Chapter 3. Betrayal’s  Strike

 

“Father, we need to take sides “Herngya clenching his fists he spoke to his father

“It’s not easy to side, I just can’t walk into death’s arms”  waving his hands in in air Agpti avoided eye contact with Herngyaa. “This is our chance father. Long we have served Great  Ndra, long have we been in his service and thats how it should be even after his death, we must side him. After all these many years since his death, our people spread all over Praleesi need protection. Though after Great Ndra’s death everything has changed, not helping our kind you thought would protect us from the foredoomed Valkan savages, but no, our spies have proof of these ghastly savages entering our lands. They provoke us Father” concerned Herngya spoke. 

Herngya and Odra Gan Pati¹, the only free Gan Pati, conversed the dire situation in the vacant vassal court of Odra waiting for rest councils. Herngya strode to and fro as Agpti sat on the  traditional flame moulded noble metal throne gripping it hard. As though someone would snatch it away from him. Herngya couldn’t hide his restless soul from his father, Agpti the great manipulator had long avoided this conversation but today he had to face it. The savages have had an increasing presence in his lands. As much has Agpti wished to stay away, after all these years there was no staying away. 

The court was lit brightly using the lightning which was invention of youth from the Odra – Danav clan. The Danavs were known for their fire use, but Luksha a talented youth had created a method to create lightning contained in glass; the epitome of fire. This invention had transformed Odra from dim lit to shining city by nights. This  became of their main trade with their neighbouring clans of Gnyasa, Trakuta and Gaamini, giving Odra and upper hand at Ndra’s court. Odrans were the most talented when it came to fire, with right practice and purity a few of them could create fire out of thin air. 

This was rare feat which coloured the clan with bright status in ancient times, but  barring the their clan leader Agpti no one was seen harnessing this power in living memory. With fire this clan had moulded metals to desired shape becoming the metal power house of Praleesi. Their made metal weapons had no match, neither any other clan could match their ingenious feat of designing complex machinery with moulded metals.

“I know Herngyaa, but I was hoping for the …” interrupting his aged father Agpti, Herngya spoke “No No! Not the legend again. It’s nice to boost people’s morale with the legend; we have done that for past many years. But we can’t fall prey to our own creation of myths” and stopped right in front of his father’s throne, staring right at his father

“Myth? No! It’s not a myth, it’s true, there will come a saviour” fidgeting in the throne Agpti said.  “Naïve you are Father, there is no saviour, I have searched and read all the legends in our book keeps. None speak of his or her birth, his or her form, or power. Just a few random obscure lines written here and there and they  have become these myths. 

There is no he or she, it’s we who have to act” visibly angered Herngya spoke as he continued his stride. The court attendants were refilling the decorated smoke pots with coal for the councils, pretending not to hear the conversation.

“No my son it’s beyond our understanding, these legends, myths are not comprehensible to all. I do understand your concern but cannot accept your suggestion outright. Siding either of the sides is attracting war on my land.” Agpti said. “Your land?” suddenly stopping in his stride Herngya turned towards his father, the question tone made Agpti further uneasy in his chair. “This ain’t your land. Father you are so cryptic; hardly I your son can fathom your thoughts. Father what I ask of you is in accordance to what we were commissioned for.” tried Herngya to convince his father. “Your indecisiveness is costing us”. He added avoiding the display of utter disgust in his voice just as to hinder insulting the Odra Gan Pati. 

“Stop patronizing me, I am your leader, I am Gan Pati” angry Agpti spoke.

 “Gan Pati? You for sure don’t act like one. Father your aspirations are hindering you from your duty. When great Ndra fell we did not go to his rescue. Even then you avoided the decision to side him. The rest Gan Patis are rotting in those dungeons. The other clans carry the feeling of betrayal towards us. War is knocking on our doors. Srushti, Manav, Praani we have betrayed them all. This is our chance to undo it, wash our sins, the shame we have brought onto us. We have to rise against Valkan evil” ignoring his father’s anger Herngya continued.

The insinuation added to Agpti’s anger “Herngya you are accusing me. I know what I must do for the people.” “I apologize if I have offend you father, but our, your inaction has harmed us more. I fear scheming against Odra, there are people acting in your name in favour of those savage brothers. Also your desires are not invisible” cold but firm Herngya stated it. 

They heard voices approaching through the corridors. The recess time had flown by. The council members were entering one by one. Herngya had moved to his seat on right of his father. He just stood there awaiting for all the council members. Sandalwood, musk, roses aroma filled the vassal court air as the council settled one by one attended by their servants.

These council men were the elected members by the Odra citizens. Simplicity was expected of them, but it –simplicity; was reduced to mere a virtue, which was not for councils. They wore the best of robes of silk, satins, the expensive spider silk from Srushti, were served by maids round the clock, they adorned the rarest of jewels and wore ornaments of noble metal. Each seat was display of riches. Herngya scorned at such vulgar display of corruption. He feared like the council his father may fall prey to power.

Herngya stood at his seat, legs apart and arms crossed as the councils settled in one by one. The first council Shaak, the next oldest to Agpti settled in quick next to Herngya. Helped by just a solider, his was the only seat with no smoke pot, an addiction he avoided like poison. Council Shaak was head of military and intelligence gathering -the espionage activities. He fierce loyalty and his oath to serve the seat of Odra until death was well known even to other clans. None questioned it, especially his large size as Danav, the deep serrated scar on forearm, or the deep red scar, the starry leaf scar, gave him an intimidating appearance. It was not just the look, but his ability even at his age to take down any opponent within splits of seconds just accentuated his warrior stature. 

Exactly opposite to him on the left side of Agpti’s throne sat the second council Akun.

A bony structured man, taller than average Odra men, had a squeaky voice and spoke with excessive hand gestures. Akun handled the treasury and dressed aptly to display his status. He was known for his weakness in women, would easily fall for any women, or for that matter anything akin women. Rumours kept making rounds about hundreds of his illegitimate children but none could confirm. To his right sat Hakun the third council in charge of relations with other clan. Opposite to him sat the fourth council Kauni, managed the internal security of Odra. 

The fifth council Shauni sat right of Hakun, who cared for the supplies to city, water, roads, and the prime invention lightning. They all had settled in, Agpti was still in his own thoughts. The silence in court, amplified the maids anklets sweet clings, enough to irritate Herngya.

Herngya stood there watching the council and his father. The council was turning little restless, all looking towards Herngya with expectation to break his father’s stream of thoughts.

“Father, we wait of you” he spoke mildly

“Ahem! Councils, apologies to keep you waiting. Let’s start from where we left prior to our recess. Council Shauni you are of the opinion that our internal roadways, river-ways, their networking is weak right?” Waking from the thought slumber Agpti asked. Shauni, the youngest of the councils. “Lord Agpti” with a gentle voice which suited his persona ” Yes, but weak is not the word I’d use. These work within the capital is towards end phase, with little support from treasury and work for another two months I can assure stronger network of roads.” Saying that he adjusted his satin clothes to cover his baby soft skin. 

Though born in rough Danav tribe he was quite opposite physically. Certainly there were rumours that he was born out of union between Srushti man and Danav women, but he never cleared any. Absence of his father only but fuelled these rumours. Otherwise he was wise for his age and outshone others in managerial abilities and completion of tasks on time, even when worked only from his home. Rarely would he make any site visit. The council respected him for his work, but took digs at his effeminate appearance.

“Lord Agpti ” spoke Hakun ” If I may interrupt the homely plans, we have graver things to conclude” turning from Shauni to Agpti he spoke,” Council Hakun, being a people’s representative does not authorize you to disrespect Agpti, and am sure you are aware of this” Herngya with authority tried to suppress Hakun’s impudence .

„Dear Haregya” condescendingly Hakun spoke,”we know what your wishes are but just we need to be sure what your father’s thoughts are on this matter”

Saying that he turned his gaze to Agpti who sat still in his throne, with no expression to Hakun’s remark. He stared at Shaak,”Council Shaak you seem not to partake in our discussion” spoke Agpti trying divert the topic. “Lord Agpti, I have been a warrior all my life and will continue to be one. Our spies have information of certain undesired elements entering into our lands. Also we have for long known that the Gan Patis of the rest clan already are arrested by savage army. What we do not know if they live. If we join the dots even a child will figure out that you are to the next target. For me have I no option, I have to fight and I’ll fight when the war knocks on my door, later or sooner” Shaak spoke with flat tone

 “Ya right! Gan Patis been taken away is horrible horrible thing, I have sleepless nights. Herngya what about the Naags, what is their stand on this” asked Agpti. The Odra Pati was jumping topics, changing the focus of discussions, this had been his play all along the whole prior to recess session, avoiding the Gan Pati issue. He gave the impression of being least interested and his council followed his suit. 

Though the council superficially entertained the various unrelated questions, they played along with their leader, it was all a well versed ploy.   “Their stand is not vital to us. They are Naags, ever devious, filth ridden fallen ones, they shall side what benefits them. Since when do we bother of Naags, the shunned clan? We can’t expect them to manifest the principles like loyalty, morality” with disgust spoke Herngyaa, angered by the change of topics. 

“There there! Why we care for them either, if they serve only themselves why not we serve us. We can carve our own kingdom,” with an evil gleam in eyes Agpti said to the whole council. None of the members were taken by surprise, they expected that from their Gan Pati. Only Herngya was taken aback, the words were still being processed in his brains, checking if they meant what they meant. So far his father had never spoken openly his desires, and when he spoke, council offered dead reaction to it. Herngya was not able to understand what is more worse, his father’s unlikely desires or council is playing deaf to them.

In that moment indignant Herngya with heavy shoulders walked to the center of the court, pained and angered. His heavy steps, left hand moving towards his sword made the council fretful. “Father is that your decision, or are you playing to the council” attracting undivided attention of his council. “You mean to say that we continue not to side the other Gans, but rather indirectly support those bastard brothers in their evil plans? You decided that, even not taking your council in confidence” He saw around at the Council members, with hope that they might stand by him. But it did not take him long to understand from their expressions that his father had already taken the council in confidence. What he was experiencing was a fake council session, a made-up meet, just to fool him. His own father had betrayed him, his clan, his Odra. Not able to contain his annoyance he drew his sword out, “Before you all bring shame to our proud mighty Danav clan I shall slay every single of you here, right ,” pointed it at Agpti “pick your sword father,” “Hold it,” withdrawing his sword Shaak spoke loud “It shall hurt me lot to bring you down Herngya, but to protect the Danav seat, a promise that I made, I SHALL bring you down!,”

 “Stop it!” leaving his seat Agpti said. Immediate the rest council too got up, who were readying to fight Herngya. “STOP IT! Stop this nonsense, he will not attack ME,” stopping Shaak he turned to Herngya 

“Son, the clan that you are so proud of, would you kill it’s top leaders, will that glorify the clan?” Agpti tried to calm Herngya. „We are the ones who have made you what you are. Our death at your hands will been seen only as greed for power, greed to take over the Clan. Do you want that?” Agpti tried to manipulate his son, whose weakness was loyalty to clan. 

He reached to his son, carefully, judging him with each step. Agpti slowly placed his hand on Herngya’s right shoulder “My my, calm down, anger spoils you, haven’t I taught you that? Calm down. My decision to refrain from war comes out of deep contemplation, I want to see no blood shed in Odra. I have seen many wars, more than your age I have fought wars” he spoke as he studied his son carefully, to be sure what to speak next. Herngya turned a little calmer than earlier. Sensing that Agpti spoke very softly into his ears, “This is win-win, we do not answer anyone, I become the King and you after me, all we need is to…”

Herngya swiftly turned around slashing a lock of hair close to Agpti’s ear ” I shall never be part of your aspirations, it will only bring down our clan” he moved a step back sliding his sword in, watching his shocked father he spoke “I can kill if I want to, for now  I resist the urge but ..,”  rest was conveyed by the anger and odium in his eyes. He dashed off the court in flash of second. The rest council rushed to aid the Gan Pati who still was in shock. “My lord, here have some a drink” Shaak said as others helped him to settle on the seat. Visibly shattered Agpti was quite, still figuring out if his only son attacked him threatened him, threatened the Danav Gan Pati.

Words from the old High Gondian.

1. Gan  : Clan .

2. Pati : leader, father