The ogre's face was distorted by a horrible grimace. Drool dripped from his twisted maw onto his smooth, and his thick chin. He desired only one thing: to dismember the most charismatic man in the kingdom. This would open the doors of heaven on earth for him, and he could thus get into the good graces of the queen.
The excitement made his knuckles crack, his long claws were ready for the attack. He was more impatient than the crowd and rushed at Averkane, trying to tear him apart with his powerful claw strikes. The Bull promptly dodged to one side. Irritated, the ogre repeated the attack while Averkane dodged again, knocking him down with a powerful kick. Hamal, with the force of the blow and despite his considerable weight, spun in the air so that his head was at the level of his opponent's shoulders. In the meantime, Averkane had readied his terrible fist. The ogre had one last moment of fear cut short by the violent punch that shattered his skull like a peach. The decapitated body fell a few meters away from the Bull as pieces of brain, bone, and putrid flesh splattered onto the audience, who suddenly stopped screaming.
One of the beast's eyes twirled in the air and then landed at his feet, whereupon Averkane crushed it with his heel, mercilessly grinding it underfoot. Several seconds of silence passed during which the audience struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Suddenly, a cry erupted from the crowd, quickly followed by the beastly howls of the spectators. He raised his victorious arm amidst the general uproar and then turned to the queen, giving her a satisfied look, almost challenging her to oppose him with a worthy adversary...
Baris appreciated the Bull's talents but was no less dismayed by his usage. One must truly be a genibian to appreciate such a spectacle and revel in the death of a living creature, he thought. The horror of murder becomes a pleasing and natural sight to them.
On the way back, Riga couldn't stop praising the Silver Colossus:
"Isn't he a formidable warrior, dad? And that strength, the way he defeated it! Can you believe it, dad? In front of such a monster..."
"Yes, Baris said. We must admit he has a quite superhuman strength. It amazes me that he lives only for battles. He could very well use his talents differently, for the good of the kingdom for example. It's a real pity..."
A royal guard soldier was running from a distance apparently to speak to them:
"Baris! We were looking for you, he said, stepping in. Where were you?"
"Like you I suppose, Baris said, slightly worried by the tone used by the soldier, on the Royal Esplanade."
"Yes, the guard nodded. Makes sense."
"Why? What do you want?"
"Me? Nothing, the man answered," trying to catch his breath; he let go of Baris's arm. "It's our queen who wants to see you."
"What! For what reason?"
"I don't know. You'll see, follow me."
Baris did not understand the reason for such a summons from the queen. He wasn't in the habit of dealing with people of her condition. However, he had no choice but to follow the guard. Was his summon related to the altercation that took place in front of Aruma's inn? Would she suspect him of treason?
"My queen!" Baris said, bowing ceremoniously.
Riga greeted her with a bewildered, almost enlightened look, then stood beside his father, all sheepish. He fully intended to remain silent from start to end of the conversation: every encounter with her filled him with humility.
Andora sat on her throne embedded with precious stones and sparkling metals of all kinds: when you were used to living in the modesty of the rest of the kingdom, this opulence of wealth stood out. It struck Baris so much that the brightness of the jewels dazzled his retina. It wasn't the first time he saw it, but every time he was surprised in the same way. As for the diadem that crowned the queen's hair, it alone could cover the needs of all the destitute in the kingdom for an entire year. Anyway, Baris thought, what sovereign does not own wealth capable of saving thousands and thousands of people from famine?
"Baris," the queen said in turn, in a rather imperious tone.
Those who saw her couldn't take their eyes off her for many different reasons. Baris's reason, in this case, concerned the haughty way she held up her chin like the conceited lioness she was. He didn't hate her, but he disapproved of some of her recent actions, especially those involving abducting citizens for questioning or simply killing them. Also, he couldn't grasp her interest in expanding her armed forces, not being threatened by any external enemy. She seemed to devote more effort to frivolous things while neglecting essential ones.
Once again, Baris thought, which sovereign isn't seized by extravagant whims when it comes to managing the country's resources? What could be more logical than spending your salary to decorate the walls when there's still no roof?
"I have ruled this kingdom for many years already," she boasted. "Thus, throughout the duration of my reign, I have never had to endure the slightest contestation or seditious movement. Why? Because no one has had reason to complain about their condition." (Baris betrayed a moment of surprise upon hearing these words and tried to repress a shudder.) "I therefore do not understand how rebellious movements can be brewing behind my back while I am striving to make life pleasant for its inhabitants; I understand even less that these movements have murderous aspirations towards me." (Baris felt a tension-filled gaze upon him, and him alone.) "A guard came to see me today to tell me that you were planning to kill me. Learning this from you, Baris, my only blacksmith, needless to say, I was extremely disappointed…"
Momentarily disconcerted by the queen and her outrageous claims, Baris straightened up to his full height and looked at her confidently.
"My queen, this guard only repeated the words of a poor unfortunate man who saw me as your assassin." (He added pompous gestures to his words as if to try to convince her more of his good faith.) "Moreover, the same guard who came to see you did not appear to be convinced by the old man either, since he killed him as the latter was spouting nonsense." (He took a dismayed expression and shook his head.) "I am surprised to learn that a man in your service and therefore endowed with a minimum of common sense could endorse the words of a drunk and senile old man."
"Yes, but it was you he pointed out, wasn't it?"
"Me or another, the question would be the same. Understand, my queen, that I have no reason to want your death, quite the contrary, for the sake of this kingdom…"
Andora nodded her head, but her eyes expressed the exact opposite of what they wanted to believe. Baris saw it perfectly and pretended not to have detected anything particular; he remained completely indifferent. He thought he saw that little oblique gleam that negated everything that had been said or implied before. This intuition made him flinch inwardly.
"Very well. It is true that I have no proof of what this old man claims," she said, pretending to be convinced, "especially since I don't feel you have the soul of a bloodthirsty warrior. Alright, Baris, you may leave."
"Yes, my queen. I commend your wisdom."
Baris signaled Riga to leave and left the throne room more than anxious. In fact, he was torn between trusting her and total defiance. He was certain that outside of Genib - assuming he could get out - he wouldn't have to worry about her. But could he really trust his dreams? He feared that the queen might change her mind and end up imprisoning him. What would become of Riga? Could he trust the queen? More than anyone else in Genib, she had the power of life and death over the inhabitants of her kingdom, with no possible dispute. She could condemn anyone for anything, mere assumptions, for a yes or a no, or worse, on a whim, even though she was careful not to act with such cruelty. Regardless, he couldn't take these threats lightly. He really didn't know what to do. Leave or stay. Die now or die later.
The sun had significantly declined on the horizon. Its coppery rays gave a melancholic aspect to the shanties and other dilapidated dwellings. The long shining threads sublimated everything they touched, breathed the magic of nature into the whole world. Castles fallen into disgrace some time ago seemed consumed by the red flames of the setting sun. This type of spectacle delighted the blacksmith; at these precise moments only, he thought that the kingdom of Genib had a beauty that was in no way inferior to that of Arcadia.
They stopped to eat at a nearby tavern and then went home; the night had fallen and a milky moon had risen in the starry sky of Genib.
On these summer evenings, Baris would take out a chair and sit in front of his house. He looked at the stars.
"Maemi..."
He reserved his evenings to remember memories of a once delightful existence. He relived moments lost forever, flown away with the sweet memories of his beloved, his dear wife who had left and would never return.
Everything came back to him as if it were only yesterday. Maemi. Always dressed in a flowered kimono, always smiling at him with her eyes squinted. Every evening, she massaged his back and neck while he told her about his day's labor. After that, they would frolic in the fragrant and lush meadows and lie down on the soft grass. He rested his head on her belly and savored this moment and listened to her talk about her day, her wishes, her desires. Her belly was getting bigger day by day.
"Why is your belly so round?" he asked her playfully. "Are you sure you're working with your father, or are you spending your days tasting the pastries from the kingdom's bakeries?"
"Poor fool!" she would answer him.
Then she would laugh and pat him gently on the head. Day after day, her belly grew. And so did her joy and happiness. She had understood right away; he had only just realized it.
"That's enough for today," he whispered.
He got up and took shelter. Exhausted, he fell asleep until dawn.
"Ogai, I believe you are aware that your current situation in Genib will not last. The queen will certainly imprison you and more likely have you murdered. If you stay in Genib, you will die in the coming days. Make your way to the border of the kingdom, where the Rassan pass extends. I'll wait for you there."