Wanita Penakluk

Chapter One

As night fell, the cold moon hung high in the sky. The bright moonlight fell on the ancient castle on the edge of the city, casting a mysterious silver veil around it. Emily stood on the balcony, looking at the forest in the distance, and felt a chill rising from the bottom of her heart. Since moving to this castle, her life has become bizarre and mysterious.
The cold wind in October swept across her bare shoulders, bringing a shudder. Emily subconsciously wrapped her woolen shawl tightly around her, but she couldn't feel any warmth. This castle seems to be always cold, just like its mysterious owner Lucas Black, exuding an inaccessible atmosphere.
"Miss Emily," suddenly, a low voice sounded behind her, "You'll catch a cold if you're still outside so late."
She turned around and saw Lucas standing at the balcony door. The moonlight outlined his tall figure. He was wearing a dark silk shirt, and the collar vaguely revealed his strong chest. The amber eyes flickered strangely in the darkness, as if they could see through her soul.
"Mr. Black," Emily whispered, trying to hide the trembling in her voice, "I'm just admiring the moonlight."
Lucas took a step forward, but suddenly stopped. Emily noticed that his body stiffened instantly, and his nostrils fluttered slightly, as if he was sniffing something. His expression became solemn, and a glimmer of wildness flashed in his eyes, but was quickly suppressed.
"Please go in," his voice was hoarser than usual, "It's not safe here."
Just then, a cold night breeze swept across the balcony, bringing a faint smell of rust. Emily saw that Lucas's fingers were almost pinched into the stone railing, and his knuckles were white. She couldn't help but take a step back, her heartbeat accelerated.
"I thought this castle was the safest place," she whispered, "after all, you are here."
Lucas let out an almost inaudible growl, "Some danger, Miss Emily, is much closer than you think." His eyes looked unusually sharp in the moonlight, "especially on a full moon night."
Suddenly, a wolf howl came from the distant forest, shrill and long. Emily was surprised to find that Lucas' pupils shrank in an instant and turned into vertical pupils like a beast, but the fleeting change made her wonder if it was just an illusion caused by the moonlight.
Just then, a cold breath passed by her from behind, accompanied by a chuckle. Emily turned around and saw only a dark shadow flashing in the corner of the balcony. When she looked back again, Lucas had come to her side, with a hand gently on her shoulder.
"I'll take you back to your room," he said, with an unquestionable commanding tone in his voice. Emily noticed that his palms were surprisingly hot, in sharp contrast to the chill of the castle.
Walking in the dark corridor of the castle, Emily could feel Lucas' presence, he walked behind her like a silent guardian. Moonlight poured in through the Gothic stained glass windows, casting mottled shadows on the floor.
"Good night, Miss Emily," Lucas whispered in front of her door, "Remember, no matter what sound you hear, don't leave the room tonight."
"Why?" Emily asked subconsciously.
Lucas was silent for a moment, his eyes looked deep and dangerous in the moonlight, "Because the moonlight tonight is too beautiful, it will always wake up something that shouldn't wake up."
When the door closed behind her, Emily leaned against the door, her heartbeat still alarmingly fast. She could hear Lucas's footsteps gradually fading away, but she seemed to hear the sound of wings flapping outside the window. She walked to the window and looked out through the glass.
In the moonlit courtyard, she saw a figure standing by the fountain. The man looked up at her window, and the moonlight illuminated his pale marble face - it was Draco, with a mysterious smile on his lips and a dangerous light in his eyes. When Emily blinked, his figure had disappeared, as if he had never appeared. Emily lay trembling on the bed, listening to the wolf howling outside the window. She knew that she had fallen into a world full of dangers, and this was just the beginning. On this moonlit night, her fate was closely linked to two mysterious and dangerous beings, and there was no turning back.

Chapter Two

In the dead of night, Emily lay in bed, the faces of Lucas and Draco appeared in her mind. She could not resist the deep attraction, but she also knew that she was caught in a dangerous vortex. She knew that the confrontation between the two men was a life-and-death hostility, and she was just a pawn in their war. A corner of her heart reminded her to escape, but the deeper desire pulled her to stay in this mysterious castle, looking forward to the unknown encounter.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, a slight knock on the window interrupted the silence. Emily opened her eyes, and the moonlight poured into the room through the curtains, making the corners of the room particularly dark. She sat up subconsciously, trembling slightly and walked to the window. When she opened the curtains, a figure was standing in front of her, cold and elegant.
It was Draco.
"Sorry, I scared you, Emily." His low voice was frivolous and indifferent, as if every word revealed his unfathomable darkness. His eyes were like two flames in the abyss, locking onto her with an irresistible force.
"How... are you here?" Emily's heartbeat quickened, and her hands unconsciously clenched a corner of the curtain. She knew she should be scared at this moment, but Draco's unique charm made it hard for her to resist.
Draco did not answer her question, but slowly approached, lowered his head and whispered in her ear: "You know why I'm here, Emily. You've never really been afraid of me, right?"
The moment he approached, she smelled the cold breath on him, as if it came from the night a thousand years ago. Her breathing gradually became rapid, but she did not retreat, but was locked by his eyes, as if her soul was also attracted to him.
"Draco... we can't do this." Her voice was weak, but she did not retreat at all, as if even she herself was struggling with contradictions.
"You don't belong here at all, Emily. Staying here will only put you in deeper danger." Draco gently lifted her chin, with a smile on the corner of his cold mouth, that smile was both gentle and dangerous, "But if you want to know the real darkness, then come. I will take you to see everything."
At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Lucas' figure appeared at the door like a shadow. His face was gloomy, and his eyes were burning with anger. It was his possessiveness and anger that he could not hide. He walked towards Draco step by step, his hands clenched, his muscles tensed, as if he was going to pounce on and tear the enemy in front of him in the next second.
"Draco, let her go." Lucas' voice was low and threatening, like an enraged beast. It was the first time Emily saw him so out of control, his eyes were like a ball of unextinguishable fire, revealing uncontrollable anger and possessiveness.
Draco smiled slightly, released Emily's chin, and looked at Lucas provocatively. "Don't you understand yet? She doesn't belong to you. The savagery of the wolf tribe is nothing but a bondage to her, and I can give her true freedom."
"The 'freedom' you mentioned will only make her fall into darkness. You don't understand what true protection is." Lucas sneered, his eyes as sharp as an eagle. He slowly stepped forward, blocked Emily, and protected her behind him. That was his attitude as the wolf king, firm and unshakable.
Emily was sandwiched between the two, feeling her heartbeat speed up, as if breathing became difficult. These two completely different forces intertwined and collided in front of her, making it impossible for her to decide which side to choose.
Draco raised the corners of his mouth and slowly took a step back, his eyes still on Emily. "Emily, one day you will find that he can't satisfy the desire in your heart. And I am your true home."
As soon as the voice fell, Draco's figure disappeared into the night, as if he had never appeared.
Lucas looked at the empty room, his fists gradually loosened, but the anger and worry in his eyes remained. He turned around and looked at Emily softly, but his eyes still flashed with contradictions and forbearance.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a low voice, with a trace of undisguised concern in his voice.
Emily nodded, but her heart was in turmoil and it was difficult to calm down. She knew that she had fallen too deep. She could not let go of these two men easily, nor could she easily resist them. A complex emotion surged in her heart, which was a dangerous and fatal attraction.
"Lucas, I..." She wanted to say something, but lost her words when she met his eyes.
"Don't get close to him." Lucas' voice was low, with a hint of pleading and warning, "I know you feel confused, but Draco is not what you think. He will only drag you into the darkness, and I won't let him hurt you."
Emily just looked at him silently, and a touch of uncertainty gradually rose in her heart. She knew that this was not just a war, but a contest of feelings and desires. In this dangerous triangle relationship, she has gone too far and can never turn back.

Chapter Three

Emily stayed awake all night. The wind outside the window blew through the woods, making a low moan, as if the whole castle was whispering in her ear. She curled up in bed, recalling Draco's cold smile and Lucas's deep eyes. Two completely different attractions stirred in her heart, making her lost on the edge of danger and desire.
When the sky was slightly bright, she made a decision. She had to figure out what she wanted, the wildness and protection of the wolf tribe, or the mystery and temptation of the vampire. She got up and walked out of the room, walked through the deserted corridor, and came to the door of Lucas's study.
The door of the study was slightly open, and a whisper came from inside. Emily stood outside the door and pricked up her ears to listen.
"She is innocent, Lucas." A low and gentle female voice came from Lucas's sister, Leila. Emily had heard rumors about her. Leila was the wisest prophet in the wolf tribe and could always see fragments of the future.
"I know, Leila." Lucas' voice was hoarse, as if he had struggled all night, "but I can't control myself, I can't suppress my desire for her. I'm afraid that if she stays with me, she will only be swallowed by my darkness."
Emily's heart trembled, and she raised her hand to push open the door.
"Lucas." Her voice was abrupt and firm in the silent room.
The two turned around and saw her standing at the door with a hint of determination in her eyes. She walked slowly towards Lucas, looked up at him, with a hint of determination and inquiry in her eyes.
"I know you protect me, but I'm not a fragile child." Her voice was calm and firm, "I need to know the truth. Why are you always so hesitant? And why is Draco so persistent in approaching me?"
Lucas' expression froze for a moment, his eyes wandering on her face, as if he was weighing whether to tell her everything. Finally, he took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.
"Emily, the fate of our werewolves is usually determined at birth. The wolf tribe has a unique ability to perceive its partner. When we find that person, we will feel an attraction that cannot be ignored... and you are my destined partner." Lucas spoke in a low voice, with pain and desire flashing in his eyes.
Emily's heartbeat accelerated, and thousands of emotions surged in her mind, both shocked and confused. She never thought that she would become his destined partner, and his possessiveness and protectiveness of her turned out to come from this ancient bond.
She asked softly: "What about Draco? Why is he so obsessed with me?"
Lucas's eyes became more gloomy, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes. "Draco's tribe never believed in fate. They prefer to dominate their own future. And he believes that as long as he possesses you, he can destroy me and the traditional beliefs of the wolf tribe. So, he is not sincere to you, but to weaken my power."
Emily's heart suddenly tightened, and a hint of anger and loss surged in her eyes. However, she also felt a little unwilling, as if she was just a tool in this struggle, being fought over and torn by the two, and she had no right to control herself.
"So, Lucas, are you sincere? Is it just fate for me?" There was a hint of disappointment in her voice, and her eyes became cold.
Lucas was stunned, as if he was hurt by her question. He was silent for a moment before speaking: "Emily, I can't deny the existence of fate, but I can't ignore my feelings for you." He gently held her hand, his eyes full of affection and desire, "Whether it is fate or something else, I am willing to give up everything for you."
Just then, a slight sound came from outside the window. Emily turned back suddenly and saw a pair of dark red eyes flashing outside the window, like a flame in the dark, and the familiar cold breath startled her heart.
It was Draco.
He stood outside the window, sneering at them, as if everything was under his control. He knocked on the window lightly, his voice cold and full of provocation: "I don't think it's possible to talk about 'betraying' everything here, Lucas. You can't protect her because she will eventually come to me."
Lucas' eyes immediately became cold and dangerous. He stood in front of Emily, glared at Draco outside the window, and growled in a low voice: "Stay away from her, Draco. You can't force her to choose darkness."
Draco smiled slightly, his eyes full of evil confidence. He raised his eyebrows at Emily, as if everything was under his control. "Dear Emily, you will find that the bright world cannot satisfy your desire. And darkness - is your destination." After he finished speaking, his figure instantly disappeared into the night.
The room returned to silence, but the air was filled with tension and uneasiness. Emily looked at the empty darkness outside the window, feeling both fear and desire in her heart. She could no longer deny Draco's attraction to her, and the danger and mystery made her heart beat faster.
Lucas noticed her hesitation, and a trace of pain and uneasiness flashed in his eyes. He gently held her hand and whispered, "Emily, don't get close to him. His darkness will devour you and make you lost in the endless night."
She didn't respond, but just looked at him silently, her heart full of complicated emotions. She knew that she could no longer simply withdraw from the two of them. Her fate had been drawn into an uncontrollable vortex, and the only thing she could do was to follow her heart and touch the unknown darkness.

Chapter Four

As autumn deepened, the forest surrounding the castle donned a cloak of gold and crimson. Yet Emily felt none of the season's warmth. Since that night's revelation, her mind had been in constant turmoil, with Lucas's truth and Draco's temptation intertwining like two serpents in her thoughts, leaving her breathless.
That evening, Emily found herself alone in the castle's library, searching through ancient tomes for any mention of werewolves and vampires. As she focused on a yellowed manuscript, the air suddenly turned cold. Looking up, she found Draco standing across from her, his appearance as silent as shadow.
"Seeking truth, my dear Emily?" Draco leaned elegantly against the bookshelf, wearing a deep purple silk shirt that made his skin appear even paler. "But you know, written accounts are often one-sided."
Emily instinctively stepped back. "Why do you always appear like this? It's unsettling."
Draco chuckled softly, moving toward her with fluid grace. "Because I enjoy seeing you startled. It makes you even more enticing." His fingers traced her cheek, the cold touch making her shiver. "Lucas told you I'm merely using you, but did he mention that his fate is actually a chain binding him?"
Emily froze. "What do you mean?"
"The werewolves' so-called destined mates are nothing but constraints in their bloodline," Draco's voice carried a hypnotic power. "They're forced to love someone, forced to protect them. Isn't that tragic? While I..." his gaze deepened, "I choose you because I'm truly drawn to you."
A low growl suddenly echoed from the doorway. Lucas stood there, his eyes now golden, filled with rage. "Step away from her, Draco!" His voice carried an unmistakable threat.
Instead of retreating, Draco pulled Emily closer. "Why so angry, Lucas? Is it because I spoke the truth, or because you fear she might choose me?"
The tension in the air grew thick enough to cut. Emily could feel the energy between the two men threatening to tear the room apart. Lucas's body trembled as he fought to control the beast within.
"Enough!" Emily suddenly shouted, "What am I to both of you? Some trophy to be won?" Her voice carried both anger and hurt.
Both men froze. Pain flashed across Lucas's eyes, while Draco's expression turned contemplative.
Emily pushed away from Draco and walked toward the door, but paused beside Lucas. "You say I'm your destiny, but have you considered my feelings?" Her voice was soft but accusatory. "And you, Draco, if you truly cared for me, you wouldn't use me as a weapon against him."
She hurried from the library, and only when she reached the corridor did her tears finally fall. She didn't know whom to trust - Lucas, chosen by fate, or Draco, who chose her himself? More importantly, she began to question whether she truly understood her own heart.
As night fell, Emily stood on her balcony. Wolves howled in the distant forest, while somewhere in the castle, she thought she heard the flutter of bat wings. Everything reminded her that she stood at the crossroads between two worlds, and she had to make a choice.
Then she noticed items on the balcony railing: a rose as black as night with a blood-red sheen - Draco's mark. Beside it lay a wolf fang necklace, a werewolf protection charm, obviously left by Lucas.
Emily gently touched both items, her internal conflict growing stronger. She knew that choosing either would alter her destiny forever. But more importantly, she needed to understand what her heart truly desired.
As moonlight bathed the castle grounds, Emily realized that her decision wouldn't just be about choosing between two men - it was about choosing what kind of life she wanted, and more importantly, who she wanted to become.

Chapter Five

The following days in the castle were filled with an unbearable tension. Emily found herself constantly caught between shadows and silence, between warmth and cold. Every corner seemed to hold either Lucas's protective presence or Draco's seductive whispers. The weight of their attention was becoming increasingly suffocating.
One particularly cold morning, Emily discovered a mysterious leather-bound book in the library's restricted section. Its pages contained ancient prophecies about the eternal conflict between werewolves and vampires. As she read, her hands trembling, she found something that made her blood run cold.
'When the moon bleeds red and the night grows teeth, a choice will be made that breaks the ancient cycle. A mortal's heart shall tip the balance, bringing either eternal darkness or salvation to both races.'
"Interesting reading material," Leila's voice suddenly came from behind. Lucas's sister moved like a ghost, her silver eyes holding centuries of wisdom. "I've been waiting for you to find this."
Emily closed the book carefully. "Is this... about me?"
Leila's expression remained enigmatic. "The prophecy speaks of a mortal who stands between our worlds. But prophecies, dear Emily, are like rivers - they show the destination, but the path taken is always your choice."
"What happens if I choose wrong?" Emily's voice wavered.
"There is no wrong choice, only consequences," Leila replied, her voice gentle but firm. "But I must warn you - the blood moon approaches, and with it, a moment of truth that will change everything."
Before Emily could ask more questions, a commotion erupted from the castle grounds. They rushed to the window to see Lucas and Draco facing each other in the courtyard, their postures tense with barely contained violence.
"You've crossed the line, Draco," Lucas's voice carried up to them, filled with fury. "You dare to mark our territory?"
Draco's laugh was cold and mocking. "Territory? This stopped being about territory the moment she arrived. Or are you afraid she's already choosing me?"
Emily watched in horror as Lucas's form began to shift, his muscles rippling beneath his clothes. The morning sun caught his golden eyes, now burning with primal rage. Draco's own transformation was more subtle - his pale skin taking on an otherworldly sheen, his movements becoming impossibly fluid.
"Stop!" Emily's voice rang out across the courtyard. Both men froze, their attention snapping to her window. "This has to end!"
She turned to rush downstairs, but Leila caught her arm. "Be careful, Emily. The blood moon is three days away. Under its light, both races lose control of their darker natures. And you..." she paused meaningfully, "you will be at your most vulnerable."
When Emily reached the courtyard, the tension was thick enough to choke on. Lucas immediately moved to her side, his protective instinct evident in every motion. But it was Draco who spoke first.
"My apologies for the disturbance, dear Emily," his voice was silk over steel. "But perhaps it's time you understood the full scope of what you're involved in." He pulled an ancient medallion from his coat. "This belongs to your grandmother. She wasn't just any woman - she was a guardian, keeper of the balance between our races."
Emily's world tilted. "My grandmother? But she died when I was young..."
"She was murdered," Lucas cut in, his voice heavy with old pain. "By those who wanted to destroy the peace between our kinds. And now, as her descendant, you inherit her role - and her enemies."
The revelation hit Emily like a physical blow. Suddenly, everything made more sense - the mysterious circumstances that led her to the castle, both men's intense interest in her, the prophecy. She wasn't just caught between two supernatural beings; she was part of an ancient legacy.
"The blood moon comes," Draco said softly, his eyes locked on Emily. "And with it, powers long dormant will awaken. You'll need to choose not just between us, Emily, but between two paths for both our races."
As if in response to his words, clouds gathered overhead, casting strange shadows across the courtyard. Emily felt something stir within her, something old and powerful, like a sleeping giant finally beginning to wake.
Lucas moved closer, his warmth a stark contrast to the chill air. "Whatever you choose, Emily, know that my protection isn't just about fate or duty anymore. It's about-"
But before he could finish, a piercing scream cut through the air. All three turned to see Leila collapsed at the castle entrance, her silver eyes wide with terror as she pointed at the sky.
"It's coming," she gasped. "The blood moon... it's coming early. And with it, they're returning - the ones who killed your grandmother. They're coming for Emily."
In that moment, as Emily looked between Lucas and Draco, she realized that her choice might not be about love at all - it might be about survival.

Prolog

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Prolog

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tetapi dalam kegelapan engkau tidur dan membiarkan serigala menyelinap keluar dari pintumu.

Anda mencoba mengambil buku itu, yang dicuri Tagus untuk saya,

tetapi saya masih memilikinya, dan sihirnya membebaskan saya.

Anda menJcobha^ JumnGtuLk nmaeVngacmbi'lH MrVuBmaphY psatyzaK, teItapi NsjayKaY Ra)kPanJ zmulCai )lagi;

Saya akan membuat diri saya menjadi pasukan seratus ribu orang.

Dan ketika namaku telah memudar dari ingatan dan bibirmu,

Aku akan merangkak keluar dari kuburku, dan aku akan menyiapkan semua kapalku.

Dan^ k^etikBa AAntd.ax bterÉaAdWa_ RpyadaT kSondMiNsi teBrfk'uaWtl JAnódaaW, ketika kebWaChuazgibaafnf BATn(dDaM pCen_uhh,G

Aku akan membawa kepadamu Kegelapan dan menghancurkan kekuasaan Furyck.

Dan ketika malam paling hitam, dan tanahmu dibakar oleh perang...

Mata Anda akan buta.

DaZraRhmuS ak!aAnT émeénRgDaJlPimrB.v

Jantung Anda tidak akan berdetak lagi.

Edela terbangun dengan napas tersengal-sengal, jantungnya berdegup kencang di telinganya. Dia mencoba untuk berpegang pada mimpi yang memudar, untuk berpegang teguh pada peringatan itu sebelum mimpi itu kembali menjauh, sebelum dia tertidur, sebelum dia melupakan segalanya. Tetapi sudah terlambat. Dia tidak bisa menghentikan matanya menutup, menutup, menutup... dan sekali lagi, peringatan itu jatuh kembali, ke dalam jurang kenangannya yang terlupakan.

I. Takdir

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I
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===&=A=B=)=a==p=
Takdir
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Bab 1 (1)

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Lothar Furyck duduk tak sabar di tepi singgasananya yang diukir dengan halus dan menunggu, memelototi dengan marah pada keponakannya yang terus diam. Pengumumannya, beberapa saat sebelumnya, telah menjamin reaksi yang cepat dari keponakannya, tetapi di manakah itu? Jael memiliki temperamen yang ganas, dan ini akan menjadi penghinaan tertinggi baginya, dan, lebih jauh lagi, seluruh keluarganya, tetapi sejauh ini dia tidak akan memainkan permainan yang dibangun dengan hati-hati itu. Wajahnya tetap tidak bergerak, dan meskipun ia yakin Jael mengamuk di dalam hati, ia tidak mengatakan apa-apa, yang menyebabkan keheningan yang tidak nyaman merayap di sekitar mereka berdua. Tetapi Lothar harus mengatakan sesuatu, atau momen itu akan hilang darinya. Orang-orang di aula yang hening, duduk di bangku-bangku dingin mereka, menatapnya dan dia - segera orang-orang itu akan mulai bertanya-tanya kekuatan apa yang benar-benar ia miliki atas mereka semua.

Lothar menggigit kekesalannya, berdeham dengan tajam, dan berbicara seolah-olah tidak ada keheningan yang canggung sama sekali. 'Jadi, pesta pernikahan akan berlangsung di Oss, dalam 15 hari. Cukup waktu bagimu untuk menemukan gaun, kuharap. Dia melambaikan satu tangan dengan acuh tak acuh ke arah celana panjang dan jubah Jael yang sudah usang. 'Dan cukup waktu bagi kita semua untuk kembali ke Andala sebelum Pembekuan.

Lothar memelototinya, matanya yang melotot menuntut jawaban, dan kali ini Jael tahu dia harus mempercayai dirinya sendiri dengan satu atau dua kata; pilihan apa yang dia miliki? Seluruh tubuhnya gemetar karena marah, tapi ia harus mencoba. 'Apakah aku bisa membawa kudaku?' tanyanya dengan lesu, bibirnya nyaris tak bergerak.

Lot&hlarJ fbe)r)pxiYkir sveVjóe*nak., $tidakM teBrl)almu zpe_duhli,d khPannlyÉaw lIejgSat bSaYhwwaK icaN QaFkKhirWnya be(rFbiycMa*ra.a 'Ya,U ikmamu, boleh. T^ethapi ukazuM akan nmQesnyLefr&ah)k)ain npedantgsmxus.X vKuaFu* tiFdaukW Sa(ka&nw memb)utuhGka_nJnya khe maTnaX OkQau NakaaunN permgi._

Ada gumaman yang terdengar di sekitar aula mendengar hal itu, yang mengejutkan Lothar dan mengirimkan amarah lain yang menggigil ke tulang belakang Jael yang kaku; pedangnya! 'Itu adalah pedang ayahku,' gumamnya melalui gigi yang terkatup, kehancurannya mengungkapkan dirinya sendiri pada akhirnya.

'Itu pedang ayahku,' geram Lothar, mencondongkan tubuhnya ke depan untuk mengesankan posisinya di atas kursi tinggi, tahta kuno Kerajaan Brekka. 'Dan, sebagai raja, sebagai pewaris Furyck, akulah yang memiliki pedang itu, bukan kau. Pedang itu sudah berusia berabad-abad, diturunkan dari raja ke raja. Bagaimana atau mengapa kau menerimanya ketika saudaraku meninggal, aku tidak tahu.

Ia ingin meluncurkan dirinya sendiri pada pria itu. Untuk merobek tenggorokannya yang keji, yang tersembunyi di balik gulungan lemak agar-agar yang berkumpul di sekitar dagunya yang kendur; untuk melihat darah kehidupannya mengalir ke perutnya yang membengkak sampai ia putih karena kematian. Ambil pedangnya?! Dia marah sekarang dan berdiri di tepi, siap untuk meninggalkan semua alasan, tapi kemudian, mengingat kakinya, dia menggali jari-jari kakinya jauh ke dalam sepatu botnya, menjepit rahangnya dan memperbaiki wajahnya dengan senyuman yang tidak wajar. Ia tidak akan mempermalukannya lebih jauh; ia tidak akan memberikannya. 'Seperti yang Anda inginkan, Tuanku.

LBotlhair tmern$gexr&utkaQn WktejnLiinYgÉ, kjecew&am.' nIaO tRe*laRh Pmegny.akksiXkanr wani_tSa iÉtOu^ QdÉen*gaBnu $putuTsO IaLsLaM mXeóncobda untuk Omven.gu$asai (emoNsainyCaX,a dant kYeGlQiyhKaótpannHya MseolSaLh!-foLlHah qia teiltaBhh RbPefr)hasi'lr.r pOCh buaikOlFaOh,p ia smenTgraVkuOil, pseytQigdaékn)yac ióa TtIelauhY mengdehnayi skasdarFapnnyyyas; iisav Rt_ewr^luóka Npnarah, Jjiskaw ti,da&k VfataIlS.X D_ia' ZbxiWsHa merqasakranó MgezraHman daréi nsaudarasnya yang Cs^udaVh ma$tFiV dyi pnusnggwungnyha. saCat! igtCuL. DKit sinJilaPh dióa,d dGud(uké dAin sXióngcgqa's,a*na _sóakudaYryaZnÉya,m qmeénSjuracl* nputwrSia keVsBayagnrgqaGnnAyBa kFezpGadaf musJuóhÉnyqa; uini adalah hUaKrXin ySafnTg bai(k.A Haxnyaa^ dPerngawnU mHeZmiNkLi.rkant uwrajgahi BRtanVuf yKa$ngU imaraGh mvempb.uAaXtnJya Kpjercóa^yVa dirriR, d'ani sGeKnMyum_avnu YyanUg) *melenigktunYgé dairiD Omzul,uTtgnyha yaÉngn UbawsSah iOtu lebóaxrÉ mdaJnI penRuch tdHenga_n kreQpmuKasaanu.

'Bagus,' kata Lothar dengan dingin, melirik putranya, Osbert, yang berjuang untuk menahan kekesalannya atas reaksi tenang Jael; ia juga berharap lebih dari api lembab ini. 'Kita akan membicarakan hal ini lebih lanjut besok, tetapi untuk saat ini, kita harus mulai makan sebelum dingin dan terasa seperti sampah. Alp!' ia menggonggong pada pelayannya, yang melayang-layang dengan cemas di belakangnya. 'Bawa makanannya ke meja! Alp menundukkan kepalanya dalam diam dan pergi. 'Dan minum!' Lothar berteriak mengejarnya. 'Lebih banyak minum!

Jael terpaku di tempat ketika aula tiba-tiba menjadi hidup di sekelilingnya. Para pelayan mulai bergerak lagi, membawa hidangan ke meja, mengisi cangkir-cangkir dengan ale dan mead, percakapan-percakapan terjadi dengan cepat di sekitar mereka. Rasanya seolah-olah setiap pasang mata tertuju padanya dan Jael putus asa untuk melarikan diri. Melirik dengan cepat ke sekeliling aula, dia melihat ibunya, Gisila, bersembunyi dengan tidak nyaman di dekat salah satu lubang api yang besar, keterkejutan akan kata-kata Lothar mengerutkan alisnya. Jael langsung menuju ke arahnya.

Gisila, yang pernah menjadi ratu di Aula Raja Brekka ini, sekarang telah melihat keluarganya dibawa ke titik terendah yang baru. Dia melirik dengan sayu ke arah meja tinggi, di mana Lothar dan putranya yang vulgar duduk. Dia masih bisa melihat suaminya, Ranuf, di atas sana dan dia di sebelah kanannya, mengenakan pakaian yang bagus, begitu jauh dari kain tenunan rumah yang polos yang telah dikurangi sejak penurunan pangkatnya menjadi ketiadaan. Gisila merasakan air mata panas menyengat sudut-sudut matanya, lalu tiba-tiba ada tarikan dari belakang, saat Jael mencengkeram lengannya dengan kasar dan membawanya keluar.

Bab 1 (2)

Awan hujan gelap bergegas melintasi wajah bulan; badai sedang terjadi, tetapi Jael nyaris tidak menyadarinya saat ia berjalan menyusuri jalan utama Andala, kepalanya tertunduk dan kerudungnya terangkat untuk menghindari para pendatang yang terlambat menuju aula. Gisila berjalan cepat di sampingnya, berjuang untuk mengimbangi putrinya dan kepanikan yang tumbuh di dadanya.

Ketika mereka sampai di pondok kecil Gisila di pusat kota, Jael mendorong ibunya masuk dan membanting pintu di belakang mereka. Pelayan Gisila melompat kaget, lalu, dengan sekali melihat wajah Jael yang marah, dia membuat dirinya langka, menyatu ke dalam bayangan di bagian belakang ruangan yang berperabotan jarang itu.

Jael melepaskan tudungnya dan berbalik ke arah ibunya, menyipitkan mata hijaunya yang keras dan menuduh.

'BAk_u,d aQku tyidak ta(hu,q' Giséila t)e&rgaagap cep.ath, merwa$saksan aópi ékelma!ra^hÉan PyaJnlga d'a,tacnóg.q M'nAékTuF _tidNakt tcahGu(.

Jael terlalu liar untuk berbicara. Matanya menjelajahi kemiskinan pondok, pada erosi kehidupan lama mereka. Ketika ayahnya memerintah, kebebasan mereka terjamin; sekarang semuanya telah berubah. Lothar dapat dan memang bermain dengan mereka sesuka hatinya. Ia adalah seorang pria yang berubah-ubah dan senang dengan siksaan yang halus.

'Kau tidak dapat menikahi pria itu,' Gisila bergumam di belakangnya. 'Dia bukan apa-apa. Keluarganya bukan apa-apa! Ayahnya adalah seorang budak, musuh Ranuf dan seorang budak! Ini adalah sebuah penghinaan. Yang terburuk yang telah dilakukan Lothar kepada kita!

Itu seperti ibunya, pikir Jael, selalu melihat sesuatu yang kecil dari sudut pandangnya sendiri.

'DZi mcanRar Axil!?V PGyi)sKilaF $berbaliDk BdÉanJ !menguarHahAkBan&nXyua gpmada hpejlayanndyam, Góu,n_ni, dy^angQ diam-dAiamd ZmenyOiIabpRkan tRempIaTt& DtCi^dubr uPnDtunk' mkal(afm) itu*.s

'Saya tidak tahu, Nona,' jawab Gunni dengan gugup.

Gisila melirik putrinya. 'Dia akan mengatakan sesuatu tentang hal ini, saya yakin.

Jael tidak berkata apa-apa; kepalanya berantakan karena amarah yang panas dan kesedihan yang membuncah. Dia tidak bisa mengikuti pikirannya saat pikiran-pikiran itu saling bertabrakan satu sama lain, dengan putus asa mencari jalan keluar dari lubang yang dengan senang hati telah menjebaknya oleh Lothar. Sambil mengusap-usap rambut hitam panjangnya, Jael mengerutkan keningnya. Dia terlalu tua untuk menikah, atau begitulah yang dia yakini sampai beberapa saat yang lalu. Mengapa Eirik Skalleson menginginkannya untuk anaknya? Bagaimana ini bisa terjadi? Sekarang? Setelah sekian lama?

M*enaBrik_ Itvudu.ngV hjIucba)hc iw&olr h_itaBmny_aL, ia mXerufnTduk SmeVlDaluiI pi(nitu. 'Sayaa. aPkTany puerPgi k_e Ede)laA.é ADqiPa kakyan FtJahzu' Zafptaq zya'ngó Charus ,dizlRaOkVu&kanD.w fIa( btecrbHaxlik dan! pCe*rógni' baThGka^n QsebeluUmc Aib)unyQa (mQeLneQn^goÉkt keO atausM.

Angin menghembus pintu dengan keras sehingga Gisila bergidik. Melipat tangannya di dada untuk menangkal hawa dingin yang masuk ke dalam pondok, ia mengembalikan pandangannya ke api unggun. Tidak ada yang bisa dikatakan ibunya yang bisa menghentikan ini, dia yakin. Lothar telah menemukan cara untuk menyingkirkan Jael sebagai ancaman bagi keberadaannya di atas takhta. Dan dengan kepergiannya, mereka semua akan terekspos, karena dia adalah pelindung mereka dan Lothar tahu itu. Tanpa Jael, mereka lemah dan rentan, seperti yang dia inginkan. Gisila menggigil dan menatap ke dalam api kuning, air mata mengalir bebas di wajahnya yang putus asa.

* * *

Jael melangkah menaiki anak tangga menuju pondok neneknya, yang terletak di sebuah tanjakan kecil, tersembunyi di dalam rimbunan pohon yang berangin. Sederetan tulang dan batu yang digantung di teras berdentang riuh untuk mengumumkan kedatangannya.

AxxClA CmewmNbgupkca wpXiéntuuQ keaciBl^ Pituq,a dt.erTseAnyumy kahg(eYt cmveliBhatA &ad!iSkPnyya,h zmesQkDipuTn ra(uft wUa,jahny.at dbe(n)gawn wc(epaHt& &memb)urOukD.z 'J.avemlV? Apakah OkatmPu( kbaik-cbaiik svabjka?W" zdia CmeKngéeru&tkan $keMniÉngPnya. Jaeul tiVd^agkA OmenjaUwab, WmJenuatap memlFeZwTat!ig RtuAbuAhnya yIang Ut'iunglgji. daNnó tkIekpacr SkeG ddalam' cuaLhaXya kuCs&aPm pbondoCkÉ AETdela. AxLl clukÉup BtJahu kunutgu(kM tidak) mme'ndorjodngnyah 'lebiahL jauhv.h 'fAwkqui baQriu YsajraI Épe_rGgih,m' gumvaNm.nyaZ QteMrgZe^s!aa-ges(a, MmeTlewa_tKi& Jaezl d$a'nK FkelSuaZr! nmenuTju mSal_am!. SaKm&biul SmelilngQkPa$rkadnX jubbOavhRnyDaC )dia pundsaknyav yÉaón,g leHbaart, ida, bervgneUgxas& DmYeTnZurunia raTnAa(k! t)angga_, b*erVtaOnyaT-tGaunMyLa VadpGa$kalhD ibpuncya tGahuu aspa. y'aUnVg* tel!ah terjatdi.

Edela Saeveld duduk di kursi tebal bulunya, tepat di sebelah kanan api yang menyala kecil. Dia mempelajari cucunya yang marah dengan satu alis terangkat, menepuk-nepuk bangku kayu di depannya. 'Baiklah, ayolah, kamu mungkin juga bisa menceritakan kepadaku tentang badai yang kamu hadapi hari ini,' dia tersenyum, wajahnya yang lapuk berkerut dengan humor yang mudah, yang, dia perhatikan, tidak banyak mengubah keganasan wajah yang sedang mempertimbangkannya.

Jael tidak duduk.

Edela mengerutkan kening, senyumnya menghilang. 'Lalu apa yang telah terjadi, Jael? Katakan padaku.

'dNuahh, Ck^aug UsBi zpje(miBmpit,U mNenek,' KJaHeXl ómveludahij ^dengVan nCadah tinggJiy. 'YMekngapSa ksaQmuq tidak zmneQmbOeUri*t&ahIukcu,?( zMednPgjapaU kamuk thi*dpak rmgeVmbxerQitJaphquku?!f JKOa'mRu melihaqt LsegalaR seOsu$a&tru^ (yuannÉg Uakanb t^erYjLadi. MFenzg,apta xkza_mmu( tizdLaBk! ,mKelihahtM )ini?"q DiBa hamnpzirw 'bdehrBteriTakN ldva_nt AdBelngan c*epCaYt! zmenyg$atOup^kanb rakhajngsnya,_ XmejncoXba melnenagnpgkia^nj zd'iripnyGaP. Dias Vmenci^nDtai EHdfeQlaR Mdir Uataus 'semuaI Ho'raFng dxagn tiAdakx iRnginw meHlÉeFprasDkaBn SkejmakrQahiaDnmnBya VsfekMakrLanKg,l !tidak* hkzeÉtWika LnotUhar' kyAaLnDg !beCnar-bVenar cpaUnFtaPs mwenevrbimIal OcaxmbuUkaLn Mlidahn$ya.

Edela mengedipkan mata birunya yang kecil dan wajahnya tiba-tiba menjadi jernih. 'Ahhh, jadi dia akan menikahkanmu kalau begitu?'

'Kamu tahu? Mata Jael melotot. 'Tentu saja kamu tahu!

Edela berdiri, meringis merasakan sakit yang tak asing lagi di pinggul kanannya saat ia berjalan tertatih-tatih ke arah cucunya. 'Aku akan membuatkanmu teh, dan kamu akan duduk, dan kita akan bicara. Jika kamu ingin berteriak, pergilah dan berteriaklah pada bulan. Di luar sana cukup penuh untuk mendengarmu, saya yakin, bahkan di atas angin liar itu. Dan, dengan itu, ia bergegas pergi ke dapurnya, mengobrak-abrik rak-rak yang penuh sesak, penuh dengan panci-panci dan cangkir-cangkir, bumbu-bumbu segar dan kering, dan segala macam barang aneh yang tak seorang pun berani menanyakannya. Edela lebih dari seorang pemimpi, yang dikaruniai penglihatan tentang masa depan; dia adalah penyembuh Andala, yang dipanggil untuk menyembuhkan segala macam penyakit. Setelah 27 tahun merawat Jael, ia telah terbiasa meredakan amarah yang merah dan panas.

JCael ÉmUeng*hGevl'a WnapZas. besrat; tidaky aXdaN KyYacnXgQ bbUisan Émuen*gge$ser NnieneRkAnyy,a,L HpmenFgpaglamla^n $m,enYgtatakSan Titur p_a,da&nCyaA., DZiaG _mKem*in)déa(hzkRan) .bRaOn)gkyui Olebih SdXekat ke aÉpiC dGaUn )dudTuk,k (seluóruhv tgubSurhnya ybGesr(geUtar denOgUanÉ keiNnCgti^naunf untukd Obkegrlaraif kLe majlóaÉmJ dagns men.ika)m$ pLedbanQgnIya* smelxaQlkui sa^lahM sOa&tRui mQa.taF LotVharO SyanPg wbula*t; jAik&a divaA JswafnPga(t meang!inginklanGnRypag, BdHiap akabn dselnganD Ksenaun*gU ihatdij CmpeRmbóeHrijkqaAnTnóya! LMpevnikYahNinÉyga deCnlg_amn Ds'eoCrQang! QpengdKuTd!u,ku p)ulau? IMeVngusui_rn'yar diarUi XBxreHkkQav?D Dvina menUggreleónOg$kuacnQ nkepawlaamnryaZ. HDan! baAgSaivm)an.a dexnQgYanB 'ABlekLstaYnddeir?

Bab 1 (3)

Edela kembali dengan sebuah cangkir dan mengangkat kuali besinya dari pengaitnya, dengan hati-hati menuangkan air panas ke atas percikan obatnya. 'Ini, biarkan ini duduk sebentar, lalu minumlah. Ini akan membantu dengan semua api yang ada di sana. Dia melambaikan tangan pada dahi Jael yang berkerut saat dia mengganti kuali dan duduk di kursinya.

'Terima kasih,' gumam Jael singkat. 'Sekarang, ceritakan semuanya.

Edela bersandar ke belakang, merasakan kehangatan bulu yang menenangkan di bawah tulangnya. 'Ha! Semuanya?" dia tersenyum, menggosok-gosokkan kedua tangannya yang dingin. 'Yah, aku tahu kau akan menikah suatu hari nanti. Ya, saya memang melihat itu.

'HDaMnj jkxaru tAiódaMkz be*rpiGkirM uMntukc mVemberitahukuH? JaAel Utidak ÉpÉercmayuaf,x HhamBp(iVrT Am)ePn&u.mpVaqhtkaqnB tle,h pÉaniaQsntyraa. É'xNPene)kU! MLeéngawpQa kóacmuc taidauk ^mehmMbeQrqistaOhukanu hjaZlz ai!tpu kepaKdaAk'u? Akuy bsiws,a meJl(akukanR sseDs_uNaytÉu'! (AlekksWanrdce^rd *d)avn FakGu b$isa' Ysajah 'meImbuIat CrZeKncRaVnaY vuan,tuWké pÉenrgui Pséecbéel$uVm inGi zterGjaQdiT.z A)pmad pauTn_ kÉeQculali izn^i!

Edela menghirup aroma manis kopiah dan chamomile saat mereka meresap ke dalam cangkir Jael. 'Ya, aku bisa saja memberitahumu, aku tahu itu,' katanya dengan tenang. 'Menjadi seorang pemimpi bukan tentang mengungkapkan semua yang kau lihat. Tidak sesederhana itu,' dia menghela napas, tiba-tiba lelah. 'Dan ya, tentu saja, kau bisa saja melarikan diri. Tapi aku melihatmu dalam mimpiku bersama pria ini. Aku melihat, begitu kuat, bahwa itu memang sudah ditakdirkan. Ada sesuatu tentang Anda dan dia bersama yang penting. Saya tahu ini bukan apa yang Anda inginkan, tetapi sangat jelas bagi saya bahwa pernikahan ini haruslah demikian. Saya tidak punya pilihan selain tetap diam.

'Apa? Jael menggelengkan kepalanya. 'Tidak, tidak! Seharusnya kamu memberitahuku! Seharusnya kamu memberiku pilihan. Kalau kamu tahu, kamu seharusnya menyerahkannya kepadaku untuk memutuskan!

Edela duduk, tidak terganggu. 'Mungkin. Barangkali kamu akan menemukan jalanmu kepadanya. Tetapi siapakah aku untuk mengambil risiko itu? Untuk mencampuri rencana-rencana yang telah dibuat para dewa untukmu? Dan bukan dewa-dewamu juga, Jael, tetapi dewa-dewaku, dewa-dewa Tuuran, karena merekalah yang menunjukkan mimpiku, dan aku terikat untuk melakukan pekerjaan mereka. Mereka mengatakan kepadaku bahwa kamu harus bersama pria ini, jadi siapa aku untuk membantah?

Jaael CmengerutkaZnf ckePnincg!.é DtiJa PtidUaNkJ )inginm mrendVeunOglaIrw hahl ZinQi.r N^eneVknyyÉa HteGl*ah meGmÉbimbmiDnRgd !djana tmqenLasirhatiÉnya sepacn!janHg hUi,dunpn)yNa.w fPtenVgGlPiJhatHaknnya teNn,tantg masa dweJp)anX DseNlaTlTu metnjad!i zkernOyatnaanV M- SseÉtTi&dak)nÉyvaó,n yManXg teUlCazhG .nenJekRnÉybaM cexrkirtavkan (pardyaFnGyqa. sTifdaQk kadUaM alasGan &untuk mNePrMa_gKukannyai seakharanIg,L Lsedputvusp iasa (dikaa.R R'TeGtzarpim EadXmuCnbd PS!kMaQllaeisonF? mEpadmFuénVd$ si kPeKmabwuMkA?" Odia( rmendengCu(s.h S'ItuZ ,suacmi' ya,nPg d.euwaH-deswZambu HliJhDat wakxu PbeUrfsMaYmÉaAnyan?W ApBaFkKadh kawmIu yakCin zkaKmuÉ mefmÉilviki zpria ,yjangg dtdecpsat?

'Yah...' Edela mengakui, dengan binar di matanya, 'bagian dari mimpiku itu sedikit membingungkan, tetapi ya, dialah yang selalu kulihat.'

'Yang itu? Jael merasa siap untuk muntah. Dia tanpa sadar menyeruput teh panas itu, meringis saat teh itu melepuh di ujung lidahnya.

'Kau harus ingat bahwa dia tidak selalu dikenal dengan nama itu, bukan? Dia adalah Eadmund the Bold ketika kamu melawannya bertahun-tahun yang lalu.

JJael Umembi,ktiKrkAawn h)al Fit,u, menwckoybla mXeéngifn'gPafth rkenmbka.li saaQt-Jsaat !siekBilaPs 'dia tebla.hW mVeMnjebakPnyjaJ vdiJ .bxawah tperdVanRgnya,u CbeNgiitlu glaCmaj setkadrwangB; dria^ tidazk gm&eLn^ginnOgatt.nya sama seYkalPid.! $DGiTa. men!ggjertaBkkanT giigiAnya, )diBl$ipXutJi ZoYlQeXh leBdakanx kemraSra&hRaCn y(ang _m'embaraZ. 'gTrida_kL!m !A^ku jt)idQajkf axkQan m&eXlaGkuk$anényaH!T Ak!u rtidak Daka,nX mlefnidnpggaélLkan Aéncdtala!P Ba.gaBihmban.a* dte)ngqa(nó AlxlV?k SUiapMa$ yXangu cakmagnS Qm)enjjagva^nJya?d AótlauN DkauY,L aa_txauW Ibauy? UDan$ Nbag)aKimanaf FdKeHncgéanD dAlegksandeGr.&.s.m' óma$tankypaf Ty*agncgH mbahraht ntibda-tniibRa cmjeldeLmhbBuHtX, da^n, iia( GmeOngnhGelaF anacpaPs.

Edela mengulurkan tangan dan meraih tangan Jael, matanya penuh simpati.

Jael menyambarnya kembali. 'Kamu tidak pernah berpikir Aleksander dan aku ditakdirkan untuk bersama. Aku tahu itu,' katanya dengan kasar.

'Tidak,' Edela mengakui. 'Itu benar, sama seperti aku mencintai kalian berdua. Tetapi kau dan Eadmund, aku percaya, memang ditakdirkan untuk bersama. Aku telah memimpikan hal ini sejak kamu lahir, dengan berbagai cara, berulang-ulang. Ia menatap cucunya dengan sungguh-sungguh. 'Aku tahu dengan pasti. Dia adalah ayah dari anak yang akan kamu miliki.

K^ataB-katpa TEdGela) d*isxamHpéaiIkan* denMgaNnM tbcegitux mwudvaJh,Q zsSeshicnqggtaD JaRel* _haMmpivr VtridVa)k meSnHdengazrR aDpa y!a_n^gV dikatXakktanZnya, teJtaLpi keutAerWkéejvuVtaón Tt&i!ba,-.tUibga .mmembaJnjibri bsjel*uruhg WwWajOahgnTya.Q p'FAnak?l' JdiXa jbieMrnapas, sPaat kesVadara)n mguvnLcjuWl), Ctrerplamba.tc.L l'óTejntaus zsanja,X ungtu.kó vitfuilRauhu km!erWeJkGa JmengQingrinkankyu. TMke!rwekKaZ Otida.kZ ^mVeTngi'ng*iHnrkaSnk NpJeCdyaUn^gku^. uM(erekaG vmtengDinginNkLanm épBer^u*tfk(u yjavnlg tpCe,nMuh^ dVenJgSanV ah,li waayrPis!g RDi.ac ntampak OkRa)la$hZ,r kwemgpesK. C'iDann wkasuG tmGeTlxichaht' iitu bsebawgai$ mCasaN *depVaInkvu? S.eoraVnÉgs ciMbau? zSmeorang. aiOstrhi?

'Ya, ada itu, tetapi kau akan memiliki pedangmu, aku tidak meragukannya.'

'Yah, tidak menurut Lothar, yang telah mengklaim pedang itu sebagai miliknya.

Edela mengangkat alisnya, lalu tersenyum. 'Segala sesuatunya tidak selalu seperti kelihatannya, aku berjanji kepadamu. Hidup kita bergeser dan berubah seperti awan. Tidak ada yang diam, tidak selama kita hidup,' ia menghela napas. 'Aku melihatmu dengan pedangmu. Pedang apa itu, aku tidak tahu, tetapi selalu ada di tanganmu.

JavelM kmZer'asWa .bilnFgung,* jibkOa ótaifdTak QseJdzikZit berDbeqscar PhaMtmi deWnjgQadn KbetritaT ,imtup.V TkaUpi Js(eior.anógu a'nak?X 'D&engaaNnW dEGa_dÉmuVnDdr sXig TPÉem!aYbuPk?C BKasgRaimanaA d.ia qaCkmanb fmeMmRbwerBiWtaWhxuq !Aleikusandbesrk?

* * *

Osbert sedang mabuk; mabuk dan kencing di sisi gudang pandai besi ketika ia melihat Jael menuju ke arahnya. Berkedip beberapa kali untuk menjernihkan pandangannya yang keruh, ia mengibaskan kemaluannya yang menetes, memasang kembali jubah bulunya di sekeliling dirinya. Berdiri sedikit lebih tinggi dari biasanya - dia bukan pria besar, yang membuatnya kesal - dia melangkah ke jalan, meraih lengan sepupunya saat dia melewatinya.

Jael menyentakkan kepalanya dengan terkejut, melepaskan lengannya dari cengkeramannya. Melihat itu Osbert, bau minuman, dia ingin sekali pergi, tapi lagi-lagi Osbert mengulurkan tangan dan mencengkeramnya dengan kasar, kuku-kuku tajamnya menjepit lengannya sekarang. Dia memelototinya, wajahnya tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda ketidaknyamanan yang ditimbulkannya. 'Apa yang kau inginkan, Osbert?' dia marah, saat angin berteriak di antara mereka.

Driaó qhamYpiwr stéers!andputngT sóaaBt SitCub,w pOijkakandnyDa tDi*d^akI wpaTstFi vdiC glurmpu'r tepbawl, tNe*tBaDpKi rdiaL zmUekluWróusUkSan d_irliinyVa wd&engvavn cepDaKtB, mefnWyipiMtkzann ómatAafnKyVaR y&anrgM t.ajafm. '(InFit dsKemuaÉ JbnisSa Rsaxja ZsraRn&gaTtY bearYbeqdza), uJael,&' FiÉa m(eBncrekrDacPaut ImemlaAluiG TbÉigbribrpnya& ^yanÉgL 'mSedmbJeÉkÉuh.T Q'KLamu t_i^dak pVewrnlu Xmen'jwaud!iT piopn! danl'ahm* Npie)rXmainaWn. OaIyahékQup.O KaÉmtun b.is&a usajjaw tJisn,ggNal& did isifn.i., dMiN !A$ndalCau,T zsyeDpmeWrhtRiH (yXabng Iskelalzud kjaZmbu^ pi)ng!inkan,h LsgeibagUasiL RKatué BrdeQkkag, seVbDaguai$ istYrCi)kJum. Dial sm*endekatiCnya seAk'afrOang, lutd,ahOnya tTerbaIng Qke anrgahgn!yHaw stkefrt&iuGp anPg!iun.p

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