ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (10 page)

‘Forgive me.’ Natalia said, momentarily forgetting her hunter and helping the man to his feet. He had fallen head first to the ground. He held his head and tried to steady himself.

‘Steinn, what happened?’ came the squeaky voice of a man running towards them with a lantern.

‘This creature attacked me.’ Steinn said, drawing his sword and jumping away from her.

‘No, I didn’t. It was an accident.’ Natalia said, raising her hands in placation. The other man had reached them. From the light, she noticed he was a lean freckled-faced lad shorter than Steinn.

‘Nonsense. You were ready to eat me if I didn’t defend myself.’ said Steinn, brandishing his sword at her but his sword hand trembled.

‘Eat you?! I tried to help you up.’

‘Maybe she’s a Pontianak.’ said the lad, shining the lantern in her face.

‘Ponti what?’ asked Natalia, shielding her eyes with her hand.

‘You know, one of those witches who want to take our virtue.’

‘Biorn, I thought that’s the one that starts with an ‘‘S’’.’ said Steinn.

‘You never know, she might be both.’

‘What’s happening here?’ said another man with a lantern, stomping towards them.

‘Viden, we found a creature.’ said Biorn.

‘We or me?’ Steinn said.

Viden shone his lantern in Natalia’s face.

‘Open your eyes.’ he said to her. She did. He examined them and checked her teeth. ‘She looks mortal.’ Natalia sighed in relief. He added, ‘But we can’t be sure. Tie her up.’

She tried to protest but they bound her hands, took her sword and her bag and led her to the fireplace. They sat her down against a log of wood. She glared at them but studied them. Viden looked much older than the other two. His dark hair was white at the temples but he looked fit and was dressed in the same military robes as the others. She suspected they were Naphdaelian guards. Viden stood before her in an authoritative air, arms akimbo and his feet wide apart. He said to her, ‘What is your name?’

She hesitated for a few moments, measuring him with her eyes, and said, ‘Sinerra.’

‘Where did you come from?’

‘From the village of Ashten.’

‘Never heard of it.’ Steinn said, helping himself to the leftover food in her bag.

‘There are many things you haven’t heard of, Steinn. I would suggest you don’t exhibit your hard-earned ignorance in the presence of our guest.’ Viden said, turning his attention back to her. ‘You look nice for a village girl. I bet we can make a large profit off you from the market.’

She didn’t answer. Her eyes were on Biorn and Steinn as one examined her sword while the other tore large chunks off a half-eaten loaf from her bag. A look of recognition passed through Biorn’s face as he handled her sword. Natalia felt her stomach swirl. She watched Biorn rise up and walk to Viden, interrupting his monologue about how terrible it is for a young girl alone in the forest. He whispered something in his ears. They went aside and discussed in low tones, casting glances at her and at the sword in Biorn’s hand. Natalia tested her bonds.
She had to escape
.

Viden took the sword from Biorn and walked back to her. ‘Sinerra, I and Biorn were admiring your sword. It was crafted in the most exquisite way, made for an heir—the heir to the kingdom of Helmford as we can see by the crest.’ He added, swerving her sword, ‘However, it intrigues us how it got into the hands of a village girl from Ashten. Ashten is in the opposite direction from where you’re coming from, which means you don’t know Naphdael well or you’re lying.’ He placed the sword at her throat. ‘So tell us, Sinerra--if that is truly your name--who are you? We may decide to spare you.’

Despite her racing heart, Natalia kept her defiant air. She looked into his eyes and said, ‘You don’t intimidate me.’

Viden removed the blade from her neck and walked around the flames, maneuvering the sword. The fire cackled, filling the silence. Steinn busied himself searching her bag for more food while he chewed on her last morsel of bread. Biorn nudged him to keep still. He stopped and scratched his head, looking blankly around. Viden broke the silence, ‘I remember a long time ago when I was a young soldier in the army, a bearer of a blade such as this one plunged his sword into my chest and almost killed me. That war left scars that will never heal--’

‘If you fear scars then you shouldn’t be a soldier--’

‘I’m not finished.’ he said. ‘Men who carried these swords, men of Helmford, killed my two brothers on that same day. My ailing father died that night upon hearing the news. I lost everything. I wished death had claimed my life as well.’ His voice broke as he gazed into a distance, the pain visible on his face like a dark mask. His men were quiet, observing him.

Natalia tested her bonds again. She had a growing awareness of the danger she was in. She took a deep breath and said, ‘I’m sorry for your loss but you shouldn’t judge an entire people for the actions of a few--’

Viden seized her neck and placed the blade on her throat. His eyes glazed with madness as he said, ‘It was your people that killed them. You and your people should be blamed for our suffering.’

‘We have suffered as well. Your king killed our king. But the time of peace is upon us, the era of war is ending.’

He slapped her across the mouth. ‘Silence. It won’t end till we get justice and we’ll start with you.’ He pushed the blade further. ‘Who are you really? And why have you come here?’

Natalia shook with rage as she tasted her blood in her mouth. ‘I would die first before I tell you anything.’

‘We see eye to eye. I would rather have you die.’

‘Then kill me and let all the fame of you catching a Helmford spy die with me, or haven’t you waited so long for this moment when you can be honored by the king?’

‘You lie!’

‘How would you know? Your mind is poisoned with vengeance. You wouldn’t even see a prospect even if it lay on the floor tied down by your men.’ Natalia said, before the voice in her head could stop her.

He raised the sword. ‘The only prospect I see is your death.’ Natalia closed her eyes, waiting for the sword to strike.

‘Viden, no!’

Natalia opened her eyes. Biorn held Viden’s arm to prevent him from striking.

‘How dare you?’

‘Forgive me, Commander, but we need her.’ Biorn said, not letting go of him. ‘If we are to advance in our ranks--when I say “we” I mean “you” of course, Commander–-you must show the king that you’ve done something to protect the kingdom. Everyone knows the king loathes even the mention of Helmford. We could use that and her’ he said, pointing to Natalia, ‘to our advantage. With the sword, we have proof that she’s a spy.’

‘Don’t forget her sharp tongue. That would be more than enough to get her hanged.’ Steinn said. Natalia glowered at him but kept quiet knowing it was a crucial moment for her.

‘Thank you, Steinn--as I was saying, when we prove that she’s a spy, she would be handled accordingly and we would be honored by the king-–when I say “we”, I mean “you” of course--but we have to keep her alive if this must be so.’

‘What is the need to have her alive? Even in death, her sword still speaks against her.’ Viden said. He had calmed down but his eyes still held his anger.

‘You know the king wouldn’t give us audience unless she’s alive. There wouldn’t be enough proof to hold our claim.’

Viden’s heaved a sigh and Biorn let go of him. He looked at the blade and chuckled, then turned to Natalia, ‘You will die, but not tonight.’

Natalia retained her arrogance but she sighed in relief. Viden turned to his men. ‘If we are to go before the king in the morning, then we’ll go with enough proof. Steinn, search her bag.’

‘There’s nothing in it but trinkets and a bit of gold.’

‘Throw the bag to me.’

Steinn threw it and Viden emptied everything on the ground. Natalia watched him in bemusement, unsure of what he would find. He picked each item and examined them carefully then cast them aside. His frustration grew as everything he looked at didn’t hold any importance to his case.

‘Did you find anything else?’ Biorn asked, as he warmed his hands over the fire.

‘Nothing.’ Viden said, throwing the bag aside. ‘Just a map of Calderon--even the gold isn’t crested.’

‘Better for the spending.’ said Steinn, snorting. Viden’s glare silenced him.

Biorn quickly added, ‘We can make do with the sword.’

Viden’s expression softened. ‘Yes, we can.’ he said and yawned. ‘Sleep is like the nagging wife I must bear daily. We move to Naphdael at first light. Biorn, you’ll take the first watch. If she escapes, I’ll have your head.’

‘Why do I have to take the first watch?’

‘You brought the idea of keeping her alive, so you must bear the responsibility. Remember, she mustn’t escape.’

‘Yes, Viden.’

The others went to sleep not too far from the fire while Biorn stationed himself opposite her, with a sword by his side. He battled with sleep as time passed. Natalia used the opportunity to rub the ropes against the sharp edges of the log she leaned on. It blistered her but she was determined to escape.

There was a restlessness in the forest. Natalia heard unusual movements around her. The memory of her chaser returned and fear crept back in her heart. She had almost broken her bonds but she didn’t want Biorn asleep.

‘Biorn.’ she said.

‘Yes, what is it?’ he asked, waking up with a start.

‘What are your ranks in the Naphdaelian army?’

‘We are sentinels.’ he said proudly.

‘What does that mean?’ She knew what it meant but she wanted him to keep talking.

He gaped at her and said, ‘It means we are a select few that protect the city walls against spies or creatures like you.’

‘Oh…so that’s your duty. You’re doing well--I’ve been caught.’ she said.

They heard a roar mingled with other sounds from the darkness of the forest. Biorn jumped, circling around with his sword at the ready.

‘What was that?’ she asked.

‘I’m not sure.’ he said.

The roar came again, louder than before, waking the others.

‘Biorn, what is that?’ Viden said, getting up, his eyes darting from side to side.

‘I think it’s the
creature
.’ he whispered.

Viden and Steinn nodded and drew their swords.

‘What creature? I’m innocent.’ Natalia said.

There was a third roar, this time closer. Natalia felt her hairs stand. She knew the creature was in the bushes close by, watching them. She feverishly worked to loosen her bonds not caring if they noticed.

‘Stop that or else—’ Viden said, matching towards her.

A huge beast jumped out of the bushes beside her and mauled him to the ground. It had a lion’s body, with a black goat’s head protruding from its back and a black snake for a tail. It pushed Viden into the flames of the fire place and clawed his face with Viden screaming. His men ran for their lives. It chased them, letting out another angry roar. Viden lay on the ashes in a bloody mess, either unconscious or dead. Natalia broke free of her bonds and dashed to where her things were. She flung her things into her bag and searched for her sword. The goat head on the back of the creature cried out. It had seen her. The creature turned around and ran towards her. She abandoned her search and ran.

She was fast but the creature was gaining ground. Dawn was approaching, but its dim light couldn’t prevent her from stumbling several times. She missed her footing and fell down a slope, landing on her back. Below her was a steep fall down to sharp-looking rocks and then a field-sized strip of grass that led to the water-filled moat that surrounded the gigantic stone walls of Naphdael. She was trapped. She tried to get up but she couldn’t. She had sprained her ankle and she knew she wouldn’t survive if she threw herself down.

The creature raced down to her. She picked up her bag and hit it in the face. It roared at her, exposing its fangs and its snake tail bit her sprained ankle. She cried out in pain and clasped her talisman. She closed her eyes and released it, hoping death would come swiftly or she be spared. There was a long pause. She could sense the creature hovering over her, breathing down her face. It withdrew. She opened her eyes. The lion’s face was inches away from her own but it no longer had a menacing look. It looked sadly at the talisman, then at her. Natalia stared into its eyes. They were misty and forlorn. With a paw, it touched the talisman on her chest. Then it turned around and licked the bite on her ankle. Natalia watched it in fright but she felt the pain ease from the bite. Numbness spread from her feet up to the rest of her body and her eyes grew heavy. The creature climbed back up the slope and roared but it sounded like a heartrending wail.

The last thing Natalia remembered was looking at the sunrise. She closed her eyes and finally let herself sleep.

‘Help me please.’ Fanndis said, as she hung onto Kalani’s hands to prevent herself from falling into a raging river. Kalani was in a tower, trying to pull her in but Fanndis’ hands were slippery.

Dust and debris fell around them. The tower was collapsing, being pulled apart by the waves from the river. The currents were rising higher, about to hit the tower and below them was a black hole ready to consume anything that fell. Fanndis’ face was contorted in fear.

‘Help me.’ she said. Tears fell from her eyes.

The current hit the tower and Fanndis fell into the hole. Kalani cried, ‘No.’

Kalani woke up, panting. Her body had broken out in cold sweat. The tent was pitch-black. Fanndis was in bed, crying, ‘No, leave me alone.’ She was having a nightmare as well.

Kalani rushed to her side and tapped her arm. Her skin was cold. Kalani put the latter’s hands between hers and rubbed them.

‘Fanndis, wake up. It’s only a nightmare.’

Fanndis opened her eyes. ‘Kalani.’ she said as she wheezed and trembled.

Kalani covered her with her blanket and held her close. ‘I’m here. There’s nothing to fear. It was only a dream.’

Fanndis pulled away from her. ‘No, it was real. I can still see their faces—their eyes--’

‘What happened? I could hear your cries from my tent.’ Amse said, coming into the tent with a lantern. He was dressed in a long white kaftan, his clothing at all times of the day.

‘She had a nightmare.’ Kalani said.

He stooped as he walked in due to the lowness of the tent roof. He stroked his beard and dropped the lantern by the foot of her bed.

‘My sunflower,’ he said, leaning towards her, ‘so a mare came visiting tonight.’

‘No!’ said Fanndis. ‘I wasn’t dreaming. It was real--I saw them.’ She was close to tears. She hugged her knees and rested her chin on them.

He tut-tutted. ‘You saw who?’ he said, sitting by her bed just beside Kalani.

‘Women--six of them. One of them carried a red scepter.’

Amse flinched and clenched his hands together, placing them on his lips. He grimaced and said, ‘Describe them.’

Kalani looked at him in surprise, noticing the change in his tone.

‘They were dressed in grey and their eyes…were like fire, burning into mine.’

Amse’s swallowed and cleared his throat. ‘What did they say?’

‘They said I shouldn’t venture into Halldorr or I would die on the way—that I should have died a long time ago.’ She burst into tears.

‘Fanndis, it was only a dream.’ Kalani said, leaning closer to push her hair back.

Fanndis withdrew from her touch. ‘No. I can feel what they did. It burns.’

‘What did they do?’ Amse said.

‘One of them burned a mark into my arm.’ She raised one of her sleeves to show a red heptagonal seal. ‘She said I should give you this message.’

Amse traced the burn with his fingers. Fanndis trembled and lay back. ‘It’s cold--so cold. Amse, please don’t take me there.’

Amse said to Kalani as she covered her with a blanket, ‘Calm her down and keep her warm. I should have something in my tent that could help. I’ll keep the lantern here when I return.’ Amse stroked Fanndis’ forehead and left the tent with his lantern.

‘Amse.’ Kalani said, following him out.

‘Yes.’ he said, without turning around.

She folded her arms. ‘Are we still going to Halldorr?’

‘Yes.’

She blurted out, ‘But they threatened to kill her. Doesn’t that mean something to you?’

‘It means they’re afraid.’ he said, walking back to her. ‘If they are so powerful, they could have easily killed her in her sleep. Threats are easier made than done.’

‘It’s not safe for her and you know it.’

‘If we don’t go, it won’t be safe for all of us. You must trust me on this.’ he said, turning towards his tent.

She nodded her head. ‘But if anything happens to her,’ she said, making him stop in his tracks, ‘I’ll never forgive you.’ He turned around but she had gone back in. He took a deep breath, sucking in the cold dry air. His hands trembled--sharp needle-like pains coursed through his body. The lantern fell to the ground. He raised his hands up to his face. The veins on the back of his hands surged as blood left them. Nausea overpowered him. He bowed over and vomited blood, some splattering on his white clothing. Even when he was done, he remained bent, retching. The nausea passed, leaving him light-headed. The wind whistled around him, carrying haunting whispers.

Even if it costs you your life?

Yes
, he said to himself, ‘even till death.’ He closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. His body was weakened but his spirit remained unbroken. With it, he found the strength to rise. He picked up the lantern and trudged back to his tent.