CHAPTER XVI
The Snork looked tenderly at his friend.
“Yes, of course. Time it is for your memory to try to recover,” he answered eagerly, hoping only that Bauros would be able to continue concealing his deepest secret.
Hanna smiled. After helping the old sailor put up a sort of awning, for the sun was beginning to shine fiercely, and after refreshing themselves a little, they picked up where they had left off.
“Continue… Continue!” Gunuruk exclaimed with a smile.
Bauros scratched his hair again, making an effort to remember exactly where he had stopped. After a few seconds, he continued.
“After the great battle of Kalam, everything seemed to return to normal. Démolas carried on his father’s work, and peace reigned once more. But Vendemur had made a terrible mistake.
“Kudark was still alive, imprisoned within a volcano by a powerful spell, but alive. Very weak, almost reduced to a wandering spirit, but alive. Alive to accumulate rage over generations and generations until one day, they say, his hatred became so great that Drokar erupted.
“Its burning rock and deadly gases nearly wiped out every being living in Órdoka, poisoning the minds of those who managed to survive.
“From that moment onward, a terrifying army began to take shape, filled with hatred, vengeance, and death, for it desired only what its master desired: to destroy Kinoria and its king.
“They called themselves the Dark Warriors.
“And then, once again, the wars began.
“At first, it wasn’t particularly worrying, for many armies were formed, all composed of brave men, most of them human, loyal to the King of Kings and the Kingdom of Kingdoms.
“They were called Kinorios, and they made that name one to be respected.
“Wherever evil dared to rob those who lived in peace of their freedom, there they would be, with their powerful cavalry, their fierce soldiers, and their incredible naval forces.
“And so everything seemed to return to normal once again.
“But Kudark discovered that his wandering spirit could escape wherever he wished during the darkness.
“Then, during that fleeting period when the sun hides behind the moon, he was able to leave his prison and roam freely, seducing beings into joining him and his cause, offering them power, promising them riches, infecting their minds with greed, envy, and hatred.
“It was a difficult, lengthy undertaking, one that undoubtedly went unnoticed, and those who accepted paid a terrible price.
“And so evil began spreading beyond Órdoka, throughout the Known World, and the wars grew increasingly bloody.
“For generations and generations, nothing changed.
“Then, after a very long time, more than an age of Tuark, a king finally arose who confronted Kudark on his own territory.
“His name was Oddeon, and they say he possessed such power that no one ever dared stand in his way.
“Oddeon was born of Édula, the only descendant of Kírator, the princess who never reigned, for no one ever learned who had fathered her only child.
“When Kírator died, she had to surrender Sium to her heir.
“He was only a boy, but from the moment he became King of Kings, he knew what he had to do.
“He was a warrior, fierce and implacable, but above all, he was just.
“And so they called him Oddeon the Just.
“He rebuilt kingdoms, established new routes, discovered unknown places, and accomplished countless other things impossible to list.
“But above all, he always sought to unite the beings of his kingdom, of his world, the world he imagined living in peace.
“For although he had grown up surrounded by the thunder of battle, they say there was nothing he hated more than war.
“Perhaps that was why he despised it so deeply, and perhaps that was why one day he embarked upon his extraordinary crusade against evil.
“Ordering his men to take him to Órdoka, he began his incredible undertaking alone, wearing his armor and wielding Sium.
“It was a long and dangerous journey, but few wished to fight him, and those who dared challenge his power undoubtedly perished.
“Oddeon seemed to fear nothing and no one, not even Kudark.
“And he made that perfectly clear to him, in his own home, inside Drokar, with a voice so powerful that they say it could be heard even from Bógotra.
“‘Do you think I fear you? Do you believe I fear your army? From this moment on, you shall fear me! All of you shall fear me! For I swear by the sword I bear that I will not leave this world until I have destroyed you!’
“Kudark did not answer.
“It was as though he had vanished, as though he were hiding, troubled by the words of the man who had dared challenge him in his own home, perhaps wondering whether his oath was sincere.
“And at last Drokar fell silent, as though Kudark had accepted his defeat.
“Oddeon returned to Kinoria as the great victor. He was cheered, applauded, and revered.
“But from the beginning, he knew Kudark was still there, hiding, crawling as he had when he was forced to beg for his life, trying to devise another sinister plan that would return him to what he considered his stolen kingdom and destroy the man who had challenged him.
“And indeed, it did not take Kudark long to realize that Oddeon loved his family above everything else, and that the succession to the Kingdom of Kettke would be far more difficult than anyone had imagined.”
Bauros fell silent for a moment, then touched his stomach.
“Aren’t you hungry?” he asked.
“No, keep telling the story,” Hanna replied.
Gunuruk did not even open his mouth, for the mere thought of food made his stomach churn again. Besides, he seemed as absorbed in the story as his friend.
“Very well, I’ll continue,” Bauros said delightedly, for there was undoubtedly nothing he enjoyed more than talking.
“Oddeon also married young, taking Princess Balina as his wife. She was the daughter of Terian, commander of the naval forces and king of Vérveka.
“It wasn’t long before they had children.
“They had four: two sons and two daughters.
“The eldest was named Drujas, the second Festor, and then came Elisea and Senia, born together.
“They say they were the most beautiful women ever to walk this world, although…”
Bauros smiled at Hanna.
“They certainly never met you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just keep telling me what happened,” she replied, blushing furiously.
“Drujas soon proved himself worthy of his father. He was just as respected, a warrior who honored the blood flowing through his veins.
“Festor, however, always remained in the palace. He never fought, never even wielded a sword.
“He was suspicious, greedy, and hated anyone who approached his sisters.
“Some say he feared his father’s treasure would be squandered by those seeking to marry them. Others say that, deep down, his feelings toward them went beyond brotherly love.
“Whatever the truth, Festor was undoubtedly a rather despicable person.
“Elisea and Senia were identical, so much so that only those who lived with them could tell them apart.
“They were brave, born warriors, and always wanted to accompany their father and brother into battle.
“But Oddeon would not allow it.
“They soon attracted suitors, for everyone who saw them was captivated by their beauty.
“Any prince would have surrendered all his riches to win their affection.
“Nevertheless, Senia soon fell in love with a young warrior who had already earned Oddeon’s respect: Roho, commander of Kinoria’s powerful and feared cavalry, the most effective of all Kettke’s armies.
“They married soon afterward, and later their union produced the Great King’s first grandson, little Kerion.
“Elisea, however, failed to find the man she was searching for within her kingdom…”
“Why?” Hanna interrupted. “How could she remain unmarried when she had so many suitors?”
“Don’t be impatient. The secret to a good story is patience. Concentrate and listen, and then you’ll be able to keep it firmly in your memory.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be quiet.”
“As I was saying, Drujas was the very image of his proud father.
“But he lacked something his father possessed in abundance: humility.
“And little by little, differences arose between them.
“While Oddeon sought harmony among the beings, the kingdoms, and every corner of the Known World, Drujas wanted to control them.
“His word was his sword, and his was the only voice that mattered.
“Believing he would soon become the new king, he began commanding his own army, formed from those who shared his beliefs.
“At first, they acted only in Oddeon’s name, and he paid little attention.
“He called his son the Untamable Prince, and undoubtedly believed that he too would one day reign.
“But when Drujas began acting independently, everything changed.
“Oddeon started questioning whether Drujas would truly be capable of ruling justly, whether Sium would choose him.
“And deep down, long before events proved him right, he found the answer.
“Few kings had ever understood Sium as well as Oddeon.
“He felt its strength and power, but above all, he seemed to understand its will better than anyone else, the reason for its existence, the purpose for which it had once been created.
“And he shared that understanding with Drujas.
“Oddeon believed that once his son learned he would not be Sium’s next heir, he might begin questioning his own arrogance.
“And at first, it worked.
“He seemed to recover his senses, and although he kept his army, he faithfully obeyed his father’s orders.
“But little by little, with every passing darkness, Kudark poisoned his spirit from within the silence of his feigned death.
“It was a simple task.
“He needed very little to deceive him, to convince him that he would undoubtedly become the next King of Kings, to turn him against his father and make him believe that Oddeon was the only obstacle separating him from everything he desired.
“Kudark believed that if he could possess Drujas, his deepest ambition would finally be fulfilled.
“It mattered little that Drujas was not the rightful heir. Kudark already knew that.
“But his power was great, almost equal to his father’s, and many acclaimed him, particularly the most ambitious.
“He would command his army better than anyone.
“And so, little by little, Drujas grew increasingly arrogant, increasingly certain that one day he would subjugate those he had always wished to control.
“He deceived them with false promises, quietly, just like the being that was beginning to take possession of his body.
“No one suspected him.
“But one day, beneath the darkness that would mark the beginning of a new age, Kudark rose from his ashes, and Drokar began roaring as it never had before.
“From Órdoka, Drujas led his men and the enormous Dark Army Kudark had been gathering.
“He advanced toward Kettke, unstoppable, terrifying, spreading anarchy in his wake, slaughtering children, women, and the elderly.
“His only desire was to reach Kinoria and destroy Oddeon, who tried in vain to withdraw his armies.
“Treachery had taken root deep within their ranks.
“Kudark had undoubtedly done his work well, and after the darkness, chaos alone managed to reign.
“Oddeon asked Vendemur for help, but there was little he could do.
“His magic had almost entirely faded long ago. Barely anything remained of what he had once been.
“Nevertheless, he could still see beyond the present, foresee what might perhaps come to pass.
“And although the situation was desperate, he knew that hope remained.
“Vendemur told Oddeon that he must flee, renounce his throne, and abandon Kinoria.
“He would seal its gates so the palace could not be occupied.
“Oddeon and each of his children would have to retreat separately toward Vérveka, and Sium would have to be hidden far away.
“Only then, in the generation when the bloodlines of its rightful heirs converged once more, would the one destined to wield it be born.”
“Why? Why didn’t they stay and fight?” Hanna asked, then quickly realized she had interrupted Bauros again. “I’m sorry.”
“Under other circumstances, that undoubtedly would have been the answer. But Oddeon’s succession was certainly not going to be easy.
“At first, everyone believed Drujas would be his heir.
“But he had already shown himself incapable of governing the very world he was trying to massacre.
“And that created a terrible problem.”
“I don’t understand,” Hanna said, intrigued.
“Don’t be impatient,” Bauros replied.
“They say Elisea and Senia were one, and one they should have been. Only a whim of nature caused them to be born as two.
“Oddeon and Vendemur, after ruling out Drujas, soon realized that Sium would choose them.
“They undoubtedly represented the spirit of that sword better than anyone.
“But nothing like it had ever happened before, and it was dangerous.
“Sium had been created to be wielded by only one. That was written upon it.
“And after Oddeon, it could only be raised through the union of his two daughters.
“Perhaps that would destroy it, or bring about fatal consequences.
“They could not take the risk, especially not in Kinoria.
“So the best course was to wait.
“With the palace safe, the blood destined to reign preserved, and Sium protected, it would only be a matter of time.
“With one exception: during that time, evil would be free to roam unchecked.
“And so everything seemed ready for their departure.
“But nothing went according to plan.
“The ships meant to carry them to Vérveka sailed, but only Elisea and Festor were aboard.
“Furthermore, Oddeon’s greedy son had disobeyed his father and taken Sium with him, hidden inside a chest.
“Festor refused to abandon the precious sword.
“Driven by his boundless greed and believing himself to be the rightful heir as well, he thought that if Oddeon happened to perish, he might be able to wield it.
“Nor was he willing to leave Kettke’s riches behind.
“He ordered them loaded onto the great ship carrying him.”
“But what about Oddeon? And Senia?” Hanna asked impatiently once more.
Bauros sighed, stood up, and, irritated by so many interruptions, paced around the boat for a moment, muttering to himself.
Then he took another breath and sat down again.
“I can’t help it,” Hanna said with a smile.
More relaxed now, Bauros laughed too, then continued.
“Have patience…
“Vendemur undoubtedly cared deeply for Oddeon, perhaps more than for any other king who had ever walked through Kinoria.
“That was why he urged him to flee to Vérveka.
“He knew what would happen.
“Everything was lost in Kettke, at least for the moment.
“Drujas was already close, and although the Kinorios had hurried back to their kingdom, they were fighting on too many fronts.
“Besides, the naval forces were now concerned only with evacuating those fleeing certain death.
“But Oddeon could not abandon the kingdom where he had grown up, the kingdom that had brought him glory, from which he had accomplished more than any other ruler.
“Never had the Known World been more united.
“And now everything he had fought for was vanishing beneath the shadow of evil.
“He could not flee.
“He would fight, even without Sium.
“And deep down, Vendemur knew it.
“Sealing Kinoria was no easy task.
“The Nárako was weakened, and the process became slow and laborious.
“So much so that when Drujas reached Kettke, the palace still had not been sealed.
“Oddeon fought an almost magical, superhuman battle against the Dark Army.
“No one realized that the sword he wielded was not Sium.
“And at last he found himself face-to-face with Drujas, at the very gates of Kinoria.
“Deep down, Oddeon loved his son, but he hated the being that possessed him, the one he had sworn to destroy.
“‘My son! Renounce the one who possesses you! Fight for your kingdom!’ he begged.
“But it was already too late.
“Drujas wanted to rule Kettke at any cost, and he would not listen to his father.
“And so the two began to fight.
“Oddeon could not bring himself to try to kill Drujas.
“Vendemur knew it. He would never be capable of harming his son, and that was why he should have fled.
“But Kudark also knew the noble heart of the King of Kings.
“He had never doubted it.
“At last, Oddeon could fight no longer and offered his life to Drujas, perhaps believing that at the final moment his son would be unable to kill him.
“But he was wrong.
“And Kudark’s servant drove his cold sword into his father’s chest.
“Oddeon fell.
“Mortally wounded, he managed to drag himself to the very entrance of Kinoria.
“Drujas lost interest in the man he already believed dead.
“And thinking Sium had finally been taken from its rightful bearer, he approached the sword with curiosity, certain that his father had been mistaken, certain that what Kudark had led him to believe was true: that Sium had chosen him from the beginning.
“Without hesitation, he raised it and celebrated.
“But he soon realized that the sword he held triumphantly was not the one he had expected.
“Then, as Kinoria’s gates finally closed, Oddeon managed to enter the palace.
“It became his tomb.
“Drujas seemed to burn with rage.
“He felt deceived, and they say that at that moment an aura of darkness appeared around him.
“An aura that would never leave him.
“An aura of hatred and vengeance.”
Hanna gave a little start.
“A dark aura,” she whispered. “I remember now. I saw Drujas! On Tover! I saw him! Now I remember!” she exclaimed hurriedly.
Bauros stopped at Hanna’s reaction.
“Drujas? Perhaps it was only an Ikai,” he said skeptically.
“No!” Hanna answered firmly. “There were other boys, and children. He came, surrounded by his dark aura. There was no mistaking him. He seemed to be looking for something, or someone… I don’t know.”
Bauros fell thoughtful, as though he now believed her words, as though deep down he knew what Drujas had been looking for.
Gunuruk grew nervous. The conversation was approaching matters that might reveal too much, and he stood up.
“Hungry I am!” he exclaimed. “A good time it is. Now we can eat.”
The timely interruption undoubtedly eased the tension. And since Bauros and Hanna agreed that the Snork was right, they all set about preparing lunch.
The sea was calm, and as the boat advanced toward Belonia, carried by the gentle breeze, the three began enjoying the appetizing meal Bauros’s wife had prepared.
Perhaps Gunuruk did not enjoy it quite so much.
Although the constant rumbling of his stomach made his appetite clear, he had barely swallowed a mouthful when nausea seized him again.
A moment later, the little he had eaten flew noisily overboard.
“The sea I do not like. I cannot! Cannot!” he repeated endlessly, his eyes glistening, as he descended once more into the little cabin, resigned to the thought that a long and involuntary fast might await him.
Bauros and Hanna continued eating for a while.
She was eager to resume the story where they had left off, and Bauros surely was too, but the old fisherman ate at his leisure.
After finishing and making a circuit of the boat to ensure everything was in order, he said nothing, lay down beneath the awning, and drifted into a pleasant sleep.
Hanna was astonished, and a little annoyed.
Sitting beside him, she had been ready to listen to the rest of the story, but now Bauros was snoring softly.
So she got up, sat at the stern, and began watching the scenery.
There was not much to see, really.
To the south, the coastline was faintly visible, far away, almost merging with the horizon.
In every other direction, they were surrounded by water.
Even so, it was beautiful.
Everything was peaceful, and despite her companions’ snoring, she could hear the wind and the water striking the boat.
Hanna began recalling everything Bauros had told her.
As she reflected on what was truly an incredible story, time passed quickly.
She was watching clouds advancing from the east when the old fisherman awoke.
“Hanna!” he exclaimed, stretching his arms and yawning enormously.
“I’m here,” she answered from the other side of the boat.
She went over to him, and after they removed the awning, for it seemed the cold would soon arrive, she sat down beside him as they enjoyed the increasingly faint rays of sunlight.
“There’s something I don’t understand. Drujas seems to be immortal, but he’s human, isn’t he?”
“Yes. He was as human as you or me, but surrendering to Kudark comes at a terrible price.
“Most of the time, it merely means losing control of your own actions, filling your conscience with corruption.
“But Drujas went further.
“They say he longed so desperately to become king, to wield Sium, that he was willing to sell his soul.
“And Kudark took possession of it.
“After that, there was no turning back.”
“Then are Kudark and Drujas the same being?”
“No, Hanna. Not at all.
“Drujas will always be Drujas, but now he belongs to Kudark.
“He is his slave for eternity.
“Only Kudark will decide when he must die, unless someone kills him first…
“They say Kudark can see through his eyes and hear through his ears.
“With any luck, you’ll never cross paths with him again!”
“Yes, I hope so,” Hanna replied, swallowing hard.
After a moment of silence, during which Hanna tried unsuccessfully to remember more details of her encounter with Drujas, her interest in the unfinished story returned.
“What happened to Senia?” she suddenly asked.
Bauros drew a breath, as though there were still a great deal left to tell, and continued where he had stopped.
“Senia remained in Kettke with her son Kerion, who was still a baby.
“She could not leave without knowing what had happened to Roho, without seeing him.
“She loved him deeply, just as he loved her.
“And so, once she had left her little son somewhere safe, she did not hesitate to join those still trying to defend what had once been their kingdom.
“She hoped the armies would arrive soon.
“But it became a difficult undertaking, almost suicidal.
“Drujas wanted only to destroy everything he had once believed would belong to him.
“He respected nothing anymore, and anyone who remained there would be fought to the death.
“Many ships tried to evacuate the population, but many also fell victim to Drujas’s relentless, feverish assault.
“For a long time, Faras, the great lake of Kettke, was filled with death and destruction.”
“But what happened to her? Did she manage to find Roho?”
“The armies arrived before long, but they were exhausted by the endless fighting, horrified by what they found in their kingdom, and disheartened to discover Kinoria closed, perhaps forever.
“The infantry arrived first, commanded by Droko.
“They fought an unequal battle, for the Dark Warriors outnumbered them and were stronger.
“By the time the cavalry finally arrived, they had almost been exterminated.
“Roho and his men continued fighting, but everything was undoubtedly lost.
“With Oddeon dead, no news of Sium, and the palace sealed, nothing seemed to have any meaning.”
“But… Senia? What happened to Senia?”
“Roho found her.
“And perhaps that was what finally shattered his fragile hope.
“Clad in heavy armor, almost lost among the countless bodies surrounding her, scarcely distinguishable from any other fallen warrior, there she lay.
“Motionless.
“Cold.
“She had been dead for some time.
“And then Roho decided that, for him, the battle was over.
“He would do something he had never imagined himself doing.
“He would flee.
“He would stop fighting, accept defeat, and try to save the lives of his men, their families, and those who still survived.
“They all followed him.
“Afterward, Droko and his army decided to journey east, to the farthest reaches of the Known World, to lands not yet discovered, far from Kettke and the massacre they had witnessed.
“Roho, however, traveled to Vérveka, hoping Kerion was still alive, thinking perhaps the child had been evacuated there.
“But when he arrived, his worst fear was confirmed.
“His son was not there.
“They say Roho cursed his kingdom, Kettke and Oddeon, Kudark and Drujas, and swore that they would never return.
“And so he, his men, and their families followed Droko’s path.
“They too sailed east, to the peninsula of Nurukia.
“And a very long time would pass before anyone heard from them again.”
Hanna listened sadly to the tragic conclusion, scarcely able to believe such a dreadful ending.
“That’s not how I expected it to end,” she said, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.
“Perhaps no one expected it to end that way.
“Kettke remained occupied by evil for a long time.
“But when they realized that staying there served no purpose, that Kinoria would not open and nothing remained to be destroyed, they returned to Órdoka.
“Vérveka then became the heart of what had, until recently, been the Kingdom of Kingdoms.
“For a long time, it was called New Kettke, but that was merely a name devised by those who still believed in it.”
“Then did Kerion die?”
“Some believe he did not, although for a long time everyone was convinced he had perished.
“Perhaps that belief lasted too long for the mistake to be corrected.
“It is said that Senia entrusted her son to Mídula, Droko’s wife.
“No one else was supposed to know who the child was.
“And when Mídula died, the secret died with her.
“Droko found her soon afterward.
“He too wept bitterly over her death.
“But he discovered that she held a baby in her arms, and that the child was still alive.
“He had always wanted a son, for he and Mídula had never managed to have children.
“And so, believing this could only have been the work of fate, he decided to adopt the baby and raise him as his own.
“He named him Breok.
“Later, Breok became a king and founded the kingdom of Drokolas, land of Tuarks.
“Although no one knows for certain, most believe Kerion died.”
“Well, perhaps it’s better to believe he did survive. That’s what I’ll choose to think,” Hanna replied.
“Yes, perhaps. But reality almost always defies our wishes.”
Hanna looked thoughtfully at Bauros and nodded, for his words undoubtedly held a great deal of truth.
“And what became of Festor?”
“They say his greed led him into dangerous territories.
“After murdering the entire crew accompanying him, convinced they intended to steal his treasures, his great ship was left drifting.
“Eventually it reached the dangerous cliffs of Kazum.
“Above them rises the great mountain of Bradia, where Babuk lives.
“Babuk, the monster of monsters, the most bloodthirsty creature inhabiting these lands.
“And that was Festor’s end.”
“But what about Sium and Kettke’s treasure?”
“Nothing more was learned of him.
“They say Babuk carried him to Bradia, to his lair, and that no one ever saw him again.
“Many coveted the treasure, and many tried to recover it, but all perished.
“Babuk is brutal.
“They say Drujas once lost more than half his army trying to recover Sium, but he failed.
“And everyone, even he, accepted that while Babuk lived, no one would dare attempt it again.
“Believe me when I tell you that Babuk is still alive.
“And he’ll remain so for a very long time!”
“Is that why Kinoria is still closed?”
“Yes. Well, it’s not quite that simple.
“Sium needs someone to wield it. Otherwise, its existence has no value.
“It’s complicated, because the king they considered the rightful bearer of Oddeon’s blood may never have been the one destined to wield it.
“Vendemur said that only when Senia’s and Elisea’s blood merged into one would the true King of Kings arrive.
“Something that is now impossible.
“That’s why everyone believes Kinoria will never open again.
“But that ceased to matter a long time ago.
“Even so, its spirit lives on.
“Kinoria will always be the palace of Kettke, no matter how tightly its gates are sealed.
“And its heirs, those who carry Princess Elisea’s blood, continue that legacy.
“She later became queen of Vérveka and founded the Elíseas, the fiercest Amazons, the fiercest warriors.
“Together with those who still called themselves Kinorios, they fought against evil to keep it far from Vérveka, sometimes even reclaiming Kettke.
“Kettke is great, Hanna!
“Kettke is the hope of everyone who dreams of a peaceful world.
“And that is something no one will ever be able to take from us.”
“I understand,” Hanna replied. “But why didn’t they search for Kerion? Why didn’t they try to unite their kingdoms so their bloodlines could merge again?”
“As I said, Kerion’s survival may have been nothing more than a legend born from the hopes of those who could not accept that Senia’s bloodline had died with him.
“Breok may simply have been another orphan, one of the many left behind after the massacre of Kettke.
“But even if he was Senia’s son, the inhabitants of Drókola, later called Drokors, and the inhabitants of Nurukia, or Rohonaks, wanted nothing more to do with Kettke.
“They were called the Isolated Kingdoms, and that is what they are still called today.
“Many times they have been summoned to fight Drujas and his army, and every time they have refused.
“They want nothing to do with the kingdom they once abandoned.”
“And what happened afterward?”
“Afterward, only hope remained.
“Hope that Oddeon’s work would one day be completed.
“Hope that all the kingdoms could live in peace, that all beings could live together without fear, far from senseless wars.
“And above all, hope that the King of Kings would return to Kettke to rule his people, his kingdoms.”
Bauros paused for a moment and drew a breath.
“With the passage of time, through generations and generations, Sium and Kinoria gradually faded from memory.
“Perhaps they are nothing more than that now, part of a story, perhaps a legend that never truly existed.
“But their strength, and the strength of Kettke, remain alive in every being who believes peace is possible, in every being who remained faithful to the one we all considered our king.
“And even today, when many believe Kudark has finally accomplished what he wanted, destroying the descendants of Elisea’s bloodline, many of us still believe there is hope.
“Hope to fight.
“Hope to keep dreaming that one day peace will come.”
“Then there isn’t a king anymore?”
“Perhaps there isn’t.
“Tuarkkett and Badania died without leaving any children. Or at least that’s what people believe,” he said thoughtfully, scratching his head.
“It wasn’t very long ago, no more than eight darknesses.
“But even so, the Kinorios continue fighting for Kettke, and many support them, giving their lives for their cause.
“Their army grows stronger every day, but so does Drujas’s.
“My son Elam did not hesitate to travel to Bógotra to defend what he believed in.
“And I was proud of him!
“I would have done the same.
“But unfortunately, he died soon afterward.
“Then Filian became furious.
“He too had wanted to go with Elam from the beginning to defend Kettke, but he was still too young.
“After learning of his brother’s tragic fate, however, there was nothing we could do to stop him.”
Bauros fell silent for a moment, trying to hold back his tears.
Hanna looked at him sadly and with some confusion, remembering what his wife had said about their younger son.
“Your wife said Filian was in Belonia.”
“No, Hanna. Filian left a long time ago.
“We’ve heard nothing from him since.
“Every day I think about him, about how he might still be alive, about how soon all this might end and we might see each other again in a peaceful world.
“But we know nothing…
“Perhaps we never will.”
“But your wife believes he’s in Belonia. You can’t deceive her. She needs to know he’s in Bógotra. She has to know. He’s her son!” Hanna replied, somewhat angrily.
Bauros looked at her, moved closer, and gently touched her sorrowful face, wiping away a tear that had begun sliding down her cheek.
“You’re a good girl, Hanna. And a just one.
“You seem to want to put everything in order, to find the proper place for everything.
“But you must begin facing the world you live in, remembering what you once forgot, accepting that the world around us is cruel and unjust.
“Only when you recognize reality will you know how to find the hope that gives so many of us strength.
“My wife decided long ago to turn away from reality.
“Perhaps Elam’s death extinguished her hope. From that moment on, nothing made sense to her.
“Losing a child is terrible, little one. Something impossible to accept.
“But watching Filian leave us to join the Kinorios, perhaps to meet certain death, finally broke her.
“She now lives in her own reality, her own lie.
“Perhaps because she believes Filian is already dead, that she’ll never see him again.
“That’s why she prefers to imagine he merely went to Belonia, that he’s close to her, that he’s still alive, even if only inside her, in her imagination.”
Bauros sighed sadly, and silence settled over them for several seconds.
Then, his voice breaking, he continued.
“Sometimes accepting truths in our hearts that might consume our lives is difficult, perhaps impossible for many.
“But even so, I’ve always believed we must never deceive ourselves.
“That it’s our duty to accept reality, however painful it may be.
“That living a lie means renouncing our destiny, when deep down it is destiny that should guide us along our true path.”
“I’m so sorry. It’s horrible,” Hanna said as more tears began soaking her face.
“Yes, it’s horrible. But looking away won’t accomplish anything!” Bauros exclaimed forcefully, somewhat angry.
“Many believe that by keeping their distance, they’ll somehow avoid the inevitable.
“They too seem to live inside their own lie, and I hate them for it.
“I’ve never been able to do that.
“I’ve witnessed far more tragedies than I ever wished to see, but I never turned away from them.
“Quite the opposite.
“I always went toward them, to help however I could.
“And perhaps, in most cases, my help made some difference.
“That’s how I’ve always been, and that’s how I’ll always be.
“Many think I’m mad.
“They believe I should have locked my sons away to stop them from going to war instead of praising them for what they did.
“But I don’t consider myself a bad father.
“I’m not!
“I gave them everything I had.
“I raised them with justice and fairness.
“I tried to make sure they always understood that peace is the most precious thing a kingdom can possess, and freedom the most precious thing a man can possess.
“They made their choices freely, and I was proud of them for it.
“Only that way could they choose the right path.
“And believe me, it’s difficult to say these things when I’ve already lost one son, perhaps two.
“But every day sons die, fathers die, husbands die.
“Countless people die fighting for freedom and peace, for their own and for that of others.
“Even for those who turn away from reality, who laugh at everyone risking their lives in battle.
“I have nothing to reproach my wife for.
“I love her.
“I still see in her the young woman who used to run after Elam and Filian when they were children, trying to stop them from coming sailing with me.
“And that’s why I understand her.
“Perhaps it’s something that makes her life easier, something that keeps sorrow from consuming her.
“I know that deep down she feels proud that her sons, that our sons, did what was right.”
Suddenly, the dark clouds covering the entire sky began unleashing their fury, and within minutes a great storm had formed.
Hanna and Bauros went down into the cabin, abruptly waking Gunuruk.
“What happening?” he exclaimed, startled by their haste.
“Nothing,” Hanna answered. “It’s starting to rain, and we didn’t want to get wet.”
The Snork relaxed.
But soon, with the sound of the first thunderclap, the sea began to churn, and the boat started rocking violently, as though enormous waves now filled the vast ocean.