LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE ASSASSINS- SECTION 8

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE ASSASSINS - SECTION 8

Positioned near the brazier, cozy warm and with his wounds well-tended, Brandt’s face by degrees returned to a normal color.  Though conscious now Brandt, opting to play it safe, kept his eyes shut for a while longer and shallowly inhaled the familiar smell wafting to his nostrils. He stealthily noted the fact that his upper (garb) garments had been changed; his wounds were properly bandaged, but that he was securely bound. Nevertheless, this still boded (insinuated) well since they took this much trouble and did not simply end his life.  Brandt surreptitiously parted his eyelids and with his now regained focus he observed Asger Marrog Zhon seated off to the side, seemingly absorbed in deep thought, puffing his long-stemmed pipe.

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.

 Upon his re-entry to the stables, Svein overheard Brandt’s claim, "Sir, my surname is Therkan; my true given name is Alec. I was…"

 Alec, is it now? Probably more fabrication, for he is (craftier) slyer than a slithering snake. Svein scoffed inwardly, as he came forward with his bundle.  I really hope uncle knows what he’s dealing with.

"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.

Stark (Asger) had been certainly well acquainted with that name and, even though he had not the good fortune of meeting the worthy minister in person, Taok’s fame nonetheless had spread far and wide, to all parts of the Empire.  Moreover, Stark had chanced on an excellent portrait of Taok Therkan (when he was in his twenties) between the pages of a certain manuscript, when once visiting his good friend Lord Shonee Gulbrand. Currently, with a narrowed pointed glare Stark (Asger) judiciously scrutinized the facial features of this supposed offspring of this lord.

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.

"You probably don’t know this sir,” Alec meanwhile had continued, “but my father had a serious falling out with my uncle shortly after his banishment, when at a private dinner with Zakhertan and his confident clique (faction), he’d refused to accede to their mutual censure (criticism) of His Royal Highness, Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir's waning power, warranting hence, apt resolution, their synonym for rebellion ."

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)

 

 

LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC

THE FISHERMAN’S PRIZE

(SECTION 8)

Overlooking his father’s antics, Yoansu with a renewed zeal resumed his narrative- by now being most anxious also, in reaching the end.  

“The next two days in happy anticipation I waited for Mr. Wugan to pay me back, or rather to fail to pay me back, the sum he’d borrowed.  I had already quit my job and moved to a more comfortable lodging. Now having won enough money, in a week or two I planned to start my own business, a lucrative, competitive teahouse that would be frequented by all. Once the money came pouring in, I planned to begin preparations for the journey home.”

He’s such a scoundrel! Kaimu inwardly scoffed. Things should be that easy.

“You mean you have an established business there… you haven’t come home to stay for good?” Ensa morosely interrupted her son.

“I shall stay a while mom. And I promise I’ll frequent you both more often from now on. But I can make a much better living in town. Besides, this way I can also provide for you both all the comforts (extra amenities) of life that up until now you’ve been denied.”

“I meant no offense dad.” Yoansu had quickly added that last part in a placating tone, to allay (pacify, stem) Kaimu’s rising fury.

“We don’t care about material wealth son.” Ensa’s eyes in gratitude had nevertheless, glistened (brimmed) with tears. “I’d rather not miss you so much!”

“Don’t worry mom.” Yoansu added quickly. “My wife and your future grandson shall stay with you both to help you along with your chores. This is a better environment for them. And it will give me cause for frequent visits. Later still, to lessen the inconvenience, I shall engage workman to construct few more additions to this place.” Yoansu promised magnanimously.

 “Now, having gotten ahead of myself, let me see…. I’ll have to retrace some steps in the story.” Yoansu smiled sheepishly at his father.

“Story, hmm, a rather an apt choice of word!” Kaimu mumbled to himself as he grimaced back. Fortunately, no one had paid any heed to his wry skepticism.

 “Well anyhow, I’d left word at my old lodgings as to where I could be reached in case Mr. Yuksul Wugan called.  When it was well past the promised time, and he had not shown up, I decided to call on him instead.  I had asked the whereabouts of his home at the time I had loaned him the money.  Gaining some directions, I found the place without much difficulty.  The house was quite large and stately. Chief Stuart ushered me in. I threaded timidly with my rough sandals over the plush carpet that lined the floors. His wife greeted me at the reception room with a rather cold demeanor.

 Now the interior of the room was most handsomely decorated and it told of finer days when they must have lived in lap of luxury with countless servants running about on errands.  Presently all I could see was but a few servants. After the customary fragrant tea, I was led into an interior studio, where I saw the master of the house, Mr. Yuksul Wugan, resting on a large, canopied sofa.  I found him to be quite sickly in appearance, as though he had aged still more over time.  There was a strained relationship between him and his wife; she obviously did not approve of my being there.  When he had lost badly that night, returning home broken-hearted, he’d confessed to his wife his wager with me.   I later learned that they had argued the whole length of the night and most of the following day over this concern.  She threatened to leave him for good and, by taking his daughter with her, planned to go live with her parents.  How dare he be so heartless as to sell his daughter, for this was exactly what he had done?  She would desert him and let him stew in his own juice for this grievous wrongdoing. By no means was the wagered daughter their only offspring.  They had three others married off to lofty citizens, living in other parts of the country.  This shame would mar them also… A real loss of face this would bring to them all!”

The old Wugan had never done anything like this before.  That night he had lost his head, certain of his good fortune as augured (prophesied) by a soothsayer (seer), that he had made the bet.  Now feeling ever so foolish, he’d been stricken with remorse, especially since he had failed to raise the funds through other means.  A man of his stature, with a certain reputation to uphold, felt obliged to keeping his end of the bargain.  Hence, he’d begged his wife's forgiveness and understanding; swore never to gamble again, then with deep regret asked her to prepare their daughter, on the sure anticipation of my call. Meanwhile the shame and all that emotional turmoil taking its toll on him, he’d fallen ill. When his daughter was told of part of the truth and her imminent departure, she’d wailed bitterly and tried to kill herself. Fortunately, her mother had prevented her from doing so.”

Yoansu oozed in confidence. He knew that the elaborate narrative, with endless intriguing details would eliminate any doubt or wayward questions from their minds.

Expectantly, as the night wore on, with so much information crammed into their brains, the honest, simple folks appeared completely and utterly duped.

At least she comes from a good home. Ensa reflected.  Our grandson is bound to be someone worthy, as long as he does not take after his maternal grandfather.

No wonder she looked down on us.  A highborn girl like that will remain discontented and hard to please.  I’m afraid she will never fit in.

“Now father,” Yoansu continued, “If it were not for the considerable sum that I had loaned him, I would have forgotten about the debt.  Still, moved by sympathy to his affliction, I offered to give him an extension in time, saying he could pay me back at a future date, but he would not hear of it, and did not allow any extension.  Though, as he spoke, he did throw a cautionary look over his shoulder to assure himself his wife had not returned prematurely with the daughter to overhear what was being discussed.”  As if being reminded, Yoansu too, rose from his seat and quietly peeped into their room to reassure himself that his wife had slept through it all.  When he returned, he caught the last bit of his father's words to Ensa, “What a spineless old man, being afraid of a wife!  I suppose men go soft in the towns.”

“Not so loud,” Yoansu hurriedly cautioned him.  Pointing to the room he said, “She might wake up and overhear.”

“Have you gone soft too?” Kaimu sternly admonished his son.  “So, what if she hears me?”  Then looking away mused. “Or do you fear her exposing you!”

Yoansu, in an effort to silence Kaimu, quickly resumed his story, “As I was saying, he did not allow me to spare him from his obligation.  Now, father, I am not a heartless man, and I prepared myself to offer still more insistence on forgetting that part of the deal and deferring payment of cash till later date. But just at that moment her mother had brought her in, and I saw that she was indeed a rare beauty.  She at once captured my heart and stole all contrary words from my mouth.”

At this point Yoansu had paused for a spell as he’d lowered his head in thoughtful air. “Anyway, after seeing her I’d aborted any notion (thought) of calling off the deal.  I could not bring myself to spurn this chance which had come my way.  Still, to rest in good conscience, being brought up so decently by you both, I made the proposal of doing the right thing by her.  This granted, I then formally asked permission from the father to be united with her in lawful matrimony.  Proposing that the loaned sum be considered instead as her dowry; in so doing, I saved them face.  Mr. Yuksul Wugan was so pleased that he readily assented.”

“A shrewd move,” Kaimu interjected, “he had you save his family's honor and still kept his money.”

“But father, I was the fortunate one,” Yoansu countered, “for how else I could have secured myself such a beautiful wife from an affluent and well-respected family?”

“Respectable families do not gamble away their daughters!” Kaimu brusquely responded. 

Yoansu, for the sake of preserving peace, curtailed his disparaging remarks.

The silence was broken by Ensa’s timely intercession. “You did the right thing, my son.  Imagine, so far from home and you still behaved so admirably.  I am very proud of you.”  She had brought him up right. He had moral integrity.  She took a great chunk of that credit and wore it on her breastplate like a medal.

Kaimu glared at his incurably deluded idealistic wife.

Yoansu could not make sense of his father’s indifference. “I had to do the proper thing for them.” He therefore reasserted. “And yes, in case you’re wondering, I had more than enough funds to cover the wedding formalities and travel expenses.”

In an unbroken silence Ensa nodded her approval.  Kaimu looked away, burrowing his angry gaze on the mounted religious plague.

“On that happiest day of my life, they’d staged a generous feast for the ‘Wedding

 Ceremony’ and invited well over thousand guests.” Meanwhile Yoansu had continued. “It was a magnificent affair (social event), one that far exceeded my dreams. I only wished you two could have been there.”

How did they find the means; where did they procure all that money for such an elaborate extravaganza? Kaimu inwardly chewed on the words. Bah! Loopholes, there’s too many loopholes in your story! At this point Kaimu’s mind straying: he pondered on the question of her respectability. Who was she really? What’s with the charade?

 “After the ceremony when we formally became husband and wife, I continued to stay with them until she was fit for the journey.” Yoansu continued, oblivious to Kaimu's inner resentment.

Fit, as in pregnant?   Kaimu scoffed under his breath.

“Some of the finer gifts: the silk embroidered cloth, the jeweled hairpin, one of the wines, as well as the sweets are all gifts from the respected ‘in-laws’.  They were very generous to me during my stay with them and never made me feel out of sorts.  Overlooking my crude manners and coarse habits they made me feel as though I belonged to their class (station in life).  I confess, Tufan's mother was still a bit stand-offish towards me,” Yoansu's voice became softer here, “but Mr, Wugan was most understanding and kind. I’d stayed there you see, for Tufan’s sake.” He then quickly added.

At this point Kaimu’s mounting skepticism had turned into sheer rage, and had it not been for Ensa’s timely intercession, directing their attention to the lateness of the hour, Kaimu would have definitely blown his top. 

Kaimu was incensed, having had heard enough prevarication for one night.  Nodding his assent, he rose to go, but Yoansu had no intention of going to sleep and insisted that he was not tired in the least.  He tugged at his father's sleeve to stop him from leaving and said, “Father, let mother go to bed, but let us spend a little more time together.   I've just come home after a long absence and we still have so much ground to cover, we can always sleep later.”  Hurriedly he then poured still more wine into Kaimu's cup and offered it respectfully with both hands in an attempt to coerce him to stay.  He was counting on the fact that Kaimu had the gift of gab when with male companions, whereas he remained closemouthed with females.

He wants something! Now disposed to the idea of staying, Kaimu ordered his wife to stop pestering him and go to bed by herself, adding that he wished to converse with his son in private for a while longer, without a constant harassment (interruption) from a meddling old woman. 

And so, against her better judgment, Ensa was forced to retire.  Yet despite her fatigue she lay awake in bed, waiting for her husband to join her.

Yoansu had an ulterior motive in detaining his father and keeping him from sleep this night. With Ensa out of the way now, Yoansu felt freer to speak his mind. The whole secrecy about Jiense had aroused his curiosity; herbal pouch cast aside, after renewed bouts of drinking and pleasant exchanges of facts, Yoansu artfully then steered the conversation to the point of interest.

“Now, father,” he began with his amiable tone. “I have told you my story in detail; won't you tell me yours?  I am most anxious to learn more about her.”  Pointing at (cocking his head in the direction of) the space behind the straw curtain, he asked in repetition, without a pause. “How did she come by? How is it that all through the night she’s not uttered a single word? She seems dumbfounded when we speak yet anyone can see she is intelligent enough to comprehend mother’s sign language.  Is she partially handicapped?” For what purpose has she been kept? Then again, she is attractive enough and appears most docile…”

Get your mind out of the gutter! Kaimu wanted to bark at his son but lowered his head instead and said coldly, “Your wife must be anxious for you to join her. Why stay away?

 “She is probably fast asleep,” Yoansu protested. “But I will not be, not unless you resolve this mystery.  Please father let me in on the secret!”

 Let me string you along for a change and see how you like it. After his prolonged silence, pretending insobriety (intoxication) and a soft spot for his son, he supposedly reluctantly gave his consent.  “Very well, then...But first let us have some more wine, I feel parched this very night.” 

Kaimu had also wished to test his son’s stamina.

 

(THE FISHERMAN'S PRIZE WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEXT POST - SECTON  9)