LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC- THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE - SECTION 12

 

(Yoansu upto no good)

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC

THE FISHERMAN’S PRIZE

(SECTION 12)

 

   It was now nearing the end of the monotonously laborious third week, dreary without the companionship of Zianko, when Kaimu was suddenly awakened in dead of night with an urgent need to relieve himself. His eyelids leaden with sleep, he’d gone about doing his business as usual at the outdoor latrine, when suddenly his keen hearing (ears) picked up a faint, shuffling sound emanating from the direction of the storage shed. By now the storage shed had been turned into a makeshift barn, to provide adequate security and shelter for the highly prized commodity, the horse.  

Kaimu again cocked his ears and listened more intently, hoping it would be the wind but pegging it to be some intruder, men or a beast!  In all this time Zianko had been strangely absent. As one could never be sure of his activities or his cohorts! …Hmm! No mistaking it! 

“Blast... the horse…the money!” Kaimu growled.

He had flatly rejected the presumed  ill-gotten sum. But Yoansu going behind his back had surreptitiously offered the money to Ensa and upon his insistence- with his coaching she’d hid it in the shed for future emergency. Of course, little or nothing escaped Kaimu’s scrutiny; nevertheless, weighing the alternative, he’d turned a blind eye to this deception.

“The scent of cash always draws the waywardly thieves!” Kaimu grumbled under his breath, as he for a moment or two considered fetching his son. But that might allow the culprit or culprits, time to finish the job, or worse, to escape with the booty! He therefore quickly armed himself with a short staff, then made his swift, silent, bold advance towards it (the shed) in that pitch darkness, determined to confront this impending danger head on. With his adrenaline pumping he was prepared for the worst scenario. 

As he neared the door, he noted that the shuffling noise had suddenly ceased, giving way now to panting, gasping sound.

“Crap!” No doubt about it, the money was being dug up!

 Kaimu’s hand poised to strike with a raised staff, he soundlessly (entered) glided into the shed. The place was shrouded in darkness except for the feint light at the far corner, behind towering pile of logs.  Owing to this scant lighting he could discern that the carefully laid out trap, in front, was not sprung. Nor were the ingeniously placed juxtaposed stacks of dried rations and other such supplies, in any way disturbed. The horse was uneasy but otherwise untouched! Hmm! Perhaps only after the procurement of the booty, the thief meant to make his get away with the beast all loaded up. But how did the culprit so skillfully evade all the pitfalls; furthermore, know just where to dig?

I’ll show him to mess with me!  When Kaimu with his adrenaline pumping veered the corner, the appalling scene that greeted his eyes simply took his breath away.

He was prepared for anything but this!

There before him stood not a ruffian intruder holding a shovel, but his own worthless son, naked to the waist, after his apparent groping, now about to totally disrobe and molest the unconscious, frail body of Jiense.

What happened after that was all but a blur to incensed Kaimu!

He’d seen red, and with the fierceness of a tiger, he’d pounced on Yoansu! 

 There was a brief, but violent scuffle. Unfortunately, Yoansu was in far better shape and so owing to his youth, he easily bested Kaimu. 

Enraged as he was, Yoansu uncharacteristically, nevertheless, had constrained himself from dealing his father a death- blow. But this had not been an easy feat; for it had taken all his willpower and might, to curb his unbridle fury.

When Kaimu regained consciousness, he found himself tightly bound and gagged. His son squatted on the floor with his downcast gaze, head cupped between his hands, in deep remorseful ponder.

Kaimu’s first concern had been with Jiense. Despite his restraints, he managed a slight shift of his body to catch a glimpse of her. Thankfully, she lay there, as before, seemingly untouched, in the same shape and way when he’d interrupted Yoansu’s aim.

“Good, you’re conscious! Hope I didn’t rough you up too much, any broken bones?” Yoansu’s phony concern infuriated Kaimu. He struggled to free himself from his bonds, but without much success.

“Before I let you go, I want to talk to you.” Yoansu snorted dispassionately, wiping the wry grin from his face.

Seething in rage, Kaimu glared back at Yoansu. But unfortunately, his despicable son who towered over him with his strong physique was no longer a meek offspring.  He could no longer be made to yield to his will. When Yoansu in a single swift stroke cut the restraining gag across his mouth; hence, allowing him the chance to speak- “villainous scoundrel!” Kaimu barked. “What have you done to her?” He then growled, as he, same time indicated the unconscious Jiense with his chin.

“Nothing much, thanks to you!” Yoansu smirked. “Oh, you mean, how come she’s still unconscious, knocked out cold!” He then realizing the rest of his loaded question grimaced wryly. “I’ve just slipped in a potion (potent sleeping drug) to the pot of tea. That’s why all the womenfolk are dead to the world. Don’t worry, aside from a slight headache, a hangover, it’s deemed a relatively harmless one.”

“And I was unaffected, because I chose wine.” Kaimu grumbled, finishing Yoansu’s explanative.

“You are usually a sound sleeper, especially after consuming all that wine.” Yoansu shrugged. “Had you not interrupted, she would have been tugged back into her bed, never knowing the difference.”

“This the first attempt?” Kaimu had to ask.

“Yes, if you must know, her virtue is intact, for now that is!” Throwing his head back Yoansu laughed uproariously. It was a chilling, cynical laugh that reverberated in that icy air and sent shivers down Kaimu’s spine.

“What a vile, loathsome creature you are- how can you be of my flesh?” Kaimu spit at the floor, cursing the day of Yoansu’s birth. “Had he known, he would have…”

As if surmising this, Yoansu’s face just then became taut, “Now let there be no misunderstandings here.” With a voice full of venom, he barked at his father. “I don’t care piss all what you think of me anymore! And know this, I want her, and I mean to have her with or without your consent. Have I made myself clear?”

A dark shadow suddenly descending over his murderous countenance, he then added, “And don’t think I’m above killing you. For mother’s sake however, I am willing to spare your life. For her sake I am willing to negotiate the following terms. If, and that’s a big if, you keep your trap shut… If you give me your word, I shall not manhandle her (Jiense), and when the time is ripe, I’ll take her and make her legally, rightfully my spouse.”

“What about your present wife Tufan, cursed wretch?” Kaimu hissed.

“She’s not your problem. Besides, she’ll soon outlive her usefulness. And spare me your phony concern about her welfare. I know you despise her as much as I do.” Yoansu curtly responded.

“You are way over your head; Ckarban is not one to be trifled with!” Kaimu shook his head. Then with a downcast gaze he seriously pondered, but only for a spell, whether to reveal the dark secret he’d withheld from him all these years.

“Do we have a deal or not? Answer me now; or all bets are off!”

You deserve all you’ll get! Kaimu inwardly shirked any responsibility to this brazen son. Besides, the brute was unscrupulous and quite capable of fending for himself. Nevertheless, Kaimu knew that once his anger had subsided (passed), he might relent, and still do the right thing by telling him. As he was pressed to give response, seeing no way out, Kaimu, for the time being at least pretended to assent to Yoansu’s demand- this, if only for the sake of buying time.

In equitable exchange, Yoansu gave his, albeit reluctant word, to temporarily lay off Jiense.

Was he to be trusted? Would Yoansu honor his word? Not likely!

Hence, from that night forth, Kaimu prepared to sleep lightly, with one eye open, ears (pricked,) poised to detect any abnormal, deviant noise. And while on the outset he would seemingly be a willing co-conspirator to Yoansu’s sinister aim, inwardly still, Kaimu had already devised a plausible counter offensive of his own, to thwart Yoansu’s despicable goal.

 

                                                                                    ~

 Rising at first light, Kaimu braved the excruciating pain and quickly donned his long-sleeved garb in effort to conceal his bruised body from the prying eyes of his wife. Facial lacerations and swollen lips, black or dark purple bruises on both Kaimu’s and Yoansu’s faces nevertheless still raised few eyebrows and drew some unwarranted criticism and questions from the womenfolk. No satisfactory explanation was ever given on that day or the next however, as both remained tightlipped about their apparent serious altercation (row,) sometime during the night, as the rest had soundly slept. But from hence, the adversarial stance, the infrequent cool exchange between father and son persisted, making Ensa’s heart and mind beset with worry. She hoped and prayed for the stubborn two’s relationship to mend.

A small comfort, well into the next week, the estrangement between Yoansu and Kaimu seemed to have eased off a little. Then one rainy night Kaimu though in recumbent position, desisting sleep had waited patiently for everyone to retire and to succumb to deep slumber. When not a sound stirred about the house, he nudged his wife awake and whispered to her, his supposed concerns.  “Ensa, this has been praying on my mind for quite a while. Please listen without interruption, for I have something to tell you regarding Jiense’s future.”

“This did not bode well! So that’s what’d been at the root of their discord (tiff).” With certain trepidation, Ensa nodded her assent. Then after rubbing her eyes propped up her pillow behind her back and sat upright. But Kaimu was too agitated to stay put; he abruptly threw the covers aside and rising, set at the edge of the bed. Carrying an authoritative tone now, he began his long tirade with a warning.

 “Wife, I want no arguments from you!” Turning to face his wife, he tried to look affectionate. “I know that, during these past few months, you have grown quite fond of Jiense and being soft-hearted as you are, took her to your bosom as your very own daughter.  This would have suited me fine, except that; things did not turn out the way we’ve expected.  We are not wealthy folk, and admittedly I cannot support so many people.  I have decided hence, to remedy this problem well before Yoansu’s departure, the advent of autumn or the subsequent winter months. I’m not diminishing your importance by any means, but morally and officially I am the head of this household and therefore bear the sole responsibility for everyone’s welfare. Ultimately, it’s up to me to decide what’s best for this whole family. In all fairness, I’m giving you an advance notice of what’s to come. Naturally, as the sensible, good wife you are, I expect your full cooperation on this matter. Anything less would create discord and rock the harmonious stability of this household.” After an irritating moment’s silence, which he’d paced to and for, making sure his well-rehearsed words had sunk in deep, he sat down again and continued. “It is made clear to me that, Jiense cannot stay here indefinitely. Also, it would not do for us to keep for long one as young and beautiful as Jiense to tempt our son.  Better extinguish the kindling before it ignites into a huge bonfire and incinerates the whole house. Yoansu is hot-blooded young man and admittedly quite attractive to opposite sex. In their youthful fancy, he or she might one-day fall into temptation. You don’t want that on your conscience. Besides,” he then added quickly, holding out his hand to halt Ensa’s contrary arguments, “two young women under one roof always spell trouble. Sooner or later, if it has not already, it will create an unwarranted friction, turbulence between them. You want to be responsible for this kind of a marital discord?”  Then, pinning his face before his wife’s, with a firm conviction in his voice he added. “So, adopting her as a daughter is out of the question.  Besides, what kind of life or future can we give her? Our lot is worse than any of our neighbors.” He cleared his throat at this point. “Speaking of neighbors; that’s what I mean to do.”

Up until then Ensa with a lowered head, with certain resignation, had listened to what Kaimu had to say.  Some of what her husband had said, the points he’d made could not be refuted. How could Ensa in good conscience detain this precious jewel for her selfish reasons only? Jiense deserved to have a befitting husband and a good home of her own. But, when Kaimu made mention of a neighbor, even though he had momentarily withheld his name, her heart had skipped a beat and hairs on the back of her neck had stood on end. She held her breath in dire trepidation, hoping against hope that she’d be wrong, that it would not be the case.

“Since I have supported her all this time, affording her my protection, food and care- to simply let her go without exacting some form of compensation would not only be impractical but downright foolish. I am therefore within my right, to oblige her to do the right, proper thing!” Kaimu had said this with such forceful resolution… so adamantly, that she quaked in fear to hear the rest!  “And I don’t buy that story he fed me about Souko. I believe he contrived to have her all along… This way, it will be out in the open and he must do the right, honorable thing by her. So as to not have any more misunderstandings, I shall now say it plainly. Yes, I have decided on giving Jiense in lawful matrimony to our neighbor Zianko! He should, in return, bound by law, pay me a very generous dowry.”  He rubbed his hands in happy anticipation.

 

Up until then Ensa had held her tongue, remaining perfectly composed, with a compliant, lowered head. Now she sprung to her feet, her face flushed beet-red with fury. With contempt in her eyes, she bit her lower lip to stifle her scream, and then added mournfully. “Husband, I have lived with you all these years, more than half of my life span, sharing life's joys and sorrows with you, and still (up until) to this moment did not know what a heartless monster you were!  How could you even consider such a vile thing?  He is close to your age; he is old enough to be her father and his cruelty and coarseness is very well known!  The man is a beast!  A man that would kill his own wife, or have you forgotten Tizan, that lovely, spirited boy?  From the day he was forced to live with that brute, that poor boy had suffered horribly at Zianko's hand, all those beatings! How can you contemplate on giving this frail child to that fiend? How can you have the conscience to condemn Jiense, this poor fledgling to a lifetime of misery?  Better to kill me and take her yourself as a wife.  It would still be a preferable option, instead of that wicked monster you call friend!” She shook her head in utter dismay; however, being adamant in her opposition, desisted shedding any tears. She won't show any weakness, nor will she ever cave in to his unreasonable demand! Not now, not ever! In her staunch stance she’d resembled a lioness, one fiercely protecting her cup.

Kaimu was momentarily taken back by the degree of her defiant outburst. He’d broken the news to her as gently as he could. Besides, he was expecting a tearful, gentle protest, not this! He was so stunned that his mouth agape, for a spell he’d remained lost for words.  When eventually the shock wore off, he sprung back with an angry retort. “Woman, have you no lick of sense!  Have you no fear of death?  I’ve been both patient and indulgent of your unreasonable requirements thus far but if you continue to press me like this, one of these days, I would not be held responsible for my adverse actions.  What a way is that for a wife to behave?  And to suggest I wed her- a child I’ve come to consider and beholden to my heart as my daughter! Have you lost all sense, morality, and all shame?  How dare you so blatantly, so brazenly tarnish my good name, my honor, worst still, undermine me?  Is this any way for a filial wife to behave?” Then turning away, he aired his grievances to the religious idle in the room. “See what I must put up with? Why don’t you drill some good sense into her stubborn head? Instead of being malleable and easier to get along with, she is becoming instead more difficult, more antagonistic and quite unreasonable. Acting like a madwoman, imagine her getting such wild ideas into her head!” Sharply turning then to face her, “Shame, shame on you woman!” he barked and shook an accusatory finger at her.

 Incensed, he feared the loss of self-restraint in the face of her further defiant response. Abruptly veering, with curses on his lips, he ejected loudly. “But no, it's my fault. Lately I’ve been too indulgent, too considerate of your feelings. I should have just gone and done what I’d planned to do and then told you. This is what I get for my solicitude, my thoughtfulness!”

 But Ensa’s rage had turned her heart to a stone, and she remained recalcitrant in her stance. She could not be persuaded or moved, no matter what!

Kaimu's anger now mounting, he grabbed her by the shoulders and violently shook her. “Why are you deliberately goading me to violence?”

  “Hush up; you want to wake up the whole house?” She snapped back.

 “God, how you drive me mad!”  Rived with rage, as he held on, he sunk his fingernails into her flesh. Faced with more of her defiant words on his face, Kaimu was brought to the brink of insanity with seething ire. Being at his wit's end, he feared his frenzied, wrathful response.  “Enough!” he violently let go of her and turning, marched towards the door. But then he relented when he heard the muffled sobs of Ensa, and stayed there in front of the door, rooted to the spot for some time with his back to his wife. 

He eventually took in a deep, patient breath and turning, went back to sit quietly by her side at the edge of the bed.  Using a placating tone, he tried once more to reason with her. “Wife, I thought we’re way past this type of discord. I’m sorry you can’t see my reasons, for they are plain as day. I wish you could believe me when I say I would never, ever do anything to hurt Jiense. All I’m trying to do is what’s best for everyone concerned. When I shared his company last, he complained to me bitterly how lonely he’d been and how terribly he missed the company of his late wife.  He sorely regrets his past ways. Lamenting heart-wrenchingly on another occasion, he wowed that if he’d ever got the chance, he would treat the next wife with due reverences. He swore an oath to Heaven, right before my eyes, asking the Gods to strike him dead and condemn him to eternal damnation should he fail to keep his promise. If anyone needed a spouse, it would be him! His place looks so unkempt and disorderly that it’s pathetic. And don’t forget how I owed him my life. This way I would repay my debt to him as well. Do you want me to remain under obligation forever? Besides, in this way she’ll continue to live nearby, and you can keep an eye on things. Now that he has learned his lesson, he would not repeat his past mistakes. I’ll make sure of that. She’ll be well cared for. You should be thanking me for taking your feelings into consideration. How unreasonable you are, wanting to keep her here and denying the girl, perhaps her only chance, of ever having a home of her own!”

“You cannot justify this heartless decision on pretext (under the guise) of concern, duty or rational opine. Spare me the rhetoric. It is what it is; your glib tongue cannot vilify your selfish cogitation, your greed!” Ensa snorted, remaining undeterred. 

Kaimu’s frustration again mounting, with a fury he slammed his fist over the night table, setting the clay jug filled with water tumbling down from the table and crashing onto the floor into countless pieces.

“Look what you’ve made me do! It’s hopeless trying to reason with you. You are beyond reproach. Why am I wasting my breath?” He sprang to his feet and with a huff, stormed out of the room. He craved the outside cool air to alleviate his blistering, tumultuous ire.

Ensa continued to curse her husband in his absence.  Grinding her teeth she then mused, how dare he be so callous as to collude with Zianko? Had Kaimu lost all sense? No, something else, something entirely more sinister had to be at stake here. But despite all her mental prodding, she failed to come up with even a single strand of clue. Nil, zip, there was nothing at all that she could latch onto for answers. When her mind reverted to the impending marriage of Jiense, she shivered involuntarily and bit her lower lip in utter despair. Oh, my poor, precious Jiense, she’ll not last a day in the hands of that vulgar, churlish, savage ruffian!  A beautiful girl such as her will be in the mercy of that tyrant: why, it will be nothing short of tragedy!  She shuddered anew at the thought (notion) of Jiense being molested night after night by that vile villain. Overcome with grief, angry tears in defiance to her will now began cascading down her cheeks.

Jiense’s sleeping quarters being near Ensa and Kaimu’s room, she’d been rudely awakened from her sound sleep sometime during the night by the unsettling row between (her benefactors) husband and wife. Since she had heard her name being mentioned alternatively, in anger then in appeal, she’d easily deduced at being at the heart of the problem. Her heart fluttered wildly with fright and concern when the muffled fighting intensified.  After she’d heard Kaimu storming angrily out of the cabin, Jiense rose from her bed, quietly crept into their room and seated herself beside Ensa.  

 

 

Ensa’s heart ached when she gazed at the angelic face of Jiense and looked into her tearful crystal blue eyes. “My poor Jiense.” she could not help but utter to herself amid sighs, “If you knew of the terrible fate that awaited you, you would leave this place this very night, run away and never ever look back!” Suddenly Ensa’s face became taut; she absently nodded, having right then and there made up her mind as to the only possible recourse.

When Yoansu’s inquisitive face appeared through the crack in the doorway, Ensa quickly (curtly) sent her son back to his room offering some lame excuse for the night’s disturbance. She’d been tempted for a spell to enlist his invaluable help; but quickly resolved instead, to bearing the sole responsibility for the daunting task.

She would not after all, not if she can help it, involve her beloved son in this sordid mess!

                                                                               

(END OF SECTION 12)

 

(STAY TUNED FOR AN APT RESOLUTION TO THIS DREADFUL TROUBLE WILL UNFOLD  IN THE NEXT FISHERMAN'S PRIZE POST - SECTION 13)

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE (SECTION 11)

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC

THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE

(SECTION 11)

THE FISHERMAN’S PRIZE
(SECTION 11)

 

As it were, Jiense had endured all her hardships, and had remained with the kindly folks for this long, out of gratitude.  Now that the son had returned, she felt assured that her further stay would no longer be warranted, and so since last night she had begun considering her other options and a plausible way of communicating this desire to Ensa.  Naturally she wished to take her leave at the earliest opportunity, and as the sole survivor of her mother's clan, go seek a religious order in order to fulfill her obligation, her purpose for living. 

 That day, the new daughter-in-law did not rise from her bed 'till midday.  

The rest had generously let her sleep however long, understanding her need of it after such a lengthy and tiresome journey.  Ensa and Jiense quietly went about their chores, taking care not to raise any unnecessarily loud sounds that might awaken her.

Yoansu, putting aside his anger of the night before, for the sake of appearances and change of pace, had accompanied his father on his fishing trip.

When Tufan finally woke up, all the chores of the house had been already completed and Ensa and Jiense had gone on to weaving straw mats.  Tufan felt no shame or remorse for having slept so long and smiled condescendingly, hiding her not too flattering inner thoughts of how uncouth these people were. Inwardly she’d then asked, and where is that no good husband of mine? A fine way to start our connubial day with this boorish (ill-bred) lot; I suppose they have forgotten or forsaken the expected, customary conduct/rituals.  Least of which, we were supposed to have risen together, and as husband and wife, come out to bow to his parents, as mark of our esteem. Just as well, I could not feign convincingly, my supposed high regard. They are so petty, so inferior in status!  Ug, Pesky fisherman!

As it were, she’d always snubbed fisherman considering them to be worse than a lazy servant or a street sweeper (vendor).

 Had I known this…But he sure had pulled the wool over my eyes.  She puckered her lips in utter disdain. He better not entertain any notion of leaving me behind. Curse on you Ckarban! I curse the day your honeyed tongue and your filthy hands swayed me into seduction! I should have known better though… For that, I only have myself to blame.  

Fortunately, her dark, contemptuous thoughts had gone unheeded by the kindhearted Ensa, who’d rushed about trying to familiarize Tufan with her new, humble surroundings. 

 At first Tufan improvising, had put on a grand show of wanting to be useful.  She continued to rise each morning, despite all her efforts, however, at a much later time than the rest, and this always after her claim of uncomfortable sleep.

Orphaned at an early age, Tufan had been brought up by paternal uncle Ckarban and his wife as one of their own. They had two other boys that at an early age had succumbed to illness and died. The sole surviving girl child, meanwhile, five years Tufan’s senior, had always been withdrawn in character, physically heavy-set (fat) and rather plain looking. In contrast, Tufan had very beautiful features, pearly white flawless complexion and a shapely feminine form.  Constant affirmation of her attractive physical attributes (during) in her growing years had made her rather conceited, self-centered and expectant of grander things in life.  She had always envisioned herself as the future spouse of a distinguished man, one that was handsome, rich and powerful, living amidst luxury in stately mansions.  Not even in her wildest imagination or worst nightmare would she have ever conceived of such a terrible turn, of being reduced to living under such impoverished conditions. 

Even though she’d been led to believe, by Yoansu, that this visit was temporary -no more than a month- each passing day seemed to her an increasingly, insufferably prolonged. In her growing resentment, she doubted she would last out the second week, much less a month! What’s more, she’d found the prevalent (overwhelming) stench of raw fish quite unbearable. Using her pregnancy as a particular crutch, she’d complained bitterly and endlessly about her discomforts to Ensa. But no matter what the poor woman did, it always fell short of appeasing Tufan. In the interim Tufan had understood all too well the invisible power, the sway the mother held over her husband and son; hence, Tufan (set out to learn from this and) shamelessly engaged Ensa in manipulating, forcing Yoansu into submission on matters that were important to her. Nor did she stop there. Recognizing Ensa’s partiality to Jiense, Tufan then moved to sway her affections, by showing consideration and kindness to Jiense. Jiense’s appearance from the start- going about the place as she did, in plain clothes, the ones Ensa could spare- had been an eyesore to Tufan; it irritated, rather offended her highly developed fashion sense. 

Jiense is close to my build (dress size) ...  So, why not? Embarking on an idea one day, after a frenzied search through her trousseau, she recovered the least favored, poorest quality dress she could find.  Folding it anew and holding it gingerly as if it was a treasured item, in front of the men Tufan made a special presentation of it to Ensa. Needless to say, ensuing days, she shamelessly reaped the benefits of this supposed generous gesture.

After wearing plain, coarse clothes for so long, Jiense had also been delighted to once more be able to don on her body this ultra feminine dress, even though it fell far short of the quality of the ones her lowest-status’ servants had worn. Of course, Jiense looked absolutely enchanting in it. It was not long, therefore, before Tufan’s success and pleasure (soured and) turned into dismay. 

It came about when she caught sight of her husband's odd behavior: his lingering, unmistakably lustful gazes on Jiense- a most inappropriate look for a supposed relation! (And she should know!)

 Up until then Yoansu had covertly admired Jiense for her beauty despite the loose, coarse garments; now clad in feminine attire, she seemed to him the very vision of loveliness. Unable to mask his inner hankering hence, his unbridled passionate gazes now and then would be glued on Jiense. Periodically the Illicit, profligate thoughts, the wanton desire would make his heart palpitate wildly and his face would flush.

And even when away, Jiense’s glorious countenance still hovered before his mind’s eye, intensifying the yearning in his heart for that eventual intimate union.

The uninhibited passion, the ungovernable signs of lust in her husband, directed so poignantly at Jiense further consternated Tufan. As Tufan held all fishermen, therefore Yoansu and his family in such disdain, she could not rule out an incestuous (liaison) relationship.

Quirks of fate; was she going to be victimized by an incestuous liaison yet again? Only this time the shoe was on the other foot- namely, her husband! But just where would that leave her?

Fueled by resentment, there arose in the privacy of their room therefore, numerous rows between husband and wife. Eventually, some details of these arguments, curses and threats leaked to outside, eroding away the harmony and peace of this humble abode.

Yoansu’s inattentiveness towards Tufan, and in contrast, his obvious affections towards Jiense, had also greatly troubled (consternated) Kaimu. Nevertheless, in absence of any credible proof, as Yoansu had not made any outward immoral moves, he could not be openly reproached. Each time Tufan had acted up, Ensa meanwhile had excused her sins, in one breath. Totally blinded to Yoansu’s failings, deeming the cause to be “a difficulty of pregnancy or homesickness”, Ensa showed great forbearance for Tufan's misbehavior. She urged her son to be more attentive to his wife, to show patience and tolerance for her antics; as well, to give in occasionally to her demands, however unreasonable, to ease this transition period. “Once the baby is born, you'll see the change,” she promised on Tufan's behalf, “things will then be greatly improved between you two.”

Was Ensa really that naive, that oblivious to what was going on with her son? Or was it that prejudiced by mother’s love, she chose to believe in fallacy?

As it were, he could do no wrong in her eyes, nor could she perceive him in any other light, besides the divine one he supposedly dwelled in. This, even after the episode of that odd incident:

In the small hours of the night, Ensa had suddenly been awakened with a strange feeling gripping her heart. Intuition guiding her to the door, she’d then quietly peeked at outside of her room and to her great surprise saw Yoansu standing there motionless before the straw curtain. The makeshift curtain that concealed Jiense’s sleeping quarters! Nonplussed (baffled), she’d watched him slowly raising the curtain up.

 

Once more Ensa's heart had palpitated wildly with an inexplicable feeling of dread. She nevertheless could not conceive any notion of impropriety on her son’s part, and so had reasserted: There must be a perfectly good reason, a viable explanation for this. Could it be that my boy has acquired a sleepwalking condition? My poor boy, all this trouble with his wife, must be wearing on his nerves!

Thinking that Kaimu would not be as understanding, she’d but a moment looked away (turned her head) to first reassure herself of her husband’s deep slumber; when she reverted her gaze back on her beloved son, to her relief she saw Yoansu quietly retracing his footsteps back to his room.

But the following night Ensa was again disturbed from her sleep. She was reawakened in the early hours by the barely discernible, light footsteps treading (creeping) across the living room floor that subsequently once more halted before the straw curtain.

Determined to get to the bottom of this, Ensa at once sprang (jumped out of) from her warm bed and quietly darted to outside, barefoot and all, paying no heed to the bone chilling, coarse floorboards. Astonishingly, she saw Yoansu, again in front of the straw curtain, clasping in one hand an oil lamp and poised perfectly still as though lost in deep ponder (thought).

He was inwardly debating how best to proceed with minimal disturbance. 

On the previous night, when he’d rolled up the curtain and observed this breathtaking beauty in abandoned sleep: it had so stirred him, so aroused his wanton passion that, he’d feared he would lose all self-control, act vilely and so risk exposure. The best recourse, therefore, had been to (withdraw quickly) make a hasty retreat.

After some consideration and precautionary measures- such as drugging (slipping the sleeping potion into) her cup earlier this evening, to ensure a satisfactory turn- he’d made his bold advance. Halting before the curtain now he inhaled (withdrew) an impatient deep breath exhaling it slowly. Soon he would be having his way with her as she slept; granted, it would not be as pleasurable or as satisfactory, but it simplified matters.

He certainly didn’t think of it as rape.

No, this was different…It was merely a sweet seduction.  A premature sampling, a compensatory dawn-payment of an impending marital relationship; and later still, when things had played out their course, she would certainly succumb to his passion and willingly surrender herself without least abandon, to his lustful and loving embraces. Was she not of flesh and blood? Why should he, a willing precipitant or recipient, delay the course of nature? In all probability she’d been already drawn to him, he saw the way she coyly, bashfully looked at him. She was demure because his detestable wife Tufan stood in the way.  He was offering her nothing more than a solace. Hmm! Yet he hesitated. No, this would not do. Besides, how can he surrender himself to total abandon and enjoy unbridled passion with such shackles?

Yoansu's fantasy

Hence, he’d lingered before the straw curtain in an ambiguous feel, torn between wanton desire and that unwanted sentiment of reason that had suddenly crept into his brain to shatter his earlier resolve.

Now, seeing his mother coming towards him, all other concerns brushed aside, he had to think fast of a plausible excuse. But not finding a ready pretext, he improvised (under pseudo solicitousness) solicitously. “Oh, did I wake you? I’m so sorry mom! Feeling somewhat parched, I wanted to get some water!”

“But son,” Ensa drawing nearer still, ejected in a whisper, “The clay urn is no longer kept there.  Don’t you remember? It’s now by the door to enable me easier access from the cistern.”

“Yes of course, how foolish of me.” Yoansu answered hurriedly taking hold of his faculties quickly and walking over to the spot helped him-self to the ladle of water. Refreshing water trickled down from the corners of his mouth, down to his chin and wetted his nightshirt.  He welcomed this cool relief. When he had his fill, he again quietly apologized to his mother for disturbing her, for waking her up needlessly. And after bidding her goodnight, he quickly withdrew into his room.  Once inside, his hands clasped into a tight fist, he leaned the back of his head against the door and heaved an exasperated deep sigh. Phew, that was close! Thank goodness his shrewd wife was still fast asleep!

He sure was parched. Ensa meanwhile carried this thought all the way back to her room.  In fact, she’d been quite relieved to learn that the cause had not been a sleepwalking disorder. Thirst, that’s all it was! But from now on I must remember to leave a small jug of water on his night table. She made a mental note to herself as she reclined her head gently on the pillow. She’d just closed her eyes, when Kaimu, who had his back to her until then, without turning, asked in a grumble.

“What’s he been up to now, in this ungodly hour?”

“Sash, go back to sleep. The poor boy was just thirsty, that’s all.”

“I’ll bet! In a pig’s eye,” Kaimu scoffed under his breath and remained wide-awake for quite some time, his head riddled with grievous, dark concerns.

So, the wild boar was on the prowl!

Yoansu, having come this close to being found out, decided on the temporary postponement of his objective. On the surface everything seemed placidly normal and boringly ordinary; it had to be so, since Kaimu had remained vigilant from then on and watched Yoansu like a hawk! Meanwhile, each subsequent night Yoansu had to drink a convincing measure of the water from the small jug, which his doting mother had unfailingly supplied.

 

(END OF SECTION 11)

(MORE EXCITING EVENTS WILL UNFOLD IN THE NEXT POST OF THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE - SECTION 12)

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE - (SECTION 10)

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC 

THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE 

(SECTION 10)

Yoansu seeing that it would be useless to protest, consented to reveal to his father Kaimu, at least the partial truth. “You are quite right father. Tufan is not as I’d previously claimed. She is the niece of a powerful gang boss. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’d often gambled; and this part of my story was true, on one such occasion, I’d won big! This expectantly landed me in immense trouble. Fortunately, I had the foresight to conceal large chunk of the dosh in a good place. Nevertheless, I was shadowed from that day forth. Even though I took particular care, still, I was abducted and brought before the top boss. I was tortured to reveal the whereabouts of the remainder of the cash. A sudden, unexpected intervention, rather, intrusion by her, somewhat saved my life. From then on, I felt indebted to her. I was to learn later; she’d taken a fancy to me the moment she’d laid her eyes on me. As she’d always brought trouble to the boss’s family, they were glad to be rid of her in this respectable fashion. Behind my back, she struck a deal with her uncle, and I was forced into marrying her; or else lose my life!  The concealed (kept) portion of the sum that I’d won at gambling, was duly confiscated as her dowry.”

“Nevertheless, at the time braving Crime boss’s wrath, I struck a bargain (of my own) with him. I will slave away as a waiter or sort in one of the gambling houses, till the full amount is reached; meanwhile I would be allowed to keep a small portion of it. I’ve brought this amount with me to give it to you so that you can provide a bit more comfortable life for mother.”

“Under the circumstances, I want nothing further to do with her or the money!” Kaimu grumbled clenching a fist. He wanted to add, “you too”, but with admirable reserve, he held his tongue.

“But you can’t be serious!” Yoansu feigned dismay. “I can’t just abandon her…Not till the child is born. Please father; go along with me on this. Besides, it would break mother’s heart, if she knew.”

“Won’t this worthless girl spill the beans about her origins anyhow?” Kaimu looked away, somewhat distracted.

“Not if mom distrusts her. Mom will soon find out for herself, how Tufan is an unreliable shrew and a perpetual liar. Then nothing she claims will ever be taken seriously or believed.” Again, he reasserted. “And soon as I’ve repaid my debt, I shall return, I promise, and be contented to be a fisherman like you. Please father, don’t turn your back on me in my hour of need!” Yoansu with his hidden agenda, utilizing his cunning tongue and half–truths, had striven to buy time.

Kaimu sadly shook his head. “He’d heard enough!”

“What do you take me for, an utter, complete imbecile, spinning one yarn after another? I wasn’t born yesterday, you know!” Then lowering his head, he exhaled and grumbled to himself. “What is it about me that everyone thinks they can pull the wool over my eyes? I have no proof, but I know Zianko had arranged the destruction of my boat, to get in on good terms with me.” Then suddenly looked up to ask his baffled, aghast son, “Are you in some ways responsible for the beating he got?”

Yoansu saw no reason to deny it and nodded in the affirmative.

“You are in with a gang?”

Again, Yoansu nodded in assent.  “The old man wasn’t such a fool after all.”

He looked at Kaimu now with renewed respect, his heart somewhat tinged with shame.

 “This crime boss; does he have a name?” Looking away, Kaimu abruptly asked.

Yoansu saw no reason in withholding the name. This far removed from town Kaimu could not possibly make any connection; so, he readily volunteered “Ckarban Kuso”.

“You would have been better off to have relinquished the entire sum of money and have nothing further to do with him or her!” Kaimu’s darkened countenance and his dismal, curt response intrigued Yoansu. What do you know of him? Yoansu wanted to query, but then on second thought, Nee! He’s bluffing! He knows nothing of the latter’s notoriety. He quickly dismissed any such possibility.

Yoansu had of course no way of knowing that once, in the distant past, way before he was born, the vermin Ckarban had been Kaimu’s sworn blood brother. A deep dark secret, so heinous however, had permanently severed the link. To date it had kept the two ardent foes far apart, and would to, till eternity.

“Tufan’s true nature came to light soon enough, but by then,” In contrast to Kaimu, Yoansu’s focus had once more reverted to the present dilemma.  “I’d already been seduced by her, and she claimed she was with child.” Yoansu playing the martyr now fell silent and with his head lowered, he half turned to avoid (averted) looking at his father.

“You are playing with fire!” Kaimu balefully shook his head. And how!!! Even though there was a serious need to forewarn Yoansu about pernicious Ckarban, Kaimu could not bring himself to rehash the malignant past. His mind cast adrift; eventually he’d resolved himself to do the right thing: he would arm Yoansu with the grievous, unpalatable facts, but at a time just before his departure.

In silence with both hands clasped behind his back, Kaimu had walked on. Then abruptly halting his steps at one point, he turned and anew questioned his son.  “I assume you hold a powerful position in that illegal organization, because of her.”

“No need to insult me. Give me some credit!” Yoansu irately protested, no longer surprised by his father’s wit.

“I shall see to it your mom will never know.” After that awkward silence, Kaimu finally promised.

“Thank you, father, you don’t know what this means to me…I mean, having you on my side for once!” Yoansu ejected heartily and rushed to embrace him, but Kaimu (jerked back) pulled away.  “I’m only doing this for your mother.” Kaimu askance looked at his son. “She would never survive the heartbreak. However, I expect you to be gone soon. Two- or three-weeks tops. Make some credible excuse, as you are so good at it. And take your harlot with you!”

As Kaimu turned his back on Yoansu, he’d in sorrow, mumbled to himself.
“ You’re not him; you’ll never be him. I’ve lost a worthy son and now I must contend with the likes of him!”

Yoansu gritted his teeth in sheer rage, wanting to pounce on Kaimu and to strike him dead right there and then. How dare he? After all he’d done for him. How dare he?

“Damn you, old man!” He shouted (cursed) after him. “Damn you to Hell!”

He wanted to shout also, to really hurt Kaimu. You think he died by accident. You are a fool indeed! But he held his tongue. This secret he would take to his grave; however much the old man provoked him.

                                                                                    ~

Kaimu returning to the bedroom plumped his laden, weary body onto the bed. Burdened with exhaustion, resurfaced past grievances, his son’s willful deception, all of it taking its toll on his already tormented soul- the moment his head touched the pillow, he collapsed into a very disturbed asleep.

Meanwhile Yoansu had lingered outside the shed while longer, fuming, cursing the old man under his breath.

Hungry for blood, he then headed straight for that cursed Zianko’s abode.

Earlier in the day Zianko from his spy hole had observed the dreaded son’s arrival. Fearful of further repercussions, he’d quickly packed his gear, intending (of mind) to depart the premises soon as the illicit deal had gone through, in two- or three-day’s time. That night, he’d also observed the distant apparent altercation between father and son (Kaimu and Yoansu). He took a hasty retreat when he saw Yoansu, after his father’s departure, heading his way and quickly hid outside (out of harm’s way).

Yoansu now with certain ferocity pounded on Zianko’s door in the dead of night. When no answer was forthcoming, he violently kicked the door in. Like a madman he rushed in to pulverize Zianko. But it soon became apparent to him that the wretch had flown the coop. (nest).  In his rage he turned things upside down, destroyed anything that came his way, wasted furniture…then his fury partially spent, he left the premise in tatters and retraced his steps back home.

 

                                                                                  ~ 

After some passage of time, assured that it was safe for him to do so, Zianko had returned to his abode to assess the damage. The destruction that greeted his eyes infuriated him beyond measure. Wowing revenge he secured the door shut, quickly collected a few scattered, salvageable belongings and tried to restore some sort of order to the place. As bad as things were, he was still (bound) constrained to staying put, because of an expected shipment of contraband goods that was to arrive in a few days’ time. What galled him more is that from here on he would be forced to living in these premises in concealment and in dire fear of further repercussions from Yoansu!

          As it were, after his expanded physical exercise that night, Yoansu still seething in anger and spoiling for a fight, had reluctantly returned to his room. His blood boiling, ready for the next kill, he was nevertheless relieved, to find his crafty wife fast asleep.

In truth, Tufan, not wishing for another ugly confrontation (altercation) had faked the deep sleep. Going along with this pretense, with a wry grimace, Yoansu quickly doffed his clothes and quietly climbed into bed.  As sleep averted him however, for a long time he simply lay there on his back, without motion, with his hands tucked behind his head, his stern, empty gaze affixed on the barely visible ceiling beam.  Once his anger had subsided and his breathing became more regular, shallower, his head then begun to swim in whirls of fanciful clouds, carrying notions of how it would be like to share an intimate love exchange with one as beautiful as Jiense. 

She was truly the most ravishing female he had ever laid eyes on.  He’d been drawn to her enchanting face, those elongated lashes and luscious lips from the moment of first glance.  Though she’d lacked all the false trappings of beauty, like makeup, fine garments, and jewels, moreover, her hair had been plainly held back in a single ponytail, not even in braids- she’d still looked the very vision of loveliness. It seemed to him now that Tufan’s beauty totally paled in comparison, even when the latter was all done up and adorned in her fineries.  But how can she ever hope to compete with a Goddess? To be fair, Jiense’s natural beauty put-to-shame even the sparkles of the rarest jewels or the stars in the cloudless night.

Why should I wait? What am I afraid of? He asked himself anew, as he with burning intensity yearned to possess the one that had been denied to him. But he knew why and pursing his lips submitted begrudgingly to his reasoning mind which every time trounced (trampled) his fervent emotions. He habitually lay awake, this time, with fond vapidity, when suddenly a gyrate of mood overtook him. The number one boss, Ckarban, was a licentious man; if he’d ever caught sight of Jiense, he would not rest till he possessed her. Or worst still, he would lock her up in one of his highly profitable brothels and whenever he so desired, subject her to his avers sexual perversions. To his chagrin, Yoansu had not amassed the necessary manpower to blatantly mount an opposition. Thus far he had achieved (secured) some secret alliances but lacked adequate means (arms) for an eventual successful campaign; and besides, timing was all wrong… It would be more prudent for him, to presently maintain this farce, a subordinate role and the matrimonial relationship, that allowed him the additional inroads. Meanwhile this remote region was an ideal spot for concealing such a beauty, till it became ripe time to pluck… hmmm…but not if Kaimu had set his heart on contrary course. What to do? Hmm! And he mustn’t forget that mongrel dog, Zianko!

He’d turned and tossed the rest of the night hence, beset with such worries, his brain all the while concocting, devising many plausible courses of action and exploring various alternatives. When eventually through exhaustion, sleep overtook him; his subconscious state was then (tormented) harassed with a pernicious nightmare:

 In it Yoansu saw himself as a giant glittering, gilded colored fish, caught in his father's net along with the other basic kind, his father’s face changing alternately into Ckarban, then into Kaimu’s- Yoansu thrashing about and gasping for air, but with no hope, no means of escape!

Destined for his parent’s skillet, Yoansu felt the excruciating pain of his scales being shaved-off, felt the searing ache of being cut up and his guts being violently, mercilessly ripped right out of him by his own mother’s hand.  He suffered the agonizing pangs of being skewered then fried in oil, of being singed (seared) to the marrow!       Finally, placed on big platter, his curses and howls went unheeded by all the gang that was seated at the table. With such eagerness, such gusto they, again turning back into his family, had all rushed in to consume him. He heard his wife then exclaiming in pleasure at the exquisite taste, as she took great chunks of his flesh into her mouth and with such relish, her molars chewed him to a pulp. As she swallowed, he began the frightful descent into the dismal pit of her stomach!

 NOOOO!

 

At this point, while trying to escape this terrible predicament, he’d woken up with a start.  He lay in bed, his heart wildly palpitating, his face drenched in pearls of perspiration, when just then he heard the crowing of the cock outside. The very cock he’d brought over, as one of the presents.  His wife, who had slept soundly without stirring through his nightmarish ordeal and anguish, now also missed his resentful, contemptuous glare and the grinding of his teeth as he wished for her absence.

 

Kaimu also awakened by the cock's crowing, found his head throbbing with pain.

“What the blazes! What’s making that entire racket?” Springing from his bed, with curses on his lips, he rushed outside improperly clad, half-naked. Grabbing hold of a broom, he (threw) hurled it with violent force at the “blasted fowl”.  

The bulk of broom’s handle meeting its mark head on; the cock let out a sharp cry swaggered and fell, plump unconscious to the ground.

 Ensa, an early riser, was rather engaged, as she remained humped over a stove, busily preparing breakfast at the kitchen area with Jiense.

“If the blasted bird (fowl) is dead,” Kaimu addressed his wife on his return, grumbling, “cook it for lunch.” Then not waiting for her response, he veered to fetch himself some water. In his haste he nearly bumped headlong into Jiense.

Back in his room, as he hastily dressed himself, he sighed repeatedly, murmuring to himself: “What a pity, I wish my elder son had lived; they would have made such a handsome pair; meanwhile Yoansu has gotten exactly what he deserves. The problem is my wife is greatly attached to Jiense; how can I make her understand that the girl, however likeable, can’t stay with us indefinitely…Not with so many wolves on the prowl.”

 

(END OF SECTION 10)

(MORE SURPRISES AWAITS THE READER IN THE NEXT EXCITING THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE POST 11)