Mongho got up and held out his arms to deliver the objects to prince Sulco, who grunted with pleasure.
So, things happen very fast. Before even of the usurper taking the first steps toward him, the wizard moved his lips in a series of whispered words, and before the bewildered eyes of all, he disappeared. Sulco looked with horror at the empty space in front him. He had fallen into a trap and been humiliated in front of his subordinates. Taken with fury at being made a fool, in a frenzy of hatred, Sulco played fiercely sword on the ground and shouted:
“DAMN YOU!” The word was shouted violently and the closest men slip back. They knew very well the fate of those who stayed close. “I want you to find him right away, dead or alive!”
“Sir, he could be anywhere! Where should we look for it?” ventured to ask the officer in charge. He was sweating a lot while facing Sulco. He was a tough man, almost thirty years old with battle scars on his face.
Sulco clenched his teeth at the comment and laughed darkly. He stepped forward and punched the officer’s jaw, so that he stumbled, caught by surprise. But after regaining his balance, he turned and gave orders to his men.
“Go chase him! No matter how you will do it, just find him!” The soldiers came in fired amid the general panic. The officer withdrew then rubbing his jaw.
◆◆◆
Mongho appeared shaky and breathless in the woods. He had never used a spell like that before, so powerful that made him disappear from one place and appear in another. He tried to catch his breath to be able to clearly think about what he would make from there. But he was lost, surrounded by loneliness and the horrifying thoughts of the massacre, with desperate voices echoing endlessly in his head. The cruel death of his friends haunted him. Then he felt a tear roll, followed by another and another. Lives stolen by future mad king, blinded by hatred, greed. Lives cut short on a whim, for nothing. Over his pain, now outweighed anxiety that twisted his gut. Nadjra!, he thought. He shuddered and pushed all other thoughts. If he kept thinking of more lives lost, waiting for him to madness. He needed to find Nadjra.
The storm had given a truce, and darkness was beginning to embrace the forest. A flock of birds soared flight, catching Mongho’s attention of to several small groups of soldiers up the mountain, carrying torches. They were looking for him, he was sure. And it was certain that Sulco was cursing somewhere down there.
Although, he was tired and sore, he ventured to again use the power of the Crystal Skull. He metalized the place where he wanted to appear, the cave where Nadjra was, and invoked the spell of displacement. His legs buckled and he, without air, sat down in the middle of dry leaves, twigs and undergrowth. He had arisen a few meters from the cave entrance. It would be better if he had managed to get inside it, because he was exhausted, with sore and stiff muscles. He made sure he didn’t lose the Book of Mages and stood up, using a tree trunk for support. He walked with difficulty to the cave and cared to see that the branches that covered the entrance had been removed. He hid and remained silent, but heard nothing beyond his breath. He got in, fearing the worst and prepared to fight, if he needed, although he knew, he didn’t have the strength to lift a sword.
The place where Nadjra had camped was dark, but the burnt wood smell was still in the air. Mongho turned his wrist and gave rise a small fireball that left him disappointed; however, it was enough to lighten. The place was empty and he sighed with relief because no bodies. He searched for footprints. There was no trace of soldiers, he noted. I hope they’re were well, he thought. It was then that he realized he had nowhere else to go. He had lost his family, his friends and his home.
He crawled out and looked for a safe corner to spend the night. It wouldn’t take much for the soldiers find that place.
◆◆◆
The darkness had taken over the whole forest and although Mongho was extremely tired, he couldn’t sleep. He didn’t have to close his eyes to be terrified by the recent images. The best place he found to hide was in the canopy of a tree. He knew that the chance of someone look up was minimal and even if they did, he would be protected by branches and leaves. The wait made him even more anxious, although he didn’t know what to do. Knowing how close the enemy was, it was a disturbing experience, but not see them, knowing they were there somewhere, it was even worse.
Two hours passed. The silence became claustrophobic, increasing the darkness of pressure on him. Then his wait was finally over. He heard screams and saw flickering lights in the distance. The first torches approached, he heard more screaming and dozens of torches quickly emerged. All followed into the cave. As thought, Sulco already knew about the children. About ten soldiers entered while the others waited outside. Minutes later, the group returned and then everyone scattered nearby. Two of them passed under Mongho and, as he had predicted, they didn’t look up. They continued searching for a long time, until a trumpet sounded and all gathered down the mountain.
◆◆◆
Mongho saw when the day began to clear. The fog, which had formed overnight, moved slowly. The wizard looked at the gray sky, in which the wind pushed and spread swiftly solid clouds. If it continued so probably it wouldn’t rain.
He came down from the tree and stretched his aching muscles. His belly has issued a hunger snoring, but he ignored the signal. An idea occurred to him and although it was risky, he had nothing else to do. And so, he went down the mountain, cautiously, because there might be some belated soldier. Now he could no longer rely on darkness to hide.
The camp remained outside the castle and Mongho approached cautiously, watching the movement of soldiers near a makeshift dais. On it, a figure dressed in battle armor walked from one side to the other, making gestures with his sword as if faced an invisible enemy. On that moment, Mongho saw Heian’s soldiers taken by hostage, huddled in iron cages. The temptation to release them was great. The wizard assessed the situation and found that it would be unwise to attempt the feat, although there were only two guards watching the cages. He hadn’t yet recovered his strength. He then moved toward the podium, to hear what the man would say. At the end of his words, the soldiers shouted in celebration and scattered, going to undo the camp. They were starting to the east.
◆◆◆
After four exhausted days following Sulco’s army, Mongho reached the border that limited the kingdoms of Heilland, Hurgans and Drudgers. The army continued to advance eastward, toward the Drudgres’ castle. This heavy rhythm of walking, reach the castle in two weeks.
They passed another village, Muelejo, and what happened to it wasn’t very different from the others: soldiers brutalizing villagers, torturing the leaders in an attempt to know about the whereabouts of the witch and the child, to then burn the houses spread bodies through the streets and loot what they found.
Mongho found a small stable that hadn’t been burned down, and he was happy to laid his tired body in the hay mattress. The recent manure smell rose to his nostrils, canceling the smell of blood. An hour of rest was all he needed.
The image of Nadjra came like a thunderbolt in his memory, leaving him restless. He had to find her and the children before Sulco. Nadjra was always been able to take care of herself, but now, she had two children to protect. It was a lot of responsibility for a woman... so fragile?
It was a closed and rare book, stored on top of a shelf, and yet... It was what he most wanted to read.
I love you!, cried his heart to Nadjra. He had found and lost the woman of his life again.
His eyes widened when he heard the echo of footsteps and voices outside. Noiselessly crawled carefully and climbed into one of the hay wagons. Why did the soldiers returned? He questioned.
He tried to reassure his breath and remained motionless for what seemed like an eternity. Four soldiers, he counted. They entered and searched the place lazily. As they found nothing to denounce the presence of someone there, they left their weapons on the floor and two of them played in the hay, getting comfortable. Mongho noticed the weariness in their faces
.
He was attentive to the conversation of other men, hoping to hear some information about where they were going or about Nadjra, but they didn’t say anything important. The men got up, collected their weapons, threw them on a cartload and pulled out. Fortunately, for Mongho, his cartload was at the bottom, with others in front of him.
He lay for a while, waiting to see if they would return. As he heard no more movement, he sighed with relief and went down, knocked the dust from clothes and went after them. The rest would be for another time.
◆◆◆
More villages emerged along the path. Some were deserted, with its residents fleeing to learn that their neighbors had been decimated.
After Sulco’s army pass through, what remained of the villages was only a shadow of something almost lifeless, mixed with sadness and despair. Powerless to such force, only left to Mongho observed while they sacked and killed. And when it was convenient, they exchanged dying hostages by other healthier.
As they approached the Drudgers’ castle, the army of Kchaos king, Driadh’s father, awaited them. Mongho knew the Drudgers had no chance against them, though to crash a defensive battle against the invaders. Besides being fewer in number, they weren’t prepared as well.
In the early hours of battle, the attacks were repelled. There were heavy losses in Prince Sulco’s army, when a hail sent by catapults has hit the first line of attack. Mongho smirked. When the army retreated, Mongho wrinkled his worried frown. He knew Sulco would never give up take the castle; just changed his strategy. In the evening, the troops stopped moving and settled the camp in a safe ground, out of reach of catapults. Their tents formed a single low and green block in the center of which the fires were sending columns of smoke into the sky. They were outside, they had water at ease and could hunt. Simply expect that hunger, injuries and despair consume the beleaguered people. They were using the same strategy from Heilland.
Occasionally, a catapult threw stones, which didn’t reach anywhere near the tents. Mongho considered the idea to infiltrate the castle and began to move through the trees, but stopped when faced with the hidden army in front of training. Contrary to what seemed, they weren’t in tents. The way they had been deceived mounted the opponent into thinking they were camped. Mongho then saw that the fires were maintained by a small group of guards who were moving around them. Their shadows projected in the distance and kept the scam while the main army kept attacking position, waiting for a gap to invade. It didn’t take long.
On the third day, the front line noticed a movement in the main gate; they raised the alarm and they attacked, clashing head-on with the Drudgers army, destroying their defenses in a bloody battle, fought by knights fighting with swords no longer as shiny.
By the time the gates gave way and the invading army occupied the city, Sulco came close behind. Mongho looked through the vegetation. His heart was pounding with savage force, revenge thirsty. He wanted to attack and fight, he wanted to see that usurper causing so much misery subjected to its own laws. But Sulco wasn’t alone. A group of twenty soldiers rode by his side, and all followed him to the castle. Mongho went through the gate behind them and slipped the confusion of people running, screaming, fighting, being killed.
He saw Sulco’s soldiers battle in the castle stairs and easily cast down the guards who protected it. The giant door opened and Sulco got in. He was quick to return. On one hand, he brought the stone skull; in the other, the king’s head. He lifted it laughing, his men cheered and he threw the head down the stairs. Mongho clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in anger.
Kchaos was the second fair and peaceful king dying by the merciless hands of Sulco.
CHAPTER XX
Sulco went downstairs and started walking through the village, enjoying the destruction. Mongho was right behind him, keeping distance, with a racing heart, waiting for the opportunity to attack him. Now Sulco had one skull and when he learned how to use its power, it would be more dangerous than he already was.
The village was completely taken by the invading army. Groups of soldiers searched the houses looking for children under one year old with no sign that could identify the heir. After they left, set fire at everything.
Suddenly, a woman ran out of one of the houses on fire, catching Mongho’s attention. She ran to Sulco, screaming and falling to her knees at his feet.
“Help me! My son! My son is hurt!”
Sulco looked at the sergeant at his side, who went to the woman and grabbed her by the hair, dragging her. She squirmed, trying desperately to get loose from his hands.
“Help me!”
“Make her shut up!” ordered Sulco. The sergeant let the woman go and ran his sword down her throat.
Mongho lowered his head, feeling his blood boil. His attention was diverted to a beautiful young woman who tried to escape three soldiers who surrounded her. One of them managed to hold her and took her with violence to the rubble of a house.
“Leave me alone!” she screamed and cried. Thereafter, the three left fixing their clothes and laughing satisfied.
Later, a man appeared holding a book while talking to everyone and anyone. Mongho realized that he was a priest, judging by the remains of clothes he wore. He sang before a congregation in despair, while behind him the temple was consumed by fire.
“Vi kolerigis la kolero de Dio kaj estos forbruligitaj per la fajro de la inf...”[75] Before he could complete his litany, an arrow hit his accurate left eye, across the skull. It swung back and forth, then hung his body from time forward, falling and further deepening the arrow.
Mongho startled with the feeling of having seen that scene. He got away from Sulco, moving more toward the two soldiers who were walking to a hovel. The first man kicked and opened the door, breaking the frame. The second man came behind and the thud of falling objects and being broken reached the ears of Mongho. Then, the interior was silent. A risk of smoke began to come out of the thatched roof, in minutes, it was consumed by fire. The men came out carrying a baby and went toward the prince.
“Is there anyone else in there?” Mongho heard Sulco ask.
“A woman and a girl, Your Highness, which will soon be living in hell.” Mongho felt his blood run cold.
Prince Sulco took the baby and watched carefully, turning it from one side to the other. Removed all his clothes and his eyes widened when he saw a spot on his leg. Satisfied, he walked away with him in his arms. It took about five steps toward the exit of the village and raised it over his head, as if to secure a victory trophy. The troop, to see that he was already with the child he was looking for, they retreated, killing whoever was in their way.
A pungent nostalgic involved Mongho like a soap bubble, attenuating the honking relief. Zargus was now in the possession of Prince Sulco and who knows what are his plans for the child. Mongho felt helpless. He couldn’t fight him and survive. Right now, he hated himself for being so weak. He covered his face with the hood and again became involved in the chaos, running to the hut on fire. Inside, soft gray flakes falling from the air, it was as hot as the air in a burning forge. Mongho saw a small makeshift bed made of crate on the table, covered his nose with the sleeve of his dress and went quickly. He was relieved to see that the small Záyrha was okay, flicking up and smiling to see him.
“It’s okay now, my girl!” The instant he caught her, felt a hand grab his heel. Frightened, he jumped back.
“I beg you, don’t hurt my daughter!” begged a muffled voice. “Do what you want with me, but don’t hurt her!”
“Nadjra, calm down! It’s me, Mongho!”
“Oh, God!” Her eyes filled with tears. Hear that name again seemed to revive what little remained of her strength. Seriously injured, Nadjra was lying under the table. Mongho crouched and helped her to her feet.
“Put your arm on my shoulder” he asked. “Great! Now let’s get out of here.”
They walked stumbling and coughing as far as Nadjra could. Mongho settled her sitting under a tree, and n
ow in the light, he was startled to see her face blanched how much she wasn’t well. The huge blood stain on her clothes, on her belly, one could get an idea of wound size. Mongho frowned, worried.
“M-my daughter!” she whispered, trying to lift her arms.
“She’s fine.” He handed the girl. “I’ll make a bandage to stop the bleeding until we find a healer.” His voice sounded shaky. His hands trembled also to begin ripping a strip of her dress.
“Stop! Don’t do it.” Nadjra put her hand over his. “It’s useless, Mongho. I won’t survive.”
“Don’t say bullshits. I won’t lose anyone else I love.”
Nadjra, even with all the pain, smiled, though her vision was blurred by tears that welled.
“Glad to hear those words, even if it isn’t a good time.”
“You’re not helping” scolded Mongho. “Let’s get out of here together and we’ll go home.”
“Home? What home, Mongho?”
“The one we will build in a quiet place, after we catch Zargus and kill Sulco.”
“Those are good dreams... I regret not being part of them. I ask you only to take care of my girl like she was our daughter.”
“Don’t say that, Nadjra. You will help me raise her. She will be a beautiful girl like her mother, and govern wisely, if that’s her destiny.” Tears began to flow again on Nadjra’s face. She seemed not to notice and didn’t try to dry them. Just stared silently at Mongho as images of what could have been her life flooded her mind. When she spoke again, her voice was barely audible, as if blades were stuck in her throat.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 22
