It was time to visit Epherium again this year. As the end of October neared, Ekenos’s memorial day was approaching. Tina no longer felt so anxious about Laban going to Epherium. It was a significant change compared to the first year when she stayed inside with the doors shut for the entire ten days. When Laban promised to bring her a gift, Tina smiled and said she’d like yellow silk. Laban also smiled and responded.
“It’ll take about two weeks if I place the order.”
“I was wondering when you’d finally replace the skirt you tore?”
“Understood. I’ll do my best.”
The next day, Laban departed. As he did every year, he left behind his dagger. It was a kind of ritual they performed whenever they parted since that first promise made at the mill. Back then, the dagger alone wasn’t enough to deal with Ribola, so Laban began applying poison to the blade. However, since then, there had been no need to draw the dagger. As Gene grew older, Laban was afraid the child might touch it, so he stored it high on a shelf. Despite that, Laban couldn’t completely shake off the shadows of the past, so the ritual continued.
Upon arriving at the family estate, Laban first went to see his eldest brother. It was the evening before the memorial, and all the siblings had gathered, except for Queen Sabina. The Queen had visited that morning but was expected to return to the palace by evening. Despite it being a once-a-year occasion, the fact that she couldn’t stay leisurely at her family’s home for a few days indicated how weak her position was at court. Many of the king’s concubines came from good families, and despite Sabina being queen, if one of them bore a child, her status could disappear overnight. Rumors said she had lost much of her former beauty due to her worries.
“So, where have you been wandering around this time?”
“I went north. I followed the Nemi River and saw the ‘Dragon’s Mouth’ waterfall. I also spent some time with the local tribes.”
“I’ve heard it’s quite a sight. Perhaps I’ll have the chance to see it myself someday.”
Laban was certain that Herodion would never do such a thing but simply smiled. To his eldest brother, things like sights outside the country were no more than dots on a map. He was too occupied with maintaining and expanding the family’s power and wealth. Not just Herodion, but all the brothers were the same. Had even one sibling been different, Laban might not have been able to keep his secrets. He had deliberately grown a beard and tanned his face so that his brothers didn’t question his words. As Laban stood there, quietly relishing his secret satisfaction, Herodion suddenly spoke.
“Isn’t it about time you ended your life abroad and returned to help your brothers?”
Laban, startled, instinctively responded.
“With all of you so capable, what help could someone like me possibly offer?”
“Even though you’re the youngest, you’re now in your mid-thirties. It’s time to stop acting like a child. How do you expect to face Father in the afterlife if you spend your entire life like this? You are part of this family, and you have received your share, so it’s only right you fulfill your duty.”
The second brother, Claudion, chimed in, agreeing with Herodion’s words. It was strange. The sons of Ekenos believed that power diminished when shared, and they had been pleased when Laban showed no interest in family affairs. Now that they were saying otherwise, there had to be a reason.
“Brother, is something wrong with the family?”
At that, Dunan, the fourth brother, snapped.
“Do you think we’re asking for your help because there’s a problem? What could you solve that we can’t? Don’t be ridiculous. We’re just glad if you’re not off causing trouble somewhere. The eldest brother just wants you where we can see you because he’s worried. And while we’re on the subject, are you really just traveling around? You’re not off with some lowly woman, making more bastards like before, are you?”
Laban’s lips tightened into a thin line. Emerna lightly tapped Dunan’s knee and frowned at him. The other brothers remained silent. No one had forgotten that day. Even the brothers agreed that things had gone too far. But the circumstances were bad, and the woman involved was not right. Most of all, they needed to avoid gossip. Herodion had led the effort to cover the incident, apologizing to Laban. He’d promised to make amends somehow. But Laban hadn’t wanted compensation. There was no compensation that could make things right. Unlike his brothers, Laban had not regarded his wife as just another woman passing through his life. More than ten years had passed, but he still kept the wooden figurine his wife had carved for him.
“Take your time and think it over. There’s still time.”
With those words, Herodion stood, and the other brothers followed suit, scattering. Laban was the last to rise, but instead of going to his quarters, he headed to the dark courtyard. Emerna followed him, but Laban turned to her and shook his head.
“Sister, I don’t want to talk right now.”
Emerna nodded and went back inside. Laban wandered the courtyard alone for a while. When he neared his aunt’s annex, someone emerged from the darkness and stared at him.
“Well, well. Who do we have here? It’s been a while.”
As the man drew closer, the hood he always wore and his sandaled feet became visible. Laban didn’t recognize the face, but the man was unforgettable. It was Ayub, the demon sorcerer. Laban tensed but decided that leaving abruptly would only arouse suspicion, so he responded.
“I can’t remember how long it’s been.”
“Of course, someone as busy as yourself wouldn’t remember. I’d say it’s been about three years. Have you been traveling to some interesting places?”
“I suppose you could call it a wanderer’s curse. What brings you here?”
“I always have your family’s interests in mind. I was just about to pay my respects to the Lady and be on my way.”
“Did my eldest brother summon you?”
“Lord Herodion has always been most generous to me.”
Ayub gave a vague answer, bowed, and disappeared into the darkness. Laban stood there until Ayub was out of sight, then turned away. He felt sweat running down his back. The demon that had targeted Tina and Gene must have been summoned by that man. Laban had always expected they would cross paths again, but he hadn’t thought it would be today. No one knew the extent of a demon sorcerer’s powers, not even the one who commanded him. Laban doubted Ayub could discern just from seeing him that Tina and Gene were still alive. But he couldn’t shake the unease. It seemed far-fetched, but his instincts whispered that there was danger. Should he leave immediately? Would that only draw suspicion?
To visit only once a year and leave without attending the memorial would surely look suspicious. Sabina was coming tomorrow. If she heard Laban had come and gone, she would be reminded of old grudges. After some thought, Laban decided to leave in the dead of night tomorrow. He returned to his room, but sleep didn’t come easily.
Sabina never came.
The memorial fire was kept burning throughout the night, as was the tradition. The flickering flames made the faces of the gathered siblings appear unusually solemn. Laban heard from his old nurse that the family’s influence wasn’t what it used to be. There were many reasons for this, but the most prevalent rumor was that the king despised Sabina. Laban only shrugged. The King wasn’t a fool. He would surely know who might want to rid him of his child.
At around 2 a.m., Laban slipped out of the estate without saying goodbye. After what had happened the day before, he figured his silent departure wouldn’t raise suspicions. He hadn’t gone far before he sensed someone following him. He had planned to exit through the Donkey Gate, but he turned toward the Full Moon Gate instead. It was a good place to get any pursuers locked up in prison, given his status. But just as he neared the gate, something unexpected happened. The pursuer called out to him.
“Laban, son of Ekenos!”
Laban checked the sword at his waist and gripped his reins tightly before turning around. Two riders approached quickly, cutting off his escape. Laban kicked his horse’s belly, thinking he just needed to reach the gate. In an instant, the torchlight drew near. Just as the imposing gate loomed before him, Laban couldn’t believe his eyes. About twenty soldiers appeared, weapons drawn, blocking his path. Surrounded, Laban reached for his sword but raised his voice first.
“What is the meaning of this? Do you know who I am?”
“Of course, we know exactly who you are. You’re the youngest brother of Lord Herodion, aren’t you?”
Standing in front of the gate was Ribola, grinning as he puffed on his pipe with his one remaining hand. Laban felt a heavy weight settle in his chest.
“So, you do know. Are you telling me I can’t pass through that gate?”
You certainly have the right, but someone is eagerly waiting for you tonight. After all, it’s hard to resist the pull of family, isn’t it?”
Laban spat on the ground and replied.
“If they truly cared about family, a simple request to meet would be enough.”
“And you’d have every right to decline. However, when nobles wish to engage in friendly conversation, it becomes our duty to ensure it happens.”
At Ribola’s signal, the soldiers rushed in and dragged Laban down from the horse. A black hood was placed over his head, and his hands were bound behind him as he was loaded into a waiting carriage. As the carriage began to move, Laban tried to get his bearings. He knew they wouldn’t be heading outside the gate, nor to the royal palace. As he slowly traced the path in his mind, one place came to mind. When the carriage began to ascend a slope, Laban was sure. There was no doubt about it.
The carriage stopped. He still couldn’t see, but the guiding hands led him up familiar steps and through a cool room. Laban smirked faintly.
So, this is where they’ve brought me.
“Untie him.”
Discover more from Lilly Translations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.