Avni looked at Hamid and said, ‘Please have this; it will help you recover.’
Hamid took the food from her and said, ‘You treat your prisoners well.’
‘You are no prisoner, Hamid. Look around; there are no chains,’ said Avni.
‘How do you know my name?’ he asked.
‘I know a lot more than that. We know about your mastery in negotiations. Moreover, we are impressed with your thought process. Unlike the other officers in the Sultanate, you believe in peace and not tyranny,’ said Avni.
Hamid ate from his bowl, and said, ‘Your research is incomplete. It is clear you don’t know about my violent past.’
‘Are you referring to the Dhamapur massacre you carried out or the Burning Forest siege in which you and your men burnt down a forest and its inhabitants for land?’
Hamid appeared impressed and pained at the same time.
‘Hamid, we know about your past and the lessons you learnt from it. You have changed now. The people you help relentlessly have a high opinion of you and wouldn’t hear one bad syllable against you. All this while staying in the system too. That is commendable,’ said Avni.
‘You have researched well, whatever’s-your-name,’ he said.
‘Avni’
‘Avni, I realised that saving people is much more powerful than killing people. Unfortunately, it took a blood-red river laced with hundreds of dead humans for me to understand that. It hit me hard that I was responsible for so many deaths. When I asked myself why I did it, the answer was because I was commanded to do so.
‘I didn’t think much earlier, but when I started introspecting, I started walking on the right path. I worked alongside my seniors and convinced them that war is not the solution but a starting point of several problems. I started negotiating between the invaders and the local people and tried to find a middle ground. On some occasions, it worked and on some, it didn’t. But at least, I was able to save some lives,’ said Hamid.
‘And that is what we want you to help us with, saving lives,’ said Avni.
‘You kidnap a hundred children including the Prince of Jazeera and then talk about saving lives? What sort of evil hides behind this pretty face, Avni?’ asked Hamid.
Avni smirked and said, ‘Not sure about the pretty face comment, but I can assure you that there’s no evil in me. As far as the children are concerned, come and have a look.’
Hamid got up and looked out of the window. He saw the kids from Jazeera happily playing with the women who appeared to be Avni’s companions. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The kids were dressed in clean clothes and were occupied with some activity or the other in different groups. Among the kids, his eyes stopped on a familiar face. He exclaimed, ‘Prince Aadil!’
‘Don’t worry, Hamid. The Prince is safe with us and so are the other kids from Jazeera. We are not using them as hostages, although that is what we would like the Sultan to believe. We want to make sure the kids are safe in case things escalate into a battle-like situation. We don’t want a battle; we want peace. And we want you to negotiate it, if possible.’
‘Avni, your explanation has resulted in a barrage of questions in my head. I need answers,’ said Hamid.
‘Go on,’ said Avni.
‘How did you manage to kidnap Prince Aadil?’
Avni pointed to a figure near a tree with whom Prince Aadil was playing. Avni said, ‘That’s Mirabai. The Prince can stay without his mother, but he can’t stay without his caretaker, Mirabai. She is on our side and has been for ages. Mirabai sedated the Queen, took Prince Aadil with her, and cleared security by telling them that she was obeying the Queen’s orders. She has been helping us all along.’
‘So that’s how you got the inside information and managed to breach the palace security,’ said Hamid.
‘We have other sources as well. A little help from here, some from there, and we are through. All for a good cause,’ said Avni.
‘And how did you smuggle the kids from the island to this camp in the forest?’ asked Hamid.
‘Well, you saw us do that. I noticed you in the village when you had your eyes on me and Goraksh,’ said Avni.
‘You transported the kids in those fruit boxes?’ asked Hamid with raised eyebrows.
Avni nodded. She said, ‘Goraksh’s father has a warehouse on Jazeera. We brought the kidnapped kids there. They were mildly sedated when they were picked up, so it wasn’t much trouble. We also changed into the Shadow attire over there. Sometimes, we hid inside for days.’
‘So, all that black magic…?’ asked Hamid.
‘What do you think?’ asked Avni smiling. Hamid got his answer.
He searched frantically for something in his tunic pocket. On finding it, he said, ‘I believe this is yours.’
‘My Timingila pendant!’ exclaimed Avni. She took the pendant and touched it to her forehead before holding it tightly in her fist.
She said, ‘I suppose you must have found it in the market.’ Hamid nodded.
‘So, the Timingila story is false, right?’ he asked.
‘Timingila is a myth, Hamid. And myths cannot be stated as true nor false. They are based on your belief,’ explained Avni.
‘You wanted to create a belief? You became the Shadow and used the Timingila myth as a black magic trope to scare people?’ asked Hamid.
‘A well-told story can make or break a kingdom. It kept the people occupied,’ said Avni.
‘Why didn’t you kill the Sultan in the court hall. You were there, and you could have shot a knife into the Sultan’s forehead,’ said Hamid.
‘Our fight is against Zorawar but also against the throne. If we kill one king, someone else will take that seat. But if we burn the throne, then it’s a different story, isn’t it?’
‘If what you are saying is true, then I am sure you are not hungry for power. You are not driven by the desire to control people and rule Jazeera. I sense you are seeking revenge. Am I right?’
‘What we seek is to restore balance. Jazeera, the city and the island is in trouble. It is over-populated and is a cause of concern from an economic standpoint as well. The damage caused by the so-called development activities has disrupted the environment. And as far as revenge is concerned, yes, we want justice for what Zorawar did to my family, our tribe, and the island.’
‘What did he do?’ asked Hamid.
‘For that, we will have to turn the clock twenty years behind…’ said Avni. She then went on to narrate what transpired on the island on one fateful day, twenty years ago.
Part Two
Twenty Years Ago
Five-year-old Avni, her younger brother Harit, and a bunch of other children stood in an attentive pose, holding wooden swords in their hands. Guru Ashwath was teaching them the art of duelling. He looked at the children studiously stroking his greying beard. Jatasya, Avni and Harit’s father, and a member of the Tribe Council, walked past the enthusiastic children towards the seashore.
His burly frame battled the gust of wind with ease; it only ruffled his shoulder-length tresses. Jatasya carried two huge wooden planks in his hand. He found an appropriate spot near the shore and popped them up into the sand at the perfect angle so that they stood erect. He signalled to the other tribe members to follow suit and reinforce the barricades with apt support.
Bagha’s elder brother, Dara, walked up to Jatasya and said, ‘You think these barricades are going to stop the pirates from plundering us again?’
‘No. These barricades are meant to tell the pirates that we are no longer open for plundering. As far as stopping is concerned, we have no option but to fight,’ said Jatasya, pointing at the training camp.
‘Children? You think children are going to attack the ruthless pirates?’ asked Dara.
‘They are learning to defend themselves. The attack will come from us, grown-ups. I have arranged for some weapons,’ explained Jatasya.
‘You are not thinking long-term, Jatasya. Think about the time when Avni and Harit are grown-up
s. What sort of life will they have in this island? Think about the other islanders. If you and the Council accept my plan, there shall be an impregnable fort around our island. With the menace of the pirates gone, we can turn into a flourishing trade centre, Jatasya,’ pleaded Dara.
‘I am thinking long-term, Dara. I am not just thinking about our next generation, but the one after that as well. Building a fort around this island can prove catastrophic to its natural surroundings. Such heavy construction can prove devastating for the coastal ecosystem. There will be loss of habitat. It will not just affect the fish, but also the birds and other animals in our surroundings,’ said Jatasya.
‘Oh! So, you care about nature, fish, and animals more than you care for fellow humans?’ asked Dara.
‘I care for all, Dara. We are Bhoodevi worshippers. Nature is everything for us. We address each other directly by name, because we are all equals. Only the Guru is above us. And even the Guru worships nature and is meant to dedicate his life to preserving it. Humans can live only until nature lives. Just as you and Bagha, Guru Ashwath is from beyond the mountains, but he truly understands his role in our community. Why is it so difficult for you to not understand our way of life despite being a contributing member of our tribe for so many years?’ asked Jatasya.
‘Maybe that's because unlike us, no one had to fight every day for survival. No one suffered the atrocities by tyrants as we did. I want people to reside in a safe and developed land. And my friends will not only keep this island safe from pirates but also develop it,’ said Dara with a hint of anger in his voice.
Jatasya said, ‘Around 500 years ago, a similar development project was undertaken by our ancestors. They aspired to build a massive bridge connecting the island with the Mahavan to boost the transportation of goods and other resources. A wall was to be built around our island for security. Building canals were also a part of the plan. They wanted protection from enemies and unruly high tides, and pursue agriculture along with fishing, our age-old source of livelihood.
‘Genius minds devised the plan on paper but underestimated the power of nature. They looked at Mahavan for wood and cultivable land. The forest kept giving and the people kept taking, failing to realise that nature has its way of balancing itself. They built the wall and started building the bridge. At first, things were fine. Years later, nature punished them in a way they never expected.
‘The ecological balance shifted, and nature reacted. The ocean drew the waves in. The water receded way beyond the coast into the ocean, temporarily connecting the island with the mainland. The seabed was exposed so much that people could have ridden a horse from the island to the Mahavan. The ancestors were perplexed by this phenomenon. It lasted for more than 24 hours.
‘Next day, the high tide was so massive that it destroyed everything that came in its way. This wasn’t a one-time incident. The development projects have left a long-lasting scar on the island. The receding of the water and the subsequent ecological damage happen even till today every forty years. Our ancestors started tracking it and passed on their knowledge from one Kaal Acharya to the next. I know this because my father was one of the Kaal Acharyas. We have a calendar for when this will happen next. We have learnt over the years that if we do not respect nature, nature will not respect us. Besides, I also worry about handing so much power to the foreigners you speak about.
‘Dara, we live in a free land. I don’t agree with you, but I respect your right to express your thoughts and ideas. I believe you are going to put forward your plan in front of our Council. If everyone wants development, then the majority wins. I will walk away from this land and live with Kashvi, Avni, and Harit elsewhere in the lap of nature,’ said Jatasya.
‘I have already spoken about it in our prior meetings. Now, I am not going to share the proposal. My African friends will do so. I have invited them to present their case to the Council,’ said Dara.
‘I hope things work out well for all of us. Jai Bhoodevi,’ said Jatasya and left.
◆◆◆
The African guests had anchored their ship at a distance from the coast and arrived on the island via a boat. Dara escorted them to a makeshift tent, which was erected to host them. Their stout leader, Gaffar was dressed in an elaborate purple robe and wore an embroidered hat. He was accompanied by a young and bearded Zorawar and three other assistants, who brought with them a massive wooden box. They entered a tent set up for the Tribe Council meetings and were greeted by the Tribe Council comprising of four statesmen and Jatasya.
After a brief round of pleasantries and introductions, Gaffar came straight to the point. He stood up, faced the Council, and said, ‘I come from a land tormented by pirates. We suffered for years. But together, we fought and won against the malicious pirates. Building a fort on this island will ensure that history isn’t repeated. It will protect your present and empower you to shape your future. I am sure you have gone through the proposed plan I had shared through Dara. I also know that Dara wouldn’t have invited us here if the Council had any major objections. Smaller issues can be sorted out as we go along. So, should we consider this plan as approved?’ asked Gaffar.
The statesmen had gone through the plan in detail. They were discussing among themselves when Jatasya raised a question, ‘What about the ecological imbalance that will be caused by the construction of the fort?
Gaffar looked annoyed but calmed himself within seconds. He answered, ‘I am aware about the possibility of ecological damage and its side effects. But don’t jeopardize your present for events that might or might not happen in the future. We are solving your current problem and giving you a roadmap for the future. If we face any problems, we will come up with solutions on the go. That is how we have developed this far and will continue to do so.’
Jatasya said, ‘We can fight the pirates, but we cannot fight nature. It is generous of you to offer help. We can take your help in fighting the pirates and discuss the trade-off for that. However, I am not in favour of building a fort and the “development plan” of yours. Also, it is not just about building a trade centre. It is about the huge economic burden that it will bring. There will be an influx of people, and nature will be exploited to meet their ever-growing demands. All this will come back to haunt us, the original inhabitants of the land. This island cannot bear such a burden. Any kind of development work must account for its environmental impact; otherwise, it is just destruction.’
‘We are not merely muscle. You either take the deal or leave it. Anyway, why do you care so much for nature? The other older and wiser Council members do not seem to have a problem. Nature is for Man; Man is not for nature,’ said Gaffar.
‘Without nature, there is no man,’ Jatasya shot back.
‘Calm down, please,’ ordered the oldest statesman from the Council. He continued, ‘Jatasya, is there anything else you want to say?’
‘My apologies, Chandra. No, I have nothing more to add, except that your decision is going to be life-changing, not just for this generation but for future generations as well. Even if you feel a fort should be built, the control should be in our hands, not in the hands of these strangers. I conclude by saying that I am not in favour of this deal.’
‘Thank you for raising your concerns, Jatasya. You have voted against the deal. The other members in the Council, as far as I know, share a like-minded view in favour of development,’ said the elder.
‘No, I don’t share your view, Chandra,’ said Bhala. He respected Jatasya and shared his views. He continued, ‘Jatasya’s thoughts are far-sighted. Ecological problems manifest over the years and hit us at an unexpected time. Even if we are cautious on that front, I am not in favour of handing over the entire fort construction and trade management over to our respected guests. Yes, we are fishermen, but we have built a strong community by ourselves. And with the able guidance of our trusted guests, we will learn the tricks of the trade as well. That’s all I would like to say. I conclude that I am not in favour of this deal.’
An angry Gaffar roared, ‘This is insulting. If I wanted to cause trouble, I would have brought soldiers and not these gifts,’ as he pointed to the large wooden box. ‘Dara, this is not the way of starting a partnership.’ Dara started sweating profusely, but he didn’t say anything.
‘Relax. It is clear that we are men of passion. However, don’t let passion control your emotions. Calm down. Request you all to give us five minutes, and we shall collectively declare our stand,’ said the senior statesman.
The five members of the Tribe Council huddled together and discussed their opinions. After a round of gesturing and nodding, they came to a conclusion. The senior statesman stood up and said, ‘Here’s what the five Tribe Council Members have to say: We have gone through the plan in detail. We are aware of the dangers raised by Jatasya and Bhala and have a general sense of what the people of this tribe want based on informal discussions.
‘It is right that we should develop, but not at the cost of nature. It is also right that we should learn from history, but at the same time, be unafraid to change it. Therefore, the Tribe Council, with a majority of three votes, has decided to go ahead with the deal, provided, the construction of the fort is halted immediately if any ecological imbalance is observed. Also, once the fort is ready, it shouldn’t be exploited for material gains and must be eased towards progress steadily.
‘In case of problems, able minds will get together and form a solution. Gaffar and his men will not proceed with the construction or management of the fort and further activities if we face problems that will manifest into something sinister if persisted with. We don’t want our future generation to suffer because of our carelessness or because of our lack of ambition. Gaffar, let’s proceed with great care and caution,’ he concluded.
Gaffar smiled, welcoming the decision and said, ‘Zorawar, please open the box.’ Zorawar opened the casket-sized box to showcase exotic cutlery, jewellery, wine, silk, and other expensive ornaments.
Jazeera- Legend of the Fort Island Page 8
