by Ervin Agayan
“My daughter is joking, guys,” Lady Morena addressed the guests, sighing with relief. “Generally, she’s a hilarious comedian. She likes putting the guests in awkward situations. They agree to marry her out of shame, and in the end, it appears that she was deriding and nothing else.”
“This time, I’m serious, Mom. Arsy likes me so much that he’s even thinking of abducting me. I happened to overhear their conversation,” said Nihena, pointing at Arsy.
“I’ve told your daughter that we were not speaking about her,” answered Arsy, casting an apologetic glance at Lady Morena.
“Do you really intend to abduct someone?” She was terrified.
“No, we were just thinking aloud,” Arsy answered vaguely. “My desperate situation makes me run to extremes.”
“Is there indeed a girl in the Kingdom that you cannot possess otherwise?” Lady Morena asked with surprise.
“Unfortunately, there is one! Fate plays an evil game with me,” Arsy said sadly.
“Then you should resign yourself to fate, for abduction is not a solution,” Lady Morena responded instructively. “Find a kind of girl that is available to you.”
Arsy didn’t answer anything, but his expression became more serious and even severe. Lady Morena didn’t notice that; instead, she smiled and addressed all the guests: “By the way, before I forget, I’ll tell you about one incident, basically, yet another one of Nihena’s pranks. One fine day, my friend visited us with her family. We were sitting at the table, enjoying our dinner, when Nihena said: ‘Mom, Nativ proposed to me. Should I agree or not?’ Nativ is my friend’s son, for clarity. The poor guy was petrified with amazement and was bewildered to such an extent that he lost the power of speech. How could I know that Nihena was joking? “Meanwhile, I was always fond of Nativ, so I started praising him, speaking about his merits and what a good husband he would make. I seriously believed they had visited us with that very mission. My husband was sitting next to me, and I pushed him with my elbow so that he also added a word. He approved of their marriage and said that he would be happy to have a son-in-law like him. The guests seemed to have swallowed their tongues.” Lady Morena giggled. “But Nihena didn’t stop there. She said, ‘Right, Nativ is a good fellow, but I’m asking you to understand me; I don’t want to agree so easily! I think I should raise my price a bit, though I’m not really keen on such games. Okay, let’s do this. You show me the ring right now, and if I like it, I’ll give my consent without further hesitation.’ I jumped to my feet happily and hugged my husband, close to tearing up with the overwhelming emotions. I turned to the guests, ‘Come on, show her the ring!’ For a while, they looked at each other dazedly until my friend said they had left the ring at home. That was when Nihena burst out laughing wholeheartedly and confessed it was merely a joke. You can’t imagine my anger! So, you see that marrying off Nihena is my primary dream.”
Nihena pulled such stunts to spite her mother because their relationship was quite complicated. Morena had a “weapon,” which she used to keep Nihena a goody-goody, for a short time though. That was the reason Nihena was going mad and playing pranks now and then.
The “weapon” that Lady Morena possessed wasn’t sophisticated. It was just about prohibiting her daughter from attending parties.
“So, why aren’t you getting her married?” asked Arsy.
“We can’t do it by force, can we?” exclaimed Lady Morena with frustration. “God knows the kind of husband she wants to have. She’s received proposals from a number of people, but she declined all of them, and now there are no more suitable candidates among the people we know. I spoke to Parelia on one occasion, and she reassured me and promised to look into that matter personally.”
Morena realized perfectly well that her daughter’s marriage was a tough question, for on top of the fact that Nihena had quite peculiar taste, not everyone would be willing to have such an extremely stubborn, or rather a crack-brained wife, even if she was so beautiful.
“Parelia had better start settling her own life and only then should she start thinking about others,” Nihena declared arrogantly. “By the way, as long as we speak about Parelia, I’d like to clarify something. Dad, I want to ask you a serious question and hope to hear an honest answer.”
“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Lord Mesdrin nodded.
“Why didn’t you find Aderton?” Nihena fixed her gaze at her father. “Today, I learned that even Arsy is aware of his whereabouts. So why were you unable to find him?”
“Who is Aderton?” Lord Mesdrin knew this name perfectly well, but he artfully pretended to be hearing it for the first time.
“Parelia once asked us to find this man as for a favor, remember?” continued Nihena.
“I remember Parelia’s request, but I forgot the guy’s name.” Lord Mesdrin shrugged his shoulders.
“So, why didn’t you find him?” his daughter inquired closely.
Lord Mesdrin sighed patiently and clarified, “We mercenaries have self-respect, principles, and our own scale of values. We always push the matter through, but sometimes, we consider the consequences. In this specific case, we came to the conclusion that it would be wrong to rake up the past. The guy has his personal life, and he’s happy. We chose not to spoil it.”
“Spoil?” Nihena exclaimed crossly. “Are you crazy? They love each other; it’s just that they can’t find each other. What are you speaking about, Dad?”
“Love? I didn’t notice anything of a kind. All I saw was obsession. For example, when one loses any item, he starts looking for it everywhere. The same is the case with them. As for love, there’s not a trace of it,” said Lord Mesdrin, fiddling with his beard, which was a gesture he made when he was lying.
“Since when have you become an expert of love affairs, Dad? And then, why are you deciding the fates of people?” Nihena was indignant. She always empathized with Parelia, and now she found out that her father chose not to help her find her love—Aderton.
“Let’s change the topic, Nihena!” ordered Lady Morena.
“No! I want to know the truth. Parelia has been suffering for so many years, while it turns out that many people know where Aderton is but do not want her happiness!” said Nihena with a helpless gesture.
Her father raised his voice. “Don’t be silly!”
“Silly? Parelia is still single, and you think it’s silly? God, how can one be so cruel?!” Nihena exclaimed angrily.
“On the contrary, it would be cruel if they did actually meet,” said Mesdrin.
“How come?”
“We shall revert to this later,” snapped Lord Mesdrin and added in a smaller voice, “after the guests leave.”
“These guests told me the truth,” Nihena wouldn’t let up, “how some influential people made you stop the search for Aderton.”
“Stop that nonsense! No one can make us do anything!” Lord Mesdrin raised his voice again. “I personally made the decision not to search for him. Enough. The subject is closed!”
However, they indeed made Lord Mesdrin stop the searches for Aderton, or rather promised him that, if he found him and took him to Parelia, Aderton would be dead the next day. Being a reasonable and merciful person, Lord Mesdrin took pity on the young fellow and lied to Parelia, saying that he was unable to find him.
“The subject won’t be closed until I find out where Aderton is!” cried Nihena, leaping to her feet.
“Stop being naughty!” commanded her mother. Lady Morena was afraid that father and daughter would have a fierce row someday and Nihena would leave the house. Her daughter was a tough personality, and Lord Mesdrin was a match for her, so their arguments usually caused “earthquakes” in the castle.
“Naughty? So, you think my desire to see Parelia happy is nothing but naughtiness?” Nihena had no intention of letting up; she was extremely frustrated.
“Your father already mentioned that they don’t love each other,” Lady Morena tried to talk her down.
“Let them meet and perso
nally decide whether they do or do not love each other. Dad should not decide for them.” Nihena turned back to her father once again and literally ordered him, “Tell me where he is!”
“Let them find each other. I wash my hands,” Lord Mesdrin answered with composure. “The subject is closed. But if you are really so concerned, you are free to start your own investigation or ask Arsy.”
Nihena immediately turned around and cast a provocative glance at Arsy.
“Your father speaks reason,” said Arsy. “They will find each other if they are meant to. Aderton has his personal life, and he has a girlfriend. They will get married one fine day. We really shouldn’t mess up.”
Arsy lied. The truth was that Aderton wasn't in a relationship.
“Arsy, I suggest we not make decisions for them and allow them to control their own destiny. Isn’t that right?” She frowned, and her voice acquired some commanding overtones. “I want to know where Aderton lives, right now!”
“It’s a very difficult question, Nihena. We shouldn’t open Pandora’s box. Besides, Arsy won’t allow Parelia and Aderton to meet either.”
“But you personally said, according to the prophet, Aderton will be reigning over Agastan someday,” said Nihena. “That means the box will be opened sooner or later, no matter how hard you try to prevent it.”
“Maybe,” nodded Arsy, “but I am not going to open it; I don’t want to get on the wrong side of influential people.”
“Either you tell me Aderton’s exact location,” threatened Nihena, “or you’ll regret not having done so!”
Arsy shook his head. Perhaps it was a mistake, for Nihena was dead-set.
If you don’t want to help me voluntarily, the girl thought with a menacing smirk, you’ll do it by force.
“Okay, you were warned!” she snapped, taking her seat.
The pause gave Lady Morena a perfect chance to change the subject.
“What else did the prophet foretell?”
“Erathos will stay alive, but Arsy will die,” answered Nihena triumphantly.
Lady Morena shifted her amazed stare at Arsy.
“Yes, but the prophet wasn’t absolutely sure about it, so it’s too soon for my enemies to gloat,” Arsy objected hurriedly.
Fortunately for Arsy, they didn’t have a chance to dwell any longer on the topic that was so unpleasant for him, for Sensei Farin finally entered the room. It seemed to Zens that the time it took the old man to walk to the table and take his seat to the right of Lord Mesdrin was an eternity. His stomach replayed its song of starvation, and the honest thief barely contained himself not to rush at the food, like a wolf at its prey.
Finally, Sensei Farin took his seat at the table, and Lady Morena was the first to touch a fork. Zens thanked all the gods he knew for putting an end to this tedious waiting. However, Zens had to face disappointment, for that evening, they were not destined to have a sound meal, which was all Nihena’s fault. Casting a sly glance at Arsy, she took out the syringe from her pocket. It took Arsy tremendous effort to retain imperturbable countenance.
“Is it yours?” she asked Arsy, showing him the syringe.
“No.” The latter shook his head without a moment’s hesitation.
“You’re lying,” Nihena interrupted him quietly. “What medicine is inside?”
“I told you it’s not mine. It’s the first time I have seen that syringe.” Arsy was acting pretty naturally, though it required a great effort, for he was bedeviled by the question as to how that syringe appeared in Nihena’s hands.
“Come on…” the girl didn’t believe him. “You’d better confess how this medication empowers you with super strength.”
“I’ll repeat that I have nothing to do with that syringe.” Arsy’s voice remained composed.
“Maybe you’d take a closer look?” Nihena stood up and went up to Arsy. “Are you sure it’s not yours?”
She waved the needle right under Arsy’s nose, making him freeze.
Zens, who was sitting next to him, tried to keep his eyes off his friend and the insane savage girl, who could pierce the needle into Arsy’s eye at any moment.
“Yes!” Arsy stated resolutely.
Nihena smirked and walked past Arsy’s and then Zens’s seat. Stopping behind the latter’s back, she placed her hand on his right shoulder.
“Fine.” The syringe now loomed before Zens’s eyes, making him swallow nervously. “Then we’ll now find out its content.”
“We?” asked Arsy.
“Absolutely.” Nihena smiled. “Your loyal friend Zens and me.”
One elusive movement and Zens felt how the fine needle pierced his neck. It was an instant pain, but Nihena didn’t remove the needle so that Zens froze, scared to take a breath. Her hand, which suddenly turned out to be incredibly heavy, seemed to have pinned him to his seat.
“No worries, Zens! I am sure this drug will grant you some superpower.” He heard Nihena’s malignant voice near his ear.
“Are you out of your mind, Nihena?” exclaimed Arsy in horror. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Checking the content of the syringe,” followed the answer. “You are not telling me; thus, I’m having to do everything myself.”
“But I really don’t know…”
The liquid inside the syringe had not yet been delivered to Zens’s body, but the needle was still sticking out of his neck. Arsy looked at his friend; Zens’s expression told him he shouldn’t tell the truth.
“I’m giving you one last chance,” warned Nihena. “Either you tell me what it is, or whatever it is will be sent to your friend’s system. You know me. I’m not into bluffing. One…”
Arsy looked at Zens once again, as though asking for advice. His friend’s green eyes told him to stand his ground.
“Two…”
Nevertheless, Arsy couldn’t endanger his friend’s life. This man’s qualities were some of the most positive ones in his arsenal; he never left his friends in trouble and was ready to sacrifice his own life for them. Perhaps, this was the reason his friends repaid him in kind—loyalty and commitment, which would be envied by blood brothers.
“Three!”
“Fine, fine!” Arsy exclaimed at the last second, thus stopping Nihena, and added in a whisper, “It’s a painkiller.”
“I knew that!” smirked Nihena. “You administered it during the trial to be able to overcome it, didn’t you?”
Arsy nodded his head in response.
“Arsy, I’m not teaching swindlers,” Sensei Farin said angrily.
“Whereas I can’t allow swindlers to live in my house,” added Lord Mesdrin.
At last, Nihena removed the needle from Zens’s neck, and he immediately rubbed the pierced site and finally sighed with relief. The girl passed Arsy’s chair and went back to her seat with the same malignant smile on her face.
“I’ve come here as a friend,” said Arsy, “so we could struggle against a common enemy together. To my great disappointment, you didn’t really show us a warm welcome.”
“You can complain about us to the king,” snapped Lord Mesdrin with a malicious sneer, but then his eyebrows met at the bridge of his nose, and he added sternly, “Be so kind to leave Mozakon this very day!”
“With great pleasure!” Arsy moved the chair aside with noise and threw the napkin on the plate. “Let’s go, Zens. We are not welcome here.”
“It’s not the king they should complain to about us,” he heard Nihena’s sarcastic voice behind him, “but Parelia.”
Arsy was going to the room provided to him, angrily landing his feet with each step. Trying to suppress the indignation and rage blazing in his soul, he didn’t notice his friend crawling somewhere in the back, barely moving his legs. Zens’s entire body seemed to become immensely heavy in an instant, and it took him tremendous effort to keep his balance. It seemed to him that the world was spinning around before his eyes, and he was unable to stop the swirling picture.
Such a hellcat, he thought wi
th extreme wrath. She injected the dose after all!
It required Zens to make strenuous efforts to climb the steps, literally stumbling into the room and plopping down on the couch.
An Unexpected Offer
Zens was lying on the couch in the living room, barely breathing. The effect of the drug was persisting, and the high-minded thief felt miserable.
“Damn her,” he kept repeating now and then. “What a hellcat!”
“Does it still hurt?” asked Arsy, looking at his friend with concern.
“The pain does not bother me, unlike the fact that I actually cannot breathe,” groaned Zens and pointing to a cushion. “Give me a cushion.”
Arsy took a cushion from the couch nearby and placed it under Zens’s head.
“Maybe we should tell them you need to be examined. What if it’s something serious?”
“By no means!” Zens revolted immediately. “I am sure she deliberately injected that drug in me to take pleasure in the fruits of her atrocity. You’d better close the door; I don’t want to see her gloating.”
“It’s not a good time to dig in your feet, man. You should assess the situation as it is. What is more important, your well-being or her gloating?” Nevertheless, Arsy complied with his friend’s request and locked the door with a key.
“No worries, I’ll be fine soon,” answered Zens, breathing heavily.
“But you are as pale as a ghost. It’s scary even to look at you.” Arsy wouldn’t let up.
“Don’t worry,” moaned Zens. “I won’t die.”
Arsy was anxiously pacing to and fro in the room, casting occasional glances at his groaning friend, suffering with pain.
“You didn’t do anything to her, did you? Why did she rail at you?” Arsy struggled to understand. “She could have easily inject the drug in me. After all, I was the swindler, not you!”
“I remember having called her frantic during the fight. Something tells me…” Zens pointed at himself, “it was her revenge.”
“This means she’s quite vindictive,” Arsy concluded.
