the immortal of maluha
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Shiva looked up, his eyes half shut. He was descending into a strange sleep. He yelled<br />
suddenly, ‘Nandi!’<br />
Nandi came rushing in.<br />
‘Nandi, can you find me a cravat?’<br />
‘Cravat, my Lord?’ asked Nandi.<br />
‘Yes.’<br />
‘Umm. But why, my Lord?’<br />
‘BECAUSE I NEED IT!’ shouted Shiva.<br />
Nandi, shocked at <strong>the</strong> violence <strong>of</strong> his Lord’s reply, hurried out. Sati and Ayurvati looked at<br />
Shiva in surprise. Before <strong>the</strong>y could say anything, he suddenly collapsed. Unconscious.<br />
He was running hard, <strong>the</strong> menacing forest closing in on him. He was desperate to get<br />
beyond <strong>the</strong> trees before <strong>the</strong>y laid <strong>the</strong>ir ravenous claws on him. Suddenly, a loud insistent cry<br />
pierced through <strong>the</strong> silence.<br />
‘Help! Please help!’<br />
He stopped. No. He wouldn’t run away this time. He would fight that monster. He was <strong>the</strong><br />
Mahadev. It was his duty. Shiva turned around slowly, his sword drawn, his shield held high.<br />
‘Jai Shri Ram!’ he yelled, as he raced back to <strong>the</strong> clearing. The bushy thorns slashed his<br />
legs. Bleeding and terrified, he ran hard.<br />
I will reach her in time.<br />
I will not fail her again.<br />
My blood will wash away my sin.<br />
He sprang through <strong>the</strong> last clump <strong>of</strong> shrubs, letting <strong>the</strong> thorns cut greedily at his flesh, and<br />
leapt into <strong>the</strong> clearing. His shield held defensively, his sword gripped low to retaliate. But<br />
nobody attacked. It was a strange laughter that finally broke his concentration. He lowered his<br />
shield. Slowly.<br />
‘Oh Lord!’ he shrieked in agony.<br />
The woman lay stricken on <strong>the</strong> ground, a short sword buried into her heart. The little boy<br />
stood on her side. Stunned. His hand bloodied with <strong>the</strong> struggle <strong>of</strong> his kill. The hairy monster sat<br />
on <strong>the</strong> rocky ledge, pointing at <strong>the</strong> little boy. Laughing.<br />
‘NO!’ screamed Shiva, as he jerked himself awake.<br />
‘What happened, Shiva?’ asked a worried Sati, darting to hold his hand.<br />
Shiva looked around <strong>the</strong> room, startled. A worried Parvateshwar and Ayurvati got up too.<br />
‘My Lord?’<br />
‘Shiva, it’s alright. It’s alright,’ whispered Sati, gently running her hand along Shiva’s face.<br />
‘You were poisoned, my Lord,’ said Ayurvati. ‘We think that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chandravanshi<br />
soldiers may have had poisoned weapons. It has affected many o<strong>the</strong>rs as well.’<br />
Shiva slowly regained his composure. He got <strong>of</strong>f his bed. Sati tried to help him up, but he<br />
insisted on doing it himself. His throat felt excruciatingly parched. He stumbled over to <strong>the</strong> ewer,<br />
followed closely by Sati. He reached over and gulped down some water.<br />
‘It seems like I have been asleep for many hours,’ said Shiva, finally noticing <strong>the</strong> lamps and<br />
dark sky beyond.