ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (39 page)

Maris knelt on the stone floor in the temple as he mopped it with a brown rag that had once been a piece of his tunic. His punishment involved him tearing one of his tunics to clean the floors. He had only two, so he had to tear the older one to use. He wiped his sweat and squeezed the rag in an earthen bowl beside him. His hands were blistered but he had to finish all the floors that night or he wasn’t sure what the Rahmon would do to him the next day.

He continued his work, his mind shifting between killing Akasha and not killing Kalani.
Kalani
, he sighed. He had been at the market walking back and forth staring at the potion seller, wondering whether to buy or not. It was what had caused his lateness for the evening prayers. The Rahmon had punished him by giving him only three halls to clean but when Akasha had mentioned that Maris had struck him in Kalani’s cell, the Rahmon told him to clean all the halls in their quarters and mop the torture room of the temple water that had flooded into it.

Maris looked ahead. He still had much to do and he wasn’t sure he could finish that night. He remembered his promise to Kalani. He would have to break it. He couldn’t kill her. She had given him someone to care for. It was a solace not to think of the temple nor his life. He didn’t want her to leave him but if he went to her without the poison he knew she wouldn’t forgive him.

He wiped his face again. He would have to give her something she would believe was poison but would calm her.
Yes
, he decided,
something to soothe her
. He heard footsteps and a door close behind him.
It must be Hilam in the Knowledge Room
. An idea came to him. He picked up the rag and bowl and went into the Knowledge Room. Hilam, the Rahmon’s assistant, stood arranging the shelves.

‘Great father.’ Maris said, coming in.

‘Maris,’ he said, ‘Are you finished?’

‘Not yet, but I would like to clean the room.’

‘Ah, come in. Well done.’ he said, turning back to his work.

              Maris knelt to continue cleaning but he watched Hilam from the corner of his eye.

‘Great father.’ he said.

‘Yes, Maris.’

‘You once said herbs could cure everything.’

‘No, the temple water can cure everything but herbs can cure some. That’s why I left my trade as a herbalist to become a rahi. Some people cannot be cured with herbs because Machish needs them to turn to him.’

‘So that’s why I’m sick, so I can turn to Machish every day.’ Maris said, irritated.

‘I still believe you’ll be cured, Maris, but Machish may have a purpose for you being this way.’

Maris said, ‘Remember we were talking about herbs. Is there a herb for calming people and helping them sleep?’

‘Of course, opium is the strongest herb there is but it’s a rare plant in our parts.’

‘So it can never be gotten in our city?’

‘Why do you ask? Don’t tell me it’s for the prison girl.’

‘No, someone on the streets asked me for such a herb.’

‘He must be troubled. Tell him to take temple water because those potion sellers don’t sell its pure form. The only place I’ve seen it is in the Rahmon’s chambers.’

‘In his chambers?’

‘Yes, he keeps some in a jar. He said it was a gift from a king.’

‘But how would you know it’s opium? It could be something else.’

‘The smell, boy. If you cannot tell the smell of opium as a herbalist, then you’re useless to your trade. It is like the smell of our flower garden at dawn.’

‘I understand.’ he said and left it at that. He had gotten what he wanted.

‘I hope you’re not going to do something foolish.’

‘Of course not. I don’t even know where the man is. I was only curious and you are my teacher in all things.’ Maris said, knowing he would be pleased. He was right.

‘You’re a good rahi. It’s a pity the gods didn’t favor you with better health.’

Maris didn’t answer. He never knew what to say when his health made him an object of pity.

‘I must retire for the night.’ Hilam said, stretching his arms.

‘Sleep well, Father.’

‘Work well, Maris.’ he said and left. Maris listened to his footsteps till it faded. He picked up his things and left.

He strode to Rinosius’ chambers. He knew the Rahmon wasn’t going to be in. He had heard him mention to Hilam that he was going to the city walls to make a sacrifice. Maris approached the guards at the door. His hands shook. He became conscious of his steps as fear crept into his mind. He tripped on a platform but was quick to save himself and the water, spilling some on the floor.

‘The Rahmon is not in.’ said one of the guards.

‘I only came to clean.’ he said and held his breath, waiting for their reaction. The guards gazed at him, then opened the doors. Maris walked in and sighed in relief as the doors were closed behind him but he was thrown into darkness. He walked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the room. He knew the room well. He had scrubbed the floors more times than he cared to remember. The curtains were open, streaming in some night light and opposite the windows was a door that led to the herbs room. He walked to it, dropped the bowl of water in front and opened the door. It was too dark for him to see.
He needed a lantern
. He looked around him. He would have to go out to get one.

He made for the door. He heard footsteps and saw a light approaching from under the door. Maris stopped. He knew he had no reasonable explanation for being there. It wasn’t part of his work station. He hurried to grab the bowl, spilling some water on the floor, and went into the herbs room, closing the door just as the entrance opened. He heard footsteps into the room.

‘Put that down over there.’ Rinosius’ voice cut through the room. Maris cringed. He would be better off dead if he was caught. He heard a thud on the floor.

‘Father of Helmford, is there anything else?’

‘Yes, there is. Akasha, sit down.’ Maris heard the chairs screech.

‘What is it, father?’

‘There is something that troubles me that I need you to help me with.’

‘I’ll do whatever you want.’

‘You wouldn’t be hasty with your promise if you knew what I would say.’

‘Then speak but I’m sure I’ll be willing.’

‘The king wants you dead.’

Maris sucked in air. He heard Akasha’s voice tremble as he said, ‘Th-that can’t be. I-I am his son.’

A chair screeched. Rinosius had risen. ‘That is where it gets difficult for me,’ he said, ‘because he thinks you’re his son and so do you, but in truth you’re not his blood.’

Another chair screeched. ‘What?’

‘I passed you off as his son only to get his gold, now it has returned to haunt me.’

‘You lied to me!’

‘That’s not the problem here. He wants you dead for the fourth ritual because the sacrifice requires the blood of his first son. That’s where my cunning wears off.’

‘But Meldric is older than me.’

‘Yes, but he’s not older than Maris.’

Maris’ heart skipped a beat. Akasha asked the question in his mind. ‘What are you saying?’

‘That Maris is his real son, his first seed. He was born on the same day with Meldric but he came at first light. He was a sickly child. I thought he would die and he did for several moments, but his mother, in her mad state, put him in the river of Palife and offered his soul to Machish if he kept the child alive. The god accepted the offering and the child came alive just before he was placed in the ground to be buried that night. That’s why he drinks of the river of Palife to keep himself alive. He is blessed and cursed of the gods.’

Maris’ hands shook. It was too much for him.

‘What about me?’ Akasha asked.

‘You were abandoned at our steps two days later with blood still on you. You were a healthy child so I passed you off to the king as his.’

Maris heard a thud on a chair. Akasha said, ‘What are you saying?’

‘Are you a fool or are you deaf? Maris is the seed of the king and I need your help to know how I could sacrifice him in your place without exposing my lie—what is that?’

Maris had bumped into something and dropped the earthen bowl. It had crashed onto the floor.

‘There’s water on the floor.’ Akasha said. Maris was angry enough to find the boldness to step out. He saw the shock on their faces as he walked in.

‘Maris,’ said Rinosius, ‘you really are blessed and cursed. You found out what you needed but you were found out as well. I hope you didn’t break anything in there.’

‘You’re a monster!’ said Maris. ‘You’ve been lying to me all my life.’

‘Now you know the truth. You’ve always had all the answers, so now tell me, how can I sacrifice you without the king learning of what I did?’

‘He deserves to know.’

‘And when he does, will he welcome you with open arms? You’re still going to die. No king needs a sickly bastard to claim his throne, not when you can be finished off. That is the end of all weakness in the world.’

Maris swallowed and said, ‘What about my mother?’

Rinosius laughed. ‘Your mother was a whore that let the king lie with her on the night of the last ceremony of Madiza. I caught her, her white robes torn and stained with her blood and she lied that the king had forced her. I dragged her to the river and pushed her in, making sure she was washed from head to feet. When she rose, she was sick with madness. She gave birth to you, named you and left.’

‘You’re lying.’ shouted Maris. ‘She didn’t abandon me. You took me from her.’

He stormed towards them.

‘Guards.’ Rinosius called and the doors swung open.

‘Where is she?’ shouted Maris and rushed to Rinosius. Akasha blocked his way but Maris punched him in the face. His hand hurt but he was delighted to see Akasha bleed. He made for Rinosius again but the Rahmon raised his staff and threw him aside. The guards grabbed him up and Akasha punched his face.

‘Take him to the torture room,’ said Rinosius, ‘and tie him up.’

‘Where is my mother?’ he shouted.

‘That should be the least of your worries.’

‘What did she name me?’

‘Take him away. I’m done with him. Tomorrow, you’ll watch as I torture the spawn so you’ll know what I’ll do to you while your father watches and delights in every moment.’

Maris fought as they dragged him away. He felt a rage well up in him mixed with his helplessness.  He knew if he escaped, he would kill Rinosius first.

Natalia rolled her ring between her fingers as she watched King Hametis’ burial rites. The queen spoke about him to the thousands gathered but Natalia wasn’t listening as she stared at the king’s headless body. Death brought such coldness and to think that Ishkhan had brought it upon his blood and laid her gift of love on the dead. She shook her head and swallowed, determined to hold herself in.

She heard the crowd cheering at what the queen said. The last words she caught were, ‘Prepare yourselves tonight for the fight that stories will be made of.’

The queen set the corpse on fire. It reminded Natalia of Behozi. She turned away, stumbling on Viggo who held her hand to steady her.

‘Forgive me.’ she said. He said nothing, searching her face. He stroked her hair. She didn’t pull away. She couldn’t believe she found solace in the man that tried to kill her. She pulled her hand away and made her way through the crowd.

‘Natalia.’ he called but she didn’t respond. She went into the king’s tent. Chairs had been arranged in a circle for the meeting. She sat down and waited for the others.

Moments later, she heard the crowd dispersing and saw the kings troop in. Viggo was escorted by two guards who left when he got in. He sat beside her. Queen Natalia came in last with Janus and said, ‘Now that he has been buried, we must carry on.’

‘With the two of them in here?’ said Javel. ‘The son of a traitor and a traitor of a daughter.’

‘And a sheep of a king.’ said Natalia.

‘Silence!’ said the queen. ‘Yes, they will be here, but if what we share with them is found out by the enemy then I’ll take Viggo’s head without being asked.’

Viggo said, rising, ‘You know I could stay outside.’

‘No, you won’t!’ said Natalia, dragging him down.

‘And why should we listen to this girl?’ asked Javel.

‘Because I saw something in the valley.’ she said, ‘I saw who killed Meldric the First.’

‘How?’ the queen asked. Everyone’s eyes were on her.

‘When I rode into the valley, I saw the king’s form and it seemed like I was taken from my body into his. I saw through his eyes the man that killed him.’

‘That’s impossible.’ The kings spoke in whispers to one another.

‘Janus, how possible is it?’ said the queen. ‘The ghost never appears to anyone.’

‘He would when he stands before the person who could break the curse.’

They all looked at Natalia.

‘What do you mean?’ she asked.

The queen sat down and said, ‘Tell us what you saw.’

‘A young man with dark hair. I think he was King Lainan’s squire. He brought a Naphdaelian robe to the king as a gift.’

‘King Lainan’s squire was Garmar.’ said Lethman.

‘What else did you see?’

‘He said he needed to kill him before he could be king.’

‘That would explain it.’ said Viggo.

‘Explain what?’

‘My father told me every year Garmar liked to make sacrifices in the valley. He told my father it was a tribute to the ghost of the king. He also made a sacrifice this evening.’

‘It must be to keep the spirit under his control since he’s still bound to the king.’ said the queen. ‘He took something from the king and he must make those sacrifices to keep what he took.’ She rose. ‘Garmar has to be killed if we must win this battle.’

‘What do you mean?’ Natalia said.

‘If Garmar is killed, the ghost of the valley will fight for us and end the battle but the only way is to kill Garmar is with this.’ she said, unsheathing the sword with the crest of Arngeirr.

‘But the only person to wield that sword is the king of Arngeirr and the Head of the Council.’ said Neab.

‘Yes, and we already have one.’

‘Who?’ asked Meldric.

‘Her, your daughter.’ she said, pointing the sword at her. Everyone turned in her direction, some in shock, others in outrage.

‘Me?!’

‘How is that possible? She has no claim to the throne.’ said Javel.

‘According to Hametis, she does. Bring the scroll, Janus.’

Janus handed it to the queen.

‘The king is dead.’ said Lethman.

‘But his word lives on.’ she said. ‘Two nights ago, the king sent for me to give me this.’ She showed them the royal seal. She opened it and read, ‘These are the last words of King Hametis of Arngeirr and Head of the Council of Kings. If at the end of the Valley war I am found dead, I give the throne to Princess Natalia of Helmford to be the guardian of the throne of Arngeirr and Head of the Council, till such a time she marries, then can she be queen. I have found her worthy to take my place and she was chosen for this by the king makers since her birth. She will bring peace and prosperity to all kingdoms if you stand with her.’

‘Rubbish.’ said Javel.

‘You insult the words of your king.’ said the queen.

‘No, I question it. Why is Prince Ishkhan’s name not mentioned? Did he already know his son would betray him?’

‘He felt Ishkhan was not suited for the throne.’

‘I don’t believe you. Bring the king makers.’

‘Very well. Janus, the stones.’

Janus brought out a black and gold box. He gave the queen three shiny stones in red, gold and blue. The queen placed them far apart on the table in the middle of the circle.

‘Most of us know what these stones represent, but for the sake of some of us, I’ll explain. The red is a
no
, the blue is a
yes
, and the yellow will tell you what would happen if you rule. Everyone in the circle—except for Viggo—will walk past with their hands over the stones.’

One by one the kings rose and went to the table. The stones would rotate round the table and stop and the red would glow. Queen Natalia went round as well but got the red. Natalia noticed the kings sulked when they were rejected.

‘Child,’ said the queen, smiling, ‘it’s time for you.’

Natalia walked to the table. The stones on the table spun fast. The gold stone glowed. She stared into it and saw the evil image of herself with a bloodied sword and hands. She gasped and moved backwards. The stones stopped in a straight line and the blue stone shone.

‘We now have our leader.’

‘No.’ she cried. ‘Give it to someone else.’

‘But it chose you.’

‘I didn’t choose it.’ she said and ran out of the tent.