LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE ASSASSINS - SECTION 14
After quenching his thirst with a cup of tea, Asger, resumed in somber tone, his recounting of the past, historical events:
“As the invincible army
commanded by Grand Marshal Gustav Erling
poised (encamped, waited) at the border, the newly arrived military
Tribune, crossed into our territory, and
gaining an audience with my Lord father, read aloud the degree from the usurper
Zakhertan Yozdek, a complete amnesty for my father, allowing him to retain his
title, lands and forces as long as he declared fealty to the new regime and
relinquished custody of the Prince and all the other royal members, including
my mother and me, to them. Word had
already reached us by then, that the rest of the country had, without
exception, been subjugated under Zakhertan
Yozdek's rule and that we, alone, stood in resistance.
“Father (Lord Wutenzar
Thuxur Marrog Zhon), spitting on the ground before the envoy, reviled the
usurper Emperor Zakhertan Yozdek to his
face and, shaking his armored fist in the air, vowed to fight to the bitter end. Behind him our army cheered loudly, and I
could see the Tribune shiver in his boots.”
"Our subsequent struggle lasted half a year as the opposing sides clashed in several savage battles. Greatly outnumbered, our forces were unfortunately at some point dislodged from Nanku Pass in an assault that also lost Gustav Erling three divisions; after a month, we were driven back to within the confines of the city walls. There, at Chenko, we continued to fight unrelentingly, only too conscious of our restrictive circumstances. Food and ordinance, to say nothing of manpower, were being dangerously depleted. Then Grand Marshall Gustav Erling, having received reinforcements from the Capital, divided his army and laid a vigorous onslaught (offensive, blitz) on the city (Chenko) from all sides.”
"During this final
confrontation Prince Shon was mortally wounded by a sniper's poisoned arrow
fired from the enemy ranks. Knowing that
the end was near and that the situation was hopeless, His Highness called me to
his side. There I knelt beside his
deathbed as the prince, his breathing violent and parched, asked me to take his
only son, Nevetsecnuac, to safety so that he and I may one day return and
avenge the deaths of the Royal family.
'We are beyond salvation', His Highness sobbed, 'but let hope flourish
elsewhere so that the crimes of Zakhertan
Yozdek against our family and nation will not go unpunished!' My heart aflame, I swore that day to make
this vengeance happen.”
"That night I bid my
farewells to my beloved family and, with sixty able bodied, loyal guards and
you, Prince Nevetsecnuac, in my arms, went through the secret tunnel to the
camp outside the walls. Securing additional
mounts from the adversary, we vaulted into the saddles and fought our way out
of the encirclement to safety. Each of
us was hand-picked to be a match for a hundred of the enemy and they were
powerless to stop us. Our war bellows
(cries, roars) rent-open the sky and struck terror into their hearts.”
“Five days after our escape, Chenko fell, and the defenders were slaughtered to a man. The city was brutally destroyed, and the fires raged for two months until all was looted, burned or razed to dust.”
Except for one, my
infant son Ivar Marrog Zhon, Stark
fell silent, as stab of pain constricted his heart and soul anew, grieving
silently as always, for his son’s ensuing fate.
It would have been better had he died, but no, Zakhertan Yozdek’s barbarism, his ruthlessness knows no
bounds. None is safe from his malice,
his spiteful vindictiveness, certainly not an innocent child. But this too,
Asger kept to himself. Then after
inhaling a few puffs from his pipe, he continued (resumed) in an even tone,
pushing aside this unbidden, unwelcome ache from his mind and heart.
"Grand Marshall
Gustav Erling, leaving a major part of the army under the command of his able
subordinate, Lir Yussaf, with instructions to effect the final obliteration of
the Zhon family stronghold, marched southwards with eight regiments to join up
with our pursuers. After fighting
several pitched battles with them, we succeeded in crossing the border. By then our numbers had been reduced to
thirty-eight, while the enemy, despite the heavy casualties we had inflicted on
them, still numbered in the thousands.
The massive size of their force lost them the maneuverability they
needed to pursue us through the narrow, treacherous mountain shortcuts. Since there existed several such trails, some
converging while others came to a dead end, and we’d laid false tracks on many
to confuse the enemy, we were able to ambush and overcome with ease all the
scouts sent to trail us.”
“A subsequent two-day
brilliant tactical feat won us a decisive victory over a key obstacle, a
strategic pass guarded by none other than the notorious Garrison Commander
Mulnar. Armed now with fresh mounts and
much needed supplies we proceeded (advanced) in due haste towards the Jerken
River, a natural barrier that marked the border of the next province. Unfortunately, the massive bridge which
provided safe passage over the dangerous rapids at this juncture lay in ruins.
Our circumstance was now dire (ominous), for in a few days’ time Gustav
Erling's forces would be upon us, meanwhile, we were stranded without any means
of crossing to the other side. Even if
we felled trees and worked diligently through the night to construct a raft, we
still lacked the skill needed to master the fast-flowing waters and treacherous
rocks of this high-country river. The
closest crossing to us lay near a major provincial town where we could expect
staunch opposition. As we vacillated, considering our options, three seemingly
harmless fishermen emerged from the rushes and offered to ferry us across. When they learned just who we were, however,
they abandoned their sinister plan of robbing us in mid-stream and, with full
cooperation, delivered both our small force and the horses across the river to
safety just as Gustav Erling reached the opposite bank, a full two days ahead
of where we had expected him to be.
Fearless of Gustav Erling's repercussions, these braves, brigand
fishermen remained in sight of his forces, taunting them from the opposite
bank. With earth-shaking fury Grand
Marshall Gustav Erling cursed and beat his officers, rushing them to make
repairs to the bridge.”
 |
| 03-GRAND MARSHAL GUSTAV ERLING |
"For the next five days our path skirted several hills, eventually leading us to higher, more precipitous ground where, taking refuge on a densely forested hilltop, we pitched camp and posted sentries. The night sky was engulfed by heavy, burdened clouds that mantled the earth in darkness. The blazing campfires below, however, allowed us to pinpoint the size and the position of our enemy, or so we thought. During the night, while keeping more campfires lit than necessary, Gustav Erling, at the head of thirty-five crack contingents, had secretly rode off towards Kensu Pass to enlist the aid of that outpost's commander.”
"The following day's
downpour, which started at dawn and lasted all day, hindered our advance but,
unaware that we were galloping straight into the heart of danger, we
relentlessly pushed on ahead, riding ceaselessly all day and resting only for a
few hours at night. We were aiming to
widen the gap between us and our pursuers and reach Kensu Pass first.”
“When, finally, we neared
it at dusk, I gave orders for the torches to be lit. Ironically, after observing the surrounding
topography, I had just finished commenting how, with only a few good men, this
place could be set up as a prime ambush for Gustav Erling's army when,
suddenly, the thunder of war drums filled the air around us and the sky was
ignited into one gigantic sunburst by countless fire arrows showering down on
our heads. Hastily, I ordered the
retreat, but it was already too late. A
battalion of infantry poured down from the slopes ahead and another group
rushed up the gully from our right to block the way. Rather than dividing our meager forces at
this vulnerable spot, I ordered a charge to our left, where we could gain some
high ground and mount a more effective resistance. “
“Just then however,
another troop of cavalry charged forward from behind the knoll and blocked this
avenue as well. A mass of dancing
torches in the south revealed the arrival of Gustav Erling's main force,
eliminating any hope of withdrawal.
Completely hemmed in, our situation most grave, we stood our ground to
fight. Our forward line clashed, amid
wild shouts, with theirs in a savage, bitter battle. Our men ploughed fearlessly into the enemy
ranks, wielding their weapons with lethal effect, they began to carve a way out
through a wall of living men. Corpses piled high around us, littering the
ground along which the blood flowed in rivers.
Yet, after an all-night pitched battle, we could still not break their
thick encirclement.”
"Then at dawn,
another downpour drenched us to the skin; the curtain (wall) of water was so
dense that it obscured all vision.
Taking advantage of this, my remaining
men grouped around me in a protective phalanx and fought with
magnificent valor to tear throughout the enemy's ranks. Sowing confusion and bloody mayhem, they
provided me and my two officers the means to get away, and then they closed
ranks behind us to fight on, as if we were still with them."
Asger paused to puff on his pipe his urgent tears held back, as his heart in a knot (constricted), simply ached. Fighting images of his men's faces, shouting bravely as they died, pained his soul, casting his thoughts into a dark, bloody abyss.
Nevetsecnuac, with vivid, haunting
pictures of war parading before his mind's eye, shared with Asger the feelings
of exhilaration and pain. The urge for
battle had fired up the warrior's blood now coursing through his veins and the
fierce, bone-chilling cries of the battlefield filled his ears.
"Yes, only the four
of us: you Nevetsecnuac, I, Zeru and Uffen were able to escape that
pass.", Asger's voice startled Nevetsecnuac from his trance. "Tracking along that bloody path, we
pushed on up the mountain slope in that blinding, driving rain. A voice shouted behind us, 'On pain of death,
do not let Lord Asger escape!', and a volley of arrows assailed us from the
rear. Suddenly another unit of cavalry
cut in from our side to block our way.
Zeru and Uffen wheeled their mounts in either direction as they urged me
to get away. With deep sadness in my
heart, for I was constrained by my promise to the late Prince Shon, I checked
my urge to remain with these brave men and fight to the bitter end. Though my senses shouted out of impending
danger, the possibility of yet another ambush up ahead, I had little choice but
to ride in the only direction that remained open to me.”
“As I rounded the outcrop,
a final contingent, led by Marshal Gustav Erling himself, surged out of hiding
to obstruct my way.”
“‘And where do you think you're going?’ Marshall Gustav Erling mocked. ‘Surrender the child at once and I may be lenient. If not, prepare to die a horrible death!’ he snarled at me. I roared back in defiance, cursing him and his ancestors to rot in Hell then dared him to face me alone in a single combat. I remember the monstrous laugh he responded with, and his words, 'Look how the lamb dares to fight the lion! Death is staring you in the face, and you don't even know it!' Charging towards me on his steed in a blind fury, he ordered his men to stay put. They stayed behind dutifully, fidgeting on their mounts, aching to follow him in for the kill.”
"I barely had time to
secure you to my back and spur my mount before our weapons clashed. We fought at least thirty rounds, with
neither of us able to best the other.
His fame was well earned, for he was truly a most competent foe,
unequaled in martial skill. This,
coupled with his superb cunning in
tactical warfare made him virtually invincible.
Despite all my best efforts, I could barely keep him at bay. In truth, I felt myself beginning to falter, but my concern over the infant
Prince, you, fueled my resolve and would not allow me to fail. Perhaps it was out of respect for my own
skill that Marshall Gustav Erling then began to sway me with words towards
surrendering. At the climax of the
fighting, I feigned weakness. Expecting
me to yield or beg for mercy, Gustav Erling relaxed his vigil for a
second. Instead, I wheeled my horse
around and charged at full gallop through the cordon of men around us at their
weakest point.”
"To this day I don't
know whether or not this was purposefully done by Gustav Erling, for the trail
I was forced to ride led nowhere. At one
point I was forced by the narrowness of the path to abandon my horse and ascend
on foot to the summit, you in my arms, followed by a snaking trail of foes,
headed by Grand Marshall Gustav Erling, his double swords flashing like fangs
in the serpent's mouth. This was the
final trap he had set for me, on this high mountain at the corner of three
provinces. Arrows whistled past me from
behind. By grace of Heaven and darkness
I escaped their aim with but a slightly grazed shoulder and cheek.”
"Fighting still, and dodging arrows, when I reached the summit, it was dawn once more and the provinces below were bathed in light. During the continuous close combat with Marshall, when one such arrow, missing me, found its mark in Marshall Gustav Erling’s left arm, from then on at least, the elite marksmen did not dare discharge any more arrows, and abandoned entirely any subsequent notion of using poisoned ones. There I combated Gustav Erling until I lost my arm. Unable to fight and hold on to the child, I was caught in a bind. It was there and then that I resolved to hurl both myself and you over the sheer cliff rather than let you be taken alive. With you still clutched to my chest, after countless minutes of airborne flight with arrows whizzing by after us, we landed in the frigid waters of the river and were finally able to get away."
"How fortunate that
you escaped that calamity,” Nevetsecnuac exclaimed in amazement.
"Fortune had nothing
to do with it! It was due to the
sacrifice of those sixty valiant men and later still, Lord Shonne Gulbrand's
invaluable aid that we were able to get away to safety.”
“If not for all
that", Asger shook his head, "I shudder to think of the fate that
would have befallen you, my Prince."
“Do you know what became
of the Marshall?” Nevetsecnuac asked.
Asger simply nodded. Long
after the rescue, mindful of Zakhertan
Yozdek's intolerance of failure, Asger had made an atypical inquiry from
his trusted contacts regarding the final disposition of Marshall Gustav Erling.
“Over the years I came to
know of a certain, unconfirmed report, and again I emphasize the fact that it
may only be hearsay at best.” Asger stressed, before continuing, “That Gustav
Erling returned to the capital bearing the heads of Prince Shon and my father
Lord Wutenzar Thuxur Marrog Zhon along with their families, and reported as
well, his failure to capture Prince Nevetsecnuac and myself. Despite this
partial victory, he was nevertheless accused of incompetence and both he and
his family were sentenced (condemned) to death. Then again,” Asger pondered out
loud. “I doubt this account was entirely true, for it had been long rumored
that the beautiful wife of Marshal Gustav Erling, Lady Lingrace, had an unusual
attraction for Zakhertan Yozdek and the
two had supposedly an illicit... Ah, but
that's another matter."
Asger abruptly ended it,
with a cold bemused smile.
Just then the cock's crow
announced the arrival of the new day. As Teuquob woke up also at sunrise, she
was asked to forgo the chores for the time being and be seated. She was then
introduced to her husband in his identity as Prince Nevetsecnuac Therran Valamir
and similarly was asked to succinctly divulge her long kept secret about her
own Royal heritage and the true facts that precipitated her escape from the
Palace and then Kontu. Then, over hot a breakfast, Teuquob was enlightened in a
summary of the previous night's exchange, the relevant historical events of
Wenjenkun and the key circumstances that had (led) forced Asger and
Nevetsecnuac to this mountain sanctuary.
(END OF SECTION 14)
