WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 29: A Secret Message

Gorma continued to pace hard to the awe of her younger sister Rukma; it has been a complete day since Gorma has spoken to her. She had been thinking hard, very hard indeed! It is the Blue Sapphire that was on the mind of her elder sister.

Rukma always thought very highly of her sister Gorma, she knew so much about all those dark magic and tricks. It was Rukma, who did know very less, or who had a very short memory for that matter. This short memory made her to forget all the tricks easily that she had learned since long back. She just could not help herself; she wanted to be like Gorma, but Alas! The dark lord has not shown mercy on her.

Rukma was also eager to get the Blue Sapphire too. Time and again, she recalled her sister’s dialogue with lord Phaninath. She had clearly stated that it could help her in turning Rukma into a Snake, a real beautiful Snake, which was supposed to be the Queen of Snake world and the wife of lord Phaninath. And that very thought excited Rukma, she had really fallen in love with someone for the first time, at least Rukma did think so. In truth, she had forgotten all about her previous romantic fantasies, poor Rukma! Of course, her poor memory had played a major role in that.

“Gorma, when are you going to stop pacing about, it is making my head spin.” At last Rukma dared to speak out. She was getting tired of seeing her elder sister pacing without uttering any word. On the other hand, Gorma gave no notice whatsoever to her sister’s ongoing comments, she continued her pacing, and certain plot was forming in her head vigorously.

“Gorma, listen to me, I am talking to you; I am fed up of this waiting game.” Rukma showed her irritation raising her voice immensely.

“Ah! There you go! Did you say anything Rukma?” Gorma stopped abruptly and looked at her with a wide grin on her face.

“Yes, I said thousand words, for thousand times, and you never answered all the thousands time and I am almost irritated thousand times.“ Rukma began to wail exaggerating too much.

“My dear sister, stop of your long wailing now. I have a new idea that would help us in processing the Blue Sapphire.” Gorma was all smiles.

“Do you?” Rukma sprinkled her eyes.

“I do, and I need you help again.” Gorma began to appease her sister.

“Oh! I am at your service Gorma, if this helps me in turning into a Snake and to become the Queen of the lord Phaninath, I would be glad to help.”  Rukma said showed eagerness in her voice. Indeed, she was ready to take any risk for her love. 

“I only hope you would be brave enough to do it this time.” Gorma still had doubts on her sister cowardliness.

“Of course I am brave, and I have proved that each and every time.” Rukma stood up and countered her elder sister at once; she did not like to be called as a coward! In fact, she was only a fainthearted.

“Aright, I don’t have time or desire to argue with you now Rukma, would you be kind enough to listen to my plan?” Gorma just wanted to the things get settled at once, she knew her plan could really work. Only it seemed more dangerous this time!

“I am all ears Gorma.” Rukma began to sooth up.

“I am sending Vasundari to fetch the Blue Sapphire from the old Warlock’s hut.”

“But, who is Vasundari?” Rukma began to scratch her head vigorously; she felt she had heard that name before but alas! It seemed ages ago.

“She is the silly daughter of Priest Vaachaspati, she was the one who tricked us last time, remember the girl who threw a handful of mud on our eyes.”

“Oh! I remember now, but will she do as you tell her.” Rukma was still confused about the plot.

“Of course, she has to; because YOU, yes you are going to be Vasundari for some time. I am going to use my ‘Impersonate’ trick for the last time.” Gorma was proud of her plan; she knew it had an element of risk; however it was Rukma who is going to take it, no her.

“You mean you are going to turn me into Vasundari?” Rukma somehow did not feel so brave now.

“Yes, you will go to Old Warlock’s hut and go on speaking to him sweetly and in between steal the Blue Sapphire and come back to me, as simple as that, isn’t it Rukma?” Gorma smiled mischievously.

“What if the old Warlock senses me out? You know he is very clever.” Rukma began to gain a faint yellow color on her face which indicated her fear.

“He shall not unless if you show the fear on your face. So be brave and do as I told. You will be successful and of course, you could marry your dearest lord Phaninath and become his Snake Queen once you bring that.” Gorma explained calmly.

“I shall do my best,” Rukma muttered under her breath although she did not feel that confident at all.

**

Atma and Bakula walked along the paths of woods with deep thoughts in their minds. Both felt it is dangerous to take Vasundari on their secret adventure. But of course she would not agree with them. They knew she would just follow them secretly if they left her behind.

Atma pushed that thought away and began to think of the things they needed for this secret venture. They would need cloths since it is going to be a long journey. They would also need weapons like spear, swords, hand swords and bow and arrows. Atma had learned to use spear and swords, but what about others? Would they learn using the weapons in short time, he wondered himself.

On the other hand, Bakula was thinking about the time factor. Saba, Baba and Hakim Ajmal Sahib believed Princess Chitrakshi had about month’s time before she falls on to the dangerous slumber of death. Nearly a week had already passed since that time; they had only twenty three days to fetch that savior plant.

“Baku, when shall we go and see the old Warlock again?” Atma broke Bakula’s ongoing thoughts.

“Evening, I should think so, that would give him enough time to make a decision, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, you are right, so shall it be. What about Vasundari? Do you think we should take her too?” Atma was eager to drop her out.

“We have to, she is already in all our ventures, and we have no choice.” Bakula remarked sadly.

“Yes, I believe so. I hope she would be sensible enough not to cause any problems. Baku, why don’t you make a list of things we have to take?”

“I know you already did it mentally. But I will write it all down on a scroll so that we don’t forget anything.  Mind you, we would need lot of armors since the forest and mountains are filled with dangerous creatures.” Bakula had realized they were very important to them, without them they may not be able to survive even a single mountain.

“Yes, Mani is going to provide us armors and light weapons secretly. Yet, one thing is bothering me Baku. Are we really efficient enough to use them if need be?” Atma let out his doubt.

“In fact we have to make ourselves including Vasundari, I hope Mahapitha will help us in that regard.” Bakula assured his elder brother.  

“Me too, when do you think we could start if Mahapitha agrees to help us?”

“I think we should start in two or three days, remember we don’t have enough time left.” Bakula was too eager to start as soon as possible.   

“Fine, we shall send a message to Mani asking for the weapons and armors, it is time we collect them.” Atma wished to speed up the things. Soon they walked over the place where once they had met Pakhi, their loyal messenger. 

Atma again whistled in the same tone and to their great happiness, Pakhi, the eagle had answered their call immediately. Atma took a piece of cloth and gave it to Bakula. He asked him to draw pictures instead of letters this time. Both knew Mani cannot read words. Instead pictures could convey their message easily and effectively.

Bakula drew a picture showing a river and three kids, them. He also drew a tall picture carrying some weapons, hoping it would represent Mani and their much needed armors.

Atma tied the cloth to Pakhi’s neck and whispered Palace three times. Pakhi had indeed been to Palace once before carrying their message.

****