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)

 

                                                                                     ~ 

 11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 12

                                                                         

Worren Youkup had left Lady Sejon’s side nearing mid-morning mentally and physically drained. Profoundly concerned for the welfare of Prince Magnian, he had gone against his better judgment and given his word that he would not say or do anything to advance the matter of the stiletto (penknife) until Her Ladyship Sejon had first in private disclosed her involvement of it to the Sovereign. Worren, furthermore, had hoped and prayed that the good council he had given her Ladyship would be sufficient in obtaining the most lenient of corollary (outcome) from Zakhertan Yozdek, although no one could really be certain of His Highness' reaction on any matter.

Previous night Worren had been resolved to brave the same unfathomable ramifications himself after the conclusion of his visit to Lady Sejon... He would have laid open this shameful episode and hoped that, in view of his impeccable record of long and loyal service that Zakhertan Yozdek would have granted him the opportunity to end his life by his own hand. He may not have deserved burial with honors, but he also felt that he did not deserve the shame of a public execution either. Now, his own future actions, would eradicate that eventuality forever; however, for the sake of Lady Sejon and more importantly, Prince Magnian, a substitute, him, was warranted to bear the full brunt of Sovereign's wrath. His mind, therefore, was nobly set on, when he would be subjected to the inquisition, to doing his utmost and assuming full responsibility for the diabolical offence (wrongdoing), facing the full severity of the law, in order to appease Zakhertan Yozdek’ s insatiable craving for blood.

01-- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK  (61)

“Then again, would his old, decrepit carcass be enough?”  Worren Youkup inwardly queried, then shrugged: “Well, it’s the only one I have, and it will have to suffice.”  Worren for the first time ever, was happy that he had no living family or close relatives to share his fate (burden); with his trusted Steward Chutek soon safely out of the way, Worren’s heart rested easy knowing that no other of consequence would be made to suffer the anticipated torments, at the hands of  that fiendish Dark Eunuch, Egil Viggoaries.     

 “I have no regrets (compunction) for my age is advanced, and my life has been full and quite gratifying up until now, save for one small qualm. “Worren, looking down, quietly reflected. “I would have turned sixty-five in three weeks time; oh well, I will have to abort plans for the party; ironically, it would have been rather a momentous event, as both a celebration of life and a farewell. Alas, fickle fate has robbed me of the chance.”     

Try as he might, Worren Youkup could not evade the angst (anguish, heartache) that had suddenly, against his will, pained his heart; for he had never ever expected to end his life in such an ignominious manner. The very thought of it made him wince and he fought back the tears that started to form around the (brim) edges of his eyelids.

“Stop this foolish nonsense! “He inwardly, sternly, admonished self. “There's no going back now, Worren Youkup; you are committed to doing this and that is that!” He exhaled deeply, only to be beset with yet another set of worries. “Would there be sufficient time to get Chutek out of harm’s way? Poor Chutek, he would have to remain, even with different identity, in hiding for an exceptionally long while, to escape the clutches of that hound- dog Egil Viggoaries.”  

02- STEWARD CHUTEK 7

Worren Youkup was angry at having also wasted way too much time because of his unscheduled visit with Sejon, now he must hasten even more, to do all requisite tasks (it needed doing) in much shorter period. Calling for his trusted aid Tedor (who’d been with him for well over twenty years), Worren without further delay, set things in motion. Soon after he was seen getting into the palanquin, as he was most eager to take care of this and other related business before his routine (habitual, expected) report to the Sovereign.

Worren first called on a certain official in the Department of Bondsmen whom he had made prior arrangements with, for an interim certificate of manumission for Chutek. The final stages of the official documents would be processed over the subsequent days, and then hidden, duly filed in the archives. Worren had been working towards this end (goal) for quite some time now and having already made most of the preliminary arrangement’s weeks in advance, was now able to finalize the last steps needed to ensure Chutek’s secured, comfortable life. Subsequently, he made another quick call at the Legal sector 3 Department where a document granting Power of Attorney over his affairs to the Scholar Tonzeye Yevgun of Chukset Province was promptly drawn up.

Upon his return home Worren went immediately to his vault and set aside bundles (parcels, packages) of currency (paper money, gold) to be given to the trusted officials responsible for the swift processing of his requests in both the Capital and the Province as well as the hefty fee needed for Chutek 's manumission certificate. Calling a trusted servant, he sent these gifts post haste to the various officials within the Capital. The wads (pouches) for the Provincial officials, a particularly larger sum earmarked for Tonzeye Yevgun, plus the sealed documents, were all then promptly put into a metal traveling cache. The sealed documents were of course the manumission certificate of free citizenship for Chutek, copies of the official papers that were in process, the Power of Attorney to Tonzeye Yevgun and a letter to him directing that all of the land holdings in Chukset Province which Worren had secretly acquired and had hoped to retire on, to be immediately transferred to his Steward Chutek. Hopefully Chutek, by then under a different alias, could escape detection and live out the remainder of his days comfortably in obscurity.

Worren Youkup next went to his study to prepare the last item needed.

 

03-

 In this letter Worren entrusted Chutek’s welfare and his prospects to the capable hands of his friend. In it also he bid his long-time friend farewell and requested his help with the Provincial authorities to ensure that his last (will and testament) wishes were properly conducted. Afterwards, the sealed letter too, was placed in the metal cache, which was then locked. Worren Youkup’s resources in Channing were nearly depleted now, but he did not care; for, what use would they be by the week's end, anyhow?

At dawn of the subsequent day Chutek, clad (dressed) in his travelling attire and, for fifteen minutes now having received his final instructions from Worren, was then imparted the key to the cache and was told to secure it on his person.

Chutek, had been purposely kept Ignorant of the enclosed windfall prize in the locked cache; with only a hint that it had contained Worren’s latest unpublished sonnets (private elegies) and that it required some edification (improvement) and expurgation (editing) , as well,  that it was of utmost importance to his friend the renowned  (distinguished) Scholar Tonzeye.

Steward Chutek, subsequently furnished with appropriate travel papers and expenses, was then instructed to, post haste deliver these to Lord Tonzeye Yevgun in Chukset Province.

04- STEWARD  CHUTEK - IN HIS TRAVELLING CLOTHES

Worren had awesomely disguised (masked) his inner turmoil to completely dupe the astute (incisive) Chutek; hence, the cherished (like a son) steward thinking that he would be gone only for a brief time, exuberant  and all in smiles (anticipating meeting the illustrious Scholar Tonzeve Yevgun whom he’d greatly admired), took his leave of Worren, carrying only one light baggage and a still lighter heart. He had no way of knowing, however, that soon after he’d departed, Worren had curtly (and without explanation) dismissed all his other attendants and then after locking the door to his study, had sat at his desk unmoving for several minutes and with a blank (void) stare fixed (pinned) on a distant (vague) object. This was an innocuous (innocent), unremarkable painting mounted on the far wall, which depicted a snow-capped mountain scenery; though, it held a secret and a specific, affectionate meaning to Worren, and thus, whenever he gazed at it, it had always lightened his soul and gladdened his heart. As he continued to stare at it now, a shadow gradually darkened his face and his expression increasingly became somber (dismal, gloomy), then altogether grave (grim, morbid).

Worren’s brows subsequently knit as his eyes glistened, brimming with moisture in sheer defiance of his will; eventually, a silent string of tears cascaded down, dampening (wetting, moistening) his pallid cheeks.

                                                                                           ~                   

 

The moment that Worren Youkup had left the South Palace, Sejon had began pacing the room back and forth with angry brows knitted in consternation. “All this trouble over one penknife; and now there is the looming threat of Egil Viggoaries on the horizon! What to do? What to do?”  

Sejon smiled wryly, realizing that she had picked up the phrase from Worren Youkup; then the flustered state (anxiety) swiftly returning, her cheeks flushed crimson and she sulked.

05- LADYSHIP SEJON- JP

All she had been able to do so far was to stall the inevitable; she had no intention of ever confessing to Zakhertan Yozdek, for her to do that, would mean, she was either foolhardy or brave, and she was neither. Like everyone else in the Palace she was terrified of Zakhertan Yozdek and his unpredictable riposte. Sejon held no illusion that, because of their intimacy, he would be forgiving or lenient; moreover, whenever she was with him, with an admirable skill she had always masked her fright, knowing Zakhertan despised passive and cowardly women.  

Lady Sejon quaked deep in her heart all the same, each time she was summoned to the cold and forbidding North Palace; for every summons could mean her death sentence and that, one day she’d inadvertently offend him in some way or other, and the next instant, she’d lose her pretty head; though that eventuality would no doubt be the most merciful end, considering Zakhertan’s appetite for blood and suffering.  It would, most likely be, an excruciatingly painful and lingering death! The birth of Prince Magnian meanwhile, had afforded her precious little security or an assurance; she was nevertheless still young, quite beautiful and being optimistic, she had accepted her precarious existence, for the trappings of luxury, power and prestige were all an irresistible draw, in the hope that her eventual, sure fate would be far away. 

For now, she was the Sovereign's favorite, but for how long, she could phantom. Many a sleepless night she had pondered on a concern, a careless word or an act that might have been the instigator to end what she had enjoyed and held dear; that’s right, all could be extinguished in one commanding breath by Zakhertan Yozdek.  Zakhertan's favor had limits, she knew all too well; also, that he had no tolerance for least stupidity, carelessness, or failure.

06- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK AND LADY SEJON

“No, I will not chance it. I will not be confessing to anything and that is that!”  Again, she had mimicked (imitated) another of Worren Youkup’s phrases. “The old coot gave his word for now, but I can only stall him for so long. He must be permanently silenced before he can utter an incriminating word to anyone. Nijel would know what to do. She knew people.”  She stopped abruptly and called out for Nijel, only to be told that her favorite had left without a word to anyone.    

 "Just find her!" Sejon screeched, stamping her foot. "I don't want to hear excuses! I want to see her now!"  The panic-stricken servants rushed to comply as Sejon resumed her pacing and grumbled aloud, "What to do? What to do?"    

                                                                                                                  ~

 

It also happened that Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund also had a strategically placed network of informants and was routinely apprised of all developments in domestic and foreign affairs as well as the plotted intrigues, the very moment they transpired, within the walls of the four Palaces. It could be said that he was the second most influential and informed official in the

Kingdom, His Highness Zakhertan Yozdek being the first, except that no one, other than Sovereign, knew of it.  

In Channing, as the Senior Grand Secretary, Qarzten Caimund had always concealed well his predominant aptitudes behind the reticent humility and polite decorum that put everyone, friend, and foe alike, at their ease, especially when with him. Since he was never perceived as an ardent adversary whom he could be, he received the full cooperation of all factions. Only Zakhertan Yozdek from the beginning, discerning beneath Qarzten’s deceptive façade, his strong analytical mind and aggressive sometimes brutal will that wielded the strong arm of the law to bring swift justice and order to all segments of the Central Government, appreciated and same time remained vigilant of Qarzten Caimund.

Zakhertan Yozdek was the only one who could so utilize Qarzten’s invaluable input, his subtle yet vital role in preventing, suppressing, or eliminating, chronic internal Royal strife that flared up from time to time, which if left unchecked, could have seriously undermined Wenjenkun government’s core stability. Meanwhile, under Qarzten Caimund ‘s directive his invisible force had always, in the aftermath of any sporadic Provincial insurgency swiftly and humanely, with minimal cost, restored lasting stability as well, the law and order. Of course, at times certain glitches (anomalies) had unavoidably necessitated brutal crackdowns of the suspected or budding parasitic cliques, and so, those violent nationwide sweeps, had become the consistent (regular) trademark of Zakhertan Yozdek’s reign. But mostly, Zakhertan valued Qarzten Caimund for his farsightedness and uncanny precision when he closed in for the kill. As it were, the Senior Grand Secretary had the eerie ability to perceive calamitous events well in advance of their germination into outright trouble and to present, through his timely intervention, had kept the adept Central Government’s diverse functioning body intact, as well, preserved the omnipotent power of Sovereign.  Sovereign Zakhertan impressed with Qarzten’s competence, had additionally, covertly, assigned Qarzten to the crucial, challenging task of checking the growing influence and maintaining the balance between, two key factions under the leadership of Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren and Director of Security Egil Viggoaries. Things being the way they were, however, the full extent of Qarzten Caimund’s specific duties had never been fully specified, leaving room for Sovereign’s future addendums in the Rules’ Book.

07- QARZTEN CAMUND (4)B -jp

Qarzten Caimund’s discerning mind nevertheless anticipating Zakhertan Yozdek’s future aspirations, had started, as early as when he held the position of Censor, the enormous task of compiling all (grievous offences and) damaging evidence against the two chief factional leaders, for their eventual, lawful incarceration and deposal. The result of Qarzten Caimund’s continuous, meticulous investigations of Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren’s illicit dealings, been the compiled stacks and stacks of documents, all, linking the PM to a multitude of crimes: everything from kidnapping, torture, bribery, extortion and even murder. Lamont Gudaren reeked of corruption to the very marrow, a typical representative of everything Qarzten detested in a man; furthermore, the amassed evidence could be deemed sufficient to expediently have His Excellency (PM) and his affiliates tried in the High Court and promptly executed.

Qarzten knew that the new Prime Minister had already, secretly been picked out by Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek, who was waiting for precise time to inform the candidate of his promotion. Qarzten Caimund wanted nothing more than to promptly rid the country of this parasite, this carrion crow Lamont Gudaren but he had patiently postponed informing His Highness of his latest findings, pending (awaiting) the final piece of evidence to, at right opportunity, simultaneously present both airtight cases, against PM Lamont Gudaren and Chief of Internal Security Egil Viggoaries, in one comprehensive report.     

Strangely enough, both culprits’ lives were intertwined in many ways. The hindrance  (impediment) unfortunately, had risen from Egil Viggoaries’s sector and, despite all Qarzten Caimund’s intense efforts, he had not made as good a progress as he had hoped, this warranting the last minute, slight rescheduling. But once armed with the expected proof

Qarzten would then, petition (and strongly urge) Zakhertan Yozdek not to delay the inevitable. Furthermore, if managed properly, the situation could be brought to swift satisfactory conclusion, without involving the Sovereign's Elite Guard or kindle any new civil unrest. Delay would portend only more ills.

 

(END OF SECTION 12)

 

 

                                                                                                       ~

 

11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 3

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 3

 

“Was that it? Was that the end of it?”  Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek placed the last of the reports onto the stack and leaned back to stretch out his limbs. A slight nod brought his ever vigilant and trusted aide Neru forward at once to pick up the key and the stack that Zakhertan had set aside on his desk. Neru then took the documents to a large metal vault where they were locked up for future reference. The key was returned to His Highness to join the others dangling from the Sovereign's belt. 

The second stack by far the larger contained the reports that were deemed to be trivial, uninteresting, or expendable and it was on these that Neru next set to work, tearing them into fine bits and then feeding them to the flames within a large brazier, specifically designed to reduce any remnant to cinders.  

01-NERU

Each night’s routine was the same; at an unspecified hour Zakhertan Yozdek, pending no unforeseen crisis or upset, would set aside some time to peruse all the crucial documents submitted by The Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren, other officials, as well as the reports from Internal Security. Through his special branch of moles, Zakhertan had continually kept apace of the activities of his Ministers, Provincial Governors, Generals as well as his own personal retinue and family, within his realm. No one eluded, evaded, shunned, averted, or circumvented his scrutiny, not even hermits, or the recluse of scholars, such as Fradel Rurik Korvald. 

Zakhertan Yozdek had always lived by two unassailable adages: one was to be vigilant in concealing least sign of weakness from all; the second was to never rely on or place absolute confidence in anything or anyone. A measure of confidence could be shown outwardly but never acted on or believed inwardly. 

History was riddled with examples of Sovereigns ruined through treachery by the, oftentimes a most trusted vassals; Zakhertan Yozdek therefore had always endorsed the principle (criterion) that to persevere, no minister, priest, general or Prince of the realm should ever exceed, in the open or in secret, in any one of the areas of power, influence, acumen, awe and reverence, held in the person of the Sovereign.   

The two stacks swiftly dealt with, Zakhertan presently turned his attention to the third bundle and picked up the top envelope, broke open the seal, removed the document within, and read it carefully.  These detailed accounts were submitted by an indomitable, invisible Shadow Brigade (division of Black Band Guard Regiment), whose sole purpose was to monitor the Censors, informants and spies themselves. This dual system of surveillance had served Zakhertan Yozdek well thus far; hence, he had kept close tabs on all within his kingdom, and yet at the same time was afforded a measure of truth sufficient to appease his suspicious nature. As it were, the only cliques Zakhertan had allowed to exist in his dominion were those that he easily manipulated; and periodically, he did enjoy at being their puppeteer and making them do his bidding. 

Moreover, far from employing only the most servile of vassals, the civil and military courts had been staffed with men, all as ruthless as wolves or tigers and more cunning than vipers and foxes. These specially picked individuals acted like vultures, doing very much more than their duty prescribed, yet nevertheless they were very much cowed and succumbed to Zakhertan 's every whim. This effect had been achieved through incessant pressure, unrelenting fear, and artful manipulation; actually, he respected those most that had been the hardest to break. Individuals that posed the greatest menace were the ones he kept at closest proximity; constantly monitored, for any nuance (hint) of seditious activity; they were in the truest sense of the word, only a hairsbreadth away from the executioner's blade. Their already perilous existence was moreover tested by periodic rumors that accused one or the other of subversion against Sovereign or The Wenjenkun Nation. This was not done merely to keep them toeing the line or to incessantly feed Zakhertan’s rapacious sadistic nature but to accurately gauge the rest’s true disposition towards that individual or perceived incidence (occurrence). 

Unfortunately, too seldom for Zakhertan’s liking, one would advance an idea or theory he knew it to be unsound; akin to a beast toying with its prey before the killing stroke, Zakhertan would then pretend to be taken in, merely to see how far the dupe would go; he would subsequently, delight in making veritable mincemeat of the fool.   

Conversely, every so often he would refute a valid suggestion by, one of his generals, courtiers or other and, advance plausible yet purposefully flawed viewpoints. As these events occurred between long bouts of predictable stability, Sovereign Zakhertan was able to appear even to his liegemen, as elusive and cryptic. 

02-ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK  (40) JP

Two decades now, he had maintained his unbounded, omnipotent rule; his subjects (firmly) believing that all under Heaven was his personal domain (including nations that were under his suzerainty) and that, all his decrees and proclamations were the mandates of Gods.  

After all this time, could he finally relax his vigilance? Could he dare be complacent? He absolutely could not; must not, not for a single moment. Zakhertan through clenched teeth quickly answered his inner query; his tight fist eased as anger slowly, gradually ebbed. Yes, he had maintained his iron hold on the realm (kingdom) thus far but in the deep recesses of his heart Zakhertan had of course known, the futility of it all.  

A Sovereign may subjugate most of his subjects with impunity, govern his vassal's bodies and outward acts, and even sway or manipulate their minds to some degree but there would always be one who would prove to be an exception to the rule who could slip through the controlling net, or escape it entirely.  There would emerge some renegade, a folk hero or martyr who would stoke the smoldering ashes of dissent into a spark that would ignite the searing flames that would scorch the whole Kingdom bare. If that is, he was not snuffed out, right at the start.  

Zakhertan inclined his head to stare absently out the window at the artificially illuminated garden, layer upon exquisite layer of floral beauty; his mind perfectly composed, his face wearing an emotionless mask of serenity. Misleadingly, he inwardly was in fact, taking meticulous stock of his most recent and severest measures, which as a rule incorporated further stringent laws and their equally brutal punishments, to determine if they would suffice to rout-out or curb the latest, anticipated, impending trouble.  

Moreover, the ’Divide and conquer’ strategy had consistently proven to be a most effective policy. His thoughts veered (turned) to past recourse that warranted akin to action. He may employ it again: First, his subjects were led to believe that he, Zakhertan Yozdek, was (ostensibly) by far the most generous Sovereign, rewarding meretricious acts as handsomely as he was severe in his punishments. But then, Zakhertan mischievously grimaced, reflecting quietly on how, every now and then, he unexpectedly rewarded an individual or an official or two for no apparent reason, to sow discord, disconcert or perturb others.  

Eventually the targeted individuals became estranged from their friends, colleagues, and family. Thoroughly demoralized and seeking only to safeguard their own hide, the seeds of treachery would easily then be planted in them, to be harvested in future. Zakhertan by manipulating the most basic emotions of insecurity and mistrust, of any individual or a group, albeit powerful and influential, those pegged troublemakers were then, easily and without fail got purged (eradicated). 

In his youth Zakhertan Yozdek had avidly studied history and learned from its mistakes; subsequently, as a monarch, he had never failed to utilize timely measures and inject acute fear into the hearts and minds of all likely (budding) dissenters, way before trouble manifested. Through artful manipulation he had also fostered the belief in his subjects that he, their omnipotent Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek, was all seeing, all hearing. That nothing, however trivial or inconsequential, escaped his attention. One of the means with which Zakhertan had achieved this end was, by engaging Censors, which conducted semiannual tours of the countryside. The sole purpose of these mobile forces was to check on the performance of the Provincial and Military Governors and Magistrates, and Tribunes. Demotions, promotions, rewards, and reprisals were all dependent on the outcome of 

Censors’ report. Of course, the concept of Censorate had been created during the reign of 

Sovereign Zuronghan Therran Valamir. This Censorate predecessor was vastly different from Zakhertan’s incarnation however, for one thing the Censors of old Dynasty were appointed from the ranks of the Nobility, Military, Bureaucracy, or Intelligentsia equally. The sole purpose of the Censorate had been to keep all officials, high and low, under strict surveillance and report any wrongdoing or illicit activity to their Liege and in this capacity, Censors were empowered to criticize, if needs be, even the Sovereign. Although they had little direct political power, they were not constrained to divulge their sources of information even to the highest authority and, for their fifteen-year term, they were immune to criticism or punishment for their actions. The granting of these liberties, as well as their proximity to the ear of the ruler, had left ample room for corruption, and these posts invariably had left their holders wealthy and influential beyond measure. The deficiencies of this system were never given the chance to correct themselves before the overthrow of Sovereign Zuronghan Therran Valamir, and it was Zakhertan who took this branch of the bureaucracy and reshaped it into its present form. In the revised version, Censorate officials were now appointed solely by Zakhertan  Yozdek for seven year terms and, unlike their forerunners, they could be indicted, subjected to interrogation, including torture and, if found guilty, they and their families would be punished twice as harshly as anyone in a normal position.  

More importantly, they were prohibited from ever criticizing present Sovereign  

Zakhertan’s policies; memorials of this kind having been prohibited ever since Zakhertan Yozdek had assumed (usurped) the throne. On demand Censors were expected to produce their evidence, sources and all pertinent information to the Sovereign's special staff who would, in turn, present it for Zakhertan Yozdek’s final analysis and judgment. Meanwhile, the identities of these officials were kept a closely guarded secret, known only to the Emperor, the Shadow Brigade and one other, Senior Grand Secretary Qarzten Caimund. Each Censor was identified on the special documents only by a serial number which was assigned upon their appointment to the position. If they were ever exposed, they could expect no leniency; they would be summarily dismissed, and therefore subject to the reprisals of their victims, banished to a remote province, or summarily executed for violating the first duty of their office. Within the Censorate itself the officials would be moved about at randomly set intervals so that they could never grow complacent, relax their vigilance, acquire a sphere of influence, or establish cliques as had been the norm in the past. 

Of course, Zakhertan could not take full credit for these measures. “Let’s give some credit where credit is due,” Zakhertan throwing a furtive glance at Qarzten Caimund, who was seated at the far desk his head down overseeing some matters Zakhertan had allocated to him, donned a sinister smile. Indeed, some of it had been adapted from Qarzten's excellent proposals. 

Returning his gaze back to the garden, Zakhertan mused on another concern:   

Back then, when he had revised the legal statutes, he had assumed that he had left no room for those skillful manipulators of the letter of the law to contravene in it.   

He had the statutes so clearly worded and exactly defined that there had been nothing left in doubt; furthermore, he had been explicit, that all would be offenders, without fail, would be most rigorously prosecuted. Obviously even the best effort had its failing.  

Zakhertan shrugged, relieving the frustrations of those bygone days. Sure enough, it had looked good (sound) as written principles on the statute books, yet it had not been as effective, especially in the outlying areas, when constrained by the incredible number of legal restrictions, deception and corruption, turning it into new criterion (hallmark) and instigating dangerous discord (strife) between the different levels of Government.  Having learned to act swiftly and embrace change, Zakhertan had amended the laws in good enough time, eliminating these dangerous practices before they became the norm.  

“Pigs and fishes; one and all” Zakhertan inwardly jeered with utter disdain. In fact, a large part of his time had been taken up with constant monitoring of the usage of his laws within the Empire. 

“Virtue… Bah,” Zakhertan again inwardly scoffed. “Talk about an overrated, foolish concept.”   

 Back in the early days, the situation had been such that anyone uttering that word “virtue,” would have been scorned, accused of shirking his duty and then duly punished. Zakhertan Yozdek had always clung to the truth inherent in the ancient saying, "The man of inferior virtue clings to virtue and so has no virtue."   

It could be said that Qarzten Caimund had never practiced virtue. Zakhertan thoughtfully reflected as his eye caught a bird in the garden, wrestling an insect out of a tree trunk. Yet, Zakhertan had long suspected that Qarzten was the most virtuous of men. Or was that only another facade of his?  

03-QARZTEN CAMUND (5)

Zakhertan turned his stealth, suspicious gaze back onto Qarzten Caimund, studying him with penetrating eyes until a cold smile brushed his lips and he dismissed these speculations peremptorily. 

Zakhertan reached for a blank sheet of parchment, picked up his brush, and loaded it with the ink that Neru had prepared earlier and began to write. Once the first set of orders had been quickly dispensed, Zakhertan applied his crimson seal to the bottom, folded it into three, and wrote its destination on the back then sealed it with, wax from a purple taper and the impression of his signet ring. Before the molten wax around the ring could set, his mind had returned to the past. Once the amendments to the laws had been put in place and rigorously enforced, he had gotten the situation under control, except for, in the furthest regions of the Kingdom.   

Wellnigh unchecked, the situation there (in such a short span) had grown extremely volatile and at the most inopportune of times as well. The bulk of Zakhertan’s militia had been engaged in a difficult and demanding campaign in Korion and the remainder of his forces had been reserved for the police actions against the northern nomads, to end their persistent incursions into Wenjenkun's territory.  

Zakhertan Yozdek had been strapped, caught short handed hence, in effectively bringing a swift resolution to this far region. What he had needed at that time, short of another army appearing from thin air, an able vassal, one most ruthless and cunning, who could conduct this challenging task with the minimum of arms and workforce. That man appeared in the person of Qarzten Caimund, who had been an unknown minor official until then.  

“Oh, but you were a sly one right from the start, Qarzten Caimund,” Zakhertan mused. 

 “Imagine getting none other than Egil Viggoaries to recommend you for service when in fact you were the proponent of Prime Minister Lamont Gudaren the whole time.”  This very fact had intrigued Zakhertan Yozdek right from the start and had won Qarzten Caimund the certain singular distinction he rightly deserved.  

During the entire interview Qarzten Caimund had admirably withstood the grueling mental tightrope and impressed by Qarzten's astute rationalism, his vast knowledge of the legal statutes, his courage, wit, and martial ability among a multitude of other talents, Zakhertan Yozdek had allowed himself to overlook those minor flaws, the prejudices, and biases barely discernible in Qarzten’s character, and had appointed (assigned) him to the unenviable post.  

Rising the challenge to complete the subjugation of the north in a set time upon peril of his life, Qarzten had requisitioned and received Zakhertan Yozdek’s approval for a free hand in rectifying the situation. Qarzten Caimund’s subsequent, steady progress had read like a textbook case, but what had really interested Zakhertan Yozdek, was the ingenious, though unorthodox measures the new commander had taken. While appearing lenient, Qarzten had been, from the very beginning, selectively ruthless. As good as his word, he had laid stress on severe implementation of the full rigors of the law, even to the Royal relations who had grown too overbearing and daring away from the prying eyes of Zakhertan. Given free reign

Qarzten had killed men summarily, tortured suspects until they confessed or died and practiced other most effective measures to spell out his message to one and all.  He had personally cut off quite a few of the heads of convicted officials and had made mincemeat of several (not a few) formerly lofty citizens.  

In a noticeably short spell, Qarzten Caimund had brought all within his authority(jurisdiction) under his absolute control. Once law and order were restored, he moved on to the next region and then the next; his reputation preceded him until all areas were pacified. Qarzten Caimund’s savage reputation for adapting bold, ruthless tactics, had naturally won him Zakhertan's favor, especially since every step, every victory, was secured well within the established time. 

04-QARZTEN CAMUND (16)

Of course, there had been copious amount of (flood of) litigations and hundreds of indictments from these regions, which had to be passed over to the Chief Justice due to their importance and, despite the increased amount of nightmarish paperwork that had to wind its way through the sluggish bureaucracy.  Zakhertan had taken no action against Qarzten; in fact, been secretly pleased deeming these as proof, of his appointed vassal’s competency. Fortunately for Zakhertan, Qarzten’s beloved wife Bren had died just then from a bizarre accident leaving Qarzten free to marry. As it was Zakhertan’s way, after the appropriate time for the mourning had passed, Zakhertan’d proposed, more like dictating a propitious marriage between Zakhertan’s distant relative’s (cousin’s) beautiful second daughter Kelda and Qarzten Caimund.

 Qarzten Caimund, competent as he had been in everything that mattered; he had never been, fortunate in matters of love, family, or marriage. To date, a well-kept secret, especially from Zakhertan, this arrangement unfortunately had been a loveless marriage from the start, as Kelda had already been secretly betrothed to a young warrior Adrian Kenzor, whom she had been infatuated with since childhood.   

In fact, Kelda’d been secretly impregnated by Adrian at the time her family forced this marriage with Qarzten Caimund on her. Qarzten was of course no fool and had quickly found out about this; nevertheless, taking pity on her had kept his silence and when a healthy, infant son (named Stokner Tchort Caimund) was born, he had pretended that he (Qarzten) was the natural father. This happenstance had suited Qarzten Caimund well; for in childhood Qarzten had had a terrible accident that had destroyed any chance of him to ever propagate (reproduce, breed) later in adult life. This had been a closely guarded secret that no one, not even Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek, knew at that time. 

When a son, Stokner Tchort Caimund, was born to him, Qarzten playing the part of a dutiful father had provided the boy, with every available means of education; however, from earlier on, he had been disappointed about the boy’s aptitude and innate character. Not liking what he saw, he gradually distanced himself from his son Stokner and quickly packed off his estranged wife Keida and son Stokner to a distant province where Qarzten Caimund had a vast estate.

05 - QARZTEN'S UNFILIAL WIFE KELDA AND HER LOVER ADRIAN KENZOR -JP (78)

 

Alas, when Qarzten Caimund’s learned that his wife had secretly renewed her old liaison (relationship) with Adrian Kenzor, enraged Qarzten had Kelda, Adrian Kenzor and anyone who knew of this, at various times of course, murdered. Five perished because of a terrible accident; three swiftly passed away from ingesting poison while few others expired from a fatal illness. Only his son Stokner’s life was spared. Meanwhile Qarzten Caimund playing the role of a mournful (grieving) twice widowed, unlucky in love official, vowed never to remarry and from then on gave his undivided attention instead, to state matters and, to his official duties in Capital that had markedly increased by then.  

Sovereing Zakhertan Yozdek’s focus (concentration) at the time had been totally taken (preoccupied) by the difficult governance of Wenjenkun and the renewed foreign aggression; as a result, he relied heavily on Qarzten’s brilliance and ruthless efficiency and to date, he had not been disappointed. Unfortunately, at the right time Qarzten Caimund had created so much enmity, especially among the prominent nobility that thirty-five grievous slanders grew around him, though to no avail. Naturally, having foreseen this outgrowth of his work, Qarzten Caimund had kept meticulous records and had not shared any of the vices that had caused the downfall of so many of his predecessors. Though Qarzten was a person of diverse interests, he had neither any real attachment nor damaging aversions; he had no sexual perversions, took no bribes, did not drink to excess, and curbed any ambition or greed, through cerebral forte (strong suit) and a healthy caution. To date Qarzten Caimund had upheld a modest lifestyle and kept a Spartan house in Capital. While he could be the most unassuming of pacifists, one could also meet with dire woe should one incur his anger or cross his wishes. Zakhertan understood Qarzten held long grudges and was intolerant of stupidity that misrepresented itself.  

It often amused Zakhertan to observe the way Qarzten struck back with such pernicious (spiteful) precision, at the foe that dared to cross or encumber him.  Caught off guard, the adversary invariably succumbed to whatever weapon was chosen: the deadly strike of the sword, or a severe tongue-lashing from Qarzten Caimund. Yet, overall Qarzten advocated peace and perseverance; it could even be said he was deeply religious. He detested liars, yet when and where warranted he was not above acting the hypocrite to get the more vital job done.  Yes, by employing his many unconventional methods Qarzten had, within that specific time, checked all crime and restored the complete rule of law and order to the far (rebellious) regions. In other words, Qarzten Caimund succeeded where others had failed miserably. Impressed by these results, his unrelenting zeal, boundless energy, no-nonsense attitude, and impartiality where it counted most, Zakhertan had steadily promoted Qarzten Caimund in a brief three years' time to the position of Chief Justice to Military Tribune of the Capital Region then to the exalted posting as Senior Grand Secretary.  No other Civil Minister could boast of such a feat. What was more, his unmarred efficiency and impeccable record to date had given Zakhertan absolutely no cause for complaint.  Still, even though Zakhertan Yozdek relied on Qarzten a great deal more than the others, the truth was that Qarzten Caimund’s position was neither more nor less precarious than any of the others.  

                                                                              …..  

 

 

(END OF SECTION 3)