Chapter Nine
“You should go back,” Natalie said quietly.
It was late afternoon and she was five months pregnant. She sat by the window, sipping tea. She gazed at Erdal as he sprawled on the sofa near the fireplace, quickly tapping away at the holographic screens in front of him. It had been three months since they had found the scroll. Erdal had healed quickly, much more so than a human usually would. She saw a change in him. He had a quiet determination about him and he worked with amazing speed. He had been searching for Ornek for months, but they still couldn’t trace him. Ornek was alive, that much Erdal was sure of. Yet, he couldn’t locate him. The ‘valley’ was his only lead, but Estion was massive. A great mountain range stretched far across the planet and many villages had sprung up along the range.
He didn’t look up for a while, but finally he said, “I need to find his exact location, Natalie. I can’t go back without his help.”
In the short time that she had lived with him there, she could feel the anger consuming him. She felt it seething under his cool demeanor. It was intimidating at times, and she knew he wouldn’t rest until he had killed King Zutaar.
“Even if you don’t find him, you should go on your own. You should claim your rightful place as king,” she said cautiously, not certain how he would react. “Find a way...”
She still didn’t know him well. He loved her like anything, and if needed, he would lay down his life for her. But he was a tortured soul. A man fighting his own demons... She would always feel a tug in her heart when she saw the turmoil in his eyes. She had once found him alone, tears streaming down his face as sobs racked his body. He didn’t know she was there. In that moment, feeling helpless, her stomach had twisted and she felt a tug in her heart.
“I’m trying, Natalie,” he said, in a cold voice that made her shudder. He wasn’t mad at her. She understood him that well because she had fallen for him. Yet, it hurt her to see him in such a way.
Natalie knew he would find Ornek. Her instincts told her that. But she also knew he was hesitant. It has been a long time since his kingdom had been taken, and many of his people thought he was dead. They had been lucky up until now that the king’s mercenaries hadn’t found them. They were still lurking out there, looking.
***
Later that night, Erdal came into the bedroom as she sprawled on the bed.
“I have found an address,” he said, a strange gleam lighting his eyes as he lay next to her. “I’m guessing he’ll be there.”
“That’s great,” she said, smiling up at him.
“I’ll leave tomorrow morning. The place is quite far off and I’ll be gone a few days. I’m sorry I have to leave you alone here,” he said, as he gazed deep into her eyes. She saw genuine concern there.
“I’ll be okay,” she said with a sad smile as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.
***
The next morning, Erdal left in his car to look for his guardian. He kissed Natalie one last time, holding her close. “Stay indoors and lock up. Keep safe. I’ll come back for you,” he said, as he lightly touched her belly – she was just beginning to show. “And take care of our little one too,” he said, a shy smile curling the corners of his lips. She thought he looked like a young boy. He wore a dark shirt and pants, his long, dark cloak flapping about his ankles. He hopped in the car and flew off.
Thoughts raced through his mind as he rushed toward his destination over the mountains and trees far beyond the horizon. Night was closing in when he reached the village. The two moons were rising in the sky. It didn’t take him long to find the place. The remote village wasn’t very crowded as it had only a few houses constructed upon the hill. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head as he approached the house. A lone lamp hung near the door, its dim blue light only bright enough for one to see their way to the door. He knocked twice and waited. The door creaked opened and an old man with silver-white hair stood there. He wore ancient robes, the kind he had worn when he was a child.
“I am here to see Ornek Zorlu. He formerly served as Royal Guard to King Bu’Rak Rezan Urquiorra,” Erdal said. He was careful, as he wanted to be sure and didn’t want to raise any suspicion.
Ornek gazed at the hooded man at the door for a while.
“Young man, tell me your purpose. Why do you want to see him?” Ornek played along, stepping cautiously.
“Because he told me to come,” Erdal said. He saw the light shift in the gray eyes of the old man. He had a strong feeling that this was the man. It was a distant memory, but it was true. The man had aged but his eyes were the same.
“Erdal,” the old man whispered, incredulous. “My lord, I never thought I would see you again.” He bowed slightly in respect, and when he looked up there were tears in his eyes.
“Ornek,” Erdal said gently, as he showed him the Erasmeth. “You gave this to me a long time ago.”
“Come on in,” Ornek said, motioning for him to enter. “It’s not safe out here.”
Erdal stepped inside and threw back his hood. The house was sparsely decorated but clean. The west wall was lined with books and two old chairs and a table were placed in its center. The east wall was windowed with a table standing underneath. Ornek poured wine into two glasses and handed Erdal one, gesturing for him to sit.
“Thank you,” Erdal said, taking the glass. “I see you are alone.”
“Yes, my lord,” the old man said. “My wife died long ago and my daughter lives far away with her husband.” Erdal pulled out the scroll from the Erasmeth and handed it to the old man. Ornek recognized his own hand and, when he looked up, tears sprang to his eyes. He told Erdal of how he had served his father, the true king, for centuries until that one fateful night. Erdal told him all. Everything – who he was and what he had become.
“Ornek... I don’t know who I am, and I may not be the same man,” Erdal said pensively as he sipped his wine. “I have killed and abducted women for Zutaar. I didn’t even know the scroll existed until Natalie found it.” He took another swig. “I’ve been on the run. Natalie and I are hiding in a cabin house in the mountains. But now I want Zutaar dead.”
Ornek gazed at him for a long time and his eyes softened. He saw the little boy who had grown into a warrior – a man who had endured all and survived. He was a warrior who hid his tormented soul behind the harsh exterior of an assassin.
“Natalie... Your mate?” Ornek inquired, raising a brow.
“Yes, my mate and fiancée,” Erdal replied. “She was the one who told me to claim my rightful place.”
“And she’s right,” the old man said softly. “How is she?”
“She’s doing okay,” he said and paused for a second. “She’s expecting our first,” he added.
“That’s great news, my lord. Congratulations,” he said, smiling. “Erdal, the royal Urquiorra blood courses through your veins, and there is no doubt you are the true heir,” he said in a sober voice. “I will help you claim your rightful place.” He added.
“We must overthrow the king,” Erdal said, rage seeping into his eyes. “That is the only way.”
“First, we will go there and you will claim the throne. I have enough evidence to convince the Council members who might question us,” Ornek said. “If he resists, then you do what you have to.”
“Great,” Erdal said. “We leave now. We’ll stop over at the cabin and check on Natalie, and then we will continue on.”
“Yes, my lord. I’ll go pack up then,” the old man said.
***
Natalie was fast asleep when the mercenaries entered the house. One of the men clamped a hand over her mouth, waking her with a start. He roughly dragged her out of bed and pinned her hands behind her as her back collided against his chest. She clawed at the man’s hand covering her mouth, struggling to get free.
“Don’t make a sound or I’ll slit your throat, woman.” She stalled, scared out of her wits.
Her heart raced, her baby kicking as tears streaming from her eyes. The color drained from her face as she saw him enter the room. Gezek gawked at her. She blanched, shuddering at his sight.
She was sure they would kill her. Oh, Erdal, where are you?
“Search the house, find the traitor,” Gezek barked.
“Sir, the house is empty.” One of the henchmen said.
“Where is he?” he said in a raspy voice as neared her. The man took his hand away from her mouth and she gasped for air. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she cried. She must protect the baby...
“I... I don’t know,” she sobbed, hysterical.
“Put her out and take her away. We don’t have much time,” he said as he gave her a disgusted look and stalked away.
The man holding her pressed something cold and hard into the side of her neck and her skin burned. In the next few seconds, her vision blurred and she fell into oblivion.