The (salvaged) girl had fortuitously
survived her ordeal and because of several weeks of diligent, patient care,
recovered in full. Recognizing these two as her benefactors, the moment that she
had regained her strength and was able to, she had bowed to them with deep
respect and uttered her name, words of gratitude, as well, promised to repay
their kindness in full. Though her foreign language, the strange dialect had
not been comprehensible (well understood), her sincere intent nevertheless
transcending the barriers was fully communicated. They, in turn, responded with
glowing faces, delighted words, and heartfelt, warm embraces, taking her to
their bosoms as one of their own.
When the girl’s sunburned, chapped skin
completely healed leaving no scar: she was revealed to them as one whose
radiance and ravishing beauty rivaled that of Goddesses. Her striking good
looks however mattered truly little to these simple, honest folks, with whom
any young female would have sufficed and as well appreciated. A gemstone cast amidst the worthless pebbles
on the beach, she received no special recognition for her timeless beauty. In
fact, her delicate poise, far from receiving admiration or special regard, gave
them pause for concern (and added worry). As a result, they attempted to
toughen her constitution up and they forced on her extra rations and arduous
work.
From the beginning, since they’d found it most difficult to pronounce or
remember her real name, they chose another name for her in its stead. They adapted the name Jiense, most common one
in use in these parts and one most favored by the local fishermen, for their
wives or female children, for it meant “Pearl of the Sea”.
In the ensuing days, the girl’s
different vocabulary naturally presented some unavoidably awkward, cumbersome
moments. Kaimu seeing the need charged Ensa with the added responsibility of
educating the girl with Wenjenkun’s own vernacular. Despite all good
intentions, however, pressing workload and daily chores had often hindered
progress. The negligible communication gap meanwhile had been bridged by more
effective, readily available sign language.
Needless to say, Kaimu and Ensa in all
this time had taken every precaution to conceal Jiense’s presence from the
unwanted, intrusive eyes of lawbreakers, racketeers that might be frequenting
the region. Fortunately, as well, their nearest neighbor Zianko, one who had a questionable
character, had been absent from his home for several months now; as Ensa
suspected, undoubtedly engaged in yet another illicit plunder!
Over time, the absence of any formal or
informal inquiry eased both Kaimu and Ensa’s trepidation. Having taken a
genuine liking to this gentle soul from the start, Ensa gave no further thought
to the girl’s leaving them, and to the delight of Kaimu, from then on began
considering the precious thing in her heart and mind, as her very own future
daughter-in-law.
On Kaimu’s part, by keeping in check his
uncouth nature, he had learned to be gentler in speech, exercise patience and
tolerance. So as not to scare off Jiense, he constrained his ill temper even
when things did not go well; meanwhile avoiding any direct dealings with Jiense
and leaving the job of molding her to their way of thinking, entirely to his
wife's ability. As a result, Jiense encountered no ill effects or adverse
experiences with Kaimu.
As she had remained ignorant of her true whereabouts, and at the same
time felt obligated to stay with these generous, decent folks to repay their
kindness, Jiense for the time being at least, had postponed any notion of
departure (leaving them). She had no way
of knowing of course that the spare room she stayed in, the room belonging to
their son Yoansu, had been already pegged, designated as her future nuptial
room. As she was sweet natured and easygoing, before long she had even gotten
used to the coarse furnishings and the sorry absence of any decoration
about. The few belongings that had been
left behind by the son had of course been secured in a locked, cumbersome wood
chest in the far corner of the room.
In addition to helping Ensa with her
daily chores Jiense also learned a few other helpful skills, like mending the
torn nets, weaving straw baskets or mats for additional funds, or added use. By
now she could start a fire and cook meals their way, using the most primitive
means that was available to her in this small dwelling. Her delicate hands
under the strain of work broke in calluses, and her tender skin often bled from
the cuts caused by the coarse materials she managed. The menial, demeaning
jobs, ones that in the past would have been shunned by her lowliest servant
were nonetheless completed by her nimbly and with no outward show of discontent.
After the grueling day’s work, each night Jiense collapsed on her coarse bed
and slept soundly without dreams or nightmares in exhausted state. She was
driven hard, but remained contented for she received ample love, appreciation,
and compassion.
And so, in this way two or three months
had quickly passed.
~
At this forlorn corner climate being
particularly harsh, spring’s arrival had always been late in coming. It was yet
another particularly chilling overcast night. Howling winds had kept up their
tyranny all day long and now continued well into the night without any let up.
The half-crescent moon periodically peeked, as the ominous cumulus clouds raced
across the night’s sky.
In this god-forsaken night, three
mounted riders galloped the barren stretch of land, fearful lest they’d be
detected. Reaching Zianko’s dwelling, they abruptly came to a halt and
dismounted. As the moon had gone in prolonged hiding, in that pitch darkness
where visibility was almost nil (zero) except for the flash of sheet lightening
within clouds that periodically (intermittently) illuminated the ground: the
nocturnal animals had witnessed nervous horses drenched in sweat, being quickly
tethered to the side. Two of the men busied themselves with the fastened cargo,
whilst the third one pulled down from the horse’s back an abstract bundle
concealing the bound and gagged figure of a man, and with some difficulty
carried his heavy load inside the house. The windows had already been bolted
shut with heavy shutters, discouraging any light or illegal entry. A small
candle was quickly lit to effort them scant visibility. The stout fellow with
the distinguishing mustache who appeared to be in charge, after peeking from
the adjusted slats of the shutters turned to address Zianko.
“What about that cabin, your nearest
neighbor- are you sure it will be all right? Shouldn’t we take the
precautionary measure of disposing them?”
“It’s not necessary as it’s beyond the
hearing range. And besides, do you know who dwells in that seemingly
vulnerable, dilapidated cabin?” Zianko responded haughtily, with a smirk.
“Who?” The other’s curiosity was
aroused.
 |
| Zianko |
“The parents of number 2 boss of the
notorious “Ravens Gang”.
“You don’t say?” The other two men in
one voice, aghast, came forward to ask.
“No kidding!” Zianko smirked.
“But the whole place is so rundown!”
“Go figure!” Zianko smiled wryly, and
took in a breath, prolonging their suspense, before extrapolating. (Offering
added explanation.)
“Kaimu, number two boss’s father, is a
stubborn old coot. His wife Ensa is worse! She is a pious hag who insists on
upholding morality and living with integrity. They would have been a ripe
picking for any criminal and fallen prey a long, long time ago had it not been
for this connection. But want a laugh? The old folks are ignorant of their
son’s power and prestige.” He laughed.
“That must be convenient.” One of them
interjected.
Zianko disinterestedly shrugged. “I’ve
had no dealings with them since my wife died.”
“You mean murdered.” The youngest one of the bunches snickered
(countered). “Whatever.” Zianko winked at the other two. “Ensa is a shrew that
controls that old man. Anyhow, back then, she insisted on exposing me;
persisted in her bizarre hypothesis that I had something to do with my wife’s
murder. A raw erupted and we have not been on speaking terms since.”
Never mind about that,” Just then the
fellow with a mustache coming away from the window interjected. “We haven’t got
time for idle gossip.” Then turning to squarely face Zianko, in a stern voice
added: “Now you know what is expected of you. Nevertheless, till you hear a
definite word from us, I want you to lay off him.” With his chin he indicated
the bound, drugged unconscious stout official that had been dumped at the far
corner of the room. “Just in case things go array or more proof of a body part
is needed. Meanwhile, I caution you to stay well out of sight. If she is as
inquisitive as you claim, she may bring unwarranted trouble to us. Opportunists
are everywhere. The abduction has already caused quite a stir. Hence, not a
soul must be wizened to the whereabouts of this fiend! Have I made myself
clear?”
“Great, now I’m a babysitter.” Zianko
grumbled.
“You’ll be well compensated for your
services.” The leader frowned. “If you blow it however, you shall suffer far
worse consequences then him.”
“I don’t respond well to threats!” Zianko’s
face, pitted against the leaders, flushed bead red in anger. But then
relenting, he held his temper in check and turning, he asked instead.
“Am I expected to feed him too?”
“Do as you like.” The leader scowled. “His fate would be the
same either way.”
“Hungry corpse would be easier to
dispose of after all.” Zianko grumbled under his breath, then turning to face
the other two, asked: “Now can one of you help me carry him to the cellar
before you go?”
Not waiting for their answer however, he
pushed aside the table and rolled back the square rattan floor covering to
reveal a trap door underneath. He grasped hold of the round ring of the heavy
trap door and with a heave, lifted it open. Instantly a pungent, foul smell
escaping from the (pitched dark) cellar assailed their noses.
“Phew!”
They averted their faces, scrunching their features with utter disdain.
“What’s down there, dead rats?” The
youngest one pointing complained.
“Human corpses smell the same.” Zianko,
the only one who wasn’t at all disturbed by the smell, indifferently shrugged.
He picked up the lit candle and descended the steps quickly to clear away some
clutter and to arrange for an adequate space.
When he again resurfaced, a designated
volunteer helped him to deliver the unconscious hostage to the prepared spot. Zianko
using strong ropes now fastened the stout official securely to the pole.
“Unfortunately, since your leader wants
him alive for the time being, I have to keep this latch door open for a crack,
otherwise he would suffocate.” He then grunted, as he came up. “That would be a
bother.”
The leader had had enough of Zianko’s
smugness.
“We’ve dallied here long enough!” He
barked and walked towards the door. But before exiting, he half turned to say.
“You should be hearing from us (a word) in four- or five-day’s time.”
~
Ensuing days, quite unaware of the
sinister goings on in Zianko’s residence- for as far as they were concerned Zianko
was still far away (absent) - hard working Kaimu, Ensa and Jiense lived out
their invariable mundane lives in equable peace and tranquility.
~
All this time, however, Zianko had been
insufferably sequestered inside (confined indoors) and from daybreak to dusk he
had to remain perfectly still and stationary (quiet and immobile). At latter
part of the night when it was opportune to do so, covert beehive of activity
always reached a crescendo. For Zianko could then light up the stove, cook and
drink; he was at liberty to engage in numerous vile acts and torment his
captive, or on occasion, walk about aimlessly under the cover of darkness
outside. After an elapse of only three days the constrained lifestyle, however,
had begun to take its toll on him. To while away (pass) the dreary daylight
hours, Zianko therefore had more than once, peeped through a spy hole, hoping
to see something extraordinary, in order to dispel his mounting irritation and
to divert his boredom. It was then that
he spotted a third figure, a stranger milling about Kaimu’s residence. With his
excellent vision (eyesight), he could discern the stranger’s exquisite facial
features, the long flowing hair, and despite the plain attire, the petite
(slender) shapely form of a tender youth, that gradually surmounted (piqued) Zianko’s
interest.
Now about eight years Kaimu’s junior, Zianko
had only been married once. And that had been to a young widower, with a young
son named Tizan- who was the product from her previous marriage.
As she had been from an opulent family,
somewhat fair in looks and well-endowed with feminine charms (parts), she would
have gone on satisfying Zianko’s discriminating taste or needs for a good many
years. But in just three years, the matrimonial bliss had come to an abrupt and
violent end, not too long after she had struck up a close friendship with
Ensa.
To date, Zianko blamed Ensa for spinning
(putting) those contemptible notions into his wife’s head.
Like the idea, of it being both moral
and lawful, to pass the inheritance of her former late husband’s property to
his bloodline, his only offspring!
In time the rift between Zianko and his
wife had widened to an irreparable point (measure), as Zianko had been
prevented from getting his grasping hands on the rest, the bulk of her estate. What
is more, her former husband’s begotten family, and then reeled into this mess,
had exercised their supposed rights, through bribery, to siphon away a good
chunk of it.
Was I supposed to idly stand by and see
it all disappear? If not for the meddling of Ensa, I would have had a free
reign with it all! Zianko, while spying on the stranger, had once more become
lost in angry revere.
As he saw it, it was therefore all Ensa’s
fault that he had to act fast and get rid of his increasingly difficult and
uncooperative wife and stepson.
Indeed, timing being of the essence,
before the boy had reached the age of ascent, a month or two before Tizan was
to become twelve, Zianko had used every available means to secure, in his view,
“what should have been rightfully his!”
Zianko had always, through such logic,
rationalized his numerous brutal acts (deeds). This case being no different,
his only regret had been- the eventual failure of the permanent disposal of the
boy, who was an eyewitness to (of) his foul deed.
“How he hated loose ends! But the brat
had been both agile and cunning!”
Incredibly, Tizan had successfully
averted the virulent potions, the malignant food, and the pernicious traps;
what’s more, persevering through prodigious (ghastly) physical and mental
torments during his incarceration, had made good his escape.
“To date it boggles my mind,” Zianko
with a frown, inwardly confessed. “The ingenious way the dastardly rat sprung
himself from that cadaverous trap!”
It had taken Zianko many wasted years
before he could relax his vigil and have the boy legally declared dead. It was
after all, not an uncommon occurrence in these parts, for a man or a runaway
boy in this case, having been at large, ultimately falling a pray to some
predatory beasts or bandits.
Most of the wildlife at the edge of the
foothills had been hunted down by then, but on occasion; some wild beast would
still descend from the heights, in search of food.
One thing was for certain; the boy had
never made it to the nearby town. And no one had ever heard or seen him since!
(END OF SECTION 3)
(Another
exciting episode of Fisherman’s Prize will unfold (progress), with surprising
elements, in the ensuing post, section 4)
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