ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (5 page)

‘Mother,’ Natalia whispered, ‘I seek your permission to leave. These proceedings tire my spirits.’

Her mother whispered back, ‘You’ll do no such thing. When you become queen, you must attend to your people’s needs. How would you handle such a responsibility without adequate preparation?’

‘Forgive me but I doubt listening to tales of how noble men were robbed of ears of corn out of their barns full is an adequate form of preparation. It drives me to boredom.’

‘Then that’s the reason you will remain here, for in a state of boredom you shall find wisdom.’ Celeste said with a smile, keeping her eyes on the people standing before her.

‘Then I’ll be the wisest queen that lived.’ said Natalia, sighing.

The throne room was filled with people, mostly spectators, watching as others came forward to get their cases tried by the queen. Natalia watched with a sense of pride as her mother handled the cases with tact, but she also wished her father didn’t travel so often. He had gone to the mountains two days before to make treaties with three kingdoms on behalf of Ishkhan’s father, King Hametis of Arngeirr, the head of the Council of Kings. This meant he wouldn’t be back for several weeks.

Natalia yawned and turned to get a glimpse of Rahmon Akasha’s empty seat beside the king’s. His absence was unusual. He never missed hearings. He usually had the final say when the king was absent.

She heard noises coming from outside. It sounded like a riot. Queen Celeste gave Alcon an apprehensive look. He nodded and left her side. In three years, he had risen to become the general’s second-in-command and was in charge when the general travelled with the king. He and his men advanced to the entrance. The proceedings stopped as everyone turned to the door.

Akasha stormed in with guards pushing a tall man with his hands bound behind him. People cleared a path for them. The guards flung the man in front of the room. He fell to the floor, his head narrowly escaping the bronze dais where the queen and Natalia sat. The guards dragged him back. His clothes were torn and his face scratched and purpled with bruises. Despite his bound hands, he managed to kneel before the queen.

Celeste said, ‘Rahmon, what is the meaning of this?’

‘Rahmona, it’s not without cause.’ he replied. He pointed to his victim. ‘Behold Behozi, the traitor of his people—the filth. He was a rahi of the highest order of Machish.’  The people gasped, fuelling Akasha’s tirade. ‘Imagine such a man! He ran from his service and his people to the mountains. No one thought he would return—but no—to mock us, he has.’

Akasha paced round him, striking him with his staff. The man fell. Akasha turned back to his audience, ‘People of Helmford, did this ingrate return on bent knees? No! To spit on the faces of the gods, he came bearing the beliefs of the Gudliefyer--a dying clan--and he wants us to abandon the gods who have given us our lives, children and even…’ he pointed to Natalia, ‘the princess. He wants us to fall into damnation for the extinct god they call Galian.’

Laughter rung out in the hall. Behozi struggled to his feet, ‘My lady--’

Akasha struck him on his back. ‘You have nothing to tell her, you dog.’

‘My--my lady…’ He struggled to rise again.

Akasha raised his staff to strike him when Natalia, against every voice of reason in her, rose and said, ‘Stop. Let him speak.’

The crowd went quiet. It had never been known for anyone to stand up against the Rahmon, not even the king. Tension was high. All eyes, including the queen’s, were torn between the princess’ hard-set face and the high priest’s facial transformation from shock to outrage.

Akasha said, ‘You stand for a man who defies the very gods who gave you life. Why is that?’ His steely voice pierced through the silence, raising the hairs of everyone in the room.

Natalia’s heart didn’t flutter, neither did her eyes leave his. She said, ‘I stand for no one. It is our law to listen to both sides before judgment is passed, or is it not? The law was made by us and for us, so we must obey it.’ She turned to the guards that had dragged him in, and said, ‘Help him up.’ She sat down. Akasha glared at her but she turned her attention to the accused. The crowd booed as Behozi got up but they were silenced by a wave of the queen’s hand.

Behozi said, ‘My lady, the queen, and the princess, thank you. My lord, the high priest, I thank you also for enabling me with this audience.’ He smiled at Akasha, who scowled and turned away.

He addressed the people, ‘My story is long, but for you to understand, I must start from the beginning. It’s true that I was once a rahi, but I was raised in Helmford to be a noble man. In my youth, knowledge became my sole desire and I sought it anywhere I could find it. At the age of eighteen, I chose to be a rahi, hoping to quench my thirst. I was in the service of Machish for sixteen years. I wanted to find out why and how I was born and what the purpose of my existence was. I found no answers, only rebuke. I began questioning the gods--’

‘Only mad men do such.’ shouted someone in the crowd. The crowd agreed with him and noise broke out again. Natalia’s heart pounded as she stared at Behozi. She felt like she had seen him before--like this had happened before and he had known the questions in her heart.

He turned to the direction the voice had come and said, ‘Indeed, I must be a mad man if I choose to cross where others fear to tread. Madness is better than fear then, for I’ve seen more than you can ever dream about.’ He continued his narration, ‘The hunger grew, and so did my restlessness. The more I saw, the less I understood of our world. I chose to run away and I got as far as the forbidden mountains. I found that they worshipped a god like no other. It wasn’t a tradition for them but their reality.’

‘Rubbish. You speak of a dead god of a dying race. He’s like a shadow in the night.’ said Akasha, causing laughter.

‘No, he isn’t dead--his life is in them. They may be dying but they’ll be strong again once I find the Anundr.’

Akasha held him by the throat. ‘You seek a myth here? Your madness has led you to your death.’

‘The Anundr is no myth and you know it. I’ve found whom I seek, here, in this very court.’

The crowd broke into confusion. Alcon ordered the men to search the court, though unsure of who they were looking for.

‘Where is he?’ Akasha asked, the veins on his neck bulged as his eyes darted about.

Behozi paid no attention. He closed his eyes and said, ‘Anundr, the spirit of your father summons you. Arise from your slumber.’

The room quaked. People held onto the pillars while many others toppled to the ground. Celeste shouted to a guard, ‘Stop him.’

Akasha hit him causing Behozi to fall to his knees. ‘We shall have no more of your magic.’

Amira held Natalia down to prevent her from rising. Akasha addressed the people, ‘You’ve heard everything this traitor has said. He believes he came with good news but we have bad news for him. People of Helmford, what does he deserve?’

‘Death!’ the crowd chorused.

Akasha turned to the queen with a smile, ‘We await your judgment, Rahmona.’

Amira held Natalia back. Celeste rose and said, ‘Behozi, you’ve been found guilty and have been sentenced to death. You shall be hanged in three days.’

The crowd cheered and Behozi was taken away. His eyes and Natalia’s met and he smiled. That look was imprinted in her mind for a long time.

While the crowd returned to order, Natalia rushed to the queen. ‘Mother, please have mercy on that man.’

‘What has been said cannot be unsaid.’ Celeste said strangely, scanning the crowd.

‘But you’re the queen.’

‘And you’re the princess, so I suggest you behave like one.’

‘Forgive me, but I have more important things to attend to than witnessing more injustices.’ She curtsied and turned away.

‘Natalia.’ the queen called but she was already out of the hall with Amira behind her.

Natalia could barely breathe as she and Amira crept with their backs against the palace walls. It was the middle of the night and the guards rarely ventured to those partsof the grounds but they couldn’t take chances
.
They groped the ivy-covered walls, searching for a crack. Natalia’s finger grazed a vertical line.

‘I’ve found it.’ she said to Amira. She dug her fingers into it and pulled but she couldn’t get it opened. She doubled over and tried harder.

‘What is it?’ Amira whispered.

‘The door is a challenge. I need your help.’

‘Maybe the gods are warning us. I told you we shouldn’t be doing this.’

‘It’s too late now or do you want your friend standing in the cold all night?’

That silenced Amira. She joined her in pulling the door open but they didn’t succeed. Frustrated, both girls leaned on the wall.

‘I’m tired of this.’ Amira said, striking the wall. It gave way and they fell to the other side. Amira landed on her back while Natalia landed on her.

‘How forgetful of me--I forgot it turned the other way.’ she said, scrambling to her feet.

Amira groaned. The grass she lay on had helped lessen her fall but only by half.

‘Oh forgive me. You bore the brunt of it.’ said Natalia, helping her to her feet.

‘My lady, kill me if I ever do this again.’ Amira said, brushing off the dirt on her cloak and dress.

‘But I advised you against coming, remember? Where is your friend, by the way?’

They were on a grassy slope. Below them was a dirt road and across it were the woods. Amira squinted as she scanned the trees and said, ‘He should be around here somewhere. Alinus!’

‘Shhh--not so loud. We haven’t left the palace yet.’

A figure came from behind a tree and moved towards them. The two girls held hands.

‘Alinus?’ Amira said when the hooded figure was just a few feet away. Her voice was timid and uncertain. He removed his hood. ‘Amira, I thought you would never come.’ He turned to Natalia and bowed. ‘My lady, it’s an honor to be at your service.’

They descended the slope with his help. From the little Natalia could see, Alinus was a tall young man with dark hair. Amira had told her he was a rahi and was her close friend, but she had quickly added that he wasn’t much to look at, which from Amira meant he was handsome.
It was a pity
, Natalia thought,
that rahis weren’t allowed to marry.

‘I hope I didn’t frighten you.’

‘Yes.’ said Amira.

‘Of course not!’ said Natalia, simultaneously. They glanced at each other.

He smiled and said, ‘Please, we must depart at once. I brought the horses as promised.’

‘What about the food?’ Natalia asked as she adjusted her cloak.

‘It’s been taken care of.’

He had tied the horses to a tree at the end of the road.

‘I could only get two. Amira, you’ll ride with me while my lady will ride alone. He turned to Natalia, ‘Can you ride?’

‘Of course.’ she said, mounting the horse. He climbed onto his and helped Amira up.

Natalia held the reins and said, ‘Wait--what about torches?’

‘My lady, we don’t need them.’ he said. ‘The moonlight will guide us.’

‘Are you sure? I don’t want us to lose our way.’

‘My lady, Alinus knows the city more than anyone.’ said Amira. ‘When he was four, the Rahmon dropped him in the woods and told him to find his way—’

‘Amira!’ he said.

‘I’m sorry.’ she whispered but he didn’t reply.

‘We best be on our way then.’ said Natalia, diffusing the awkward silence.

‘Of course.’

‘Thank you.’ Natalia said to him as they rode down the path.

With a twinge of something the princess mistook for humor, he said, ‘It’s an honor.’

They rode in silence till they reached the Dungeons of Soliham. It was a fortress larger than the palace and cut off from the city by the woods. Guards defended its walls and its gates were formidable. Alinus shook the gate and a guard came out of the gate house with a lantern.

‘Who goes there?’ he asked menacingly. Amira gripped Alinus’s waist, while Natalia held her reins tighter.

‘Servants of the king.’ said Alinus.

‘Whom do you seek?’

‘The dungeon lord. It’s a private matter.’

The guard paused then said, ‘You may enter.’ He opened the gates and they rode in.

The grounds were covered with tiny sharp stones that could puncture most shoes, and guards stood at every bend like statues. The visitors got off their horses and trod to the castle door. The door was more like an iron gate. Natalia hesitated after making three quick raps that disturbed the night. The door opened with a loud screech and a huge, one-eyed man stepped out with a lantern.

‘I am Balkazor, the dungeon lord. What brings you here by this time of the night?’

Natalia said, ‘We need to speak with the prisoner, Behozi.’

‘He’s allowed no visitors.’

‘So we cannot see him tonight?’ Amira asked.

‘Not tonight, tomorrow, the day after, nor the day he dies.’

‘But it’s an urgent matter.’ said Natalia.

‘So are the things I have to do, so if you would excuse me--’

Before he could close the door, Natalia placed her leg as a barricade to stop him. ‘No, I will not excuse you.’

He flung the door open and advanced, ‘Who do you think you are?’

Alinus and Amira moved back, but Natalia remained where she stood.

‘The real question is who am I.’ She pulled off her hood. ‘I am Princess Natalia, the daughter of King Meldric of Helmford.’

His lantern shook in his hand and he fell to his knees. ‘Forgive me, my lady, I knew not.’

In his grief, he tried to grab hold of her dress. She pulled her dress back.

‘You’ll be forgiven if you do as I ask.’

‘As you wish.’

Balkazor led them through a well-lit and long hallway with walls and floors made of blackened grey stone, and he talked all the way about the history of the dungeon and its past lords. However, his audience was more frightened than impressed especially when he talked about the kind of criminals in his custody and his bloody encounters with them. Amira held Alinus’ hand, constantly looking behind her. Despite her hard stare, Natalia’s heart was so shaken that when Balkazor reached the dark stairway leading to Behozi’s cell she wondered if she had made the right decision.

‘Should we come with you?’ Amira asked.

‘No, I want to speak with him alone.’ she said.

‘My lady, this man is known to be of the dangerous sort.’ said Balkazor. ‘In my many years of service here, I’ve witnessed such men tear the limbs of grown men. One of these sorts took one of my eyes before I killed him. Are you sure being alone with him is wise?’

She swallowed and said, ‘I can manage on my own.’

‘Well, follow me. I’ve heard tales of men getting lost in these tunnels. Most of them never came back.’

Alinus gave her a leather bag and Amira hugged her and said, ‘Be safe. May the gods protect you.’ They held hands and watched Natalia and Balkazor descend into the darkness with a lantern.

It was a long spiral stairway with broken steps.

‘Where else does this lead to?’ said Natalia.

‘To tunnels filled with cells and then to a path that has been blocked so no one can escape.’

‘I’m sure.’ she said, irritated by his overconfidence.

They came to a tunnel lit with torches. The tunnel way was round and the walls were uneven and rough-looking. Ahead of them were two guards slouched on chairs in front of a gate. They sprang to their feet on seeing them.

‘What’s the report on our prisoner?’ Balkazor snarled.

‘Nothing but madness. He laughs and talks to himself, then relapses back into silence.’

‘My lady, are you still sure--’

‘Yes, I am. Take me to him.’

He led her through the gate to a tunnel filled with cells. Only one was occupied. Behozi sat on the floor beside the stack of hay that served as a bed. The hay smelt like dung, the stone floor was cold and damp, and the room was in darkness but he kept his mind on his meditation. He heard footsteps and he knew who was coming and what was expected.

Balkazor and the princess stopped at his cell. From the lantern they carried, Natalia could see Behozi hadn’t been cleaned up. His eyes were shut and he had a smile on his face as he muttered words under his breath. He seemed lost in a different world. For a second, even she thought he was mad.

‘Behozi, you have a visitor.’ Balkazor barked, but he didn’t flinch. A side of Balkazor’s mouth twitched as he glared at the prisoner. He looked ready to charge.

‘Did you hear me?’

‘Don’t trouble yourself.’ Natalia said. ‘Let me go in.’

‘Yes, my lady. I’ll be here as long as you need me.’ Balkazor said, throwing him another glare.

‘No, I want to be alone with him.’

‘But--’

‘Do as I say. If I need you, I won’t hesitate to call for you.’

He grunted and opened the cell, letting her in, and left with the lantern.

Alone finally
, she thought.
In the darkness with him--a stranger
. He still sat, unflinching. It unsettled her. She cleared her throat to get his attention but it didn’t work. She didn’t want to go near him.

‘Behozi.’ she said.

No reply. She moved closer and waved a hand over his face.

‘Behoz--’

‘Behozi is dead. My name is Felman. Sit down.’

Startled by his response, she looked around. ‘But there’s no place to sit.’

‘Sit on the floor.’ he said without opening his eyes.

‘But--’

‘If you came to see me, sit on the floor.’

She sat down opposite him, biting her lips to hold back a response. She sat there for some moments watching him, wondering if he knew who she was. Her patience was waning.

‘Behozi.’

‘Shhh! I’m at the best part.’ he said, putting a finger to his lips. She waited some more.

‘I brought some things for you.’ she said, patting the leather bag filled with food.

‘Leave them on the floor. I’ll go through them later.’

She complied, keeping the bag beside him.
Not even an acknowledgement
, she thought. She returned to where she sat.

‘Behozi--I mean Felman--I really don’t have time--’

‘Princess Natalia, the first thing you must learn is the value of patience.’

She shifted, ‘How did you--’

‘Knowing who you are should be the least of your questions. Ask wisely for your time with me is short.’

‘Who do you think you are?’ she said, rising.

‘It’s not who I think I am, it’s who I’m aware I am.’ He opened his eyes and smiled at her. He rose and put his hands behind him. ‘I believe the question should be
who are you
?’

She moved back, feeling threatened by his gaze and height.

‘I am Princess Natalia, the heir--’

‘Wrong answer. The challenge with confusing
what
for
who
creates a crisis of identity, an identity bigger than you can ever imagine.’ He moved towards her.

‘You don’t know me.’ she said, raising her chin and balling her fists as he approached.

‘But I do know you. You carry your power like a crown, unaware that it’s going to be a heavy cross to bear.’

‘I do not cower from my responsibilities.’

‘Neither do you break yourself for them. Your power isn’t to rule but to serve. If you don’t understand that then you are no different from Akasha, no matter how good your intentions are. The evil will destroy you.’

‘I’m nothing like him--coming here was a mistake.’ She headed for the door.

‘You have dreams that keep you awake at night and make you dread what the future holds. You’ve dreamt about me before, haven’t you? And now, you’ve come to seek my help.’

Natalia’s heart raced. She turned and gaped at him. ‘How did you know?’

Behozi sat on the bed. ‘There’s more to the world than what meets the eye. He who sent me has also sent you.’

‘Who is he?’

He smiled and said, ‘Sit down and I’ll answer what I can. The ones I don’t answer are left for you to discover.’

There was something about him that she couldn’t understand. She felt she had left her throne at the door of his cell and had entered into his kingdom. She watched him dip his hands into the bag and bring out a loaf of bread. He cut it into two and offered her a part. She held up her hand to decline.

He said, ‘Eat, or we shall have nothing to discuss.’ She took it and nibbled at it, while he tore at his.

‘Forgive my manners.’ he said when he finished. ‘It’s been almost two days since I ate.’

‘You have no reason to apologize. You can even have mine.’ she said, extending her barely eaten chunk.

‘No, I will not. Thank you for your kindness and for joining me. You may ask your questions now.’

She put the bread aside and said, ‘Who sent you?’

‘The ‘‘who’’ is not important at the moment. It is the ‘‘what’’ that should concern you. ‘‘What sent you back?’’ should be your question.’

‘What’s the difference?’

‘There’s a big difference. It’s like asking who brought you here and what made you come here. The “who’’ and “what” may be connected but they aren’t the same thing. We both know that the “who” may not always like the “what”.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘You are a princess. You must understand.’

‘So answer me. Who sent you?’

‘Are we still on that question? I told you I won’t answer it.’

‘And why not?’

‘Because you would ask me lots of “whys”, “hows” and “wheres” that are as irrelevant as the question itself. The “who” has no basis to the “what” but the “who” is controlled by it. Answering the “who” will not answer the “what”--it would only confuse you.’

‘I’m confused now.’ She sighed. ‘Why are you here?’

‘Ahhh….’ he said, smiling, ‘Now that is connected to the “what”. I’m here for many reasons. Soon, you shall see them yourself.’

‘Why are you not answering me?’ she said, getting up.

‘I am and you don’t even know it yet.’ He chuckled. Natalia took a deep breath and clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms. She needed to control the urge to strike him. She decided to change her question.

‘What did you mean when you said Behozi is dead?’

He smiled and gazed into her eyes.  ‘Behozi died the day I found the answer to my questions and Felman was born.’

‘Behozi isn’t a bad name.’

‘No, but it reminds me of a past I would rather like to forget, which brings us to why you’re here.’

She paced back and forth as she talked, ‘I’m not sure why I’m here. I just needed to talk to you. I fear falling asleep because I find no comfort in my dreams. Every night, I have dreams that show me something imminent in my path—but I have no one to talk to. I thought I was going mad until I saw you.’

‘What do you dream about?’ he asked, leaning forward.

‘Sometimes, I see myself holding stars, then they fall from my hands into a large cauldron and melt…I also see a room full of mirrors--’

‘How many are the mirrors?’

‘I cannot tell but I see myself in seven of them, in different clothing and in different periods of my life. Then, one by one the mirrors start to crack and fall apart.’

He gasped.

‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘Have you told anyone about these dreams?’ His tone had changed. He was rocking himself.

‘No, I haven’t.’

‘Good. Tell no one.’

‘Why?’

He didn’t reply. She knelt before him and held his hands.

‘Please tell me what you know. These dreams—they’ve become all I see when I close my eyes at night.’

He stroked her cheek. His hands were warm. She didn’t flinch. She felt safe with him.

‘It isn’t my place to tell you but I must say this. Amongst enemies you shall find many friends and amongst friends are many enemies but your greatest enemy will be in yourself.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You have a great destiny, child, but it could also destroy you. Those mirrors represent the Seasons of the Morph.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘I’m afraid I’ve said too much.’ he said, withdrawing his hand and moving away from her. ‘You must search the great library.’

‘What should I look for?’ she said, standing up.