ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (40 page)

Natalia held her head as she paced her room.

‘My lady.’ said Janus, coming in with a wrapped bundle.

‘Janus, a king was killed by his son—a man I knew… and you want me to take his throne. How do you expect me to feel?’

‘In my years of service, I’ve learned that ruling or serving is not about feelings. Sometimes, you must do things you don’t agree with.’

‘Like putting your lives at risk. I saw myself in the gold stone and I saw evil in my own skin.’

‘Sometimes the gold stone only warns us of what could happen. If the blue stone picked you, then it was for a reason. But you have nothing to fear, King Javel has taken your place.’

‘Him?!’

‘Why complain? You didn’t want to rule but he did. But let’s leave that for now.’ he said, dropping the bundle on her bed.

‘What is that?’

‘Open it.’

She did and saw a suit of armor and a sword.

‘It’s a gift from King Hametis to you.’

Natalia touched the hilt of the sword and fingered the bronze breastplate.

‘Why did he give me this?’

‘Because he saw something in you that made him believe.’

‘Then when did he get it made?’

‘Since your birth.’ Natalia stopped and stared at him. He chuckled and said, ‘The king didn’t believe in the prophecies about you so he made the armor and sword to hang in his chambers to prove it was a lie, then he met you.’

‘I will wear it tomorrow in his honor.’

‘No, today, my lady.’ he said, moving the flap of the tent to expose the brightening day. ‘It’s the day of battle.’

                                                                      ***

Natalia braced herself as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in all black with a bronze breastplate. She took a deep breath. She had never seen herself dressed like that before. She felt vulnerable, yet free. She stared at her eyes, hoping to catch the killer inside but she saw nothing.

‘My lady, it’s time.’ said Janus as he stepped in.

‘Where’s your armor?’ she asked.

He laughed. ‘I have no need of it.’

She felt her talisman round her neck. Now, she needed its strength. She picked up her sword and followed him out. Viggo stood outside with two horses.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked.

‘Wherever you go, I go.’ he said. ‘And without you, your people will try to kill me.’

‘Everyone will try to kill you.’ she said, getting on a horse.

‘But not you.’ he said and climbed unto his.

They rode down the hill where all the soldiers were at a standstill at the edge of the fog listening to King Javel. Natalia heard their excitement as they cheered him.

‘Soldiers of the Council!’ he said.

‘Fight to the end.’ the soldiers chorused. Their courage had soared and their faces were set in readiness.

              Javel smiled and said, ‘We fight for King Hametis. Charge!’

The fog cleared the way for them as they rode in. They rode to the middle of the valley where their enemies was waiting for them.

‘They arrive at last.’ said King Behan, riding out of his army. He was covered in brown fur. King Garmar was by his side.

King Javel and the other royals rode out to meet them. Natalia and Viggo stayed amongst the men and watched them talk. Ishkhan rode out to join them and Natalia cringed when she saw him.

‘Traitor.’ said Lethman.

‘The son of Hametis knows where he stands.’ said Behan.

‘So does yours.’ Javel said, ‘Viggo, come.’

Natalia and Viggo exchanged looks. He nodded at her and rode out. Behan’s eyes widened.

‘Viggo, what has been done to you?’

‘Forgive me, father, but I stand with them.’

Behan said, ‘It would have been better if you were dead.’ He rode back to his army.

‘Pity,’ said Garmar, ‘I had hope for you.’

‘Garmar, we know what you did.’ said the queen. Garmar’s eyes narrowed in understanding.

‘Then make sure you kill me first.’ he said and rode back.

The royals returned. Javel unsheathed his sword and shouted, ‘Men, ride.’

They charged. Natalia caught her breath when she saw Seraphin ride out and raised her hands. Natalia drew her sword, getting her heart ready for whatever was thrown at them.

Kalani held unto the bars. The sun was out but Maris hadn’t arrived. He had never been so late. She heard the gates open on her corridor. She smiled. She knew he would come.

She drew back when she saw Akasha walking towards her cell with two guards behind him.

‘The Rahmon has sent for you.’ he said, opening the lock.

‘Where is Maris?’

‘He’s waiting for you.’

They took her out of the cell. Her legs gave way. They pulled her up and dragged her out. Outside, on the grounds, was a horse-drawn cart.  They tied her hands and pushed her in. The guards sat on both sides. The cart was pulled out of the grounds. She laid her head on the floor. She knew she couldn’t escape what was to come.

                                                                      ***

Seraphin looked at her hands. Her powers hadn’t worked. She covered herself and Garmar in a thick cloud as the armies clashed.

‘What happened?’ he asked.

‘Grandfather, this place doesn’t obey nature.’

‘It is the curse of the valley.’ Garmar said, getting down his white horse.

‘Ove.’ he said and his horse rose and changed into a creature that had tentacles as hair, a hole for a nose and three vertical slits as a mouth.

‘What does my lord require?’ the creature said.

‘Kill Javel and destroy his sword.’

‘I want the girl in return.’

‘If you can find her but first do as you’re told.’

Ove placed his hands on the grass and changed into a horse. Garmar mounted him.

‘Be careful, grandfather.’

‘You know what to do.’ he said to her. She lifted the cloud around them.

‘Ride.’ he said to Ove and drew his sword.

                                                                      ***

Lethman’s horse lay dead and an arrow was stuck in his leg as he fought and cut off the head of the soldier that had attacked him. He bent and pulled out the arrow, howling in pain. Another soldier attacked and Lethman fought with rage in every strike.

A yard away, Meldric was on his horse fighting his own battles. He noticed a soldier running towards Lethman. Meldric rode ahead and threw his sword at him. Lethman killed his opponent and turned around to see the soldier drop to his knees, and to the ground. Meldric galloped to him and pulled out his sword.

‘Do you expect me to thank you?’ Lethman said, glaring.

Meldric threw his sword and a man behind Lethman fell dead.

‘No, I don’t.’ Meldric said, getting down from his horse and drawing out his sword from the dead man.

‘Take my horse.’ he said, ‘You need it more.’

‘I won’t accept favors from you.’ said Lethman engaging swords with an assailant.

‘See it as accepting my goodwill.’ Meldric said, striking a man in the face.

‘I’ll get my own horse.’

‘Very well, then.’ Meldric got on his horse.

‘Stay out of my way, Meldric, or I may mistake you for the enemy and I won’t regret it.’ he said, limping into another fight.

                                                                      ***

Javel knew he was staring death in the face when a large creature with dark eyes and with the hind legs of a goat stood before him.

‘Kill him.’ said Garmar, standing behind it.

Javel swung his sword at the creature but it dragged the sword from him by the blade, cutting its hand. Hot tar streamed out from the cut. The creature pressed the hilt and tip of the sword between its palms, crushing the weapon. Javel reached for another one but it grabbed him by the throat and pulled him up.

‘So died King Javel, Head of the Council for less than a day.’ said Garmar. The creature snapped his neck and flung him on the floor.

‘No.’ Queen Natalia said, running towards them. Ove glared at her, his nose flaring. She brandished her sword.

Garmar said, ‘Queen, are you ready to die?’ The creature strode towards her.

‘Garmar, you’re a coward. Fight me without your abomination or are you as spineless as they say?’

He scowled and said, ‘Ove, stop. Go and find the girl. This one is mine.’

The creature growled at her and ran.

‘If you know what I did,’ said Garmar, ‘then you know I cannot be killed.’ He flexed his hands and his eyes glowed. ‘You’re not leaving this valley alive.’

‘Neither will you.’ she said. She had him where she wanted him. He lunged at her with his lengthening claws. She raised her sword, ready to strike. She hoped she could do what was needed.

The temple gates swung open and the cart was drawn in, stopping at the steps of the temple. Kalani noticed men and women in white robes stopping to stare at her as she was taken down. She turned her attention to the temple. It was shaped like two outstretched palms joined together at the wrists but under a palm was the figure of a snake and under the other was the image of a pregnant woman with arms raised. As she was taken into the building, she wondered why Amse had never described it to her. They led her through the dark corridors into a round hall filled with rahis from the ground floor to the gallery.

The guards pushed her to the front and tried to push her down to her knees. She struggled with them. She wasn’t going to kneel for anyone. One of them struck her face and pushed her forward and she landed on the floor. She struggled to her feet but her tied hands wouldn’t let her. She succeeded in kneeling. She heard a door open and she looked up to see the rahis bow as Rinosius walked in and sat on the throne before her. She lowered her eyes. She was tired of looking at his face.

‘Spawn of Galian, do you know where you are?’ he asked. She didn’t answer. She noticed the rahis in the hall were chanting in low tones.

‘You’re in the temple.’ Rinosius replied. ‘You’re here to be judged by the gods. If you do not answer my questions, I will make your death excruciating. Do you understand?’

She didn’t reply but looked up. There was something behind him. It looked like an hourglass but it was placed horizontally and instead of two chambers, there were three large ones with small passage ways connecting to the others. The middle chamber had sand pouring from its top and a swinging pendulum shoveling sand into both of the two chambers. The object hung on two thin ropes that seemed wouldn’t hold it if more sand was shoveled in one chamber than the other.

              ‘Where is the star of Galian?’ said Rinosius.

‘I don’t know.’ she replied. The rahis’ chanting increased and the pendulum swung more dirt into the left chamber.

‘But it belongs to your father. Prophecies say you’re the one who will wield it. So where can it be?’

She said nothing. Akasha stormed towards her and slapped her face. She felt the sting and bit her lip to stop herself from crying out.

‘He asked you a question.’

‘Which I will not answer.’ she said.

‘Because you know the answer, do you not?’ asked Rinosius.

‘No, I don’t.’

The chanting grew irritating. It caused her head to throb and she squeezed her face in pain. She wished she could block her hearing. She clenched her teeth as she felt a searing pain in her ears and felt something warm dribbling out of them. The sharp pains shot through her body and blood trickled of her skin like sweat, wetting her clothes. They were tormenting her. The pendulum swung more dirt into the left chamber.

Rinosius said, ‘I’ll ask you another question. Where is the sword?’

‘What sword?’ she said with difficulty. Her tongue was swelling and was filled with sours and blisters. She could smell blood running down her nose.

‘The sword that can be used on the spirits, willed to you and your descendants.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Liar.’

The chanting increased yet again. Her vision blurred. It seemed the world was speeding round her. She couldn’t keep kneeling. She needed to touch the floor for balance. She sat down.

‘Tell me where it is or you’ll die.’ he said.

‘Yes, please. Let me die!’

‘So be it.’

The hourglass fell to the left with a crash and the chanting stopped. Kalani’s vision returned and she saw Rinosius standing with his hands balled into fists.

‘I expected more but this proves who the stronger god is. Children of Machish--’

‘Reign forever.’ the rahis shouted.

‘Your judgment is death.’ he said. ‘Take her to the torture room.’

The guards pulled her up and took her out. She caught a glimpse of King Meino seated, laughing in the gallery between a group of rahais.

                                                                      ***

Natalia slashed a soldier’s throat and dropped to her knees. Her horse had thrown her off, leaving her bruised and angry. She got on her feet and pulled off her helmet. It wasn’t helping her vision.

‘Natalia.’

She cringed and turned around. Ishkhan approached, panting, with a sword in his hand and his mouth agape in awe.

‘Surprised to see me alive after you tried to kill me?’ she said and swung her blade. He held his sword up, blocking her strike.

‘I didn’t want you here.’ he replied. She swung again and he blocked it.

‘Is that why you betrayed me and dropped my ring on your father’s corpse?’

She struck at his arm, slicing through his chainmail and he fought back.

‘I thought you didn’t care.’ he said, striking out.

‘I’m learning from you.’ She blocked his swing. She knew she was careless with him. Her strikes were more out of emotion than reason. He hit her sword, flinging it aside, and held his blade to her neck.

‘Kill me then,’ she shouted, ‘and let the last thing I see be your treacherous face.’

The anger in his eyes disappeared.

‘Natalia.’ he said, glancing at her, then at his sword.

‘Kill her.’ said Seraphin from behind him.

He turned and said, ‘No.’

‘Then I’ll do it for you.’ Seraphin held up her hand. Natalia couldn’t breathe. She felt a force choking her. She fell to the ground. Ishkhan rushed to Seraphin before she could hold him down and held her throat.

‘Release her.’ he said and she broke her hold on Natalia. He carried Seraphin up by her throat as she clawed at his hand. Natalia rose just as a white stick pierced through Ishkhan’s back. She gasped. He let go of Seraphin and fell to the ground.

Natalia turned and saw a creature approaching.

‘That was meant for you.’ the creature said and pulled out another white stick from his protruding spinal cord. Natalia dodged as he threw the stick at her. He charged at her, baring his claws, and his body changing to a reptile-like skin. She covered herself with a shield just as he struck at her. He clawed at it, tearing away at the iron
. She had to act fast
. She reached for her knife and dug it into his waist. He bellowed, reaching for the knife. She hit his face and ran for her sword, grabbing it just as he jumped into the air with the knife aimed at her. She slashed open his stomach and he fell to the ground. He touched his blood as it streamed out from his waist.

‘No.’ he said.

‘Ove.’ Seraphin called, stretching out her hand.

‘This is not the end.’ he said to Natalia who struggled to her feet. He ran to Seraphin, picked her up and raced through the crowd. Natalia ran to Ishkhan. He lay on his side and fought for breath. She cradled his head in one hand and tremblingly touched the stick that was now red with blood. She stroked his hair and blinked rapidly to hold back her tears. ‘Ira.’

‘Atlas.’ he said and reached for her face. ‘The reason I didn’t return to Helmford was because I had lost every feeling within me but my love for you, and if I returned I would have turned it to dust as I have everything around me.’

‘No, that’s not true.’ She held his face.

‘I love you even till death.’ He closed his eyes and stopped breathing.

‘No.’ she cried. She rocked his head and held him to her chest. The walls within her were shattered. She pulled off her ring and stuck it in his smallest finger.

‘Even till death, my love.’ she said and kissed his lips. An enemy soldier ran towards her. She rose, blinded with rage, and severed his head from his body. She wailed and panted, clutching her sword tightly as she looked around her. Death was closing in on her, choking her. She remembered Janus’ words to her before the battle.
There is always hope as long as your hands are on your sword
. She turned her rage to Garmar.

‘Seven,’ she whispered to her talisman, ‘help me find him.’

A vision came to her mind. She knew where he was and ran in that direction.