WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 27: An Inside Help

The same evening Atma and Bakula waited for their father to return from the Palace. They wanted to exchange their father’s thought on Saba and Baba, the wanderers of forest. As soon as their father entered in Atma countered him at once.

“Father, we met Baba and Saba. They have got permission from the king.”

“How unfortunate!” Vaachaspati looked at Atma and muttered under his breath. He knew it was no use of sending them.

“Why father? Don’t you think they will bring the Savior plant?” Bakula was surprised at his father’s strange remark.

“No - they can’t.” Vaachaspati sat down on the mat at once.

“But why father? They know the forest well.” Atma was also intrigued by his father behavior, what made him to think of this matter as unfortunate, he wondered himself.

“But crossing the mountains is different. It is protected by lord Trilochana.” Vaachaspati closed his eyes as if to recall the tales he had heard when he was just a kid.

“Father, please tell us about lord Trilochana.” Bakula was eager to know about lord Trilochana. He had never heard the name, it seemed extremely sensual.

“He is a great saint. After many Years of ‘Tapasya’ (Extreme Prayer), he has acquired great power.” Vaachaspati began to explain them; he knew they would not leave him with their question until they knew all about him.

“But why did he curse?” Atma sat beside him and motioned Bakula to follow him. He wanted to know everything in detail.  

Vaachaspati took Atma’s hand in his and began to narrate the story in a very soft voice, he loved telling stories.

“I remember my father telling me about the buried treasures. Those days people who believed in it; like Kings, soldiers, and thieves began to visit the great mountain and tried to rob the treasure from the cave. The saint who lived there; lord Trilochana, became very angry with this. These frequent visits from all the people disturbed his peace.”

“What happened next?” The very thought excited Bakula.

“As people began to disturb his peace, he put a curse stating that all ‘Men and Women’ who try to cross the seven mountains would die.” Vaachaspati finished the tale with a broad smile and looked at his kids with affection. How different his kids are from others! They are always eager to learn.

“And does it work?” Atma questioned him with a wide eye. He was astonished at the depth of the story, rather a past incident.

“Yes, people who tried to cross it all perished. Since then, no one dares to go that way.” Vaachaspati said.

“Does lord Trilochana still lives? He must be very old then?” Bakula expressed his doubt.

“No one knows, perhaps, he might be dead and his very holy soul may be guarding the seven mountains now.” Vaachaspati said and stood up indicating that he was done with the story.

**

Atma, Bakula and Vasundari gathered at the river late that night and began to exchange their thoughts on the latest happenings. Bakula filled in the information their father had told them earlier about the great Seven Mountains and Lord Trilochana to Vasundari.

“If only lord Trilochana has not cursed it.” Atma wished he had not. Then it would have been easier for the King to send an army who could have returned back with the Savior plant early as quickly as possible.

“But it is done now, no one can change that.” Bakula liked to be very practical. He always worried about the present problems.

It was Vasundari who saw Mani, the maid first. The moment she saw her Vasundari cried in delight, “Look! Mani is coming; let us ask her about the Princess.”

“Hmm - you are all here, I was searching you.” Mani walked towards them hurriedly; she had been to their home searching them. Mani was also worried least someone may not find about their meetings. She was also not supposed to meet them.

“But why? How is Chitrakshi? Is there any improvement?” Vasundari showered her with full of questions at once.

“You are so like her, you ask too many questions Vasundari.” Mani smiled gently at Vasundari while recalling her good old days with the Princess.

“Yes, but do tell us how is Princess?” Atma was eager to know the answer; they certainly did not wished to hear any more bad news from the Palace.

“Hmm - She is holding on, but I am really very worried.” Mani became sad at the thought. She had made herself some time to come here and speak to the wonderful kids secretly whom she adored just like Princess Chitrakshi.

“Did you come to meet us?” Bakula was very curious of her intentions.

“Yes, I have something important to tell you.” Mani nodded her head at once, but she was hesitating to start that. She knew very well that they were just young teens, but they might be the right choice.

“Please go on.” Vasundari urged to start at once.

“I hear that no Men or Women can cross the mountains, so I - I was wondering -” Mani stopped and looked at the anxious faces of three. It looked very cruel indeed to tell that, but she had no choice, this very act could save her little Princess.

“Wondering?” Atma and Bakula eagerly encouraged her to continue.

“If you two could go, since you are neither men nor women; you are just young kids, may be you - you could bring it.” Mani uttered slowly lowering her eyes down; she did not dare to look at their faces as she was starting to feel guilty.

“Yes, we were also thinking on the same line too.” Atma admitted at once, he knew it was safe to speak to Mani, she only had good intentions.

“And I will go with THEM.” Vasundari did hate the thought of leaving behind her. She was angry that Mani had not mentioned her name.

“Everybody says it is filled with dangerous creatures.” Bakula walked towards Vasundari and touched her shoulders gently. If they plan to go, certainly they did not want to risk taking Vasundari.

“Yes, I know. Hence I will supply you all the armors and weapons needed, off course secretly.” Mani wanted to help them in all the way she can. She could easily get hold of the things needed. She knew Princess Chitrakshi is counting days, if anything has to be done; it has to be done at once.

“That’s good, but we wish to consult Mahapitha once.” Atma was very delighted about the help; nonetheless he wished to consult the old Warlock first.

**

It was a market day for Nazir and Wazir. They had been busy since morning. In spite of the ill fate at Palace, people had poured into the market for vegetables and fruits. They had not the time for their usual chit chat. By afternoon the crowd considerably thinned.

“Oh! Bhai Wazir, King has sent Saba and Baba.” Nazir eagerly started the conversation at once. He was itching to talk to his twin brother.

“Yes, Bhai Nazir, I heard too. Do you think they will be able to bring it?” Wazir eagerly expected his brother’s opinion.

“May be so, Bhai Nazir, for they are very cunning.” Nazir chuckled at himself; they had met Saba and Baba many times and knew them well enough. The twin wanderers of the forest used to come to market to trade some of their rare findings in the forest.

“You are right, Bhai Wazir, as cunning as a fox, they know forest and mountain well.” Wazir laughed heartily as he agreed with his brother. They knew how to tackle all the wild animals. And nothing in the forest scared them.

“Let the Lord help them to succeed.” Nazir looked at the sky with his two hands up.

“I too wish for them.” Wazir nodded his head.

Both had not seen a woman covering her face had been keenly listening to their conversation. After sometime the woman cautiously stepped out of the market.

**

Gorma was in usual trance when Rukma hurriedly walked in to give the latest news.

“Gorma, Gorma,” Rukma looked very eager to tell her something.

“What happened Rukma? Where had you been?” Gorma was also worried about her sister. She knew very well that King’s guards were all over the place of Swarnapuri, least they may not able to trace foolish Rukma somewhere lurking in the Kingdom.

“I had been to Market in disguise, I heard people talking.” Rukma seemed excited; she did have some news. 

“And what are they saying?” Gorma looked at her intently.

“King has sent Baba and Saba to the mountains.” Rukma’s replied with a wide eyes.

“But, it has been cursed, no Men or Woman can cross it.” Gorma was very positive of that. Earlier she herself had tried to cross it too, but in vain.

“But people think they can, because they know forest well.” Rukma remembered the chit chat of the twin fruit vendors.

“Hmm - In that case, it is time for us to do something.” Gorma began to think; yes they cannot let that happen. They should not lose the battle after putting a great effort of poisoning her.

“What are we going to do?” Rukma interrupted her thoughts being very eager.

“Let me think, Rukma.” Gorma showed her irritation and closed her eyes and began to think hard.

****