Chapter Nine
Nara tied up Lucky’s ropes around the tree and checked if she had knotted it well and comfortable for her to move around in an acceptable distance. Lucky immediately sidled against the tree and folded her legs under her belly. Nara patted the steed’s smooth forehead and watched her big droopy eyes close. They’d stopped to make camp deep in the woodlands for the night after long four restless days of riding. They chose to camp near a clear flowing stream for easy access for the horses and them to drink and use.
Nara approached one of two circles her fellow warriors had formed earlier around burning chopped branches of wood and found a spot in the circle to sit. She breathed in the delicious aroma of a smoked doe they had caught for supper. Her empty stomach growled in response and her mouth watered.
“Here.” Astrid who sat beside her offered her a large tin bowl with well cooked meat in it. She took hold of the bowl and briefly met her eyes in acknowledgment and gratitude.
“Thank you”, Nara murmured and hurriedly bit into a large piece of meat.
The woods were quiet as the warriors ate. Not a single sound managed to invade the impenetrable invisible barrier of grief surrounding them. Not even the sound of people chewing, swallowing and drinking stirred amused or annoyed remarks. Abasi’s betrayal had hit hard and honestly, took them by surprise. Each face Nara peaked at beneath her eyelashes as she chewed on the meat wore the expression of sorrow. The death of their fellow mates had affected them greatly than any other time when one of them got killed on a mission. Her eyes searched for Barra among the heads bowed in silent resignation for the lost ones and found him seated quietly in the other circle few strides apart from where she sat. He too couldn’t escape the oppressive gloom, -although his eyes narrowed in concentration as he stared at a moth dancing at edges of the hot flames in front of him, sadness still shadowed his features.
“He is grieving like the rest of us, yet he’ll not show it for our sake,” Astrid whispered loud enough for her to hear alone. She agreed with Astrid’s words altogether, Barra was forced to remain tough, unaffected, his head cools for them, and every time she glanced his way it seemed his face contorted into something darker behind the dancing flames. From sadness to fury. Nara did not know what to say instead she finished the last piece of meat and placed the empty bowl on the grass under her bent knees.
“He must be burdened. He has to deliver news which no caring relation of blood or not would desire to hear” Astrid continued, her voice tinged with sympathy.
“With no bodies to show” Nara added as she remembered the short burial they had in Latrell. She wondered for a second what if her family were the ones to hear she had died.
She could almost imagine her beloved father’s spirit breaking and blaming himself for her death, Ingrid cheery soul crumbling and her mother suffering as she mourned for her and struggled to hold the family together.
“I want to go to Fisher City. I haven’t been there in a while”, the words jerked her back to the present.
“I don’t mind the smell of the sea either… I would like to live there instead of living in the capital” Astrid’s words toppled over the other almost incoherent to her ear. Surprised by the abrupt change of subject, Nara glanced at her with a questioning look.
“I have saved enough money to start a good life there” Astrid added. Every person in the army was handsomely paid-although not equally to people who were in higher ranks such as the General and his commanders. Nevertheless, even the knight watchers who acted as eyes from the high walls were given enough coin to waste beyond ale and women of the night.
Nara saw the trepidation written on her face, surprising her. For as long she’d known Astrid, she had never seen this side of her. The Astrid Nara knew was a strong woman in both body and mind, uneasily terrified of anyone or anything. Astrid was one person who had encouraged and coached her when she had been young, fragile, tame and gentle as a lamb into the strong-willed person she was now. Not once had she ever seen a hint of fear in the lady even when both got caught in a situation that was a matter of life and death. Even then, the woman fought through them and emerged unperturbed.
The memories only made her shock greater on seeing such intense fear in her friend. As if reading her mind, Astrid continued. “I’m afraid it will become a war that will not come to an end quickly” she tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear nervously.
“I’m even more scared we’ll lose-” She talked in a manner as if the war had already been won and declared its victor.
“You don’t know that-” Nara began to object. Astrid cut her mid-sentence with a stern glare that she had become familiar with over the eight years which meant not to dare interrupt her when she talked.
“Our army is not as big nor is it strong as you and I would like to believe. Not anymore. Abasi now rules all the south and so far as to Amahle and Kona. We are lucky we are alive!” Astrid whispered harshly. Nara regarded at her intently, not liking the fear in her mentor’s eyes. Her mind became restless as she recalled what Barra told her about seeing the Kalil General and his men. It is as though General Schmerz had left them alive so they would deliver the tragic news themselves. He had used them as a messenger, a good courtesy to what was to come.
She looked around their circle and perceived the uncomfortable sets of eyes on them. Their little whispering group was starting to garner attention. She placed her hand on Astrid’s and opened her mouth and tried to come up with something to make her stop talking, it wasn’t the time to rile up grieving people, but her throat felt dry and her tongue thick. Astrid’s words seemed to have sealed her lips. She couldn’t come up with anything.
“War is still fresh in their minds and body unlike us. When was the last time we went into a serious battle, apart from playing cat and mouse with bandits and marching to helpless and measly lands to terrorize them into surrendering which they do eventually without putting on a fight? Twenty, forty years and more. Kalil not more than three years ago, with Mesak kingdom!” Astrid hissed gaining more curious and angst eyes around them. Noticing the looks, Astrid quickly bowed her head and cracked her knuckles in embarrassment.
Nara took notice of how some of the men were unsettled from what they just heard. She could say they were shaken.
No, I won’t be shaken Nara told herself. She would not let Astrid’s words get to her. They should not rush to the conclusion of the war. And if to say war breaks, she coolly reflected they had a strong army too to withstand Abasi’s force.
Out of nowhere laughter and giggles echoed in the woods, breaking the tense atmosphere and rising it to a new level of eerie silence. She had heard that kind of laughter before, high pitched with a melodic ring to it enough to enchant women to paralytic state and lead men to their death. They belonged to no other than the nykr. Her ears tickled to the laughter that was soft as feathers.
Shoulders stiffening, her hand shot quickly and gripped the silver hilt of her sheathed sword. Nara sat very still, keeping her senses sharply alert. It seemed like time stopped when recognition of whom the voices belonged to finally dawned on the rest of the troop. Even those who were nodding off to the night woke in alarm-sleep forgotten. Heads cocked to the side where the laughter was coming from while hands instinctively reached out for a nearby weapon ready to protect themselves and fend of the dangerous intruder.
There must have been a grotto nearby. Nara thought, disappointed they had failed to spot one earlier in the evening before they had established a camp, for this dire situation could’ve been avoided at best. From encounters like this and stories embedded in them from childhood, each one of them knew nykr were evil water spirits. Nykr, magically beautiful as they were dangerous with the ability to take a form of a human woman on land or that with a tail of a fish when in water. With offerings and sacrifices it was believed that nykr would favor fishermen with the healthiest catch, but if not pleased with the offerings, the Nykr would drown them. There were few of them left wandering around, their male counterparts the nøkk already hunted to extinction.
Tongue tracing straight teeth behind closed lips, Nara feared if it would be another bloody night.
The laughter drew closer to where they camped and suddenly stopped. The air became strained and every noise around them including of the woodland insects and night creatures muted as if the creatures were also afraid. The nykr were close enough to be felt like a shadow but not too close to be seen in the crackling flame and where the moonlight could not reach the full dark row of trees. The tension was palpable Nara could almost touch it with her fingers if she weren't gripping the tilt of her sword so hard that the skin of her knuckles turned pale. Soon the face of sorrow was replaced with the readiness of battle on each warrior.
Nara took a glance at Barra to see if he’d offer any sort of direction of the situation. But Barra remained still like the rest of them, head jerked toward the dark rows of trees, his broad shoulders rigid and coiled with apprehension with a hand on his long sword. The silence was dreadful as they waited for the nykr who seemed to be taking their sweet time coming to terms whether they should continue to wherever they were heading or douse humans in a nearby water body.
A sudden, a lone breathtaking beautiful maiden crawled behind the shadows soundlessly and stood beside a tall tree not too of a distance from the two circles of warriors. A sharp hiss of swords drawn from sheaths rang in the air as the warriors took hold of their weapons and directed them toward the maiden, but took no farther measures. Some of the men had their heads averted in fear the maiden’s gaze alone would lead them to their fall while others held the maiden’s gaze in both fear and courage. Sweat trickled down their temples.
Sword out of the scabbard and ready in hand, Nara bravely looked at the nykr.
The nykr stood bare feet, clad in a wet blue cloth that whets her slender figure, her unnatural turquoise hair slick from wetness and her pale face, a face so bewitchingly beautiful it made Nara’s chest ache with deep envy she had never felt before. The darkness heavy in her chest, her face twisted harshly, and malice consumed her eyes displaying what she felt toward the nykr. Dark Magic
She jerked her gaze from the nykr and shut her eyes tightly for a moment, fighting against the nykr’s darkly pull. She wasn’t the only one affected, she heard Astrid hiss and bare her teeth and the men who had glanced at the nykr, were now transfixed, their eyes glazing with lust.
When she opened them and glanced back at the nykr, she was met with a glint of mischief simmering in the unusual violet eyes. The seductive creature took pleasure from the distress they suffered, a seedy smile adorned her lips. She parted her lush lips as if to speak.
Gasp! The warriors took a sharp intake of breath. Chills spread over her skin and fingers flexed nervously. They waited for the creature to make a move.
The nykr darted her tongue and licked her lips instead and grinned ever slowly, regarding each man calculatingly, appreciating her next meal.
The wretched being was teasing them.
She’d make sure to chop of that tongue of hers before she could utter a single note and feed it to pigs! Nara vowed. She only needed a word or sign of approval to engage. Nara kept her eyes on the nykr as the nykr continued to peruse each man with her taunting gaze…Until they met Barra. A look that resembled shock and disdain marred her lovely complexion. Her sardonic smile disappeared while her eyes lingered on Barra for several seconds before her gaze moved past him and continued to the others.
Suddenly like the quick winds of winter, the nykr whisked into the dark woods.
Relief flooded the restless warriors.
Men stood with their weapons and took a step forward wanting to chase after her, but Barra stopped them with his outstretched hand- a clear sign for them to standby and not engage. Few grunts arose in the crowd for the missed opportunity.
Nara balled her fingers and wanted to punch whoever grunted. Has grief dulled their senses to incite negligent act? For them to charge forward at the nykr would be like a headless chicken running for its life. Swords could not fight against magic, and if they did, it was nearly impossible to win against dark magic. The second the nykr (if too powerful) opened its mouth and whispered a single note-a note that was uniquely comprehensible to everyone’s desire they would forfeit their lives except for Nara and Astrid, the only women in the troop. And if the nykr took an interest in them they would not be able to do anything as they would be inert. She and Astrid might as well be given the privilege to watch their guts been cut out with their own swords.
Her stomach churned from the cruel imaginations.
The nykr resumed laughing to whatever subject they found amusing. Nara and the rest quietly waited on standby till the voices seemed to fade, an indication the nykr were far away from the camp.
“Ahhh…Those wenches if I wasn’t haggard. I would have speared them with my cock” the crude proclamation came from Hagen as he leaned against a tree long after the dire situation had passed. For the first time in two days they’d rode, genuine laughter exploded in the midst. The bulky soldier next to him bumped him with his elbow, his eyes are fearful darting back to Nara.
Nara’s face might have been scowling because Hagen had paled and apologized quickly “Forgive me my lady for my foul tongue” drawing, even more, chuckles from the crowd. Nara just shook her head. She couldn’t laugh or smile because it was though her cheeks would tear when she did that. Her jaw was still throbbing with pain from being hit. Also, Nara couldn’t change how some acted around her, with care and caution since she was of royal blood, the king’s niece.
Nara stayed awake all night and knew her fellow warriors did too, lest the nykr returned.
***
Horses clopped at a steady rhythm on the bridge as they neared Vessener’s great iron doors. Set in the smooth green plains, great walls erected from the ground to up high and surrounded the large capital city. The evening sun enswathed Vessener’s towers with colors of dusk. Vessener located northeast in the kingdom was bordered by hills and Ruhig forest, a dense forest that stretched to the south of the nation and to the far east while to the far west laid beach swamps and Fisher Province.
Lucky nickered, whipping her tail back and forth.
“Me too. I’m glad to be home” Nara murmured, petting the horse silky black neck.
She tilted her head and watched Barra stretch his hand high, holding the black flag of Murisa with a gray wolf as an emblem. He waved it back and forth to signal the guards patrolling in the towers to open the gates. The great gates were opened during the day and closed at night except for trade day. Merchants from other cities and territories came to display their goods and trade. The doors were left open for five days and night during the event. A horn blew and the unyielding gates opened; they marched inside the heart of Murisa. Well-built townhouses, residences, and merchant shops stood tall and emitted a yellow glow of burning lamps through the opened large windows.
They slowly trotted into the capital. People went on about their business while a few men, women and children who were unoccupied stopped to welcome them as they usually did, waiting for one of them to speak anything of the trip. Nara could see inquisitiveness mirrored on their faces, hopefully waiting. It shriveled the little excitement she had of returning home. No reply came from the troop, rather, they kept their eyes straight ahead as they trotted toward the castle. Only if they knew bad news is what they brought with them this evening, they wouldn’t look so curious. News strong to shake the entire kingdom possibly send every beating heart into a state of fright panic. Nara was certain many would not be able to control themselves, and in the result, riots would outbreak and spread across the kingdom. Something she surely didn’t want to deal with when a greater enemy was knocking on their door. Hence, keeping their mouth shut behind their helmets was a good call. Reluctantly the horde that was forming behind them as they neared the king’s manor dispersed in murmurs and disappointment. The troop came to a halt at the courtyard. Giant sculpted marbled wolves guarded the stairways between leading inside the castle, their gemmed eyes reflecting the burning fire from the torches mounted on the pillars in the vicinity.
Three men stood before them. General Tatu, a bald huge middle-aged man with a thick red beard and dressed in boots and black trousers and green buttoned badges studded doublet with a sword hanging on his waist. The mage beside him wore a grey cloak that shadowed his face, and to his left stood lord Thani. Startled by her father’s presence, she watched him keenly as Barra approached the General. Both the lord and the General’s face remained unreadable as Barra reported the devastating news concerning Latrell.
“You may take your leave soldiers” the General ordered after his short discussion with Barra, his firm dark hawk like eyes landing briefly on them before quitting the night with the mage on his side. Her father remained behind. Warriors paid quick respect before him as they also took their leave.
Nara stayed and approached her father when everyone else dispersed.
“How are you?” her father implored holding her gaze the moment she got close to him. “Take off your helmet” he urged before she could reply.
“I’m fine. Let me return the horse to the stables, and I will speak with you father”, she said, wanting to avoid the inspection.
Her eyes narrowed with concern. “Father what’s troubling you?” He looked tired, circles under his eyes. With everything that has been happening lately, she was beginning to worry.
“Nothing is wrong, now show me your face,” he said again. Sighing Nara took off her helmet her plaited hair fell past the shoulder plates and hanged to her waist. She turned the less bruised cheek to him, hiding the other in the shadow. Her father wasn’t fooled, lifting her chin gently with his thumb, he turned both sides to the light his brows creasing when he saw her battered jaw. He clucked, unhappy. Her father hadn’t been pleased when she decided to join the army and had made his displeasure known to her many times. He tried countless times convincing her to leave the army, but his words failed to persuade her. Hence he settled to inspect for any visible wounds on her face or hands whenever she returned home. Nara always found it ridiculous and sometimes incredibly annoying. Goodness! She was twenty-four and not a child. Her profession didn’t come with bruise free and life guarantee. Nara would have objected like any other day yet today she perceived it was urgent, he looked unsettled more than he was when she had just joined the army hence she obliged.
“You have to stop this. No more of this”, Jae murmured sternly as a guard passed them while they began to walk toward their house. Lucky trotted behind them naturally. “Do not worry it’s just a simple bruise. It will heal.” she tried to brush it off with a smile but ended up wincing instead.
“You always come home wounded. I do not like this happening to you.” His concern was more than usual. This had her worrying even more.
“Tell me, what’s going on? Did anything happen? How are Ingrid and mother, are they alright?” she questioned.
“Your sister and mother are in good health.” He looked at her with a secretive knowing smile as they reached the simple manor they called home.
“Don’t leave me in suspense father. What is it that has you smiling widely?” she prodded, curious. The stable boy came and guided the horse to its stall as they stood at the entrance door of their home.
“Your mother is pregnant” the corners of his eyes wrinkled from the huge smile he was trying to contain.
“You don’t say!” Nara’s eyes grew wide in surprise. She pulled her father in a quick tight hug, celebrating the great news causing her to push the tragedies of the last days aside. Her father laughed proudly while he hugged her back and dropped his hands as quickly as she did in consideration for her dislike of prolonged physical contact. Still, he looked elated, floating in the clouds of becoming a father for another child. Indeed, Nara was happy for her mother since she had been longing and trying to have another baby for years after the birth of Ingrid but with no luck. Still grinning, they walked inside.
“Do not tell her I said. She wanted to be the first person to let you know”, he whispered as they moved across the quiet hall and took the stairs leading to the wing of bedchambers. No one was in sight except for the two of them. She wondered if others had already retired for the night.
“She will have my hide if you do so.” Nara l at her father’s expense. “You’re in trouble old man. I advise you to get lost in the many rooms of the castle tomorrow while you are still alive.” She could not wait to see her mother scolding him for not being able to hold his tongue.
“Tomorrow will be a good day for me to listen to all the pompous old roosters’ demands.” Her father grinned. Rooster was a nickname the two of them had come up with for some selective noblemen who thought highly of themselves, demanding everyone should be on their back and call. And her father as a member of the king’s council came across them frequently.
She laughed lightly.
“Now go and take care of yourself. I told the maids to prepare you a bath earlier when I heard your party had arrived”. He regarded her once more, his old but aging handsome face shone with the effects of a good laugh and eased her worry a little. Her free hand reached for the knob of the door that opened her chambers then she faced him. “I’m glad to see you father.” Her words were genuine.
“Likewise, my daughter. Sleep well, and we shall talk more tomorrow” he kissed her forehead and took to his bedroom.
Nara twisted the knob, opened the door and stepped in her room.
The maids had lit up the oil lamp, the light casting warm glow and faint shadows of the furniture in the chamber. They had also prepared a bath in the adjacent chamber. “That’s all for tonight. You may leave” she ordered the maid standing at the corner of the room. The girl wished her a good sleep and left, shutting the door on her back.
Nara placed her helmet on a carved stool at the sound of the door being closed and breathed in the familiar scent of her room. It smelled fresh and clean free of dust despite her long absence. Finally, alone and in the comfort of her room, Nara shed her armour, and the clothes she wore beneath together, which bundled at her feet. Her aching limbs revel in the freedom of not being weighed and pressed by the armour. Nara rolled her shoulders, ridding the pressing stiffness. Bare skin, she walked toward the bath chamber bright from another burning oil lamp set in the top shelf corner, stepped in and sank to her chin in the large crafted wooden tub filled with water. She shivered and gasped from the cold water caressing her hot sweaty skin yet still welcomed the coldness as her body got accustomed to it. It was refreshing from the heat of summer. She grabbed the piece of cloth placed on the edge of the tub, wet it and lathered it with a bar of soap.
Nara leaned against the tub and leisurely scrubbed the sweat and dirt from her body. Little scars here and there adorned her skin like badges. She was no longer the shy little girl with skin so pale from tucking inside the house like a turtle in its shell. She had grown into a fine yet round face, brown eyes, with dark hair over long overdue for a cut. Tanned skin spanned over lean muscle with firm muscular thighs and legs, results of regular horse riding and combat. She was also tall like her late mother, well that’s what her father told her. She remembered so little of her mother since she died when she was a little girl.
She undid her braid and ran her fingers through her wet hair, untangling it. Exhausted from restless thoughts, her eyelids shut. She sucked in a lungful of air and submerged herself completely in the water, letting the cold water rinse her troubles too. A short time lapsed when she heard a familiar voice, “Are you planning to sleep in there?”
Lips stretching to a closed smile, Nara surfaced up and exhaled through her nose. Dressed in a long nightie with a shawl draped on top, her mother posed at the entrance of the alcove holding a towel and smiling at her. Quickly Nara stepped out the tub with water sloshing down on the floor. She was not bothered displaying her nakedness to her mother. Her mother had seen her bare before when she was still a child and when she treated her wounds in occasions. She was also confident in her body.
Avoiding getting her wet, Nara wrapped the woolen cloth around her body then embraced her mother, the emptiness she felt from missing her family slowly filling up. Her mother hugged her back with the same affection. She cupped her face lightly cautious of her bruises and regarded her. “Father has already talked to me,” Nara said softly, her gaze lacking confident to look at her straight in the eyes. She could see the concern, and sadness on her mother’s steady gaze even though she said nothing.
“Welcome back home. We have missed you,” Kami said gently.
Nara tightened her arms around her conveying she felt the same, before letting go and walking to the different larger room.
“I thought that you were sleeping.” Nara sat across her on the bed after drying herself and wearing her sleeping gown she retrieved from the wardrobe.
“I was, but I wanted to see you,” Kami replied and handed her tiny green twigs. Undoubtedly, she appeared to have been sleeping if her sleepy dark eyes were any indication but still looking good. For one, her thick long kinky hair was twisted in braids, and a warm bronze radiance flushed her even and lush dark-hued skin.
Nara curiously examined the thin twigs in her palm that was half the size of her small finger.
“It is malmun has a bitter taste, but it is good for aches. Chew it all” Kami insisted, pushing the hand Nara held the twigs towards her mouth. In one go Nara threw the twigs in her mouth and chewed. Her eyes teared and blinked repeatedly, the malmun was unsweet, an acrid taste filled her mouth. Intrigued of her mother’s new status Nara’s gaze dropped to her stomach and witnessed the small bulge sitting there. Earlier in the bathing chamber, she couldn’t see the swell of her belly since they were both standing and the shawl Kami had draped around her hid it but now as they sat on the bed it was prominent, her clothes had pulled up and snagged around her midriff.
Her quick examination did not go unnoticed.
“That man! He blabbers off like a parrot these days!” Kami complained and rolled her eyes. “And here I’ve been secretly congratulating myself for marrying a reserved, quiet gentleman.” After the death of her real mother, her father remarried a few years later when he left for Amahle to sign a treaty that allowed Murisa passage to use Amahle’s province Úsh seaport without being heavily taxed when they transported goods from Rary one of Murisa’s territory. Their marriage, a duty to their kingdoms had later blossomed to love and bore Ingrid in the process. Now a second baby was on the way.
Nara swallowed the last bits of the twigs and laughed softly. “When are you expecting?”
“Beginning of winter, I believe. Soon you’ll have another sister or brother.” Kami smiled widely.
“I’m very happy for you.” She smiled. “What is it?” worry crossed her features when her mother’s eyes became glassy, and a tear dropped.
“Do not worry, your words have touched me deep enough to burst the dam of my uncontrollable emotions. At least you are not crying with me like how Ingrid does.” Her mother gave a choked laugh, moist pooling in her eyes. “She cries out of guilt and confusion whenever I scold her, and it happens to be one of those days I am overwhelmed with everything.” Nara relaxed at her mother’s words. “Good thing she’s asleep then” Nara referred to her eleven-year-old little sister.
“How uncaring I am for not asking how your journey was although your wounds give me the impression that it was not altogether pleasant.” Kami pointed.
Nara sighed tiredly and recounted the days she had been gone while she did her hair in one long braid for the night. She shortened the story and only retold the first days they arrived at Latrell, how one young man, crippled from the waist down left her with a great impression after seeing his determination to learn anything just to protect his mother and two young brothers and farm from rustlers. The young man had turned out to be great in archery. He reminded her of herself when she was a recruit, terrified yet excited at the prospect of being a soldier. Her face soon turned dark when she retold of the unfortunate events that happened in Latrell. Sadness settled on her mother’s face.
Kami sighed softly like she too had faced a great ordeal the days Nara was absent. Then finally in a tender yet strong voice Kami spoke, “Why don’t you take a rest from your work and stay home for a while. Your father and I will be happy if you do that. Ingrid will surely love to have your company around. She has been missing you a lot.” At the words, the image of her restless father pushed forward into her mind. Nara lifted her head from the tail of her hair which her fingers were busy braiding and met her mother’s gaze. Nara knew something was wrong, she could feel it. She searched her mother’s expression.
“Is whatever troubling you and father have to do with what happened in Latrell?” she asked, uneasy weight settling in the pit of her stomach. Her mother’s lips thinned and shook her head slowly. Nara took in how her mother placed her hand on her swollen stomach and rubbed it delicately like she was afraid the weight of her hand would injure the little being growing inside her.
“You do not need to worry about your father and me. You know how complicated court matters can be as always. However, what occurred in Latrell, I can’t bury it in my mind. It makes me worry for you even more.” Kami placed her hands on hers and squeezed tightly briefly. “Mmmh… It will please me if you consider it. Now please rest you must be exhausted.” Her mother stood up from the bed and placed a chaste kiss on Nara’s forehead before walking out the door.
Lies. It was more than mere court matters stressing her father. Still, when she pondered what the real problem might be, her head refused to cooperate, her temples throbbed. Nara could no longer withstand the sharp jabs pricking her skull. She had little strength left to exhaust over thoughts. Nara let out a deep breath and strode to the lamps sitting on the counter shelves she typically kept small mementos she collected in her travels. Nara blew the flames, sending the room into darkness and went straight to her bed. Before she knew it, her eyes closed to sleep.
Chapter Ten
Kalil Kingdom
Horrid dreams plagued his sleep again. Tonight, he wore the ceremonial robe of gold and black with the jeweled crown on his brownish gray head as he walked across the fields of his kingdom. His lands were desolated, not a single building or creature could he see. His legs were heavy and sore, feeling like he had walked for hours, the sun his only companion. The cloudless sky remained silent until a flock of crows stirred it as they flew in circles, cawing in angry choruses that threatened his ears to bleed. He forced his legs to pick up pace desperate to leave the area before the crows’ cries bled him from his ear to death. It didn’t help, their cries echoed and trailed behind him and then abruptly stopped altogether into a plunging silence.
Good riddance, he mulled but paused when it became eerie quiet. His abused ears strained to catch even the smallest sound.
Out from each corner of the earth, a gust of wind carrying the stench of death poisoned the air. The repugnant smell churned his stomach as it threatened to suffocate his lungs. The nauseating feeling in his belly stringed his bowels to a noose and had him gagging. It clawed up his throat and brought him to his knees. Pale eyes teared from the foul odor as they observed the blue-sky shift into great stormy clouds in mere seconds. Clouds opened and showered the grounds with blood, soaking him. He struggled to gain his stand, his mind forced his lungs to work, to breathe, he parted his lips and tried to breathe through his mouth, only to gurgle the heavy raining blood.
Blood splattered onto his face, dripped onto his chin and hit the ground. Anxiety and fear had him trembling. Eyelashes wet with blood fluttered open and shook in horror as the ground opened and spat corpses, grave worms crawling on the dead forms. He recognized the dead bodies. They were his people, his advisors, soldiers, men, children, and women. Arrows and swords sprung forth from their limbs, some were even headless.
A thunder of horses and stomps of marching soldiers coming from afar followed by a terribly monstrous sound rang loudly in the air. Abasi whirled around to the source of the sound, coming face to face with Lorenz the King of Murisa perched on his horse in the front row of his army that surrounded him with his pet, a giant gray wolf. Abasi stumbled backwards from the sudden appearance of the other king and stared at him. He tried to form words but his mouth was full of blood, he ended up sputtering the metallic fluid.
Lorenz smiled wickedly, his gaze filled with malice. Abasi warily watched him forth from the line and circled him tauntingly.
“You were always a naive friend, just like your forefather thinking there could be two rulers. There can only be one king.” Lorenz sneered at him as he stood before him. Even his horse looked at him with vileness while the other beast snarled and growled low. Abasi trembled with fear, for the wolf was terrifying you would think he was Fenrir himself.
From the corner of his eye, Abasi saw his only son Nikolas held up in the air in tattered clothes by Lorenz’s sorcerer. Nikolas’ back propelled forward, his hand flailing beside him as he whimpered in agony.
“Please…please don’t harm my son” Abasi pleaded desperately barely getting the words out of his mouth. His head whipped to the shriek cries of his son as the sorcerer in a white robe smeared scarlet clamped his hand and ripped the life out of Nikolas before his body joined the pile of corpses. Pain so unimaginable consumed his heart and rippled through his entire body. Abasi screamed as tears rolled down his face.
“You see, He won’t leave you until everyone is under his command. Pay heed to my words and act. Do to his people as he has done to yours.” The dark, insidious familiar voice wrapped around his mind and filled his skull. He clutched his pounding head with trembling hands. The giant gray wolf suddenly leaped at him, its paws clawed his chest, and sharp teeth gnawed at him. He shrieked and cried from the ripping of his flesh, his whole body thrashing and fighting the wolf.
***
Abasi started from the nightmare with a sharp gasp, his pulse beat frantically against his ribs as a cold sweat ran down his spine. His eyelids opened to darkness before accustoming to the dim light. The bed chamber was closed in darkness only the fading flames from the lamps at the far end corner burned. It cast shadows in the room.
He hoisted his upper body to a sitting position using his elbows, but a strong hand pushed him back unto the sticky sheets damp from his sweat. Something sharp like a claw stung his chest, making him groan and wince. Defensive instincts kicking in, he seized the shadowed figure’s hand with one hand while his other reached for the short dagger he always hid under the pillows.
“Who are you?” Abasi demanded and pressed the dagger against the shadowed figure’s neck, with enough pressure to slice the person’s throat from just a stir of movement.
“Your wife”, came the raspy reply as she straddled him slowly heedful of the dagger biting the skin of her throat.
Abasi squinted his eyes and peered at Dagny. She was naked. The dark flame outlined her curvaceous hips, brown hair that curtained her ample breasts and the angle of her jaw. Her smooth porcelain skin seemed to gleam under the soft light. She was beautiful than the day he’d married her and changed. Compared to his first wife, Dagny was less timid and more unchaste, cunning that it scared him from time to time...
He withdrew his hand and let the dagger fall to the floor with a thud. Her pink lips lifted slyly as he felt her skillful fingers brush his covered thighs teasingly and moved upwards to where she straddled him lower on his pelvis. Her fingers reached between their pelvis and held him there. Abasi sucked in a breath and became still. He was naked beneath the sheets and already knew what his wife wanted yet his torso quivered with anticipation.
Dagny tugged at the sheets between them which kept her from her prize all the while watching him with heated eyes. She pushed the expensive silk sheets aside and took him inside her, whimpering from the feel of him.
She moved on top of him, and Abasi groaned in response his eyes losing focus.
...But he liked this unfamiliar side of her it quenched his wicked carnal needs. It gave him an escape from nightmares at bay. She’d ride him until his whole body ached from exhaustion and begged her to stop. Grabbing her hips, he thrust harder into her, and her fingers dug painfully into his chest as her lips parted with a deeper moan. He growled low and thrust even harder, surrendering to the euphoric sensation rushing over him.
Long after their coupling, Abasi laid on his back, looking up at the intricate lines of the ceiling, his strength depleted and exhausted from his wife’s demands. He glanced briefly at her, his gaze travelled leisurely over her body, the silky sheets sprayed over her figure while she slept. He wished he had the strength to take her again. To be between her legs, thrusting inside her roughly like she always enjoyed. Sucking her nipples and biting them as inappropriate words deemed wrong for a noblewoman and more so for a queen flew from her mouth into his ears.
He ruefully smiled. Now, he was not too confident he would be able to stand upright on his two feet without collapsing. He was no longer a young man with a healthy physique and durability, his body needed time to regain energy. A loud knock rang in the quiet room.
“What?” Abasi demanded, irked at the person who dared to bother him in this dark hour.
“Forgive me Your Highness for disturbing your rest, but the General has requested your presence,” the intruder said. The intruder was no other than Luka his steward.
Rising, Abasi shoved the covers aside and got off the bed. His legs which were still weak almost gave under him the second they landed on the cold floor. He briefly rested his weight on the bed then searched for clothes to wear when he felt some strength rush in his feet.
What sort of news does Schmerz have with him tonight? Did they succeed in their mission? His mind ran wild with fear and apprehension at the thought of the pressing matters awaiting him out that door as he wore a pair of black trousers and a long-wrinkled shirt and boots. He was nervous that he did not care about the state of the clothes he wore.
His wife stirred on the bed and sleepily looked at him. “Where are you going?”
“Schmerz is back and has requested my presence, but you need not worry. You have your rest” he replied, touching the top of her head before stepping out of the room.
“The General is waiting for you outside your private study your majesty” Luka informed him as they walked in one of many long halls of the castle, one step behind him. Mid-sized iron torches hammered on the spotless walls of the building brighten their way.
“Is he alone?” Abasi looked at the old white-haired man who had served his late father when he was on his throne. The man had many wrinkles even on his eyelids. Abasi was amazed despite the old man's age, he was still walking mighty and well while his own father was buried deep down in the ground. His bones being eaten by worms and insects.
“He was alone when I left him your majesty” Luka replied, his voice meek as of a dutiful servant.
They took a turn for the left wing where his private room was located.
The General stood alone outside the study room. Abasi stopped when they neared the room and stood a foot away of the General fully armored from neck to his feet only free of his helmet and horse.
“That is all Luka” Abasi dismissed the man as he looked at the stern face of Schmerz. He did not even hear Luka’s parting words nor his steps when he left from the loud pounding of his heart that drummed in his ears. Abasi opened the door and let Schmerz step in first, so he can light up the torches in the room with the candle he held. The room had a wooden table with two polished wooden chairs. It also had shelves stacked with written scrolls and vital records. Abasi walked towards the round wooden table that had maps and scrolls on top of it. He turned around and motioned for Schmerz to draw closer. Schmerz blew out the candle and strode to where he was.
“How is everything progressing?” Abasi inquired with confidence and authority although his insides shook from the trepidation overwhelming him. He was extremely nervous he was on the verge of throwing up. The last time he had felt this way was when he descended on the throne. When he did not know how he would govern his people despite being taught the ways of a ruler and the matters of the kingdom when he was just a little boy. He knew why he was quivering like a dry leaf in a strong wind, going to war against Murisa terrified the wits out of him.
“Your orders were carried with success your Majesty” Schmerz replied holding his gaze with confidence it was almost intimidating.
Abasi was sure if he were cut from the same cloth as other petty rulers he knew, who demanded every person under them to cower in their presence, he would have already ordered Schmerz to be beheaded. Schmerz was unlike any General. Little terrified this hulk of a man. However, Abasi had a theory. A well proven theory that if you subjected your people to grovel before you, they would lick your boots when you are seated on the throne long enough for them to overthrow you in the cruelest ways.
A small smile of victory was working itself on his lips but was trampled by Schmerz sobering words. “The team that was sent have all fallen except for the men who monitored with me from afar.” Abasi slammed his fists on the table as anger and sadness for the fallen burned his chest. He violently wiped the contents on the table. Books and maps thud, the ink bottle clang and ink spilled onto the polished wooden floor. His hands shook the table, his chest heaved rapidly as he fought against the rage spreading through his bones.
“May they find rest in Valhalla” Schmerz said solemnly.
“We should have waited a little longer for our people in Murisa to return home before launching the attack,” he said, worried for the Kali that lived in Murisa. What would their fate be now?
Maybe this was a mistake he thought, his chest clenching out of grief to agree. His people have bled so much already for their own lives. The lands he ruled now beyond far off the sea where conquered with iron and blood...so much blood. They had given their enemies the taste of their swords as did they. Memories of old when he was just a boy himself played before him as though summoned. In this same room and floor, he was now standing on, he recalled when his late father returned home from fighting in a distant land. His father had been wounded, a large gash across his torso blood soaking his mother’s expensive carpet she had bought from merchants of the distant sea. Helpless he was when he was just a boy, he prayed to the Norn in a secluded corner. To spare his father’s life as his mother cleaned and sew his wounds, so they didn’t fester. His father drunk to stupor so he could not feel the prickle of needle on his skin as it tugged and sealed the wounds.
The memories made his own scars he accumulated in the battles he had experienced itch. He rubbed a hand over his hair, frustrated and torn. Going to war against Murisa would be subjecting his people to a great misery. Murisa was a great nation with capable allies who would willingly assist her for the price of being given scrambles of what his kingdom would be left Furthermore, picking up the pieces of their lives after the war would be an enormous task, a task that would carry to the next generation when his reign was over.
He thrust his hand through his graying hair all the while Schmerz remained quiet watching him as he tried to remove the conflict between his heart and mind. In his mind, he saw the rule Murisa had on Kalil. They could not expand and ally with other kingdoms whom he thought to be beneficial for his people without Lorenz’s approval. From the sweat and backs of his people what they mined, produced and cultivated, Murisa demanded a sum of it as a tribute as were the healthy boys were rounded and taken to Murisa for hard labor. Even the coins the Kali used bore the face of Lorenz and not his or the late leaders of his kingdom.
Abasi growled in anger. This was not all that drove his purpose to end ties with Murisa. It was an old unbreakable treaty his forefather had agreed to, that, the king and people of Kalil would be the right arm, sword and shield of Murisa. It gave Lorenz a reason to clamp his claws around Kalil and flaunt with threats.
He snarled and cursed at Einarr his forefather who placed them in this un-saving situation. Although he ruled never-ending lands of riches and commanded a vast army, he still knew he was just a figurehead as long the treaty was upheld. The future as it has been for the past two centuries it was a blight for the citizen of Kalil only if he marched against Murisa did he have the slim chance to give the freedom, he desired his people to have.
What of the thousands of lives that would die at the hand of this course? A voice of fear questioned him.
Abasi looked at Schmerz for answers. Unlike him who appeared conflicted, his General stood coolly before him with his hands crossed behind him. His posture collected, his face exemplifying confidence of a person who had readied himself for the war for a very long time and was waiting for his king to recover from senseless sentiments.
“We cannot fold now! Not anymore!” Schmerz growled, reading his misgiving thoughts.
“I’m your king! Do not use that tone with me” Abasi snarled back. He noted how the General’s nostrils flared and the corner of his lips tipping into a sardonic smile before flattening thinly.
“Forgive me my king for my rashness, but I assure you with my own life that I will see to it victory is ours” Schmerz swore.
Abasi lifted his head, his shoulders lifted and slumped tiredly. “I do not doubt it. Tell me Schmerz… say how can we win without killing ourselves?” he asked, his gaze pleading for another way.
“There is no goal without sacrifice. With big ambition comes great sacrifice” Schmerz replied solemnly.
“I know. Believe me, I know.” He already knew that yet he was not ready for his people to pay the price for the uncertain future. Just then the door groaned, welcoming a third person into the room. Both Abasi and Schmerz cocked their heads to the newcomer. Dagny sauntered to where the two men stood. Much as he enjoyed his wife’s company especially when they both had no clothes on, he had no time to spare her now. Irritated, he asked none too gently “What is it?”
“I could not find sleep when my dear husband needs my whole support in these dark times,” she said, ignoring his coldness. Abasi pinched the bridge of his nose and wanted to laugh at her amiable facade. “I need no comfort. Now go back to sleep” he said impatiently, leveling his cold gaze at her.
Dagny glared back at him, her soft features changing to steel. He could not break from her gaze that brewed into a stormy sea when she spoke, “I am not an ass that you can bend to your will. I am your wife and the queen of this Kingdom. The lives of our people are also my responsibility, so I will not cower and hide. I will remain here and offer what I have for the safety of our population.”
An awkward silence descended into the room. Abasi let out an irritated sigh and briefly looked at her. At least she was clothed in a delicate yet formless long sleeved red dress and made an effort to look proper before she barged in. “Schmerz was just done giving me the report of our first issued attack.” Dagny shifted her attention to Schmerz.
“-It was a success I suppose despite losing our warriors” he continued as he observed his wife mutter a fervent prayer for their fallen before lifting her eyes to his.
“So, what do you plan for us to do next?” she asked. Abasi directed his gaze towards Schmerz, “General what do you advise us to do?”
“For we do not know when our enemy will strike, we should be ready all the time My King. Allow me to spread the word among the military posts. My men to stand ready and patrol the borders and all the main routes to the provinces.” Schmerz looked at them gravely, “as we protect our own we should continue our course. Destroy the very people who make the nation.”