WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 23: The Savior Plant

The three had been waiting for their father to return from the Palace. Vasundari was more eager; she wanted to know all the information on the ongoing things.

Finally they saw him walk with a sad face inside the hut. Atma and Bakula had kept their secret visit of forest to themselves as advised by the old Warlock.

“Father, can the Snake Charmer cure Princess?” Vasundari could not contain her eager anymore. She had heard that the King has secretly sent for the Snake Charmer, Hakim Ajmal Sahib for assistance.

“I too don’t know, my lass, I too don’t know yet.” Vaachaspati nodded his head in extreme displeasure. He did not want to give any false hope for his kids. He knew all three loved Princess very dearly.

“People say he can charm any Snake in the world, is it true father?” Atma questioned very cautiously. He and Bakula had heard this from the old Warlock.

“Yes, indeed, he is the greatest of all.” Vaachaspati suppressed his surprise on the information of his son and answered slowly. He knew words would spread faster than wind.

“Then certainly he would cure Princess, isn’t it father?” Bakula was eager to know the possibilities.

“Don’t jump to conclusions, my boy, just don’t.” Vaachaspati nodded his head again in despair.

“What does that mean?” Champaka who has been listening to their conversation suddenly was surprised at her husband’s tone. He seemed very mysterious today; she knew that at once that something bothered him immensely. 

“I only hope Princess is not poised by the Lord himself.” Vaachaspati looked at her for a long time; he was not sure whether he should tell them what he thought.

“You mean to say that she might have been poisoned by the King of Snakes?” Champaka was surprised, she had not thought of that.

“Unfortunately, it seems so to me.” Vaachaspati closed his eyes as if he did not want to open them again. After examining the Princess he was certain that the deadly poison could only be of Lord Phaninath. The great Wanderers of the forest had also secretly admitted that with him.

“But - Who is this Lord of snakes?” Vasundari was very curious to know the lord of Serpents.

“He calls himself as Lord Phaninath and he lives in Underworld.” Vaachaspati opened his eyes and looked at his curious daughter.

“Underworld! but - but the path is is - ” Bakula had spurted it out but stopped immediately after receiving a strong nudge from Atma.

“Does Mahapitha can’t do anything, father?” Atma questioned immediately trying to subdue any suspicion aroused by his careless brother.

“No, he is a great Warlock, but neither a hermit, nor a Snake charmer.” Vaachaspati stood up at once; he was too tired to answer any other questions.

**

Gorma was deep in thought when her younger sister Rukma hurriedly walked. Rukma, no longer able to contain her desire in seeing Lord Phaninath, had dared to go to the well. But Alas! The sight frightened her. There were dead snakes lying all around. She had tried to peep in and observed fine threads all over it.

Without reasoning it she had tried to remove it, then! She had felt the shock of her life. She had been thrown ten feet away as soon as she touched the thread. She was eager to report it all to her elder and wise sister.

“Gorma, Gorma.”

“What is it Rukma? Why are you so distressed?” Gorma opened her eyes slowly, and looked at her sister’s disheveled cloths and hairs.

“I - I had been to the well, but - but it has been sealed.”

“Yes, I too noticed. It is the work of old Warlock.” Gorma stood up at once and walked towards the earthen pot.

“Everything was going as per our wish, but - but.” Rukma began to sob with bad thoughts, what if she cannot meet the Lord Phaninath again? What if she cannot marry him?

“Still, they can’t cure the Princess.” Gorma looked at the dead earthen pot which deprived her images of the Palace.

“Why don’t we look in the pot?” Rukma peeped into it unknown of the fact that it no longer showed the pictures. 

“It is that dirty Priest Vaachaspati again, he has deprived us the pleasure and the Palace is well protected with his Mantras now.” Gorma explained to her sister. They were so near to their goal yet so far away now.

“What shall we do now?” Rukma showed her fear.

“We can do only one thing now.”

“And what is that?”

“Wait for the Princess to die,” Gorma began to laugh wickedly; yes they have to wait now.

**

Keertidevi looked at her daughter sadly; she had been sitting in front of her since the incident. She had not showed any interest in other things, all she wanted is to see her dear Princess waking up again. It has already been the third day, no hermits or pundits could not do anything to bring her back to life.

Each passing moments had brought agony to the Queen. The worst fear of her life was back again. She remembered her grandfather words; he had said that she would never be safe and happy being a wife of a King. He was one among the many to discourage her marriage with the King. Now she knew what he meant, yes, being a Queen was not at all easy. She felt like the god had given her the best dessert and when she was about to eat it, he had taken the bowl away mercilessly.

“When is Hakim Ajmal Sahib, the Snake Charmer expected?” She looked at the King through her swollen eyes.

“ANY TIME, MY DEAR, ANY TIME - ” Maheepati tried his best to encourage her.

“I hope he can cure my angel,” she continued to sob.

“Worry not, my dear, worry not.” Maheepati touched her shoulders. He knew he has to do something, but at the same time he himself felt very helpless.

“But - but what if he can’t come? Sampada King may not let him.” Keertidevi knew all about Sampada King and his wickedness.

“He will; my heart says so. He is a man of honor and I have complete faith in his nephews.” Maheepati hoped so. He tried to recall his earlier meeting with the great Snake Charmer. They had met in the forest for the first time. Sampada and Swarnapuri shared a common boundary of the forest between them. King Maheepati had been to his favorite hunting and met the Snake Charmer who was trying to find an herb. King Maheepati remembered his respect and kind full words. He would certainly not fail; even the old Warlock spoke very highly him of.  

“My lord! Hakim Ajmal Sahib is here.” A guard hurriedly walked in and waited for his attention.

“Oh! Thank god! Bring him in at once.” King Maheepati looked at his Queen happily and announced eagerly.

**

Hakim Ajmal Sahib began his work as soon as he entered. He felt extremely sorry for King Maheepati and Queen Keertidevi. He knew snake bites are always dangerous, especially for young ones. He began to observe the symptoms on her body; he at once understood this was a very rare poison of a deadly snake.

“Hmm - it is indeed a snake poison.” He confirmed the King.

Hakim Ajmal sahib opened the mouth of Princess with the help of maid Mani and dropped some of his strong potions. He tied several of his rare leaves on her head and neck. After examining her for a long time, he looked at the sky and murmured, “Hmm -Lord! What is your game?”

King Maheepati and Queen Keertidevi watched his movements very eagerly, they were too afraid to speak. However, King Maheepati ventured first.

“Ajmal Sahib is your potion working?”

“Unfortunately, no my King, I have given her the strongest potion in the world.” He responded without turning back.

“But, she is not responding.” He opened her eye lids again and closed it after examining it more closely. He had clearly understood the danger Princess was in. He had seen the strongest of people who had died because of this kind of poison. People, who dared to venture to the Underworld for treasures, were often brought to him in an unconscious state. Ironically he never has had any success in curing them. Just because, it was the venom of Lord Phaninath they carried. He had cure for every other snake in the world, except him.

“Oh! God! Please save her, please.” Queen Keertidevi began to sob uncontrollably; the situation was going bad to worse now.

“I have identified the poison oh King! She is poisoned by Lord Phaninath himself and my potion is no match for his deadly venom.” Hakim Ajmal Sahib stood up at once. He knew he was hurting the King and queen immensely by telling them the truth, but the fact must always prevail.

“Now – now, what can be done? Is there no cure for this Hakim Ajmal Sahib?” King Maheepati was very desperate.

“Let me recall something -” Hakim Ajmal Sahib began to pace.

“Long before, I met a great saint who traveled a lot.” He turned back at King Maheepati sharply.

“He told me about a plant, a Savior plant. He called it JEEVE. He said that savior plant can counter any deadly venom, ANY, including the most deadly venom of Lord Phaninath.”

“And where is that plant located?” King Maheepati took a step towards the Hakim immediately; he wanted to hear his words clearly. 

“Behind the Seven Mountains.”  Hakim Ajmal closed his eyes as if he feared in taking the very name.

 ****