‘I have been hearing about these kidnappings for a while, but the specifics are alarming, especially the fact that almost all children in the age group of five to twelve have been taken,’ said Zorawar and paused to think. He continued, ‘Teenagers must be difficult to grab.’
The Wazir added, ‘And toddlers difficult to handle without their mothers. These children are being targeted for a specific reason. Wonder what sort of horrors they must be undergoing.’
Hamid said, ‘The intensity of kidnappings has increased greatly, Sultan. I think they are close to achieving what they want.’
‘No! This needs to stop. There are no Shadows and there is no Timingila. Have Bagha and his men grown enough teeth to gnaw at us?’ roared Zorawar.
The Wazir said, ‘My sources have informed that Bagha and some of his men had ventured southwards, beyond the Mahavan. He met the leader of a tribe, Keshav. The motive was unclear.’
‘Find out more about that meeting,’ ordered the Sultan.
‘Who else in the forest might be a threat to Jazeera?’ quizzed Hamid.
‘The village near the coast is dependent on Jazeera; they are mere workers. The Adivasis mind their own business. And the cave dwellers are helpless women who are too busy merely surviving the forest. Can the Sujaynagar Empire be indirectly involved in this?’ asked the Wazir.
Zorawar replied, ‘They have just pushed back the Sultanate. It will be a loss-making strategy for them to attack. And they will not attack Jazeera first. We would’ve seen that coming.’
‘Sultan and Wazir, with due respect, you are more aware of Jazeera’s politics, and I hope your observations are right. I feel there’s a void in our knowledge when it comes to the forest, more so because it is dense and almost impenetrable. It is a good hiding spot. Why is food being directed in that direction if there’s no one there?’ asked Hamid.
‘Bagha and his men have been looting food supplies coming to Jazeera in the mainland. Since we have stopped that route and chosen to bring in all cargo via sea, they must have resorted to smuggling through the forest. Sultan, should we send a battalion of Island Guards and find out?’ suggested the Wazir.
‘They are good at guerrilla warfare, Ubaid Khan. Have you forgotten how they massacred our ten-man squad?’ said Zorawar.
‘There is another option,’ said Hamid.
‘What?’ Zorawar demanded an answer.
Hamid pointed at the lump of jaggery that he had placed on the floor at the start of the discussion. It was being attacked by ants. Hamid’s message was conveyed.
Zorawar asked for Hamid’s report. The Wazir passed it on to the Sultan and waited for his command. Zorawar breezed through the ten observations on the first page and then glanced through the remaining pages.
Zorawar took a deep breath and announced, ‘There shall be a feast tomorrow morning. A grand lunch, especially for the children. The people of Jazeera will be graced by the presence of their beloved Prince Aadil. He shall eat among them. Prepare for the feast!’
23 – Wazir’s Chamber
The Wazir was staring at a boat that was moving away from Jazeera. It was twilight, and the sky was about to get dark. Jahanara entered his chamber and stood beside him. She said, ‘Will I ever be able to sail away from Jazeera like that boat, dear brother?’
‘No. Your life is intertwined with this island,’ said the Wazir.
‘You could have lied,’ said Jahanara moving toward a chest of drawers next to them.
‘It is better to swallow the bitter truth and live than to eat a sweet lie and die.’
‘Good, because I want another truthful answer to my next question,’ said the Queen.
‘Ask, my dear sister. I have nothing but the truth for you.’
‘Is my child being offered as a bait to whatever is out there kidnapping the children?’ asked Jahanara.
‘Ah! The walls have ears,’ said the Wazir.
‘Just as the Wazir has his sources, so does the Queen,’ she said. Jahanara took out exotic candles from the drawer and started lighting them with the help of an already lit one.
‘Aadil is my nephew, and I shall do everything in my power to keep him safe,’ said the Wazir.
‘What if you fail to do so, brother?’ she asked.
‘Then the burden of that failure will suffocate me to death.’
‘So, I would lose my child and my brother, then?’ asked Jahanara.
‘Suppose that happens. What shall you do then, sister?’ asked the Wazir.
‘Every breath I take is for my little boy. And you, you are my only hope. Without both of you, I shall die,’ she said. Jahanara had finished lighting the candles in her brother’s room. The room was now in contrast to the fading lights on the outside.
‘No, little sister. If we die, you have to live. You have to kill your husband. Zorawar has become poisonous. Only you have the power to slay this demon.’
‘What makes you think that I, of all people, am capable of even attempting something like this?
‘Mother’s love has immense power, Jahanara,’ said Ubaid Khan.
‘Today, I have not come here to talk about death. I am here to talk about life. You haven’t answered my question, brother. Is there a threat to Aadil’s life in tomorrow’s feast?’ she asked with great concern.
‘No. I let our father die in one such feast at our home in Afghan Land. I will make sure nothing happens to Aadil during tomorrow’s feast,’ assured the Wazir.
‘It was not your fault, brother. Our father was betrayed by his closest aide, our own Afghani Uncle. There was nothing you could’ve done,’ consoled Jahanara.
‘At least I could have stopped our uncle from marrying you to Zorawar. For him, the marriage was just about an alliance. But for you, it is a life sentence.’
‘You did what you could, brother. You accompanied me to this island. What more could I have asked for from you?’ she said.
‘But it didn’t make you happy, did it?’ he asked.
‘It made me feel safe. And sometimes, being safe is more important than being happy,’ said Jahanara.
‘It is my duty to keep you and your son safe, my Queen,’ said the Wazir and let out a fatherly smile. He asked, ‘Do you trust the handmaidens who look after Prince Aadil?
‘More than Zorawar,’ she replied.
‘Good,’ said the Wazir. ‘Now get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a big day,’ he said.
‘Your eyes are getting more and more tired by the day. You also need to rest. As you said, tomorrow is a big day,’ she said with a smile and left for her chamber.
24 – Market
The feast was ready. People of Jazeera were excited, as this was a first for them. Whispers were going around that the Sultan had ordered the feast and was going to bring the Prince as a gesture to state that everything was normal in Jazeera despite the kidnappings.
The market was decorated with flowers and drapes. The stage at the intersection of the five market streets seated the Sultan, Queen, and Wazir. Their tables were set, waiting to be served upon. The area in front of the stage, which was usually reserved for the audience, was occupied by huge tables groaning under vessels of scrumptious exotic dishes.
Everyone awaited young Prince Aadil’s arrival. ‘Why hasn’t the Prince arrived yet?’ a fruit seller asked a moustached man standing beside him. It was Hamid. He, along with other Island Guards, had mingled in the crowd in a commoner’s attire.
Hamid replied, ‘I heard that Prince Aadil threw a tantrum. He wanted to arrive on his new white pony. It took some convincing, but he is now arriving in the wagon.’
‘Look,’ they heard a voice. ‘The Prince’s wagon has arrived.’
The path to the stage had been cleared for the royal entry and had a canopy of stripes of silk cloth in yellow and green. The two colours of silk cloth alternated between an equal-sized open space to offer light as well as shade.
Prince’s wagon was pulled by two horses, walking from the palace towards the market at a
brisk pace. Everyone gathered near the stage could see the wagon growing larger as it approached them.
Four Island Guards each marched on the front and back of the wagon. They were heavily armoured with spears in their hands and were aligned in two lines. They wore shields on their back and had a sword sheathed around their waist.
The stage was set up facing the Prince’s entry. The Sultan, Queen, and Wazir could see the wagon emerge under the adorned pathway towards them. Just as the wagon was about to cross the street, a massive fire erupted on the rooftop of a building behind the stage.
The Island Guards were quick to react. They encircled the stage and stood in position to launch their spears. The Prince’s wagon stopped, and the guards stood in attention. The fire grew larger and a silhouette rose from the smoke. It was the Shadow. People panicked. They gasped at the sight and started scattering away.
The Island Guards near the stage collectively launched their spears towards the Shadow but they were easily evaded by the nimble silhouette. The Island Guards protecting the Prince’s wagon watched the flurry of spears fly in the Shadow’s direction to no avail.
Two more Shadows glided over the canopy near the Prince, cutting the silk drapes, and covering the eight Island Guards in silken cloth. They were blinded. The Shadow’s idea of creating a distraction had worked. On noticing that the other two Shadows had overpowered the Island Guards, the silhouette escaped.
The Island Guards struggled to untangle themselves, as the two Shadows opened the curtain of the Prince’s wagon. It was vacant! The Prince wasn’t there.
The Shadows understood they had been tricked. They looked at each other’s hooded face, nodded, and tried to flee. As the Shadows turned from the wagon, they were shocked to be surrounded by Hamid and the plain-clothed guards.
The Shadows realized that they were trapped. But they didn’t give up. It was impossible for both to escape; however, there was scope for one to break out. Realizing this, the taller Shadow opened its threw itself at the wall of guards.
On cue, the other Shadow leapt over the pile of fallen bodies and escaped into the narrow market lanes.
Hamid and the rest of the guards pounced on the Shadow that had fallen on the guards and made sure it didn’t escape.
The trick to lure the Shadows by offering the Prince as a bait worked. Two Shadows escaped, but they did capture one, which was enough.
25 – Court Hall
The Shadow was chained and presented before the Sultan in the court hall. The Island Guards dragged the prisoner directly under the sunlight, which fought its way through the intricately designed windows on the right. The dark-hooded attire of the captive didn’t seem spooky in the light.
The Sultan was eager, the Wazir cautious, and Hamid intrigued to unravel the mystery that had tormented Jazeera for three months. Two parallel rows of Island Guards who guarded the court hall were equally interested in knowing who was behind the hood and whether the kidnappings were related to any kind of black magic.
The Sultan, who was seated on his throne, ordered the Island Guards to unchain the Shadow. They obliged. He said pointing at Hamid, ‘This young officer has fulfilled his promise. Now, we will come to know who has the guts to go against Zorawar and his Jazeera. Remove the hood.’
Two Island Guards pulled the hood down from the prisoner’s head. The Shadow stood still. Calm and composed. It had a black mask on its face and a stiff wooden enclosure on its back, which the guards took off the Shadow.
On close examination, they found that the enclosure had concealed, foldable wooden wings. A guard unlocked a hook and a black wing outstretched from the right side of the unit. The one on the left also had a similar mechanism. The entire court hall marvelled at the innovation. The wings were sturdy as well as light and helped the Shadow glide.
‘There’s no black magic. Only smart innovations,’ exclaimed the Wazir. He was impressed by the utilitarian design. Meanwhile, Hamid continued to study the unflinching Shadow.
The Shadow looked at the Wazir and then moved its gaze towards the Sultan.
‘It’s a pity that such a sophisticated weapon was used to kidnap innocent children. Who are you, and what have you done with the children?’ asked the Wazir.
‘Let’s find out,’ said Zorawar and signalled to the guard to remove the mask off the Shadow.
Two guards, on either side of the Shadow, held its hands. The one on the Shadow’s left proceeded to unmask. Eyes widened in anticipation, as the guards with trembling hands moved towards the Shadow’s head.
The Shadow stared at the approaching hand through the eyeholes. The guard noticed that there was no fear in those eyes. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, as he touched the Shadow’s head.
‘Do it!’ roared Zorawar, and the guard tore off the mask. The hall was stunned.
The Shadow was not a man.
It was a girl!
It was Avni.
Avni’s beautiful face held the hall captive. Everyone was taken aback by the revelation. They were so mesmerised that, for a moment, they forgot that Avni was a prisoner. Sensing an opportunity, Avni kicked the guard who had unveiled her mask in the groin with her right leg. She landed her leg firmly on the floor, turned to her left, and kicked the other guard with her left leg.
The other guards tried to jump on her, but she turned and somersaulted towards the Sultan. Avni pulled out a sharp stick from the back of her head with her right hand and threw it like a dagger towards the Sultan’s throne.
The Sultan moved, and the stick darted into the throne’s back cushion. A scroll sprung down from it.
While the Wazir, Hamid, and the guards were trying to make sense of what was happening, two Shadows swung into the hall through the open windows. They held an axe in one hand, a mini shield in the other and smashed the guards who were trying to recapture Avni.
Avni sprung from the floor and along with the Shadows, moved towards the window to escape. Hamid sensed her intentions and followed suit. The Shadows dropped their weapons so that their hands could be free. One of the Shadows caught hold of Avni and leaped out of the window. The other one followed. They ran over the parapet, unlocked their wings and glided down and over the palace wall. They landed on the rooftop of the adjacent building and continued the run.
Hamid didn’t want his success story to turn on its head and was committed to catching the Shadow again. Without thinking, he also ran and jumped. First down onto the palace wall and from there onto the building’s roof. Fortunately for him, he landed safely. A dozen Island Guards followed him too but most of them didn’t make it.
Hamid didn’t let go easily. He chased the Shadows across rooftops of buildings that were separated by a few feet. He noticed that the Shadows were moving towards Jazeera’s border. He kept the chase on and was closely followed by three Island Guards.
The Shadows approached the last building near the fort boundary and stared at the western wall. The distance was too much to jump. And the walls were higher than the building, so gliding over was out of the question. However, they had one last trick up their sleeve.
They had stocked a massive ladder on the building’s rooftop. They quickly positioned the ladder connecting the building with the wall and walked over it. They killed two soldiers guarding the wall by throwing knives at them with precision. All they had to worry about now was Hamid and the chasing guards.
One Shadow held Avni by her shoulder and jumped off the wall into the sea. The wings opened, and they glided and landed on a boat that was waiting for them. The other Shadow was about to push the ladder away, but Hamid had already made his way through to the fort’s boundary. The Shadow did manage to kick the ladder off eventually but had to face-off with Hamid to escape.
Avni and the other Shadow watched their friend and Hamid fighting from the boat below. After a few minutes of relentless punching from both sides, the Shadow pulled off its hood, and removed its mask to reveal its identity.
It was Brinda, the trainer from the
camp in the forest.
She looked at Hamid in the eyes and said, ‘Hamid, you are on the wrong side.’
Hamid was surprised that she knew his name. However, he didn’t show it. ‘We will see,’ he said and tried to pounce on her.
Brinda expected his move and swiftly dove sideways to evade him. Hamid lost balance. Brinda took the chance and climbed onto the fort wall. She was about to jump; however, an outstretched and ill-balanced Hamid caught her right leg.
Brinda didn’t lose focus and managed to shift her weight towards the sea and leapt from the wall. Hamid, refusing to let go, was forced to jump with her. They glided and landed in the water near the boat. Just as he popped above the water surface, Avni greeted Hamid by shooting a dart at his neck, which made him unconscious. Brinda pulled Hamid out of the water and into the boat. The three Shadows captured Hamid and rowed towards the Mahavan.
Meanwhile, at the palace, a fuming Zorawar crumpled the scroll in his hand. He was furious. The words written in the scroll pierced his ego and made him turn red with anger. He threw the scroll towards the Wazir.
The Wazir opened it and read:
We have your little Prince and other children from Jazeera. It is time to pay for your sins, Zorawar. It is time for the original inhabitants of the island to regain their right over their land. Our twenty-year wait has ended. You have time until sunset. Surrender, and we shall return your Prince to you and the other children to their parents. You and your entourage can move out of Jazeera. If not, prepare for battle.
26 – Camp
Hamid was lying on the floor in a hut inside the camp. The dart’s effect had subsided, and he slowly opened his eyes. He shielded his eyes with his hands from the light flooding inside through the window. He could hear some horses neigh and elephants trumpet in the distance too.
Just as he was trying to get to his feet, the door opened. It was Avni. Her black attire had given way for an antariya and choli draped with a dupatta. She brought a mug of hot water and a bowl of flavoured rice for Hamid.
Jazeera- Legend of the Fort Island Page 7
