The pond outside the temple lay still.
Only moments remained before the moon would rise.
No silver lines had yet appeared upon the water.
The trees stood like shadows.
Beyond the Garuda circle, the forest was dark.
Sulochana walked one step at a time.
The antidote was working.
But the remaining force of Chaturika’s herb was driving her body into unbearable exhaustion.
“Just a little farther,” Kumudvati said. “We have reached the pond.”
Sulochana tried to smile.
“Kumuda…”
“Yes?”
“When I return… will you recognise me?”
Kumudvati supported her.
“I will not recognise you by form. I will recognise you by your breath.”
Sulochana’s eyes slowly closed.
“Then… I am not afraid…”
With those words, she lost consciousness and fell near the bank of the pond.
“Sulochana!” Kumudvati cried.
She bent to lift her.
At that moment—
A massive shadow moved among the bushes.
Kumudvati reached for a sword.
But she wore the garments of the vow.
She carried no weapon.
The female guards around the area had their attention fixed beyond the Garuda circle.
This shadow had not come from within.
It had stolen its way through a narrow path between the edges of the protective boundary.
Prince Durjaya of Trigarta stepped forward.
He was tall, with hard eyes, battle armour, and a smile accustomed to darkness.
He did not possess all of Chaturaka’s sorcery.
But he possessed courage equal to his greed.
“Two princesses at once,” he said. “A fortunate night for Trigarta.”
Kumudvati did not retreat.
“How did you enter this circle?”
Durjaya laughed.
“Circles may stop magic. They do not stop Durjaya’s hands.”
Before he finished speaking, two spies rushed forward from behind him.
Kumudvati resisted.
She remembered the bodily discipline taught by Sulochana.
She struck one aside with her elbow.
She slipped free from the grip of the other.
But Sulochana was unconscious.
Without a weapon, there was not enough time to protect her and fight at once.
Durjaya threw a smoke pellet.
The pond bank filled with darkness, smoke, and a poisonous smell.
Kumudvati staggered.
Durjaya rushed forward, lifted the unconscious Sulochana over one shoulder, and seized the unsteady Kumudvati with his other arm.
“The wedding pavilion of Trigarta awaits,” he said.
When the smoke cleared, the bank of the pond was empty.
Sulochana was gone.
Kumudvati was gone.
Only the first line of moonlight fell upon the water.
It had arrived too late.
---
Sharabhanga emerged from the sanctum.
His face was graver than ever before.
He saw the empty pond bank.
He closed his eyes.
His divine vision spread like fire.
“Durjaya…” he said.
Orders were sent at once.
He looked again upon Chaturika, still imprisoned in the southern chamber.
A proud smile rested upon her lips.
“Durjaya came in the end, did he not?” she said.
Sharabhanga did not reply.
It was dangerous to keep her there.
Though she had lost magical power, her mind remained treacherous.
Another greedy guard.
Another frightened soldier.
Another secret passage.
Any of these might open the door to further danger.
Sharabhanga invoked a subterranean protection device through the mantra of Garuda.
The southern floor of the ruined temple seemed to split apart.
A cave entrance appeared within it.
It descended into darkness, as though leading into the belly of the earth.
“Place Chaturika there,” he ordered. “In a cavern beyond the reach of human ears and beyond the paths of sorcery.”
For the first time, Chaturika became truly afraid.
“Sharabhanga!”
“You wandered through the world wearing disguises. For a while, you require a darkness without disguises and without an audience.”
Bound by the restraints of Garuda, she was taken into the subterranean cave.
The entrance closed.
The floor became stone once more. (To Be Continued)
---
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