part0029

When Takshak learnt the masked figure had ruptured and destroyed the entire town, made fools out of his men, he came forth and slammed the map of Keekatpur, where Indragarh was the capital. He began to chalk out the places and magnify on the position of the east, south and west, as the north led up to the colder regions where the sustainability of villages wasn’t a probability.

And when he did try to find Two Shields, nothing turned up.

“Have we had any displeasure from any citizen?” Takshak asked his Lieutenant Ulupi. “Any robbing incidents?”

“None whatsoever, sir,” said Ulupi.

Unlike Takshak who had his long hair winded into a top knot, Ulupi had short hair like grass blades. He had the same inherent sapphire eyes, but a meek exterior. Takshak didn’t mind Ulupi for his exterior, for his mind played well; unlike others who were just brazen and brawny on the outside.

“Have the gates double checked and do not let anyone in, except for the chariots of the ones who work for the palace,” Takshak said. “I want to find and execute this person.”

“All right, sir.”

That was when one of the guards entered the war room.

“Sir, the bird has exited the nest.”

Takshak left the room, saying he had personal work. He took two of his less armed guards, for he didn’t want to attract any attention. The night had come forth and he was already seeing the stars now, and they were more in number than the previous night. Takshak had a thing for the stars.

Takshak had the intruder in his mind, but he also had to take care of the work Vasuki had given him. He was now on the road and had been on the east side of Indragarh close to the Peepal Street, while all of the humdrum was happening in the south, so he had no possibility of knowing it. But one thing the village intruder had done well was to disrupt the merchant practices of the Yakshas, in the very place where the bazaar was being held. Everything had been destroyed and Takshak had a plastic, wide grin when he heard about it.

He had seen Vedanta and how he travelled across the state talking to people, granting their wishes, giving out charity and promising a better future. This was the third day of following him. And then he had gone to an inn and hadn’t come out…until now.

The bird was him and the nest was the Inn.

Takshak got off of his horse and concealed himself in the side lane, away from the multi-storied inn. Takshak then went across the road and inside the inn.

As he entered, everyone in the lobby just stood up, even the manager who was sitting behind the wooden counter.

Takshak slowly walked in the front with his two guards, his tunic flapping at the back, with his hand around the sheathed blade.

“How can I help you, General Takshak?” the moustached manager asked.

“I’m curious about your latest visitor.”

“Yes.” He tapped on the counter as he signalled his man.

The guard handed a few silvers on the counter which the manager just stared at.

“I’m sorry, sir, I am not allowed to…’

Takshak didn’t smile. He held his gaze. “All right,” he nodded, looking around, seeing some of the travellers seated in the lobby reading books and chatting. “I have been told by an informant that there is an involvement of soliciting at this inn.”

The manager gasped. “No! No, sir! Those are outrageous lies!”

“All right,” Takshak didn’t care as he looked at his guards, “take all the keys.”

The guards came behind the counter, pushing the weak manager against the wall as they grabbed the long, bronze keys.

“Wait here and make sure he doesn’t escape since he’s going to face a lockup today.”

The manager pleaded with him, but Takshak turned a blind eye to him as he walked upstairs. At the first storey, he began to open doors. While some of the travellers were alone, others were with their lovers. Takshak didn’t care about their privacy as he opened every door till he came to the final one on the top floor. It had two doors, one perhaps for the balcony, overlooking the entire city.

Takshak opened that and found a figure standing with his back towards Takshak.

“State your name and business in this town for a mandatory check up…” and then his voice trailed off when he saw a familiar mongoose wrapped around the figure’s head.

“Is that another name for spying now?” The sleek, slimy voice was too familiar.

“Kuvera,” he sighed a little breathlessly.

Turning towards Takshak, the fat man, and the head of Yakshas grinned at him. He had thick, bushy brows making him ugly, but had no beard and was hairless on the rest of his body.

“How do you do, my good friend?”

“I am not your friend,” Takshak came forward. “What was your business with the king?”

“Now, that’s Vasuki speaking, not you.” He smiled, “but if you are so eager to know the why then you might as well just ask him.” He gave a slight nod.

Takshak turned to see Vedanta with his brusque, slightly obese figure, and belatedly noticed a hefty and bearded man entering the room and without a word stabbing a serrated dagger across his arm and then sliding it down, rupturing his arteries.

“Ugh, that’s bloody,” said Kuvera.

Takshak fell on the floor.

“The snake shit is trying to speak,” Vedanta said.

Kuvera walked casually and crouched a little. “Speak, darling.”

Kuvera grimaced. “Why, eh? Well, where should I start? But even if I do, I’m sure you’ll not even live to hear it, so it’s no use. All I can say is me and Vedanta, we have mutual interests.”