WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 28: A Selfless Intent

Vasundari waited for Bakula and Atma to arrive sitting on the hard rock. She had started earlier like the last time and this time she did not have any difficulty in climbing the rocks. Bakula had strictly advised her to wait for them to reach. They were wishing to give a surprise visit to Mahapitha. They wanted to catch him off guard.

At last Vasundari saw the two faces climbing up the rock, she was relieved at once. She was tired of waiting for them sitting on the rock all alone. She stood up and signaled them to walk fast. Soon the three walked into the small hut of the west. Mahapitha was reading an old book when they entered the hut. He stood up at once and walked towards them smiling sadly.

“I don’t think it is good of you to come here again and again.” He tried to keep his voice as gentle as possible as he did not wish to hurt their feelings.

“But we want to help Princess.” Atma knew they were not welcome, but he badly wanted to talk his heart out.

“And you are the only one who can help us?” Vasundari tried to encourage the old Warlock smiling sweetly.

“Your father would be angry.” Mahapitha shook his head. He knew it was dangerous to involve himself with the young kids.

“Please tell us all about the mysterious Seven Mountains.” Bakula was eager to know about it all.

“And may I know what you are indenting to do?” Mahapitha turned sharply towards Bakula; he knew this was all going behind his control.

“But there is no harm in knowing that isn’t it, Mahapitha?” Atma took a step ahead and walked towards Mahapitha supporting his brother.

“I hope so.” Mahapitha controlled himself to become gentle again. He knew he could not fight the destiny.

“Then please tell us about the mountains.” Vasundari walked and sat on the couch showing their intention clearly. They had lot of time and were going to learn it all from the old Warlock.

Mahapitha smiled at her stubbornness, he had never seen such a curious girl. He walked slowly and sat beside her. He had to accept his defeat. These young kids were not at all like any other. Their curiosity, courage, eager for the knowledge and most of all; their love for the Princess surprised him. He motioned Atma and Bakula to sit beside him on the other side.

“The Seven Mountains are the treacherous place that I have ever seen. It is filled with gruesome creatures and wild animals.” Mahapitha slowly explained looking at the three eager faces.

“Did you ever cross it?” Atma asked trying to hide his excitement. It all seemed to so strange to him. Unknowingly they themselves had involved in this strangeness.

“No. But once I tried to, but in vain.” Mahapitha closed his eyes as to recall all the past incidents. That was a great experience. Unlike others he wanted to cross the mountains for other reasons.

“Father has told us about lord Trilochana, have you met him?” Bakula was eager to learn more about lord Trilochana. Mahapitha was at once surprised with their information. He could not understand at once why Vaachaspati has filled them with so much of information. 

“No. But I heard his voice in my head; that voice said not to try to cross the mountain and hence I turned back.” Mahapitha opened his eyes and began to explain them in detail. He remembered the great voice as soon as stepped on to the first mountain. The voice had identified itself as lord Trilochana and with due respect had asked him not to cross it whatever his reasons may be. 

“Why are the Seven Mountains so dangerous?” Vasundari still could not understand why all considered it so dangerous.

“Because lord Trilochana made it that way.” Mahapitha stood up at once and began to pace. He personally respected him for doing that, since it has indeed helped people in not going greedy.

“We heard that he has cursed that no ‘Men and Women’ cannot cross it, is that true?” Atma stood and followed him, this time he wanted to ask right questions and clear all his doubts. Atma knew that old Warlock could easily be so evasive and dismiss them without giving what they wanted; hence he carefully framed his questions. 

“Very much, hence I don’t think no Men and Women will succeed crossing it.” Mahapitha turned towards Atma and replied looking at him with affection. He did not wished to pretend anymore, he knew this is all happening as per the destiny, he had tried to avoid it, but at last he understood it is inevitable.

“But we will, for we are neither MEN nor WOMEN – we are still young Kids.” Bakula stood up and said in a firm voice.

It made the old Warlock to shiver at once. “Aha! I knew you would say that, I KNEW.” Mahapitha closed his eyes as if something caused him immense pain.

“Does that mean you will help us?” Vasundari stood up at once and walked towards him and took his hands on her.

“But it is very dangerous; one would need WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, COURAGE, and YOUTH to cross it.” Mahapitha knelt down and looked at her beautiful eyes with fear in his eyes. Now the cat was out and he was wondering where all this would lead to. After all they were just young kids, he certainly did not wanted to put their very young life in jeopardize, however they persisted.

“You help us with the KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM.” Atma walked to Mahapitha slowly and stood looking intently at his small but bright eyes. He badly wanted the old Warlock to understand them. They were ready for this difficult task. Princess Chitrakshi’s life meant a lot to them. Atma knew very well that Mahapitha still thought them as kids. He wanted him to think differently now.

“And we have COURAGE to cross it.” Vasundari pressed the old Warlock’s hand hard. She too wanted him to understand their feelings. It was much stronger to stand up against any obstacles no matter how unknown to them. They were here all for a purpose and certainly could not do anything without the help of old Warlock. He was their mentor; he was their master; he was their courage; he was their wisdom; and most of all he was their inspiration.

“And we have YOUTH as well.” Bakula walked close to Mahapitha and added carefully. He knew there were no half measures now. They had made up their mind and they have to make the old Warlock help them at any cost, because it was Princess Chitrakshi’s life at stake. Bakula knew well that their father, mother and the King himself might not let them go to the dangerous quest. But those things could be taken care later; first they wished for the support of Mahapitha, the great old Warlock.

“Still that doesn’t help you to cross it.” Mahapitha stood up at once as if he is unable to bear the burden of their request for help.

“Why do you think so Mahapitha?” Atma questioned him immediately, he did not want give time for Mahapitha to think negatively, and they had to make him help them in their noble, life saving quest.

“Because, you all need training to cross all the obstacles.” Mahapitha slowly replied, he knew all about the treacherous creatures of Seven Mountains. In his mind for the first time, he began to question lord Trilochana’s wiseness of cursing the Seven Mountains.

“YOU - you can teach us, we will become your interns and learn everything that we need to cross the dangerous mountains.” Bakula took his hand at once and said with eager.

“Your father and King may not agree for this.” Mahapitha patted the head of Bakula very affectionately. There were many other obstacles and practicalities to look at. Mahapitha was most afraid of that.

“We shall go secretly.” Vasundari countered the old Warlock at once.

“This is too dangerous, let me think about it.” Mahapitha shook his head again; he knew he was completely defeated. Defeated by the three young and ambitious kids.

“We shall come back tomorrow. Mahapitha please help us in saving the Princess.” Atma slowly said to Mahapitha and began walking out signaling other two to follow him. He wanted Mahapitha to think about it for some time, suddenly he began to feel that haste is waste, hence he too wanted Mahapitha to think over all this matter clearly. Good thing for them was that Mahapitha now knew their noble intentions and he too knew the danger the Princess is in. Atma was very confident that Mahapitha would take a wise and positive decision.

Vasundari and Bakula understanding Atma’s message clearly turned and walked out looking back at Mahapitha with a smile.

Mahapitha watched the three go out and sat on the couch felling strained out. He began to think of his very young life. He was so much like them, filled with enthusiasm, good manners, braveness and wiseness. He too was ready to take on any risk for a godly deed. In fact he had done that on many occasions successfully. But now helping the three young kids who had same intention seemed very much difficult for him, he just could not afford to lose the three noble young kids in gruesome venture and that was what most worried him. He knew very well that there were no second chances to mend any errors in the deadly forest and mountains. One small error in judgment could certainly take their dear life away without hesitation and that was the way of dangerous Seven Mountains.  

“I knew this day would come - Oh Lord! Please help me.” Mahapitha closed his eyes and cried out in utter despair.

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