WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 31:The Three Interns

Mahapitha took the Blue Sapphire and carefully placed it on the ground in front of him. He soon began to enchant it with his magical words. At first the Blue Sapphire did not show any response. Slowly, very slowly it began to show other secondary colors like purple, violet and green. It was a sure sign of magical indulgence, Mahapitha smiled at once.

He knew it would work; it has to, for it is one of the rare things which can help in the venture of saving Princess Chitrakshi. The Blue Sapphire could help in opening the inner mind of its true bearer easily and that in turn would help in knowing the danger beforehand. If gone on to wrong hands, it could do other dark wonders as well like breaking spells of other strong magical tricks.

Mahapitha thought about the high Priest, Vaachaspati! What a great man he is. He was ready to sacrifice himself for a noble cause. Indeed he had discouraged him for good. He certainly could not come back alive; he knew lord Trilochana’s curse cannot be undone with any sacred Mantras.

He picked up the Blue Sapphire again in his hands and looked at it very closely. Mahapitha knew this Blue Sapphire has to find a right bearer and that bearer could only cross the dangerous seven mountains. He had to test it with the three kids; Atma, Bakula and Vasundari.  If the Blue Sapphire responded in their hands then he would allow them to take part in the venture, else they have to stay back.

**

Atma and Bakula eagerly waited for the sun to go down. They were very anxious to know the decision of Mahapitha. Earlier they had thought of leaving Vasundari behind, but after knowing that their father is going to Palace they thought of including her too.

The King has summoned Vaachaspati to perform a special prayer to God on behalf of Princess Chitrakshi. Atma knew that would take quite a while and that would give them enough time to return back from Mahapitha hut. Very soon they saw their father gathering his ancient sacred books and were relieved to see him off soon.

“We are going to river mother, shall be back before the night meal.”

Atma called loudly to his mother. Vasundari at once came out too.

“I shall go with them too, mother.” She cried at once and hastily followed them, she was afraid lest her mother would ask her to stay behind.

“Be back before your father returns,” Champaka called back from inside. She knew she cannot hold them in the hut all the time. She thought River bank was a safe place since it was closer to the back fort of Palace; there would be enough guards and other fishermen roaming.  

The three began to walk hurriedly towards the West. This was really a hard day for them. The mid day incident had given immense shock to them as well. They have to be very careful now that witches of mountain are behind their back.

“What if Mahapitha denies us?” Vasundari asked while panting hard, Atma and Bakula had been walking too fast for her. She almost had to run to catch up with them.

“Let us not think about that now Vasundari, let try to reach his hut before it becomes dark.” Atma replied hastily, he did not wanted to waste even a single minute, they had to be back before their father returns. Luckily they had got that opportunity to sneak out.

After a hard climb of uphill they reached the hut, all the three were panting heavily. Vasundari was having too much of problem in her breathing, nonetheless she did not show it, and she was too determined to meet the old Mahapitha to know his decision.

Mahapitha smiled the moment he saw them. He knew they are having a hard time too. He asked them to sit and went into one his chamber, returning with three pots of Blue potions. He silently handed them each one and waited patiently to get their breath back.

“We we had a terrible incident today Mahapitha,” Vasundari cried in excitement. She had felt better after the drink.

“Yes, one of the witches had disguised as Vasundari and was coming here to see you Mahapitha.” Bakula slowly explained him the complete incident.

“Things are getting really worse; you have to be very careful henceforth.” Mahapitha added and closed his eyes for a long moment taking in the much information that he needed to understand what exactly is going on. He understood at once the witches are behind the Blue Sapphire, yes certainly that would give them power to break his spell to open the Underworld again. He opened his eyes again and looked at Vasundari very affectionately.

“Vasundari no need to be scared. The witches are not behind you. They are behind a Blue Sapphire which I possess; they wanted to trick me using your disguise.”

“Oh! I am so relived now; I had thought they wanted to kill me too.” Vasundari signed with a relief.

“Mahapitha did you make you decision?” Atma knew they did not have much time to spare; hence he had come up with straight question that they needed the answer.

“I have a test to perform, if you all pass in that, I shall allow you take part in the venture, else you should stay back with no questions.” Mahapitha said with a smooth but strict tone.

Bakula at once began to feel the strong pang of anxiousness. What could be the test, what if they fail in that? He began to question himself severely. Mahapitha looked at him and smiled at his anxiousness.

“No need to worry too much about the test Bakula, it is rather simple and in this test you are not going to do anything but stand still.”

“Then how will you judge us?” Vasundari could not contain her curiosity.

Mahapitha smiled at her question and took out a Blue Sapphire from his cloak and began to explain them in a gentle voice. “Well, I am going to place this Sapphire on each of your hands, if this changes the color; then I consider you all as the bearers of this Blue Sapphire. Remember, the true bearers are those who are young, not a Man or Woman yet, have no dark thoughts in their mind, and are selfless.”

The three exchanged anxious glances at each other and finally nodded at Mahapitha in silent agreement, all wanted to get it done with the test at once.

Slowly Mahapitha placed the Blue sapphire on Atma’s open palm. Next instant, he noticed the changing of colors in the Sapphire, it turned into Violet first and then into dark Green.

“There you go! You are one of the true bearer, hence Atma you are qualified to cross the seven mountains.” Mahapitha smiled at much relieved Atma and took the Sapphire from his hand. He looked at Bakula’s face and motioned him to open his palm. He placed it gently on the open palm and began to observe. Bakula began to sweat heavily, what if the Blue Sapphire did not change its color? What if he was to stay back? Bad thoughts rushed in his mind, suddenly he too noticed a bright Violet color under his palms and then it changed to bright Yellow. He waved a heavy sign of relief.

“Ah! I see that you are a bearer too,” Mahapitha exclaimed in delight and looked at Vasundari. Vasundari felt as if her heart is beating a thousand times per minute, she closed her eyes and offered her open palm to Mahapitha at once. She too wanted to get done with the test as soon as possible.

“Stay calm dear, don’t show your fear, else it might not work.” Mahapitha said in a low tone and gently placed the Blue Sapphire on her open palm.

Vasundari opened her eyes and looked at her palm. There was no change; she waited patiently for few more moments, but in vain. Nothing has changed! She knew she was defeated; she was the one who is going to stay behind. Slowly tears began to drop down her petal like cheeks.

Mahapitha observed it for a long moment, he thought he had given enough time for her; he nodded his head in despair and began to walk towards Vasundari to take the Blue Sapphire.

Suddenly Vasundari began to think otherwise, she is not going to accept defeat! Whether the Blue Sapphire changes its color or not! She is not going to care about it anymore! She is going to follow Atma and Bakula secretly and help them in the quest of bringing ‘JEEVE’, the savior plant.

Mahapitha was about take the Blue Sapphire from her hand when he suddenly noticed a change, a change which was very drastic. The Blue Sapphire has indeed changed its color! It was changing into dark Red! Dark Red is the clear indication of strong strength in the character. Vasundari too noticed it and began to jump with joy at once.           

“Oh! It has changed its color; I am to go with them, Mahapitha.” She hugged Mahapitha; she could not contain her happiness no more.

“Thank lord! The Sapphire didn’t repent any of you. You three are the right bearers of this Blue Sapphire and hence I am willing to help you all in the quest of saving Princess Chitrakshi. Remember, since now you three are my interns.” Mahapitha announced proudly and smiled at the three happy faces.

Atma, Vasundari and Bakula happily cheered simultaneously, “And we are the Warlock’s Interns.

****