Rising Mist

Chapter 2

The dim light entering her shift house awoke her, she turned to other side and stretched a little before sitting upright. The slight pit in stomach she felt at night had not left her yet. It seems she had become a second home for it. Pondering too much had become a disease she could not get rid off. Smoothening her tusseled hair and gathering herself, she packed the sleeping bag, ate few dried coconut and left the tent.

Rishi was stretching himself out in the open while looking around for some signs of living beings residing in here. The grass underneath his foot was as pickling as ever and long woods surrounding made him recollect the rooms he placed Astra rule offenders for interrogation. The iron bars preventing their escape were not much different from headless logs he was trapped into, except he was on the other end of the interrogator. He folded both of their shift houses and resumed their journey.

He had walked forward in the left direction, but his first step onto the path chosen was stopped in midair. His legs seemed to feel his unsurety and made him hesitate. His doubts were reflected on Sana as well, her usual twinkle in the eyes had dimmed. That made him realize the limbo he put himself to. He had no time to swither and pulled her hand with him to the path ahead.

She knew they had the option of separation and each could search on its own. His hesitation made her mouth open quite a few times to say those words. But in the end she could not muster the courage for words that had promise of help they needed. Not that Rishi's sense of duty to her would ever make him accept such a suggestion. She would rather take the wrong path with him than travel alone in this god f*******n place. She was no brave girl like her sister who had potential to taken on unexpected happenings even without a partner accompanying. The realisation of her cowardice and the fact that she was a person who rode on other's strength made her more uncomfortable than the fear of incorrect choice.

His silent presence through out the journey was another bitter truth she had the accept. The only bright thing she got was the ways she learnt in how to avoid speaking to a person without being rude that the other person would not be given with an option of protest to his behaviour. It was an amazing feat in itself. Suprisingly, there was someone or to be specific something very different in existence who was as dissatified with him as her.

"Hey! Outsider, the nerve of you! Do you realise what your actions had done to me." A four tendril pointed grass shouted at Rishi who was still wondering where the voice had come from.

Sana tugged his tunic in the back and directed his attention on the ground where a talking grass was jumping around his foot to find an opening to cut his skin.

Rishi on the other hand was amused and picked the weird grass with his two fingers while the talking grass persisted in her attempt to harm the man. Had it been other place, she would have laughed uproriously at the struggling efforts of the four tendril grass. Keeping the grass at arms length, Rishi resumed the role of an interrogator and prodded it from all sides for its identity. Afterall this was the first talking being they had encountered since they left Astra's boundary.

The grass still showed its unpleasant attitude to Rishi and refused to answer to any of his queries except that it was male grass and should be called Hussa, else he would have devastating consequences. No matter how entertaining Hussa's actions were to him, the stubborn grass with no useful words was nothing but dust to him which had to be thrown away and so he did.

Forgetting the unexpected encounter, Rishi and Sana travelled for a while until they felt too hot to continue. The noon heat had become too unbearable and the storm whirling around made it more difficult to see. They persisted for a little while until a tree uprooting itself followed the wind around which scared them witless and held each other in a hope that soon the calm would resume its place and they become free of the strong wind disturbing their journey.

The three days away from Astra and he was still as clueless about them as they had been, when they begun. His usual confidence was slowly bidding him goodbye, despite his usual self assuredness. Moments passed by and the storm showed no signs of receding.

The storm was growing bigger with passage of time. Most of the trees were bent in half as if in a ceremony respecting the unexpected guest arrived. The ground covered in green was slowly turning to its usual self as grassess were turning to side with the new guest who enamoured their home. Thankfully, there were no living creatures residing this place. Even in such a crisis his mind could not help wonder why no beings resided in such greeneries. Was this place haunted? Bringing disasters to anyone living here as Rujaras mentioned? He had doubted on such a statement when he read it. But with passage of days in Raksharan made him question his credence.

The sky had started turning dark and finally after half a day and muddied clothes, the storm subsided. His legs gave away in relief and slumped to ground on his butt. The chuckle from his wife hurt a little of his esteem, but he didn't care much about it now. Even the slightest possibilty of being thrown into that whirlwind had terrified him. He wondered if Mahesh, his cousin had gone through such an experience. It had been fortnight since their departure when they received the earth shaking distress signal from them. The reddened sky at noon was no different from the scarlet ground of battlefield with the bloods of Astra warriors and enemies.

Sana sat in front of him on the ground and stretched her hands. She held his right palm and placed a withered dried yellow hay which Astrarians fed their bull. Her action puzzled him and he raised his brow in silent questioning.

She then asked him to observe deeper. This was no hay. Had he gone crazy? Why in the hell would she carry such a thing and place it in his palm for observation. When the storm was on its peak and dust was disturbing their vision, she felt some creature crawling on her back. She was so tempted to dive into her tunic and pull the crawling rogue, but her desire for survival kept her urge to beat the creature in check.

When the danger passed, she didn't find anything inside her clothes except this hay. Had it not been for the feel of rashes which were still fresh and red on her back, she would have thought everything that she felt during crisis was the fiction of her imagination or some divine power itching her to free herself from Rishi's grasp. The hay in her hand had almost made her believe such an absurd notion.

It was the weak voice of Hussa coming out of the hay that made her re-examine the yellow grass which was same as that four tendril grass except the colour who had threatened Rishi to kill. She repeated her experience in words to him. The man then showed a bewildered expression to her as if asking why did she placed it on his palms. Of course to revive it back to its greenness.

Hussa before losing his conscious pleaded for few drops of Rishi's blood to be sprinkled on him for his revival. The frown appearing on his face at her words had made her aware of his suspicion on the truth of the matter told and she had no proof except her words. So she urged him to give it a try. What was the harm in it. It was not like Hussa was dangerous enough for them. The grass was similiar to a petulant child who had newly joined Tarashala to learn who was away from his parents for the first time.

Nodding at her, Rishi took out his dagger from the sheath hanging at his hip. He made a slight cut on his thumb and dropped few drops of his blood on the dried grass. To his suprise, Sana's words came true. The yellow grass slowly absorbing his blood was turning green to its former glory. What was the most suprising was that unlike Hussa's previous appearance, he now had two eyes, one on each of his two front green tendrils. While the two at his back seemed no different.

Hussa was overjoyed with the unexpected gift he received. He now had vision like those outsiders and other higher beings of Raksharan. He felt so proud that he started dancing on Rishi's palms, not noticing the hostility directed at him by the master of the hand. Not that it would matter to the newly revived grass who had been upgraded unlike others of his community who had died in the storm. He did too in one sense. But thanks to the kindness of the beautiful lady, he now had the chance to see tomorrow's sunshine. He, not for even one second ever considered that the cruel man would have a heart to save his life without the beautiful lady's insistence. Though he was uncounscious, he heard and felt each of the outsider's emotion at his withered state."Hum!" Hussa turned his eyes away from the man and jumped out of his palm to the lady's shoulder.

He now believed that his ancestors were right about the beings of Raksharan. They were betrayer of their great king, Mahan. Hussa whom he had saved few moments ago did not even feel slight pang before turning away from him. Not that it mattered much as his behaviour had no effect on him. It just made his belief on Rujaras stronger. But the grass's aversion did not prevent him from asking why his blood could revive him.

His question incensed the grass as he went on and on about how his prodding and little blood from his fingers on him had turned him to a walking and talking grass unlike his other friends. This was not that made him most angry, it was the man's jump which had destroyed his flowering tendril that made him want to cut him alive like he did to his favourite tendril.

He would have forgiven him, despite the jump on him, only if he didn't split blood that made him unable to regrow his flower tendril. The five tendril that only few of their grass community possessed was destroyed by the carelessness of the outsider in front.

He wanted to ignore Rishi and only enjoy the company of the beautiful lady, Sana. But then threw away such a thought after realising something, now that his sustenance was dependent on the callous man, he had to atleast acknowledge his words despite his urge to hurt him for uprooting his life.

Hussa's words amazed him and itched him to see if he could repeat such a feat again. The grass though disturbing his ears, could be useful to get more details about this mystic forest and the fact that he had the power of nourishing one's life and the ability to destroy it too was an unexpected aphrodisiac in itself. The barren grounds made it impossible to prove the truth of Hussa's words.

Sana too felt his doubt about the miracle of the blood that Rishi possessed. Had it not been for the jumping grass nestling to her neck, she too would have doubted the reality of such an absurd thing. She had always been able to feel ones candour at their touch and honesty was flowing out of Hussa. The grass was genuine and was not falsifying anything.

Rishi wanted to ask more about the forest and many other details related to the cousin and his wife who might have crossed the path and the direction they went. But the grass was too useless to reveal any important particulars. They had wasted a whole day and yet had not progressed much today. He worried he would be lost just like the couple before him. With tent set up, he pushed her to rest. The haste of past few days were getting compensated more than he preferred. He just hoped tomorrow would bring some good news about Mahesh and Chaya.

Sana too entered her tent with Hussa who was insisting on telling him more about his master, Rishi and their home, Astra. She was too worried about Rishi to be in the mood to tell the grass stories. She lay down and asked the talking grass to sleep as well. Tomorrow she would not retreat from telling about Rishi and Astra.

Hussa did not like the lady's evasion to his insistence. To be frank, he did not even like his new attributes without his friends and family to share. Everyone he had, left him for good and the fact that his life was bound to an outsider was so distasteful that he wanted to vomit his gut out. If it were not for Sana, he could not imagine himself bearing the grumpy man as his master.

Surely, bad luck had surrounded their entire community and wiped it clean. Despite being alive and not bound to the ground, he felt more restricted now than ever.

His desire for freedom since he had only one tendril had ruled his life and every thought he possessed. Unlike other grassess who were content with bearing flowers and spreading its seeds. His lofty idea of roaming the entire Raksharan had always been scoffed by his companions and teased for having such an impossible desire. He too did not believe in existence of such a reality, but now that the impossible had come true. He felt too alone and was not happy like he imagined himself to be when it did happen.

The sun was hiding behind the clouds and the surroundings were not bright to their liking. But that did not stop them from resuming their journey. Everything around them was bathe in silence as usual since their start in Raksharan. Even Hussa was unusally quiet unlike his chatter self. Rishi could not be more satisfied with such an outcome. But Sana was more worried if something had happened to the grass. The black eyed grass just rubbed herself to her chin and lay silently on her shoulder.

Another day was about to end and still everything remained the same. Whether it be endless path or the silence which was slowly killing her. She wondered if they would even be able to get any clue about her sister, Chaya and brother-in-law, keeping aside the fact of finding them alive. Calmness was more terrifying in this ever huge and confusing forest. Rishi's frown were growing deeper and deeper in contrast with the speed he walked now. She no longer insisted on rest, despite their tiredness. The deaf ears of his was too frustrating for her to bear now. If only she could fly.

Her silent complaints seemingly possessing wings slowly changed the weather and it started pouring which could not be more relieving.

The dripping water paused his steps momentarily and he threw his bag of supplies on the wet ground. Taking few deep breaths, he curbed his frustration and set up the shift house for another day of rest. Feeling slight jitter from Sana, he set up only one tent and pulled her inside with him. Had it not been for the rain, he planned on continuing in the darkness of the night. They had been delayed quite a few times and the anxiety did not allow him to rest. Mahesh was not just his cousin, but his closest friend whom he grew up with. It was his duty to come here and his cousins. He had always been his shield. Sometimes he wondered if his father wished for such an arrangement for him. Mahesh was no threat to his position. Even a blind could ascertain that his talents were better suited for lordship. His cousin was more a soldier than a leader.

Masheer Mahant was always cautious, leaving nothing to chances. Else how could he obtain the lordship despite being the younger brother. His dad was kind and just lord for his fellow Astrarians. But he sometimes felt odd as if all his steps were measured, even the kindness. He was probably overthinking. With his return, he would finally have all the rights necessary for the changes he had planned for Astra.

It had been two months since his father depleted all the grains stored in their granary for every Astrarians at minimal cost. The flooding had destroyed most of the grains and shortage of food had plagued their land. Amakshi and Baheri's did not hesitate either in donating their stored food. The crisis of Astra had been averted, but the loss of lives and destruction left behind by such a disaster still left its mark which forced him in taking up such a risky venture.

Kaheri gatherings were cancelled for this year which was hope for many young Astrarians who wanted to expand their business. He knew his father was not enthusiastic on such a take. With major graneries empty, the proposal for expansion would hardly garner attention. His father's minor maneuver had not gone unnoticed by him. The man had exhausted his entire strength to stay in control at all times. Wasn't he exhausted by keeping everything in his hands? At least he felt drained by watching his actions. It was the love of a son to his father that made him shut one of his eyes. But he would not let him stay in that position for long. He just hoped Rujaras words prove to be wrong and everyone return to their home safe and sound.

Rain pouring outside with two human and a talking grass inside made the silence little bearer. Sana was no longer sure what had changed in Rishi to allow her in his private territory. Could five days bring such an effect. She knew she was not much help to him and sometimes even slowed him down. Not that he ever uttered anything on the matter, despite the hidden dislike he had for. She was to accompany him for life. It was not possible to avoid talking to her for a lifetime. If it were not for Astra rules that frowned upon voiding the vows taken, she had no doubt that he would find ways to separate their ways.

She was more annoyed that she had sympathy for the man who was tied to her for the duty. She was beautiful, kind and resourceful to Astra as teacher. Then why did she always feel she was not upto the mark in comparision with. Everyone had always paired the best on both sides together, Chaya and Rishi. Pity, many Astrarians lost their bet on that pair. The perfect sister and brother-in-law pair that even her parents wished for. She shook her head at such an absurd thought. Inspite of being made fun at by him, she liked Mahesh better for her hyperactive sister who could calm her in moments. How the hell he got such a power was still a mystery to their family.

Her mom had even concocted the truth telling elixir and made him drink it to get the secret out of him. She could still vividly recall the scene of his horrified face when he voiced out his love for her elder sister to her mom on elixir's influence. Lucky for him that her dad was away from home for work matters. But she knew then with surety that he was the one. Her was too ashamed of her actions to scold Mahesh for coveting her daughter. Since then he never came to Amakshi's house even on her sister's insistence. Soon they entered their final year of schooling and left their home for field exams. It was the discussion of Raksharan and the decision of the couple's departure that finally made him step into their home for approval of their marriage. To get something one desire after years of wait was still a blessing despite the unsual circumstance.

She on the other hand wondered why such an yearning had never gripped her inspite of many admirers. The one beside her in the words of Astrarian was an immortal who could only be appreciated, but never be touched. She chuckled at their naivity and envious too for receiving such innocent love from their fellow Astrarians. Had it not been for saving their family members, there would have been no such union.

Her wandering thoughts finally came to a stop when Hussa spat nonsense while pointing outside. Someone was coming their way to cleanse her and take her away. Rishi alarmed, packed the tent and held her wrist to run away from the place, despite the doubt of the matter. He didn't want to take any chance, her safety was his priority now.

Hussa went on and said that there were huge and wanted to get something from her. But she had nothing on her that anyone could wish for. It was the vibrations of their steps and a woman to catch upto that had made him alert them. After all his survival was dependant on their wellbeing. Even if he hated himself siding with outsiders and also he did not want anyone harming his beautiful lady.

The dark blackened sky and the thumping footsteps of theirs on the wet ground with pouring rain drenching them was slowly exhausting their energy. But their struggle for escape from unkown enemies abruptly stopped when they reached end of the road with no other route.

His dread of wrong choice had finally become reality. Either they jump down the cliff and die or wait for unknown beings to do their bidding. They had no retreat. He should have chosen right direction. Standing on the edge, he bent to see some way down without worrying about their survival.

It was too deep to see anything from his position. He picked Hussa from her shoulder and asked if he could still hear the vibrations? But the grass shook in no and replied that the distance between them was more than the range he could feel the sensation. The talking grass was not even sure if they were still looking for Sana in the direction they ran. The grass was as unrealiable as usual. Was he really going to wait in dread of unexpected? Damn! Where was his usual luck which always saved him in time of need.

In the end, delaying their inevitable doom seemed better of a choice than an immediate one. Who knows? Probably everything was their imagination. The unexpected followers may be someone of their help. There was no harm in optimism in the face of drought. Having deciding to turn back, he stepped in the direction of their start, but he could not.

Strangely, his leg was stopped in mid air and he found it difficult to place it on the ground. It seemed as if he could no longer retreat.

Hussa and Sana faced no such plight. Was he getting punished for something? Damnit! He could neither go back nor jump forward to die. Dying by starvation was not the way he envisioned his death. Soon their supplies would end, with him being stuck here.

Rujaras words that he read rang in his mind, reminding that some choices had no room for correction, despite their unlimited riches. He turned to Sana who was still looking at him with concern filled eyes and his urge for leaving him behind to run away wilted and he finally understood why she was the most popular teacher of Tarashala.