I AM DESTINY'S MISTAKE

Chapter 8: A true star

At the safe borders of a great waterfall, a tour guide introduced the tourists to the beautiful scenery of one of nature's most spectacular wonders. With a fall of about 344 feet high and a width of 1312 feet, this amazing site has been the inspiration for famous poets, painters, sculptors and a variety of musicians. It has enlightened leaders, resolved wars and even had a religion with fanatic believers based around it. This was the great Kalandula falls. For years, adventurers and daredevils have tried to test the stinging whips of its unforgiving trials but have lost their pitiful lives to its impatient waters.  Myths and legends of its past and supernatural abilities spread wide in varying stories. One of which was of mystical beings who look down on the rest of the world living behind the curtains of its falls. If only they knew how close to the truth the version of this story was.

The tours ended early today. Tourists were directed to stay as far away from the waterfall as possible because of an incoming storm. It was not the first time people lost their lives to the slippery slopes of landslides. Therefore obedience to instructions was a virtue all tourists valued. But a particular man, late in his fifties, who cared little for the guidelines, took his old camera and braved the beatings of the harsh weather and terrible terrain to situate himself in a good vantage point-the treehouse he made in between the thick strong branches of an old mangrove laid directly opposite the waterfall.  He had been coming here for thirty-two years now and had made this place his second home. He had weather pieces of equipment all around him, measuring and taking readings. His hands suddenly stopped moving in realization. "It's another one he muttered to himself. That should be the second one this week alone. Something must be happening."

Behind the gushing curtain drops of the waterfall, laid the walls of a beautiful fortress. Its stones buttered by ancient runes had a mystical glow to them. It was 'grand' in every definition of the word and gave the impression of an unapproachable mistress. Anyone would awe at the sight of such a monument and subconsciously sing its praises in joy. But deep in the confines of its walls, a woman with an elven looking face and beautiful braided hair laid lazily on a couch with a detestable frown on her face. She had a silver goblet of wine in one hand and a pocket knife in the other. Her fingers stroke the pocket knife in loving affection but her eyes gave it a  more honest stare in disgust. If Derek was here, he would recognise her as crumbler of his peaceful world, the murderer of his classmates and friends. Also, as one of the unwanted guests at the Orphanage. This was Ellen of House Nathifa.

She sank deeper into her seat, not in appreciation for its comfort but at a loss for what to do next. Her eyes trailed her surroundings slowly. There was a bed big enough to fit four people in the centre of the big room. Decorations on its walls and a big chandelier so bright it reflected on the marble floor. For all the grand and beauty around her, she still thought it was trash. Her heart was more set on how to leave this 'dump'. Yes, a dump. She was only sent here as punishment for causing trouble for her overloved and talented sister.

She hated this place; The wine in her hand, the couch, the very wide width of the room, its beautiful decorations and worst of all she hated the smell of that damned waterfall. To top up her hatred for the day, her most unwithering source of vexing had come to pay a 'coincidental' visit on the exact day she thought she had just gotten her big break-Levinack's wavelength.

She was so excited that common sense to first wait for instructions from her unpleasing father fled her. She wanted credit for this, not just from her old man but also from him. The patriarch of House Nathifa. Lord Azmos. He was a very difficult person to please but if she had captured a Criminal of Levinack's standing, then a life of buttering and recognition was the least she would get from her father and the rest of those old fools.

A silver glowing rune materialized on the wall and the charming voice of a matured woman came through, "Lady Ellen, Lord Erugard would be arriving soon. Your presence would be required at the hanger."

"I know, I know, don't disturb me. I'll be there in a minute." She stood up from her seat and it dissolved into the floor, turning into a brown glowing rune before vanishing. She walked to the exit of the room and a hanger carrying a long red leather coat materialized from the wall. She took the coat and draped it on her shoulders before leaving the room. At her exiting, the bed and all the other decorations dissolved into the walls.

"Lady Ellen,..." all stopped and bowed in greetings as she walked down the corridors leading to the hanger. Gazes of respect and fear showered her every step. This was the only fun part she enjoyed, the acknowledgement of those beneath her worshipping her every move. She did not smile or acknowledge their presence but deep down it made her feel good. She had to hold herself back from smiling every time she felt this glory. The feeling was just too intoxicating.

She made her way to a big hall. Yes, this was the hanger. It was as wide and high as the curtains of the waterfall, hidden by runes that created the illusion of rocks before the fall. She handed her goblet of wine to a passing acolyte proceeded to a platform at the edge of the wall.

"You are late little sister," Vera whispered into her ears. "I wonder how you get things done around here if one of your major qualities is tardiness to time?"

Ellen looked to her side and gave a charming smile, "Fear, dear sister. Fear!"

The storm seemed to become worse, but the old man in his treehouse was less than worried. In fact, one might say he was a little bit excited. He took an uneven cut glass by his side and made a small cut on his palm. His hand dripped with his blood but he did not seem to mind as he made a circle with it on the floor and drew a rune within it. He placed an old looking telescope within the circle, Staring into its lens in the direction of the waterfall.

"He is here, I hope you have a good explanation for your incompetence." Vera giggled slightly before leaving her side.

An airship that looked more of a ship and less of a big floating balloon descended slowly through the waterfall and unto the hanger. It was huge and beautiful. Coated in gold with silver rims to mark its edges. Sculpted carvings of stars and ocean waves garnished its exterior in bold artistic patterns. It was surrounded by a very faint glowing hue, giving it an otherworldly feel.

The huge airship landed gracefully, the outline of a door carved itself on its walls leaving an opening-dissolving into stairs.

A man in an overflowing red robe walked down its stairs. His steps were slow but steady and firm as a mountain. He was short but had broad shoulders that gave the impression of reliance and capability. He looked to be in his late forties with a tiny moustache to crown his lips and well-permed hair. Any young lady interested in an older man would find him to be a delicacy.

The moment there saw him alight, Vera and Ellen walked forward and gave a deep bow. "Welcome, Lord Erugard." They greeted in unison, not daring to lift their heads until they heard him groan in acknowledgement.

He walked up to the two women and two a good look at them. His eyes squint tightly in observation.

There was a long pause...and he suddenly busted into a hearty laugh, "Come, come here you two. I have not seen my favourite nieces in a while. Come and hug your dear uncle."

"Oh No! he put 'favourite and dear' in the same sentence." Ellen thought but still came forward with a forced smile and hugged him after her sister. She took a look at Vera, and the moment their eyes met, they knew that they had the same thought.

"Come both of you, lets go inside." He invited both women with a smile like he was the host and not the guest.

There followed obediently behind him and his entourage without a word of complaint.

He swagged into the place like a king after a siege, through the corridor of the main hall and up the stairs to what was supposed to be a reading room exclusive to only the commander of the fortress.

They entered the room and he took a seat that materialized from a rune on the floor. "Leave us!" He ordered, and his entourage silently bowed and left the room. Leaving both women standing nervously.

"Which of you is in charge of this outpost?" He crossed his legs, one over another and looked up at both of them.

"I, my lord." Ellen stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Hmm," he nodded. "You sent the report on finding Levinack's hideout?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Are you sure about this?"

"yes, my lord." She nodded affirmatively, "It was a positive reading on his wavelength."

"I heard you and your sister went out to apprehended him, he must have been very weak to have let you both leave with your lives." He giggled a little.

Ellen felt a little vexed when she heard his mockery. But could do nothing in the present situation. The smiling man before her was more dangerous than the empty jaws of a starved shark. Even that smile of his sent shivers down her spine.

"It was not him!"

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"It was not him, my lord." She did not want to say, but her impulse to please reached her tongue in defense of her failure. "It was not him, so we did not bring him in."

He laughed loudly.

"Ignorance is the sunlight of the foolish, when she rises-fools rush to work. Of cause I know it's not him," he stood up from his seat and stroked Ellen on her cheek. "Dear little one, if it was Levinack, not just you two but a thousand at your realm would still not be enough to even draw close to him-much less 'bring him in."

"But the wavelength lantern..." She tried to argue

"I don't care about the wavelength lantern!" His voice had climbed a pitch.

There was a few seconds of silence again.

He turned to face the only window in the room. It had a view of the waterfall and the hanger. He looked through it for a few seconds and sighed loudly. "How old are you now? I mean according to our plane's time."

"Two hundred and four my lord" She answered very proudly.

"TWO HUNDRED AND FOUR!!!" He whistled loudly and laughed some more. "That's quite impressive. "I remember when I was at your age, I had barely learnt how to materialize my soul pen. Both of you are geniuses."

Ellen felt good about his praise while Vera barely showed interest in her face

"Impressive...impressive," he kept nodding his head. "So were both of you present for the 'War of Salvation?"

Both, look at themselves then shake their heads in disagreement. Ellen even bowed her already proud head a little.

"Oh! I remember you were both in closed cultivation then. Your father did a good job of hiding his 'precious little girls' away from the loud rumbles of that fight." He paced around the room in slow steps, dancing his fingers in a strange rhythm on the walls. "Do you know I lost of my son in that war? He probably would have been a high-rank norminer by now too." He paused and turned to them. "I don't think you know who Levinack is. he was a true genius of his generation, reaching the peak of the norminer realm by mere age forty. A true star. so talented that his shine threatened the stability of the royal family." He continued his gentle stroll and then stopped again. "He was supposed to be a worshipped talent. An inspiration to the young ones. But his revolution led to the most devastating slaughter of our race." He came back to his chair and sat. "I don't think you found Levinack. If you did, this conversation would have been between me and this empty room." He stood up from his seat again and headed for the door, but before he got to it, he stopped in his steps. "You will be punished for your disobedience dear niece. You were instructed to wait for my arrival. But you went in headfirst. You will learn to pay heed to orders. Am I clear?" His smile was quickly replaced with a stern frown.

"Yes, lord Erugard," Ellen answered nervously

"Good...good. Now, let's have dinner. Shall we?"

"Yes, Lord Erugard." They both responded in a bow.

Vera looked at Ellen with apparent gloating in her eyes and left the room after Erugard.

Ellen's anger was rising again when a thought stroke her and she ran after Erugard. "Lord Erugard!!!" She yelled, stealing the attention of all in the hallway.

"Yes, dear niece!" He answered without turning back."What is it now?"

"I forgot something very important."

"And what might that be?"

"I caught one."

"You caught one what?"

She walked confidently to him "One of his sisters."

Erugard turned his head sharply. He was shocked. Vera also turned to her sister and had a shocked expression on her face.

"I have Maria of House Thembeka."