by Ervin Agayan
Nihena burst out laughing, picturing this scene. It was so funny that tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Imagine, he wants to confess his love, when a black cat lands on him. Black!” Nihena started laughing wholeheartedly and was unable to stop. Finally, she calmed down, took a few deep breaths, and continued: “Of course, after this incident, he changed his mind about confessing love. He must have thought a black cat falling from the sky was a bad sign. The girl was so upset! I even had to cheer her up.”
Judging by the forced smile, this story didn’t impress Zens.
“No, this story was kind of faint; you were not punished in the end. Didn’t catch me…” joked Zens.
“What’s up with you?! You have no idea how strictly they punished me!” exclaimed Nihena. “Listen to what happened next. I walked up to them and saw that the girl was crying, while the young man was at a loss. I tried to calm her down, but she was unable to explain what had happened. You know, I had no idea that Lolo had landed on them. From the girl’s inarticulate and indistinct speech, I thought that the guy had done something wrong and looked at him angrily, while our fool guy chose to run away instead of explaining the situation to me. Though he was running with all his might, as though he was escaping a pack of wolves, I caught up with him and gave him an earful.” Nihena stopped talking, then she nodded to Arsy and continued, as though justifying herself, “Well, not as severely as today, but I indeed gave him a beating. Then I tied him to a tree as a punishment for inappropriate behavior with a girl. I intended to keep him like that for no more than ten minutes, but then I remembered Lolo and went to find her, completely forgetting about the poor fellow. He was indeed unlucky that day! First, a black cat landed on him, and then he argued with his girlfriend, got a beating, spent the day tied to a tree, and got all burnt up under a blazing sun!”
Nihena again started laughing wholeheartedly.
“Come on, tell us the most interesting part,” Zens demanded with a smile. “How did they punish you?”
Nihena spoke after a few seconds pause, reluctantly.
“The next morning, the guy’s relatives came to our house shouting ‘Where is your beast?’”
Nihena chose not to tell them what happened afterwards. Regardless of Zens’s incessant inquiries, the girl flatly refused to continue the conversation and even frowned. Being afraid of upsetting her, Zens suggested she remember another funny story with Lolo.
One of the latest incidents with the cat’s participation had taken place just a couple of days ago. This time, Sensei Farin fell her victim. After training, the young recruits gathered in the garden for a session of group meditation. The creation of the required atmosphere for a “conversation” with one’s spiritual “self” took about a quarter of an hour. Once the long-awaited silence finally fell over the garden and all the new soldiers stepped on the path of “discovering the truth” and got into the lotus position with their eyes closed, Loli appeared out of nowhere. For some reason, she decided that, besides her owner’s, she was allowed to sit on anyone’s head in the family. Without much thought, Loli climbed on the sensei’s grey pate. The master, being a wise and composed personality, humbly tolerated this foolery for much longer than one would imagine. Sitting calmly for a few minutes, Loli thought that it was the best place to spruce herself up. Sensei Farin endured this too. Even when Loli shifted from herself to the sensei’s head and started brushing his grey hair, the wise old man endured that as well. Realizing the owner of the comfortable place wasn’t paying her due attention, Loli decided to announce herself through a loud and persevering “meow,” interrupting the precious silence, which was essential for meditation. Sensei Farin was tolerant up to the last moment, determined to remain in his state of tranquility, but then even the wise old man lost his nerve. They say the cat’s wailing could be heard through all of Mozakon. Later, the sensei joked: “The cat defeated me. Seems like I should start searching for another job.”
“I have an unexpected offer for you, Nihena,” said Zens. Before that, Arsy made him understand that they’d better draw Nihena out of the room. “I think you have a large collection of these hair sticks. Will you show them to me?”
“What a weird request!” Nihena frowned.
Zens was about to rescind his request, thinking she’d guess that the only reason for his interest in her hair sticks was to draw her out of the room. However, the next second, Nihena smiled at him.
“Why not? After all, you are the only person to express such a desire.”
The girl stood up and walked to the door. Zens cast a meaningful look at Arsy, but his friend kept pretending to be asleep. The prospect of studying hair sticks didn’t fascinate him, but he knew it would take Nihena’s fancy. Nothing remained for him but to hope that Arsy wouldn’t really fall asleep.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Arsy opened his eyes and waited until their steps were no longer heard in the corridor, then he jumped on his feet and started looking for something in the wardrobes.
Trial
A base court stretched out behind the castle. It wasn’t just a “court” but an authentic park, the territory of which twice exceeded the area of the house. All the members of the Mesdrin family, as well as their guests, enjoyed walking here. On this territory, lain with smooth white tiles, one could refresh oneself at the beautiful stone fountain with crystal clear water from a mountain source or relax on the wooden benches with massive legs. The smooth paved paths were framed by neatly trimmed bushes, entwined into true labyrinths. Here, one could find various colors of flowerbeds with dozens of species of flowers and plants. The trees, growing along the park’s perimeter, created a sort of natural barrier from curious eyes. This very place, in one of such secluded corners under an old oak tree, was where Sensei Farin loved to spend hours meditating. A construction made of white stone with an arched entrance stood in the farthest part of the park; this was where Lord Mesdrin’s servants lived. The base court was closed for most visitors, being predominantly used by the members of the ruling family and the inner circle of friends and close confidants.
This very court was selected as the place for holding trial. Nihena accompanied the young men to the center of the court, where Sensei Farin was waiting for them, meditating in the lotus position. Nihena cast a meaningful glance at the guests and brought her finger close to her lips, warning them not to bother the sensei. She walked to the master noiselessly and took a seat next to him. Then she turned to the young men and nodded in the direction of the bench at the wall.
“She’s absolutely crack-brained,” whispered Zens, taking a seat.
“It was obvious from the very first moment, when she rushed at me like a tigress attacking its prey,” Arsy said almost disgruntled.
“There’s a coffer in her room, stuffed with hair sticks to the brim,” Zens continued in a whisper. “She’s badly obsessed with those sticks, speaking about them with immense exaltation, as if they are the most precious jewels in the world.”
“You know, I believe we are all insane to some extent or another,” Arsy observed philosophically. “Look at us from the outside. For example, I could buy myself a castle in some quiet corner in Agastan and live there carelessly for the rest of my life, but instead, I chose the most dangerous path. You are also insane to some extent.”
“Yeah, you are right.” Zens nodded and cast an almost startled glance at the girl, who was sitting in the lotus position, absolutely motionless. “However, none of us can compare to Nihena in terms of insanity. I am still wondering what other purpose she uses those sticks for. I should say they are quite poignant.”
“I hope we never find out.” Arsy grinned. “She’s not a girl but real trouble. I’ve never had such a bad porridge.”
“And why did you want me to bring Nihena out of the room?” inquired Zens.
“I had an idea.” Arsy’s lips stretched in a smug smile. “Nihena said the trial is going to be tough and painful. When you left, I started looking for a painkille
r, but found it only on the second floor. I’m keeping the syringe with me,” Arsy tapped his pocket, “but I might need your help. If I need an injection of a painkiller, I’ll signal you so you distract their attention.”
“Maybe I should put that building on fire?” Zens nodded in the direction of a tall tower ahead of them.
“Are you crazy?” Arsy barely held himself back from speaking at the top of his voice but changed his mind. “The old man will hardly be following me for two hours, but escaping Nihena’s vigilance will be the toughest. You must distract her.”
“I’ll think of something,” promised Zens, attentively looking at Sensei Farin. “Do you think the old man is sleeping now?”
“How do I know? According to Elmunia, the soul leaves the body during meditation.”
“If that is true, then you are in trouble,” said Zens with concern. “Even with closed eyes, he will see you are swindling. Hey, isn’t that how the mercenaries are conducting searches for people?”
“I don’t know, but I’d love to find that out. Erathos was sure they were searching for people with the help of some device.”
“I suggest stealing it,” proposed Zens. “Then you will no more need to master cathastu. We will always be aware of Erathos’s location and will be able to avoid it.”
“That’s what I am doing; my people are following the mercenaries, which allows me to keep track of things and be aware of Erathos’s exact location in Agastan,” said Arsy and added with frustration, “but that does not always help. Last time, he distracted the mercenaries, and when I learned about it, it was already too late. I was lucky to stay alive. After that case, I came to some conclusions for myself and proceeded with caution. To be honest, Erathos would have long ago gotten rid of me if not for the mercenaries.”
“Erathos must have some soft spot,” Zens announced confidently. “Everyone has a soft spot. What if we find and target it?”
“Erania is his only soft spot, but that’s not a good idea,” assured Arsy. Noticing his friend’s interrogative glance, he clarified, “A while back, mercenaries had caught Erania, hoping Erathos would come and capitulate. He indeed came, not for capitulation though, but for spreading destruction. That was exactly when Nihena’s brother was killed.”
“I have been reading about it in the newspapers.” Zens nodded. “They say he has killed so many people that the streets were loaded with heaps of corpses.”
“Yes, the talk has reached me too,” said Arsy, but Zens felt his friend was keeping something back. “So, Erania should better not be tampered with. That might cost us dearly.”
“Does he possess supernatural powers?”
“I don’t know, but he alone is capable of destroying a large army.” Judging by Arsy’s voice, he was irritated by the stated fact. “If there’s someone who can cope with him, it’s the mercenaries, who are masters of cathastu, but that is still a controversial issue.”
“I know, we shouldn’t believe everything they write in the newspapers, but everyone keeps repeating that Erathos is the devil in flesh. Is that true?” Zens asked apprehensively.
“I don’t know to what extent this assertion corresponds to reality, but there’s a grain of truth to it.” Arsy nodded thoughtfully. “In his adolescence, he was siding with a satanic sect.”
For some time, they were silently looking at the sensei and his disciple, who were sitting like sculptures. It was so silent in the court that the birds singing in the distance seemed to be deafening.
“Can I ask you a question, Arsy?” Zens finally interrupted the silence, without waiting for permission. “Why did you help me escape from prison? You could hire anyone; everyone would embrace such a salary. Why me?”
“Yes, but after working for me for a few months and saving some money, they’d say: ‘Dear Arsy, thank you very much for your help, but I’m no more in need of money, so good luck.’ After that, they’d mind their own business, while you don’t have an alternative. You are either with me or you go back to prison. Such reliable people like you are worth their weight in gold.”
“Thank you for your honesty,” grumbled Zens. He was obviously unhappy with that response. It’s hard to realize you don’t have freedom of action. Besides, Arsy evidently was not telling him what was on his mind.
“Does Arsy know that I was once engaged in Aderton’s searches ” thought Zens. “And isn’t that the reason for hiring me? What if he wants to get a line on it, but doesn’t ask me directly, waiting for me to tell him myself? Maybe I should tell him? And if so, which part should I tell him?”
Being an honest person, Zens was continuously torturing himself with such doubts. However, such matters bore no rush. First, he had to weigh all the pros and cons and think everything over properly. After all, if he told Arsy about his searches of Aderton, he would also have to tell him about Parelia.
“You have no idea how badly people fear Erathos. When I hire someone for work, the first question they ask is whether they are supposed to be struggling with him. If the answer is positive, they immediately run away, refusing to work for me for all the money in the world. I’m lucky to have you; you are fearless,” sneered Arsy.
Zens also sneered, but only in his mind. “You don’t know the real reason I joined your band. I am not so insane as to fight against the devil!”
Despite the guests’ efforts to speak quietly, their voices were still reaching Nihena’s feline hearing, breaking the silence, which was so essential for meditation. Finally, she opened her eyes, sharply turned her head in their direction, and showed a menacing fist. The young men seemed to have swallowed their tongues.
On his way to the court, Arsy had noticed a spacious sports hall. He remembered Erathos’s stories of how he was climbing the roof of such a sports hall, observing the mercenaries’ trainings, while at night, he was getting down and repeating what he’d seen. This continued for a couple months. Despite his utmost precaution, Erathos got trapped; it was none other than Nihena’s brother who caught him repeating combat maneuvers in the courtyard. Strangely enough, he did not rat him out. That was how their friendship began.
“The air is so fresh in these areas!” finally whispered Zens, who was unable to keep silent for more than two minutes. He loudly inhaled the cool mountain air, filled with the scent of meadow flowers. “I envy the mercenaries. It’s a true paradise! I’d love to live here. What about you?” He looked at Arsy.
The city’s location high in the mountains had its downsides as well. Mount Moz was infamous for its harsh climate. Even though the mountain peaks were not covered in snow, the air at such altitude was rather cold and thin, so it took the guests of the city a while before they got used to such conditions. Nevertheless, especially in summer, when the residents of the city enjoyed sunshine almost every day, the air was warm enough to shed fur mantles.
What really presented danger were the winds. Mozakon was “a city of draughts.” It was blown through from all sides, and the cold wind became the reason for the city’s constantly changing image. Several times during many centuries of its existence, Mozakon was reconstructed and renewed because of destructive winds, which made the city “crumble” like an overcooked pie.
As we know, a pie starts crumbling from the edges, just like Mozakon was most affected on its outskirts.
The city center, where Lord Mesdrin’s house and the school of mercenaries were situated, remained more or less unaffected, maintaining their almost pristine, historical appearance. Wise Sensei Farin liked to say: “Mozakon is unapproachable for everyone, except for Mother Nature.” Many people were sure that “a city on top of a mountain” would sooner or later come crashing down, like a card castle, but years and even centuries passed, and Mozakon was still standing to everybody’s envy.
Nevertheless, these fierce winds caused much trouble for the citizens, for only madmen dared to leave the house when nature became violent. Nihena was among those madmen, being fond of training in bad weather and arranging mock battles with the w
ind. Many of the mercenaries liked observing this enchanting view out of the windows, admiring the gracious girl’s performance of cathastu maneuvers contrary to the nature, or rather, in unison with it, while her favorite ribbons were fluctuating in tune with the melodies of the wind. Sometimes, the wind threw her into the air, like a feather, while she was flying like a bird, somersaulting in the air and unfailingly landing on her feet like a cat. Some ingenious mercenaries, being aware of Nihena’s habits, occupied comfortable places in advance in order to enjoy the fantastic show from convenient sites.
“I don’t care where I live as long as my Parelia is by my side,” answered Arsy with a certain deal of grief in his voice.
“And would you fancy being a king?” inquired Zens.
“No,” Arsy snapped without a moment of hesitation. “What kind of a king would I make? I don’t even know elementary rules of etiquette.”
They were silent for a while, after which Zens pronounced quite unexpectedly, “I just realized one fact. There are two things one can keep watching endlessly: fire burning and Nihena meditating.”
“Speak on your behalf; my thoughts are busy with completely different things.” Arsy looked at him slyly, his expression displaying suspicion of his friend’s affection for a certain person. “You just reminded me of one of my neighbor pals. I could endlessly watch her washing her horses. Those were wonderful days.” Arsy sighed. “Erathos and I were pulling off such things! Sometimes, we used to sneak into their stable to spread mud on the horses, so we could watch Dinarina washing them the next morning. Who would ever think such inseparable friends like us would ever become enemies? And if you think of it, there was a time we were ready to sacrifice our own lives for each other. Presently, I am engaged in the construction of a large club, and I am in need of a manager. I offered for her to work for me, and she agreed. She is a very beautiful girl and, most importantly, her heart is free, for now. So, if you want to fix your personal life, I would advise you get acquainted with her. She’s like a sister to me, and I’d be happy if she had a husband like you.”
