ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (7 page)

Behozi had lost track of time but he could tell it was night when he saw Akasha at the door of his cell. He lay on his bed and watched him enter, not bothering to make any sitting adjustments.

‘Welcome,
o great
Rahmon. I would have loved to offer you what I have but I’m afraid it won’t be to your taste.’

‘Your life would do. ‘said Akasha. ‘You’ve released the creature.’

Behozi sat up, stretched his arms and said, ‘I did nothing. You and I are aware that I merely opened a cage but the creature—as you call it—could choose to remain if it wanted to. But of course, it didn’t want to.’

‘You fool.’ Akasha dragged him up by his shirt. ‘You deserve to die.’

‘You’ve said that several times so it’s nothing to me now. But what about you? What do you deserve? Death for you would be an act of kindness.’

‘See who deems it fit to condemn me—you, who betrayed my trust all those years.’

‘Betrayed?! You of all people have no right to even utter the word. You betrayed everything I thought we stood for. You made me realize everything was a lie. And the gods watched you and did nothing. Your nemesis will come.’

‘Who is he, you fool?’

‘Who is who?’

‘The Anundr.’

Behozi burst into laughter.

‘Be silent!’ Akasha said, shaking him.

‘You mean you still don’t know your enemy after all these years? In spite of your knowledge and your gods, you’re a blind snake.’

Akasha pushed him to the wall. ‘Talk!’

‘Can you not see? The same blood line that cost you your limb years ago is also destined to kill you. I think we already know who it is.’

‘It cannot be…’ Akasha said, releasing him. ‘I destroyed him.’

‘You old fool, you cannot destroy what is hidden and now death knocks on the door of your house.’

‘Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, old friend. It’s now a servant to me and I feed it from my table. I shall watch it feast on you tomorrow and turn all your prophecies of doom to dust.’

Behozi grinned. ‘My prophecies are only what have already begun. You can never fully control something you didn’t create. Maybe you don’t know it yet, but the moment you touched Galian’s seed you were already dead, but you can still change it now.’

Akasha laughed. ‘Save your pity for yourself. Even with death, my line continues.’

‘But it’s cursed. It cannot stand against the real heir of Galian.’

‘We shall see.’ he said as he walked towards to the door. ‘I hope you know Natalia would never get to see the full parchment.’

‘I only planted a seed. When the seed of curiosity is planted in a fertile ground, the tree of knowledge springs forth. Then your wickedness does all the watering for me. So she finding the full parchment is as inevitable as your demise.’

Akasha faced him. ‘Your confidence is as groundless as your tales. We both know the Ikan bird will never rise again.’

‘It will rise. I’ll be dead then but you’ll be on your way to the grave.’

‘I will live forever. No mortal can kill me.’

‘What if the person’s immortal?’

Akasha’s eyes blazed. ‘No one! No one.’

‘You don’t sound too sure of that.’ said Behozi, relaxing on his bed.

‘I know what’s in the future and yours doesn’t look bright. Good bye, Behozi. The next time we see, you’ll be begging for your life.’ he said, heading for the door.

‘You saw the talisman, didn’t you? That’s why you’re so excited about my death.’

Akasha turned to him. ‘You gave it to her. I knew it!’

‘No, I didn’t. It must have been the Anundr.’

Akasha gritted his teeth. ‘She will never take his place.’

‘What has started must be finished, of course.’ Behozi said, rising and walking towards Akasha. He put his hands on his shoulders and said, ‘Remember something, Rahmon, when all things look bleak and death is near, look up at the sky. I’ll be smiling down on you, laughing at how blind you are. What is destined is our future reality.’

‘Get your hands off me. Guards!’

The guards rushed to the cell and unlocked the door.

‘Remember what I said,’ Behozi said, backing away from him, ‘especially my last statement. I’ll be watching.’

Akasha stormed out of the cell with the sound of Behozi’s laughter trailing his departure.

Amira’s soft laughter echoed in the garden.

‘Amira, please be serious. We came here to discuss private matters.’ Natalia said, glancing around. The garden was quiet except for a breeze that rustled the leaves and grasses. It had been a day since her altercation with Akasha and she knew she had no time to spare in rescuing Behozi. They had two nights left and nothing concrete had been decided. Natalia had something planned but she needed help but Amira preferred sharing one of the maids’ tales. She stood by a flower bush and picked its flowers as she talked. She, however, composed herself after noticing Natalia’s unsmiling face.

‘Forgive me. I’ll listen to what you have to say.’

‘Do not only listen. We need a strategy.’ Natalia whispered as she glanced around them.

‘We? I didn’t say I want to be a part of this.’ Amira added, folding her arms, ‘This is treason, my lady, high treason.’

‘I know, but I also know he’s innocent.’

‘Don’t be so sure.’ Amira said, plucking out the petals of one of the flowers in her hand and examining it.

Natalia opened her mouth but she was interrupted by the sound of a horn.

‘What is that?’ Amira asked, looking up.

‘I’m not sure. It must have come from the square.’ Natalia said, pausing to listen as it came a second time. There was a forlorn note to it that made her add, ‘It sounds like someone is about to die.’

They exchanged looks. Natalia ran towards the gate, her blue dress trailing behind her against the white stones, while Amira strolled behind. The princess was out of breath by the time she got there.

There was a large procession outside the gate, moving to the city square.

‘What is happening?’ Natalia asked one of the guards at the gate.

‘There’s to be an execution.’

‘Execution of who?’ Her heart pounded.

‘Of a man called Behozi or something of the sort.’

She flinched and said, ‘But I thought he isn’t to be executed till two days from now.’

‘I heard it was decided that he would be hanged today.’

‘Who decided?’ she scoffed, ‘Oh, don’t tell me. Who else could it be?’

‘What happened?’ Amira asked as she reached the gate. Natalia ignored her and said to the guard, ‘Let me pass.’

‘My lady, I’m afraid I cannot. I’m on strict orders…’

She turned and ran to the castle. She picked her cloak from her room and went down the stairs, cutting through a corridor that led to the garden so she wouldn’t have to encounter Amira. She covered herself with her cloak and scanned the ivy covered walls for the secret passageway. She spotted two thin vertical breaks of the ivy plants on the wall with broken twigs and dead leaves on each side. The wall between the breaks was wide enough for two people to pass. She walked towards it and saw more dead twigs on the brown earth in front of it. She pushed the wall and found herself revolving to the outside world.

She pulled her hood to cover her head as she walked down the abandoned dirt road. Joining the crowd heading to the square, she felt like she was in the tide of life. Everything seemed new to her from that perspective.

Half of the city was already there. A large statue of King Meldric the first, Natalia’s great grandfather, stood in the middle of the open space. In front of the monument was the gallows on which Behozi stood. His hands were tied behind him and the noose dangled from a wooden pole in front of him.

The winds blew and the sky rumbled. This didn’t deter Akasha as he gave a powerful rendition of Behozi’s crimes. Natalia didn’t listen to him but focused on Behozi who was smiling as he looked up at the sky. Her breathing grew labored. She couldn’t believe she felt so much for someone she had just met. She heard Akasha mention something about his attempted escape. She turned her attention to the Rahmon. The dark weather portrayed a sinister part of him she had never seen. His beard and loose robes yielded to the wind’s influence. He looked like he was born from the elements. His large and bloodshot eyes revealed his thirst for spilling blood as he spoke about Behozi’s plan to cajole three foolish people to help him escape. One of them, he added, had been wiser than the rest and had told him the truth. Natalia swallowed. She knew who had betrayed her. She felt like a fool.

The order was given to the executioner and Behozi stepped forward. People booed and jeered, throwing rotten vegetables at him. Before the noose was placed round his neck, he shouted, ‘Helmford, this day you’ve slain the innocent in front of the innocent. My blood shall be a curse unto you till every stone of the temple is fallen’, he continued, turning to Akasha, ‘and the man that killed the innocent is dead. This day, your nemesis and your salvation shall arise from the temple waters and then you shall know that the prophecies are no myth.’ The winds blew around him as he spoke. His last words were followed by a clap of thunder.

‘Hang him.’ someone shouted from the crowd. Everyone cheered in support. Natalia wanted to speak but she feared for her life in the midst of a death-hungry horde. She watched as the noose was tightened around his neck. The platform under his feet gave way and his eyes widened as he struggled for freedom, jerking in different directions. He gave up the fight and his body went limp. Natalia covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. It was then she understood her own powerlessness and she was ashamed.             

The weather grew dark and flashes of lightning brightened the sky. Lightning struck the executioner as he walked forward to remove Behozi’s body, narrowly missing Akasha. Screams escaped from the crowd. Lightning struck Behozi’s feet, setting the body ablaze. Natalia turned her face away but she heard more screams and someone shouted, ‘Look.’

Natalia looked. There was a large round blood stain on Behozi’s abdomen. Out of it burst a massive bird. It shook the blood off, revealing a black coat with silver spike-like horns at the back of its head and silver feathers on its wings. It flew into the sky, swimming in the waves of the wind, avoiding the thunderbolts. Everyone stood still watching it until it cried out. Its cry was piercing like an increasing echo that blared in the ears and clawed at the mind. The sky rumbled as if in agreement with it. People screamed, some falling dead. The crowd ran in different directions. Natalia covered her ears. Her head pounded and dizziness clouded her mind but she knew she wasn’t to yield to it. She looked up. Akasha’s face was filled with terror. He said to the guards below the platform, ‘Kill it. Don’t let it escape.’

The guards shot arrows at it but it was too fast. It dodged leisurely and cried out, thunderbolts striking the guards. Akasha raised his staff and aimed it at the bird as he made incantations. Out of the heads of the snakes came forth fiery darts which missed their mark. The last dart hit the bird. It shrieked and burst into flames. The people stopped running and cheered the victory. Even Akasha had a smile on his face. However, their happiness was short-lived. Before the ball of flames could reach the ground, it split into three large birds, just the same as the first but with fire emitting from their tails. They opened their mouths and lightning struck the earth, setting fire to whatever it touched. A bolt went for Akasha but he was quick to jump out of the way. It set the gallows in flames. Akasha didn’t move as he gaped at the scene before him. Natalia watched him, waiting to see what he would do. As if aware she was there, he turned and their eyes met. His face changed from confusion to fury. Natalia turned and ran with the crowd. There were some guards on horses at the back trying to control the chaos. Lightning struck one of them. Natalia ran towards one of the guards she knew. He was directing the people to find shelter. She pushed through the crowd to get to him.

‘Maxim, I need your horse.’ she said.

‘And who are you?’

She lowered her hood for a moment for him to see her face.

‘My lady, you shouldn’t be here--’

‘Hush and do as I ask.’

He complied. She climbed on his horse and said, ‘I’ll send it back to you when I’m done.’ She turned and added, ‘Oh, and Maxim, thank you.’

He raised his brows in surprise and nodded. She rode off, dodging the thunderbolts and the people in her path. A dark cloud came down in front of her, forming the figure of Behozi. She was too close to avoid it. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, riding through it. She heard the whisper of her name. It sounded like Behozi. It hit her again that he was dead. She urged the horse into a gallop. Her hood fell leaving her face exposed but she no longer cared. She wanted justice for Behozi and she was willing to exact it.

A group of rahis stood in front of the temple watching in distress what was happening. Alinus was among them.

‘Alinus.’ she said. He looked at her face and cringed, then he turned and ran into the temple.

Natalia got down from the horse in front of the rahis and raced up the temple’s stairs to the entrance. Two guards blocked her way.

‘My lady, this is the entrance for the servants of Machish. You know you cannot pass.’

‘I only need--’

She was blocked again. ‘No, my lady. You of all people should know.’

She glowered at them. ‘Who says I cannot?’

The rahis outside whispered amongst themselves as they looked on at her and they cleared a path as she stormed back to the horse. She mounted it and rode to the temple gate, then she turned around and charged towards the temple. They scampered out of her way, some tripping on the others in the process. The two guards at the entrance ran in opposite directions. She got off the horse and ran down the hallway, startling the rahis in her path. Alinus ran down a flight of stairs and through a door. She followed him.

When she got in, she stopped in her tracks. It was like she had walked into one of her nightmares. The room was dark and filled with mirrors, and clear water covered the floor—just like the room in her dreams. She stood by the door, hesitating, her eyes scanning the water in disbelief. She heard someone splattering around the room. She regained her courage.

‘Alinus, I know you’re here.’ she said, descending a small flight of steps. The door slammed shut. She looked back in fright, then took a deep breath and looked forward. The water was at the bottom. When her feet touched it, it receded. She inched into the room. The water withdrew at her every step like it had a mind of its own.

She heard shrill sounds from the mirrors. She looked around her, fear creeping into her heart. She heard a ripping sound. She glanced around again. There was a chill down her spine like her back was bare. She touched her back but felt her cloak.

‘Alinus, I’m not leaving here until you face me.’ she said.

‘I didn’t do anything.’ he said, from somewhere in the room.

‘Would you hide from me if you aren’t guilty? You betrayed me.’ She moved towards the direction the voice had come.

‘No, I swear I didn’t.’

‘You’re lying.’

Her voice echoed in the room. The water spread to the mirrors, rising like thorns. Natalia gazed in awe. Her head ached. She held it. Loud cracking noises filled the room. She looked around to see the mirrors shattering one at a time. Alinus grunted in pain somewhere but she couldn’t help him. She fell on her knees. The water rushed like a river towards her and covered her. She fell flat on her back. She wanted to rise but she couldn’t as though there was a force holding her down. She held her breath and closed her eyes.

In her head, she heard a voice singing a sad tune she hadn’t heard in many years. She opened her eyes. A ghostly image stood on top of the water, watching her. Seven fiery figures joined it, singing the same note. The talisman rose to the surface, glowing. The image touched the talisman with the tip of its finger and it looked at Natalia. In her head, she heard a voice say, ‘drink.’ She let go of her restraint and drank the water. It tasted bitter and hot. She kept her eyes on the figures above her as she drank, waiting for death.

The figure waved its hand over the water. It receded and Natalia was back in the open air. She coughed, doubling over on her knees. She looked around. The ghosts were gone. All she heard was her panting until her mind exploded with the screams of a woman. She gasped and held her head. She felt a whiplash on her back, tearing into her skin. She cried out and took off her cloak. The whipping continued. Every lash ripped into her wet flesh. She tried to get up but couldn’t. Blood dribbled down her eyes. Her back and neck bled. Her clothes stuck painfully to her wounds.

The whipping stopped. She looked up. All the mirrors were broken except seven. In all of the seven, she saw images of herself from when she was a child to her present age. In the last mirror, she saw herself in dark robes with a gruesome smile and a bloody sword. She screamed. The seven mirrors broke in unison.

Akasha burst into the room. Natalia’s back was turned. She was wet and her neck and clothes were stained with blood. He recoiled. He knew that scene too well. It came rushing back to him. It was then it dawned on him who and what she was. He drew out a knife from his sheath and moved forward.
He needed her dead
. She turned her bloodied face to him. It was the same look he couldn’t forget, the same pain in her eyes. The talisman glimmered as it dangled around her neck and drops of blood trickled down the rope to the heart of the object. The blood enveloped the talisman and disappeared within its walls, the gem returning to its original color. It was to Akasha a vision of the past, a past that haunted him still. He dropped his blade and went down on his knees, leaning on his staff. He let go of it and buried his face in his hands. He kept saying, ‘No, no, no…’