Rain (The Quest Trilogy-Book Two)

by Iram Dana

  “It’s a human! Trapped inside like a … a…”

  “Yes, it is a sequestor. All of them are.” said his Geeya, with a sweep of her hand, indicating the many rock-like formations dotting the mountain.

  Rain fished out the Nahla from his belt.

  “This breaks curses, doesn’t it? Maybe it will break the spell cast by the mountain, too.”

  Rain touched the ruby rock formation with the Nahla. “Please, free this trapped person.” he requested the stone. The rock formation cracked like thin ice and fell away, revealing a sequestor.

  The freed sequestor fell to Rain’s feet, thanking him profusely for setting him free from the curse of the mountain. Then, he bounded off, to make the most of this second lease of life offered to him by fate.

  “I can free them all!” said Rain happily.

  “I wouldn’t advise that, Rain. You already have more than you can chew in your mouth.”

  “How much time do I have left?”

  “Seventeen hours. That is all.”

  Rain knew he had precious little time on his hands, but he could not bear to leave all these sequestors here. Not when he could free them. Therefore, he tried to free as many as he could before reaching the mountaintop. As a result of his efforts, all but one sequestor had been freed by the time he neared the top of the mountain. Rain looked at the last remaining ruby structure wistfully.

  “It’s too far away. You now have time to do only one thing. Either save yourself by getting the egg, or save that sequestor.” said his Geeya.

  Rain sighed.

  “At least I saved all the rest.” he said to console himself.

  “And you did more than well. You saved nine sequestors in all. Six girls and three boys.”

  “You’re right. I must move on.”

  On reaching the top of the mountain, Rain was about to enter the cave when three huge hibiscus flowers popped out from below the ground, blocking his way. One flower was black, one green and one red.

  “What should I do now?”

  “One of these flowers contains the egg of the new Queen cobra. The other two are demon impersonations. Figure out which one is the real one and feed the Nahla to it.”

  Rain walked to and fro in front of the flowers, observing them from every angle, even sniffing at them cautiously. But he could find no difference between any of the flowers besides their color. He would just have to hazard a guess, Rain decided finally.

  For some reason, he didn’t think it was the red flower. It was too obviously the color of a shoe-flower, and therefore, too obvious a choice. He had his doubts about the green one, too; since the demon he had met below was pale green in color. He decided to go with the black flower because it looked the most sinister and uninviting of the three.

  Rain took the Nahla in his hand, closed his eyes and hoped he was making the right choice, and then proceeded towards the black flower. The flower had a small bud in its centre which snapped open when Rain came near.

  Rain held his breath, and gingerly reached into the belly of the flower. He dropped the Nahla there. He was about to draw his hand out when the bud snapped shut around his arm.

  “Yah! It’s a demon!” cried Rain.

  He frantically tugged at his hand to set it free but it was caught in a vise-like grip. Then, sharp, needle-like teeth began to emerge from within the skin of the closed bud, digging into Rain’s flesh. He gave a yell of pain and pulled his hand upwards, almost ripping it to shreds.

  He had to keep his wits about him, he reminded himself through his panic. His fingers curled around the Nahla in the demon’s belly. Whatever happened, he could not afford to lose this. Then, with his left hand, he drew out the sword of Halion from his belt and slashed at the base of the flower. The flower tightened and squeezed his arm as though gasping for breath, and then slowly withered into a limp, black mass.

  Rain pulled out his bleeding arm, his breath falling heavily.

  “Looks like Subodh has a big job coming up.” He remarked. “But I still have one more demon to outwit. And I don’t know which of the remaining two is a …”

  Rain needn’t have worried. The green flower began to shake, groan and snap its bud open and close. The demon had smelled the scent of the blood oozing out of Rain’s arm and was unable to contain its hunger. Its mouth opened wide and it bared its needle-like teeth.

  Rain didn’t lose a second. He raced to the flower and cut it off from its stem. It, too, fell to the ground and withered. Rain then walked to the red flower and deposited the Nahla into its belly. It closed around the white stone and remained shut for several minutes. Then, it coughed out a large silver egg, along with the Nahla.

  “Can you beat that?” said Rain, his voice heavy with irony. “It was the red flower after all. Talk about using some seriously twisted reverse psychology.”

  Rain picked up the Nahla and touched it to the egg. It cracked open and a tiny silver snake slithered out of it. The snake made its way straight to the Nahla in Rain’s hand and swallowed it.

  Rain watched in fascination as the snake began to grow in size in front of his eyes. Soon, the tiny snake was as huge as Naaga. It had the same glittering green eyes that the previous Queen Mother had had. Then, behind him there was an enormous rumble as Naaga himself slithered out of the open mouth of the cave.

  Just in time, thought Rain.

  “Naaga …”said Rain.

  “Rain, I was under the impression that you had failed me and I came here to make good on my promise to eat you. But …”

  Naaga’s eyes flicked towards the new Queen who was now fully grown and as majestic a beast as him. Naaga paused in front of the new Queen cobra and both snakes circled each other cautiously.

  A narrow red beam emerged from the stone at Naaga’s forehead and ran the length of the Queen cobra.

  “He’s checking to make sure she isn’t just another demon impersonation, isn’t he?” whispered Rain to his Geeya.

  “Not really. Naaga can see through demon impersonations. He is passing on the knowledge left to him by his mother on to the new Queen cobra.”

  “Is there any way to tell the difference between a demon impersonation and the real thing?”

  “It is very difficult … and for a human, almost impossible. A demon has no heart. So, if it were to impersonate a living thing, the only way to tell that it is a demon would be to find out if it has a heart which, as you know, cannot be done without killing it. To kill a demon is pretty tough. You have to be cunning, and quick, and wily. So mostly, if a demon were impersonating something like an animal or a human, telling the difference would be extremely difficult. In the event that a demon were to impersonate an inanimate object like a flower or a tree, telling the difference between the real and the fake would become an impossibility.”

  “In that case, I hope I have no more run-in’s with them.”

  Naaga finished passing on the information to the new Queen and turned his huge eyes to Rain.

  ‘Think he’ll reward me for my efforts?’ asked Rain, holding the top of his bleeding arm which was now causing him terrible agony.

  “Highly likely.” replied his Geeya.

  ‘If he asks me what I would like, I’m going to ask for a wisdom …’

  Rain glanced down at his chain, and did a double take. The entire thing was glowing. Again.

  “My chain’s glowing again?! Why?!” cried Rain.

  A second later as he was pulled off his feet and the mountain sped away, Rain had his answer.

  *****

  CHAPTER 17

  Rain was dumped at the gates of a bustling Indian city. He scrambled to his feet as soon as they hit solid ground.

  “What? No…no! Pull me back! Take me back! I haven’t collected my wisdom yet!” he shouted to the air around him, not sure who, or what, to address.

  His Geeya materialized a moment later and Rain ran straight to her.

  “Why am I here? I haven’t had the chance to collect my wisdom from the previous Ques
t yet!”

  His Geeya shrugged. “Looks like it’s time for your next one.”

  “But … but what about the one I just completed? I didn’t fail in it. I succeeded in it!”

  “That you did. Maybe Naaga just searched you out in order to avenge his mother’s death and your real Quest begins just now?”

  “No way!” gasped Rain. “And after all I went through for it!”

  “You didn’t have a choice. You life depended on it.”

  Rain kicked a stone in frustration. “Still!”

  Rain sobered up reluctantly after a long while. He walked away from the city gates into the forest surrounding it on the outside. There, he made it rain over his injured arm to wash away the oozing blood and clean up the wound. Done, he removed a small container of medicinal paste from his belt and applied it to his wounds. Ever since he had begun helping Subodh out he was equipped to handle most such emergencies. He wrapped his arm with some large leaves and then removed a shred of muslin from his belt and tied it around the leaves. All set, he strode towards the city gates determinedly.

  “Let’s get this one over with.”

  *****

  Rain knocked on the huge wooden doors of the city and they swung open slowly. Two enormous sepoys, who Rain assessed to be almost seven feet tall each, were pulling one side of the heavy city gates each. They took one look at Rain and crossed their spears in front of him, preventing him from going any further.

  “Please allow me to go inside.” he requested politely to the two sepoys.

  They glared at him in silence.

  “I’m not a spy. I’m not an enemy. I mean nobody any harm. Now, please may I enter?” said Rain, trying to get past them once more. They blocked his path even more firmly.

  “Look, I have important work to do here!” reasoned Rain.

  The two sepoys began talking in a language that Rain didn’t understand, pointing repeatedly at him and his injured arm.

  Rain looked himself over. He was tired and travel worn. His disheveled clothes and injured arm probably didn’t make for pleasant additions to the bleak picture he painted. He racked his brains for the word for ‘friend’ his Indian friend Shaan had taught him at Mt. Chimpu.

  Rain snapped his fingers. Dost! That was it!

  He tried his luck again.

  “Dost! Dost!” said Rain, pointing to himself. “I am a friend!”

  The two sepoys stared at him curiously for a second, and then burst out laughing. Rain took this as a positive cue and walked forward cautiously. They didn’t stop him. Rain strode inside confidently. After going a short distance, he turned back to see what the sepoys were doing. They were right behind him.

  “Why are you guys following me?” inquired Rain, miffed.

  In response, they came forward, lifted him up by the shoulders, and carried him kicking and struggling all the way to a large mansion. There, he was ushered inside a long hall where several guards stood on the fringes ready to attack, or protect, as needed.

  A tall, robust-looking man who appeared to be in his early thirties entered the hall and all of the guards bowed respectfully. The man acknowledged the guards with a curt nod and then came to stand in front of Rain. First, he spoke to the two sepoys who had brought Rain to him. Again, in the language that Rain couldn’t understand and then he turned to address him in impeccable English.

  “Who are you and what brings you to our city?” he said sternly.

  “My name is Rain, and I’ve … ah … come from Russia.” said Rain, wildly making things up because he didn’t know how much of his real story would be believed here. For all he knew, if he told them he was on a Quest to collect wisdoms, they would probably brand him on the forehead with a hot iron and then throw him into the dungeons.

  “Are you a prince? Come to take part in the competition?”

  “Er … yeah. I am prince Rainier from Russia.” bluffed Rain, not having any clue as to what this man was speaking about.

  “Wherefrom in Russia?”

  “I …uh, a small village called Rayva. Off to one side. No one’s really heard about.” said Rain nervously.

  “A prince … from a village?” said the man, pronouncing each word slowly.

  All the guards sensed a change in the man’s demeanor and went on alert. Rain swallowed. He knew he would be given only one more chance. Would they understand if he said he was on a Quest? Would they believe him? Rain could not bring himself disclose everything just yet.

  “Actually, I don’t remember much. I was attacked in the woods and now my head is all fuzzy. Could I please rest in your city for a few days?”

  The tall man stared at Rain for a few seconds, scrutinizing his face and words, and then let his shoulders relax.

  “Welcome to the city of Marut. I am Saleh, the king’s closest, and most trusted, vizier.”

  Rain allowed himself to breathe again. “Thank-you. Where can I find a place to stay?”

  “You may stay here, in my mansion. I will send for the doctor. He will take care of your injuries.”

  “That is so kind of you, sir vizier, but you don’t need to go through all this trouble for me.”

  “It is no trouble. Besides, it will be easier for me to keep an eye on you if you are right under my nose.”

  “Keep an eye on me?”

  “Yes. So that we may talk … once you remember everything.”

  The vizier sized Rain up once more. “Such peculiar clothing!” he commented, and then turned to give instructions to the two sepoys who had brought Rain in.

  Rain projected his thoughts to his Geeya.

  ‘Sharp guy.’

  ‘He isn’t the king’s closest advisor for nothing. You would do well to speak the truth with him.’

  ‘You really think so?’

  ‘I do.’

  *****

  Over the next month Rain both, healed and became good friends with the vizier, who, it turned out, was a wise and dependable man. Over the course of the days Rain revealed to him his actual reason for being there and also his true identity. To his credit, Saleh took the news quite well, not only believing Rain but also promising him help in whichever way he could. From him, Rain had found out that the princess was currently holding a competition. Anybody who could solve the challenges she posed would win her hand in marriage. Whenever the vizier spoke of the princess, Rain noted that he did so with a mixture of pride and a sense of possessiveness. On this particular morning, the topic of conversation had wound up once more on the princess and her many talents.

  “Can the princess speak in English, too?” asked Rain.

  “The princess is fluent in English, Hindi, Latin, French and Sanskrit.” replied the vizier.

  “Saleh, if you will forgive my intrusiveness … it is clear to me that you care deeply for the princess. Why don’t you enter this competition and claim her as yours before someone else does?”

  The vizier paused to look at Rain with perceptive eyes. “I see that in the days you have spent here you have learned a lot more about me than I have about you.” he noted softly. With a wistful sigh, the vizier looked down so that his face would not give his emotions away.

  “The competition is only for princes of all lands. I am only a vizier. I cannot participate, even if I wanted to.”

  “But there’s no rule against a vizier participating. You could try your luck.”

  The vizier shook his head.

  “Even if I did try, I have no idea how the princess feels. If she does not feel for me the way I feel for her, then I will be hanged for my audacity. It is best for me to recognize my limits and stay within them.”

  They fell into thoughtful silence for a while. Then Rain spoke up again. “Nobody has won the challenge so far, correct?”

  “That is right.”

  “Saleh, I think I can help you.”

  The vizier looked up at him both hopefully, and skeptically. “And how do you plan to do that?”

  “I will need to enter the competition for t
hat. Will you help me get in?”

  “I could. But how will that help me? If you win, the princess will marry you.”

  “And if I lose?”

  “Then, you will be sent straight out of the city through the back gates.”

  “I will be sent away immediately? Why?”

  “So you won’t reveal the nature of her challenges to any of the remaining contenders.”

  “I see. Never mind. I’ll manage somehow. Just help me get in. I’ll do the rest.”

  “But what will you do?” insisted the vizier.

  Rain winked. “Something. Just trust me, okay? I won’t steal the princess from you.”

  “Well then … I wish you luck. I will help you get inside but beyond that, you are on your own.”

  “Thank-you. That is all I will need you to do for me.”

  *****

  The next day, Rain found himself walking alongside two male servants, all dressed up in princely regalia, on his way to meet the princess. Saleh had helped him coin a reasonably vague and believable fake identity. He had been taught to join his palms and bow slightly when greeting the princess but other than that, he had no idea what challenges awaited him today.

  The two male servants pushed open the huge silver doors that led to a large hall with beautiful stained glass windows. Rain watched the streaming sun cast pretty shadows on the marble below, admiring the fine craftsmanship and detailing that went into the interiors.

  Directly ahead of him, reclining on a couch decorated with gems, was the princess, with a dusky, glowing complexion and large eyes as beautiful as the moon. She eyed Rain with ill concealed impatience as he approached her, but when she spoke, she did so with utmost politeness.

  “ Welcome, Prince Rainier of the Islands of Nimrohi.”

  Rain joined his palms and bowed slightly. “Namaste, Princess Sameera. I bring you greetings from my homeland.”

  “Where are these islands, exactly?” asked the princess.

  She was simply trying to make some polite conversation, Rain knew, but because he was not prepared with the details, he fumbled nervously.