11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 13

All during Qarzten’s extensive investigations, there had been enough hearsay evidence to link Egil Viggoaries to far more heinous atrocities than his rival PM Lamont Gudaren had ever been involved in; however, the astute Dark Eunuch had been far too shrewd to leave least speck or shred of living evidence, perpetually eliminating, and cutting off all loose ends.  Qarzten’ competent force had dismally failed even to extract, a single drugged confession against the Eunuch. Egil Viggoaries, meanwhile, carried the notorious distinction of being the expert in these methods and anyone who had least contact with him always came away with the firm belief that he was immune to these types of trickery. Consequently, the surface reading of the Dark Eunuch’s service record looked impeccable, his loyalty and integrity appeared beyond question. 

01- EGIL VIGGORIES 4- JP

Qarzten Caimund had heard seven or eight such rumors about the childhood escapades of Egil Viggoaries that revealed a heart as black as coal, a conscience as putrid as excrement, a soul buried so deep in a bottomless, dark abyss that it was worse than nonexistent yet none of these blood-curdling stories could be substantiated. The intense fear that these rumours had nevertheless evoked, was quite unmistakable. The mere mention of his name even in the remotest corners of the Kingdom would be enough to scatter unruly crowds. All influential and powerful citizens and even most of the nobility quaked in their boots at the very sight of him. The Chief of Internal Security was truly the second most feared man in the land for, next to the Sovereign himself, Dark Eunuch’s brutality to date was unsurpassed. Like his mentor he carried the notorious distinction of being an ultimate sadist, one who enjoyed and thrived on inflicting physical and mental torture on everyone. Yet the only attainable accounts (with which to incriminate him) had been the ones done within the legal boundaries of the law. 

Nowhere was there a shred of evidence of wrongdoing with which to arrest or prosecute him.    

 The impartial, dark side of Qarzten Caimund could not help but admire Egil Viggoaries’s resourcefulness, thoroughness, and his uncanny ability to perform the darkest deeds in full daylight without there being even one credible witness.    

Added to the Dark Eunuch's accomplishments was his creation of that most dreaded network of spies, the invisible force that went by the name of, Secret Brotherhood of The Black Molochs. The organization was so brilliantly set up that it was impenetrable, yet it had thousands of tentacles extending (reaching) out everywhere, strangling all levels of Government and the populace of Wenjenkun.  Suffice it to say, Qarzten Caimund had been perturbed for an exceptionally long time about his inability to infiltrate Egil Viggoaries’s organization, even the lesser ranks.   

Then his resilience and persistence long at last had paid off. He had broken ground, so to speak, gained a significant inroad with one promising candidate.  It had taken him years of painstaking effort to covertly recruit and school Yuchemos Mantus, but in the end, Yuchemos had surpassed all Qarzten Caimund’s expectations in a surprisingly brief period. But then, that young man had some real ability other than his strikingly handsome features, fine physical bearing, so now, in less than two days time, he would be initiated into the Inner Circle of The Black Molochs. This indeed was a remarkable accomplishment. 

02- YUCHEMOS MANTUS (2)JP

Qarzten Caimund in the meantime was constrained to exercising greater caution than ever before to maintain his sham impartiality concerning Yuchemos Mantus and not to jeopardize this rarest opportunity. And so, when Zakhertan Yozdek had suddenly the other day had inquired about what he had thought of Yuchemos Mantus’s abilities and shortcomings in particular consideration for a more responsible posting in Capital, Qarzten had been most careful not to be either (for) too enthused or against the idea. He had to guard against alerting Zakhertan Yozdek’s suspicions, for once aroused, especially now, with so much riding on it; it would lead to most profound consequences (repercussions) for Yuchemos.  Zakhertan’s mood changes and reactions to people and things were closely monitored (studied) by Egil Viggoaries, who knew Zakhertan better than anyone, and occasionally the Dark Eunuch had been able to home-in accurately in on the truth. As an added cautionary measure, Yuchemos Mantus had been furthermore, ordered to avoid all but the most innocuous contact with the Senior Grand Secretary and his office staff for the next three or four months or more; and even then, only if conditions had seriously warranted it.  

Though it appeared to each factional leader (PM Lamont Gudaren and Egil Viggoaries), their power and influence on political and military spheres were steadily mounting, their machinations were frequently in fact, foiled (stymied), by the ever-vigilant Senior Grand  Secretary Qarzten Caimund, who had devised and set in place long ago, specific (certain) curbs.    

The instant that the delicate balance was disturbed or placed in serious jeopardy by either of the factions striving to usurp more power, Qarzten Caimund’s contingency plans, then activated, would automatically disrupt, and terminate it. Qarzten’s force for some time hence had curtailed and kept the two antagonists’ ambitions in permanent check, as if by divine intervention or by capricious fate.   

Of course, with the perpetual animosity (hostility) of Korion and the potential threat from Deng Hedenko of Kontu looming on the north-eastern horizon, Qarzten Caimund had once, long ago, quietly questioned the validity of eradicating these two powerful cliques at this juncture and also, whether it could be timely effected (brought about) before the impending “Great War”.  Qarzten Caimund had (thereafter) since then implemented certain measures, to minimize the damage that these two could beget. The anticipated future pockets of rebellion would be quashed right at its start, to remove any risk or jeopardy to the might and stability of Wenjenkun's main military force. Ripple effects, including a series of carefully planned assassinations, would then commence, eliminating all potential danger to the national security. The painstakingly detailed instructions and coded cue words which Qarzten Caimund had labored over through many a night had been temporarily locked up, on Zakhertan Yozdek’s order, in the Palace vault. 

Qarzten Caimund had noticed of late however, three or four other disturbing developments becoming known, the chief one being an indirect intervention in the countermeasures set up against Lamont Gudaren and Egil Viggoaries from another quarter: Lord Shouzi Yozdek (current ruling tyrant in Gulbrand Province). This had caused these measures to lose bit of their effectiveness. Direct intervention against Lord Shouzi would have rectified this volatile situation and eliminated the threat but His Highness had termed the damage as comparatively minimal.

03- QARZTEN CAMUND (7)jp

Still, despite adequate proof, Qarzten Caimund while working out, during routine, combat session with the Sovereign Zakhertan  and the selective group of  indomitable royal warriors, Qarzten had braved Zakhertan's wrath and in between strikes, he had broached the subject yet again, urging Zakhertan to grant him permission, while there were still ample time and opportunity, to deal with this potentially explosive situation.  Though the Sovereign had listened with due patience while he fought unceasingly, to Qarzten’s well presented oral case, he had in the end shook his head (shown reluctance) and refused to take any decisive military action (against his kin) at that specific juncture (point in time).   

“Egil Viggoaries’s and Lamont Gudaren’s service to the State has not yet been fully realized."  Had been Zakhertan’s blunt (frank) response; his way of saying 'No', without fully closing the door.    

Discerning that there was more to the Sovereign's reluctance than his concern for the kin or the welfare of the State, Qarzten had set aside his misgivings and dropped the subject; a decision he had come to regret so many times over, since then.    

 

                                                                            ~   

When the news of Prince Herleif’s terrible blunder with the penknife and his subsequent punishment had first reached Qarzten Caimund, he had not taken pleasure in derision of the prince as so many others who had also held Prince Herleif in contempt, had done. Senior Grand Secretary had simply shaken his head in utter disbelief at the extent of the prince's stupidity and negligence and then frowned when he thought of; the three or four presages (portend) repercussions this innocuous episode could entail. Nevertheless, because he had deemed Herleif’s days as being numbered even without the derivative of this mishap, he had concentrated instead on dealing with other more pressing issues on his agenda.  Irksomely, the persistent reports of Herleif’s exaggerated and perverse responses had continued to filter in. The day after the prince’s recovery, in fact, he had ordered the torture and inquisition of his own equally contemptible Chief Eunuch Wagner, along with the rest of his household retinue. The needlessness of this act against ones who were so obviously innocent had angered Qarzten Caimund to the boiling point. Though very much perturbed the Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund had maintained his admirable reserve however, as he held a specific purpose in mind. He had opted to run only a little interference and advocated that the handling of the investigation into the origin of the knife be done by the Chief of Internal Security. Egil Viggoaries was on the surface the most capable man for resolving this case swiftly thus leaving Zakhertan Yozdek free to concentrate on more serious matters. The fact that Qarzten Caimund had good reason to suspect other Palace players as having had a hand in this affair would, it seemed, had opened meanwhile, another (assortment of problems) complex issue and tied up the attention of everyone involved, including Egil Viggoaries, in efforts which would inevitably change the natural course of events. But then Qarzten Caimund could not resist weaving another trap for Egil Viggoaries when this added opportunity had struck. His ulterior motive had been in part to entice Egil Viggoaries with a sure bait, to either redeem or, expectantly even on a small scale, hang himself. It was a calculated risk which Qarzten knew he would win regardless of the outcome. As it happened Zakhertan Yozdek’s elite secret service had been dispatched two days ago to investigate a rebellion looming on the horizon of Tanghui Province. The instance the urgent matters within Channing were concluded, Qarzten Caimund would then be free to accompany the new Military Governor, to Tanghui to promptly consolidate the political situation there. Qarzten inwardly cursed the delay, as he was most anxious to leave for this assignment since the route to Tanghui bypassed Tenzo Province where he had another more urgent business and a certain investigation to oversee. 

04- COMANDER ZHADOL BORYM AND LANCE DIOSTIN

 

Qarzten Caimund had learned some time prior, of the strange disappearances of certain figures associated with the Inner Circle of The Black Molochs: Lance Diostin, Zhadol Borym, Zuan and Sanqui Xiory; warranting hence, an indebt enquiry to resolve his many unanswered questions. Qarzten had quietly suspected that they had all, save Lance Diostin, been murdered, result of fresh power struggle between Egil Viggoaries and the P.M., despite the serious lack of corpses and typically, not one shred of evidence to incriminate either of them.    

Additionally, there had been another minor concern for Qarzten, certain irregularity in fact, pertaining to the Illustrious Scholar Fradel Rurik Korvald. Something odd about the elusive Scholar had alerted Qarzten Caimund’s keen senses right at the beginning and soon as Fradel had reached the Capital, he had been placed under surveillance.  The accrued discrepancies (about the scholar) had been forthwith relayed to Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek and Qarzten had received permission for investigate in greater depth and place the Scholar under constant surveillance, even though, Qarzten had quietly anticipated Zakhertan had had his own compiled, extensive report from his elite force, Black Band Guard Regiment and the auxiliary group, Shadow Brigade. Qarzten Caimund, for efficiency’s sake, had often wished to utilize (tap into) such a Force but their allegiance had been solely to Zakhertan and no other. Such an elite group could not be swayed, corrupted, enticed, threatened, or extorted let alone recruited. It was an immediate death sentence even to approach one with such an (intent) offer.    

Despite his impeccably record Qarzten Caimund had irately, already reckoned that, lately he too had been kept under closer scrutiny, more keenly than anyone else, since Zakhertan always seemed to know his activities well in advance. Qarzten had nothing to fear, however, since he had always functioned scrupulously (trustworthily) and could not be faulted or reprimanded for any irregular activity since he engaged in none.    

His mind at present reverting back to the incidence of the latest sham assassination attempt on Zakhertan Yozdek, Quarzten looked away, destructed by the sudden downpour at the outside. Through quiet reflection on the reports about the penknife incident, Qarzten of course had long ago pieced together the scant clues and had deduced the palpable culprits. For the time being, however, he had kept this data to himself, adapting a wait-and-see attitude. Quarzten’s vacillation had been due in part, to his wishing to allow the old Imperial Tutor a sufficient period of grace, to set his personal affairs in order before his risky (foolhardy) confession. Qarzten Caimund knew also that Worren Youkup’s unwitting part in this scheme had been baleful (sinister), and that he had been but an inconsequential scapegoat (martyr). Qarzten would never admit it, but he was in fact aggrieved that Worren’s lifetime impeccable service (employment), would soon to be reduced to ruins. His attention next directed to one of the architects of the ploy Lady Sejon and more importantly her handmaiden Nijel Pinng, Qarzten again irately looked away wondering, the method Lady Sejon must’ve used to persuade otherwise discerning Tutor Worren Youkup, to assume full blame.     

More the pity, Qarzten inwardly scoffed; for he knew, even after Her Ladyship’s complicity (regarding the knife) with the Imperial Tutor became known, Lady Sejon would predictably be acquitted, until such time when, as only Zakhertan Yozdek would know, she would have outlived her usefulness to him.

Qarzten Caimund frowning, set aside the document pertaining to Lady Sejon, with a multitude of others awaiting his perusal and shrugged dispassionately. The life of Lady Sejon was of little consequence anyhow; she mattered less and less in the grand scheme of things, and that thankfully, welfare of Prince Magnian was nonaligned with hers. As for the instigator of all this Nijel Pinng, now that was an entirely different matter.

Qarzten Caimund reflected on how his policy of routinely checking beyond the official records of everyone, who had entered government service in Capital, had paid off yet again; furthermore, the revelation (disclosure) had shed an entirely rather an intriguing light on things.

 

(END OF SECTION 13)

 

                                                                                     ~ 

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 19

After Nevetsecnuac had consumed his evening repast (meal), he sat down in front of the fireplace and, letting his gaze fall on the dancing flames, waited in thoughtful silence.  At any given moment he expected his late-night visitor to knock at his door, and it was not long before his wait was rewarded.

As anticipated, the stranger, holding a jug of choice wine and two cups, appeared on some pretext and, after knocking, peered in, he then asked to be invited inside.

Nevetsecnuac assented and rising to his feet with reserve, motioned with outstretched hand and half-inclined head, "Please do come in.  I've been expecting your visit."

01- ZUNROGO TUGO - JP 25

The captain grimaced wryly, then nodded, entered, and turned to close the door cautiously behind him.  Bowing his head politely, but never taking his eyes off Fradel, he introduced himself as Zunrogo Tugo, Captain of the Palace Guards.

“What?  Zunrogo Tugo; have I heard the name, right?  What are the odds of this happening?”  Nevetsecnuac tensed, recalling what Zhadol had said about this man and his accomplice to Yennic, “Though they may be insignificant in the scheme of things, they have powerful backing and they're treacherous, devoid of all conscience.  That's what makes them deadly for you.”  

Nevetsecnuac’s perfect, serene mask (demeanor) had not changed in the least.  Smiling tightly, he returned the bow and introduced himself as the itinerant scholar, Tonng Yennik.  Noting at once the flicker of displeasure, then of cool calculation in the depth of Zunrogo Tugo’s pupils, Nevetsecnuac smiled inwardly, “As I suspected, you've already checked my identity papers.”

"Delighted to make your acquaintance,” Zunrogo Tugo decided to go along with the charade, at least for the time being.

Tonng Yennik (Nevetsecnuac), a perfect host, motioned the captain to a seat and Zunrogo, deferring the best seat to the Scholar, chose the less comfortable chair.

Zunrogo placed the jug and two empty cups on the small table between them. He proceeded to pour out the wine into one of the cups and then graciously offered the customary draught of friendship, to Tonng Yennik.

Tonng Yennik (Nevetsecnuac), well composed, with thanks accepted the cup of wine and in one gulp drained it; then, filling the other cup, offered it to Zunrogo, reciprocating the gesture. Customary etiquette dispensed with; they soon entered-into a polite conversation.

The topics they discussed, the vast, varying range of their exchange was, in fact, quite irrelevant.  As the two imposing figures, each in turn, mechanically uttered the expected polite rhetoric they were both, underneath it all, intently probing and scrutinizing the other.

Seated across from Tonng Yennik (Fradel), Zunrogo Tugo tried in vain to ferret out the scholar's innermost secrets and gauge his weaknesses, but it was as though Fradel had cocooned his character behind an invincible barrier.  Changing his tack (policy, scheme, ploy) midway, Zunrogo pursued more aggressively and with cunning and trickery, tried to penetrate Fradel's defenses.  When that, too, proved unsatisfactory he tried to subtly goad Fradel towards alternate end.  All the while he felt secure behind the impenetrable wall he kept up around his own personality.

At least that was what he thought.  In this war of acumen and nerves, Nevetsecnuac (Tonng Yennik /Fradel), with his keen perception and resilience eventually eradicated all the obstacles Zunrogo had laid in his path, to subtly gain the advantage and, under the guise of a seemingly passive, cooperative exchange, attained the insight necessary to formulate his own opinion of Zunrogo Tugo.

02- NEVETSECNUAC AS SHOLAR TONNG YENNIC

 Tallying (adding together all the) facts, Nevetsecnuac (Tonng Yennic, Fradel) noted how much more stalwart and intrepid (resolute, hardy) Zunrogo was; moreover, he was infinitely more treacherous and brutal in innate nature, far more than he’d been noted for.  Zunrogo’s complex mind, the depths of his, not easily decipherable, thoughts and, perhaps purposefully misleading and inconsistent habits, made him an extremely dangerous (perilous, death-defying) adversary.  His voice was his only weak link, if you could call it that, for it betrayed his passionless (uncaring) heart.  Despite Zunrogo’s best efforts to appear cordial and disarming in the exchange, there was an underlying intonation of dire indifference and obdurate (adamant) superiority.

“Cold-blooded, arrogant assassin that you are, I know it is not your aim to assassinate (murder) me; or you would have attempted it, long before this meeting.” Nevetsecnuac from the corner of his eye furtively studied this sure foe. “Nevertheless, I expect you will next try astounding me (considering your earlier findings,) with your startling disclosure that you are aware I am Fradel Rurik Korvald; then, after a terse period, magnanimously (rush in to) confer your generous offer of assurance, of safe conduct to the Capital.  And, of course, I'll appear aghast and pretend to let my guard down before, gratefully conceding.  But what else, you're really, after?  What other sinister scheme is lurking underneath that icy surface?  Yes, of course …” Nevetsecnuac nodded absentmindedly, while outwardly, seemingly, agreeing with the captain's most recently advanced viewpoint.

Adding a few pointers of his own, he continued to assess Zunrogo, “Yes, you are burdened with a far greater task than just the safe delivery of the scholar Fradel Rurik Korvald.  Is this a sample of how your master operates?  Ploy (stratagem) within a ploy; while never leaving anything to chance until everything, no matter how trivial, is considered?  Hmm, I'll wager that even Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren is ignorant of the extent of your duplicity.  Very well, I'll feed you sufficient, deceptive, disarming information for your report.  And when you drop or, relax your vigil, then you’ll be dealt with more decisively; for you are one complication I can do without.”

Impressed by the scholar's brilliance of rhetoric, the captain, for the time being, had been forced to inwardly acknowledge that, since all the observations tallied (matched, checked, fit) accorded) perfectly, his host was indeed the real Fradel Rurik Korvald and not some mastermind impostor who had merely acquired his papers.  Yet, instead of being pleased at the favorable outcome of his search, Zunrogo remained very ill at ease.

“Is it just my suspicious nature?  Has the course of this job made me inherently paranoid?  No, this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach is real and all my senses collectively, are sounding dire alarm.  Besides, there are few inconsistencies here that need to be ironed out; true, but they alone are not enough to warrant this hunch, this instinct to strike out at him now with all the deadly force I can muster.  He may even put up a good fight, judging by his robust physique.  How could a mere scholar look so strong, even if he has been living in the mountain wilderness, in isolation, for purported many years?  Yet all the points of contention have been satisfied.  I don't doubt my thoroughness.  Even the absence of his servants has been explained.  I suppose I could hold him here and verify his story, but that would squander precious time, one I can ill- afford, if I am to succeed in my mission. On the other hand, my hunches have never erred, not once in my (lifetime) entire life.”

“But what if, just this once, my intuition is leading me astray?  With such grave consequences at stake, how can I justify this sort of rash action? “

 “Besides, once we reach the Capital, there will be ample time to uncover (discover) the truth, and there, there will be no escape for him.  If he's other than what he claims, he will easily be exposed and eradicated.  Now it is time to end this bantering and get on with the task at hand.”

Half the jug had already been consumed even though Nevetsecnuac, aware of his own intolerance, had been most careful in his intake, taking longer and longer to consume the contents of each cup and accepting only toppings instead of the full cups Zunrogo poured himself.  Still, Zunrogo showed only the minimal signs of intoxication and that, Nevetsecnuac suspected, was also a pretense, a farce not unlike their congenial exchange.

"I am aware, sir, that most scholars of your obvious stature take on, for reasons of privacy, a pseudonym (alias).  May I be so bold, then, as to presume that this is also the case with you and to guess your true designation (name)?" Zunrogo said, ignoring Fradel's facade of slight surprise.

Nevetsecnuac studied the captain in silence, purposely prolonging the supposed suspense.  With a totally unreadable expression he then settled back, "You are most perceptive, sir.  Perhaps you will then tell me who it is that you suspect me of really being after which, I expect, you will be kind enough to reveal to me your real purpose for being in my room at this late hour."

Zunrogo took the bait.  "You are, of course, the very illustrious poet Fradel Rurik Korvald and you have been summoned into His Royal Highness' presence."

The scholar's response was not the expression of surprise that Zunrogo would have expected from one less astute than Fradel Rurik Korvald.

"You have me at a disadvantage, sir.  How long have you known?"

"Since your arrival," Zunrogo lied, hiding his admiration. “It’s a pity you chose a literary career, you sir, would have made an excellent statesman.  You have the natural ability for it.”

"Yet you waited until now to confront me with this knowledge?" Fradel frowned and eyed Zunrogo suspiciously.

"I meant no disrespect, honored sir." the captain hastened to apologize then briefly explained his reasons for coming here.

Fradel looked skeptical.  "Please do not take this the wrong way.  You say that you have been charged by the Offices of the Prime Minister, Lamont Gudaren, with the responsibility of ensuring my safe conduct and timely arrival?"

"Yes.  To do otherwise would be a dereliction of my duty, for which I would be severely punished." Zunrogo interrupted to stress the point.

“I doubt that would be the case.” Nevetsecnuac (Fradel) grimaced wryly. 

"Yet, sir, you have neglected to tell me who it is that I require protection from.  As you well know, I have lived in seclusion most of my life, adapting to a stringent, pious lifestyle; this, to get closer to the natural world which I love to write about.  Outside of family, I have not interacted with anyone any significant length of time to incur animosity.  My literary efforts are not political, nor can they be misconstrued as offensive to any of the noble gentry or bureaucratic class.  Even my deceased father had no affiliations whatsoever with any political group, and no enemies to speak of.  Who then would conspire to harm me?  Holger Province is free, as far as I can see, of all bad elements."

“How much do you really know?” Zunrogo raised an eyebrow slightly as he considered Fradel's question. “Oh, but there's no way you could possibly be informed.”

Zunrogo dropped his guard to laugh sourly; after which he said, “To be sure, law and order are strictly upheld in this province but the existing danger to your esteemed self is, none the less, quite real."

"Why do you insist on being cryptic, sir?" Fradel huffed in exasperation.

"I'm sorry.  I wish I could be more obliging (helpful), but I am not at liberty to disclose anything further." Zunrogo shook his head.  "Perhaps once you have safely reached Channing…”

Looking away thoughtfully, he added, "I'll say only this - that it is a political matter."  Returning his gaze to Fradel he added, "Please excuse me for saying this, but your own involvement is purely incidental."

“You just refuse to commit yourself, but I won't let you off the hook that easily.”  Nevetsecnuac (Fradel) stared back, his demeanor unchanged.

 "I do not appreciate evasive answers, Captain.  I would much rather that you be candid with me.  If, as you have suggested, we are to complete the rest of this journey in each other’s company, then I propose that we learn to trust one another, starting now."  Fradel paused to look meaningfully at Zunrogo, who remained in thoughtful silence for a moment.

“I don't know what you mean,” Zunrogo almost said, but then stopped himself.  An amused smile crept across his face, and he broke into a laugh.

"You are far too clever for me, sir."

"Flattery offends me even more, Captain Tugo." Fradel dismissed the remark curtly, maintaining the arrogant bearing of a scholar.

 "Now I must insist on being told the details which pertain to me that is, if you wish to enlist my full cooperation, sir.  Otherwise, I must insist that, we have nothing further to discuss."  Fradel's stare was unrelenting as he leaned back, still watching Zunrogo Tugo with cold, unblinking eyes.

Zunrogo felt hard pressed to reveal the truth, or to find another plausible explanation convincing enough to assuage Fradel's sharp mind. “Why should I even expend the energy to sway this upstart, when a partial truth may serve as well?  The report excluded mention of your stubborn nature.”

Zunrogo’s smile tightened imperceptibly as he burrowed his gaze at Fradel, scrutinizing him intently.  “I don't know how you found out, but you already know, don't you?  Now you want me to commit myself.  Very well, I'll meet your requirements halfway.”

Zunrogo Tugo shifted uneasily in the chair, laughed sourly and, nodding his head, made a show of resignation.

When he leaned forward to speak, his voice was low, but crisp, "Very well, I will oblige you by being frank, but I trust that the subject of this discussion will be held in confidentiality."  He drained his cup, waiting for Fradel's nod of affirmation.

03-ZUNROGO TUGO - JP 24

On receiving it he put back the empty cup, took a breath and continued in an unwavering tone, "You need not be concerned with this, but our Prime Minister, like all eminent men who uphold this effective and strict administration, has incurred the hatred of some powerful enemies who would stop at nothing to undermine his righteous endeavors.  Since it was Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren who recommended your illustrious self to the emperor at court, he feels naturally bound by the responsibility of seeing that your travel should be uninterrupted and comfortable.  This added precaution was taken in the anticipation of possible trouble or in order to preclude even the least unpleasantness from manifesting itself." 

He grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry if my previous reckless words have magnified the situation and led you to believe that there was real potential for danger here.  I confess, I am somewhat inept at diplomacy, as all military personnel are, I suppose.  I sincerely hope that you will overlook my shortcomings, however, and set your mind at ease.  The danger to your person is only a supposition.  No blatant or obvious threat has been voiced thus far."

“Thus far… You must really believe that I am that naive.” Nevetsecnuac mused. “All right, I'll let that pass for now, besides it is better you think that of me.  From what I've heard, he'd never do that, but go on if you must, keep his name out of it.  Besides, your clumsy attempts to cover up the inconsistencies are growing rather tiresome.”

"In truth," Fradel (Nevetsecnuac), obviously suppressing a yawn, consented amicably, "the trek here has been rather tiresome (dull) if not arduous.  I would, therefore, be most happy to accept your gracious offer of companionship; during the course of which I will look forward to being informed of the latest developments in Channing, so that I won't feel totally out of sorts there."

"I’ll do my best to (oblige) enlighten you.” Zunrogo beamed arrogantly.

“Indeed, so much has transpired even during these last few months, let alone years but I think that I've delayed your sleep long enough.  I will detain you no longer."  Now that he had secured what he wanted, Zunrogo abruptly rose to his feet and, without further ado, he wished Fradel a good night and took his leave.  There were a few neglected details that had been preying on the back of his mind all during their exchange that he wanted to lay to rest before the night was done.

                                                                                      ~

 

(END OF SECTION 19)