ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (8 page)

Alcon rushed in. He hesitated when he saw the sight. The princess closed her eyes and lost consciousness, falling into the water. He went to her and carried her, while some rahis went to help Alinus, who lay curled up at a corner with a deep cut across his face. Blood trickled down his mouth and chin as he shivered. Two rahis tried to help Akasha up but he refused.

‘Leave me.’ he said, and they left the room. He picked up his staff and knife and got up. He limped heavily to the door and looked back. The water had returned to its former state but all the mirrors were broken and the once clear water was bloody.
Just as it once was
, Akasha thought as he closed the door behind him.

‘It’s Behozi who is to blame. If he hadn’t come all these things wouldn’t have come to be.’ said Kalani as she replaited the sides of her hair. Her hair didn’t fall flat and obedient like Fanndis’ straight locks. Hers was a coily black mass that reached her back and threatened to cover her face if it wasn’t kept tamed by her braids.             

The fire had burned out, leaving a pile of ash in its place. Amse rubbed his hands together and said, ‘Her destiny precedes Behozi’s coming. If he hadn’t come, she would have died.’

‘But how can he destroy the people he came to save? He has done more harm than good.’

‘He did save them by saving one because he knows through that one all can be saved. He gave her the key which is wisdom. Believe me, ignorance is worse than death.’

Kalani gave him a playful scowl and folded her hands. ‘I would rather have ignorance than death. He gave her nothing but words.’

Amse smiled and said, ‘But in it, she might find life.’

‘I doubt it.’ she said, yawning.

‘We’ll continue tomorrow night.’

She made a feeble attempt to whine and gave up.

‘Tomorrow night then.’ she said, rising. ‘I hope she’ll be wiser.’

Amse chuckled and watched her leave. He remained there chanting while she snuggled herself in bed beside Fanndis and tried to unravel the story in her mind.

It was the next day and the sun was setting. Four men stood on the sandy path Amse’s group had followed days before. Three were Helmford soldiers while one was a bald young rahi. One of the soldiers, who was also the most elaborately dressed and the best looking, bent down to examine the tracks.

‘It looks like they are days ahead of us.’ he said, touching the ground.

‘Precisely three days, my lord.’ the rahi said, also bending down. He had picked some of the sand and sniffed it.

The prince glared at him. ‘I didn’t ask for your opinion, fool.’

‘Forgive me.’ said the rahi, withdrawing from the tracks.

‘My lord, where do you think they’re headed?’ asked one of the soldiers.

The prince looked into the sandy horizon and said, ‘The sorcerer must be going to the haven of the witches. He’ll lead us there.’ He turned and added, ‘Go tell my brother the good news and take the fool with you. We shall camp here tonight.’

                                                                      ***

‘Where are we going?’ Kalani asked Amse when they stopped to set up camp. They had been walking through the desert for days. Their supplies were quickly diminishing and there was no sign of civilization but Amse didn’t seem concerned. She watched as he stroked one of the camels while it was being relieved of its burdens. He had heard her but he seemed to be battling with whether to tell her or not.

‘To Halldorr.’ he said.

‘Halldorr? I heard that’s the home of the seers.’ said Fanndis, as she lightened a servant’s load.

‘It isn’t what you say so loudly, Fanndis. Come, Kalani, we must eat first before we continue our tale.’ he said, walking towards the fire place while the fire was being made.

Fanndis held Kalani back. ‘Why are you listening to his tales? Is it because of your guilt or has Amse bewitched you?’

Kalani withdrew her hand from Fanndis’ grip. ‘Why would you say such a thing? You speak of a man who raised us as his own children. He gave us a home--’

‘But the home is gone now and I have a feeling he’s leading us to our deaths.’

‘Don’t be so sure of that.’

‘A few days ago, you would have agreed with me. I don’t understand you. What do you want?’

Kalani sighed and said, ‘I don’t even understand myself. The story he tells me takes me away from our world of harsh truths but it gives me strength when I return. I want to be brave like the girl in the tale, and strong. I want people to look at me and not see a child they need to protect. I want my life to matter more than this.’

‘Kalani, it’s only a story.’

‘You cannot understand.’ she said and walked towards the fireplace, leaving Fanndis standing amongst the camels.

Natalia sighed and looked around. It was her eighteenth birthday but she didn’t feel like celebrating. It was two months since her experience at the temple. Her wounds had healed but the scars hadn’t. There were three long whip marks that ran from her neck down to her back but were hidden by her robes. However, the scars were more in her heart than on her flesh. Her heart burned with regret and unanswered questions. It robbed her of her exuberance and her sleep.

Unfortunately, this was significantly less than the plight of the people. Since the day of the Thunderbird’s cry—as the people called it—sickness ravaged the villages surrounding the city of Helmford. Throngs of people gathered at the temple for a drink from the healing waters of Palife but even the sacred waters were no match for the illness, instead it worsened their health. The rahis and rahais prayed for a solution, but the gods remained silent. Slowly, tension was growing in the city. A mutiny was imminent. Everyone could feel and see it. It was the silent pain on the faces of those who watched their loved ones die and burn like outlaws outside the city gates with a growing pile of corpses because the rahis had said touching the infected would spread the infection further. By orders from Akasha, many of the sick were torn away from their families and kept in isolation. Fear and despair gripped the hearts of the people. Messengers had been sent to the king to inform him of Helmford’s state and they had returned with promises of his return. Even that held no water as everyone watched the days pass by with no word from the king.

Natalia toyed with the talisman on her neck. She had grown an attachment to it yet she felt it had worsened her nightmares and she constantly heard a voice in her head. Her mother aged with worry for her. She had grown frail from waking up at night to comfort her after her nightmares and sending for physicians to attend to her. The queen had even sent for Akasha to help but he had chosen not to come. The princess looked for him in the hall but she knew he wouldn’t be present. He had hardly been in the palace in the past two months even for other special occasions.

The feast wore on and the guests were entertained with food and dancing. It was an escape from the disaster that loomed outside the castle walls. There was a superficiality that hung over the festivities. The excitement and laughter seemed forced and exaggerated. Natalia sighed, preparing to excuse herself, when the presence of Prince Viggo of Turbarnia was announced. Dressed in his royal robes, he trooped in with his soldiers. His men looked formidable in their helmets and their golden military robes. The guests cleared the way as they passed. The maidens giggled amongst themselves when they saw the prince.

He bowed and his soldiers followed suit like a wave from the front to the back.

‘You may rise.’ Queen Celeste said with a smile.

He rose and so did his men. ‘Thank you, my lady.’ he said. ‘I was informed that the ladies of Helmford were beautiful but I was ill-prepared for the dangers of gazing at such beauty.’

Natalia sighed and looked away. The queen said, ‘I must warn you that the danger of flattery in this court is imprisonment. However, if I were to enact it, the maidens in the court would appeal.’

The people laughed, while Natalia eyed him. Though his dark shiny hair and rugged looks made her reach for more wine to ease the sudden dryness in her throat, she still felt there was something suspicious about him. She kept her hands on her talisman. Their eyes met.

‘My lady,’ he said, ‘your father has said many great things about you.’

‘I trust he is well.’

‘Yes. When last we saw, he was in great spirits about his journey home. He told me of this day, so I’m here with a birthday present.’

He signaled to one of his men. A few moments later, a large gold chest was placed in front of the throne. He ordered it to be opened. Inside it were dazzling white garments and precious stones.

‘These are garments made of the purest silk and threads from my kingdom. They are fit for a princess who shall one day be a bride or queen.’

Natalia knew what he meant. She and the queen thanked him and the chest was taken away by the servants. He was given a place to sit beside the princess. She smiled at him but wished he had been given somewhere else.

The dancing continued and Amira was next to entertain them. Her pale blonde hair fell like currents against her porcelain skin and she was draped in loose white linen that contoured her body as she moved to the music. She glowed against the candle light, enthralling everyone with her grace. Natalia watched but she felt a growing unease in her heart. She couldn’t stay. She excused herself and went to the garden. She sat down on a stone chair and breathed in the cool night air. She now enjoyed the solace of being alone with her thoughts.

‘I was once told a beauty in the night is like a star shining bright.’ Viggo whispered in her ear as he leaned over her. His voice was melodious and alluring. Natalia felt a tremor go down her spine but she refused to change her composure. She clasped her talisman tighter.

‘Why are you here?’ she asked.

‘To celebrate with you, of course.’ he said on a lighter note. He joined her on the seat.

She turned to him, ‘Travelling several days to celebrate with someone you’ve never met defies logic. So exactly why are you here?’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ he said, moving closer to her.

She sucked in air and said, ‘But you do not know me.’

‘Knowledge will come after marriage, or isn’t that the norm of our time?’

‘I cannot marry you.’ She stood up to leave.

‘Dearest, you will.’ he said, grinning as he rose. ‘It’s part of our treaty.’

She turned. ‘What treaty?’

‘I gave your mother a copy of a treaty with your father’s seal.’ he said, moving towards her. ‘You would do well to read it carefully.’

He touched her cheek. She moved back, trembling. She parted her lips to suck in long drafts of air. She felt a chill like cold water had been poured on her
. Her father couldn’t have done such a thing
. She thought she knew him well enough, or maybe she didn’t. She wasn’t sure how to react; her mind had gone blank. She felt so tired of fighting but she knew she had to find her voice before she was drowned. She said the first thing she could think of as a response, ‘But I cannot love you.’

‘I didn’t ask for love, I asked for your hand in marriage in exchange for my allegiance. Love would come with time.’

They heard footsteps. Amira walked into the scene and paused, taking in the heated atmosphere. Natalia stood a good distance away from the prince with her hands folded like a shield.

‘Forgive my impertinence. I was only--’

‘Ah, the moonlight dancer, you danced beautifully.’ Viggo said, walking towards her.

She blushed and curtsied. ‘Thank you, my lord.’

‘What is your name?’

‘Amira.’

A corner of his mouth curved into a smile. He was barely a foot away from her. He whispered into her ears, ‘Your name suits you.’ He walked back into the palace.

Amira looked down and touched her chest, her hands quivering. Natalia eyed her and walked back inside.

‘What do you mean it cannot be changed?’ Natalia asked her mother that night.

‘I mean exactly that. The only people who can change it are your father and King Behadar of Turbarnia. I have no say.’ Celeste said. She lay in bed, while Natalia paced around the room. Akasha sat on a chair by her bedside. He had dark circles around his eyes but other than that he appeared unchanged.

‘So what can be done?’ Natalia asked, turning to face them.

‘You can marry him and save us all this trouble. You can see your mother isn’t well.’ he said.

Natalia went to her mother’s side and held her hands.

‘Mother, please, I cannot marry him.’

Celeste stroked her daughter’s hair. ‘But you must.’ she said. ‘If you don’t, the treaty would collapse and so would everything your father worked so hard to build. Helmford would go to war.’

Natalia covered her mouth and moved to the window. She felt tears welling in her eyes but she refused to give in. She felt vulnerable in the one place she thought she would be safe. Her voice choked with emotion as she said, without looking at her, ‘So you would sacrifice your daughter’s happiness--’

‘For the ultimate good, yes.’ said Celeste.

Natalia turned around and said, ‘Then you don’t deserve to be a mother.’ She stormed out of the room before Akasha could rise and stop her.