Chapter Eight

Moths and Flames

Kolkata, 13th March 2015

Around him the night deepened, from silent city lights and passing by cars to still stars and cold breeze, everything seemed distant. Sanskar was no fool; he always knew when something was wrong. He felt uneasy, restless and unsettled, the feeling did not seem to wear off, but instead pushed him deeper in to its unknown pits, unless he found some distraction.

Swallowing hard, he pushed the accelerator further down, feeling the speed vibrate through the metal beast and reach his fingers swathed around the steering wheel. The engines, emitted power into smooth silky movements and he gathered speed with each passing moment. The roads were almost empty and lay ahead of him like an uncoiling serpent, promising hours of distraction and miles enough for a long drive that would clear his mind.

She was supposed to hold his gaze

Uncomfortably the line reminded him of those honey brown eyes. They were, wide, deep and clear, specks of gold dancing around the iris, the bottomless dark pits of her pupils. Those eyes reflected the fire underneath them and their look curious, unsettling, disarming...  He was not supposed to get lost in her gaze.

The thought made him stiff, as he preyed on more speed. He was not supposed to meditate over her eyes. They were just a pair of pretty eyes, after all she is a seer, and the eyes are their most important feature.

She was supposed to be indebted to him.

He recalled that this was the simple reason he went ahead and saved her from those devouring flames. But to be entirely honest, he did not remember those words at the moment. She had been so close to death that he could not stop and think about anything else. Even in the most draining situations Sanskar was proud of his ability to assess his surroundings. But then, at that moment, he had gone completely blank. That was because he had vowed to bring her back, Sanskar argued with himself. He would not be able to fulfill his promise to his mother, if anything happens to the eye. Yes; that was it. He wanted her safe, until his word is kept. But saving someone for our own reasons does not make them indebted to us, does it? By staying alive, was not she the one doing the favor? He was not supposed to take favors from her.

Feeling agitated with himself, he closed his eyes and punched the steering. A sharp pain shot across his knuckles. But it was not sharp enough to block the words that rang through his memory.

He was supposed to listen while she talked.

Her voice was mild, but with a tone that carved itself in his memory. Sanskar remembered her childish voice, the one that sentenced his brother to banishment. But her present sound was much more light and captivating. Please, please, don't leave me!' She had said. He could still remember how each of those syllables rolled from her lips. He was not supposed to memorize her words.

Sanskar now felt furious with himself. He did not stop being captivated by that eye's words but tried his best to reassure her. That certainly was not part of the plan. He was not supposed to make promises. But he had ended up doing the same thing.

She had to trust him.

That was the most important thing. She had to trust him with her life. Had not she done the same thing only a few hours ago? He wondered. She had trusted his words, when he said he would save her. She had held on to him, in a death grip, knowing her life depended on it. He recalled how it felt to hold her so close to himself. He had been truly lost in the sensation, her breath slowly fanning his neck, the warmth of her skin as he touched her. He was not sure he could handle her trust anymore.

Sanskar slammed the breaks abruptly. His thoughts sounded ridiculous inside his own mind.

I need counseling,' He muttered to himself, before pressing his sweaty forehead against the cold steering wheel.

*

Kolkata, 13th March 2015

I'm nothing special; in fact I'm bit of a bore

If I tell a joke, you've probably heard it before

The words pulsed across the room, pouring out from the radio that was kept in the corner. The old lady sat in her armchair, leaned back and her eyes closed, letting the melody sink in to her mind. If not for the slight smile curving her lips, the nurse who peeped through the faintly cracked open door would have presumed she was asleep.

The room had very cheerful decor. The walls bright yellow and curtains fluffy white, there were large arrangements of fresh flora by the dressing table, and ornate frames held memories worth a lifetime. The room was furnished in a rich taste, the marble floor gleaming; still, somehow, it managed to create a very homely atmosphere.

Perhaps the aura came from the occupant herself. The lady of the house who was in her late sixties. She was short and plump woman, her face bearing lines of laughter and her eyes a gleam of joy, her hair was short, curly and gray, hints of white scattered through the mop. She tapped her fingers, as she listened to the radio, enjoying an hour after the dinner, away from her nurse's praying eyes.

Mrs. Bose,' the nurse called out, rather reluctantly, holding the door half open. It's half an hour past your bedtime ma'am. I think you should retire to bed now.'

The woman pretended not to hear her, as coincidently the volume of the song also went up. The words now echoed the room.

So I say,

Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing

Thanks for all the joy they're bringing

Oh, come on Riya,' Shobha opened her eyes with a sigh finally. I know my grandson pays you to bully me. But at least in his absence you can lay low a little can't you?'

No Ma'am, absolutely not.' Riya said now coming in to the room and proceeding to switch off the radio. But Shobha would have none of that. Instead she stood up, still twirling to the rhythm and dragged the poor, unsuspecting girl in to her dance as well. Ma'am, ma'am stop it.' She cried helplessly as Shobha steered her through the room, spinning in circles and laughing. Your joint pain will increase!'

Nice of you to remind me.' She laughed. Come on Riya my dear, you're having the night off and are dancing with your grandmother! This is my favorite song!'

After a moment Riya laughed along. She loved the old woman too. She was such a joyous spirit to live with. They went along very well with occasional rifts on how many hours Shobha should be resting, or change of medicines or once or twice about her exercises. Shobha now knowing full well that the battle was won laughed loudly. She liked the mild, caring girl too, when she was not bullying her to follow various instructions. After all, most of the time she had no one else to share her life with. She loved sharing those little moments with Riya.

Their dance that night however was cut short after a few moments, when the song was reaching its ending. Riya stopped abruptly, going very still and pale. Knowing very well, who the ghost that managed to scare her to numbness was, Shobha turned around, letting go of her hands she had initially being swinging.

Sanskar stood at the door way, his expression stony. He would not expect any less from the legendary Shobha Bose, but from the nurse he expected more resistance to the lady's undeniable charms. Shifting from Riya's white face his eyes landed on Shobha's who gave him a dazzling smile.

Here comes my Sunny boy!' She exclaimed in a surprised, yet clearly unaffected tone and hurried forward to take his arms. Slipping in to his embrace she hugged him lightly and then, cunningly dragged him to her own spinning dance.

Dida? What are you doing?' Sanskar looked at her bemusedly only to catch the wicked glint in her eyes.

What?' She asked innocently, swinging his arms and twirling herself around, not very concerned about the fact that he stood firm on his ground unmoving. I'm dancing with my grandson aren't I? And yeah, it also means I have forgiven you for bailing out on me in our New Zealand trip!'

Riya backed away, giving them space and left the room shaking her head.

That is wonderful news,' Sanskar smiled a little, twirling her around and the song ended.

Shobha went and shut the door, making sure Riya had left the earshot.

Yuvraj sa, you look troubled,' she said as she turned back to Sanskar, who was switching off the radio now, with a smooth movement he proceeded to shut the window.

You know me better Dida, I am troubled.' He agreed. For once, I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing or not.'

My! What have you done?'

Nothing.' He turned around folding his arms to see the lady taking her place back in her armchair. He went to her and knelt at her feet, propping his arm against her armrest and looking up at her eager eyes. You see that's the problem. I couldn't do anything.'

Sanskar proceeded to tell her about his day or most precisely his meeting with the eye and Shobha listened in silence. In many ways, she was his grandmother, certainly much more than Devi Nanda had ever been.

Shobha Bose, many years earlier had been Aruna's caretaker in the human world. It was natural custom of the elven noble to be schooled in human realms. Therefore they had caretakers assigned to them, making cover up backgrounds for them to take while on this side of the shield. Most of those caretakers were either of elven origin or with elven ancestors. Shobha Bose was an elven witch, many ages ago. But she had completely given up her enchantress life now. That did not mean those who had the privilege of knowing her as closely as Sanskar did, did not receive any part of her knowledge. Shobha had been Aruna's mother in the human realms, in that sense she was his grandmother.

As he finished, looking further troubled and annoyed, she stroked his hair gently.

Is it a part of the eye's magic, that I seem to be captivated by her?' He asked finally, voicing his doubt.

The poor girl would ask the same thing, had I known her.' Shobha mused lightly.

Dida!'

Sanskar, here, people call it "Attraction". You know, twenty years in the human world has done you no good. You are still oblivious to human way of life.'

I'm not human Dida, please don't lecture me on their way of life!'

Fine, by the terms of elven then,' Shobha continued, now with a glint in her eye. Are you familiar with the term "Lumiere"?

It is French for "light."' Sanskar supplied.

Now, now,' she laughed a little. You're talking human and I'm not. In elven lore Lumiere, means a person, someone bonded even without a bond. The light to one's darkness, the missing part, the better half...'

Stop it Dida,' Sanskar stood up abruptly. That simply cannot be.'

I wish so too your highness,' the old lady said mildly. For if she is your Lumiere; you're doing a heinous deed here. You will never be forgiven or eased from the suffering you bring upon yourself. So yes, for your sake I hope, I am wrong.'

*

Agnimandal (Prison of Vajras), 12th March 2015

Sparks gold and ember flew from the point where the blade touched the whetstone, they were reflected in her eyes, in a shade much darker than their true glow. As Annapurna entered, those blue eyes snapped up to hers and her hand stilled in the motion of sharpening the dagger in her hold.

They say weapons that don't see battles are worthless devi,' Annapurna spoke as she approached, the doors closing as soon as she stepped in. There was a sarcastic edge to her tone and she eyed the dagger pointedly. Or is it your hatred that you keep sharpening?'

Devi Nanda met her gaze, in her usual unyielding one. She looked weary; the regal glow of her ancient face somewhat dimmed yet the aura was still there.

They also say Mothers who don't see their sons are heartless my dear.' She replied, in an unaffected tone. But we both know how far from truth that is...' She let her voice tail off, turning back to her task.

Annapurna pursed her lips. Even after all these years she did not enjoy conversing with her mother in law. Although now she had grown to mask it expertly, she still felt nervous, whenever she found herself subjected to that brilliant blue gaze. The woman saw too much to be comfortable.

There's no point in repeating something you and I both know.'

Yes,' Nanda agreed softly. As you said before, only the betrayed knowing the betrayal is enough.'

I could still forgive you Devi,'

Alas, your forgiveness comes with a prize.' Nanda interjected. I am not interested in any deals with a lady who can gamble her son's life and the future of her lands.'

What I'm doing is nothing new to this royal house,' Annapurna said slowly. Even you did the same thing when the choice was between your own and the other.'

Keeping the dagger aside, Nanda rose to her feet gracefully. Her eyes lit up with a mild curiosity she came to stand in front of Annapurna, eyeing her with a keen look.

When you said, all those years ago, that you will forget everything...for some reason I thought you were being truthful...How wrong it seems I was. What I'm interested in knowing is, how did you fool the eye?'

The eye,' Annapurna smiled a little. The eye is only a child. A child who had spent her entire life in the human realms. She had no idea lead could be poisonous to us. In her world it is just a metal; the traces she detected did not warn her of the coming danger. I knew Sanskar would be tempted to drink it, compelling Kavita to intervene.'

Kavita did it intending to save him; it was like she laid down her life...'

And she died,' Annapurna finished it for her. Taking your freedom away with it. A truth only the dead can vouch for. No, even the dead can't. Kavita herself thought the eye lied didn't she?'

Nanda closed in on her and took her wrist in her grip and tightened her hold. How deep does your betrayal run Anu? How long have you been feeding your mind to the shadows?'

Does it really matter?' Annapurna questioned back. Does it matter how long I've spent in darkness when it had been you who snatched my light?'

I wish you stop coming to see me.' Nanda shook her head. I'm tired of the shades you keep revealing to your once assumed pure white character. I knew you were never that, even then, the display had been wearisome my dear.'

Tell me where the key is, I promise I will never see your face again.'

Nanda chuckled, rather amusedly. As if Annapurna had shared a very funny joke with her.

Ah, well,' she said after a moment. Although the offer is very tempting, I will never do that. You see Anu, I still choose the king, no one else, no matter what.'

Then I will make sure your king ends up in the same darkness, once his light is gone.'

*

Unknown...

The wind made hushed whispers around her. From where she stood, she could see silhouettes of giant trees standing against the night. She shivered wondering if it were they that whispered. The thought brought out memories of the Vajra prince's woods, a place she would never set her foot in, again.

A ghostly silver moon hang overhead, lower enough in the sky that each spot, mark or imperfection on the soft whiteness was clearly distinguished. It was not Kaldwaara, but it was not human realms either. There was a very elven sensation in the surroundings. Swara turned around slowly, the absolute silence momentarily tainted with the swish of her skirts. She looked down to see herself dressed in long blowing skirts of midnight blue, sprinkled across with silver embroidery. A smooth ivory cloak pulled over her shoulders, blowing with the winds making the swishy sound.

Her curious eyes fell upon the ruins that rose above her. They looked strange, blackened stones of demolished towers, hidden with the shadows of the giant trees overhead. Swara stepped over the heap of rocks that must have once belonged to a fort wall. Inside, the stone walls were half flattened, the rest overtaken by weeds creeping up freely. On some places the craved roof remained intact, while on other places it simply caved in. It might have been a glorious fortress once, Swara wondered looking up to catch a glimpse of the moon from the opening above.

Somewhere a sound of water dipping drop by drop reached her ears, as she moved forward. Her skirts swept the dusty ground, as she reached the circular area in the center of the ruins. There were stone pillars holding up the remaining walls. The roof was there no longer and the deep pool of black water, simply opened up to the heavens above. The water rippled softly in the silent breeze as Swara stood by its edge, a faint, glowing reflection of the pale moon graced its dark depth.

It happened in a fleeting moment.

The moon was captured by a mass of cloud, diminishing the silvery glow casted over the world below and she felt someone breathe against the crook of her neck. Startled she tried to turn around, but an arm swept around her waist holding her in place, unmoving. Swara breathed in deeply feeling the hard planes of the physique pressed against hers. It was not a Vajra, Vajras were intimidating, huge and muscular, and it was not a Naga either, for Nagas were not as athletic as the man holding her. Taking her stillness to his advantage, he ran a hand over her arm, feeling the shivers he induced with his fingers and brushed her hair off her shoulder blades, lingering over the skin at the base of her neck for a moment longer.

Who are you?' She found her voice finally.

A dream,' he replied. Just a thought, nothing else.'

Where are we?'

He turned her around; it was still dark, the moon hidden amidst the clouds. She could not see him, other than his shadow towering over her. That silhouette was very familiar. He took her wrists and pulled her to a brisk slow dance, they steps syncing perfectly.

Inside your head?' He suggested amusedly.

No,' she said absentmindedly as he twirled her around, pulling her closer in to his embrace and wrapping his arms around her warmly. She locked her arms around his neck, still trying to see who he was.

Yes, admit it.'

What?' She asked, as they waltzed back and forth.

You're dreaming me up.'

Fine, who are you?'

He held her waist and lifted her off her feet, Swara placed her palms on her shoulders, balancing herself and looked down at him. He looked up, meeting her gaze. His eyes were deep green. It felt like staring in to a bottomless lake shimmering in the moonlight.

Your everything,' he replied huskily, lowering her, still holding her gaze. She drew in a rattled breath, as the wind blew her hair over both of them. Tips of their noses touched and a breath mingled before she finally landed on her feet safely. He was still holding her.

*

Kolkata, 13th March 2015

In a different reality, with a strange chocking sound erupting from her throat Swara sat up, shaking and sweating, bolt upright in her bed. Ragini was perched in the side of her bed, her hair drawn in to a pony tail away from her face and her eyes wide.

Swara...?' She said alarmed.

Uh?' Swara said, keeping a hand over her rapidly beating heart to calm it and breathing deeply. She turned to look at Ragini. Slowly, the surrounding started to register in her mind. They were back home, in their room. A mild light issued from the bedside lamp and Ragini was holding a novel loosely in her hand. She might have been reading, before tucking in. What happened?'

You fainted after the fire incident at the stage.' Ragini said rather guiltily. And we brought you home. I was keeping an eye over you, until you came around. Ma...' She pointed a nervous finger at the door. Left only a moment ago to serve the dinner. Shall I call her?'

Swara still said nothing; she was trying hard to calm her breathing.

Swara?' Ragini said again. Are you feeling alright?' She sounded fearful now. Wait, I'll call Ma.' Ragini sprung to her feet, tossing the novel over to the bedside table.

No, no Ragini wait!' Swara rolled over and griped her wrist, pulling her back to bed. I'm alright, don't call anyone. It was just a bad dream.'

Oh,' Ragini visibly relaxed sitting back, rather leisurely. Did you dream of a monster or something?'

Erm,' Swara laid back down afraid to close her eyes. Yes, something like that. You tell me, it was not a big fiasco huh? The fire incident?'

No. Baba was angry at first, for us switching places. But then Lakshya ji, explained him that I was afraid of fire and he understood. It would have been a trouble but he managed it.'

I should thank him then.'

No Swara!' Ragini almost jumped. I...I mean' She stammered then. I already thanked him for that.'

Oh, Okay then.' Swara rubbed her forehead.

And the competition?'

We won,' Ragini said dully. But Baba doesn't think we can go.'

Uh, why? Isn't that what he wanted all along?'

Yes, well. You see the one who saved you; he is the owner of that cruise. He said he wants no accidents on his ship so if we're to come, you will not accompany us. He said you're trouble and he doesn't want trouble on board. You know Swara that is nearly impossible for us to perform without you.'

He said what?' Swara sat up again, drawing her knees against her body and wrapping her arms around them. He called me trouble? How can he say that?'

He looked very determined about it.' Ragini nodded, walking around the bed to grab her novel once more. I think he is a very stubborn person.'

But, he cannot spoil Baba's dreams!' Swara stated firmly. We shall see how he stops us from performing.'

Well,' Ragini said turning the pages of her novel and sinking back to her pillows. Unless you are planning on blackmailing him or smuggling yourself in to that vessel, there is really no way out of this one.' With that she pulled the blanket up to her shoulders and snuggled inside it, her eyes glued to the book. Sweet dreams Swara!'

*

Camp of Nagas, Kaldwaara borders, 13th March 2015

A blood red sun was sinking below the skyline leaving a tainted grayish dusk behind. The torches on the guard fence were lit, casting ocher glow over the campsite. The flaps of the tents made a rattling sound as the winds tried to blow them and an eerie mist floated itself over the setting, letting the cold creep in to their bones.

The camp was quite, gloomy in the anticipation of yet another defeat in the following morning. The Nagas were flattened in the recent battle, their ranks falling. They had been compelled to divide troops between the city and the borders, as the Vajras had suddenly started to attack from two directions simultaneously. They were yet to recover from the damages caused by the attack on the gurukul and the pace had been hard to keep up with.

Before the sun vanished completely in the now spreading bluish shadows, a horseman appeared from the edge of their view. His outline set in black against the red of the sunset, growing larger and more detailed with each passing second. The guard had noticed him and after a moment shouts ran through the camp.

Mohan is back!'

The excitement in the announcement died as their vision drew more detailed and they realized the returning horseman was not in his best condition. Mohan had been sent on a secret mission, under Ashvini's personal orders. They were to hold on their ground until he returned. But surely he was not supposed to return the way he had.

There were gashes across his cheeks and his brow was bleeding. Most of his long hair tangled together with clotted blood. There were deep cuts on his arms and chest, as if he had to fight off an entire battalion himself.

The soldiers went forward to meet him and watched gathered at the mouth of the campsite, waiting for him to reach them. Mohan noticed them with his blearily open eyes before he collapsed on the horse, his hands still loosely gripping the reins. Someone eased him off them and many hands hoisted him off the horseback. He heard incoherent words, as they carried him inside the camp.

It's an Anjani blade,' the physician shook his head. The poison already spreading through his veins,' he checked his pulse as his students cleaned Mohan's wounds.

How long will it take for him to heal?' Someone asked.

Naga herbs cannot heal wounds given by Anjanis.' The physician bowed his head. I can only slow down the speed of the poison, put him in to a deep sleep.'

And meanwhile?'

There is only one person who can heal him, and he never will.'

His eyelids felt so heavy, that lifting them required all the strength he could master. There was a lot of light as the voices faded in to silence. A soft hand brushed against his forehead almost luring him to close his eyes once more in to the comfort it offered.

Am I dead?' He wondered out loud. Because in this life you cannot be here.'

You're dreaming and I am always there in your dreams Mohan,' a voice only too familiar to his ears replied. Mohan blinked again, as the hand caressed his face. The light dimmed a little, making the faint outlines of the face he could see fill in to a vivid picture. Arya smiled at him, looking like the princess he always remembered her to be.

It is not the time yet,' he said trying to overpower his soaring heart. The joy of seeing her, talking to her was too much to refuse. But as always he knew it was simply his elven mind playing tricks on him, reflecting his deepest desires instead of the absolute truth. Pulling him towards a light that was long gone.

Yes, it is not the time yet.' She agreed pleasantly, brushing his hair off his forehead and puffing his pillows. It is just another wound, just another battle; you will live through it as always.'

I wish you weren't always so bright,' he muttered trying to look straight in to her dazzling form. That I feel ashamed of being darker.'

But that's how you imagined me Mohan,' Arya sounded surprised. As your Lumiere.'

Why did you come? Why take me from realities?'

Sometimes,' Arya said softly, leaning down, so that her brightness dimmed and he could clearly see her hazel eyes. You have to part yourself from the reality to really see it. I came to tell you that, soon you will have a king you can bow down to.'

How do you know? You're not truly you, just a fragment of my imagination. How can you know something that I don't?'

You know it,' she said placing a hand over his heart. In here, just you don't see it. You haven't realized the true enemy yet, it is not the one you fight with. Time will come, when you have to safe guard him yourself from the real enemy, the real evil.'

I don't understand.'

You will, in time. When the Vajra rises again.'

The light, dimmed away, pushing him back to the torch lit campsite of his reality. The pain, registered in his mind once more and the voices of the physician and his students returned. He griped the hand feeding him a thick, greenish potion and looked in to the startled face of the young apprentice physician.

Tell mother Ashivini, she was right. The eye is just a distraction; Vajras are after something ten folds sinister.'

*