Page 24 of Tiger's Destiny
“What’s happening?” I whispered, more than just a little afraid.
At that moment we heard voices carried on the wind from the other side of the brush. Ren edged closer to the greenery, and we peered at our campsite through the thick branches. The fire we’d been standing next to a few moments before was crackling again. And in front of the dancing flames were Mr. Kadam and Lokesh.
I stood up, but before I could take a step, Ren and Kishan tackled me to the ground.
“What are you doing? We need to help him! We have all the weapons!”
Ren whispered, “We gave him the warrior’s vow.”
“So?”
“We won’t break it. It’s a warrior’s code, and Kadam has never asked it of us before. It’s only used when a plan needs to be followed without deviation. If even one person does not fulfill their duty, the endeavor is lost,” Kishan explained.
“Well, he didn’t think this through! Mr. Kadam’s not in his right mind!” I argued futilely.
Through the shrubs, we could see Lokesh clearly. I stifled a gasp. Half of his face was burned badly and his damaged eyelid drooped. The hair on that side had been burned away. There were shiny scars around his neck where we’d strangled him, and he walked with a slight limp.
“Where have you taken them, my friend? It seems you still have some tricks up your sleeve.” Lokesh asked in an almost desperate, raspy voice.
“Somewhere they will be safe,” Mr. Kadam answered.
Mr. Kadam lifted his Samurai sword, blew on its surface, and slid his finger along the blade.
“I know you want the amulet. Unlike my sons, I have no weapon with which to fight you other than my old sword. Be that as it may, I will endeavor to protect them with my life.”
“It will come to that in due time.” Lokesh fixed his good eye on Mr. Kadam’s amulet greedily and asked, “Would you like to tell me of your amulet’s power so that a few minutes of your life might be spared?”
Mr. Kadam shrugged. “It provides a healing power. From what I hear, you should be dead already.” He gestured to Lokesh’s face. “It would seem that your power doesn’t heal you as well as mine does.”
Lokesh spat at the dirt angrily. “We will test that out soon enough. How did you move them?”
“Would you like the opportunity to win my piece of the amulet fairly?” Mr. Kadam countered. “No amulets, sorcery, or black magic. Just two warriors fighting hand to hand, steel on steel, as if we were still a part of the old world.”
Lokesh scrutinized his opponent for a moment, and then smoothly, with just a hint of mockery, he said, “You wish to die as a warrior. I have been a warrior long enough to understand and empathize with your request. I ask you, though, what of your healing? Surely, this fight would not be fair.”
“The healing is not instantaneous. Deal me a crippling blow, and you will be able to easily remove my piece of the amulet. That is, unless you’re afraid to fight an old man.”
“Fear does not motivate me.” Lokesh peered into the darkness focusing on right where we were sitting as if he were considering his options.
I sucked in a breath, and Ren quietly let the foliage fall back to its natural shape.
“It shames me to say this, old friend, but I find that I am not as enthusiastic to continue this discussion as I should be. My mind has been bewitched, and there will be no rest for me—not until the young Ms. Hayes and I are reconciled. I believe I’d rather seek my reluctant bride first and teach her a lesson. She’s close, my comrade, even now. I can sense her. But, rest assured, I’ll return to deal with you later.”
He took a step toward the jungle, then halted when Mr. Kadam took a few practice swings with his sword and warned, “You won’t find her easily.”
Lokesh spun. “On the contrary, I foundyouin this wilderness. I’ve had spies watching the temples of Durga for some time. She’s near, and I won’t be thwarted any longer.”
I gasped, and the sound was enough to make Lokesh and Mr. Kadam stop talking and peer into the trees.
Mr. Kadam swung his sword menacingly. Distracted, Lokesh turned back to watch. “You have a master’s touch, my friend.”
Mr. Kadam stopped and held up his sword so Lokesh could admire it. “It’s exquisite, is it not?”
“Indeed it is. Very well, since you are so eager to die for yourcharges, I will accommodate you. Besides, it will be lovely to see the expression on my bride’s face when I tell her of your death.”
Mr. Kadam pointed his sword at Lokesh. “She will not be your bride. She is meant for my son. You will never touch her again, you vile demon.”
“Demon?” He smiled evilly. “I like the sound of that.”
