ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (42 page)

Janus walked through the valley of corpses with soldiers searching for the living. The sun was setting but he still hadn’t found the queen.

‘Janus.’

He turned and saw Queen Natalia lying on a pile of bodies with her hand on her stomach

‘My lady.’ he said and bent over her. He noticed the blood from her side and her pale face. He caught his breath and said instead, ‘My lady, we won.’

‘We did?’ she said, lifting her head. ‘Garmar is dead?’

‘Yes, the princess killed him.’

‘Good.’ she said and rested her head on the corpses.

‘My lady, we’ve come to take you back.’

‘No.’ She shook her head and pushed him away. ‘It’s too late. Let me stay here.’

‘But your son—’

‘Mustn’t see me like this. Take care of him and make sure he becomes king.’

‘My lady—’

‘You must do this, and make sure Natalia is Head of the Council. I wish I told her many things. She has been in the dark for too long. I should have told her.’

‘You can if you want.’

‘No, my life ends here. Go.’

‘Why don’t you make peace with—’

‘No! Don’t mention her name. I will never.’

‘My lady—’

‘Go, please.’ she said and closed her eyes again. Janus bent his head. This was a time he had no words.

                                                                      ***

Persis strolled to the market square with a veil over her head and with beads in her hand. She looked up. She had noticed shadows descending. Something was happening amongst the spirits. She got to the square and in the midst of the sellers stood a group of young rahis. One of them, a dark-haired young man, held up a mass of hair.

‘Behold the hair of the spawn of Galian. Ten gold coins for a lock.’

The crowd laughed. Persis understood why she had been led there. She saw shadows standing around the rahi and in midst of the crowd. Darkness was coming. She was frightened and excited at the same time.

She strode to the rahi and said, ‘What have you done with her?’

‘You’re the woman they call strange, are you not?’

‘I am Persis. What have you done with the girl?’

‘And why should I answer a woman who speaks to rats and frogs?’

‘Because I see what you’ve done. The spirits see it too.’ She turned to the crowd. ‘When Galian learns what they’ve done to her, there will be no escape. They’ve brought darkness to us.’ She pointed at a shadow beside the rahi.

‘Who do you call darkness?’ the rahi said. ‘Do you know who I am?’

‘Yes, Akasha, beloved of the Rahmon. Darkness surrounds you. Your death is near.’

Akasha moved back. Darkness passed above them. She looked up. She saw birds in their hundreds flying away.

‘The spirits.’ said Persis. ‘They are leaving the city.’

She ran in the direction they were going, pushing past people and avoiding carts till she came towards the city gates.

‘No, don’t leave us.’ she said but they were already out of the city. She saw more shadows coming through the gates. A group of them danced around a soldier at the gate. Persis hurried forward to see who it was. She gasped.
Prince Meldric
. She walked a few steps in his direction when a guard blocked her way and another one held her hand.

‘Let me go.’ she said. ‘I must speak with him.’

‘Take her away.’ said the guard in front of her.

‘No.’ She shouted, ‘My lord, Prince Meldric.’

He turned and saw her, his face widened in surprise. He strode towards them.

‘What is this?’ he asked the guard.

‘My lord, she placed a curse on the rahi, Akasha.’

‘No,’ said Persis, ‘I only told him what I saw.’

‘Let her go.’

‘My lord?’

‘Are you dull of hearing?’

They let her go and left.

‘Did you follow me here?’ Meldric asked.

‘No, I didn’t. I followed the spirits.’

‘What do you mean?’              

She pointed at the sky. He looked up and saw the birds.

‘Have you ever seen anything like it?’ she asked.

‘No, but they’re only birds.’

‘But they can sense it.’

‘Sense what?’

‘The darkness. You let them harm the girl.’

‘I couldn’t help her.’

‘Then it’s too late for you. I saw the shadows around you.’

‘What?’

‘Helmford has brought judgment on itself. I can no longer help you.’ she said and walked away.

Natalia turned as Viggo was shown into her tent, his body covered in mud and blood.

He bowed. ‘My lady, I heard you will be crowned Queen of Arngeirr.’

‘No, guardian till I marry.’ she said and placed her hands on his face, lifting it to look at her. ‘I thought you were dead.’

‘I thought you would be glad so you wouldn’t have to fulfill your promise.’ he said.

‘Do you think so low of me?’

He bent his head and said, ‘No. My father is dead and so is your general.’

‘Do you know how they died?’ she asked, looking into his eyes.

‘Yes,’ he said, turning his face away, ‘they killed each other.’

She knew he was hiding something from her but she decided not to ask, at least not yet. Theirs was still too delicate an alliance.

‘What about your father’s throne?’ she asked.

‘My people see me as a traitor. I doubt they will accept me as their king.’

‘They will. When I become the Head of the Council in Arngeirr, I’ll get you your throne.’

‘I cannot wait that long. Amira’s life is in danger.’

‘Then I’ll send with you our best men and whatever you need, but regarding your throne, you will give me time. I need your help in Arngeirr if you will help me.’

He bowed. ‘It will be an honor to serve you.’

‘As a friend.’ she said, and stroked his face.

Janus entered the tent and bowed. ‘My lady.’

‘Very well.’ she said and gave Viggo her hand. ‘Come with me.’

He took it and they strode out of the tent into the night. The soldiers were waiting for her with torches in their hands. She let go of Viggo and walked through the clear path made for her. They bowed as she passed. Lethman, her father and Neab stood in front waiting for her. They didn’t bow but she didn’t care if they did.

She stood on a wooden platform where the body of King Javel lay in royal robes. Janus gave her a burning torch. She held it up and said, ‘Soldiers of Arngeirr, Helmford, Naphdael, Vernon, Fort and Belanea, this is a sad but great day for us. The night has passed and dawn has come. King Javel ruled for one day and it was victorious. Here I stand before you, chosen to be your ruler. I may look weak but there is nothing weak about me. With my sword, my word and my blood, I swear to uphold everything you hold dear. Soldiers of the Council!’

‘Fight till the end.’ they chorused.

‘One till the end.’ she said under her breath and lit the hay under Javel’s body.

‘Hail Princess Natalia, Head of the Council, Ruler of Arngeirr!’ said Janus

‘Hail!’

Natalia descended the steps. Her father approached her. His face was worn.

‘I am proud of you, child.’

‘Thank you, father.’ she said but her emotions were cut off from her words. Something had changed between them and her new title had worsened it. There was now a distance between them that she wasn’t ready to cover.

‘What about Queen Natalia’s body?’ he asked.

‘Janus said she wanted to be buried in the valley.’

‘That is no way to bury a queen.’

‘Air your grievance with Janus. When you’re finished with him, we must get ready. It’s time we ride for Helmford.’

                                                                      ***

Maris’ coughing was dry and sounded painful. Kalani lifted her face and looked at him. He had his hands on his head as he wheezed.

‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘I haven’t taken any temple water today.’ He cleared his throat and rested his head on the wall.

‘What would happen if you don’t take it?’

‘My illness will get worse. The longest I’ve gone without it was in the desert. Two days and I almost died.’ He laughed. ‘I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m bothering about it when I’m going to die anyway. I don’t know. I think when you know death is soon, you try to guard every moment, not wanting any to slip away.’

‘For me every moment seems like an eternity.’ she said. ‘I want to stop thinking—to stop counting. I want the vast emptiness of death or its afterlife—if it exists.’

‘If the gods exist so does the afterlife.’

‘You sound so sure like you’ve died before.’ she said, rising to her feet. Blood still dribbled down her back and she was shaky.
It must be the poison
, she thought as she staggered back.

‘The scrolls speak of an afterlife controlled by the spirits,’ said Maris, ‘a beautiful place for the servants of Machish and Sheroth and a terrible place for people who don’t serve the gods.’

Kalani chuckled and said, ‘It’s either your gods are full of lies or I’m destined to suffer both in life and death.’

She looked out of the window. The dimming sun shone its light on her. It warmed her skin and thawed her heart. It was beautiful, the sunset. She had never realized it before. She raised her hand to touch the light. A tear dropped from her eye. Something or someone was out there watching her. A pigeon perched on her window sill. Tears streamed down her face.

‘Maris, who created the sun?’

‘I was taught it was Machish.’

‘I don’t think so, because if he did he wouldn’t let it shine on me.’

She went down on her knees and said, ‘Father—if that is what you are—help me. I cannot help myself.’

The bird flew away and she bowed her head as the sun left.

‘You prayed.’ said Maris.

‘I don’t know what I did or if he heard me. Everyone believes I’m his child. Maybe I should start believing as well.’

She shivered and lay on the hay. She was cold.

‘Kalani.’ said Maris.

‘It’s only the poison.’ she said, taking deep breaths and stroking the talisman.

Getting to Helmford hadn’t been difficult with the soldiers marching with the confidence only victory could give. However, on seeing the city encased in a hardened bubble, they realized it was more than a battle of swords.

‘Father, what can be done?’ Natalia asked, staring at it.

‘We must first learn what has been done. General Alcon.’ said Meldric, turning to his side.

‘My lord, we’ve used swords, arrows, large rocks, even fire. Nothing has worked.’

‘You cannot beat sorcery with physical elements.’ said Janus, coming from behind. ‘We must use sorcery as well.’

‘What do know about such things, scribe?’ asked Alcon.

‘Incredibly little but infinitely more than what you know.’ He turned to Natalia. ‘I have seen this spell before, my lady, and I have good and bad news.’

‘What is the bad news?’ she asked.

‘This is no small spell. If we break it, everyone in the city will die.’

‘So there is no breaking it?’

‘That is where the good news comes. The spell is kept by a group of rahis, which means their minds and strengths are focused on maintaining the barrier. If we can break their focus, it will be lifted.’

‘How can we lift it when we’re not in the city?’ said Alcon.

Janus smiled at Natalia and said, ‘I believe the princess knows how.’

‘Father, General, if I may speak with Janus alone.’

She walked quietly with him until they were safely in her tent. She said, ‘The Ikan bird. Are you mad?’

‘Madness can be wisdom. You need to call the bird.’

‘I cannot.’ she said, sitting down. ‘I don’t have power over it.’

‘But you do. The bird hears only the voice of Galian and his heir.’

‘How do you know who I am?’

He smiled and bowed. ‘I am a scribe after all.’

‘But I don’t know how to call it.’

‘That’s because you’ve never tried. The bird is always close by.’

She rubbed her forehead and said, ‘Leave me please.’

He left the room and she got up to pace the room.

‘How do I call it?’ she said to the talisman. She felt anxiety wash over her. She had only been ruler for a few days but she felt the fear of failing so intensely that she thought she might faint.
Be calm and think
, she said to herself, but it didn’t help. She sat down and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. An image appeared in her mind.

‘My lady.’ said Alcon, intruding in her thoughts. She raised her hand to silence him and said, ‘Build me a fire.’

‘My lady—’

‘Shhh, let me see—aha!’ She opened her eyes and said, ‘Build me a fire surrounded by stones. Make haste.’

If Alcon was surprised, he didn’t show it. He bowed and hurried out. The fire was made outside her tent. She sat in front of it and closed her eyes, trying to focus. She heard her father ask Alcon, ‘What is she doing?’

‘It appears she’s trying to find a way.’

‘By praying to a fire?’

‘I’m not praying to it.’ she said. ‘I’m trying to clear my head.’

‘With smoke?’

‘If that is what it takes.’

‘My lady,’ said Janus, ‘the fire will soon burn out.’

She sighed and said, ‘I’m trying to find the bird if you don’t mind.’

‘You could always call it by its name.’ he said.

She opened her eyes and turned to him, ‘What do you mean?’

‘Every thunderbird bears the name of its carrier. It represents them.’

‘Of course.’ She looked into the flame and said, ‘Behozi, where are you?’

Nothing happened. She realized her mistake.

‘Felman, where are you?’

The smoke rose above their tents and went eastward. An image flashed in her mind.

‘I know where to find the bird.’ she said, rising.

‘What bird?’ asked her father.

‘The Thunderbird. It’s the only way we can save the city.’

‘My lady,’ said Alcon, ‘have you forgotten what it did to this city?’

‘Or what we did to an innocent man.’ she replied.

‘My lady, where is this bird you speak of?’ asked General Ronem of Arngeirr.

‘On the Cloud Hill.’

‘That’s almost a day from here.’ said her father.

‘If we leave now, we’ll get there before sunset.’

‘Natalia, you don’t need to do everything yourself.’ he said. ‘That’s why you have soldiers.’

‘Father, if I don’t go, the men I send won’t come back alive.’

‘Thank you, my lady, for your faith in our abilities.’ said Janus.

‘I don’t doubt your abilities but I have a stronger faith in the Ikan’s.’ She turned to her father, ‘We’ll be back by dawn. Janus, Alcon and Ronem, get the horses. We ride to the Cloud Hill.’