“Because it may be the only solution to not leave the kingdom in the hands of Prince Sulco.”
“I said and I repeat again: I have nothing to do with this fight between you. And why just me? There are so many women out there! Hmm... A son... Just what I needed!”
“I thought you would want to avenge prince Sulco for all he did to you, and... I think you owe it to the queen as well.”
“I owe nothing to anyone.” She shrugged and pursed her lips. “I have nothing against her or know her. What I did was just business. You’re the worst... “She looked at him with contempt. “You said to be her friend, and come here asking me to betray her!”
“For being friend of the queen is what brings me here, I’m answering a request.” Mongho came very close to Nadjra. “This idea came from her, not me.” Both paused and looked at each other. After Mongho continued. “She really loves her husband, but she knows that her duty as queen is above all. She can no longer give him an heir, as you well know.” He sketched a wry smile. “So, she ask me to look for someone who did.”
“But, why me?!”
“I don’t know many people who I could trust something so important...” He looked away as he walked. “And as I said, I thought you would want to take revenge. You have to agree with me that Sulco would never counting on the possibility of an heir, even with you as mother. But... I see I was wrong about you. I apologize for the inconvenience. I’m leaving. I have nothing more to do here... Good day!” he greeted her, leaving then.
“Mongho!” she yelled, when he opened the door. “Hang on!” He stopped, turned and saw Nadjra walking toward him. They were facing one another; the gasping of both was almost visible. Nadjra firmly held his hands and looked fixed and anxious, as if she was guessing what was in his heart. “Thank you for trust in me, only a few dare to it. I think it’s a good idea, yes, avenging myself of that bastard, the things he made. Of course it could be done differently, despite the powers he has now. I know I owe a favor to you for acting properly with me for having removed the curse and returned my true form. But what you’re asking me... Do you really want me to do it?!”
Nadjra then rested her head on Mongho’s shoulder, her chin approaching him slowly. This body language, for him, meant kiss me. Not that he didn’t want to, but the idea of kissing her, after asking her to had a son with his friend, made him feel awkward and nervous.
He tried to listen to the voice in his head, a voice saying not to kiss her, but her face leaned against him. Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Mongho shivered with excitement at her touch.
He closed his eyes and then felt the enormity of the fact that their lips touching, their tongues compress against each other... These were his thoughts, and to break the mood, he said the first thing that came in mind.
“It’s what needs to be done.” They looked at each other with anxious expressions. Nadjra felt her heart freeze. Her first reaction was to drop his hands and walk away, turning her back, preventing him to see her eyes filling with tears.
“And this king, he agrees with that too?” Her voice was trembling.
“He doesn’t agree much, but he accepted.” Mongho’s lips twisted to draft an almost smile, but humorless. Then there was a long silent, as if they knew they would disappoint themselves.
“Well... I’ll let you know when the time comes, which isn’t far away. I hope to receive a lot of gold. Now go... I want to be alone” she said, without turning around. Mongho remained motionless with his eyes fixed on her back, feeling sharp pain in the chest. He knew she was lying, that she didn’t care about wealth and that she was probably crying. He wanted to wrap her in an intimate embrace as the two lovers, and tell her he loved her. He was sweating and shivering, and cursed mentally against Sulco, responsible for all that suffering. Still, he replied:
“I’ll tell the king your request.” Then, without another word, he turned. After six or seven steps, he paused for a moment and muttered a thank you. His plaintive voice came out as a whisper. He kept walking without looking back, with light rain falling over him.
◆◆◆
The days that followed were very tense. Everyone was nervous and anxious, waiting for Nadjra call. Several times, Mongho asked the queen if she wanted to move on with the plan. Driadh remained adamant in her decision.
Sulco had increased his army and thereby strengthened the siege of the West Wing and the village. The external side of the wall was taken by soldiers, who set up a camp. It was only a matter of time before invade the castle. Heian and Mongho questioned themselves about why Sulco hadn’t made any attempt yet, though they didn’t want an invasion. Heian’s soldiers, even alert and in constant training, didn’t get close to Sulco’s, in number, in skill or strength. If they remained trapped inside the wall, then all would be consumed by despair and the lack of food and water.
Two days earlier, in a warm and dry afternoon, king Alphonsus had died. March 8, of 1184. The king, already very weak, got even worse after the disgust with the actions of his firstborn. His age wasn’t advanced, but his behavior was senile. At first, the signs of his mental decline were subtle, but insanity that undermined took a cruel turn, making him a danger to himself. Their bodies weakened, he didn’t feed more and languished day after day until he died.
Several delays and setbacks have left Mongho impatient. He didn’t had time to study the pages from the Book of Mages that Nadjra given him. He was occupying the guards helping to organize the defenses, positioning them in strategic places in the castle and the village, and realized how much he was doing well in the art of war. Also, every time he sat down to study the sheets delivered by Nadjra, he was taken by vivid memories of those bright eyes. Am I really in love with her?, he wondered incessantly, in the solitude of his room. He shook his head, trying to get rid of thoughts that made his body burn with desire.
“It can’t happen...” he murmured. “She will be the mother of my best friend’s son.”
Suddenly, his thoughts began to get confused.
“Mongho! Mongho!” said a voice from his head.
Hmm... Am I even going crazy? Besides not being able to stop thinking about her, I hear her voice calling me, he thought.
“Mongho, it’s me, Nadjra, listen to me!” The wizard jumped out of bed scared. “The time has come. I will show you the path that will bring you to where I am.”
After receiving the message, Mongho was striding to king Heian’s room. Upon entering, he saw that he was resting beside queen Driadh. Making him overlook the presence reported:
“It’s today, my king. Get ready!”
Heian embraced strongly Driadh, which stood then leaving them alone to match the details. It was too much for her to have to hear the rest of the conversation.
“You met her outside the wall?!” Heian asked amazed.
“No, she made contact with me mentally. I’ll be back later to pick you up, Your Majesty!” Mongho greeted him and left.
Heian knew him too well to realize that something was wrong, but he didn’t dare ask. For now, there were other things to worry about: he needed to talk to his wife. A stinging anger of his brother welled up in his soul. So many unhappy people because of him! He needed to be stoped. If only Heain had good soldiers, Sulco would have already defeated.
He abandoned the sad thoughts and went to the garden, where he knew he would find his wife, probably crying.
◆◆◆
Dusk fell fast, a pleasant evening with the stars dotted the black sky. An oil lamp burned on the queen’s bedside table, painting the cold walls of the room with a warm, flickering light, casting long shadows on the empty walls.
Lonely, Driadh tried to reassure her heart that insisted on beating madly at the same frenetic pace of turbulent thoughts that arose in her mind. Lying, she looked up, feeling the cool air smoothly pass through the window, shaking the curtain. Sometimes she looked through the open window and watched the stars play pike.
How it was beautiful and serene!, she th
ought. A lump formed in her throat and a tear shone and died quickly. She continued for hours admiring the vastness of the sky, until finally, falling asleep.
◆◆◆
As the darkness as a shield, Mongho and Heian went to the garden gazebo to use the underground path, and so, passed Sulco’s guards.
Already outside, they saw the light of the torches of the guards waking waving distance, revealing its location.
“This miserable has guards everywhere!” commented Mongho to Heian, in a conversational tone.
“Go to the forest. Go up to the caves east of Bulgari!” oriented Nadjra’s voice.
After receiving the information, Mongho noted that there were two guards and the direction they needed to go. No time to lose, he threw a stone far in the opposite direction they wanted to go. Nervous, the guards left their positions to investigate the noise.
“Go now! I’m right behind you” whispered Mongho. They ran across the wilderness, arriving safely to the forest entrance. Carefully, they followed by the bushes, being guided by Nadjra.
The full moon, with its glare, cleared their footsteps, showing them the path. They hadn’t brought any torch, so it wouldn’t draw attention. After nearly an hour walk uphill, with sweat dripping on their face, they arrived at the place.
“I’m in the cave!” said the voice.
“We arrived!” Mongho, serious, stopped and pointed toward a small group of stones covered by branches, which moved slowly revealing an entry. “Here ends my journey. I will be waiting.”
Before going forward, Heian noted Mongho collect sticks scattered on the floor and settle under a tree, intending to make a small fire to ward off insects and, hopefully, keep warm. That place was far away, and they didn’t run the risk of being seen by Sulco’s soldiers. Mongho whispered a few words and created a blue flame that floated from his hand to the pile of branches. Quickly, the flame spread and he fed the fire with dry leaves. Even trying to hide, Heian didn’t miss his sad and downcast face. Then, he sighed and, with a sinking heart, he turned and walked to the cave.
Once passed through the branches, Heian saw the light of a fire blazing in the rocks. The cave didn’t appear to be deep, but it was wide and tall enough to walk upright. He followed the direction of the light, sometimes feeling a shiver through his body. The hallway ended in a vain spacious, with a little over thirty feet wide, and he couldn’t see the ceiling. It was wet and surrounded by rounded and smooth stones, as if they had been polished. Beside the fire, a woman was waiting standing with loose long hair, wearing a white sweater and transparent.
Heian startled approaching.
“What does that mean?!” He was nervous when he saw before him his wife.
“My name is Nadjra. I took this way to not let you embarrassed.”
“You’re not helping me at all! Heaven... What am I doing here?! This is a big mistake...” He turned his back to the way back.
“Hang on!” Nadjra asked, holding him by the arm. She stared at him, analyzing the situation. “I just wanted to help you, but then again, it wasn’t a good idea. Forgive me, Your Majesty!” She released his arm and stepped back. Before the dazzled eyes of Heian, she turned. She’s beautiful!, he thought.
Nadjra approached, keeping eye contact Heian. She took his hand and led him to a makeshift bed, next to the fire. For a moment, she closed her eyes and her lips moved quickly. When she opened them, gave him a wide smile and snuggled in her arms... as so often she dreamed!
Minutes later, the firelight cast in the long stone walls shadows of their naked bodies. The future king of Heilland was on the way.
◆◆◆
Dawn was breaking. The sky was clear and clean. The sunlight was starting to bathe in gold the tops of the tallest trees. The air was calm and cool, with a fresh scent, as if it had rained. Mongho didn’t need a mirror to know that, under his eyes, dark circles had formed, denouncing a sleepless night. And this wasn’t the only one, since Nadjra accepted the offer.
He got up and stretched, which made his bones crack. He yawned once, twice, and then headed for the cave. Even feeling embarrassed, he had to wake Heian. He paused for a moment immediately after the tangle of branches for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and concentrated ears looking for voices. It would be easier if they had already wake up, he could just call them where he was. Hearing nothing, he continued.
When he faced with a span spacious, he noted a few pieces of clothing scattered on the ground, reporting a night of pleasure. He clenched his fist, dominated by feelings of anger and pain, but realized that it was too late to feel both. He glimpsed the corner lovers sleeping next to the last embers of the fire. His eyes rested on Nadjra enough time for the sweater to reveal her luscious contours. Stunned, she looked away, but it was too late. Then looked more time lost desire. Still, he tried to fight their thoughts and desires. In vain. He shook his head, which only left him stunned and frustrated because he couldn’t contain the explicit wishes in his body, exuding warmth and passion. Next to the woman he loved, it was his best friend, for who he could give his own life. Nadjra was probably carrying in her womb the future of the kingdom. Love her would betray his friend and his king.
He approached the lovers and bowed to wake up his friend. Then a pain formed on his chest to hear Nadjra’s soft breathing. Mongho took a long breath in the smell of her soft skin. Oh God!, he thought. It was a torment to be so close and at the same time impossible to touch her. Closing his eyes, he ran a hand gently on her arm, which was on the naked body of Heian. He sighed slightly, delighting in the softness and fragrance. He pictured her in his arms, covering her body caresses and kisses, touching her sex. Nadjra gave a light stirred, pulling him from his reverie. What am I doing?, he wondered. Quickly stood up and stepped back. With a firm voice, he called out to Heian.
“Heian! Heian! It is already dawning. It’s not very safe to walk through the forest with the sun directly overhead.”
Gradually Heian awoke and, seeing Mongho standing before him, he curled up on the cloth and stood up. Mongho eyes widened, away stunned, unable to divert his friend’s eyes. Even with the low light, Heian noticed the look of astonishment on his face.
“What is it, Mongho? What happened?” Mongho was speechless, all had vanished from his mind. Heian walked toward him and trying to play on his arm, the magician dodged. “Something happened that I don’t know about it?”
Slowly, Nadjra awoke to the sound of voices. Realizing the presence of Mongho, he startled too. It was too late to fix the situation. Mongho had discovered her secret. Thus, the sheet gripped the ends and wrapped around the body chaste. She stood up, keeping the fixed alarmed look at Mongho, ignoring the outstretched hand of Heian to help her. Though her hair was tousled, this didn’t detract from her beauty. Heian watched both, without understanding the strange weather that had formed between them.
“It’s nothing, Heian.” Mongho forced a smile, still recovering from the shock, watching Heian return to his form without realizing the magic that enveloped him. “I’ll be waiting outside. Please don’t take so long. It’s dawn, and we need to be careful.” He turned and walked out of the cave, a mischievous smirk widening more and more with each step. She turned Heian in my image... I think it’s clear that she also feels something for me... stupid witch...
Sometime later, Mongho and Heian cautiously went down the forest with the cold wind blowing in their faces. Mongho walked in front, keeping a steady pace. From time to time, he looked back, making sure that Heian was accompanied in his footsteps. Besides the wind, silence followed them. Although both were curious, neither dared to ask or clarify what has happened in the cave. Next to the castle, they saw Sulco’s guards awake, but they had no problems in approaching the entrance of the underpass for there was the element of surprise: none of them had count that someone would tried to get out of the enclosure.
Safely inside the castle, the first thing Heian did was go to the queen’s room. He knocked on the door and had no answer. O
pening it, he realized that Driadh was awake, though she didn’t move with his presence. Heian approached and gently curled his body over hers, noting how her eyes were swollen.
“I fulfill your desire, my queen!” he whispered softly, kissing her forehead.
“Than...” Her voice trailed off in that one word. Heian turned his back and closed the door behind him, walking with his head down to his room. Meanwhile, Mongho was crying alone, in his room.
CHAPTER XIV
It’s been a long time since Mongho was in the same position in his room. Sitting in the desk chair, just looking at the sheets of the Book of Mages, turning them from one side to the other, wondering who could get lost in the abyss of glyphs. He smoothed the sheets of paper on the table, feeling the smoothness of its surface even after several decades. Nadjra words about the power of crystal ball still reverberating in his head.
He sighed heavily when he realized that four months had passed since the last time he saw her, and yet he couldn’t stop thinking about those bright eyes. He didn’t want to relate to anyone to avoid distractions, and it was just what was going on. At that moment, what he wanted most was to concentrate on his duties as he need all the knowledge and power to defeat Prince Sulco. Although full of fear, sooner or later, he would have to read those sheets. He sighed again and decided to stop just looking at them, concentrating on the study of irregular lines.
Two hours later, the magician managed to pronounce the words correctly for the first time, finally closing the circle of the elements. Mongho then felt the power of the crystal ball engage his body with a strong and warm energy.
But that wasn’t the only thing that happened.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 15
