Chapter 23 The Protective Thread and the War Drum
The peace of the Tapobhumi was deep and clear broken only by the distant sound of chanting and the chirping of birds Fragrant smoke of incense rose in waves from the hut of Margdarshak Vishrayan Margdarshak gestured to one of his servants who stood at the door with folded hands
Go Margdarshak said and his voice was clear and calm like a bell Call Agni here
The servant bowed his head with folded hands and his face held an expression of devotion He stepped backwards out of the hut and walked towards the other hut where the guests were staying
Inside the hut Agni and Neer sat facing each other on bamboo mats Between them on a small wooden table were cups of tea from which faint steam was rising The servant knocked on the door and entered
Pranam The servant said bowing his head respectfully towards both of them
Agni and Neer replied in unison Pranam
Guests The servant said Whichever of you is named Agni has been summoned by Margdarshak to his hut
Neer looked at Agni and there was a light curiosity in his eyes Agni said to Neer I will be right back
Neer nodded yes Agni got up from the mat and followed the servant Neer watched him leave and then turned his attention back to the cooling tea
The servant stood outside Margdarshak hut Agni said from inside Pranam Margdarshak
Come inside Margdarshak voice came from within
Agni went inside The atmosphere inside the hut was even more peaceful Margdarshak was seated on a simple mat Sit Agni
Agni sat down on the mat below and his back was straight and his hands rested on his knees Tell me Margdarshak what is your command
Margdarshak looked at Agni and his gaze was so deep that it seemed to be looking right into Agni soul Agni I know the purpose for which you have come son
Agni looked at Margdarshak with hope and folding his hands said Then Margdarshak Is there a remedy for this
Margdarshak said Yes There is one remedy His voice carried a rare gravity Andhak Void has been ended but his spirit of revenge has not If that spirit is destroyed or if Andhak Void himself comes into his own body then his destruction is possible
Agni said to Margdarshak But Margdarshak Andhak Void is inside Nirag And he has slowly started taking control of Nirag body Please tell me some way to get him out of Nirag body
Margdarshak smiled Agni Andhak Void cannot be removed from Nirag body unless he himself wishes to come out of that body
Agni eyes widened He said to Margdarshak Then how can Nirag be saved Margdarshak how can Nirag be saved
Margdarshak said Nirag himself is a part of Andhak Void And the part of Andhak Void cannot be removed from Nirag body
Agni held his head in his hands You have put me in a dilemma Margdarshak I came to you for a solution
Margdarshak said Alright And he extended his hand forward He closed his eyes and began chanting a Naad Sutra and a deep echoing sound vibrated the air of the hut Then he opened his eyes On his palm lay a protective thread A simple thread of cotton but it had a golden glow and invisible letters of Naad Sutra were inscribed on it
Agni looked at it with questioning eyes Margdarshak looked at Agni and said Agni take this protective thread and tie it on Nirag wrist Andhak Void will not be able to control him for some time
Agni extended his hand forward Margdarshak placed that protective thread in his hand Agni took the protective thread in his palm and it was warm as if alive He bowed to Margdarshak and began walking out
As soon as Agni stepped out of the door Margdarshak said while sitting in his hut but his voice was so soft that perhaps only the walls heard it Agni Removing Andhak Void from Nirag body will have a very great price And you will have to pay the cost of that price And he closed his eyes and sat in meditation
In the hut Neer asked Agni as soon as he entered What happened Agni Why did Margdarshak summon you And why only you Why not me
Agni said to Neer Neer Margdarshak just had some work with me that is why he called me His work is finished now
Neer saw something in Agni eyes as if he was hiding something from Neer Neer looked at Agni and said Alright If you do not want to tell me then fine I will not ask you But I hope that the thing you are hiding does not create any misunderstanding between us
Agni nodded yes Just then the servant entered and said Guests please come Margdarshak has invited you for the meal
Agni said You may go We will come The servant folded his hands and left
Agni said Come Neer Margdarshak has invited us for the meal
Neer nodded yes Agni hid the protective thread inside his robe and followed Neer Both of them went and sat in the dining hall of the Tapobhumi
After a while Margdarshak arrived there Agni and Neer stood up and bowed to Margdarshak saying Pranam Margdarshak
Margdarshak said Sit down both of you Agni and Neer both sat down The servant began serving food on banana leaves Agni and Neer were looking at each other
Neer whispered in Agni ear You know Agni we used to eat just like this in the Tapobhumi when we used to study here
Agni nodded yes Margdarshak sat down with folded hands Agni and Neer also sat with folded hands and all three chanted the Naad Sutra together Then folding his hands before his plate Margdarshak said Begin your meal
Agni and Neer began eating and everyone ate together
At that very time on the border of Prakashgadh the army of Suryagadh had arrived The sun was setting and its slanting rays fell upon the spears and shields of the soldiers scattering a bloody red light The army had set up camp and the flames of the fireballs had turned the trunks of the surrounding trees crimson
A soldier came running from the side of Prakashgadh and his breath was ragged His face bore marks of dust and fear He reached the palace gate where Nirag and Anvay were listening to the border reports
Maharaj Maharaj The soldier screamed falling to his knees The kingdom has been attacked The army of Suryagadh has crossed the border
Nirag and Anvay looked at each other and were startled Nirag face turned pale and an immediate alertness came into Anvay eyes Far away on the upper balcony of the gate a crow was sitting with its eyes glowing red It cawed and flew away straight towards the camp of the Suryagadh army
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