WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 11: Dareful Decision

Atma and Bakula walked looking back again and again, they wanted to make sure no one followed them; especially Vasundari. This has to be their secret. Once they entered the forest they began to walk carefully observing for any strange signs. Bakula was the one who began to lead, for he had come here before, alone. They were very eager to learn more about the Mountain Witches hiding place. Once they located it clearly they would tell the old Warlock, he would know what to do then.

“Are we on the right path?” Atma wondered for they have been walking since long.

“Yes, we are.”

“We have come a long way across, are you sure?” Atma was still doubtful.

Bakula picked up a white pebble and smiled at Atma, “Yes Atma, I had marked the tracks with pebbles.”

“Baku, you are really intelligent.” Atma patted his back.

They continued to walk farther looking for the white pebbles.  Following all the pebbles, they climbed the uphill mountain panting hard. Soon they came to a thick bush just below a deep and thick wooded area. Bakula nudged him to stop and started to look here and there. He remembered this place; yes this is where he had been the other day. The other day, from this hiding place, he had seen what looked like a cave far up away above the mountain. He had also seen many wild animals circling it.

“Baku, I see a cave there!” Atma peeped through the bushes and whispered excitedly.

“Yes, this is the place. Now let us watch hiding here.” Bakula sat in the bush beside Atma and started to observe above the mountain. The place looked extremely mysterious. “There is an air of trickery here”, Atma thought. They could see a structure which looked like a big cave.

Bakula shifted his weight on the ground and began to peep up. The cave was still very far away and too high for them to reach on their own. Nonetheless, from that very place, they had a very good view of the mysterious cave located up above and around its thick mountain wilderness.

“My god! Baku, animals! Wild animals!” Suddenly Atma whispered in utter shock. He had never seen so many wild animals. They all seemed to be circling the cave with a purpose. 

“Yes, that’s what I said, they are guarding the Witches.” Bakula whispered back eagerly.

They saw many Lions, tigers, elephants and a strange eight legged giant circle the cave in harmony. Atma wondered, could this be real? Could this be possible? How can so many wild animals be together? He began to question himself with awe.

“But - but Baku, these animals look quite different.” Atma carefully observed them.

“Yes, no one would dare walk that way even if they can see them from here.” Bakula nodded his head.

“Those Witches are far more dangerous than we thought. We have to tell this to Mahapitha when we meet, he might do something about it.” Atma suddenly began to fear them.

“Yes, I too agree Atma. I initially thought of informing father or the King himself, but I have my doubts whether they would believe me.  I only hope our old Warlock believes me and has answer for their tricks.” Bakula began to crouch back, they had seen enough, they dared not to stay or go higher anymore; least the wild animals not smell them. Atma too crouched back following him in awe. It was too hard to believe what they had witnessed.

“Let us hope Mahapitha would be able to do something, let us get back quickly before father’s home.” Atma was anxious to get back.

**

Rukma was standing in front of the mirror and looking intently at her own image. “Gorma, am I looking beautiful enough?”

“Rukma we are not going to attend any dark festival.” Gorma always found her younger sister very funny.

“Oh! But we are meeting someone special, right?” Rukma began to blush at the thought.

“Rukma, he is very dangerous than you think, so don’t play fool.” Gorma did not wanted Rukma to make any foolish moves which could cost them failure again.

“Oh! Is it? But how is he going to help us?” Rukma turned back and asked curiously.

“You shall see it yourself.” Gorma held the big lustrous red Apple in front.

“Apple?” Rukma always found her elder sister very mysterious.

“Yes Rukma, it is going to help us in our quest.” Gorma kissed the apple.

**

Vaachaspati sat on the small wooden stool for his mid day meal. Champaka placed the plantain leaf in front of him and began to serve him. Vaachaspati took out three grains of rice and started chanting mantras, he took a spoonful of water from his tumbler and drank it three times, and finally he placed some grains on the right side of his plantain leaf and began to eat the rice grain by grain three times again. Once after completing his usual ritual he looked at Champaka.   

“Where are the kids?” He said taking a handful of rice.

“They are playing near the river.” Champaka began to serve him other dishes.

“Keep an eye on them, least; they might venture for another adventure.” Vaachaspati wanted to make sure nothing went wrong. 

“Don’t worry yourself too much; they are grown up enough to sense danger.” Champaka was always confident of her kids, but it was Vaachaspati who always worried too much.

“How can you be so careless, when the Witches of Mountain are roaming freely?” He was angry for her being so reckless.

“Witches’ only interest is in Palace.” Champaka replied scornfully.

“Yes, but your daughter has dared to challenge them.” He was still angry with her daughter.

“Aha! By the way, Vasundari wishes to meet the old Warlock of the West.”

“NO - no one should dare to cross the border of Swarnapuri and that is my final words.” Vaachaspati began to eat his meal with a frown on his face. 

“I understand; I shall keep an eye.” Champaka knew that was the end of the conversation and she never argued him. She had understood he would worry or even get angry if she continued to encourage her kids.

**

Atma started to make fire in front of the hut. Bakula brought more wood logs and placed it aside. It was a very cold night. Their father has just arrived from the temple after the evening Pooja (Prayer). He would take some time to come out, he had to dine first. That would give them enough time to talk about the latest events. They sat in front of the fire waiting for Vasundari to join them. 

Atma wondered where she has been. She is taking longer than usual. He smiled to himself as the thought came to his mind. She is probably trying to overhear the conversation of their mother and father. She always did that.

And of course, she did this time too. Soon she came out shaking her head, “He is still very angry.”

“What shall we do now Atma?” Bakula looked at Atma intently; he felt it is time that they should do something.

Vasundari sat beside Bakula looking very sad, “He said we are not to meet Mahapitha, the Warlock.”

“But, why does he want to forbid us from meeting the Warlock?” Atma was confused; the old man was very good. He knew even his father respected him as well.

“He is very afraid, lest the Witches may not harm us.” Vasundari pointed out.

The three had heard lot about Mahapitha these days, they were very eager to meet him. They knew he lived in a hut located on a small hill which was located west of Swarnapuri. Hence he was popularly called as Warlock of the West. They have heard that even King Maheepati visited the Warlock every now and then to seek his advice.

The people of Swarnapuri never dared to go that way. They had a respected fear about the Warlock; they were content to stay away from him. Some people talked about his strange hut. They believed he had amazing things in his hut.

Vasundari remembered her mother telling about the Warlock, she had told her that he was very fond of young ones. Certainly he would not harm them in any way. She hated to live in a dream world, like others did. She always wanted to do real things. Vasundari did not like to imagine things, she wanted to meet him and know him. Many times she thought of going alone to see him, but had not got that opportunity, especially since the Witches incident. Her mother had clear instructions from her father to keep a sharp eye on her.

Bakula looked at his sister deep in thought. For a second he was tempted to tease her. It was very unlike her, if she is silent, then she must be planning something. He knew she too wanted to meet the old Warlock just like they did.

Atma was also very amused by his brother and sister’s long silence. Usually they would talk unstoppably; he knew they too were thinking of meeting the Warlock of the West.    

It was Bakula who came out of his trance first, suddenly he said with a mischievous grin on his face, “No other way than -”

“Than?” Vasundari and Atma looked at him curiously and exclaimed at once.

“A secret meeting.” Bakula smiled widely.

“Yes, that’s the only way; let us sneak out in the morning.” Vasundari was the first to agree.

“If we all went together, it might look suspicious.” Atma was thinking deeply, certainly he did not wanted to anger his father anymore.

“DON’T EVEN THINK OF LEAVING ME BEHIND.” Vasundari stood up at once raising her voice, she always had that doubt, and just because she was a girl they can’t desert her. 

“Hush! Hush! Lower your voice.” Bakula was all worried lest their father not hear them.

Atma motioned his hand asking her to sit; he began to think again, they can’t leave Vasundari behind. She certainly would cause trouble if they did.

“Vasundari, tomorrow morning once father leaves to temple, you go first, we shall follow you after sometime.” finally he said with a thought.

“What reason would you give Vasu?” Bakula knew she would be questioned.

“I have lots of cloths to wash; I am going to river to wash them.” Vasundari smiled very sweetly; indeed it was very much believable, she was proud she thought of it.

“And I am going for fishing.” Atma grinned.

“And I am going to collect woods.” Bakula joined them too with a wide grin as well.

“That settles everything. It’s time we meet him once.” Vasundari whispered and was now very careful in keeping her voice low.

“Yes, Warlock of the West, we are coming.” Atma stood up at once and beamed.

Just then they heard their mother’s call. She wanted all of them to dine. The three were very excited about their plans. Finally they are meeting him.

“Tomorrow we shall have answers.” Bakula stood up thinking happily.

“Yes, answers for all of our questions.” Atma put his hands his brother’s shoulder and smiled happily.

 ****