Heian ignored newcomers, going directly to Mongho.
“Welcome back, my friend!”
“Thank you!” They hugged each other.
“A few more months out and you would be mistaken for a bear” Heian said to see him with the most abundant beard than ever and his face burned by the sun. “Well, the smell is already the same.” They laughed. “I’ll have to prepare a feast to celebrate your return. Your friends are also welcome!”
The banquet was served two hours later, not as plentiful as it used to be, but even so, Mongho felt satisfied. After dinner, he and Heian retreated to the meeting room where the conversation went on into the night. The morning was cold and sitting near the fireplace, the heat became inviting. Mongho began to yawn incessantly; at times it had to blink several times to stay open eyes. Finally, Heian realized how tired his friends was in his short answers, limited to the words yes, no and maybe. He was almost sure, at some point, he heard a strange sound, like a snore. He decided to take a break in the conversation. Continue the next day. Mongho immediately stood up, nodding.
◆◆◆
The sun rose and set three times after Mongho’s return. On the fourth day, the wizard took a breakfast, determined to meet Nadjra when he heard the muffled her voice and apprehensive.
“Mongho, I need you. Come fast!”
Frightened and surprised, the wizard got up with a start, pushing down the bench he was sitting on. Everyone in the kitchen stopped their work and looked in his direction. Mongho raised his hand apologetically. Lifted the bench, he took the last piece of bread and hurried.
“What happened? Where are you?” he asked, chewing and running toward the bandstand.
“I’m in the field, near the Acacia forest. Babies are close be born.”
He paused for a moment, eyes wide, trying to swallow the bread caught in the throat. Desperate, walked from one side to the other, not knowing what to do. He shot towards Heian’s room, stopping abruptly when it occurred to him that the light of day, two people would be seen more easily than just one. Moreover, alone he could get faster where Nadjra was. He faltered when evaluating whether or not to inform Heian. He needed to know, but on the other hand, it would just let him nervous. So Mongho started running again, this time toward the bandstand.
Outside the castle, the afflicted figure slipped through the wall and went through the tents, wondering a spell to let him invisible, or rather to let him as fast as the wind. As he entered the woods, he ran as fast as he could, getting bathed in sweat to Acacia forest where Nadjra was lying. He was received with a slight smile. Nadjra could barely stand; Mongho then gently ran his hands under her body and carried her to the cave, which was very close.
Although he didn’t know anything about childbirth, heated water, as she asked, and stood beside her, waiting for any further order. He felt sweat fillets on his face and back. Even the soles of his feet perspired of distress.
Around noon, Nadjra cries became louder, mingling with the first child crying: a beautiful boy, Nadjra called Zargus. Mongho’s lips stretched from ear to ear while the baby settled and cleared, but something intrigued him: the boy was born with a sign on the left leg, magically tattooed skull-shaped. Hesitantly, Mongho touched the mark and felt a warm energy move through the fingers, rising to the hand and arm, burning his veins. Immediately withdrew his hand the brand, which made the feeling go away.
Mongho still looking the sign, thought that could have arisen at the time of transfer the powers of crystal ball to the skulls, when he felt Nadjra’s firm hand grab his arm. The second child was on the way. Minutes later, another was born crybaby, this time a girl. Nadjra gave her the name of Záyrha.
Mongho put the little whiny beside her brother and then handed the boy to his mother, who received him with tears of joy. He started cleaning Záyrha, looking for some sign, but found none. Then, when he opened the girl’s eyes, something subtle in her right eye caught his attention. At first the wizard thought she had been born blind, because the pupil was whitish. Then a thought occurred to him: that should be the mark of the skull. Mongho and Nadjra looked at each other worried, not knowing if the signal would damage her vision or not, or what it could mean. Only the time to answer them.
Past the tense moment, Mongho gave the impression that he was happier than the mother. He walked from one side to the other, euphoric, wanting to do several things at once. He was eager to go to the castle and break the news to Heian, but at the same time he didn’t want to get away from Nadjra and the babies. Finally, he sat on a rock and breathed repeatedly background, trying to calm down. Gradually, the image of mother with children reassured.
◆◆◆
Slowly the sun rose on the horizon. Mongho had made a stock of wood in a corner of the cave and fed the flames of the fire. Also, prepared soup for Nadjra’s breakfast, leaving it in the tray beside the bed, along with peeled fruit and chilled water. He kissed the forehead of children and the mother and went down the mountain. When he reached the castle, the kitchen servants have prepared the breakfast. He settled in one of the seats, waiting for a new batch of bread while waiting Heian wake. He was visibly happy, which was very rare at that time, so that aroused the curiosity of the cooks. When questioned about the reason for joy, he shrugged and said he had dawned in a good mood.
An hour later, the messenger came to Mongho’s room, saying that the king was having breakfast in his room. Mongho abandoned the books and was immediately there, quickly greeting the servants who found the way without stopping to talk. He knocked on the wooden door, waited a few seconds for an answer and hit again. Heian didn’t answer. The wizard then pushed the door and entered, leaving it half open. The windows were closed, only the remaining candle light burning on the table beside the almost empty tray of coffee. He approached slowly. In the middle silk and wool sheets, Heian sleep again.
He curved and called, almost whispering:
“Heian! Heian, wake up! I brought good news!” Heian just mumbled something and turned to the other side.
Mongho walked around the bed, grabbed him by the shoulder, shaking him, loud and firm.
“By the beards of ancient kings! Heian, wake up!”
Heian opened his eyes and jumped in bed.
“Good heavens, Mongho, are we being attacked?!”
“No. Who said that?”
“By the way you woke me up, I could only think the worst.”
“I have good news for everyone!”
“I hope they are very good.” Heian took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He looked away and picked up the last piece of bread. “I’m ready to hear them.” he said, chewing.
“The children are born. You are now a father!” Mongho said with great enthusiasm. Heian opened his eyes, stopped chewing and swallowed. Silence took over the room. Heian, the boy, had been in his past when he took the throne... Now, he was a father. He was close to tears, but he held back, and it was king Heian, the man, who responded:
“When were they born? What are they?”
“Yesterday, in the middle of the day. They are healthy, a girl and a boy.”
“Come with me, Mongho, I have to give this news to my wife.”
As they left the room, glancing saw a figure running, turning the hall. They were being watched. Mongho chased him down the long corridor lined by oak panels and frames, which led into the kitchen, coming across with several servants performing their tasks. The suspect is easily mixed with them. It could have been anyone, there was no way to identify him. On the way back, the wizard found Heian, who came to meet him.
“Managed to see who it was?”
“No, he went to the kitchen and there were too many employees.”
“Did he hear us?”
“I don’t know. We need to be more careful with what we say. I don’t trust anyone here.” Mongho looked once more around him, a horrible premonition taking care of his soul.
“Me neither. So, let’s go!” they followed to the queen’s room, with mor
e cautious, looking at the sides and back to make sure that this time, they weren’t being followed.
The Queen was awake and her maids helped her to dress behind the wooden screen. They entered and settled in the small two-seater sofa. Heian was always surprised by the pleasant sensations he felt when he entered his wife’s room. It was a peaceful and fragrant place. He would spend hours there, relaxing, if he could. As Driadh, the place smelled roses, depend on the season in which they were. Roses that she cultivated with great care.
The tall, dignified-looking woman came out from behind the screen, divinely beautiful, making her husband’s eyes shine love.
She wore a white dress, not too round, with long sleeves and a subtle cleavage. Her hair, long and black, was twisted under a bonnet of white muslin, whose edges were adorned with the colors of the family, red and green colors, they also present in the ruffled sleeves of her dress. She came smiling and Mongho held her hand, bending over to kiss her.
“Good morning, Your Majesty! You look radiant, as always!”
“Your eyes are always kind, my friend!”
“Good morning my love! You look more beautiful than yesterday!” He kissed her on the forehead, warmly.
“What brings you so soon in my room?” Something must have happened, because it wasn’t Heian shape appear so early in her room. His countenance overflowing happiness, though he tried to cover it up. She knew well her husband and guessed that the glow in his eyes wasn’t only to see her.
“We would like to be alone with the Queen” said the king with a gravelly voice. With a wave of the queen, her maids were dispensed. They bowed and left immediately.
“We brought good news!” Heian said.
“It must be good, I see how happy you are!” Heian approached Driadh and hugged her, whispering in her ear.
“The children were born and doing well!”
The queen, taken by surprise, pulled away.
“What is it, my queen?” he asked, taking her wrists in his hands. She forced a smile and hugged him. It was too late to repent; after all, the idea had been hers. She had made the right decision, she knew that; every day, it was more difficult to be sure of tomorrow. With this conviction, she was more relieved than she could admit to herself.
Mongho saw in her face the pain she felt, even trying to be discreet. Heian sought to take the room to give the Queen a chance to get used to the news.
“I would like to meet them!” Heian said, turning to Mongho, before leaving the room.
“I’ll let Nadjra know as soon as possible, we will see them.” He alternated his gaze between him and the queen.
◆◆◆
Nino was hidden among the garden shrubs. After making sure that had eluded his pursuers, he followed apace to the bandstand. He was afraid to break the news to Prince Sulco. He knew it was important, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be satisfied at all, and bore him, it wasn’t a good idea. He would have to choose his words carefully.
He felt along the damp corridor, which seemed darker than the last time. Luckily, there was no way he was lost because there was only one way out. Before leaving the passage, he made sure not to be seen by any soldier.
In the east wing, he identified himself to the guards in the meeting room, which left to inform prince Sulco of his arrival.
“Your Highness.” The soldier bowed, but Sulco didn’t bother to look him in the eyes. “Forgive me for interrupting you. The sentry who left following the wizard is back and want an audience.”
Sulco looked at Cerbus in front of him, closing the book they read.
“Send him in.”
The soldier hit twice the base of the spear on the floor. The sound was heard outside the room. Nino came quickly, immediately bowing. The soldier came out and closed the door behind him. Being in the presence of Sulco caused fear in anyone.
“Well, well! You’re still alive!” Sulco said scornfully. “I thought you had betrayed me, resolving to join the losers.”
“Never, Your Highness!” Nino stared at him for a moment, looking away then. “My return took longer than expected because the wizard visited all the neighboring kingdoms.”
“Visited, you say?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Did find out why?” muttered, drumming his fingers on the table.
“Yes, Your Highness. In each kingdom he visited, the wizard left a skull.”
“A skull? What gift is that?” Sulco snorted.
The guard swallowed hard and said,
“Everywhere the wizard was, employees said the same, sir. The skull was magic, it had the control of an element.”
“That idiot!” shouted Sulco, pounding the table. “He divided the power of the crystal ball and transferred to these skulls. Now I’ll have to take not only the castle, but go looking for them. God damn it!” Sulco got up and kicked the chair he was sitting, making it go a few feet before going against the ground. Nino swallowed. He had aroused Sulco’s anger and neither had reached the worst part. Sulco took a deep breath and sank down on the throne. With a hand gesture, reinforced dispensing to the soldier. “Leave”
“Your Highness! I bring more news.” Nino’s heart froze to imagine Sulco’s reaction.
“More?” Sulco snorted. “Then speak, man, and quickly. I have a lot to think about.”
“I managed to enter the castle with the wizard by a secret passage. Its entrance is in the forest and...”
“Then he made a pass.” He interrupted the soldier. “Say it”
“This morning, I heard a conversation between king Heian and Mongho. The wizard gave him the news that his son was born.”
“Son? How? You heard it wrong, the queen can’t...” Sulco let the sentence be lost in the air.
“That’s exactly what I heard, Your Highness! His son was born.”
“No! No! A thousand times no! That idiot got an heir with the permission of Queen?! Nooo!” Sulco jumped the throne. “Get out! Everyone out. Now!”
The sentry was already leaving when Sulco’s yell reached him.
“Not you, soldier.” The poor man trembled, feeling a chill down his spine. “Cerbus, Cerbus, where are you?”
“I’m here, Your Highness” said the man standing beside him.
“I won’t wait for everyone to starve” called Sulco, walking impatiently from one side to the other, making the wearer wind of his fury. “I’ll attack immediately the castle and kill everyone. Then take away all hopes of Heilland also killing this child!”
“I-It will be a big mistake, Your Highness!” stammered the guard, making Prince Sulco stop walking and look at him as if to devour him alive. Cerbus shook his head, as if foresaw man’s misfortune. Still, the guard continued. “Kill the child and it will become a martyr, and the ghost of king Heain will haunt you forever. Do you think they will respect a leader who fears a child so much to even kill him?” Sulco put his hand on sword hilt and lifted a few centimeters of the sheath, making Nino eye-popping. Then he stopped and looked at him thoughtfully. After long seconds that dragged, time during which Nino had held his breath, Sulco kept the gun, tearing Nino an impossible to avoid breath.
“At first, I thought about killing you, for your tongue being faster than you thought, but... maybe you’re right. Perhaps the child is more useful to me alive than dead.” He sat down again. “Show Cerbus the entrance of this passage and only come back before me when you know the child’s whereabouts.”
“Th-thank you, Your Highness!” The guard came out immediately, fearing that Sulco changed his mind and decided to kill him right there.
“Cerbus, track it, and then let the guards to prepare. today we will attack the castle at dusk!”
CHAPTER XVIII
Due to the sleepless night, king Heian woke up with a massive headache, eyes burning as if they were full of sand. He was happy, but the anxiety gnawing. He spent a hectic and almost sleepless night after creating a plan with Mongho to leave the castle and see the babies. This would happen in the
early afternoon, when Sulco’s troops were having lunch. There were several hours left, but it was impossible to ignore the nervousness.
For the half-closed window, he saw the sky change color and perked up when the morning light into the room. He got and massaged his neck, trying to ease the tension as he went to the window, opening it completely.
The sweet smell of the breeze coming from the mountains reached him. There was no sun and probably it wouldn’t come out the clouds, because there were so many gathered over the horizon. The treetops swayed at a frenetic pace and wildly, and he smiled to see a bunch of birds flying low, taking advantage of the wind swirl.
The few torches light up, near the gates, tremble with the wind. Heian noted pastors in heavy clothes lead the few herds out of the castle, where they had spent the night.
See the city of his ancestors, his and now their children be consumed by uncertainty saddened him deeply. Moreover, they feared that children become victims of hate and lust for power of his brother. It was almost impossible to believe that Sulco was capable of such atrocity against them. Would he being right, fathering an heir to Heilland? Would this be his truly concern? Or didn’t he feel ready to be a father, or king?
Heian was proud of his people. Despite the pressure, the villagers tried to move on with their closest normal lives and maintained order despite the difficulty in obtaining food. On some nights, they reopened the tavern and sang songs, looking to bring some joy to the place, although there were hardly drinks. It wasn’t served even water, because it was rationed, since the wells were getting muddy. Heian sighed heavily. Needed to believe he had done the right for himself and his people.
◆◆◆
The morning ran faster than Heian had expected. In the dining room, Heian rolled from side to side his lunch without even taste it. He had no appetite. Everyone noticed his uneasiness, including queen Driadh, who, knowing what was going on, didn’t ask questions.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 20
