by Iram Dana
“Only until dawn! But it’s half past two already!”
Binni said nothing, just turned and scurried off into her hut.
“Call me when you’re done!” she called from the door of her hut before banging it shut.
“Call me when you’re done …” imitated Rain, in a high pitched voice. “As if anybody could be done earlier than the deadline.” He dropped down on the grass irritably.
“Witches! Now I have to think of a way to save myself and Earth, and earn a wish while I’m at it.”
Rain didn’t bother to start emptying the well. With the thimble the witch had handed to him, he could be pulling out water for two months and still empty nothing. No, what he needed was some way to outwit the shrewd thing. Rain sat there for the better part of the night, just thinking.
“Hurry, Rain. There’s only an hour left before dawn.” said his Geeya, floating back and forth between the well and the empty pond.
“An hour before dawn, is it? Well then,” said Rain, getting to his feet, “time to put my plan into action.”
He walked over to the pond and made it rain heavily over it. Half an hour later, the pond was full to the brim.
“That’s one part done. Now what?” said his Geeya.
“Did you know it’s always darkest before dawn?”
“So I have heard. But how does that help us?”
“We hope that luck is on our side, and we call the witch out to tell her we’ve done the job she asked us to do. The pond, she will find, is obviously full. As for the well, we’ll hope that she is too old and blind to notice in the dark that it is not empty.”
Rain walked up to the cottage and called out to Binni. “I’m done, you come now and inspect everything.”
The old witch came out of her cottage looking visibly surprised. “You are done, you say? Let me see, let me see…”
She reached the pond. It was full. “I see that you have managed to fill the pond.”
She walked over to the well and peered down, squinting at it from every angle. Rain had his fingers crossed and his breath held.
“I cannot really make out …” said Binni.
“Oh, it’s empty.” assured Rain. “How else would I have filled the pond?”
“I agree …”
Rain relaxed his shoulders.
“But I still insist on making sure.” said the old witch, and Rain’s stomach filled with dread.
Binni picked up a large rock from the ground.
“I’m going to throw this inside. We’ll know then once and for all if the well is truly empty.” she said.
A bead of sweat trickled down Rain’s forehead. He was surely done for. Once that stone hit the surface of the water, the splash would give him away. And then …
Binni let the rock drop, and Rain closed his eyes. He waited. And the witch waited. But the sound of the splash never came.
“Well, for all means and purposes, it looks like you have completed the tasks I set you.” said Binni, giving Rain a small gold feather. “Take this quill. Write out what you wish for it to give you, and you will have that. Be gone now!”
Rain needed no further prodding. A thin pink band had appeared on the horizon, signaling the arrival of dawn, and Rain was only too eager to leave. He turned on his heel and ran from the hill.
He waited until he had reached a safe distance from the witch’s hut before speaking to his Geeya.
“What happened back there?! Where did all of the water in the well go?”
“The water is still in the well.” said his Geeya, smiling mysteriously.
“It is? Then why didn’t the stone make a splash when Binni dropped it into the well?”
“Because I caught the stone when she threw it in.”
“You …!! But … but how?! I thought you weren’t supposed to help me in my tasks?”
“I am not. But you are not on a mini-Quest now. You are on a self-appointed mission. And there is no rule that stops a Geeya from helping her sequestor in such a case.”
Rain slapped his forehead.
“Why didn’t I think of that?! I could have simply asked you to tell me how to solve Binni’s conundrum.”
His Geeya smiled. “All’s well that ends well. Should we leave in search of Schaeffer?”
Rain looked at the horizon where layers of orange and yellow could now be seen. He stood there until the sun began to rise, outlining the clouds in gold.
“Just wanted to see the sun rise before I left. I love the colors of the dawn.” said Rain, removing the quill from his pocket. He waved the quill in his Geeya’s face. “How does this thing work again?”
“It’s a magic quill. Just write in the air that you wish to find Schaeffer.”
Rain did as he was told.
“Now what?”
“Now wait.”
The quill floated out of Rain’s hand and began to glow until it was so bright, it was rivaling the morning sun. Then, it disappeared with a soft pop.
“Nothing happened! The quill is gone and I’m still here!”
“No, you’re not. Look behind you.”
Rain turned around. Behind him lay a bitter looking old man, groaning with pain.
‘Schaeffer?’
‘The very same.’
Rain bent down and poured some water down the old man’s parched throat. Then he applied Subodh’s herbal paste on the man’s tongue and sat beside him to wait. As the hours passed, the old man began to look visibly better until he was finally able to speak, albeit in a whisper.
“What brings you here, stranger? Why do you try to save me?” asked Schaeffer.
“Urkuz has sent me to fetch you. The grief of losing you has driven her quite mad. If you are up to it, I would like to take you to her now.”
The man’s face was etched with pain and doubt.
“Urkuz is looking for me? I don’t think she even cares if I exist.” he said bitterly.
“Not only is she distraught without you, she pines for you day and night.” said Rain.
“If that is so, then why didn’t she come looking for me all these years?”
“She said you disappeared one day, and she doesn’t know where you went.”
“I didn’t disappear … I was caught in a trap set by a wizard who wanted a healer’s magic. I suffered many atrocities while being held captive. Some months back, I finally managed to escape but not without bearing grievous injuries. I was weak, had no magic left in me, and didn’t know where I was. I have been trying to survive only for her. But she never came to find me …
I had all but given up and was ready to meet my end, when you arrived. Tell me, though … is what you say, true? Does Urkuz really miss me? Does she really want me back?”
“All of that and more. The whole forest is in ruins because she no longer has you.” explained Rain.
The withered old man’s features began to shift and change rapidly as one set of features replaced the other, until several years had been knocked off his face.
“Take me to her, then. For I cannot wait a minute longer.” he said Finally.
Rain held the now-young-man’s hand and cracked the walnut Urkuz had given him in his palm. An instant later, they were standing before and astounded Urkuz.
“Are my eyes deceiving me … or is that really my Schaeffer?”
“It is your Schaeffer. I have returned him to you as promised. Now keep your half of the bargain and restore Earth to me.” said Rain.
“Go, human. She shall be healed. And the forests shall no longer sing songs of mourning. I owe much to you for what you have done for me. Go now, and be in peace. Your love shall be restored to you.”
Urkuz pushed Rain aside and flew into Schaeffer’s waiting arms. It was a bitter-sweet reunion for two love-starved souls.
“Truly, the best gift you can give a loved one is loyalty.” said Rain, watching the two of them.
He felt a warmth on his chest and looked down. A single claw was glowing brightly. Rain lifted it up and it c
rumbled to dust between his curious fingers. Rain spun around to face his Geeya.
“Did I just …!”
“Guess a wisdom? To my great amazement, that seems to be the exact case.”
“I don’t believe it!” laughed Rain. “And after all the times I tried to guess one, to now discover one by chance!”
“As long as the ending is happy.”
Rain snapped his fingers. “That reminds me … Earth!”
He raced out of the Dead Forest, heading straight for the camp.
*****
CHAPTER 34
Urkuz kept her promise. She came every night to cure Earth with her healing touch. It took time, but Earth slowly regained her balance, becoming more like her former, carefree self with every passing day. She had even begun to put on weight and was looking healthy again. She kept herself a little distant from Rain, though, because as the spell of the Demetrii on her waned, Earth felt more and more guilty for what she had put Rain through. Ashamed of herself and unable to express it, she would stay quiet and withdrawn around him most times.
Rain could see that Earth’s behavior around him had not improved much, but he never pushed her. He let her be as she wanted, because he understood what she was going through and why she was doing what she was.
Not long after, Rain’s chain began to glow again.
Everyday, he waited to be pulled into his Quest, but one week passed by and nothing happened.
“What do you think it is? Another one of those Quest’s coming to me thingy?”
“I doubt it. I think the reason why you are not getting pulled into a Quest is because this time, you are reluctant to leave. You will get pulled into the next Quest only if you are fully prepared and ready to leave. And Rain, we both know that you do not want to leave Earth’s side.”
“You’re right.” admitted Rain. “I am reluctant to leave because I am worried for her.”
“Well, your Quest is ready for you. Make a decision soon or you’ll miss this opportunity to collect a wisdom. No one knows how long the next one will take to make an appearance.”
*****
Dark clouds had covered the entire sky. They had been there since morning, never allowing even a ray of sunlight to get through. With lunch now over, everyone hurried to collect the utensils and put them away somewhere safe. Above them, lightning flashed at regular intervals with the occasional clap of thunder. It was going to start pouring any minute now. Already, the odd fat droplet was falling from the sky, darkening the spot on the ground where it landed. Everyone decided to wait out the storm inside the tent since it was big enough to hold all of them.
There came a particularly terrifying rumble followed by an explosion and then, rain started to fall copiously from the sky, as though the balloon of grey clouds had just been pricked with a pin. In a matter of minutes everyone and everything that was not adequately sheltered, was drenched.
Earth was feeling anxious. Angel and Rainbow were in the tent. So were Heart and Destiny. Subodh was there, too, sitting in one corner, his eyes closed and chanting a strange chant. Only Rain was absent. Where was he?
He had barely eaten a morsel at lunch and now, when it was raining so heavily, he was nowhere to be seen.
“I’m going to go look for Rain.” She announced to the small gathering.
“I was thinking the same thing. You should go.” said Heart.
Earth needed no further encouragement. She stood up and walked out of the tent into the downpour. Shielding her eyes with one hand, Earth looked around at the empty clearing. Where should she begin looking for him? Her eyes met a pair of intense, green-brown eyes.
Apparently, she should start right here.
Rain was sitting on a rock just outside of the clearing, between two huge trees, staring intently at her. He had been waiting for Earth. Known she would come.
A shudder went through Earth’s body as she stood there, looking at him. A shudder that had a little something to do with the cold and a whole lot to do with the laser gaze pinned on her. The trees provided Rain with no shelter. He was soaked to the bone. Why was he sitting there, then? And what should she do now? Go back in? Yes. Just as soon as his eyes released her, and the pounding of her heart stopped, and her limbs obeyed the command to walk, issued by her brains.
They stayed there, frozen like statues and dripping wet, staring at one another silently. Rain’s gaze never wavered. He never blinked.
He lifted a clenched hand, as though holding an invisible dagger. Slowly, he carved out the shape of a square over his heart, opened the imaginary door and mimicked taking his heart out.
He looked down at the invisible organ in his palm, brought his other hand over it and moved it up and down spasmodically to indicate the beating of the heart. Then, he rose from his seat and walked over to Earth in halting steps, and transferred the beating heart to her hands.
Keep it safe.
Earth held the invisible heart gingerly and with great care, as though she had never held something more precious. She circled her fingers around an imaginary dagger of her own, mimicked the motion of caving out a door over her own heart, and placed the one entrusted to her by Rain inside her own chest. Then she sealed the door shut.
Forever.
Rain grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a fierce embrace, like he had never held her before, and would never hold her again.
Once again, he let her go abruptly and turned and strode out of the clearing without a backward glance. Shortly thereafter, the rain stopped, the skies cleared, and the sun began to shine again.
A short distance away, Rain closed his eyes. He let the wind pick its pace and whoosh by his ears.
Let the forest leave him out. Let the Quest pull him in.
*****
There was a foul stench in the air surrounding him. Rain curled up his nose and let out a gust of breath.
“Where have I landed this time?” he asked his Geeya blandly, without opening his eyes.
When several seconds passed by and no reply came, Rain opened his eyes quickly to see what was wrong. His Geeya was standing before him, eyes darting in all directions, looking very scared. For no reason that he could point out, alarm bells began to ring in his head.
“What is it?” he asked in a low tone.
“You are at the palace grounds of Mehrabi, the sorceress. She is extremely powerful and dangerous. She preys on men. And Mehrabi likes to play with her food.”
Rain sucked in a cold breath. “Can I fight her?”
“When the wind blows very strongly, a cow always sits facing away from it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“If you cannot fight it, don’t challenge it. You are no match for her magic.”
“I’ll have to find a way to escape before being caught, then.” said Rain, looking about him wildly.
Everywhere he looked, there were trees and only trees, and hanging on them, some strange black objects.
“What are those black, twig-like things hanging on all the trees?”
“Those are the drained bodies of her victims, strung on the trees by their necks.”
Rain’s stomach gave a lurch. He thought he was going to be sick.
“Ugh! That’s disgusting! Why are they all headless?”
“They are headless because Mehrabi chops the head off her victims and sucks all the blood through their neck.”
Rain gasped. ”Holy hell! And why do they all have one leg bent at the knee and tied behind at the thigh?”
“She breaks a leg of her victims to prevent them from escaping.”
Rain’s head was suddenly pounding. He could not bear this grotesques scene a minute longer. He held his head between his hands and started to run blindly. Not far ahead, he could see the rays of the sun glitter over the surface of a river and he ran straight for it. The sinister forest ended a short distance away from the bank of the river. As soon as he reached there, Rain collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
&nbs
p; He closed his eyes and concentrated on taking large gulps of air into his lungs. At least the air here was less foul. More breathable. Rain clawed at the edge of the river and dragged his body over it.
A sip of fresh water… that was what he needed.
He cupped a handful of water and was about to drink it, when his eyes fell on the bottom of the crystal clear river. The bed was black, filled with large rocks. Rain peered more closely.
Were those …
Heads! Heads belonging to the bodies hanging on the trees! Rain’s eyeballs turned up in his sockets and he fell on his back like a rock, unconscious.
*****
The first thing Rain became aware of was the warmth. The atmosphere was cozy. It made him feel safe. The next thing he became aware of was the perfume in the air. Everything smelled lovely. Everything smelled like spices and flowers. Soft, soothing music played in the background. His body was stiff. His muscles were tense. Instinctively, Rain jerked his legs.
They were there. They were intact. Feeling slightly reassured, Rain tried to focus.
Where was he? Why was he so tensed? Rain couldn’t exactly remember. He didn’t dig too deep for the information either. Something told him that whatever it was, he didn’t want to remember it. He remembered one thing, though. He remembered he was extremely thirsty. He groaned softly and smacked his tongue. His mouth felt like it was on fire.
Two fingers gently prodded his lips open and poured sweet sherbet down his inflamed throat. The liquid soothed him, giving him strength.
“That’s right,” said a husky voice, “drink all you want.”
And Rain drank some more. He opened his eyes, searching for the owner of the voice.
Two heavily made-up, kohl lined eyes came into focus. Dark as the night. Intense, intuitive and intelligent.
“You are awake …” said Mehrabi, flashing rows of gleaming white teeth.
A fresh blast of heady perfume hit Rain’s nostrils, clouding his senses, filling him with desire. Mehrabi was drawing little circles on his bare chest with her finger, sending shots of thrill running down his body. She had his head cradled in her lap.
