ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (33 page)

Natalia never answered the question—she couldn’t. They were too many things she wanted, too many things that kept her up at night that Gisilfried couldn’t understand. She wanted to find out who she was and what the purpose of the talisman was. She wanted to save her mother.

The question burdened her even after two days into the journey as she rode with her father and Lethman. Both kings spoke very little to each other since they started out unless it involved where they would stop to rest or where they would lay their heads at night. Natalia chose not to stop the silence, rather she focused on easing her father’s fears on the army not reaching them in time.

They reached Arngeirr on the third day. Natalia was taken by the height of the walls and the throngs of soldiers that encamped around them. A gangly middle-aged man stood by his horse at the gates to receive them. His face and facial hair were snowy white and were protected from the sun by his hood. They were the only parts of his skin not hidden under his deep brown scribe robes.

‘Welcome,’ he said, ‘King Meldric of Helmford, King Lethman, the Iron King and Princess Natalia.’ He smiled at her, his reddish eyes twinkling. Natalia could tell he was no ordinary scribe.

‘Janus,’ said Meldric, ‘I gather the other kings are here.’

‘Yes,’ he said, ‘the meeting is about to begin. Your army will wait at the gates while you and your guards come into the city. You know how the king feels about crowd.’ He turned his horse and rode in. They followed.

Natalia caught her breath. It was a city of sunshine, white bricks, red earth, trade and people of all hues. ‘There’s a reason they call this the capital.’ Janus said to her, smiling.

‘Yes,’ said Lethman, ‘half of our gold comes here.’

Janus shook his head. ‘You make it seem the gold is worth all you get--’

‘Who protected my city when Garmar started a war with me? Me and my men—mostly.’ he said, glancing at Natalia and Meldric. ‘I didn’t hear a word from you, Janus, about anything.’

Janus laughed. ‘Maybe because Galian knew you had the help you needed.’

‘You serve Galian?’ asked Natalia.

‘Yes, Vernon serves Galian, and Arngeirr dangles between gold and Galian.’

They rode through the palace gates. The palace building was a distance from its gates and it was the largest castle Natalia had ever seen, lined with red and white bricks with a golden roof. In front of the building was the statue of the golden bear. The soldiers on the grounds stood still as they rode in. A soldier marched towards them as they dismounted from their houses.

‘My lords, welcome.’ he said, bowing. ‘The meeting has begun.’

Janus led them into the building through the halls filled with statues of the old kings of Arngeirr. Natalia slowed her steps as she took in the splendor of the place. Her stomach turned with excitement and anxiety at the thought of being in Ishkhan’s home.
No
, she said to herself,
she wouldn’t think of him
. Whatever was between them was now ash. She was in love with Gisilfried and she came because she was called. She took a deep breath. When they meet, she had to be calm—no, she hoped she wouldn’t see him.

They turned to a long corridor with double doors at the end. The guards opened the doors before Janus got to them. They entered. It was a large round room with a stone table extending from the end of the room to a few feet from the door. There were no windows or guards, only five people in rich robes who sat at the far end of the table. Four turned as they came in. The fifth sat at the head of the table with his head bowed, reading a scroll. His skin was cinnamon brown with an orange glow like the desert sand and his arms were hairy. His head was covered with luscious dark hair that fell in waves down to his shoulders. He was the semblance of a pure blooded Arngeirrian.

‘Welcome Lethman, son of Lainan, Meldric, son of Mesianus, and his daughter,’ he looked up, ‘Natalia.’ He didn’t smile and Natalia took it as a sign not to. ‘I didn’t see the need for you to be here.’ he said to her.

Natalia said, ‘B-But my lord, the queen--’

‘Asked you to come’ he said, ‘not for you be in the Council.’

Natalia swallowed. She felt the heat in her cheeks. She curled her toes in her shoes wishing she could disappear.

‘My lord,’ said a dark-haired woman by his side, ‘she has a right to be here.’

‘So does every heir but they are not because I asked for kings, not their sons, and certainly not their girls.’

‘If she leaves this room then I’ll leave as well.’ said the woman.

‘No, I can go.’ Natalia said.

‘No!’ The woman turned to the king, ‘I will pay the penalty.’

‘The full penalty, Queen Natalia,’ he said, ‘and she will stand by the door.’

Meldric rose from where he sat, ‘Hametis--’

‘I’ll stand, father.’ Natalia said, going to the door to stand beside Janus.

‘That’s a bright girl.’ said Hametis. ‘If you take the throne, you will sit.’

Natalia narrowed her eyes. ‘If?’

‘Should I have said ‘‘when’’ which would mean you would never marry? Stop interrupting me, child.’ He turned to the kings, ‘As you all know, war is upon us.’ He placed a human head from a box onto the table. ‘King Tassel of Raelen.’

They gasped, pulling backwards.

‘Who did this?’ asked King Neab of Belanea, who sat on Hametis’ other side.

‘King Garmar has a hand in this.’ Lethman said.

‘Not just him,’ said Hametis, ‘Behan of Turbarnia and Ilanod of Krytman. They put a bounty on our heads with the promise of our thrones in exchange.’

The room broke into confusion.

‘I’m not finished.’ Hametis said, ‘Behan has taken over Raelen. He has sixty thousand soldiers ready for battle and they march here.’

A tense silence followed.

‘How many days?’ asked Meldric.

‘Three days if we march at dawn and meet them at the valley of Baid.’

The rulers gasped.

‘That cursed place.’ said Lethman.

‘There has to be somewhere else.’ said King Javel of Wystan. ‘No one goes there. Everyone goes around it.’

‘That’s the reason the curse is spreading.’ Hametis said, ‘Kings, we must not fear now.’

King Calon of Fort sprang up and said, ‘Even the spirits would fear. Behan’s army far outnumbers all of ours, yet you take us to that cursed valley to kill us.’

‘Sit down, Calon.’ said King Neab.

‘But it’s true.’ 

The rulers broke into divisions. Natalia watched, mouth open. She made to walk towards them but Janus held her back and shook his head.

Hametis rose. He was a burly man that towered over everyone in the room. He raised his hands and everyone fell silent.

‘In times not too far gone, it was the symbol of the Arngeirr that united the seven kingdoms but many have betrayed us and the council has grown weak. Now I ask you, Kings of the Council, who do you fear—a legend or traitors?’ He glanced around the table. ‘This is now a matter of choice. Who is not with us in this war?’

There was silence. King Calon rose to leave. The rulers protested.

‘Traitor.’ Lethman called him.

‘How could you?’ Queen Natalia asked.

‘I won’t risk my men’s lives without cause.’ Calon said.

‘Farmer.’ said Javel.

‘We fight for a cause, Calon,’ Hametis said, ‘and it won’t be in vain.’

‘Tell that to your men.’ he replied, heading for the door.

‘Coward.’ said Lethman.

‘No,’ Calon said at the door, ‘I’m brave enough to stand for my people while you offer your enemies yours.’ He turned to Natalia. ‘A word for you, girl. Don’t envy them. They will all soon be dead.’ He walked out of the room.

‘That ends it.’ said Hametis, sitting down. ‘Janus, take the girl out of the room. I have private matters to discuss.’

Natalia came forward. ‘I want to stay.’

‘You’re not going to battle.’

‘But the queen—’

‘The queen commands an army. Who do you command?’

‘I cannot sit idly by while—’

‘You won’t be idle while we’re here. My son will entertain you.’

‘My lord,’ she said, ‘I fought alongside the soldiers of Naphdael. King Lethman knows this.’

‘It is true.’ said Lethman.

Hametis glared at her. ‘In manners, you are no lady, and in features, you are no man.’

‘But in heart, I am more than man.’ she said.

Hametis turned to Meldric, ‘Do you want your daughter fighting when she can stay in the capital?’

‘No,’ said Meldric, ‘she will stay.’

‘Father!’

‘Your father has spoken.’

‘I have a right to fight.’

‘I don’t doubt your bravery but I doubt your wisdom in engaging me so. But I will test you. If you are able to leave the capital and get to us in time, then you shall have earned your place, but till then, you may go.’

‘But--’

Hametis gave her a look and Janus pulled her out of the room. Her mouth was agape.

‘How--’

‘Shhh!’ said Janus, leading her down the corridor. ‘This is not the place to voice your anger. You are powerful in your kingdom but here, everyone is powerful, some even more so.’

‘But the king—’

‘Careful now, I know he’s a hard man but we all respect him for a reason.’

‘Or fear him.’

Janus grinned. ‘No. he’s the way he is because he’s dealing with kings and he must keep the peace. I promise you’ll come to respect him as well.’

Natalia sighed and rubbed her head. All Janus was saying didn’t make sense to her.

‘So where are you taking me?’ she said.

‘That depends on where you want to go.’

‘What of the prince?’

‘He finds the castle too old for his nerves so he takes his pleasures elsewhere.’

‘Take me to him.’

‘My lady, it’s no place for nobility, but he’ll return before the welcome banquet.’

‘Please, take me.’

Janus chuckled. ‘So the rumors are true.’

‘What rumors?’

‘Of the great love of Prince Ishkhan and Princess Natalia.’

Natalia stopped in her tracks. ‘Where did you hear that?’

‘From people who focus more on the lives of nobility than on their own.’

She continued walking and said, ‘I and Ishkhan are friends, nothing more.’

‘As you say, my lady.’

She wanted to say more to prove they were wrong but she kept quiet. She knew it would only amuse him more.

                                                                      ***

‘Now I shall speak freely.’ said Hametis when the doors were closed, ‘There is a second reason why we’re marching to Baid. We’re going to end the curse and put the spirit to rest.’

‘How is that possible?’ asked Meldric. ‘King Lainan of Naphdael is dead.’

‘My father didn’t kill him.’ said Lethman.

‘Lethman is right.’ Hametis said. ‘The spirit rejected the blood of Lainan.’

Meldric rose. ‘So who else could have done it?’

‘Wouldn’t he be dead by this time?’ Javel said.

‘No, he isn’t.’ the queen replied. ‘Asides killing him, the man took something from the old king—something beyond nature. We must find him and take it from him before we can kill him.’

‘What does your god say?’ asked Neab.

‘He’ll be at the battlefront and if we don’t kill him then, the curse will spread to our kingdoms.’

‘So the question is who was alive then that’s still alive now that had reason to kill the old king?’

Hametis leaned over the table, ‘We all know the answer but we have to be certain.’

‘We’re here.’ Janus said, stopping at an inn with a torn sign. Natalia glanced around her. The street was littered with rotten food. She got down from her horse and walked to the door, wondering what madness could have brought him there
.
She heard the cheering within.

‘My lady, you needn’t fear, we’re behind you.’ said Janus. She smiled at him and covered her head with her cloak. She feared no one but herself at that moment.

She opened the door, letting out the smell of ale and sweat. The place was crowded with drinking red-faced men and, at the far end, were men gathered in a circle cheering as they watched a fight. Natalia walked gingerly towards the fight, conscious of the men’s gazes at her and then at her soldiers. She heard a thump and the crowd cheered louder. Someone had won. The winner was a tall, slender man with his golden-brown hair tied away from his face. He walked around the enclosure bare-chested and grinning, his sword raised in his hands. Natalia caught her breath. Her heart had recognized him with a pang.
He was now a man
.

‘Who else will fight me?’ he said.

‘I will.’ Natalia shouted before she could stop herself. The men in front of her turned and their eyes widened in surprise. Ishkhan looked around for who had spoken. She pushed through the crowd, keeping her head bent, till she got to the front. She removed her hood and said, ‘I will fight you.’

Ishkhan’s face changed from surprise to recognition, then he smiled. She wasn’t sure if it was the anxiety or the smile that caused the burning sensation in her chest.

‘My lady,’ he said, ‘your skin was not made to be scarred but kissed. I would gladly do the other.’

‘Hear, men,’ she shouted, ‘your winner is afraid of fighting a woman.’

‘Fight.’ shouted the men.

‘Do you want to let them down?’ she said. ‘Do you want to be the man who ran from a woman?’

‘Fight.’ the men said.

He chuckled, rubbing his hairless chin, and said, ‘I will fight you if you agree that when I win I’ll get a kiss.’

‘When?’ she scoffed. He hadn’t changed.

‘I never lose,’ he said, walking towards her, ‘and I know the kiss would mean more to you than winning.’

Natalia unsheathed her sword. ‘Be silent and fight.’

‘Ah…a yes.’ he said, moving back. She knew he was playing with her emotions. She charged at him. He dodged. She charged again and he did the same.

‘Ishkhan, stop playing.’

‘I can’t help it. You’re like a mouse in a cage, confused and full of rage.’

‘Confused?!’ she swung at him before he could move back but he was quick with his sword.

‘How confused is that?’ she said and struck again. He raised his sword and caused the blades to slide against each other. He took an attacking front. The fight got heated, leaving no room for conversation. Natalia couldn’t hear the cheers anymore. All that took her attention was him. She lost her balance and he caught her by the waist before she fell.

He said, ‘You’re skillful, my lady, but not fast.’

The smirk on his face enraged her. She jumped out of his arms and attacked him, putting him on the defense. She got her sword on his throat.

‘You’re fast, my lord, but not skillful enough.’

‘Many ladies will tell you a different story.’ He grinned. She gasped and lowered her sword in time for him to floor her and place his sword on her throat. The crowd cheered.

He said to her, ‘Never take a man’s words too seriously when he wants to win.’

He extended his hand but she hit it away and got off the floor. She was ashamed.
Why did she always play into his trap and show her emotions?
She wished she hadn’t come.

Ishkhan noticed the expression on her face. ‘I hope you didn’t take losing to heart.’

She didn’t reply, sheathing her sword. He walked towards her. ‘It’s time for my kiss.’

She pushed through the crowd before he could grab her.

‘Wait.’ he shouted. ‘Don’t let her leave.’ But she was already out of the crowd. He got to her before she could leave the inn. She leaned against a table with drinking men as she faced him.

‘It will be wrong if you broke your word.’ he said, grabbing her waist. She felt for something on the table as he leaned in for the kiss. She grabbed a tankard

‘Don’t tell me about breaking my word.’ she said and poured a tankard of ale in his face. The crowd burst into laughter. Ishkhan pulled her face to him and kissed her on the cheek. She pushed him away. He laughed and grabbed her cloak, cleaning his face and chest with it. She pulled it from him and burst into laughter herself.

‘Aren’t you coming back to fight?’ shouted someone from the crowd.

‘You must wait.’ said Ishkhan. ‘It’s not every day you fight a beautiful woman.’

The crowd grumbled. A boy in the crowd tossed him his tunic which he wore as he left the inn with Natalia.

‘I believe it’s been four years since I last laid my eyes on your face.’ he said.

‘I never thought about it.’ she said, staring down. From his mischievous smile, she suspected he knew she was lying and it angered her.

Ishkhan turned to Janus, ‘Thank you for bringing her to me.’

‘My lord, she wouldn’t have had it any other way.’

Natalia gave Janus a dark look and he turned away with a smile and got on his horse.

‘So you’re in Arngeirr because of me?’ Ishkhan said.

‘No, I’m here with my father for the battle.’

‘Ah…’ He folded his hands. ‘You’ve joined the army. I take it your father isn’t happy about it.’

‘Neither is yours. You should have seen the way he acted when I went into the Court of Kings.’

He unfolded his hands. ‘You went into the court? My father will not forgive you so quickly.’

‘My lady paid the fine for her.’ said Janus.

‘Well, a thousand gold coins is nothing to the queen.’

‘A thousand?’ said Natalia.

‘Yes and a hundred barrels of wheat.’

‘What if you refused to pay?’

Ishkhan laughed. ‘I’ve never seen anyone refuse my father anything. I have scars to prove it.’

She got on her horse and said, ‘Is that why you’re not in the Council?’

‘Half that and half I have more important things to do.’

‘Like fighting for sport. I’m sure that’s more important than protecting your people.’

‘My lady, you speak so sharply that I forget you aren’t my father.’ He bowed. ‘If I may take my leave.’

‘Ishkhan, forgive me.’ she said but he had gone back in. Her heart was heavy.

‘I think I shall listen more to rumors.’ Janus said, hitting the reins.