beautiful, demure young woman seated on a rock with a closed book in hand; the other was the representation of the Sun Deity, a fierce warrior with an elaborate spear, standing in readiness to strike.     

Qarzten’s right hand reached out and applied a slight pressure to lower the Moon Deity’s book, ever so slightly, which made the whole bookcase instantly, noiselessly move aside, revealing behind it the secret iron door to an impenetrable vault. Qarzten Caimund opened it with one of the (cluster of) keys he had withdrawn from his hidden belt-pocket and went inside. He walked few paces into the vault and placed the secret documents he was carrying on the third shelf. Once more at the outside, he locked the vault then going over, raised (readjusted) the Moon Deity’s book, which instantaneously (automatically) turned everything back to norm. He then straightened out his attire (making sure there were no creases on it) and then opened the door which led to his primary office. 

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Soon as Qarzten had entered the room, his eyes caught the newly appointed Vice Censor in Chief the noted Lenny Sukzor, who had been impatiently waiting for his return from the royal audience, already on his feet, which he now courteously bowed to Qarzten in greeting. Smiling contritely, Qarzten Caimund solicitously advanced to brightly (happily) greet his new friend Lenny. After offering his profuse apologies for the (unavoidable) delay and relaying his solicitations, the two sat down to the serious business of overseeing series of highly confidential matters.

                                                                             ~    

Following day in closed session of the Imperial Court the charges of the attempted murder of  His Royal Highness Zakhertan Yozdek, as well, the willful murders of the Royal Tutor Worren Youkup , Prince Chucek and Prince Kureing, were formally announced against the now deceased Steward Chutek, the still living though barely alive Royal Physician Enqui Rimeng and, the Crown Prince Herleif Yozdek.      

Their subsequent, three consecutive (sequential) trials again in closed court, very much to the immense satisfaction of Egil Viggoaries had resulted in an expedient, harsh verdicts.     

Enqui Rimeng, upon hearing his sentence had cried out in despair wishing that he had somehow ended his own life (by ingesting poison) or expired during torture, rather than suffer the impending, most ignominious end. Worse still, his actions had doomed entire Rimeng clan to extinction. He was quickly hauled away, sobbing uncontrollably, to suffer his endless days of torment in Hell.  

  

Prince Herleif had not fared any better; for Zakhertan Yozdek had perfunctorily dismissed Prince Herleif's right to appeal, since it was patently pointless and, coldly pronounced Herleif’s sentence: “Proclaimed guilty of all charges levied against him, Prince Herleif from thereon would be stripped of all Royal privileges and rights and demoted to the status of a common criminal (a slave). He wound, furthermore, indefinitely or until further notice, be imprisoned in the worst quarter of the subterranean (palace) dungeons.”

This meant that Herleif would never be allowed to see the daylight ever again, though for the present he was to be kept alive to await a future apt punishment of, Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek’s choosing.     

Lastly, Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek bereft of any other candidate, promptly passed the Royal decree- the formal appointment of Prince Magnian Yozdek, as the now rightful (Crown Prince) heir apparent.   

  

                                                                            ~

 

(END OF SECTION 21)

   

 

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 18

Once he was back in his offices, Egil Viggoaries set about writing down the petition that he had composed the day before in his mind. In an addendum, he also requested to have the burial ceremony temporarily postponed (delayed), for reasons that there were certain discrepancies (inconsistencies) about the manner of the Royal Tutor's death, which warranted an urgent and official autopsy by the Imperial Coroner. This he dispatched at once, directly to Qarzten Caimund.

The next morning when the result, which the Dark Eunuch had anticipated, was revealed and, an all-out hunt was mounted for the culprits, specifically Stewart Chutek, Egil Viggoaries had rubbed his hands together and hissed: “The orchestra has commenced with the opening bars, now let’s call in the steps and watch the minions dance (hop).” 

     

                                                                                  ~ 

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Qarzten Caimund with acuity (perspicacity, discernment)) had awaited Egil Viggoaries’s next maneuver and found that, as expected, he had opted for extorting Lady Sejon while turning the evidence into a weapon against his hated adversary. The Dark Eunuch’s timely petition for an autopsy and the following steps was all appropriately within the bounds of the law.

Furthermore, under his authority, all pertinent documents and testimonies were arranged to disclose facts, exactly the way Egil Viggoaries wanted them to appear. Lady Sejon herself was fed rumors, and they remained only rumors, that the Royal Tutor Worren Youkup had scribbled a condemning confession on his deathbed that had aroused Egil Viggoaries’s suspicions and led to the incriminating autopsy. Moreover, there was the certain verification (proof) that an ensuing investigation had turned up the agent of death which happened to be the medicinal flask belonging to Herleif’s personal physician, Enqui Rimeng.   

In the subsequent days, the Chief of Internal Security’s team had surpassed themselves in their relentless pursuit of resolving (rounding up) this case. A carefully blended presentation of factual and fabricated evidence was expertly amassed in sufficient quantity to have Chutek and Doctor Enqui Rimeng indicted and incarcerated for questioning and torture, as co-conspirators of Royal Tutor’s murder.    

Steward Chutek was quickly apprehended at an Inn near the Nexoko Pass as he was preparing to leave and was brought back in chains and under heavy guard, to Channing, to stand before the Grand Inquisitor and Egil Viggoaries. The sealed box entrusted to him by Worren Youkup was also retrieved intact and handed over to the Chief of Internal Security.

The contents of the letter addressed to Scholar Tonzeye Yevgun confirmed Worren Youkup’s suspected erratic state of mind; moreover, Worren’s unusual requests from his long-time friend unwittingly placed Tonzeye in a very precarious position. Seizing this excellent opportunity Egil had at once issued an arrest warrant for the Scholar Tonzeye Yevgun.

Qarzten Caimund, who had always been favorably disposed to the Illustrious Scholar Tonzeye, was able to intervene in time however, and taking advantage of the distance to Chukset Province, had ordered that the preliminary depositions be taken there, before the Scholar's probable, eventual transport to Capital. This measure ensured it would be at least three months before Tonzeye Yevgun could be, safely and under guard, transported back to Channing to determine, (barring a miracle) unfortunately under torture, the extent of his part in this supposed, diabolical plot. But then, Qarzten Caimund had reckoned, quite a bit could transpire in that period.

 

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Those officials within the Capital, the few who had accepted gratuities (bribes) to expedite the processing of Steward Chutek’s documents meanwhile, had all been taken in for questioning. Their under-duress testimonies, tailored to establish the Royal Tutor's secret infatuation with Chutek and his consequential unsound (irrational) state of mind at the time he had initiated those procedures (actions), were all meticulously chronicled (recorded, registered).    

The Certificates of Manumission, Powers of Attorney and latest will bequeathing all Worren Youkup’s holdings in its entirety to Steward Chutek, now deemed rigged (manipulated, swindled), were promptly and legally nullified.    

Egil Viggoaries's prosecuting team additionally, had attained further incriminating data, the so-called monitory gift payments, for a covert, perverse sexual liaisons between (routinely shadowed) Physician Enqui Rimeng and Chutek that had gone on, decidedly, for more than eleven months. The Judiciary stored all this amassed evidence temporarily in a safe place, pending the time (of the Trial) they will be required to be presented as proof (mark) of, Physician Enqui Rimeng and the chief culprit Chutek's complicity in the pre-meditated murder of Worren Youkup.    

Chutek in the interim was, with all his funds frozen and having no hidden stash of his own to fall back on, effectively blocked from contracting (hiring) competent legal aid (defense team) and proving his innocence. Not that it would have done him any good, as most in Channing had already in their minds, convicted Chutek; believing him to be the mastermind of the sinister ploy- which had the unsuspecting Worren Youkup ingesting the poisoned substance while Chutek was conveniently absent from the Capital. Even Prime Minister was not of a mind to lock horns with his chief rival Egil Viggoaries, over this sensational, highly publicized felonious act (criminal act) of an insignificant Steward Chutek. With no one to champion his rights, things looked bleaker each passing day for Chutek.

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Despite the expended effort to tie this case up swiftly and neatly however, there had been still one unforeseen, major snag in the steady progress of the Dark Eunuch’s persecution team, for no confession could be had (extracted) from Chutek. Quite unexpectedly and stoically Chutek had borne (withstood), to the bitter end, the unconscionable humiliation and the barbaric torment.    

 When viewed, the state of Chutek's remains had made even Qarzten Caimund wince, and he had seen it all. That day as they had descended the spiraling, perilous steps, Qarzten Caimund (from the corner of his eye) observing Egil Viggoaries’ reticent conduct, had confirmed fully then, how the hellish, foul-smelling dungeon with its endless corridors and cells, with steady groaning coming from its labyrinthine depths, its air ripped with terrifying screams of its victims being tortured, was almost a source of comfort for the demented Dark Eunuch.  Ushered solicitously into the cell which Chutek had been endlessly tormented and seeing Chutek or what was left of him, Qarzten Caimund had drawn back violently, shuddering to the marrow of his bones. Yes, despite himself, despite his efforts to conceal it from Egil Viggoaries, he had shuddered with deep inner revulsion. 

At that point, additionally, the Dark Eunuch’s inhumane, eerie peal of mocking laughter grated on Qarzten ‘s ears; meanwhile, the subhuman mirth (hilarity) rising from the depths over the anguished cries had reverberated in that chilling air. His resentment of Egil Viggoaries had apexed then, and it had seriously sickened Qarzten to the core, to be so cognisant (aware) of the degree of vileness of Egil Viggoaries’s perverted mind.   

Meeting Eunuch's eyes, Qarzten Caimund had glared at the Dark Eunuch with fierce disapproval, his heart suffused with outrage, finding no words to express the vulgarity of what he had witnessed just then. In all his years of faithful service as a vassal of Zakhertan Yozdek, Qarzten Caimund had seen countless victims of torment; many were subjected to cruel procedures to prevent their escape, barbaric (inhumane) methods that were clearly marked (patent) sadistic tortures. In cases where all else failed and other means had proven ineffective, the application of torture had been justified. It was an accepted norm in Wenjenkun, an unavoidable evil, during the Reign of Zakhertan Yozdek. Qarzten Caimund bore the burden of guilt himself for having overseen, initiated, or partaken (participating) in many acts of inquisition and torture in the past, but never had it been taken to this extent of barbarism.  And he had never seen this degree of suffering inflicted upon a living being. Nothing comparable could have prepared him for this most abhorrent of gruesome scene. But what was even worse, what was more disturbing still, was Egil Viggoaries’s chilling repulsive reaction to the disembodied corpses strewn about them and his startlingly atrocious conduct next, that had violently churned Qarzten’s stomach. It was as though Egil Viggoaries had an inherent need, had insisted on Qarzten Caimund’s presence to heighten his amusement, to reassert his belief that he and he alone was untouched, unmoved by this sort of monstrous act and the vileness of it all. The ignoble (base, dastardly) goading had infuriated Qarzten and at that point he had looked away, biting back his fierce contempt.

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"Was this really warranted?" Qarzten Caimund, keeping the anger from his voice had asked, as he, for a spell, burrowed his unyielding, menacing, (threatening) gaze on Egil Viggoaries. But before the Dark Eunuch could respond, suddenly, at that very moment an inhuman scream had filled the tense morbid air.

Observing the involuntary shudder that had just then rippled through Qarzten Caimund, Egil Viggoaries had sneered contemptuously and maliciously. "Of course, it was warranted." His cynical, condescending tone had still further incensed Qarzten Caimund, but he’d looked away nevertheless, not wishing a serious confrontation at that precise moment. 

Subsequently Qarzten’s gaze once more had fallen on the pitiful form of chained Chusek; however, at that moment, Qarzten’s keen eye caught a detail that instantly flooded his heart with hope. He quickly got a grip on his senses, and feigning mere technical (scientific), and in part meddlesome (interfering) interest, he drew closer to examine Chusek’s grave injuries in the head, those deep gushes and lacerations that was gradually staining crimson more parts of his hair; however, his eyes discreetly instead, had fleetingly examined Chusek’s earlobes, to ascertain of his earlier detected discrepancy.

No, he had not mistaken it! This was an imposter… He was not Stuart Chutek!

 Qarzten Camund, nevertheless feigning disgust and tediousness, stepped back and quickly lowered his eyes to hide the relief in them, while escaping the intense scrutiny of the detestable, predatory Dark Eunuch. 

Egil Viggoaries, meanwhile, not getting what he sought (wanted) out of Qarzten, gave a huff of derision and half-turning looked at Chutek's maimed and mutilated corpse; when he reverted his riveting gaze back to Qarzten, Egil Viggoaries’s face had been ugly, his body movements suddenly more antagonistic, more menacing.

The Dark Eunuch’s subsequent, spiteful abrasive words of the poor tormented creature, the uttered scornful obscenities, nevertheless, grated on Qarzten Caimund’s innate sense of morality and justice; and so, he, again bristling, clutched his fists, his fingernails deliberately digging into his palm and drawing blood; a sham performance which he had deliberately failed to veil (conceal) from the Dark Eunuch.

This, expectantly, to some extent (partially), satisfied Egil Viggoaries.

Continuing with his bogus performance and purposefully averting the Dark Eunuch's piercing eyes, lest he betray what was truly in his heart and mind, Qarzten then briskly turned about face and left hurriedly, in a quasi (pseudo, virtual) near frenzied state, rushing his steps down the hall.

Subsequently, Qarzten had ascended by twos the stone steps to abscond and to spread some distance between himself and the Dark Eunuch; his soul demanded escape(flight) from this insane vile monster who had been gloating, elated by what he had accomplished, and furthermore, by what he was still intending, proposing to do.    

Indubitably Qarzten’s core had genuinely blanched at the very thought, the proof, that there were in existence two such monsters in Wenjenkun: Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek and Egil Viggoaries.

Then, to his greater dismay, he was quickly reminded of the third monster, Emperor Deng Hedenko of Kontu. 

 

                                                                             ~ 

 

(END OF SECTION 18)