WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 19: The Wanderers of Forest

Bakula began to throw the stones in the river as usual. He did that when he was too worried, Atma and Vasundari were helplessly watching him. So the prediction of old Warlock had come true. This was certainly an ill fate! But the big question was whether Princess Chitrakshi is going to make it, they all wished her to. They had talked to their father all night after he came back from the Palace.

“Father says this poison is very rare.” Atma was very much concerned about the rare poison.

“But still there would a cure for that.” Vasundari was the one who never gave up; she always had the habit of seeking other options and that was her strength and her father had told her so numerable times. 

“I wonder who gave her the apple.” On the other hand Bakula was thinking about the hands behind it, who could dare to sneak into the Palace with all those guards.

“Who else can? Save that dirty Mountain Witches.” Atma clenched his hand at once. He was very much sure that this was their dirty work.

“But no one has seen them.” Vasundari began to reason the possibilities.

“They would have disguised or used some other tricks.” Atma knew Mountain Witches were very tricky; they could do all types of disguising very easily for dark magic was their strength.

“Princess only knows what has happened.” Vasundari said bitterly. 

“Only she can’t tell anyone.” Bakula smiled sadly remembering the beautiful face of Princess Chitrakshi.

“Is there any way, we can help her?” Vasundari wanted to do something, rather than wait as advised by the old Warlock. She always liked to make things happen, if did not happen on its own accord.

“I would do anything to bring her back to life.” Atma was very determined now. He wished he had power and knowledge like the old Warlock, if he had that, he would have killed the Mountain Witches in an instant.

“Me too, but for now let’s hope the wanderers of Forest would do something.” Bakula stood up; he knew it was no use of discussing things like this. It made him angrier.

“God! Help the guards to find the Wanderers fast.” Vasundari followed him suddenly becoming very religious.

“And I will read the stars again.” Atma called after them and looked at the sky.

**

The two thin figures walked deep into the forest. Every now and then they kneeled to find a rare plant and picked them up and placed them in their rucksack. They were Saba and Baba, the twin Wanderers of the forest. They knew every inch of the forest, and nothing surprised them for they have seen too many things in the forest. They had spent most of their life time wandering in the forest. Forest fascinated them both; it was like a home to them. They strongly despised living in the crowded Kingdom, Swarnapuri. Forest gave them happiness; they loved to know more and more about the undiscovered truths of life in forest.

They were nimble and treacherous like any other wild animal. Observing animals and their life ways gave immense pleasure to both. People talked about their strange behavior, they were like this since long, since they were just kids. Their father was a wanderer too. Saba and Baba collected the most interesting things from the forest and when they visited Swarnapuri, usually they traded it for a special wine or for some food stuff or for making healing herbs.

“BA, this is a rare plant, I have never seen this.” Saba suddenly knelt down and looked at a plant.

“Aha! I too SA, let’s stuff it into our rucksack.” Baba turned back sharply and knelt down to examine it closely.

“BA, hush! hush!” Suddenly Saba had heard something in the air. Both started to smell for wild creatures, but their seemed to be none initially. After few moments Baba had indeed smelt something familiar in the air, he had heard some faint sound as well.

“COBRA, it is -” Baba whispered back to Saba cautiously, he knew there was one lurking near them although they could not see it openly yet. Baba began to move his head here and there very slowly, but that moment was enough to bring danger!

A vicious King Cobra jumped on him from the tree above; Saba nimbly took out his knife from his sheath and threw it at the falling Cobra. The knife flew inches above the head of Baba and struck the cobra hard slashing its head away from its body. The dead body of the cobra fell on Baba as he too fell down unable to bear its enormous weight.

“I owe you one SA.” Baba smiled and threw the dead snake away and got up to his feet. He knew he could always count on his brother’s sharp instincts.

“I think it is two BA”, Saba stood up and pointed out.

“No - no it is one SA.” Baba began to argue.

“No no - It is two BA.” Saba was not so easily willing to give up; he wanted his brother to remember the last encounter with a cheetah where his knife had come in handy at the last moment. 

Suddenly Baba signaled him to keep quieter; he had heard something faint again. He listened carefully, the faint sound started to grow in a steady pace. Soon they recognized it, it was a drum beat! Drum beat always surprised them, as it would always bring a special message.

Both concentrated hard and began to listen with utter care. They heard the drum beating from faraway place and waited for the message. Then, they started to hear the faint voices of the message. It seemed to come from the Swarnapuri Kingdom. Initially they could not understand the message, it was too faint, and after a long concentration they heard it clear enough.

“Saba, Baba, Saba, Baba, Saba, Baba.” The messenger was trying to call their names. Indeed, the message was for them. They continued to hear it further.  

“Come to Swarnapuri Palace immediately, King needs you at once.” After many attempts they understood the message, so that was it. Swarnapuri King is summoning them.

The two began to walk towards Swarnapuri as the faint voice of messenger began to call their name again and again,

“Saba, Baba, Saba, Baba, Saba, Baba.”

**

King Maheepati looked eagerly at Mahapitha. He had come all the way to his hut wishing to talk to him immediately. The old Warlock had never disappointed the King. King Maheepati would often come here for advices or suggestions on political issues. Each time the old Warlock made him happy by giving some worthy advice. But now the matter was entirely different. This was certainly no political issue; this was all about his daughter’s life.

To the great disappointment of King Maheepati, the old Warlock showed his helplessness for the first time.

“Is there nothing you could do Mahapitha?” Maheepati repeated again, he wanted to make sure he had heard his words right.

“I am afraid so! My King and my dear friend, is she holding on?” Mahapitha looked at him sadly.

“Barely, I have sent words for forest Wanderers.” King Maheepati informed him. He was very worried about the time, would they be able to come in time. He knew Princess did not have much time; the deadly poison was spreading fast. Vaachaspati has confirmed that with the Palace Pundit.

“Good, let us hope they will be able to come up with some potions to remove the venom completely.” Mahapitha tried to encourage the King. At the same time, he did not want to give him any false hope.

Just as the King started to go out, Mahapitha added very faintly, “Send for Hakim Ajmal Sahib too.”

The King looked at him with surprise for Hakim Ajmal Sahib was no friend of his. Rather, he was the closest friend of King of Sampada.

****