Page 22 of The Burning Mountain
“Your sister has struck a deal with Prince Veer. We will get Prince Aditya out of his prison, but we need your help in finding the next key piece. Please, this agreement is beneficial for both of us.”
“But, a bargain with the person they call the scourge of the north…” she trailed away doubtfully for a minute and then suddenly her eyes flashed with warning.
Namata Devi’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “What would you know about stitching shawls? If the way you bring water is any evidence of your dexterity, this is a straight-up lie, and I’d advise you to stop it.”
Chandra realized the other maid had returned. She gave them all a suspicious glare but said nothing, as she handed her tumbler to Namata Devi and stood to one side, her face set in a scowl as if she had tasted something sour.
Chandra swallowed at the close call they had. “Please, Devi, give me a chance. I can make you a beautiful shawl in two weeks,” she said, playing along, hoping to quash the suspicion she could still feel directed at her from the maid’s eyes.
“Hmph… Very well, you’ll stay here to make a shawl, but not for me. My future husband is going to be crowned the king. He deserves one of the best. But take care,” warned Namata Devi. “You’ll do this under my eagle eye and heaven forbid, if you make the slightest mistake, I’ll have you horsewhipped.”
10
THE SEARCH FOR THE CAPTURED HEIR
Shota watched Veer go into one of his trances again, trying to communicate with Ilavasura. They were back in the woods at Thanepur’s outskirts, and instead of doing it furtively, Veer had invited Shota to keep an eye, so he could worry less and work his magic in peace.
Veer had said often enough that no one besides him could actually hear Ilavu, since he had no corporeal form and his spirit existed only in that part of the brain that controlled his arm, but Shota still found it unnerving. Perhaps it was a holdover trauma from the time he had to see Veer battle with the demon physically and then mentally for control.
He leaned back against a tree. The canopy of leaves fluttered in the midday wind and his thoughts turned toward the recent news imparted by Veer. The princess had finally told him her secret. Or rather, the events from her standpoint.
Veer and Virat had always been a charismatic pair, and Shota was drawn into their orbit, becoming their constant companion when they were in their teens. Perhaps his bond with Virat had been less close than the one he shared with Veer. But he had considered him a friend, albeit one with flaws. Shota had oftendisagreed with how Virat was always dragging Veer into reckless pursuits, not befitting a future king.
But even he thought it was far-fetched that Virat had turned into someone who allowed the most taboo of magics and human sacrifices. He shuddered. If it was true, then he was glad Virat was dead. There were some things that were just beyond the pale.
Shota rubbed his chest. He and magic didn’t mix too well. The hex he carried on his heart had been hurting lately. A few days ago, he had noticed the skin around the wound had turned an angry red. He tried correcting it with some herbs known to decrease the inflammation, but it proved useless.
Because he knew the real reason behind it.
As always with him, it was tied toher. It twinged relentlessly when in her presence or like now, when he thought about her.
After six years spent without entertaining any stray thoughts, lately he had suddenly been finding it difficult to keep Sameera away from his ruminations. She was the bane of his existence and Shota cursed her name as often as he whispered it in reverence in the dark corners of his mind.
He wondered if she was out of Amaravathi yet. Was she on the road to Rajgarh? It was unheard of for a woman to travel alone, but he had to give the queen of Rajgarh some credit. She took care to set her up with some protection. The “brother,” who was with her in Amaravathi, was an army captain in disguise. Shota knew him to be an upstanding man with a large family back in Rajgarh.
He needed to get a better grip. He was the spymaster of Rajgarh for heaven’s sake, with more than a decade of experience in abstinence. This ought to be child’s play for him. And yet…Shota shook his head.
“Found him,” said Veer, opening his eyes.
Shota snapped out of his idle contemplation. “Where?” he asked, leaning forward.
“A tower. It appeared to be abandoned.”
“Give me more details,” said Shota, sitting forward, all too eager to have something to do than dwell in the miserable past.
Veer closed his eyes again.
“Isolated tower, partially demolished, surrounded by woods. It looks like it was built part way up a hillock. A hilly range in the background. And a long wall that snakes around the hills.”
Veer opened his golden eyes, revealing his connection to Vihari. “I don’t see any bodies of water nearby. Northeast in direction from here, almost fiftykosasaway.”
“I know the one you speak of,” said Shota, snapping his fingers. “Giridah Fort. Once a garrison of sorts, but now functions as a prison.” He frowned. “It was recently abandoned, after rumors sprouted about it being haunted. No one goes there.” He turned a surprised gaze to Veer. “They’re keeping Aditya there? I thought he’d be in a high-security prison for sure. Are there many people guarding him?”
Veer shook his head. “I didn’t see a single soul.”
“Then how are they keeping him imprisoned?”
“There’s a strong aura of snakes in that area, Shota. I had but a brief glimpse of him through the rats before they were devoured. He looked emaciated, like no one had fed him for days.” Veer appeared troubled. “How long has it been since he disappeared?”
