WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 25: A Daring Thought

Vaachaspati sat for the mid day meal with his children. He had also visited the Palace and had a little discussion with the King. Princess Chitrakshi was holding on; however there were no signs of improvement. King Maheepati had been taking the advice of all the people who he felt of greatest importance. He was still confused in taking a decision to send his army to the great mountains.

Atma, Bakula and Vasundari were waiting eagerly for their father to return from the Palace. They wanted to know all the things happened at the Palace; their father was their informer now.

“Father, did you get any news from Palace?” Atma carefully brought the matter after observing the complete rituals of his father.

“Yes, Hakim Ajmal Sahib is in Palace.” Vaachaspati said taking a handful of rice. He did not mind telling his kids about the happening until and unless they did not venture for anything dangerous.

“Was he able to cure Princess?” Vasundari badly wanted hear a positive reply, but unfortunately there was none.

“No my lass, he couldn’t not as well.” Vaachaspati announced sadly and looked at his daughter sympathetically.

“You mean Princess is going to die, but - but Atma said -” Bakula stopped abruptly; he had given it away very ignorantly this time.

“Did you read the signs of stars again?” Vaachaspati looked at Atma immediately; he was quick to catch them up this time.

“Yes father, it said Princess in not going to die.” Atma admitted nodding his head. He was not sure whether his prediction was accurate or not this time, however by heart he just wished it to be accurate for that is what they all wanted.

“Strange! But who is going to bring that?” Vaachaspati muttered to himself and started to think hard.

“Bring what?” Champaka was interested at once.

“The Savior plant, JEEVE, for only it can save princess.” Vaachaspati slowly filled them in munching his meal.

“Where is that savior plant, JEEVE, located father?” Vasundari was all questions again.

“Behind the cursed Seven Mountains; and no one can go there.” Vaachaspati showed his left hand towards the direction of great mountains.

“Please tell us about the Savior plant, father?” Atma begged him for information. They did not know much about that.

“Well, JEEVE is the plant which can combat any deadly venom on earth including the venom of Lord Phaninath. Further, it can cure any illness.” Vaachaspati gulped some water and began to explain them.

“Don’t we find that plant here in this forest?” Bakula asked earnestly, he knew the forest well. If only it is available he was thinking of finding it by himself.

“No - It is the rarest plant on earth, it only grows in a cave located at the peak of Seventh Mountain, and it is said that the great Saint lord Trilochana guards it.” Vaachaspati tried to recall the story told to him long before. 

“Why doesn’t the King send his army then?” Atma thought that was the easiest thing for the King to do.

“No men or women can never cross the Seven Mountains, it is said that lord Trilochana, the three eyed guardian has cursed it.” Vaachaspati smiled at his kids’ curiosity and eagerness. He liked to give them in all, there was nothing harm in that.

“Has anyone attempted it?” Bakula always thought of odds and evens of the story.

“Yes; only a few. But it is said that none are alive now.” Vaachaspati stood up finishing his meal and went out to wash.

**

Keertidevi eagerly waited for the King to return from his visit to the old Warlock. She was too eager to send an army to the great mountains. Day by day her woes have been increasing and she found it very difficult to observe her only child dying. She heard the footsteps of the King and stood up at once.

“My lord! What does the Warlock say?” Keertidevi looked at him with eyes full of tears.

“He says none of us can go there, for no one will return back.” King Maheepati replied her very softly. He knew he was greatly disappointing his Queen but he respected the old Warlock’s advice all the same. He too did not wish to risk the lives of people for an unsuccessful cause. In fact, until now he had been acting as per the advice of the old Warlock and it always had yielded him good results. He intended to continue to listen to his advice now too no matter how much that might hurt him personally.

“Oh God! What shall we do now?” Keertidevi began to cry with utter desperation.

“I am helpless, my dear Queen, I am utterly helpless.” King Maheepati could not longer hold on his emotions; he too began to cry hard for the first time since the incident.

“We can only pray to god, oh! Lord please save my angel, save her.” Keertidevi ran towards the idol of Lord Shiva and knelt down with exhaustion. All she could do is pray.

**

It was just another disappointing day for the twin vendors. In spite of their effort in bringing their uncle back to Swarnapuri, things seemed to go on the wrong Path. In their very hearts they had wished for the cure of Princess Chitrakshi, but Alas! The bad fate continued to t*****e all.

“Oh! Bhai Wazir, isn’t it sad?” Nazir began to shake his head vigorously thinking about the failure.

“It is, Bhai Nazir, for our great uncle also could not cure the Princess.” Wazir looked very disappointed as well.

“Oh! Bhai Wazir, what do you think of Princess’s fate?” Nazir wished to know his elder brother’s thoughts.

“My soul says she will live, Bhai Nazir, she will.” Wazir somehow strongly felt that in his heart.

“But how? Oh! Bhai Wazir? How?”

“I too don’t know Bhai Nazir, only the Lord knows it.” Wazir looked at the sky.

**

Atma and Bakula walked towards the river for their evening meeting. Vasundari slowly followed them immersed in her own thoughts. Bakula seemed very angry at the things, he wanted someone to do something instead of all sitting and waiting for the things to happen.

“We just can’t let Princess die.” He threw a stone to the river and announced with an air of dignity.

“Yes, you are right, we have to do something.” Vasundari hurriedly joined them and expressed herself.

“Hmm..” Atma was deep in his own thoughts. He began to memorize all the words said by his father about the cursed great mountains.

“There should be a way, THERE SHOULD.” Bakula repeatedly began to show his restlessness. 

“What do you think, Atma?” Vasundari looked at him curiously; she wanted to know his thoughts. She strongly believed in his problem solving skills.

“Hmm..” However, Atma was still engrossed in his deep thoughts.

“ATMA, we are talking to you.” Bakula could no longer hold his anger and shook Atma’s shoulder to bring him back to them from his thoughts.

“Aha! What did you say?” Atma looked at them with surprise; he had not heard a single word.

“What were you thinking Atma? We are very worried about Princess Chitrakshi.” Vasundari reminded him of the ill fate at Palace.

“Me too.” Atma just nodded his head.

“Shall we go to Mahapitha, tomorrow?” Bakula wanted to consult the old Warlock yet another time, he was sure the Warlock would not let the Princess die so young and so early.

“Yes, he should have the answer for this.” Vasundari agreed at once.

“But father said, he too can’t do anything?” Bakula showed his confusion at the same time. He too began to think of the curse his father had told about the Seven Mountains.

“Father said, no MEN or WOMEN can go there - ” Suddenly Atma stood up at once and began to walk repeating his father’s words.

“So?” Vasundari encouraged him.

“So I was thinking -” Atma turned towards them with a twinkle in his eyes, for the first time it showed a ray of hope.

“Thinking?” Bakula stood up at once being all alerted.

“WE COULD GO INSTEAD.” Atma smiled at the two.

**

King Maheepati was surprised when the guards announced that the wanderers of the forest are at the Palace again to meet him. He asked his guards to bring them to the Princess chamber at once. The King and Queen had been spending most of their time waiting in the Princess chamber.

“Oh King! With due respect we are here to propose you.” Saba bowed to the King the moment they arrived. Baba followed him and respected the King following his brother.

“Oh! Wanderers of forest; what is that you wish?” Maheepati showed his surprise, he could not understand their wish at once.

“We spoke to Hakim Ajmal Sahib; we are ready to offer you our service.” Baba walked across the bed and replied looking at the unconscious Princess.

“You mean to say, you wish to travel to Seven Mountains?” Maheepati now clearly understood their intention.

“Indeed. Oh! King indeed.” Saba nodded his head waiting for an approval.

“NO – NO - I cannot send you to certain death.” King Maheepati could not do that. He knew about the curse now. He felt it is very selfish of him to send any one, for that matter, to certain death.

“We, the wanderers of the forest know the mountain well than any other.” Baba persisted smiling gently. They too knew about the danger and curse. Hakim Ajmal Sahib had filled in them with the information, but in spite of that they were eager to travel to the great mountains.

“And we are the souls of great pride, we have seen great danger before and if need be, we are willing to sacrifice our lives for a noble cause.” Saba walked towards his brother and touched his shoulder. He wanted the King to know that they were well aware of the danger, but that certainly did not bother them. The King silently watched them for a long moment and looked at his Queen’s face. For another long moment their eyes met.

“Hence we request you permit at once.” Baba and Saba both said in at the same instant bowing again.

****