#koryi

The Manthos castle was in ruins, so the council had to meet elsewhere. The Astanna temple was in a bad shape too, but they had managed to find a safe corner, to have important discussions and decisions. Today, Nashuja was invited to discuss future solutions for the leadership of Manthos.

- I came back to Manthos to help my family and to help rebuilding the city. Nashuja said, I am in fact King Ifiklis' son, but I had no intention of claiming the throne - I still haven't. The story of my becoming is a brutal one, and is still painful to my mother, me and the whole family. Forces within and outside of Manthos will surely try to use this against me, and against our country.

- However, he continued, I do understand there is a need of leadership in Manthos at the moment, and I accept that I might be the best suited person. However, I propose the following: I suggest that you make me the legal guardian of the Queen, and thereby the regent, without any formal right to the throne. Should she die, we will need to elect a new leader or king for Manthos.

After a brief discussion, the proposal was adopted and sealed with a toast of kykeon. Nashuja were now the regent of Manthos.

The child queen moved in with her uncle and his family. After all, he now had the best and most solid house in Manthos. Myrto and Eleos also moved in, and Myrto was given the daily care of the ailing queen. The change after a few weeks was astounding.

Noor had made a poultice with herbs, that after a few days made the eczema a lot better. It would probably disappear totally with time. In the beginning Noor had kept a polite distance to the queen, but soon gained sympathy for the little girl.

A nutritious diet is always important, and it certainly was for Petra's condition. In addition it seemed like the social environment did her good too. The women usually cooked together, often under the supervision of Noor. And what's more healthy than sharing a good meal with your family?

Every day Petra and Nashuja went for a walk, short ones in the beginning, longer ones as Petra gained more strength. The fresh air did them both good, and they developed a warm and trusting relationship.

Most people in Manthos thought this was a great arrangement. Nashuja was well-liked, and no one questioned his good intentions for the position. His efforts for the reconstruction spoke for itself.

Some very few whispered in the corners, about him not being a legitimate regent, that he was born out of wedlock, and that he might not be a citizen of Manthos even. These people had their own agenda, one that benefited themselves and their pockets only, and most people met these allegations with rolling eyes and disapproval.

Even Noor eventually came around. She never heard anyone comment or dwell on the way Nashuja had come into the world. And she was full of admiration of her son, but, truth be told, she was immensely proud of all her children.

Here she is, with her surviving children and grandchildren. Except Pamesijos and his family, who were abroad of course, and the two newborns who were sleeping.

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[End of chapter 14]

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Sunday dinner at Noor's had become a pleasant tradition.

Usually there were good food, cheerful discussions, funny stories and sometimes airing of family problems.

However, the last few weeks Nashuja had been very quiet. They were used to Myrto not speaking at all, but not Nashuja.

- Is something wrong, my son? Noor asked, Is something troubling you?

- No mother Noor. Everything is fine. I'm just a bit tired.

- Yes, that's understandable, she said doubtfully, but I have a feeling that something is weighing you down?

- Don't worry about it mother, I'm fine.

But Noor couldn't help worrying.

- Maybe he doesn't trust me still? she thought to herself, I was an absent and bad mother when he grew up, and now he's been away for so many years. Clearly something is wrong, he just don't want to share it with me.

The next day Nashuja asked for a meeting with Captain Leotychidas and for an audience with the young queen. At first the Captain refused because of the queens health situation, but finally agreed. It was heartbreaking.

The little girl was thin, pale and couldn't walk without help. She had lost most of her hair and had large spots of painful eczema. She didn't speak and seemed confused and afraid.

- Do you understand the problem? The captain said. This can't continue for much longer.

- I understand that she needs help. Who takes care of her?

- My son Kalliergontas.

- A teenage boy?! Wouldn't a woman be better?

- At this point, It's hard to find someone you can trust. We're trying to keep it a secret that she's here. For her own safety.

- Hmm. We will have to solve this in a different way. I have an idea, but let me check something first.

- So you will consider the other thing we talked about then?

- I am thinking about it. But I need to talk to my family first.

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- Sorry father, Boui hurried to say, that was a bad choice of words. We know you are a proud man, but now that your hair is white and your strength is redused, we don’t want you to go hunting alone. That’s why we thought it was a good idea for our brothers to accompany you.

- And don’t forget that you can teach them a thing or two about hunting. I’m sure your grandchildren would love to join too. That would be very exciting for them!

- He he, I know some tricks about hunting, don’t I, Oyw smiled.

- You sure do father!

The next week the boys were ready for a hunt. A new acquaintance of Koryi, Rusa, was also present. He came from a place far to the east (or was it north?). Oyw and the others met him for the first time. He talked a bit strange, but understandable, and also brought with him new technology - a bow and arrows. Most of the guys were not that impressed, it looked very flimsy, and it was unclear to them if, and how, it would even work.

It did not take long before the first deer were observed.

- There! Just in front of us, Oyw whispered.

The hunting team was not impressively well organized.

- Meshaloob Klyg! I almost had him!!

But then Rusa got a well-aimed shot.

- Ooh Be Gah!! That arrow went very fast and very long! Klyg was divided between jealousy and admiration.

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- I want to ask your brothers and your father if I can take you to the full moon dance.

- Don’t you think you rather should ask me? Hdajk, smiled but was also serious. I’m not anybodies property, you know.

- Oh no, of course not! I just assumed ...

- Don’t! Don’t assume anything about me! But you can ask me!

- So Hdajk, you want to go to the full moon dance with me?

- Yes, I thought you’d never ask!

They both laughed.

And then he kissed her.

- Father! Father! I saw him kiss Hdajk!! Sanie ran to tell Oyw.

- What? Did they see you?

- No, I don’t think so...

- Good! And please Won, don’t make a fuss about this.

- Father, I never really had anything against him. I just don’t know him. Yet.

- So you will respect your sister’s choice, if it should come to that?

- Of course! It was never an issue from my part. Actually I think it’s just Efhag who doesn’t like him. And then Klyg, as usual, who always do whatever Efhag does.

- I think Efhag is just jealous because Rusa is a much better hunter than he is. Koryi said.

- You might be right. I will have to talk to him. But these things wears me down, they really do.

- You want me to talk to him? Won asked.

- No. Oyw sighed. This is something I have to do myself, as a father.