ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (25 page)

‘We have to go.’ His voice was soft and soothing. She rose with his help.

As the last of the soldiers left the gates and got to the bank, the waters rose like a tide and consumed the mountain. Water splashed on everyone there, causing them to shield their faces. When they opened their eyes, the forest and Halldorr were gone. They were in the desert, surrounded by sand, miles away from where the old Halldorr stood.

‘The magic of the witches.’ Sigrun said as they all looked around in awe.

‘We have no time to spare.’ Meldric said, pulling the reins of his horse. ‘We ride home.’

He moved ahead and the men fell in behind him. Kalani and Amse walked side by side, both bound and surrounded by soldiers. Kalani felt shock cloud her mind but it didn’t conquer her grief. She turned back as they dragged her and, with fresh tears, said goodbye to a place that no longer existed and yet had taken so much of her.

DAWN

Travelling across the desert at night was a cold experience which couldn’t freeze certain words into realities in Kalani’s mind:
Fanndis was dead
—
Galian was her father
—
her mother’s name was Nayet
. The words pranced in her mind all night, then reduced themselves to a trudge, letting every word sink in while shielding her from cold and sleep. 
If her father was a god
, she thought,
then what was she?
She pulled at her skin. The thought sounded mad. She laughed but ended up in tears.

Orange rays seeped from the eastern horizon, lightening the dark sky.

‘Make them walk faster. We still have much ground to cover.’ said Akasha to the guards beside Kalani as he rode ahead. Kalani narrowed her eyes at him. He was the way she had imagined him, only much younger.
But how could he live so long?

‘Why do you stare at him so?’

She looked at Amse in surprise. His voice was drawn and lifeless, but it was still his voice. He had been by her side all night but had said nothing. She would have preferred anything else than his silence.

‘You know why. You also heard his name.’ she replied.

‘Yes, I did.’ he said, looking down.

She wanted him to keep talking. ‘But if Akasha was born at this time that would make him—’

‘With the gods on your side, you can live very long.’

‘I see no difference between him now and his future, except in age.’

Amse snorted. ‘Don’t let emotions blind you.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘There are many things I should have told you. I hope it’s not too late now.’ He sighed and added, ‘Ask me whatever you want.’

‘Before Fanndis…’ she paused and said, ‘she said they killed you.’

‘They would have if not for the coming of the soldiers but they were able to take my inner strength. Now, I don’t have as much will as I used to.’

‘Why did they touch you?’

‘Because of my disobedience. They felt it wasn’t my duty to tell you about Natalia.’

‘How is Natalia related to me?’

‘She’s your great granddaughter or she will be.’

Kalani scoffed. ‘So I’m the grandmother to the Anundr?’

‘Yes, but you’re much more than that; you’re the first Anundr, the
Adarakanthis
.’

‘And it’s true that I’m the daughter of Galian?’

‘Yes.’

She laughed, her eyes stung with tears. ‘But how is that possible?’

He sighed. ‘I’ve been asking myself the same question.’

‘So why didn’t you tell me?’

‘If I had told you, you would have given up yourself before they even reached Seti.’

‘But Letion and Fanndis would still be alive.’

‘No, they wouldn’t.’

The soldiers stopped. Prince Meldric said, ‘We camp here till noon. We shall reach the Shittim Twine in two days.’

The guards pushed Kalani and Amse down on the sand as the soldiers made tents. Kalani tugged at the leather ropes on her wrists. They were tight and bruised her skin.

‘I know you must be hungry.’

She looked up to see the bald rahi extending a bowl with two loaves of bread to her. In his other hand was a small brown bowl filled with water. She turned her face away. She was hungry but she wasn’t going to accept the petty charity of her captors.

‘Let me have the water first.’ said Amse. She turned to him, ‘Why would accept it?’

‘Because he spoke kindly.’

The bald rahi took a sip of the water to show there was no poison and gave it to him. Amse drank some of it and passed it to Kalani.  She shook her head.

The young man’s eyes were entreating. ‘Please,’ he said, ‘you need to take some of it.’

‘I would rather have poison.’

‘Would it be enough to destroy the bitterness in your heart?’ said Amse.

‘Why shouldn’t I be bitter?’ She turned to the rahi, ‘I remember you were the one who led the water attack. Because of it my sister is dead.’

He lowered his eyes nd said, ‘I’m sorry. We only did as we were told.’

‘I don’t want your apology--I want my sister.’

‘Kalani!’

‘No, Amse. Who should I blame for it? You?!’

He sighed and said to the rahi, ‘What is your name?’

‘Maris,’ he said, ‘my name is Maris.’

‘The prince mentioned the Shittim Twine. I thought it was only a legend.’

‘It was the gate we used when we were coming to your city.’

‘But the road we follow is nothing but a sea of sand.’

‘No,’ Maris said with a smile, ‘that’s what the gods would have us believe to trick us from seeing the treasures they alone enjoy.’

‘You’re a rahi and you speak of your gods so.’ said Kalani.

‘Yes, because even I know that there are things they would never reveal to us in fear that we may abuse them and become too powerful. But Machish is kind that’s why we know of the gate.’

‘Maris, come here.’  Akasha said, marching towards them.

Maris winced and dropped the bowls in front of them and said, ‘Please, I’ll soon return.’

He walked to Akasha who grabbed him by his robes and said, ‘Why are you whispering to them?’

Maris sighed. ‘What do you want?’

‘Are you tired again? Meldric wants you, you better not faint on him.’

Kalani gaped as Maris departed. She was surprised at how accepting he was of the humiliation. She turned to Amse, ‘What do you know about the Shittim Twine?’

He had a loaf of bread in his tied hands as he said, ‘Legends speak of a goddess who had a lover in the world of men. Some of the legends claim that the lover was a king and could not leave his kingdom, neither could she leave hers. So she made a gateway between the two worlds through the crossing of two shittim trees and something that belonged to the two of them and they would visit each other as often as they wanted.’

‘What does the crossing of the two shittim trees mean?’

‘The joining of the world of the spirits with the world of men.’

‘Can you get to the world of the dead through it?’

Amse paused and said, ‘Yes, but it’s a perilous journey you may never return from.’

‘Who says I want to return? Death is better than this.’

‘No, it’s not. Death is a coward’s escape. When a man falls into its trap, there is no surmounting it but with life even the worst experiences can change.’

‘But what hope is there?’ she said as she blinked back her tears. ‘Even if these bonds fall off, I have nothing to live for.’

‘You have me for a reason. Let me you some courage.’

                                                                      ***

Maris moved the flap of the tent to see Meldric and Sigrun bent over a table examining a map.

‘My lords, you sent for me.’

‘You may rise, Maris.’ Meldric said just as Akasha walked in. ‘As you all know, the Shittim Twine needs an anchor. We used the desert herbs to get here and you used all the temple water to launch the attack. So what will we use to return?’

‘My lord,’ said Akasha, ‘Maris can give us of his supply.’

‘The temple water won’t open the gate.’ Maris said, ‘The Twine only accepts such an offering once. The second time, it requires a sacrifice.’

‘Of what kind?’ said Meldric.

‘Blood, human blood.’

There was silence in the tent. Sigrun said, ‘So whose blood will we use then?’

‘I suggest the blood of the seed.’ said Akasha.

‘No,’ said Maris, ‘we must bring her back alive and well. The Rahmon said so.’

‘Rahmon Rinosius said
alive
but he never mentioned
well
.’

‘The ceremony requires a lot of blood. We cannot risk her life nor the life of the seer.’

Meldric said, ‘Maris is right. We need another alternative.’

‘Brother, we cannot risk our soldiers.’

‘Nor the rahis.’ Akasha said.

‘Then I will do it.’ said Maris.

‘You’re cursed by the gods with your affliction,’ Akasha scoffed. ‘I doubt Machish will accept your sacrifice.’

‘Then give him yours.’ said Maris. ‘If you cannot, I will do it. My blood is as good as anyone else’s.’

‘Very well,’ Meldric spoke, ‘you will do it even if it requires all your blood.’

Maris bowed. ‘Yes.’

‘You may go.’

Maris walked out and took a deep breath. He felt an excitement within him. He turned in the direction of the prisoners. The old seer was telling the girl something that made her wrinkle her forehead in concentration. He smiled.
If only they knew what he was going to do for them
. He wondered what the girl would say or think of him then.

He coughed. His throat was dry and his head pounded. He could feel the fever rising. He removed the skin bottle from his bag and took a swig of it, frowning as the temple water ran down his throat. It was hot and bitter but it drove away the fever. He replaced the bottle and went to join the other rahis where they sat even though they didn’t like his company. It was more an indifference than a dislike, he decided. The rahis alone were weak among the soldiers, so they liked the fact that there was someone weaker even though he knew more incantations than they did. They laughed whenever Akasha pushed him around. But at that moment, Maris felt powerful. Even Akasha’s chants about dying didn’t bother him. They all looked like cowards who could only taunt and they amused him.

The sky was like a canvass of blue lace embellished with tiny diamonds that lit up the sky and the world below. Through it, Natalia could see Gisilfried’s hardened face.

‘Gisilfried, please--’

‘It’s Prince Gisilfried to you.’ he said, with his sword still pointed at her.

‘You don’t understand.’ she said, drawing closer to him.

‘I’ve been told I have a quick mind. It’s you who doesn’t understand what you’ve put yourself in.’

With two hands, she hit his wrist and disarmed him. She grabbed the sword before it touched the floor and pointed it at him.

‘Very good.’ he said. ‘I suppose it was your late brother that taught you that. You have me where you want me.’

Her mind went back to the vision. She dropped the sword. ‘No, I don’t. I’m innocent. I swear it.’

‘Innocent of what precisely?’ he said, picking up his sword.

‘Everything you’re accusing me of.’

‘Viden saw you and recognized you as the Helmford spy. Are you innocent of that?’

‘I’m not a spy.’

‘But you don’t deny being from Helmford?’

‘Being from Helmford is not something someone should be found guilty of.’

‘Not in this kingdom.’

She heard voices above them. She turned to him, ‘Then, take me somewhere and ask what you want. If I fall into their hands, I’ll be killed whether I speak truth or not. If I try to escape, you can kill me yourself.’

He glanced at the window, then at her. He grabbed her by the arm and said, ‘If you try to disarm me again, I’ll kill you without thought.’

She sighed as he dragged her away not knowing they had been seen by the very man she was running from.

                                                                      ***

Gisilfried opened the abandoned stables and pulled her and the horse in. He pushed her ahead and tied her hands to a wooden pillar.

‘This is unnecessary.’ she said.

‘I know what you can do without a sword. I don’t trust you while they’re free.’

‘Even if they aren’t you still wouldn’t trust me.’

‘Why should I? I don’t even know your real name.’ he said, moving back.

‘My name is Natalia. I didn’t lie about that.’

He folded his hands and said, ‘But Eyan isn’t your name, is it?’

She was silent and avoided his gaze. He said, ‘You called yourself Eyan in court like you were afraid if they knew your name they would know who you are. I suspect you’re well-known in Helmford, maybe even of noble birth. Tell me, whose daughter are you?’

She swallowed and said, ‘I’m the daughter of King Meldric and Queen Celeste.’

He raised his brows. ‘A princess.’

‘Yes.’ she said and looked straight at him. He looked away, unsure of how to react.

‘Why are you here?’ he said coldly.

‘To save my life.’

Gisilfried laughed. ‘
Here
?’

‘Yes, even if it sounds amusing to you--’

‘Oh yes, it is.’

‘I speak the truth. My life was in danger. My father had been away for weeks, then along came Prince Viggo of Turbarnia claiming that my father betrothed me to him. Against my wish, preparations were made. Then one night, I overheard him and my lady-in-waiting plotting my family’s demise.’

‘Why didn’t you tell your mother?’

Natalia shook her head. ‘She was ill and she is…weak, she can do nothing about it.’

‘So you ran to the worst place you could ever be?’

‘Here, they cannot find me.’

‘But you’re in more danger now.’

‘Then kill me if you doubt my honesty. If I wanted to spy on your kingdom, I would have asked you questions but I didn’t.’

‘But you were always in the library.’

‘Because of Princess Seraphin.’

Gisilfried folded his arms and said, ‘I’ve seen you go without her.’

‘Because I need answers.’

‘Answers to what?’

‘To the jewel around my neck.’

His eyes fell on the stone that gleamed in the darkness and said, ‘I thought it was a family heirloom.’

‘It isn’t--it is.’ She sighed. ‘I’m not sure.’

He strolled to her and grasped the talisman, closing his eyes. He saw nothing. He opened his eyes, he remembered what the lady-in-velvet had said.
She’s innocent
.

‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘Do you have any other jewel with you?’

‘No, I don’t.’

He moved back.
After all this time, she was not the one
. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. It was a bittersweet elixir.

‘You’re innocent.’ he said.

‘How would you know by touching my talisman?’

‘It doesn’t concern you.’

‘Is it about Ida’s Day?’

He narrowed his eyes. ‘How do you know about that?’

‘I heard King Garmar and Princess Seraphin’s nurse mention it.’

‘What did they say?’

‘They said something about death, like the day would be an evil one. I was confused so I went to library. Is that why you were searching for me? Tell me what you know. I may be of help.’

‘I doubt I can trust a liar from Helmford.’

‘What if I told you I know where you can find the object you seek?’

‘Where?’

‘In the castle.’

His heart raced. ‘Where in the castle?’

‘How would you recognize it if I told you?’

‘If I touch it I would be able to find where the star of Ida is.’ he said. ‘That’s where the jewel would be placed to destroy the city.’

Natalia gasped and said, ‘Then, I’m right.’

‘What is it? Tell me.’

‘I saw the jewel with Princess Seraphin.’

‘No,’ he moved back, ‘that’s impossible. She’s marrying my brother. She cannot plot against us.’

‘How sure are you? Isn’t she trying to seduce you?’

‘That doesn’t make her an enemy.’

‘My betrothed was planning my death with someone I called my sister. I would be wary if I were you.’

‘Don’t give me advice. How can I be sure you’re not working with someone else?’

‘Then I wouldn’t be very wise to be caught by you.’

‘The women of Flenos were the witches shielding you.’

‘No, they’re innocent in everything, I would be dead if not for them.’ She sighed. ‘Gisilfried, I know I’ve given you reasons to distrust me but now I speak the truth. Find out if Seraphin is really whom you seek, if I’m wrong, you can do with me what you like but if I’m right—if  what you felt for me was real, you would at least find out.’

‘Don’t ever use my feelings as a bargain for what you want.’ he said with clenched teeth. ‘You’re coming with me to the palace.’

Natalia’s mouth fell. ‘You’re taking me to your father?’

‘No, I’m taking you to safety. It’s only the place I can watch you and protect you.’

‘But Viden knows my face.’

‘He is only one man, is he not? I’ll make sure he never enters the palace again.’

‘How?’

Gisilfried smiled. ‘Viden is predictable. I know what next he’ll do. But if I find out that everything you said is a lie, I will kill you.’

‘But how would we get in without being seen.’

‘Leave that to me.’ he said and loosened her bonds.