Nasteya Read online

  ‘Why did you not show yourself, then?’ Nasteya asked, echoing the question that I was about to put.

  ‘Fear held me back; hesitation as well. I was afraid you wouldn’t want my presence after that fateful night,’ Savaan said with a twinge of guilt in his voice.

  ‘As long as I have lived, I have cared for you,’ said Nasteya. ‘That night doesn’t change our relationship or those unpleasant facts. What happened was beyond our control. Neither you nor I could have made even the slightest change. As for now, I am truly glad to see you, brother.’ And Nasteya comforted him.

  Nasteya’s delight was evident but I, too, was no less glad than him. Seeing Savaan alive was like finding an acquaintance among foreigners in a rather foreign land. Savaan hugged his brother in a way I had never seen before. In fact, it was for the first time that I was seeing Savaan hugging Nasteya. But the moment of joy was brief. We could not afford to forget the trouble that slept in our midst.

  ‘Shall we slay him in his sleep?’ I asked, though I wouldn’t personally do such an inhuman thing.

  ‘No! Nobody hurts him, he’s already hurt,’ said Ayaan at once.

  ‘He did us no harm in the end, so we have no reason to kill him. Whatever he did was because of a misunderstanding,’ Nasteya said. ‘The ropes are strong and he is tied well. Let him wake up and we shall see.’

  If not for Nasteya, I would have raised a bunch of questions over such a decision. I had faith in all of Nasteya’s choices. Whether they brought trouble or whether they were right, I never doubted them. The night came, dark and freezing. I looked up and saw that faint stars were appearing overhead amid the strands of hurrying cloud and fog. Our breath froze as it left our mouths, spouting forth in fumes of vapour. Dry leaves whispered. All that was left of the dying fire was glowing embers. Around it, everyone slept deeply except Ayaan and me. I was on watch duty.

  Ayaan was up due mainly to his interest in the beast. In the late hours of the night, drowsiness stole over me and slowly I cuddled myself in my cloak and half-closed my eyes. However, Ayaan sat awake, inspecting the beast that was a subject of curiosity for him. The yeti’s fur was rimmed with frost. After struggling for a while with his thoughts, Ayaan finally went closer to the yeti. Without letting on that I was awake, I watched the boy and the beast. From up close, Ayaan saw that the yeti’s fur was stained crimson at the back of his big oval skull.

  ‘He is bleeding,’ said Ayaan, his voice full of concern.

  He reached for the sack tied around his waist and pulled out a cloth and a jar. Uncorking the jar he poured a slimy green paste over the cloth. ‘These herbs will help in curing his wound,’ he said as he spread that paste all over the cloth and carefully tied it around the yeti’s wound. As he did so, the beast growled in a low voice, reflexively. Ayaan backed off at once. After assuring himself that the yeti was still unconscious, he resumed his work. He sat beside him after the dressing was over.

  Later that night, the beast partly opened his round black eyes and growled faintly.

  ‘Water,’ he said.

  Ayaan pulled a leather bottle out and went near the beast fearlessly. He uncorked the bottle and poured some water in his mouth.

  ‘Run away, child,’ said the yeti after he emptied the whole bottle, for he feared he might hurt Ayaan again.

  ‘I won’t. You need to be looked after,’ said Ayaan stubbornly and he sat there with his legs crossed.

  ‘I tried to hurt you and yet you offer help,’ the beast muttered.

  ‘Of course you did, because you were angry then,’ Ayaan said. ‘Baba says that it is not the wits of a person but anger that drives him when he is enraged. Besides, all you did was mistake us for some spies that we surely aren’t. We are on a journey that has brought us this far.’

  ‘What journey?’ the beast asked drowsily.

  ‘I do not know. After our Saarah was destroyed, Uncle Nasteya led us on this journey. About the destination, I don’t know,’ said Ayaan.

  Now the beast was beginning to believe whatever Ayaan said. The idea that we were some spies no longer lurked in his mind. Moreover, he had observed the cloth tied around his wound and sniffed the odour of herbal paste. Ayaan’s deeds had melted the doubts out of his heart. However, the others who slept were oblivious of their newfound friendship. The sound of voices woke Hira and he saw Ayaan sitting next to the beast.

  Jumping to his feet, he drew his sword and charged at the beast, shouting: ‘Step back Ayaan!’

  No sooner did he point the tip of his sword at the beast’s fur-covered chest than the yeti tore the ropes apart at once and within a flash, snatched the sword and snapped it in two. Stooping over Hira he said furiously, ‘Never annoy someone you can’t kill.’ What the beast did after this surprised both Ayaan and Hira. By this time, I too had jumped to my feet.

  SEVEN

  ANOTHER UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

  ‘If not for this child, you would have been dead by now,’ the yeti said as he stepped back. Nasteya and Savaan were also awake now. We ran to Ayaan and Hira, our hands reaching for our swords when Ayaan said, ‘I reckon you won’t need that.’

  We stopped.

  ‘Free wanderers from Saarah, I see now that I mistook you earlier,’ said the yeti in his deep voice.

  ‘Yes! And he’s a dear friend now,’ Ayaan exclaimed joyfully.

  The beast’s dressed wound and Ayaan’s cheerfulness was all that we required for an explanation to this transformed scenario.

  ‘You should have listened to us before. Anyhow, everything seems settled now, except for this little wound that we apologize for,’ Nasteya said.

  ‘You are pardoned. But I fear the wound has brought us to a perilous situation. There is more trouble coming to us, mark my words,’ said the beast in a worried voice as he examined the position of the moon.

  ‘What peril do you fear?’ asked Nasteya.

  ‘It is midnight and I am far from my home. I’m afraid word that I wander alone might have reached Garud’s ears by now. That eagle you saw before was Garud’s servant. He might have set his guards after me. Before we talk further, we should move without much delay. To make up for what I did, I invite you to come with me to Kanchana. Let me be your host,’ said the beast while I still wondered what spell had Ayaan had cast on this yeti.

  ‘We accept your generous invitation,’ said Nasteya.

  I wondered for a while how we would fit in amongst these beasts but then again, we had no other place to go. Of course, Nasteya had made the right choice, for it would give us shelter. But there was a deeper reason than accommodation for Nasteya choosing to be the yeti’s guest. Nasteya was inquisitive to know more about Garud. I, on the other hand, just wanted food because I was beginning to starve.

  I imagined Kanchana as a nasty cave—what else would serve as home to these beasts? Well, I thought, at least it will save us the labour of setting up camps.

  A sliver of moon, partly screened by mist, crowned the great arch as we marched away from it. Our feet sank in the thick snow, leaving a trail behind us as we stumbled after the yeti whose name, we had now learned, was Baka.

  Nasteya had told Baka about our ill fate. ‘A purpose,’ Nasteya had answered in reply to Baka’s question about our reason for travelling so far. ‘We are on a quest to unearth some mysteries.’

  ‘Saarah’s enemy, the White Demons you spoke about, I don’t think you will find them here. Nor anywhere in this part of the Himalayas. I have wandered far in these deep valleys and high mountains but never have I seen any men who resemble your foe,’ Baka said as we walked.

  ‘It is not White Demons that matters to me right now. I wish to see Garud. It seems that he has some strings attached to me,’ Nasteya said.

  ‘You must and you shall see him. But do not wish for those eagles to show their filthy wings until we reach home,’ said Baka, ‘I am alone and I fear I might not be able to protect you men and myself at the same time.’

  ‘You may not necessarily need to,’ Nasteya sai
d proudly. ‘Valour, as our mighty king used to say, must not be computed by stature.’

  ‘I have heard tales of Aryans before, and you are as bold as the stories say,’ said Baka.

  ‘Tell us more about Kanchana,’ I requested.

  ‘You shall see soon. I’m afraid my words won’t do justice to the beauty of my home,’ Baka said.

  Regardless of his words, thoughts of nasty caves persisted in my mind. Suddenly, Baka stooped and listened with his ear pressed against the snow-covered ground. Then he stood straight and listened, looked up at the sky and when no queer sound came to his ears, he resumed walking.

  ‘So what makes these eagles your enemy?’ asked Nasteya.

  There was no light of the moon on this side of the mountain as we descended the gentle slope that went down into the thick cover of clouds. Baka began to answer Nasteya’s question: ‘An old story it is that lived on long after all the true events were forgotten. In the old days, eagles and yetis were allies, friends so dear that we lived together. Both the clans protected the great arch that holds in its womb a powerful weapon, the Kushya’s sword. But then one day, a yeti murdered an eagle and was caught in the act. He said that the eagle he had murdered had tried to breach the arch to steal the sword. There followed an exchange of accusations and counter-accusations when another eagle emerged as a witness and reported that it was the yeti who had tried to steal the sword and that the eagle had tried to stop him and been murdered in the process.

  Rumours spread amongst the yetis that the eagles were devising plots to steal the sword. The eagles grew restless as they knew their evil plans had been unveiled. It went on and on with more killings on either side. Somehow, we drew them away from Kanchana. Since then, we safeguard the gateway from their 2evil efforts to steal the sword. Three times a day, troops are sent to the arch to look for any suspicious activity. But yesterday, as it was the eve of New Year in Kanchana, no troops were willing to go. Even though we knew that nothing could go wrong, yet I grew restless, so I came to check. Troops won’t arrive until dawn. We have to press on.’

  ‘How powerful is the sword?’ Nasteya asked suddenly.

  ‘Powerful enough that it is meant not to be taken out ever,’ Baka said. ‘Its power is immense and no mortal man can handle it.’

  Nasteya’s interest in the sword now seemed to overtake his desire to meet Garud. I could sense what Nasteya had in his mind. What I thought was no different.

  ‘If this sword is so powerful, it can help us,’ I said to myself. But I was yet ignorant of the yetis’ loyalty towards the protection of the arch.

  The blanket of clouds was now above our heads. Nasteya walked at my side. Something glimmering in my sack drew his eye. And he asked: ‘Is that gold you carry?’

  ‘Yes it is,’ I said and pulled out the tiny statuette of a dragon that I had found back in Godmother’s cottage. Nasteya examined it carefully as I held it.

  ‘I thought some gold might help us in paying taxes in foreign lands,’ I said as he stared at it. ‘Keep it safe then,’ he said and I dropped it back into my bag.

  If there was someone who was warm and without worry, it was Ayaan who slept restfully in Baka’s furry arms. Suddenly, I realised Baka had stopped, jerking his head in all directions. He stood stiff.

  ‘Eagles! They’re near,’ Baka said with a frown.

  We looked around in all directions. For a moment there was nothing. But then the wind carried some queer sound towards us. And we saw three eagles flying straight for us. They came zig-zagging through a cluster of pine trees, their wings that were lined with some sharp-edged metal slicing the thin branches as they made their way towards us. They were gigantic! Without delay, we drew our swords out of their leather scabbards. Ayaan woke up.

  ‘Look after Ayaan!’ Nasteya said to Baka and ran towards the eagles, pushing back his cloak. He leapt forward and the eagle in front swerved as Nasteya’s sword struck at his sheathed wing. The other one headed for me and Hira. The third landed right before Baka and Ayaan. Nasteya capably dealt with his opponent as he danced to and fro, slashing at his wings with his sword. Ours was a two against one, whereas, Baka had a dual responsibility—to protect Ayaan as well as defend himself.

  ‘Scared? You should be, for you will die tonight,’ the eagle taunted Baka.

  Just then, Savaan dove underneath the eagle and struck at one of his claws. The eagle backed off, shrieking in pain. The one that Hira and I were fighting dodged us and made for Savaan, knocking him off his feet with a single blow. Baka stepped forward but the injured eagle pushed him away with a strong blow of his claws. The other eagle stooped over Savaan ready to slash his throat with his wing and neither Hira nor I was close enough to stop him in time. But no sooner did that eagle raise its wing when Ayaan leapt on him and stabbed him with a dagger at his neck. The eagle squealed and moved away. In the meantime, Baka returned to the fight, tossing away first one, then the second eagle. The two injured birds flapped their wings and took off. The third one was helpless in the face of Nasteya’s fury and took off too.

  ‘Who’s scared now? Filthy sparrows!’ snarled Baka angrily as the eagles ascended and disappeared into the thick mist.

  They had fled. The sudden chaos died in silence.

  ‘I knew they would attack,’ Baka said, ‘I owe you for your help. Even Aryan children are brave,’ he said as he lifted Ayaan who smiled proudly. ‘Your son is brave enough and he will make a great warrior.’

  ‘That’s what I wish,’ said Hira.

  ‘We must be off now, as fast as possible before they return with more eagles,’ Baka said.

  ‘I doubt they would do that, not so soon after tasting Aryan swords,’ I said.

  Yet we made our way carefully enough with our minds prepared for another unannounced attack.

  Ayaan was content, everyone else was too and I thought I too should make an effort. The pale blue sky in the east was beginning to override the dark sky in the west. Dawn was coming. Baka walked us into a thin crack between two high mountains. We walked on until the crack opened up into a wide snow-covered field. In front of us stood a snow-cloaked high wall with battlements and towers ranged against the steep slopes of mountains on either side. In the middle of the wall there was a crescent gate studded with long spear-like spikes diverging from the centre point of the gate. I had been expecting nasty caves! Finding such a thing this far in the north perplexed all of us.

  ‘We’re home,’ Baka exclaimed.

  EIGHT

  THE INCREDIBLE WORLD OF KANCHANA

  No, those weren’t caves at all. My assumptions were way off the mark. ‘It seems to me that there’s something you didn’t expect,’ Baka said on seeing us standing still in surprise. ‘Not all beasts live in dark dungeons and nasty caves,’ I mumbled inaudibly. ‘We expected something… different. This is surprising,’ Nasteya said as he gazed at the architecture.

  ‘Then I guess there’s a lot more that will surprise you,’ Baka said as he moved ahead and we followed. ‘No men could raise such walls and towers,’ I said.

  ‘We are no men!’ replied Baka sharply.

  The polished shell of the huge bronze bell hanging by the canopy of the left tower glimmered as the slanted rays of the rising sun fell on it. The yetis who guarded the towers saw Baka and shouted, ‘Prince Baka arrives. Let the gates be opened.’

  Was Baka a prince? Well then it made us royal guests, I thought. For some reason, I felt strangely proud. Had we helped a prince? Then the bell rang. Its sonorous chime echoed in the hollows and slowly faded, to be followed by another ringing. After this, horns were blown in unison. With a creak, the gates began to open outwards. They swept fresh snow to either side as they opened. When they were half opened, we saw that they were being pushed open by some grey-furred yetis whose faces were not as noble as Baka’s. They were certainly larger than him. Two belts criss-crossed their giant chests and each was attached by this to five other yetis, all in shackles. Beyond the gate there was a road that sloped dow
n against the pale sky.

  ‘These yetis aren’t like you,’ Nasteya said.

  ‘Yes, they are poor beings who were born abnormal, ill-witted and deformed. Such yetis are made to do petty errands for their freedom might be a threat to others. They are short-tempered and always annoyed, so they are hard to control,’ said Baka as we walked towards the gate.

  Lined against the gates, those uncouth faces stared at us with faint growls and stiffened lips as if they had seen men after long while and wanted to taste them. Ayaan walked clutching Baka’s hand. ‘Don’t worry little friend, they won’t hurt you,’ Baka said to Ayaan.

  The gates were closed behind us. The road we walked on sloped downwards and a terrible cold wind whipped our faces. Where the road levelled out, the city began. It had a wide network of houses with inverted cone tops sprinkled with fresh snow. However, there was nobody on the streets or in the houses. The wind carried a humming sound towards us. As we walked on, the hum grew louder, with varying pitch and now we could make out a tune. Soon, a distant beat of drums was also audible, in perfect harmony with voices. The sound of flutes also joined the music that came flowing towards us as we walked further.