LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE ASSASSINS - SECTION 8
When
their eyes met Asger nodded then said somewhat reassuringly, "I hope you
will not take offense, but I'd like to hear the rest of what you have to say
and allow any airs of suspicion between us to entirely dissipate before I
release you from your bonds. I trust the
cords are not too tight to cause you any discomfort?"
Brandt smiled peevishly and thanked Asger for his
consideration, adding that no offense was taken. "Under the reversed circumstances, my
Lord, I would be predisposed to do the same. However, I am trifle
thirsty."
Svein,
upon hearing this congenial exchange between his uncle and Brandt as he was headed out the door, ground his
teeth and shook his head as if in disbelief.
How different he is from the way he acted in
the tavern that day, Svein mused. But
uncle is a discerning man; I’ll have to trust him on this, he knows what he is
doing.
Back
in the main cabin, Teuquob anticipating the need and having just then prepared
a fresh pot of tea and some cups, simply handed the secured bundle to her
husband before he had time to air out his request. Her subsequent inquiries about the stranger
were delicately brushed aside however, as Svein was most eager to return.
"May
I inquire if you are in any way related to Minister Taok Therkan?” Stark
(Asger) interjected, signaling Svein to a seat.
"He
is my late father, my Lord.” came Alec's earnest reply, as he threw a cursory
glance at the bundle that had been put aside.
 |
| TAOK THERKAN |
Stark next looking away quietly reflected on how from the moment the good minister had gained office, Taok Therkan had fought uncompromisingly against corruption and his subsequent political thoughts summarized in several brilliant literary works had been widely circulated among the elite scholars of the land. Presently, Stark (Asger) was grieved to learn of this minister's passing. But it was to be expected, he further mused, all good men ran the risk of eventually coming to harm at that tyrant's hand. Why should an ardent opponent, albeit kin (relative), be exempt?
With
this new development weighing heavily on Stark’s (Asger's) reflections
(ponderings), he slightly shifted his body.
The person before him was
shrewd and quite ingeniously persuasive with his elaboration of particulars,
certain specifics and the slight blending of decided facts. If only it were that simple, that he could
without qualm be ascertained of Alec's claim to this identity.
In
the end he decided to forestall judgment till after he’d heard all there was to
hear. Hopefully by then he could with
discernment weed out the false contents from the genuine data.
Alec
Therkan in due course, with the help of Svein, had been given some hot tea to
quench his thirst.
"As
you probably know, sir,” Alec getting somewhat comfortable, once more resumed
his narrative, "my late father had offended the corrupt Minister of War, Geir,
when, placing his own life at risk, he sent a memorial to the Court exposing
the corruption in various government offices including that of Geir
himself. Summoned to court for an
audience, my father further defended his position and, against the well-meaning advice of friends, strongly advocated
positive reforms to curtail the power of (certain) several military bigwigs,
civil officials and some influential gentry. “
 |
| MINISTER OF WAR, LORD GEIR |
“My father now deemed a serious bane, Geir used his powerful clique at Court to accuse father of a serious crime that would ensure his death, but His Royal Highness Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir favored my father's integrity and suspected a foul play. Therefore, despite the overwhelming testimony brought forth against father, and the lack of proof to substantiate His Majesty's intuition, my father was only demoted by one rank and banished to the remote frontier province of Wuchi."
Yes, Stark
(Asger) concurred with a nod, this
tallies with what I had heard of this respected Minister's deeds and
misfortunes.
"In
this remote province, my Lord, Taok Therkan served loyally for seven years,
awaiting a reprieve which never came.
During these unsuspecting years my maternal Uncle Zakhertan Yozdek, who was only a Field Marshall then,
steadily grew in power through his alliance in marriage to Prime Minister Morvald's
younger sister."
What's this?
Svein fumed in silence, seated some ways back, He's related to that usurper, and he still expects us to trust him? He glared at Alec with added misgivings.
Stark
(Asger) construing (surmising) Svein’s thoughts, with a discreet glimpse
apprised his nephew that he was aware of this fact already.
Though
this piece of news had escaped Stark (Asger), he did not let on. As it were, in the absence of any reliable
intelligence he had only once cogitated on the predicament of this outspoken,
loyal patriot.
"When
my father with his inherent prescience (foresight) deduced from certain
indicators the initial stages of diabolical plot to overthrow His Royal
Highness Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir,” Alec swallowed, “his subsequent
attempts to block it or warn the Monarch, were all but rendered ineffective.
His father Lu Therkan, you see, had surreptitiously intercepted each
attempt. Seeing no end to father's
stubborn persistence, Grandfather Therkan then conceived of the drastic measure
of incarcerating father in his own home for the duration. Paternal Uncle Po was dispatched on this
errand with explicit instructions to engage the assistance of the entire
household in the successful confinement of Taok Therkan in his study and
furthermore, have him excluded (barred, prohibited) from any outside contact
until the danger had passed. “
“With
his whole family turned against him, father beat his chest and lamented
bitterly, via his writing brush, onto the innumerable pages. Yet even these tomes bearing his grief were
spirited away and burned. The family
acted under misconstrued notion that due to a temporary madness or some other
such mental malady, he was rendered incapable of seeing sense or reason;
therefore, the actions they took were for the noble purpose of protecting
father from harming himself.”
"Now,
while father was kept cloistered, the entire country as you well know underwent
catastrophic changes, when Field Marshal Zakhertan Yozdek with one bloody sweep, usurped the
power of the throne. Even though this
news was kept from him, Taok's understanding of the facts led him to an
accurate assessment of the situation.
His condition grew progressively worse with each passing day until one
day, to the family's consternation, he stopped eating and taking any medication
altogether. The physician's summoned to
his bedside, however competent, remained unable to cure him and Taok slowly
began to (fade) waste away. In
anticipation of his approaching demise the immediate family under Uncle Po’s
directive, began making preparations for the funeral.”
"Then
one day, quite unexpectedly, my father received a visitor of such importance
that the family dared not keep him away.
It was father's old friend, Lord Shonne Gulbrand. His Lordship stayed at father's bedside for a
very long time and, after his departure, to the utter delight of his family, my
father now a transformed man, once more began taking in (consumed) nourishment
and willingly ingested the prescribed medicine.
His subsequent recovery was swift and in no time at all he was back on
his feet and writing again.”
“Father
spent endless hours alone in his study inscribing (writing) most of the time;
only now he painstakingly put down two versions of each and took particular
care to conceal the copy concerning the truthful, pertinent depictions. Since
he exhibited none of his previous adverse characteristics and even seemed to
have quietly submitted to the idea of Zakhertan's rule, the restrictions on him
were gradually withdrawn (lifted, rescinded) until they became
non-existent. The death of Grandfather
Lu Therkan provided father with a further reason to abstain from official
duties, travel or social functions and served well his self-imposed ostracism
from the rest of the family.”
“After
the period of mourning, on the second anniversary date of Zakhertan's
inauguration as Emperor, father once more with a self-induced illness
deliberately absented himself from court and the following festivities. Subsequently, in an official letter, citing
persistent ill health, father requested permission from then Monarch to be
allowed to resign his assigned post and abjure any other posts thereafter. In this way, by remaining in permanent
retirement at Wuchi, father had sought to avoid serving the Yozdek regime.”
“During
his conspicuous absence, his esteemed wife, Zakhertan Yozdek's second sister (by
the same mother) Lady Kelda, striving to mend any ensuing harm, had
persistently allotted bribes or pleaded with Zakhertan to overlook her
husband's incompetence and inability to respond in his service. Recalling to Zakhertan's memory the great
services rendered by her brother-in-law and her late father-in-law, she
implored Zakhertan to show tolerance and not interrupt her husband's line,
since they were still by then without an offspring. I was conceived, you see,
eight months later.”
 |
| LADY KELDA |
“Fortuitously also for father, Zakhertan's main concerns at the time rested in his consolidation of power over all aspects of the government, the pacification of the land, and confronting the growing threat of the Alvacons in the north-eastern territories. In the end, persuaded by his sister and the other relatives' entreaties, Zakhertan Yozdek perfunctorily dismissed the spiteful, deemed malicious whispered slanders from father’s professed enemies in Court, and granted father an early retirement with modest stipend, in Wuchi province. This would have been the end to my father's troubles, had he remained in obscurity as he had been ordered to, but far from it. Covertly, he began assisting loyal patriots of the late monarch who had flocked to him in secret to gain his guidance and protection. In addition, being the prolific writer that he was, he initiated an underground resistance by wielding his brush to produce literary works in a brilliant symbolic form, exposing the existing corruption, the hypocritical rule and the evil aspects of the present regime. Consequently, in a very short time his small initial following grew too significant enough numbers to give serious challenge to the bastions of authority in various provinces."
"Indeed,
the minister was most worthy of praise.” Stark (Asger) interjected
thoughtfully. "Truly a remarkable
individual, a true patriot, the way he rose above private gain and the personal
concerns of his family to place his deposed Sovereign's and his nation's
interests first in importance. This
tells of his great understanding of loyalty and filial piety."
“Not
unlike yourself, my Lord. Your son
languishes in...”
“My
son is dead!” Stark (Asger), deliberately ignoring Svein’s questioning gaze, curtly interrupted Alec. “I thank you not to digress.” Stark’s (Asger’s) words were cordial but his
tone more a command, it bode no argument.
“As
you wish my Lord,” Alec readily, circumspectly acquiesced; prudently eyeing
Svein in a side-glance. Excellent; I finally have the confirmation I
sought. Hah, I will make good use of this later, to effectively disarm either
him or both.
"But
unfortunately, my Lord, while the resistance movement was still in its infancy,
some of my father’s works, despite all the care taken, still fell into the
wrong hands and they were brought to the attention of Lord Geir. The despicable traitor, who had from the
start ardently supported Zakhertan’s ambition to seize power, because of his
invaluable service, now held the coveted position of ‘Senior Minister of
Transmission of the Inner Chancery.”
Stark
(Asger) threw a transitory side-glance at Svein and noting that Svein
recollected well this part of his lessons (that “Office of Transmission: One of
the boards of the Inner Chancery responsible for accepting memorials from the officials
and petitioners.”), turned his attention back on Alec who’d continued on
without interruption.
“Only he had dared to go behind the Prime
Minister's back to submit this incriminating evidence to the attention of
Zakhertan Yozdek.”
"The
end result was the immediate dispatch of the palace guards, to arrest and bring
father in chains back to the capital to account for his treasonous crimes. Lord
Geir had a longstanding personal grudge against father you see, and torture and
debasing would be the least of father’s expected woes before the gruesome,
ignoble public execution. Fortunately
receiving an advance warning from a sympathizer in Court, father was able to
commit all the incriminating documents and papers to the flames and by sending
word, also spared his covert affiliates from the similar predicament. Why
hadn’t he simply fled, you may ask? In truth he was ailing and besides, his
desire to revile Zakhertan Yozdek to his face was an irresistible draw, that
made father forsook safety, knowing also that the solidly entrenched resistance
movement would still thrive through me, his only son. Entrusting me to his assistant and confidant,
Kai, he gave instructions to take me under concealment to the residence of Lord
Gulbrand. His last words to me on the
night of my departure were, 'Now you must grow up fast. From this time onward you are to look to Lord
Gulbrand as your only family. Obey him
explicitly, with all the rights that are due to a father and assist the Lord in
his determination to set right all the wrongs of this country.' With tears in his eyes, he then embraced me
one last time and whispered into my ear, 'Mark my words well, son, and rid our
ancestors of this shame. It is now up to
you with the actions you take to restore honor and credit to our family name.'
"
Alec
bit the corner of his lip to quell (refrain) the surge of emotions swelling his
chest and looked away. After a momentary silence in which his vacant gaze was
pinned to the flickering tongues of the fire, he forced a smile to his lips
and, once more, resumed his story, "I gave my solemn promise to do my
utmost and, without really understanding the meaning of my words, since I was only five years in
age, I vowed to return (reestablish) justice and peace to this land. It was not until much later that I fully
grasped the course of my appointed task: that of assisting Lord Shonne Gulbrand
in raising an insurrectionist army to overthrow the Yozdek regime and
reinstating the rightful Prince then at large, back into power. 'Only then,' as my late father had once
asserted in a letter to Lord Shonne Gulbrand, 'could the dark, oppressive
clouds which are shrouding the brilliance of the sun and are casting the earth
into darkness and despair be lifted for the good of all.'"
"It
is my understanding," Svein felt impelled to interrupt, "that
Zakhertan Yozdek held absolute power of rule in the years following his
usurpation of the throne and had successfully eliminated the least opposition
to himself and to his regime. How was it
then Lord Shonne Gulbrand was able to raise an insurrection army?" But before Alec could respond, Svein answered
his own question, "Unless he too had kinship ties with Zakhertan Yozdek,
benefiting hence from the usurper's only weakness."
"Precisely,”
Stark (Asger) thoughtfully intervened.
“Harboring ambitions to usurp the throne, Zakhertan Yozdek prior did
methodically seek to align him via marriages with the old established and
powerful families, including that of Lord Shonne Gulbrand's. Just two years preceding his perfidious deed,
he had in fact arranged for his youngest sister to marry Lord Shonne
Gulbrand. It is regrettable that at the
time no one foresaw or grasped the scope of Zakhertan's ambition." This said Stark (Asger) lapsed into further
brooding.
"But
then, my Lord, when things came to such a pass," Alec interjected,
"as the brother-in-law of Zakhertan Yozdek, Lord Shonne Gulbrand remained
above suspicion.”
Did he, now! Stark
sardonically pondering, turned his (skeptical,) questioning gaze back on Alec.
“Though perhaps not as much as Zakhertan's
blood kin,” Alec relented. “It was however enough justification to give Lord Shonne
Gulbrand the advantage over others who sought to lead the underground
resistance campaign. Zakhertan's rise to
power was too swift for anyone to forestall (thwart), but he had underestimated
the stanch loyalty of the people to the late Sovereign and the resulting
resistance to the new order.”
"His
Lordship Shonne Gulbrand, his bloodline besides being from the most illustrious
line of old kings, was most fortunate still in another aspect. Because he had won over the heart of his
beautiful wife Lady Bergdis, so completely, he was able to carry out his plans
without fear of being exposed by her.”
 |
| LADY BERGDIS |
“Since Zakhertan Yozdek doggedly relies on blood kin to stay informed of irregularities and true intent while upholding his innate distrust of anyone else, need I say more?"
Both
Stark (Asger) and Svein concurred with a nod. As they exchanged a meaningful
quick glance, a certain understanding had just then passed between them. Stark (Asger) was very intrigued indeed with
the scope (degree, amount) of information Alec had in his possession. Aside
from the question of validity, what concerned Stark (Asger) most were the
source and the means by which Alec had come by it all.
Stark
hence inwardly pondered. With what other
tactical advantages has this supposed Alec Therkan, been furnished?
Hmm, two can play this game. Stark
(Asger) feigned that he had seemingly heard enough.
Anticipating
Alec’s nourishment needs by about now, Stark (Asger) whispered his instructions
to Svein and sent him along to fetch a new pot of tea and some sustenance.
Stark (Asger) then as if in an afterthought,
going over, personally untied Alec's bonds and removed them. As he did this, he, with sincerity in his
voice, apologized for the inconvenience and the precautions.
When
Svein returned, Alec was invited to partake of the food and though Alec craved
wine, for he was spent with all that discourse, he quaffed (consumed) several
cups of tea after chomping on the rather surprisingly delicious morsels. His
immediate hunger satiated; his face flushed when he realized his impropriety.
After brief muttering of recriminations against himself, "Please overlook
my rude indiscretion.” shamefaced Alec humbly asked their pardon, "for I’m
afraid, I have unwittingly adopted some coarse mannerisms of Duan's during our
long term together. I ask most humbly
for your Lordship's indulgence and forgiveness."
"Apologies
are quite unnecessary,” Stark (Asger) cordially (affably) responded.
"In a remote dwelling such as this, sir,
you are not required to stand at a ceremony.
Please be at your ease and treat us instead as just old
acquaintances."
"You
are too kind, my Lord,” Alec replied, rising to bow to Asger, "but I would
not dare to be so presumptuous." Only after much persuasion did Alec
finally accede to Stark’s (Asger's) wishes.
Afterward,
Alec without reserve ate his fill, even though he’d detected a certain taste in
some of the delectable edibles, mushroom of sorts that was associated with a
mild sedative. Inwardly he grinned,
somewhat amused by this sustained (incessant) astute precaution on Asger’s
part.
As they consumed more cups of the strong
brewed tea, Stark (Asger) asked to learn more of the country's current
political and economic state, and then more specifically asked after Lord Shonne
Gulbrand's alleged activities. He
listened to Alec's relayed news with rapt attention, hanging on to his every
word.
Sitting
up the rest of the night, Alec told how at one point in time, while the major
portion of the country was cast into ceaseless turmoil and widespread
discontent resulting from catastrophic natural events, the factional strife
between the Yozdek relatives entrenched in powerful positions, surmounting the
political disturbances and instability, had seriously weakened the seemingly
sound central government to the very core.
With indignation he next elaborated on how while many countrymen
suffered under the tyrannical rule of the oppressive regime- burdened with
heavy taxation and ruthless exploitation or pressed into hard military service:
the aristocratic gentry enjoyed many of life’s luxuries scheming or vying the
whole time for even more power.
“Consequently hitherto (until now), in various
sectors there’s been violent eruptions or to put it plainly, sporadic pockets
of rebellion, furthering the nation’s instability.” Alec took in a breather and
leaned back.
"Rebellions,
insurrectionist skirmishes," again Svein interposed to ask skeptically,
"how is it that we have not heard or experienced any such feat in this
region?"
"You
are so very far removed from the capital, sir,” came Alec's impatient, sardonic
response with his bemused smile, "or any civilization for that
matter. In this God and government
forsaken sector of the Empire, in this barren region where there is so little
economic gain to be had, where law and order is rarely enforced, with the
populace left to fend for themselves like wild beasts and where only daily
survival is paramount in importance, how then do you, sir, expect to be drawn
into the rest of the country's concerns?”
"Of
course, your perceptions are apt, sir, but was there any requisite for such a
protracted, sarcastic diatribe (homily)?” Stark (Asger) timely intervened in an
icy tone, thus curbing Svein's hot retort.
You are shrewd, I give you that… You’d rather
play ignorant and volunteer nothing; very well, no goading for now.
"I
offer my most humble apologies to your Lordship and your nephew", Alec
quickly backed off, "for my negligent, careless words and
manner."
Things
on the outset duly pacified, Alec then went on to describe in detail how the
rest of the country at present was being transformed by the gradual, sweeping
tide of revolution. "Lord Shonne
Gulbrand, the only one in a position to do so, my Lord, has all along secretly
lent his invaluable support to the various insurgent rebel forces and adapting
gorilla welfare tactics, aided them in successfully engaging the government
troops in countless serious confrontations, chiefly at the lucrative
southwestern border regions. In these
newly secured territories, the insurgents’ combining force with the (indigenous) foreigners has,
time and again, been a bane and a serious contender, forcing the central
government inevitably to further deplete its treasury."
If only that were true,
Asger looked away, musing.
(END
OF SECTION 8)
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