ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (29 page)

Seraphin went down to the dungeons with a guard. The soldiers bowed as she passed and prisoners cried for help and extended their hands through a square hole in the wooden doors. The guard led her to a door and opened it. In the cell was a man with chains on his hands.

‘Who are you?’ he said as the door was closed behind her.

‘Your deliverance.’ she replied, lowering her hood.

‘What do you want?’

‘You and your men, and in exchange you get to take revenge on this city today for both of us.’

He laughed. ‘The soldiers would kill us before we even started.’

She smiled. ‘As we speak, all the soldiers in the city are marching into the battle and today is Ida’s day.’

‘Ida’s day! Do you believe in such tales?’

Seraphin laughed and opened her palm. Crystals rose from her sweat and she threw the crystals at him. He raised his arms to cover his face and they hit his bonds. His irons fell like grains to the floor.

‘I am the tales.’ she said and turned to the door, pushing it open with the wind.

                                                                      ***

Gisilfried knew what would follow after the sound of the horn even without seeing it. His father would give a powerful oration, then the army would march out of the city with the king in front and General Tharstin beside him. When Gisilfried was a boy, he had watched it in excitement, yearning to be a part of it, now a flood of contempt swept over him.

‘It has begun.’ he said to the ten guards before him. ‘Make sure you do as I’ve said. I want soldiers guarding that well.’

‘But my lord,’ said Marquesda, ‘who are we guarding it against?’

‘Whoever tries to get through; man or woman, prince…or princess.’

                                                                      ***

Natalia paced the library, throwing glances at the door. Her heart couldn’t stay still. She couldn’t believe she had entrusted her father’s life to someone else. Ekrid looked up from the scroll he was reading.

‘My lady,’ he said, ‘much as I admire your grace, it distracts me from my reading.’

‘The prince could be in danger and you speak of your scrolls.’

‘In danger of what? Marrying her or of she killing him?’

‘What difference does it make? She’ll kill him if she marries him.’

Ekrid turned back to the scroll and said, ‘I sense jealousy in your voice.’

‘Jealousy!’ she scoffed and stopped pacing. ‘I only fear he’s going to get everyone killed.’

‘His strategy was a good one.’

‘But it gets worse as time passes. I need to do something. I want to be in control of my life for once.’

Ekrid rose. ‘The prince told us to stay here.’

‘Ekrid, he thinks he’s in control but he’s playing into her trap. Men can be so blind to think women act like they do.’

‘But you cannot leave. If they catch you--’

‘I’m tired of hiding. It’s time for me to act.’ she said and headed for the door. Ekrid pulled out a sword from beside him and ran towards the door, barricading her way.

‘You know you cannot stop me.’ she said.

‘I know that’s why I’m giving you this.’ he said, extending the sword. ‘But you must return it. I’m known to be miserly with things I haven’t used.’

She smiled and took it. ‘I will. Thank you, Ekrid.’

He opened the door for her and said, ‘Be careful and don’t die.’ Then, he slammed the door shut after her.

Gisilfried opened Seraphin’s door. She stood in the middle of the room in a white and gold embroidered dress. She smiled as he walked in.

‘Seraphin,’ he said, ‘I’ve made my decision.’

‘Come forward.’ She extended her hand to him. He approached and took it.

‘What is your decision?’ she said.

‘I choose you. There is none more worthy to be by my side.’

              She laughed, her eyes grew misty and she kissed him. He closed his eyes and stroked her face. He felt himself sinking. He pulled away from the kiss and looked down. His feet had disappeared under the stone floor which was now grey mud. He gasped, and tried to raise his feet but couldn’t. He looked up and saw the smile on Seraphin’s face.

‘Your princes are known for their lies since the days of Ida, but today, I will rewrite history. This is how it ends. The kiss was a beautiful parting gift.’

‘Seraphin, you must stop this.’

She pushed him and he fell into the mud. What he saw last was Seraphin’s face before he was completely submerged.

              Seraphin hardened the ground back to stone.

‘Prasima.’ she called.

Her nurse opened the door and bowed. ‘My lady, the men have fought their way through the castle gates.’

‘Excellent.’ She pulled a cloak over her dress and left the room with her nurse behind her.

                                                                      ***

Natalia saw people running in her direction.  She grabbed one of them and said, ‘What’s happening?’

‘Robbers are in the palace.’

She took a deep breath and strode forward with her sword out. She saw men with swords walking towards her. She gripped the sword tighter, her eyes scanning their number.
Fifteen
. She smiled, she could kill them all if they didn’t attack in unison.

‘That’s the lass that got me in the dungeons.’ said one of them. She recognized him from the fight in the market.

‘I see your flock hasn’t changed.’ she said. ‘I plead with you all, leave this place in the name of the king.’

‘Kill her.’ the man shouted and five men charged at her. She stood still, studying their attack. They had the number but they didn’t have her speed. She killed the first man by digging her sword into his stomach. She took his blade and killed the second and third by slitting their necks and the final two by plunging into one’s stomach and the other’s heart.

The ten gaped at their fallen comrades then at her. She grinned. She had missed the power that surged within her when she fought. The ten men charged at her. She tightened her grip on the swords.

‘Enough!’ A force pushed the men to the walls. Natalia looked ahead and saw Seraphin approaching with Prasima behind her. Seraphin glanced at the pile of dead men.

‘It seems I misjudged you.’

‘Where’s Gisilfried?’ Natalia asked.

‘He’s where Ida will accept him.’

‘You killed him.’ Natalia said and rushed at her. Seraphin lifted her hand and Natalia found her feet leaving the ground. She was thrown against the walls and then to the floor. Natalia’s head and body ached and blood dribbled down her hairline.

‘Pick her up.’ said Seraphin. The men pulled Natalia up. One of them spat in her face while another punched her in the stomach.

‘Take her to the dungeon.’

The men carried Natalia down a flight of stairs and down to a corridor filled with cells. Guards lay dead on the aisle. There was an open cell. They took her in. One of the walls was stained with blood and had leather bonds attached to the walls.

‘Bind her.’ said Seraphin. 

Natalia struggled but they bound her to the walls, making sure every knot was tight. Seraphin turned to one of the men. ‘Stay and entertain her before you kill her.’ She and the others left Natalia and the man alone.

‘This is for my brothers.’  the man said and punched her stomach.

Natalia didn’t know how many times he hit her but it didn’t hurt as much as when he tore her dress and grabbed her thigh. She took deep breaths.
What do I do?

Natalia,
she heard the voice say,
pull.

‘I’ve tried.’ she whispered.

Try again. The stone is getting weak. Don’t be weaker.

She pulled with all the strength left in her and the leg he held broke free. She kicked him in the groin. He doubled over and she kicked his face. He landed on his side.

‘I shall enjoy killing you.’ he said, staggering to his feet. Natalia’s hand broke free as he clenched his hands over her throat. She gagged for air and hit his face but he held on. She raised her knee to kick him. He used one hand to grab her leg and placed his other hand on her throat. He banged her head on the wall. She clenched her teeth.
She would enjoy killing him too
. She spat in his face and punched him in the eye. He staggered back. She freed her leg from his grip and kicked his stomach. He groaned, clutching his belly. She used her free hand to release the bond one as he struggled to pull his sword. When he charged, her two hands were free. She ducked as he aimed for her neck, cutting some strands of her hair. She hit his sword hand, disarming him, and held his neck and pushed his head against the wall. He toppled to the floor. She loosened the bond on her leg and picked up the sword. He groaned and tried to rise. She went to him, turned him over to face her and dug the sword in his chest.

She stumbled backwards, panting. Her mind went to Gisilfried. She ran out of the dungeons. The castle was empty except for the corpses lying about. She rushed to Seraphin’s room and looked around. There was no one within. Her heart pounded.

‘Gisilfried.’ she said, walking forward into the room. She looked down the balcony but saw no corpse. She turned around and her eyes caught the raised dents in the stone. She walked towards it and knelt down, sliding her hands over it. It was warm. She gasped.
Someone was in there.
She hit the edges with her sword, then she used her hands to pull the stones away. Her hands were bloody by the time his face and body emerged. He was covered in grey dust and his body was limp. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heart. It wasn’t beating.

‘What do I do?’ she said, cradling Gisilfried’s head in her hands. The voice was quiet. She rocked and waited. Her eyes stung and a tear escaped down her cheek. She looked up and took a deep breath. She needed to be strong. Gisilfried would want her to stop Seraphin. She cleaned her tears, kissed his forehead and laid his head on his stone.

He coughed. She gasped and touched his face. ‘Gisilfried.’

He coughed again and said, ‘I feel like my blood is boiling.’

He opened his eyes and smiled at her. ‘All those tears for me?’

‘No, for the ruined floor. Your actions were idiotic but you thought too much of your good looks.’

He laughed and sat up. He touched a cut on her face. ‘What happened?’

‘It’s been taken care of.’

‘Where is Seraphin?’ he said, rising to his feet with her help.

‘She and a band of mercenaries are heading for the well.’ she said, as they strode out of the room. ‘What about the queen?’

‘I had her protected fearing this would happen.’

‘You mean like you being buried in a rock?’

‘Yes.’ he said with a smile.

‘My lord.’ said General Daril, calling King Meldric’s attention to the approaching army. Meldric looked ahead and sighed as he was known to do when he met a challenge that exceeded him, like the army that approached.

Lethman rode in front, his face red and squeezed. Meldric rubbed his forehead. He knew it would be difficult to reason with him.

Lethman stopped a yard away from him and bellowed, ‘Meldric, son of Mesianus, we meet again on the battle front.’

‘This is no battle front, Lethman. I’m only here for my daughter and I come in the name of the treaty.’

‘A treaty even you despise. You come here using your daughter as an excuse with an even poorer excuse for an army. Your stupidity has led you to your grave.’

‘Lethman,’ said Meldric, ‘you talk as much as you drink and wine has dulled your mind. Face me without your army if you aren’t a coward.’ He got off his horse and unsheathed his sword.

Lethman chuckled and jumped down his horse with a thud. ‘Fight to the death. When I win, I’ll have your head hung in my court, but if you win--’

‘I want only my daughter.’

‘Fair enough.’ Lethman drew out his sword and charged.

                                                                      ***

‘My lady.’ said one of the mercenaries that ran to meet Seraphin as she and her company galloped through the narrow streets.

She stopped and said, ‘What did you find?’

‘There are several guards around the well and archers on the roofs.’

She giggled and said, ‘My, Gisilfried, you spoil me better in death.’ She turned to the man. ‘Tell your men to wait for my command.’ He nodded and ran through an alley.

She and her group rode down, turning a corner before they got to the well. It was as he had described but there was a throng of people around the well protesting against the guards.

When she got through the horde, the soldiers brought out their swords. She lowered her hood and said, ‘Is that the way to treat a princess?’

Marquesda stepped out from amongst the soldiers. ‘I’m sorry, my lady.’ He signaled for his men to lower their swords. 

She climbed down from her horse and approached him. ‘I’m returning to my home land but I need to make a sacrifice in the well.’

He narrowed his eyes. ‘A sacrifice? You mean a blood sacrifice?’

‘Yes, to Ida be praised. Your prince provided enough to complete it.’

Before he drew his sword, she placed her hand on his chest and his heart shot out through his back into the well. The wind threw him in before his men could react. The mercenaries and her guards attacked the soldiers, killing and throwing their bodies into the well.

The archers above shot arrows at them, killing some of her men. Seraphin raised her hands and the wind flung them off the roof tops. The people ran in different directions, screaming. Seraphin went to the well and pulled out the jewel from under her robes.

She lifted her hands and said, ‘
Menesaus ki pradish ka Ida
.’

The bodies disappeared in the water and the sky grew dark. She dropped the jewel in the well and said, ‘Now shall Ida take revenge on her enemies.’

She heard a bell ringing. She looked ahead and saw a guard in the bell tower several yards away. She raised her hand.

‘My lady, the prince--’

She turned to see Prasima drop dead beside her with an arrow in her back. Seraphin gasped and turned just as Gisilfried stopped his horse a yard away and Natalia climbed down from behind him replacing her bow and drawing a sword.

                                                                                    ***

Natalia got down from the horse and clashed swords with a mercenary. Gisilfried stayed on the horse and cut down any in his path.

‘Natalia!’ he said.

She looked up and saw Seraphin raise her hands. Natalia jumped behind two men fighting. The wind flung the men far behind but threw her only a few feet away. She groaned as she rose from the floor but she kept her eyes on Seraphin. The latter raised her hands again and the wind rushed towards Natalia, pushing her back but she remained standing. Seraphin’s mouth fell. Natalia took out her bow and arrow and aimed. Seraphin stomped on the ground and stone rose up like a wall to shield her. Natalia released the arrow. It passed through the wall and sliced through Seraphin’s cheek. She shrieked and the wall fell. She touched her cheek and gazed at Natalia.

‘Who are you?’

‘Ida is no match for Galian.’ Natalia took out another arrow. The earth rumbled, throwing everyone off balance. A spring of water burst out from the well. Seraphin reached out for it and the water dispelled, leaving a large floating black rock. Seraphin grabbed it and made for her horse. It dawned on Natalia what it was.
Galian’s rock
. She ran towards her but a giant gargoyle burst out from the earth between them.

Seraphin smiled and said, ‘It seems Galian is out of time.’ She rode off.

Natalia made to chase her but the creature blocked her path. She heard Gisilfried call her name.

‘Go!’ she said. ‘I’ll handle this. Catch Seraphin.’ 

He rode off and Natalia dropped her bow and drew her sword. The creature charged at her. She tightened her grip and swung.

                                                                      ***

Lethman tore off Meldric’s armor. He was a man of strength but Meldric had speed. The latter cut through his sleeve, wounding him. Lethman raised his sword to deliver another strike when they heard the bell ringing.

‘My lord.’ shouted a soldier riding towards them from Naphdael. Tharstin blocked his way.

‘General, this is a grave matter. I must speak to the king.’

‘Listen to your soldier.’ said Meldric.

‘What is it?’ Lethman shouted.

‘My lord, robbers broke into the castle killing all the guards. Lady Seraphin went with them. I managed to escape to tell you.’

‘Princess Seraphin is in danger, because of you.’ Lethman said, pointing at Meldric.

‘How is it any fault of mine?’

‘Your daughter has a hand in this and you know it.’

‘My lord.’ shouted another soldier as he galloped towards them.

‘What news?’

‘Lady Seraphin came to the old well and killed all the soldiers guarding it.’

‘You’re lying!’

‘I swear on my life. She has powers, my lord. She can control the wind. She killed Marquesda and flung his body into the old well.’

Tharstin’s mouth fell. ‘My son, Marquesda?’

‘Yes, General.’

Lethman dragged the soldier down his horse and said, ‘She’s betrothed to my son. Her grandfather is my cousin.’

‘But he said she killed my son, my lord.’ Tharstin said, his chest heaving.

‘It seems your enemy dwells in your household.’ said Meldric. Lethman turned and marched to him, his sword hand trembling.

‘My lord. General.’ Two soldiers rode to them.

‘What news?’ said Tharstin.

‘Prince Gisilfried told me to say that he’s with Princess Natalia and she’s helping him stop Seraphin.’

Meldric stepped forward. ‘My daughter is with your son?’

‘My son is with your daughter.’

‘My lord.’ said the last soldier.

‘Speak.’

‘Lady Seraphin has caused the creatures beneath to rise.’

Lethman shook his head. ‘No, you’re all telling me lies.’ He pointed at Meldric. ‘He’s the enemy.’

‘Lethman,’ Meldric said, dropping his sword. ‘I am no enemy of yours.’

‘Lies!’

‘My lord,’ said Tharstin, ‘all of them cannot be lying. We must go back and save our city.’

The Naphdaelian army murmured in agreement. Lethman glared at them, causing silence.

‘I’m the king here not you. I command you all to destroy the Helmford soldiers, then we can go back—’ The bell rang and they heard a blast. Smoke rose from the city.

‘For what purpose are you leaving your city defenseless?’ said Meldric. ‘For your hatred? You’re only king because of your people. If you let them die, then you’re a king of nothing. Leave your pride aside and let me help you.’

Lethman clenched his teeth. ‘You are of no help to me.’

‘If my daughter is helping your son, then she’s helping your city. I won’t leave my daughter’s life in your hands.’

Tharstin said, ‘My lord, please let us accept it.’

Lethman was silent, watching the smoke. ‘Very well.’ he said. ‘But after that, you’ll take your daughter and leave.’

‘That’s all I want.’

Lethman climbed his horse and said, ‘We ride to the city.’

                                                                                    ***

              Six women sat in a cell in the dungeons of Naphdael and they looked up when the door creaked open. An old woman in a black cloak walked in holding a white staff. The women rose.

‘Who are you?’ one of them asked.

‘I am the one to whom your sacrifices are made.’

The women gasped and bowed.

‘Great mother Lilith, you have come for us.’

‘The covering is destroyed and the city is near its end. Time has come for us to reign again. Come,’ she said, gesturing to the door, ‘we must leave.’

The women left the cell one by one. Lilith stopped the last one. She was the youngest amongst them.

‘You are no witch.’ said Lilith.

‘I am.’

The old woman laughed. ‘I have walked this earth for too many centuries not to know the smell of my own offspring.’

‘Mother, we’re training her.’ said one of the witches.

‘I admire your benevolence, child,’ said Lilith, ‘but there’s only one use for someone so young and with no talent.’ She stroked the girl’s face.

‘What is that?’

Lilith held the girl’s chin and the girl grew old as she grew younger. The girl changed into a wrinkled old woman and fell dead. Lilith turned and the women gasped. She looked the same age the dead girl had been. She smiled. ‘As a sacrifice. Real witches are not trained but born. That is your first lesson.’

She left the dungeons with them following, throwing glances back at the cell.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ***

In another part of the castle, a man burst out of the stone cracks and fell to the ground. He looked up and saw the woman and child still as statues.

‘No.’ he cried, pounding the floor.

A figure in dark robes came out of the shadows behind him and dragged him out into the courtyard.

‘My wife. My son.’ he cried, tugging his arm away.

‘You cannot help them now, but I’m going to help you get your revenge and you’ll get your family back.’

‘I’ll do whatever you want.’

‘Good. Come with me or you’ll return to your former state.’ The figure walked out of the courtyard with the man following.

                                                                      ***

Gisilfried galloped after Seraphin. The wind blew against him, pushing him back but he kept going. The earth cracked open before him but he willed his horse to jump over it. Seraphin threw fire at him but he dodged it.

They continued the chase until they reached the gates. He shouted for the guards to raise the bridge but Seraphin rode through and jumped the bridge before it was too high up. Gisilfried looked ahead and saw the army riding back. He smiled. His strategy had worked. He needn’t chase Seraphin any longer. His father would order men after her. He raced back.

                                                                      ***

The gargoyle scratched Natalia’s arm and flung her some feet away. She groaned, picked up her sword, and rose as it approached. It had been throwing her around since they began. She flexed her sword arm and ran towards it. It roared, flapping its wings, and raised its arm to swat her away. She bent backwards, rose and cut off its head just before it could strike her again. She ran to the well and looked around her. The earth was caving in, bringing out more gargoyles. She couldn’t wait for Gisilfried to bring the stone.

‘Seven, what do I do?’ she whispered to her talisman. There was silence. Her mind went back to the poem. ‘Thy blood, the heritage of all.’
How could her blood be the heritage of all?
‘The life of the star, the hope of all.’ She realized what she was supposed to do but she didn’t know if it made sense.