LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 18

Hugen and Uyuk knew full well that the contingent from Wenjenkun was headed straight into an ambush from Hell. All without exception would perish before they reached their postings; meanwhile the assault would be carried out in such a way that the blame for this grievous massacre would be unequivocally pinned on Kontu, and the inevitable conflict between the two giants would be drawn ever closer.  A prolonged war with Kontu would provide Korion then with just the means they needed; for both Wenjenkun and Kontu were equally matched in manpower and leadership, and the ensuing decade’s long war would invariably exhaust the massive resources and manpower of both antagonists. 

01- FIGHTING SCENE

Korion in the interim could play both sides to its own advantage, ultimately strengthening its own (standing) position. Their nation all this time of course would seemingly maintain its alliance with Wenjenkun right up to the precise strategic time when they would opportunely switch and form a partnership with Kontu to the inevitable detriment of the Wenjenkun nation.  This had been the alternate long-term strategy that was dependent on the anticipated failure of the assassination attempt.  Fortunately, certain configurations were still intact.  Thanks to the Crown Prince Herleif, besides his numerous other failings, was an incompetent, utter fool; so detested was he that neither the nobility nor the common citizens would ever rally to his cause if it were warranted. 

Sovereign Yoshikan (Sousing Nokuzuk Binchan) had also determined for some time now, that this seemingly strong Wenjenkun Empire was, in recent years, had gradually begun to rot at its very core.  At the highly anticipated moment of Zakhertan’s future demise (termination), the internal strife fueled in part by Korion's own gentry would tear Wenjenkun apart from region to region, while, powerful factions poised at its wings, would at once pounce to (carve up) siphon the existing, residual power of the government.

 "His Excellency Tuvering Bokurek has higher ambitions." Hugen nodded simply just then, absently sounding his inner thoughts.  "His main objective, as payback for our years of humiliation, is to effect more lasting devastation on them than mere vengeance."

02- MINISTER TUVERING BOKUREK -JP

Hugen after exhaling deeply was about to continue when he, suddenly stiffened.  “There it was again!  No mistaking it this time!”   His keen senses had picked up the slightest, most minute stirring.

Uyuk, lost in deep contemplation, detected the sudden tenseness in the other and looked up sharply.  Drawing close, he was about to inquire as to what was wrong when Hugen's pointed look (mordant, acerbic look) at once stilled Uyuk’s tongue.  He inclined his head slightly to, discretely peer at the corner Hugen had indicated with his chin and then nodded in silent understanding.

Hugen lazily stretched his limbs and yawned then grumblingly ejected: "Hey, all this jabbering has worn me out.  What do you say, we call it a night?"

Uyuk let out a pretense yawn also then with a terse nod, consented. "All right, we can always talk more, later.  I must confess; I'm a bit wrung-out myself.  Let us get some shut eye in preparation for the arduous ride still ahead of us tomorrow."

The two men exchanged one more rapid, meaningful glance and then quickly set up their bedding in the respective spots. The candle was snuffed out and both Hugen and Uyuk retired to sleep with their backs to the far corner. Before long heavy breathing and the occasional snore emanated from Hugen and Uyuk’s forms, an indication that they had both fallen into a deep slumber. Their loud snores reverberated in the air, contesting with the resurging gale winds outside that completely drowned out the creaking of the hidden cellar door in the far corner, as it slowly opened, displacing (pushing aside) the mound of dirt and debris that had been prior heaped onto it. 

Two robust figures clothed completely in black from head to foot, silently crawled out of the opening on all fours, with the gleaming blades clenched between their teeth. Swift as reptilians, they silently crept towards the sleeping figures.  Momentarily about a foot away, they abruptly halted, perhaps startled by the sudden, ominous hooting of the owl; subsequently, rising to their feet with daggers already shifted to their hands, they insidiously resumed their stealthy advance towards the perceived, hapless victims. Murderous intent registering in their eyes, they poised to strike but before they could, Hugen and Uyuk at lightning speeds jumped up from their mats, somersaulted in mid-air and knocked the blades from the assailants’ hands, same time delivered two powerful (potent) kicks that knocked the assassins right off their feet and hurled them against the far wall.  But the two were no ordinary robbers, equally nimble and proficient at fighting; they’d, before hitting the wall, quickly regained their balance and agilely back flipped then struck back. In that split second beforehand, meanwhile, the two powerful strikes had caused the daggers to arch across the room and be permanently embedded in the ceiling beams.

A lightning bolt and then immediately after that the sound of thunder outside, judging by the proximity of it, posed a fresh threat to the combatants; even so, non inside paid any heed to it. A scant time to exchange threats, Hugen and Uyuk had swiftly been paired off to fight their opponent with incredible dexterity and skill. The ensuing desperate, deadly, highly competitive pitched combat lasted longer than Uyuk had anticipated, for both sides were equally matched in strength, stamina, and ability.

 In truth Hugen had been holding back, wishing only to subdue the opponent before the final elimination, to (interrogate) extract information from him. After thirty rounds with no clear advantage however, Hugen’s patience at an end, he fast abandoned the idea of taking a live prisoner. From then on, a marked difference in his fighting style had occurred.  

03- HUGEN (61)jp

Hugen's flawless, quite invincible, lightening intensity fighting technique (his deflecting of each deadly strike from the opponent, then countering it with more lethal force), each strike increasingly more vigorous and deadly accurate, had even impressed Uyuk, who had been fighting alongside him. Uyuk was furthermore amazed, how Hugen moved so simultaneously with his laudable opponent, each time countering every offensive even before it was launched. Despite the differing styles and strikes, there was still no surprising Hugen and soon his attacker began to falter; nearly undone, by his own powerful strikes and blows each time with heightened intensity being reflected to him. Then, sensing a rare opening, in one swift maneuver, a swirl and a blindingly fast kick, Hugen had broken the man's spine.

 The other assassin, seeing his partner so expertly vanquished, parried the next deadly strike from Uyuk then somersaulted high up, intending to crash through the thatched roof to affect his escape.

He had nearly succeeded too, but Uyuk anticipating this, had at once jumped up to simultaneously block and then, balancing precariously on the partially exposed narrow roof beam, continued the fight.   At scant opportune moment when Uyuk had just delivered his deadly kick, breaking his opponent's jaw and neck, the roof beam underfoot unfortunately, had caved in and so the two came crashing down. The dead assailant fell with a thud face down onto the floor of the hut while Uyuk had somersaulted to land gingerly on his one foot then on both feet, (none-the-worse-for-wear) unaffected from the violent tumble.

The last leg of the combat had been fought in pitch darkness (the howling winds continuously whipping everything about), blindly and by sheer instinct; notwithstanding, Hugen had heard the force of Uyuk's blows and had noted the agility with which he had avoided the other's powerful strikes. Presently, though the pelting rain had ceased, the flotilla of clouds remaining, still blanketed the skies and the ground. With the roof now partially gone, when the moon momentarily peeked out from under the dense clouds, Hugen noted in the moonlight, how completely at ease Uyuk was.

“The intensity of combat should have left him, at least somewhat winded.”  In that moment Hugen had understood how he had inordinately underestimated Uyuk's prowess.

But by the time Hugen retrieved the candle and lit it to examine the corpses more closely, Uyuk was back to (playing) his old tricks, acting as though he was spent, exhausted, complaining about his sham aches and pains and phantom bruises.

Hugen disregarding this infuriating charade turned each of the corpses over to examine them; he frowned to see that both had been totally expired.

"What did you expect?" Uyuk's voice was almost gleeful.

"I expected to detect some spark of life, for questioning.” Hugen glared at Uyuk.

“I don’t know what I expected." He then had grumbled, under his breath. As further setback, the subsequent careful examination of both corpses had revealed not a single clue of their identity, affiliation, or nationality. The cellar they had emerged from, contained rations for one month still unused, but again nothing specific in their wrappings or preparation to, reveal any practical (useful, handy) facts or identifiable markings for determining their origin. To the trained eye, however, there were clues to be had, hinted at, not by what was provided, but by what had been left out. Hugen knew how to interpret these signs though he, by design, refrained from disclosing it to Uyuk.

04- UYUK  (4)JP

Under his breath, Uyuk cursed his carelessness. Hugen was right, these two, were no ordinary assassins, he now pondered. All he had to do was hold back just that little bit; but then, why had Hugen not spared his opponent? Yet he was so quick to criticize him! Uyuk nevertheless, checked his ire and kept his tongue, with the stark realization that there might be others in these two's wake, which posed greater angst. The assailants with their incredible prowess had been barely manageable; should their associates (comrades, people), especially if they were from Kozurs or Black Molochs, were ever to show up in greater numbers, the two of them might not be as fortunate in escaping certain catastrophe.

Uyuk and Hugen, while succinctly had pondered on the akin concern, mindful that their key mission was still unfulfilled and therefore, not being at liberty to linger to permanently resolve the situation, both had silently and simultaneously had at once set to work to oversee crucial details before their imminent prompt departure:

Dampness had precluded (excluded) the possibility of setting the whole place on fire. Confiscating some of the assailants’ rations, they dumped the bodies back into the cellar and arranged the top of the trap door as it once had been. The partially exposed roof could not be fixed in time, but to buy time, they removed all other signs of a struggle from the inside of the hut, including the knives buried in the rafters. Rounding up all their belongings next and removing (covering up) any evidence that might lead the would-be pursuers to them, they under cover of darkness rapidly slipped away.

 

                                                                                      ~

 

(END OF SECTION 18)          

  

 

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 16

 "Once Zakhertan Yozdek had ascended the throne, the ensuing years had been the unparalleled goriest eon (era, age) in history." Hugen resumed his narrative (chronicle) after guzzling some more wine.  When he held out the jug for Uyuk to partake some, the latter, however, had declined, saying he had far too much already, that he would abstain for a while till his head cleared a bit, he just needed a breathing space, a respite.  Uyuk had urged Hugen nonetheless, to freely indulge, as the long night after all, stretched out before them.

01- UYUK  (20)JP

Yea, right! Hugen inwardly scorned, despising Uyuk for this unwarranted deceit.  Why feign such weakness?  Hugen knew Uyuk had not reached his limit, not by a long shot…Latter could handle more, quite a bit more.  Hugen knew this for a fact.  Not as much as he can, perhaps.  Still… 

For a spell he considered goading Uyuk until the latter dropped his guard and relented. Then again, why bother, Hugen dismissing the notion, good humouredly shrugged and helped himself to some more wine.

Uyuk, despite his feigned inebriated state, keenly, from the corner of his eye had scrutinized Hugen, for the faint-hearted could not have managed the quantity of strong spirits Hugen had consumed thus far and remained still, maddeningly so, sober. Considering the extreme potency, the wine had cost Uyuk quite a substantial sum; this brand of smooth, fruity blend being particularly high in alcohol content, should have way before this intoxicated/incapacitated the most resilient (robust constitution) of men, but not Hugen! Why was that?

The corner of Hugen’s mouth slightly lifted as if in amusement, anticipating Uyuk’s inner query, and he looked away; fact is, he needed to consume at least four or five times the amount, to be totally inebriated or brought to a happy state; a condition he'd rarely indulged and always had done so in solitude. After a while the amassed consumed quantity, however, had eventually derived some adverse effect; the consequential fleeting moment of light headedness and nostalgic reflections nevertheless, through sheer willpower quickly dispensed (passed), Hugen once more reverted his somber gaze on Uyuk.  His head, his thoughts the product of a cool, calculating mind once more lucid and unequivocally defined, Hugen’s deliberations was again embroiled in the selfsame grave, harsh realities of life. 

What's more, after the subsequent several swigs (mouthfuls) of this fruity concoction (booze), far from being mellowed out, his senses disappointingly instead, had felt tauter (tense, wound up); hence, Hugen disdainfully put the jug aside and, his breathing regulated, he indolently stretched out his limbs. But this did little in dousing the fire coursing in his hot veins, his muscles twitching and flexing in an invisible restless craze, yearning to engage in a mortal combat with an invincible, (challenging)formidable foe.

Affixing his gaze to the far corner, his hankering heart tinged with sadness, Hugen thoughtfully reflected on the multitude, past, memorable combats; there was singular one that stood above the rest, General Zonar Kuntzu, a warrior with indomitable prowess. Hugen had heard much about his fame, his brilliant feats. Unfortunately, Hugen's line of work had kept him always on a different course than the General’s; but once he had been fortunate enough to have been an eyewitness to a friendly combat between the General Kuntzu and another competent fighter. The breathtakingly spectacular fight had ended the same way, with General Zonar Kuntzu being the victor as always.

02-GENERAL ZONAR KUNTZU

Hugen donned an ironic smile on his lips and looked away. How easily General Zonar Kuntzu had bested his opponent!

After that day Hugen had honed his martial skills so that one day, he could try his own luck against the General; however, when finally, his competence was up to par (the equivalence), fate had cruelly intervened to cheat him out of that opportunity.

Inclining his head, Hugen with a blank stare studied Uyuk, thinking inwardly how Uyuk unfortunately presented no such challenge.  True, he had never pitted his martial skill against Uyuk but he had observed Uyuk's ability in combat with others and, though his partner was comparatively good, Hugen had concluded that he could easily defeat (best) him without resorting to draw upon any of his special expertise. There was one thing Uyuk excelled in, however, his ability to... Hugen threw Uyuk a covert look.  Only that, he nodded. Yes, I’ll have to watch out for that.  In a way Hugen was grateful for Uyuk's somewhat amenable company.  At least Uyuk amused him, not like those intolerable, overconfident, superstitious boors whose presence strained his patience and made his blood boil.

Requiring more solitude, Hugen pointedly lent an ear to the howling of the gale force wind and the drumming, pounding of the rain pellets outside.  Oh, the nights are always so intolerably long.  Hugen inwardly moaned thinking, especially for one such as him who was an insomniac. Unfortunately, the pelting hail outside was a good deterrent for a long, brisk stroll, which was what he most desired at that moment.  Resigned to stay put, he shifted his weight to get more comfortable then, once more, somberly resumed his narration where he had left off: "Yes, we weren’t the only ones who’d suffered from his rancorous (malicious, spiteful ) wrath; all who’d tried to undermine or obstruct Zakhertan Yozdek's aim, all suspected loyalists and dissidents in Wenjenkun, were vengefully rooted out, vanquished or incinerated." 

Hugen’s eyes met Uyuk's gravely and he nodded.  "Furthermore, all who griped or raised even the slightest discourse of his harsh measures, among them countless brilliant scholars from various backgrounds, the nobility, courtiers, religious personages, priests, sages, hermits, even the stray beggars; all without exception were persecuted relentlessly and tortured before an ignominious death. The countryside, hence, is dotted with a multitude of man-made pits of death, sepulchres and catacombs where Zakhertan’s countless past and present enemies are all buried.”

Hugen paused for an effect and then resumed: “There are also hidden subterranean chambers of torture, (constructed) in Channing, equipped with abhorrent, specially designed instruments, which prolongs, any convicted felons or dissidents’ excruciating physical and mental agony before their ignominious (humiliating) end.  Some of the holding cells, chiefly used for minor offences, are all the same, ingeniously constructed to perpetuate (beget) permanent insanity; and that’s not all, but it would take me far too long to extrapolate on them all."  Hugen shrugged. "Perhaps another time, eh… Anyway, to put it succinctly, Zakhertan Yozdek's reign has been marked with extreme brutality unrivaled by anyone in history save perhaps, only by Deng Hedenko in present times."  He threw his head back and laughed at Uyuk's baffled look.

 "The Sovereign of Korion, ignoramus (numskull) you," Hugen paused to savor the other's stifled rage at the insult. "To continue; after consolidating his power Zakhertan Yozdek lost no time in raising another mammoth (gargantuan) force, this time to punish us anew, but by that time our Illustrious Sovereign Anguan Binchan had succumbed to a fatal illness, thus robbing Zakhertan of his chief grievance.”

“Korion, meanwhile, had been rocked by a volcanic eruption and three subsequent earthquakes that ravaged two major cities and most of the countryside which depleted the precious remainder of our valuable resources, our strength and vitality.  What real resistance a devastated and leaderless nation could have offered? Of course, that mattered little to such a blood-thirsty fiend Zakhertan; as a matter of fact, he had even taken it into account and used it to gain an even more swift and decisive victory." Hugen bristled.  "An honorable campaign was not something he’d consider in his evil plans.  In no time at all, his superior, predatory forces swept across the adjacent, inconsequential provinces to descend on us voraciously, with but one directive: to annihilate our race from the face of the Earth.”

03- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEDK  (22) JP

"Ah, but we (every citizen of Korion) were equally determined (resolute) to deny him his easy conquest.  Even though from the start our defeat was a foregone conclusion, our patriots resisted Zakhertan for a year and a half.  Hah!  I'd venture to guess that it was the costliest and bloodiest campaign Zakhertan had ever waged.  Alas!  Despite our courage and brilliant strategies, our impoverished army was pitted against an invincible rapacious force that, at the crucial point in the struggle, received fresh reinforcements.  I do admit that, towards the end Zakhertan's military manoeuvring and strategic offensives were flawless as only one who is the demon incarnate can devise.  In one ingenious, final stroke he had both rebel cities capitulate simultaneously."

Hugen exhaled deeply, morosely, "And so, on the solstice of the third lunar year of the reign of our Illustrious Sovereign Harkan Konzuran Binchan, a terrible nightmare was unleashed on us all."  At this point, Hugen's tongue was stilled by the anger, bitterness, and scorn he felt at the core of his being.

"Is it true what I had heard?  That after the Capital yielded Zakhertan had our late Sovereign Anguan Binchan's corpse exhumed, supreme sacrilege that it was, had it torn into minute pieces and then scattered in various cesspools throughout the country?"

"Yes," Hugen nodded grimly, "and that's not all.  On Zakhertan’s orders his men went on a rampage, digging up all the ancestral graves, some Centuries old.  They desecrated the corpses and had the remains discarded into fast flowing rivers.  The valuable artifacts were all plundered then shamelessly carted off (lugged) to their homeland."  Hugen dropped his head, swallowing hard.  "After the gruesome, ignoble execution of our Sovereign Harkan Konzuran Binchan, anyone with even a trace of royal blood was rounded up and humiliated in a public spectacle designed specifically to break our spirit before they, too, were executed.  However, this had quite the opposite effect, for it only strengthened (fuelled) our people's resolve."

Uyuk hissed; his absent gaze fixed at the far corner.

Hugen looked up sharply, pleased at the outrage in Uyuk, noting his face flushed to beet-red, his chest palpitating with indignation at the same time as his fists clenched so hard that, his nails drew blood from the sheer force and intensity of his feelings.  For a spell Hugen had forgotten Uyuk's true origin, but then, suddenly his thoughts darkened.

“Who are you trying to fool?  It was your kind, your race that inflicted these atrocities on us.”  He shook his head and bit his lip to contain his inner contempt. It was a strange idea, a hard concept for this hard-core patriot to swallow.  “No matter what, I cannot conceive of how anyone can forsake their own kind, their own race and country as absolutely as you have done, Uyuk! And for what reason, a personal grievance?” 

Seeing Uyuk in this light he questioned the other’s professed loyalty to Korion.  “What’s your actual ulterior motive?  What kind of game are you playing at anyhow?” With narrowing eyes, he covertly scrutinized his partner.

“Get a grip on your-self!” he fought the urge to strike, to act immediately.  “There’ll be ample opportunity later.  Go along for now, soon enough he will show his true colors and expose his dark heart.  You can deal with him then.”

But again, defiantly such bursting fury rose from deep within.  “Why on Earth had he bothered at all?  Why had he stuck his neck out for Uyuk in the first place?  Was it the element of danger, the challenge it posed?  Had he wished to exploit Uyuk as a game, a way to gratify his dark, morbid sense, his hatred for Uyuk's kind?  Or was it something entirely different, an alien concept long since abandoned; plain old pity?”  Hugen detested this new ambivalent feeling and looked down (lowered his gaze), trying to think of something else.

In his silent brooding, now with his eyelids closed, he reflected yet again how Wushing, his entire family, his colleagues and anyone who had been even remotely connected with him had all been hunted down and brutally eradicated (eliminated).  It mattered not whether they had been innocent lives, all ages of civilians.  Their fate had all been the same.  This extending to the (agrarian populations) countryside, the manifold atrocities that had been committed back then, to date hunted Hugen’s peace; countless ranchers (farmers, planters) had all been mercilessly cut down, their mutilated and mangled corpses piled high in heaps were then burned to ash. 

“In summation, Zakhertan Yozdek’s fierce persecution had extended way beyond those who had actively opposed him in both campaigns.  There had been so much blood spilled that for months after Korion's capitulation the rivers had ran red.  When pestilence struck during those warm months, it necessitated the burning of all the exposed corpses.  So many bonfires dotted the land, that the acerbic air stifled (burned) the lungs, while anguished wailing (cries) of mourners revibrated the land.”

04- HUGEN (54)jp

These were the haunting sounds and images which, permanently etched into his mind, had robbed Hugen of least peaceful, any tranquil existence.  Whether he was asleep or awake, the ongoing nightmares provided him no respite.  To present, Hugen's love for his country, his Sovereign and his craving for vengeance were all, what sustained him and gave some meaning to his wretched life. But alas, perpetually no absolution (pardon, release) was to be had, with his precarious, oftentimes violent existence.

"And it is for certain that one thing Zakhertan Yozdek had not counted on, was his own underestimation of the resilience of Korion’s ordinary folk." Uyuk , interceding, spoke up loudly, partly to test Hugen's state of (alertness) consciousness.

The slight frown on the other's features confirmed it, he was (alert and) awake. Uyuk was, of course speaking from personal experience.  Surviving the ignominious death of his mother and sister, he was on the brink of expiring himself when he had been given sanctuary and a second chance, by a tribe of nomadic herdsmen in Korion.  His foster father was one Muxor Kenny, a strong, stout warrior who never donned a smile.  Always rigid and stern, he had nevertheless taught Uyuk the survival skills that had served him well up to the present day. 

“Oh yes,” Uyuk inwardly scoffed (rebuked, chided), as he sized up Hugen quaffing some more spirits: “I am well aware of your low opinion of me and my skills. I may just one day shock the britches right off you, arrogant, smug bastard!”

 If the truth were to be known, Uyuk had it in his power to alter that opinion and countless times had been sorely tempted by Hugen's goading to show off and expose his deeply hidden talents. Indeed, Uyuk knew far more than he let on.  Despite his youth he had experienced numerous hair-raising, daring escapades that, if recounted, would boggle Hugen's mind, and earn him the respect and recognition he felt was his due.  Fortunately, his good sense had prevented him from doing that very thing.

Hugen, as if he had surmised other’s thoughts, suddenly looked up and meeting Uyuk's eyes directly, smirked; then in a conciliatory gesture, offered him the jug which the younger man this time obligingly took and raised it to his lips.

Even though Uyuk was parched, he took care to drink only a moderate portion however, just enough to wet his mouth, for it would not do if he were to become totally inebriated, despite the reliable company and relatively safe circumstances.  Feeling suddenly famished, he reached over and drew his bundle to him.  Groping about inside the sack, he found what he was looking for: the remainder of the dry rations.  He handed some to Hugen and, without ceremony the two began to tear and chew, the hard bits of venison to gratify their hunger.  Afterwards Uyuk stretched out his limbs and urged Hugen to continue with his recounting of his history.

Now more favorably disposed, Hugen picked up from where he had left off: "Time after time having encountered the gritty, dogged (resolute) resistance from every citizen of Korion high and low (ordinary folk), it soon became apparent to Zakhertan Yozdek that, Korion could not be governed by anyone other than our own.  The pacification of the rebellious tribes in the remote mountains proved particularly arduous and sanguinary.  The many costly expeditions aimed at annihilating these guerrilla fighters only resulted in a string of ignominious defeats at the hands of these nomadic herders. Many skirmishes, including those led by your foster-father Muxor Kenny, which incidentally, you’d failed to mention in your recruitment (enrolment) application.”

Hugen at this point, had abruptly fell silent, and then simply tossed Uyuk a knowing, fleeting smirk. 

05- MUXOR KENNY - KORION'S NOMADIC HORSEMAN

“To put it succinctly, these frays in time gave rise to other sporadic pockets of rebellion and soon after, there arose widespread, well organized, resistance of all sorts erupting simultaneously in all parts of the country.”

“Yes… we had demonstrated to them, once and for all, how this nation even though subjugated, could not be enslaved and all the oppressive measures, stringent laws and brutal, savage punishments would never, ever, crush our spirit or resolve!" Uyuk, getting a grip and pretending to be caught up in the moment’s hype (excitement), hissed.

Hugen gave (threw) him a pointed look, "As you seem to know the rest, I may as well save my breath." But Uyuk hastily leaned across to touch his shoulder and in an earnest voice protested his ignorance.  He confessed that, in his early pubescent (teenage) years, wanting to prove his worth to his foster-father Muxor Kenny, he had partaken in some acts of sabotage (resistance) but that he had never truly grasped the complete political picture; for his  subsequent adolescent (later teen) years were spent, totally cut off from any civilization, in the sacred Shouyou Mountains.  Appearing unusually co-operative, Uyuk without prodding volunteered that, this period had been lost to him, because he had been paying a penance for his serious breach of a key tribal law.

"What law?"

Uyuk's response was curt and cryptic.

“Have it your way.” Hugen inclined his head and inwardly scoffed: “I’ve offered you a chance to be straight with me, and yet again you’ve failed.  It’s your loss.” Of course, he knew all there was to it, he’d been well informed about Uyuk's unforgivable offense (felony, crime) and the consequential chastisement and more, much, much more.  He covertly kept Uyuk in his side-view as he grimaced coldly.

“Yes, that detailed report had encompassed data that, I suspect, even you are unaware of, my foreign friend.  I've trained my informants well, so well that they can even make the dead speak.  You would be surprised, no, shaken to your core if you knew what I know, that the one who had betrayed you, the key conspirator, was none other than you’re...”  Hugen averted his eyes. “No; why should I rattle your feathers?  Why destroy the only semblance of?”  Hugen turned (reverted) his stone-cold gaze back to Uyuk to look him straight in the eye.  But then suddenly an unexpected strong compassion seized his heart and his piercing pupils momentarily softened and he nodded.

When Uyuk once more entreated (beseeched) Hugen to enlighten him on the political aspects of Korion's and Wenjenkun's shared histories, Hugen quietly acquiesced, if only to pass the time.  Yet he did not begin right away, instead, he lent an ear for a spell longer to the pelting rain, which seemed to be tapering off. 

 

(END OF SECTION 16) 

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE RENEGADE IMMORTAL - SECTION 14

At the end of another typical, lengthy day’s arduous riding, nearing dusk when they spotted an old, clearly abandoned farmhouse which was precariously perched on a hillside, Uyuk, quickly suggested, "It's badly dilapidated, but there is still enough of it left to shelter us from this bone-chilling gale. I for one, would like to spend the night there."

"It’s an apt place for a trap."  Hugen simply grunted (grumbled).

01- UYUK  (6)JP

“Highly unlikely," Uyuk insistently rebuffed Hugen; his aching body demanding an immediate reprieve.” This desolate area is clearly forsaken by both man and beast.”

"Not in this instance." Hugen shook his head.  But Uyuk, being too exhausted to bother listing his reasons or heeding Hugen’s counter arguments, very much in need of respite had adamantly this time (unrelenting), spurred his horse towards it.  Though it went against his better judgment, Hugen after shrug, reluctantly followed Uyuk.

Once inside, they quickly cleared the debris off to one side and, relaxing their vigil slightly for the first time, they settled down cross-legged in the least drafty spot on the floor to talk freely, something they had not been able to do (for several days) until then.  They even allowed themselves the liberty of broaching the contents of a large jug of country wine they had purchased five days back at an obscure border town.  Time sped quickly and presently they were very mellowed by the quantity of strong spirits they had consumed.  When Hugen drunk extensively, whether inebriated or not, he would uncharacteristically, become placid (tranquil) and quite sentimental; this time being no different, switching effortlessly between dialects, he began to reminisce about the past in general and his own childhood.

"Ah, that cursed day!  I was barely eight, but even then, I understood only too well the calamity that befell us, the panic that suffocated the air to saturation point, making everyone wild with worry.  Yes, I can remember it all too vividly, like it happened only yesterday; the misbegotten day when our brave soldiers, no match for the barbaric offensive launched by Field Marshall Zakhertan Yozdek, were routed at the battle of Nozurk.  Our noble King, Anguan Binchan, forced to flee the Capital with only nine thousand men and withdraw to the wilderness of Zujug."

"I was much younger, and my recollection of that time is not as clear as yours," Uyuk nodded, leaning forward to place a sympathetic hand on Hugen's shoulder, "but I understand that the second offensive that was fought in Zujug was even more brutal."

"Brutal; aye that it was!" Hugen shuddered and met Uyuk's keen gaze.  “It boggles the mind to think that any human beings can inflict such horrors on others of same species!  We could have never anticipated (imagined) the scope of genocide the army of Zakhertan Yozdek’s could inflict on hapless civilians, defenceless women and children, all without mercy, falling like ripe stalks of grain under his scything."  Hugen clenched his fists as the fires of indignation filled his veins. 

02- - HUGEN (26)jp

"You may expect more mercy from the uncivilized barbarians at the north, not the disciplined army of Wenjenkun." He shook his head.

"I still shiver and get chilled to my very marrow when I think of the atrocities, they committed, the rapes, the tortures, the pillage. I can still hear the anguished cries of the old men, the women and children, the wailing of babies thrown into the street to be trampled on by the horse's hooves.” Biting his lip, Hugen fell silent for a moment.

“The terrible sound still rings in my ears and haunts my dreams even to this very day!"  Hugen repetitively wrung his hands and nodded as he, in his mind’s eye relived the massacre over and over.

"Orphaned at an early age, I was, placed in the care of my maternal aunt.  Loujan was her name.  She was a rare, kindly soul.  She was quite beautiful, too beautiful in fact.  Childless herself, she loved all children, and myself especially, reared me like I was her very own.  And yes, I reciprocated her motherly love and loved her as a devoted son."  There was a drunken conviction in Hugen's voice as he tapped at his chest, "I loved her, all right, to the very marrow of my being."

"At least you've known that kind of love." Uyuk huffed, as he studied Hugen.

After a painful silence Hugen then looked up, his face creased with sorrow as his eyes once more met Uyuk's.  "You know she sacrificed her life to save me?  She was the one who concealed me, told me to stay put, come what may, as she brazened it out with those savage, villainous curs."  Hugen shook his head then placed both hands on his ears to drown out her bone chilling shrieks as she was viciously mauled.  "That day," he hissed, his voice distorted in rage, "something within me died along with her.  I could never be the same again."

"We all live for vengeance." Uyuk morosely concurred.

Hugen stared at him with narrowed eyes, not seeming to comprehend for a moment, and then nodded with understanding.  "We all have our own private hells that we carry within us."  His eyes brimmed with compassion.

"And what became of your uncle?  Or perhaps I shouldn’t presume to ask." Uyuk hastily probed, sensing the question forming on the other's tongue.

03- UYUK  (7)JP

 Uyuk quickly then passed the wine, diverting Hugen from inquiring too deeply into his own, dark past.

The utterance died with Hugen's shrug as he raised the jug to his lips and took several large mouthfuls.  His sleeve absorbed the overflow from his chin.  "He was killed at the ramparts, like the countless others who defended the besieged city.  Don't ask about the particulars.  After I came out of hiding, I recognized his partially charred, mutilated corpse in one of the piles outside the walls.  Wild dogs were scavenging his… tearing at the…"  Hugen stopped to take a shuddering breath; he forced two hard swallows to keep the bile from rising back up and then thrust the jug violently back into Uyuk’s hand.    Clutching his belly, he rubbed the muscles as he tried to erase the gruesome images from his mind.

"I heard that the ancient city Romkun, before Zakhertan Yozdek razed it, was a marvel to behold." Uyuk hastily interjected to draw Hugen out of his self-destructive absorption. 

Uyuk needed to know these things, and this was a rare opportunity he was determined not to pass up.   "More spectacular than any other city in the world, I understand." He further prodded.

"It certainly was." Hugen finally affirmed, grateful for the chance to be composed.  "You cannot imagine a more magnificent place.  The ingenious construction alone, stones fitted together without mortar, was a sure testament to our culture's greatness; more spectacular were the fountains, exquisite gardens with their variety of rare plants and flowers of all kinds, populated by colourful pullets that are now, unfortunately quite extinct. The sculpted reliefs on the stone bridges, the monumental buildings and belltowers with their golden cupolas in the clouds…  It was a paradise, I tell you, paradise!"

"It sounds magical, like no place on Earth." Uyuk nodded thoughtfully.

"Nothing comparable," Hugen confirmed, fires of memory blazing in his eyes.

"You are fortunate to have seen it."  In a brief afterthought, Uyuk pursed his lips and thought, but then, again, you have also endured the pain of having lost it all.”

"Oh, and the greatest library of all times," Hugen’s pupils flared as he suddenly recalled, “a magnificent structure several stories high it was, perched on a hill; thousand marble steps led up to the imposing carved ebony and iron door, flanked by giant, fearsome statues of mystical door gods. inside were the tall chambers and magnificent marble halls, illuminated with  crystal chandeliers that hung from high ceilings; walls decked with ancient paintings, tall tapestries with historical royal insignias (emblems, crests, badges) beside obsidian columns; and more importantly, wall to wall rosewood bookshelves, row upon row,  preserving stacks and stacks of irreplaceable scrolls, the accumulated volumes of the sages, world renowned works of the scholars and kings of bygone days and the amassed records of all religious doctrines.” Hugen, highly agitated now, chewed the corner of his lip.

A deep gasp and a longing sigh escaped Uyuk, as he with his imagination, envisioned the magnificent library in the ancient city of Romkun which unfortunately was now forever lost to posterity.

04- - ANCIENT  CITY ROMKUN,  IN KORION(52)jp

“Centuries of records, all incinerated, reduced to ashes and dust in the blink of an eye.” Hugen disregarding Uyuk, sullenly (morosely) lowered his head. “Though the city and the library have been rebuilt since, it can never measure up to its old glory."  Hugen looked away and grimly shook his head.  "How could it happen?  The ancient relics, the remarkable edifices are all gone for good.  Future generations are eternally cheated (deprived) from all that wealth of experience. Zakhertan Yozdek maliciously stripped (robbed) our land of its heritage and wickedly stole our glorious past.  There can be no greater sacrilege than that!  Damn him!  Damn him and his barbaric legions all to Hell!"  Seething in anger, Hugen pounded his bare fist on the wall, and then quickly drew it back as part of the decayed brickwork crumbled outwards to let the frigid night wind rush in.

"Hold on there, before you pull this hovel down around our ears." Uyuk hastened to calm him.  "We still have to spend the night here you know; and I don't relish the idea of sleeping in a drafty place and have my body whipped by those furious blasts of gale winds."  In a plaintive voice Uyuk grumbled, "I wish you'd learn to restrain that destructive temper of yours.  Or is this another devious means to force us to sleep outside?"  He winced (scowled) and thrust the jug back into Hugen's hand to curb the other’s pending angry retort.

Hugen was rather fond of wine, and Uyuk knew this.  What's more, he encouraged it.  Still, he was yet to see Hugen totally inebriated.  Unlike ordinary men, Hugen went through the first stages of intoxication like he was now but then, as he continued to consume more, he would gradually regain his senses and in a bizarre (twist) inverse state be, completely sober.  This inexplicable phenomenon intrigued, and at the same time challenged Uyuk's logical, scientific sensibility; and so, yet again he strove to alter the typical (usual) outcome.

A gust of wind just then blew the shutter back from the boarded-over window, letting in a (tongue of) lashing chilling wind.  Observing Uyuk's involuntary shiver, Hugen roared with laughter, slapping his thigh then reaching again for the jug to gulp more wine.  Just as Uyuk continued to test his capacity for spirits, Hugen enjoyed driving his partner's stamina to the edge of endurance.  "You are getting too soft in your old age." He snorted and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve.  "Perhaps you should quit this line of work, find yourself a simpleton wife and stay in your farm, using your energies, to copulate.”

“Ha, ha!  I can see it now: a dozen half-naked brats, each one with your ugly face, crawling, squealing about the straw floor of your hovel!"  Hugen gave a mock shiver, "What a sight…… haa, ha!"

This time Uyuk could barely constrain his angry retort.  In the past it would have taken much less than this to cause him to fly off the handle, but it would hinder his (purpose) experiment if he were to now launch (initiate) a row.  Instead, he let Hugen's foul mouth run amok.  Gradually Hugen simmered down, having failed to provoke a fight.  Then he grew silent, and his eyelids dropped.

"So, what happened after your daring escape?"  Uyuk reached forward and put his hand on Hugen's shoulder.

"Daring escape?" Hugen shrugged off the hand with annoyance, but the jerking motion was too much for him.  He swayed, and his head began to swim.  Steadying himself against a pillar, he laughed wryly.  "Daring escape, indeed; but, for an eight-year-old I suppose it was." he shrugged.

"Well once clear of the city gates, I ran and ran, trying to get as fast and as far away, from it all. It was grim, I tell you.  There were still some pockets of residual fighting, death and destruction still going on, so during my flight I strove to be invisible.  But however far I ran, endlessly, the akin cruel vistas (scenes) stretched out before me: the maimed, mutilated, disemboweled, and contorted corpses lay about, littering the grounds like streamers after a parade had passed.  The earth was drenched in rivulets of dark crimson blood.  I don't know how many corpses I’d stumbled over during my flight…  And that stench!  The sickening stench was unbearable." Hugen swallowed hard and shuddered.

05- CARNAGE AT END OF WAR

"Eventually I was picked up by a scout and brought before His Highness' presence to give my account.  I did not hold back anything.  I related every gruesome detail, every ghastly event my young eyes had seen.  The act of putting it into words seemed to purge (cleanse) my heart and I told it all.  Later on, my report was corroborated by those few who’d been lucky enough to have escaped this ferocious persecution.  I can still remember the details of that day; this I came to know later still, how His Highness upon hearing the same horrific tales told by different individuals about their loved ones, had in private, shed copious tears over those profuse tragic losses.  He’d resolved right there and then, to resist Zakhertan Yozdek, 'that vindictive upstart', he'd called him, to the bitter end."

"But that didn't happen.  I mean, how could he resist?" Uyuk hastily interjected.

"Ignorant fool," Hugen fumed. "You presume too much!  Things are never what they seem.  I was there; I paid witness to it all.  I'll tell you what (actually) happened, how the great disaster was averted, albeit only temporarily.”

“Fortunately, the Minister of the Interior, Keko Wushing, had been so impressed by my determination and bearing before His Highness that, he took me under his wing.  I became an adopted son to him, unofficially, of course.  But then I digress” Hugen paused to relieve his parched throat and, from the corner of his eye, scrutinized Uyuk.

 “Why this sudden curiosity about past events (history); it surely cannot be merely to relieve the boredom of the night.  What do you hope to gain by all of this?  What dire motives do you harbor?”

Theirs was a strange and strained relationship at best.  Before undertaking the journey to Wenjenkun, Hugen had Uyuk completely checked out to confirm his reliability.  He cared little for the long, unblemished official record; he wanted his own facts, his own affirmation about the man himself.  Typically, his own sources had been more thorough than the Department's and had soon uncovered all there was to know about Uyuk, for instance, fact that he was born in Wenjenkun as Enkaz Dufo, and much more.  He saw no reason to dispose of agent Uyuk for his duplicity since his many talents, if properly handled, could still render valuable service to Korion (their nation).  He had argued this case, in fact, with the Department-head Nein Rejon, the only other operative to be let in on the secret and, eventually secured (won) his permission, in allowing Uyuk to carry on as before.

06-DEPARTMENT -HEAD NEIN REJON (2)

His superior Nein Rejon had conceded that Uyuk's rare talents and resourcefulness in those areas where it counted the most could not be underestimated and had therefore given Hugen full permission to use him. Additionally, Hugen had been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that Uyuk did not defect and, if that were to happen, he was further tasked with the responsibility of taking swift and decisive measures to limit the damage.  Hugen was to terminate the problem the instant before it occurred.  Hugen had noted then in Rejon's cold, blue eyes that extreme prejudice, and had understood that instant, how now that Uyuk's birthplace was known to the department, Uyuk from then on would have to overcome great obstacles just to maintain his present position.  He would always be considered an expendable outsider and one of the first to be a suspect, no matter how much he’d proven his worth and no matter the measure of his accrued successes.  In a way Hugen had almost pitied Uyuk but quickly hardened his heart and replaced it instead, with absolute impartiality (detachment) for in his line of work he could not well afford the luxury of attachments or emotions.  This was why Hugen had no close friends to speak of no family through which he could be undermined or wounded.  He had absolutely no special being, no vulnerability outside of his cold, formal working relationships.  Fiercely loyal, he lived and breathed only for the welfare of Korion, and one day he expected to forfeit his life for his Monarch as well. His thoughts once more reverted to Uyuk and he narrowed his eyes as he considered how, during (the course of) this mission he had succeeded in gradually worming his way deeper and deeper into Uyuk's confidence, all done with utmost care and cunning so as not to arouse Uyuk's suspicious nature.

Hugen had played right along, tolerating Uyuks’ eccentricities, it being sufficient to exploit Uyuk's stored up resentment, his prejudices and burning desire for vengeance; he’d also allowed Uyuk to believe that he was pretty much in control of his own destiny and that his most ambitious goal was indeed attainable in the not-too-distant future. Uyuk’s self-confidence was further bolstered as he firmly believed that he was the one tugging at the strings in this affiliation, instead of in fact being the one who was being underhandedly manipulated and toyed; till that is, the inevitable, ultimate lethal outcome to his existence. Uyuk being deemed a nuisance and an arrogant fool, putting up with him had not been by any means easy for Hugen, but so long as Uyuk remained above board, Hugen restrained his fury and remained equitable and deferred exterminating the annoying pest from Wenjenkun. Hugen knew, in the months ahead, Uyuk would be undertaking many other such perilous missions now that he’d been deemed expendable, and in most instances, he would be paired up with Hugen.  In time he would come to rely heavily and trust absolutely the partner who, always, held his life on a balance in his hand.

“How ironic…” Hugen looked down.

 

 

(END OF SECTION 14) 

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 7

01- NEVETSECNUAC  (JP)

Nevetsecnuac, as a just then released floating spirit witnessed his out-of-body tragic demise: He saw his catapulted, airborne head hitting the immense boulder a few feet away with a thud while his decapitated body that same instant simply collapsing lifeless to the ground. And ironically at that very moment, the drizzling rain drops amalgamating (merging) with the gushing blood from the severed carotid artery (of the neck), in that cumulative pool, instantaneously dyed (tinted) the pretty white wildflowers that Nevetsecnuac had been so fond of, into scarlet (crimson) hue.

Before the ground had a chance to completely quench its thirst, Zonar, with a sinister, venomous grin, thoughtful air and leaden steps, walked over to Nevetsecnuac's severed head and, halting at the spot, summoned it up to the strange object in his grasp. The bloody head was slowly but surely was absorbed (infused, seeped into) by the object, disheveled hairs and all.

02-  ZONAR KUNTZU - 2 (9)

Zonar with a malevolent grin, he then dramatically kissed the knob(handle) and, throwing his head back, ejected horrid laughter, after which he indifferently tugged it beneath his belt; his blazing sword sheathed (in scabbard, casing)  and, with a cold glint in his eyes, never looking back, not even once, he swaggered slowly towards his tethered mount.

Summarily, with Nevetsecnuac's head permanently imprisoned alongside Fradel Rurik Korvald's, both within the leather-bound rod object, Zonar vaulted onto his magnificent steed and galloped into distance.

                                                                                      ~

Nevetsecnuac’s soul (essence, spirit) already restrained (held captive) in the netherworld, meanwhile, riled and despondent, he’d watched Zonar’s unimpeded departure with his prizes.

Hearing a shuffling noise behind him just then, Nevetsecnuac quickly turned to witness the large gathering of troubled, grim apparitions. As these ghosts drew nearer still and floated to encircle him in a tight, impenetrable cordon, some clasped their heads and tore out clumps of their hair, tragically wailing while others shook an accusing finger at Nevetsecnuac and cursed or severely reprimanded him.

"It was your vanity that made you vulnerable and made you fight that devilish villain."

"You should have resisted him."

"You should have set your priorities right at the start and saved your strength for the chief culprit instead."

"You received ample warning not to engage him, why did you not heed his advice and flee to safety at the start while you still had a chance to do so?  Now you have forfeited your life and your life's ambition is lost forever in vain. This dreadful ending should come to pass- after your honorable father the benevolent Seventh Prince Shon Alric Therran Valamir, the illustrious Lord Shonne Gulbrand and the heroic Lord Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon and countless others sacrificed so much to avail you of this chance. Oh, calamity…oh such misfortune!"

"This letdown is inexcusable!"

"You should be sorely mortified, ashamed of yourself!  Ashamed to face the Lord of Heaven; that is, if he ever designs (condescend) to see you."

"Oh, what's the use?  Why should we waste our time remonstrating with you?  You are beneath our contempt!" Some scowled.

"It’s because of you that we are all now doomed, doomed; with our last chance of salvation gone forever!"

"Ah, it’s no use.  It’s too late; too late for everything; too late even for regrets."

Other, kindlier spirits were not so hard on Nevetsecnuac, though they still condemned him.

"Were we wrong in pinning all our hopes on you?"

"Did we overestimate your abilities?"

"Perhaps it was too much to ask, to expect of one lone (solitary) mortal, as young and inexperienced as you, to rectify this wrong.  Still, your uncle Lord Asger Thuxur Marrog Zhon taught you well.  Furthermore, you had great potential, and you did overcome all the other prior perils."

"Was it fate that played this cruel, oh cruelest trick on you and us by bringing forth this obstruction at this latest stage?"

"But, chance or no chance, you should have succeeded.  You can't escape, can’t be absolved, not entirely, from all the blame.”

“With your innate intelligence, could you not have assessed your situation in time to salvage it?  You also didn't have to fight him to the bitter end, especially after you realized the hopelessness of your situation.  Isn't retreat a good part of any fighting strategy?"

"Therefore, our brothers are right in condemning you.  The fault lies entirely with you."

"You are solely to blame for not living up to your full potential."

"Look how badly you fouled things up!"

They shook their heads and ground their teeth in anger.

"You, our last hope, have let us down so miserably.  You failed to avenge us, just when success was within your grasp."

"Why did you have to go throw it all away?  If only you had not succumbed too…"

"Ah, what's the use?  All is now lost with no other worthy one left alive to champion our cause."

"What could be more tragic than this?  Forever barred from Heaven, we, loyal subjects of Wenjenkun, your illustrious forefathers, we are all condemned to roam this Earth in chains for all eternity.  This is the gravest consequence of your failure!"

"Woe to us!"

"Woe to them!"

"Woe to you!"

03- NEVETSECNUAC IN THE UNDERWORLD

Nevetsecnuac's soul, standing in doleful (forlorn) supplication, bowed his head still lower in shame, regretting his folly in underestimating Zonar's prowess, for not fleeing when he had the chance.  He wanted so much to implore their forgiveness but, though he tried, no one took any notice of him.  Instead, the din of their legitimate grievances and the intensity of their repeated wailing deafened his ears and silenced his tongue.

"After the siege, when defenses failed and I was captured alive, I was flailed (flogged) to death, but not before witnessing my comrades’ crueler demises, those that fought bravely alongside me, being torn apart or crushed to death." one wailing ghost came forward to demand.  "I suffered so many unspeakable hardships in my earlier life.  I'm suffering so much now.  It’s inconceivable to think that I, we all, will not be vindicated, that we won't be avenged at long last.  Oh, will this wretchedness never end?"

04- WRETCHED PLACE

"Stone missiles raining on us day and night within the confines of fortress, the tragic cries of the wounded (or the maimed) trapped under the collapsing walls and beams, still haunts my ears and robs me of any peace (solace)." Another came forth to profess.  "Is there really no other left alive, competent enough, to avenge us?"

"My whole village was burned to the ground by the imperial troops." an elderly woman whimpered.  "None escaped the searing flames of this deliberately set catastrophe.  How can all these tragic souls roaming this earth find any peace or lasting rest without being avenged?"

"Our village was flooded.  Men, women, and children drowned to give Zakhertan Yozdek’s army the advantage in a naval assault.  Can they all have suffered for nothing?"

"Our homes were razed to dust." Yet another wept.

"What about his infant children?" one sympathetic soul, came forward to ask.  "Can we not implore Heaven to spare them?"

The multitude of shaking heads told him otherwise.  They could not reach the ears of Heaven.  It was Nevetsecnuac’s fate to perish young.

"My loyal regiment fought a desperate battle to the bitter end in our defense of the besieged Kosuk City.", the tired, somber voice of an old general exclaimed, reminiscing.

 "We were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Zakhertan Yozdek's army and by their superiority in arms.  His were the picked troops, the best in the land.  When they penetrated our walls and entered the city they committed such heinous atrocities, so vile they were that it could never be wholly described."

Another officer groaned, "In our offensive campaign, just as we had gained more ground, they successfully cut us off from the main body of our army and the supplies.  As we were trapped by an onslaught from four directions, they set fire to the grass around our perimeter; every last one of us perished by the raging flames."

"Our contingent was deliberately isolated from the main force, too and lured into ambush where all expired by their vile butchery." another officer gritted his teeth.

"All the defenders at Juko Pass, including myself, were ensnared, then buried alive.  The traitorous Zakhertan Yozdek's rage still not appeased, he had his henchmen round up our families and had them killed as well, their corpses then piled on top of us."

"In my hometown, all the young men who resisted were brutally trampled to death under the Royal infantry horses’ hoofs in the central square as part of a war game, while we, their parents and families were made to watch, till our turn came to die."  The elderly man sobbed then, choking back his tears, added, "But my poor, proud, brave boy, he cursed Zakhertan Yozdek, that vile usurper, to the very end."

“I've heard some of these atrocities before.” Nevetsecnuac tearfully reflected. 

Some had been re-counted by Lord Asger Zhon prior to Nevetsecnuac’s departure; several more accounts had been relayed by Fradel Rurik Korvald erstwhile the night Nevetsecnuac had left him; and then a great deal more had been narrated by the faithful Lu Moldan, the beggar from Gulbrand Province.

“Was Heaven blind? How could it stand by and let the fiend (man) who’d been the instigator of these immeasurable crimes, not be struck down? Zakhertan Yozdek, the villainous usurper… With these grave crimes against humanity on his head, how could he still exist…to?"

"My precious, most handsome boys, one barely sixteen, the other seventeen,” Another elderly woman had shrieked just then, however, interrupting Nevetsecnuac’s incensed (feelings and), exasperated thoughts.  “They were dragged through the streets and afterwards their tattered corpses were thrown over the falls! “She turned and with upturned face and a mouth showing sparse teeth, she snarled at Nevetsecnuac next. 

 “Now look at what you’ve done… It’s all because of you, Zakhertan Yozdek will live to a ripe old age!"

"Ah, the brutality of Zakhertan, the extent of it can never fully be told."  Adjacent to her, an ancient ghost with white beard down to his midriff shook his head and then mournfully nodded.

"His wolfish troops and murderous guards were given liberty to run amok in our city of Kier.  They inflicted unspeakable atrocities of the innocent populous, young and old alike."

“Now… take a good look.”  He held out two round orbs in his hand. "These eyes, I plucked them out in my grief after seeing those appalling acts committed at the hand of the barbaric imperial troops, which afterwards, many officers standing on the sidelines, treating it as entertainment, even placed wagers on the nature of the outcome of the wounds. 

06- ZAKHERTAN'S WOLFISH  TROOPS

“In my province, the tombs of our ancestors were indiscriminately defiled. “Another ghost chimed in. “They trampled over the dead, excreted the coffins (caskets) and cast aside dismembered corpses, looking to pillage valuable funeral offerings and items within the graves.  Even an invading enemy nation would not have been so vile, so unconscionable, and so despicable; alas, terrible evil has shrouded this land!  I cursed the day I was born and shed many bloody tears for all the unfortunate souls, including my own.  What crime have I committed? I have asked this of Heaven, repeatedly…But no answer has come. You tell me, what crime have we, any one of us committed that Heaven has so completely forsaken us?  Yes, you were our very last hope.  Was it unfair of us to expect so much from but one youth?  Tell me, please, would someone tell me why we must suffer so?  Will this tragedy never end?"

"How many more must perish at Zakhertan's cruel hand?"

“Wow to us…Pity… oh pity us…”  The wailing reached a crescendo (climax) with increasingly more spirits (ghosts) joining in.

“Is there really nothing I can do to atone for my mistakes?  “Nevetsecnuac’s heart incessantly wrenched with disgrace and bottomless sorrow while blazing remorse, eternally scorched his soul to cinders.

Clenching his fists, he bowed his head low in shame. “Is there anything, anything at all, I can do to make amends, to redeem these tragic souls?”

 Not resigned to this ill fate, he lifted his eyes imploringly and made his plea, beseeching Heaven for one more chance.  But hope was not to be, instead, Nevetsecnuac saw his grandfather, Emperor Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir, his father, Seventh Prince Shon Alric Therran Valamir and the other members of the Royal Family all, being escorted down to Earth in chains. 

His grandfather Emperor Zuronghan A.T. Valamir turned to glance at Nevetsecnuac with solemn air and disapprovingly shook his head.

Endless tears coursing down his cheeks, Nevetsecnuac rushed to at once fall on his knees and respectfully prostrate himself before his grandfather, to beg forgiveness.

The emperor, with a grave face, gave him no chance to speak and right away scorned Nevetsecnuac, "You are not worthy of being our grandson nor are you fit to approach our Royal Presence.  Be gone from our sight!"

07- JURONGHAN ALRIC THERRAN VALAMIR JP (11)

The Emperor Zuronghan Valamir then, with great dignity, turned his back to Nevetsecnuac.

In unison, the rest echoed the sentiments of the emperor and each, in turn, abruptly turned their backs to him as Nevetsecnuac tried to make his appeal or implore their forgiveness.

Lord Shonne Gulbrand’s apparition, bound in chains as well, became visible just then but His Lordship also shook his head in disapproval and, shedding a solitary tear, he also turned away and floated into the distance.

In deep dismay, Nevetsecnuac shook his head and stamped his foot. “If only I had not…

 Had not what?” This was something entirely different.  As confusion set in, Nevetsecnuac racked his brains to recollect, “Recollect what?”

Though Nevetsecnuac knew it was only mid-morning, the Earth that instant suddenly fell into twilight.  The overwhelming, grave atmosphere heralded (portended) a new gargantuan disaster or a colossal catastrophe.

 

(END OF SECTION 7)