the immortal of maluha
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was obviously a local. The captain trailed <strong>the</strong>m with his platoon <strong>of</strong> thirty soldiers. After sprinting<br />
for <strong>the</strong> larger part <strong>of</strong> half an hour, <strong>the</strong>y finally reached <strong>the</strong> riverside to find a dazed woman<br />
sitting on <strong>the</strong> ground. With heavy breaths, she was staring in shock at an imaginary vision in <strong>the</strong><br />
distance. There was blood all over her clo<strong>the</strong>s, but strangely, no injury to her. There were many<br />
footsteps that appeared to be coming out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river and going back in.<br />
The captain looked at <strong>the</strong> woman who had led <strong>the</strong>m here with suspicious eyes. Turning to<br />
his soldiers, he ordered, ‘Form a perimeter around <strong>the</strong> General and <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth. It could be a<br />
trap.’<br />
‘She was being eaten alive, I tell you,’ screeched <strong>the</strong> woman, absolutely stunned to see her<br />
friend alive and unharmed.<br />
‘No she wasn’t,’ said Shiva calmly. He pointed at <strong>the</strong> corpse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> crocodile floating in <strong>the</strong><br />
river. A large flock <strong>of</strong> crows had settled on <strong>the</strong> carcass, fighting viciously over its entrails.<br />
‘Somebody just saved her from that crocodile.’<br />
‘Whoever it was has rowed across <strong>the</strong> river, my Lord,’ said <strong>the</strong> captain, pointing towards <strong>the</strong><br />
heavy footmarks close to <strong>the</strong> river.<br />
‘Why would a Naga risk his own life to save this woman?’ asked Shiva.<br />
Parvateshwar seemed as surprised. This was completely unlike <strong>the</strong> usual blood thirsty<br />
Nagas <strong>the</strong>y had dealt with till now.<br />
‘My Lords,’ said <strong>the</strong> captain, addressing both Shiva and Parvateshwar. ‘The women appear<br />
safe. Perhaps it is not wise for everybody to stay here. If I have your permission, I will escort<br />
<strong>the</strong>se women back to <strong>the</strong>ir village and rejoin <strong>the</strong> caravan at Kotdwaar. You could retire to <strong>the</strong><br />
rest-house.’<br />
‘All right,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘Take four soldiers with you just in case.’<br />
Both Shiva and Parvateshwar walked back, baffled by this bizarre event.<br />
It was late in <strong>the</strong> evening. Shiva, Brahaspati, Nandi and Veerbhadra sat quietly around <strong>the</strong><br />
camp fire. Shiva turned to see Sad sitting at a distance, on <strong>the</strong> rest-house veranda, along with<br />
Ayurvati and Krittika, having a serious conversation. Parvateshwar as usual, moved among his<br />
soldiers, personally supervising <strong>the</strong> security arrangements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> camp and <strong>the</strong> comfort <strong>of</strong> his<br />
boys.<br />
‘It’s ready, Shiva,’ said Veerbhadra, handing over <strong>the</strong> chillum to <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth.<br />
Shiva brought <strong>the</strong> pipe up to his lips and pulled hard. He relaxed visibly. Feeling <strong>the</strong> need for<br />
respite, he smoked some more before passing it back to his friend. Veerbhadra <strong>of</strong>fered it to<br />
Brahaspati and Nandi, who both declined. Brahaspati stared at Shiva who kept stealing glances<br />
at Sati. He smiled and shook his head.<br />
‘What?’ asked Shiva who had noticed Brahaspati’s gesture.<br />
‘I understand your longing, my friend,’ whispered Brahaspati. ‘But what you are hoping for is<br />
quite difficult. Almost impossible.’<br />
‘When it’s so valuable, it can’t be easy. Can it?’<br />
Brahaspati smiled and patted Shiva on his hand.<br />
Veerbhadra knew what his friend needed. Dance and music. It always improved his mood.<br />
‘Don’t people sing and dance in this wretched country.’