“How did he read the book, if he isn’t a wizard? I took me so long to learn!”
“Cerbus translated for him. Cerbus is the bastard son of a wizard, so he’s able to translate, but he doesn’t have the gift of developing the magic. Prince Sulco only succeeded because of the talisman.”
“The herbs that you sent the prince Sulco, were they what poisoned queen Driadh?”
“Yes”
“How?”
“They’re very powerful herbs, grown for centuries for us witches. When the leaves are withered, and processed pounded into powder, they are able to kill the fruit and make sterile anyone who aspirate the powder.”
“You know what are prince Sulco’s plans?”
“But isn’t it clear? You don’t have to guess to know. He wants to dominate Heilland and other kingdoms.”
“Yes. You’re right. For now, I have no more questions. Thanks for helping me!”
“I told you, I don’t help anyone. I have my own interests. This war of yours isn’t my problem. Now fulfills its part of the agreement. Then get out and don’t come back. You only bring me trouble.”
Shaking his head, he took, carefully, the picture and put it on the stool where he had been sitting, resting it on the table.
“Stay here, please!” He pointed to the left side of the frame. She raised as fast as her age allowed and stood in the appropriate place. Then Mongho closed his eyes and remained concentrated in silence. Sweat became visible to drip all over his face. Several minutes passed as he whispered words, making her feel spasms throughout her body. He began to feel his legs shaking and aching body, and even with his energy fading, he remained firm. When he opened his eyes after finishing the spell, he saw the transformation was almost complete. The table absorbing the shape of the old witch, while the woman returned youth and beauty stamped in the picture. How beautiful!, he thought, with an expression of joy and a deep relief of his spell has worked.
His eyes began to flicker and waver legs, making Mongho oscillate. She held him and helped him to sit on the stool.
“Are you alright? I’ll get you water!”
“No need, I’m fine. I just need some time.” He took a deep breath. Still, she walked unsteadily from side to side, collecting a glass and filling with fresh water.
“Take it. You’ll feel better.” She took the liquid to his mouth. The wizard drank it, feeling really better. He looked at her for a moment. It was strange and comforting recognize the bond that united them, a twin spirit. When the witch’s flaming eyes crossed with the wizard, a painful longing came upon him, and Mongho retreated. He got up, he took the box with the pages and left, laughing at the witch’s raucous laughter she gave while breaking the frame.
“My name is Nadjra” she screamed from inside the hut.
“I know” said the wizard, to himself.
◆◆◆
A full moon hung in the sky, hidden by layers of clouds, emerging occasionally to shine with magnitude. Night had fallen fast, although Mongho had arrived at the castle before dark. He hadn’t see Heian yet, as he agreed hours earlier. He was tired, but that was no excuse. He wanted to gain time to think about how to begin the conversation to convince him to have a child with another woman. To his surprise, Heian knocked on his door.
“I was just leaving to find you, Heian” lied Mongho.
“I saw that you returned some time ago, but you didn’t come to me. I was worried, so I came here. Did something happen?”
“No and yes.” Heian looked confused. “Come in, please. I apologize for my delay. I was thinking of how to start this conversation.”
“Conversation? What are we talking about? What’s going on, Mongho? Are you hiding something?”
“A few hours ago, as you know, me and Driadh Queen met...”
“Of course I know because I told you to talk to her.”
“Well, she wanted to talk about you.”
“About me?!” Heian frowned curiously. He pulled the chair against the table and sat down.
“In fact, she wanted to ask me a favor. She loves you very much, Heian!” Mongho pulled the other chair and sat next to him.
“I know that, I never doubted, and I love her too. You’re scarring me. I don’t know where you’re going with this conversation.”
“I said I didn’t know how to start.” The wizard smiled, trying to cover up his nervousness. Drank the remaining water that was left in the glass and sighed deep. “Come on... The Queen gave me a task of finding a young healthy woman for you to generate an heir to the kingdom.”
“What?!” Heian, amazed, abruptly rose from his chair, causing it to fall back. He squinted and cocked his head to the side as if he hadn’t got it right, and began to walk from one side to the other.
“We live in uncertain times. The mountain, which was previously fixed and solid, now runs the risk of collapsing. We have to adapt to survive. As wife and queen, she knows the duties she owes to the kingdom, and she can’t give you an heir, she leaves you free, so you can have a child with another woman.”
“What are you saying?” Heian suddenly stopped and approached Mongho, who was still sitting. Then he laughed scornfully. “Were you two infected by Sulco’s madness? I would never do something like that!”
“I told the queen that you wouldn’t easily agree!”
“I would never agree with this! I love my wife and I won’t betray her.” He turned to walk from one side to the other, quite changed.
“Heian, listen to me, please!” Mongho got up and began to walk with him. “I know you’re nervous now, but please think. It must be hard to hear, but imagine the situation of the queen to ask me to convince you to have a child with another. She just wants to help! At the beginning, I also didn’t agree, but after thinking, I think a sensible idea. You know how much an heir is important to the kingdom and for all of us. Imagine when Sulco knows that you have a son!” Heian decreased the speed with which he walked, his face showing conflicting emotions. “Everything for what he fought will fall down the drain, and the people shall not have died in vain. He will never counting on it. At least say you’ll think about the possibility...”
“I need to talk to her!” Heian exclaimed, coming out suddenly. Ignoring Mongho, followed in quick steps through the halls. When he reached queen Driadh’s room, entered unannounced, something that wasn’t in his nature.
“I need to talk with my wife. Alone. Please, all of you, leave!” he ordered. Driadh embroidered with two maids, seeing the anxiety of the king, they withdrew frightened, closing the door behind them.
“I see that Mongho told you the brilliant idea I had!” she said, putting the embroidery on the chair.
“Brilliant? That’s why I’m here. Where did you get this crazy idea? Who do you think I am?” Enraged, he held the Queen tightly by her arms.
“Let me go, Heian, please!” she asked, looking him deeply. He released her and walked away. “You’re not thinking like a king, you’re thinking only of you. Stop and think about it! What can we really do to stop Sulco from getting the throne? Nothing! How long will we leave all the responsibility to save the kingdom on Mongho’s shoulders? Sulco is using all the resources he have available, and he will use everything else he finds. If he break into the castle and kill us, there will be nothing to do for the kingdom.” She paused to catch her breath. “I know you’ve been caught by surprise, but try to think, leaving your pride aside.” Quietly, she approached him and held his hands. There was great tenderness in her gaze. “Sulco isn’t counting on the possibility that you have an heir, Heian, that’s our only chance to guarantee a future to this kingdom.”
“I don’t know, I don’t know!” Restless, Heian dropped his hands and sat down in the chair. Driadh sat beside him, and held his hand again. She gave him a sharp look.
“Maybe, I’m asking too much of you, sorry about that. I didn’t want things to happen that way, but... Mongho took charge of searching for a young healthy woman, discreet and reliable to generat
e your child. The child will be in her care, but under our supervision, until the day he will take the throne.”
Heian was now silent, thoughtful. He let his shoulders fall and leaned against the chair. The words cut through his soul like sharp knives, but it made sense: Sulco wouldn’t be counting on that possibility. He looked at the queen before him, who wouldn’t stop talking, perhaps she was nervous or excited. She frowned and raised her voice a little. It was enough.
“Enough! I understood.” and he hugged her tight. So they remained for some time a feeling the other’s heart beat wildly. “Do you want me to do that?” He looked straight into her eyes.
“If this is the only chance we have to defeat Sulco, so, yes, I do.”
Heian realized that there was no other option. The king raised his bleary eyes and saw Mongho approaching the half open door of the room. He got up slowly and walked toward him, stopping at his side long enough to say:
“I don’t want to, but... If it’s the desire of my wife, I will do it.”
Mongho continued in the doorway looking at Heian then with his head down, he looked at the hall; then he looked away to the queen in her room, crying. Then he left.
CHAPTER XIII
The sun flared over the horizon, coloring it as a giant golden yolk. Some guards were dozing flat on their halberds when Mongho past them, crossing the castle gates towards the village. He could have taken the underground path that would direct to the forest, but he preferred to go through the village, to see how things were there.
The few traders rode their stalls, although the day hadn’t started at all. Most trade remained with doors and windows closed since the division made by Sulco.
Mongho surreptitiously crossed the streets, choosing secondary roads. He came at last to a deserted lane that was ending in the wall. He spent carefully for its barrier, avoiding being seen from both sides, running at full speed toward the forest. When he stopped, he felt as if his heart would burst in his chest. He was about to hit the road towards Nadjra’s house when he heard voices and footsteps breaking dry twigs and leaves. Trying desperately to hide, he cowered behind a tree, using it as a shield. He held his breath, careful not to attract the attention of Sulcos’s guards. The three soldiers passed him without imagining they were being watched, and disappeared around the bend. Mongho took a breath, left the makeshift hiding place and took his journey. The sound of his feet sounded like a buzz on the floor, as the wizard moved with the speed and attention of a wild cat. He had given up passing through the forest in the dark path he considered safer, after almost being bitten by a poisonous snake while returning from his last visit to Nadjra’s house.
The sky was clear, there was no sign of rain. The road was dry and the bushes on the sides, quite dusty. No rain for months. Along the way, he went through some pastures where cows, suspicious, looked up to watch him pass.
◆◆◆
After walking nearly an hour, the sun hid behind a curtain of clouds that suddenly appeared. He quickened his pace. Although he wished rain, he didn’t want to get wet.
From the point, he was two curves away to reach Nadjra’s house, he saw a trail of black smoke to be blown away. He looked worried because it doesn’t look anything like the strange things she cooked. Suddenly, a dark thought took him by and make him run. Quickly reached the last corner, getting even more tense. He kept running, even feeling his legs’ muscles burn. Gasping, he stopped in front of the hut, feeling his blood freeze to see that it had been consumed by fire, leaving only a few standing walls, a part of the ceiling and lots of gray. On the floor near the entrance there was no sign of footprints, fight or even blood spatter.
“Nadjra! Nadjra! Where are you?” Mongho shouted, no response. He came quickly scanned it and didn’t find her. The inside had been destroyed by fire. He pushed the rubble and went forward, shouting by the witch while rolling the rubble, but in vain. He blinked, stunned, coming to stagger back. The thick, oily smoke was still strong, filling his nostrils. His eyes burned as if they had been bathed in pepper. The minutes dragged into an agonizing speed, creating a knot in his stomach. He was losing hope of finding her alive when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned and forced his blurry eyes. There was Nadjra, standing where once was the door. His tense shoulders relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief.
“Nadjra...! Good to see you!” he was stumbling toward her and hugged her intensely.
“What are you doing here?!” Tight in his arms, the witch strange his behavior. Only after a few seconds Mongho realized he still held her. He released her immediately, realizing his face burning. He felt lucky she didn’t get to see it right. “Can’t you see these ruins are dangerous?”
“I came looking for you and when I saw that his house had been burned, it despaired me, thinking you might be hurt inside. Who made this? Was it Prince Sulco?”
“No, I did it myself.” Mongho looked at her with surprise. “This house was falling apart, so I decided to move to another.” She stared at him. “You were worried about me? Why?” There was a different tone in her voice. They exchanged uneasy glances, silence consuming as if there was nothing else around them. So Mongho stepped back and looked away.
“Let’s get out of here, this place is really dangerous!” he suggested, trying to hide his flushed face. This time, however, not even all that smoke could cover it. “Where is your new home?”
“Near the forest bushes.” She pointed to the direction.
For a brief time, they followed towards the north. Down a small slope and crossed the little river at the point where it dived under the road. So far, they hadn’t found a soul on the way. Then they left the road to the right and entered the forest.
A fox and her cubs, who took care of their own business, passed them and went concentrated, sniffing. Nadjra was shocked to see them and tried to hide. In the rush, she slipped and fell on Mongho with all her weight, leaving him breathless when they fell on the ground. He stood beneath her, hugged tightly to her body. The ground was flat and there was little undergrowth, but the trees were too close to the foxes could see them. They had their faces a few centimeters away, which gave him the chance to enjoy her beauty up close.
She was still young, late twenties, he calculated quickly. Her face, framed by a red hair with delicate curls, was oval, with the tip of his nose upturned and generous lips and velvety, inviting. Her intelligent eyes were a deep brown-green. Mongho had felt in love with a real treasure.
“Calm down!” he asked, outlining a broad smile. She stared at him with bright eyes and parted lips. He approached her mouth on his, feeling the heat take his body. It was when Mongho’s accelerated heart woke her and embarrassed, she got up abruptly. She turned her back to hide rosy cheeks as she shook her garments, taking out the dust. They went ahead, saying nothing.
“So, how did you know I was there?” Mongho sought to break the silence between them, after giving a few steps.
“I heard you calling me.”
“At this distance?!”
“Yes. After you undid the curse, I could recover some gifts, including telepathy. We arrived!” He stopped in front of her new home. “Come in, please! I’m doing a great stew. Do you want some?” She smiled beautifully.
Mongho accepted.
◆◆◆
The wizard came in and looked around. It was a simple house, but cozy, with stone walls with poor finish. Cheap fabric curtains covering the two small windows, and in one corner, an iron stove was lit. Its coals victual when the only illumination of the place. He smelled something cooking mixed with the smells of the herbs she kept the walls, next to the new shelves with the same pots and exposed unrecognizable things.
“I’m almost afraid to ask what you’re cooking!” A shy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Nothing much! It’s only tripe of sheep. Do you want to try?”
“I see that some things haven’t changed, even with the new house!” he said sick, putting a hand over his mouth
and the other in the stomach.
“I had asked you not to come back here. So, what you want from me this time? Be quick, I don’t have much time to waste with you. You see, I’m organizing things here.” She was taking the pots on the table and putting them on the shelves.
“Well... I don’t know how to ask this...”
“Then do not ask.” She said.
“By the way, I don’t know how to tell you.”
“So don’t tell me.”
“You are not helping at all” he complained. She shrugged, a small smile lit up her face, making her even more beautiful. Deep down, she felt a certain satisfaction in teasing him.
“I need a big favor from you.”
“What do you have to offer me in return?” He stopped and looked at him.
“Nothing.” Mongho saw plastered on her face how she displeased the answer.
“What do you want then? It shouldn’t be that important, since you have nothing to offer me” she said dismissively, continuing to stir the pots.
“I want you to have a child with King Heian.”
So great was the shock, that she took it stood before him with wide eyes, motionless, a half open mouth, unable to say anything. Only after a few seconds a high pitched laugh echoed everywhere and it can be heard up in the forest, shooing the birds flying next to the house.
“Ha ha ha! You can only have smelled a lot of smoke!” She gestured and laughed a lot while Mongho changed his serious face in front of Nadjra’s reaction. Gradually, her laughter was decreasing, and only then she realized he wasn’t joking. “You can’t be serious! You can only be kidding me!” She almost couldn’t contain the laughter again. He took a deep breath. “And if you’re serious, you can only have gone crazy! Why would I have a child and even with this king Heian?!”
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 14