Page 109 of The Burning Mountain
Veer moved to the edge of the balcony and gazed at the clear sky. The sun was westering and there was still no sign of Vihari.He had sent him to keep an eye out for her on the borders of Rajgarh. Perhaps he should venture into the desert himself? But Surasen knew the Thar Desert and all its hiding places better, and he didn’t want to miss them and end up lost himself.
Were they in danger? Veer couldn’t connect to his kite. Which could mean Vihari was in connection with someone else. Chandra was the only one who Vihari ever allowed close, apart from himself. Veer tried to tell himself that this was a good thing. As long as Vihari was with her, she would be safe.
His mother approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. In the background, he could hear his father and uncle still arguing.
“Veer, have you considered spur-of-the-moment announcements like that will put your cousin under the glare of the public. What if she doesn’t want to wed? She will lose face if no one comes forward to ask for her hand.”
“I had to do something to buy time. And don’t worry about Revathi. I know a person who’d be willing to marry Revathi. It’s what she wants too.”
Revathi liked Samudra and was adamant about marrying him. Even if Samudra wasn’t so inclined, Veer knew what the sea king desired. If need be, he was confident he could get him to agree. For a price, of course.
His mother tried to say something, but a dark speck appeared on the horizon, distracting his attention. It disappeared behind the clouds, and Veer craned his neck to spot it again.
When it appeared again, from behind the cover of clouds, it was much closer.
“Who is that?” asked his mother in puzzled surprise. “Isn’t that Vihari? Who could be flying on him apart from you?”
His heart soared, recognizing the figure on his back.
“Open the gates,” he shouted to the guards. Then when he spotted the archers mounted on the wall ready their bows and arrows, he yelled, “No one halt the kite.”
“Veer, are you listening to what I’m saying?”
The kite was now close enough that they all could see the rider on his back.
“Sorry, Mother, but I have to go,” he said, vaulting across the balcony. He sprinted past the long pavilion, which led to another balcony, and jumped beyond, into thin air, falling like a rock.
“Veer!” Archana Devi shouted in caution.
But he appeared none the worse for wear when he rose a few moments later, on Vihari’s back, who bore him away along with the rider, across the tiered balconies, his cry bouncing off the minarets as it circled them, climbing steadily, making his way to the tallest tower in the castle.
“God!I wish he would stop doing that. Gives me a terrible fright every time he does that,” said Archana Devi, placing a hand on her chest to calm her racing heart. Her fear of heights always made her worry for her son’s safety.
“Was that…” King Bheesmala came to stand beside his wife.
She nodded. “It’s her.”
Pourava cleared his throat from behind them. “Are you going to speak some sense into your son?”
Ever since Veer returned from Taxilla, he had been strangely distracted. It didn’t help that whispers followed in his wake. Archana Devi didn’t know what to think, but now that things were becoming clearer, her instincts as a mother were triggered. No one would force her son to do something he didn’t want to.
“I don’t agree with your methods,” she said, fixing Pourava with a gimlet stare. “We raised our children to know right from wrong, and I trust them to make their own decisions regarding their life choices. I stand by my son, come what may, and you should stand by what Revathi wants for herself too.”
Pourava went motionless, his fists shaking with anger. “And you?” he asked Bheesmala.
Her husband laid a hand on her shoulder. “As always, I support my wife. With family.”
Pourava’s gaze took both of them in, simmering frustration darkening his visage. He unclipped his magical telescope—a gift from Bheesmala—and threw it to the ground. It rolled to a stop at Bheesmala’s feet.
“I guess this marks the end of the friendship between our kingdoms. You’ve made your stance clear, and now I must make mine. But mark my words, you’re making a big mistake.”
“I guess only time will tell. Farewell, Brother. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Remember, Pourava,” her husband called, picking up the telescope, and dusting it carefully. “You are accountable for the decisions you make. I can’t stop you. But our doors are always open if you come with goodwill.”
Chandra dismountedfrom Vihari and stumbled a few steps until she reached a marble wall and leaned against it. Vihari had dropped them off at one of the tall minarets, which appeared to have a landing pad for the bird, judging by the long gouge marks on the floor.
She watched as Veer sliced his palm, giving Vihari his customary offering of blood. The kite raised his beak to thesky and let out a piercing call, enveloping itself in flames and reverting to an ordinary-sized bird. The sight no longer filled her with trepidation.
