WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 10: A Secret Message

Atma and Bakula walked in silence, but Vasundari could not. She was surprised this morning when Atma whispered her to come to the river after the morning meal. She was also very happy that they cared to include her. Unlike Atma and Bakula she has never ventured into the deep forest alone. She feared wild animals, especially Lion and Tiger scared her to death, but all the same she loved to be in the adventure when there was one. Now Atma and Bakula were with her, so there was no need to fear. At the same time she was very annoyed when her two brothers could not tell her about their destination.

“Could anyone of you tell me where are we going?” She repeated her question for the third time.

Bakula exchanged a quick glance with Atma and he just said, “hmm”. That was it, she told herself, and this is going too much for her to take, she stopped walking at once.

“I asked a question and I need to know the answer for that, NOW.”

“Oh! The mule doesn’t want to move.” Atma turned back and smiled at Bakula.

“Perhaps it needs a good beating on the back.” Bakula also found it amusing.

Vasundari went all red. How dare of them to call her a mule, she decided not to move at any cost, “Yes, I am a mule and I won’t take another step unless you tell me first.”

Atma looked irritated this time. For the same reason he and Bakula always avoided her in their adventures. She could never ever keep quite. He walked back and looked at her intently.

“Look, it is supposed to be a surprise; off course you can walk back or come with us silently.”

“Which one would our dear mule prefer?” Bakula knew where to hit her.

“I prefer the later one.” Vasundari accepted her defeat for the first time. The three continued to walk in silence.

After a long walk deep inside the forest they came to a place which looked thin. The woods were not much thick here and there was a small but beautiful pond. Atma smiled at the two. He wanted to show them a surprise which he had kept to himself for long.

“Time to introduce you to my dear friend, Pakhi.”

“Pakhi! Who is that?” Vasundari was all questions again.

“You shall see him soon.” Atma smiled at her and started to blow whistle in a peculiar tone. Nothing happened at first. Vasundari giggled to tease him. However, after some moments they heard another peculiar sound that exactly matched like Atma. Bakula and Vasundari started to look here and there for the source of the sound. From the east there came a big eagle floating in the air flopping its enormous wing. It circled thrice above the three for a while and landed on Atma’s outstretched arm.

“Eagle! How can you possibly tame an eagle Atma?” Vasundari was spell bound.

“He did, and you will watch him in action.” Bakula had the hint on what Atma had planned.

“Action! What is he going to do?”

“We are going to send a message to Princess Chitrakshi.” Atma took a cloth from his neck.

“Wow! Could he do that?” Vasundari was impressed.

“I too hope so; I have been training him since long.” Atma tied the cloth to its neck. Bakula had already written the message.

“And what would be the message?” Vasundari wanted to know everything at once.

“We are requesting Princess to stay calm while we do something about the Mountain Witches.” It was Bakula who answered her. He was the one who wanted to send a message. He too was very surprised when Atma told him about his secret flying pet.

“But, how Bakula?” Vasundari was still not convinced.

“You ask too many questions Vasu, We are meeting Mahapitha shortly.” Atma answered her with in an irritated tone.

“And it is supposed to be a secret meeting.” Bakula looked at her intently, he wanted all this things to be kept as secret as possible.

“Great! But, don’t count me out of it.” Vasundari began to feel the adventure in air, she was too excited.

“Only if you stop questioning us.” Atma exchanged a glance with Bakula and smiled at her.

**

Gorma started to pack her stuffs into her sack. She was very excited. At last she knew what was going to work for them. She was surprised why she hadn’t thought of this before. She was sure she could convince him in helping her. He was the most powerful creature of the underworld and most importantly, he ruled it.

“Gorma, are we travelling to Palace again?” Rukma watched her sister’s preparation in awe.

“No, we are going on a long Journey.” Gorma replied without turning back.

“Long journey?”

“First, promise me that you will stay calm.” Gorma turned back and looked at her sister; she wanted to make sure her sister supported her in every way.

“You know I always stay calm.” Rukma replied very innocently.

“Very funny.” Gorma began to laugh uncontrollably.

“I - I promise to stay calm, please tell me Gorma.” Rukma at last accepted her defeat.

“We – We are travelling to the Under World.”

“Un - Under world! The world of Snake Lord Phaninanth!” Rukma was too surprised, she knew all about him. Lord Phaninath is the greatest serpent and there were literally no potion that could counter his deadly venom.

“Rightly said, he is going to help us in our quest.” Gorma smiled mysteriously.

“He is very dangerous, would he help us?” Rukma was doubtful about that.

“He will and you are going to help me to do so, dear Rukma.” Gorma beamed in confidence.

**

Chitrakshi walked towards the small pond in the Palace garden. How she wished to be near the Swarnapuri River! If only she had not been the Princess! She began to imagine her life as a very ordinary girl being with other kids like Atma, Vasundari and Bakula. Chitrakshi loved her fantasy world wherein she was no more a Princess. She smiled to herself ironically, many would dream of becoming a Princess in their fantasy, but she wished completely opposite to them.

“Princess, Princess, there - there is a bird, an eagle on your bed.” Mani ran towards her and was panting as she said in a whispering tone.

Chitrakshi was in no mood of playing, she was too engrossed in her own world. She reluctantly turned towards Mani and said, “Oh! Just show it off Mani.”

“It - It seems to have something in its neck.” Mani was about show it off when she too observed the small knotted cloth around it. There were some words written on it and Mani could not read.

“Oh! It could be a message then! Let’s hurry, come.” Chitrakshi at once brightened up. She knew her friends; they would certainly do something to communicate her. She began to run towards her chamber with a heavy beating heart.

One or two guards looked at her curiously, but they had seen her running, playing and leaping around many times and they knew better not to take notice of that.

Chitrakshi hurried towards her bed and saw a big eagle sitting right on her bed. Mani followed her and was surprised at the eagle; it showed no fear of humans. It began to stare at the two. 

“He seems to have brought a message.” Chitrakshi observed the cloth tied on its neck.

“Yes, untie the cloth in its neck, Princess.”

Carefully Chitrakshi untied the knots and took the cloth in her hand, there were only few words, but indeed it was a message!

“From whom Princess?” Mani was very curious.

“From my friends.” Chitrakshi eagerly began to read it.

“What does it say?”

The note had only few words and it said:

“Stay Calm, we are meeting Mahapitha, the Warlock of West soon.”

 – Atma.

Chitrakshi read it again and again; she told Mani its contents.

“Aha!! They are really wonderful.” Mani exclaimed in delight. She had complete faith in Chitrakshi’s friends; Mani knew they certainly would do something to prevent the lurking danger.

“Yes they are. No one should know about this Mani.” Chitrakshi whispered to Mani. She knew if it was found out, her friends would be in trouble again. Secretly she had hoped that they would do something and now, here they are, working for her, for her safety. Chitrakshi felt very proud of her friends.

****