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Chapter 1 A Sword Falls in the Forest Chapter 2 The Village in the Valley Chapter 3 A Plan of Action Chapter 4 The

The R sh of Falling !ater Chapter " The !ood #y$phs% Ca$p Chapter & A Ca$pfire 'eal Chapter ( A Clear )l e 'orning Chapter * A R de Awa+ening Chapter , - A .o/en #ew Pathways Chapter 10 The 'other Chapter 11 The !ater Forest Chapter 12 The Salty .og Chapter 12 The La Marta Chapter 13 !a+ing 1p on 2pen Seas Chapter 14 A Pirate%s 3ife Chapter 1" #o 'an%s 4sland Chapter 1& 4n the !ind Chapter 1( The !ilderness 'an Chapter 1* The Ret rn Chapter 1, The Awa+ening Chapter 20 5o$e

A Sword Falls in the Forest


The s$all wooden sword c t swiftly thro gh the $orning air and crashed hard pon its opponent%s e6pertly placed cl 78 The s$all 7oy with the sword reeled $o$entarily9 his large eyes wide9 7 t soon9 he was p again and on his feet attac+ing the other two with /eal8 The s$allest 7oy : $ped o;er roc+s and ferns9 wa;ing his sword wildly8 'eanwhile9 the tallest of the three defended hi$self against the onsla ght with his short9 thic+ cl 7 and $ane ;ered deftly aro nd trees as his yo nger 7rothers attac+ed hi$ relentlessly8 The three s$all9 wooden weapons th dded against each other ;igoro sly ntil a lo d crac+ c t thro gh the crisp $orning air8 Ansh%s sword was 7ro+en8 The 7attle stopped8 The little 7oy loo+ed sadly down at his splintered sword8 5is 7rother9 Aryan9 handed o;er his weapon wordlessly and threw hi$self pon the $ossy 7an+8 Ansh s$iled in than+s9 and i$$ediately t rned to res $e his 7attle with his oldest 7rother9 Agni8 Aryan watched as his si7lings recreated a gripping scene their $other had read the$ the pre;io s night8 The Three )rothers lo;ed to play ad;ent rers and fre< ently reenacted 7attles fro$ their 7edti$e stories8

That $orning9 Agni ass $ed the role of his fa;orite character9 the wi/ard8 F ll of wisdo$ and $agical +nowledge9 Agni the wi/ard had : st resc ed a princess fro$ an e;il toad co;ered in 7lac+ sli$e 7y casting a spell that p t it to sleep8 As Aryan watched his 7rothers play fighting9 he tho ght that the role of the wi/ard was one that s ited Agni well8 5e was two years older than Aryan and possessed an intelligence and ease of con;ersation that $ade hi$ pop lar with other children and ad lts as well8 5e was tall for his age9 and his head was co;ered with thic+ 7lac+ hair8 5is straight loc+s often fell ntri$$ed o;er his eyes and aro nd his ears8 5e was constantly a$ sing the inha7itants of the near7y town9 Village in the Valley9 with an endless strea$ of :o+es and riddles8 Aryan fiddled with a twig as his yo nger 7rother9 Ansh9 fo ght ;aliantly against the wi/ard8 !hat the s$all 7oy lac+ed in height and strength9 he $ade p for in spirit8 That day9 as $any others 7efore9 Ansh was a +night8 )ra;e and ;aliant9 Sir Ansh9 the warrior9 rode atop his i$aginary 7lac+ horse $ade of stone and had : st assisted the lo;e-str c+ wi/ard in resc ing a 7ea tif l princess fro$ the $onster of the la+e8 =;en tho gh at that $o$ent9 for so$e reason none of the 7oys +new9 the +night and wi/ard were engaged in a 7attle to the death8 Aryan stretched his legs and leaned 7ac+ on his ar$s to stare p at the l sh green canopy a7o;e hi$8 Aryan lo;ed to play ad;ent rers too8 1nli+e Ansh and Agni9 howe;er9 he was rarely the sa$e character twice9 and his passion did not lie in the $oc+ 7attles that played o t so ;i;idly 7y the s$all strea$8 5e wo ld 7e content to slay no dragons9 defeat no ar$ies and resc e no princesses8 5e si$ply en:oyed i$aging the enor$o s9 e6citing world 7eyond the confines of their s$all far$ and the Village in the Valley8 4n his $ind9 he saw the tall snow-co;ered $o ntains on which the wi/ard9 the +night and the peasant defeated the giant troll8 5e saw the long 7eaches of white sand where the +night9 the wi/ard and the parrot seller resc ed a 7oatload of treas re fro$ a $an-eating s< id8 4n their ad;ent res9 Aryan ;isited all the places he heard a7o t in the stories his $other read at 7edti$e8 And he lo;ed it8 Agni and Ansh 7o nded across the s$all strea$ and : $ped fro$ roc+ to roc+ along the 7an+8 >Ta+e that?@ sho ted Ansh as he :a77ed Agni in the side with Aryan%s sword8 Agni tried to a;oid the 7low9 7 t it was too late8 5is left foot splashed into the cold water8 Agni stared at Ansh in a$a/e$ent for an instant9 and then he cla$7ered p fro$ the water and res rrected his offense8 >4%ll get yo for that9@ he pro$ised8 5e l nged for his 7rother when s ddenly9 a lo d r $7ling 7attered its way thro gh the dense spring foliage and 7 rst into the 7oys% ears8 4t was the footfall of horses co$ing fast8 Aryan sprang to his feet9 and his 7rothers stopped their play8 All three loo+ed towards the rapidly approaching so nd 7affled8 >!ho do yo thin+ that co ld 7eA@ as+ed Agni8 There was no ti$e for an answer8 For no sooner had the < estion left Agni%s lips9 the

nder7r sh 7eside the$ e6ploded9 and s ddenly9 fo r $en on large and i$pressi;e horses were towering in front of the$ 7etween the trees8 The 7oys stood9 staring at the strange ;isitors in st nned silence8 >)oy9@ 7ar+ed the $an sitting atop the largest and $ost i$pressi;e horse9 >is this Brand$other%s Far$9 7elonging to Sa$eer Angre of Village in the ValleyA@ The $an was tall and appeared al$ost gigantic d e to his positioning atop the $assi;e horse8 5e was ;ery handso$e9 and his 7lond hair was well groo$ed despite ha;ing ridden thro gh the dense forest8 5e wore the $ost i$pressi;e clothes the children had e;er seen8 5is eyes were a piercing green and see$ed de;oid of happiness9 and when he spo+e9 the corners of his $o th t rned p and down at the sa$e ti$e9 res lting in an e6pression that ga;e the i$pression the $an despised e;erything aro nd hi$ and lo;ed hi$self for it8 The children stood fro/en9 wooden weapons still in hand8 Their $inds raced8 !ho co ld this da nting $an 7eA !hat did he wantA >!ell9@ as+ed the $an sharply8 Patience was clearly not one of his ;irt es8 >Ces9@ said Aryan9 s rprising e;en hi$self8 >This is o r $a$$a and pappa%s far$8@ Aryan glanced at his 7rothers who stood on either side of hi$ and was reli;ed to see they loo+ed as ner;o s and nco$forta7le as he felt8 >!ell9 they do spea+8@ The $an c rled his pper lip disdainf lly8 5e then t rned to his riding co$panions and anno nced8 >At last8 !e ha;e finally reached Village in the Valley8 4 tho ght o r :o rney wo ld ne;er co$e to its end8 5ow 4 do despise tra;eling s ch distances only to 7e greeted with s ch pro;incial r stics8@ 5e loo+ed at the children fro$ atop his horse9 n+indly s r;eying their 7are feet and $ d coated legs8 Twigs st c+ o t of Ansh%s hair at n s al angles9 and all three of the$ had a good < antity of green and 7rown stains on their shirts and pants8 Agni%s pants were dripping wet fro$ falling into the strea$8 >5a;e yo raga$ ffins no $annersA@ 7ar+ed the $an on the horse8 >Ta+e $e to yo r father? The . +e of Chancell7erry does not ha;e ti$e to waste standing in the woods all day?@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh ga/ed d $7fo nded at the $an calling hi$self . +e8 Village in the Valley was part of the ;ast Dingdo$ of Chancell7erry9 o;er which the great and +ind Ding Drinio s r led8 All the s 7:ects of Chancell7erry lo;ed the +ing9 and he lo;ed all his s 7:ects8 5e was a high-$inded9 philosophical $an who 7elie;ed that as r ler9 it was his responsi7ility to ens re happiness and prosperity thro gh the entire +ingdo$9 and that is what he did8 The children had seen the +ing once8 5e often tra;eled to the far reaches of the +ingdo$ in order to nderstand what people needed $ost9 and : st the last year9 he had ;isited Village in the Valley d ring the S $$er Festi;al8 The 7oys s ally fo nd the Festi;al to

7e the highlight of the s $$er9 7 t ha;ing Ding Drinio s there $ade it all the $ore e6citing8 Their father9 the far$er9 offered Ding Drinio s so$e of Brand$other%s Far$%s finest $il+9 crea$ and cheese9 which the +ing greatly en:oyed8 5e too+ a large < antity 7ac+ to the capital city when he departed and arranged to ha;e a $erchant ro te esta7lished directly to Village in the Valley fro$ the capital9 Chancell7erry City9 to transport goods8 The +ing%s i$ple$entation of the trade ro te res lted in a wa;e of prosperity for the residents of Village in the Valley than+s to their wonderf l +ing and the delicio s cheese prod ced at Brand$other%s Far$8 Agni glanced at his 7rothers8 Perhaps the . +e was a $e$7er of the +ing%s co rt and had 7een sent 7y the +ing 7earing $ore good news for Village in the Valley8 >!ere yo sent 7y Ding Drinio sA@ in< ired the eldest 7rother with a s$ile8 The . +e%s cold green eyes 7eca$e slits9 and his lips c rled into a snarl that was al$ost a s$ile8 >Ding Drinio sA@ the $an scoffed8 >5e no longer r les Chancell7erry9 and yo sho ld 7e gratef l for it8 5e was irresponsi7le and far too idealistic to 7e go;erning a +ingdo$8@ The . +e tossed his head9 sha+ing his fla6en hair9 and contin ed9 >4 ha;e 7een sent 7y o r new +ing9 'aridi s9 to collect ta6es fro$ all those residing in his +ingdo$9 a tas+ that Drinio s neglected d ring his entire reign9 res lting in a terri7le deficit on the throne%s treas ry8@ The . +e $o;ed his horse closer to the children and declared9 >#ow9 ta+e $e to yo r father9 or $ st 4 ha;e $y g ards 7o6 yo a7o t the earsA@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh were speechless8 They wondered what fate had 7efallen their 7elo;ed +ing 7 t were too afraid to as+8 Finally9 nder the i$patient ga/e of the . +e9 Agni $ stered a9 >Follow $e8@ Then he scra$7led p o;er the low 7an+9 e$erged fro$ the wood%s edge and set off across the large field towards their ho$e8 Aryan9 Ansh and the fo r $en on horse7ac+ followed8 The 7oys crossed the field in a straight line9 tallest to s$allest9 Agni leading the way8 Ansh%s short legs swished fast thro gh the +nee-deep grass as he tried to +eep p with his older 7rothers% longer strides8 The . +e and his g ards followed 7ehind the$8 !hen their s$all stone far$ho se ca$e into sight9 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh 7ro+e into a r n8 >'a$$a9@ they cried9 and their $other e$erged fro$ the +itchen door9 her hand held high to shield her eyes fro$ the 7right $orning s nlight8 The . +e and his g ards galloped to a stop 7eside the wide stone steps near the ho se%s 7ac+ porch8 The Three )rothers collided with their $other9 en;eloping the$sel;es in her ;ol $ino s 7l e s+irt as the . +e spo+e fro$ atop his horse8 >4 a$ the . +e of Chancell7erry9@ he anno nced po$po sly8 >4 ha;e co$e to spea+ to the $an who owns this far$8@ 5e loo+ed down at the 7oys% $other 7ehind who$ the Three )rothers were hiding8 >These rchins tell $e this is Brand$other%s Far$8@ 5e gest red at the children8 >So where is the far$erA@

4f calling her 7elo;ed sons rchins 7othered the 7oys% $other9 she did not show it8 She $erely s$iled and replied9 >Co are correct9 this is Brand$other%s Far$9 and the far$er yo see+ is $y h s7and8 1nfort nately9 he has ta+en so$e cheese to the $ar+et to sell and will not 7e 7ac+ ntil afternoon8@ She s$iled 7rightly9 >Co are welco$e to stay and wait for hi$8 4 will fi6 yo so$e coffee9 if yo li+e9 and 4 : st finished 7a+ing a 7l e7erry pie8@ The 7oys% $other was hea;ily pregnant9 and she stood with one hand on her hip while the other r 77ed her protr ding a7do$en8 The . +e loo+ed down fro$ his tall horse at the short wo$an with fla$ing red hair8 The 7oys% $other%s eyes were +ind and in;iting8 The only indication of her wariness was the protecting ar$ she wrapped aro nd the 7oys still hiding in the folds of her s+irt8 5er piercing ga/e was fi6ed s< arely on the . +e as he answered8 >4 ha;e no ti$e to wait9@ he snapped8 >Tell $e where this far$er can 7e fo nd9 and 4 will see+ hi$ o t8@ The 7oys% $other s$iled and said9 >Co $ay find $y h s7and near the $ain s< are of the $ar+et down in the Village8 4t is not far9 perhaps half an ho r%s ride8@ She pa sed9 and the . +e $ade to lea;e 7 t stopped as she contin ed8 >4 a$ certain for an i$portant $an s ch as yo rself9 ti$e is < ite precio s8@ She s$iled +indly9 7 t it was e;ident to The Three )rothers that their $other did not li+e the . +e ;ery $ ch8 >Co need not ride all the way to the ;illage to spea+ with $y h s7and8 Co $ay tell $e whate;er it is yo need to tell hi$9 and 4 will 7e $ore than happy to pass the $essage along8@ The . +e la ghed $irthlessly8 >'ada$9 4 co$e 7earing news of great i$portance regarding yo r far$8 4 do thin+ 4 sho ld spea+ to the $an of the ho se8@ The 7oys% $other was nr ffled8 >4 nderstand yo r rel ctance9 sir9@ she replied9 >7 t this far$ 7elongs to 7oth $y h s7and and $e8 4t was gi;en to s 7y $y $other9 and we share all of the responsi7ilities that co$e along with it8@ 5er ;oice was 7ree/y9 7 t her eyes flashed as she spo+e8 >!hate;er news yo ha;e 7ro ght9 yo $ay tell $e8 5owe;er9 if yo insist pon $eeting $y h s7and9 the path that r ns in front of o r ho se will lead yo directly to Village in the Valley8@ The . +e%s cold9 green eyes t rned a $isty gray that rese$7led a s $$er stor$ clo d8 E st then9 the fa$ily%s large9 7lac+ cat darted fro$ the open +itchen door9 strea+ed lightning fast past the 7oys9 and slipped nder the fence that s rro nded the e6pansi;e ;egeta7le garden8 The . +e sat tall on his $assi;e horse9 loo+ing down at the 7oys% $other8 The e6pression on his face was a $i6t re of conte$pt and glee8 5is en:oy$ent was apparent as he spo+e8 >'y dear lady9 4 sincerely dis7elie;e that a $e$7er of the wea+er se6 s ch as yo rself is $entally capa7le of nderstanding the infor$ation 4 ha;e co$e to i$part8 Since yo are so insistent9 howe;er9@ he contin ed with a sneer9 >4 will 7e $ore than happy to infor$ yo 8@ 5is steely green eyes flashed as he went on8 >4t is $y honor to anno nce on 7ehalf

of Ding 'aridi s9 r ler of all Chancell7erry9 that the ta6es on this far$ are past d e8 The +ing has no record of any contri7 tion 7eing paid at all for the entire d ration of yo r residence here8 Therefore9 yo are to pay the s $ of 2* gold Rea$as9 or the +ing will 7e forced to sei/e yo r property8@ The 7oys% $other stood d $7fo nded8 She was not hiding her feelings well now9 as she gaped at the . +e in a$a/e$ent8 The . +e snorted in delight8 >4 +new yo r $ind was far too delicate to process s ch $atters8@ 5e t rned away to face the silent $en who acco$panied hi$8 >3et s proceed to the ;illage8 5opef lly9 the far$er will not 7e as di$witted as his wife and children8@ The 7oys% $other fl shed red with anger and < ic+ly regained her ;oice8 >#ow9 listen here9 $ister9@ she 7egan9 7 t the . +e%s sharp ;oice c t her off $id-sentence8 >'ada$9 4 ha;e dallied eno gh on acco nt of yo r ignorance8 4 ha;e no $ore ti$e to waste8@ And with that9 the . +e and his g ards t rned on the spot and rode off at a gallop9 lea;ing the 7oys and their $other 7ef ddled in a clo d of d st8 FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F The . +e and his g ards rode the short distance to Village in the Valley in less than the half an ho r the 7oys% $other had predicted8 The i$$ense 7ea ty of the trail on which they rode o;erwhel$ed $ost tra;elers who passed along it8 .ense pine forests lined either side of the wide9 flat dirt path8 S$all tri7 taries that ran downhill to the large !illia$s Ri;er crossc t the roadway at odd angles8 S$all waterfalls s rro nded 7y cl $ps of ferns and $oss-co;ered roc+s9 and wild ani$als were a co$$on sight8 At one point9 the ri;er far 7elow was ;isi7le8 4ts white r shing rapids slowed to cal$ green pools within $eters8 !ater cascaded slowly down sli$y green 7o lders9 which reached s+yward and ended in tree line8 All this 7ea ty9 howe;er9 was lost on the . +e and his $en8 They rode hard and fast and did not notice any of their scenic s rro ndings8 They cli$7ed p another hill thro gh large trees and nder7r sh9 and then the trail descended slightly8 At the end of the ridge was a clearing9 and then the trail c t right to go down the other side of the $o ntain8 Village in the Valley lay 7elow8 4t stretched o t 7efore the$ a s$attering of tiny wooden and stone ho ses nestled a$ong the nd lating green hills that rolled infinitely in e;ery direction8 The s n was cli$7ing higher in the s+y9 and the . +e pa sed to ga ge their distance8 >Another fi;e or ten $in tes9@ he said9 t rning to the large g ard on his left8 >That is9 if this trail leads straight down the hill8 !ho +nows how $any twists and t rns these 7 $p+ins ha;e 7 ilt in this roadA They see$ to +now nothing8 4nstead of these incessant c r;es winding p the hill9 they co ld ha;e $ad a nice straight road8@ =6asperated9 he $ ttered9 >'o ntain people8@ The . +e was regretta7ly ignorant of so$ething the G$o ntain people% he so la$ented had +nown for generations8 4f the gradient of the trail is too steep9 it 7eco$es i$passa7le

and prone to landslides8 The 7est option is to create long9 c r;ing paths that gently ascend and descend the face of the $o ntains8 1naware of this9 the . +e and his $en rode off down the c r;ing trail9 c rsing it all the way9 nder a canopy of fresh green spring lea;es9 the 7ea ty of which they ne;er noticed9 not e;en for an instant8 FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F Agni9 Aryan and Ansh sat at their long wooden +itchen ta7le go77ling down their l nches as fast as their s$all $o ths wo ld allow8 Their $other had pro$ised the$ they wo ld all go into Village in the Valley after l nch to find the 7oys% father and learn what the self-proclai$ed . +e had told hi$8 >Slowly9@ said their $other as she $o;ed an e$pty so p 7owl fro$ the ta7le and transferred it into the sin+ 7ri$$ing with soapy water8 >4f yo 7oys eat too < ic+ly9 yo will cho+e to death9 and then we%ll ne;er $a+e it into the ;illage8 There is no point in eating if we don%t appreciate o r food9@ she said8 She caref lly placed the clean 7owl on the draining 7oard to dry9 >And el7ows off the ta7le9@ she called o;er her sho lder8 4$$ediately9 all three 7oys drew their ar$s to their 7odies and slowed the pace at which they were de;o ring their sandwiches9 if only slightly8 Agni was na7le to contain his an6io s c riosity any longer8 >'a$$a9@ he said thro gh a $o thf l of sandwich9 >what do yo thin+ has happened to Ding Drinio sA !hy did the . +e say he is no longer o r +ingA@ 5e ga/ed at his $other with wide 7rown eyes8 She t rned fro$ the sin+ f ll of dishes to face her children8 =ach 7oy was co;ered in a considera7le a$o nt of cr $7s d e to their hasty eating8 She s$iled9 and dropped her eyes to e6a$ine the s$all 7l e flowers aro nd the edge of the plate she was drying8 She see$ed to 7e gi;ing so$ething considera7le tho ght8 !hen she finally spo+e9 her ;oice was light and airy9 clearly in an atte$pt to not worry her children any f rther8 >4 a$ not s re9 $y sweet 7oys9 what has 7eco$e of o r 7elo;ed Ding Drinio s8 That is so$ething 4 sho ld also ;ery $ ch li+e to +now8@ The 7oys loo+ed at each other9 concern apparent all o;er their faces9 while she contin ed8 >.o not worry9 darlings8 !e will find o t $ore fro$ yo r father when we go into the ;illage8@ She t rned 7ac+ to the sin+ f ll of dishes and said o;er her sho lder9 >#ow9 eat p8 4 ha;e so$e straw7erries and crea$ for yo for dessert8@

The Village in the Valley


As the Three )rothers entered Village in the Valley along with their $other9 they were asto nded to see it 7 stling with co$$otion8 4t loo+ed to the 7oys as if e;ery last resident of the sleepy little town and s rro nding co ntryside were $illing a7o t the

town s< are8 The $ar+et was 7lan+eted with an air of nease and filled with the h $ of people con;ersing tensely in low9 an6io s tones8 The only ti$e so $any congregated in the ;illage at once was d ring a festi;al8 The Three )rothers were shoc+ed8 As the 7oys and their $other wea;ed thro gh the crowd of people in the s< are9 it 7eca$e < ic+ly apparent the story on e;eryone%s lips was that of the arri;al of the . +e and his g ards8 2ne of their neigh7ors hailed the 7oys% $other as they passed8 >Bood afternoon9 Tho$as9@ she replied with a wa;e 7 t did not 7rea+ her pace as she led all three children thro gh the s< are filled with people8 >4%$ : st on $y way to the Cecil%s8 Boing to drop off the 7oys and find Sa$eer8@ The $an nodded and shot the 7oys% $other an nderstanding loo+8 She nodded 7ac+ and then < ic+ened her pace9 leading The Three )rothers towards the general store8 The 7oys were ;ery good friends with the owner of the general store9 Cecil8 Cecil was ** years old and had r n the only general store in all of Village in the Valley for o;er "0 years8 Cecil had 7een 7orn and raised in Village in the Valley9 7 t at the age of 209 he had set o t on a grand ad;ent re that wo ld +eep hi$ away fro$ the tiny town nestled in the heart of the forest for 10 years8 5e tra;eled to the far reaches of Chancell7erry and then on to the neigh7oring +ingdo$s and 7eyond8 5e saw $any things the residents of the sleepy ;illage had ne;er e;en drea$ed of8 5e had seen icy snow deserts9 h ge cities with tiny9 ho se-filled lanes stretching o t as far as the eye co ld see9 s nsets on sandy 7eaches8 5e had spent clear9 star-filled nights a7oard crea+ing wooden 7oats 7eing tossed a7o t on the e$pty 7lac+ ocean8 5e had tra;eled far and wide9 e6perienced and seen $any a wild and ad;ent ro s thing9 7 t lti$ately9 >an aching in his heart@ as he p t it9 7ro ght hi$ 7ac+ to Village in the Valley8 The Three )rothers de;o red Cecil%s stories of wild9 far fl ng places and wo ld often sit on the porch of the general store and enco rage hi$ to reco nt tales of his e6citing ad;ent res8 Cecil ret rned to Village in the Valley two days 7efore his 31st 7irthday8 5is parents threw a h ge party cele7rating the ret rn of their only son8 4t was an enor$o s affair9 and the entire town ca$e o t8 There was food9 wine and $ sic8 That night9 Cecil 7 $ped in to his for$er neigh7or9 'arylinn Eones8 She had 7een 1" when he left8 She was 2& now and < ite a sight prettier than the aw+ward pig-tailed to$7oy she was when he had left8 Their fi;e year age gap now see$ed li+e nothing8 Cecil $arried 'ary si6 $onths later9 and sing the contacts he had $ade d ring his tra;els9 he set p a general store and i$ported e6otic goods fro$ all o;er Chancell7erry and the s rro nding +ingdo$s8 Cecil insisted it was his way of sharing the a$a/ing e6perience of his tra;els with the rest of the town8 The addition of the general store introd ced the residents of Village in the Valley to s ch staples as cinna$on and sil+8 4t had i$$ediately 7eco$e a $eeting gro nd for residents and re$ained one for the ne6t fi;e decades8 After $any years9 one of Cecil%s sons9 Eaco79 too+ o;er operation of the store8 And altho gh Cecil insisted he co ld still r n the store all 7y hi$self9 he en:oyed his free ti$e8

5e was content to spend e;ery day at the store9 chatting p c sto$ers or sitting on the large wooden porch9 perched on the 7enches he had hewn 7y hand sing wood fro$ the s rro nding forest9 and reco nting stories of his tra;els or of his s 7se< ent life settled in the ;illage8 =;ery trip the children $ade into Village in the Valley incl ded a ;isit with Cecil on the ro gh ti$7er porch8 They wo ld spend ho rs entranced in the old $an%s stories8 >Cecil9@ called the 7oys% $other9 addressing the white- haired old $an9 >wo ld yo $ind watching the 7oys for $eA 4 $ st find their father8@ >!hy9 certainly9@ 7ea$ed the affa7le old $an8 >Than+ yo so $ ch?@ she called8 >1npleasant 7 siness going on today9@ said Cecil ca tio sly8 5e did not want to alar$ the children8 >Ces9 it is9@ said the 7oys% $other8 5er ;oice so nded tense8 >4 sho ldn%t 7e long8 Than+ yo again8 She < ic+ly +issed each 7oy on the chee+9 and with a ca tionary9 >)eha;e9@ she too+ off thro gh the 7 sy s< are in search of the 7oys% father as < ic+ly as her pregnant 7ody co ld $ane ;er8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh wal+ed p the wooden steps to the porch where Cecil was seated8 5e was tall9 and his head was co;ered in a thic+ $op of white hair8 The 7rothers were < ite fond of Cecil9 not only 7eca se of his e6citing ad;ent re stories9 7 t also 7eca se he often shared freely with the$ handf ls of pepper$int candies fro$ the large 7 rlap sac+s in the 7ac+ of the store8 Cecil lo;ed the children as well8 2;er the years9 he had co$e to loo+ forward to each ;isit with the$8 5e adored listening to their entertaining stories of playti$e on the far$8 >5ey9 Agni9@ called Cecil9 >got any riddles for $e todayA@ Cecil%s light 7l e eyes were +ind and filled with concern8 Agni co ld tell he was forcing hi$self to 7e p7eat for their sa+e8 >Ceah9 4%;e got a riddle9 a 7ig one9 @ said the 7oy with a frown8 >!ho is that . +e9 and what has happened to Ding Drinio sA@ Cecil loo+ed a 7it disappointed that his atte$pted distraction had not s cceeded8 Finally9 he spo+e8 >4t see$s so$ething awf l has 7efallen o r 7elo;ed +ing8@ 5is ;oice as d ll and hea;y9 and his eyes were dar+er than the 7oys had e;er seen8 >This . +e says he represents a socalled Ding 'aridi s8 S rely9 that can only 7e Ding Drinio s%s co sin8@

Cecil shoo+ his head8 >That rotten +id8 See$s he%s gone the sa$e way as his father8@ The Three )rothers were conf sed8 >!hat do yo $ean9 CecilA@ as+ed Agni8 The old $an sighed8 >Co see9 a long ti$e ago9 when Drinio s and 'aridi s were : st 7oys9 their fathers9 Ding Droconos and his 7rother 'arsodos9 7attled for the throne8 Droconos was rightf lly the +ing of Chancell7erry9 7 t 'arsodos was not content 7eing : st the prince8 So he tried to ta+e the crown fro$ his 7rother8 The 7attle did not last long9 and Ding Droconos was +ind to 'arsodos after he lost8 Co see9 'arsodos%s wife9 'aridi s%s $other9 had : st died8 Bood old Droconos fig red that 'arsodos didn%t really want to 7e +ing8 5e was : st heart7ro+en and ta+ing it o t on his 7rother8@ >Droconos 7egged 'arsodos to stay in the castle and let 7ygones 7e 7ygones9 7 t 'arsodos was too pro d8 5e re:ected Droconos%s +indness9 left Chancell7erry City9 and disappeared into the forest to li;e in isolation8 5e ne;er ret rned9 and no one +nows what happened to hi$8@ >2ccasionally9 tra;elers thro gh the forest report seeing a large $an with wild 7lac+ hair l r+ing aro nd : st 7eyond the con;ergence of the !illia$s and the Ra:a Ri;ers8 So$e people 7elie;e it%s 'arsodos still o t there li;ing with the ani$als in the woods8 So$e people say he fo nd rede$ption in the wilderness8 !ho +nowsA A lot can happen in 2" years8@ Cecil pa sed dra$atically to stro+e the white st 77le aro nd his chin8 5e loo+ed aro nd at the children9 saw their faces rapt in attention9 and s$iled a little to hi$self8 >) t as for 'aridi s9 he was left 7ehind at the castle to 7e cared for 7y his ncle9 Droconos8 Droconos did good 7y his nephew8 5e raised Drinio s and 'aridi s as 7rothers in the castle8 The 7oys grew p together9 too+ the sa$e lessons in archery9 :o sting and 7attle planning s 7:ects in which 'aridi s e6celled8 Drinio s was always 7etter at political science and philosophy8 =;en in his yo th9 it was clear he wo ld 7e the 7est to go;ern the people8@ >As they got older9 Drinio s st died nder scholars and philosophers and wor+ed with far$ers to de;elop new $ethods of increasing crop yields in order to help feed the growing pop lation of Chancell7erry8 And of co rse9 he was lti$ately identified 7y his father to 7e his s ccessor8 >'aridi s 7eca$e a $e$7er of the Chancell7erry Ar$y9 the =lite9 they%re called8 5e was selected 7y Borgant s when he was 1"9 and when Beneral Breyson 7eca$e ar$y co$$ander9 he contin ed on 7 t was 7itterly disappointed8 The way 4 heard it9 'aridi s tho ght he sho ld 7e co$$ander9 7 t Borgant s didn%t thin+ he had the leadership s+ills8@

>!hen Droconos dies9 Drinio s 7eca$e +ing8 This angered 'aridi s8 5e%d always 7een a 7it :ealo s of Drinio s and felt a +ing sho ld 7e prepared for 7attle at a $o$ent%s notice8@ >) t that was it9@ sighed Cecil9 >'aridi s see$ed content eno gh wor+ing as a strategist in the Chancell7erry%s ar$y8 And not long after his father%s death9 Drinio s $arried a 7ea tif l yo ng wo$an who wor+ed as a teacher in the school of Chancell7erry City8 Drinio s wor+ed with his wife to i$pro;e the c rric l $ aro nd the +ingdo$ and ens re e;ery child had the sa$e ed cation that he recei;ed at the Royal School8 !ithin a year9 the new school syste$ was p and r nning9 pro;iding high < ality ed cation to $asses of children8 Sadly9 not long after9 the < een died in a tragic accident8@ >Drinio s dealt with the death of his wife pretty well8 5e threw hi$self into his wor+ and has greatly i$pro;ed the +ingdo$9 and he has 7een a de;oted father to his da ghter9 Princess Priya8 The +ing contin ally co$es p with ways to i$pro;e life for e;eryone in Chancell7erry9 and the +ingdo$ has ne;er e6perienced s ch happiness and prosperity8 ) t now9@ Cecil loo+ed tired9 >it appears 'aridi s has o;erthrown Ding Drinio s9 no do 7t with the help of the arrogant . +e he%s sent here to collect so-called ta6es fro$ s all8 Threatening to sei/e o r land if we don%t hand it o;er8@ Cecil $ ttered8 >) t why does he need to collect ta6esA@ as+ed Agni8 Cecil loo+ed at the 7oys9 ns re of what to say8 >!ell9 4 don%t rightly +now8 And anyway9 4%$ not s re if 4%$ the right person to tell yo this8 Perhaps yo r $other or fatherH@ >Tell s9 please?@ 7egged Ansh8 >!e ha;e to +now?@ >Ces9@ agreed Agni9 >and $a$$a and pappa sho ldn%t ha;e to 7e the ones who 7rea+ the 7ad news to s8@ >Ceah9@ Aryan chi$ed in8 >!hat are ta6es anywayA@ Cecil considered Ansh8 5e was only se;en years old 7 t loo+ed considera7ly yo nger9 d e in large part to the flowing $asses of c rls that cascaded down his to the $iddle of his 7ac+8 The disparity 7etween his appearance and relati;e $at rity was often re;ealed in the least li+ely of sit ations li+e this one8 The s$all 7oy was staring intently at Cecil with his large 7rown eyes8 >Ta6es9@ said Cecil9 >are $onies or other ;al a7les li+e :ewels or food that are collected to gi;e to the +ingdo$8 2f co rse9 Ding Drinio s ne;er as+ed for s ch donations8 The Royal Far$s s pply $ore than eno gh food9 cloth9 and pro;isions for the entire castle%s pop lation8 The s rpl s is gi;en to the +ingdo$8 2f co rse9 we often send the finest of o r har;est as a contri7 tion to the +ing9 and any gold or :ewels in Chancell7erry are s ally sent to the castle8@ The 7oys loo+ed s rprised8 >!e don%t do this 7eca se we feel we ha;e to do so9@ Cecil reass red the$8 >!e do it 7eca se we lo;e the +ingdo$ so

$ ch8 And what se are gold and :ewels to people li+e sA !e prefer o r great +ing to ha;e these fancy adorn$ents to 7ea tify o r capital city and the castle8@ Cecil wagged a finger8 >4n fact9 if 4 recollect correctly9 there was a treas re tro;e fo nd on yo r far$ not too long ago8 .own near the far end of the strea$8 Co r parents sent it off to the castle for Chancell7erry .ay9 4 do 7elie;e8@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh e6changed astonished loo+s8 >2n o r far$A@ as+ed Agni8 >2h9 yes9@ said Cecil8 >There was a large < antity of gold fo nd in the strea$8 4 thin+ there were so$e e$eralds or sapphires also8 4 can%t re$e$7er8 Co r parents sent the :ewels along with so$e cheese8 I ite delicio s9 that cheese8@ Aryan was conf sed8 >) t if 'a$$a and Pappa ha;e gi;en so $ ch gold9 why is the . +e saying we owe ta6es for the far$A@ Cecil sighed8 5is s ally yo ng loo+ing face 7etrayed his tr e age8 >That is a diffic lt < estion9 Ari8@ There was sadness in his e;ery sylla7le8 >So$e people are ne;er happy with what they ha;e8 They cannot 7e content with : st ha;ing eno gh8 They always want $ore8 Their h nger is insatia7le9 and 7eca se of this9 they can ne;er 7e happy8@ >'y g ess is 'aridi s has o;erthrown o r 7elo;ed +ing in an atte$pt to fill this e$ptiness in his life9@ Cecil said8 >4 a$ s re he < ic+ly disco;ered that his nending desire and sadness did not ;anish after 7eco$ing Ding9 and so he has sent this . +e off in search of $ore treas re and riches to try to $a+e hi$self feel co$plete8@ The Three )rothers were astonished8 4t co ldn%t 7e so8 Ding Drinio s o;erthrownA >2f co rse9@ Cecil contin ed9 >no a$o nt of gold or :ewels will e;er fill the ;oid in 'aridi s%s heart9 7 t 4 a$ s re he is naware of that8 A person can ne;er ha;e eno gh of what they do not need8 All the riches in the Royal Treas ry wo ld not $a+e hi$ happy8@ Agni eyed Cecil closely8 >!hat%s the Royal Treas ryA@ >The Royal Treas ry is where all the ;al a7les gi;en to the +ingdo$ are stored8 4t is located inside of Chancell7erry Castle8 Anyone who wished to do so co ld go and ;iew the ;ast riches of the +ingdo$8 Tho gh 4 a$ s re now 'aridi s has the Treas ry nder loc+ and +ey8% Cecil%s story was interr pted 7y the 7oys% $other calling for the$ fro$ across the s< are8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh loo+ed p and saw their parents wal+ing < ic+ly towards the$

and loo+ing tense8 The Three 7rothers < ic+ly asse$7led the$sel;es and prepared to lea;e8 >Than+ yo for watching the children9 Cecil9@ said the 7oys% $other as she reached the 7otto$ of the steps8 She then loo+ed at the children and said9 >Co$e on9 $y darlings8 3et s get ho$e to s pper8@ The Three )rothers said good7ye to their elderly friend and started down the wooden steps8 S ddenly9 Agni stopped and t rned8 >Cecil9@ he as+ed9 the fear of his < estion ;isi7le on his yo ng face9 >what do yo thin+ has 7eco$e of Ding Drinio sA@ The old $an shoo+ his head9 loo+ing sadder than the 7oys had e;er seen8 >4 do not +now9 Agni9@ he ad$itted8 Tears 7ri$$ed in his pale 7l e eyes8 >All we can do is hope he is well and will ret rn to s soon8 Bo on now8 R n ho$e8 4 will see yo to$orrow8@ The 7oys t rned and wal+ed down the steps9 setting off with their parents for their far$ 7y the strea$8

A Plan of Action
The Three )rothers ate their s pper in relati;e silence8 The occasional sl rp of stew was the only so nd to 7rea+ the n s al silence8 Their father tired to cheer the$ p8 >Co +now9 7oys9@ said their father8 >4 saw so$e 7ea tif l trilli $s growing on the shady side of the strea$ the other day8 Co can go and pic+ the$ to$orrow for yo r $other8 4 7et she wo ld appreciate it8 She co ld pro7a7ly p t the$ in a ;ase 7y the +itchen window8@ 5e grinned at his wife who s$iled 7ac+8 The 7oys had 7ro+en fo r of their $other%s ;ases9 accidentally of co rse9 7y +noc+ing the$ fro$ the +itchen window with ;ario s 7alls and once with an errant cow patty8 Their father%s h $or9 howe;er9 did not a$ se the$8 >Pappa9@ as+ed Agni9 >2* gold Rea$as is a lot of $oney9 isn%t itA@ All three children ga/ed so intently at their father that he +new he had to 7e honest8 3ying to spare their feelings was not an option8 The far$er sighed8 >Ces9 it is < ite a 7it9@ he said9 sha+ing his head8 >' ch $ore than we ha;e8@ Agni frowned8 The 7oys had only once in their li;es seen a gold Rea$a9 when a $an fro$ Chancell7erry .airy had co$e to 7 y the calf of their ;ery 7est cow8 They had 7een a$a/ed at the si/e of the glittering gold coin9 al$ost as 7ig as Aryan%s hand9 shi$$ering in the s nlight8

The 7oys relapsed into a st nned silence8 Their father tried once $ore to 7righten the $ood8 >.o not worry9 $y 7ra;e 7oys8 !e will fig re so$ething o t8 Co r $other and 4 will get the $oney8 The . +e has gi;en s ntil the S $$er Festi;al to co$e p with it8@ >And what happens if we do not get itA@ as+ed Aryan8 The 7oys% parents e6changed glances8 This ti$e9 their father hesitated to tell his children the tr th8 >4f we cannot find the $oney9@ their $other said9 finally 7rea+ing the silence9 >the . +e will sei/e o r far$ on 7ehalf of the +ing8@ The children were a$a/ed8 Aryan%s $o th dropped open8 >!e will ha;e no place to li;eA@ as+ed Ansh8 >.o not worry9@ said the 7oys% father soothingly8 >!e will $anage8 As long as we ha;e each other9 we will 7e fine8@ 5e nodded his head and ga;e his wife a deter$ined loo+8 She reached o t and too+ his hand with a reass ring s$ile8 The 7oys contin ed to loo+ concerned9 and their father desperately wanted to cheer the$ p8 >4 do not +now a7o t yo 7oys9 7 t 4%$ dying to try that 7l e7erry pie yo r $other has $ade8 5ow a7o t it9 darlingA@ The 7oys% $other retrie;ed the pie and placed genero s slices on each 7oy%s plate8 She then topped each gooey ch n+ with a large spoon of whipped crea$8 The 7oys ate their pie9 7 t they did not en:oy it with their s al enth sias$8 And no one as+ed for a second helping8 After dinner9 the 7oys 7athed and got ready to go to sleep8 Their $other and father t c+ed the$ into their 7eds in the large roo$ they shared and +issed each 7oy on 7oth chee+s8 After the candle 7y the window was 7lown o t and their $other closed the 7edroo$ door with a >Boodnight9 $y darlings9@ the 7oys spr ng into action8 Ansh and Aryan scra$7led fro$ their 7eds and : $ped in with Agni as he threw 7ac+ his sheets8 This was a diffic lt tas+ as the 7oys% eyes had still not f lly ad: sted to the dar+8 Slowly9 the shadowy o tlines of their roo$ too+ on a $ore defined for$ as the sli;er of $oonlight po ring in their window 7etween the slit in the c rtains 7egan to ill $inate their ;ision8 >!hat do we doA@ as+ed Agni8 4t was a si$ple < estion to which the 7oys had no answer8 The children sat for a long $in te pondering8 4t was the $iddle 7rother9 Aryan9 who finally 7ro+e the silence8

>!ell9 $a$$a always says9 GCo gotta +now what yo want to fig re o t how to get it8%@ 5e loo+ed serio sly at his 7rothers8 >Bood point9@ said Agni8 >!hat do we wantA@ >!e want to +eep o r far$?@ e6clai$ed Ansh8 Agni nodded8 >Ces9 now9 how can we do thatA@ The 7oys $ lled o;er se;eral options8 Ansh s ggested G+ill the . +e%9 which was enth siastically agreed pon as the 7est idea9 7 t was lti$ately deter$ined to 7e too diffic lt of a plan to i$ple$ent owing to their lac+ of a catap lt and the si/e of the . +e%s g ards8 Aryan s ggested writing to 'aridi s and e6plaining to hi$ their sit ation8 Agni was do 7tf l8 >Fro$ what Cecil told s9 4 do 7t 'aridi s is the +ind of person who wo ld care a7o t s and o r far$8@ >Ceah9@ agreed Ansh8 >And after all9 he is the person who sent this . +e in the first place9@ Agni e6plained8 >Co are pro7a7ly right9@ Aryan shr gged8 S ddenly9 Agni was str c+ with an idea8 >4%;e got it?@ he e6clai$ed so lo dly that his 7rother had to sh sh hi$8 >Sorry9@ whispered Agni in a considera7ly softer tone8 >Re$e$7er what Cecil said a7o t the gold and :ewels that were fo nd on the far$ that $a$$a and pappa sent to Chancell7erry CityA@ Aryan and Ansh nodded8 >!ell9@ a fa$iliar glint glea$ed in his eyes9 >we can go find it in the Royal Treas ry8 Then gi;e it to the . +e to pay for the ta6es8 4t%s so si$ple8@ 5e e6clai$ed8 >4 don%t +now why 4 didn%t thin+ of it 7efore8@ Aryan and Ansh sat in silence staring at their older 7rother8 Agni%s plans were often 7rilliant and cle;er9 7 t : st as often9 they res lted in the trio getting into a lot of tro 7le8 5is yo nger 7rothers were nderstandingly apprehensi;e8 >) t9 Agni9@ said Aryan do 7tf lly9 >the Royal Treas ry is in Chancell7erry Castle8 That is really far away8 5ow wo ld we get thereA@ >!e wo ld wal+9 of co rse9@ Agni replied8 >1nless we can find so$eone willing to lend s a horse9 which pro7a7ly will not happen8 So we wal+8 4f we tra;el thro gh the forest9 it will only ta+e a few days to reach Chancell7erry City8@

4n tr th9 Agni had no way of +nowing how long it wo ld ta+e to reach Chancell7erry Castle8 5is 7rothers9 howe;er9 were e< ally as cl eless9 and Agni co nted on their ignorance to help hi$ a;oid 7eing ca ght in his white lie8 >4t will 7e f n8 3i+e a real ad;ent re9@ Agni contin ed8 >!e can pac+ so$e food and set off to$orrow night8@ 5e grew $ore e6cited and deter$ined the longer he tho ght a7o t his plan8 >!e can sa;e the far$?@ 5e e6clai$ed < ietly8 Aryan was not con;inced8 >Ta+ing treas re fro$ the Royal Treas ry is stealing9@ he said9 5e 7atted the long thic+ lashes that ringed his wide 7rown eyes8 Agni shifted his weight8 5is 7are an+les protr ded fro$ the 7otto$ of his 7l e pa:a$as8 >The way 4 see it9@ Agni e6plained9 >that treas re was sent to Ding Drinio s for all of Chancell7erry9 7 t he doesn%t ha;e it now8 'aridi s stole the treas re along with the rest of the +ingdo$ fro$ o r real +ing8 4t%s only fair that we steal it 7ac+8@ 5e contin ed $ore deter$ined that e;er8 >4t wo ld 7e li+e we were doing it for Ding Drinio s to defend his honor8 3i+e Ro7in 5ood stealing fro$ the 7ad g ys and gi;ing to the poor8@ Agni loo+ed at his 7rothers in the dar+8 Aryan appeared s+eptical9 7 t Ansh was con;inced8 >2+ay9@ said the yo ngest 7rother8 >3et%s do it8@ 2nce these words were ttered9 Aryan +new any resistance wo ld 7e f tile8 5is 7rothers always +new the 7est way to con;ince hi$ to go along with their plans8 >5ow are we going to steal fro$ the Treas ryA@ Aryan as+ed with a sigh8 Agni faltered9 7 t only slightly8 >!e will ha;e to fig re that o t when we get there9@ he replied9 and Ansh s$iled confidently8 Rel ctantly9 Aryan $ ttered9 >All right9@ to which his 7rothers s< ealed delightedly8 The 7oys spent the rest of the night planning their ad;ent re8 They wo ld lea;e the ne6t night after their parents were asleep8 They wo ld pac+ 7read9 cheese and ;egeta7les along with so$e water and head north thro gh Chancell7erry Forest towards the capital city and the castle8 The ne6t $orning9 when their $other wo+e the$ for 7rea+fast9 the Three )rothers were still drowsy fro$ their night of planning8 They were n s ally < iet d ring 7rea+fast9 so$ething their $other nor$ally wo ld ha;e noticed8 ) t fort nately for the 7oys9 she was distracted 7y the . +e%s arri;al the pre;io s day8 5er $ind was occ pied with worry how to sa;e their far$9 how to shield her sons fro$ the distress associated with their ho$e 7eing in :eopardy9 where she wo ld gi;e 7irth to her 7a7y if they lost their far$8 )eca se of her distraction9 she failed to notice her children%s n s al 7eha;ior8 She also

failed to notice as each of the three 7rothers slipped an e6tra 7isc it fro$ the plate on the ta7le into a hand+erchief which was then sho;ed into their s$all poc+ets8 After 7rea+fast9 the 7oys% $other sent the$ o t to play as she did e;ery $orning8 After depositing the food they had spirited away fro$ the ta7le in the r c+sac+s hidden caref lly nder Agni%s 7ed9 the 7oys tr dged down the stone steps that led fro$ the +itchen8 The $orning was still yo ng8 .ew h ng on the grass creating a l sh cool carpet nderneath their 7are feet8 The 7oys did not feel li+e playing8 Their $inds contin ally ret ned to their plan of lea;ing8 All three hoped desperately they co ld snea+ away witho t 7eing ca ght 7y their parents8 Aryan sat down on a stone 7y the strea$ and tossed a stic+ into the fast $o;ing water8 5e watched the tiny twig as it t rned ro nd and ro nd ca ght in a s$all eddy in the c rrent8 Then s ddenly9 it 7ro+e free and washed rapidly downstrea$ o t of sight8 5e t rned to Agni and Ansh and said9 >.o yo thin+ $a$$a and pappa will 7e ;ery angry that we are lea;ing witho t telling the$A@ The $orning s n filtered thro gh the trees and glinted on the light 7rown hair in Aryan%s c rly $op8 5e peered pward at Agni9 his innocent face awaiting a response fro$ his wise older 7rother8 >2f co rse they will 7e angry9@ said Agni9 >at first8 ) t then after we get the treas re and sa;e the far$9 $a$$a and pappa will 7e so happy that they will forget all a7o t s lea;ing witho t telling the$8 They will pro7a7ly forget we were e;en gone8@ Agni loo+ed down at Aryan who did not f lly 7elie;e their father wo ld 7e so forgi;ing8 Reading the do 7t on his 7rother%s face9 Agni persisted8 >Aryan9 we ha;e to do so$ething9@ he said8 >!e cannot let the . +e ta+e o r far$8 !e : st cannot8@ Agni%s eyes pleaded with his little 7rother8 The desperate tone in Agni%s ;oice t gged at Aryan%s heart8 >Co are right8 4 +now yo are right8 4%$ : st a little scared8@ Agni s$iled9 and Ansh 7o nced on his heels8 >There is no reason to 7e scared9@ said Agni 7rightly9 clapping a hand on Aryan%s sho lder as they 7oys $ade their way p the 7an+ and toward the filed8 >This is going to 7e so $ ch f n8 #ow9 let s go and see if we can snea+ so$e cheese o t of the cellar witho t $a$$a noticing8@ )y the ti$e the 7oys were t c+ed into 7ed that e;ening9 their r c+sac+s were filled with 7read9 cheese and ;egeta7les8 Ansh had insisted on pac+ing so$e pean ts as well8 The 7oys lay silently in their 7eds listening intently for any indication their parents $ay still 7e awa+e8 After what see$ed li+e a silent eternity9 Ansh stirred9 na7le to contain his e6cite$ent any f rther8 5e threw 7ac+ the 7lan+ets and 7egan to change his clothes in the dar+8

>All right9@ Agni whispered to his 7rothers8 >3et%s go8 4f we don%t go now9 we ne;er will8@ Agni and Aryan got o t of 7ed and 7egan to dress as well8 They p lled on shirts and tro sers as silently as possi7le9 and then st ffed an e6tra set in their r c+sac+s8 !hen they were ready to go9 the 7oys too+ one last loo+ aro nd the roo$9 wondering how long it wo ld 7e ntil they ret rned8 )efore his 7rothers co ld change their $inds9 Agni said9 >2+ay9@ t rned9 silently opened the door9 and slipped o t on tiptoe8 Ansh and Aryan gra77ed their 7ags and < ic+ly sc rried 7ehind Agni as < ietly as possi7le8 Their soc+ed feet slipped silently o;er the floor%s wooden plan+s as the 7oys glided gently down the hallway towards the hall8 2n their left was the doorway to the +itchen8 2nce o t the +itchen door9 the 7oys co ld slip on their shoes and $a+e a r n for it8 Aryan and Ansh crept slowly toward the +itchen 7 t were stopped a7r ptly 7y Agni%s whisper8 >E st a $in te9@ he $ r$ red9 7arely a di7le9 7 t it was eno gh to stop his 7rothers dead in their trac+s8 Agni crept < ietly towards their father%s large wooden c p7oard on the opposite end of the roo$8 The 7oys were for7idden to to ch the 7 rea 9 and they ne;er had8 So tr sting were their parents that9 despite the large 7rass loc+ and +ey9 when Agni%s hand to ched the gigantic handle9 he disco;ered it was not loc+ed8 Agni slowly eased the hea;y wooden door open9 gingerly edging the c p7oard open inch 7y inch to pre;ent the ancient hinges fro$ s< ea+ing8 5e $anaged to open the right side door : st eno gh to s< ee/e his s$all ar$ in8 5e peered thro gh the crac+9 spotted what he needed9 eased his ar$ in and slowly e6tracted a large white candle and a yellowed $ap of Chancell7erry Dingdo$8 Aryan and Ansh waited in an6io s silence as Agni rolled the $ap aro nd the candle and st ffed the$ 7oth in his 7ag8 5e then slowly closed the c p7oard door8 As the 7rass handle ch n+ed into place9 a lo d $etallic C31#D so nded thro gh the ho se8 Aryan : $ped9 inhaling hard9 and then slapped 7oth hands to his $o th for fear that his o t7 rst9 or the c p7oard closing9 had wo+en their parents8 The 7oys stood for a long tense $o$ent in the li;ing roo$9 listening hard for any so nds of ro sing fro$ their parents% roo$8 The $o$ent passed8 The 7oys rela6ed8 Aryan finally e6haled and slowly lowered his hands fro$ his face8 The 7oys tiptoed into the +itchen8 Agni gra77ed a handf l of $atches fro$ their holder atop the 7lac+ granite co nter as Ansh eased open the side door8 The Three )rothers e$erged into the cool night air8 They had al$ost $ade it8 Agni closed the door silently 7ehind the$8 Rapidly9 they tied their shoes9 and < ic+ as a flash9

they strea+ed across the field filled with $oonlight8 They had $ade it8 The cool air refreshed the$9 and they were filled with e6cite$ent8 The 7oys were o t of 7reath 7y the ti$e they had reached the far side of the field that 7ordered the forest8 R nning with their 7ags was not easy9 and all three 7oys happily collapsed onto a large roc+ 7y the forest edge to e6a$ine the $ap and catch their 7reath8 The $oon was al$ost f ll that night9 and its incandescent light ill $inated the field a spar+ling sil;er-green8 )y contrast9 the towering forest had 7eco$e so dar+ that it appeared to 7e one solid 7lac+ $ass8 Tree tops and tr n+s were transfor$ed into a 7lac+ $onolith that stretched endlessly o tward8 The 7oys e6a$ined the $ap9 s r;eying the 7est ro te to ta+e to reach Chancell7erry City8 >This strea$ will lead s to the !illia$s Ri;er8 4f we follow the ri;er north thro gh the forest9@ said Agni9 tracing the thin 7l e line on the ancient yellowed paper with his s$all finger9 >it sho ld ta+e s right to Chancell7erry City8@ 5e s< inted at the $ap in the $oonlight8 >This is the !illia$s Ri;er9 and this is the Ra:a8 The two $eet here9@ he said9 gest ring to a place on the $ap where the two s$all 7l e lines con;erged into one large 7l e line9 >and they flow all the way to Chancell7erry 3a+e8@ 5is finger stopped on the large 7l e la+e depicted directly 7ehind the castle at the foot of a great $o ntain range8 Agni was e6cited8 5e rolled p the $ap and caref lly ret rned it to his 7ag8 5e then hea;ed his r c+sac+ o;er his sho lder and started wordlessly into the forest8 Aryan and Ansh followed closely 7ehind hi$8 2nce the 7oys entered the forest9 they were pl nged into dar+ness8 The sil;er $oonlight was na7le to penetrate the dense canopy of new lea;es9 which left the Three )rothers cloa+ed in the pitch-7lac+ of the forest night8 They fo nd that they once easily-na;igated 7an+ that sloped to the s$all strea$ was now an o7stacle co rse of +notted roots and :agged roc+s8 They scra$7led down the 7an+9 half-slipping9 ntil they finally slid down to the sandy edge of the strea$ on the seats of their pants8 >Right9 we : st ha;e to follow the strea$ ntil it $eets the !illia$s8 Then we go north8 =;ent ally9 we will $a+e it to Chancell7erry City8@ Agni%s ;oice spo+e fro$ the dar+ened 7an+8 Aryan was frightened8 >Agni9 4 cannot see8 5ow will we do this in the dar+A@ >=;erything will 7e all right9@ Agni reass red hi$8 >Anyway9 we cannot wait ntil it is light8 !e need to get far eno gh away 7efore $a$$a and pappa wa+e p9 7eca se they will co$e loo+ing for s8 #ow9 let%s go8@ The Three )rothers set off thro gh the woods9 holding their 7ags and $o;ing in a straight line8 Agni was in the lead9 and Ansh 7ro ght p the rear8 After se;eral $in tes of st $7ling o;er roc+s and wal+ing into 7ranches9 Agni stopped and t rned to his yo nger 7rothers8

>4 cannot see a thing9@ he e6clai$ed e6asperatedly8 Aryan repressed an G4 told yo so8% >!e ha;e to $o;e faster9 or we will not $a+e it far eno gh away 7y $orning8@ 5is an6iety was palpa7le9 and his words h ng hea;y on the cool night air8 S ddenly9 Ansh was str c+ with an idea8 >Can 4 ha;e the candleA@ he as+ed Agni8 Agni hesitated9 >!e will only 7e a7le to se the candle for a little while9 Ansh8 4t will not last all night8 4 thin+ we sho ld sa;e it for an e$ergency8@ >.o not worry9@ his little 7rother replied8 Ansh s$iled9 and Agni co ld feel it thro gh the dar+ness8 5e rela6ed a little9 dropped his can;as 7ag to the gro nd9 searched o t the candle and handed it to Ansh8 >4 need a $atch9@ said Ansh8 Agni retrie;ed the s$all 7 ndled he had ta+en fro$ the +itchen co nter8 5e re$o;ed a $atch and str c+ it hard on the sole of his shoe9 hoping it wo ld light despite the dew8 The s lf r tip sprang to life and ill $inated the s rro nding forest with 7linding light8 The 7oys s< inted against the 7rightness as Ansh held the candle%s wic+ p to the $atch9 catching it afla$e8 After the candle was lit9 Ansh 7egan to search aro nd the forest floor8 Aryan and Agni watched as their little 7rother wandered aro nd holding the candle high a7o;e his head8 5e 7ent down and pic+ed p a long stic+8 5e ret rned to his 7rothers9 stic+ in hand8 >!e will $a+e a torch9@ he declared s$iling 7roadly8 >!e : st need so$ething to p t on the end of this stic+8@ Aryan reached into his 7ag and prod ced a hand+erchief8 5e held it o t and as+ed9 >!ill this wor+A@ >That is perfect9@ said Ansh8 >3et%s : st tear it into strips8@ Aryan red ced the hand+erchief to a handf l of long9 thin pieces that he handed to his 7rother8 Ansh traded the cloth pieces for the candle and instr cted Aryan to hold the light high so he co ld see8 5e then 7egan to tie 7its of hand+erchief aro nd the end of the stic+8 After tying all of the pieces into a tight 7all9 Ansh as+ed for the candle8 5e po red hot wa6 onto the cloth 7all and lit it with the 7 rning candle8 The torch ignited9 ill $inating the $ass of 7 shes in which the 7oys stood8 Ansh 7lew o t the candle and handed it along with the $a+eshift torch to Agni8 >Shall we goA@ Ansh as+ed8 5e flashed a s$ile to his i$pressed 7rothers9 and all three 7oys set off along the strea$8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh were a7le to $o;e considera7ly faster than+s to the ill $inating power of their torch9 and within twenty $in tes9 they fo nd the large !illia$s Ri;er8 Aryan was gratef l for the torch%s light9 as he was < ite afraid of the dar+8 Still9 as they pl nged rapidly thro gh the forest9 he co ld not pre;ent his ga/e fro$ periodically

scanning the s rro nding dar+ nder7r sh ner;o sly8 Any so nd9 e;en a twig crac+ing nder his own feet9 ca sed his heart to 7eat n s ally rapidly8 5e followed closely 7ehind Agni9 occasionally gra77ing his r c+sac+ for protection8 The $iddle 7rother was glad to 7e nderta+ing this trip with his $ost tr sted co$panions9 e;en tho gh it was scaring hi$ half o t of his wits8 5e +ept re$inding hi$self that he wanted this sort of ad;ent re9 and in order to 7e an ad;ent rer9 he had to 7e 7ra;e8 The Three )rothers wal+ed in al$ost total silence for what see$ed to 7e ho rs9 stopping only twice to drin+ so$e water8 They had tra;eled a long way already8 Slowly9 the 7irds aro nd the$ 7egan to wa+e and sing8 At first9 there was only one lone ;oice ringing thro gh the < iet forest8 ) t grad ally9 other song7irds :oined the first solitary trill8 Their ;oices $ingled in the cold $orning air9 :oining together ntil the forest was filled with a cacophony of song8 Thro gh the lea;es o;erhead9 the first signs of $orning light 7egan to show8 The 7oys contin ed wal+ing9 and the light filtering fro$ a7o;e grew 7righter ntil the torch was no longer needed8 Agni e6ting ished its fla$e 7y r 77ing the tip in the fresh cool earth of the ri;er7an+8 5e t rned to his 7rothers and anno nced8 >4 thin+ we sho ld stop here8 !e ha;e co$e far eno gh that $a$$a and pappa sho ld not find s8 !e can sleep for a few ho rs and then get going again 7y noon8 4 thin+8@ The three 7oys cast aro nd for a place to sleep that wo ld conceal the$ well : st in case their parents did co$e 7y in search of the$8 1lti$ately9 they decided pon a large pine tree with tall roots 7etween which they co ld all settle8 Agni leaned against the tree%s large tr n+8 5e was al$ost co$pletely hidden 7y its +notted roots8 Aryan and Ansh sat on either side of hi$9 and each 7oy rested his head on Agni%s sho lder8 !ithin $in tes9 all three children were fast asleep8 4f an o7ser;ant person had passed 7y that $orning9 they $ay ha;e spotted the three s$all 7oys h ddled together at the 7ase of the tree9 a +not of ar$s and r c+sac+ straps in their sl $7er9 shaded fro$ ;iew 7y the long9 draping 7ranches of the pine8 Fort nately for the three yo ng heroes9 the only passers7y that $orning were the 7irds and insects of the great forest8 The Three )rothers re$ained hidden for the ti$e 7eing8 FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF =;en 7efore Agni9 Aryan and Ansh had sn ggled into their tree-root 7ed9 the 7oys% parents had wo+en p to $eet the day8 Their $other rose and went into the +itchen to prepare 7rea+fast8 Their father9 the far$er9 gra77ed a c p of coffee and headed to the 7arn to $il+ the cows8 After the cows were 7athed9 $il+ed and led to the large past re9 the 7oys% father ret rned to the far$ho se where he was greeted 7y the s$ell of frying potatoes and eggs8 5e entered the +itchen thro gh the 7ac+ door and inhaled deeply the aro$a of his soon to 7e de;o red 7rea+fast8 5e +issed his wife lightly on the chee+8 >That s$ells wonderf l9@ he said with a little groan8 >4%$ so h ngry9 4 co ld eat a horse8@

The 7oys% $other grinned8 >!ell9 4%$ afraid there%s no horse for 7rea+fast9@ she said8 >2nly eggs and toast8@ >!ell9 it%s no horse9 7 t what yo %;e $ade loo+s wonderf l9@ her h s7and said8 >Than+ yo 9 darling8@ The 7oys% $other s$iled tenderly at her h s7and8 >All right then8 =;erything will 7e ready soon8 !o ld yo go and wa+e the 7oysA 4 will set he ta7le8@ The 7oys% father left the +itchen and proceeded down the hall to the children%s 7edroo$8 5e opened the door and co ld not 7elie;e what he saw8 All three 7eds were e$pty8 5e stood for a long $in te staring at the 7eds in a$a/e$ent8 5e then slowly t rned and wal+ed to the +itchen8 2n the way9 he p shed open the 7athroo$ door to see if the 7oys were there8 5e entered the +itchen where his wife was placing stea$ing 7owls of potatoes and eggs on their long wooden dining ta7le8 5e spo+e as if in a drea$9 >The 7oys are gone8@ 5is wife loo+ed p slowly8 5er s$ile faded slightly8 Then she la ghed8 >!hat do yo $ean9 darlingA Certainly9 they cannot 7e gone8@ She loo+ed at her h s7and for so$e +ind of e6planation9 7 t he was witho t words8 Reali/ation slowly spread across her face9 and she s ddenly raced past her h s7and towards the 7oys% 7edroo$8 4t was e$pty8 She went fro$ roo$ to roo$9 $ethodically chec+ing each for any sign of her children8 She cli$7ed p the steps after chec+ing the final place in the ho se they co ld 7e9 the 7ase$ent9 and raced to the +itchen as < ic+ly as her pregnant 7ody co ld $anage8 5er h s7and still stood li+e a stat e8 >'ay7e they are o tside9@ she s ggested 7reathlessly9 7 t 7oth parents +new this was not the case8 She gathered her tho ghts9 and when she spo+e9 it was with resol;e8 >Bo ro nd p the neigh7ors8 For$ a search party8@ She p lled a sweater o;er her nightdress8 >4 will start loo+ing for the$8@ And with that9 she r shed o t into the cool spring $orning9 sla$$ing the door 7ehind her8 The 7oys% parents and neigh7ors searched for the$ all day8 )y nightfall9 they were forced to ret rn8 Their parents had wanted to contin e9 7 t their neigh7ors had insisted they rest for the night8 The far$er and his wife sat at the long wooden ta7le in the +itchen8 The $orning%s 7rea+fast still re$ained cold and neaten8 Their $other was still in her nightdress9 the 7otto$ of which was wet and co;ered in $ d fro$ spending the entire day searching thro gh fields and forest8 )oth parents had nearly lost their ;oices fro$ sho ting >Agni? Aryan? Ansh?@ so often8 >4 a$ tired9@ the 7oys% $other said8 >4 thin+ 4 will go lie down8@ She got p fro$ the ta7le9 7 t instead of going to the great $aster 7ed9 she went into the 7oys% roo$ and crawled slowly into Aryan%s 7ed8 She was p lling the sheets aro nd her chin when she fo nd the note written in Aryan%s large $essy scrawl8

>'a$$a and Pappa9@ it read8 >Agni said not to write this9 7 t 4 did not want yo to worry8 !e are going to sa;e the far$8 !e will 7e 7ac+ soon8 3o;e9 Aryan8@ At the 7otto$ was another inscription8 >P8S8 Please do not 7e angry8@ The 7oys% $other cho+ed 7ac+ a la gh as she cl tched the note against her chest8 Then she 7 ried her head in the pillow that s$elled distinctly of Aryan%s hair and 7egan to cry8

The Rush of Falling Water


!hen the Three )rothers awo+e feeling h ngry9 the s n was high in the s+y8 They rose and stretched9 sha+ing sleep fro$ their s$all 7odies8 Then they wal+ed the short distance to the 7an+ of the !illia$s Ri;er where they washed their hands and faces in the cold9 clear water8 They ret ned to the clearing in which they had slept and en:oyed a late-$orning 7r nch of slightly stale 7read9 cheese and 7lac+7erries8 >4 was h ngry9@ said Ansh9 lic+ing cr $7s of cheese of his 7erry-stained fingers8 5e s$iled to his 7rothers who loo+ed e< ally satiated8 After their $eal was finished9 Agni pac+ed the re$aining food into his 7ag8 5e stood9 7r shed cr $7s fro$ his lap9 and said9 >!e had 7etter get going8@ The 7oys set off again thro gh the forest9 stic+ing close to the ri;er9 which c t a path thro gh the forest8 After an ho r or so9 the 7rothers heard the so nd of r shing water ahead of the$8 Agni loo+ed e6cited8 >Breat?@ he e6clai$ed8 >!e $ st ha;e reached the falls8 That is where the Ra:a and !illia$s Ri;ers $eet8@ 5e threw his 7ag to the gro nd and 7egan r $$aging thro gh it in search of the $ap8 @See9@ he pointed to the $ap as Aryan and Ansh stood peering o;er his sho lder8 >The Ra:a co$es fro$ the west9@ he traced the lines on the $ap with his finger8 >So we%ll ha;e to cross it and contin e north8@ Agni rolled the $ap and placed it 7ac+ in his 7ag8 Then he too+ off at f ll speed toward the so nd of r shing water8 The con;ergence of the two strea$s was a sight to 7ehold8 The 7oys 7 rst fro$ the forest at the top of a cliff and were i$$ediately in awe of the scene%s i$$ense 7ea ty8 >!ow9@ said Ansh8 >4t%s so 7ea tif l8@ )ea tif l it was8 2n their left9 the !illia$s Ri;er $o;ed gently forward and then cascaded down a series of large9 green roc+s9 s$ooth fro$ years of constantly flowing water8 4t then dropped o t of sight9 pl $$eting o;er the edge of the ledge into a 7ea tif l arcing waterfall8 As the water fell9 it created rain7ows

of $ist8 At the 7otto$ of the ledge9 the Ra:a Ri;er flowed fro$ the right to for$ a large pool at the 7otto$ of the falls8 The !illia$s swelled and contin ed peacef lly on9 $ ch larger than 7efore9 sna+ing a path o t of sight thro gh the towering trees8 >5ow do we get downA@ as+ed Aryan as he peered down the sheer drop to the water 7elow8 >!e ha;e to find a way9@ Agni said8 5is 7row was f rrowed in irritation8 5e loo+ed aro nd for a sol tion on the forest floor 7 t fo nd nothing8 >!ell9@ said Ansh finally in a ;ery $atter of fact way9 >we ha;e to find so$e way down there8 3et s go this way8@ 5e gest red to the right of where they stood8 >'ay7e we can find a place where the 7an+ isn%t so steep8@ Agni and Aryan loo+ed at the wide !illia$s Ri;er8 4ts s rface was cal$9 7 t it swept rapidly o;er the ledge8 They +new their little 7rother was right8 >2+ay8@ Agni grinned8 >3ead the way8@ 5e held o t his ar$s in a sweeping 7ow8 Ansh s$iled an ill $inating9 gap-toothed grin8 )eing the yo ngest9 he rarely got to lead the 7rothers at anything8 5e < ic+ly p lled hi$self p to his f llest height9 which was not $ ch9 and $arched off thro gh the forest in search of a passa7le path on which they co ld descend to the forest floor 7elow8 The three 7oys followed the edge of the cliff9 hoping the sheer drop wo ld taper off into a slanting hillside9 which it soon did8 !hen the gradient appeared gentle eno gh for the 7oys to tra;erse9 they headed down o;er the e$7an+$ent only to stop i$$ediately in their trac+s8 .irectly in front of the$ stood a large and ela7orately car;ed wooden arch that rose p a$ong the $any e;ergreens9 oa+s9 and poplars that cl ng precario sly to the steeply slanting slope8 1nderneath the arch was the top step of a long wooden staircase that was 7 ilt into the side of the hill8 The 7oys were astonished to see s ch a str ct re in the $iddle of the ninha7ited forest8 >That is strange9@ said Agni9 and he $o;ed closer to the arch to get a 7etter loo+8 >4 wonder what this is for8@ The Three )rothers approached the steps and e6a$ined the enor$o s arch8 4t was co;ered in e6tre$ely intricate car;ings that depicted ;ario s flora and fa na of the forest8 Aryan stood with his nose inches fro$ the wood and traced the car;ed roses with his finger8 They appeared so real that the only way to tell they were wooden was that they were 7rown8 >!ho do yo thin+ 7 ilt thisA@ as+ed Ansh8 >4 don%t +now9@ Agni replied as he ga/ed p in awe at the gigantic arch8 4t was 7ea tif l8

Ansh started down the steps8 >!here are yo goingA@ sho ted Aryan8 Ansh t rned to his 7rothers who stood hesitantly nder the great arch8 >.own the steps9@ he said si$ply8 Then he t rned and contin ed downward8 >Ansh9@ called Agni9 as he and Aryan h rried to catch p with their yo ngest 7rother9 >4 do not thin+ it is a good idea to go down this way8@ Ansh t rned again to face his 7rothers8 >!hy notA@ he as+ed innocently8 >!ell9@ said Agni slowly9 >we ha;e no idea who 7 ilt this9 or why9 or when it was 7 ilt e;en8 4t co ld 7e nsafe8 And $ost i$portantly9 we ha;e no idea where it goes8@ Agni and Aryan loo+ed worried9 7 t Ansh was nfa/ed8 >!ell9 it o7;io sly goes down9@ said Ansh9 totally npert r7ed 7y his other 7rothers% concern9 >which is the way we need to go8 So we can either try to go down the hillside here9 which is really steep and slippery9@ he pa sed 7riefly and then contin ed9 >or we can wal+ down these nice wooden steps that were pro7a7ly 7 ilt so people co ld go p and down the hill8@ Ansh wheeled aro nd to start 7ac+ down the steps and fo nd hi$self face to face with a ;ery strange loo+ing $an8 The $an9 if the creat re 7efore hi$ was indeed a $an9 had arri;ed nnoticed o t of nowhere8 The children stood a$a/ed and na7le to spea+8 >That is e6actly why these steps were 7 ilt9@ the $an said8 5is ;oice was so nded li+e wind 7lowing thro gh treetops8 Aryan shr n+ 7ac+ 7ehind Agni as his older 7rother $o;ed ca tio sly forward and placed his hand on Ansh%s sho lder8 The creat re 7efore the$ was definitely the oddestloo+ing person they had e;er seen8 5e was not $ ch taller than Ansh9 tho gh he see$ed to 7e a f lly grown ad lt8 5e was thin 7 t $ sc lar9 and his s+in and hair were green and had a ;einy < ality that rather re$inded Aryan of a plant%s leaf8 5is chest was 7are nder a 7rown ;est9 and he wore short pants that appeared to 7e $ade of lea;es8 >!ho are yo A@ 7l rted Ansh9 7 t as soon as the words were o t of his $o th9 he wanted to swallow the$ right 7ac+ in8 This $an scared hi$9 and he did not want to offend the strange creat re8 >4 co ld as+ yo the sa$e thing9@ said the $an9 so nding a$ sed8 The 7oys stood staring8 They were poised to r n away 7 t fro/en to the spot8 After a long and nco$forta7le pa se9 the $an as+ed9 >!o ld yo children care to tell $e what yo are doing o t here in the forest aloneA@ The 7oys hesitated8 They wo ldn%t dare tell this stranger a7o t their secret $ission of treas re stealing9 7 t they had to tell hi$ so$ething8 1lti$ately9 fear of what the odd

green $an $ight do to the$ if they ref sed to answer o tweighed any reser;ations they had a7o t re;ealing their plan9 at least in part8 >4 a$ Agni9@ said the 7oy9 stepping forward a little8 >These are $y 7rothers9 Aryan and Ansh8@ Agni faltered9 nwilling to go on8 The s$all $an saw Agni str ggling and ca$e to his resc e8 >Breetings8 4 a$ A7hinor of the Forest #y$ph Colony8 3et $e ass re yo 4 $ean yo no har$8 Co see$ shoc+ed8 Perhaps yo ha;e ne;er 7efore $et a ny$ph8@ The Three )rothers shoo+ their heads in nison8 >As 4 s spected9@ replied A7hinor with a s$ile8 5is teeth were especially white8 >!e ny$phs rarely interact with h $ans8@ Tho gh the children were initially affronted 7y A7hinor%s strange appearance9 after seeing hi$ s$ile9 they were instantly at ease8 5is s$ile radiated a gentle 7ene;olence that reass red the sha+en threeso$e8 >So now 4 +now yo r na$es9 and yo +now $ine8 4 a$ a wood ny$ph9 so $y place is o7;io sly here in the forest8 ) t yo 7oys9@ he s r;eyed the children9 noting their dirty tro sers and hea;y r c+sac+s9 >certainly see$ to 7e strangers here8 !hat 7rings yo o t this far into the forestA@ Agni decided to tell the tr th8 So$ething in A7hinor%s green face and deep 7rown eyes told hi$ he co ld tr st the ny$ph8 Tho gh he was certain that after hearing the tale9 A7hinor wo ld thin+ they were cra/y8 >!e are trying to sa;e o r far$9@ he 7egan9 a hint of rel ctance in his ;oice8 >Co see9 so$ething has happened to o r +ing9 Drinio s9 and now there%s this . +e who says he wor+s for the new +ing9 'aridi s9 who is apparently Drinio s%s co sin8 And the new +ing wants 2* gold Rea$as9 or they will +ic+ s off o r far$8 So we are on o r way to Chancell7erry City to see if we can stop the$8@ 5e stopped short of telling the ny$ph e6actly what they planned to do in the capital city8 Stealing fro$ the Royal Treas ry was not so$ething he was co$forta7le ad;ertising to strangers8 A7hinor stood loo+ing at the 7oys critically8 Co ld they 7e telling the tr thA 5e opened his $o th to in< ire f rther9 7 t : st then a s$all f rry 7all strea+ed thro gh the air and collided with A7hinor8 5e loo+ed down at the tiny creat re that was now in his ar$s8 >2h9 Corneli s?@ e6clai$ed the ny$ph as the ani$al lic+ed his face8 >Co startled $e8@ A7hinor dropped the golden 7 ndle onto the step at his feet8 The creat re sat wagging its long9 fl ffy tail8 Ansh was fascinated 7y the odd-loo+ing ani$al8 4ts coat was pale 7rown and white and was c rled into tiny ringlets all o;er its s$all 7ody8 The creat re%s 7ody was slee+ li+e a cat9 7 t it had the long9 floppy ears of a ra77it8 >!hat is thatA@ as+ed Ansh8

>This is Corneli s9@ said A7hinor8 5e glanced down at his loyal pet8 >5e%s a Bl spin8@ Corneli s the Bl spin $ade an n s al noise that so nded si$ilar to a 7a7y la ghing8 A7hinor ch c+led9 as if he%d : st heard a rather a$ sing :o+e9 and to Agni and Aryan%s great s rprise9 Ansh giggled as well8 >!hat are yo la ghing atA@ as+ed Agni nder his 7reath8 Ansh s ppressed his la ghter long eno gh to e6plain8 >5e $ade a :o+e8 A7o t $y ears8@ Agni loo+ed conf sed8 >!ell9 they are pretty 7ig9@ Ansh said9 his eyes still spar+ling fro$ la ghter8 >Really9 Corny9 it%s not ;ery nice to $a+e f n of people who are g ests in o r forest9@ A7hinor scolded8 >4t%s all right8@ Ansh flashed his gap-toothed grin8 >!hat are yo tal+ing a7o tA@ Agni as+ed Ansh9 still staring at his little 7rother8 A7hinor : $ped in8 >4 forget8 Co h $ans cannot nderstand Bl spinese8 4t%s a sha$e9 really9 7eca se it is < ite a 7ea tif l lang age8@ Then he loo+ed at Ansh appraisingly8 >) t yo see$ed to nderstand8@ Ansh shr gged8 5e was < ite sed to nderstanding the nspo+en words of ani$als8 5e fre< ently spo+e to the $yriad of pets cats9 dogs9 horses and cows that li;ed on their far$8 So$eti$es9 he spo+e to the pigs too8 Agni and Aryan stared at their yo ngest 7rother8 Conf sion was apparent on their faces8 A7hinor ga/ed at the s$all 7oy with a $i6t re of dis7elief and appro;al8 S$iling9 he slipped an ar$ aro nd Ansh%s sho lders and 7egan to lead the Three )rothers down the wooden stairway8 >Co 7oys had 7est co$e with $e8 !e ha;e $ ch to disc ss8@ >2h9 4%$ sorry8 !e cannot9@ said Agni9 h rrying to catch p with the wood ny$ph8 >Co see9 we are act ally in < ite a r sh8@ A7hinor t rned aro nd8 5is face was serio s8 >There are gra;ely i$portant $atters we $ st disc ss9 yo ng $an8 There are things yo $ st +now 7efore yo contin e with yo r :o rney9 and 4 ha;e so$e < estions for yo as well8 )esides9@ he said :o;ially9 clapping Ansh%s sho lder with his s$all green hand9 >there are perhaps a few things to disc ss with yo r 7rother here as well8@ The 7oys followed A7hinor down the weathered wooden steps8 S nlight filtered tho gh the s rro nding tress in long slanting shafts that fell in pools on the large cl $ps of fern on the forest floor8 4t was already afternoon8 Aryan%s sto$ach gr $7led9 and he wondered how long it had 7een since their h $7le 7rea+fast8

>Co $ay stay at the ca$p tonight8 4t appears yo are in need of so$e food and rest9 and perhaps a 7ath8@ A7hinor loo+ed again at the dishe;eled 7oys8 Stic+s st c+ at odd angles fro$ Aryan%s c rly loc+s8 >!e can get those clothes washed as well8@ >That is ;ery nice of yo 9@ said Aryan9 gratef l at the prospect of a hot $eal8 >!e slept in the roots of a tree this $orning9 and it is not as co$forta7le as a 7ed8@ Aryan r 77ed his nec+9 s ddenly re$inded that it was aching8 A7hinor ch c+led and r ffled Aryan%s hair9 which ca sed the 7oy to d c+ away slightly8 >4 a$ s re it was ;ery nco$forta7le for yo 9@ he e$pathi/ed9 nodding his head sy$pathetically8 The Three )rothers followed A7hinor down what see$ed to 7e an endless series of steps8 2ccasionally9 they passed ad:oining staircases that led off in different directions into the forest8 At the entrance to each set of steps was a large arch li+e the one at the top of the hill8 Biant and ela7orately car;ed9 each towering arch 7ore a different set of car;ings8 So$e were adorned with depictions of ri;ers9 and so$e were co;ered in tiny hand-hewn flowers8 Aryan decided he 7est li+ed the arch which had pine trees engra;ed on its s rface8 The firs were i$$ac lately detailed8 =ach needle was indi;id ally car;ed9 and a ;ast ;ariety of different pine trees were represented8 >These arches are so 7ea tif l9@ said Aryan who was 7eing n s ally tal+ati;e8 >Than+ yo 9@ said A7hinor8 >4 a$ s re the artists who car;ed these will 7e $ore than happy to hear s ch praises8 Tonight yo can $eet a few of the$ if yo %d li+e8@ Aryan was ecstatic8 5e lo;ed art9 and the tho ght of $eeting a real life artist was terri7ly e6citing8 >A7sol tely?@ Aryan agreed enth siastically8 A7hinor s$iled8 >Fine9 then8 4 will arrange it8@ >=6c se $e9 A7hinor8@ Agni9 who had 7een hanging 7ac+ and ta+ing in the forest9 r shed forward to spea+ with the wood ny$ph8 >4 was wondering what these arches are for8@ 5e loo+ed down at the short green $an8 >That is a ;ery good < estion9 Agni9@ A7hinor replied8 5e wal+ed stiffly pright with his hands clasped 7ehind his 7ac+8 Agni noticed for the first ti$e he had a 7ag sl ng o;er his sho lder8 5e replied in a scholarly tone as if gi;ing a lect re8 >Co see9 the pri$ary o7:ecti;e for all nat re ny$phs is to protect the wild li;ing things8 !e wood ny$phs protect the forests9 the !ater Forest ny$phs protect the !ater Forests9 and so on8@ 5e pa sed for a $o$ent and wal+ed in silence staring p at the 7ea tif l green lea;es o;erhead8 5is s$ile softened8 >4 grew p o t here in nat re9 as do all ny$phs8 'y childhood was spent 7arefoot on the forest floor9 playing with stic+s9 : $ping in piles of dead lea;es8@

>E st li+e s?@ e6clai$ed Ansh e6citedly8 5is words r shed o t in a torrent8 >!e play stic+ fights 7y the strea$ all the ti$e8 And we hate to wear shoes9@ he added e$phatically8 The 7oys glanced down at their feet clad in their leather footwear8 All three 7oys noticed si$ ltaneo sly and for the first ti$e that their new co$panion was not wearing any shoes8 A7hinor followed the 7oys% ga/e fro$ their feet to his and la ghed8 The children 7egan giggling as well8 They la ghed for < ite so$e ti$e9 and when they finally regained their 7reath9 Ansh wiped away a tear and said9 >That%s the $ost we%;e la ghed since we started this trip8@ >4 +now9@ said Agni8 5e then t rned to A7hinor and said9 >Co didn%t finish telling s a7o t the arches8@ >4 did notA@ A7hinor as+ed9 a$ sed at his own forgetf lness8 >Forgi;e $e9 7 t things are often not so straightforward8 ' ch li+e the ra$7ling strea$s or twisting ;ines yo find growing in this ;ery forest9 so$e stories $ st 7e told in an indirect fashion8 4t is only after yo co;er a lot of gro nd that yo $ay reach yo r end destination8 4n fact9 $ost things do not flow in straight lines8 > The Three )rothers were conf sed9 7 t they let A7hinor contin e ninterr pted8 >S ch is the story of o r Arches8 Co $ st first nderstand the heart of a ny$ph 7efore yo will +now the significance of o r Arches8@ A7hinor s$iled gently at the children9 searching for any sign of nderstanding on their yo ng open faces8 >4t is 7eca se we so lo;e the wild li;ing things that we dedicate o r li;es to ens ring their protection and har$ony8 !e are their conser;ators8@ >!hat do yo protect the$ fro$A@ as+ed Agni8 A7hinor loo+ed sad8 >4 a$ sorry to say9 7oys9 7 t $ost often9 we protect the$ fro$ h $ans8@ The 7oys were shoc+ed8 >!hat do yo $eanA@ as+ed Aryan9 eyes wide8 >!ell9 yo see9 h $ans are ;ery intelligent9@ A7hinor e6plained delicately9 >so it is ;ery easy for the$ to o ts$art the wild li;ing things8 The h $ans se their $ighty 7rains to create grand and ela7orate in;entions that so$eti$es in: re the plants and tress8@ >) t why wo ld anyone want to do thatA@ Ansh as+ed9 his 7rown eyes wide8 >That is also a ;ery good < estion9@ A7hinor replied8 >4 ha;e often as+ed $yself that e6act sa$e thing8 Fro$ $y o7ser;ations9 it see$s that the h $ans are : st too s$art for their own good8 They rely so $ ch on their intelligence and see$ to ha;e forgotten that so$e things cannot 7e nderstood with logic alone8@

>3i+e whatA@ as+ed Agni8 >!ell9@ said the wood ny$ph9 >7ea ty9 for e6a$ple9 and lo;e8@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh $ade faces8 Their reaction a$ sed A7hinor so that the ny$ph la ghed a lo d ringing la gh that echoed thro gh the < iet forest8 >2h9 no9 children9@ he said with a ch c+le8 >Co ha;e $is nderstood8 4 did not $ean ro$antic lo;e8 5 $ans see$ to nderstand that well eno gh9 with all the falling in lo;e that happens a$ong the$8 ) t that is only one +ind of lo;e8 4 was referring to the lo;e one finds in si$plicity9 in acts s ch as lying on yo r 7ac+ and staring at the s n thro gh the forest canopy9 or letting the clear water of the strea$ po r o;er yo r fingers8 All of these things are 7ea tif l9 all are $anifestations of lo;e9 7 t $ost h $ans 7eco$e so in;ol;ed with their intellect that they forget these things can stir their hearts8 .oes this $a+e sense to yo A@ The 7oys were conf sed8 >) t we do those things all the ti$e8 They are f n?@ said Ansh8 >That is correct? They are f n?@ said A7hinor happily8 >Co are ;ery good 7oys8 4 a$ < ite glad 4 ha;e $et yo 8@ >) t9@ said Agni9 >yo still ha;en%t told s what these arches are for8@ A7hinor la ghed at hi$self again8 >2h9 $y9 4 a$ 7eco$ing forgetf l in $y old age8@ The Three )rothers loo+ed at hi$ c rio sly8 >!ell9 4 a$ not that old9@ he ch c+led8 >Tho gh 4 a$ starting to get so$e yellow hairs9@ he said9 r nning a hand o;er a honey-colored patch in his dar+ green $op8 >Anyway9@ he contin ed9 >it is 7eca se of this lo;e of wild 7ea ty that we dedicate o r li;es to its protection8 And in o r desire to ens re its safety9 the nat re ny$phs far and wide wor+ together9@ he swept his hand in an incl si;e gest re9 >can;assing forests9 and fields9 and sandy 7eaches for any sign of threat we co ld pre;ent9 or disaster we co ld a;ert8 So$eti$es9 we tra;el great distances8 So we created a ;ast networ+ of stairways9 7eca se it is easy to get lost8 The car;ings on the Arches tell s which direction a staircase leads8@ >That is aweso$e9@ said Agni9 greatly i$pressed with not only the arches9 7 t with A7hinor%s winding response8 >!ell9 we $ade it9@ A7hinor anno nced8 The children loo+ed down8 #ot far away9 the wooden steps ended at another great Arch8 )eyond it was a collection of $iniat re wooden str ct res nestled in a clearing of large towering pines8 So$e 7 ildings were $ade of wood9 so$e of $oss and stone8 So$e were on the gro nd9 and others were 7 ilt in the 7ranches of the trees the$sel;es8 The 7oys stared in a$a/e$ent8

>This is where we stay9 the wood ny$phs of Chancell7erry Forest8 This is o r ca$p8 .o yo li+e itA@ The 7oys $anaged a wea+ nod that $ade A7hinor grin war$ly8 ) t in fact9 they did li+e the ca$p ;ery $ ch8

The Wood Nymphs Camp


A7hinor led Agni9 Aryan and Ansh down the last few step9 7eneath the large wooden arch adorned with car;ings of tall trees9 and into the wood ny$ph%s ca$p8 The 7oys loo+ed aro nd9 trying to ta+e in as $ ch as their eyes wo ld allow8 The ca$p was a$a/ing9 and all three 7rothers i$$ediately felt it wo ld 7e a wonderf l place to li;e8 Aryan ga/ed p at the wooden str ct res perched high in the 7ranches of the trees towering a7o;e the$8 Another wood ny$ph9 a ;ery short $an whose s+in was $ ch dar+er green than A7hinor%s9 crossed o;er the clearing on a swinging 7ridge $ade of twisted ;ines8 5e spotted the children and A7hinor9 and raised a hand to wa;e8 5is e6pression was one of a$ se$ent8 >!ell9 hello there9 A7hinor9@ the dar+ green $an called8 >Co had an e;entf l e6pedition today9 thenA@ 5e eyed the 7oys and grinned 7roadly9 and A7hinor la ghed8 >4 certainly did9@ he called 7ac+8 >4 will tell yo all a7o t it tonight o;er dinner8@ A7hinor wa;ed good7ye to the ny$ph on the ;ine 7ridge who sal ted 7ac+ and started off again8 Agni loo+ed aro nd8 The ;ine 7ridge on which the $an had 7een standing was part of a h ge networ+ s spended in the air a7o;e the$8 4nterconnected 7ridges ran in all directions8 So$e crisscrossed o;er the clearing9 while others lead off into the woods8 The Three )rothers fo nds the$sel;es ad$iring the wood ny$phs% ingen ity that was apparent in al$ost e;ery place they loo+ed8 Agni was s rprised to see that not all the ny$phs were green li+e A7hinor and the $an on the 7ridge8 They were all in ;arying earth shades9 greens and 7rowns and yellows8 So$e were e;en white8 5e watched as a dar+ p rple ny$ph with deep red hair grasped a long piece of ;ine9 too+ a r nning leap9 and h rled herself acro7atically thro gh the air9 grasping long ;ines that h ng aro nd the ca$p li+e a trape/e artist8 Finally9 she ca$e to rest on a 7ridge at the opposite side of the clearing8 She ran a hand thro gh her long9 red hair and wal+ed o t of sight 7etween the tree ho ses8 Agni was i$pressed8 5e noticed there were other ny$phs sing the hanging ;ines in a si$ilar fashion9 7 t none were nearly as s+illed as the ;iolet-colored wo$an8 Corneli s the Bl spin had ta+en an o7;io s li+ing to Ansh8 As they wal+ed down the dirt path towards a s$all wooden ladder at the end of the clearing9 Corneli s followed the s$all 7oy and wagged his golden tail8 Ansh tal+ed to the Bl spin in low and e6cited tones9 and Corneli s replied with a series of so nds that were half 7ar+ and half child%s la ghter8 Agni and Aryan had grown acc sto$ed to seeing Ansh interact with ani$als with s ch fa$iliarity8 Their yo ngest 7rother often 7ar+ed while playing with their fo r dogs8 Their

$other%s large grey cat also had a distinct fondness for Ansh%s lap8 !hen their father9 the far$er9 $il+ed the cows in the e;enings9 Ansh always acco$panied hi$ to the 7arn where he had ;ery serio s con;ersations with the new cal;es8 !ith the appropriate a$o nt of enco rage$ent9 the s$all 7oy co ld con;ince s$all 7irds and s< irrels into the pal$ of his hand8 Prior to this day9 howe;er9 Agni and Aryan had always pres $ed the con;ersations Ansh had with his ani$al friends were one-sided8 They had ne;er i$agined that they ani$als nderstood what their yo nger 7rother was saying9 or that they were indeed answering hi$ 7ac+8 Aryan ca ght p with Ansh as they approached the ladder attached to an o;erhanging tree 7ranch8 >Follow $e9 7oys9@ A7hinor instr cted as he started pward8 Reali/ing what his $aster was doing9 Corneli s ga;e a little yelp and scaled the tree li+e a s< irrel with e6pert precision8 The Bl spin then waited at the top of the ladder wagging his tail8 >Ansh9@ Aryan as+ed as they cli$7ed the narrow wooden ladder9 >how can yo tal+ to Corneli sA@ >4 don%t +now9@ replied Ansh with a shr g8 Aryan helped Ansh off the ladder and onto the long 7ranch8 After all three 7oys were safely on the platfor$ at the top of the ladder9 A7hinor led the$ onto one of the ;ine 7ridges8 >4 wanted to 7ring yo p the ladder for now8 Co can try the swinging $o nts later if yo li+e8 4 : st tho ght it wo ld 7e 7est to get yo settled and fed 7efore yo %re down there flipping aro nd8@ A7hinor t rned onto a short9 swinging 7ridge that ended at the wooden door of a tree ho se8 5e +noc+ed8 A $o$ent later9 a s$all9 $idnight colored ny$ph with pale 7l e hair answered the door8 5er eyes were light grey9 and she wore a yellow t nic dress $ade of lea;es8 She peered o;er ri$less glasses at A7hinor and the 7oys9 and s$iled +indly8 >2h9 darling9 so good to see yo 9@ said the wo$an in a $elodio s ;oice as she h gged A7hinor war$ly8 She was $ ch shorter than hi$9 and her head 7arely reached his ar$pit8 >So good to see yo 8 And yo %;e 7ro ght g ests8@ She released A7hinor fro$ her e$7race and s$iled at the Three )rothers8 >Ces9@ A7hinor replied8 >'other9 allow $e to present 7rothers Agni9 Aryan and Ansh8@ The s$all 7l e wo$an s$iled8 >Co fellas are : st in ti$e8 4 was : st doing a little 7a+ing8 Co$e on in8 The granola 7ars sho ld 7e done any $in te8@ E st then9 as if on c e9 Agni%s sto$ach ga;e a lo d growl8 The wo$an ga;e a little la gh9 and nodded9 and then shered the Three )rothers thro gh the s$all door8 As soon as the 7oys entered the ho se9 their noses were greeted with the war$ scents of ;anilla9 honey and cinna$on8 The $o th-watering aro$as filled their nostrils9 and all three were s ddenly ac tely aware of their h nger8

The s$all wo$an flitted a7o t the ho se li+e a h $$ing7ird8 >4t loo+s li+e yo 7oys ha;e 7een tra;eling for a while9@ she called o;er her sho lder as she went thro gh a doorway $ade of tree 7ranches8 She re-e$erged with a platter in her hands8 >3et $e get yo so$ething to eat now9 and we%ll all get 7etter ac< ainted8@ She $otioned for the$ to sit9 and the 7oys noticed the se;eral n s al chairs scattered aro nd the roo$8 >A7hinor9 wo ld yo co$e with $e for a $o$entA 4 need : st a little help in the +itchen8@ A7hinor s$iled at the 7oys and followed the 7l e wo$an o t of the roo$8 The Three )rothers loo+ed aro nd8 =;erything in the ho se9 fro$ the roo$ to the f rnit re to the wall hangings9 see$ed to 7e growing o t of the forest itself8 The $yriad of chairs that decorated the roo$ were the strangest the 7oys had e;er seen8 There was a tall stool $ade of twisted ;ines that had a seat $ade of wo;en grass8 Another $assi;e wooden chair stood in the corner8 4ts pillows9 which were $ade of green lea;es9 were s rprisingly soft8 Corneli s was already napping in a 7all on one of the tall wooden stools8 The 7oys decided to settle the$sel;es on a large 7ench that was so $assi;e9 it easily acco$$odated all three of the$8 They sat on the green $ass and e6a$ined its s rface with their fingers8 >4 thin+ this is a stone9@ said Agni so$ewhat s rprised8 The 7oys prodded the 7ench%s spongy green s rface8 >Co are right9@ said Aryan8 >4t is stone9 and it is co;ered in $oss8@ The Three )rothers sat on the s rprisingly co$forta7le stone 7ench and too+ in their n s al s rro ndings8 The 7ranches of the tree on which the ho se was sit ated grew thro gh the walls and floor8 They s pported the ceiling and created a 7ea tif l9 +notted shelf pon which a large painting sat8 As the 7oys sat gaw+ing at the a$a/ing tree ho se9 the tiny wo$an flew 7ac+ into the roo$ followed 7y A7hinor8 The large wooden platter in her hands was now stac+ed high with wonderf l-s$elling9 odd-loo+ing s< ares8 >Branola 7ars9@ she said and placed the plate on the tree st $p ta7le in front of Agni9 Aryan and Ansh8 The 7oys stared at the plate heaped with the strange yet appealingloo+ing confection8 The wo$an la ghed8 >.ig in8 4 a$ s re yo will li+e the$8 A7hinor sed to lo;e these when he was a 7oy8@ The children loo+ed fro$ A7hinor to the granola 7ars8 Agni too+ one8 4t was still war$8 5e ;ent red a tentati;e 7ite8 4t was delicio s8 )its of oat and straw7erry were held together with stic+y honey syr p8 5e let o t a little $oan8 >This is so delicio s9@ he said to the 7l e ny$ph9 ca sing her to s$ile 7roadly8 >Co g ys ha;e to try this9@ he said enco ragingly t rning to his 7rothers8

Aryan and Ansh each pic+ed p a piece and ni77led on a tiny corner8 Their eyes went wide9 and soon9 all three 7oys had co$pletely de;o red the piece they had ta+en and sat loo+ing longingly at the heaping plate 7efore the$8 >=at as $any as yo li+e9 7oys8 3et $e r n and get yo so$e honeys c+le $il+8@ The 7l e wo$an stood and disappeared again to the +itchen8 >Than+ yo 9@ Aryan called9 and his 7rothers echoed hi$8 >Co %re welco$e9@ called the wo$an fro$ the +itchen9 and the Three )rothers helped the$sel;es to $ore of the granola8 >These things are delicio s9@ Aryan said as the wo$an reentered the roo$ carrying three large wooden $ gs filled to the 7ri$ with a sweet-s$elling9 $il+y sol tion8 >!ell9 than+ yo 9 dear9@ she said9 and placed one $ g 7efore each 7oy8 >And yo can call $e Tall lah8 That%s $y na$e9 after all8@ She s$iled at the 7oys who dran+ rapidly8 They finally e$erged with white $ staches drawn on their pper lips8 Tall lah sat on the hea;y wooden chair with the leaf c shions and fi6ed her piercing 7l e ga/e on the Three )rothers8 >So $y son tells $e yo 7oys are in the $iddle of a rather grand ad;ent re8@ The 7oys shifted nco$forta7ly on the stone 7ench8 They s ddenly started chewing ;ery slowly8 >'y $other has said yo 7oys $ay stay here tonight9@ A7hinor inter:ected9 resc ing the 7rothers fro$ Tall lah%s < estioning ga/e8 >4 tr st yo will not ca se her any tro 7le8@ Agni swallowed fast8 >2h9 of co rse not8@ >2h9 honey9@ said Tall lah soothingly9 >4 a$ s re they will 7e ;ery good 7oys8@ She ga;e the 7rothers a < ic+ win+ and then said9 >At any rate9 they co ld not possi7ly gi;e $e as $ ch tro 7le as yo and A;ana++ar did8@ She la ghed $errily9 and her s$all 7ody shoo+ head to toe8 >2h9 do yo re$e$7er that ti$e yo two p t straw7erry 7o$7s in )eatrice !ood%s chi$neyA 4 tho ght the wo$an wo ld die of shoc+8@ A7hinor s$iled9 recalling the long-forgotten incident8 >2h9 4 re$e$7er8 ) t it was not $e8 4t was all A;ana++ar8 4 was s ch a good 7oy9@ he declared with a $ischie;o s grin8 GCes9 yo were9@ said Tall lah ind lgently9 wrapping her ar$ aro nd her son%s waist as he stood 7eside her8 >Co were : st as good a 7oy as yo co ld 7e8@ She released hi$ and added9 >) t that doesn%t $ean yo didn%t p t those 7o$7s in her chi$ney8@ A7hinor 7ent low to +iss the top of his $other%s head8 @4 $ st go9@ he said as he stood8 >Co children can stay here for now8 'y $other will see that yo r clothes get cleaned and that yo get a 7ath8 4 will ret rn 7efore dinner and ta+e yo aro nd to see $ore of the ca$p8 !e can tal+ $ore later8 For now9 : st get so$e rest8 Co loo+ ;ery tired8@

4t was tr e8 The 7oys were e6ha sted8 The war$ honeys c+le $il+ was $a+ing the$ feel sleepy9 and their eyes were 7eginning to droop8 A7hinor said good7ye and headed o t the large wooden door8 The door th dded to a close9 and the Three )rothers were left sitting in silence with A7hinor%s $other8 Tall lah got p fro$ her chair and 7egan pic+ing p the e$pty $ gs and e$pty platter8 >Co 7oys $a+e yo rsel;es at ho$e8 4 +now this $ st all see$ strange to yo right now8@ She glanced at the 7oys whose faces see$ed to confir$ her pres $ption8 >4 ta+e it yo ha;e ne;er $et any wood ny$phs 7efore8@ Ansh shoo+ his head8 >#o9 $a%a$8@ >That is what 4 fig red9@ called Tall lah fro$ the +itchen8 She ret rned with a dishtowel $ade of + ss root and 7egan wiping cr $7s for$ the tree st $p ta7le8 >!e ny$phs ;ery rarely ha;e need to interact with h $ans8 Co see9 we prefer to stay in the ninha7ited areas where we can 7e s rro nded 7y the wild li;ing things8@ She stood and ga/ed p at the ceiling where a large can;as tarp had 7een rolled 7ac+ to e6pose two giant holes in the ceiling and tops of the walls8 The treetops of the forest stretched o t of sight in 7oth directions8 Tall lah sighed as she too+ in the sight8 >4t is act ally < ite a sha$e that h $ans so rarely ;ent re o t here8 4t is so 7ea tif l8@ Tall lah stood staring o t at the 7ea ty of the forest8 The 7oys followed her ga/e o;er the green tree tops that rese$7led giant $o nds of $oss8 4ndi;id al 7ranches : tting s+yward softened and $erged into a single nd lating green $o nd8 The hills of Chancell7erry Forest rolled endlessly and disappeared in the distant ha/y hori/on8 The far off hills appeared 7l e in the late afternoon light8 Aryan agreed with Tall lah8 4t really was a sha$e that h $ans did not often ;isit this spot8 Tall lah stirred fro$ her re;erie and t rned to the Three )rothers seated on the $oss co;ered sofa8 >4 thin+ yo children had 7est get a 7ath9@ she said +indly9 eyeing their dirty clothes8 >!e sho ld pro7a7ly get these clothes washed9 too8 4 will show yo to the roo$ where yo %ll 7e sleeping here in : st a $in te8 4 will : st finish washing these dishes first8 Co 7oys feel free to loo+ aro nd9@ She said with a la gh as she noticed the 7oys% ner;o s appearance8 All three children sat stiffly on the sofa and c rio sly glanced aro nd the roo$8 Tall lah was poised in the doorway8 >.o not worry9@ she s$iled8 >Co can%t 7rea+ anything8@ She rapped hard on the wooden doorway and then disappeared into the +itchen8 The 7oys co ld hear the wooden dishes clattering into a sin+8 They sat silently listening to Tall lah cleaning for a few $in tes8 Then na7le to sit idly any longer9 Ansh slid his short 7ody off the roc+y 7ench and planted his feet fir$ly on the wooden plan+s of the floor 7elow8 5e crossed to the opposite wall to e6a$ine a photograph $ore closely8

>Anshy9 what are yo doingA@ as+ed Aryan in a low ;oice8 >#othing9@ replied Ansh8 >4 a$ : st loo+ing at this pict re8@ Ansh s< inted at the 7lac+ and white photo8 4t was ;ery old and tinted green8 4ts s 7:ect was clearly a wedding8 Two ny$phs stood side 7y side8 2n the left was a ;ery tall ny$ph $an wearing a long9 dar+ s+irt $ade of lea;es8 5e had a large < antity of 7rown c rly hair9 and his eyes rese$7led A7hinor%s8 The tiny ny$ph 7eside hi$ wore a flowing dress of petals and a garland of flowers in her hair8 Ansh was certain it was Tall lah8 )oth ny$phs s$iled 7roadly in the faded photo9 their hands eternally clasped8 Tall lah had finished with the dishes and ret ned to the li;ing roo$ to chec+ on the children8 As her ;oice floated across the roo$9 Ansh t rned to face her8 >That is $e with $y Alistair on o r wedding day8 5e%s 7een gone going on fi;e years now8@ She crossed to where Ansh was standing and wrapped a tiny ar$ aro nd the s$all 7oy%s waist8 >Co cannot $a+e o t in this photo9 7 t A7hinor is the spitting i$age of his father8@ She ran a hand across the glossy pict re9 which Ansh saw was act ally a large leaf that had 7een sta$ped and stained to prod ce the i$age8 Tall lah t rned to the Agni and Aryan8 >A7hinor is li+e his father in so $any ways9 act ally8 5e%s s$art and serio s9 7 t good-hearted8 4t was no s rprise when A7hinor followed in his father%s footsteps and 7eca$e a professor8 5e always did lo;e to teach8@ She $o;ed 7ehind the large stone sofa to a tall wooden case growing o t of the wall8 4t was filled with trophies9 +nic+-+nac+s9 fra$ed photos and pieces of paper8 >This9@ she said as she re$o;ed a photo fra$ed in 7lac+ granite9 >is A7hinor the day he recei;ed his Ph.#9 .octor of #at re Philosophy8@ She s$iled widely and handed the photo to Agni for closer inspection8 4t was ;ery hea;y8 Tho gh this pict re was in ;i;id color9 it also appeared to 7e printed on so$e type of glossy leaf8 Agni scanned the faces8 A yo nger loo+ing A7hinor stood in the center9 pro dly grasping a piece of paper with 7oth hands8 5is face was co;ered in a 7road s$ile8 Tall lah stood on tiptoe with one 7l e ar$ aro nd her son%s waist +issing his chee+8 A tall wood ny$ph9 the color of new lea;es9 stood on A7hinor%s left8 The ny$ph was $ ch larger than any other the 7oys had yet seen9 and he had h ge 7 lging $ scles that were apparent in the photo8 5is hair was light 7l e9 : st li+e Tall lah%s9 and he was s$iling a gigantic s$ile8 2ne of his enor$o s ar$s encircled 7oth A7hinor and Tall lah8 >!ho is thatA@ as+ed Agni8 Tall lah gla/ed at the pict re lo;ingly8 >That%s $y other son9 A;ana++ar8 5e%s A7hinor%s older 7rother8@ Tall lah ga;e a wistf l sigh8 >4t is so nice to see $y two 7oys together8 4t is s ch a rare occasion any$ore that those two are in the sa$e place at the sa$e ti$e8@ She gently too+ the photo 7ac+ fro$ Aryan9 who had 7een inspecting it9 and ret rned it to its place of honor ne6t to A7hinor%s displayed Ph.# that read >Central #y$ph 1ni;ersity8 > >!hy are they rarely in the sa$e placeA@ as+ed Aryan8

Tall lah $o;ed away fro$ the c p7oard and san+ into a chair opposite the stone sofa8 >!ell9 A;ana++ar was always a 7it of an ad;ent rer8@ She pa sed and eyed the children as they sat in rapt attention8 >#ot nli+e the three of yo 8@ She s$iled8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh flashed pro d grins at each other8 Tall lah went on9 >=;en when he was : st a 7oy9 A;ana++ar was always getting into things8 5e wo ld cli$7 trees9 or the o7ser;ation dec+9 all the way to the top of the canopy : st to see if he co ld8 5e wo ld po+e holes in the ri;er ice in winter to go swi$$ing8@ Tall lah shoo+ her head and la ghed8 >5e was always p shing9 testing the li$its of his en;iron$ent8 Scared $e half to death8@ Tall lah shoo+ her head and leaned in9 resting her chin on her hand8 >4t was no s rprise when9 10 days shy of his 1*th 7irthday9 A;ana++ar anno nced that he wanted to 7eco$e a #y$ph Sco t instead of going on to the 1ni;ersity8 #ot only that9 7 t he had already applied and 7een accepted into their training progra$ that is cond cted three +ingdo$s away in #agaland8@ Tall lah loo+ed into the children%s faces8 >4 do not +now if yo 7oys will nderstand9 7 t as a $other9 there was a tiny selfish part of $e that really : st wanted to ref se to allow hi$ to go8 =;en tho gh we lo;e o r 7oys and ha;e always wanted the$ to follow their drea$s9 Alistair and 4 were torn8 !e +new 7eing a #y$ph Sco t was A;ana++ar%s drea$ and wo ld $a+e hi$ the happiest he co ld 7e9 7 t we were rel ctant to allow hi$ to enter s ch a dangero s profession9 +nowing that he $ay go on a $ission and ne;er ret rn8 #y$ph Sco ts tra;el $ost of the ti$e9 so they do not really ha;e a ho$e8 A;ana++ar can only ;isit once a year8 4t was a diffic lt decision9 7 t we had to let hi$ go8 4t was hard on $e9 7 t 4 learned yo ha;e to let go of what yo lo;e the $ost8 And as it t rns o t9 4 did not need hi$ here to 7e happy9 and ha;ing hi$ gone didn%t $a+e $e lo;e hi$ any less8@ Tall lah loo+ed at the 7oys who wore conf sed 7 t polite e6pressions8 She la ghed8 >!ell9 $ay7e all that is a 7it o;er yo r heads9 7 t 4 a$ a fir$ 7elie;er that a so l is ne;er too yo ng or too old to learn8 Co thin+ a7o t what 4 said8 'ay7e a little 7it of it will sin+ in8@ She hopped p fro$ her chair and h gged all three children tightly8 >Co$e along now9 yo three9 and gra7 those 7ags of yo rs8 4 will show yo the roo$ where yo %ll 7e staying9 and then yo can get a 7ath and a nap8 4 a$ s re yo will want to 7e rested for dinner8 A7hinor says yo ha;e < ite a story to tell8@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh pic+ed p their 7ags and followed the $idnight 7l e wo$an down the hallway8

A Campfire

eal

Tall lah%s +noc+ on the thin wooden door wo+e the Three )rothers with a start8 She po+ed in her head8 >Co 7oys need to wa+e p now8 !e will 7e going down for dinner shortly8@ She eased the door open a little farther and st c+ in her hand and placed the end of a ;ine into a 7owl of li< id that sat on a near7y ta7le8 4nstantly9 tiny crystal ch n+s along the ;ine ill $inated and threw twin+ling light into the pitch dar+ roo$8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh were i$pressed8 >See yo in ten $in tes9@ said Tall lah9 and she closed the door 7ehind her8

Agni9 Aryan and Ansh cli$7ed o t of the large soft 7ed they had 7een sharing8 Tall lah had gi;en each 7oy a pair of short pants $ade of lea;es8 They had politely declined9 e6plaining they had another set of clothes to wear9 7 t Tall lah had insisted8 >This way9 all of yo r clothes will 7e clean when yo lea;e in the $orning9@ she had said and set the folded leaf pants on the edge of the 7ed9 lea;ing the three towel-clad children no $ore opport nity for disc ssion8 #ow9 the children e6a$ined their new gar$ents in the twin+ling light8 >These pants are act ally < ite co$forta7le9@ said Ansh as he shoo+ his legs 7ac+ and forth8 >They are not itchy li+e 4 tho ght they wo ld 7e8@ >They are pretty nice8@ agreed Agni8 The 7oys left the 7edroo$ and headed into the 7right hall8 =;ery roo$ in Tall lah%s tree ho se9 incl ding the hallway9 had at least one window8 A large9 glass-less window stretched the length of the hallway and loo+ed o t onto the ca$p8 #ight had fallen9 the forest was dar+9 7 t the clearing 7elow was ali;e with candles and twin+ling ;ines8 Torches and lanterns ill $inated the pathways on which the pop lation of the 7 stling ca$p wal+ed8 The soft aro$a of s$o+e filtered thro gh the window8 The children fo nd Tall lah sitting in a large chair $ade of ;ines reading a 7oo+ 7y candlelight8 She loo+ed p9 saw the Three )rothers9 and pro$ptly p t her 7oo+ down8 >!onderf l9 yo are ready8@ She stood9 7lew o t the candle and crossed to the door8 >4 hope yo 7oys are e6cited9@ she said in the di$ light 7efore p lling open the hea;y door8 >.inner at o r ca$p is < ite an e6perience8@ The tiny 7l e wo$an shered the 7oys o t the door and onto the swinging 7ridge8 4n the low light9 the Three )rothers wal+ed with e6tra care on the wo77ling wal+way8 >4 tho ght we wo ld head down a little early9@ said Tall lah8 They reached a wooden ladder9 and she led the$ down8 >Co $ight find the food preparations interesting8 4t is a pretty ingenio s syste$ we ha;e going on8@ She contin ed as they descended9 >Pl s9 there are s ally a lot of children there8 Co $ight li+e to play aro nd with the$9 wor+ p an appetite8@ Tall lah hopped off the ladder a few r ngs fro$ the 7otto$ and helped the 7oys down8 She led the$ down a pathway towards another clearing glowing with light8 As they got nearer9 the Three )rothers reali/ed the light ca$e fro$ a $assi;e 7onfire aro nd which $ore than a do/en ny$phs were sc rrying8 >Those are o r chefs9@ Tall lah infor$ed the 7oys8 >They coo+ dinner for the entire ca$p e;ery day8 The Three )rothers watched the chef ny$phs wor+ing 7 sily and with great precision8 Fi;e of the$ stood at a long ta7le a short distance fro$ the fire where they chopped and c t a ;ariety of colorf l ;egeta7les and grasses8 4t was a fren/y of ar$s as the firelight glinted off their rapidly $o;ing +ni;es8 At another ta7le a little farther fro$ the fire9 three

chef ny$phs stood stirring 7owls filled with different spices8 The aro$a was o;erwhel$ingly e6otic li+e so$e of the large9 d sty 7ags Cecil had in the 7ac+ of the general store8 Two ny$phs ran 7etween the ta7le of chopping chefs and the ta7le of spices and ferried s pplies 7ac+ and forth8 Fo r $ore ny$phs stood 7y the fire and shifted large pots and pans aro nd on the large $etal grate a7o;e a glowing 7ed of coals8 2ne solitary ny$ph t rned a large $etal spit on which se;eral t r+eys h ng and periodically slathered li< id on the 7irds with a long 7r sh8 Se;eral $ore ny$phs were feeding wood into the fire and separating coals to create cooler spots a7o;e which the chefs co ld coo+8 >!ow9@ said Agni as he ga/ed at the enor$o s ;essels si$$ering o;er the low fla$es8 5e t rned to Tall lah8 >5ow $any people li;e in this ca$pA@ >2;er 2009@ she replied8 >That is a lot of food8@ Agni was i$pressed8 G2h9 yes9@ nodded Tall lah8 >4t ta+es < ite a long ti$e for the chefs to prepare each $eal8 4t is hard9 sweaty wor+ 7 t < ite rewarding8 4 sed to 7e head chef9 yo +now8@ She s$iled pro dly8 >4t is an art9 creating a $eal9 layering fla;or pon fla;or li+e paint on a can;as8@ She loo+ed at the chefs $o;ing aro nd the fla$es8 >And yo %re left with a $asterpiece8@ She ga;e a little sigh8 >4%d 7e lying if 4 said 4 didn%t $iss it9 7 t po ring $y heart and so l into e;ery dish got to 7e a little too ta6ing for $y old 7ones8 2f co rse9 4 still help o t aro nd the holidays and d ring feasting ti$es8 And fran+ly9@ she leaned in close to Agni9 >4 thin+ the yo ngsters li+e the help of s old-ti$ers8@ She loo+ed sy$pathetically at the chef ny$phs r shing frantically 7etween pots and pans9 fla$e and ta7le9 tasting sa ces9 adding salt8 To Agni9 it loo+ed li+e they were all r shing a7o t with no direction9 7 t they were clearly doing so$ething right8 The aro$a wafting o;er for$ the fire was into6icating and grew $ore delicio s-s$elling 7y the $in te8 >!hy don%t yo 7oys go e6plore a 7itA .inner will 7e done in a little while9 tho gh9 so don%t go too far8@ Tall lah left the 7oys and crossed to a gro p of ny$phs watching the chefs prepare dinner8 They all appeared to 7e ani$atedly disc ssing the e;ening%s $eal and gi;ing s ggestions to those coo+ing it8 >!ell9@ said Agni9 >let%s go loo+ aro nd8@ The Three )rothers wal+ed to the far end of the clearing and down the s$all dirt path that led into the forest8 The tiny ;ine and crystal lights Tall lah had in her tree ho se were str ng in the trees and ill $inated the pathway < ite well with the help of the low-sl ng $oon8 The towering pines and oa+s aro nd the path were a shadowy green8 2n either side9 the tall tr n+s appeared to 7e 7lac+ stat es9 contin ing ntil they were swallowed 7y the i$penetra7le dar+ness of the forest8 Aryan

slipped each hand into Agni and Ansh%s and s< ee/ed tightly8 After the 7oys wal+ed only a short distance9 the path opened into another clearing8 2n the left side of the opening9 se;eral ny$ph children were playing with a s$all yellow 7all hanging on a rope fro$ an o;erhead 7ranch8 They too+ t rns s$ac+ing the 7all with their hands9 creating a whirling9 yellow strea+ in the night air8 The area they had entered appeared to 7e a par+8 Swings9 slides and seesaws dotted the clearing8 So$e were 7 ilt into the s rro nding trees8 2n the other side of the clearing9 neatly tri$$ed flower 7eds o;erflowed with color8 S$all trails led circles aro nd the$ and off into the woods9 so$e of which looped 7ac+ into the clearing8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh sat on a stone 7ench nder a low leafy 7ranch and o7ser;ed the wood ny$ph par+8 Se;eral ad lts were wal+ing on the looping pathways8 Two fe$ale ny$phs9 one a pale 7l e and the other 7right yellow9 passed the 7oys wal+ing 7ris+ly p the path and into the woods8 'o$ents later9 the d o reappeared9 entering the clearing fro$ the path on the opposite side of the hill8 Another co ple9 a yo ng 7oy and girl9 wordlessly strolled slowly hand in hand with their heads inclined towards each other8 Ansh t rned to his 7rothers8 >4 a$ going to go swing9@ and witho t another word9 he headed off to the rope swings at the far end of the par+8 Tall tress p nct ated the clearing9 and aro nd their $assi;e tr n+s were wrapped the tiny crystal and ;ine lights8 Ansh passed 7y one large9 well-lit tree on his way to the swings8 4t was a poplar8 The tiny lights ill $inated its peeling white par+8 At its 7ase was a circle of shr 7s8 Ansh ga/ed p at the towering tree and its drooping 7ranches8 All aro nd the par+9 large dragonflies ho;ered o;er the tops of tall flowers8 Their iridescent wings ca ght the spar+ling light and shone in a da//ling spectr $ of rain7ow colors8 Ansh settled hi$self happily on a swing9 and Aryan and Agni were sitting tran< illy on the stone 7ench when a lo d ringing echoed thro gh the clearing8 At the so nd of the 7ell9 the wood ny$phs 7egan to lea;e the par+ in the direction of the clearing where the dining ta7les and coo+ing fire waited8 The children ran9 so$e s< ealing9 >.inner?@ e6citedly8 The older ny$phs $o;ed $ore slowly9 and the two ;ery $ ch in lo;e teenagers strolled slowly as if in a drea$8 Tiny ny$phs a7andoned their play and ran to their awaiting parents8 >4 s ppose that was the dinner 7ell9@ said Agni8 >4 thin+ we sho ld pro7a7ly go and find Tall lah8@ Ansh :oined his 7rothers9 and the 7oys followed the ny$phs as they tric+led o t of the par+8 They e$erged into the clearing9 7 t it no longer rese$7led the place they had 7een 7efore8 Two h ndred ny$phs of ;ario s h es were seated at or $illing a7o t the wooden ta7les that were now co;ered in ;essels heaped with delicio s s$elling food8 The fire had 7een sto+ed to re+indle the patches of coals9 and it was now well o;er fi;e feet in height8 4t ill $inated the entire clearing and pro;ided so$e heat against the slight chill of the night8

A7hinor spotted the Three )rothers standing in their leaf shorts9 loo+ing aro nd the clearing and $ade his way to the$ thro gh the crowd8 >5ello9 7oys9@ he said8 >5ow do yo li+e o r little ca$pA@ >!e li+e it ;ery $ ch9@ Aryan e6clai$ed as he glanced aro nd the large clearing8 'ost of the ny$phs were ta+ing seats aro nd the ta7les8 Se;eral of the chefs were circling9 p tting spoons and for+s into the 7owls and platters8 Two light pin+ ny$phs9 7oth of who$ had white hair9 were laying down large plates $ade of interwo;en lea;es and wooden $ gs at each seat8 >4 a$ glad yo are en:oying yo rsel;es9@ said A7hinor8 5e placed a s$all green hand on Aryan%s sho lder8 >#ow9 why don%t we go find so$e seatsA A few of $y friends want to $eet yo 7oys8@ The children followed A7hinor to the far end of the ta7le8 Tall lah was already there9 and she flashed the 7oys a 7ig s$ile as she spotted the$ approaching8 A7hinor seated hi$self across fro$ Tall lah ne6t to the ta7le%s end8 The seat at the head of the ta7le re$ained e$pty8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh too+ three nocc pied chairs 7eside A7hinor8 The Three )rothers loo+ed down the length of the ta7le8 3i+e all the other ta7les dotting the clearing9 it was co;ered in e6otic loo+ing fare8 Apart fro$ the large t r+eys on platters9 the 7oys were na7le to recogni/e a single dish8 Agni was eager to try a 7it of e;erything8 4t all s$elled so delicio s8 5is sto$ach let o t a lo d growl9 7 t as no one was yet eating9 he waited8 The 7oys sat in silence while A7hinor chatted with his $other8 4t see$ed as if nearly all the chairs aro nd the clearing had 7een filed9 7 t se;eral 7y Tall lah re$ained nocc pied as did the seat of honor at the head of the long ta7le8 Agni wondered what they co ld 7e waiting for8 E st then9 a wood ny$ph e$erged into the clearing and $ade his way thro gh the rapidly dwindling crowd8 5is eyes scanned the ta7les and stopped when they spotted A7hinor8 5is face instantly 7ro+e into a s$ile9 and he threw a hand in the air and sho ted9 >A7hinor9@ cheerf lly8 The 7oys watched the newco$er as he crossed to e$7race A7hinor9 then ro nded the ta7le to stoop low and plant a large +iss on Tall lah%s right chee+8 5e was a pale green9 so pale that his s+in al$ost see$ed transparent8 1nli+e A7hinor9 whose dar+ green hair was cropped short o;er his ears9 this ny$ph%s golden loc+s h ng to his sho lders in long ringlets8 5e had a light green st 77le of a 7eard all o;er his chin8 The children also fo nd his gar$ents n s al8 'ost of the ny$phs the children had seen so far in the ca$p wore si$ple s+irts9 short pants or dresses $ade of lea;es and petals8 The new arri;al%s short pants were indeed $ade of lea;es9 7 t they had 7een dyed 7lac+ and had intricate 7l e ;ines and s$all red dots painted on the$8 Also9 the strange ny$ph wore a 7lac+ slee;eless ;est $ade of glossy lea;es that was open in the front8 4n the poc+et of his ;est

was a red rose7 d9 which he handed to Tall lah as he too+ the seat 7eside her8 >A rose for a rose9@ he said9 and Tall lah s$iled 7roadly8 >3eonir9@ A7hinor said to the oddly dressed ny$ph9 >This is Agni9 Aryan and Ansh9 the children 4 told yo a7o t8 And 7oys9 this is $y friend9 3eonir8@ 3eonir s$iled 7roadly at the Three )rothers and said9 >Breetings9 fellas8@ A7hinor see$ed a$ sed8 >3eonir is one of the ca$p%s artists8 5e helped create the Arches yo saw today in the forest8@ Aryan ga/ed at the odd-loo+ing ny$ph with newfo nd respect and a$a/e$ent8 >!ow9@ he said9 >that is aweso$e8@ 3eonir agreed8 >Ceah9 it is pretty aweso$e8 4 do what 4 lo;e9 and 4 lo;e what 4 do8 There is nothing 7etter than creating so$ething 7ea tif l8@ Aryan stared re;erently as 3eonir9 who was fast 7eco$ing his new idol9 detailed so$e of the wood ny$ph%s artistic processes8 >4 li+e sc lpting and car;ing9 7 t 4 really lo;e to paint9@ 3eonir said enth siastically8 >4 : st lo;e to swirl colors together to create so$ething new8 They co$e o t different e;ery ti$e9 yo +now8 .yeing is the sa$e way8@ Aryan nodded d tif lly9 and 3eonir contin ed his disco rse on ny$ph art to a ;ery attenti;e a dience while A7hinor and Tall lah loo+ed on 7e$ sedly8 >2f co rse9 7eing a ny$ph artist is challenging and e6hilarating at the sa$e ti$e8 !e try to e;o+e nat re9 7 t we don%t want to har$ it in the process8 2f co rse9 pic+ing fresh flowers and lea;es wo ld gi;e the $ost ;i7rant color9 7 t we a;oid doing that8 !e se only freshly fallen lea;es and flowers for o r paints and dyes and ta+e only dead wood for o r car;ings8@ >As we do for all str ct res9@ A7hinor added8 Agni was i$pressed8 >Co $ean all of the ho ses and 7 ildings9 all of the wal+waysA Co didn%t c t a single tree to 7 ild yo r ca$pA@ >That is correct9@ A7hinor nodded8 >!e try to ha;e as little i$pact on the wild li;ing things as possi7le8@ >=6actly9@ said 3eonir8 >=;en the stairways that connect all the wood ny$ph ca$ps and the gates to the other ny$ph ;illages were $ade o t of fallen wood8@ 5e then contin ed to e6plain a7o t the sealant process he had de;eloped that in;ol;ed 7oiling old spider we7s in water and dipping decaying wood into it8

E st then9 a fig re appeared fro$ one of the dar+ened trails leading off fro$ the clearing8 4t crossed < ic+ly to the ta7le8 The 7oys% attention was instantly p lled away fro$ 3eonir 7y the approach of the ;iolet ny$ph they had seen that afternoon pon their arri;al to the ca$p8 She strode towards A7hinor9 her 7right red hair swishing aro nd her waist with e;ery long9 powerf l step8 She stopped 7ehind the seat ne6t to 3eonir and addressed the gro p8 >Breetings9 e;eryone8@ She wa;ed9 and nodded9 and then p lled o t the chair and sat with $ilitary efficiency8 The p rple ny$ph t rned the wooden c p 7y her plate right-side p and p lled a large decanter toward her8 >4 a$ sorry for 7eing late8@ She s$iled in apology and then dran+ an entire glass of nectar in one long g lp8 5er ;oice was clipped 7 t not n+ind9 and her s$ile e6tended to the Three )rothers as well8 The light of the wooden torches fell on her9 ill $inating her red hair and stri+ing ;iolet s+in8 5er ar$s were $ sc lar9 which e6plained how she was a7le to perfor$ the acro7atics they had seen earlier8 The 7oys stared at her as she th $ped her t $7ler 7ac+ on the ta7le8 She was 7ea tif l8 5er long dar+ eyelashes c rled into tiny spirals on the ends9 her lips were 7lood red9 and one of her ;ol $ino s eyes was deep 7l e while the other was a< a$arine8 The Three )rothers gaped at her 7ea ty8 Tall lah leaned in8 >)oys9 this is 4sa7ella8 She is one of the !ood #y$ph Sco ts8@ The p rple wo$an e6tended a s$all9 ro gh hand8 The 7oys had to lean o;er the s$all ta7le to reach8 >#ice to $eet yo 9@ She said8 >'ost people call $e Violet9 for o7;io s reasons9 7 t9@ she e$phasi/ed9 >4 prefer 4//y8@ She s$iled as if there were so$e pri;ate :o+e to which the 7oys were not pri;y8 >These fine fellows are Agni9 Aryan and Ansh9@ said 3eonir8 >They were passing thro gh the forest today and ran into A7hinor8 They%re spending the night with s tonight8@ 4//y s$iled at the 7oys8 >Passing thro gh9 h hA@ She leaned 7ac+ in her chair and p t her hands 7ehind her head8 >5eaded anywhere in partic larA@ The 7oys e6changed loo+s8 >Chancell7erry City9@ replied Agni in a $anner he hoped so nded 7oth $at re and nonchalant8 >Chancell7erry City9@ 4//y repeated8 >!ell9 it is a wonderf l ti$e of the year to 7e tra;elling thro gh the forest8 Spring has always 7een $y fa;orite season8 That is9 if 4 really had to pic+8@ She s$iled8 >So9 A7hinor9 where did yo r n into these threeA@ >They were o;er 7y the falls9@ said A7hinor8 >Corneli s act ally fo nd the$8 Ansh here has < ite the talent for co$$ nication9 and well9 yo +now how tal+ati;e Corny can 7e if he finds so$eone willing to listen8@ Corneli s ga;e a little la gh-7ar+ fro$ A7hinor%s feet8

4//y ch c+led8 >That is ;ery tr e9@ she said and then t rned to Ansh8 >So yo can tal+ to ani$als9 h hA@ Ansh s$iled and ga;e a s$all nod8 5e li+ed the p rple ny$ph 7 t was feeling far too shy to reply8 >!ell9 4 thin+ it%s wonderf l9@ 4//y said8 >4 lo;e tal+ing to ani$als8 Co +now9 Bl spins are especially pic+y a7o t who they%ll tal+ to8 4 a$ a little s rprised the Corny went o t of his way to find yo 8@ >!ell9 it is a good thing he did9@ said Tall lah8 >They co ld ha;e star;ed to death if we hadn%t co$e across the$8@ 4//y loo+ed as if she were a7o t to say so$ething 7 t then tho ght the 7etter of it8 4nstead she as+ed9 >And : st what e6actly were yo doing in the woods today9 ProfessorA@ A7hinor s$iled o;er his ro nd glasses8 >4 was st dying the rain7ow ferns growing near the falls8 They are < ite the interesting pheno$enon8 4 was hoping to doc $ent their de;elop$ent this season8 Co see9 the $ist fro$ the waterfall ro tinely for$s a rain7ow on the eastern side of the 7an+8 The different colors of light fall on the ferns8 The ferns in t rn a7sor7 the ;arying spectr $9 and ha;e9 th s9 changed color accordingly8 4t is rather fascinating to see8 The ferns loo+ li+e a re;ersed rain7ow down the side of this roc+y gorge8 4t is a 7it of a tre+ to get down the side9 7 t terri7ly interesting none the less8 > >That is interesting9@ said Tall lah8 >5ow did yo e;er co$e across that down thereA@ >!ell9 yo +now9 4 lo;e hi+ing aro nd in search of interesting plants8 4 fo nd the$ last year9 7 t it was too late to ta+e sa$ples8 The s $$er heat appears to co nteract the effect of the light spectr $9 and 7y E ne9 they t rn 7ac+ to green8 4 ha;e 7een $onitoring the$ since the first thaw9 and : st last wee+ they started to change color8 >Spea+ing of interesting plants9 did yo happen to see the $ango tree 4//y 7ro ght 7ac+ fro$ her trip to the !ater ForestA@ as+ed A7hinor8 >4t is growing < ite well in the hot ho se9 and the fr it is a7sol tely delicio s8@ >2h9 yes9@ said Tall lah8 >That was a ;ery good find9 4//y8 4 $ade the lo;eliest preser;es fro$ that fr it9 and the pies? 2h9 they are to die for8 .o not let $e forget to gi;e yo a :ar of those preser;es9 tho gh8 They t rned o t so well8 The $ost 7ea tif l shade of orange8@ >4 will $a+e s re yo don%t forget9@ s$iled 4//y8 >So9 Chancell7erry City8 That%s < ite the tre+8 So nds li+e yo 7oys are in for a 7it of ad;ent re9@ said 4//y 7ringing the con;ersation 7ac+ to the 7rothers% :o rney8 5er speech was clipped9 and one wo ld al$ost 7elie;e it to 7e c rt if not for the +indness of her eyes and her easy s$ile8 The children e6changed glances8 Agni spo+e p9 >Ces9 we sort of are8 4t wasn%t intended to 7e an ad;ent re9 really9 7 t this trip s re is t rning o t to 7e one8@

>That is wonderf l9@ s$iled 4//y8 >4 lo;e ad;ent res8 That is the reason 4 :oined the #y$ph Sco ts8@ >!e lo;e ad;ent res9 too9@ Aryan chi$ed in9 7 t he i$$ediately 7l shed and added9 >2 r $a$$a is always reading s ad;ent re stories8@ >Ces9@ Ansh said8 >The characters go to far off places and see all sorts of $o ntains and oceans9 and get into all sorts of tro 7le and danger8 ) t they always co$e o t all right8@ 4//y s$iled8 >'y $other sed to read $e stories : st li+e that when 4 was yo ng8@ She tossed her long red hair o;er her sho lders with a s$all p rple hand8 Agni was re$inded of seeing 4//y that afternoon8 >!e saw yo today9@ he 7l rted o t i$p lsi;ely8 4//y loo+ed at the 7oy and la ghed a s$all la gh8 @.id yo nowA And what was 4 doing e6actlyA@ >Co were swinging on a rope8 Then yo flew thro gh the air and flipped onto one of those swinging 7ridges8@ >Ceah9 it was aweso$e9@ Ansh added e$phatically8 4//y s$iled9 and it appeared as if her face t rned a slightly deeper shade of p rple8 3eonir la ghed9 and A7hinor ch c+led and e6plained9 >Co see9 7oys9 $ost ny$phs either cli$7 or swing p those ropes to get onto the 7ridges8 And so$e of s se the ladder we sed today8@ 5e grinned across the ta7le at 4//y8 >) t 4//y here9 well9 she finds it ;ery sef l to practice her acro7atic a7ilities8@ >And show the$ off to the entire ca$p9@ 3eonir p t in8 >4 do not?@ 4//y said with a s$ile8 A7hinor%s eyes spar+led de;ilishly8 >!ell9 she does p t on < ite the show8@ 4//y let o t a s< ea+ and sla$$ed a tiny fist against the wooden ta7le8 5er no-nonsense de$eanor dissol;ed as she9 3eonir9 and A7hinor fell into fits of la gher8 =;en Tall lah :oined in9 ch c+ling along with the$8 >2+ay9 o+ay9 eno gh $a+ing f n of $e?@ e6clai$ed 4//y9 catching her 7reath8 >4%;e 7een stationed here o;er a years9 and 4 a7sol tely lo;e it9 7 t 4 don%t get to practice $y tactical forest e6ercises nearly as often as 4%d li+e8@ She straightened herself8 >She clai$s it%s tactical e6ercising9 7 t we all +now she : st wants to show off in front of A7hinor8@ 3eonir grinned8 4//y%s already fl shed face t rned an e;en deeper shade of p rple9 and A7hinor 7l shed a dar+ green8

Tall lah ca$e to her defense8 >4 a$ s re 4//y is telling nothing 7 t the tr th when she says her acro7atic st nts are for e6ercise8@ She patted 4//y on the sho lder8 >4 +now 4%d flip onto the wal+ways if 4 co ld9 7less yo r little heart8@ 4//y ga;e Tall lah a gratef l loo+9 and the s$all old wo$an s$iled8 A7hinor was still 7l shing9 which see$ed to a$ se his $other deeply8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh shot each other conf sed loo+s8 They were 7affled at the ny$phs% odd 7eha;ior 7 t chal+ed it p to c lt ral differences8 4//y too+ ad;antage of the l ll in con;ersation to < ic+ly change the topic8 >So are yo 7oys h ngryA@ she as+ed8 >4 a$9@ said Agni h ngrily as he ga/ed down the ta7le loaded with dishes8 >Are we going to eat soonA@ he as+ed9 trying to 7e patient8 >4 a$ so h ngry8 4 co ld eat that entire t r+ey8@ >Soon9 $y dear9@ said Tall lah reass ringly8 >!e : st ha;e to wait on a few $ore people to arri;e8@ >So9 how did yo find o t that yo can tal+ to ani$alsA@ 4//y as+ed of Ansh8 Ansh sat silently9 pondering her < estion8 Agni responded9 still h ngrily eyeing the food8 >5e tal+ed to A7hinor%s little dog thing today8@ >Corneli s is not a dog9@ Ansh protested8 >5e is a Bl spin8@ >That is correct9@ agreed A7hinor8 >Any Bl spin will tell yo there is a ;ast difference 7etween the$ and dogs8@ 4//y eyed the yo ngest of the 7rothers8 5is large 7rown eyes spar+led li+e 7lac+ dia$onds8 'ost appealing was his s$ile9 which ill $inated the dar+ened ta7le as 4//y said9 >'ost of s ny$phs can spea+ or at least nderstand ani$als9 of co rse8 ) t it%s ;ery rare in h $ans8 Co are < ite a ni< e yo ng $an8@ >Co tal+ to ani$alsA@ as+ed Ansh c rio sly8 >2f co rse9@ replied 4//y in her down to earth way8 >=;er since 4 was ;ery yo ng8 4 sed to ha;e a dog na$ed Cindy8 She was $y 7est friend8 !e did e;erything together8 )athed9 ate9 slept8 4 e;en had a pair of pants and a shirt the sa$e color of her f r8@ 4//y had a faraway loo+ on her face8 A s$ile graced her 7ea tif l red lips8 >Cindy was the first ani$al 4 e;er tal+ed to9 and we wo ld sit and tal+ for ho rs : st the two of s8@ @That%s how it is for $e9 too9@ Ansh said e6citedly8 >First9 4 re$e$7er tal+ing to a calf na$ed R 7y8 She was $y fa;orite8 After that9 4 g ess 4 didn%t notice it any$ore8 4t was

li+e 4 had 7een doing it all along8 2f co rse9 4 always tal+ to o r cats and dogs9 and the horses and the pigs8@ 4//y s$iled +nowingly8 A lo d gr $7le fro$ Agni%s sto$ach ca ght A7hinor%s attention8 >4 a$ sorry for the wait9 Agni8 ) t we are a fa$ily here at the ca$p9 so we do not try to a;oid eating 7efore e;eryone has $ade it to the ta7le8@ >4t is all right9@ said Agni9 tho gh he loo+ed desperately h ngry8 The last few chairs aro nd the clearing were filling as ny$phs r shed to sit at the ;ario s ta7les8 A$ong the stragglers was a tall ny$ph9 who was so dar+ 7rown that he al$ost see$ed 7lac+8 5e was $ ch taller than the other ny$phs9 al$ost as tall as an ad lt h $an9 and he had close tri$$ed dar+ green hair that was t rning yellow at his te$ples8 5e wal+ed steadily towards the gro p at the end of the long ta7le9 stopping to chat with other ny$phs that hailed hi$ along the way8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh stared at this disting ished loo+ing ny$ph as he na;igated towards the$9 occasionally glancing at the Three )rothers seated in a row8 5e did not s$ile8 5is light 7rown eyes were pro7ing 7 t +ind8 After spea+ing to and sha+ing hands with $any of the ny$phs aro nd the clearing9 the tall 7rown ny$ph $ade his way to the end of the ta7le where the Three )rothers sat8 A7hinor stood to greet hi$9 e6tending his hand to the tall ny$ph who seated hi$self in the chair at the head of the ta7le right ne6t to A7hinor8 >)oys9@ said A7hinor to Agni9 Aryan and Ansh9 >This is 2%)rien8 5e is o r Ca$p Co nselor8@ Then he t rned to the 7rown ny$ph on his left and said9 >2%)rien9 these are the children 4 was spea+ing of8 They are Agni9 Aryan and Ansh8@ 2%)rien%s ;oice was deep and $elodio s8 4t reso nded effortlessly aro nd the clearing8 >4 ha;e 7een told yo children are nderta+ing a great :o rney8 4 7elie;e we ha;e $ ch to disc ss8@ 5is s$ile was inspirational8 >) t first9 let s eat8 4t is senseless to disc ss i$portant $atters on an e$pty sto$ach8@ >5ere9 here9@ said Agni9 and 2%)rien s$iled again8 >4 a$ sorry9 Agni9@ he apologi/ed in his deep9 soothing ;oice8 >A growing 7oy li+e yo has a ra;eno s appetite9 4 +now9 and certainly yo h $ans are not sed to dining so late in the day8 Allow $e to ta+e roll call9 and we shall ha;e o r s pper8@ 2%)rien stood9 raised a hand in the air9 and the so nd of ;oices aro nd the clearing stopped8 >4s e;eryone presentA@ The ny$phs at the ta7les ga/ed aro nd the clearing9 locating fa$ily and friends9 neigh7ors and ac< aintances9 loo+ing for any $issing $e$7er of their fold8 There were no o7:ections9 and as all the eyes were fi6ed 7ac+ on 2%)rien9 he said9 >All right9 dig in8@ The chattering res $ed and was now acco$panied 7y the clattering of spoons9 7owls and plates8 !ith $ild enco rage$ent fro$ Tall lah and A7hinor9 the Three )rothers helped the$sel;es to the strange-loo+ing9 delicio s-s$elling food8 The 7oys had ne;er seen anything at all li+e that which they were ser;ed8 Strange green and oranges 7reads9 sa ces

with flowers floating in the$9 7l e gra;ies o;er what co ld ha;e 7een potatoes9 and a stew that see$ed to contain $oss and tree 7ar+ were : st a few of the oddities they decided to try8 Aryan was a 7it trepidatio s9 7 t Agni piled the food on his large9 shiny leaf and proceeded to sho;el the odd loo+ing fare h ngrily into his s$all $o th8 Aryan loo+ed to his 7rother who was eating happily and ti$idly tried a 7ite8 4t was delicio s8 5e then 7egan to eat heartily along with e;eryone else seated at their ta7le8 The Three )rothers sat < ietly and ate while 3eonir9 Tall lah9 4//y9 A7hinor and 2%)rien leis rely dined9 con;ersing a7o t a ;ariety of $atters terri7ly interesting to ad lts9 7 t < ite d ll to the three children crop yields9 weather patterns9 and ny$phs who were getting $arried and ha;ing 7a7ies8 After he had slowed slightly in de;o ring his food9 Agni posed a < estion to A7hinor9 interr pting the d ll con;ersation he was ha;ing with his $other a7o t one of the ny$phs in the ca$p ha;ing twins8 >.o yo ha;e dinner together e;ery nightA@ in< ired the oldest 7rother8 A7hinor loo+ed at the 7oy 7eside hi$8 >Ces9 we do9@ he replied9 happiness e;ident on his green face8 >!e li+e to ha;e at least one $eal together e;ery day8 2f co rse9 on so$e days9 so$e of s cannot $a+e it9 7 t we all do o r 7est to try8@ Agni considered this9 his $o th f ll of garlic+y $ashed ca liflower8 5e swallowed and said9 >!e do that8 At ho$e9 4 $ean8 2 r $a$$a9 pappa and s9 we all eat dinner together e;ery day8 #o $atter how late pappa co$es in fro$ the fields9 we wait on hi$8 4 tell yo tho gh9@ Agni contin ed tho gh another 7ite9 >it%s really hard waiting when pappa co$es late8@ Agni glanced down the ta7le at a large9 7l e patterned 7owl8 >Aryan9@ he called9 >wo ld yo please pass the saladA@ 2%)rien eyed Agni as he heaped green pasta with tiny to$atoes9 onions and $ shroo$s onto his plate ne6t to the stewed dandelions8 >4t is a good thing9@ 2%)rien said9 >eating together as a fa$ily8 The sharing of a $eal nites people8@ Agni sat staring at the 7rown ny$ph ns re of what to say8 .espite his +ind appearance9 there was so$ething 7ordering on inti$idating a7o t 2%)rien8 Agni did not want to $isspea+ in front of the 7rown ny$ph8 >!ell9@ Agni 7egan9 ns re of hi$self9 >4 thin+ it $ st8 !e eat together e;ery day9 and we are a ;ery close fa$ily8 !e do e;erything together8@ 5e loo+ed at his 7rothers for reinforce$ent9 and then 7ea$ed 7ac+ at hi$9 ca sing the oldest 7rother%s confidence to ret rn8 >Ces9 yo 7oys do appear ;ery close9@ o7ser;ed 2%)rien8 5is +een eyes were fi6ed on the three9 and Agni felt as if he was trying to see into his tho ghts8 The 7oy wondered wildly for a $o$ent if ny$phs co ld not only tal+ to ani$als 7 t read $inds as well8 2%)rien spo+e cas ally9 7 t caref lly watched Agni as he responded as if ga ging his response for tr thf lness8 >) t where are yo r parentsA Co do not see$ to 7e that close to the$9 at least not c rrently8@

Agni did not +now what to say and sat silently staring at 2%)rien8 5ow co ld he possi7ly e6plainA 2%)rien sensed Agni%s inward str ggle relie;ed the 7oy 7y saying9 >4 only as+ 7eca se A7hinor has told $e yo children are :o rneying far fro$ ho$e9 which has res lted in yo r 7eing separated fro$ yo r parents for so$eti$e8@ 2%)rien ga/ed at Agni with his penetrating 7rown eyes8 >4t is diffic lt 7eing away fro$ yo r parents9 4 +now8 4t $ st 7e hard for yo 7oys9 since yo are s ch a close-+nit fa$ily8@ >Ces9 it is diffic lt9@ agreed Agni9 saddened at the tho ght of his $other and father alone on the far$ worrying desperately a7o t their children8 >4 wo ld g ess that yo r parents $ st 7e $issing yo 9@ 2%)rien contin ed9 loo+ing each 7oy in the eye in t rn8 Agni%s eyes lowered to the ta7le8 >Ces9 4 a$ s re they $iss s9@ he agreed8 >) t yo do not see$ li+e 7ad 7oys at all9@ said 2%)rien reass ringly8 >Certainly9 yo ha;e a ;ery good reason to 7e so far away8@ The 7oys said nothing9 and 2%)rien contin ed8 >A7hinor has told $e so$ething of yo r plans9 7 t 4 wo ld li+e to +now $ore8 !o ld yo three children $ind enlightening $e as to the nat re of yo r 7ra;e ca seA@ The 7oys sat in silence8 Finally9 it was Agni who spo+e8 >Ces9@ he said resol tely8 >) t can yo please pro$ise yo will not try to stop sA !hat we are doing is ;ery i$portant8@ 2%)rien loo+ed at Agni with serio s 7rown eyes8 5is deep ;oice was gentle as he spo+e8 >4 wo ld ne;er drea$ to atte$pt to stop an endea;or in which so$eone so ardently 7elie;es8 Please9 contin e and ha;e no fear8 Co and yo r stories are safe here8@ Agni felt a little 7etter and shifted 7ac+ in his high-7ac+ed wooden chair8 >!ell9@ he 7egan9 >it all started when this . +e ca$e to o r far$ and said he was sent 7y the new +ing9 'aridi s8@ A ripple of $ r$ ring ran aro nd the clearing8 Se;eral heads swi;eled towards the 7oys8 Agni pa sed and glanced aro nd at the eyes fi6ed on hi$8 !ood ny$phs were whispering to one another8 2%)rien%s deep ;oice p lled Agni 7ac+8 >Please9 contin e9@ he said with a gest re of his hand8 The 7oy t rned 7ac+ to the $ahogany creat re whose eyes were fi6ed penetratingly on Agni8 The 7oy too+ a 7reath9 and the story po red o t of hi$ li+e water8 2%)rien%s ga/e inspired confidence in the 7oy8 5e felt he co ld co$pletely tr st the dar+ 7rown ny$ph9 so he went on with ease8 2%)rien +new : st the < estions to as+ and at which $o$ents to as+ the$ to rge the 7oy on8 Agni finished his tale8 >So we are one o r way to the castle in Chancell7erry City to steal 7ac+ a treas re o r parents donated8 !e plan to se that to pay the ta6es8@

'any of the ny$phs aro nd the clearing who had 7een ea;esdropping on Agni%s story ch c+led at this8 2%)rien hi$self co ld not help 7 t s$ile8 5e reached across the ta7le and clasped his long dar+ fingers aro nd Agni%s hand8 >4 thin+ Ding Drinio s wo ld really en:oy yo r plan9@ the ny$ph s$iled8 >Co +now Ding Drinio sA@ e6clai$ed Aryan8 2%)rien nodded8 >4s he all rightA@ as+ed Ansh9 concerned8 The s$iled faded fro$ 2%)rien%s face as the listening ny$phs fell silent8 >!e do not +now the fate of yo r 7elo;ed Ding8@ 5is dar+ feat res were sole$n8 >!e wood ny$phs spend o r days o t there a$ong the wild li;ing things9 and so news fro$ o r h $an neigh7ors often ta+es ti$e to reach s8 !e hear r $7lings9 tho gh9 and it has 7een apparent for so$e days now that so$ething has gone awry in Chancell7erry Dingdo$8@ >This news that yo 7ring of yo r . +e and a new +ing9 'aridi s only adds to $y s spicio s that 'aridi s9 Drinio s%s co sin9 has o;erthrown yo r 7elo;ed r ler8@ >Ces9 7 t whyA@ insisted Agni8 >4 cannot 7e certain9@ 2%)rien replied9 >7 t 4 do ha;e a theory8 The last ti$e 4 spo+e with Drinio s9 he had co$e here to cons lt with $e8 5e is a wise $an9 and always see+s e6pert ad;ice 7efore $a+ing decisions that affect the entire +ingdo$8 4t was a little $ore than a $onth ago that he ;isited s8 5e wanted $e to go with hi$ to Bardol7erg9 the ice +ingdo$ to o r north9 to see a horseless carriage that 'aridi s was interested in proc ring8 Drinio s had already seen the de;ice9 7 t wanted $y ad;ice8 2f co rse9 4 agreed to go along with hi$8@ >!e tra;eled to Bardol7erg%s capital city of Fl //enhei$9 a 7ea tif l town with ancient 7 ildings and ;a lted 7ridges that span the $any ri;ers that flow ice in winterti$e8 2 r intention was to $eet with the creator of the horseless carriage9 the great in;entor and $agician9 Fredric+ Von Freeson8 ) t when we arri;ed in Fl //enhei$9 the city was nothing li+e it was d ring $y last ;isit8 2%)rien pa sed and leaned toward the Three )rothers confidingly8 >2f co rse9 it was $ore than 30 years ago that 4 last ;isited8 4 do not fre< ent cities8@ 5e went on8 >The ancient tree lined a;en es and ;i7rant gardens had all gone grey8 4t was as if the color had 7een s c+ed o t of the entire city8 All of the lea;es9 the flowers9 the shop fronts9 the people9 e;en the s+y8 =;erything had 7eco$e $ ted8 And on the co77led streets9 no longer tra$ped the hoo;es of horses9 7 t rather now9 the clac+ing of horseless carriages9 sc ttling a7o t8@

>Drinio s and 4 were st nned9 and then we reali/ed it was the carriages that were t rning things grey8 The carriages had a ha/e aro nd the$ that left long9 s$o+y strea+s trailing 7ehind8 >!hen we $et Professor Von Freeson9 we as+ed hi$ a7o t the shadowy grey ha/e8 5e was not concerned8 5e said it was an aftereffect of the $agic he e$ployed to $a+e the carriages $o;e8 #ot to worry9 he said9 as the color didn%t really ;anish8 4t was only co;ered p te$porarily8 Re$o;al of the $agic wo ld res lt in the color ret rning8 >Professor Von Freeson e6plained to s the wonders of the horseless carriages8 Tra;elling was now easier9 especially for the elderly and infir$ed8 The horses of the +ingdo$ were no longer re< ired to e6ert the$sel;es p lling hea;y carriages on co77lestone streets8 The horseless carriages9 he said9 co ld 7e sed for all $anner of p rposes li+e transporting goods o;er long distances9 perhaps e;en 7etween +ingdo$s9 which wo ld i$pro;e trade8 >5e en;isioned an entire world connected 7y stone roads on which his carriages wo ld transport people9 goods and ideas8@ 2%)rien s$iled and shoo+ his head8 >5e is a 7rilliant $an9 the professor8 5e has s ch ;ision8 And his carriages were < ite i$pressi;e8 Drinio s and 4 too+ a ride9 and it felt as if we were sailing o;er water on the 7ac+ of a fish9 not at all a 7 $py ride li+e a nor$al carriage p lled 7y horse8@ 2%)rien frowned slightly8 >)efore we left Fl //enhei$9 4 too+ a stroll aro nd the city9 ;isiting the par+s and s rro nding woods as 4 a$ wont to do8 As yo children $ay or $ay not +now9 we ny$phs spea+ the 2ld Tree 3ang age that allows s to co$$ nicate with the flora8 The wild growing things can no longer spea+ this ancient lang age8 4t is lost to all 7 t the ny$ph colonies9 and it is o r honor to preser;e it8 ) t the trees and flowers and plants and $osses can nderstand o r tho ghts when we con;erse in this lang age9 and they are a7le to reply 7ac+ in their wilderness song9 which we nderstand in o r own way8 >4 spo+e with the trees9 and grasses and flowers9 and the entire flora of Fl //enhei$ that day8 Fro$ potted plants and terrace gardens to the ferns on the 7an+ near the ri;ers8 The sa$e reply ca$e fro$ e;ery wild li;ing creat re that 4 enco ntered8 The grey was poison8 Very 7ad $agic indeed8 =;en the 7irds told of how the s+y despised the grey8@ The Three )rothers were horrified8 >Drinio s and 4 left Fl //enhei$ with $ ch to consider8 4 ret rned to ca$p and disc ssed what 4 had seen with A7hinor and so$e other 7ig-footed elders8 !e decided that we co ld not reco$$end allowing s ch powerf l $agic to 7e sed in the +ingdo$8 4 tra;elled to Chancell7erry City a few days later and $et with Drinio s to tell hi$ the collecti;e opinion of the ny$phs of this forest8@ 2%)rien pa sed8 5is dar+ eyes were cal$9 7 t e;en thro gh his placid de$eanor9 the Three )rothers co ld see a deep sadness8

>As 4 said9 Drinio s is a wise $an and a wonderf l leader8 4 told hi$ 4 +new he wo ld consider e;ery option and $a+e a decision that was 7est for e;ery creat re in;ol;ed8@ 2%)rien sighed8 >And that was the last ti$e 4 saw hi$8 Three wee+s ago8 Since then9 there ha;e 7een r $7lings of co$$otion co$ing fro$ yo r grand city8 !e ha;e heard word fro$ the !ood #y$ph Sco ts of n s al $o;e$ents and ne6pected disr ptions aro nd the forest8 And now9@ he fi6ed his dar+ eyes on the 7oys and placed his chin pon the tips of his fingers9 >yo three arri;e here with s ch startling news8@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh loo+ed at each other in a$a/e$ent and then glanced aro nd the clearing8 'any of the eyes were fi6ed on the three 7oys8 4t was aw+ward8 #e;er had they 7een the center of s ch attention9 7 t here they were9 entangled in the e;ents nfolding aro nd the +ingdo$8 Aryan fidgeted in his seat and stared at his large leaf plate that was still co;ered with food8 Ansh stared 7ac+ at the onloo+ers as a$a/ed as they were at the recent t rn of e;ents8 Agni t rned to 2%)rien and pressed9 >.o yo +now what decision Ding Drinio s lti$ately $ade a7o t the horseless carriagesA@ >4 cannot 7e certain9@ replied 2%)rien in his deep ;oice8 >) t 4 thin+ 4 +now what his decision wo ld ha;e 7een8 As 4 said9 Drinio s always acts in the 7est interest of e;eryone8 2f that9 4 a$ certain8@ >And what if9@ Agni contin ed9 >his decision9 tho gh in e;eryone%s 7est interest9 went against what 'aridi s wantedA !hat if it $ade 'aridi s so angry that he tried to ta+e o;er the +ingdo$A@ 2%)rien loo+ed gri$9 7 t $anaged a s$ile of appro;al at the 7right 7oy 7efore hi$8 >!hile this see$s li+ely9 4 do not wish to $a+e pres $ptions9@ he said8 >!e $ st first in;estigate the sit ation and proceed fro$ there8 4 will ha;e to as+ the #y$ph Sco ts to go into Chancell7erry City to find o t what is going on there8@ 5e t rned to A7hinor8 >4s A;ana++ar still stationed in the Sholay !ater ForestA@ >Ces9@ A7hinor nodded8 >5e%s on the so th end of )ottle )ay8 A few wee+s ago9 : st shortly after yo ret rned fro$ Bardol7erg9 4 recei;ed a post fro$ hi$ saying that a large party of tra;elers ca$e thro gh the : ngle headed to the sea8 4t%s not too often anyone is willing to tra;el thro gh the Sholay9@ A7hinor said with a gra;e loo+ at 2%)rien8 >!hy notA@ Ansh as+ed innocently8 A7hinor t rned to the s$all 7oy9 >The Dailasa Range that separates Chancell7erry City fro$ the : ngle and the sea 7eyond is ;ery treachero s9 and few are 7ra;e eno gh to tra;erse its roc+y pea+s8 > >4t is not clear if the nidentified party tra;elling to the sea has anything to do with the dist r7ances in Chancell7erry City9@ 4//y said prag$atically8 >5owe;er9 there ha;e 7een

reports of strange acti;ity fro$ other parts of the +ingdo$ as well8 And now9 these three8@ 4//y gest red to the Three )rothers and raised her high9 arching eye7rows < estioningly at A7hinor8 >4t is ;ery s spicio s9@ agreed 2%)rien8 >Too $ ch to 7e coincidence9@ 3eonir p t in e$phatically8 Agni Aryan and Ansh e6changed glances8 !hat had they gotten the$sel;es intoA #oticing the neasy loo+s on the 7oys% faces9 2%)rien < ite tactf lly changed the s 7:ect8 >4 really ha;e tro 7led yo children far too long with $atters that do not affect yo 8 4 a$ confident yo r trip to the capital city will 7e nothing 7 t pleasant8@ And tho gh o twardly9 he appeared co$pletely certain of the 7oys% safety9 Agni tho ght he saw concern in the 7ac+ of the ny$ph%s dar+ 7rown eyes8 The tall $an clasped his hands and rested his chin on his fingers once $ore8 >So9 let%s get 7ac+ to this delicio s $eal9 shall weA@ The clearing9 which had fallen silent d ring the 7oys% tale9 slowly 7egan to h $ once $ore with the so nd of ;oices and clattering dishes8 And soon9 e;eryone was once again de;o ring the s cc lent dinner with enth sias$8 The 7oys% $inds were filled with < estions as A7hinor passed the$ dishes laden with delicio s forest food8 ) t after a few 7ites of wood apple c stard9 the Three )rothers were feeling $ ch 7etter8 All of the fear they had carried aro nd since the . +e and his $en 7 rst thro gh the 7 shes on the day 7efore 7egan to $elt away into the cool night air8 The three ate slowly despite their ra;eno s appetites8 They were too 7 sy o7ser;ing the asto nding wood ny$phs and their 7ea tif l ca$p8 Fro$ their seats near the head of the ta7le9 the 7oys co ld see past the coo+ fire into an opening that that was another ad:oining clearing8 >!hat is o;er thereA@ as+ed Agni8 A7hinor loo+ed o;er fro$ his con;ersation with 2%)rien8 >.own that path is where we ha;e o r 7onfire circle8 4t is a daily rit al for s8 =ach night after the e;ening $eal9 we retreat to the co ncil fire8 The entire ca$p sings songs and tells stories8 !e ha;e $editation ti$e and learn the tales of the ancient ny$phs8 4t is a wonderf l tradition8@ Tall lah occ pied the 7oys with stories of A7hinor%s 7rother9 A;ana++ar9 and his ad;ent res in the !ood #y$ph Sco ts to which 4//y was a7le to pro;ide additional inp t8 !hen $ost of the ny$phs aro nd the clearing had finished their $eals9 and their plates had 7een re$o;ed fro$ the ta7les and ferried away 7y a fleet of yo ng ny$phs9 Ansh was slowly raising a for+f l of p $p+in palliya into his open $o th8 The 7oys contin ed to eat e;en tho gh they were < ite f ll8 So$e of the ny$phs were still seated aro nd the

ta7les :o;ially chatting a7o t topics ranging fro$ do$estic $atters and crops to the weather8 2thers had gotten p and were $illing a7o t or had $o;ed o t of the clearing down the path A7hinor had said led to the co ncil fire8 After e;ery sto$ach was f ll9 Agni ca ght sight of the two teenage ny$phs fro$ the par+ atte$pting to stroll together down a dar+ened path on the other side of the clearing9 only to 7e called 7ac+ 7y a short wo$an with c rly 7rown hair8 Agni g essed9 fro$ his horrified e6pression9 that the c rly haired ny$ph was the 7oy%s $other8 Slowly9 $ore and $ore ny$phs got p fro$ the ta7le and headed down the path toward the co ncil fire8 Soon9 only the Three )rothers9 Tall lah9 A7hinor9 4//y9 3eonir and 2%)rien were the only people left seated8 The 7oys were < ite eager to in;estigate the co ncil fire9 so they were nderstanda7ly crestfallen when Tall lah said9 >!ell9 4 thin+ it%s ti$e for $e and yo three to call it a night8@ The tiny 7l e ny$ph got p fro$ the ta7le8 >4 rec+on yo %re all pro7a7ly pretty tired8@ >2h9 no9 not at all9@ said Agni8 >As a $atter of fact9 we are wide awa+e9 aren%t weA@ Aryan and Ansh nodded in agree$ent as Aryan stifled a yawn9 and Ansh%s eyelids drooped dangero sly low8 >4t is perhaps 7est9 children9 for yo to go on to 7ed8 Co ha;e had a long :o rney today9 and the trip yo plan to ta+e to$orrow to Chancell7erry City is a long one9@ said 2%)rien in his deep ;oice8 The 7oys gr dgingly agreed9 said good night to 4//y9 3eonir9 A7hinor and 2%)rien9 and wal+ed with Tall lah along the dar+ pathway lit only 7y torchlight 7ac+ to Tall lah%s tree ho se8 The 7oys 7r shed their teeth with three long9 7itter-tasting stic+s Tall lah had gi;en the$ and then cli$7ed into the large wooden 7ed8 Tall lah p lled the < ilt $ade of green lea;es p to their chins and t c+ed the$ in8 >4 a$ sorry9 7oys8 4 +now yo really wanted to go to the co ncil fire9 7 t tonight there is $ ch to disc ss9 so it will not 7e as festi;e an occasion as it nor$ally is8 Pl s9 yo ha;e a long :o rney to$orrow and need to get so$e rest8 The ne6t ti$e yo are here9 yo can go8@ She +issed each 7oy on the chee+9 and they were instantly asleep8 She r ffled Agni%s hair9 crossed the roo$9 t rned off the light and tossed one last9 fond loo+ at the 7oys 7efore p lling the door al$ost 7 t not co$pletely sh t8 The Three )rothers were sleeping so ndly when9 ho rs later9 A7hinor ret rned to the tree ho se where his $other sat waiting8 The sleeping 7oys did not hear the two ny$phs disc ssing in low9 tense tones what had 7een said at the co ncil fire that night8 All they +new was sleep8

A Clear !lue

orning

Agni9 Aryan and Ansh wo+e early the ne6t $orning8 3ong shafts of gold light filtered down thro gh the green of the lea;es s rro nding the tree ho se and po red in thro gh the large windows and s+y lights8 The 7oys stayed in 7ed for a $o$ent9 all three of the$ still lingering in the world 7etween sleep and wa+ef lness8 Agni lay in 7etween his 7rothers8 Their three tiny 7odies c ddled together 7eneath the large < ilt away fro$ the spring $orning%s chill8 They co ld hear the 7irds singing in the canopy aro nd the$8 Ansh reached one s$all finger pward9 watching it as he to ched one of the golden shafts of light strea$ing onto the green < ilt al$ost as if he were testing to see if it were real8 5is finger sailed right thro gh8 !ere they all still drea$ingA 5ad this entire trip 7een a drea$A Ansh loo+ed o;er Agni%s nose to Aryan who i$$ediately 7 rst into giggles8 Ansh soon followed s it9 and 7efore they +new it9 Tall lah was sweeping into the roo$ in a long9 patched s+irt saying9 >4 a$ s rprised yo 7oys are p this early8@ The 7oys stopped and loo+ed p fro$ the $idst of their la ghter8 They dislodged the$sel;es fro$ their +not of legs and ar$s9 and Tall lah s$iled8 >Co 7oys ready for so$e 7rea+fastA@ The aro$as wafting fro$ Tall lah%s +itchen were enticing9 and all three 7oys i$$ediately threw 7ac+ the < ilt and were soon sc rrying down the hallway 7ehind the 7l e wo$an8 As they ate their fill of oat$eal p $p+in panca+es9 Tall lah said9 >So are yo ready to head on to Chancell7erry CityA@ Agni swallowed a large $o thf l8 >Ces9 $a%a$9@ he said and ret rned to de;o ring his 7rea+fast8 Tall lah eyed the children closely8 >Are yo s reA Chancell7erry City is < ite far9 and 4%$ s re yo r parents $ st 7e worried a7o t yo 8 .on%t yo thin+ yo o ght to go ho$eA@ All three 7oys loo+ed p fro$ their $eal8 5er face showed her concern8 After a $o$ent of consideration9 Agni said9 >4 +now yo %re worried9 7 t this is so$ething we ha;e to do8 !e will 7e fine8@ >Ceah9@ agreed Aryan9 >we ha;e a $ap8@ Tall lah co ldn%t help 7 t s$ile at the three little faces showing s ch deter$ination8 >!ell9 if yo ha;e a $ap9@ she said9 >then 4 a$ s re yo will 7e : st fine8@ She cleared the dishes off the ta7le after Ansh9 who was al$ost always the last person to finish e;ery $eal9 ate his final $orsel of panca+e8 >!ell9 $y little darlings9@ said Tall lah loo+ing at the three 7oys seated aro nd her tiny wooden ta7le9 >A7hinor will 7e here any $in te8 !e%ll ta+e yo down to the path that leads to Chancell7erry City8 )efore yo go9 he wanted to ta+e yo p and show yo the 27ser;atory also8@ She wiped her hands on the 7l e dish towel t c+ed into her 7elt8 >So we 7etter get a $o;e on8@

The 7oys got p fro$ the low ta7le and headed down the hallway8 Ansh traced a finger down a long grape ;ine that ran 7elow the large window o;erloo+ing the ca$p8 4t didn%t ta+e the$ long to pac+ p their 7elongings8 After 10 $in ets9 Tall lah entered the roo$ to find the$ < ietly sitting on the 7ed that Aryan had $ade p8 =;en on s ch a s$all 7ed9 Ansh%s legs did not reach the floor8 The s$all 7l e ny$ph s$iled to herself8 4n her hands were three s$all 7ags8 >Co$e along9 children8 A7hinor is waiting8@ The 7oys rose and crossed to the door8 >!ell9 goodness $e9@ said Tall lah8 >So$eone $ade the 7ed8@ >4t was Aryan9@ Ansh said9 and his 7rother 7l shed8 >!ell9 than+ yo 9 sweetheart9@ and she h gged Aryan and +issed hi$ on the head9 which ca sed hi$ to 7l sh e;en $ore deeply while resisting the rge to s< ir$ away8 >5ere9@ said Tall lah9 and she handed each 7oy a 7ag8 >Ta+e so$ething to eat with yo 8 And 4 filled yo r canteens with so$e fresh water9@ she said and led the$ fro$ the roo$8 A7hinor was sitting on the low stone sofa in the li;ing roo$ waiting for the$8 >!ell9 let s go then8 !e $ st $a+e haste while the s n still shines8 2r is that hayA 4 can ne;er re$e$7er8@ 5e shoo+ his head8 >At any rate9 let s 7e off8 Are yo co$ing9 $otherA@ >2f co rse9@ said Tall lah8 >4t%s 7een ages since 4 went p to the 27ser;atory8@ She leaned into Aryan and confided9 >4 don%t really need to go8 The ;iew fro$ $y dec+ pstairs is good eno gh for $e8@ They e6ited the tree ho se9 A7hinor in the lead followed 7y Agni9 Aryan and Ansh in a line with Corneli s at their heels8 Tall lah 7ro ght p the rear8 She latched the s$all arched door sing a thin piece of stone8 A7hinor led the$ across the swinging wal+ways that criss-crossed the ca$p8 They left the large clearing filled with ho ses and passed o;er another that contained what appeared to 7e a ny$ph school8 There were se;eral gro ps of ny$phs of ;arying ages sitting in large gro ps loo+ing at 7oo+s and diagra$s8 So$e of the instr ctors were ny$phs9 and a few were ani$als8 An owl sat hooting away as se;eral teenaged ny$phs rapidly too+ notes9 and a large f rry wolf was leading a gro p of yo nger ny$phs in an e6ercise ro tine8 The Three )rothers followed A7hinor o t of the ed cation clearing8 They crossed o;er a another large opening in which ny$phs were constr cting f rnit re and doors9 wea;ing pieces of cloth9 $a+ing thread9 and as Ansh was s rprised to see9 chopping trees and c tting logs8 >A7hinor9@ Ansh as+ed $o;ing forward to spea+ to the ny$ph9 >what are they doingA They%re c tting down the forest8@

A7hinor nodded8 >!e se the trees% wood for a great $any things8 !e try to se dead wood as $ ch as possi7le9 7 t for so$e things9 we re< ire green trees8@ Ansh was disappointed8 >) t 4 tho ght yo were s pposed to protect the wild li;ing things8 Co %re +illing the$8@ A7hinor stopped and t rned to face the 7oy8 The entire procession ca$e to a standstill on the long s spension 7ridge that h ng high a7o;e the clearing8 The so nd of saws and ha$$ers echoed p fro$ the forest floor8 A7hinor considered Ansh for a long $o$ent 7efore he replied8 5e loo+ed deep into the 7oy%s disappointed eyes8 >Co are right9 yo ng $an9@ he said finally8 >!e are +illing the trees8 =;ery ti$e a tree is c t down9 we are p t into a position where we $ st ta+e the life of that which we $ost re;ere8 Si$ilarly9 to feed o rsel;es e;ery day9 the ca$p gardeners $ st da$age or +ill $any plants and ani$als in order to pro;ide s with s stenance8@ A7hinor loo+ed o t o;er the clearing8 A large oa+ tree was 7eing c t in half8 The two ny$phs sawing away wore a loo+ of re;erential $o rning8@ >Tho gh it is diffic lt to nderstand9 we ny$phs $ st accept the fact that it ta+es life to $a+e life8 !e are all $ore gratef l to the wild li;ing things 7eca se of this8 4f it were not for the$9 we co ld not e6ist8@ 5e loo+ed deep into Ansh%s eyes8 >And the wild li;ing things accept this too and do not 7egr dge s of their 7o nty8 They nderstand the great :oy of 7eing a7le to gi;e of oneself for the 7enefit of another8 They +now that we will not cons $e $ore than we re< ire9 and so9 they gi;e the$sel;es to s freely and happily8@ A7hinor t rned 7ac+8 >4t is only with the 7lessing of the trees that they can 7e c t down8 4t is the tree%s decision to sacrifice itself8@ 5e t rned aro nd and loo+ed at the 7oys8 >That does not $a+e it less sad9 tho gh9 does itA@ The 7oys shoo+ their heads in agree$ent8 !itho t another word9 A7hinor led the$ fro$ the clearing along the hanging wal+way8 They $o;ed farther and farther into the forest9 and the clearings 7eca$e increasingly sporadic8 They passed a large open filed in which the ca$p gardeners were tending to h ndreds of plants8 Farther down9 another large clearing was filled with s$all saplings8 4n another s$all clearing far fro$ the ca$p9 the 7oys saw 4//y and what they g essed were the other !ood #y$ph Sco ts8 They were practicing acro7atic acts fro$ the tress and sparring with each other sing long wooden stic+s8 Finally9 all of the clearings disappeared8 The only thing re$aining was the hanging wal+way that stretched thro gh the ;ast green canopy8 2ccasionally9 the wal+way wo ld

7ranch off9 and another section wo ld lead into the forest8 A7hinor led the$ relentlessly ahead8 Finally9 after wal+ing for what see$ed li+e an ho r or $ore9 the rope 7ridge reached its end9 a large tree to which a ladder was attached8 5igh a7o;e9 the 7oys co ld see a platfor$ 7 ilt into the tree%s pper 7ranches8 A7hinor grasped the ladder and 7egan cli$7ing pward8 The 7oys followed9 scaling the wooden r ngs that were attached to the tree%s tr n+8 They cli$7ed thro gh an opening in the 7otto$ of the platfor$ and e$erged onto the dec+ of the 27ser;atory8 The 27ser;atory was a$a/ing8 The entire tree top had 7een re$o;ed and replaced 7y a large9 flat dec+8 The ;iew was li+e standing on the top$ost 7ranch of the tallest tree8 The hills of Chancell7erry Forest nd lated li+e a rolling green sna+e o t of sight into a 7l e ha/y $ist in the distance8 There were tree tops as far as the eye co ld see8 4t was a 7ea tif l9 7right $orning8 The s n shone hot on their faces9 which felt good after their long wal+ in the cool shade 7eneath the canopy8 The 7oys stood staring in awe at the ;ast 7ea ty of Chancell7erry Forest8 A7hinor 7ro+e the enchanted silence8 >!ell9 7oys9 the 27ser;atory is the last o tpost of o r ca$p8 As yo can see9 there are tho sands of acres of forest o t here9 and it%s still a long way to Chancell7erry City8 ' ch farther than yo %;e co$e8@ The Three )rothers loo+ed aro nd8 The rolling hills went on and on in e;ery direction8 There was no sign of their far$9 or the Village in the Valley9 no sign of Chancell7erry City8 4ndeed9 e;en the wood ny$ph%s ca$p was ndetecta7le a$ong the dense green treetops8 A7hinor added9 >4 will not disco rage yo in yo r endea;or9 7 t 4 want yo to caref lly consider yo r sit ation 7efore contin ing on8 4 wo ld offer to go with yo 9 7 t with the recent nrest in the +ingdo$ and the s dden disappearance of yo r +ing9 4 $ st re$ain at the ca$p8@ The children did not pay $ ch attention to A7hinor%s warning8 They were too 7 sy $ar;eling at the 7ea ty of the forest that lay 7elow the$8 The entire party stood there for a long $o$ent ta+ing in the scenery in silence8 The point at which the trees $et s+y at the ha/y 7l e hori/on held Aryan%s attention8 4t was as if hea;en and earth 7eca$e one8 Finally9 Tall lah spo+e9 and when she did9 her ;oice so nded sha+y as if she were trying hard to hold 7ac+ tears8 >Co 7oys 7est 7e caref l8 4t%s going to rain today8@ She loo+ed p and nodded at the s+y8 >Cep9 s rely gonna 7e a stor$ 7efore e;ening8% The Three )rothers watched as white p ffy clo ds floated la/ily in the crisp 7l e s+y8 They were politely < iet9 7 t none of the three 7elie;ed in Tall lah%s predication8 The s+y certainly did not see$ to 7e threatening precipitation8

>!ell9 co$e along9 children8 3et%s see yo off8@ And A7hinor led the$ down the ladder past the wal+way to the forest floor far 7elow the 27ser;atory8 There was a s$all trail that led off into the forest 7eyond the tree%s 7ase8 The gro p wa+ed down the trail ntil it split into two for+s8 A7hinor stopped at the : nction and t rned to face the Three )rothers8 >Ta+e this path9@ he said9 $otioning to the trail that led into the forest8 >4t leads directly to Chancell7erry City and r ns along the ri;er al$ost the entire way8@ Agni loo+ed down the path and too+ a deep 7reath8 5e then reached o t his hand to A7hinor and said9 >Than+ yo 8@ Aryan and Ansh echoed9 >Ces9 than+ yo 8@ A7hinor s$iled and shoo+ the 7oy%s hand8 >Co %re welco$e9@ he said8 Tall lah +issed each 7oy on the chee+ and told the$ to 7e caref l8 Then the 7oys set off down the trail calling good7ye to A7hinor and Tall lah who stood wa;ing8 Corneli s9 the Bl spin9 howe;er9 was ;ery agitated to see the 7oys go8 5e ran 7ehind the$ whi$pering9 then do 7led 7ac+ to A7hinor and Tall lah and i$plored with his large 7rown eyes8 5e cried so lo dly that the 7oys stopped on the trail to see what was wrong8 Corneli s ran to the$9 t gged on Ansh%s pant9 and then ret rned to A7hinor%s side whining shrilly8 A7hinor +nelt and gently e6plained to the distra ght ani$al that the 7oys wo ld not 7e staying8 Corneli s replied with a series of e6cited whines and yaps8 A7hinor tried to soothe hi$9 7 t the Bl spin was insistent8 Finally9 A7hinor relented8 Corneli s : $ped into A7hinor%s ar$s9 n //led his $aster%s face with his short9 f rry nose9 then hopped down and trotted towards the 7oys8 >Corneli s has decided to go with yo 9@ called A7hinor8 Ansh 7ent and e6citedly e$7raced the Bl spin that : $ped into his ar$s and lic+ed hi$ repeatedly8 The 7oys ga;e one last wa;e8 Tall lah and A7hinor watched the$ wal+ o t of sight aro nd the trail%s 7end9 and then they were gone8 The Three )rothers contin ed along the trail9 and soon they co ld hear the $ r$ r of the !illia$s Ri;er8 )efore long9 it ca$e into ;iew thro gh the thic+ trees8 The trail p lled parallel to the flowing strea$9 and the 7oys along with the golden Bl spin en:oyed the 7ea tif l scenery aro nd the$8 )y $idday9 they halted to ha;e so$e l nch8 They were gratef l for the delicio s treats that Tall lah had pac+ed for the$8 They washed their faces in the cool water fro$ a near7y spring and contin ed their :o rney to Chancell7erry City8 A few ho rs later9 they heard a low r $7ling o;er the constant drone of the flowing ri;er8 They stopped and loo+ed aro nd c rio sly8 >4s that th nderA@ as+ed Aryan8 >4t cannot possi7ly 7e9@ replied Agni s r;eying the s+y8 The sli;er of 7l e ran 7etween the $o ntains on either side of the ri;er8 4t was still as cheerf l as it had 7een that $orning when Tall lah predicted a downpo r8

>4t $ st ha;e 7een yo r sto$ach9@ Ansh teased Agni8 >Co ate so fast8@ The Three )rothers la ghed9 7 t Corneli s was not con;inced8 5e whi$pered9 and Ansh translated8 >Corneli s says it%s going to rain9 and we sho ld find shelter8@ Ansh shr gged and loo+ed at his 7rothers8 Agni loo+ed do 7tingly at the 7l e s+y and white p ffy clo ds8 >!ell9 it doesn%t really loo+ li+e it9@ he said8 >'ay7e Corny%s weather ga ge is a little off8@ Aryan ca$e to a halt8 >) t9 Agni9 e;en Tall lah said it was going to rain today8@ Agni considered his 7rothers and Corneli s who were loo+ing at hi$ for so$e sort of decision8 5e shoo+ his head8 >4 thin+ we sho ld +eep going8@ Aryan and Ansh conceded and followed their 7rother8 There was no point in trying to arg e with Agni once he had $ade p his $ind a7o t so$ething8 So the Three )rothers contin ed their tre+ for another half an ho r when s ddenly the s+y dar+ened and the te$perat re dropped8 3arge dar+ clo ds rolled in rapidly and eng lfed the s+y o;er the ri;er in a $atter of $o$ents8 Soon hea;y drops of icy spring rain 7egan p $$eling their heads8 After the first few fat drops9 Ansh said9 >!ell9 it%s going to rain after all8@ To which Agni replied with a deathly loo+8 The downpo r < ic+ly intensified9 and the Three )rothers ran off the trail 7y the ri;er onto a s$all deer path in hopes of see+ing shelter 7eneath the trees8 The s+y had 7eco$e so dar+ that they co ld 7arely see in the dense forest8 Finally9 they too+ ref ge nder a large pine tree8 Corneli s yelped and t gged at Ansh%s pant8 >5e says we sho ldn%t stop here9@ Ansh sho ted o;er the r sh of wind and crea+ing 7ranches8 >4f lighting stri+es this tree9 we co ld get h rt8@ These words were scarcely o t of Ansh%s $o th when fro$ high a7o;e in the 7ranches of the tree ca$e a lo d crac+ that was a di7le o;er the cacophony of rain and wind fro$ the stor$8 The 7oys loo+ed p to see the top of the pine tree 7ending down8 4t was nearly do 7led o;er8 3o d pops and crac+s were e$anating fro$ its 7ranches8 Aryan gra77ed his little 7rother and Agni 7 ndled p Corneli s8 They : $ped fro$ nder the tree as one of the 7ranches ca$e sailing down8 >Co$e on?@ sho ted Agni o;er the roar of the stor$8 >3et%s get o t of here8@ The rain was dri;ing down in sheets8 A7o;e the$9 the ferocio s wind lashed the green spring lea;es8 The crashing of th nder was nearly constant8 The children contin ed r nning thro gh the forest8 They had lost the deer path in their fright and were r nning thro gh the forest loo+ing for a sign of the trail8 The so nd of the ri;er had 7een co$pletely drowned o t 7y the stor$8 Then s ddenly9 they 7 rst into a s$all clearing9 and in the $iddle sat a r ndown 7arn8 The 7arn was dilapidated8 4ts 7oards had t rned 7lac+ fro$ years of weather8 Breen $oss crept p its walls8

The 7oys r shed at the 7arn and p shed open the rotting door8 The sweet s$ell of hay $ingled with the earthy aro$a of the wet9 rotting wood8 The old 7arn loo+ed as if its only inha7itant for $any years had 7een the $ ltit de of $ice sc rrying a7o t eating the large piles of dry hay8 Corneli s shoo+ hi$self ;iolently sending water droplets showering in all directions8 The 7oys followed s it9 re$o;ing their o terwear and wringing o t the water8 Aryan9 Ansh and the s$all Bl spin threw the$sel;es into the hay o;erco$e with s dden e6ha stion9 no do 7t a res lt for$ all the e6cite$ent of r nning thro gh a th nderstor$8 Soon9 the so nd of rain 7eating on the old tin roof had l lled the$ into a deep sleep8 Agni re$ained awa+e in;estigating the 7arn8 5e crossed to a s$all window coated in d st and sed his slee;e to clean a s$all patch o t of which he co ld loo+ o tside at the stor$8 5e watched the rain slant sideways and r n down the green lea;es of a near7y 7 sh8 5e had always lo;ed a good s $$er stor$9 and he tho ght the rain was ;ery 7ea tif l8 5e stood for a long $o$ent9 hypnoti/ed 7y the rhyth$ of the rain po nding on the roof8 A feeling of cal$ ca$e o;er hi$9 and soon9 he too 7egan to feel drowsy8 5e :oined his 7rothers and the s$all9 golden Bl spin in the +not pon the hay8 And 7efore long9 they were all sn ggled together in a pile and fast asleep 7eneath the stor$8

A Rude Awa"ening
The Three )rothers awo+e early the ne6t $orning to a ;iolent crashing noise that was not th nder8 The stor$ had passed9 and they now s< inted against the 7right $orning light strea$ing in thro gh the windows8 As their eyes ad: sted to the glare9 a large silho etted fig re in the doorway slowly ca$e into foc s8 The 7oys co ld soon see the fig re which 7lotted o t a large patch of s nlight was a large $an with dar+ hair and a 7lac+ 7eard that co;ered $ost of his face8 5e was as tall as the doorway and nearly as wide8 5e stared at the three s$all 7oys and the Bl spin lying in the hay in dis7elief for a second8 Then he 7lin+ed and growled9 >!hat are yo doing hereA@ 5is ;oice was al$ost a 7ar+9 deep and lo d and gra;elly8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh were terrified8 #e;er 7efore had they seen s ch a frightening fig re8 =;en the cr el-eyed . +e paled in co$parison8 As the 7oys stared fro/en with fear9 Corneli s 7egan yipping wildly8 5e $o;ed towards the tall dar+ $an in an atte$pt to 7ite his an+le9 7 t the $an sto$ped his enor$o s 7rown 7oot in the Bl spin%s direction9 sending cl $ps of dirt and pl $es of d st flying8 Corneli s retreated hastily and hid in the corner nder a 7ale of $oldy hay8 The $an t rned his ga/e once $ore to the children who were now clinging to each other8 >Co 7oys are trespassing on $y property8 !hat are yo doing hereA Answer $e8@ 5e ad;anced towards the$ $enacingly9 and the 7oys shran+ 7ac+ e;en f rther8 >!e are sorry9@ s< ea+ed Aryan al$ost in;ol ntarily8

>Ces9@ said Agni < ic+ly9 >we did not +now this was yo r property8@ Then he added9 >!e will lea;e if yo want8@ 5e $ade the slightest $o;e$ent as if to rise 7 t stopped < ic+ly after the $an ga;e hi$ a withering loo+8 >Co %re not going anywhere9@ he said and s r;eyed the yo ng 7oys $enacingly for a $o$ent in silence8 >Co %re co$ing with $e8@ 5e crossed to the 7oys in two steps9 gra77ed the$ ro ghly 7y the pper ar$s9 and escorted the$ o t of the 7arn8 5e sla$$ed the door 7ehind the$9 sh tting Corneli s inside8 The 7oys had no hope of r nning8 The tall $an%s ro gh9 thic+ fingers gripped their ar$s so tightly that their hands 7egan to tingle8 5e led the$ thro gh the woods along a s$all path that had 7een hidden in the dar+ness of the pre;io s day%s stor$8 After wal+ing for a few $in tes9 they e$erged into a clearing in which a s$all wooden ca7in stood8 There was an enor$o s pile of fire wood ne6t to a chopping 7loc+ into which an a6e was st c+ on the far side of the cottage8 The pile of the wood stood nearly as tall as the ho se8 The $an led the 7oys p the wooden steps of the cottage with all three of their ar$s encircled in his right hand8 5e thr st the door open9 sho;ed the$ inside9 and closed the door 7ehind hi$self8 >Sit down9@ he ordered9 and the 7oys seated the$sel;es on a long wooden 7ench near the door8 The large $an sto$ped o;er to a ro ghly hewn ta7le and swigged directly fro$ a large copper water : g8 Aryan al$ost told the $an he sho ld po r the water into a c p9 7 t the 7oy%s co$$on sense pre;ailed9 and he stayed < iet8 >#ow9@ the $an said as he wiped his $o th after a great g lp9 >are yo three gonna tell $e what yo %re doing p here9 or a$ 4 gonna ha;e to 7eat it o t of yo A@ The Three )rothers were frightened8 The large hairy $an swirled the water aro nd in the : g and too+ another long drin+8 5e watched the$ o;er the top of the : g8 5e was ;ery 7ig9 and 7eing 7eaten 7y hi$ wo ld s rely 7e a painf l9 if not life-threatening9 e6perience8 Finally9 it was Aryan who ca;ed nder the press re of his steely green stare8 >!e are going to Chancell7erry City9@ he said 7reathlessly8 The tall $an eyed hi$ s spicio sly8 >Chancell7erry City9 h hA@ he as+ed and raised his 7 shy 7lac+ eye7rows8 5is de$eanor changed slightly9 and his eyes 7etrayed an e$otion 7eneath his anger8 !as it s rpriseA C riosityA 5e loo+ed $ore intently at the children now9 e6a$ining their clothes and shoes8 >!ell9 yo loo+ li+e a co ple of far$ 7oys to $e8 !hat 7 siness do yo ha;e going to Chancell7erry CityA@

#o one answered8 The Three )rothers were far too frightened of the $an to tell hi$ of their plan8 >!e are : st going for a ;isit to o r a nt%s ho se9@ said Agni after a long $o$ent8 5e was not too con;incing9 howe;er9 and the dar+ $an%s eye7rows f rrowed8 =rrant white hairs st c+ o t at odd angles8 5is eyes see$ed to change color fro$ greenish 7rown to gray8 5e s< inted8 5e clearly did not 7elie;e Agni%s story a7o t ;isiting an a nt8 >) ll crap9@ the $an 7oo$ed and ad;anced pon the$8 >Co thin+ yo can co$e here9 trespass on $y property9 and ins lt $e 7y lying to $y face in $y own ho seA@ 5e po+ed a threatening finger in Agni%s chest as he towered o;er the 7ench pon which all three sat cowering8 >!e are sorry9@ s< ea+ed Aryan8 >Co %re da$ned right yo are sorry8 Co %re the sorriest 7 nch of +ids 4 e;er enco ntered8 #ow9 tell $e what yo are doing here 7efore 4 7rea+ 7ad on all three of yo 9@ 7oo$ed the $an8 The 7oys were terrified8 They were not < ite s re what >7rea+ing 7ad@ $eant9 7 t the $an loo+ed so $enacing9 they did not want to find o t8 They sat in silence for a long9 tense $o$ent d ring which the $an started at the children9 his red face clenched awaiting their answer8 3ater9 he co ld not recall what pro$pted hi$ to say the words that ca$e o t of his $o th8 ) t in that $o$ent9 Agni decided 7eing co$pletely honest was the only possi7le way to sa;e the$ fro$ assa lt8 >!e are going to steal 7ac+ a treas re o r parents ga;e to the +ing so we can pay the . +e ta6es and sa;e o r far$@ The star+ tr th h ng in the air 7etween the Three )rothers and the large $an8 5e stared 7lan+ly as if he was ha;ing diffic lty processing what the child had told hi$8 Then s ddenly9 he er pted into a $oc+ing la gh8 5e threw 7ac+ his head8 >2h9 ho9 yo $ st thin+ 4 a$ so$e +ind of fool9 h hA Ta6es on yo r far$A !hat sort of idiot do yo ta+e $e forA@ The $an stared at the 7oys with a $anic glint in his eyes8 >4 +now good and well Ding Drinio s doesn%t collect ta6es9 so for yo to co$e here and try to tell $eH@ Agni9 as he had the 7ad ha7it of doing9 interr pted the dar+ haired $an 7y saying9 >) t that%s the thing8 Ding Drinio s isn%t the +ing any$ore8 'aridi s is9 and he sent his . +eH@ This ti$e9 it was the dar+ $an who interr pted8 >=6c se $e9@ he said9 p tting two fingers 7ehind his left ear8 >!hat did yo : st sayA Drinio s is no longer +ingA 'aridi s isA@

>Ces9 sir8 4t is tr e9@ said Agni8 Aryan and Ansh nodded their heads8 The $an stared at the 7oys% faces for a long $o$ent8 Aryan noticed his eyes had ret rned to their original greenish 7rown color8 >4 ha;e heard nothing of this9@ the $an said finally8 >!hen did this happenA@ >!e%re not s re9@ answered Agni8 >!e only fo nd o t three days ago when the . +e ca$e to o r far$ as+ing for the ta6es8@ The $an shoo+ his 7 shy head8 >Ta6esA !hy wo ld 'aridi s want ta6esA@ Agni did not notice that this < estion the $an posed $ore to hi$self than the children9 so the 7oy replied9 >!e don%t +now why8 !e $et so$e wood ny$phs yesterday9 and they said it pro7a7ly has so$ething to do with an enchanted carriage 'aridi s is wanting8 2f co rse9 we don%t +now anything for s re8 !e%re : st worried a7o t o r far$9 is all8@ >And what happened to dear Drinio sA@ 5e h nched his 7road sho lders and r 77ed his 7earded chin8 >!e don%t +now9@ said Agni8 The gri//ly $an was silent8 5e clenched his right fist repeatedly8 5is thic+ fingers t rned red and then white fro$ the press re8 5is :aw clenched9 and he e6haled hea;ily se;eral ti$es8 Finally9 he too+ one last deep 7reath and witho t loo+ing at the children9 strode to the door9 fl ng it open and wal+ed into the $id$orning daylight sla$$ing the door 7ehind hi$8 The 7oys heard the loc+ close fro$ the o tside8 They were trapped8 After a7o t fi;e $in tes9 a lo d rhyth$ic th dding started8 4t was co$ing fro$ the front yard8 The 7oys initially restrained their c riosity for fear that the $an wo ld ret rn and 7e angry with their ha;ing 7 dged an inch inside his ho$e8 5owe;er9 after only a7o t fi;e $in tes9 Ansh was no longer a7le to sit still9 and so he crossed to a s$all window near the 7olted door and pee+ed o t aro nd the red and white chec+ed c rtain8 The so rce of the th $ping was i$$ediately re;ealed to 7e the $an f rio sly chopping logs and tossing the$ onto the enor$o s pile of wood8 The $an ;iolently hea;ed his a6e and sw ng it down hard8 5is face had gone red fro$ the e6ertion9 and his feat res were contorted8 4t was a frightening sight8 Ansh p lled the c rtain 7ac+ so his 7rothers co ld see8 They were e< ally frightened8 >.o yo thin+ he%s $ad at sA@ wondered Aryan alo d8 5is face was frightened8 >'ay7e9@ said Agni8 5e loo+ed scared as well8

>'ay7e he tho ght yo were lying a7o t Ding Drinio s9@ sad Aryan8 >'ay7e9@ Agni said again8 >) t if that%s the case9 4 thin+ we sho ld try and find a way o t of here 7efore he co$es 7ac+8 4 don%t thin+ he li+es 7eing lied to9 and that a6e is really9 really 7ig8@ Aryan and Ansh agreed8 As < ietly as possi7le9 the Three )rothers 7egan searching for a way o t8 The front door was latched fro$ the o tside9 and the tiny window ne6t to it was of no se either8 There was only one other door in the s$all plan+ed roo$9 directly opposite the front9 7 t it was loc+ed as well8 There were no other windows8 The 7oys searched for an alternate ro te of escape9 7 t to no a;ail8 They faced the fact they were trapped with a co$$ nal sigh8 1na7le to sit9 Agni 7egan pacing 7ac+ and forth on the wood floor while Aryan reclai$ed his set on the 7ench9 and Ansh stood staring o t the window at the $an chopping wood8 For the first ti$e9 the 7oys started to e6a$ine their s rro ndings8 The long roo$ was 7oth +itchen and sitting roo$8 A large iron coo+ sto;e was directly in front of the 7ench on which Aryan and Ansh were seated8 #e6t to the 7ench was the s$all wooden ta7le that had a single chair8 #e6t to the ta7le9 a large set of shel;es ho sed an array of clear :ars filled with canned ;egeta7les9 fr its and $eat8 )eyond the shel;es was another wooden 7ench8 This one had a tall 7ac+ and ar$s8 Across fro$ the 7ench was ro ghly hewn 7oo+case that reached all the way to ceiling8 )oo+s see$ed o t of place in the ca7in adorned as it was with $o nted heads9 horns and dead carcasses8 Agni crossed to the 7oo+shelf8 A large 7ear s+in r g stretched wall to wall8 The 7ear%s head was still attached9 and its open $o th gaped $enacingly9 e6posing its long9 sharp teeth8 Agni e6a$ined the titles8 There were 7oo+s on flowers9 trees and ani$als9 far$ing $an als9 ani$al training $an als9 a historical acco nt of Chancell7erry9 and Agni was s rprised to see9 a large < antity of plays9 poetry and other fa$o s wor+s of fiction8 >4t loo+s li+e he reads a lot9@ said Agni as he ga/ed at the gr ff $an%s e6tensi;e li7rary8 5e shr gged8 >'other always says a person who lo;es 7oo+s can%t 7e all 7ad8@ Aryan and Ansh were s+eptical8 >She says that a7o t Brand$a Pa line9 and she s$ells li+e cats and h gs $e so hard it $a+es $y insides h rt9@ Aryan said with a sha+e of his head8 5e clearly didn%t 7elie;e that an interest in 7oo+s was a redee$ing personality trait8 2n the top of a stac+ of 7oo+s was a 7lac+ leather copy that had no title8 Agni pic+ed it p and flipped it open8 The pages were filled with handwritten words9 and the 7oy soon reali/ed it was the large $an%s :o rnal8 There were $any short entries regarding the weather or chores the $an needed to doJ Looks like it might rain today. Better get the hay in the barn.

Big snowstorm. A few entries laterJ Snow finally melted. Chop more wood. There were longer entries as well that were $ore concerned with the $an%s acti;ities and tho ghtsJ Went down to the river today. Spent the entire morning fishing. Caught 12 rainbows. hrew all but two of them ba!k. "ode up to #ike$s #eak. Stayed there till sunset. So beautiful. he entire sky turned orange% then red% then purple% then blue. &s if 'od !ame out of the !louds and put those !olors there (ust for me to see. Agni t rned to the 7oo+$ar+ed page8 The last entry 7efore the pages went 7lan+ was only two lines and 7ore the date of two days 7eforeJ ) am the author of my own thoughts. My emotions !annot !ontrol me% ) !ontrol my emotions. Agni was startled 7y a so nd at the entryway and 7arely had ti$e to throw the :o rnal 7ac+ to its place 7efore the door sw ng p and the $an tro$ped in co;ered in sweat8 >!hat are yo doing o;er thereA@ he growled at Agni8 5e then proceeded to cross to the 7oy9 gra7 hi$ 7y the ar$9 and lead hi$ ro ghly away fro$ the 7oo+shelf and 7ac+ to the 7ench with his 7rothers8 The large $an then gra77ed the copper water : g off of the ta7le and drained it in one g lp8 5e $opped his forehead with a hand+erchief and then refilled the water : g fro$ a large copper cistern8 After he was done9 the th $ped the water : g 7ac+ down on the ta7le and stared at it for a long $in te8 5e then too+ a deep 7reath and raised his eyes to the Three )rothers8 5e said in an e;en ;oice9 >4 a$ sorry if 4 was gr ff with yo earlier8 4t is ;ery rare 4 ha;e ;isitors9 nanno nced or otherwise 4 prefer it that way9@ he said into their eyes8 >4 7elie;e what yo ha;e told $e a7o t yo r going to Chancell7erry9@ he nodded9 >7 t 4 need $ore infor$ation a7o t what has happened there8 Tell $e8 !hat else do yo +nowA@ The 7oys were shoc+ed at the change in the $an%s de$eanor8 They tho ght he wo ld certainly ret rn angrier than 7efore8 They didn%t want to r in his good $ood9 and were r ef l that they had no f rther infor$ation to tell hi$8 @All we +now we ha;e told yo 9 sir9@ said Agni hoping that it wo ld not pset the $an8 >The . +e ca$e to o r ;illage and told e;eryone to pay ta6es8 !e ha;e ntil after the

S $$er Festi;al to pay8 4f we ha;en%t 7y then9 he said the new +ing9 'aridi s9 will ta+e o r far$ away8@ >Ces9 7 t how did 'aridi s 7eco$e the new +ingA@ The $an pressed8 >!hat has 7eco$e of Drinio sA@ >!e do not +now9@ said Agni8 >!hen we $et the wood ny$phs9 they said all they +new was 'aridi s had wanted Drinio s to get so$e +ind of enchanted carriages fro$ Bardol7erg8 #ow9 Drinio s is gone or $issing9 and 'aridi s is +ing8 That is all we +now8@ Then he added with $ore con;iction8 >) t we plan to find o t8@ The $an $ st ha;e fo nd this a$ sing9 7eca se for the first ti$e9 his face 7ro+e into a s$all s$ile and he ch c+led to hi$self8 >!ell9 4 wish yo l c+ with that9@ he said9 and the s$ile < ic+ly ;anished fro$ his face8 5e stared for a long ti$e at the water : g9 7 t his eyes did not see it8 Finally9 he see$ed to p ll hi$self 7ac+ into reality8 5e loo+ed at the children sitting in a row and staring at hi$8 >4 had a son once9@ he said8 >5e was a7o t yo r age8@ 5e loo+ed at Ansh8 >) t 4 s ppose since 4 left hi$9 he%s not really $y son any$ore9 don%t yo thin+A@ The $an i$plored the children with his eyes8 4t was Aryan who offered p his reass rance8 >!ell9 if o r pappa had to lea;e s9 he wo ld still 7e o r pappa8@ The giant $an shoo+ his head8 >!hat if he ne;er ca$e 7ac+A Co co ldn%t still call hi$ yo r father8@ >!e s re wo ld8@ Aryan%s honest eyes and long lashes stared intently at the great $an as he s n+ slowly into the large solitary chair 7y the ta7le8 5e rested his head in his hands8 The Three )rothers were conf sed 7y his 7eha;ior 7 t were relie;ed that he had at least stopped yelling at the$8 Finally9 the $an spo+e8 !hen he raised his head9 his eyes loo+ed al$ost $oist8 >4 $ st as+ yo children to do $e a fa;or9 and in ret rn9 4 will gi;e yo lodging for the night as well as the se of $y horse8 5e will ta+e yo to Chancell7erry in the $orning8 4t will 7e $ ch faster than tra;elling on foot8@ The Three )rothers loo+ed sideways at each other9 silently pondering the large $an%s proposition8 5is face was so earnest and ;isi7ly tro 7led that the children did not ha;e the heart to deny his re< est9 e;en tho gh the tho ght of staying the night in his cottage was far fro$ what they wo ld consider pleasant8 They silently reached an agree$ent thro gh raised eye7rows and cryptic nods8 And finally9 Agni said9 >2+ay9 what is the fa;orA@

The giant $an%s 7row nf rrowed slightly9 7 t he loo+ed far fro$ relie;ed8 >4 want yo to ta+e a $essage to $y son8@ 5e stood and gripped the 7ac+ of the solitary wooden chair8 >4f it is at all possi7le9@ he added8 >5e resides in Chancell7erry City9 and 4 wo ld appreciate yo con;eying $y $essage to hi$8@ >2f co rse9 sir8 !hat is the $essage9@ as+ed Agni8 The large $an ga;e a slight s$ile and ch c+led e;er so softly8 >4 will write hi$ a letter9@ he said8 >That way yo need not re$e$7er $y $essage8 All yo will need to do is deli;er the en;elope to hi$ if yo are a7le to do so8@ The children nodded in agree$ent8 >5ow will we find hi$A@ Agni as+ed8 The giant $an%s face once again dar+ened as if a great s $$er clo d had : st that $o$ent passed o;er it and 7loc+ed o t the s n8 >That is a 7it of a delicate $atter9 children9 and 4 will e6plain it to yo later on8 )est not concern yo rself with it now8@ 5e pa sed 7riefly9 and the 7oys sat wondering8 >#ow9@ the $an contin ed9 7r shing his hands together8 >4 ha;e not 7een ;ery hospita7le9 and 4 apologi/e8 3i+e 4 said9 4 a$ not sed to playing the host8 .on%t get too $any fol+s tra;elling in these parts8@ >Co$e on8@ 5e strode to the door8 >4 will show yo aro nd the place8 Then $ay7e we%ll head down to the ri;er and fish s p a $ess of tro t for s pper8@ The $an opened the door9 and daylight strea$ed in8 5e $otioned with his hand and held the door opened as the Three )rothers $arched o t the door into the fresh $o ntain air8 The 7oys stepped onto the s$all wooden porch attached to the front of the ca7in8 There were steps to the front and right side which led down into the yard9 and a wooden railing ran aro nd the periphery8 A stool and a long 7ench car;ed o t of a log sat on either side of the door8 A tin roof shaded anyone who sat there8 Fro$ the porch9 the s$all clearing of a yard was a ho$ely site8 A fire pit9 the gigantic wood pile9 and se;eral paths r nning off into the woods in ;ario s directions co$pleted the s$all clearing in front of the ca7in8 The yard sloped down on the right into a large cleared field8 There was a pond at the foot of the e$7an+$ent and 7eyond that9 in the edge of the field9 was a large ;egeta7le garden8 The rest of the field was co;ered in hay9 and at the far edge9 the field dissipated 7ac+ into forest8 The Three )rothers co ld hear the so nd of r shing water g rgling fro$ 7eyond the trees8 The enor$o s $an led the 7oys thro gh the yard and down the 7an+ toward the pond and field 7eyond8 Ansh loo+ed 7ac+ p at the s$all ca7in8 4t loo+ed $ ch larger fro$ the o tside8 There was a wooden dec+ attached to the 7ac+side that : tted o t o;er the sloping e$7an+$ent8 4ts long legs rese$7led a spider a$ong the tall trees8

They stopped 7y the s$all pond9 and the $an told the Three )rothers of how he first ca$e across that spot and decided it was the perfect place to 7 ild his ho se8 >4t was this pond that 4 first noticed9@ the $an said8 5is ;oice9 tho gh still deep and gr ff9 see$ed to ha;e lost its harshness8 2 tside9 the giant see$ed $ore at ease8 >4 was co$ing thro gh here one day right aro nd e;ening ti$e8 4 wanted to get a little ways fro$ the ri;er so it wo ldn%t get so cold at night8 4 had co$e across the spring that%s p on the hill o;er there8 !hen 4 ca$e 7ac+ down hoping to find a flat spot to $a+e ca$p9 4 saw this little pond8 4t loo+ed so nice9 4 set p $y ca$p right ne6t to the 7an+8@ 5e tapped his large hand against one of syca$ore tress that reflected in the pond%s water8 >The ne6t day9 4 got to loo+ing aro nd8 )ac+ then9 all of this was woods9 $ostly9@ he said gest ring aro nd the field8 >There%s a strea$ down there that r ns into the ri;er9@ he said pointing towards the far side of the field and the ndergrowth that was the so rce of the distant g rgling8 >!e%ll head down there in a 7it8@ The Three )rothers followed the large $an to his i$$ac lately-$anic red garden8 The 7oys were s rprised to see that the plants were already co;ered in ;egeta7les9 e;en tho gh it was < ite early in the growing season8 >4 got $y own hot ho se9@ he said pro dly8 >4 grow all winter long8 'a+e $y own fertili/er9 too8@ The 7oys strolled after the $an down row after row of fr its and ;egeta7les8 The $an then led the$ thro gh to the wooded end of the field8 E st after they entered the woods9 there was a si/a7le strea$ with a wide sandy shoal8 The children i$$ediately ran down the e$7an+$ent and 7egan digging and writing their na$es with stic+s in the sand8 The tall dar+ $an ind lged the$8 4t was only when the Three )rothers 7egan throwing handf ls of sand at each other that he rose fro$ his resting place leaned against the 7ase of a large tree at the top of the 7an+ and said9 >All right9 children9 that is eno gh8 3et s go and see if we can catch so$ething for dinner8@ 4t was on their way 7ac+ to the ca7in to retrie;e the fishing poles that Ansh stopped in the $iddle of the path and e6clai$ed9 >Corneli s?@ The tiny Bl spin had 7een loc+ed in the 7arn since $orning9 and it was already afternoon8 >2h9 yes9 4 forgot a7o t that one9@ said the tall $an as he led the children p to the ca7in8 >!e can go and release hi$ here in a $in te8@ 5e p shed the ca7in door open and strode to the opposite door9 the one the 7oys had tried to open when they were loc+ed inside8 The $an p lled a tiny le;er on the side of the door9 which ca sed the door to co$e a:ar8 The 7oys h ng aro nd the front roo$ and watched the tall $an disappear into the 7ac+8

After a few $o$ents9 he ret rned with se;eral long poles and a tac+le 7o68 5e placed the$ all on the ta7le and r 77ed his sto$ach9 declaring9 >!ell9 4%$ h ngry8@ 5e opened a large c p7oard ne6t to the coo+ sto;e and p lled o t a loaf of dar+ 7rown 7read9 so$e cheese and a :ar of yellow $ stard8 5e p lled the 7read apart and 7egan $a+ing a ;ery ro gh loo+ing sandwich8 Al$ost as an aftertho ght9 he said9 >Aren%t yo 7oys h ngryA@ The children were in fact ;ery h ngry8 Tho gh they hadn%t reali/ed they were ntil that $o$ent8 They had not eaten anything all day8 The $an offered to $a+e the$ sandwiches9 7 t they declined9 opting to finish off that which Tall lah had sent for the$8 The $an shr gged and de;o red his sandwich in a few 7ites while standing 7y the ta7le8 5e p lled se;eral apples fro$ the c p7oard8 5e ate one and st ffed the others into one of the large poc+ets of his o;eralls8 >3et%s go then9@ he said and led the 7oys o t the door and down the path to the 7arn in which they had slept the pre;io s e;ening8 As they approached9 they co ld hear the so nd of Corneli s yipping and scratching at the door8 The tall $an opened the door9 and Corneli s darted o t into the ar$s of a cro ching Ansh8 Ansh carried hi$ as they followed the $an down a for+ in the path8 They co ld hear the so nd of the r shing ri;er8 4t too+ a few $o$ents for the Bl spin to cal$ down9 7 t the re$nants of 7read and cheese that Ansh had sa;ed for hi$ cal$ed the Bl spin while the 7oy e6plained that the tall $an was not so 7ad after all8 )y the ti$e the so nd of the ri;er grew so lo d it was e;idently ;ery near7y9 the Bl spin was rela6ed eno gh to periodically creep near the tall $an%s an+les and tentati;ely sniff the$ 7efore sc rrying 7ac+ to the safety of the Three )rothers8 Finally9 the gro p reached the ri;er8 The so nd of the ;iolent water r shed thro gh the last 100 feet of woods to fill their ears and anno nce the $a:estic ri;er%s presence8 The re$ainder of the afternoon slid into e;ening pleasantly9 and the children al$ost co$pletely forgot a7o t the $an%s initial gr ffness8 =ach 7oy was gi;en a fishing pole8 KAryan wondered why a $an li;ing alone had so $any8L Ansh showed partic lar interest in learning the different types of +nots sed to attach the l res8 The tall $an pro$ised the yo ngest 7rother he wo ld show the 7oy se;en different styles of +nots that co ld 7e sed in fishing and had $any other ses as well8 .espite their 7est efforts9 none of the 7oys ca ght a single fish8 After less than an ho r9 Aryan had a7andoned his pole and was playing a$ongst the roc+s and trees along the 7an+8 After so$e ti$e9 Agni :oined hi$8 Ansh contin ed trying to perfect his cast while the large $an ca ght eno gh fish for all fo r of the$8 =;ent ally9 the s n 7ea$s slanted thro gh the trees atop the towering $o ntains at a considera7le angle9 and the large $an l $7ered fro$ the depths of the r shing ri;er

water and anno nced it was ti$e to go8 5e carried se;eral large tro t on a line along with the poles and tac+le 7o68 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh watched hi$ g t the fish with his large +nife and wash their carcasses in the strea$9 and then they followed hi$ p the 7an+ and into the forest8 Soon9 they were 7ac+ at his s$all ca7in8 Tho gh it was e;ening9 there was still plenty of light as s $$er was fast approaching8 The 7oys and the giant $an < ic+ly deposited the fish at the ca7in and $ade their way down to the ;ast garden to collect so$e ;egeta7les8 The $an carried a large 7owl that they filled with ripe to$atoes9 tender c c $7ers9 green onions9 yellow s< ash and a few new potatoes8 The $an led the children 7ac+ p to the ca7in where he lit a fire in the large pit in the yard and then silently sat a7o t re$o;ing the s+in and 7ones fro$ the fish8 After a while of watching hi$ wor+ in silence9 Agni ;ol nteered8 >4f yo %d li+e9 we can help yo clean the ;egeta7les8@ The $an loo+ed p at the 7oy with his dar+ eyes8 4t was as tho gh he was seeing hi$ fro$ a distance8 At length9 he said9 >.o yo +now howA@ >2f co rse9@ said Agni8 >!e help o r $other all the ti$e8@ The $an appraised the$ for a $o$ent9 and then went into the ca7in and ret rning carrying three s$all +ni;es8 >5ere yo go9@ he said and handed each 7oy a +nife8 >Try not to c t yo rsel;es8@ Then he went 7ac+ to 7oning and scaling the tro t8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh spent the ne6t three < arters of an ho r in relati;e silence as they peeled potatoes and carrots and re$o;ed strings fro$ a large cl $p of 7eans8 The tall dar+ $an occasionally ga;e so$e gr ff instr ctions on how to 7etter re$o;e the eye of a potato or how to waste less when peeling8 The $an finished 7oning the fish and placed the$ on a large $etal platter8 5e went 7ac+ into the ca7in and ret rning again with so$e 7 tter and salt which he applied li7erally to the fish8 5e too+ the potatoes the 7oys had peeled9 wrapped the$ in large green lea;es9 and placed the$ in the fire 7eneath so$e coals8 Then he too+ the carrots9 s< ash and so$e ca liflower and p t the$ in a large $etal pot filled with water along with so$e salt and a h n+ of 7 tter8 5e placed the pot9 the e6terior of which was 7lac+ened 7y years of fla$e9 o;er top of the fire on a large $etal hoo+ ne6t to an already 7 77ling pot of green 7eans8 The ;egeta7les coo+ed away9 and the $an p t the sliced to$ato and c c $7ers on a large wooden platter8 The children sat aro nd the fire and watched in silence8

.ar+ness had nearly descended on the little clearing in front of the ca7in 7y the ti$e the large $an p t the platter of fish onto the now s$oldering coals8 The aro$a that e$anated fro$ the pan was i$$ediately delicio s8 )y now9 the 7oys% sto$achs were gr $7ling8 The tall $an retreated once $ore to the ca7in and ret rning with se;eral large wooden plates9 so$e for+s and spoons9 fo r large 7rass $ gs9 and two $etal tan+ards8 5e 7anged his load down on the gro nd ne6t to where the Three )rothers sat on logs 7y the fire9 and then crossed to the food coo+ing o;er the fire8 >!ell9 she loo+s a7o t done9 7oys9@ he anno nced and 7egan re$o;ing ;essels of food and placing the$ on the gro nd 7y the children8 5e then donned a pair of leather glo;es and re$o;ed the potatoes encased in the now-7lac+ened lea;es fro$ the e$7ers8 5e placed three se;eral large pieces of wood on the $ass of coals and t rned to the children9 tossing his glo;es on the near7y wood pile8 >!ell9 4 don%t +now a7o t yo 9 7 t 4 s re a$ h ngry8 .ig in9@ he said and handed each 7oy a hea;y ro nd plate that appeared to 7e a cross-c t section of a large tree8 >4 li+e yo r plates9@ said Ansh8 >Than+ yo 9@ said the $an as he heaped each child%s plate with food8 >4 $ade the$ $yself8@ >ReallyA@ as+ed Ansh8 >Cep9 4 got a shop o t 7ehind the 7arn there8@ The children filled the$sel;es on the delicio s food8 Corneli s circled aro nd Ansh 7egging for 7its fro$ his plate8 The $eal see$ed to rela6 the $an9 and he reco nted $any e6citing tales of his life as a solitary woods$an8 5e fre< ently refreshed his large tan+ard with so$ething that s$elled distinctly of the honey $ead their father wo ld occasionally drin+ with Cecil d ring the winter festi;al8 5is eyes slowly 7eca$e glassier9 and he see$ed to 7e en:oying hi$self $ore and $ore8 5is stories 7eca$e $ore ani$ated9 and he occasionally wo ld toss 7ac+ his head in la ghter while slapping his +nee8 The 7oys fo nd his stories ri;eting8 5e told the$ of chasing 7ears thro gh the woods with his pac+ of dogs at his heels8 5e reco nted an instance when he had to scale a tree to get away fro$ an angry raccoon8 5e ga;e the$ ad;ice on how to s r;i;e in the forest d ring a th nderstor$ Kthat did not incl de hiding in so$e stranger%s 7arnL9 how to stay afloat in the ri;er if yo e;er fell in9 and how to 7est scale a cliff8 5e e;en told the$ the $ost effecti;e way to 7 ild a fire and how to +eep one going after it was lit9 which he de$onstrated enth siastically8 The Three )rothers sat 7y the fire rapt 7y the $an%s tales as twilight descended8 5e +ept tal+ing as he cleared away the dishes and re$nants of food8 5e sto+ed the fire and then settled 7ac+ into his half-log seat to res $e his tales8

4t was a clear night9 and stars were ;isi7le thro gh a 7rea+ in the trees a7o;e the fire pit8 The tall $an finished telling the 7oys of how he once +illed a $o ntain lion sing nothing 7 t a long stic+ and his +nife8 >4 tell yo 9 that cat didn%t +now what hit hi$?@ he e6clai$ed as the children la ghed8 >Co sho ld%;e seen the loo+ on his face8@ 5e ch c+led and too+ another long swig fro$ his c p8 5is s$ile slowly faded as he ga/ed into the fire8 At length9 he drew a deep 7reath and loo+ed p at the children8 5e silently drained his c p of its contents9 finishing it off with a long9 sharp inhale 7etween clenched teeth8 Then he refilled it once $ore8 >!ell9 7oys9@ he said9 pa sing to sip fro$ his c p9 >it%s getting late9 and it%s past $y 7edti$e8 Co rs too $ost li+ely8@ 5is affect had co$pletely changed8 5e was no longer the :o;ial storyteller he had 7een a few $o$ents 7efore8 5e see$ed tired9 sad8 5is eyes had once again changed fro$ green to light grey8 >4 need to tell yo so$ething9 tho gh Gca se 4 do 7t there%ll 7e eno gh ti$e for it 7efore yo lea;e to$orrow $orning8@ The 7oys were tired9 7 t the tall $an%s anno nce$ent $ade the$ sit p alertly8 The large $an stro+ed his 7 shy 7lac+ 7eard and said9 >4 told yo that 4 wanted yo to go find $y son9 so 4 need to tell yo how to find hi$8 3ocating hi$ sho ld not 7e that diffic lt9 7 t 4 don%t +now how willing he will 7e to spea+ to yo 8@ The Three )rothers e6changed glances8 4f the $an%s son was as welco$ing as his father9 they were in for a diffic lt ti$e8 The $an finished his c p%s contents once again and cl n+ed it down on the gro nd 7efore loo+ing p and saying9 >Co see9 $y son is 'aridi s8@ 5e loo+ed at the$ with finality8 Any ;estige of sleep that lay on the Three )rothers% sho lders flew away with this new re;elation8 They were silent for a $o$ent as they processed the infor$ation8 The tall9 dar+ $an sat watching the$ intently8 >Then that $eans yo %reH@ Agni trailed off < estioningly8 5e analy/ed the $an fro$ 7ehind his long lashes8 >That%s right9@ said the $an8 5e loo+ed down for a $o$ent9 and then $et the 7oy%s eyes once $ore8 >4 a$ 'arsodos8@ The children did not +now what to do or thin+8 This $an they had spent the entire day getting to +now was9 in fact9 'arsodos9 the e;il 7rother of the old Ding Droconos9 who

had tried to ta+e o;er the +ingdo$ years 7efore they were 7orn8 The Three )rothers were shoc+ed8 The giant $an with his 7 shy 7lac+ hair and 7eard li;ing alone in the forest see$ed neither regal nor dangero s8 KThe nco$forta7le $o$ents d ring which he 7elie;ing the$ to 7e trespassers notwithstanding8L And they had en:oyed his co$pany8 S rely9 they co ld not en:oy the co$pany of an e;il prince8 Finally9 gigantic 'arsodos9 7ro+e the silence8 5is ;oice was low9 and he stared at the gro nd and then at the 7oys9 $eeting the$ each in the eye8 >4 need for yo to nderstand how it is that 4 ca$e to 7e here8 4f the letter ne;er $a+es it to $y sonH@ 5e sighed8 >4 at least want yo children to +now the tr th8 There are so $any stories8 !hen dealing in $atters of life and death9 4 s ppose it is easy for things to get 7lown o t of proportion8 Pri;ate heart7rea+s are t rned into fairytale8@ 5e shoo+ his head8 >2;er the years9 4 ha;e heard acco nts fro$ the occasional tra;eler passing thro gh9 the legend of 'arsodos retreating to this ;ery forest8 Their tales are awf lly dra$atic and so ;astly different fro$ the act al circ $stances nder which 4 ca$e to lea;e the City of Chancell7erry and li;e here in isolation in this forest that hardly any fact still re$ains8@ The Three )rothers got the feeling that 'arsodos was referring to the tales li+e the one Cecil had told the$ a few days ago a7o t the for$er prince8 >4 ne;er wanted to 7e +ing9 really9@ 'arsodos 7egan8 >'y yo nger 7rother9 Droconos9 was far 7etter s ited for that :o78 4t was e;ident fro$ the ti$e we were children8 So when he 7eca$e +ing9 and 4 was appointed $ilitary leader9 4 was gen inely happy a7o t it8 Droconos and 4 were always ;ery close8 5e as the perfect +ing9 caring9 and nderstanding9 and so le;el-headed? #ot at all a hot-head li+e $e8 5e always ga;e the 7est ad;ice8@ 'arsodos shoo+ his 7 shy head8 >!hat 4 did to hi$ was wrong9 and he forga;e $e i$$ediately8 That was : st how he was9 nderstanding8 4 did8 'e9 on the other hand9 it too+ $e years to forgi;e $yself8 4 still do not +now if 4 do8@ 5e nodded to hi$self8 >4 was a good $ilitary $an8 !e played strategy ga$es and conditioned o r 7odies8 4 was always in;enting new e6ercises8 !e st died ancient war-art for$s8@ Agni spo+e p9 interr pting 'arsodos%s train of tho ght8 >4 always wondered why we ha;e an ar$y8 Chancell7erry has not 7een to war in h ndreds of years8@ 'arsodos glowed in the firelight8 >The Chancell7erry ar$y is not there to go and fight8 4t e6ists so that we $ay nderstand $oti;ations and strategy8 And children9 7elie;e $e9 the only strategy of winning a war with 100M certainty is to not enter the war in the first place8@ The children conte$plated this and were silent8 'arsodos contin ed8 >!e were happy9 Droconos and 48 !e $arried the two $ost 7ea tif l sisters the world has e;er +nown and

li;ed together with o r fa$ilies in the castle in the capital city8@ 'arsodos pa sed9 cleared his throat9 and then contin ed8 >4 tho ght $eeting $y wife was the happiest day in $y life9 7 t then 4 had $y son8@ 5e s$iled 7roadly and gest red with his hands8 >#ow that was the happiest day of $y life8 #ot long after 'aridi s was 7orn9 Droconos had a son as well8 Drinio s and 'aridi s were li+e night and day8 Drinio s was a fair9 7londe9 7l e-eyed little thing9 and 'aridi s loo+ed : st li+e $e and Droconos8@ 'arsodos drained another c p and refilled it8 >4 tell yo 9 in those days9 the castle was : st filled with la ghter9 and it was as if the :oy of o r fa$ily spread o t across the entire +ingdo$8 Those were prospero s9 happy years for the entire +ingdo$8 >) t then e;erything changed8 4t was in spring8 'aridi s and Drinio s had : st t rned fo r8 That winter had 7een partic larly snowy9 and then we had a fast9 wet9 war$ spring8 )etween the rain and the snow $elting9 all of the ri;ers aro nd the +ingdo$ started 7rea+ing their 7an+s8 Villages flooded9 and people were forced to e;ac ate their ho$es8 >Drinio s and 4 +new we had to do so$ething8 The CA soldiers are trained on how to respond d ring nat ral e$ergencies9 so we deployed the ar$y8 They acco$panied doctors9 n rses and teachers into the flooded regions where they erected $a+eshift dwellings9 schools and hospitals8 !e sent o t 7oats to get people to safety8 The soldiers erected e$ergency 7ridges8 >!ithin an ho r of the first report of the flooding9 we had deployed se;eral nits of soldiers9 do/ens of doctors9 n rses9 and ;ol nteers8 They were o t of the gates despite the po ring rain 7efore nightfall8 >4 wanted to lea;e i$$ediately along with the first wa;e of ;ol nteers9 7 t Drinio s insisted we stay and disc ss o r strategies 7efore we left since it wo ld 7e diffic lt to co$$ nicate once we were in the wind8 5e was right9 of co rse9 and so 4 stayed with the intent of lea;ing i$$ediately after dinner8@ The old $an loo+ed p8 5e loo+ed old in the dying firelight9 and the grey of his hair stood o t conspic o sly8 >4t ga;e $e an opport nity to ha;e dinner with 'aridi s and =lsa9 say good7ye8@ 5e swallowed hard and added9 >=lsa9 she was $y wife8@ 'arsodos sighed8 >For a long ti$e9 4 held $yself responsi7le for what happened8 5ell9 so$eti$es 4 still do8 4f $ay7e 4 hadn%t gone to dinner9 if 4 had : st left9 wo ld it ha;e $ade a differenceA And tho gh the answer 4 gi;e $yself changes fro$ ti$e to ti$e9 4 tend to feel it wo ldn%t ha;e $attered if 4%d 7een there or not8 2f co rse9 4 will ne;er 7e a7le to +now for s re8 4t +eeps $e p at night9 e;en now8@ 'arsodos was silent and stared into the fire for so$e ti$e8 The 7oys were rapt8 They wanted to +now what happened for which the $an 7la$ed hi$self so $ ch8 .id his g ilt ha;e so$ething to do with hi$ trying to steal the throne for$ DroconosA

'arsodos loo+ed p at the 7oys with effort8 >Droconos9 a few $inisters and 4 decided on the 7est way to proceed with the resc e and relief efforts8 4t too+ another ho r or so to ro nd p $ore ;ol nteers9 so in the $eanti$e9 4 gathered $y gear8 =lsa ca$e into o r 7edroo$ as 4 was searching for a pair of 7oots8 She wanted to +now why 4 was pac+ing p8@ 'arsodos loo+ed at the 7oys sadly8 >4%d co$pletely forgotten to tell her8 4 was : st so foc sed on lea;ing to help8 She was as horrified as 4 was to hear of people across the +ingdo$ 7eing displaced fro$ their ho$es and fearing for their li;es8 2f co rse9 she wanted to help8 >4 wasn%t paying $ ch attention and9 to $y sha$e9 replied to her offers to help 7y as+ing her where $y nderpants were8@ 5e s$iled 7roadly8 >4 re$e$7er she la ghed8 She had the $ost 7ea tif l la gh8 >She didn%t say another word8 E st handed $e $y nderwear9 +issed $y chee+9 s$iled and left the roo$8 She had this long9 red hair9 and 4%ll ne;er forget the way it swept o t 7ehind her as she wal+ed o t of the door8 >After 4 finished pac+ing9 Droconos and 4 $et with the ;ol nteers8 A few of the wood ny$phs fro$ Chancell7erry Forest had co$e9 and three of $y generals who had not yet left to the flood sites were there8 !e disc ssed o r plan9 deter$ined which ;illages re< ired the $ost i$$ediate assistance and which places co ld wait8 !e split p the ;ol nteers9 fig red o t who was going where8 !e were tal+ing a7o t how we wo ld co$$ nicate with each other while in the affected ;illages8 E st then9 the doors of the hall sw ng open and =lsa and A$anda9 that was Droconos%s wife9 ca$e str tting in8@ 5e s$iled and shoo+ his head8 >4 will ne;er forget those doors flying open and the two of the$ wal+ing in li+e that8 They were deter$ined9 now8 They wanted to help with the relief efforts9 and they had already decided how8 They were going to tra;el together and were planning on lea;ing with the ;ol nteers that e;ening8 >2f co rse9 4 was against the idea9 7 t =lsa and A$anda had $ade p their $inds9 and there was no arg ing with the$8 So they sat in on the rest of the $eeting and helped s finish p o r plans8 >The a$o nt of ;ol nteers was o;erwhel$ing8 Standing on the steps of the castle that night 7efore we left and staring at the sea of people9 it was as if e;ery so l in the city was there8 !e left in the $iddle of the night8 !e were afraid that if we waited till $orning9 it wo ld $ean a loss of life for those in the flooded areas8 4 +issed =lsa good7ye9 and she told $e not to worry8 'aridi s and Drinio s were sleeping with their nanny8@ 'arsodos pa sed and g lped a large swig fro$ his $ g8 5is s$all green-grey eyes shone 7rightly in the firelight8 >That was the last ti$e 4 saw her8 =lsa and A$anda were washed away in the flood waters when one of the $a+eshift da$s 7ro+e8 Their 7odies were ne;er fo nd8@ The enor$o s $an ended his tale 7y ta+ing the now e$pty : g 7ac+ to the ca7in8 The Three )rothers were st nned 7y 7oth his horrific story and his a7r pt depart re8 They sat

in silence staring into the fire8 Soon 'arsodos ret rned9 his refilled : g in hand8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh watched hi$ sit down hard on the large log across fro$ the$8 5e dran+ directly fro$ the 7rass container and contin ed8 >Droconos and 4 didn%t learn a7o t their deaths ntil we ret rned to Chancell7erry City a wee+ and a half later once the waters had receded8@ 5e shoo+ his head and e6haled8 >2f co rse9 we were de;astated8 Droconos9 7eing the prag$atist he was and far 7etter at controlling his e$otions than 49 ;ol nteered to tell the 7oys8 2 r sons did not f lly co$prehend the $agnit de of their $others% deaths8 ) t when Droconos told the$ they were not ret rning9 7oth of the$ started to cry8 Droconos h gged the$ and co$forted the$8 And 4 : st stood there in that doorway watching $y little 7oy grie;e with his co sin and ncle9 na7le to ta+e part9 na7le to console hi$ or share $y sadness8@ Regret was painted across his weathered face8 4t dripped off his 7eard and into the 7rass : g in his hands8 >The ne6t se;eral wee+s are +ind of a 7l r8 The 7oys got really close d ring that ti$e8 Their nanny loo+ed after the$8 Droconos dealt with his grief gracef lly9 of co rse8 ) t 4 : st co ld not p ll $yself together8 =lsa was the solitary :oy that $ade all the $ ndane tas+s of life en:oya7le8 She was gone9 and with her9 the :oy of life had left the world8 4 started getting angry at other people%s happiness8 =;en the so nd of $y own son%s la ghter9 which had 7een s ch a so rce of delight9 now ro sed within $e only 7itter anger8 5ow co ld he play and la gh with his $other goneA 4 felt he did not $iss her as $ ch as 4 did8 4 7eca$e de;o red 7y $y sorrow and 7elie;ed 4 was the only one grie;ing so deeply8 >Droconos9 $y dear departed 7rother9 nderstood $y s ffering and spent $ore ti$e with 'aridi s8 5e ga;e $e ti$e and space to heal $y 7ro+en heart8 ) t in $y selfish state9 4 saw his +ind gest re as an atte$pt to ta+e away the only tie 4 had left to $y =lsa8 4 felt e;en lonelier8 >2ne day a few $onths after the flood9 Droconos9 the 7oys and 4 were ha;ing an early dinner8 4t was s $$er9 and the 7oys were eager to get o tside and play in the re$aining daylight8 They were disc ssing catching lightning 7 gs and +eeping the$ in :ars8 Droconos heard their con;ersation and said so$ething to the effect of9 GAs 4 recall9 7oth of yo r $others sed to say +eeping insects held capti;e in :ars is cr el8%@ >Drinio s agreed9 7 t 'aridi s said9 G) t o r $others are no longer here8 S rely they will not $ind8% >4 was o traged9 7 t not Droconos8 5e : st started in a7o t why insects need to 7e free instead of 7eing +ept in :ars8 4 : st started to lose it8 'y ears rang with the so nd of $y 7lood r shing8 4 co ld not 7elie;e how cas ally $y own son spo+e of his $other%s death8 >4 was silent the rest of diner9 7rooding8 4 tho ght it was o7;io s how angry 4 was9 7 t no7ody noticed8 4 g ess 4 was silent and $oody $ost of the ti$e 7ac+ then8 The children

went o tside to play9 and Droconos went to disc ss so$e ci;il iss e with his ad;isors8 4 went to the tallest tower in the castle with a large 7ottle of r $9@ he gestic lated with his $ g9 too+ a drin+9 and contin ed9 >and watched the s n set o;er the $o ntains8@ 'arsodos stopped and loo+ed at the children al$ost pleadingly8 >4 was at $y $ost wretched that day9 and 4 a$ a pretty wretched fellow 4 sat in that tower and watched a s $$er s nset9 7 t all 4 co ld see was =lsa%s face8 The orange and pin+ $oc+ed $e9 re$inded $e that the one person with who$ 4 co ld share s ch 7ea ty was not there and wo ld ne;er 7e there again8 >The s n disappeared co$pletely8 4t was a clear night9 4 re$e$7er9 and 7y the ti$e the $oon had risen9 4 had finished the r $9 and 4 : st started to feel so angry8 At first9 it was at nothing in partic lar8 4 was : st so $ad that 4 co ld not share that ;iew with =lsa8 Then 4 was angry with life for ta+ing her away8 Then 4 was angry with $yself for e;er agreeing to her going8 >Anyway9 4 got another 7ottle of r $9 and the $ore 4 dran+9 the angrier 4 got ntil 4 was angry at e;eryone and e;erything8 4 was angry at the people in the ;illages we went to sa;e8 4t see$ed so nfair that $y 7ea tif l =lsa lost her life sa;ing theirs8 4 was angry at A$anda9 con;inced she $ st ha;e 7een the one to s ggest an idea li+e ;ol nteering for the relief efforts to her sister8 4 was e;en angry at $y poor little son8@ 5is ;oice crac+ed slightly9 and he shoo+ his 7 shy 7lac+ head8 >4 tho ght he sho ld 7e $ore pset li+e 4 was8 4 saw that he co ld still play9 still find :oy in life9 and 4 : stH 4 don%t +now8@ 5e h ng his head9 loo+ing down at his large hands that were red and dry fro$ wor+ing yearro nd in the ele$ents8 >4 sho ld ha;e tried learning fro$ hi$8 4 co ld ha;e learned how to 7e happy9 how to play despite $y sadness8 4t was not as if the poor child did not $iss his $other8@ This ti$e9 'arsodos%s ;oice 7ro+e in earnest8 5e held his head in his hands8 The Three )rothers felt he $ st 7e crying8 The sit ation felt ;ery nco$forta7le8 Finally9 he went on8 >'ost of all9 4 was angry at Droconos8 4t was not his fa lt9 7 t 4 7la$ed hi$8 4 tho ght he co ld ha;e stopped the$ fro$ going8 5e co ld ha;e fo nd another way for the$ to help witho t p tting the$ in danger8 4 saw hi$ dealing with his grief so well9 co$forting o r children9 and it : st see$ed li+e he wasn%t s ffering eno gh the way 4 was8 >4 sat on top of that tower ntil that second 7ottle was e$pty and got angrier and angrier8 Then 4 tossed one of 7ottles o;er the edge and listened as it sla$$ed onto the stones of the co rtyard8 As the glass 7ro+e9 4 decided 4 had to do so$ething a7o t $y helpless anger8 'y grief had 7eco$e rage8 'y head was spinning9 and $y poor dear 7rother had 7eco$e the foc s of all $y anger8 >That was perhaps $y dar+est ho r9@ said 'arsodos9 and he shoo+ his head again8 >4 stor$ed into Droconos%s $eeting8 4 don%t re$e$7er too clearly9 7 t 4 definitely gra77ed a sword fro$ the wall and held it to Droconos%s nec+8@

5e too+ another sip fro$ his : g and la ghed8 >4 was i$$ediately s 7d ed9 of co rse8 4t was a rather easy tas+ gi;en the ine7riated state 4 was in8 2f co rse9 Droconos told the g ards to let $e go8 5e was a great $an9 $y 7rother8 4 ne;er ha;e 7een a7le to co$prehend how he was a7le to nderstand other people%s feelings and tho ghts the way he did as if they were his own8 >4 re$e$7er he loo+ed at $e9 his yo nger 7rother who had 7een 7eha;ing so 7adly9 who had : st $o$ents 7efore held a sword to his nec+8 ) t he did not de$and 4 7e thrown o t or sent to the :ail8 #o9 of co rse not8 5e wasn%t angry8 5e did not e;en raise his ;oice8 5e was +ind and nderstanding9 7 t for a fleeting $o$ent9 e;en as dr n+ as 4 was9 4 +now 4 saw in his eyes a great sadness8 4t was as if he was loo+ing into the depths of $y pain and +new there was e;en $ore 7ehind it8 4n that instant9 4 felt asha$ed of $yself9 and his words only $ade it worse8 >G.ear 7rother9% he had said8 Can yo i$agineA E st $o$ents after 4 attac+ed hi$ in a dr n+en st por9 and he still called $e 7rother8 'y anger cr $7led as he went on to say he nderstood how 4 felt8 5e said if 4 tho ght the :o7 of +ing will ease $y pain9 4 was welco$e to it8% >5e e6tended his hand to $e9 and 4 too+ it9 and it was as if peace flowed thro gh his fingers8 5e p lled $e in and h gged $e tightly8 And 4%ll ne;er forget that he said he do 7ted a title wo ld help ease $y pain9 as it had done nothing to help hi$ cope with the loss of A$anda8 !hen he spo+e her na$e9 a cold chill ran thro gh $e9 and 4 felt so9 so selfish8 4t was li+e 4 : st then reali/ed that he had lost his wife too9 and yet 4 had done nothing to console hi$8 4nstead9 4 had attac+ed hi$8 >4 tried to spea+ 7 t was lost for words8 =;ent ally9 the n $7ness of $y tong e s 7sided9 and as 4 7egan to spea+9 4 reali/ed we were alone8 Droconos had sent e;eryone fro$ the roo$8 >4 +new 4 had done hi$ wrong8 4 told hi$ so8 5e consoled $e8 5e told $e 4 had : st had too $ ch to drin+8 5e wanted $e to get so$e rest8 Said 4%d feel 7etter in the $orning8 >4 did go to 7ed as he s ggested9 7 t 4 lay awa+e ntil the ne6t $orning8 !hen the s n ca$e p9 4 had a ;ery large headache and a plan8 4 pac+ed a few of $y 7elongings into two 7ags and then went to see Droconos8 4 told hi$ 4 needed to lea;e Chancell7erry City and ne;er co$e 7ac+8 4 told hi$ of $y intent to co$e and li;e in this forest where we had spent $any s $$ers as children8 4 was always $ost at ease here8 Droconos nderstood8 5e said he wo ld $iss $e and 'aridi s8@ 5e pa sed and shoo+ his head8 >5e ass $ed 4 wo ld want to ta+e hi$ with $e89 7 t 4 corrected hi$ and said 'aridi s wo ld stay 7ehind8 4 wanted to go alone8 5e was shoc+ed that 4 wo ld lea;e $y son8 5e tried to diss ade $e fro$ going witho t hi$8@ >4n retrospect9 4 don%t +now if lea;ing hi$ was a good idea or not8 4 still do not thin+ an p7ringing here in the wilderness wo ld ha;e 7een fitting for s ch a 7right child8 ) t

gi;en the c rrent circ $stances and what it see$s now he has done9 4 do not +now if lea;ing hi$ was the 7est decision8@ 5e shoo+ his large9 shaggy head sorrowf lly8 >4 a$ s re he wo ld ha;e had 7etter opport nities for ed cation staying with Droconos in the capital city8 ) t for the child to 7e a7andoned 7y his father so soon after losing his $otherH 4t $ st ha;e 7een hard on the 7oy8 4f only 4 had 7ro ght hi$ o t here later or 7een strong and stayed in the city with hi$8 Perhaps this whole $ess co ld ha;e 7een a;oided8@ 'arsodos fell silent and stared into the fire for a long ti$e8 !hen he finally res $ed his story9 he spo+e not only to the Three )rothers9 7 t to the fire9 the trees9 the clearing9 the s+y9 the stars8 >2f co rse9 4 o7ser;ed his progress8 After li;ing here for so$e ti$e9 4 7eca$e friendly with the wood ny$phs9 and they ferried $e news on occasion8 =arlier9 4 wo ld $a+e trips into Chancell7erry City on )ailley s9 7 t 4 co ld ne;er 7ring $yself to ;isit $y fa$ily8@ 5e s$iled9 re$e$7ering8 >The first winter for $e was diffic lt8 4 del;ed into $y reading8 4t was snowy and cold9 and 7oo+s 7eca$e $y only lifeline9 the only $eans for $e to $aintain sanity8 4 was still angry9 7 t the $ore 4 read9 the $ore 4 reali/ed the err of $y ways8 'y sadness re$ained8 4t 7lan+eted the forest li+e the snow8@ The giant $an sighed deeply8 5e loo+ed at the Three )rothers whose eyes drooped with sleep as they listened e$pathetically to 'arsodos%s sad tale8 S ddenly9 'arsodos%s face 7ro+e into a s$ile8 5e stood and clapped his giant hands which i$$ediately had a ro sing effect on the 7oys8 >Co children sho ld 7e off to 7ed8 Co loo+ tired8 4 apologi/e for not narrating a 7etter 7edti$e story for yo 9 7 t telling yo $y tale has done $e a world of good8 4 feel as if a weight has 7een lifted off of $e8@ 'arsodos $otioned for the children to follow hi$9 and they trailed 7ehind into the s$all cottage8 5e insisted the Three )rothers sleep in his roo$9 which contained the only 7ed8 The great $an said he wo ld 7ed down on the floor of the front porch8 And soon after the lights were o t9 all three 7oys were deep asleep8 'arsodos9 howe;er9 sat on the front porch for a long ti$e watching the fire die and s$iling to hi$self8 The ne6t $orning9 'arsodos wo+e the 7oys ;ery early8 The rays of s n slanted steeply thro gh the notches in the ca7in%s walls9 and the roo$%s window wore a sheet of pale gold8 4t appeared as if the s n had risen only a few $o$ents 7efore8 The giant $an threw open the door with a lo d th d8 'arsodos 7ec+oned the$ with a large hand and said si$ply9 >)rea+fast@ in his gr ff tone to which the 7oys had already grown acc sto$ed8 The 7oys h rried eagerly thro gh the e$pty doorway 7ehind hi$8 The fo r sat down to 7rea+fast at the s$all wooden ta7le in the ca7in%s +itchen8 'arsodos sat on the only chair9 and all three 7oys were s< ee/ed

onto the 7ench pon which they had sat the day 7efore8 The gro p ate in relati;e silence8 #o one spo+e9 7 t the ca7in was filled with the so nds of a springti$e $orning in the forest8 #either 'arsodos nor the Three )rothers $ade any $ention of the pre;io s night%s re;elations8 After drin+ing the last swig of $il+ fro$ his large $ g9 'arsodos p shed his e$pty plate away and addressed Agni9 Aryan and Ansh8 >Co 7oys sho ld 7e getting on yo r way soon8 Chancell7erry City is a good fi;e ho rs fro$ here e;en on $y )ailley s8 5e stood9 crossed the roo$ and thr st a r c+sac+ ro ghly into Agni%s ar$s8 >4t%s got a canteen of water and so$e corn 7read in case yo get h ngry8 4t sho ld 7e eno gh till yo get to the capital8@ The 7oys than+ed 'arsodos cl $sily to which the large $an nodded and led the$ o t the front door8 5is large 7lac+ horse was waiting ne6t to the front porch8 The tall $an approached the $assi;e creat re and spo+e to it in low tones while petting the 7east%s thic+ nec+ with his large hand8 Corneli s was waiting on the porch9 his s$all tail wagging8 5e i$$ediately : $ped on Ansh and lic+ed the 7oy%s face8 >Corny? Bood to see yo 9 too8@ Ansh giggled at the Bl spin%s e6 7erance8 'arsodos finished the conference with his horse 7y affectionately r 77ing the ani$al%s $ //le8 5e then t rned to the children8 >)ailley s will ta+e yo to Chancell7erry City8 5e +nows to ta+e yo to the end of the forest path that leads directly into the city8 Co can wal+ on fro$ there8@ 5e pic+ed p the children and placed the$ on the horse%s 7ac+ along with their 7ags and Corneli s8 Then he reached into the front poc+et of his deni$ o;eralls and p lled o t a long en;elope $ade of thic+ crea$-colored paper8 5e handed the en;elope to Agni and said9 >4f yo can9 please $a+e s re this letter gets to $y son8@ )efore Agni co ld respond9 'arsodos slapped the horse hard on the hind < arter and sho ted9 >Bet?@ at which the ani$al started at f ll gallop o t of the clearing9 and they were gone in a fl rry of hoo;es8

A #o$en New Pathways


The Three )rothers held on for dear life as they tore thro gh Chancell7erry Forest atop 'arsodos%s giant 7lac+ horse8 Ansh sat in the $iddle cl tching Corneli s8 Agni sat at the 7ac+ with his ar$s wrapped fir$ly aro nd his yo nger si7lings8 )ailley s was $o;ing fast9 and Agni didn%t want Aryan or Ansh to fall off8 The fi;e ho rs to Chancell7erry City passed with the 7oys clinging to the horse and eating their corn7read and 7acon on the $o;e8 )ailley s9 li+e his $aster9 7elie;ed in

$a+ing ti$e8 The creat re did not halt or e;en slow his pace ntil they reached the edge of the forest8 =;ent ally9 the trees fell away at the edge of a great clearing9 and the horse stopped9 allowing the children to dis$o nt and finally relie;e their 7ladders8 Ansh stro+ed the horse%s shiny 7lac+ nec+9 and Agni said9 >Than+ yo so $ ch8@ )ailley s snorted and tossed his enor$o s head9 and then the giant horse was gone9 7arreling 7ac+ down the path twice as fast as he had co$e8 A large clo d of d st rose9 and he was gone 7efore it settled8 The Three )rothers were left to ta+e in the awe-inspiring sight of Chancell7erry City8 The city lay at the foot of the enor$o s Dailasa 'o ntains9 the tops of which disappeared into a sheet of p ffy white spring clo ds8 E st 7eyond the foot of the $o ntains9 at the farthest edge of the city9 stood Chancell7erry Castle8 4ts giant stone t rrets e6tended into the $idday s n8 There were large garrets9 and its $any co rtyards were separated 7y canals and connected with 7ridges co;ered in i;y and years of $oss8 4n the large $eadow that separated the castle and the grey cliffs of the $o ntains was the Dailasa 3a+e9 whose 7l e waters reflected the s+y and flowed into the !illia$s Ri;er that sna+ed down thro gh the +ingdo$8 The rest of the city po red fro$ the castle in long twisting lanes9 and at the ;ery center stood Chancell7erry 1ni;ersity9 which was started 7y the Brand Chancellor9 Ra:a Dhan hi$self9 shortly after the fo nding of the +ingdo$8 4ts ca$p s was large and co;ered in gardens and a wide ;ariety of towering trees8 The cloc+ tower in the center was an architect ral cornerstone that had 7een st died and e$ lated8 4t was so tall that the Three )rothers co ld see its face fro$ their ;antage point at the edge of the forest8 The 7oys stood at the edge of the forest8 E st a few feet away was a large crossroads8 Eaggedly c t roads 7ranched off in $any directions9 and h ge ro gh paths were c t into the forest8 .eep r t $ar+s fro$ what $ st ha;e 7een an e6tre$ely large and hea;y cart or carriage scarred the gro nd8 Agni was conf sed8 The last ti$e they had ;isited the capital9 there were only two roads that :oined here the one that ran so th towards their Village in the Valley and another that ran to the east8 The crossroads now loo+ed < ite different8 5owe;er9 the tall stone gate 7earing an inscription in the ancient Chancell7erry dialect still stood o;er the wide co77lestone road that led into the city8 The arching gate%s stone had t rned 7lac+ fro$ years of rain and snow9 and a layer of $oss ga;e it a spar+ling green sheen9 7 t nonetheless9 the inscription stood as a happy welco$e to any weary tra;eler that happened 7y8 The Three )rothers crossed nder it towards the city8 The o ts+irts of the city was pop lated 7y s$all far$ ho ses and e6panses of land9 newly-sewn gardens and apple orchard tossed down onto the earth8 The farther they progressed towards the center of the town9 the closer the ho ses 7eca$e ntil they were

finally wal+ing down a street lined with ho ses that had only s$all yards on the front9 7ac+ and sides8 2ne s ch ho se on the street pon which they were tra;elling ca ght all three 7oys% eyes al$ost si$ ltaneo sly8 4t was an enor$o s str ct re with a large yard that was set far 7ac+ fro$ the street8 4t was $ ch larger than all of the s rro nding ho ses9 7 t its si/e was not what so i$$ediately de$anded the 7oys% attention8 The ho se had fo r h ge spires9 ornate sh tters9 and ela7orately car;ed col $ns that s pported the roof of the porch that wrapped all the way aro nd it8 And nli+e the s rro nding ho ses of stone9 7ric+ and wooden panels9 this ho se was painted pale yellow and tri$$ed in white8 'ost n s al a7o t this ho se9 howe;er9 was that nearly e;ery 7it of space 7eyond its wro ght iron gate was filled with children8 Al$ost nconscio sly9 all three 7oys had gra;itated to the ho se8 They loo+ed down to find the$sel;es standing o tside the gate8 2 t of nowhere9 a teenaged girl appeared and sw ng open the large gate with an in;iting s$ile8 >Co $ st 7e new9@ she said9 7ec+oning the 7oys inside8 >4 do not 7elie;e 4%;e seen yo aro nd here 7efore8@ The girl s$iled9 and Agni 7l shed8 She was ;ery pretty8 She t rned and 7egan leading the$ p the path8 They followed n< estioningly8 They reached the 7otto$ of the wide steps9 and the girl stopped8 >!hat goes on here e6actlyA@ as+ed Agni8 >This ho se 7elongs to 'iss ' llins8 She has 7een organi/ing classes here since the school and ni;ersity were closed8@ The girl pa sed and loo+ed at Agni9 Aryan and Ansh closely8 >Co 7oys aren%t fro$ aro nd here9 are yo A@ The 7rothers shoo+ their heads8 >!hat are yo doing in Chancell7erry CityA .id yo co$e to $eet 'iss ' llinsA Are schools all o;er the +ingdo$ sh t downA !here are yo r parentsA@ The < estions ca$e o t in a torrent9 and the girl peered an6io sly at the Three )rothers as if they were lost p ppies8 )efore the 7oys co ld answer e;en one of her < estions9 a tall 7londe wo$an in cropped white pants and a pin+ shirt ca$e sailing thro gh the screen door calling9 >A$anda8@ The 7londe girl t rned i$$ediately and said9 >Ces9 'iss ' llinsA@ The wo$an%s dar+ 7l e eyes loc+ed on Agni9 Aryan and Ansh as she descended the stairs two at a ti$e s$iling8 She greeted the 7oys with a hearty hello and then t rned 7ac+ to the girl8 >Eason is loo+ing for so$eone to help hi$ with Calc l s8 !o ld yo $indA@ A$anda s$iled9 >#o9 not at all8 4 lo;e Calc l s8@

>Than+ yo ;ery $ ch9@ said the teacher8 >And who are these yo ng $en hereA@ she as+ed9 t rning again to face the 7oys8 >4 don%t thin+ 4%;e seen yo aro nd 7efore8@ >They said they are not fro$ aro nd here9@ said A$anda9 >) t that is as far as we got8 4 a$ not s re where their parents are8 4 will lea;e the$ to yo and go help Eason8@ And with that9 she flew p the steps and disappeared into the enor$o s doorway8 >So9@ as+ed 'iss ' llins8 The s$ile she directed at the trio was war$9 wide and flawless8 >!hat 7rings yo 7oys hereA@ 5er 7l e eyes spar+led as she s< inted into the s n8 >!e were : st passing 7y9@ said Agni9 and all three 7rothers stood $ar;eling at the tall wo$an%s 7ea ty8 She s$iled again +indly8 >E st passing thro gh9 h hA@ she as+ed with a la gh8 >!ell9 that is a l c+y coincidence8 !hy don%t yo co$e on in9 and 4 will show yo aro nd8 !e can get to +now each other a little 7etter8@ The 7oys followed 'iss ' llins as willingly as they had followed A$anda8 She led the$ aro nd the large gro nds s rro nding the yellow ho se8 As they ra$7led across the wide e6panses of lawn9 they saw children and yo ng ad lts scattered aro nd in ;ario s states of repose in gro ps of ;arying si/e8 They all see$ed to 7e st dying9 or de7ating9 or wor+ing on pro:ects9 or lect ring one another8 'iss ' llins gest red to a line of towering pine trees on the far side of the yard8 >This ho se has 7een in $y fa$ily for generations8 'y $any-ti$es-great grandfather9 'orris 'oran9 was one of the original settlers of Chancell7erry8 5e was one of Ra:a Dhan%s soldiers8 They had fo ght together in the great wars9 and $y grandfather was one of the $en who left the warring way of life 7ehind hi$ to fo nd o r +ingdo$8 5e 7 ilt this ho se for his fa$ily9 and it has 7een passed down fro$ generation to generation e;er since8 'y $other%s father planted those trees when $y $other was yo nger than yo 8@ She to ched Ansh lightly on the sho lder and s$iled8 >Since 'aridi s has ta+en o;er the +ingdo$ and sh t down the school and the ni;ersity9 4 ha;e opened p $y ho$e to the st dents of the city9 so that they $ay st dy here if they so choose8@ She gest red aro nd the $agnificent gro nds and tidy gardens that o;erflowed with yo th8 >That is ;ery genero s of yo 9 $a%a$9@ said Agni8 The tall 7londe wo$an shr gged8 >4 a$ a teacher9 yo see8 4 teach at the school9 and lect re at the ni;ersity9 and ntil recently9 4 was the royal t tor8@ She so nded sad and fell < iet8 The Three )rothers had finished their to r of the sprawling gro nds9 and 'iss ' llins led the$ p the step to the wide ;eranda8 She seated herself on a large wooden swing9

and patted the e$pty space 7eside her8 She s$iled so in;itingly that it was i$possi7le to resist her in;itation8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh too+ their places ne6t to her8 She loo+ed down at the$ and as+ed9 >So what are yo 7oys doing hereA Co certainly loo+ lost8@ >!ell9@ Agni 7egan diplo$atically9 >that%s a diffic lt < estion8@ 5e e6plained no f rther9 and 'iss ' llins loo+ed at hi$ and s$iled8 >!ell9 4 s ppose yo are right8 People often ha;e $any $oti;ations for their actions8 4t is not often there is : st one sing lar reason for anything8@ She shr gged and ga;e a s$all la gh8 >1ndo 7tedly9 yo are doing $any things here8 A si$pler < estion instead9 perhapsA@ 4t see$ed fair8 Agni nodded8 >!here is ho$eA@ she as+ed8 Ansh replied d tif lly9 >Village in the Valley8@ >!ell9 Village in the Valley is a 7ea tif l place9@ said 'iss ' llins war$ly ca sing all three 7oys to s$ile 7roadly8 >4t is awf lly far away9 tho gh8@ She peered into each 7oy%s eyes8 >'ay 4 as+ yo another < estionA@ Aryan and Ansh deferred9 loo+ing instincti;ely to Agni8 5e nodded rel ctantly8 >S re8@ >Co r parents9 where are theyA@ They were silent for a $o$ent9 and then Aryan said < ic+ly9 >2n o r far$8@ 'iss ' llins%s 7row f rrowed slightly9 7 t only for a $o$ent8 She rearranged her face into a placid crea$y sea and re$ar+ed lightly9 >Boodness9 do yo $ean to say yo tra;eled s ch a great distance on yo r ownA@ Aryan nodded d tif lly8 >That%s ;ery 7ra;e9@ 'iss ' llins told hi$9 and he s$iled 7rightly8 >!e had Corneli s9@ said Ansh9 and 'iss ' llins la ghed8 She patted the Bl spin on the head9 ca sing his long ears to per+ p and his tail to wag8 >4 a$ s re he was < ite the 7ra;e soldier as well8@ She loo+ed at the 7oys a long $o$ent9 and then as+ed directly9 >.o yo r parents +now where yo ha;e gone9 7oysA@ 5er tone was confiding9 nderstanding8 The trio shoo+ their heads8 >#o9@ said Agni8 >#o9@ repeated Aryan and Ansh8 'iss ' llins did not scold the$8 She si$ply said9 >Boodness9 they $ st 7e worried sic+8@ The Three )rothers loo+ed at the glossy white plan+s of the ;eranda8 Thin+ing of their parents $ade the 7oys feel incredi7ly g ilty a7o t lea;ing in the $iddle of the night witho t e;en a note of e6planation8

'iss ' llins patted Ansh%s leg gently and said in a reass ring tone9 >4 a$ s re yo $ st ha;e a ;ery good reason for r nning away8 4 wo ld ;ery $ ch li+e to +now what that reason is8@ She loo+ed at the 7oys8 5er enor$o s 7l e eyes were e6pectant 7ehind her thic+ long eyelashes8 Ansh n dged Agni%s foot with s$all one8 Aryan9 too9 loo+ed at his older 7rother pleadingly8 >3ast !ednesday9 a tall $an with 7lac+ hair and $ean-loo+ing eyes ca$e to o r far$ riding a giant grey horse9 and said he was the new . +e of Chancell7erry8 5e told s the new +ing9 'aridi s9 had sent hi$ to collect ta6es8@ 'iss ' llins shoo+ her 7londe head8 >4 was afraid of so$ething li+e this9@ She said sadly8 She sat a $o$ent staring at the white painted floor as if in tho ght9 then said9 >That $an is no . +e9 and 'aridi s is no +ing8@ Agni loo+ed into her gri$ face8 >'a%a$9 if yo don%t $ind $y as+ing8 !hat e6actly is going on hereA First9 that $an shows p at o r far$9 and on o r way here9 we $et se;eral people who said there were so$e strange things going on9 possi7ly dangero s things8 And now that we%re here9 so$ething is clearly not right8@ 5e loo+ed at the wo$an8 5er lo;ely 7rows were f rrowed9 and there was sadness in her 7ea tif l 7l e eyes8 She sighed8 >4 a$ sorry to 7e the 7earer of s ch 7ad news9 children9 7 t Ding Drinio s is gone8@ The Three )rothers gasped8 BoneA !hat did she $eanA >4$possi7le9@ said Ansh as his pper lip < i;ered8 >5e can%t 7e dead8@ 5is ;oice s< ea+ed as he spo+e the last word8 'iss ' llins was < ic+ to correct herself9 >#o9 no9 not dead8 !e : st don%t +now where he is8 !e thin+ he%s still ali;e8 !e hope he is9@ she said fir$ly and shoo+ her head with deter$ination8 >There was a co p8 'aridi s and a few people9 they did a snea+ attac+8 They ca ght Drinio s naware and too+ hi$ off in the $iddle of the night 7efore anyone +new anything8 5e%s 7een 7anished9 and no one +nows where8 )efore he left9 Drinio s ordered Beneral Breyson to stand down the ar$y8 5e said no ;iolence sho ld 7e ta+en against his co sin8 5e was confident they co ld co$e to an a$ica7le agree$ent9 7 t it appears he o;eresti$ated his negotiation s+ills8@ She frowned8 >That was on a Friday8 )y 'onday $orning9 all the schools and the ni;ersity had 7een closed8 The castle is sealed off8 4 cannot get in to retrie;e $y 7oo+s9 or $aterials9 or $y st dent8@ 5er ;oice < a+ed e;er so slightly8 >#o one can enter8 All of the artH@ She sighed8 >)y 'onday e;ening9 those awf l $achines were rolling down the streets9 s c+ing the color o t of e;ery li;ing thing and tearing p the roads in the process8 A few

days later9 new ones arri;ed with h ge teeth on the front for eating the trees8 The capital has 7eco$e a ghost town9 as yo can see8@ She $otioned p and down the large lane in front of her ho se8 #o one was on the street or in any of the other yards8 4n fact9 the children re$e$7ered that they had not $et a single tra;eler on the road on the way into town8 The 7rothers gaped p and down the road8 They had entered a war /one8 >4 wo ld ad;ise yo children to ret rn ho$e as < ic+ly as possi7le8 Co will find no respite fro$ the $an who ;isited yo r far$8 4 s spect hi$ to 7e Sloane Syl;ester9 'aridi s%s little pal who helped hi$ stage this st nt8 4 can%t 7elie;e the$8@ >!e cannot ret rn ho$e9@ Ansh protested8 >#ot witho t the treas re8@ 'iss ' llins shoo+ her head8 >!hat treas reA@ >The one in the treas ry that o r parents ga;e9@ said Ansh8 'iss ' llins loo+ed at hi$ conf sed8 Agni sighed8 >!e were going to ta+e it 7ac+9 yo see9 the treas re that o r parents had donated8@ 5e co ldn%t $eet her 7ea tif l 7l e eyes8 >!e +now it is not right9 7 t we wanted to sa;e o r far$9 and anyway it was $eant for Ding Drinio s8@ The tall 7oy%s eyes 7ri$$ed with tears that did not spill o;er onto his long lashes8 >4t is o+ay9@ 'iss ' llins reass red hi$9 p lling p his chin with her finger so that his eyes $et hers8 >4t was a good plan8@ She patted Ansh%s s$all9 +no77y +nee8 >And yo are right9 that treas re was $eant for Drinio s8@ She sighed and s$iled sadly9 >) t yo will not 7e a7le to ta+e the treas re o t of the treas ry8 4t wo ld 7e i$possi7le8@ The 7oys sat silent9 then Aryan said desperately9 >) t we ha;e to try? !e%;e co$e so far?@ 'iss ' llins peered into Aryan%s face8 5is large 7rown eyes loo+ed e6tre$ely sad 7ehind his long9 thic+ eyelashes8 >!ell9@ she said finally9 >4 a$ not one to dash a person%s drea$8 And 4 agree8 Co ha;e co$e too far to go ho$e witho t trying8 ) t 7e warned9 'aridi s has a few people g arding the castle now8 All of the p 7lic galleries and co rtyards are now his fortress8 4f they see yo near the castle9 they will not 7e too friendly8@ She loo+ed at the 7oys with a sad s$ile that $ade it all too clear she felt they certainly wo ld not s cceed in gaining entry to the castle8 Agni wondered if they co ld se 'arsodos%s letter as le;erage8 'iss ' llins r ffled Ansh%s hair and then stood p9 7r shing o t the wrin+les fro$ her shirt8 She s$iled and said9 >!hy don%t yo co$e with $eA@

The Three )rothers followed 'iss ' llins into the ho se8 They entered a large drawing roo$ that was o;erflowing with st dents and anti< e f rnit re8 The ancient floor7oards crea+ed 7eneath their feet8 She led the$ thro gh another door and into the i$$ense +itchen8 The floor was co;ered in large grey stones that were cool despite the afternoon heat8 There were st dents in the +itchen as well st dying as they ate a7sent$indedly8 So$e had neglected their food altogether and sat i$$ersed in their 7oo+s8 There was a large colander filled with pasta9 a pot f ll of to$ato sa ce and a 7owl of salad on the large co nter in the $iddle of the roo$8 A stac+ of plates sat near7y8 >4 can%t coo+ at all9@ ad$itted 'iss ' llins8 >!e get 7y on what people gi;e s8 'y neigh7or was +ind eno gh to $a+e this for s8@ The 7oys sat and ate the tasty pasta9 and 'iss ' llins also helped herself8 !hen they were done and the dishes were p t in the sin+ for washing9 the Three )rothers stood together loo+ing eager to 7e on there way8 'iss ' llins said9 >!ell9 yo 7oys loo+ li+e yo need to 7e going9@ and they were gratef l that she did not try to con;ince the$ to stay8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh stood 7y the large wro ght iron gate and than+ed the teacher for her hospitality8 She wa;ed a hand and said9 >4t was nothing8 4f things don%t wor+ o t for yo p there9 feel free to co$e 7ac+ here8@ >!e will8 Than+ yo again9 $a%a$9@ said Agni8 >4f yo do get inH@ The 7londe wo$an pa sed for a $o$ent and then contin ed9 >4f yo do get in9 please try to find Princess Priya8 She is still there9 despite $y 7est efforts to pers ade her to lea;e and co$e here8 Find her if yo can and as+ her to get o t of that castle8 For $y sa+e9@ she added9 and her eyes shone fiercely8 >2f co rse9@ said Agni9 tho gh he pri;ately do 7ted they wo ld enco nter the princess8 The road fro$ 'iss ' llins% ho se to the castle too+ the 7oys right thro gh the heart of the capital city8 At the ;ery center was Chancell7erry 1ni;ersity9 the highest ed cational instit tion in the entire +ingdo$8 4t was an old school9 and $any of the greatest intellect als for generations had attended it8 Residents of neigh7oring +ingdo$s ca$e there to en:oy the 7rilliant staff9 interesting classes9 and wonderf l facilities9 not to $ention its 7ea tif l ca$p s8 Ra:a Dhan had esta7lished the school the year the +ingdo$ was fo nded and helped in its constr ction9 e;en 7efore 7 ilding the castle8 5e had dictated that learning was essential9 his new +ingdo$ $ st ha;e access to the 7est ed cation9 and it sho ld 7e free8 The 1ni;ersity was as old as the +ingdo$ itself9 so to thin+ that 'aridi s co ld ha;e sh t down the ni;ersity was awf l9 and it was this tho ght that the Three )rothers $ lled o;er as they tra;elled in silence8

Perhaps the school 7eing closed is the reason for this eerie feeling9 tho ght Aryan9 7 t he didn%t dare say anything to his 7rothers8 ) t Agni and Ansh noticed the strangeness as well8 4t was as if the life had 7een s c+ed right o t of the city8 =;erything see$ed d ll9 and the closer they got to the center of town9 the worse the o$ino s feeling 7eca$e8 Finally9 Ansh said9 >This is strange8@ 5is 7rothers agreed8 >Ces9@ said Agni9 >the colors loo+ odd8@ 5e pointed at the row of shops8 The 7 ildings were painted 7l e9 pin+ and orange8 3arge p rple wisteria trees lined the sidewal+s8 ) t Agni was right8 The street was odd8 The trees and shops didn%t see$ as ;i;id as they sho ld ha;e8 The farther the 7oys progressed9 the $ore noticea7le the d llness 7eca$e8 The heaps of 7erries and cherries at the fr it seller%s shop were d ll instead of deep and shining red8 The p rple wisteria see$ed a sad echo of itself8 The red tiles and green store signs were shadowed8 =;en the grey granite sidewal+s see$ed greyer8 They reached S< are Street9 the long a;en e that 7ordered the ni;ersity%s ca$p s on all fo r sides8 4t was a wide street with o;erhanging trees8 4t was there that the 7oys disco;ered the so rce of the graying9 'aridi s%s enchanted carriages8 There were two 7arreling down S< are Street side 7y side9 and all aro nd the$ was a grey $ist8 4t loo+ed li+e a clo d encasing the carriages that trailed 7ehind the$9 lea;ing e;erything in their wa+e s$ dged with grey8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh stood on the wide sidewal+ $ar;eling at the sil;er e$7ossed carriages that glided effortlessly 7efore the$8 The large grey carriages $o;ed as < ic+ly as if they had 7een p lled 7y horses going at a f ll gallop8 The horses9 howe;er9 were conspic o sly $issing9 and witho t their clattering hoo;es9 the contraptions were eerily < iet8 Soon9 the carriages reached the end of the road9 t rned and were o t of sight8 The 7oys were left in the ha/y grey wa+e8 Shoc+ed at what they%d : st witnessed9 all three 7rothers stood $otionless for a $o$ent8 Then Agni t rned and addressed his 7rothers so < ic+ly that Aryan : $ped9 startled at his rapid9 a7r pt $o;e$ent8 >Co +now what this $eans9 don%t yo A@ as+ed Agni8 5e was ;isi7ly agitated8 Aryan loo+ed at Ansh8 #either +new what their 7rother was tal+ing a7o t8 >2%)rien $ st ha;e 7een right8 4 7et 'aridi s did o;erthrow Ding Drinio s 7eca se of the enchanted carriages8@ Aryan and Ansh again e6changed glances8 >4 wonder how $any there are9@ Agni said8 >!hat will the wood ny$phs doA@ as+ed Ansh an6io sly8 >4 don%t +now9@ Agni replied8 5e loo+ed tense8 E st then9 Corneli s darted across the street to the ca$p s and 7egan sniffing a 7 sh co;ered in grey-pin+ flowers8 The 7oys ran after9 and 7y the ti$e they had :oined hi$9 the Bl spin was happily rinating all o;er the line of 7 shes8

>5ey9 g ys9 loo+ at this9@ Ansh called8 5e was standing 7y one of the large 7 shes8 4t towered o;er his head and was co;ered in 7ell-shaped flowers larger than his hand8 The 7oys had ;isited Chancell7erry City last s $$er9 and the enor$o s hedge of flowers in its ;ariegated h es of red and pin+ had ca ght all three 7oys% attention8 Ansh had pl c+ed one of the 7 sh%s lea;es and was holding it p for his 7rothers to see8 4t had t rned grey8 >4t won%t co$e off9@ said Ansh as he r 77ed in ;ain8 >That is so weird9@ said Aryan loo+ing p //led8 >3et $e see that9@ said Agni9 and he too+ the leaf fro$ his little 7rother to e6a$ine it8 The 7oys 7egan inspecting their grayed-o t s rro ndings8 Agni tried to wipe the grey off of the yellow and 7lac+ pa;ing stones along the edge of the sidewal+ to no a;ail8 Aryan was si$ilarly ns ccessf l in re$o;ing the grey fro$ the flowers of an enor$o s lilac 7 sh8 5e leaned close to the p ngent p rple plant and inhaled deeply8 5e loo+ed at his 7rothers and said9 frowning9 >4t e;en s$ells grey8@ Ansh split open a large green-grey leaf and showed his 7rothers it had t rned grey on the inside as well8 >4t%s not so$ething yo can r 7 away9@ Agni said with a sin+ing reali/ation8 >The carriages are s c+ing the color o t8@ Aryan pl c+ed a dandelion fro$ the once l sh green grass and r 77ed its fl ffy head on his pal$8 ) t instead of the yellow stain he was acc sto$ed to seeing9 only a grayish s$ dge with a hint of yellow re$ained8 >Co %re right?@ e6clai$ed Aryan9 holding p his hand to show the faint yellow stain8 The 7oys loo+ed aro nd8 The color had leeched fro$ the entire ca$p s9 and lawn got greyer and greyer as it neared S< are Street8 =;en the cloc+ tower%s red stone face was grayed o t at the 7otto$8 >4 wonder if it will go away9@ said Aryan8 5e so nded an6io s8 Corneli s9 all the while9 was r nning a7o t sniffing the plants and whi$pering8 >Corny9 co$e9@ called Ansh9 and the fl ffy ginger colored creat re 7o nded to the 7oys8 5e loo+ed ner;o s as well8 Agni loo+ed at his 7rothers and the Bl spin all standing loo+ing distra ght8 5e rallied8 >!e need to $o;e on8 There is nothing we can do right now8 !e $ st contin e on towards the castle8@ 5is ;oice was reass ring8 Ansh petted Corneli s%s nec+9 and the Three )rothers set off once again with deter$ination towards the castle8

The 7oys wal+ed down the large street that ran thro gh the ca$p s directly towards the castle8 The city felt odd witho t any people8 The ca$p s was nor$ally tee$ing with st dents and teachers fro$ f ll-ti$e ed cators and st dents who li;ed in or aro nd the ca$p s to st dents and teachers engaging in day or wee+long co rses in a ;ariety of s 7:ects li+e ani$al h s7andry or pastry preparation8 #or$ally9 there was a $yriad of researchers9 and artists9 and poets9 and $ sicians as well occ pying the sprawling lawns and ancients stone 7 ildings8 . ring their pre;io s ;isits to the capital9 the ni;ersity%s ca$p s was a place of acti;ity9 where tho sands of people h $$ed together in the collecti;e p lse of learning and where snippets of $ sic wafted on the 7ree/e8 ) t today9 there were no children or ad lts in ;ario s states of repose8 All of the stone 7enches were e$pty8 The great wooden doors of all the halls were closed8 4t was a tragedy9 the Three )rothers tho ght as they wal+ed thro gh deserted ni;ersity8 The 7oys left the sad9 a7andoned ca$p s and 7egan to $a+e their way down the long street that led directly to the castle8 4ts t rrets were ;isi7le 7eyond the shops8 Chancell7erry 3a+e shone in the distance9 a pool of gold at the foot of the enor$o s Dailasa Range8 4t was a 7ea tif l site9 and the 7oys were relie;ed to see that the field and la+e and $o ntains 7eyond retained their pristine color8 The graying9 howe;er9 worsened as they approached the palace8 3oo+ing aro nd at the faded carts and shop signs9 Aryan felt that e;en the people $ st ha;e started to t rn grey8 Perhaps that is why there is no one9 he tho ght9 loo+ing aro nd at the deserted street8 They%re hiding fro$ the grey8 Finally9 all the shops and 7 ildings fell away9 and 7efore the$ stood the Chancell7erry Castle8 4ts spires stood tall against the 7ac+drop of the Dailasa 'o ntains whose snowy pea+s e6tended into the clo ds 7efore ree$erging into 7l e s+y8 The waters of Chancell7erry 3a+e flowed o t of sight as it c r;ed aro nd the $o ntains in the distance8 The canals that s pplied water to the town reflected the s n8 3arge 7ridges aro nd the castle arched o;er the waterwaysN connecting co rtyards9 a$phitheaters9 art galleries9 dance s< ares9 and a $ ltit de of other p 7lic $eeting areas8 The castle had always 7een a place of gathering9 and the $a:ority of it was open to the p 7lic9 sa;e the relati;ely s$all personal < arters for the royal fa$ily8 The rest of the castle and its gro nds were p 7lic do$ain and were sed for dances9 weddings9 concerts9 7alls9 and festi;als8 As the Three )rothers neared the palace9 howe;er9 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh do 7ted if Chancell7erry Castle was still the 7 stling for $ of life it had 7een on their last ;isit8 The :oyo s so nd of la ghter and happy ;oices $ingling with $ sic was conspic o sly $issing8 The s ally 7 sy road that led to the first co rtyard was desolate9 and there were large r ts in the co77lestone fro$ the carriages8 Biant holes9 sla7s of roc+ and piles of gra;el dotted the roadway8 The pa;ing 2%)rien had spo+en of started at the castle steps and led off into the forest8 A giant 7rown strip had 7een c t into the once pristine field to the castle%s right9 and a h ge swath of trees was $issing fro$ the forest8 )eyond the thoro ghfare of downed trees9 a r $7ling cr nching e$anated fro$ within the forest8

2ther than the distant r $7ling9 it was eerily silent8 The only so nd was a $etallic whirring co$ing fro$ within the castle walls that intensified the eerie silence8 Aryan was s ddenly o;erwhel$ed with fear8 5e stopped wal+ing a7r ptly and gra77ed onto each of his 7rothers% ar$s9 shi;ering8 >4%$ scared9@ he said9 staring at the castle with panic written across his face8 5e was i$$ediately reass red9 if only slightly9 when Ansh said9 >'e too8@ Agni loo+ed each of his 7rothers in the eye9 e6haled deeply9 and said9 >4 a$ scared9 too9 7 t we cannot t rn 7ac+ now8@ >) t what if we get ca ghtA@ as+ed Aryan frantically8 >!ho +nows what has happenedA !hat if 'aridi s has g ards in thereA 'iss ' llins said he wo ld8@ >!ell9@ Agni said reasona7ly9 >that is possi7le8 ) t we ha;e got to try to get in any way8 This is o r only chance to steal that treas re and sa;e the far$8@ 5e loo+ed fro$ Aryan to Ansh then contin ed8 >E st try to 7e cal$8 4 do not thin+ 'aridi s wo ld do $ ch to s8 !e%re : st children8 5e has no idea why we are here8 And9@ he added9 his dar+ eyes flashed $ischie;o sly9 >we ha;e this8@ 5e p lled 'arsodos%s letter fro$ his poc+et8 >!orst co$es to worst9 we : st tell hi$ we ca$e to gi;e hi$ the letter fro$ his father8@ >) t what if he doesn%t want to hear fro$ his fatherA@ as+ed Aryan8 >!ell9 let s : st hope he doesn%t 7elie;e in +illing the $essenger8@ Agni la ghed9 7 t Aryan still loo+ed petrified8 >4t will 7e o+ay8 .o not worry8 ) t we need to +eep going8@ Aryan relented9 and trio carried on < ic+ly down the path and thro gh the o ter$ost wall of the o ter$ost co rtyard8 ' ch to the Three )rothers% s rprise9 there were no g ards waiting for the$ inside the castle%s walls8 4n fact9 there were no people anywhere8 Pro7a7ly 7eca se they were afraid of the grey9 Agni fig red as he s r;eyed the gro nds8 The co rtyard was co;ered in r ts fro$ the carriages9 and the large trees and shr 7s and the l sh flowers 7eds had t rned co$pletely grey8 #ot e;en a hint of red was left a$ongst the $a:estic rose garden8 2nly the tops of the ancient syca$ores retained a 7it of their original color8 =;erything else loo+ed dead8 The children $ade their way < ic+ly down the central path of the co rtyard9 trying hard to not trip into the deep gashes in the earth9 and passed thro gh se;eral $ore walled co rtyards into the palace co$ple68 The graying was not as prono nced within the walls of the castle itself9 and the large interior co rtyards and flower 7eds were rioto s in their spring glory in star+ contrast to the grey world o tside of the tall walls8 The 7oys passed thro gh the enclosed co rtyards and a large a$phitheater9 all of which were co$pletely de;oid of people as was the large open air 7allroo$8 2 tside of the giant

greenho se9 the 7oys spotted the first people in the castle co$ple68 There were se;eral wor+ers entering a tall tower thro gh a 7l e-green door8 The 7oys darted across the lawn < ic+ly and tried to 7eha;e as if they were not o t of place8 They followed 7ehind the $en and wo$en carrying 7as+ets of to$atoes and apples and entered the castle thro gh an arched stone door which led to the +itchen8 The aro$as in the +itchen in ndated the 7oys% nostrils8 They wea;ed their way thro gh white clad wor+ers chopping and cr shing and r shing aro nd with 7oiling pots of ;egeta7le stoc+8 A large $an was lic+ing to$ato sa ce off of a spoon and frowning critically to a yo ng wo$an who stood 7eside hi$8 >4 see9@ he said9 nodding8 The wo$an shoo+ her head8 >E st hasn%t tasted right since Ding Drinio s has 7een gone9@ she said in a low9 sad ;oice8 >Pro7a7ly the to$atoes are sad8@ #o one see$ed to notice the 7oys as they r shed down the wide stone +itchen9 past the giant fire 7 rning in the sto;e and to the large wooden doors8 The doors opened to a long wood paneled hallway lined with $any doors8 The Three )rothers hastily p shed open a door and d c+ed inside8 A long 7 ffet ta7le stood against the wall9 and a s$aller dining ta7le with se;eral chairs had 7een p shed into a corner and co;ered with a cloth8 =;erything loo+ed as if it had recently fallen into dis se8 The only ite$ in the roo$ that did not ha;e a fine coating of d st was the piano near the windows8 4ts 7lac+ co;er shone in the light po ring thro gh the tall glass panes8 The 7oys did not ha;e ti$e to ponder a7o t who co ld 7e sing the piano in s ch a lonely roo$8 Fearing detection9 they r shed o t9 p shing wide a side door and heading inside ca tio sly8 They fo nd the$sel;es in a wooden stairwell8 The 7oys $o nted the stairs and soon ca$e to a landing on the first floor8 They opened the door slowly and peered into the e$pty stone corridor8 The castle was pri$arily open to the p 7lic9 and the p 7lic areas li+e the stone corridor in which the Three )rothers now stood9 were far $ore ornate than the pri;ate < arters downstairs8 The 7oys proceeded down the long lo;ely corridor8 The walls were adorned with wor+s of art8 Stained glass panels high a7o;e the windows o;erloo+ing yet another co rtyard cast pools of color on the stone floor8 They passed a roo$ of colors9 which in addition to ha;ing floor to ceiling stained glass windows9 had large 7alls of reflecting colored glass8 The roo$ was co;ered in pools of light in e;ery shade8 Rain7ows arced onto the floor8 The Roo$ of Colors was fa$o s9 and Chancell7erry%s $ost talented artists wo ld often co$e there to reflect on the light in that roo$8 So$e of the $ost 7ea tif l wor+s of art9 li+e Ba77ella%s Melting Sea% had 7een inspired 7y that roo$8 Aryan stopped $o$entarily in awe of its shi$$ering 7ea ty9 7 t Ansh t gged at his slee;e9 rging hi$ on8 The Three )rothers wal+ed as < ic+ly as possi7le witho t $a+ing noise8 The inside of the castle was 7 sier than the co rtyards9 and the 7oys occasionally ca ght gli$pses of disappro;ing loo+ing ad lts e6a$ining their presence as they ro nded corners o t of sight8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh wal+ed down a large corridor that s rro nded an open air co rtyard8 )ea tif l 7enches of rose and a< a colored stones stood a$ongst the flowers

and 7 shes8 Aryan co ld s$ell the lilac wafting p8 Fro$ a large roo$ on the opposite of the co rtyard9 the 7oys heard raised ;oices and heated disc ssion8 C riosity o;erwhel$ed Agni9 and he dragged his 7rothers9 despite their trepidation and 7etter : dg$ent9 to ta+e a closer loo+8 4t was the ar$ory9 a roo$ dedicated to the art of war8 4t was filled with ancient fighting instr $ents9 charts and 7oo+s8 Ad:acent to the ar$ory was the large practice hall where cadets wo ld perfect their techni< es8 2n the far side of the ar$ory near the wall of 7oo+s9 se;eral < estiona7le loo+ing $en in dar+ green clothing sat at a ta7le 7eneath large windows8 They were spea+ing intensely and gestic lating $enacingly8 The Three )rothers pressed the$sel;es against the wall of the corridor9 and Agni peered thro gh an open window in an atte$pt to get a 7etter loo+8 4n the $iddle of the ta7le9 sitting < ietly as the handf l of people aro nd hi$ tal+ed ani$atedly9 was a tall thin $an with dar+ hair and eyes and a fa$iliar loo+ that Agni did not ha;e ti$e to place8 For at that $o$ent9 a short thin $an loc+ed eyes with the 7oy and i$$ediately el7owed the large $an ne6t to hi$ and :er+ed his head toward Agni8 Agni d c+ed o t of sight9 gra77ed Aryan and Ansh9 and whispered9 >!e ha;e to go8 Fast?@ They 7olted down the hall and t rned left : st as the two $en 7 rst o t of the ar$ory door8 They dashed into the nearest roo$9 and Agni closed the door 7ehind the$ as < ietly as possi7le8 They 7oys t rned to e6a$ine the roo$ in which they stood8 The windows were sh ttered9 and it was dar+8 Their eyes < ic+ly ad: sted to the di$$ed light9 and the Three )rothers soon reali/ed that despite a layer of d st9 the roo$ was spar+ling8 The 7oys loo+ed aro nd the$8 The floors and walls were co;ered in gold9 sil;er and :ewels of all colors9 shapes and si/es8 The Three )rothers $ar;eled at the crafts$anship8 There were trees $ade of 7r shed 7ron/e and e$erald8 !aterfalls were crafted of sapphire8 As they loo+ed aro nd in awe9 Aryan said9 >3oo+9@ and pointed at the far corner where large sil;er letters spelled o t >Chancell7erry8@ 4t was a $ap9 they reali/ed8 A $ap of the +ingdo$ $ade of :ewels9 and it depicted e;erything fro$ the roaring !illia$s Ri;er9 to the ;ast Chancell7erry Forest9 to the rolling wa;es of the sea coast8 =;en the s$all ha$let of Village in the Valley was shown9 its na$e written in a 7ea tif l c rling sil;er script8 The 7oys were staring at the 7ea tif l $ap when the handle of the door thro gh which they had entered rattled9 startling the$ fro$ the te$porary st por ind ced 7y the treas ry8 They ran to the door on the other side of the roo$ ne6t to the large letters that spelled o t the +ingdo$%s na$e8 They t gged on its handle9 and the door crea+ed open lo dly8 The Three )rothers h rtled into the stairwell 7efore the$ : st as the two g ards r shed into the treas ry sho ting at the$ o;er the :eweled $ap8 The Three )rothers ran p the steps9 p shed thro gh a door on the second floor landing9 and 7egan r nning at f ll speed down the corridor8 E st as they heard the door to the stairwell sla$ open9 one of the wooden panels on the wall slid to the side9 and a girl with two long9 7rown 7raids appeared8 She gra77ed the three 7oys9 p lled the$ into the dar+

passageway 7ehind the panel9 and slid it 7ac+ into place : st as the tall fat $an and his s+inny friend r shed 7y o7li;io s8 >Follow $e9@ she whispered and led the 7oys < ietly down the steps concealed within the castle%s walls8 They descended ntil the air see$ed cooler8 Then the girl slid 7ac+ another panel and held it open9 $otioning for the 7oys to e6it8 The Three )rothers stepped o t of the dar+ cra$ped passageway into what appeared to 7e a closet8 The girl followed9 slid the panel 7ac+ into its place9 and latched it with a s$all wooden +no78 She then opened the closet door and shered the 7oys o t into a large 7edroo$8 The Three )rothers watched as she crossed the roo$9 po red herself a glass of water fro$ a steel decanter on the des+ and dran+ it all in one g lp8 She placed the c p 7ac+ down on the des+9 p t her hands on her hips9 and de$anded9 >!ho are yo A@ The 7oys were ta+en a7ac+8 The girl was nice eno gh to sa;e the$9 7 t she did not see$ ;ery +ind at the $o$ent8 Perhaps she was now regretting her decision8 >4 a$ Agni9 and these are $y 7rothers9 Aryan and Ansh9@ said Agni9 s$iling8 The girl i$$ediately as+ed9 >!hat are yo doing hereA@ 5er hands were still on her hips9 and her large9 7l e-green eyes were narrowed pon the$8 5is yo nger 7rothers loo+ed at Agni8 =;eryone see$ed to 7e as+ing the$ the sa$e < estion8 Agni decided to wade the waters and co ntered 7y as+ing9 >!ell9 who are yo A@ The girl%s eyes flashed as if she had 7een $ildly ins lted9 7 t she replied coldly9 >4 a$ Priya8 4 li;e here8 This is $y ho$e9 and yo are in $y roo$8 So logically9 4 7elong here8 Co 9 on the other hand9 do not8@ She si/ed p the Three )rothers8 >Co are a7o t $y age8 4f yo were fro$ the capital city9 4 wo ld recogni/e yo fro$ school8 So yo $ st not 7e fro$ aro nd here8 So 4 as+ again9 7rothers9 what are yo doing hereA 2ther than loitering aro nd the treas ry and getting chased 7y 3ance and Sa$A@ >!ho are 3ance and Sa$A@ as+ed Ansh8 >3ance and Sa$9@ said the girl t rning her attention to the s$allest 7rother9 >are the two seless g ards who were chasing yo : st now8 S rely yo don%t get chased so often that yo can recall who they are8@ She pa sed9 and a loo+ of fear 7riefly flashed across her face9 7 t she righted herself8 >2r perhaps yo do get chased often8 4 don%t +now8@ >So that roo$ we were in with the $ap9 that%s the treas ryA@ as+ed Ansh8 >That%s correct9@ said Priya8 >4 saw yo 8 4 was watching after 4 noticed yo enter the +itchen fro$ the gro nds8 4 followed to see what yo were p to9 saw yo l r+ing in the

ar$ory9 peering in on 'aridi s and those dolts of his9 and then 4 saw Sa$ and 3ance chase yo into the treas ry8@ >So that $ap roo$ is the treas ryA@ Aryan as+ed8 >Ces9@ said Priya s spicio sly8 >So all the treas re isH@ >Ces9 it is $ade into the $ap yo saw8 4t%s one of $y father%s $ore 7rilliant ideas9 4 thin+9 to sa;e o r +ingdo$%s treas re for posterity8@ >Co r fatherA@ as+ed Aryan8 >Ces9 Ding Drinio s9@ she replied8 The 7oys gaped8 >So yo %re Princess PriyaA@ as+ed Ansh in awe8 >Very ast te9@ said the girl sarcastically8 Agni ret rned to the $atter at hand9 >So all the treas re fro$ the whole +ingdo$ is $ade into that $apA@ Priya eyed the 7oys once $ore8 >Co 7oys awf lly interested in the treas ry8@ She scanned their disappointed face8 >Co %re not ro77ers9 are yo A Co$e to steal o r treas reA Perhaps 4 sho ld hand yo o;er to 3ance and Sa$8@ >2h9 no9 don%t do that9@ said Aryan8 The Three )rothers +new that despite her nderstanda7le s+epticis$ and slight condescension9 they were far 7etter off with her than with the two g ards8 And after all9 she was correct8 They had co$e to ro7 the treas ry8 Agni chose his words caref lly8 >!e li;e on a far$ called Village in the Valley9@ he 7egan8 >4%;e heard of it9@ said the girl8 >!ell9 it%s a 7ea tif l place9 and we ha;e a far$ there9@ Agni went on8 >!e lo;e it ;ery $ ch8 4t%s o r ho$e9 and we%re ;ery happy there with o r parents8@ Ansh nodded earnestly9 and Priya%s stern s spicio s e6pression rela6ed e;er so slightly8 She was clearly interested as to where Agni%s story was going8 >!ell9 yo see9 a few days ago9 this $an calling hi$self the . +e of Chancell7erry ca$e to o r far$8 5e said if o r parents didn%t pay 2* gold Rea$as as ta6es9 then he%d ta+e o r far$ away8@

Priya was li;id8 >5e%s no d +e?@ she e6clai$ed8 >Sloane : st helped $y ncle +idnap $y father8 4n an e6tre$ely cowardly way9 4 $ight add8 They too+ hi$ away in the $iddle of the night at +nife point and threatened to +ill hi$ if anyone resisted8@ She loo+ed ;ery sad and s< ee/ed her fists at the side8 >So9 yo see9 that%s why we%;e co$e9@ Agni e6plained8 >!e heard that Ding Drinio s was gone9 and o r parents had donated a large ship$ent of :ewels they had fo nd to the treas ry8 !e tho ght9 since they didn%t 7elong to 'aridi s and certainly o r parents wo ldn%t ha;e wanted the$ to go to hi$9 we%d : st ta+e the treas re 7ac+ and gi;e it to the . +e to pay the ta6es on o r far$8@ Priya loo+ed at the 7oys critically8 Agni co ldn%t read her face and was na7le to tell if she 7elie;ed his story or was e6tre$ely angry that they had co$e with the intention of ro77ing the place8 Finally9 the girl spo+e8 >!ell9 as yo saw9 yo r plan will not wor+9@ she said prag$atically8 >'y father has e;ery contri7 tion p t into the $ap to represent the places fro$ which they ca$e8@ She frowned a little8 >4t has always 7een one of $y fa;orite parts of the castle8@ She sat down de:ectedly on her fo r poster 7ed8 >The :ewels fro$ yo r far$ are pro7a7ly trees or strea$s now8 There%s no getting it o t8 4f there was9 4%$ s re 1ncle 'aridi s wo ld ha;e already ripped p the floor 7y now8@ The girl stared at her feet9 and the 7oys stared at her8 5ow co ld they ha;e co$e so far only to 7e thwartedA #ow there was no hope8 !hat wo ld they doA !here wo ld they li;e if they lost their far$A A$id the c $ lati;e de:ection9 the little princess loo+ed p s ddenly and eyed the Three )rothers appraisingly8 Then she said fir$ly9 >E st 7eca se yo r plan did not wor+9 does not $ean it is ti$e to gi;e p hope8@ Agni9 Aryan and Ansh loo+ed p8 4t was as if she had read their $inds8 The princess was standing again and had a resol te loo+ on her face8 She was s$iling8 >4t is $erely ti$e to co$e p with a new plan8 3 c+y for yo 9 4 already ha;e one8@ She crossed to her large des+ and p lled open a drawer8 >4 +now where 'aridi s is +eeping $y father9@ she said r $$aging thro gh a stac+ of note7oo+s8 >Co $ean yo r ncle9@ interr pted Aryan only to recei;e a glare and9 >Ces9 hi$8 4 heard hi$ disc ssing it with Sloane one night8@ She loo+ed p and added8 >That%s why 4 stay here9 so 4 can +eep an eye on the$8 4 co ld ha;e gone8 'aridi s wanted $e to9 of co rse9 7 t he was polite eno gh to let $e stay8@ She rolled her eyes8 >4 wanted to find o t where they%;e +ept $y father so 4 can go and resc e hi$8@ She ret rned to her searching9 and the Three )rother s+eptical e6changed loo+s8 5er plan see$ed a little cra/y8 Finally9 she withdrew scroll of paper that she nrolled on the des+8 She $otioned the 7oys o;er and thr st her finger onto the $ap8 >There9@ she said9 >#o 'an%s 4sland8@ 5er $ap was far $ore ela7orate than the one the 7oys had ta+en fro$ their father%s c p7oard8 4t was ;ery detailed and incl ded the s rro nding +ingdo$s8 4t had $any

locations the 7oys had ne;er heard of8 The dot off the coast at which Priya was c rrently pointing was not on their $ap9 7 t the 7oys had9 of co rse9 heard of the infa$o s #o 'an%s 4sland8 >#o 'an%s 4sland9@ said Agni8 >) t isn%t it inha7ited 7y sa;agesA@ >!ell9 there are legends to that effect9 yes8 ) t 4 ha;e ne;er read any act al e;idence indicating that9@ said Priya ass redly8 Agni tho ght she so nded pretty s re of herself8 >So 4 a$ : st going to hope for the 7est9@ she contin ed9 staring Agni in the eye8 The 7oy felt nco$forta7le8 >!hat do yo $eanA@ he as+ed9 and then glanced at Aryan and Ansh who noticed the glea$ in the little princess%s eye as well8 >4 told yo 8 4 a$ going to resc e $y father9@ Priya said s$iling8 Agni co ld not stop staring at her8 She was lo;ely8 >And 4 want yo to co$e with $e8@ The 7oys loo+ed 7lan+ly at the girl who stood 7efore the$8 She was a few inches taller than Agni9 who was < ite tall for a 10 year old8 She spo+e as if it was already decided that the 7oys wo ld acco$pany her9 and their agree$ent was $erely a for$ality8 >!hatA@ as+ed Ansh8 >#o way8@ Aryan stood fro/en9 too appalled 7y the idea of ;isiting an island inha7ited 7y sa;ages to spea+8 >!ell9 4 don%t thin+ it is the 7est idea to go 7y $yself9 and 4 do not see any other option for yo three either8 4f we sa;e $y father9 yo can sa;e yo r far$8@ She was ;ery pers asi;e8 The 7oys stood still staring8 The princess loo+ed each of the$ s< are in the eye8 >Please9@ she i$plored9 >4 need help8 5e%s $y father8 4 cannot lea;e hi$ there8 The +ingdo$ needs hi$8@ She watched as the last 7it of the Three )rothers% resistance cr $7led to the stone floor8 They e6changed silent nods9 and then Agni said9 >All right then8 4 s ppose yo already ha;e a planA@ >2f co rse 4 do9@ said Priya s$iling widely8 Priya and the Three )rothers spent the ne6t ho r going o;er her plan and e6a$ining the $ap of Chancell7erry8 A ;ery friendly coo+ had prepared the$ all dinner9 which they ate in her roo$ as she pac+ed her 7elongings into a can;as 7ag8 >!e will lea;e tonight so 'aridi s will not +now8 The $ost diffic lt part9 4 feel9 will 7e crossing the Dailasa 'o ntains8 ) t s pposedly9 there is a s$all passageway that c ts right thro gh8 4f we can find it9 the trip will 7e $ ch easier8 Then it%s : st a < ic+ trip across the !ater Forest to )ottle )ay in Tortoise Co;e to find o rsel;es a pirate8@

>!hy do we need a pirateA@ as+ed Ansh8 >!e need to get to the island9 rightA@ Priya as+ed8 >4n order to get there9 we ha;e to ha;e a 7oat8@ The 7oys were s+eptical8 >) t what if we can%t find a pirate who%s willing to ta+e sA@ as+ed Agni8 Priya loo+ed at hi$ sternly8 >4f we go into with that attit de9 we won%t8 4f we endea;or with ass rance and positi;ity9 howe;er9 the o tco$e will 7e in o r fa;or8@ She s$iled ass redly at Ansh8 Agni eyed her s+eptically 7 t stayed < iet8 5ers was an interesting way to loo+ at things9 he had to ad$it8 >And that%s it8 !e get to the island9 and $y father will ha;e e;erything fig red o t9 and he%ll co$e and fi6 e;erything8@ The 7oys $ar;eled at the si$plicity of her plan8 >4t $ight : st wor+9@ Agni agreed8 >) t what if so$ething has happened to yo r fatherA !hat if the sa;ages got hi$A@ 5e i$$ediately wanted to eat his words 7ac+ into his $o th8 The princess%s a< a eyes9 in that instant9 t rned a steely grey8 The in: ry of Agni%s s ggestion was written on her face9 and the 7oy regretted ca sing her s ch h rt8 She stared at hi$ for se;eral $o$ents longer than Agni was co$forta7le with8 Then she too+ a deep 7reath and spo+e in an e;en tone8 >4 do appreciate yo r concern a7o t $y father8 And yes9 4 ha;e considered the possi7ility that so$ething nsa;ory co ld ha;e happened to hi$9 7 t 4 a$ confident that he is fine8@ 5er ;oice wa;ered e;er so slightly8 >'y instinct says go on9 and since 4 a$ leading this e6pedition9 we will follow $y g t8@ >!hy do yo get to 7e the leaderA@ as+ed Agni8 >)eca se 4%$ the oldest9@ replied Priya8 Aryan and Ansh9 who were sed to this line of reasoning9 accepted her e6planation i$$ediately8 Agni9 on the other hand9 nacc sto$ed to 7eing told what to do9 as+ed9 >5ow old are yo A@ >Ten9@ replied Priya8 >5ow old are yo A@ >Ten9@ said Agni with satisfaction8 >!hen is yo r 7irthdayA@ as+ed the Princess8 >'arch9@ he answered8

>!ell9 4 will 7e 11 in #o;e$7er9 so 4 a$ older9 and 4 a$ in charge9@ Priya said so fir$ly that it was clear the $atter wo ld 7e disc ssed no f rther8 The fo r children ate the last of their s pper9 the scraps of which they genero sly shared with a ;ery gratef l Corneli s8 The Bl spin had c rled into a happy 7all on Princess Priya%s 7ed8 !hen they were finished9 the girl pac+ed the rest of her 7elongings into her 7ag9 and the gro p prepared to lea;e8 The gro p once $ore slid silently into the passageway hidden 7ehind the panel in Priya%s closet8 The Three )rothers followed the girl as she led the$ down a concealed stairway8 They e$erged into a large storeroo$ off the +itchen8 The walls were co;ered with shel;es containing glistening glass :ars filled with canned ;egeta7les9 $eats and fr its8 They tiptoed across the large stones on the +itchen%s floor9 and r c+sac+s o;er their sho lders9 all fo r children stole o t the side door into the $oonlight followed 7y the s$all Bl spin8 They darted aro nd the castle and started to r n towards the Dailasa 'o ntains whose pea+s were reflected in the spar+ling Dailasa 3a+e 7elow8 The spring air was cool9 and the s+y was clear8 The snow-co;ered pea+s of the $o ntain range which were often shro ded in clo d were nfettered and shone sil;er in the $oonlight8 4t was those glistening pea+s towards which the s$all gro p was headed rapidly8 Crossing the wide field filled with sweet s$elling spring flowers too+ longer than they had anticipated9 7 t soon9 the Three )rothers9 Princess Priya and Corneli s the Bl spin had reached the foot of the $o ntains and were ascending a roc+y path p the grey $o ntainside8 They cli$7ed for a long ti$e in silence9 getting e;er higher9 and the landscape grew sparser ntil only the occasional grass sprig or st 77y shr 7 was seen clinging to the large 7o lders and :agged roc+s8 Agni9 who was leading the gro p9 t rned and noticed Ansh lagging slightly 7ehind8 The oldest 7rother decided it was ti$e to ta+e a 7rea+8 They had 7een wal+ing for se;eral ho rs9 and the position of the $oon $eant the ti$e $ st 7e past $idnight8 All of the children were gratef l for the respite8 Princess Priya sat on a roc+ and tossed her r c+sac+ onto her lap8 She p lled o t her water canteen9 too+ a long sip9 and then offered it to Ansh who accepted gratef lly8 >4 a$ e6ha sted9@ she said with a sigh8 >'e9 too9@ Ansh agreed9 handing the canteen 7ac+ to Priya9 which she passed along to Agni and Aryan8 She said9 >4 thin+ we sho ld $a+e ca$p here and then get an early start again in the $orning8 !e still ha;e a long way to go9 7 t 4 thin+ we%re far eno gh away now that 'aridi s will not find s8@

The children stared p at the gigantic $o ntain pon which they sat8 The top was o t of ;iew fro$ their position on the side9 7 t the other pea+s in the range were clear and still see$ed ;ery distant8 >4 wonder how long it will ta+e to get o;er these $o ntains9@ said Aryan as he laid down on a roc+ and pl $ped p his r c+sac+ to se as a pillow8 >Se;eral $ore days at least9@ said Agni8 >4 hope it doesn%t get too cold p there9@ he added9 staring at the snow-co;ered pea+s8 >4f only we can find that pass9 it will 7e $ ch easier9@ said Priya8 >4 ha;e read se;eral acco nts of tra;elers finding it9 7 t they were all < ite old8 These $o ntains are so dangero s9 people rarely tra;el thro gh the$8@ >!hat do yo $ean these $o ntains are dangero sA@ as+ed Agni8 >Co +now9@ said Priya lightly9 not wanting to alar$ her tra;elling co$panions9 >there is the occasional roc+ slide or snow stor$9 and of co rse9 the roc+ sna+es and things8 Te6t7oo+ pro7le$s9 nothing terri7ly significant8@ >4f it is no 7ig deal9 then why don%t people co$e this wayA@ as+ed Agni s+eptically8 >!ell9@ replied the princess9 >there is a $ ch easier ro te to the coast that r ns thro gh Fl //enhei$8 4t is $ ch farther and ta+es $ ch longer9 7 t yo 7ypass the $o ntains8@ E st as Agni was 7eginning to as+ what pre;ented the$ fro$ ta+ing the easier path9 an odd clac+ing noise pro$pted Corneli s to : $p p and start growling in a ;ery high pitch8 5is f r stood co$pletely on end9 which $ade hi$ rese$7le a golden cotton 7all8 >!hat is thatA@ as+ed Aryan ner;o sly8 All fo r children were h ddled together and strained their eyes against the dar+ness8 The clac+ing approached the$ 7 t stopped : st 7eyond their range of ;ision8 Corneli s stopped growling and ran into the dar+ness towards the so nd sniffing the air8 Ansh : $ped p and ran after hi$8 Agni sho ted9 7 t it was too late8 Agni9 Aryan and Priya 7egan searching frantically for $atches9 candles and potential weapons8 )efore they co ld find anything9 howe;er9 Ansh ret rned with the Bl spin at his side9 his face co;ered in a spar+ling s$ile8 The clac+ing noise followed hi$9 and then they saw fro$ where the noise was originating8 A grey and white $o ntain goat with s$all 7lac+ horns followed the 7oy8 Agni and Princess Priya sighed8 Aryan giggled8 They were so scared a7o t a goat? >Corny and 4 $ade a friend9@ said Ansh8 >4 thin+ his na$e is )o78 Can he stay with s tonightA 4 thin+ he gets lonely p here8@ )o7 n dged Ansh%s hand with his head9 and the little 7oy stro+ed the ani$al%s horns8

>S re9@ said Agni8 Ansh s$iled8 >'ay7e we sho ld 7 ild a fire : st in case there are any other ne6pected arri;als tonight9@ s ggested Priya9 and the fo r children 7egan collecting stic+s8 )o7 and Corneli s had 7eco$e fast friends9 and 7 sied the$sel;es playing in the $oonlight 7y : $ping for$ one roc+ to another8 )o79 nat rally9 was far 7etter than Corneli s at this ga$e8 )y the ti$e the children had 7 ilt a s$all fire and laid down for sleep9 the $oon was low in the s+y9 and dawn was fast approaching8 The children awo+e early the ne6t $orning to the 7la/ing s n popping p o;er the hori/on8 )leary-eyed and yawning9 they ate a $eager 7rea+fast of 7read and cheese and prepared to lea;e8 As they started p the roc+y path9 )o7 the $o ntain goat 7egan pawing the gro nd and lo dly clac+ing his hoo;es8 The children stopped and called hi$9 7 t he ref sed to 7 dge8 Ansh called hi$ se;eral ti$es and e;en tried p lling hi$ along 7y his nec+9 7 t the goat : st stood there sta$ping his feet8 >Sorry9 Ansh9@ said Agni9 >7 t we ha;e to go witho t yo r friend8@ Ansh opened his $o th defiantly9 7 t Priya pree$pted hi$8 >Co r 7rother is right9 Ansh9@ she said 7ending down and placing her hand on the 7oy%s sho lder8 >!e ha;e to +eep going8 4f 'aridi s and his $en see s9 we%re goners8@ Ansh rel ctantly started p the path9 7 t )o7 followed hi$ and n dged hi$ fro$ 7ehind9 al$ost +noc+ing the 7oy o;er8 Then he sta$ped lo dly and retreated 7ac+ down the path8 5e t rned and stared9 sto$ped again9 and then headed off o;er the roc+s to the left of the path8 Corneli s went 7o nding after hi$8 >2h9 no9 Corny?@ sho ted Ansh9 and he tore down the path in p rs it of the ani$als8 >Ansh?@ called Agni9 7 t his 7rother wo ld not stop8 5e cla$7ered o;er the precario sly placed roc+s and followed the goat and Bl spin who were far ahead8 The two ani$als periodically stopped and t rned to ens re the 7oy was following8 Agni shoo+ his head8 They had no choice 7 t to follow8 Ansh was dangero sly close to falling9 as he was cla$7ering o;er large loose roc+s right on the side of the $o ntain8 Ansh cared nothing for his safety and followed the ani$als < ic+ly9 : $ping 7etween roc+s and r nning where he co ld as fast as his short legs co ld $anage8 Finally9 )o7 the goat ca$e to a halt ne6t to a s$all spr ce tree that defied gra;ity 7y gripping to the side of the near-;ertical cliff8 Corneli s :oined hi$ shortly9 and they stood sta$ping and 7ar+ing at the approaching children8 Ansh arri;ed at the sideways spr ce9 scooped p Corneli s9 and 7egan to scold 7oth of the ani$als8 5e stopped short9 tho gh8 )eside the tree9 an enor$o s crac+ had for$ed in

the side of the $o ntain9 and a narrow pathway c t 7etween the two roc+ faces9 leading o t of sight8 Ansh%s face lit p9 and he sho ted9 >4t%s the shortc t8@ 5e t rned to his approaching 7rothers and the princess9 holding the tiny Bl spin in the air8 >4t%s the pass? 4t%s the pass?@ 5e t rned to the goat and r 77ed his horns8 >Bood 7oy9 )o78 Than+ yo so $ ch8@ The goat n //led the 7oy and 7aaed in appreciation8 Agni9 Aryan and Princess Priya scra$7led o;er the last few roc+s to :oin Ansh and the ani$als 7y the enor$o s crac+ in the $o ntain8 >4 cannot 7elie;e it9@ said Priya happily8 >The goat +new where to ta+e s8@ She t rned to )o7 and said9 >Than+ yo so $ ch9 'ister Boat8@ )o7 n //led her hand9 and she patted his white head8 Then he started into the narrow passageway 7efore the$8 The shortc t was a canyon so deep that only a tiny sli;er of s+y was ;isi7le far a7o;e the$8 The tall white walls stretched pward on either side of the$ as they $o;ed along9 $a+ing Aryan feel decidedly nco$forta7le8 They tra;eled for so$e ti$e9 and it see$ed as if they had entered a white coffin with no end ;isi7le on either side8 ) t slowly9 the daylight at the other end 7eca$e ;isi7le and grew progressi;ely 7igger as they wal+ed for what $ st ha;e 7een se;eral ho rs down the :agged canyon8 The growing patch of light was the only aspect of the scenery that changed8 Finally9 the opening at the other end of the narrow passageway was 7efore the$9 and the children e$erged fro$ the giant chas$ into a 7ea tif l $o ntain field 7lan+eted with spring flowers8 Se;eral strea$s flowing fro$ the $o ntain :oined together to for$ a large clear la+e on the edge of the field8 The la+e reflected the pea+s of the Dailasa 'o ntains towering a7o;e the$8 4n the distance9 the children co ld see another range of low rolling hills that for$ed the 7o ndary of the field8 >!ell9 this see$s li+e a pretty good place for a rest9 don%t yo thin+A 5ow a7o t a picnicA@ as+ed Priya9 and she 7egan ta+ing se;eral s$all $etal containers of food fro$ her 7ag and dropping the$ to the gro nd8 The 7oys agreed9 and all fo r children fell to asse$7ling a $eal8 Corneli s and )o7 happily accepted their genero s lefto;ers8 After their $eal9 the strain of their long wal+ co$7ined with $eager a$o nt of sleep they had gotten the pre;io s night ca ght p with the children8 They decided to rest a while in the s nny field after finishing their l nches8 Finally9 as the afternoon ho rs grew long with the s n9 Corneli s ca$e and n dged Ansh%s foot8 4t was ti$e to go once $ore8 )o7 the goat led the children across the field of flowers to the s$all chain of hills on its opposite side9 stopping short of $o nting the incline at their feet8 The children t rned to

loo+ at their tra;elling co$panion8 Ansh nderstood at once8 >5e isn%t co$ing with s8 This is as far as he%ll go9@ he e6plained8 All fo r children felt a tre$endo s sense of loss and were saddened to part with the goat who had 7een their g ide8 They r shed 7ac+ to )o79 and each child spent a long $o$ent stro+ing the ani$al%s head and nec+ in than+s while Corneli s yipped at his short hairy legs8 The goat happily accepted their affection9 and with a contented wag of his st 77y tail and one last n dge to Ansh9 he t rned and darted across the field9 disappeared into the giant crac+ in the side of the $o ntain9 and then he was gone8 4t was only after they had started to cli$7 the soft grassy rise of the hill that Princess Priya had a re;elation8 >4 +now why he co ldn%t co$e with s?@ she said s ddenly8 >!hyA@ as+ed Ansh earnestly8 >4t will 7e too hot on the other side9@ she replied8 Aryan was conf sed8 >!hat do yo $eanA@ he as+ed as they contin ed their slow ascent8 Priya replied9 >!ell9 the ele;ation on the other side of these hills is $ ch lower8 The !ater Forest is down there8 4t will 7e far too hot for )o78 5e%s a $o ntain goat8 5e needs cold $o ntain air8@ >Co are saying it will 7e hotter on the other side of this hillA@ as+ed Ansh do 7tingly8 >Ces9@ said Priya si$ply8 !hen the fo r children reached the top of the hill9 e;en the princess with her te6t7oo+ +nowledge of topography was a$a/ed at what her eyes 7eheld8 The 7an+ they had cli$7ed was s$all and not ;ery steep9 7 t the other side of the hill dropped o t of sight8 2nly a $ass of green tho sands of feet 7elow co ld 7e seen8 4t was an awe-inspiring sight9 the sloping hill and $eadow with the Dailasa 'o ntains towering into the s+y 7ehind the$9 and a :agged drop off into endless green 7elow8 Aryan felt as if he were hanging on the ;ery edge of the world9 al$ost ready to fall off8 The gro p steeled their ner;es and started down the grassy pathway that led into the : ngle 7elow8 The farther they progressed9 the war$er and stic+ier the afternoon 7eca$e8 The landscape changed as well8 .ifferent grasses and 7 shes appeared9 and then low clinging trees8 Soon all fo r children were po ring sweat9 and the ;egetation aro nd the$ had 7eco$e e6tre$ely dense8 The children co ld see the distinct o tline of strange trees in the canopy 7elow the$9 and Priya was identifying plants the 7oys had ne;er seen 7efore as they descended8 >Aloe9 it%s act ally s pposed to ha;e $any $edicinal properties8@ >That is Te$ple Flower8@ >3oo+? That tree down there9 the tall one9 it%s called = calypt s8 4t sho ld ha;e a ;ery strong odor8 Perhaps 4 can get a few sa$ples for

$y leaf 7oo+8@ Ansh loo+ed at the girl%s 7ac+ with a strange e6pression8 !ho had a leaf 7oo+A ) t the princess was too distracted 7y identifying the s rro nding flora to notice8 The children $ar;eled at the ;i7rant colors of the !ater Forest8 3arge orange 7losso$s co;ered $any tall trees that dotted the canopy9 $a+ing it loo+ as if the forest were on fire8 >Fla$e of the Forest9@ Priya noted8 =nor$o s cl sters of yellow 7ell-shaped 7loo$s topped other trees8 =;ery color9 it see$ed9 was represented9 7right pin+s and deep p rples9 greens of e;ery ;arying shade9 7l es and reds and yellows8 The Three )rothers co ld identify so$e of the plants9 tho gh not as $any as the Princess8 They had seen ferns growing in Chancell7erry Forest9 7 t the ones growing here were enor$o s9 fi;e or si6 ti$es the si/e of those that grew in the woods near their far$8 >The growing season lasts year ro nd here9@ Princess Priya e6plained8 >That is why e;erything is so 7ig8 There is no winter9 so the plants ne;er die8 They are called perennials8@ The path pon which they tra;elled soon san+ nder the canopy of the trees9 and all fo r children along with Corneli s the Bl spin were pl nged into the !ater Forest8 They were shielded fro$ the 7eating s n9 and the te$perat re felt cooler9 7 t the air was $ ch $ore h $id 7eneath the tree line9 and they 7egan to sweat $ore than e;er8 Their hea;y cotton and light woolens had 7een fine for springti$e in Chancell7erry Forest9 7 t in the : ngle9 it was far too hot9 and the children longed for their s $$er shorts and light shirts8 The children had nearly reached the : ngle floor9 and the path on which they tra;elled red ced in gradient ntil it was hill no longer9 7 t si$ply a path r nning thro gh the : ngle8 4t wasn%t long after reaching le;el gro nd that the children arri;ed at a s$all clearing where the road for+ed8 There was no sign9 so the children had to g ess which path wo ld ta+e the$ to Tortoise Co;e8 >!hich wayA@ as+ed Aryan9 loo+ing to Agni and Priya for g idance8 Agni shr gged8 >Co r g ess is as good as $ine8@ 5e loo+ed to Priya9 hoping she $ight +now the way8 The paths headed north-west and so th-west9 respecti;ely9 and Tortoise Co;e was directly west8 #either of the trails was $ar+ed on her $ap8 4t was of no se8 >4t co ld 7e either9@ said the princess ncertainly8 The children stared at the two paths8 The one that led to the so th had 7een tra;ersed far $ore often than the one going north9 pro$pting Priya to say9 >!ell9 it appears $ore people go so th8 Perhaps we sho ld also8@ Corneli s clearly disagreed with the little princess8 5e sniffed in her direction9 ga;e a low growl9 and then 7egan yipping lo dly while r nning a short distance down the o;ergrown path then ret rning8 >4t loo+s li+e Corny wants to go that way9@ said Agni9 pointing8 The princess 7it her lip and then conceded with wisdo$ e6ceeding her 10 years8 >5e see$s to 7e a 7etter : dge of these things than 48 After all9 he is the one who +new we needed to follow )o78@ She t rned to the s$all golden creat re now happily ho;ering at her heels8 >After yo 9 sir9@ she said with a 7ow and $otioned for the Bl spin to lead the way8 After that point9

Corneli s9 who pre;io sly had not 7een ;ery friendly with the princess9 war$ed p nicely to the girl9 which led to Priya disco;ering the spot 7ehind his ear he was < ite fond of ha;ing scratched8 The children followed the north-west 7o nd path that 7eca$e progressi;ely $ore o;ergrown ntil it was ;irt ally indisting isha7le fro$ the s rro nding : ngle8 The dense ;ines and shr 7s were 7eco$ing diffic lt to na;igate9 and the children started to grow an6io s8 >.id we ta+e the wrong pathA@ as+ed Aryan9 fear rising in his ;oice8 5e loo+ed directly o;erhead to see a 7lac+ and yellow spider the si/e of his pal$ wea;ing a we7 7etween two trees 30 feet apart8 5e tightened his grip on Ansh%s hand and < ic+ened his pace to stay closer to Agni8 Then s ddenly9 the : ngle opened p9 and nestled in a clearing stood a patchwor+ of a far$ a$ongst se;eral large old trees8 The far$ho se and the s rro nding str ct res were li+e none the Three )rothers had seen 7efore8 The enor$o s trees were n s al loo+ing as well8 The 7 ildings9 nli+e the wooden and 7ric+ str ct res of their ;illage9 were $ade o t of large9 poro s stones8 So$e were painted white9 and others were the raw red color of the roc+s8 The roofs were $ade of 7right orange tiles that had t rned a $ossy green fro$ what certainly $ st ha;e 7een $any years of torrential rain8 The low walls r nning aro nd the 7arns and gardens were $ade of the sa$e red roc+s8 Agni e6a$ined the wall nearest the$8 The roc+s had so $any holes they rese$7led sponges8 The largest of the trees in the sprawling co$po nd o;erh ng the white washed ho se with its $any chi$neys8 The tree appeared as old as the drooping 7 ildings8 3ong sna+e-li+e roots h ng down fro$ its low-sl ng 7ranches8 Corneli s e6citedly sniffed the air and then ran off down a well-worn path that led to the ra$7ling far$8 The children followed hi$ ca tio sly8 As they approached9 they noticed the ho se and s rro nding gro nds were 7 stling with acti;ity8 People of ;arying ages were chopping wood9 pic+ing fr it and p lling weeds8 2thers were tending to li;estoc+9 as the far$ was dotted with se;eral cows and goats8 Three children stood in an enclos re feeding 20 large floppy-eared ra77its8 A s$all pac+ of dogs9 which incl ded se;eral s$all p ppies9 frolic+ed in 7etween the rows of to$atoes9 and a grey and white cat darted nderneath a porch where a yo ng $an and wo$an sat re$o;ing the h s+s fro$ a large stac+ of corn8 .espite the heat9 s$o+e was 7illowing o t of two of the chi$neys that adorned the ho se%s sagging roof8 The children were drawn to the white str ct re tee$ing with life8 They wal+ed past the gardens and o;erflowing flower 7eds9 all slightly o;ergrown9 feeling welco$e and at ho$e8 The people they passed s$iled9 nodded or wa;ed hello8 #ot a so l stopped the$ or < estioned their presence8 The children finally fo nd Corneli s sitting on the 7ac+ porch of the ho se 7eing fed a sa cer of crea$ and honey 7y a wo$an in o;eralls8 She had a long honey-7rown 7raid that h ng down to her waist8 A thic+ 7olt of sil;er ran down the right side and intertwined with her coppery hair9 which shone in the light8 The wo$an patted the little creat re on its golden head8

>That%s yo r fa;orite9 isn%t itA@ she la ghed in a $elodio s ;oice8 She s$iled widely9 ca sing her s+in to crease into s$all folds at the corners of her green eyes8 Then she t rned her ga/e to the children who stood at the edge of the porch watching her8 She wal+ed to the edge and 7ent down8 >!hat can we do for yo todayA@ she as+ed9 hopping off the low porch and onto the gro nd with s rprising de6terity8 5er o;eralls were c t off at the +nee9 and she wore a white cotton shirt nderneath8 The slee;es were rolled p to her el7ows9 and she stood d sting off her hands and s< inting at the children in the slanting s nlight co$ing thro gh the long hanging roots of the large tree 7eside the ho se8 >2h9@ said Priya9 >we were : st passing thro gh8 2 r Bl spin ran p here8 5e see$s to really li+e yo 8@ Corneli s loo+ed p and wagged his tail in their direction8 >4 li+e hi$ too9@ said the lady and she cast a s$ile and a < ic+ win+ at the s$all creat re8 Then she t rned 7ac+ to the princes and the Three )rothers8 >!ell9 we don%t get too $any people pass thro gh these parts9 especially not a gro p of yo ng ones li+e yo rsel;es9 all alone and nacco$panied8 ) t ti$es are changing9@ she said9 t rning 7ac+ to Corneli s who had finished his crea$ and honey8 She p lled a s$all coo+ie fro$ her left poc+ed and tossed it his way8 >And ti$es li+e these9 well9 : st a7o t anything that can happen will8@ The wo$an s$iled +indly at the children8 5er e6pression changed as her eyes fell pon Priya9 and she e6a$ined the girl%s face intently8 >Priya9@ she said si$ply9 her face 7rea+ing into a s$ile once again8 >4 cannot 7elie;e it is yo 8 3oo+ how yo %;e grown8@ Priya s$iled aw+wardly8 The wo$an%s face softened8 >Co loo+ so $ ch li+e yo r $other9 child8@ She patted the girl%s ar$ tenderly8 Priya 7lin+ed8 >Co +new $y $otherA@ she as+ed8 >!ell9 of co rse9 honey9 and yo %re the spitting i$age of her8 2h9 7 t 4 7et yo hear that all the ti$e8@ The wo$an t rned and wal+ed o;er to the steps8 >Co$e on in9@ she called8 >4 will tell yo so$e stories on her8@ Priya i$$ediately followed the wo$an9 and the Three )rothers followed8

The

other

Agni9 Aryan9 and Ansh sat on a long wooden 7ench 7y an enor$o s ta7le eating 7owls of ;ery delicio s spinach and p $p+in so p8 The wo$an with the 7raid had told Priya stories of her $other ;isiting her orphanage on the edge of the !ater Forest8 KThey had learned that the wo$an ran a ho$e for parentless children on her far$8L The Chancell7erry 1ni;ersity9 where her $other had ta ght9 had hosted a wor+shop with the orphanage years 7efore the princess was 7orn9 and Priya%s $other had gone to o7ser;e

the teaching $ethods in place on the wo$an%s far$8 Priya was happy to hear stories a7o t her $other9 for she had died when the princess was only a year old9 and $e$ories of her $other were li+e ghosts9 e;aporating fro$ her $ind when she tried to grasp pon the$8 A tall $an with glasses had 7ro ght in a cran+y child8 The wo$an had coa6ed it to sleep9 and she held it with one ar$ and ladled 7eans into the children%s 7owls with the other8 >2h9 yes9@ she said softly9 her ;oice still so nding li+e song9 >all the children lo;ed yo r $other9 and we%re all so gratef l for so$e of the $ethods she showed s while she was here8 The +ids s re do see$ to en:oy it8 The ad lts do9 too8@ Priya sat with her el7ows on the ta7le soa+ing in the stories8 She hardly to ched her food8 >2f co rse9 she too+ so$e things 7ac+ with her too8 !e%re < ite pro d8 The entire idea of the =arly Childhood =d cation 4nitiati;e ca$e a7o t fro$ o r little far$ here9@ she said pro dly8 Priya s$iled8 Agni was c rio s8 >4 ne;er e;en +new this place e6isted8 5ow did yo co$e to 7e here9 $iles away fro$ anythingA There%s not too $any people a7le to cli$7 those $o ntains8@ >Co %re right a7o t that9@ said the wo$an9 her eyes on the 7a7y in her ar$s she was h shing 7ac+ to sleep8 >#ot too $any people li;e o t aro nd these parts8@ She ga;e hi$ a $ysterio s grin followed 7y a $ischie;o s win+8 She then rose and p t the 7a7y into a s$all cri7 7elow a window in the corner8 The child sn ggled happily nder its 7lan+ets9 and s n fell across its s$all face8 Then the wo$an 7egan dishing o t ;anilla ice crea$ topped with an odd-loo+ing9 delicio s-s$elling fr it8 >) t yo %d 7e s rprised how $any people end p : st passing 7y8@ She leaned across and presented Agni with his ice crea$8 >And as for $e9 well9 4%;e 7een here a long ti$e ta+ing in fol+s who ha;e no place to go8 'ainly children9 7 t we get the$ all ages8 A lot of o r +ids stay on9 as 4%$ s re yo %;e noticed9 7 t a7o t the sa$e a$o nt head o t into the great wide world8@ >So9 yo g ys want to ta+e a loo+ aro ndA@ she as+ed with a s$ile8 >Co can 7ring yo r ice crea$ with yo 8@ >That wo ld 7e nice $a%a$9@ said Agni who was ;ery happy9 ha;ing : st 7een feed8 >!ell9 co$e on then9@ the wo$an said as she crossed to the screen door at the 7ac+ of the +itchen8 >And eno gh with that $a%a$ nonsense8 'ost people call $e 'other or 'a8@ The e6pression on Priya%s face changed9 and Agni noticed her eyeing the wo$an closely8 The children followed The 'other o t into the e;ening s nlight8 She led the$ 7etween the sprawling gardens filled with large9 n s al ;egeta7les8 She showed the$ the different 7 ildings filled with people wor+ing and playing8 Agni trailed 7ehind9 and when he was o t of earshot of The 'other9 he po nced on his opport nity8 5e gra77ed Priya%s el7ow and whispered into her ear9 >Co +now so$ething a7o t this lady9 don%t yo A@

Priya loo+ed at their host who was leading the$ down a path towards another white 7 ilding8 The green lichen contrasted creeping on its walls contrasted nicely with the faded orange tiles of its roof8 As The 'other wa;ed hello to a gro p of children playing 7ad$inton9 Priya replied9 >There is a legend9 an old one9 7 t its ;alidity cannot 7e ;erified8@ They contin ed wal+ing side 7y side9 their heads close together8 >!ell9 what is the storyA@ as+ed Agni rgently8 )y that point9 The 'other had stopped9 pro$pting Priya to hastily whisper9 >4 will tell yo later8@ They ca ght p with Aryan9 Ansh9 Corneli s and The 'other9 who proceeded to show the children the ;ery large storeho se where the grains were +ept8 They then went on to the cellar ho se8 4t was cool in the 7 ilding that had 7een car;ed into the hillside8 Ears of preser;ed food stood in colorf l rows pon wooden shel;es9 enor$o s ro nds of cheese stood wrapped in paper9 and c red $eats h ng fro$ the ceiling8 As they strolled across the 7ea tif l gro nds9 The 'other pointed o t different plants and trees8 The large one with the hanging roots was called a 7anyan8 And for a while9 Agni forgot a7o t the $ystery of The 'other%s legend8 The children followed the wo$an whose legs strode fast o;er the hot red earth8 She too+ the$ 7ac+ down the path they had followed to her far$ and into the : ngle where they wondered at the towering trees and dense nder7r sh8 Finally9 as the rays of s n slanted steeply thro gh the canopy9 The 'other 7ro ght the children 7ac+ to the orphanage8 >Co %ll stay for s pper9 s relyA@ she as+ed9 and the children agreed8 2ne thing the children noticed a7o t their new s rro ndings was that the : ngle was ;ery hot8 They were asto nded that the people $illing a7o t the orphanage were dressed li+e The 'other in hea;y cotton and deni$8 'any wore f ll slee;es and long pants9 7 t they see$ed co$forta7le8 They certainly were not sweating prof sely li+e the Three )rothers and the princess8 Corneli s lie panting on the large ;eranda on the 7ac+ of the ho se as the children fanned the$sel;es in the e;ening air8 The odor of the : ngle h ng hea;y on the da$p air8 4t was oppressi;e8 The s n had disappeared9 and the s+y rapidly dar+ened9 gi;ing respite fro$ the heat8 A large gro p had asse$7led on the ra$7ling porch9 and people of all ages sat in +nots of con;ersation and la ghter8 The 'other e6ited thro gh the 7ac+ door and too+ a chair ne6t to Ansh8 She scooped p Corneli s and +ept hi$ in her lap8 5e rolled onto his 7ac+ with his short legs in the air9 and she r 77ed his sto$ach co$fortingly8 The tiny golden t ft $oaned happily8 She too+ a long sip of tea and spo+e8 >So where is it yo children are headedA The coast9 4 pres $e8@ >That is correct8 Tortoise Co;e to 7e $ore precise9@ replied the princess8 The 'other nodded 7 t said nothing8 Priya went on9 tho gh she was ns re why8 The yo ng lady9 ;ery $ ch li+e her father9 was not prone to o;er-sharing8 >!e are going to )ottle )ay to

find a pirate8 !e need a ship to resc e $y father8@ >2h9@ said The 'other nonchalantly9 placing her tea on a near7y ta7le8 The Three )rothers prepared the$sel;es for the ad$onish$ent and warnings they had gotten so sed to hearing9 7 t instead9 the wo$an said9 >4 +now : st the person8@ Agni glanced at Priya and then as+ed8 >Co +now a pirateA@ The 'other nodded happily o;er her $ g8 >Certainly9 o r little )illy8 2f co rse9 he%s not so little any$ore8@ She ch c+led to herself8 Priya was s rprised that the +ind wo$an with a ho sef l of children in her care co ld +now a pirate fro$ )ottle )ay8 The place had a 7it of a rep tation for ho sing $ara ders8 The 'other noticed their faces8 >4 s ppose yo thin+ it%s odd9 7 t o r children grow into the people they will 7eco$e9 regardless of what we want the$ to do8 4 < it ha;ing e6pectations of o r little ones a long ti$e ago8@ The children were silent9 and the old wo$an contentedly sipped her tea and petted the Bl spin8 5er eyes see$ed far away9 and she loo+ed ;ery old for a few silent $in tes8 Finally9 she said9 >5e%s a good 7oy9 o r )illy8 5e ca$e to $e : st a few days old8 5is parents were gypsies fro$ a +ingdo$ in the far northwestern territories8 They were passing thro gh9 too9 on their way to the sea8 The $other was yo ng9 and she and her h s7and feared their tiny 7a7y wo ld not $a+e the hot :o rney across the !ater Forest8 She decided to lea;e the little thing here9 7 t it tore her p8 She was con;inced it was the 7est thing for hi$9 tho gh8 4 re$e$7er she said it was destiny that they happened pon o r little far$ here8@ The 'other pa sed and dran+ her tea8 She p t down her $ g and loo+ed at the children8 >5e was a 7rilliant 7oy9@ she said pro dly9 altho gh her ;oice see$ed a little sad9 >7 t he was ne;er content here8 5e felt a7andoned and cl ng to the idea that one day he wo ld find his real fa$ily9 as he called the$8@ She s$iled sadly and then la ghed8 >5e was three the first ti$e he ran away8 After that9 it was pretty $ ch e;ery few wee+s he%d pac+ a 7ag and set off into the : ngle headed for the coast8 5e%d get lost9 and we%d ha;e to go and find hi$9 or he%d ha;e a change of heart and co$e 7ac+ on his own8 Finally9 when he was eight years old9 we had a tal+ after which 4 pac+ed hi$ a 7ag and sent hi$ with one of $y grown p 7a7ies on horse7ac+ in search of his drea$8@ The 'other sighed8 >4 ha;e only seen hi$ twice since then9 7 t stories of his ad;ent res co$e $y way occasionally8 5e ne;er did find his parents9 7 t 4 thin+ his passion for the sea and ad;ent re replaced any childhood longing he had8 5e%s 7eco$e < ite the ad;ent rer8@ After a long pa se9 she added9 >5e%s a good 7oy8 4%$ s re he%d help yo 8 !hen yo get to )ottle )ay9 loo+ hi$ and p and tell hi$ 4 sent yo 8@ The children passed the re$ainder of the e;ening sitting on the ;eranda en:oying the so nds of the : ngle at night and the soft so nds of singing and $ sic that ca$e fro$

aro nd the far$ that ser;ed as an orphanage8 3arge candles that s$elled of le$on were lit and handf ls of fallen e calypt s lea;es were thrown into the ca$pfire to +eep the $ ltit de of $os< itoes at 7ay8 .espite the repellant effect9 the children still had se;eral red9 itchy welts on their ar$s and legs 7y the ti$e they sn ggled into their cots and p lled the thin cotton sheets o;er the$8 Priya listened as the Three )rothers dropped into sleep one 7y one8 First Ansh9 then Agni9 and then9 after $ ch tossing and t rning9 Aryan8 After all three 7oys were asleep9 the little princess tossed 7ac+ her sheet and slid her long legs to the floor8 She crept across the roo$ and p shed open the door as slowly and < ietly as possi7le8 She e6ited into the shaft of light in the hallway and closed the door 7ehind her8 The orphanage was still f ll of acti;ity8 Children were 7eing wrangled into 7ed8 4n a large roo$9 long lines of half-sleeping yo ngsters were 7eing read poetry8 A gro p of children in a 7athroo$ were 7eing instr cted on how to 7est 7r sh their teeth 7y the thin $an with glasses8 Priya crept thro gh the ho se ntil she reached the +itchen at the 7ac+8 The 'other was seated on a tall wooden stool drin+ing a c p of tea and reading when the girl entered the roo$8 The old wo$an loo+ed p o;er the edge of her 7oo+ and noticed the princess8 >!ell9 hello9 darling9@ she called as she closed her 7oo+ and placed it on the stone co nter8 >Co %re still p 4 see9@ she said with a s$ile8 >Ces9@ said Priya8 She too+ a few steps towards the seated wo$an8 >Co see9 4 wanted to as+ yo a7o t so$ething8@ The old wo$an s$iled9 p lled o t the stool ne6t to her9 and $otioned for the girl to sit down8 >!hat%s on yo r $ind9 honeyA@ Priya sat and loo+ed at The 'other for a $o$ent in silence8 She was ha;ing diffic ltly 7eginning8 Finally9 she placed her hands flat on the co nter in front of her and spo+e9 >So$eti$es9 4 li+e to read so$e of the old Chancell7erry legends that are in the li7rary at the ni;ersity8 4t is interesting to see how the stories change o;er ti$e and how they lend the$sel;es to each other8@ She pa sed and cast a sidelong glance at The 'other who was s$iling at her +nowingly8 >!ell9 there is a legend that 4 thin+ $ st 7e a7o t yo 8@ She loo+ed at the wo$an9 who nodded9 enco raging her to contin e8 >4t is not a fa$o s story or anything8 4 ca$e across it 7 ried in one of the 7oo+s in the old section9 and it is a7o t an old wo$an who r ns an orphanage on the edge of the !ater Forest8 She loo+s ;ery yo ng9 7 t in fact9 she is < ite old8 The orphanage is s pposed to ha;e 7een aro nd for h ndreds of years8@ Priya loo+ed at The 'other < estioningly9 and the old wo$an s$iled8 >4 $ean9 she is e;en called The 'other in the story8@ The wo$an p shed her coppery 7londe 7raid o;er her sho lder and s$iled with a little la gh8 >!ell9 of co rse it is tr e9 honey8 All legends are 7ased on facts8 Co li;e long eno gh9 yo reali/e that8@ She s$iled $ischie;o sly at the Priya8

>So9 the legend is a7o t yo A@ as+ed Priya in dis7elief8 >!ell9@ said the wo$an9 >4 cannot say for s re8 4 didn%t read the story yo read9 7 t it does so nd an awf l lot li+e $e8 4 ha;e an orphanage on the edge of the !ater Forest9 and 4 ha;e 7een here for < ite so$e ti$e8@ Priya shoo+ her head8 >So yo are saying yo ha;e 7een here for h ndreds of years8@ The 'other s$iled at the little princess and ga;e a s$all sigh8 >!ell9 when yo ha;e 7een aro nd as long as 4 ha;e9 yo tend to lose trac+ of things8 5 ndreds of years see$s li+e a long ti$e9 7 t 4 wo ld say it is possi7le8 4 ha;e seen $any generations of children co$e and go thro gh $y doors8@ Priya was conf sed8 >) t how is that possi7leA Co H Co %re ali;e8@ The 'other shoo+ her head8 >!ell9 honey9 the 3ord wor+s in $ysterio s ways8 Co see9 this place wasn%t $y drea$9 it was $y h s7and%s8 And when he died9@ she gest red aro nd9 >this 7eca$e $y p rpose for li;ing8@ Princess Priya stared at the wo$an in silence8 She felt aw+ward9 7 t the wo$an s$iled and sipped her tea8 There was certainly so$ething $agical a7o t her8 She patted the girl%s hand9 which p t her at ease8 >Co see$ to 7e a s$art yo ng lady8 4 7et yo r father is awf lly pro d of yo 8@ Priya s$iled sadly and said9 >Ces9 4 s ppose he is8@ #oticing her e6pression9 the wo$an said9 >Co poor thing9@ and patted her hand again9 >yo $ st 7e terri7ly worried a7o t hi$8@ Priya%s lip tre$7led8 >) t don%t yo worry9 darling9 e;erything will wor+ o t all right8@ The wo$an stood and pressed the little girl%s head to her chest8 Priya sat9 en;eloped 7y The 'other%s e$7race8 Tears sprang fro$ her eyes9 and the wo$an held her ntil her slight so7s s 7sided8 !hen they parted9 Priya wiped her eyes h rriedly8 The 'other s$iled8 >#ow9 it%s off to 7ed with yo 8 Co need to get so$e rest for to$orrow8@ Priya followed the wo$an silently down the hall to the roo$ where the Three )rothers were sleeping8 The little princess crawled into 7ed9 and the old lady p lled the light cotton sheet o;er the girl9 t c+ing the$ in : st 7elow her chin8 She 7ent and +issed the girl lightly on the forehead and whispered9 >Boodnight9 sweetheart8@ She then e6ited the roo$ and p lled the door sh t 7ehind her9 lea;ing only a crac+ thro gh which a sli;er of light entered8 Priya lie awa+e for se;eral $o$ents conte$plating her enco nter with the old lady in the +itchen9 and then the little girl fell into a deep9 tro 7led sleep8 The 'other wo+e the children early the ne6t $orning8 Their clothes had 7een la ndered9 and The 'other had already pac+ed so$e lighter cottons for the$ to wear d ring their tra;el thro gh the : ngle8 >4f yo follow the other path at the for+ in the road at the foot of the $o ntain9 it will ta+e yo straight to Tortoise Co;e8@ She s$iled at the children o;er a picnic 7as+et on the low stone ta7le8 >Co %ll want to get started early 7efore it gets too hot to $o;e8 So co$e

on9 sit down9 and 4%ll feed yo so$e 7rea+fast8@ The children ate the hot porridge and delicio s fr it the wo$an ga;e the$8 They dran+ large $etal t $7lers of war$ $il+ and honey9 and then sat loo+ing at each other o;er their finished $eal8 >!ell9 yo %d 7etter get going then8@ The 'other stood and t c+ed the 7as+et of food into Agni%s r c+sac+8 >There%s so$e 7read and cheese and things in there8 'a+e s re yo eat the fr it today8 2therwise9 it%ll get spoiled8 3et%s go8@ They left the dishes fro$ their 7rea+fast sitting on the e$pty ta7le and e6ited the +itchen into the early $orning daylight8 The far$ was already h $$ing to life9 despite the early ho r8 Fig res co ld 7e seen thro gh the $ist tending the garden and playing with the cows8 The 'other wal+ed silently down the path8 The children followed8 She stopped at the for+ where they had 7een the pre;io s day8 >This is as far as 4%ll ta+e yo 8@ She s$iled and e6tended her ar$s8 Ansh instincti;ely fo nd his way into the wo$an%s e$7race8 She h gged the$ each tightly8 Priya was the last to enter the wo$an%s ar$s9 and the little princess stayed there for a long ti$e with her face 7 ried in the wo$an%s chest8 The 'other patted the girl on the 7ac+ with a $otherly affection8 !hen Priya finally p lled away9 her eyes were $oist8 >4 +now9 sweetheart8@ The 'other spo+e into the girl%s eyes8 >) t e;erything will 7e all right8@ She s$iled reass ringly and stro+ed the princess%s 7raids8 Priya cho+ed 7ac+ a so7 and s$iled8 >2f co rse8@ Then she :oined the Three )rothers8 The children wa;ed good7ye and started down the path8 >Ta+e care9 y%all8@ The 'other stood watching and wa;ing ntil the children were o t of sight8

The Water Forest


The early $orning cool did not last long in the !ater Forest8 Soon9 the : ngle was hot and $ ggy8 The children had tra;elled scarcely an ho r 7efore they had 7ro+en into a collecti;e sweat9 and 7y $id-$orning9 the thin cotton shirts The 'other had gi;en the$ were drenched8 Corneli s approached Ansh panting and p lled on the 7oy%s pant leg8 >Corny wants to ta+e a 7rea+9@ the 7oy anno nced8 >Bood idea9@ Agni agreed8 A tall for$ation of s$ooth 7lac+ roc+ glittered in the s nlight a few feet off of the path8 >5ow a7o t o;er thereA@ Aryan s ggested8 The shi$$ering 7lac+ roc+s loo+ed in;iting9 and the o;erheated children h rried towards the$ for a rest8 Agni9 Aryan and Priya lo nged on the s$ooth roc+s while Ansh filled a steel c p with water for Corneli s8 5e refilled the c p se;eral ti$es9 and when the gratef l Bl spin had his fill9 the d o scaled the large roc+s ntil they reached the ;ery top where they reclined pon a large s$ooth stone and stared at the canopy a7o;e the$8 As Ansh and Corneli s 7as+ed in the pools of s nlight9 at the 7otto$ of the roc+9 Priya was telling Aryan and Agni facts a7o t the : ngle in which they were tra;eling8

>There are o;er *9000 species of flowering plants doc $ented in the !ater Forest9@ she said8 Agni was ;ery interested8 Aryan9 howe;er9 nodded distractedly8 >ReallyA@ as+ed Agni8 Priya went on9 >Ces9 and o;er 49000 ;arieties of trees8 4%;e read e6tensi;ely a7o t it8 4 find 7otany fascinating9 7 t 4%;e ne;er ;isited this side of the $o ntains8 There%s a frog that li;es on a partic lar tree9 and it e$erges only d ring the rainy season8@ Aryan left the two older children to each other%s co$pany9 and they did not see$ to notice8 The 7oy wandered off into the trees near the 7lac+ roc+ for$ation8 There was a large gro;e of pine trees not too far away8 Their 7ranches were close together9 and their needles were pale green8 4t s$elled ;ag ely of the thic+ pine gro;es in the forest near their far$9 7 t the odor was less p ngent8 Aryan ga/ed at the s+y 7arely ;isi7le 7etween the dense 7ranches8 5e inhaled deeply the scented air8 The $id-$orning s n filtered in gently and filled the s$all clearing with diff sed golden-green8 Aryan tho ght certainly this place wo ld 7e filled with fairies at nightti$e if there really were s ch a thing8 )ac+ on the 7lac+ roc+s9 Ansh and Corneli s had re:oined Agni and Priya on gro nd le;el8 Ansh stared earnestly at Priya as she listed off additional facts regarding the !ater Forest to a ;ery attenti;e Agni8 She had e6tracted her $ap fro$ her pac+8 >4t%s called the Sholae !ater Forest 7eca se of the Sholae 'ontane9@ she e6plained pointing to a narrow strip of green on the $ap in her lap8 >4t%s a ;ery specific type of cli$ate that e6ists only on the west side of the Sholae 'o ntains9 which we descended yesterday8 4t doesn%t e6tend ;ery far fro$ the 7ase of the $o ntains8 The flatlands to the west and towards the coast are too hot8 The $o ntains pro;ide eno gh shade for the !ater Forest to stay $oist8@ Ansh fo nd Priya%s $onolog e interesting8 5e glanced at Agni who was staring at the princess and wondered if his 7rother was interested in the girl or the forest8 >!here%s AryanA@ as+ed Ansh glancing aro nd8 Priya and Agni loo+ed p8 >4 don%t +now9@ said Agni8 Aryan stood ga/ing at the pine trees when s ddenly he heard Agni calling9 >Aryan9@ softly thro gh the trees9 and the 7oy t rned and left the clearing towards the so nd of his 7rother%s ;oice8 Agni9 Priya9 Ansh and Corneli s stood waiting near the gro p of 7lac+ roc+s8 >!here had yo goneA@ as+ed Agni9 trying not to so nd concerned8 5e had 7een $a+ing an e6tra effort to 7e nice to his yo nger 7rothers since the princess :oined the$8 >2h9 4 was : st o;er there9@ replied Aryan9 pointing to the gro;e of trees8 >Sil;er pine9@ p t in Priya8 >#eat9@ said Agni s$iling at the girl8 Aryan nodded politely9 7 t in tr th9 he was not that interested in what type of trees they were8 5e appreciated the$ for their $ore ethereal < alities8

The children res $ed their relentless $arch down the path towards Tortoise Co;e9 and Priya contin ed her narration of facts a7o t the : ngle8 >The Sholae !ater Forest is ho$e to 104 species of 7 tterfly that ha;e 7een fo nd nowhere else8@ She and Agni wal+ed close to each other9 and the 7oy nodded enth siastically9 saying9 >!ow9@ and9 >Fascinating9@ as the girl contin ed her lect re8 Aryan and Ansh e6changed grins 7ehind the pair%s 7ac+s8 The ho rs passed nder the oppressi;e heat of the : ngle9 and slowly9 the scenery aro nd the$ 7egan to change8 The trees were interspersed 7y patches of field9 and the !ater Forest slowly faded into far$ and grassland8 S< are fields of 7right green dotted a landscaped p nct ated 7y gro;es of tall cocon t trees9 which loo$ed tall o;er the landscape9 their 7rown tr n+s towering to cl sters of long9 finger-li+e lea;es8 As the gro p passed another patch of chartre se field9 Ansh noticed it was flooded9 and the s$all green plants were growing o t of the water8 >3oo+ at that9@ Ansh said pointing8 >The plants aren%t growing o t of the dirt8 They are growing o t of the water8@ >That is rice9@ Priya said as the children stopped to ta+e in the spring green field8 >The field has to 7e filled with water 7efore it can grow8@ >!eird9@ Ansh said s$iling at Corneli s as he resisted the rge to tease Agni 7y saying Gfascinating%8 >4t%s awf l pretty8@ >.efinitely9@ agreed Aryan8 The children $ar;eled at the landscape as they $o;ed on8 And despite its 7ea ty9 the changing terrain also $eant the protecti;e canopy of the : ngle%s trees was gone9 which left the fo r children and the s$all Bl spin to end re the $erciless s n8 )y afternoon9 the heat was n7eara7le9 and the children stopped in a wooded area ne6t to a rice field flooded with water to rest8 Agni loo+ed at Priya8 5er sharp nose was pin+ as were her chee+s8 5er hairline was da$p and dar+8 5e offered her his hand+erchief9 which she gladly accepted and sed to wipe the 7eads of sweat fro$ her forehead8 >Than+ yo 9@ She s$iled and handed his hand+erchief 7ac+8 She was 7ea tif l9 and Agni was clearly ena$ored8 5e stared at her s$iling9 and when she $et his eyes9 she s$iled e;en wider8 Aryan and Ansh co ld hardly s ppress their la ghter8 After a $o$ent of silence9 Ansh inter:ected9 >!hat is it li+e to 7e a princessA@ gen inely c rio s8 Priya%s 7row f rrowed in tho ght $o$entarily8 Then she replied9 >!ell9 4 s ppose it is the sa$e as 7eing anyone else8 'y father says 7eing +ing is no different fro$ any other :o79 so 4 g ess 7eing a +ing%s da ghter is li+e 7eing anyone else%s da ghter8@

>) t e;eryone +nows who yo are9@ Ansh persisted8 >That is tr e9@ Priya conceded8 >) t that is tr e of $any people9 not : st a +ing or a princess8 Ta+e 5enry 3ongworth9 for e6a$ple8 'any people ha;e read his poe$s and +now who he is8 !riting or creating a wor+ of art is certainly no $ore i$portant than 7eing a +ing8 So 7eing the princess is the sa$e as 7eing yo 9 4 s ppose9 e6cept $ore people +now who 4 a$8@ She too+ a long sip of water9 and Ansh pressed8 >) t yo li;e in a castle and ha;e ser;ants8 !hat is that li+eA@ >!e do not ha;e ser;ants9@ Priya corrected hi$8 >There are people who wor+ in the castle9 7 t that is there :o79 and they certainly do not ser;e s8 Co r father is a dairy far$er and sells his $il+ and cheese at the $ar+et9 does he notA@ Ansh nodded8 >!o ld yo consider hi$ the ser;ant of his c sto$ersA@ >!ell9 no9@ replied Ansh8 >!ell9 it is the sa$e with the people who wor+ in the castle9@ Priya said8 Ansh fell silent conte$plating what the girl had said8 Then he as+ed9 >!ell9 what is it li+e ha;ing e;eryone +now how yo areA@ Priya sighed8 >4t is all 4 ha;e e;er +nown9 7 t so$eti$es9 it is a 7it $ ch8 4 feel people ha;e these e6pectations of $e9 7eca se of $y father9 yo nderstand8 5e is so wise9 and 4 s ppose 4 feel people e6pect $e to 7e li+e hi$8 Father does not feel that way8 5e ne;er p ts any press re on $e9 and he really wants $e to do e6actly what $a+es $e happy in life9 7 t 4 do not +now8@ She shr gged and s$iled at the little 7oy whose eyes lit p when she $et his ga/e8 Agni s$iled aw+wardly8 >Perhaps yo are p tting too $ ch press re on yo rself9@ he said8 Priya tho ght a7o t this8 She girl leaned 7ac+ to lie on the grass and stared at the tall cocon t trees towering o;erhead8 Ansh inferred the con;ersation had ended9 and so the 7oy rose and started off towards the edge of the water field8 >!ait for $e9@ called Aryan9 and he and Corneli s followed Ansh9 lea;ing Agni and the conte$plati;e princess alone8 The two children were content to lie on the grass in silence each in their own pri;ate world of tho ght8 After se;eral $in tes of silence9 Priya said9 >3i;ing in the castle is lo;ely8@ 5er eyes were still on the pal$ fronds a7o;e her8 Agni t rned on his side and propped his head on his hand to loo+ at the girl8 >ReallyA@ 5e as+ed enco ragingly8 >2h9 yes8 There are always art shows and orchestras playing8 So $any people co$e and go e;ery day8 4t is ;ery9 ;ery interesting8@ She t rned to face hi$ and told hi$ confidingly9 >So$eti$es9 4 se the hidden panels in the walls to listen to $eetings or lect res when 4%$ s pposed to 7e st dying8@ Agni grinned9 7 t Priya%s e6pression

changed s ddenly9 and she said sadly9 >2r at least9 4 sed to8@ The pair sat in silence for a $o$ent8 Priya stared at a 7lade of grass 7etween her fingers9 and Agni stared at the top of her 7raids8 5e was at a loss on how to console so$eone who had lost their ho$e9 their fa$ily9 e;erything8 The little princess shoo+ her head hard as if trying to dispel her npleasant tho ghts8 She loo+ed p and contin ed with renewed enth sias$9 >2ne of the greatest things a7o t li;ing in the castle is its pro6i$ity to the ni;ersity8 4 lo;e to go there8 The li7rary is $y fa;orite place8 4t is a$a/ing8 There is a roo$ $ade entirely of stone9 and its ceiling is co$pletely glass8 So$eti$es9 4 go and spend ho rs in that roo$ reading8 So$e of the professors will let $e sit in d ring their classes8 That is how 4 $et 'iss ' llins9 $y t tor8 She teaches Calc l s at the 1ni;ersity8 4 went to her class one day9 and afterwards9 she offered to t tor $e8 She co$es e;ery day now8@ >4 +now? !e $et her9@ said Agni8 >ReallyA 5owA@ as+ed Priya8 >!hen we ca$e into Chancell7erry City9 we stopped 7y her ho se9@ Agni e6plained8 >She too+ s in and ga;e s l nch8@ Agni loo+ed at Priya then dropped his eyes and added9 >She wanted s to as+ yo to lea;e the castle8@ Priya s$iled8 >That so nds li+e her8@ She shr gged and el7owed Agni as she reclined 7ac+ onto the grass once $ore8 >!ell9 at least yo s cceeded8@ Agni ch c+led and lay 7ac+ onto the grass as well8 >So 'iss ' llins t tors yo 8 4s that why yo +now so $ ch a7o t plants and trees and e;erythingA@ 5e as+ed8 Priya shr gged8 >4 read a lot9@ she said8 >There is so $ ch to learn9 yo +now9@ she added and nodded her head that was cradled in her hands8 The two children lay on the grass for a long while thin+ing a7o t the $any wonders of the world they were yet to learn8 Priya stretched her ar$s and t rned her head to loo+ at Agni9 and then witho t warning9 the tiny princess let o t an ear-splitting screa$8 Agni sat 7olt pright9 and Priya gra77ed hi$ 7y the ar$ and p lled hi$ ne6t to her8 >.o not $o;e?@ she screa$ed9 clinging to hi$8 Aryan9 Ansh and Corneli s r shed to the so nd of the noise8 >!hat is wrongA@ called a frightened Aryan8 >A sna+e?@ shrie+ed Priya9 and Corneli s 7egan growling8 5is golden hairs stood on end8

2n a roc+ not a foot fro$ where the princess and Agni sat clinging to each other9 a giant sna+e9 at least ten feet long9 sat staring at the pair8 4ts 7ody was coiled9 7 t its $assi;e head was raised9 and it swayed 7ac+ and forth $enacingly8 >)e still9@ said Priya8 >Any fast $o;e$ents will $a+e it attac+8@ Corneli s had 7eg n to yip lo dly9 which ca sed the sna+e to sway faster and ncoil its 7ody8 4t $o;ed closer to Agni and Priya9 ca sing Agni%s 7ody to shi;er ncontrolla7ly8 The children co ld hear its low9 $enacing hiss8 >Stop that9 Corny9@ said Ansh with a thority9 and the Bl spin instantly ceased his 7ar+ing8 Then the s$all 7oy 7egan to ;ery slowly approach the sna+e9 his ar$s e6tended8 >Ansh9 what are yo doingA@ whispered Aryan9 7 t his little 7rother silenced hi$ with a wa;e8 >4t is all right9 Aryan9@ he said in a cal$9 e;en ;oice and contin ed his approach toward the sna+e8 The sna+e noticed the 7oy approaching9 and $o;ed < ic+ly towards Ansh8 5e stopped and allowed the sna+e to co$e within a few feet of hi$8 The sna+e was standing as tall as Ansh now8 The coils of its 7ody nd lated o;er each other9 and its hiss had grown lo d and raspy8 Ansh raised his hands and stretched o t his ar$8 The other children were too frightened to e;en $o;e8 Ansh e6tended his ar$ with his pal$ forward and spo+e cal$ly to the sna+e whose girth e6ceeded that of the s$all 7oy%s leg8 >!e are not going to h rt yo 9@ Ansh said to the sna+e and loo+ed deep into its yellow and 7lac+ eyes8 4f he was frightened9 he did not show it8 >!e are sorry we dist r7ed yo 9@ and his ;oice so nded gen inely sorry8 >!e will lea;e yo r territory and 7e on o r way now if yo will 7e so +ind as to let s pass8@ The sna+e stared at Ansh as if si/ing p the s$all 7oy for dinner8 Agni was nearly ready to : $p on the sna+e fro$ 7ehind when9 with a snap of its head9 the creat re slithered off into the field filled with water8 The tip of its tail disappeared into the 7right green rice stoc+s9 and the sna+e was gone8 Agni9 Aryan and Princess Priya9 who had 7een holding their 7reath the entire ti$e9 7ro+e into hysterical la ghter and r shed to Ansh8 The little 7oy grinned fro$ ear to ear as his 7rothers and the princess piled pon hi$9 h gging hi$ and patting his head and sho lders8 Corneli s ran in happy circles at their feet8 >.id yo see thatA@ Agni e6clai$ed with his ar$ aro nd Ansh8 >'y 7rother9 the hero?@ Ansh s$iled shyly and shoo+ his head8

>4t was nothing9@ he said and then added9 >!e sho ld get going8 !e are dist r7ing that sna+e8@ The others agreed9 and the gro p < ic+ly pic+ed p their 7ags9 and they were soon headed 7ac+ down the trail towards Tortoise Co;e8 After a few $o$ents9 Priya t rned to Ansh who was wal+ing 7eside her and as+ed9 >5ow did yo do that with that sna+e 7ac+ thereA@ Ansh tho ght for a $o$ent and shr gged9 s$iling his 100 watt s$ile8 >4 do not +now8@ Priya was perple6ed8 She tho ght for a $o$ent and then said9 >And with that goat9 too9 7ac+ on the $o ntain9 and e;en with Corny9@ she went on8 The Bl spin wagged his tail8 >4t is as if yo can tal+ to the ani$als8@ Ansh said nothing and contin ed wal+ing with his hands in his poc+ets8 Aryan9 howe;er9 said9 >5e can8 That is what A7hinor said8@ Priya stared at the little 7oy9 astonished8 Finally9 Ansh spo+e9 >Any7ody can tal+ to ani$als8 Co : st open yo r $o th and spea+8@ Agni la ghed8 >Ceah9 7 t ani$als do not nderstand s when they spea+9 now do theyA@ 5e ga;e his 7rother a playf l sho;e8 >They do9@ said Ansh serio sly8 >5ere9 : st call Corny8 5e will r n right o;er to yo if yo say his na$e8@ >Tr e9@ Priya agreed8 >) t it does see$ li+e he nderstands yo a 7it $ore than the rest of s8@ Ansh considered this for a $o$ent and said with a shr g9 >Co ld 7e8@ Priya s r;eyed the 7oy with a +een interest9 and the topic was disc ssed no f rther8 The children contin ed along the path9 and 7y $id-afternoon9 the landscape had 7eco$e increasingly yellow8 3arge e6panses of tall grasses were p nct ated 7y cl sters of trees9 and the soil was a deep red8 The gro p had tra;elled for a long ti$e in silence when Priya s ddenly said9 >This is < ite 7ea tif l9 noA@ The Three )rothers had to agree that the ha/y golden and green h es of the fields were spectac lar8 5owe;er9 the oppressi;e heat of the coast left the$ drained8 Agni $anaged a low gr nt of agree$ent9 and Aryan nodded wea+ly8 The path finally c r;ed into a gro;e of low trees9 which lifted the gratef l children%s spirits considera7ly8 And finally9 after ho rs of tra;el d ring which the only sign of ci;ili/ation had 7een a few distant far$ ho ses and a solitary $an 7ehind a grey 7 ffalo +nee-deep in a rice field9 the children 7egan to see signs of ci;ili/ation once again8 First9 they passed a large well 7eneath the low-sl ng trees8 #e6t9 a few large $ansions with high walls s rro nding e6pansi;e gro nds lined the road 7ehind tall trees8 Then

s$aller ho ses 7eca$e $ore fre< ent8 3ow walls $ade of the sa$e poro s red stones sed in constr cting The 'other%s ho se lined the path8 They were coated in a layer of spongy green $oss8 The children saw another large well and stopped to replenish their water8 >4 thin+ we $ st 7e getting close9@ said Priya after a long sip of cool water8 She 7r shed her hair fro$ her face9 and Ansh pointed pwards8 >Chec+ this o t9@ he said8 The trees o;erhead were co;ered in orange fr it that s$elled delicio s8 Corneli s was eating one that had fallen on the gro nd8 Agni pic+ed fo r of the soft fr its and handed one each to his 7rothers and the little princess8 They were $essy 7 t tasted delicio s8 >This is $ango9@ said Priya9 her face stained orange8 After their snac+9 the children contin ed on the now c r;ing path which had 7eco$e $ ch wider8 2ther paths now sna+ed off into the old $ango gro;es8 Then finally9 the trees disappeared9 and the children e$erged onto a long grassy cliff8 The path ended at a for+9 one 7ranch led left9 and the other led right8 And in front of the$ was the ;ast A< icean Sea8 4t stretched to the hori/on9 glittering 7l e and green in the e;ening s nlight8 The gro p of children stood in awe staring at the sea%s spar+ling glassy s rface8 Then all fo r 7ro+e into a r n and raced towards the cliff%s edge with Corneli s hot on their heels8 Agni9 Aryan9 Ansh9 Princess Priya9 and the s$all Bl spin stopped at the edge of the tall 7lac+ cliffs8 )elow the$9 the sea water ch rned into foa$ 7efore another crashing wa;e sprayed the$ with a fine $ist fro$ h ndreds of feet 7elow9 creating rain7ows in the space 7etween8 To their left was a ;alley filled cocon t trees and a grassy hilloc+ that ended in the sea8 To the right9 the co;es of the s$all port town lie sn ggled 7etween two cliffs8 Far 7elow the$9 Tortoise Co;e%s tiled roofs loo+ed al$ost 7lac+8 The streets were narrow and criss-crossed each other li+e wild ;ines8 Vessels of ;arying si/es9 fro$ tiny fishing 7oats to enor$o s ships9 were co$ing and going9 $ooring and n$ooring8 Tortoise Co;e h gged the infa$o s )ottle )ay9 which appeared 7lac+ than+s to its 7lac+ sand8 The 7each was 7lac+ as well8 The children tho ght it li;ed p to its rep tation8 At the far end of the town9 in a s$all noo+ c t into the face of the opposite cliffs9 a tall wooden 7 ilding 7o77ed in the sea8 Fro$ their ;antage point9 the children co ld not discern if the 7 ilding was part of the cliff9 or if it was a ship itself9 7 t it did appear to $o;e with the wa;es8 >!e $ade it9@ said Priya tri $phantly as she stared down at the rooftops of Tortoise Co;e8 >!e $ade it9@ repeated Aryan9 7 t his eyes were fi6ed on the glassy s rface of the sea8 The s n was setting into the ocean9 and that was the only way Aryan +new the sea $ st9 at so$e point9 end8 2therwise9 he tho ght9 it appeared to go on fore;er8 'any of the stories Aryan%s $other had read to the$ spo+e of the great oceans and pirates that tra;eled great distances on the$9 7 t ne;er in his life had he seen the sea8 4t was 7igger

and $ore i$pressi;e than he had i$agined so $any ti$es in his head and see$ed to stretch o t endlessly : st li+e the hills that s rro nded Village in the Valley rolled indefinitely o t of sight8 The fo r children stood for a long $o$ent ntil the red-orange s n had s n+ halfway into the sea9 which was $irrored the rapidly dar+ening s+y8 Finally Agni said9 >4t is so 7ea tif l9 4 hate to lea;e now9 7 t we $ st get down to the town 7efore it is too dar+8@ The children started down the path that led towards Tortoise Co;e8 4t sna+ed aro nd the side of the cliffs 7efore descending sharply to the town 7elow8 At se;eral points9 the path was on the edge of a sheer drop-off9 with one side rising p into grassy hillside and the other side dropping off to :agged roc+s and raging sea far 7elow8 Priya 7eca$e progressi;ely $ore ner;o s as they approached Tortoise Co;e9 and it was d e only in part to the precario s path on which they wal+ed8 . ring the hatching of her plan and their trip to the coast9 the princess had 7een confident of their lti$ate s ccess8 They co ld easily find a ship to ferry the$ to #o 'an%s 4sland to resc e her father8 As the path descended9 howe;er9 she 7egan to do 7t her a7ility to pers ade a pirate to go on s ch a dangero s :o rney8 She did not ;oice her fears9 7 t instead thr st the$ fro$ her $ind and replaced the$ with confidence and positi;e tho ghts8 !hen the path flattened o t and was wide eno gh for two people to wal+ side 7y side9 she p lled 7eside Agni and slipped her hand into his ;ery nat rally8 Agni%s heart leapt9 and he loo+ed at the princess8 She s< ee/ed his hand reass ringly9 which $ade her feel $ore reass red8 )efore Agni%s yo nger 7rothers co ld 7egin to la gh 7ehind his 7ac+9 the princess gra77ed Ansh%s hand as well9 which $ade Aryan 7 rst into giggles9 and the fo r children entered Tortoise Co;e in high spirits8

The Salty #og


A weathered stone sign reading GTortoise Co;e% stood at the foot of the steps that ended in sand8 A low wall ran aro nd the o tside edge of the town8 4t had 7een worn down fro$ $any years of stor$s and sea air9 which was now 7lowing in fro$ the 7ay8 The s n was gone9 and the last tinges of pin+ were < ic+ly fading fro$ the s+y8 The children wal+ed thro gh the o ts+irts of the town as the first la$ps were 7eing lit in the fronts of the ho$es and shops8 2ne long row of stores had se;eral green la$ps hanging o tside8 A 7lac+ cat sc rried o;er the do$es and arches on the tops of the 7 ildings and : $ped onto the low 7ranch of a tree o;erhead8 The tree%s lea;es loo+ed nnat rally green in the eerie la$plight8 As the children wal+ed down the sand-strewn streets9 the aro$a of freshly-coo+ed fish e$anated fro$ al$ost e;ery ho se8 Rows of sil;ery scaled creat res were displayed in the cra$ped storefronts8 Fish lay drying on the narrow sidewal+s8 Corneli s had $anaged to find a s$all fish to $ nch on9 which he carried in his $o th as they went8 They wal+ed ntil they reached the 7each9 the s$all c r;e of sand fro$ which 7oats of all si/es plied8 The tiny fishing 7oats were 7eing dr g to shore and carried on $en%s 7ac+s to their

ho$es in the city8 2ther 7oats ferried $en and goods to the enor$o s wooden ships $oored at h ndreds of feet away in the 7ay8 The children loo+ed aro nd the$8 There was a r sh of acti;ity9 a sea of water con;erging pon a sea of people clad in leather and tattered cotton8 So$e had strips of $aterial tied on their heads8 2thers had long wild hair that flowed down their 7ac+s8 They were the captains and crew of the $assi;e ;essels in the har7or the pirates for who$ the children had co$e in search8 Princess Priya t rned to the Three )rothers8 >.o yo thin+ we sho ld : st as+ so$eone for Captain )illA@ she as+ed8 Agni shr gged8 >4 g ess so9@ he said8 The children loo+ed aro nd an6io sly8 #one of the$ see$ed willing to approach the strange loo+ing pirates8 At last9 Agni $ stered his co rage8 >All right9@ he too+ a deep 7reath and strode confidently o;er to a tall9 7ald $an who stood near7y directing se;eral other pirates on how to load cargo onto a s$all 7oat8 >=6c se $e9@ said Agni as politely as possi7le8 The $an sp n aro nd8 5e was deeply tanned and was $issing se;eral teeth8 5e loo+ed < ite ;icio s9 7 t when Agni as+ed9 >)y any chance9 do yo +now where we can find Captain )ill9@ his face 7ro+e into a s$ile and he la ghed8 >!hy9 s re9 7oy8 =;eryone +nows where to find Captain )ill8 5e%s o;er at the Salty .og8@ 5e $otioned to the 7lac+ 7 ilding 7o77ing in the sea8 >#e;er lea;es9 does heA@ The $en and wo$en loading the 7oat la ghed at this re$ar+8 >Always there9 yes indeedy8 That%s where yo %ll find hi$8 Pro7a7ly at the 7otto$ of a 7arrel8@ The 7ald $an la ghed lo dly re;ealing his $issing teeth8 Agni $ ttered a < ic+ than+ yo and h rriedly ret rned to his 7rothers and the princess8 The pirate went 7ac+ to ordering aro nd the others stac+ing wooden crates on the 7oat8 Agni ret rned to the +not of children standing on the 7each and infor$ed the$ of the news8 >That $an said Captain )ill is in that floating 7 ilding8@ The children loo+ed down the crowded 7each to the co;e of roc+ in which the 7lac+ 7 ilding floated8 The di$ light e$anating fro$ its windows ga;e an nin;iting glow to its dar+ e6terior8 4t did not see$ to 7e a ;ery hospita7le place8 Priya%s 7row f rrowed8 >!as he certainA@ she as+ed9 clearly hoping he was not8 >5e see$ed pretty s re8 They all did9@ said Agni8 >5e act ally tho ght it was f nny 4 did not +now he wo ld 7e there9@ he said then added as an aftertho ght9 >which is odd8 5e%s a pirate9 and pirates tra;el all the ti$e8@ The children $ade their way across the 7 stling 7each8 The sea faring fol+ of Tortoise Co;e loo+ed e;ery 7it the world-tra;elled ad;ent rers they were $ade o t to 7e in the stories the 7oys had heard on the front porch of Cecil%s store8 The pirates wor+ed in the

la$plight9 ferrying crates and fishing nets to and fro$ s$all 7oats that filled the 7ay on their way to the enor$o s ships $oored offshore8 They were draped in $ lti-colored fa7rics and odd leather gar$ents8 =;en the 7oats were strange8 The odor of the 7each was strange too8 The scent of the sea 7lew in fro$ the 7ay and $i6ed with the contents of the ships% cargo8 2ranges and spices9 tea and coffee9 fragrances of flowers 7ottled and shipped o;er the seas wafted across the sand9 co$ingling on the sea 7ree/e8 The s$ell of fish and wet wood 7eca$e stronger as the children passed 7y the long line of $idsi/ed 7oats $oored in the sand8 The short trip to the end of the tiny co;e at the end of the 7each too+ longer than the children anticipated owing to the crowd and the tendency of their shoes to sin+ into the sand9 7 t they finally reached the spot where the 7each ended in water9 and the 7lac+ 7arnacle-co;ered str ct re stood in a pool of water s rro nded 7y towering 7lac+ cliffs8 A s$all 7ridge of rope and wood was tethered to two large spi+es dri;en in the sand and stretched to the first floor of the floating 7 ilding8 >!ell9@ said Priya9 ta+ing a deep 7reath9 >here goes nothing8@ And with that9 she gripped the ropes tightly with each hand and too+ a tentati;e step onto the 7ridge8 >See$s sta7le eno gh9@ she said and p t her other foot on the wooden slats8 E st then9 a wa;e crashed in the dar+ness9 the 7 ilding shifted9 and the 7ridge : $ped in the air with the little princess clinging to the ropes8 She righted herself9 loo+ing sha+en 7 t deter$ined9 and too+ another step8 She t rned to the Three )rothers who were still standing on the sand and said9 >Co : st ha;e to hold on tight8 So$eone sho ld carry Corny9 tho gh8@ Ansh 7 ndled the Bl spin into his ar$s despite Agni and Aryan%s insistence that he was too s$all and sho ld foc s on crossing the 7ridge safely8 The s$allest 7rother ignored their protests and9 loo+ing straight ahead9 $o nted the 7ridge with one hand fir$ly on the ropes and the other cradling Corneli s tightly8 Agni followed9 sha+ing his head8 5e was deter$ined to sa;e Ansh and Corneli s if needed8 Aryan rel ctantly 7ro ght p the rear8 5e wo ld ha;e preferred to 7e in 7etween his 7rothers8 The $iddle 7rother swallowed hard and tried not to loo+ down at the gaps 7etween slats in the shifting 7ridge8 The s$all gro p $ade their way slowly along the 7ridge as it 7o77ed and shifted with the wa;es8 The children were high in the air as they neared the ta;ern9 and Aryan afforded hi$self a 7rief glance p at the 7 ilding8 Altho gh it 7o77ed in the sea9 the str ct re was attached to the cliff as well8 !ooden :oints that collapsed and e6panded li+e an accordion were connected to the towering 7lac+ roc+s8 The accordion pieces $o;ed left and right9 p and down9 in and o t with the swaying 7 ilding8 The children finally reached the wide porch on the first floor8 They were gratef l to get off of the swaying ladder9 7 t the 7 ilding itself 7o77ed and swayed9 $a+ing it diffic lt for the children to +eep their 7alance8 3eaning o;er the tall wooden 7anister9 Ansh co ld see the 7 ilding disappearing into sea foa$ 30 feet 7elow8 A weathered wooden sign e$7la/oned with >The Salty .og Ta;ern@ h ng o;er a doorway fro$ which $ sic and the ra co s so nd of ;oices e$anated8 The children

str ggled for footing9 steeled their ner;es9 and p shed thro gh the swinging do 7le doors on the front of the saloon8 The roo$ they entered s$elled of stale s$o+e and spirits8 A long wooden co nter stretched along the opposite wall9 spanning the entire length of the roo$8 Al$ost e;ery stool at the co nter was occ pied9 and the $any ta7les and 7ooths strewn aro nd the roo$ were crowded with $ore odd-loo+ing sailors8 )ottles of ;arying shapes and si/es stood on shel;es 7ehind the co nter where se;eral $en and wo$en stood po ring colored li< ids into tan+ards and t $7lers8 2ne wo$an9 who had long red hair ;ery $ ch li+e the 7oys% $other9 loo+ed p and saw the children8 She watched the$ for a $o$ent9 7 t was distracted 7y sho ting ;oices8 She glanced once $ore at the children and then r shed o;er to entangle two $en engaging in a 7 dding fight in the corner8 The Three )rothers and the little princess stood in the doorway s r;eying the ta;ern and its patrons who9 ill $inated in the s$o+y low light of the ta;ern9 were considera7ly $ore frightening than the pirates they had seen on the 7each8 E st then9 the doors 7ehind the children sw ng open9 and the fo r were ro ghly p shed aside 7y two $en who s$elled strongly of fish and sea8 Priya scanned the leathery s n-reddened faces of the crowd in search of Captain )ill9 7 t ha;ing no idea what he loo+ed li+e9 she soon ga;e p8 >!e will ha;e to as+ so$eone9@ she said tensely8 The children $o;ed slowly towards the long wooden co nter holding hands8 Ansh still c ddled Corneli s in his ar$s9 afraid the Bl spin wo ld get lost nderfoot if left to his own de;ices8 Corneli s did not o7:ect and c rled into a tight 7all in the 7oy%s ar$s8 The children s< ee/ed in a s$all space 7etween two gr ff-loo+ing $en8 The tall $an on their left loo+ed down at the children and gr nted8 Then he lifted a pipe to his $o th and too+ a p ff9 re;ealing 7lac+ened teeth as he did so8 Aryan < ic+ly loo+ed away8 Agni tried to attract the attention of one of the 7ar+eepers8 Se;eral ti$es9 the people po ring the drin+s wal+ed directly in front of the children 7 t see$ed not to notice their i$ploring stares8 The wo$an with the red hair9 howe;er9 cast se;eral glances down the 7ar at the$9 and when she finished filling a large $ g with frothy 7lac+ s 7stance9 she $ade her way o;er to the$8 3eaning down on folded ar$s9 she said9 >Co children sho ld not 7e in here8 4f yo %re loo+ing for a roo$ to rent9 they%re pstairs8 ) t this place ain%t for +ids li+e yo 8 Co %d do 7etter with a roo$ at the hotel in town8@ 5er ;oice was forcef l9 and she fi6ed a stern tho gh not ncaring ga/e pon the$8 >4%$ sorry9 $a%a$9@ said Priya9 >7 t we%re not loo+ing for a roo$8 !e are loo+ing for Captain )ill8@ The wo$an%s e6pression changed9 and she p shed herself erect8 >!ell9 what on earth wo ld yo want )ill forA@ she as+ed8 Tho gh her ;oice so nded angry9 her e6pression see$ed gen inely c rio s8 >!e want hi$ to ta+e s so$ewhere9@ said Agni8 >This wo$an fro$ the : ngle9 The 'other9 she sent s here8 She said he%d help s8@

The wo$an 7ehind the 7ar%s eyes narrowed8 She e6a$ined the children%s eager faces9 wal+ed < ic+ly aro nd the 7ar to where the children stood9 and then shered the$ ro ghly 7ehind the co nter and thro gh a door8 They were in a large storeroo$ filled with 7ottles9 7ags and 7arrels in e;ery corner8 !here the opposite wall sho ld ha;e 7een was one of the accordion :oints that connected the 7 ilding to the cliffs8 Thro gh the swaying and crea+ing slats9 the children co ld see a large t nnel of stone8 The inter-laced pieces of wood nd lated as the 7 ilding roc+ed on the tide8 The red haired wo$an sat down on a large 7 rlap 7ag la7eled P2TAT2=S and loo+ed at the children8 She pic+ed a s$all shiny +nife off the floor and t rned it o;er in her hands in conte$plation8 The children 7egan to feel ner;o s8 Panic flooded o;er Aryan in wa;es of hot and cold8 They were foolish in following this wo$an to a secl ded roo$ at the 7ac+ of a pirate saloon8 The children all see$ed to 7e thin+ing the sa$e thing and e6changed an6io s glances8 Aryan 7egan frantically scanning the roo$ for an escape ro te8 ) t the wo$an alle;iated their fears 7y tossing the +nife 7ac+ on the gro nd and spreading her hands in her lap as she loo+ed p at the$8 >)ill%s here8 5e%s always here8@ She said 7l ntly and so nded sad8 >4 don%t rec+on he%d tal+ to yo 8 5e $ight if yo $ention his $other8@ She shr gged8 >2r if yo 7o ght hi$ a drin+8@ She s< inted at the$ and contin ed9 >) t he s re ain%t gonna ta+e yo anywhere8 Sorry9@ she added pon seeing the disappoint$ent in their faces8 The children were deflated and stood n $7ly in the swaying storeroo$8 .esperately9 Priya said9 >) t he has to help s8 The 'other said he wo ld help s8@ 5er lip tre$7led9 and it was clear she was close to tears8 The red haired wo$an%s face was sad8 >So yo $et her9 h hA@ she as+ed with a sad ch c+le8 Then she sighed9 >!ell9 it%s 7een a long ti$e since the old lady seen )ill8 5e%s changed a lot since then8@ She loo+ed pained and was silent for a $o$ent8 She shoo+ her head slightly and said9 >4 can%t pro$ise nothing9 7 t 4%ll ta+e yo to hi$8@ She stood p and led the children 7ac+ into the roo$ with the long 7ar8 They followed her to the farthest 7ooth in the 7ac+ where a large9 lo d gro p of pirates sat8 She p shed two $en apart and thr st herself into the +not of re;elry8 She anno nced ro ghly9 >There%s so$e fol+s here to see yo 8@ She spo+e to the dar+ pirate at the 7ac+ of the 7ooth8 Captain )ill loo+ed aro nd ner;o sly9 as if e6pecting to see a large9 angry ar$y8 !hen the red haired wo$an p lled the children into ;iew9 he loo+ed 7oth relie;ed and a$ sed9 and sl $ped 7ac+ into the 7ooth to res $e his place 7etween two 7 6o$ fe$ale pirates8 5e pic+ed p a glass of green li< id9 drained it of its contents9 and then too+ a few g lps fro$ a tall $etal tan+ard8 5is hair was 7lac+ and fell in large9 n+e$pt c rls aro nd his nec+8 5is s+in was dar+ 7rown9 and his eyes were 7lac+8 5is 7are ar$s were co;ered in tattoos9 a :olly roger9 a pirate wo$an wearing ;ery few clothes9 and ;ario s inscriptions8 5e wa;ed his hand at the children9 still loo+ing at the red haired wo$an8 >!ho the hell is this9 3o isaA@ The 7ar$aid $ade an i$patient so nd and said9 >These fol+s are here to see yo 8 4 told yo that already8@ Then she added8 >They say yo r $other sent the$8@ She t rned to the children8 >!ell9 this is the fella yo were loo+ing for8 #ow9 if yo don%t

$ind9 4 got a 7ar to r n9@ and with a sweep of her long s+irt9 she left the children in the gro p of pirates8 At the $ention of The 'other9 Captain )ill had righted hi$self9 and now9 he sat e6a$ining the children with his glassy9 7loodshot eyes8 The other pirates were eyeing the gro p of yo ngsters as well9 and the children felt they were not too friendly8 >!ell9 what do yo wantA@ Captain )ill as+ed gr ffly8 5e sl $ped 7ac+ into the 7ooth and was once again drin+ing fro$ the $etal tan+ard8 5e loo+ed at the pirate sitting on his right9 a 7londe wo$an with a gold tooth9 and shoo+ his e$pty glass8 Then he snapped his fingers and el7owed her o t of the 7ooth8 5e t rned 7ac+ to the children and said lo dly9 >!ell9 what is itA@ Priya said 7ra;ely9 >!e need to go to #o 'an%s 4sland8 !ill yo ta+e sA@ She said this ;ery fast9 and it too+ a $o$ent for it to sin+ in thro gh Captain )ill%s ine7riated st por8 After a few seconds9 all the pirates at the ta7le 7egan la ghing8 >#o 'an%s 4sland?@ e6clai$ed a large pirate sitting on a stool 7y the princess8 >.id yo hear thatA@ 5e roared with la ghter and po nded his large fist on the ta7le9 ca sing green li< id to spill fro$ the glasses the 7londe wo$an had : st placed on the ta7le8 >#o 'an%s 4slandA@ she as+ed in a deep raspy ;oice8 >!hat yo tal+in% a7o t that godforsa+en place forA@ Captain )ill leaned forward and too+ a glass of green li< id in his hand8 5e pointed at the children while holding the glass aloft and said9 >These +iddies here want $e to ferry the$ right on o;er8@ 5e downed the glass%s contents and too+ a long swig fro$ his tan+ard8 Then he leaned across the ta7le and spo+e $enacingly to the little princess8 >) t no $an dare go to #o 'an%s 4sland8 That%s how it got its na$e8@ 5e s$iled s$ gly and leaned 7ac+ into the 7ooth with an air of finality8 Priya restrained herself fro$ infor$ing hi$ of the tr e origin of the island%s na$e8 A pirate in a p rple leather ;est said la ghing9 >Ceah9 and )ill doesn%t sail anywhere any$ore9 do yo 9 CapA@ 4n a flash9 Captain )ill had a +nife against the thin $an%s throat9 >!hat did yo say9 yo sc r;y sli$e 7allA@ he growled8 .rops of 7lood 7egan to appear on the p rple ;ested $an%s st 77ly throat8 >4 didn%t $ean nothing 7y it9 )ill9 honest9@ the $an said apologetically8 A large pirate had : $ped off his stool and was standing 7y Priya8 5e gently placed his large hand on Captain )ill%s ar$8 >#ow cal$ down9 )ill8 5e didn%t $ean nothing 7y it8@ 5is tone was reass ring8 >=;ery one of s +nows what happened after Brey7eard left9 and no7ody thin+s less of yo for it8@

Captain )ill rela6ed at the $an%s words9 and after staring at the $an in the p rple ;est for another long $o$ent9 he dropped his +nife and released the $an fro$ his cl tches with a ch c+le9 7 t the captain%s eyes were still $ rdero s8 The thin $an sat r 77ing his nec+ and tossed a gratef l loo+ to the large pirate who was still holding Captain )ill%s ar$8 )ill shr gged off the $an%s grasp and threw hi$self into the 7ooth8 5e then gra77ed another glass of green li< id9 dran+ it9 and sla$$ed the e$pty t $7ler onto the ta7le8 >4t%s that da$ned riddle?@ he e6clai$ed9 so nding angry9 desperate9 and a little sad8 >Co %ll fig re her o t one day9 Captain9@ said the tall $an as he reclai$ed his perch on the stool8 >Then we%ll 7e 7ac+ o t on the sea where we 7elong8@ Captain )ill $ ttered9 >Ces9@ while staring 7lan+ly at the ta7le8 Corneli s s< ir$ed in Ansh%s ar$s9 and the slight noise 7ro ght the dar+ pirate 7ac+ to reality8 >!hat are yo still doing hereA@ he 7ar+ed at the children8 >4 told yo 4 ain%t ta+ing yo nowhere8 #ow get o t 7efore 4 throw yo in the sea?@ >) t The 'other said yo were good8 She said yo %d help s?@ Priya cried desperately8 Captain )ill stared at Priya9 7 t his eyes did not see the little princess8 >She was wrong9@ he said9 clearly lost in tho ght8 At that $o$ent9 the red haired 7ar$aid9 3o isa9 swooped in and shered the children away9 whispering9 >Co all co$e with $e8 5e%s lia7le to throw yo in the sea8 5e%s dr n+ eno gh9 and 4%;e seen hi$ do it to far larger fol+ than yo 8@ 3o isa shered the children o t the swinging doors of the saloon8 They stood on the 7o77ing wooden porch staring o t at the 7lac+ sea8 >Co sho ld go9@ 3o isa said in a nononsense way8 >This ain%t a place for children8@ The children loo+ed at each other helplessly8 Priya spo+e p9 >!e%d li+e to stay if we can9 $a%a$8 4 nderstand yo ha;e roo$s for rent8 !e%d li+e one8@ She prod ced a po ch of coins that glittered in the light of the green la$p that h ng a7o;e the door8 >!e are not < ite ready to gi;e p8@ 3o isa ga;e the little princess an appraising loo+ and nodded8 >All right9 follow $e9 7 t don%t go flashing that cash aro nd8@ She loo+ed aro nd the roo$8 >Co %re lia7le to lose an ar$8@ She p shed the swinging doors open once $ore8 The children followed 3o isa thro gh the stoc+roo$ and into a stea$y +itchen filled with co$$otion8 Fro$ there9 they wal+ed into one of the wooden accordions which led to a ca;ern in the cliff%s face8 They cli$7ed steps car;ed in the roc+ and re-entered the 7o77ing 7 ilding a floor a7o;e thro gh another fle6ing wooden :oint8

The children followed 3o isa into a large roo$ where se;eral of the ta;ern%s e$ployees sat tal+ing and eating8 2ne of the $en who had 7een po ring drin+s and had ignored the$ at the 7ar downstairs sat on the floor in the corner eating his dinner and tal+ing ani$atedly to a wo$an with a long 7rown 7raid8 >Sit here8 4%ll go and get yo so$ething to eat8@ 3o isa wa;ed her hand 7ehind her as she went in search of s stenance for the children8 Priya was distra ght8 >!hat shall we do nowA@ she cried9 throwing herself onto the floor8 Agni atte$pted to console her8 >=;erything will wor+ o t9@ he said as he sat down ne6t to her8 >) t nothing is wor+ing o t8@ 5er ;oice 7eca$e shrill8 Tears s< irted fro$ her eyes and flowed down her fl shed chee+s8 >4 shall ne;er find $y father now8@ She 7 ried her head in her +nees9 and her 7ody shoo+ with so7s8 Agni was at a loss8 5e loo+ed to Aryan and Ansh for help9 7 t they wordlessly replied with shr gs8 Finally9 he eased his ar$ aro nd the princess%s thin sho lders and said9 >!e will find yo r father8 E st 7eca se so$e old dr n+ pirate will not ta+e s9 does not $ean no one else will8 !e will find another captain to ta+e s8 !e : st ha;e to +eep loo+ing8@ Then he added9 >Co said it yo rself8 !e ha;e to thin+ positi;ely8@ Agni%s pep tal+ see$ed to wor+9 7eca se Priya stopped crying8 =;ent ally9 she raised her head fro$ her +nees to e6pose her da$p chee+s8 >Than+ yo 9 Agni9@ she said8 Agni s$iled to hi$self9 < ite happy that he was a7le to cheer p his friend8 E st then9 3o isa ret rned with a stac+ of plates and se;eral 7owls filled with food8 She handed e$pty plates to the children and9 noticing Priya%s tear-strea+ed chee+s9 said9 >Bood 3ord9 child9 don%t cry8 Co didn%t act ally get thrown in the sea8@ 3o isa sat down and :oined the children as they had their dinner of rice and c rried fish8 They ate in silence for se;eral $in tes9 the war$ spicy c rry slowly $a+ing the children feel so$ewhat 7etter8 Finally9 3o isa said9 >4%$ sorry )ill was so awf l to yo 8 5e ne;er has 7een too fond of children9 e;en when he was one8 ) t he wasn%t always so hatef l8@ The children re$ained silent9 and 3o isa said no $ore8 The 7ar$aid occ pied herself with shelling so$e pean ts8 After a few $o$ents9 Priya as+ed9 >!hat happened to hi$A@ 3o isa loo+ed p with a sad s$ile9 >5oney9@ she sighed9 >it%s a long story8@ Priya nderstood 7y the way she said it9 howe;er9 that it was a story 3o isa wanted to tell9 so the girl pressed9 >4%d li+e to hear it if yo don%t $ind9 $a%a$8@ 3o isa tho ght for a $o$ent8 >4%d hardly +now where to start8 4 fig re 4 o ghta start at the 7eginning9 Gca se that%s an i$portant 7it8 Things always ha;e a way of co$ing 7ac+ to where they started9 4 rec+on8@ 3o isa tossed aside a handf l of shelled n ts and too+ a

drin+ of water8 >#ow9 4 don%t +now if )ill%s $other told yo this or not9 7 t )ill was left with her 7y so$e gypsies heading here to the co;e when )ill was : st a 7a7y8@ >Ces9 she told s9@ said Priya8 >) t she also said he left8@ >That%s right8 5e was always wanting to go find his real fa$ily9 the gypsies8 5e was con;inced he%d find the$ here8 4 g ess he finally : st wore the poor wo$an down9 Gca se she let hi$ co$e one day8@ >4 re$e$7er the day he arri;ed8@ She ga;e a s$all la gh and s$iled8 >The $an he%d co$e here with wanted hi$ to stay at the hotel in town9 7 t )ill insisted on staying here8 Said he wanted to 7e close to the sea Gca se he%d ha;e a 7etter chance of finding the gypsies that way8 >The .og 7elonged to $y father then9 and 4 was hardly older than yo 8@ She $otioned to Ansh who was passing 7its of fish to Corneli s8 >The $an )ill ca$e with paid $y father for a whole year of roo$ and 7oard and as+ed hi$ to +eep an eye on the 7oy9 yo +now9 +eep hi$ o t of tro 7le8 'y father agreed9 and 4 was tic+led pin+8 4 was an only child and had always wanted a 7rother8@ 3o isa la ghed8 >5e didn%t want to 7e friends at first9 Gca se 4 was a girl9 and he had 7etter things to do9 li+e find his parents8 ) t he war$ed p to $e petty < ic+ once 4 too+ hi$ with $e and we sn c+ into the 7elly of one of the 7ig ships8@ She wa;ed her hand towards the 7ay8 >4t didn%t ta+e long 7efore )ill%s idea of finding his parents was long gone8 5e got 7it 7y the 7 g that 7ites $ost all of s aro nd here8 Bot sailing fe;er9 which was good for $e9 Gca se 4 had it too8 !e 7eca$e friends pretty fast8 >The year after )ill ca$e here9 we got word that Brey7eard was co$ing to port8 'e and )ill was 7eside o rsel;es8 Brey7eard was o r hero8 4t was a 7ig deal for the entire town9 7eca se Brey7eard is act ally fro$ Tortoise Co;e9 and he hadn%t co$e ho$e in years8 And he was pretty fa$o s8 4%$ s re y%all ha;e heard of hi$8@ She loo+ed at the children8 4t was tr e8 The Three )rothers had 7een told tales of the pirate while sitting on Cecil%s porch9 and Priya had read of Brey7eard%s ad;ent res and seen $aps of ;ario s places he%d ;isited and islands he had disco;ered in the 1ni;ersity 3i7rary8 They nodded politely9 and 3o isa went on8 >Brey7eard fo nded the Pirate%s Code8 All pirates fro$ Chancell7erry follow it8 5e%d tra;elled to so $any places and +new a ton of lang ages8 2f co rse9 he was right fl sh with cash fro$ all the trading he did8@ 3o isa s$iled8 >5e was good friends with $y father and always stayed here at the .og when he ca$e to port8 Tho gh he sed to say that a pirate%s only real ho$e was his ship8@ She loo+ed at the children with a happy s$ile8 >5e was the reason 4 wanted to 7eco$e a pirate8 >The day Brey7eard ca$e9 there was a 7ig to-do in town8 The .og was o;erflowing with people8 #o7ody was paying $ ch attention to )ill and $e9 so we decided to snea+ onto one of the ships in Brey7eard%s fleet to see what they had 7ro ght 7ac+ with the$8 !e

too+ o r little paddle 7oat o t to Brey7eard%s flagship9 he Medusa. The cargo hold was filled with all sorts of things we%d ne;er seen 7efore8@ She s$iled at the 7o77ing ceiling8 >4t was $agical8 )ill and 4 were playing in a 7ig9 ol% $o nd of sil+ when Brey7eard wal+ed in on s8 )ill was scared9 7 t 4 didn%t $ind8 4 sal ted hi$9 and he sal ted 7ac+8 And when )ill reali/ed he wasn%t angry9 he tossed his hand p too8 !e ca$e 7ac+ to the .og with the captain on one of the s$all 7oats9 o r ar$s filled with fr its and clothes Brey7eard ga;e s8 )efore we got to shore9 )ill finally wor+ed p the g ts to say so$ething to hi$8 5e ;ol nteered s to 7e $e$7ers of his crew8@ 3o isa la ghed8 >!ell9 Brey7eard had ta+en a shine to $e9 Gca se of $y father9 4 rec+on8 And so he said9 G!e will see%8 And of co rse9 that was eno gh for s8 >T rned o t Brey7eard was planning on staying in port for a while8 5e was gearing p for a 7ig ;oyage9 and wanted to rest a while 7efore setting sail again8 So e;ery day9 )ill and 4 wo ld $a+e o r way o t to he Medusa% and Brey7eard wo ld gi;e s pirating lessons8 >4 already +new how to tie +nots and ha l line and all that8 'y father had showed $e when 4 was tiny9 7 t )ill didn%t8 4 had to show hi$9 7 t he was a < ic+ learner8 Brey7eard was i$pressed with s9 4 rec+on8 Said we%d 7oth 7e real good pirates when we grew p8 >5e went off on that trip and didn%t co$e 7ac+ for pro7a7ly a year9 and )ill and 4 practiced while he was gone8 =;ery ti$e he ca$e to port after that9 he%d $a+e ti$e to train s in the art of pirating8 5e%d tell s stories of the places he%d gone9 the sights he%d seen9 and $ost i$portant9 he ta ght s the Pirating Code8@ She nodded e$phatically8 >!hen Brey7eard wo ld head o t to sea9 )ill and 4 wo ld spend o r ti$e practicing tying +nots and tal+ing a7o t how we wanted to 7e pirates8 !e went for short trips on a little s+iff we 7 ilt o rsel;es8 !e%d lie on o r 7ac+s at night and pic+ o t the different na;igation stars and constellations8@ 3o isa sighed deeply8 >Things went on li+e that for a while8 2 r days re;ol;ed aro nd the water and o r nights aro nd the stars that wo ld one day g ide s o;er the seas8 )ill had forgotten a7o t his o7session of finding the gypsies8 )y the ti$e we were teenagers9 we were 7egging Brey7eard to $a+e s an official part of his crew9 7 t he +ept p tting s off8 Said we weren%t ready yet8 >The s $$er after $y 1(th 7irthday9 Brey7eard sent word that he was co$ing to port with a ship$ent of cinna$on trees8 !hen )ill fo nd o t9 he $ade p his $ind that he was going with hi$ the ne6t ti$e he left8 5e fig red he had to 7e old eno gh8 So when Brey7eard arri;ed9 )ill told hi$ if he didn%t get to co$e as an official $e$7er of his crew9 he%d stow away and pop o t fro$ the least e6pected corner in a $onth or two8 Brey7eard +new )ill was cra/y eno gh to do it9 so that night he spo+e to $y father8 >4 was de;astated9@ said 3o isa8 >4 +new they%d let hi$ go9 and 4 wanted hi$ to go too8 4 didn%t want to 7e left 7ehind8 4t was o r drea$ to 7e pirates together8 4 7egged $y father

to let $e go8 4 co ldn%t : st stay here witho t $y 7est friend8 =;ent ally9 he agreed9 and so did Brey7eard8 >The night 7efore we left9 Brey7eard and $y father had dinner together8 4t was a tradition of theirs8 They in;ited $e and )ill to co$e too8 The two of s were really e6cited9 and $y pop and the old captain see$ed pretty pro d of s8 After we%d all eaten9 and dad and Brey7eard had polished off se;eral 7ottles of 7randy9 Brey7eard loo+ed at s ;ery serio s-li+e and said there was so$ething i$portant he needed to +now 7efore we left8 >5e told s 7eing a pirate isn%t a7o t 7oats or treas re or ;isiting e6otic places8 5e said it wasn%t a7o t ad;ent res or e;en solit de8 2f co rse9 we +new all that8 4t was all part of the Pirating Code9 7 t then he said so$ething that really st c+ with $e8 G4t%s a7o t the :o rney9% he said8 GAd;ent re is not what we%re after8 !hat we want is tr th9 tr th a7o t o rsel;es8 Co will not 7e a tr e pirate ntil yo ha;e that8% >2f co rse9 $e and )ill had no idea what he was tal+ing a7o t9 7 t we wanted to 7e real pirates9 so we nodded along8 4 tho ght $ay7e he%d had too $ ch 7randy9 7 t $y father was nodding along li+e the two of the$ +new so$ething we didn%t8 Then Brey7eard told s a7o t the spirit :o rney all tr e pirates ha;e to ta+e in order to +now the$sel;es8 A pirate can only 7e happy once that :o rney is co$plete8 So$e ne;er finish it8@ 3o isa loo+ed s ddenly sad8 >%The tr th will set yo free9% he told s8 )ill and 4 were conf sed9 7 t it all so nded ;ery e6citing and $ysterio s8 5e said the spirit :o rney co ld happen at any ti$e9 so we needed to 7e prepared8 And that was it8 Then he and $y old $an played cards and dran+ $ore 7randy while )ill and 4 cleared the dishes and went p to the top floor where we stared at the stars8 !e were too e6cited to sleep8 !e left the ne6t $orning8 Brey7eard pro$ised $y father we%d only 7e gone a few $onths8@ 3o isa s$iled8 >The ne6t three $onths were a$a/ing8 )ill and 4 reali/ed o r lifelong drea$ of 7eco$ing pirates8 !e wor+ed hard alongside the other crew $e$7ers9 and at night we slept on the dec+ in the war$ salt air and stared at the endless sea of stars8 First9 we tra;elled to a chain of s$all islands8 They were 7ea tif l8 The sand was white9 and the seas were the 7rightest 7l e8 All sorts of strange flowers and plants grew there8 !e too+ the y $$iest ones 7ac+ with s8 )ill got an odd little instr $ent with three strings and spent the rest of the trip learning how to play it8 A7o t dro;e Brey7eard n ts at the ti$e9 7 t he got pretty good at it8@ 3o isa fell silent a $o$ent9 and an odd little s$ile graced her lips8 >!e stopped in one $ore port9 a hot h $id little town with 7 ildings : st crawling on top of each other right on the cliffs8 The people there were all dar+ with 7lac+ hair : st li+e )ill8 !e :o+ed his fa$ily $ st ha;e 7een fro$ there9 7 t he didn%t see$ too concerned a7o t that at the ti$e8 =;eryone sat nder $7rellas in little cafes and dran+ hot coffee with $il+8

>Those three $onths : st flew 7y8 )efore we +new it9 we were 7ac+ in Tortoise Co;e8 )ill and 4 7egged Brey7eard to stay at sea a little longer8 !e swore we weren%t gonna change o r $inds8 ) t he insisted on heading 7ac+8 Said he%d pro$ised $y father8@ >3oo+ing 7ac+9 4 rec+on the captain $ st ha;e +nown $y old $an was sic+8 Anyway9 we got 7ac+ here all e6cited9 ready to pac+ o r things and lea;e for good8 ) t that wasn%t to 7e8 'y dad was 7edridden in his roo$ pstairs8 Brey7eard stood 7y the steps8 'y father was not a $an to $ince words8 5e told $e o tright he was dying9 and fast8 5e was s re he%d 7e gone soon9 and not to 7e sad a7o t it9 Gca se he wasn%t8 5e said he%d li;ed a good life9 had a lot of good friends8 4 re$e$7er he said he was pro d of ha;ing s ch a to gh da ghter8@ 3o isa%s ;oice shoo+ slightly8 She p lled a s$all flas+ fro$ her 7elt and too+ a swig8 >5e said he was pro d of 7 ilding this ta;ern9 that it was his life%s wor+8@ 3o isa loo+ed at the accordion panels e< ali/ing the 7 ilding on the shifting tide8 >Co ha;e to ad$it9 she%s a 7ea ty8 She was the ta;ern of his drea$s8@ She shoo+ her head8 >That%s when he dropped the anchor9 so to spea+8@ She la ghed wryly8 >5e said he hated to do it9 7 t he had to as+ $e to stay after he died and loo+ after the .og8 Said he%d 7 ilt her with his 7are hands and co ldn%t i$agine anyone else owning the place8@ She ran her sandaled foot o;er the dar+ plan+s in the floor8 She contin ed her eyes still on the grains in the wood8 >4 co ldn%t answer hi$ at first8 4 la ghed8 Told hi$ not to worry8 #o one else wo ld 7e r nning the 7ar9 Gca se he wasn%t going anywhere8@ A solitary tear ran down her chee+9 and she 7r shed it away8 >4 was deter$ined to heal hi$ $yself8 4 went straight down to the +itchen and $ade hi$ so p8 >The ne6t few wee+s9 4 waited on hi$ hand and foot8 Stayed 7y his 7ed night and day8 5is old roo$ p there doesn%t ha;e walls9 : st c rtains8 And we%d sit and watch the sea9 loo+ o t o;er town9 watch the strea$ that c ts thro gh the ;alley 7eyond the cliffs as it r ns into the sea8 ) t $ainly9 we watched the sea8 4t spar+led8 2ne day in the afternoon9 we sat there staring8 The s+y was a clear9 pale 7l e8 The wa;es were cal$9 and the water shone li+e glass8 >!e sat there : st staring at the wa;es9 $e and $y dad9 and he said so$ething 4%ll ne;er forget8 G4 +now yo r heart is at sea9% is what he said8 And he was right8 5e said he didn%t want $e to agree to r n the .og if it wasn%t what 4 really wanted to do9 and he%d nderstand if 4 wanted to go 7ac+ to sea8 >4 +new in what 4 had to do it8@ She shr gged her st rdy sho lders8 >And so9 4 lied to hi$8 Said of co rse r nning the ta;ern wo ld $a+e $e happy8 5e s$iled and loo+ed fitter than he had since 4%d ret rned8 !e : st sat there watching the sea9 and hi$ s$iling to hi$self8 A little while later9 he as+ed $e to $a+e hi$ so$e tea with 7randy8 4 re$e$7er as 4 went downstairs9 thin+ing he $ st 7e feeling 7etter if he was as+ing for 7randy8 The last thing he said to $e was 4 lo;e yo 8@ 3o isa wiped the tears fro$ her

chee+s with the 7ac+ of her hand and s$iled8 >!hen 4 got 7ac+9 4 tho ght he was sleeping8 ) t when 4 tried to wa+e hi$9 he didn%t $o;e8 Then 4 really loo+ed and saw he wasn%t 7reathing8 4 sho ted for the n rse who ca$e r nning fro$ the garden on the cliffs8 She felt his wrist9 listened to his chest9 said she was sorry8 She loo+ed li+e she really was sorry9 too8@ 3o isa sighed sadly8 >!e 7 rned his 7ody and floated the ashes o t to sea at his fa;orite spot p-shore where the ri;er flows into the ocean8 Brey7eard spo+e to $e at the f neral8 5e told $e 4 was a tr e pirate for staying and ta+ing care of the ta;ern li+e $y father wanted8 Said it $ st 7e part of $y spirit :o rney8 4 re$e$7er he told $e9 GSo$eti$es we need to regain o r land legs8% 5e told $e when it was ti$e to ret rn to the sea9 4%d +now8@ She sighed8 >)ill ca$e to see $e that night8 4 hadn%t seen hi$ since the day 7efore when 4 told hi$ $y father had died9 and 4 had agreed to stay in the 7ay and ta+e care of the .og8 5e was $ad and had stor$ed off9 7 t he loo+ed awf lly sorry when he ca$e 7ac+9 his hat in his hands li+e a p t-o t dog8 >4 +new why he%d co$e9 so 4 sa;ed hi$ the tro 7le of telling $e8 Things li+e that are hard for hi$8 So 4 said9 GCo %re lea;ing9% and he : st shoo+ his head8 4 didn%t want hi$ to +now 4 was sad9 7 t he +new anyway8 !e sed to always +now what the other one was thin+ing8 >5e said he was sorry and that he didn%t want to go witho t $e8 4 nderstood9 of co rse8 5ell9 4%d ha;e gone with hi$ if 4 co ld ha;e8 >5e tried to tal+ $e into going8 Said $y father was dead anyway9 and he wo ldn%t +now one way or the other8 ) t 4 : st co ldn%t8 4 had to stay8 4 had pro$ised $y father9 and that was the end of it8 Anyway9 Brey7eard had said it was part of $y spirit :o rney8 4 co ld tell )ill was sad8 5e offered to stay and loo+ at the stars9 7 t 4 t rned hi$ down8 >4 h gged $y friend good7ye9 and he left $e alone in the roo$ that had 7een $y father%s8 !hen the door to the stairs sh t9 $y heart 7ro+e8 4 co ld feel it fall to pieces8@ 3o isa fell silent8 >Co were in lo;e with hi$9@ said Priya8 3o isa loo+ed at the girl 7 t said nothing8 She was silent for a long $o$ent in which she eyed Priya in a rather $alicio s $anner8 Then she res $ed her story8 >4 spent that night in $y father%s roo$ staring at the stars o t o;er the sea and wishing that 4 co ld go off with the other pirates8 ) t 4 +new 4 had to stay9 and after that night9 4%;e tried to p t it o t of $y $ind8@ She shoo+ her head8 >After they left9 it was nearly a year 7efore 4 saw )ill again8 4 tho ght for s re he%d ha;e forgotten a7o t $e and the co;e8 ) t one day 4 saw he Medusa$s flag8 )efore the cargo was e;en nloaded9 4 saw )ill in a s+iff9 wilder-haired and tanner than e;er8 5e rowed straight to shore9 ran p here and h gged $e8

>5e was : st tic+led pin+ to 7e a pirate and started rattling off to $e all the places he%d 7een8 5e started at the 7eginning9 7 t when )ill tells a story9 he tends to s+ip all aro nd till yo can%t hardly +eep trac+ of things8 4t was a co ple of ho rs 7efore he too+ a 7reath9 4 rec+on9 or pa sed to as+ $e how things had 7een aro nd here8 5e had 7ro ght $e a 7 nch of trin+ets and whatnot fro$ all the places he%d gone9 piddling little things8 #ot really $y thing9 trin+ets9 7 t he didn%t thin+ it was fair 4 co ldn%t go along9 yo see9 and 4 lo;ed the$8 5e said he tho ght of $e e;ery ti$e he pic+ed p one of the stat es or 7racelets or what ha;e yo 8 Said it was his way of ta+ing $e with hi$9 and $e9 well9 4 was : st happy $y 7est friend hadn%t forgotten a7o t $e8@ She s$iled9 and her eyes loo+ed da$p8 >5e stayed here a wee+9 and it was great8 !e were insepara7le : st li+e old ti$es8 !e swapped stories9 and )ill told $e e;ery detail a7o t life at sea8 !hen he left9 he pro$ised to 7ring $e so$ething fro$ each place he went ntil 4 was a7le to go with the$8@ 3o isa%s hand went a7sent-$indedly to her chee+8 >And that%s how things were for a long ti$e8 )ill wo ld go to sea with Brey7eard and his crew for $onths at a ti$e9 7 t he%d always ret rn9 always with a 7ag of trin+ets and stories to go with the$8 And then he%d spend his port ti$e telling $e stories of the wo$en who wore the sil+ scar;es li+e the ones he 7ro ght $e9 or the te$ples filled with the s$o+e fro$ the ;ery sa$e incense he had9 and of co rse9 the sea8 Always the sea8 5ow it changed and was at the sa$e ti$e9 the sa$e8 And that 4 co ld nderstand9 7eca se the sea is li+e that e;en in this tiny co;e8 >4n less than fi;e years9 )ill 7eca$e a f ll-fledge captain9 and was piloting a ship in Brey7eard%s fleet8 Tortoise Co;e was still his ho$e port9 and he and Brey7eard always tried to $eet p here so the three of s co ld ha;e a little fa$ily re nion8 >And that%s how things were for nearly decade8 Then one day9 it%s 7een $ore than two years now9 e;erything changed8 Brey7eard told s it was ti$e for hi$ to enter the final and $ost i$portant leg of his spirit :o rney8 4t was late9 and we had all had a lot of wine9 and Brey7eard told s that he planned on lea;ing for the Snow Coast and he $ight not ret rn8 >2f co rse9 we tho ght he%d : st had too $ ch wine9 7 t when Brey7eard got that loo+ in his eyes9 we +new he was serio s8 )ill got all riled p8 5e called hi$ cra/y8 Said the Snow Coast wo ld 7e i$possi7le to na;igate8 All the$ $o ntains of ice floating aro nd9 ice7ergs hiding 7elow the s rface8 There%s no place to $oor9 e;en if yo do get there8 The cliffs are : st :agged h n+s of ice8 >Brey7eard 7r shed hi$ off8 5e : st said9 GThat $ay 7e so9 7 t it has to 7e done9 son8% And that was it9 end of story8 4 co ld tell )ill wasn%t too happy a7o t it8

>Brey7eard set sail two days later9 and 7efore he did9 he ca$e and told $e good7ye8 5e said 4 was li+e the da ghter he ne;er had9 and 4 sho ld ne;er forget 4 ha;e the heart of a pirate8@ 3o isa%s ;oice crac+ed9 7 t she went on8 >)ill was pretty pset when Brey7eard left9 and e;eryone pres $ed that it was 7eca se Brey7eard had gone on a s icide trip9 7 t we all soon fo nd o t that wasn%t the only thing psetting hi$8 T rns o t9 the day 7efore Brey7eard left9 he went to )ill to say good7ye8 5e told hi$ he was his son9 and he was pro d of the pirate )ill had 7eco$e8 Brey7eard told hi$ that his :o rney $ay well end in death9 and since he $ight ne;er ret rn9 he was lea;ing )ill all the treas re he had a$assed in his life9 which incl ded the secret to 7eing the world%s greatest pirate%8 >) t he wasn%t gonna : st gi;e the treas re to )ill8 )ill had to find it on his own8 4t was part of his spirit :o rney8 5e ga;e hi$ one cl e9 a riddle9 to help hi$ find the treas re9 and then he left8 >And that was all he wrote8 3i+e 4 said9 Brey7eard left o;er two years ago9 and he still hasn%t co$e 7ac+8 'ost people fig re he%s dead 7y now9 tho gh no one really +nows for s re8 4 still ha;e hope8@ 3o isa said this with resol;e and loo+ed at the children8 5er face was deter$ined for an instant9 7 t the loo+ soon faltered and was replaced 7y the creased face of concern8 >)ill ne;er did fig re o t his riddle8 4t dro;e hi$ cra/y9 as 4%$ s re yo noticed8 5e hasn%t sailed in o;er si6 $onths9 and he a7o t drains the 7ar on an a;erage e;ening8@ 3o isa loo+ed at the children and shr gged8 >Co $ean he : st ga;e pA@ as+ed Priya8 >Pretty $ ch9@ replied 3o isa8 >5e doesn%t thin+ he%ll e;er 7e a7le to fig re o t the riddle8 4t%s sad really8@ Agni tho ght for a $o$ent and as+ed9 >!hat%s the riddleA@ 3o isa tho ght for a $o$ent8 >4t goes9 G1nderneath the starlit s+ies9 yo +now where yo r treas re lies8 #ear and far we pirates roa$9 7 t what yo see+ is in yo r ho$e8 Co r ho$e 7eneath the open s+ies9 on land and on the sea8 As+ yo r heart where treas re lies9 and there it shall 7e8%@ They sat in silence for a $o$ent8 The children p //led o;er the riddle%s possi7le $eaning9 and 3o isa watched their faces distractedly8 Priya as+ed9 >4s it with The 'otherA@ 3o isa said9 >#o8 That%s the first thing )ill tho ght9 too8 ) t he went to see her9 and she didn%t ha;e it8 5e fig res it $ st 7e with his 7irth parents9 the gypsies8 5e spent $ore than a year trying to trac+ the$ down9 7 t now9 he%s con;inced he%ll ne;er find the$9 and the trail ends there8@

Agni had 7een sitting < ietly and watching 3o isa%s face as she spo+e8 Finally9 he said9 >4 +now where it is8@ 3o isa gaped9 and then scoffed8 >Co doA@ She as+ed incred lo sly8 She shoo+ her head9 and her long red hair flew li+e fla$e8 >5owA@ >4t is si$ple9@ said Agni8 >) t 4 won%t say another word a7o t it ntil Captain )ill agrees to ta+e s to #o 'an%s 4sland8@ 3o isa la ghed9 and went s+eptically8 >3oo+9 honey9 this is serio s 7 siness8 )ill really will toss yo into the ocean8@ 5er eyes narrowed9 and she was clearly serio s8 >!ith 7ric+s on yo r feet9 $ay7e9 if yo get his hopes p a7o t this8@ >4 a$ serio s9@ said Agni8 >4 +now where it is8 There is : st one thing 4 do not nderstand9 tho gh8 4f yo ha;e +nown where it is all this ti$e9 why didn%t yo : st tell hi$A@ 3o isa went scarlet and white in < ic+ s ccession8 >4H !hat do yo $eanA@ she sta$$ered8 ) t she saw in Agni%s face that the 7oy +new the tr th8 >5ow co ld yo +nowA@ >4t is fairly o7;io s9@ said Agni9 ca sing 3o isa to t rn red once $ore8 >) t why didn%t yo tell Captain )ill and sa;e hi$ all his s fferingA@ 3o isa twisted her hands in her lap9 and then cried shrilly9 >2h9 4 wanted to8 )elie;e $e9 4 did8 ) t Brey7eard $ade $e pro$ise not to tell hi$8 5e said )ill had to find it on his own8 4t was part of his spirit :o rney8@ Tears ran down her chee+s8 >4 see9@ said Agni8 >4t was hard for yo 9 7 t a pro$ise is a pro$ise8@ >Ces9@ 3o isa nodded9 wiping the tears away with the 7ac+ of her hand8 >5e in;o+ed the Pirate%s Code8 And now9 it see$s )ill $ay finally 7e a7le to find it8@ She frowned8 5er 7row f rrowed in conte$plation8 >) t sho ld 4 allow yo to tell hi$A@ >!ell9 4 did not pro$ise Brey7eard anything9@ said Agni with a s$ile8 >And if Captain )ill helps s9 4 wo ld say he has earned 7eing told the answer to his riddle8 .on%t yo thin+A@ 3o isa s$iled and rose8 >4%ll go and get hi$8 E st please don%t say anything a7o t $e +nowing where the treas re is all this while8 4%d rather hi$ not +now a7o t that : st yet8@ >Co r secret is safe with $e9@ said Agni8 >4 wo ld prefer if he thin+s 4 a$ the only person who +nows its location8@ The 7ar$aid left9 and Princess Priya9 Aryan and Ansh t rned to Agni with e6pectant loo+s8

>.o yo really +now where it isA@ as+ed Priya as she wr ng her hands tensely8 >2f co rse9@ said Agni8 >4 wo ldn%t $ess aro nd with a pirate9 especially one with a gr dge against the world8@ >Are yo certainA@ the little princess as+ed8 >Ces9@ said Agni8 >!ell9 where is itA@ as+ed Aryan8 >4 do not thin+ 4 sho ld tell yo 9@ Agni declared9 garnering i$patient noises fro$ his 7rothers and Priya8 The 7oy was stern8 >5e $ight try and tort re it o t of s instead of ta+ing s to #o 'an%s 4sland9 and 4 don%t want hi$ to ha;e any reason to h rt any of yo 8 The less of s who +now the 7etter8@ >) t what if he tort res yo A@ as+ed Priya ner;o sly8 >4 will 7e all right9@ said Agni deter$inedly9 ca sing Priya to s$ile at hi$ ad$iringly8 At that $o$ent9 3o isa ret rned with Captain )ill 7ehind her8 The pirate sa ntered into the roo$ and fi6ed his 7loodshot eyes on Agni8 >So what is it yo ha;e to tell $e9 7oyA@ he as+ed as an acc sation8 Agni too+ a 7reath and p lled hi$self p to his f ll height8 >4 +now where Brey7eard%s treas re is hidden9@ he said si$ply8 Captain )ill s< inted at Agni9 and the 7oy $et his 7lac+ stare with eyes e< ally as dar+8 5e co ld tell his tr thf lness was 7eing $eas red8 The 7oy was scared9 7 t his confidence ca$e fro$ +nowing the tr th9 and the pirate9 despite his ine7riation9 co ld see this8 Finally9 Captain )ill as+ed slowly9 >And how in the hell co ld yo +now where Brey7eard%s treas re isA #o7ody +nows that8@ Agni stared at the pirate and $ stered all his co rage8 5e forced his ;oice to stay cal$ and nonchalant8 >4 heard the riddle9 and 4 sol;ed it8@ Captain )ill scoffed8 >#o7ody has 7een a7le to sol;e that riddle9 e;en $e8 Co e6pect $e to 7elie;e yo A@ ) t in his eyes9 Agni co ld see his interested was +indled8 >Co ha;e no choice 7 t to 7elie;e $e8 4 a$ yo r only hope of finding that treas re9 and yo +now it8@ )ill 7egan to spea+9 7 t Agni contin ed8 >!e will stri+e a deal8 4f yo ta+e

s to #o 'an%s 4sland9 4 will tell yo where the treas re is pon o r safe ret rn to Tortoise Co;e8@ )ill ad;anced s ddenly pon Agni and p lled hi$ ro ghly 7y the ar$ ntil their faces were so close that their noses to ched8 >!ho do yo thin+ yo are9 dictating ter$s toA Co %re : st a +id8 4 co ld cr sh yo li+e an ant?@ The pirate%s 7reath was hot and s$elled of spirit8 Agni tried to re$ain cal$8 >4f yo h rt s9 4 will ne;er tell yo where yo r treas re is8@ The 7oy $eant it9 and the pirate co ld tell8 Finally9 Captain )ill released his grip on Agni%s s$all ar$8 5e stood staring into Agni%s face while the 7oy tried to 7reathe steadily in an atte$pt to slow his racing heart8 >!e lea;e to$orrow $orning9@ said the captain8 >)e ready early8@ Then he a7r ptly t rned9 $arched o t of the roo$9 and sla$$ed the door 7ehind hi$self8 The sla$ of the door echoed in the ringing silence of the s$all store roo$8 Then 3o isa la ghed a s$all :oyo s la gh that c t thro gh the tension and ca sed Agni to once again start 7reathing8 The 7ar$aid was s$iling 7roadly9 >!ell9 loo+s li+e yo fol+s ha;e got an early $orning to$orrow8 3et%s get yo a roo$ where yo can sleep8@ She wiped her hands on her apron and led the children p a wooden staircase to a hallway filled with doors8 She opened one9 and shered the children into a s$all9 wood-paneled roo$8 Two do 7le windows loo+ed o t o;er the 7lac+ sea8 There were two s$all 7eds which had 7een 7olted to the floor to +eep the$ fro$ sliding as the 7 ilding roc+ed on the wa;es8 >4t%s s$all9 7 t it%ll do8 4 ha;e to get 7ac+ to wor+ now8 Botta $a+e s re )ill%s a7le to wa+e p to$orrow $orning8 4%ll co$e and loo+ in on yo children 7efore 4 go to 7ed8 See yo in the $orning 7right and early8@ She t rned to e6it then hesitated8 She t rned 7ac+ and said9 >Than+ yo 8@ Then she left9 sh tting the door 7ehind her8

La Marta
The ne6t $orning9 3o isa wo+e the children early in the tiny 7o77ing 7edroo$ where they had spent a restless night filled with dist r7ing drea$s8 The swaying of the 7 ilding $ay ha;e l lled pirates acc sto$ed to life at sea to sleep9 7 t it was nner;ing for the children who felt as if the 7 ilding $ay co$e n$oored at any $o$ent and float away or sin+ to the 7otto$ of the 7ay8 3o isa h rried the children down the steps into the staff +itchen where she ga;e the$ rice porridge and fish along with c ps of strong $il+y tea8 )efore they had finished9 she said9 >!e ha;e to go9@ and the children left half-cons $ed 7owls sitting on the floor and followed her o t the door8 They r shed down along the porch that encircled the Salty .og and flew down the swinging 7ridge to the 7each8 The s n was not yet p9 7 t the s+y had 7eg n to lighten8 Tinge of pin+ and pale orange co ld 7e seen 7ehind the cocon t pal$s atop the $o ntains8

The children followed 3o isa onto the 7each where the cool sea 7ree/e in;igorated their senses8 A gro p of pirates stood aro nd two s$all 7oats9 loading the$ with 7arrels and crates8 A$ong the$ was the thin $an in the p rple ;est who )ill had assa lted the night 7efore and the tall 7lond $an who%d p lled )ill off of hi$8 >'orning9 3o isa9@ the large 7londe $an said happily as he tossed sac+s into the 7oat8 >4 see o r g ests of honor ha;e arri;ed8@ >That%s right9 3arry8 Co all a7o t ready to goA@ She s< inted at the large 7lac+ 7oat $oored in the 7ay8 >!e are9@ replied 3arry witho t loo+ing p8 5e finished loading the last of the 7ags sitting on the sand8 >These are the last to go9@ he said pointing his th $7 at the children8 3o isa t rned to the +ids and said9 >!ell9 here is yo r chance8 4 hope yo find what yo %re loo+ing for8@ They crossed to the s$all 7oat and cli$7ed inside8 3arry and the thin $an p shed the 7oat into the water and then : $ped inside8 3arry g ided the 7oat o;er the wa;es with a long pole he st c+ into the sand8 3o isa stood on the 7each and wa;ed good7ye8 The children%s eyes t rned to the enor$o s ship towards which they were rowing8 They watched as the ship grew e;er larger ntil the tiny 7oat in which they tra;elled was 7 $ping its prow against the ship%s side8 They stared p the 7arnacle-encr sted 7lac+ side to where large gold letters read >3a 'arta8@ 3arry sed the pole in his hand to na;igate their s$all 7oat to a rope ladder that h ng down into the sea8 A hatch in the ship%s side sw ng open9 and a $an st c+ his head o t8 The thin pirate wearing the p rple ;est 7egan handing 7arrels and 7ags thro gh the porthole9 and the $an inside tossed the$ into the ship%s 7elly8 3arry gra77ed the rope ladder and steadied the 7oat8 >1p yo go9@ he said9 and he shoo+ the ladder8 The children $o nted the ladder with the large $an%s assistance and scaled the ship%s side with diffic lty8 Agni carried Corneli s in one ar$ and held the ladder fir$ly with the other8 They arri;ed onto the 7 stling dec+ where dec+hands were 7 sy p lling ropes9 $ending sails and $o;ing cargo8 The tall9 7lond $an na$ed 3arry ca$e o;er the ship%s side 7ehind the$8 Agni9 Aryan9 Ansh and Princess Priya watched as the tall $an single handedly ha led the s$all 7oat p the side of the ship and tied it to the railing8 T rning to the children9 he said9 >!ell9 follow $e9@ and wa;ing his ar$9 7egan to lead the$ across the pirate-pac+ed dec+8 The fo r children e6a$ined the dec+9 and Corneli s sniffed the air e6citedly8 Agni ga/ed at the crow%s nest high a7o;e the dec+ and longed for a chance to cla$7er p to it8 Aryan was eager to cli$7 p the enor$o s rope nets hanging fro$ the $ast9 and Ansh eyed the

large cannons with interest8 Priya9 on the other hand9 scanned the crew ntil she spotted Captain )ill 7ehind the large wheel on the ele;ated hel$8 She watched hi$ ntil 3arry led the$ 7elow dec+8 They followed 3arry down a s$all hallway lined with doors8 5e p shed one open to re;eal an e;en s$aller roo$ with three 7 n+ 7eds8 >Two of yo will ha;e to share9@ he said8 Then he t rned to lea;e8 >)est yo try to stay aro nd here and o t of the way8 3ast thing any of s wants is so$e +iddies nderfoot8 =specially since this is o r first ti$e to sea in while8 The captain will 7e on edge8@ 5e s$iled to show his ad;ice ca$e fro$ a place of real concern8 Then he closed the door and was gone8 The children t rned ca tio sly in the cla stropho7ic roo$8 4t was diffic lt for all fo r of the$ to stand at once8 Two 7eds protr ded fro$ the right-hand wall9 one a7o;e the other8 Another 7ed was 7 ilt into the opposite wall8 1pon inspection9 the children fo nd the 7eds co ld 7e folded p to afford a little $ore space8 They folded p 7oth 7eds on the right8 Aryan9 Ansh and Prince Priya sat on the 7ed on the left while Agni sat on the floor8 There was one s$all9 ro nd window o t of which the children co ld sea the : st the edge of the cliffs and a tiny sli;er of sea8 After a few $o$ents of silence d ring which Corneli s s< ir$ed nco$forta7ly in Ansh%s lap9 Priya said9 >!ell9 4 cannot 7e cooped p in here for days8 3et s go8@ And witho t another word9 she s< ee/ed past the 7oys% +nees and was o t the door8 The Three )rothers sat staring at each other9 and Corneli s stretched o t in the space ;acated 7y Princess Priya8 >She is cra/y9@ said Aryan wide eyed8 >That 7ig scary $an said to stay here8@ Ansh shr gged8 >She is not cra/y8@ Aryan pondered her 7ra;ery8 >!ell9@ said Agni tho ghtf lly9 >what is the worst thing they can doA 4 will ref se to tell Captain )ill anything if he h rts any of s8 Also her father is the Ding of Chancell7erry8 4 don%t thin+ they wo ld +ill s8@ Aryan did not loo+ ;ery relie;ed8 The 7oys sat in silence thin+ing8 Ansh said9 >) t they do not +now her father is Ding Drinio s8 Pl s they $ight thin+ of 'aridi s as the +ing now8@ >Bood point9@ said Agni8 >'ay7e we sho ld : st wait here and see what happens8@ The 7oys agreed this was a good plan of action9 so they waited to see if Priya wo ld ret rn of her own accord9 or if she wo ld 7e forced 7ac+ 7y angry pirates8 After what see$ed li+e an ho r9 7 t what in reality was act ally only a few $in tes9 Agni said9 >4 do not hear any screa$ing8 She $ st 7e o+ay8@ =$7oldened 7y Priya%s apparent s ccess9 the Three )rothers ca tio sly ;ent red o t of their tiny roo$ and down the corridor8 As they $ade their way down the narrow hallway9 they felt the 7oat l rch and 7egin to $o;e8 >!e are lea;ing9@ whispered Aryan8

The Three )rothers e$erged onto the ship%s dec+ to see the $ainland of Chancell7erry $o;ing slowly away8 Princess Priya sat at the stern conte$plati;ely watching the shrin+ing $ainland8 #one of the pirates were tro 7led 7y her presence8 They did not e;en see$ to notice her e6istence8 They happily wor+ed at ;ario s tas+s with a ;igor only seen a$ong people who9 for a long ti$e9 are for7idden fro$ engaging in their fa;orite pasti$e8 The 7oys hastily $ade their way across the dec+ to where Priya sat and $o nted the steps towards Priya%s perch8 The little princess heard their footsteps and t rned9 p lling her eyes away fro$ the ;anishing landscape8 >Co $ade it8 Finally8@ She s$iled and patted the 7ench ne6t to her8 >4 was wondering how long yo intended to stay in that little hole of a roo$8@ The Three )rothers sat9 and all fo r children passed a long silent $o$ent staring at their ho$eland as it disappeared fro$ the hori/on8 >Co can hardly see it any$ore9@ Aryan said8 5e s< inted to see the tiny po+e of green pea+s8 #o one spo+e8 !hen the green was no longer ;isi7le9 and the children reali/ed with a slight sin+ing sensation in their sto$achs that they were gen inely at sea8 4t was an neasy feeling not at all ca sed 7y the nd lation of the 7oat9 7 t of the isolation of the ;ast sea s rro nding their ship8 Also weighing on their $inds for the first ti$e was the idea that the ship on which the fo r children and the tiny Bl spin tra;elled alone was peopled 7y a co$pany of < arrelso$e pirates and headed 7y a dr n+en and possi7ly ;iolent captain8 They watched as two $en a sho ted at each other on dec+8 They did not see$ terri7ly angry9 tho gh9 and were soon wor+ing again side 7y side8 This pro$pted Priya to entertain the idea that perhaps the pirates were not necessarily aggressi;e9 7 t : st spo+e in a ro gh9 see$ingly confrontational9 $anner8 She loo+ed at the Three )rothers who all wore o$ino s loo+s and said reass ringly9 >.o not worry8 4 spo+e with 3arry9 the $an who 7ro ght s on7oard9 and he said we ha;e nothing to worry a7o t8 The crew is so happy to 7e 7ac+ at sea again9 they do not care if Agni +nows the answer to the riddle or not8 2f co rse9 4 ass red 3arry yo did +now the answer9@ she added < ic+ly8 >The only thing 4 thin+ we ha;e to 7e a little concerned a7o t is Captain )ill9@ she said in a low ;oice8 >5e still see$s rather nsta7le to $e9 and he certainly has not stopped drin+ing8 5opef lly9 he will not press yo to tell hi$ the sol tion to his riddle 7efore we get to #o 'an%s 4sland8 4 do thin+ 3arry wo ld co$e to o r aid if things really got o t of hand8 5e is9 4 thin+9 the happiest of e;eryone to 7e sailing again8 5e told $e so hi$self8@ The children < ietly t rned to o7ser;e the large $an who was helping two other pirates $o;e wooden crates filled with oranges8 5e was la ghing lo dly with his head thrown 7ac+8 4t was a deep reso nding 7elly la gh that carried itself all the way across the ship8 5is 7londe head was a good foot a7o;e e;eryone else%s9 and his lo d whistle co ld 7e heard thro gho t the ship as he wor+ed8 5e s$iled to hi$self in the s n9 which was < ite high o;erhead8

Priya t rned her face towards the dec+ and tossed her hair in the 7ree/e8 Then she lay down9 hands 7ehind her head9 and proceeded to nap in the s n8 Corneli s i$$ediately hopped fro$ Ansh%s lap to :oin her8 5e rolled onto his 7ac+ and stretched his short legs in the air8 )efore long9 he was snoring gently8 The three 7oys sat 7eside the napping princess and snoring Bl spin nwilling to lea;e the two alone and ; lnera7le on a ship with yet n+nown personalities8 Tr th 7e told9 they were so$ewhat frightened to ;ent re away d e to concerns of their own safety as well8 The 7oys told the$sel;es9 howe;er9 that they were staying o t of concern for their tra;elling co$panion8 >!e sho ld stay with her9@ said Aryan8 >4 agree9@ said Agni readily8 Ansh loo+ed at his two 7rothers and shr gged9 and the three sat staring o t at the sea8 After a short while9 Agni t rned his attention to the $e$7ers of the ship%s crew8 5e i$agined the life stories in his head for each crew $e$7er9 so$e that were act ally < ite acc rate9 and others that were wildly off the $ar+8 Ansh watched the crew as well9 7 t only as they interacted with the ;ario s $o;ing parts of the act al o7:ect of his fascination9 the ship8 Ansh en:oyed watching as the pirates hoisted lines on the large $etal p lleys8 5e was fascinated with the series of ropes hanging fro$ the towering $ast8 5e wondered how their $anip lation affected the $o;e$ent of the 7illowing can;as sails8 The s$aller sails snapped in the wind9 7 t the largest stayed inflated constantly p lling the$ seaward8 Aryan%s ga/e re$ained on the sea8 The $e$ory of the coastline still lingered in his $ind8 5is large 7rown eyes scanned the endless 7l e e6panse9 and the 7oy was lost in tho ght8 5ow long had it 7een since they had left their far$A .ays nowA A wee+ or $oreA 5e had lost trac+8 >5ow worried o r parents $ st 7e9@ he tho ght8 5e wondered if his $other and father had fig red o t the 7oys% plan9 if they had atte$pted to find the$8 5is tho ghts ret rned soon to their c rrent predica$ent adrift on a pirate ship in the A< icean Sea on a $ission to resc e the e6iled +ing acco$panied 7y a r naway princess8 4t was li+e one of the stories his $other read to the$ at 7edti$e8 !hat happened if they were not s ccessf lA Aryan did not li+e his train of tho ght8 The heroes in his story7oo+s were rarely plag ed with do 7t8 5e p shed the negati;ity fro$ his $ind with a gentle sha+e of the head8 >#o9@ he tho ght and t rned 7ac+ to o7ser;e the pirate crew with his 7rothers8 >!e ha;e co$e too far8 !e cannot fail8@ )y the ti$e Priya awo+e fro$ her nap loo+ing well-rested9 the s n had already passed its ape6 in the s+y8 .espite the sea 7ree/e9 it was e6tre$ely hot on the ship%s dec+8 The s n reflected off the water9 do 7ling its intensity8 The Three )rothers sat playing Figgery9 a ga$e in;ol;ing loc+ing together the participants% fingers and tossing s$all stones9 or in their case9 seashells fo nd on the dec+8 Priya noticed all three 7oys had gone pin+ on their chee+s8 The 7oys reali/ed the princess was awa+e and noticed her r ddy co$ple6ion had dar+ened9 and frec+les had appeared across her sharp nose8

The s$all girl s$iled loo+ing happier than she had since the 7oys had $et her8 She r 77ed Corneli s%s sto$ach ntil he wo+e9 and then :oined the 7oys sitting cross-legged on the dec+8 >Co want to playA@ as+ed Aryan8 >#o9 than+ yo 9@ replied Priya8 >4 prefer to watch if yo don%t $ind8@ Aryan shr gged9 and the 7oys contin ed the ga$e8 Priya sat o7ser;ing the$ and periodically as+ed < estions a7o t the r les of the ga$e9 which the 7oys enth siastically e6plained to her8 After she had $astered Figgery9 Priya sat silently and ga/ed o t at the endless 7l e for a long ti$e8 Then she said9 >4 a$ so ;ery happy?@ The Three )rothers loo+ed p fro$ their ga$e and followed her eyes to the sea8 Agni wanted to +now what $ade her so happy9 7 t the princess answered his nas+ed < estion 7efore the 7oy co ld spea+8 >4 +new 4 co ld resc e $y father8@ She t rned to face the 7oys8 >And it is 7eca se of yo three 4 a$ a7le to do so8@ She loo+ed each 7oy directly in the eye as if trying to co$$ nicate witho t words8 Then she said forcef lly9 >Than+ yo so ;ery $ ch?@ She s$iled widely9 and her a< a$arine eyes spar+led9 al$ost as if she were on the ;erge of crying8 The Three )rothers sat staring at the regal princess whose eyes were 7ri$$ing with tears of gratit de8 Aryan finally sp ttered9 >!ell9 yo %re welco$e8@ 5is chee+s t rned an e;en deeper pin+8 Ansh h rriedly said9 >Co %re welco$e8@ Agni echoed the two9 $ ttering9 >Ceah9 it%s nothing8@ All three 7oys were 7l shing8 The princess loo+ed satisfied9 and then the entire gro p%s attention was di;erted to a cla$oring on the dec+8 The pirates had for$ed a +not aro nd a large $an with a stained white apron8 Fro$ their ;antage point at the stern9 the children co ld see why8 The apron-clad sailor%s ar$s were laden with food-co;ered trays9 which he th $ped down on two 7arrels saying9 >3ay off9 yo 7r tes8 There%s eno gh for e;eryone8@ The large $an disappeared 7ehind a swinging door while the crew descended ra;eno sly pon the trays of 7read9 ;egeta7les and $eat8 A large pile of oranges < ic+ly e;aporated8 !ithin $o$ents9 the $an ret rned with $ore trays8 The sailors ate greedily9 and none of the$ offered the children9 who were s ddenly aware that they were ;ery h ngry9 any food8 Finally9 3arry wandered o;er thro gh the crowd and too+ an entire loaf of 7read8 5e tore it apart and st ffed the $eat9 cheese and ;egeta7les inside8 5e then 7it a $assi;e ch n+ off of his enor$o s sandwich8 5e scanned the dec+ while en:oying his $eal9 and his eyes ca$e to rest on the children staring h ngrily at the feeding fren/y8 The tall pirate $ade his way o;er9 still chewing9 and called p to the$9 >C%all waiting for an in;itationA@ 5e la ghed8 >Co 7etter get so$e while yo can8 This 7 nch will finish off the whole lot8@ 5e too+ another 7ite then t rned9 7ec+oning the children with his large

hand8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya followed 3arry ner;o sly into the $o79 7 t the sailors were far too 7 sy feasting to 7e 7othered 7y the children8 The children < ic+ly too+ so$e food and ret rned to the stern to eat together8 Ansh shared with Corneli s9 which the Bl spin gratef lly de;o red8 Their l nch was < ic+ly gone9 and soon the children were sitting idly once $ore at the 7ac+ of the ship watching the sailors go a7o t their tas+s8 .espite their ro gh appearance and da nting rep tation9 the sailors did not see$9 at least to the children9 to 7e too illnat red8 Certainly9 their $anners were coarser than that of the ni;ersity scholars with who$ the princess was sed to interacting8 Fro$ ti$e to ti$e9 words that the 7oys had ne;er 7efore heard floated to their ears fro$ the dec+ 7elow8 They were a rowdy9 ra co s 7 nch9 and there was $ ch sho;ing and sho ting a$ong the $en and wo$en8 ) t it see$ed to the children9 who were in fact great : dges of character9 that the pirates were not altogether $alicio s8 The sailors act ally see$ed to 7e a fa$ily of sorts9 and to the o7ser;ant eye9 they were a happy one8 The at$osphere on the ship was a :oyo s one9 and it was clear on e;ery sailor%s face that the crew of the La Marta was happy to 7e 7ac+ at sea8 3arry9 Captain )ill%s second in co$$and9 strolled aro nd dec+ gi;ing orders and helping the sailors with their wor+8 5is enor$o s fra$e c t a path thro gh the crew as he roa$ed a7o t enth siastically ens ring e;erything was done properly8 The thin $an with the p rple ;est9 'a rice was his na$e9 see$ed not to ha;e a :o78 5e : st wal+ed aro nd tal+ing to different crew $e$7ers9 $ost often the wo$en8 5e chatted with each person a while9 7 t e;ent ally was shooed away so the person he was tal+ing to co ld res $e their wor+8 Two sailors9 who were clearly 7rothers and possi7ly twins9 tossed 7arrel after 7arrel to each other fro$ the enor$o s pile on dec+ and dropped the$ o t of sight into a large cargo hold 7elow dec+8 The children spent the re$ainder of the day silently watching the crew fro$ their anony$o s ;antage point and getting to +now the wor+ings of the ship8 Slowly9 tho gh9 as the s n san+ lower9 so$e of the sailors finished their wor+ and disappeared o t of sight 7elow dec+8 2nly a few essential crew $e$7ers re$ained on dec+ to $an the sails and the loo+o t points8 Captain )ill held his place at the hel$8 The captain of the ;essel had not wa;ered fro$ his position 7ehind the large wooden wheel all day8 3 nch was 7ro ght to hi$ 7y the coo+ on a special tray8 5is eyes ne;er left the glea$ing hori/on ntil finally9 as the s n san+ low on into the fla$e-colored hori/on9 he relin< ished co$$and to 3arry and went 7elow dec+8 As the s n san+ lower9 the dec+ 7eca$e s ddenly crowded again8 The pirates filtered o t into the red e;ening light9 7 t they weren%t wor+ing8 =;ery eye was loc+ed pon the setting s n8 >!hat are they doingA@ as+ed Ansh9 loo+ing at the odd arrange$ent of sailors8 They had changed fro$ their sweat stained wor+ clothes into fresh gar$ents of e;ery shape and color8

>They are waiting for so$ething9@ said Priya8 >'ay7e they%re waiting for the s n to set9@ s ggested Agni8 >4t appears yo are correct9@ agreed Priya8 The children watched as the s n dipped lower and lower9 and then : st as the 7otto$ of the red or7 to ched its reflection in the sea9 Captain )ill e$erged fro$ 7elow dec+ wearing a large 7lac+ hat9 a flowing 7lac+ shirt9 7lac+ leather pants and 7oots8 5e strode to the western edge of the sip and stood silently with his 7ac+ to the crew watching the s n set into the sea8 Aryan $ar;eled the 7ea ty of the first s nset at sea8 The s n grad ally changed color as it san+9 the s+y changed with it9 and the sea reflected all8 The entire crew stood in silence ntil the last cri$son rays were swallowed 7y the hori/on8 Then Captain )ill t rned aro nd8 !itho t a word9 he $otioned with his hand9 and a yo ng pirate stepped forward8 4n his hands9 he held a 7 gle pon which he proceeded to play a 7ea tif l ha nting song8 !hen the $ sic ended9 Captain )ill spo+e8 >!e pay ho$age to the s n that gi;es s war$th and lights o r way8 !e also gi;e than+s to the co$ing $oon whose power dictates the ;ery sea pon which we sail8 At this ti$e9 when the world hangs 7etween 7oth9 we o7ser;e a $o$ent of gratef l silence8@ 5e loo+ed aro nd at the faces on dec+9 and Agni tho ght the captain inclined his head in the children%s direction as well8 Then9 the pirate did so$ething the children co ld not ha;e 7efore i$agined possi7le8 5is face 7ro+e into a wide s$ile9 and he re$o;ed the large 7lac+ hat9 e6clai$ing9 >5ere%s to 7eing 7ac+ at sea?@ 5e thr st his hat high into the air9 the crew cheered9 and a large $ g $ateriali/ed in his hand with which he 7egan toasting the pirates aro nd hi$8 The crowd of crew er pted into cheers and la ghter9 and $any $ade their way to the large 7arrel of wine in the $iddle of the dec+8 The night fell < ic+ly9 al$ost as < ic+ly as the pirates fell into their nightti$e re;elry9 which9 the children wo ld learn9 was a daily occ rrence on the La Marta9 : st li+e the s n sal te8 The salty air had grown cooler9 and the children h ddled closer on the ship%s stern8 E st then9 the low str $$ing of a g itar :oined the co$ingling so nds of sea and sailors8 4t was apparent that the pirates9 li+e the children9 preferred the large open dec+ to the confined < arters 7elow8 The ship had t rned into a ;essel of re;elry8 5anging lanterns ill $inated the happy scene8 Captain )ill was la ghing lo dly with the p rple ;ested pirate9 'a rice9 and a gro p of other sailors who sat playing a ga$e of dice on a large wooden spool that had 7een t rned in its side and 7olted to the dec+ to $a+e a ta7le8

The 7lac+ haired9 7lac+ eye 7rothers stood ga/ing o t at the 7lac+ sea8 Their arg $ent fro$ the afternoon long forgotten8 A large gro p of fe$ale sailors had for$ed aro nd the long haired $an playing the g itar8 5is golden c rls fell o;er his eyes9 and he periodically 7r shed the$ away with s+illf l fingers ca sing the gro p of fierce loo+ing wo$en to giggle in a ;ery ncharacteristic $anner8 3arry stood at the hel$9 tall and $a:estic8 5e wore on his face a loo+ of co$plete content$ent9 the e6pression of a $an who +new his p rpose and was glad to 7e doing it8 The only $e$7ers of the crew who were not a7o;e dec+ were the chef and the rest of the +itchen crew8 After a few $o$ents9 howe;er9 the pirate in the apron appeared to anno nce that dinner was ready8 The crowd on the dec+ i$$ediately 7egan to disperse fro$ its s$aller gro ps and $o;e towards the door that led into the ship%s interior8 Captain )ill and the others seated aro nd the spool ended their ga$e of dice8 The $an with the long 7lond loc+s stopped str $$ing his g itar9 which ca sed the gro p of wo$en seated aro nd hi$ to rise and disperse as if released fro$ an enchant$ent8 3arry was not a $an to $iss a $eal9 so he whistled lo dly and 7ec+oned his replace$ent9 the yo ng frec+led pirate who had played the 7 gle d ring the s n sal te8 The yo ng sailor too+ control of the hel$9 and 3arry $ade his way thro gh the e;aporating crowd to the children8 >Co$e on9@ he called with a wide s$ile8 >S pper%s ready8 Bene $a+es darn near a feast when we%re to sea9 and since today%s the first day 7ac+9 4%$ s re she%ll 7e a doosey8@ The children followed 3arry down the cla stropho7ic corridor lined with doors to a low doorway at the end8 3arry stooped to enter8 Stairs led down in either direction8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya descended the left staircase followed closely 7y Corneli s8 At the 7otto$ of the stairs was an ela7orately car;ed door which they passed thro gh into a roo$ $ ch larger than the children had i$agined co ld ha;e 7een acco$$odated on the 7oat8 The ship%s dinning hall was a ;ast9 wood-paneled roo$ decorated with artifacts fro$ Captain )ill%s $any ad;ent res8 A long ta7le of dar+-stained wood spanned al$ost the entire length of the enor$o s roo$8 The wall the doorway in which the children stood had a series of large windows thro gh which the rolling seas o tside co ld 7e seen8 As the children ad$ired the $agnificent dining roo$9 a noise o;erhead ca ght their attention8 S ddenly9 with $ ch scraping and r $7ling9 a large wooden panel in the ceiling 7egan to $o;e8 4t rose to re;eal eight $en lifting the large wooden panel and allowing the $oonlight to strea$ in8 Captain )ill stood 7eside the chair at the head of the ta7le ga/ing p at the stars thro gh the gaping ceiling contentedly8 Then he sat down9 and the other sailors sat as well as if signaled8 The roo$ fell silent8 The children had seated the$sel;es together near 3arry9 and their eyes followed the sailors% stares to Captain )ill%s dar+-feat red face8 5is 7lac+ eyes s r;eyed the people staring at hi$ fro$ aro nd the ta7le8 The loo+ of content$ent had faded fro$ his face8 Finally9 he spo+e8

>After $any $onths9 we are 7ac+ at sea8@ 5e pa sed to allow a $ r$ r of appro;al to ripple aro nd the ta7le8 >4t%s 7een a long ti$e co$ing9 and e;eryone is ;ery happy to 7e sailing again8@ 5e nodded to 3arry who s$iled 7roadly and lightly th $ped the ta7le with his fist8 >5ere9 here9@ he nodded8 The captain contin ed9 >4 7elie;e in deeds9 not words9 so 4Gll +eep this 7rief8 4%$ pro d of yo 9 and 4%$ gratef l for yo r hard wor+8 Betting ready on s ch short notice was no s$all feat8 3et%s : st do o r :o7s and en:oy9 and hopef lly9 this doesn%t end p 7eing a wild goose chase8@ 5e threw a $ rdero s loo+ at Agni9 which ca sed the little 7oy to s< ir$ deep into his seat8 The captain contin ed9 >#ow9 e;eryone9 en:oy the $eal8 Bene and the 7oys ha;e o tdone the$sel;es today8@ 5e raised his glass and dran+ deeply9 and the ta7le er pted into cheering9 appla se9 and $ore toasting8 Soon9 the clan+ing of spoons and plates $i6ed with the con;ersations and filled the large roo$ ntil the so nd spilled o t thro gh the hole in the ceiling and anno nced itself to the stars8 Bene9 the ship%s chef9 really had o tdone hi$self9 and he sat still wearing his apron and s$iling 7roadly at the 7arrage of co$pli$ents he was recei;ing8 The food was delicio s9 and the children were a$a/ed at the ;ariety of dishes that co ld 7e $ade in;ol;ing fish8 Priya was s rprised to see heaps of fresh ;egeta7les and fr its8 She $entioned this to 3arry8 >4 pres $ed fr its and ;egeta7les wo ld 7e rationed since we are to 7e at sea a while8@ 3arry la ghed9 his $o th f ll of 7eans8 5e swallowed and said9 >5e%s a gash-darned geni s9 that Bene8 5e grows all sorts of st ff here on the ship in 7ig old ;ats of dirty water8 S c+s the sea p in these pipes and ta+es the salt o t so$ehow8 4 don%t +now how he $anages it8 5e ses these 7ig $irrors to p t light on Ge$8 4 rec+on he%d show yo if yo as+ed8 5e%s awf l pro d of his garden8 Says it%s the only floating garden on the seas8@ 5e too+ a large 7ite of fish and then went on9 >5e%s got to$ato plants 10 feet tall down there8@ 3arry gest red with his hands to indicate the height of the plants and then 7it into a piece of c c $7er8 5e grinned at the clearly intrig ed princess8 The dining ta7le was en;eloped with a clo d of high-spirited chatter and la gher8 The pirates were eating the delicio s food to the hearts% content8 ) t Agni noticed that Captain )ill ate hardly anything8 5e dran+ deeply fro$ his sil;er $ g9 howe;er9 which he refilled se;eral ti$es8 And tho gh he engaged in con;ersation with those seated aro nd hi$9 Agni noticed the captain was fre< ently distracted 7y his own tho ghts8 )ill wo ld sit staring ;acantly at the wall9 or o t the windows at the 7lac+ sea9 or at the stars thro gh the hole in the ceiling8 S ddenly9 the pirate captain t rned his ga/e to Agni and penetrated the 7oy with his intense 7lac+ eyes8 Agni s< ir$ed8 4t was as if Captain )ill was trying to read his $ind9 and the 7oy wondered wildly if9 in all his tra;els9 the ship%s captain had ac< ired s ch an a7ility8 Agni loo+ed away9 7 t the power of Captain )ill%s 7lac+ eyes p lled the little 7oy 7ac+ ntil the captain hi$self loo+ed away9 and la ghed heartily at a :o+e the p rple-;ested 'a rice had : st told8

Agni too+ a long drin+ of water and wiped the sweat fro$ his 7row8 5e ;owed to a;oid 7eing alone with Captain )ill at all costs8 5e was certain the pirate wo ld try to e6tract the riddle%s sol tion fro$ hi$ gi;en the opport nity8 .inner lasted for a long ti$e8 ) t e;ent ally9 se;eral $e$7ers of the +itchen crew 7egan to clear off the dishes fro$ the long ta7le8 So$e of the pirates disappeared to the dec+8 Fro$ the opening a7o;e their heads9 the children co ld hear that the $an with the long 7lond hair had res $ed his serenading of the fe$ale pirates8 'any sailors re$ained seated at the dining ta7le9 howe;er9 swapping stories9 drin+ing wine9 and soa+ing p the starlight on their first night 7ac+ at sea8 Captain )ill was engaged in a con;ersation with a tall9 wild-haired $an on his right when his powerf l ;oice floated down the ta7le8 >Ces9 that%s a ;ery good < estion indeed8 !hy don%t we as+ o r little g ests : st thatA@ The captain t rned his ga/e fro$ the tall $an to the gro p of children who had 7een9 at that precise $o$ent9 disc ssing heading off to the ca7in to sleep8 >!o ld yo care to share yo r reasons 7ehind this little ad;ent reA@ Their disc ssion ended pon 7eing addressed 7y the ship%s captain9 who had not spo+en to the$ since the night 7efore when he had agreed to ta+e the$ to no $an%s island8 All of the others aro nd the ta7le feell silent as well8 All eyes were on the children awaiting their answer8 4t was the princess who replied at last8 >!e are going to resc e $y father9@ she said with all of the regality of a yo ng princess8 The roo$ had gone silent8 Apparently9 the ship%s crew hadn%t cared prior to this $o$ent the reason 7ehind their ;oyage8 They had $erely 7een happy to once again 7e at sea8 ) t s ddenly9 with the little girl%s si$ple state$ent9 the entire ship was intrig ed9 and Captain )ill%s reaction of leaning forward and fi6ing his ga/e pon the princess only co$po nded the crew%s c riosity8 The corners of the captain%s $o th twitched9 and he s$iled sarcastically8 >Co r fatherA@ he as+ed8 >And what e6actly is yo r father doing on #o 'an%s 4slandA@ Priya re$ained cal$8 >5e%s 7een falsely i$prisoned there 7y his co sin9@ she replied $atter-of-factly8 Captain )ill loo+ed aro nd the ta7le with an incred lo s9 slightly a$ sed9 e6pression8 5e ch c+led as did the other sailors8 Then he said ;ery condescendingly9 >Co ng lady9 #o 'an%s 4sland is a place so feared that not a so l on this ship9 not e;en 49 has 7een there8 4 serio sly do 7t yo r ncle or yo r father is there8@ 5e ch c+led cr elly8 >'ore li+ely9 yo r pod n+ pappa and his 7rother concocted so$e story and ran off together pro7a7ly to escape nagging wi;es and annoying children8@ 5e ga;e Priya a ;icio s9 happy loo+ as if he was certain she was lying8 Then he too+ a long swig fro$ his sil;er tan+ard9 and as he did so9 raised his eye7rows at the girl snidely8 The pirate captain%s co$$ents did not elicit the response he%d hoped for9 howe;er8 The little princess did not get pset8 She replied in her straight-forward te6t7oo+ $anner9 as if

e6plaining the sit ation to so$eone who was slightly incapa7le of nderstanding it8 #ot condescending9 7 t gen inely trying to help the $an co$prehend8 >'y father is Ding Drinio s9@ Priya said e;enly8 The roo$ was < iet9 and a $ r$ r ran aro nd the ta7le8 Captain )ill%s e6pression changed8 5e loo+ed at 3arry who shr gged9 t rned to the little girl at his side and as+ed with a ner;o s la gh9 >Are yo telling the tr th9 lassieA Co r father is the +ingA@ >4 do not lie9@ said Priya serio sly8 >And Drinio s is $y father8@ The roo$ was silent and so was the girl8 )y his wide-eyed e6pression9 it was e;ident 3arry 7elie;ed her tale9 and while Captain )ill was clearly s+eptical9 he re$ained silent9 and Priya ass $ed it was safe to contin e8 >4 do not +now if yo ha;e heard9@ she addressed the entire ta7le now instead of : st 3arry and the captain9 >7 t there has 7een an prising in the capital8 'y ncle 'aridi s9 $y father%s co sin9 ;ery nfairly coerced $y father o t of the throne 7y sing force and threatening the citi/enry8 'y father went along with it9 and he instr cted the ar$y to not atte$pt to inter;ene witho t hi$8 Co see9 he was certain he wo ld 7e a7le to con;ince 'aridi s what he was doing was a 7ad idea9 7 t 'aridi s was n$o;ed 7y reason8 5e 7anished $y father to #o 'an%s 4sland9 and now he is r nning the +ingdo$ into the gro nd trying to i$pose ta6es9 destroying the forests9 and 7ringing in h ge enchanted carriages that $o;e witho t horses and s c+ the color o t of their s rro ndings8@ The pirates aro nd the ta7le sat in st nned silence8 3arry e6changed a +nowing loo+ing with Captain )ill who leaned forward to watch Priya closely as she contin ed8 >So it is < ite no7le what yo are doing 7y going to sa;e $y father8 4n helping s9@ she $ade a sweeping gest re with her hands9 >yo are helping the entire +ingdo$8@ Priya loo+ed aro nd the ta7le at the pirates enco ragingly9 and se;eral s$iled 7ac+ at the idea9 tho gh $any re$ained s+eptical8 The Three )rothers loo+ed at each other8 Standing there with her head held high in front of a roo$f l of pirates9 Priya was a co$$anding fig re9 and the 7oys were < ite pro d of their friend8 )ill eyed the tall girl s spicio sly8 So$ething in her deter$ination a$ sed hi$9 and he s$iled to hi$self8 Finally9 Captain )ill spo+e8 >Then yo $ st 7e Princess PriyaA@ he < estioned8 >That is correct9@ Priya s$iled8 >4t is a pleas re to finally $eet yo officially8 4 apologi/e for not introd cing $yself earlier9 7 t o r pre;io s enco nters ha;e 7een so 7rief8@ The captain forced a s$ile and $otioned with his hands dis$issi;ely8 >And since we%re finally getting aro nd to introd ctions9@ the girl went on9 >these are Agni9 Aryan and Ansh Angre of Village in the Valley8 They are also helping towards finding $y father and 7ringing hi$ ho$e8@ The 7oys s$iled sheepishly8 Captain )ill stared at Priya with a newfo nd respect9 7 t he was ca tio s8 >And how do yo +now that he is on #o 'an%s 4slandA@ he as+ed8 >4 o;erheard 'aridi s tal+ing to Sloane a7o t it9@ she replied disappro;ingly8

Captain )ill was serio s8 >S ch new infor$ation casts a different light on the sit ation9@ he said slowly8 >!hat if 'aridi s has g ards protecting the island against potential resc ersA This is already a dangero s $ission9 considering the inha7itants of #o 'an%s 4sland are +nown to 7e sa;ages8 Perhaps we sho ld renegotiate o r ter$s8@ Priya spo+e with a 7 siness-li+e9 prag$atic tone8 >'aridi s does not ha;e the $anpower for a g ard detail8 4n fact9 he has ;ery little s pport at all9 and he has directed all his efforts into his endless p rs it for $oney8 That is the reason he 7anished $y father to a place he +new wo ld not re< ire g ards8 Anyway9 the two $en who too+ $y father away ha;e ret rned to the castle8@ Captain )ill started to spea+9 7 t Priya interr pted8 >And as for the sa;ages9 they are a $erely a $yth as far as 4 can tell8 There is not a single recorded incident of hostile people on #o 'an%s 4sland8 4n fact9 there is only one written acco nt of contact with the island at all9 and it is o;er 400 years old and inco$plete the writing is illegi7le9 and the paper is da$aged8 Fro$ all 4 can tell9 the idea of sa;ages inha7iting the island is a legend9 a 7edti$e story created 7y people who fear the n+nown8@ Agni watched as the e6pression on Captain )ill%s face changed8 The s+epticis$ $elted9 and Agni +new the pirate was i$pressed with the little girl8 )ill said nothing9 howe;er9 and stared intently at the princess8 Finally9 he said9 >!ell9 we shall see if yo r 7edti$e stories are tr e or not8 1ntil then9@ he gest red aro nd the ta7le at the other sailors and then refilled his c p9 >we are 7ac+ at sea9 and apparently9 we%re heroes8@ 5e shot a glance at Priya who still stood at her seat8 >4 say it%s ti$e to cele7rate8@ The roo$ was instantly once $ore filled with cheering9 la ghter and $ sic8 The children were9 for the ti$e 7eing9 off the hoo+ and free to retire to their cra$ped ca7in8 Agni intended to i$$ediately as+ Priya a7o t the sa;ages9 7 t the children were all so e6ha sted that they < ic+ly fell asleep on the roc+ing wa;es8

Wa"ing %p on &pen Seas


The children wo+e early the ne6t $orning8 The s n had : st co$e p9 and the sea was already reflecting its light8 The entire hori/on t rned the color of hay8 Princess Priya rolled onto her sto$ach on the top$ost 7 n+ and peered o t of the tiny ro nd window8 The shining sea at which she s< inted i$$ediately ro sed her to her senses8 She rolled onto her 7ac+ and sat pright8 She d c+ed to a;oid stri+ing the low ceiling with her head8 !o+en 7y her slight $o;e$ents or perhaps 7y the sheer force for of her e6cite$ent9 the Three )rothers also sat p in their 7eds8 Aryan and Ansh had shared9 and Corneli s had slept at Agni%s feet8 The fo r children sat staring at each other thro gh the golden light8 They were e6cited to 7e once again on the $o;e9 and were filled with positi;ity8

>4t is still diffic lt to 7elie;e we are on a ship 7o nd for #o 'an%s 4sland with Captain )ill9@ said Priya happily8 The splashes of green in the 7l e pools of her eyes flashed with e6cite$ent8 >4 +new it wo ld wor+ o t9@ she was saying8 >4 +new it9 7 t 4 still find it ;ery diffic lt to really co$prehend9@ she gest red to her s rro ndings in a$a/e$ents9 >all of this8@ Aryan had to agree with her8 )efore the . +e arri;ed on their tiny far$9 he ne;er co ld ha;e fatho$ed ta+ing s ch an e6tre$e step as getting on a pirate%s ship8 ) t e;er since creeping o t in the $iddle of the night9 anything had 7een possi7le8 Aryan%s heart san+ slightly as he recalled that night8 5e g iltily i$agined his $other9 r 77ing her pregnant sto$ach and sitting in the roc+ing chair wondering where her 7oys co ld 7e8 All the e6cite$ent of their ad;ent re had p shed the tho ght of his parents fro$ his $ind9 7 t in that $o$ent9 the reason 7ehind their grand ad;ent re and its serio sness ret rned to hi$9 and the happiness drained fro$ the golden $o$ent8 5e watched sadly as Agni said9 >4 can%t 7elie;e how yo stood p to Captain )ill last night8@ Recalling the princess%s 7eha;ior the pre;io s e;ening9 Aryan steeled hi$self8 5e co ld 7e 7ra;e li+e her as well8 >Ceah9@ said Ansh enth siastically8 5e was clearly i$pressed8 >Co were aweso$e?@ >.efinitely9@ said Aryan with a s$ile8 =;en Corneli s agreed 7y n //ling her foot with his nose8 >Than+s9@ 7l shed Priya8 >There is so$ething 4 wanted to as+ yo 9 tho gh9@ said Agni8 >Co +now what Captain )ill said a7o t there 7eing sa;ages on #o 'an%s 4slandA@ Priya nodded8 >!ell9 4 was thin+ing9 and 4 re$e$7ered that o r friend9 Cecil9 told s a story a7o t an island that spits fire in the air8 4t is s pposed to 7e so far off that hardly no one co ld s r;i;e the :o rney8 And the people l c+y eno gh to $a+e it9 get eaten 7y the sa;age people that li;e there8@ Agni loo+ed at Priya who did not co$fort hi$8 >4 7elie;e he called it #o 'an%s 4sland8@ >Ces9 that is one ;ariant of the legends that e6ist a7o t the island8 'ost of the$ are pretty si$ilar8@ The 7oys e6changed frightened glances8 >) t do not worry9@ said Priya < ic+ly8 >3i+e 4 said last night9 they are : st stories8 There is no e;idence to 7ac+ the$ p8@ >2f co rse9@ said Agni trying to so nd nonchalant9 7 t he co ld not help 7 t as+9 >7 t how do yo +now they are : st legendsA@ >!ell9 said Priya9 >after 4 fo nd o t where 'aridi s had ta+en $y father9 4 sn c+ into the 1ni;ersity 3i7rary and read e;erything 4 co ld find a7o t #o 'an%s 4sland9 which

ad$ittedly is not ;ery $ ch8@ She pic+ed p her can;as 7ag and 7egan searching thro gh it8 >4 fo nd two acade$ic articles in the official Chancell7erry records9 and only one $entions the island e6plicitly8@ She p lled o t a yellowed piece of parch$ent8 >According to the historical record9 a7o t 3"0 years ago9 an ad;ent rer na$ed 5orace 'ar< ee had o7ser;ed the weather and wind patterns o;er the A< icean Sea and ded ced there $ st 7e a large island9 or possi7ly e;en a series of islands9 an indefinite distance fro$ the coast8 5e and his crew set o t in search of it9 7 t they ne;er ret rned8 Se;eral years later9 a letter in a 7ottle washed p on the shore of a s$all 7each o tside of Tortoise Co;e8 !ater had lea+ed inside the 7ottle and ca sed the in+ to r n9 so the letter was illegi7le in parts8 The signat re9 howe;er9 was clear8@ Priya placed the yellowed parch$ent 7efore the Three )rothers8 At the 7otto$ was the signat re9 5orace 'ar< ee9 as clear as day9 7 t $ ch of the rest of the te6t was o7sc red8 At the top it readJ #oKonly half of an 2 ;isi7leL$a %s 4sland >H:o rney las88ed KlastedL $ ch longerH8 e6pected8 .angero s seasH 'any shipsH wrec+age8 1pon arri;H pl $es s$o+eH ra co s th $pingH indigeno s peopleH8 Hhot waterH stea$H H8ne;er lea;eH Co rs9 5orace 'ar< ee >That is itA@ as+ed Agni9 and all three 7oys loo+ed p fro$ the letter8 >That is all9@ replied Priya8 >And fro$ this one letter9 all the legends ha;e originated8 #o one has e;er wanted to go in search of it9 and 4 read an article in which two scholars ha;e called in to < estion the island%s ;ery e6istence8 They say the letter is not eno gh to pro;e anything9 and the weather patterns are inconcl si;e8 ) t there has to 7e an island o t there8 4 $ean9 3ance and Sa$ too+ $y father so$ewhere9@ she said with deter$ination8 The Three )rothers tho ght Priya%s e6planation so nded reasona7le9 7 t they were not entirely con;inced8 Agni was con;inced that Priya was not s re either9 7 t he said nothing8 5e co ld not 7ring hi$self to disr pt her $ood with f rther concerns8 5e as+ed instead9 >5ow long do yo fig re it will 7e 7efore we get there8@ >A wee+ pro7a7ly8 Sa$ and 3ance were gone two when they too+ $y father away8@ >Two wee+s8 That is a long ti$e9@ said Agni loo+ing at his 7rothers8

>Ceah9@ agreed Aryan8 >4t s re is9 especially on a ship filled with pirates?@ Ansh shr gged8 >4 a$ s re we will find so$ething to +eep s occ pied8@ Then he added9 >Anyway9 4 a$ h ngry8 Can we go now and see if we can find so$ething to eatA@ The children filed o t of the tiny roo$ still wearing their clothes fro$ the pre;io s day8 Aryan stared down at his dirty attire8 5e gathered the reason for the pirate crew%s tattered clothing and general dirty appearance8 Clean water was scarce8 There were not $any opport nities to 7athe at sea8 Priya followed Agni9 ca ght hi$ 7y the ar$9 and p lled hi$ into a roo$ 7y his ar$8 Agni stared at her8 Their faces were only inches apart8 She was perhaps and inch or two taller he8 The frec+les on her face stood o t pro$inently9 and her e6pression was tense8 >!hat is itA@ he as+ed8 >Two wee+s is a long ti$e9@ she said with concern in her eyes8 >!hat if Captain )ill tries to force yo to tell hi$ the answer to his riddleA@ >4 won%t tell hi$9@ Agni said si$ply8 Priya persisted8 >) t what if he tries to h rt yo A@ Agni considered the girl for a $o$ent8 She was worried a7o t his safety9 and that $ade hi$ ;ery happy8 5e s ppressed his s$ile8 >4 +now the i$portance of this trip8 !e $ st reach yo r father8 Regardless of what happens9 4 will not tell Captain )ill anything8 The answer to his riddle is the only le;erage we ha;e8@ Priya%s loo+ed at Agni with ad$iration8 Seeing she was i$pressed and feeling rather pro d of hi$self9 Agni said9 >Co$e on9@ and led the little princess o t of the ca7in in search of 7rea+fast8 4t was early $orning9 7 t the crew of the La Marta was hard at wor+ p lling long coils of rope9 patching holes in the spare can;as sails9 and $opping the ship%s enor$o s wooden dec+8 The < arrelling 7rothers were once again arg ing as they sat cleaning the firing $echanis$ on one of the se;eral cannons on the dec+8 The intensity of their arg $ent $ade Priya ner;o s9 partic larly since 7oth $en had hea;y artillery in their hands8 The children passed 7y the$ < ic+ly and heard one 7rother say to the other9 >Ces9 that song was ;ery good9 7 t 3 cinda sang $any great songs8 Richelle only sang one or two that stood the test of ti$e8@ The other 7rother interr pted 7y saying9 >2ne or two stro+es of geni s8 Richelle is clearly the 7etter singer8 5er songs were $ ch 7etter than 3 cinda%s8@ And on it went8

Priya tho ght it odd that the two 7rothers were fighting o;er s ch a tri;ial $atter9 7 t arg ing see$ed to 7e the only way they +new how to co$$ nicate with each other9 which str c+ her as strange and slightly sad8 Priya heard 3arry%s distincti;e whistles and then noticed hi$ standing ne6t to the 7rea+fast spread atop the wooden spool8 She < ic+ly ca ght his eye8 >'orning9@ he sho ted8 >Bood $orning9@ Priya called8 3arry s$iled widely and wa;ed the children o;er with his large hand8 5e was $ nching on a green apple and la ghing with a gro p of other pirates8 Priya s$iled ner;o sly at the pirates standing ne6t to 3arry9 and s rprisingly9 they s$iled 7ac+ in;itingly8 A tall fe$ale pirate with long 7rown hair greeted the$ with a war$9 >5ello9@ which she said in an odd $elodic intonation8 The children were happy8 Perhaps the trip wo ld not 7e so 7ad after all8 3arry offered the children so$e war$ 7read and a large ch n+ of 7 tter as the other pirates eyed the$ c rio sly8 Finally9 a stoc+y $an with a st 77ly 7eard as+ed9 >So how are yo +ids li+ing old MartaA@ >2h9 it%s ;ery nice9@ said Priya politely8 >Ceah9 it%s lo;ely9@ said Agni8 >Ceah9 she is a 7ea te9@ the 7earded $an agreed8 >4 re$e$7er the first ti$e 4 set sail : st li+e it was yesterday8 Breatest day of $y life8@ >4t%s hardly the sa$e thing9 Ashley9@ the lady pirate said in her n s al accent8 >These +ids are : st along for the ride8 5ell9 that one there gets seasic+8@ She pointed to Aryan who 7l shed and loo+ed at his feet8 >!e really are en:oying o rsel;es9 tho gh9@ Agni p t in8 >All of this is so new for s and ;ery e6citing9 so it is ta+ing so$e ti$e to get co$forta7le8 ) t we really are ha;ing a good ti$e8@ 5e loo+ed aro nd to the other children who nodded in agree$ent8 Corneli s chi$ed in with a happy 7ar+ as he chewed so$e 7acon 3arry had gi;en hi$8 The tall wo$an s$iled 7roadly at Agni9 then 7ent down so her face was < ite close to his8 She had large 7rown eyes8 >!ell9 4 a$ glad yo %re all ha;ing a good ti$e9 little $an8 Co $a+e s re to let $e +now if yo need anything8@ She pinched his chee+ lightly and stood8 Agni fl shed deeply9 and the sailors aro nd the 7arrel ch c+led8

>!ell9 4 gotta get to wor+9 fellas8@ And witho t a f rther word9 she set off across the dec+ to a large rope net which she pro$ptly scaled8 >3arry9 do yo $ind if 4 go with yo todayA@ Ansh as+ed staring p at the tall $an8 >4 wo ld li+e to see what yo do8@ The 7oy%s large eyes were co$pelling9 and 3arry fo nd the$ diffic lt to resist8 >!ell9 of co rse yo can co$e9 little fella9@ he said9 clapping an enor$o s hand on the 7oy%s thin sho lders8 3arry g lped the last of the coffee in his $ g9 po red hi$self so$e $ore9 and then said9 >!ell9 let%s go8@ Then the littlest 7rother set off with the giant $an towards the ship%s hel$8 The other pirates aro nd the 7rea+fast 7arrel dispersed as well to go a7o t their daily tas+s and left Agni9 Aryan and Princess Priya alone to conte$plate the ship%s new9 opti$istic at$osphere8 >=;eryone see$s $ ch nicer this $orning9@ said Aryan ta+ing a 7it of 7anana8 >Ces9 that is tr e9@ Priya agreed8 Agni gra77ed an orange9 and the trio $ade their way to the ship%s stern8 >4 7et yo standing p to the captain last night has the$ i$pressed9@ he said9 ca sing Priya to s$ile8 Agni%s hypothesis pro;ed to 7e correct8 The at$osphere on the ship had changed8 The pirates see$ed less hostile towards the children8 Captain )ill was in his s al place at the hel$9 and he contin ed to cast < estioning glances 7ehind hi$ at the children8 'eanwhile9 Ansh and Corneli s were shadowing 3arry and learning a7o t +not-tying and wind speeds8 3arry was a good sailor and was eager to share his +nowledge8 >4 got fi;e +ids of $y own9 yo +now9@ he told Ansh as they were e6a$ining the e$ergency oar ports8 >) t none of the$ are interested in sailing8@ 5e shoo+ his head8 >4t%s a sha$e9 really9 7 t what are yo gonna doA@ The day rolled 7y la/ily8 Agni and Aryan spent the $a:ority of the day sitting at their place on the stern and playing Figgery8 Priya lo nged in the s n reading and writing in her :o rnal8 Ansh and Corneli s followed a ;ery :olly 3arry8 )efore the children +new it9 the heat of the day soon faded into e;ening9 and the setting of the s n signaled the daily rit al of the s n sal te and the 7eginning of the night%s re;elry8 The children $ade their way 7elow dec+ to the dining roo$ for s pper8 They entered the roo$ and tried to 7e as discrete as possi7le9 7 t Captain )ill%s eyes were pon the$8 !hen they too+ their seats far down the ta7le on the right side9 the captain stood8 >Children9 please9@ he said lo dly9 and the roo$ went silent8 >These seats are far 7etter s ited for g ests of yo r stat re8@ 5e $otioned to the fo r chairs ne6t to hi$ at the head of the ta7le8

The children loo+ed at each other9 and Priya said politely9 >Than+ yo 9 captain9 7 t these seats are $ore than ade< ate8@ )ill s$iled8 >#o9 4 insist8 Co children are o r g ests9 and yo 9 $y dear9 are royalty8 5ad we +nown this fro$ the onset of o r :o rney9 we co ld ha;e arranged acco$$odations $ore 7efitting a princess8@ 5e patted the e$pty9 high-7ac+ed chair 7eside hi$9 and the children rel ctantly pop lated the e$pty seats8 The captain%s cordial 7eha;ior was conf sing9 especially when co$pared to the ferocity with which he had interrogated Priya the night 7efore8 4n fact9 his entire de$eanor had changed8 As the children $ade their way rel ctantly to the head of the ta7le9 they noticed that the captain no longer slo ched as if po red into his chair9 and his for$erly red and watery eyes were clearer8 For the $a:ority of the $eal9 the captain was engaged in deep con;ersation with 3arry9 7 t he did periodically t rn his attention to the children to en< ire a7o t their satisfaction with the food or their lodging8 =ach ti$e9 he addressed Priya as >Princess8@ The children noticed9 too9 that the captain%s speech was no longer sl rred9 and he was drin+ing water9 not wine or r $ with his $eal8 After his con;ersation with 3arry ended9 Captain )ill e6c sed hi$self9 7owed slightly to Princess Priya9 and e6ited8 The crew was s rprised8 Captain )ill was nor$ally one of the last to lea;e the dinner ta7le8 5e often preferred to play dice or cards and ha;e a few drin+s downstairs 7efore ret rning to the dec+8 >!here is he gongA@ Priya as+ed 3arry8 >5e said he was a-goin% to chec+ the sea te$perat re8 5e rec+ons he can fig re o t a co rse to #o 'an%s 4sland sin% the wind patterns and water te$perat res8 5e wants to chart the stars for a few days9 p t it on a $ap9 since we%re not co$pletely s re where we%re goin%8@ 3arry9 stretched9 patted his e6pansi;e sto$ach and said9 >4%$ gonna go gi;e hi$ a hand8 Co can co$e along and see if yo li+e8 E st let $e finish $y dessert first8@ 5e $otioned to his plate heaped with pie and ca+e8 Priya was interested8 >That is interesting8 4 ha;e read a7o t astrono$y as a $eans of na;igation9 7 t to 7e honest9 4 find it diffic lt to nderstand8@ 3arry s$iled thro gh a $o thf l of le$on $ering e9 >!ell9 4%d lo;e to show yo 9 little $issy9 7 t 4 can%t say 4 really nderstand it $yself8 ) t )ill does9 that%s for s re8 5e%s a great sailor8@ 5e leaned forward and added softly9 >!hen he%s so7er9@ with a sad s$ile and a 7it of a ch c+le8 5is s$ile faded9 and he tho ght a $o$ent and said with an e$phatic wa;e of his for+9 >So$ething a7o t yo has s re so7ered hi$ p8@ The children e6changed serio s glances9 and 3arry went 7ac+ to his pie8 Finished9 the large $an rose8 5e drained the last swig fro$ his coffee $ g9 nodded to the children9 and then departed for the dec+8

The children rose and left with 3arry8 They parted ways at the door to their tiny ca7in8 Ansh9 who%d had a long day shadowing 3arry9 fell asleep al$ost i$$ediately with Corneli s c rled in his ar$s8 Aryan occ pied the other 7otto$ 7 n+8 Priya crawled to the top 7ed9 and Agni stood staring o t the s$all window at the 7lac+ sea8 Aryan sang a rhy$e his $other told the$ at 7edti$e9 and soon9 he too had drifted to sleep8 Priya was restless8 She rolled on to her side and said9 >AgniA@ Agni t rned to face her8 >CesA@ Priya propped her head on her hand and stared at the 7oy8 She see$ed lost for words and lost in tho ght8 5er eyes foc sed o;er the 7oy%s sho lder8 After a period of ti$e long eno gh for Agni to consider9 7riefly9 that the little girl $ay ha;e fallen asleep with her eyes open9 she spo+e8 >4 ha;e do 7ts8@ She fi6ed her analytic eyes pon hi$8 5e co ld see in the deep a< a pools that she was asha$ed to ad$it her wea+ness to hi$9 so he i$$ediately reass red her8 >4t is nor$al9@ he said9 >to ha;e do 7ts8@ The princess loo+ed a little relie;ed9 7 t she persisted8 >4 +now9@ she said9 >7 t what if o r do 7ts t rn o t to 7e tr eA@ She pa sed a $o$ent then said despondently9 >!hat if 4 ha;e gotten s all into so$e terri7le sit ation for nothingA !hat if we ne;er find $y father9 or Captain )ill throws s o;er7oardA !hat if there are sa;ages on #o 'an%s 4slandA !hat if we find $y father and get all the way 7ac+ to Chancell7erry City9 7 t he is not a7le to stop 'aridi sA@ She loo+ed at Agni sadly8 >!hat if 4 ha;e dr g yo and yo r 7rothers along with $e on so$e $ad9 doo$ed :o rneyA@ 5er s al loo+ of selfass rance was gone8 Agni did not ha;e an answer to her < estions8 They were silent a long $o$ent9 and then Priya let o t a long sigh9 rolled onto her 7ac+ and stared at the wooden panels on the low ceiling8 Agni stared at the o tline of her lo;ely nose8 5er tho ghts see$ed to fill the < iet ca7in8 Agni co ld not 7ear seeing her so sad8 5e wanted to reass re her9 tell her e;erything wo ld wor+ o t9 7 t he co ld not8 Finally9 he said9 >'y $other says9 GThe f t re is not yet written on the page of ti$e8%@ Priya t rned to loo+ at hi$8 5e went on9 >So we can ne;er really +now what is going to happen8 All we can do is $a+e the decisions we feel are right now and hope for the 7est9 hope we $a+e the right decisions8@ The princess considered this8 >Co r $other so nds li+e a wise lady8 4 wo ld li+e to $eet her one day8@ Agni loo+ed at her intently8 They were 7oth < iet for a long ti$e8 >4 +now yo are scared9@ he said after a while9 >and that is fine8 !e are all a scared8 3oo+ at s8@ 5e gest red aro nd the tiny ca7in and s$iled8 >!e are on a pirate ship on the way to an island that $ay or $ay not 7e inha7ited 7y sa;ages8 5onestly9 4 a$ s rprised Aryan has not yet tried to throw hi$self o;er7oard8@ The princess la ghed slightly9 and Agni contin ed8 >) t we $ st +eep going8 !e cannot gi;e o r fears i$portance8@ They were silent for a long ti$e8 Priya rolled onto her 7ac+ once $ore and stared at the ceiling9 and

Agni watched her8 The so nds of Aryan9 Ansh and Corneli s%s nightti$e 7reathing filled the s$all ca7in8 At last9 the princess spo+e8 >Co are pretty s$art8@ She so nded confident again8 >For a 7oy8@ She la ghed then rolled on her side to s$ile at Agni8 >Than+ yo 9@ Agni s$iled8 5e lay down ne6t to Ansh and t rned off the light9 and 7efore long9 7oth children had drifted to sleep8

A Pirates 'ife
4n the following days9 Priya de$onstrated she had o;erco$e her fears9 and her typical confidence ret rned8 The ship%s crew grew happier each day9 and it appeared as if Captain )ill%s co rteo s 7eha;ior was per$anent8 The children 7eca$e $ore acc sto$ed to life at sea8 Ansh spent a large portion of each day following 3arry aro nd and learning the intricacies of sailing8 3arry regaled hi$ with stories of sea 7attles and war tactics9 which Ansh thoro ghly en:oyed8 Aryan was partial to 3arry too9 e;en tho gh he teased hi$ terri7ly8 And the :olly $an en:oyed entertaining the children with tales of the far-off lands he had ;isited as well as stories of his fi;e children 7ac+ ho$e and his tiny9 fire-haired wife9 Alice9 who +ept the$ all in line d ring his long a7sences8 Captain )ill see$ed increasingly foc sed9 and tho gh he was not o;ertly +ind to the children9 he was co rteo s and contin ed the tradition of gi;ing the Three )rothers and the little Princess the seats of honor each night8 2ne night after s pper9 the children ret rned to the dec+ along with the rest of the crew instead of retiring to their ca7in8 The ship was the epito$e of a party8 2nly a few crew $e$7ers were still at their chores9 the loo+o t and the yo ng s+ipper a$ong the$8 The rest of the ships% pop lation was drin+ing9 or :o+ing9 or engaged in ;ery serio s disc ssion8 Bro ps sat at cards and dice8 3arry noticed the children and called the$ o;er to the giant ta7le at which he sat with a large gro p8 5e then proceeded to teach the children a ga$e sing a car;ed wooden fra$e9 sea shells and 7eans8 The children noticed Captain )ill seated on the large platfor$ at the hel$8 5e was lying on his 7ac+ and staring at the stars and referring to se;eral large charts8 5e wo ld periodically sit p9 $a+e notations on the large scrolls9 and then throw hi$self 7ac+ down on the wooden dec+ to stare once $ore at the hea;ens8 Aryan9 too9 stared at the s+y8 The $oon was a tiny sli;er9 and the stars shone li+e 7eacons of light fro$ the a7yss8 4t occ rred to hi$ how sad and lonely the stars see$ed9 adrift on the 7lac+ ocean of night8 =;ery day after9 the children $ade a ha7it of going a7o;e dec+ 7efore sleeping9 and since none of the pirates were inclined to enforce a 7edti$e9 they often stayed p < ite late8

2ne night9 the long-haired g itarist played a sweet9 sad t ne that stirred Priya%s so l9 and after that9 she fre< ented the hare$ of wo$en s rro nding hi$8 =;ery night9 Captain )ill co ld 7e seen staring at the stars9 cons lting his charts9 and scri77ling fer;ently8 2ne e;ening d ring dinner9 the captain as+ed the children how their day had 7een9 as he had $ade it a ha7it of doing8 They all replied < ite politely that it had 7een pleasant8 >4 noticed yo ha;e 7een wooed 7y the $ sical talents of Ada$9 yo ng Princess9@ the captain said9 ca sing Priya to 7l sh deeply8 Aryan and Ansh giggled while Agni stared fro$ Priya to the g itar playing pirate seated down the ta7le8 Priya nodded8 >Ces9 he is ;ery talented8@ Then she added9 >4 lo;e $ sic8 4 play the piano $yself8 4 wo ld ;ery $ ch li+e to learn the g itar8@ >!ell9 4%$ s re he co ld show yo 8@ Captain )ill raised his eye7rows to Ada$ who shoo+ his head with a s$ile8 >4 as+ed hi$9@ said Priya8 She was 7l shing again8 >) t he declined8@ >.id he nowA@ as+ed Captain )ill8 5e glanced at Ada$ who shr gged8 >That was not at all hospita7le of yo 8 After all9 she is a princess8@ !itho t another word9 the captain rose and left the roo$8 =;eryone aro nd the ta7le was speechless awaiting his ret rn8 5e re-entered the dining hall after a $o$ent9 holding a s$all g itar8 5e wal+ed o;er to his seat at the head of the ta7le and handed the instr $ent to the princess8 >Ada$ will teach yo 9 and 4 will $onitor yo r progress8@ Priya fo nd her ;oice long eno gh to say than+ yo 8 Agni watched Captain )ill as he o7ser;ed the little girl ad$iring her gift8 The g itar Priya held was < ite old9 and Agni was re$inded of the story 3o isa had told the$ a7o t Captain )ill%s first sea ;oyage and the stringed instr $ent he had gotten for hi$self8 5e wondered if the pirate still had his first g itar8 Agni watched as Captain )ill 7estowed a rare s$ile pon the girl8 5e had e;idently ta+en a li+ing to her and was not9 as the children had pre;io sly s spected9 si$ply 7eing co rteo s 7eca se of her royal lineage8 2;er the days that followed9 the crew%s $orale grew as a res lt of )ill%s increased de$onstrations of efficiency as captain8 The pirates co ld 7e heard glowingly singing his praises8 >5e%s 7ac+ to his old self again9@ was a co$$on refrain on the dec+ of the La Marta8 And it was tr e that the captain%s 7eha;ior had changed drastically since the 7eginning of their ;oyage8 4n addition to his nightly o7ser;ations of the stars and water te$perat res9 )ill co ld 7e seen engaging in a ;ariety of daily tas+s aro nd the ship8 5e fre< ently inspected rigging lines and sailcloth9 and spent se;eral ho rs each day

repairing fa lty cannons8 5e was no longer the irrita7le9 constantly into6icated $an the children had $et the first night in The Salty .og8 5e was now an intelligent9 al7eit if slightly reser;ed9 co$$anding officer that The 'other had descri7ed to the$ in the !ater Forest8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya co ld now see why the crew of the La Marta respected their captain so $ ch8 Captain )ill%s 7eha;ior i$pro;ed9 7 t Priya%s g itar lessons did not fare < ite as well8 She had 7een playing piano since she was three9 7 t Ada$%s style of teaching left her 7affled8 2ne afternoon9 she told Agni9 >4 cannot $a+e heads or tails of what he tells $e8 5e says things li+e9 GE st feel the ;i7e8%@ She loo+ed a little e6asperated8 >5e does not show $e how to hold $y hands or which strings to press8 4 a$ finding it ;ery fr strating8@ That e;ening o;er dinner9 Captain )ill as+ed Priya how she was progressing with her lessons8 >To 7e honest9 sir9@ the princess ad$itted9 >4 a$ finding it a 7it diffic lt8@ >2h9 indeedA@ Captain )ill raised his eye7rows8 She loo+ed sideways down the ta7le at Ada$ and as+ed9 >!ell9 what see$s to 7e the pro7le$A@ #ot wanting to ad$it to Ada$%s failings as an instr ctor9 Priya de$ rred9 >The g itar is a ;ery different instr $ent fro$ the piano8 4 a$ sed to reading the $ sic while 4 play8 4t will ta+e so$e ti$e9 4 s ppose9 to grow acc sto$ed to a $ore i$pro;isational style of playing8@ The captain s$iled to hi$self and then as+ed Ada$9 >!hat do yo thin+A 4s she not practicing eno ghA@ The pirate who was leaning 7ac+ in his chair sat p when addressed 7y the captain8 >!ell9 that%s not it9 )ill8@ 5e shr gged8 >4 don%t +now8 She%s : st not getting it8@ 5e p shed his 7londe c rls 7ehind his ears8 Captain )ill s$iled again8 >!ell9 certainly she is a 7right girl8 Perhaps a change of instr ctional $ethod wo ld 7e 7eneficial8@ 5e t rned to Priya8 >4 will teach yo 8 Starting to$orrow9 we shall $eet on dec+ at noon and cond ct lessons in $y < arters for one ho r8@ 3ater that night in the cla stropho7ic ca7in9 Priya e6pressed her rel ctance to attend her newly $andated g itar lessons8 >5e $ay $ean well9@ said Priya9 >7 t 4 do not +now how $ ch 4 relish the idea of hi$ gi;ing $e lessons8@ She tho ght for a $o$ent as Agni9 Aryan an Ansh sat listening8 >4 g ess his 7eha;ior has i$pro;ed lately8@ The Three )rothers nodded in agree$ent8 >'ay7e he is : st trying to 7e nice9@ she said at last with a shr g8

The ne6t day9 Priya $et Captain )ill at e6actly noon where the captain was handing o;er control of the ship%s large wooden wheel to 3arry8 The Three )rothers watched the tall $an gi;e the princess a s$all sal te and heard his 7oo$ing ;oice carry across the dec+8 >Co ready for yo r g itar lessons9 little ladyA@ 3arry grinned Priya s$iled8 >4 s ppose so9@ she said and raised the s$all stringed instr $ent for 3arry to see8 Captain )ill than+ed 3arry and then t rned to Priya and said9 >Co$e along then9@ and led her down the steps to the $ain dec+9 thro gh the door9 and into the ship%s nder7elly8 Priya followed Captain )ill wordlessly down the paneled corridor lined with tiny ca7ins and thro gh the low doorway that led to the dining roo$8 ) t instead of ta+ing the left stairwell as Priya had done each night for s pper9 )ill led the girl down the right-hand staircase8 An ornately car;ed door at the 7otto$ opened to a short and spacio s corridor8 )ill $otioned to a door on the left8 >That ta+es yo to the +itchen and Bene%s hydroponic gardens8@ At the end of the corridor were three large doors9 one on the left and right9 and one at the end8 >These are the officers% < arters9@ the captain e6plained as he p lled a chain with +eys on its end fro$ his poc+et and nloc+ed the door directly in front of the$8 Priya entered the captain%s < arters thro gh the ela7orate wooden doorway and was i$$ediately ta+en a7ac+8 The roo$ was i$$ac lately clean and filled with 7ea tif l9 e6otic-loo+ing artifacts8 A large wooden des+ and leather chair stood 7y a gilded stainedglass window on the left$ost side of the roo$8 The colored glass stretched fro$ floor to ceiling and cast pools of rain7ow light aro nd the roo$8 )ehind the des+ on the dar+ wooden panels h ng a collection of $aps and charts8 Blass-fronted c p7oards were filled with strange-loo+ing instr $ents and a ;ariety of weaponry g ns9 +ni;es9 swords9 $etal 7alls with spi+es attached to long chairs9 $etal-plated glo;es8 An e;en larger c p7oard ho sed an i$$ense a$o nt of 7ottles filled with ;arying colored li< ids8 There were doors on the 7ac+ and right-hand walls8 Priya g essed they $ st lead to the captain%s sleeping < arters since she saw no 7ed in the large roo$8 The entire wall ad:acent to the entry door was co$prised of shel;es which were filled with 7oo+s9 and on the opposite wall9 a large assort$ent of $ sical instr $ents were h ng8 )ill offered Priya a c shioned di;an and seated hi$self on a 7rass stool8 5e pic+ed p a large 7lac+ g itar8 Tiny sil;er s+ lls were i$7edded in its nec+8 >Shall we 7egin9 thenA@ he as+ed and 7egan playing8 Priya was i$$ediately i$pressed 7y his s+ill8 5e was easily as good as Ada$8 The song he played was dar+ and $oody8 Captain )ill closed his eyes9 and he $o;ed his feet to the $ sic8

!hen the song concl ded9 the captain opened his dar+ eyes and s$iled rather sadly at the girl8 >4t will ta+e a while 7efore yo will 7e a7le to play so$ething li+e that9 7 t with practice9 yo will 7e a7le to8 4 : st needed to stretch $y fingers a 7it8 They get a little r sty8 4 ha;en%t played in a while8@ )ill p lled se;eral yellowing note7oo+s fro$ a drawer in the wall8 5e opened one and said9 >!e will start yo o t with so$ething si$ple8@ The pirate captain proceeded to teach Priya how to str $ the g itar and how to press down certain strings to $a+e the so nds of each chord8 >=ach co$7ination of strings gets a na$e9 a chord8 Co can play indi;id al notes as well8@ >3i+e the piano9@ Priya o7ser;ed8 >Right9@ said )ill8 >!e will learn a few si$ple ones first8@ )y the end of the ho r9 Priya had $astered the three chords sed in the song she was learning8 !hen the large wooden cloc+ on the wall chi$ed one o%cloc+9 )ill rose8 >That is all for today8 Co learn < ic+ly8 Practice today9 and we shall $eet again to$orrow8@ 5e p t the little 7 ndle of 7oo+s 7ac+ in the drawer and shered Priya fro$ the roo$8 The following days flew 7y with Priya disappearing at noon for her g itar lessons9 and Ansh tailing 3arry for the 7etter part of the $orning8 Agni con;inced Aryan they sho ld se the ti$e to practicing their sea 7attles in case they did ha;e to fight with sa;ages pon reaching #o 'an%s 4sland9 and so the two 7oys were often seen swinging fro$ the rigging with $a+eshift swords in hand8 )y afternoon9 the fo r friends wo ld recon;ene to swap stories9 and each night after dinner9 they :oined in the nightti$e e;ents on the dec+ of the La Marta. After a wee+ and a half of daily lessons9 Captain )ill told Priya she was progressing well9 far 7eyond his e6pectations for her8 >Co don%t really need an instr ctor8 Co can learn on yo r own9@ he said at the end of one lesson and handed her one of the s$all note7oo+s fro$ the wall drawer8 Priya than+ed the captain for his gift9 and pon f rther e6a$ination of the 7oo+%s yellowed pages9 she noticed the dates were nearly 20 years old8 Captain )ill $ade another anno nce$ent that day i$$ediately after the s n sal te8 5e t rned to face the crew9 7 t did not raise a cele7ratory glass8 5e raised his hand instead9 and the dec+ stood in anticipation8 >4 ha;e calc lated o r pro6i$ity to #o 'an%s 4sland9 and we sho ld 7e arri;ing in two or three days8 .espite the good faith of o r estee$ed g ests regarding the nat re of the island%s inha7itants9@ he nodded respectf lly in Priya%s direction9 >4 feel it is pr dent we proceed towards o r destination with ca tion8 !e do not +now the nat re of this land%s

people9 and we do not want to 7e ca ght nawares8 Re$e$7er9 we are on a $ission to sa;e o r +ing9 o r +ingdo$9 and o r co ntry$en8 !e cannot fail8@ The crew cheered in nison9 and Captain )ill s$iled8 >4 li+e yo r enth sias$8 !e need to do 7le the loo+o t going forward9 and 4 need ;ol nteers to 7e on dec+ at night8@ >!e%re with yo 9 captain9@ sho ted one pirate8 The crowed roared in agree$ent8 >Bood8 #ow9 Eerry will 7e ta+ing care of sched ling8@ 5e $otioned to the yo ng pirate at the hel$8 >5e%s got a roster8 P t yo r na$es on it8@ Then he added9 >Than+ yo 9@ and hopped off the ship%s railing onto the dec+8 The children e6changed glances8 >!e%re getting closer?@ Priya e6clai$ed8 The Three )rothers agreed8 Rel ctant to da$pen the princess%s e6cite$ent9 Agni restrained hi$self fro$ e6pressing his concern a7o t the potential dangers of #o 'an%s 4sland8 That night when the children too+ to the dec+ after dinner9 the at$osphere had changed significantly8 The gro ps of la ghing and sho ting pirates were gone and had 7een replaced 7y pairs and trios of ro;ing sentries carrying swords9 spears and $ s+ets8 3arry was at the hel$ instead of Eerry9 and he spotted the children8 5e i$$ediately handed o;er control of the ship to a near7y loo+o t and ran o;er to where the three 7oys and little girl stood8 >Co children sho ldn%t 7e here9@ 3arry said8 >!hy don%t yo go on down to 7edA@ 5e p shed the$ ro ghly with his large hand thro gh the door 7elow dec+8 The children were st nned and had no option 7 t to ret rn to their tiny ca7in8 After 3arry%s frightening warning9 none of the$ co ld sleep8 At last9 Aryan ;oiced their c $ lati;e concern8 >They s re see$ worried9 don%t theyA@ he as+ed ner;o sly8 >4 was thin+ing the sa$e thing $yself9@ Agni agreed8 Corneli s ga;e an neasy whine9 and Ansh stro+ed his head8 The Three )rothers loo+ed at Princess Priya8 >4 really do thin+ all those stories a7o t sa;ages are : st legend9@ she said9 7 t so nded $ ch less confident than she had the night she stood p to Captain )ill8 The children sat in silence for a long while8 Finally9 Priya p lled the s$all g itar o t of her 7ag and 7egan to play a slow9 sad song8 2ne 7y one9 the 7oys dropped off to sleep to the so nd of her str $$ing8 Priya t rned off the light and p t the g itar 7ac+ in her 7ag8 Then she sat for a long ti$e staring o t the s$all window at the $oon reflecting on the s rface of the 7lac+ sea8 The ne6t $orning9 the children wo+e as they had each day with the dawning of the s n9 7 t when they e$erged onto the dec+9 it rese$7led nothing of the pre;io s $ornings8 The nor$ally ra co s dec+ was < iet8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya ate the re$nants of 7rea+fast and watched the sailors at their silent wor+8

Two pirates h ng fro$ the rigging8 The sails had 7een changed and replaced with s$aller9 7lac+ ones8 E st li+e the night 7efore9 ar$ed pirates ro;ed aro nd the dec+8 4n the crow%s nest9 fo r sailors sat staring into the 7l e sea with long 7rass telescopes8 After they finished their h rried 7rea+fast9 the children ret rned to their s al spot at the 7oat%s stern9 7 t 3arry stopped the$8 >Co o ght not sit p there9@ he called9 r nning at the$8 5is hea;y footsteps were lo d on the wooden dec+8 >Co %ll 7e too ;isi7le8@ Stay down on the dec+ if yo want to 7e p a7o;e8@ 5e said and wa;ed the$ down8 >!e%re $o;ing slower9@ Ansh o7ser;ed9 and 3arry agreed8 >That%s right8 Changed o t the sails this $orning8 These ones are for shallow waters8@ 4t was early afternoon when a ;oice fro$ the crow%s nest c t thro gh the salty air and rang across the dec+8 >Ahead?@ A tall $an sho ted8 Captain )ill too+ o t his telescope and peered thro gh it fro$ 7ehind the ship%s enor$o s wheel8 >Affir$ati;e9@ he called 7ac+ after a few seconds of scanning the hori/on8 5e loo+ed thro gh the telescope once $ore and e6a$ined what9 to the children9 appeared to 7e nothing 7 t 7l e sea for a few $o$ents8 Then he anno nced to the crew8 >4t appears to 7e wrec+age9 so it sho ldn%t pose $ ch of a threat8 ) t we%re set to $o;e right past there9 so 7e alert8@ The children strained their eyes 7 t co ld not see anything in the endless 7l e8 After an ho r or so9 howe;er9 a large 7rown $ast protr ded fro$ the hori/on8 The La Marta approached the downed ship9 and Captain )ill ordered the sails p lled in to slow their progress thro gh the clear 7l e water8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya r shed to the ship%s right side to inspect the wrec+age the$sel;es8 The La Marta glided towards the pile of wood and r sted $etal : tting o t of the sea8 The wood was 7lac+ and co;ered in 7arnacles8 The wrec+age had e;idently 7een there a long ti$e8 Captain )ill t rned the hel$ o;er to 3arry and peered o;er the side railing at the old ship8 Al$ost instantly9 he sho ted9 >Caref l9 3arry9 there%s a shoal here8 !e don%t want to r n agro nd li+e these poor fol+s8@ !ith that9 the captain ret rned to the wheel and ordered the sails to 7e let o t once $ore8 The children stood still staring at the wrec+age9 and 3arry ca$e down to :oin the$8 The tall $an leaned his large fra$e o;er the side of the ship and peered into the ocean8

>That 7oat ran into so$ethingA@ Priya as+ed8 >Ces9@ said 3arry as he straightened8 >There%s a reef down there8 Co can see it if yo loo+8@ 5e lifted Ansh so the 7oy co ld loo+ o;er the side8 >So the sa;ages didn%t crash this 7oatA@ as+ed Aryan ner;o sly8 3arry loo+ed gra;e8 >4t%s hard to say8 Ship co ld%;e crashed on its own9 7 t it%d 7e easy to r n so$eone agro nd here8 =specially if yo were fa$iliar with the waters8@ 3arry loo+ed down at Aryan%s concerned face8 5e said reass ringly9 >5ey9 don%t worry yo rself none8 These scallywags are the 7est crew on the seas9@ he $otioned to the pirates on the dec+8 >#e;er lost a 7attle8 Co %re in good hands8@ 5e patted Aryan%s head lightly and then left the children standing 7y the railing to ret rn to his wor+8 2nly a few $o$ents later9 a second cry fro$ the crow%s nest so nded o;er the dec+8 >Ahead?@ 2nce again9 Captain )ill e6a$ined the 7l e sea with his telescope8 5e dropped the 7rass t 7e to his side and was silent a $o$ent8 >Proceed with ca tion9@ he ordered8 >P ll the sails in8 3et s go in slowly8@ The children stood with their chests pressed against the railing and strained their eyes at the sea8 Slowly9 another 7rown $ass : tting fro$ the water ca$e into ;iew8 As the La Marta neared this second $o nd of wrec+age9 the children co ld see there were se;eral ships gro nded at this spot8 Two h lls st c+ thro gh the s rface of the water8 )oth had r n into the nderwater reef and had s n+ not 300 yards apart8 Captain )ill anno nced9 >4 see another one8@ Then he added9 >This reef see$s to 7e following o r e6act path8 !e $ st 7e ;ery caref l9 especially at night8@ They sailed $ ch slower along the reef8 Periodically9 the La Marta was glide past eerie piles of wrec+age8 The s n sal te that day was 7rief8 Captain )ill had ordered a f ll stop9 saying it was too dangero s to tra;el at night8 The sails were ta+en in and the anchor was dropped8 .inner that night was tense and silent8 The long ta7le see$ed e$pty as $any of the crew were on dec+ $a+ing their ro nds8 The piles of wrec+age had e;eryone on edge9 and the children slept neasily that night8 The ne6t $orning9 the anchor was drawn in9 and the La Marta was 7ac+ on co rse8 Captain )ill too+ the water%s te$perat re9 co$pared it to a large chart9 and anno nced9 >!e%re getting close8 Deep an eye o t8@ 4n half an ho r%s ti$e9 confir$ation of this state$ent arri;ed in the for$ of a 7ird flying o;erhead8 !ith its sighting9 the crew 7eca$e e;en $ore agitated8 The entire crew

stopped and stared8 Ansh noticed Captain )ill%s face while he stared at the passing 7ird9 its white and 7lac+ wings 7eating in the 7right $orning s n8 The captain wore an e6pression of 7oth tri $ph and steely deter$ination8 The ti$e had co$e9 and they had to 7e prepared8 The loo+o t was do 7led8 Fo r additional sailors too+ places at the front9 7ac+ and 7oth sides of the ship9 each fer;ently scanning the hori/on for a gli$pse of land8

No

ans (sland

The first sighting of #o 'an%s 4sland ca$e at noon : st 7efore l nch when the s n was so high in the s+y that the yo ng loo+o t who spotted the $ass of land first tho ght it $ight 7e a $irage created 7y the heat reflecting off the cal$ sea8 Pete9 the thin 7lond pirate positioned in the crow%s nest9 read: sted his telescope8 Again9 he s< inted into its 7rass eyepiece8 #o 'an%s 4sland was f //y at a distance9 and he twirled the +no7 on the long cylinder to 7ring it into sharper foc s8 Then it was clear8 The green $ass of island rose fro$ the 7l e8 4t was ringed in white fro$ the wa;es 7rea+ing8 2$ino s clo ds of white s$o+e rose fro$ of its enor$o s pea+8 Pete did not ta+e his eyes off the distant island as he sho ted9 >3and ho?@ !ith his prono nce$ent9 the entire ship%s attention was on the crow%s nest8 The children followed his ga/e to the hori/on8 Fro$ s ch a distance9 the s$o+e 7illowing fro$ the top of the island 7lended in to the clo ds8 Captain )ill strode towards the ship%s railing9 telescope in hand8 3arry followed close 7ehind8 >!here is she9 PeteyA@ called the captain as he raised his 7rass loo+ing glass to his eye8 >Ten clic+s west of north9 Captain9@ Pete called down8 Pirates all o;er the dec+ were scanning the hori/on with telescopes and hands shading their eyes8 The captain sighted it first8 >Bood wor+9 Pete9@ he sho ted then t rned to face 3arry8 >That $ st 7e it9@ )ill said to the tall $an8 3arry nodded8 >5ow do yo want to proceed9 sirA@ >3et%s go in slow9@ Captain )ill replied8 >!e $ st 7e ca tio s8@ 5e t rned to face the crew8 >To yo r landing stations8 !e%ll slow o r approach and go in at s nset8 !e can o7sc re o r approach with the reflecting light8 3et%s 7ring her in for a closer loo+8 )e on the loo+o t for approaching ;essels8@ The instant the captain had finished iss ing his orders9 the crew sprang into action8 Se;eral pirates positioned the$sel;es once $ore in loo+o t positions while se;eral $ore disappeared 7elow dec+8 Soon a series of scrapes and th $ps 7egan e$anating fro$

7elow the floor7oards8 The children co ld hear the so nds of cannons sliding 7elow dec+ and rolling into place8 So$e of the pirates who had gone 7elow were ret rning carrying ar$loads of $ s+ets and swords which they distri7 ted a$ong the crew8 Degs of g npowder and $ s+et 7alls were ha led p thro gh an opening in the dec+8 The children stood near the large $ast watching the 7eehi;e of acti;ity aro nd the$8 Se;eral pirates were p lling in the flapping sails8 The ship slowed to a creep8 >'y9@ said Priya ner;o sly9 >it is as if we were preparing for 7attle8@ The Three )rothers watched the pirates% preparations an6io sly9 and Corneli s9 dist r7ed 7y the s dden acti;ity9 cowered 7ehind Ansh%s thin legs whi$pering8 3arry strode o;er to the children8 >Co 7est get down 7elow dec+ now8 #o +nowing what%s gonna happen8 )etter safe than sorry8@ )efore Agni9 Aryan or Ansh co ld say a word9 Priya was already telling 3arry9 >!e do not intend pon hiding 7elow dec+8 !e are staying here8@ The little princess wore s ch a deter$ined loo+ on her face that 3arry relented8 >All right9@ he raised his hands9 >yo stay here if yo li+e9 7 t try and +eep o t of the way9 and do not go near the railings8 And if anything 7ad does happen9 get 7elow dec+ fast9@ he added 7efore lea;ing the$8 The La Marta slowly approached #o 'an%s 4sland9 and 7y the ti$e the green dot on the hori/on was ;isi7le to the na+ed eye9 $ ch of the acti;ity on the dec+ had s 7sided8 The pirates stood in position while others loaded rifles and $ s+ets8 Captain )ill stood nwa;eringly at the hel$9 his eyes constantly scanning the hori/on for approaching ships8 The s n san+ farther and farther into the western sea8 The La Marta lined itself p with the 7right gold that shone on the s rface of the ocean8 Captain )ill was pset8 >There%s not a 7it of co;er9@ he co$plained to 3arry8 >#ot a single roc+ a7o;e the s rface of the water8 They%ll see s co$ing for $iles8 !e%ll : st ha;e to co nt on the s n 7linding the$8@ >Perhaps we sho ld consider a night landing9@ s ggested 3arry8 >4 tho ght a7o t that9@ replied )ill9 >7 t if we r n into $ore of that reef9 we%re done for8 This island is well fortified 7y the sea8@ The s n had 7eco$e a giant red or7 dipping low towards the sea when Pete%s ;oice floated down once $ore fro$ the crow%s nest8 >Captain9 4 thin+ yo need to ta+e a loo+ at this fro$ p here8@ Captain )ill ;a lted to the ladder and < ic+ly cli$7ed to the loo+o t%s nest8 5e peered thro gh Pete%s telescope and c rsed lo dly8

>!e%ll 7e sitting d c+s?@ he e6clai$ed8 Then he called to 3arry8 >Co need to ta+e a loo+ at this8@ 3arry ascended to the crow%s nest a considera7le 7it slower than the captain had done9 and loo+ed down at the island8 Aro nd it was a large white sand7ar appro6i$ately 200 feet fro$ the shore9 and there was only one discerna7le gap8 >3oo+s li+e o r point of entry is pre-deter$ined9@ said Captain )ill as 3arry lowered the telescope fro$ his eye9 frowning8 >!hat if we go in on the 7oatsA@ as+ed 3arry8 >They%d 7e harder to spot8@ >Ces9@ agreed Captain )ill9 >7 t they are also slower and can%t hold $ ch8 !e%ll ha;e to go in on Marta9@ he said8 >Fro$ the loo+s of it9 they don%t ha;e anything nearly as fierce as her8 5opef lly9 o r si/e will scare the$ off8@ The s n san+ e;er lower8 Finally9 the captain ordered the approach to #o 'an%s 4sland8 >F ll sails9@ he called9 and the 7lac+ can;as 7illowed and snapped9 roc+eting the ship forward8 >4 will 7e right 7ac+9@ Priya said and darted into the crowd of pirates8 >Priya?@ Agni sho ted after her9 7 t she was gone8 >!here is she goingA@ as+ed Aryan8 Agni and Ansh shoo+ their heads8 The s n was setting fast now9 and Aryan was finding it diffic lt to contain his ner;o sness8 >!hat if there are sa;ages on the islandA@ he as+ed frantically8 Agni considered this8 >!ell9 Captain )ill is pro7a7ly right8 They%ll 7e scared since o r ship is so 7ig8 Anyway9@ he added trying to reass re his 7rother9 >that island doesn%t loo+ that large8 #ot $any people co ld li;e there8 !e $ight o tn $7er the$8@ At that $o$ent9 Priya ret rned9 her tanned chee+s fl shed fro$ sprinting across the dec+8 She was holding a s$all 7rass telescope in her hand8 >4 con;inced 3arry to gi;e $e one9@ she e6plained8 >4 : st want to see what is happening8@ Agni +new 7y the way she was scanning the hori/on that the princess was hoping to do $ore than o7ser;e the action8 She wanted to catch sight of her father8 The ship sailed f ll speed toward the sand-encircled island9 and soon o;er the so nd of the sea 7eing split 7y the fast-$o;ing ship9 another faint so nd was heard8 Aryan was the first to notice9 7 t he said nothing8 The so nd was so faint9 he co ld hardly $a+e it o t and half 7elie;ed it was a fig$ent of his own i$agination 7ro ght on 7y ner;es8 ) t

slowly9 others on the ship 7egan to hear the so nd too9 and finally9 3arry as+ed Captain )ill9 >!hat is that noiseA@ The captain had not noticed the odd rhyth$ic th $ping as all of his attention had 7een foc sed on sailing the fast-$o;ing ;essel8 ) t now9 he coc+ed his head to the wind and listened8 After a $o$ent9 he loo+ed at 3arry and said9 >So nds li+e it co ld 7e war $ sic8 They $ st +now we are co$ing8@ The captain fi6ed his eyes once $ore on the hori/on and sho ted to the crew9 >3oo+ ali;e and 7e alert?@ Priya held the s$all cylinder to her eye and peered at the island8 She co ld clearly see the o tlines of fig res standing at the water%s edge which see$ed to 7e the origin of the rhyth$ic th $ping8 The La Marta reached the edge of the large sand7ar that encircled the island9 and Captain )ill ordered the sails to 7e ta+en in8 They wo ld need to proceed slowly thro gh the narrow gap in the sand8 4t was a tight fit for the large ship8 The telescopes were no longer needed8 =;en in the failing light9 the dar+ fig res co ld 7e seen8 They were standing in the water9 e;enly spaced as if prepared for 7attle8 The dr $$ing grew lo der and lo der as they ca$e closer8 Then s ddenly9 so$ething ca ght Priya%s eye8 A$ong the short dar+ fig res9 a tall9 pale one stood9 +nee-deep in the water8 5is 7lond hair ca ght the last rays of s n8 >Father?@ Priya cried and r shed to the ship%s side wa;ing her ar$s8 She cli$7ed and stood on the railing9 al$ost falling o;er8 >Father?@ she sho ted9 and the tall $an saw her8 The +ing%s :oy was e;ident e;en fro$ the dec+ of the La Marta8 5e wa;ed 7ac+ to his da ghter and 7egan r nning9 +nees high9 thro gh the clear 7l e water8 4t was in that $o$ent9 with the +ing of Chancell7erry r nning into the sea9 that Agni reali/ed the fig res in the water were not an ar$y9 and the dr $$ing was not a war $arch8 They were $ sicians $a+ing $ sic on the water9 and their ;oices floated across the 7ay and $ingled with Priya%s : 7ilant cries8 Priya : $ped p and down in e6cite$ent while the Three )rothers h rriedly e6plained to 3arry what had transpired8 Agni co ld see that Ding Drinio s had ret rned 7ac+ to the shore where he was tal+ing ani$atedly with a short9 dar+-s+inned $an while constantly glancing 7ac+ to Priya a7oard the approaching ship and wa;ing8 A s$all 7oat was prod ced on the white sand9 and the 7oys watched as half a do/en $en and wo$en p shed it into the water with the +ing standing in the center8 The s$all fishing 7oat soon p lled aside the La Marta in the shallow waters s rro nding #o 'an%s 4sland8 Ding Drinio s%s ;oice floated p to his da ghter8 >4 $ st say9 4%$ not s rprised to see yo 9 yo ng lady8@ >Father?@ Priya cried8 The s ally co$posed princess had dissol;ed into tears of :oy as the pirate crew r shed to throw a ladder o;er the side of the ship so the +ing and the

others in the s$all 7oat co ld cli$7 a7oard8 The instant that Ding Drinio s%s feet hit the dec+9 Priya threw herself at her father8 The +ing wrapped his long ar$s aro nd his da ghter and +issed her on the top of her 7raids8 The entire ship stared at the father and da ghter re nion9 and Captain )ill had a loo+ of contented acco$plish$ent on his face8 The $o$ent was 7ro+en when the $en who acco$panied the +ing in the s$all 7oat cli$7ed o;er the side and dropped deftly onto the dec+8 The pirates instantly pointed their g ns and swords at the dar+-s+inned strangers8 Ding Drinio s i$$ediately lifted a protecti;e hand and gently dislodged Priya with the other8 >These fellows are o r friends9@ the +ing said9 stepping towards the newco$ers in an effort to separate the$ fro$ the aggressing pirates8 Captain )ill spo+e fro$ the hel$8 >3ower yo r weapons8@ The sailors dropped their swords and $ s+ets to their sides and watched the islanders neasily8 Ding Drinio s loo+ed p to the hel$8 >Than+ yo 9 captain8 'y friends will 7e $ore than happy to acco$$odate yo and yo r crew8 !e were already preparing a cele7ration9 7 t yo r arri;al and re niting with $y da ghter are all the $ore reasons to cele7rate8@ 5e s< ee/ed Priya%s sho lders8 >47 nt will lead yo to a safe $ooring location8@ >As yo wish9 Co r 5ighness8@ Captain )ill 7owed slightly8 Ding Drinio s leaned o;er the ship%s edge and sho ted to the lone $an re$aining in the s$all wooden 7oat8 >They need to anchor their ship8 Can yo ta+e the$ to shoreA@ Soon9 the La Marta was slicing thro gh the shallow water 7ehind the s$all 7oat and co$ing to rest on the white sand shore of #o 'an%s 4sland8 Ding Drinio s re$ained on7oard9 and Princess Priya%s :oy was e;ident8 She did not lea;e her father%s side9 and her eyes re$ained fi6ed on his face8 The Three )rothers stood on the dec+ in the d s+ and stared at the island%s 7ea tif l white sand 7each8 The $ sic of the wo$en standing +needeep in the sea and dr $$ing on the water in;igorated the$9 and their :oyo s song relie;ed all their fears of sa;ages9 replacing it with a war$ sense of happiness8 Captain )ill g ided the ship to shore9 and Ding Drinio s had $ade his way to the hel$ and stood 7eside the captain in deep con;ersation8 3arry p lled a le;er which released the enor$o s anchor 7elow dec+9 ca sing the ship to l rch and slow8 Two crew $e$7ers fi6ed a wide wooden plan+ to the ship%s side8 The captain led the way down the plan+ followed 7y 3arry9 Ding Drinio s9 Priya and the Three )rothers8 Ansh carried Corneli s down the gangplan+8 The entire crew of the La Marta dise$7ar+ed and stood in a large gro p on the white sand listening to the p7eat $ sic of the people in the sea8 Ding Drinio s was introd cing Captain )ill to a short9 dar+-s+inned $an who was clad in only a thin cotton s+irt8 5e wore a headdress $ade of pal$ fronds8 The short $an shoo+ Captain )ill%s hand9 and then se;eral wo$en ca$e forward and 7egan to place garlands of flowers aro nd the nec+s of the g ests8

>!elco$e to o r island9@ called the short $an happily9 throwing his ar$s wide in greeting8 The crew s$iled and 7owed their heads to accept the garlands8 >!e so rarely get ;isitors9@ said the s$all $an9 >so tonight%s cele7ration will 7e a great one8 Co$e9 new friends8 This way9@ and he 7egan to lead the landing party down the 7each towards the wo$en singing and dr $$ing in the sea8 The 7each was ill $inated with $any torches as well as a large 7onfire near which the island%s inha7itants had congregated8 The residents of #o 'an%s 4sland were all li+e their headdress-clad leader with dar+ s+in and hair9 and short of stat re8 They all wore si$ilar attire9 plain white cloths wrapped a7o t their waists8 The ladies had another cloth draped across one sho lder8 The island%s entire pop lation co ld not ha;e e6ceeded 1009 Agni appro6i$ated9 and the residents sat and tal+ed in gro ps near the fire9 or $illed a7o t la ghing9 :o+ing or watching the ladies $a+ing $ sic on the water8 The party of pirates led 7y the island%s chieftain9 47 nt 9 was greeted war$ly 7y the s$all dar+ people9 7 t e;eryone%s attention was soon drawn to the wo$en in the water8 Their song grew lo der and $ore rapid9 and was acco$panied now 7y dr $$ers on the 7each playing two ended instr $ents $ade of cocon t tree tr n+s8 As their song reached a fe;er pitch9 the wo$en r shed to shore with a co$$ nal shrie+9 and si$ ltaneo sly9 o t of the shadows9 fo r $en e$erged swinging long9 fla$ing ropes aro nd their 7odies8 The $en danced to the rhyth$ of the dr $s and twirled the lighted ropes high and low8 The dr $$ers were :oined 7y additional $ sicians who played tiny stringed instr $ents that prod ced a tinny9 high-pitched so nd8 >Tonight9 we feast?@ 47 nt anno nced happily9 and the 7each was filled with cheering8 The island chief t rned to the pirates and said with a s$all 7ow9 >Please9 $a+e yo rsel;es at ho$e8@ A large ta7le heaped with fish and e6otic fr its and ;egeta7les was ill $inated 7y torches8 A fat pig t rned slowly on a spit a7o;e one of the 7onfires8 The pirates9 sed to years of tra;el and new c lt res9 had already rela6ed and 7eg n to eat and $ingle with the locals8 Ding Drinio s9 Captain )ill and 47 nt stood in deep con;ersation8 Princess Priya stood happily ne6t to her father9 while Agni9 Aryan and Ansh were left free to e6plore the island acco$panied 7y Corneli s8 As the 7oys passed 7y9 the +ing was e6plaining9 >'aridi s%s $en were so afraid 7eca se of the r $ors that they dropped $e at the o ter sand7ar and left $e there8 4 tho ght 4 wo ld ha;e to swi$ ashore9 7 t than+f lly9 47 nt ca$e to $y resc e8@ 5e clapped the island chief on the sho lder9 and the short $an s$iled8 >!hen Drinio s told s a7o t the rep tation of o r island9 4 $ st ad$it9 we were pretty a$ sed8@ 5e la ghed9 and his si/a7le sto$ach : $ped p and down8 Drinio s was now saying to Captain )ill9 >5orace 'ar< ee and his $en did $a+e it here8 Their ship was wrec+ed on one of the reefs9 7 t so$e of the islanders were o t on a

fishing e6pedition and were a7le to sa;e the entire crew8 They co ld ha;e fi6ed their ship9 7 t they all lo;ed it so $ ch they decided to stay8 4n fact9 they d 77ed it #o$ad%s 4sland9 not #o 'an%s 4sland9 7eca se they said this was a place no$ads wo ld co$e to finally rest8@ >That is tr e9@ agreed 47 nt 8 >5orace 'ar< ee is $y wife%s great-great-great-great-great grandfather9 yo +now8@ The con;ersation contin ed as the $en disc ssed different $ethods for e6tracting salt fro$ sea water to se in preser;ing food8 Drinio s was praising the islanders fishing $ethods9 and they were disc ssing e6changing so$e crops8 >Perhaps after this whole 7 siness with 'aridi s is settled9 we can send a ship this way with so$e seeds8@ >4%$ s re Bene wo ld 7e happy to share so$e things o t of his little garden8 5e%d want to ta+e a little 7ac+ with hi$ as well9@ said Captain )ill n dging 47 nt with his el7ow8 The Three )rothers wandered off as the $en shoo+ hands9 and Priya stood 7ea$ing silently 7y her father%s side8 The crew of the La Marta had tr ly $ade the$sel;es at ho$e8 3arry stood s rro nded 7y islanders eating fro$ a large leaf co;ered in food8 5is 7oo$ing la gh echoed down the 7each o;er the so nd of ;oices9 $ sic9 and the wa;es8 Ada$ had ta+en a spot along with the other $ sicians and was i$pro;ising along to their songs as the fla$e dancers twirled rapidly8 Ansh9 with Corneli s%s assistance9 had 7efriended a s$all 7oy aro nd his age na$ed Sheldon9 and the two were r nning near the water%s edge with the Bl spin8 The $oonlight reflected on the gently lapping wa;es8 Agni and Aryan sat alone facing the sea8 3arge lea;es co;ered in food sat nto ched 7eside the$8 The $oon was 7right9 and it ill $inated the white sand7ar encircling the island ca sing it to shine li+e a sil;er ri77on in the dar+ sea8 Agni was ncharacteristically silent9 and tho gh Aryan had an inclination as to the reason9 he as+ed < ite nat rally9 >!hat is 7othering yo A@ >4t is nothing9@ replied his 7rother9 still ga/ing o t at the ;ast 7lac+ 7eyond the shining white ri77on8 Aryan +new so$ething was wrong9 so he persisted with a slightly changed tactic8 >Priya see$s ;ery happy to see her father9@ he said nonchalantly8 >Ces9@ said Agni8 5e glanced down the 7each at the princess who stood staring p at her father8 >She has forgotten all a7o t s9@ he added s llenly8 >4 do not thin+ so9@ Aryan reass red his 7rother8 >She is : st happy to see hi$8@ Agni shr gged9 and his 7rother changed the s 7:ect8 >4 wonder if Captain )ill will try to tal+ to yo soon a7o t the location of his treas re8 #ow that we ha;e got Ding Drinio s and all8@

Agni sighed8 >4 s ppose he will8 4 a$ not s re how he will ta+e the news8 4 : st hope he does not start drin+ing again and really throw $e o;er7oard8@ The two 7rothers were < iet for a $o$ent9 and then they 7oth 7ro+e into la ghter8 >4 g ess that is the worst that co ld happen9@ Aryan agreed8 The two 7oys finally started on their nto ched plates and ate for a while in silence8 Finally Aryan said9 >4 $iss $a$$a and pappa8@ >'e too9@ said Agni8 >4 always wanted to get away and go on an ad;ent re : st li+e this one9@ said Aryan8 >) t lately9 all 4 can thin+ a7o t is going ho$e8@ Agni considered what Aryan had said9 and the two 7oys finished their $eal in silence8 As they rose9 Aryan said9 >.o not 7e angry with Priya8 5er father is the only fa$ily she has8 4 a$ s re she $issed hi$ terri7ly8@ >Ces9@ Agni agreed loo+ing once $ore down the 7each at the princess who9 at that $o$ent9 ca ght his eye and wa;ed while holding her father%s ar$8 Agni%s $ood see$ed to i$pro;e after that9 and he and Aryan :oined Ansh and Sheldon in their ga$e of catch in the sand8 They played ntil they were < ite e6ha sted and then sat on the sand to listen to the $ sic and watch the cele7ration nfolding aro nd the$8 Ansh was the first to fall asleep still sitting on the sand 7eneath the low 7ranches of the $angro;e trees8 Sheldon%s $other9 a +ind loo+ing wo$an with a 7lac+ s+irt9 ca$e and $o;ed the children to a s$all stone ho se where they spent the night8 Princess Priya wo+e the Three )rothers early the ne6t $orning 7y throwing open the door to the s$all stone ho se8 The glow on her face fro$ the pre;io s day had not yet faded9 and her 7l e-green eyes spar+led in the early $orning light8 >!a+e p9@ she whispered9 sha+ing Agni lightly8 The three 7oys 7lin+ed in the light and s ddenly re$e$7ered where they were8 >Captain )ill says we are lea;ing today e;ening8 That $eans we only ha;e one day to e6plore9@ she said rgently8 >!e are pro7a7ly the first people to ;isit this island in o;er three cent ries9 so 4 do not want to $iss a thing8 Co$e?@ The 7oys were filled at once with her infectio s e6cite$ent and scra$7led to their feet8 They slipped o t of the door9 lea;ing Sheldon sleeping peacef lly on a grass $at on the floor8 >4 apologi/e for wa+ing yo so early9@ Priya said as they strolled down the 7each towards the spot of the pre;io s night%s re;elry8 The sand reflected the 7right $orning light and ca sed the 7oys to s< int8 >4 ha;e 7een p for so$e ti$e now9@ she went on9 >and 4 : st

co ld not wait any longer8@ An odd and delicio s aro$a wafted down the 7each as Priya said9 >Co$e and ha;e so$e 7rea+fast9 and then we will get going8@ The gro p of children acco$panied 7y the s$all Bl spin reached the long stone ta7le in the $iddle of the 7each where the cele7ration had 7een the night 7efore8 Coals still glowed red hot in pits aro nd the 7each8 Se;eral crew $e$7ers of the La Marta as well as so$e islanders were sleeping on the sand8 The pirate chef9 Bene9 stood ne6t to a pl $p wo$an o7ser;ing her as she spread 7atter onto a large griddle o;er an open fire8 The large ta7le 7eneath the cocon t trees was once again heaped with foods8 >Bo ahead9@ said Priya8 >4 ha;e already eaten8 The dosas are < ite nice8@ She indicated the crispy flat 7reads the wo$an was $a+ing on the griddle8 Bene slid three of the dosas off the griddle9 placed the$ on large lea;es and handed the$ to the 7oys8 >Tell $e what yo thin+9@ he said with a s$ile8 >Pa$$i is teaching $e all sorts of new things8@ The 7oys sat on the 7each8 >5a;e so$e of the ch tney9@ Priya said and spooned large dollops of red and white paste onto the 7oys% lea;es8 After the Three )rothers had finished their 7rea+fast9 Priya led the$ into the : ngle8 She p lled o t her large9 leather-7o nd note7oo+ in which a $ap of the island had 7een hastily s+etched8 >The island is not ;ery large9@ she said9 >so 4 thin+ we can pro7a7ly see $ost of the interesting st ff 7efore afternoon8 47 nt drew $e a $ap8@ She s$iled9 showing the 7oys the s+etch in her note7oo+8 She then placed her finger on the page8 >4 definitely want to see the waterfalls and the lagoon on the other side of the island9 and 4 was hoping we co ld hi+e to the top of the $o ntain8 There are geysers and freshwater springs p there8@ She loo+ed p at the 7oys who stood staring at her8 >4t really wo ld 7e a sha$e if we did not go8 47 nt said the ;iew is priceless fro$ the top of the $o ntain8 4t sho ld 7e well worth the cli$78@ )efore the 7oys co ld spea+ a word9 Priya t rned and headed off thro gh the trees and ;ines8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh followed her onto the well-worn path8 .espite 7eing early in the day9 the heat of the : ngle was oppressi;e8 !ithin 1" $in tes9 all fo r children were sweating8 =;en Corneli s was feeling the heat8 5e panted with his tong e hanging o t as his tiny legs carried hi$ along the sandy path8 )efore long9 tho gh9 the children heard the welco$e so nd of r shing water8 The path c r;ed aro nd a tall tree to re;eal a s$all waterfall with a clear pool at its 7otto$8 Al$ost instincti;ely9 the children shed their o ter clothes and ran into the water in their nderwear8 Corneli s happily followed9 : $ping in off a roc+ with his fo r legs splayed in the air8 They swa$ and splashed and dran+ the crisp9 clean water that g shed fro$ the

$o ntain a7o;e the$8 Priya floated on her 7ac+ and stared p towards the precipice thro gh a canopy of lea;es8 After their fingers and toes had wrin+led considera7ly9 the children cli$7ed o t of the clear pool and dried the$sel;es off8 Then they contin ed along the path thro gh the : ngle8 After a while9 the path for+ed8 Priya cons lted the $ap 47 nt had drawn8 >That way goes to the lagoon8@ She pointed right8 >And that way goes p to the top of the $o ntain8 That is where the geysers are8@ She loo+ed at the Three )rothers8 >4 tho ght we wo ld hi+e p the hill first and then go down the other side to the lagoon8 That way9 we can wal+ 7ac+ aro nd to the 7each8@ The 7oys did not o7:ect9 and so the fo r children and the still-da$p Corneli s $ade their way down the left-hand path8 The ascent to the top of the island rapidly 7eca$e ard o s8 The children $o;ed slower the higher they cli$7ed8 >So where is yo r fatherA@ Agni as+ed s ddenly8 Priya wiped sweat fro$ her face and scra$7led p a roc+8 >2h9 he and Captain )ill were tal+ing to 47 nt when 4 left9@ she called o;er her sho lder8 >Pres $a7ly9 they are $a+ing preparations for o r depart re8 4t so nded li+e the captain wants to $a+e a ret rn trip in the near f t re8 Apparently9 there are so$e fr its growing here he wo ld li+e to ta+e to the $ar+ets in Chancell7erry8@ >2h9@ said Agni9 and the children contin ed cli$7ing8 >Father is ;ery e6cited a7o t the captain%s eagerness to ret rn8 5e is hoping to foster 7etter relations with the islanders and dispel the $yths that ha;e ha nted this place for cent ries8@ They contin ed on in silence9 and then Ansh called fro$ the 7ac+ of the procession9 >Co were right9 Priya8 The people here are not sa;ages8 They are really nice8@ >Ces9@ Priya agreed8 >Father and Captain )ill were disc ssing : st that with 47 nt last night8 5e was < ite a$ sed at the $yths act ally8 5e said the island has not had a ;isitor since 5orace 'ar< ee8@ She pa sed and too+ a 7reath 7efore contin ing on8 >4 wo ld propose that $ost people who co$e this way are so frightened 7y those gro nded ships on the reefs that they : st t rn 7ac+9 pro7a7ly ret rning ho$e with so$e o tlandish story a7o t the ;icio s people that nearly +illed the$8 2r possi7ly9 they pres $e the ships were downed 7y the islanders the$sel;es8 )ill said that was pretty li+ely9 seeing how pirates often li+e to e$7ellish their tales and so$eti$es downright lie a7o t their ad;ent res8@ Aryan considered this8 5e tho ght it sad that a person wo ld gi;e an entire island of people a 7ad na$e o t of a desire to sa;e face8 >People sho ld not lie9@ he said8

>4 agree with yo 9@ said Priya9 and she stopped to lean against a tree to catch he 7reath8 >'y father thin+s so too9 and he plans to $a+e it right 7y setting the record straight a7o t #o 'an%s 4sland8 Perhaps e;eryone will stop calling it that and start calling it 7y its act al na$e9 5opala 8@ The children sat9 7reathing hard and ta+ing in the island aro nd the$8 At that e6act point on the path9 there was a 7rea+ in the trees and the : ngle%s canopy co ld 7e seen in its entirety8 4t ended in white sand9 and 7eyond the 7each9 the sea stretched o t an infinite spar+ling 7l e sheet8 >4t is 7ea tif l9@ said Agni8 The clo ds cast long shadows on the s rface of the ocean and $ade pools of deep 7l e8 The white ring of the sand7ar reflected the late $orning s n and created a glowing halo aro nd the tiny island8 !hen the children reached the top of the $o ntain9 they crawled to its roc+y top and sat 7elow the lone pal$ tree at its s $$it8 They were caref l not to go to close to the edge9 for the drop down was steep8 4nstead9 they stayed close to the tree which had weathered $ ch wind and rain in its lonely spot8 Aryan s pposed the tree did not $ind 7eing lonely8 Co$panionship9 he tho ght as he loo+ed at the 3&0 degree ;iew of the sea aro nd hi$9 co ld 7e e6changed for s ch a ;iew8 The children did not linger long 7eneath the lone pal$ tree8 The s n was creeping e;er higher9 and they wanted to get 7ac+ 7elow the canopy of the : ngle8 They started down the path that led to the large lagoon on the opposite of the island8 The tall9 $oss-co;ered stone walls o;er the lagoon shaded its in;iting waters fro$ the s n9 and the children were eager to go for a refreshing dip8 The children descended rapidly ntil an odd so nd ca ght their attention and ca sed Priya to stop9 holding p their progress8 She waited9 and thro gh the forest9 : st 7arely a di7le o;er the so nd of the sea 7elow9 the children heard a slight whistling that see$ed to grow lo der as they listened8 The noise increased9 and Priya%s eyes went s+yward8 Then s ddenly9 an odd whooshing noise rang thro gh the lea;es8 >2;er there?@ sho ted Priya9 pointing o;er the tree tops8 The Three )rothers followed the line her finger drew in the air9 and Agni gli$psed what appeared to 7e water falling into the trees8 >That $ st 7e one of the geysers8 47 nt told $e a7o t the$8 5e said there is a series of the$ on this side of the $o ntain8 The fresh water gets shot in the air and falls into collecting pools8 Then it feeds the waterfalls and strea$s all o;er the island8 'ost of the islanders do not go near the geysers9 tho gh9 7eca se of the stea$ and water is so hot it can 7 rn yo 7adly8@ The children $ade their way down the path to the lagoon8 At short9 reg lar inter;als9 the whistling of the geysers grew lo d9 and :ets of 7oiling water and stea$ shot into the air8

As they approached the sandy co;e9 the so nd of the wa;es replaced the whistling and g shing ntil the geysers were heard no $ore8 3oo+ing p9 howe;er9 the children co ld see the spo ts of water and stea$ er pting o;er the trees8 The path for+ed right 7efore ending8 >That ta+es s 7ac+ to the other side of the island9@ said Priya pointing down the path in the sand8 The lagoon was clear and cal$9 and shaded 7y tall cliffs8 There were se;eral paths r nning p the roc+s to ;ario s spots for di;ing8 A rope swing h ng fro$ a tree8 The children < ic+ly shed their clothes once $ore and entered the water8 Agni and Priya had a race fro$ the sandy 7each to the roc+s on the other side of the lagoon8 Ansh and Aryan perfected the art of floating on their 7ac+s while staring at the s+y8 Corneli s swa$ in the shallow water 7y the shore8 The children too+ t rns cli$7ing the slippery green roc+s and di;ing8 There were se;eral swings $ade of ;ine that they sed to swing high in the air 7efore releasing o;er the water8 Aryan had to 7e enco raged to : $p off the ;ine swings9 7 t when he finally wor+ed p the co rage9 he en:oyed hi$self i$$ensely8 !hen they all e$erged fro$ the lagoon dripping wet9 the tiny Bl spin shoo+ hi$self ;igoro sly9 ca sing water droplets to rain e;erywhere8 The wal+ 7ac+ to the other side of the island was short and pleasant8 The path ran along the edge of the 7each nderneath the shade of the trees8 The children wal+ed along the path to a;oid the 7la/ing s n 7 t periodically ran down to wal+ along the water%s edge 7arefoot8 The 7each was f ll of acti;ity when the fo r children and the gold Bl spin ret rned fro$ their hi+e8 Se;eral of Bene%s potted plants had 7een e$ptied9 and the contents9 roots co;ered in da$p 7 rlap9 sat nder a newly erected str ct re $ade of 7a$7oo and thatched pal$ lea;es8 The e$pty containers were 7eing filled with plants fro$ the island shr 7s9 s$all trees9 and odd grasses8 Bene was o;erseeing the transplantation8 5is white apron was co;ered in dirt as he thr st a 7 l7 into the dirt in a large 7rown pot8 Captain )ill and 47 nt were standing loo+ing at $aps along with Eerry and 3arry8 47 nt was $ar+ing where the coral e6tended so the La Marta co ld safely na;igate ho$e8 The troop of $ sic $a+ing wo$en were once again in the sea9 po nding on the water9 and the fire dancers were twirling and sto$ping their feet in the sand8 The crew of the La Marta swayed to the rhyth$ic th $ping8 The children saw that l nch9 li+e dinner the night 7efore9 had 7eco$e a cele7ration8 >Father says that e;ery $eal is li+e that8 5e said9 G=;ery day is worthy of cele7ration in paradise8% 5e said we ha;e $ ch to learn fro$ the inha7itants of this island9 and that o r +ingdo$ will ha;e $ore cele7rations when we ret rn to Chancell7erry8@

The Three )rothers were do 7tf l8 5ow wo ld Ding Drinio s ens re Chancell7erry cele7rated if 'aridi s was still in controlA Priya was certain of her father%s a7ility to rectify the entire sit ation9 and the 7oys did not want to deflate her sense of confidence8 So they said nothing8 The children finally ca$e pon the +ing and the captain as they stood together tal+ing with a few of the islanders8 >There yo are9@ the +ing called9 and Priya ran to her father%s open ar$8 >4 tr st yo children had a nice wal+8 .id yo find anything interestingA@ >Ces9 father9@ Priya replied8 >!e e;en saw the geysers er pting o;er the : ngle8@ >That is wonderf l9@ said the +ing with a wide s$ile8 >and what a7o t yo 9 gentle$enA .id yo en:oy yo rsel;esA@ 1p to this point9 the Three )rothers had not spo+en to the +ing9 7 t now9 his pale 7l e stare was foc sed directly pon the$9 and as they replied9 each 7oy felt as if the 7l e eyes were $a+ing tho sands of silent calc lations a7o t their character8 Agni was the first to find his ;oice8 >!e had a great ti$e8 !e got to see the waterfall and went for a swi$ in the lagoon8@ >That is wonderf l9@ said Ding Drinio s9 and then he t rned to Aryan8 >And what a7o t yo 9 $y 7oyA@ >4t was 7ea tif l9@ Aryan said shyly8 >!e co ld see the whole island9 and the sea9 and e;erything8@ >And the lagoon was aweso$e9@ Ansh added8 >=;en Corny en:oyed hi$self9@ and the s$all Bl spin 7ar+ed his agree$ent8 The +ing 7ea$ed at Corneli s and 7ent his long fra$e down so that he co ld scratch hi$ 7ehind the ears8 >4 a$ glad that yo all had s ch a good ti$e9@ he said9 and Corneli s rolled onto his 7ac+ in the sand8 5e was clearly en:oying hi$self8 >2 r rapport with the inha7itants of this island was pre;io sly non-e6istent8@ 5e contin ed r 77ing Corneli s%s sto$ach9 to the Bl spin%s great pleas re8 >4 plan to rectify this8 !e will 7e pdating the official records to reflect o r e6periences on this trip9 and yo r acco nts sho ld 7e doc $ented as well8 !e will 7e i$pro;ing the trade ro te as $ ch as possi7le9@ he went on9 straightening hi$self to his f ll height8 >) t that will 7e diffic lt as the sea here is ;ery treachero s with shifting c rrents and hidden coral reefs8 47 nt tells $e it is i$passi7le d ring the rainy season8@ The short island leader stood ne6t to the +ing8 5is head 7arely ca$e p to the +ing%s sho lder8 Drinio s clapped a hand on 47 nt %s 7ac+8 >Fostering relations $ay 7e a little diffic lt9 7 t 4 a$ certain it will 7e well worth the effort8@

47 nt s$iled8 >4 agree8 4 a$ ;ery an6io s to $a+e a trip to yo r +ingdo$9 which yo ha;e told $e is so ;ast and di;erse8 2nly a good leader s ch as yo rself co ld nite so $ay people fro$ s ch different 7ac+gro nds8@ The +ing lightly po+ed 47 nt in the ri7s8 >Co old +idder9@ he said la ghingly9 7 t the shadow of do 7t passed once $ore o;er the faces of the Three )rothers8 Ding Drinio s had 7een i$prisoned9 al7eit in paradise9 for wee+s now8 !hat had happened in the +ingdo$ in that ti$eA !hat sort of nrest had 'aridi s ca sed with the help of his . +e and the color-eating chariotsA !hat a7o t their far$ and the Village in the ValleyA 4t was as if the +ing had read their tho ghts9 for : st then he said9 >2f co rse9 this whole sit ation with $y co sin $ st 7e resol;ed9 7 t 4 a$ confident we will 7e a7le to co$e to a happy concl sion soon8@ And tho gh he spo+e to 47 nt 9 it was as if he was spea+ing to the children8 >4 will send a ship to 7ring yo after the $onsoons are o;er8 Perhaps o r good captain wo ld 7e willing to $a+e the trip once $ore on 7ehalf of the +ingdo$8@ Captain )ill s$iled and ch c+led9 >!ell9 sir that depends on a great $any things8@ 5is ;oice was light9 7 t the loo+ the pirate captain ga;e Agni was fra ght with $eaning8 >Certainly9@ Ding Drinio s de$ rred8 >!e can disc ss this f rther when the need arises9 7 t : st so yo +now9 yo are the $an 4 want for the :o78@ This $ade the captain s$ile8 Bene and two of the islanders9 who had 7een wor+ing fer;ently in the shade la7eling plants and $a+ing notes in two large ledgers9 approached the gro p as it stood in the $idday s n8 Bene s< inted8 >!e%re done with the cataloging9@ he said8 >And all the plants going 7ac+ with s are already on the ship8@ >Very good9@ said Captain )ill8 >And what of the plants that we are lea;ing hereA@ Ding Drinio s in< ired8 >!ell9 B la and 'alli said they%d wait and plant the$ once it gets cooler9 either tonight or to$orrow $orning8@ The two wo$en s$iled at Bene8 >Bood wor+9@ 47 nt said to the three who were co;ered in dirt 7 t grinning ear to ear8 >!hy don%t yo show Bene the way to the shower ho seA 4 a$ s re yo all wo ld li+e to get cleaned p8@ The three plant lo;ers left9 still s$iling9 and $ade their way into the : ngle8 47 nt s$iled as he watched the$ wal+ away9 and then he t rned to the gro p and said9 >!ell9 why don%t get so$e l nchA Co fol+s will want to 7e setting sail soon8@

Captain )ill loo+ed fro$ the s n to the sea as if : dging the tides and conc rred with a nod of his head8 >4 had 7etter get the crew $oti;ated9 Co r 5ighness8 Co go ahead8 4 will :oin yo later after the la nch preparations ha;e 7een $ade8@ The pirate captain wal+ed down the 7each tee$ing with acti;ity9 and as he passed9 the crew of the La Marta stopped their swi$$ing9 or tal+ing $id-con;ersation9 or halted their ga$es they were playing8 All eyes were on their captain whose raised hand signaled to ready the$sel;es to lea;e8 They 7egan to disentangle the$sel;es fro$ the co/y co$pany of the islanders and prepare to once again p t o t to sea8 4t was i$pressi;e to watch the captain striding down the 7each9 lea;ing a wa+e of sc rrying pirates in his path8 3 nch was shaded fro$ the $idday s n 7y a large $7rella $ade of pal$ fronds8 Ding Drinio s spent the $eal reco nting to the pirates his arri;al to the island8 5e co ld not resist ha;ing a la gh at the e6pense of two of 'aridi s%s $en9 3ance and Sa$8 >They were so scared8 4 tho ght they wo ld lea;e $e floating in the sea8@ >!e offered to 7ring hi$ 7ac+ to yo 9@ one of the islanders9 a $ sc lar $an with tattoos on his ar$s9 p t in8 >5e was afraid we wo ldn%t $a+e it8@ >That%s tr e9@ agreed Drinio s8 >.aneesh and a few of the other fisher$en offered to ta+e $e 7ac+ to Chancell7erry9 7 t they only ha;e the s$all fishing ;essels that ha;e 7een sed on this island for years8 !e pro7a7ly co ld ha;e $ade it e;ent ally9 7 t 4 : st did not want anyone ta+ing that chance for $y sa+e9 so 4 decided to stay p t8 Anyway9@ he said and patted Priya%s hand9 >4 +new so$eone wo ld co$e after $e sooner or later8@ The girl 7ea$ed at the Three )rothers8 The children spent the last few ho rs on the island playing on the edge of the sea with Sheldon and Corneli s as the crew of the La Marta filled the ship with potted plants and fr its and ;egeta7les for trade8 Then all too soon9 it was ti$e to lea;e8 The s n was already sin+ing low9 despite it 7eing still early in the afternoon8 Ansh and Sheldon stood a foot apart on the white sand and wordlessly wa;ed good7ye to each other8 Then the children were shered p the gangplan+ 7ac+ onto the 7oat8 They watched as the captain and the +ing 7id farewell to the island8 All of its inha7itants9 it see$ed9 were standing on the shore to 7id the$ a safe :o rney8 Captain )ill shoo+ 47 nt %s hand9 and Ding Drinio s 7ent low to h g the short $an8 Then the entire pop lation of the island was in the sea singing9 and clapping9 and dr $$ing on the water8 4t was a 7ea tif l send off that did not end ntil the ship%s sails had p lled the children o t of sight of the tiny green island8 And e;en then9 the sea song still echoed in their ears8

(n the Wind

The La Marta glided rapidly across the s rface of the water as if she had 7een aching to stretch her legs8 The $ap of the coral reefs 47 nt had gi;en Captain )ill was pro;ing ;ery sef l and allowed hi$ to $o;e $ ch faster thro gh the perilo s waters than they had on their approach8 .inner that night was no grand affair8 Bene had 7een too 7 sy with his new speci$ens to prepare an e6tra;agant $eal8 Captain )ill had insisted on gi;ing Ding Drinio s and Priya one of the large9 posh ca7ins near his own9 and Priya ens red that the Three )rothers 7e allowed to 7 n+ with the$ as well8 The ca7in was paneled in dar+ wood and decorated artistically with e6otic loo+ing artifacts : st li+e the Captain )ill%s8 5owe;er9 7y its slightly $oldy s$ell9 it was clear that the roo$ had not had a g est in a great while8 After the first dinner Ding Drinio s attended on the La Marta% he chose to stay p and tal+ to the captain8 The children were sent to 7ed9 and they were happy to o7lige8 The past 24 ho rs had 7een ;ery e;entf l9 and the soft 7eds and piles of sheets and pillows in the fancy ca7in were too te$pting to pass p8 They filed into the ca7in9 piled into one of the two large9 fo r-poster 7eds9 and fell asleep to the roc+ing wa;es once again8 4n the following days9 the entire pop lation of the La Marta 7eca$e ac< ainted with Ding Drinio s8 5e was a conte$plati;e $an who listened intently while people spo+e8 5e wo ld reply at length9 choosing his words caref lly9 and de$onstrating his gen ine interest in each crew $e$7er8 The +ing was in< isiti;e9 and friendly9 and ;ery +nowledgea7le9 and he was enth siastic a7o t learning a7o t the intricacies of sailing and life at sea8 Captain )ill clearly en:oyed his co$pany8 The +ing was gi;en a place of honor each night d ring s per9 and he and the pirate captain were fre< ently engaged in deep con;ersation8 Captain )ill en:oyed hearing Ding Drinio s%s ideas on go;ernance and : stice9 and the +ing listened as the captain ani$atedly reco nted tales of his tra;els8 The +ing9 for his part9 en:oyed learning of the places the sailor had ;isited9 and he always had < estions a7o t the ;ario s c lt res and people Captain )ill had enco ntered8 2ne night after dinner9 the children had retired to the g est < arters while Ding Drinio s stayed at the ta7le swapping stories with the crew8 !hen they left9 3arry was relating a tale a7o t a gigantic crocodile that had attac+ed the$ on a :o rney they had ta+en with Brey7eard8 >Too+ a 7ite right o t of the side of the little 7oat we were in8 !e were l c+y to $a+e it 7ac+ to the ship in one piece8 2ld Brey7eard9 tho gh9 he ne;er $issed a 7eat8 5e sta77ed that thing in the eye with his +nife and p lled it on7oard8 !e p lled this tooth right o t of its head8@ 5e p lled a string fro$ aro nd his nec+ to re;eal a large yellowed tooth8 At the $ention of Brey7eard%s na$e9 Captain )ill%s e6pression had changed9 and he $et Agni%s eyes and ga;e the 7oy a $eaningf l stare that frightened hi$ eno gh to rge the

other children to depart early to 7ed8 2nce the children were safely in their ca7in9 Agni as+ed Priya9 >!hat do yo thin+ will happen after we ret rn to Tortoise Co;eA@ The princess loo+ed at hi$9 a little s rprised9 as if she%d not f lly considered the ine;ita7le end8 >4 a$ not s re really9@ she answered tr thf lly8 Agni was < iet for a $o$ent8 Then he pressed her again8 >.o yo +now what yo r father%s plan is for getting rid of 'aridi sA@ Aryan and Ansh stared at Priya e6pectantly8 They too wanted to +now what wo ld happen8 >4 do not +now what $y father%s plan is9@ the princess ad$itted8 >4 s spect he will notify the ar$y to co$e o t of hiding9 and they will acco$pany hi$ to the castle8 4 +now for certain9 tho gh9 he will not want to ta+e 'aridi s o t 7y force8 They are co sins9 yo +now9 and father is a pacifist8@ She sat on a high-7ac+ed chair and p lled her +nees to her chin8 >They grew p together9 'aridi s and $y father8 'y grandfather Droconos raised the$ li+e 7rothers after 'arsodos disappeared8 4n fact9 their close relationship is the reason 'aridi s was a7le to ta+e o;er in the first place8 5e only had aro nd si6 s pporters when he too+ $y father hostage9 7 t Father wo ldn%t allow Beneral Breyson and his $en to retaliate8 'aridi s +new $y father wo ld ha;e that reaction9 and he too+ ad;antage of their close relationship and $y father%s +ind nat re8@ Priya pa sed and then added confidingly9 >I ite fran+ly9 4 tho ght $y father 7eha;ed rather foolishly8 Beneral Breyson is a 7rilliant strategist8 4 a$ certain he co ld ha;e co$e p with a tactical plan against 'aridi s that wo ld ha;e sa;ed $y father witho t any 7loodshed8@ E st then9 the so nd of the door closing drew the children%s attention9 and they t rned to see the +ing standing in the doorway8 4t was e;ident he had 7een in the roo$ long eno gh to hear the end of Priya%s story8 5e s$iled at the children and strode silently o;er to the densely c shioned 7ed where the Three )rothers sat8 >4 a$ sorry8 4 co ld not help 7 t o;erhear yo r con;ersation9@ said the +ing +indly8 >4 apologi/e9 darling9 for lea;ing yo so a7r ptly8 4 +now that $ st ha;e 7een ;ery diffic lt for yo 8@ 5e patted her leg co$fortingly8 >And 4 did not get a chance to e6plain to yo $y plan9 which has so far wor+ed o t < ite nicely8@ 5e shoo+ his head and la ghed to hi$self8 >4 +new that if 4 had Breyson and his $en freed $e 7y force9 'aridi s wo ld learn nothing8 5e wo ld still 7e the sa$e 7itter person with a chip on his sho lder and a gr dge against the world8 4 tho ght if 4 reasoned with hi$9 4 co ld change his $ind8@ 5e ch c+led again8 >Clearly9 4 o;eresti$ated $y negotiation s+ills and highly nderesti$ated 'aridi s%s le;el of desperation8@ The +ing sighed and9 for a 7rief $o$ent9 loo+ed ;ery sad indeed8 5e loo+ed at his long pale fingers spread wide in his lap and spo+e8 >4 do feel responsi7le8 Altho gh9 4 do not +now if there is anything 4 co ld ha;e done differently that wo ld ha;e changed the

co rse of o r personal history8 Co see9 when $y ncle 'arsodos left9 'aridi s%s world changed8 5e was so angry9 and the h rt ca sed 7y his father lea;ing ne;er went away8@ The Three )rothers e6changed slightly g ilty loo+s8 5ow 7adly had they h rt their parents 7y lea;ingA >#ow9@ Ding Drinio s went on9 >we will ha;e to co$e p with a new plan8 4 a$ not a fan of ;iolence or forcing people to do things against their will9 7 t 'aridi s is creating great dishar$ony within and the +ingdo$ and 7eyond9 and 4 $ st stop hi$8@ Agni spo+e e6citedly9 >4 +now how to do it9 sir8@ 5e : $ped off the 7ed and darted to the wall where his 7ag h ng on a hoo+8 The can;as was dar+ and stained fro$ the rain and dirt of their long :o rney8 Fro$ the deep recesses of the 7ag9 he p lled a slightly wrin+led en;elope which he held in front of hi$ as he r shed 7ac+ to the 7ed8 5e handed the letter to Ding Drinio s9 who e6a$ined the en;elope caref lly and then loo+ed in< isiti;ely at Agni8 >!e $et 'arsodos9@ e6plained Agni9 >in the forest8@ Ding Drinio s raised his eye7rows slightly and t rned the en;elope o;er in his hands8 >5e said he really regretted lea;ing 'aridi s the way he did9 and he wanted s to gi;e hi$ this letter e6plaining how sorry he is8@ Ding Drinio s stared at Agni for a long $o$ent then s$iled 7roadly8 >Very good :o79 lads9@ he said r ffling his fingers thro gh Ansh%s thic+ hair8 >Very good indeed8 This $ay 7e : st the thing we need8 .o yo $ind if 4 +eep thisA@ 5e ga;e the en;elope a s$all sha+e8 >2f co rse not9@ Agni replied s$iling8 Ding Drinio s s$iled at the children8 >These are s$art 7oys yo ha;e 7efriended9 da ghter9@ he said to Priya9 and the little girl s$iled at her father and 7ea$ed at Agni8 >2ne day9 yo $ st tell $e how it is yo happened across $y ncle8 5e has 7een in hiding since 4 was yo nger than yo 8@ The +ing rose fro$ the 7ed and went to the ad:oining 7athroo$9 caref lly folding the letter and +eeping it in his 7reast poc+et8 The door was slightly a:ar9 and the children co ld hear the +ing 7r shing his teeth8 Priya%s face was a fro/en s$ile for a long silent $o$ent9 and finally9 she 7ro+e into la ghter8 >!here did yo co$e fro$A@ she e6clai$ed happily8 >!hat do yo $eanA@ Agni as+ed9 7 t Priya didn%t reply8 4nstead she threw her ar$s aro nd the three 7oys and gathered the$ into a giant h g8 She s< ee/ed the$ tightly and +issed Agni on his chee+8 !hen she finally released the$9 all three 7oys had gone red in the face8 >4 $ean9 yo : st appear o t of nowhere and help $e resc e $y father8 As if sec ring a pirate ship to ta+e s to an island with rep tation of sa;ages was not eno gh9 yo also : st so happen to r n into a $e$7er of the royal fa$ily who is so fa$o sly recl si;e he has

not 7een seen in o;er three decades8 And@ she added ta+ing a 7reath9 >he decided to po r his heart o t to yo and se yo as $essengers to send a heartfelt confession to his long lost son8@ She 7o nced on the 7ed8 >Co three are $y own personal heroes?@ She h gged the$ all again8 Ding Drinio s reentered the roo$8 5is face was washed9 his 7lond hair was 7r shed 7ac+ off his high forehead9 and he loo+ed ready for 7ed8 >!ell9 good night9 children8 4 hope yo do not $ind 4 a$ t rning in early8@ The 7oys shr gged8 >2f co rse not9@ said Aryan sheepishly8 >4 tend to 7e a pretty so nd sleeper9@ said the +ing9 >7 t please do try to +eep the ;ol $e at a d ll roar8@ 5e crossed to the s$aller fo r-poster 7ed9 cli$7ed nder the goose down co$forter and switched off the light 7y his 7edside ta7le8 The fo r children hopped into the larger 7ed and t rned down their 7edside la$p8 They whispered in h shed tones well into the night as Corneli s do/ed on a pillow at the end of the 7ed and the +ing slept feet away8 The children wo+e early the ne6t $orning to shafts of colored light filtering thro gh the high stained glass windows8 The 7ed in which the +ing had slept the pre;io s night was e$pty8 4ts sheets had 7een neatly folded and t c+ed in8 Agni9 Aryan9 Ansh and Princess Priya < ic+ly $ade their way to the dec+ and i$$ediately saw Ding Drinio s in deep con;ersation with 3arry and Captain )ill8 They stood 7y a ta7le heaped with 7read8 3arry was gestic lating with a coffee $ g9 and the captain was sha+ing his head8 The children noticed that despite the early ho r9 it was ;ery war$ and h $id8 The oppressi;e heat of s $$er along the coast had $igrated o t into the ocean in their a7sence8 Than+f lly9 the 7ree/e 7lowing o;er the sea9 e;en tho gh it was a war$ one9 ga;e so$e respite to ship%s inha7itants8 The children approached the +ing and the sailors9 who ac+nowledged their arri;al with nods 7 t $ade it clear they were ha;ing an i$portant con;ersation and contin ed with their disc ssion a7o t $odes of co$$ nication fro$ the ship to the shore8 The children ate in silence9 listening intently8 3arry s ggested sending a s$aller ;essel ahead9 and Captain )ill offered to send word sing one of the 7lac+ : ngle crows he +ept as pets8 They lti$ately decided pon 7oth $ethods9 in case one failed8 Additionally9 Ding Drinio s s ggested sending s$o+e signals8 They co ld not 7ee seen fro$ land9 7 t another passing ship $ight spot the$8 Captain )ill was no longer the :o;ial $an he%d 7een in the past wee+s8 5e was serio s and foc sed on their disc ssion8 5is face was gri$9 and instead of staying and swapping stories with 3arry and Ding Drinio s9 the captain e6c sed hi$self as soon as their $eeting was o;er and departed9 tossing an o$ino s loo+ to Agni as he left8 3arry drained the last g lp of coffee fro$ his steel $ g and th $ped it down on the wooden 7arrel8 >4%ll see to sending a two-$an ship ahead of s8 They%ll try and find yo r

general and his $en8 )ill%s gonna send one of his crows to 3o isa to let her +now we%re co$ing and as+ her to try and find this Breyson8 4%ll go and tal+ to Bene8 5e%s got a s$o+er we can rig p to send yo r s$o+e signals8 !e%ll ha;e the loo+o ts send the$ e;ery ho r or so8@ 5e nodded his 7lond head and departed9 lea;ing the children and the +ing 7y the 7arrel of 7read8 Ding Drinio s dran+ his orange : ice and s$iled8 >4 +now the s$o+e signals are a long shot9@ he said as if the children had 7een part of the decision $a+ing process9 >7 t it is possi7le so$eone $ight spot s8 The #y$ph Sco ts are often tra;elling to re$ote spots s ch as this to st dy the $arine life9 and 4 a$ certain the coral reefs o t here wo ld $a+e for an interesting in;estigation8@ >The #y$ph Sco tsA@ repeated Ansh8 The Three )rothers e6changed glances8 Violet9 the 7ea tif l acro7atic ny$ph stationed in Chancell7erry Forest9 was a #y$ph Sco t9 and Tall lah had $entioned that A7hinor%s 7rother9 A;ana++ar9 was also a $e$7er8 >2h9 yes9@ replied Ding Drinio s8 >The nat re ny$phs ha;e far ranging interests9 7 t their goal is sing larJ to protect the wild li;ing things8 4 honor their wor+8 4t is fascinating9 4 $ st ad$it8 4 ha;e de;eloped a rapport with the !ood #y$phs of the Chancell7erry Forest o;er the years8@ >The #y$ph Sco ts are the ad;ent rers8 GSoldiers for #at re% 4 7elie;e is what they call the$sel;es pri;ately8@ 4t was e;ident the +ing was preparing for a lengthy e6planation of the #at re #y$phs and their society9 and Agni decided he wo ld sa;e hi$ the effort8 >Ces9 sir9@ Agni said < ic+ly9 not < ite interr pting the +ing who had pa sed $o$entarily for another sip of orange : ice8 >!e $et the !ood #y$phs in the forest on the way to Chancell7erry City8 They were great8 They let s stay o;ernight9 and the $an we stayed with9 A7hinor9 his 7rother is in the #y$ph Sco ts8 5is $other told s all a7o t it8@ Corneli s wagged his s$all golden tail at the $ention of A7hinor8 >!e $et one of the #y$ph Sco ts there9@ added Ansh8 >5er na$e was Violet8@ Ding Drinio s s$iled widely o;er his c p8 >Co 7oys really are on an ad;ent re9 aren%t yo A Priya has yet to tell $e : st e6actly how it is yo fell into each other%s co$pany8@ The +ing grinned at the princess and contin ed8 >) t we ha;e 7een in < ite an e6cited state9 so 4 s ppose e6planations ha;e ta+en a 7it of a 7ac+seat to the action8 So perhaps now is the ti$e9 $y fine yo ng fellows9 for $e to hear yo r story8@ 5e led the children to the 7ac+ of the 7oat and sat with his eyes on the sea8 5e too+ a drin+ of his : ice and loo+ed at Agni8 >5ow did yo co$e to $eet the !ood #y$phsA 4 s ppose yo $et 2%)rien as wellA 5e is a friend8@ Agni loo+ed to his 7rothers who shr gged8 5e tho ght a $o$ent and then said9 >4 thin+ 4 sho ld start at the 7eginning8@

The +ing nodded and said9 >That wo ld 7e a good place8@ Then he t rned his eyes 7ac+ to the sea8 Agni related as 7est he co ld the story of the arri;al of the grey-eyed $an who called hi$self a . +e8 Ding Drinio s%s 7row f rrowed nhappily when Agni $entioned the $an%s de$and for ta6es8 The +ing loo+ed to Priya who confir$ed his s spicions8 >4t is Sloane9 father8@ The +ing nodded his head8 Agni faltered a little when e6plaining their decision to go and steal treas re fro$ the castle9 7 t Ding Drinio s see$ed to nderstand perfectly their $oti;ations8 4n fact9 when Agni apologi/ed for their planned larceny9 the 7lond $an wa;ed his hand and said9 >Co r $oti;ations are nderstanda7le9 and indeed9 < ite inspired8@ 5e ch c+led slightly and win+ed at Ansh9 his eyes twin+ling8 >4 sho ld 7e sorry8 4 7et yo were awf lly disappointed when yo arri;ed to find yo r treas re affi6ed to the floor8@ >!e didn%t ha;e ti$e to 7e disappointed9@ said Ansh8 >!e were 7eing chased8@ >ChasedA 'y goodness9@ said the +ing8 >Ces9 7 t Priya sa;ed s9@ said Aryan as he s$iled shyly at the little girl8 >4 wo ld not say 4 sa;ed the$8 4 : st got the$ o t of 3ance and Sa$%s way8@ She grinned at her father8 >At any rate9 4 wo ld say the fa;or has 7een repaid ten-fold8@ Ding Drinio s s$iled8 >) t we are getting ahead of o rsel;es8 Co were telling $e a7o t yo r depart re8@ 5e tapped Agni lightly on the left +nee8 Agni e6plained how they crept o t at night and slept in the root of the tree8 Then he told the$ a7o t their chance enco nter with A7hinor 7y the waterfalls8 Corneli s per+ed p his ears and wagged his golden tail at the $ention of his $aster%s na$e8 Agni told the +ing all a7o t the wood ny$ph ca$p and the people they $et there8 5e told hi$ 2%)rien%s theory regarding the enchanted carriages 'aridi s was sing to destroy the forest in order to $a+e roadways8 Priya interr pted Agni8 >They are awf l9 father8 #ot only has 'aridi s destroyed the forests and the city 7 ilding roads for those carriages9 7 t what they do is worse8 They s c+ the color o t of e;erything they pass8 Chancell7erry City has gone pale8 4t is awf l8@ >4 see9@ said the +ing8 >4t see$s things are worse than 4 had feared8@ The +ing was lost in tho ght8 5e stared at the sea for se;eral $in tes 7efore t rning 7ac+ to Agni8 >Please contin e9@ he said +indly8 Agni e6plained a7o t the stor$ and their res ltant $eeting with 'arsodos8 The +ing see$ed to nderstand the old $an%s 7eha;ior8 5e $erely nodded as Agni related 'arsodos e6plaining hi$self and his past decisions to the children8

Ansh 7ro+e into to Agni%s $onolog e to e6plain a7o t their ride to Chancell7erry City seated atop 'arsodos%s horse9 )ailley s8 >!hen we got to the capital9 we were shoc+ed to see the roads and gates constr cted all aro nd8@ Aryan and Ansh nodded in agree$ent8 >They are horri7le9 those carriages9@ said Aryan8 >All the color is : st gone8@ >!e $ade it to the castle9 and yo +now a7o t s going to the treas ry9@ he said a little sheepishly8 >That is when we $et Priya8@ Ding Drinio s s$iled at his da ghter8 >4 s ppose she already had concocted a plan and lassoed yo 7oys into helping8@ Agni loo+ed at Priya who grinned g iltily8 The oldest 7oy agreed8 >She did already ha;e a plan to sa;e yo 9 7 t she did not ha;e to do too $ ch con;incing8 4t was not a one-$an plan8 She needed help8@ Priya 7ea$ed at Agni and < ic+ly added9 >!e owe yo r resc e entirely to these three9 Father8 !itho t the$9 4 do not +now if 4 wo ld ha;e $ade it to yo 8@ >2h9 $y darling9@ said the +ing as he patted the girl on the leg9 >yo can do anything yo p t yo r $ind to8 Altho gh9 4 a$ deeply gratef l to yo yo ng $en for acco$panying $y da ghter9 as well as 7ringing this resc e party to ta+e $e ho$e8@ The +ing clapped the 7oys on their 7ac+s and shoo+ each child%s hand8 5e loo+ed the$ in the eyes as he said9 >Than+ yo 8@ The children were deeply honored 7y the +ing%s gest re8 >) t 4 do ha;e one < estion9 tho gh9@ said the +ing loo+ing at Priya and the 7oys8 >5ow were yo a7le to con;ince Captain )ill to co$e with yo A 5e is 7y far the 7est sailor in Chancell7erry9 7 t as 4 nderstand it9 he had recently reno nced the sea and ta+en to port and9 well9 port8 4 will not pres $e the $ere $ention of resc ing $e was eno gh to pers ade hi$8@ Priya spo+e p8 >That was Agni as well9 Father8 5e fig red o t the riddle that tells where Brey7eard%s treas re is hidden8@ The little princess s$iled9 clearly < ite pro d of her friend8 Agni 7l shed slightly and shr gged his slender sho lders8 >4t was +ind of o7;io s8@ The +ing was i$pressed and clapped his hand on Agni and Ansh%s 7ac+s8 >Co ha;e done a great :o7 and sho ld 7e ;ery pro d of yo rsel;es8 2n 7ehalf of the entire +ingdo$9 4 than+ yo 8@ All Three )rothers s$iled 7roadly9 and then Ding Drinio s said9 >!ell9 4 $ st attend to these s$o+e signals8 !e $ st decide e6actly what they are to say8 Also 4 need to get a

$essage o t to Beneral Breyson9 if possi7le9 sing one of the captain%s carrier crows8@ Ding Drinio s stood to his ;enera7le height8 >)oys9 $y dear9@ he 7owed his 7lond head slightly to the children and departed8 The children sat together on the stern and ate their 7rea+fast in the hot s n8 After they were done eating9 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh played a ga$e the sailors had ta ght the$ sing old $etal rings and 7its of rigging8 Priya o7ser;ed their spirited play9 which she dee$ed too aggressi;e to participate in9 and instead the little princess disappeared 7elow dec+ and ret rned with her g itar8 4t was the first ti$e the 7oys had seen her play since her re niting with her father8 She spent the ne6t few ho rs perfecting one of the songs fro$ Captain )ill%s 7oo+8 A7o t an ho r later9 Captain )ill e$erged fro$ 7elow dec+9 and Priya saw he was cradling two 7lac+ and grey crows nder each ar$8 The captain strode to the ship%s side9 held the 7irds close to his face as if whispering to the$9 and then tossed the creat res o;er the edge into the stiff ocean 7ree/e8 The crows san+ a few feet towards the water and then rose into the air and flew off as fast as their wings wo ld carry the$8 As they r shed away in the stiff sea 7ree/e9 the children noticed a tiny scroll attached to each 7ird%s left claw8 >4 wonder where they are headed9@ said Ansh as he watched the 7irds fly < ic+ly o t of sight8 >'y g ess is they are going to )ottle )ay8 They are ho$ing 7irds9 so they will 7e ret rning to their roost9@ said Priya8 She stopped playing and loo+ed p fro$ the g itar8 >) t 4 wonder how they find the ship in the $iddle of the ocean if they need to 7ring a reply8@ Priya res $ed her practice9 and the Three )rothers sp n their $etal rings for the re$ainder of the $orning8 And for a few ho rs9 they were again carefree children at li7erty to play and do as their i$aginations co$pelled8 Chef Bene%s clanging dinner plate of a 7ell so nded l nch9 and the 7oys h rriedly poc+eted their toys to :oin the sailors and the +ing for the $idday $eal8 Priya r shed off to the ca7in to stow her g itar and ret rned a few $o$ents later to find the scr $ptio s $eal that had 7een laid o t for l nch8 Bene had prepared a delicio s feast that left the children feeling drowsy8 After la/ing in the afternoon s n for a while9 they decided to retire to the ca7in downstairs for a respite fro$ the heat and perhaps an afternoon nap8 The s n was low in the s+y when Agni sho ting wo+e e;eryone in the roo$8 5e grinned sheepishly and said9 >#ight$ares8@ The other three children shoo+ sleep fro$ their hair9 and they $ade their way to the dec+ where they e$erged 7leary-eyed into the e;ening light8

The fo r $ade their way to their place at the stern and sat staring o t at the reflection of the dying s n on the s rface of the sea8 The e;ening air had changed8 4t was war$er and hea;ier9 and on the 7ree/e was the hint of a rainstor$8 After a long $o$ent9 Priya said9 >4 cannot wait to 7e 7ac+ on dry land8@ She loo+ed at the Three )rothers who agreed e$phatically8 She wondered alo d9 >.o yo thin+ the captain will wait ntil we ret rn to Tortoise Co;e to in< ire a7o t the sol tion to his riddleA@ Agni shifted nco$forta7ly and did not answer8 Priya st died his face for a $o$ent and did not p rs e the $atter f rther8 The children watched silently as the sailors p lled long sections of rope to change the direction of the can;as8 Slowly9 the crew 7egan to asse$7le on the dec+8 =ach person faced west9 and e;ery eye was fi6ed on the setting s n8 Ding Drinio s e$erged fro$ 7elow dec+ alongside 3arry9 7 t he too+ lea;e of the tall sailor and strode o;er to the +not of children8 The princess hopped p and h gged the tall $an aro nd his waist9 and then father and da ghter settled down together to ga/e at the fiery red or7 descending slowly into the sea8 >This is a lo;ely c sto$9@ said the +ing to his da ghters and her co$panions8 >The s n is so stri+ing as it sets into the sea8 4t certainly deser;es re;erence8@ As the rest of the gro p ga/ed at the setting s n9 Aryan o7ser;ed the faces of those on7oard the ship8 4n that $o$ent9 he tho ght perhaps he nderstood why people 7eca$e sailors8 Captain )ill e$erged to 7egin the s n sal te cere$ony8 5e faced the congregated sailors and said9 >)efore we 7egin this e;ening9 the +ing has so$ething he wo ld li+e to say8@ All eyes were on Ding Drinio s as the tall $an stood and strode across the dec+ to ta+e his place ne6t to the captain8 5e ga;e a s$all wa;e9 s$iled and said9 >Than+ yo all so $ ch for yo r ;alor in co$ing to $y aid8 4 +now this was a perilo s ;oyage with an ncertain ending9 7 t the 7ra;e crew of the La Marta $et the challenge head on9 and for s ch 7ra;ery9 4 a$ eternally gratef l8@ >Co ha;e ret rned $e to $y +ingdo$ and re nited $e with $y da ghter8 'oreo;er9 yo ha;e re+indled $y ad;ent ro s spirit9 and as $y new-fo nd friends9 yo ha;e $ade $e feel at ho$e and welco$e8 4 than+ yo once $ore for yo r +indness8@ 5e $otioned to the setting s n 7ehind hi$8 >This sal tation to the s n is a 7ea tif l cere$ony9 and each day9 4 se this ti$e to reflect and clear $y $ind as well as e6press $y gratit de for life8 4 than+ yo for the opport nity to share this with yo 8@ The +ing nodded and s$iled and ret ned to his da ghter%s side8 Captain )ill than+ed Ding Drinio s for his +ind words8 5e then told a 7rief story a7o t the first fisher$en of Tortoise Co;e who decided to ;ent re farther o t into the sea8 Then the entire ship fell silent as the s n disappeared into the ocean8 Eerry played the ha nting s n serenade on his

horn9 and then the re;elry 7egan8 The s+y was instantly dar+9 and the dec+ was filled with the :oyo s so nds of $ sic9 la ghter and the ;oices of pirates at leis re8 The dinner Bene prepared was spectac lar9 and once the $eal was o;er9 and e;eryone had gone 7ac+ a7o;e dec+9 Princess Priya played se;eral ro sing songs on the g itar9 and a thoro ghly i$pressed Ding Drinio s who :oined her on har$onica8 Agni9 Aryan and Ansh watched their d et for a while 7 t e;ent ally slipped away fro$ the large a dience that had grown aro nd the pair8 Aryan and Ansh too+ p a ga$e of rings and strings with two sailors9 and Agni went alone to the ship%s edge and stared o t at the 7lac+ sea and deep 7l e s+y9 7oth of which were p nct ated 7y the stars and their reflections8 5e did not notice Captain )ill as he strode silently ne6t to hi$8 4ndeed9 he only reali/ed the pirate was there when )ill spo+e his na$e9 >Agni9@ which ca sed the 7oy to loo+ p into the pirate%s dar+ eyes9 startled8 The captain had 7eco$e increasingly recl si;e in recent days9 and the reason was now apparent to Agni8 5e had 7een an6io s to tal+ to the 7oy9 and Agni +new a7o t what8 The captain loo+ed down at the 7oy and said9 >!e need to tal+8@ Agni replied9 >4 +now8@ And witho t another word9 Captain )ill led Agni thro gh the crowd of ra co s pirates9 thro gh the low door that led 7elow dec+9 down the cra$ped hallway and down the steps that led to the captain%s < arters8 Agni followed Captain )ill into his roo$9 and the 7oy was i$pressed8 5e did not ha;e $ ch ti$e to ta+e in his s rro ndings9 howe;er8 Captain )ill sat 7ehind the large wooden des+ and $otioned to the e$pty chair across fro$ hi$8 Agni felt slightly na seo s8 As he san+ into the green leather9 his tong e 7egan to tingle8 The pirate was silent for a long $o$ent9 and he stared intently at the 7oy and the tiny 7eads of sweat for$ing on his nose8 Agni tried to stay cal$9 7 t he +ept wondering if )ill wo ld 7elie;e the tr th9 that 3o isa had had Brey7eard%s treas re the entire ti$e and had concealed it fro$ hi$ 7eca se of her pro$ise to the pirate8 ) t one thing was certain9 he wo ld not 7e a7le to con;ince Captain )ill to wait any longer8 Agni did not want to conte$plate what the $enacing loo+ing pirate $ight do if he did not 7elie;e the answer to the riddle8 Finally9 the captain spo+e in a < iet ;oice8 >4 a$ s re yo +now why yo are here8 4 want to +now the riddle%s answer8@ )ill loo+ed an6io sly into Agni%s face8 5is eyes were desperate9 al$ost cra/ed8 5e was a $an capa7le of anything8 5e had 7een drin+ing hea;ily8 Agni co ld tell 7y the s$ell9 and his eyes were red li+e they had 7een the night the children arri;ed at the Salty .og8 Agni too+ a deep 7reath8 As he spo+e9 the fleeting tho ght that Ding Drinio s $ight 7e a7le to sa;e hi$ if Captain )ill decided to throw hi$ o;er7oard flashed < ic+ly thro gh his $ind8

>Brey7eard%s treas re is in )ottle )ay8 3o isa has it9@ he said9 and those were all the words he co ld $ ster8 Captain )ill stared at Agni a long $o$ent in silence8 5is e6pression was nchanged8 Agni ret rned his stare9 hoping he was con;eying his tr thf lness with his eyes8 Finally9 the pirate%s face 7ro+e into a croo+ed s$ile8 >5a ha9@ he said with a s$all th $p of his fist on the ta7le8 >Co are :o+ing s rely8 And while yo r :o+e a$ ses $e9 the ti$ing is inappropriate8@ 5is face 7eca$e $enacing8 >#ow9 where is the treas reA@ he as+ed once again8 Agni was frightened 7 t did not show it8 5e +new in order to pro;e his honesty9 he had to e6plain the riddle%s sol tion to Captain )ill8 5e recited the riddle which he had co$$itted to $e$ory8 >%1nderneath the starlit s+ies9 yo +now where yo r treas re lies8 #ear and far we pirates roa$9 7 t what yo see+ is in yo r ho$e8 Co r ho$e 7eneath the open s+ies9 on land and on the sea8 As+ yo r heart where treas re lies9 and there it shall 7e8% >The treas re is in yo r ho$e9 Tortoise Co;e9@ Agni said again8 >3o isa has it8@ Captain )ill narrowed his eyes at Agni and scoffed8 >Tortoise Co;e is not $y ho$e9@ he said threateningly8 >4 a$ a pirate8 4 ha;e no ho$e?@ Agni considered this8 Then he shr gged and said9 >Brey7eard $ st ha;e disagreed8@ Captain )ill stared into Agni%s face as he had the night at the Salty .og8 5e was loo+ing for the tr th8 Agni ret rned his ga/e nflinchingly8 Captain )ill co ntered9 >3o isa wo ld ha;e told $e if she had the treas re9@ 7 t his ;oice 7etrayed his ncertainly8 >Brey7eard $ade her pro$ise not to tell yo 9@ Agni replied9 and Captain )ill +new it was tr e8 The great pirate%s face cr $pled8 5e was lost in tho ght and stared at his des+ 7ewildered8 After a while9 Captain )ill got p9 crossed to the c p7oard filled with colored 7ottles and re$o;ed a one filled with green li< id8 5e swigged o t of the 7ottle and paced aro nd the roo$ $ ttering angrily8 Agni was 7eginning to thin+ )ill had forgotten a7o t hi$ entirely when the $an loo+ed p and noticed the 7oy sitting at the des+8 5is face was ashen9 and his dar+ eyes loo+ed lost8 >3ea;e $e9@ he said thic+ly9 and Agni $ade his way to the door8 As he e6ited9 he saw Captain )ill t rn the long9 thin 7ottle p and drain half its contents in one g lp8

Agni slipped onto the dec+ nnoticed a$id the e;ening re;elry8 5e saw a s$all gro p gathered where Priya sat playing g itar ne6t to her father8 A pirate with long 7rown hair was singing a 7ea tif l song in a lang age Agni did not +now8 The wo$an%s ;oice was deep and raspy9 and the song $ade Agni feel e;en sadder8 5e $ade his way to their s al spot at the ship%s stern8 4t was e$pty9 and Agni sat alone staring o t at the 7lac+ sea8 The ship c t thro gh the choppy water9 and the flag atop the crow%s nest snapped in the stiff 7ree/e8 Agni sighed and rested his chin on the wooden railing8 5e tho ght a7o t Captain )ill8 #o do 7t the pirate had 7elie;ed hi$8 The 7oy co ld tell 7y the loo+ in his eyes8 )ill had seen Agni was telling the tr th8 5e sat thin+ing 7lea+ tho ghts a7o t the captain as the $oon and the noise on the dec+ rose higher and higher8 Finally9 Ansh $ade his way o;er to his oldest 7rother8 5e was tired 7 t said nothing8 5e $erely slipped his s$all hand into Agni%s and rested his head against his 7rother8 Agni loo+ed down at Ansh%s tired eyes and s$iled8 >Co$e no8 3et%s go to sleep9@ said Agni9 and then he led Ansh off to their ca7in and to 7ed8 Ansh < ic+ly fell to sleep9 7 t Agni did not8 The oldest 7rother lay awa+e in the roo$ and watched Ansh sleep in the low la$p light8 Ansh%s face was peacef l9 which only deepened Agni%s re$orse for Captain )ill9 who he +new $ st s rely 7e tort red 7y +nowing his treas re was in within his grasp the entire ti$e8 5e lay for a long ti$e watching his 7rother sleep and thin+ing a7o t Captain )ill8 The one thing he co ld not nderstand was how the pirate had 7een na7le to fig re o t the riddle when Agni had fo nd it so easy8 A tho ght crossed his $ind9 a $e$ory of his $other one spring standing in their +itchen in front of the pantry searching for the last :ar of straw7erry :a$8 She stood staring at the rows of shel;es for a long ti$e 7efore she fo nd the :ar8 >4t was right there9@ she said with a la gh as she too+ the :ar off of the shelf8 >So$eti$es9 yo can 7e loo+ing right at so$ething and still not 7e a7le to see it8@ Agni did not +now why this partic lar $e$ory floated to his $ind9 7 t it was his $other%s words that h ng in the air a7o;e hi$ as he lay in the silent roo$8 =;ent ally9 he heard the so nd of Ding Drinio s9 Princess Priya9 and Aryan on the other side of the door8 Agni feigned sleep as the door+no7 t rned and the trio entered the roo$8 >Ah9 here they are9@ said Ding Drinio s in a ;oice that was slightly too lo d9 which ca sed Agni to s spect that perhaps the +ing +new he was not gen inely sleeping8 >For a $o$ent there9 4 tho ght we had lost the$ to the wa;es9@ said the +ing9 ca sing Aryan to giggle8

Ding Drinio s ens red that Priya and Aryan 7r shed their teeth8 Then the two children crawled nder the co;ers8 Aryan cli$7ed into the large fo r-poster 7ed with his 7rothers9 and Priya got into the other 7ed and sn ggled ne6t to her father8 The la$p was e6ting ished9 and soon9 Agni heard Aryan%s slow and steady 7reathing8 Agni laid awa+e staring into the dar+ness9 and slowly9 his eyes ad: sted to the lac+ of light8 5e listened as Priya tossed and t rned9 and then fell silent8 And finally9 he heard the deep low 7reathing of the +ing asleep8 4n the dar+9 Agni co ld see the o tline of the large la$ps on the walls and the gigantic glass-fronted c p7oards filled with strange artifacts that had 7een 7olted to 7oth the wall and floor8 5e co ld scarcely $a+e o t the colors of the hanging tapestries8 5e was s ddenly re$inded of the enchanted carriages 'aridi s had 7ro ght to Chancell7erry City8 5e wondered how long it wo ld ta+e 7efore the contraptions t rned the entire +ingdo$ grey8 And e;en if Ding Drinio s regained control of the +ingdo$ and got rid of the carriages9 wo ld the color e;er ret rnA Agni%s head was filled with dar+ tho ghts of color draining carriages and secret hidden treas res as he fell into a ;ery dist r7ed sleep8 Ding Drinio s awo+e early the ne6t $orning as he did each day8 5is eyes flew open : st as hints of the s n 7egan to color the s+y8 5e had ne;er 7een one to sleep in late9 7 t when Priya was an infant9 the +ing had 7eco$e sed to ha;ing ;ery little sleep and had ne;er gotten o t of the ha7it8 5e ne;er felt as if he was not getting eno gh rest9 and he had $ore ti$e to spend i$pro;ing the +ingdo$ or playing with his da ghter8 5is a7ility to 7e f lly rested with : st a few ho rs sleep had 7een < ite helpf l after Binnifer had died9 he recalled9 as he stretched his long ar$s towards the low paneled ceiling8 The floor7oards were cool 7eneath his 7are feet8 The +ing crossed to the large plate glass windows8 The windows were a $ar;el8 The low ceiling ga;e way to a high e6panse that reached p to the dec+8 5igh a7o;e9 there was clear glass so that a person co ld see the s+y e;en so far 7elow dec+8 The rest of the thic+ glass was stained into an array of colors9 so the roo$ was always ill $inated 7y colored light8 #ow9 tho gh9 in the odd $orning ho r 7etween the $oon set and s nrise9 the roo$ ca7in was dar+9 and the +ing stood staring at the s+y9 sal ting the night a final farewell8 The +ing t rned8 5e < ic+ly and efficiently changed his clothes9 washed his face and co$7ed his hair9 7r shed his teeth and dran+ a glass of water8 5e pa sed $o$entarily to watch his da ghter sleeping9 and then he wal+ed o t the door9 closing it silently 7ehind hi$8 The +ing strode < ic+ly thro gh the 7owels of the still < iet ship and e$erged so ndlessly onto the sleeping dec+8 2nly a few sailors were awa+e this early in the $orning8 Ding Drinio s +new $ost of the La Marta$s crew wo ld still 7e sleeping9 either

in their ca7ins 7elow or on the dec+ itself as so$e ro tinely did in order to rest 7elow the stars9 their drea$s inf sed with the sea air8 3arry was a$ong the few who co ld 7e relied pon to 7e p so early in the $orning8 The +ing had seen hi$ e;ery $orning since 7oarding the ship8 The $an was as relia7le as the s n itself8 The +ing had in< ired how he had the energy to wa+e so early after staying p so late in the e;ening8 3arry was ro tinely one of the last to retire at the end of each night8 The tall 7lond pirate had grinned8 >Afternoon naps9@ he had confided with a win+8 The +ing wa;ed at the ship%s first $ate9 who to ched the 7ri$ of his cap fro$ 7ehind the gigantic wooden wheel8 Ding Drinio s had spent e;ery $orning on the ship in the sa$e $anner starting with a stroll aro nd the dec+8 Then he settled into his spot at the 7ac+ of the ship and spent se;eral $in tes staring at the sea parting and nd lating in their wa+e8 Then as the first strains of pin+ 7egan to strea+ the eastern s+y9 he 7egan a series of e6ercises8 The tall $an twisted and 7alanced his 7ody in s ch nli+ely positions that he had initially drawn the attention of the crew $e$7ers8 )y now9 tho gh9 $ost of the sailors had grown acc sto$ed to the +ing%s $orning rit al9 and al$ost all of the$ had stopped staring as he stood on his head with his long legs e6tended to the s+y and his ar$s stretching o t 7eside hi$8 After co$pleting his e6ercises9 the +ing sat with his legs crossed and stared o t at the new day dawning pon the s rface of the sea8 That $orning9 li+e the fo r pre;io s he had spent on the La Marta9 dawned golden and clo dless9 7 t in the air9 a pro$ise of h $idity cl ng to the +ing%s s+in8 4t was s 7tle change9 noticea7le only 7y those who spent long ho rs nderstanding the weather9 7 t the +ing felt the shift8 3arry felt it too as all good sailors can feel a stor$ co$ing days 7efore its arri;al8 Ding Drinio s rose fro$ his $orning $editation and :oined 3arry at the ship%s hel$8 The pirate%s lo d whistle was silenced as the +ing spo+e8 >The wind has changed9@ he o7ser;ed9 and 3arry nodded9 still h $$ing to hi$self8 >The rains start aro nd this ti$e9 correctA@ the +ing in< ired8 3arry nodded8 >That%s right8 Sho ld 7e any day now8 Co ne;er can tell e6actly9 7 t it%ll 7e soon8@ 5is eyes scanned the see$ingly clear hori/on8 Ding Drinio s watched 3arry%s face intently8 >.o yo thin+ we can $a+e it 7ac+ to port 7efore they hitA@ he as+ed8 3arry shoo+ his head8 >5ard to say8@ 5e whistled a few 7ars9 and the two $en stood silently ne6t to each other9 staring at the early $orning light pon glassy sea8 Then 3arry added9 >3et%s hope we $a+e it 7ac+ 7efore the rains hit8 The first stor$ of the season is always a toad strangler8 .on%t fancy sailing in the$ conditions if we can help it8@ Ding Drinio s nodded and patted 3arry on the 7ac+8 Then he left the giant pirate to his na;igating8

The children wo+e early9 7 t 7y the ti$e they :oined Ding Drinio s on dec+9 the day was already hot and $ ggy8 )y noon9 the s+y was a white ha/e9 a significant shift for$ the clear 7l e afternoons they had 7een e6periencing8 The change in the weather was e;ident9 and as the children noticed9 it ca sed a change in the crew as well8 The pirates who pop lated the La Marta were the crea$ of the crop8 Their 7odies had 7eco$e so att ned to the ship that watching the$ wor+ was al$ost li+e watching a large creat re with $ ltiple hands co$plete an e6tre$ely ela7orate tas+8 3i+e a giant octop s9 Ansh had tho ght8 Their e6pert hands dropped line onto e6perienced sho lders that carried it across the dec+8 .eft legs scaled rigging in a flash8 The ship was a well-oiled $achine8 ) t today9 the change in the wind ca sed the s ally nh rried sailors to < ic+en their pace8 They p lled harder and cli$7ed faster8 Ropes were tossed with e6tra force9 flying thro gh the air li+e 7 llets8 And the sails of the La Marta 7illowed ferocio s in the wind as the wooden ship raced thro gh the water8 The sea had changed too8 The clear9 cal$ water that had spar+led t r< oise on their trip to #o 'an%s 4sland was now choppy and dar+er8 The 7l e had 7een replaced 7y a grayish 7rown8 4t was hard for the children to 7elie;e they were ret ning the sa$e way they had co$e8 Agni wondered $o$entarily if di; lging the location of Brey7eard%s treas re had dri;en Captain )ill insane9 and the enraged pirate was now ta+ing the$ hostage to so$e re$ote co;e to 7e $ rdered and left for dead8 All $anner of tho ghts raced thro gh his $ind as they congregated for l nch8 5e shoo+ his head hard as if to dispel his tho ghts and said to hi$self9 >4t%s o+ay8 Stop worrying8 Captain )ill was pset9 7 t he%s not +idnapping s8@ 4t occ rred to Agni then9 standing a$ong the crowd of pirates9 that he had not seen the captain once all day long8 The 7oy scanned the faces aro nd hi$ and wondered if anyone else had noticed his a7sence8 Agni spent the rest of the afternoon on the dec+ +eeping an eye o t for Captain )ill to no a;ail8 The pirate ne;er s rfaced8 )y late afternoon9 the light was waning9 7 t the s n was o7sc red 7y gigantic clo ds that co;ered the hori/on8 E st then9 Captain )ill staggered fro$ 7elow dec+9 a large 7rass $ g in his hand8 5e $o;ed sl ggishly and spilled wine down his n7 ttoned shirt as he crossed to the railing8 The crew asse$7led on dec+ for the s n sal te9 which today wo ld 7e $ade to a fading 7an+ of clo ds that swallowed the sea8 )ill t rned to stare towards the west where the s n was hidden8 5e raised his glass high for a long $o$ent then wordlessly drained the c p with his eyes on the clo ds8 The captain sp n aro nd to face his crew and wiped his $o th sloppily with his slee;e8 >The s n is gone9@ he said slowly8 Then he loo+ed aro nd the crowd with nfoc sed

eyes8 5e s< inted as if trying to $a+e o t faces8 The he slowly e6tracted an nlit pipe fro$ his poc+et and < eried9 >Anyone got a lightA@ The crowd er pted in la ghter9 and the captain : $ped down9 his hea;y 7lac+ 7oots landing hard on 3arry%s toe8 5e accepted a lit $atch fro$ his first $ate8 #o one see$ed to 7e 7othered 7y the captain%s day-long disappearance or his apparent into6ication9 Agni tho ght8 ) t then he noticed Ding Drinio s%s gra;e e6pression as he watched Captain )ill wal+ nsteadily across the dar+ening dec+8 As soon as the e;ening festi;ities had 7eg n9 Agni gra77ed Priya and Aryan 7y the ar$s and p lled the$ away fro$ the crowd to ens re their pri;acy8 Ansh and Corneli s followed the$8 >3isten9@ Agni said < ietly9 >yesterday9 Captain )ill too+ $e to his ca7in and $ade $e tell hi$ where Brey7eard%s treas re is hidden8@ >That is what we fig red9@ said Priya with a loo+ to Aryan and Ansh8 All three children loo+ed e6pectantly at Agni9 7 t he said nothing f rther8 5is face was tense and his eyes were on the captain as he la ghed ferocio sly at the center of a gro p of pirates8 >!ell9 where is itA@ as+ed Ansh8 Agni hesitated for a $o$ent and then lti$ately decided telling the$ co ld do no har$ since Captain )ill already +new8 >4t is in )ottle )ay so$ewhere8 Pro7a7ly in the Salty .og8 Brey7eard left it with 3o isa when he left for the 4ce Coast8@ Aryan9 Ansh and Princess Priya stood gaping at Agni in dis7elief8 Finally9 Priya as+ed9 >Co $ean she has had the treas re this entire ti$eA@ >Ces9@ Agni nodded9 >7 t Brey7eard $ade her gi;e hi$ her word that she wo ldn%t tell8 5e had to fig re it o t on his own8@ >5e $ st 7e de;astated9@ said Priya9 and all of the children t rned to loo+ at the captain who was sl $ped ;ery low on a chair staring 7lan+ly at the side of a 7arrel with a 7e;y of sailors tal+ing ani$atedly aro nd hi$8 >Ces9 he see$s to ha;e ta+en it pretty hard9@ Agni agreed8 5e felt relie;ed to ha;e shared his secret8 >4t see$s as if no one else notices9@ Priya o7ser;ed9 and she was correct8 #one of the sailors sitting with the captain see$ed the least 7it pert r7ed at his near-co$atose state8 #ot e;en 3arry9 who stood ne6t to )ill slapping his thigh9 noticed his changed 7eha;ior8 The giant $an%s 7oo$ing la ghter rang across the dec+9 and he clapped a large hand on )ill%s sho lder9 which the captain hardly noticed8

>They $ st 7e sed to hi$ acting this way9@ s ggested Ansh8 >Co are pro7a7ly right9@ said Priya8 >Clearly9 no one see$s to thin+ there is a pro7le$8 That is9 other than $y father9@ she added9 noticing the +ing o7ser;ing the captain with a concerned loo+ on his face8 >4 will spea+ with hi$ later and tell hi$ what has happened8 'ay7e he will +now what to do8@ The fo r children stood staring for a long $o$ent at the sad fig re of the captain cr $pled in his chair8 5e ga/ed n $7ly o t of two nseeing 7lac+ eyes9 s rro nded 7y his cele7rating friends who did not reali/e anything was wrong with hi$8 Priya wondered how long the captain had searched in ;ain for Brey7eard%s treas re 7efore anyone noticed he was pset8 5ow long had he 7een drowning hi$self at the Salty .og and not ;ent ring into the seaA She was disappointed with herself that she had not tho ght to as+8 3oo+ing at the sad $an who had facilitated her father%s resc e and had shown hi$self to 7e a diplo$atic ad;ent rer9 the $an who had ta ght her to play g itar and had ta+en her on an a$a/ing :o rney across the sea9 the little princess ;owed to $a+e the sailor feel 7etter8 )y the ti$e Bene rang the 7ell signaling dinner9 the s+y had lost its ha/e fro$ the heat of the day9 and the stars shone fro$ the in+y 7l e sea of the s+y8 A ;ery cool and relie;ing 7ree/e 7lew fro$ the west8 The dining hall felt cra$ped after the cool 7ree/e and open s+y a7o;e dec+8 Captain )ill%s 7eha;ior $ade the at$osphere in the enclosed dining roo$ oppressi;e for the children8 Priya ate only salad9 and Ansh pic+ed idly at the roast fish on his plate8 Bene was ;ery disappointed to see that Agni9 who nor$ally de;o red his so fflOs9 had not eaten a 7ite of the ;egeta7le co$pote on his plate8 As soon as co ld 7e considered polite9 the children e6c sed the$sel;es fro$ the ta7le and retreated to the ship%s dec+9 which was largely e$pty8 2nly 3o 9 a tall pirate with $o sy 7rown hair who stood at the hel$9 and two other sailors $anning the rigging re$ained8 The children waited patiently as the crew started to slowly filter o t and for$ la ghing9 singing gro ps8 The so nd of their :oy echoed on the cool 7ree/e8 Finally9 Ding Drinio s e$erged with a loo+ Priya recogni/ed on his face followed closely 7y a swaying Captain )ill8 The +ing and the captain :oined 3arry at a ta7le s rro nded 7y se;eral pirates8 They 7egan a ga$e of cards9 and Priya e6haled hea;ily9 tossing her 7raids and t rning away with her ar$s crossed o;er her chest8 >4 will not 7e a7le to spea+ with hi$ now8 !e will ha;e to wait8@

The children engaged the$sel;es with a distracted ga$e of Ring and String8 All fo r +ept glancing at Ding Drinio s and Captain )ill s rro nded 7y card playing pirates8 Agni loo+ed for any sign of $alice in )ill%s de$eanor 7 t fo nd none8 The captain see$ed co$pletely naware of his s rro ndings9 and this rela6ed Agni a 7it8 4f the pirate was planning so$e sort of retri7 tion9 he wo ld need to 7e conscio s in order to do so8 Priya +ept loo+ing for an opport nity to spea+ with her father9 7 t it ne;er arose8 Finally9 the princess tossed her $etal ring into the large string circle with a sigh8 >4 a$ going to 7ed9@ she said and stood to lea;e8 >4 tho ght yo were going to tal+ to yo r father a7o t Captain )ill9@ said Aryan9 his large 7rown eyes wide8 >Co are not gi;ing p so easily9 are yo A@ >4 will wait p and spea+ with $y father after he ret rns to the ca7in9@ she said $atter-of -factly8 >4 : st cannot sit here any longer and watch )ill drin+ hi$self to death8@ The 7oys agreed that the dec+ was not s ch a festi;e place that e;ening9 and all fo r children $ade their way nnoticed downstairs8 2nly Ding Drinio s noticed the$ lea;ing9 and he ca ght Priya%s eye8 The two had e6changed +nowing loo+s 7efore the children disappeared thro gh the s$all wooden door that led 7elow dec+8 The children were restless and na7le to sleep8 They distracted the$sel;es 7y playing Bo Fish with a stac+ of ;ery n s al cards they had fo nd in one of the large c p7oards8 The cards 7ore ;ario s n s al characters8 4nstead of the c sto$ary < eens and :ac+s9 the dec+ had $er$aids and nicorns8 Telling so$eone Ggo fish% was so$eti$es literal9 as the n $7er two was represented 7y two intertwined fish8 After se;eral long and noisy ga$es in which Agni fo nd it necessary to constantly tell the others which cards to play9 and Priya contin ally re$inded hi$ the other players were free to play as they chose9 Ansh was showing ;isi7le signs of e6ha stion8 Aryan s ggested they t rn in for the night with a yawn8 The children got nder the co;ers9 and Priya e6ting ished the la$p on the ta7le8 The roo$ was thrown into s dden dar+ness8 Ansh was asleep 7efore the little princess%s eyes ad: sted to the diff sed $oonlight filtering thro gh the high stained glass window8 She co ld $a+e o t the door to the hallway thro gh which her father wo ld at so$e point co$e8 She co ld see the o tline of the dar+ wooden c p7oards screwed into the opposite wall8 She co ld not see the collection of anti< e $as+s9 golden go7lets9 enor$o s swords and other oddities the c p7oards held9 7 t she i$agined the$ standing on display in the glass-fronted ca7inets8 Priya fo nd the c p7oards% contents e6tre$ely interesting and $ade a point to s r;ey the ite$s e;ery day9 for it was i$possi7le to see e;erything9 and she was certain to notice a new treas re each ti$e she loo+ed8 A few days 7efore9 she noticed what appeared to 7e a $on+ey%s s+ ll9 tho gh she co ld not 7e s re9 7eca se it was slightly o7sc red fro$ ;iew 7y a leather-7o nd 7oo+ entitled9 >2rigin of Species8@ She li+ed to wonder where Captain )ill had ac< ired all these odd ite$s and $ade p stories a7o t so$e of their origins8

Priya lay pon the 7ed ;ery still for a long ti$e staring at the c p7oards8 After she heard Agni%s 7reath 7eco$e the slow deep rasp of drea$ing9 she t rned her attention to the far right of the roo$ where the light fro$ the window spilled onto the floor and now see$ed to ill $inate al$ost the entire roo$8 The light pooled in $ lti-colored lagoons and created islands of dar+9 i$penetra7le shadows8 She was thin+ing of the sea9 so 7l e and endlessly ;ast9 so $ ch li+e the s+y into which she ga/ed e;ery night that always $ade her feel so s$all and insignificant8 5er $ind drifted to the stars and how their light ta+es ;ery long to reach the earth9 a fact 'iss ' llins had ta ght her8 She re$e$7ered her teacher for the first ti$e since she had left Chancell7erry City9 which now see$ed li+e years ago8 >!hat wo ld ha;e happened 7y nowA@ she wondered to herself8 Priya listened8 Aryan had fallen asleep as well8 >Bood9@ she tho ght8 She wanted to ha;e a heart to heart with her father9 7 t they hardly had a $o$ent of ti$e alone since they had 7een re nited8 She was sed to ha;ing hi$ to herself8 =;ery day they wo ld spend a < iet 7rea+fast9 : st the two of the$9 disc ssing their day and anything that ca$e to $ind8 ) t that was 7efore 'aridi s had started with his nonsense8 Priya had not allowed herself to cry on the day her father was ta+en away8 She +new getting e$otional wo ld not help the sit ation9 and she wanted to 7e 7ra;e and do e;erything she co ld to right the enor$o s wrong that had 7een co$$itted8 The little girl lie still reflecting on all that had happened for a long ti$e ntil she heard what she tho ght were footsteps co$ing down the corridor8 And s re eno gh9 the +no7 of the hea;ily engra;ed door t rned9 and in wal+ed her father8 5e was so tall that his 7lond head nearly to ched the doorway as he entered8 5e sh t the door < ietly and crossed to the e$pty 7ed ta+ing care not to wa+e the sleeping children8 Priya sat p slowly9 slid fro$ nder the co;ers witho t dist r7ing the three sleeping 7rothers9 and tip toed o;er to her father8 >!hat are yo doing still awa+e9 $y darlingA@ the +ing as+ed8 4t was in no way a repri$and8 5e was $erely interested in why she was not yet asleep8 >4 needed to spea+ with yo in pri;ate9@ the girl replied8 She tried to +eep her ;oice slow and e;en9 7 t Ding Drinio s see$ed to notice a hint of rgency in her tone8 5e said9 >Co see$ tro 7led9 7 t there is no need to 7e8 =;erything that will happen is for o r own good8 =;erything that has happened is for o r own good8 And e;erything that is happening now is for o r own good as well8@ Priya nodded8 She had heard this 7efore8 >Bo ahead and tell $e what is on yo r $ind9 honey8@ 5is eyes spar+led and he ga;e her a grin8 >4t will 7e for yo r own good8@ Priya shoo+ her head 7 t co ld not help 7 t s$ile8 That was her father8 5e often spo+e in para7les9 and she had heard $ore than one person call hi$ Gthe philosopher +ing%8 She nderstood why9 altho gh she did not necessarily agree with this ;iewpoint8 5er father was an idealist8 5e 7elie;ed in $orality9 altr is$9 honor8 5e 7elie;ed it was his d ty to

dedicate his life to others9 not 7eca se he was the +ing9 he had said9 7 t 7eca se that is what all h $ans sho ld do8 >)y ser;ing others9 we ser;e o rsel;es9@ he often told her8 >)y 7ettering others9 we 7etter o rsel;es as well8@ Priya had heard hi$ say this $any ti$es 7 t still did not f lly nderstand how it was possi7le8 4t did not fit into the real$ of her nderstanding9 $ ch li+e the $agic Professor Von Freeson had sed it to enchant the carriages so they co ld $o;e witho t horses8 She did not see how i$pro;ing others wo ld a to$atically i$pro;e an indi;id al8 She felt ti$e wo ld 7e 7etter spent learning so$ething new8 4n her ;iew9 st dy alone was the path to co$plete self-i$pro;e$ent8 And yet9 at her father%s 7ehoo;e$ent9 and 7eca se she wo ld do witho t < estion anything he as+ed of her9 the little princess engaged in $any co$$ nity ser;ice acti;ities9 and Priya ca$e to find she did feel $ ch 7etter afterwards8 She felt happy teaching the s$aller children a7o t gardening at 'iss ' llin%s9 and she had an enor$o s sense of satisfaction at the i$$ac lately clean streets of Chancell7erry City8 Their $aintenance was entirely nderta+en 7y the Children of Chancell7erry City Vol nteering 2rgani/ation9 a gro p Priya for$ed with a few school friends that grew to incl de the entire city%s children8 They pic+ed p and recycled the waste and $aintained the flower 7eds8 The roadways and sidewal+s of their town had ne;er 7een $ore 7ea tif l8 4t was Priya%s pride and :oy8 So perhaps her father was right8 5e often was8 5e co ld 7e right now as well9 7 t Priya did not see how Captain )ill%s e6tre$ely negati;e reaction to the answer of his riddle 7enefitted anyone at all8 Priya 7egan as prag$atically as she co ld 7y saying9 >4 s ppose yo ha;e noticed the change in the captain%s 7eha;ior o;er the past few days8@ 5er father nodded 7 t said nothing8 The little girl contin ed8 >!ell9 4 7elie;e 4 +now what has ca sed hi$ to 7eha;e this way8@ She pa sed and then went on8 >Co see9 when we $et the captain9 he was $ ch li+e he is now8 5e was drin+ing < ite a 7it of alcohol and was largely incoherent8@ Ding Drinio s leaned 7ac+ and p t his hands on his +nees as he listened to his da ghter%s story8 >5e had 7een dri;en cra/y 7y a riddle his for$er $entor9 Brey7eard9 had told hi$8@ Ding Drinio s si$ply nodded9 7 t Priya +new he was aware of Brey7eard%s notoriety as one of the 7est sailors and ad;ent rers in the +ingdo$ as well as the captain%s $ysterio s disappearance two years prior8 The little princess went on8 >!ell9 7efore Brey7eard left9 he hid all of his treas re and told Captain )ill he co ld ha;e it8 5e told hi$ the location in the for$ of a riddle8 ) t )ill co ld ne;er sol;e the riddle9 so he lost heart9 < it sailing and too+ to drin+ing8@ Priya pa sed9 and the +ing nodded once $ore and said9 >4 nderstand8@

>And on o r way thro gh the !ater Forest9 we $et The 'other9 the wo$an who r ns the fa7led orphanage at the foot of the $o ntains8 Captain )ill had 7een left in the orphanage as a 7a7y9 and she said he co ld help s8@ >!hen we finally $ade it to Tortoise Co;e and fo nd the captain9 he was in no state to help s8 ) t when he heard the riddle9 Agni was a7le to fig re o t its answer9 and )ill agreed to help s resc e yo in e6change for the sol tion8@ The +ing nodded and said9 >4 see8@ >So Agni told Captain )ill the answer to the riddle yesterday9 which fran+ly9 was a little o7;io s8 And now9 )ill is all pset again8@ Priya finished the story and sat ga/ing at her father who was conte$plating what she had told hi$8 The +ing sat pondering and finally said with a s$ile9 >And what was the sol tion to the riddle9 $y dearA@ >The treas re was in Tortoise Co;e8 Brey7eard left it with )ill%s friend9 3o isa8 She owns the Salty .og9 a saloon in )ottle )ay8 )ill $o;ed there fro$ the orphanage when he was yo ng8 5e and 3o isa wanted to 7e pirates8@ >And why did yo say the riddle%s sol tion was o7;io sA@ he as+ed8 >!ell9 it is in retrospect9@ she said and then ad$itted8 >Altho gh9 4 was not a7le to fig re it o t at the ti$e8 ) t the riddle said the treas re was hiding in )ill%s ho$e9 and he li;ed with 3o isa and her father for years in )ottle )ay8 5e grew p there8 4 ha;e no idea why it ne;er occ rred to hi$ that the treas re was there8@ Ding Drinio s tho ght a $o$ent and said9 >!ell9 so$eti$es it is diffic lt for people to 7e o7:ecti;e when they are in the $iddle of things8 Perhaps that is what Brey7eard intended when he presented )ill with his riddle9 to challenge his perspecti;e on things9 to $a+e )ill < estion where he considered ho$e8@ Priya tho ght a7o t this8 4t was definitely possi7le8 After all9 as the fo nder of the Pirate%s Code9 Brey7eard was not only a fa$o s ad;ent rer9 7 t he was9 7y all acco nts9 a deep thin+er and great philosopher as well8 5e wrote e6tensi;ely a7o t his tra;els8 There were $any acco nts in the 1ni;ersity 3i7rary doc $enting the c lt res and nat ral life he enco ntered on his $any ;oyages8 5e had also penned se;eral 7oo+s on the ethics of sailing9 pri$arily foc sing on its f nction of increasing di;ersity and the i$portance of not i$posing ones own ;al es on newly-enco ntered c lt res8 5e had e;en written a few fictionali/ed no;els9 which often centered on sailing and tra;el8 Priya tho ght a7o t 3o isa and her desire to 7e a pirate8 She and Captain )ill had grown p sharing their c $ lati;e desire8 Brey7eard +new her talent and desire9 7 t after their

first fatef l trip9 he still $ade her pro$ise to stay at ho$e8 !as he trying to teach the$ 7oth so$e sort of lessonA The little princess e6haled deeply8 4t didn%t $a+e sense8 >4f Brey7eard wanted Captain )ill to +now the Salty .og was his ho$e9 why did he not : st say soA Clearly9 all this $ysterio s riddle 7 siness did not wor+8 Poor )ill is in an awf l state8@ Ding Drinio s considered his da ghter%s conf sion and s$iled in s ch a reass ring way that the girl was i$$ediately filled with a deep sense of relief8 >.o not worry a7o t o r captain8 5e will 7e all right8 5e is a to gh character8 Right now9 he is going thro gh the last ro gh patch 7efore he co$es o t of this st por he has 7een in8@ 5e patted the girl%s hand8 >4 will spea+ to hi$ and see if 4 can gi;e hi$ so$e perspecti;e on the sit ation8 ) t do not fret8 5e will 7e stronger fro$ this e6perience9 4 ass re yo 8@ Priya was relie;ed8 >4 hope so9@ she said with a s$ile8 >4 a$ worried a7o t hi$8@ >Co need not worry9@ said Ding Drinio s8 >=;erything will 7e all right8 #ow9 $y good little girl9 it is $ ch past yo r 7edti$e8 Co$e8@ Priya cli$7ed nder the sheets ne6t to her father and placed her head on his chest8 The +ing encircled a long ar$ aro nd her s$all sho lders8 She closed her eyes and said9 >4 lo;e yo 9 father8@ Ding Drinio s +issed the top of her 7raids8 >4 lo;e yo 9 too9@ he said9 and she was instantly asleep8 Priya wo+e the ne6t $orning to colored light strea$ing in fro$ the high windows8 4t was late8 5er father was gone9 and the other 7ed in which the Three )rothers had slept was e$pty8 4ts sheets had 7een folded neatly9 and the pillows were neatly arranged on top of the rich satin co$forter8 Priya sat and stretched8 3i+e her father9 she did not li+e to sleep late8 She often rose 7efore the s n8 The girl slipped fro$ 7eneath the sheets and dressed in a h rry8 She disappeared 7riefly into the la;ish 7athroo$ and e$erged with her teeth 7r shed and her hair co$7ed and re-7raided into two long pigtails8 She < ic+ly $ade the 7ed and left at a half r n towards the dec+8 She :oined the other late risers for 7rea+fast9 and the Three )rothers spotted her fro$ across the dec+8 >5ello9@ she said as the 7oys approached8 She 7it into a slice of 7rown 7read and had a sip of : ice8 >Bood $orning9@ called Aryan cheerily8 >4t loo+s li+e it $ight rain9@ the princess o7ser;ed8 >That is e6actly what 3arry said9@ agreed Agni8 Priya gra77ed an apple9 and the children too+ their place at the ship%s stern8 Priya e6a$ined the fr it for a $o$ent and then said9 >4 spo+e to $y father a7o t Captain )ill%s riddle8@ She too+ a large 7ite o t of the crisp9

green fr it8 >5e said he wo ld tal+ to )ill a7o t it8 5e is nor$ally ;ery good at this sort of thing9@ she said s ddenly < ite serio s8 >=;erything sho ld 7e fine now8@ The children passed the $orning playing Ring and String and $a+ing p silly songs on Priya%s g itar8 There was no sign of Captain )ill or Ding Drinio s8 =;ent ally9 the +ing e$erged9 and in ti$e9 he $ade his way o;er to his da ghter and the Three )rothers8 >.o not worry9@ he said9 answering Priya%s < estion 7efore she as+ed it8 >4 spo+e with Captain )ill8 4 thin+ 4 got thro gh to hi$8 2nce he so7ers p9 4 thin+ he will 7e fine8@ The +ing left the children and went 7ac+ to cons lting with 3arry a7o t the weather8 The )ig Rain9 a three $onth long stor$ that 7lew in off the sea to drench the Chancell7erry coast9 was a7o t to start9 and 3arry was clearly worried that the La Marta $ight not $a+e it 7ac+ to port 7efore it started8 There was no sign of Captain )ill 7y e;ening8 ) t the $an e$erged fro$ 7elow dec+9 his eyes loo+ing watery9 for the s n sal te8 5e was steady on his feet9 tho gh9 and his speech was not sl rred as he 7riefly than+ed the rain for waiting while the ship reached port9 which9 according to 3arry9 they wo ld do to$orrow8 Captain )ill was in a so$7er $ood that night at dinner8 5e hardly spo+e8 Priya noticed he was drin+ing water instead of wine with his $eal9 a fact that greatly enco raged the little princess8 That night9 there was a great party on the dec+8 >)eing o r last night at sea and all9@ 3arry had e6plained 7etween long drin+s of spiced r $8 Bene had coo+ed a tre$endo s dinner as well as tray pon tray of foods for the nightti$e party which were +ept on 7arrels a7o;e dec+ for the sailors to de;o r with their drin+s8 Captain )ill +ept to hi$self9 preferring to steer the ship personally and allow the others the night off to en:oy the$sel;es8 The night was cool and s$elled da$p8 #ot the stale da$pness of the ship or the salty da$pness of the sea9 7 t the fresh wetness of rain8 The children slept early and awo+e the ne6t $orning to a different type of light strea$ing into the roo$8 The s+y was co;ered with a 7lan+et of steely clo ds9 and the 7ree/e had grown fierce8 The enor$o s sails were tight and snapped with a pre;io sly n+nown force8 The flag atop the tallest $ast fl ttered as if it $ight 7e torn to pieces 7y the wind8 4t see$ed as if the entire crew had wo+en early9 and e;ery hand on the dec+ was wor+ing despite se;eral indi;id als loo+ing < ite 7leary-eyed fro$ the pre;io s night8 The children saw 3arry who was po ring hi$self a c p of coffee8 >Bood $orning9 3arry9@ Ansh called9 and the children :oined the tall $an 7y a 7rea+fast-laden 7arrel8 >'orning9 +iddos9@ said the sailor as he r ffled Ansh%s hair and dran+ the hot coffee in i$possi7ly large g lps8 >.on%t got a lot of ti$e to chat8 The )ig Rain is co$in%9 and we

gotta $a+e it ho$e 7efore we all get swallowed p8@ 5e finished his coffee and departed8 5e called o;er his sho lder9 >Co +ids 7etter pac+ p8 !e%re lia7le to 7e $a+in% a hasty depart re once we get to port8@ And then he 7olted across the dec+ in long strides to gra7 a thic+ rope that a $ ch yo nger sailor was ha;ing diffic lty +eeping in his grasp8 The children finished their 7rea+fast and then headed 7elow dec+ to pac+ p their 7elongings as 3arry had instr cted8 The pac+ing did not ta+e long8 They were tra;elling light9 and within half and ho r9 the roo$ was e6actly as it had 7een 7efore they had entered it9 e6cept for the fo r s$all r c+sac+s sitting on one of the large 7eds8 )elow dec+9 the children co ld still hear the din of acti;ity fro$ a7o;e8 There were fre< ent th ds and clangs9 and Aryan swore he co ld hear the sails 7egin to tear in the wind8 They $ade their way 7ac+ p the steps 7 t co ld find no place on the dec+ that was nocc pied8 =;ery crew $e$7er was wor+ing8 =;en Ding Drinio s was ha ling long pieces of rope on his 7road sho lders8 Their spot at the stern was now occ pied 7y a large anchor and giant coils of chain8 The s+y was a ne;er-ending sheet of rolling grey clo ds p nct ated occasionally with a patch of 7l e8 Aryan tho ght it rese$7led a piece of paper that had 7een r 77ed so hard that a hole had for$ed thro gh which the s+y co ld 7e seen8 4t was periodically sprin+ling rain9 and tho gh it was not $ ch and lasted only $o$ents9 the droplets ca sed the dec+ to 7eco$e e6tre$ely slippery8 The crew was sliding all o;er the place8 !hen a large $an with a h ge coil of rope nearly crashed into the$9 the Three )rothers and Princess Priya decided it wo ld 7e 7est for the$ to head 7ac+ down 7elow dec+8 4t was < iet in the corridors9 sa;e the th ds fro$ a7o;e8 The only so nds ca$e fro$ the +itchen8 >Shall we go see what Bene is doingA@ s ggested Agni9 and the other children agreed since the prospect of sitting in their ca7in for ho rs on end was not too appealing8 The children $ade their way down the steps to the galley and p shed open one of the do 7le doors to enter8 The +itchen was enor$o s8 4t had high ceilings9 and one entire wall was windows8 )elow the windows were h ge ;ats of water filled with all $anner of plants9 all of which were co;ered in 7loo$s9 ;egeta7les and fr its8 The rest of the roo$ was filled with large steel co nters8 Pots and pants h ng fro$ hoo+s9 and a large sto;e ran along the opposite wall8 A h ge pot of so p 7 77led o;er a low fla$e8 4ts aro$a $i6ed with the s$ell of plants9 creating an into6icating scent that re$inded Agni distinctly of The 'other8 Bene was wor+ing alone8 The rest of the +itchen staff had 7een sent pstairs to prepare for dise$7ar+ing8 5e re$o;ed a large pan of corn 7read fro$ a gigantic o;en9 sending a wa;e of heat across the roo$ which hit the children in the face8 Priya called9 >5ello9 Bene9@ and the chef loo+ed p8 The children had not spo+en to Bene $ ch9 and they did not +now how the $an wo ld feel a7o t the$ in;ading his +itchen9 partic larly since

Corneli s was now standing on his hind legs and 7egging the $an for a piece of the piping hot 7read8 To their relief9 Bene s$iled8 >!ell9 hello there9@ he said as he placed the enor$o s pan on the co nter and sho;ed two $ore into the o;en8 >.on%t get too $any ;isitors down here8 !hat 7rings yo fol+s to the galleyA@ The chef p lled a large h n+ of stea$ing corn7read fro$ the pan9 7lew on it ntil it was cool9 and then tossed it to the gratef l Bl spin8 >=;eryone else is pretty 7 sy on dec+9@ Agni e6plained8 >!e were sort of in the way8@ >4 see9@ said Bene as he ga;e Corneli s another piece of 7read8 >.o yo need any helpA@ offered Aryan8 Bene s$iled8 >4 thin+ 4 got e;erything nder control9 7 t yo fol+s are welco$e to stay if yo %d li+e8 Co h ngryA There%s so p8 4 co ld $a+e yo so$e tea or so$e hot cocoa8@ And so the children passed their day in the war$ galley9 gorging on so p and corn7read8 They helped Bene ser;e l nch and then ret rned to the +itchen with hi$8 Priya fo nd a lo;ely seat near the large windows in which to read while the Three )rothers played 7etween the enor$o s pots filled with water8 Agni was interested in watching Bene coo+9 and Aryan e;ent ally retired to a spot ne6t to Priya 7eneath the windows where he ga/ed o t at the e;er dar+ening clo ds8 Ansh was left to play with Corneli s9 which he did ntil the e;ening when a lo d horn so nded fro$ a7o;e dec+8 Bene loo+ed p fro$ where he had 7een tidying the co nter8 >3and ho?@ he cried and crossed to a large c p7oard and re$o;ed a 7ag8 The +itchen was spotless8 >All right9 children9 it%s ti$e to go9@ he said9 and the children r shed to gra7 their r c+sac+s and headed a7o;e dec+8 There was a general cla$oring on the ship8 The corridors were filled with people gra77ing their 7elongings9 and the dec+ was ali;e with pirates p lling in the sails and readying the anchors8 Tortoise Co;e laid 7efore the$9 a dar+ green $ass on the hori/on8 The wind was 7lowing fiercely9 and the sea was e6tre$ely ro gh8 As they drew closer to the coast9 the large 7lac+ cliffs s rro nding )ottle )ay loo$ed large and o$ino s8 The children :oined Ding Drinio s who stood 7eside Captain )ill at the ship%s hel$8 3arry stood in the $iddle of the dec+ sho ting orders8 5is 7oo$ing ;oice rose a7o;e the howling wind8 The captain said nothing8 5e and 3arry see$ed to co$$ nicate thro gh glances8 The sailors had p lled in all 7 t the s$allest sail9 7 t the ship was still $o;ing < ite rapidly thro gh the increasingly shallow waters 7eca se of the ferocio s wind8 Captain )ill did an i$pressi;e :o7 of steering the$ aro nd large islands of 7lac+ roc+s as they

approached the $any co;es of the coast8 There were se;eral shel;es of :agged teeth-li+e roc+ that s rro nded the co;e that was )ottle )ay8 As they drew nearer9 )ill nodded9 and 3arry sho ted9 >P ll in the sail? .rop the side anchors?@ The s$all sail was 7ro ght down9 and on either side of the ship9 two s$all anchors went in with a splash8 The 7oat slowed 7 t still $o;ed faster than the children were co$forta7le with8 They entered the 7ay and were $o;ing fast towards the tall 7lac+ $ooring posts8 Captain )ill sho ted9 >'ain anchor9@ and the anchor at the 7ac+ went o;er8 The ship slowed with a s dden :er+ that nearly sent Aryan to his +nees8 The 7oat slowed to a creep : st 7efore reaching the $ooring points that stood li+e sentries in the sea8 Sailors flan+ed each side of the ship with long poles and g ided the La Marta safely to doc+8 !hen the ship was tied off and 7o77ing in the ;iolent wa;es9 the crew er pted into cheers8 3arry flashed Captain )ill a th $7s p9 and the captain allowed hi$self a s$all s$ile8 The +ing and the fo r children were a$ong the first to dise$7ar+ and 7ra;e the short trip to shore in a s$all 7oat across the choppy 7ay8 )y the ti$e they reached the 7each9 the wind was 7lowing so fiercely that it pic+ed p the 7lac+ sand and 7lew it sideways8 The children wanted to stay and help the crew nload the ship%s contents9 7 t Ding Drinio s insisted they go to the Salty .og 7efore the weather got worse8 As it was9 the children co ld 7arely see8 Pete assisted the children in cli$7ing the ;iolently roc+ing rope 7ridge that led to the Salty .og8 They had reached the first floor when 3o isa e$erged8 She saw the children9 loo+ed down to the ship and then 7ac+ at Agni8 The two shared a loo+9 and 3o isa +new Captain )ill finally fo nd his answer8 5er face was deter$ined9 7 t she s$iled and shered the children in o t of the wind8 As soon as they were inside9 3o isa as+ed Priya9 >.id yo find yo r fatherA@ 5er gen ine concern to ched the little princess deeply8 >Ces9@ Priya s$iled 7roadly9 and 3o isa loo+ed relie;ed8 >Than+ goodness9@ she 7reathed and 7egan to lead the children p an interior stairwell to the roo$s for rent8 The children left their 7ags on a 7ed in one of the roo$s that 3o isa e6c sed8 >#ot necessarily fit for a +ing8@ Priya instantly h gged the wo$an%s s$all waist8 >4t is perfect9 3o isa8@ And the wo$an%s hard face 7ro+e into a gratef l s$ile8 She s< ee/ed Priya%s slender sho lders8 >!ell9 let%s get downstairs and greet o r sailors8@ She s$iled9 7 t her eyes were gra;e8 The children +new she was worried a7o t )ill%s reaction8 5er an6iety was apparent as she led the$ down the stairs once again8 The ta;ern was 7 sy as it had 7een the e;ening the children had first arri;ed in )ottle )ay8 And tho gh it had not 7een so long since they had first set eyes pon the Salty .og9 they felt as if they had 7een gone for years8 The weather co ld not ha;e 7een $ore different8 As they followed 3o isa o t onto the narrow porch o;erloo+ing the s$all co;e9 the fierce wind hit their faces9 and Aryan recalled the 7rilliant orange s nset they had

witnessed fro$ the cliff a7o;e the s$all port town8 The steel grey sea was indisting isha7le fro$ the s+y and 7ore no rese$7lance to the ;aried 7l e pools that had reflected the s n%s dying rays on that first day8 S ddenly9 the 7oy was o;erwhel$ed 7y an intense wa;e of ho$esic+ness8 5e $issed his $other and father8 5e $issed their far$9 $issed watching the s n set into the fa$iliar hills of the Chancell7erry Forest8 At that $o$ent9 he felt he wo ld gi;e anything to 7e transported 7ac+ to his Village in the Valley8 Aryan sighed deeply and t rned his ga/e fro$ the $enacing9 nending grey to the La Marta. The giant ship 7o77ed ;iolently on the large9 choppy swells8 The great stone pillions to which the ship was tied stood fast9 7 t the long $ooring ropes crac+ed as the ;essel tossed and :er+ed on the ro gh water8 The sailors were wor+ing hard to nload the ship%s cargo9 $ainly seeds and plants collected fro$ #o$ad%s 4sland8 Aryan co ld see 3arry sho ting instr ctions to the crew9 7 t the so nd of his words was lost a$idst the wind%s howl8 And then he saw the +ing8 5is tall fra$e was h nched against the wind that coated hi$ with a $ist of sea spray and sand8 5e stood on the long plan+ that led fro$ the ship%s dec+ to the s$all 7oats 7elow8 5e ferried 7o6es filled with ;ines down the roc+ing plan+9 handed the$ off to another sailor at the 7otto$9 and then $ade his way slowly p once $ore8 5is see$ed to 7e the $ost precario s :o79 e;en $ore ta6ing than the sailors tra;elling to and fro$ the shore in the s$all wooden s+iffs8 The children and 3o isa watched as Ding Drinio s steadied hi$self 7riefly and contin ed on ndeterred8 5e was wor+ing as hard as any sailor8 Aryan felt inspired 7y the +ing%s 7ra;ery and resol;ed to p sh his ho$esic+ness fro$ his $ind8 The entire point of their :o rney was to ens re the safety of the far$9 and he was willing to see the :o rney to its end8 The children flan+ed 3o isa and s< inted their eyes against the howling wind to watch the sailors as they h rried a7o t the rapidly e$ptying the ship8 A few ti$es9 their silent ;igil was interr pted 7y so$eone in< iring with 3o isa a7o t acco$$odations and food for the sailors8 5ow $any roo$s to arrangeA 5ow $ ch food to prepareA 5ow $ ch wine wo ld 7e re< iredA 3o isa wo ld answer9 all the while +eeping her eyes fi6ed on Captain )ill%s dar+ fig re8 !hen the ship was e$pty9 the sailors started to $a+e their way to the Salty .og8 2nly 3arry9 Ding Drinio s and the captain stayed 7ehind to g ide the ship safely into the $iddle of the co;e8 The captain and the +ing were on the ship9 and 3arry followed in a s$all paddle 7oat which ferried all three $en 7ac+ to the shore after the ship was $oored safely away fro$ the :agged 7lac+ roc+s and the cliffs8 The three fig res were nothing $ore than distant shadows after they had finally $ade it to shore and 7egan to $a+e their way across the sand to the swinging 7ridge that led to the Salty .og8 Priya noticed 3o isa wringing her hands and straightening her apron as the trio approached8 The wind was stronger than e;er9 and the swinging 7ridge swayed so ;iolently that the three $en were nearly hori/ontal at se;eral points8 The crossing to the inn was a slow one9 7 t they finally arri;ed8 3arry tipped his cap to 3o isa and the children and then $ade his way inside9 proclai$ing he was in need of a hot shower8 Ding Drinio s strode down the length of the porch and h gged his da ghter8 5e was wet and co$pletely co;ered in a layer of fine sand8

Priya p lled away9 sha+ing sand fro$ her shirt8 >Father9 this is 3o isa8 She owns this inn8 She too+ care of s when we arri;ed in )ottle )ay8 She introd ced s to Captain )ill8@ The captain had :oined the$ now9 and he was loo+ing intently at 3o isa8 She $et his stare 7 t pointedly ignored its $eaning8 She then t rned to the +ing8 >!elco$e9 Ding Drinio s8 GTis an honor to ha;e yo in $y inn8 4 hope yo nderstand we%re not acc sto$ed to ha;ing royal patrons8 4%$ afraid the acco$$odations $ay not 7e what yo %re sed to8@ Ding Drinio s s$iled and p t a large hand on 3o isa%s sho lder8 >4 a$ s re yo r acco$$odations will 7e $ore than satisfactory8 And 4 owe yo a heartfelt than+ yo for ta+ing care of $y da ghter and her friends8 'oreo;er9 for arranging for the$ to $eet o r lo;ely captain9 th s facilitating $y ret rn8 4 a$ fore;er in yo r de7t9 $ada$8@ The +ing +issed 3o isa%s hand9 ca sing her to t rn scarlet8 >#ow9 4 re< ire a shower9 so if yo children will show $e to o r roo$H@ The +ing d sted his hands across his shirt9 sending sand flying e;erywhere8 >4 7elie;e the dear captain rgently needs to spea+ to o r hostess8 3et s gi;e the$ so$e pri;acy8@ 3o isa 7l shed deeper9 and Captain )ill nodded in appreciation witho t ta+ing his dar+ eyes off of 3o isa8 The children were crestfallen8 They were ;ery interested to see what Captain )ill%s reaction to 3o isa wo ld 7e9 7 t the +ing shered the$ inside9 and they gr dgingly followed8 3o isa $et )ill%s eyes9 7 t she co ld not spea+8 Priya ca ght a final gli$pse thro gh the do 7le doors of the saloon as they sw ng closed 7ehind the$8 3o isa shoo+ her head and said9 >5e $ade $e pro$ise8@ >4 +now9@ Captain )ill said < ic+ly9 and then < ic+ly crossed the short distance 7etween the$9 gathered 3o isa ro ghly in his ar$s and +issed her with great g sto8 That was the last Priya saw9 7eca se the doors sw ng sh t9 and Ding Drinio s was g iding the$ pstairs8 ) t it was eno gh8 The little princess s$iled to herself as they $ade their way p the steps8 The children sat in the s$all roo$ waiting for Ding Drinio s to e$erge fro$ his shower8 They were eager to get downstairs8 The so nd of the wind whistling thro gh the crac+s in the wooden walls was 7oth eerie and en:oya7le9 7 t the children were eager to :oin the ra co s party downstairs in the saloon and eat so$e of the delicio s-s$elling food9 the aro$a of which wafted p the stairs and ca sed Agni%s sto$ach to gr $7le lo dly8 The +ing9 for his part9 nderstood the children%s rgency and r shed thro gh his shower8 5e was h ngry hi$self9 and soon they were all descending the stairs into the 7ar crowded with ta7les8 =;ery seat at the long 7ar that spanned the length of the roo$ was occ pied9 and a 7and played on the s$all stage 7eneath the stairs8 A ripple ran thro gh the roo$8 The crew of the La Marta had clearly spread the story of her royal cargo8 There was $ ch gestic lation and raising of glasses in the +ing%s

direction8 Drinio s afforded a s$all wa;e and ass $ed a cas al air9 as he often did8 5e strode confidently fro$ the 7otto$ stair as if a +ing and fo r children with a Bl spin in tow was perfectly nor$al in a ro gh and t $7le pirate ta;ern8 Captain )ill and 3arry were soon wa;ing the gro p o;er to their large ta7le where they were greeted war$ly9 and Captain )ill 7egan introd cing the +ing to those seated aro nd hi$8 The captain see$ed happy8 5e dran+9 tho gh not e6cessi;ely9 and :o+ed and spo+e lo dly8 3o isa9 Priya noticed9 was s$iling as she flew aro nd the pac+ed roo$ and ser;ed drin+s and plates of food with grace despite the swaying 7 ilding8 Priya also noticed that 3o isa +ept throwing war$ glances in the direction of their ta7le which were often ca ght 7y the captain with a sidelong s$ile8 The last ti$e the children were inside the Salty .og9 the night had 7een $ ggy9 and the 7ree/e co$ing off the sea was a welco$e relief8 5owe;er9 the harsh wind now sent chills down their spines8 Across the roo$9 Bene was h ddled in a sweater as an enor$o s stea+ was placed 7efore hi$8 5e r 77ed his hands and then do;e in with for+ and +nife as he e6tolled the :oys of occasionally eating a $eal that was coo+ed 7y so$eone else to the yo ng $an 7ehind the 7ar8 The Salty .og was filled with an air of rioto s cele7ration8 The crew of the La Marta had ret rned fro$ their first ;oyage in nearly a year with the distinct honor of resc ing Ding Drinio s8 The din of : 7ilant ;oices praising the greatness of Captain )ill and the +ing filled the wooden roo$ and al$ost drown o t the so nd of the howling wind8 The children recei;ed appreciati;e pats on the head and sho lders for con;incing Captain )ill to ret rn to the sea8 The entire 7 ilding was filled with fresh tales of the infa$o s #o 'an%s 4sland8 The e;ening wore into night9 and Ansh%s eyelids 7egan to droop8 Ding Drinio s diplo$atically s ggested the children retire for the night8 >!e will ha;e to $a+e an early start in the $orning8 Bo on ahead witho t $e9@ he said9 e6plaining there was still so$e logistical planning to 7e done regarding their depart re the following day8 Agni was rel ctant9 7 t then 3o isa ;ol nteered with a s$ile9 >Co$e on9 now8 4%ll ta+e yo p8@ The children followed a 7ea$ing 3o isa who h $$ed as she led the children p the staircase to the plain wood-paneled roo$8 >Boodnight9 children9@ she said with a s$ile and closed the door 7ehind herself 7efore h rrying 7ac+ down to the 7 stling ta;ern 7elow8 The children p lled p the plain cotton sheet and the itchy woolen 7lan+et8 The stor$ o tside created a rhyth$ic dr $ of rain co pled with a song-li+e howling that9 along with the swaying and crea+ing of the old wooden 7 ilding9 < ic+ly l lled the e6ha sted children to sleep8 Ding Drinio s wo+e the$ early the ne6t $orning8 Faint s nlight filtered in thro gh the c rtained window 7ehind hi$ as he leaned o;er the 7ed s$iling8 >Rise and shine9 children9@ he said gently as they opened their eyes8 4t was early9 and the pre;io s night%s

stor$ was gone8 The +ing was already dressed8 Agni wondered if the tall 7lond $an had slept at all8 5e appeared rested8 Perhaps he was the type of person who always had lots of energy9 the 7oy tho ght8 The children rose groggily9 e6cept for Ansh9 who sprang fro$ the 7ed with Corneli s on his heels and headed for the 7athroo$8 Agni and Priya co ld hear the s$all 7oy 7r shing his teeth and decided they9 too9 sho ld get o t of 7ed8 Aryan9 howe;er9 rolled o;er and closed his eyes8 5e had to 7e sha+en se;eral ti$es 7efore he final arose8 >!e $ st 7e lea;ing soon9@ said Ding Drinio s as the children p t on their clothes8 >There are a few things 4 $ st go and attend to now8 As soon as yo are ready9 please 7ring yo r things downstairs8 !e will ha;e 7rea+fast and depart8@ >2f co rse9@ said Priya9 and the +ing +issed the top of her 7raids and was gone8 The children sho;ed their few possessions into their r c+sac+s9 and Agni as+ed9 >4s yo r father always li+e thatA@ >3i+e whatA@ as+ed Priya as she cinched p her can;as 7ag8 >Always r nning offA@ said Agni8 Priya loo+ed p9 a little s rprised8 >Ces9@ she said8 Agni f rrowed his 7row slightly and folded p his dirty tro sers8 Then he as+ed9 >.o yo get to spend $ ch ti$e with hi$A@ Priya considered this8 >!e ha;e o r daily rit als8 Father and 4 ha;e 7rea+fast and dinner together e;ery day8 And in the e;enings9 we sit and read8 2r so$eti$es9 he reads while 4 st dy8@ She was < iet for a $o$ent and then added >) t yes9 he is often 7 sy8 4 do wish we spent $ore ti$e together8@ She shr gged8 >.o yo get to spend e;ery day with yo r fatherA@ she as+ed Agni8 >5e is aro nd a good 7it9@ said Agni8 >So$eti$es9 4 feel we spend too $ ch ti$e with hi$9 with all the chores we ha;e to do9@ he added9 ca sing Aryan and Ansh to ch c+le in agree$ent8 Priya s$iled9 7 t Agni tho ght her e6pression was pained8 5e watched her as she helped Ansh pac+ in silence8 At that $o$ent9 he tho ght how sad it $ st 7e to ha;e only one parent9 and he was filled with gratit de for his $other and father who spent so $ ch ti$e with hi$8 =;en tho gh the children so$eti$es co$plained a7o t it9 they act ally li+ed helping with the far$ chores $ost of the ti$e8 Agni felt a s dden pang of g ilt9 the first of the trip9 for lea;ing witho t telling his parents where they were going8 ) t he < ic+ly p shed those feelings aside8 They were wor+ing towards so$ething greater than their own personal desires now9 he re$inded hi$self8 5e co ldn%t afford hi$self any senti$entality8

4ne6plica7ly9 Agni fo nd it increasingly diffic lt to swallow 7eca se of a large l $p for$ing in his throat9 and his eyes had 7eg n to water8 5e wiped the$ discretely9 hoping no one wo ld notice9 and clearing his throat9 he said9 >So are we all ready to goA@ The children tra$ped down the steps to the 7ar that see$ed $ ch larger now that it was nearly e$pty8 The roo$ s$elled of s$o+e and stale alcohol9 and the floor was littered with e$pty pean t shells9 sand9 and 7ro+en glass8 The early $orning light reflected off the grey sea 7eyond the swinging wooden doors8 Ding Drinio s sat at a ta7le with Captain )ill and 3o isa9 7oth of who$ wore the clothes they%d had on the night 7efore8 )y the loo+s of it9 they had not slept at all8 All three wore contented loo+s9 and )ill and 3o isa loo+ed partic larly happy8 >5ello9 children9@ the +ing said as the Three )rothers and Princess Priya approached the large wooden ta7le8 >5ello9 father9@ Priya said and +issed hi$ on the chee+ as she sat in the seat 7eside hi$8 >5ello9 sir9@ the 7oys chor sed9 and they lowered the$sel;es onto three tall wooden stools8 >!hat wo ld yo +ids li+e for 7rea+fastA@ 3o isa as+ed with a s$ile9 and then she 7ec+oned for a yo ng $an sweeping 7ehind the 7ar8 >!alter9@ she called9 and the $an dropped his 7roo$ and ca$e o;er8 >Anything yo %d li+e9@ 3o isa 7ea$ed8 The children $ lled o;er their 7rea+fast choices9 and Agni o7ser;ed Captain )ill s rreptitio sly8 The $an see$ed to 7e lost in tho ght8 5is dar+ eyes stared o t at the steely sea nseeingly8 The corners of his $o th were t rned p into a pri;ate s$ile8 3o isa to ched his ar$ and as+ed9 >!hat a7o t yo 9 )illA@ 5er < estion or perhaps her to ch 7ro ght hi$ 7ac+ to reality8 5e stared at 3o isa for a $o$ent9 and then said with a wide grin8 >Stea+ and $ashed potatoes with a pint of sto t8 !e%re cele7rating9 yo +now9 !alter8@ )ill s$iled widely at 3o isa who ret rned a radiant one of her own8 The children glanced 7etween the two ad lts $ooning o;er each other as Ding Drinio s disc ssed their e$inent depart re8 >Captain )ill has 7een gracio s eno gh to set s p with a g ide and so$e horses8 !e sho ld 7e thro gh the !ater Forest in half a day%s ti$e8 5opef lly9 7efore the rain starts again8 !e are hoping to reach Beneral Breyson%s ca$p 7y nightfall8@ >Co fo nd the BeneralA@ in< ired Priya8 >Ces9@ said the +ing o;er his c p of tea8 >2ne of )ill%s crows was a7le to get a $essage to hi$8 5e has asse$7led the ar$y9 and they are $eeting s8 They%re ca$ped on a platea on the side of 'o nt Dailasa called the Valley of Flowers8 Since the ;alley is so secl ded9 Beneral Breyson and 4 decided that it wo ld 7e the 7est spot to $eet to disc ss o r strategy8@

>The Valley of Flowers9@ Agni repeated8 >!e were there?@ e6clai$ed Ansh8 >)o7 too+ s8@ Ding Drinio s s$iled8 >)o7A@ he as+ed8 >5e is a $o ntain goat9@ Aryan said shyly8 Ding Drinio s loo+ed at 3o isa and Captain )ill who wore a$ sed loo+s8 Captain )ill held p his hands and shr gged8 >#ot too $any people ha;e ;isited the Valley of the Flowers8 Co fo r certainly $a+e a good tea$9@ said the +ing with a grin8 >Corneli s9 too9@ Ansh added as he fed the Bl spin pieces of 7isc it and 7acon8 >4f it weren%t for hi$9 we ne;er wo ld ha;e $et the goat8@ >2f co rse9 Corneli s too9@ Ding Drinio s agreed9 and he 7ent to pet the f rry golden creat re 7ehind its ear and pass along so$e pieces of toast and $elon8 At nearly the sa$e ti$e the party at the large ro nd ta7le had finished their 7rea+fast9 a short $an with wild 7rown hair sa ntered thro gh the swinging doors of the Salty .og8 >5er$an9@ Captain )ill called and wa;ed the $an o;er8 5is wiry 7rown hair : tted o t fro$ nderneath a 7lac+ 7andana8 5e wore a $any-poc+eted 7rown leather ;est o;er a white shirt and 7rown pants8 5is $ d-co;ered 7oots cl $ped lo dly as he crossed to their ta7le8 >5er$an9 than+s for co$ing8@ Captain )ill shoo+ hands with the $an8 >'eet the +ing8@ Ding Drinio s rose to ta+e the $an%s hand9 and 5er$an nodded8 >4 appreciate yo agreeing to ta+e s across the !ater Forest on s ch short notice and in less than ideal conditions8@ >S%all right9@ said 5er$an8 5e was clearly a $an of few words8 >!e need to get $o;ing8 )eat the rain8@ >!e are ready whene;er yo are9@ said the +ing9 and he stood8 The children gra77ed their 7ags9 and the gro p followed 5er$an who was already stal+ing o t the door8 >!alter9 4%ll 7e 7ac+ in a $in te9@ 3o isa called8 5er$an led the$ wordlessly down the swinging rope 7ridge to the 7each9 and then t rned left and headed directly for the tall sil;er oa+s at the sand%s edge8 There three horses stood saddled and waiting8 The gro p stopped 7y the horses tied at the edge of the trees8 5er$an too+ the children%s 7ags and sec red the$ to his horse witho t a word8

Ding Drinio s t rned to Captain )ill and 3o isa8 >Than+ yo 8 Co ha;e helped $ore than 4 co ld e;er e6press8@ >'y pleas re9 sir9@ said Captain )ill s$iling8 >And than+ yo forH@ 5e glanced at 3o isa with a s$ile8 >!ell9 for e;erything8 For gi;ing $e perspecti;e when 4 needed it8@ 3o isa threw her ar$s aro nd the children and h gged the$ tightly against her8 >4 do hope yo %ll all 7e a7le to $a+e it for the wedding9@ she said as she released the$8 >!e wo ld lo;e to co$e9@ s$iled the +ing9 and the children loo+ed p at hi$ in s rprise8 >E st let s +now the date8@ >2f co rse9@ said the captain9 and he p t his ar$ aro nd 3o isa%s s$all waist8 >!eddingA@ Priya as+ed8 >Co are getting $arriedA@ >!hy9 yes9 child9@ 3o isa 7l shed slightly8 >!e%re getting $arried and then we%re headed to sea on Marta8 4 thin+ Pa ly and !alter can handle the .og witho t $e8@ She s$iled 7roadly8 >Congrat lations9@ said Priya and she threw her ar$s aro nd 3o isa%s waist once $ore and p lled Captain )ill and the Three )rothers into her e$7race as well in s ch an earnest display of e$otion that e;en the captain reciprocated with a pat on her head 7efore e6tracting hi$self delicately8 Captain )ill wal+ed o;er to Agni and patted the 7oy on the sho lder8 >This is for yo he said9@ and he handed the 7oy a s$all co$pass9 >so yo ne;er lose yo r way8@ The captain s$iled a than+ yo to the 7oy9 and Agni grinned 7ac+8 >!ell9 yo sho ld 7e going9@ )ill said loo+ing p at the s+y8 >Co ne;er +now when it will start raining8@ The sheet of clo ds was p nct ated with a few deep holes thro gh which patches of 7right 7l e were ;isi7le8 >!ell9 good7ye9@ said Priya as 5er$an hoisted her onto a horse8 >Ces9 good7ye8 Than+s for e;erything9@ the Three )rothers said8 Ding Drinio s shoo+ 3o isa and Captain )ill%s hands one last ti$e8 >Than+ yo again9@ he said8 >And congrat lations8@ 5e stepped into the stirr p and sw ng his other leg o;er the horse on which Priya was already seated8 >Please gi;e $y regards to 3arry and the rest of the crew8@ >4 will do that9 sir8 5e wanted to 7e here to say good7ye9 7 t he had to go see Alice and the +ids8 Co +now9 since 3o isa is co$ing on as first $ate of the La Marta9 4 tho ght it was ti$e that 3arry got his own ;essel8 4 told hi$ 4%d co$$ission one to 7e 7 ilt since 4%;e got so $ ch treas re now8 @ The captain s$iled a croo+ed s$ile8

>That%s great9 captain8 Co %;e got a fleet in the $a+ing9@ said the +ing fro$ atop the white and 7rown dappled horse8 >That 4 do9 sir9@ )ill replied9 >and these children are to than+ for it8@ )ill and 3o isa s$iled and wa;ed good7ye8 5er$an raised a hand in a silent wa;e and then +ic+ed his horse gently into a slow trot8 The other horses i$$ediately followed8 The children wa;ed and called good7ye9 7 t soon 3o isa and the captain were gone fro$ sight9 o7sc red 7y the trees8

The Wilderness

an

5er$an was clearly well-;ersed with the ro te of their :o rney8 They were soon o t of the shady hilly reaches of Tortoise Co;e and in the interior of the !ater Forest8 They $o;ed < ic+ly along a well-trodden path8 They tra;elled thro gh large e6panses of forest and passed an occasional far$ where the fields were filled with water8 >5ow 7ea tif l9@ Aryan co$$ented as they passed 7y one s ch far$ at a gallop8 A $an9 the only other h $an they had enco ntered since lea;ing Tortoise Co;e9 wal+ed 7etween rows of spro ts of the palest green8 4t re$inded Aryan of springti$e in their ;alley8 The $an rged his 7 ffalo thro gh the +nee-deep water he was tilling9 and then he was gone8 The horses were strong9 and they halted only once when 5er$an stopped the gro p for a l nch 7rea+8 They ate fried fish sandwiches 3o isa had pac+ed for the$ ne6t to a large la+e co;ered in pin+ water lilies8 !hen they were finished9 they re$o nted their horses and set off once $ore down the trail8 Finally9 the path started p the rise of the enor$o s Dailasa 'o ntains8 >This is as far as 4 go9@ 5er$an said $ater-of-factly8 >4 nderstand9@ Ding Drinio s replied8 The short $an then : $ped off his horse and helped the children dis$o nt8 5e nloaded their 7ags fro$ his horse and placed the$ on the gro nd8 4t had started to dri//led >5ere9@ he said9 and he ro ghly handed o;er se;eral :ac+ets $ade of water-proofed can;as8 >Co %ll need these8@ Then he $o nted his horse and t rned to lea;e8 >Follow the path8 4t%ll ta+e yo straight to the ;alley8@ Then he added9 as if to 7e friendly9 >.on%t en;y yo cli$7ing in this weather8@ 5e nodded9 to ched his 7andana and said9 >Bood day9@ and then departed at < ite a faster pace than they had co$e with two rider-less horses galloping 7ehind h$8 4t was e;ening 7y the ti$e Ding Drinio s and the children 7egan their ascent with Corneli s r nning circles aro nd the$8 4t was s fficiently cooler than it had 7een on the day the children had co$e down the sa$e $o ntainside8 Agni wondered if The 'other%s far$ was anywhere near7y8 The path was slippery 7eca se of the $isting rain9 and as

they cli$7ed higher9 the precipitation increased8 Soon they were all drenched in 7oth sweat and rain8 A7o;e their heads9 the clo d line h ng grey and soggy8 And soon9 they were within the clo ds8 4t was hard to see $ore than a few feet9 and their progress slowed considera7ly8 Se;eral ti$es9 Aryan gra77ed ner;o sly onto Agni%s leg8 4t was a slow and slippery tre+ ntil finally9 they e$erged fro$ the clo ds into pale e;ening s nlight8 They co ld see the crest of the incline far a7o;e the$8 )eyond that was the Valley of Flowers8 They cli$7ed and cli$7ed in s< ishing shoes ntil their legs were tired8 And then9 they reached the crest of the path9 and 7elow the$ lay the long ;alley stretching to the right and left9 and the snowy pea+ of 'o nt Dailasa towered a7o;e8 .own in the ;alley9 the children co ld see a large gro p of dar+ fig res $o;ing in for$ation8 They for$ed s< are patches of e;enly spaced rows li+e rain-slic+ed s nflowers $o;ing in nison8 >4s that the ar$yA@ as+ed Ansh8 >Ces9@ said Ding Drinio s9 s$iling down at the 7oy who was clearly i$pressed8 As they descended fro$ the low hill 7ordering the ;alley9 the children co ld see $ore clearly the 7loc+s of soldiers $o;ing together in a ;ariety of different e6ercises8 2ne field of 7lac+-clad soldiers e6ec ted a series of high : $ps while another gro p practiced grand sweeping $otions with their ar$s and legs8 Still another gro p perfor$ed perfectly synchroni/ed acro7atics9 flipping and twisting in the air in see$ingly effortless acts of gra;ity defiance8 Another large 7loc+ of troops stood < ite still9 $o;ing only occasionally to lift a leg or 7end into an nli+ely post re which they then held for se;eral $in tes8 Ding Drinio s and the children reached the ;alley floor8 >The scent of flowers is not as strong as it was 7efore9@ o7ser;ed Priya8 >4 wonder if it is 7eca se it is so late in the e;ening9 or perhaps it is 7eca se of this $ist9@ she said9 noticing the fog that was < ic+ly thic+ening in the failing light8 A dar+-s$oc+ed $an $o;ed < ic+ly fro$ the rows of soldiers to greet the$8 >Co r 5ighness9@ he said with a little 7ow9 and Ding Drinio s gra77ed the $an%s hand and shoo+ it heartily while clapping hi$ on the sho lder8 >Bregor8 4t is good to see yo 8@ The Beneral s$iled widely8 >4t is good to see yo too9 sir9@ he said9 loo+ing at the +ing re;erently8 >4 was concerned when yo allowed 'aridi s to ship yo off9 7 t 4 see yo $ade it o t all in one piece witho t $y assistance8@ >That we did8 ' ch of the credit goes to Priya and her friends9 4 $ st ad$it8 They ca$e to $y resc e9 yo +now8@ The +ing 7egan to wal+ towards the soldiers who were still engaged in their drills8

>4s that soA@ as+ed the Beneral with a s$ile at Priya8 >Eo7 well done9 children8@ The Beneral was a s$all9 deeply-$ sc lar $an who wal+ed with his sho lders held high and his hands 7ehind his 7ac+8 5e wal+ed < ic+ly9 easily s rpassing Ding Drinio s%s fast9 long-legged gait8 The children nearly had to r n to +eep p8 The gro p led 7y Beneral Breyson approached the soldiers9 all of who$ now stood co$pletely still in large s< ares8 A fire had 7een lit on the edge of the orchard against the 7ase of the $o ntain8 Beneral Breyson stood in front of the large gro p in their neat e;en lines8 >Today%s e6ercises are co$plete9@ he said9 and the e;en lines dissol;ed into chaotic $o;e$ent8 Soldiers in 7lac+ cotton s$oc+s and pants $ade their way to the large fire9 others fo nd an e$pty patch of field and contin ed to practice9 and so$e 7egan to $arch aro nd the peri$eter of the ca$psite9 clearly on loo+o t8 Beneral Breyson t rned 7ac+ to the +ing and said9 >This way9 sir9@ and then sp n on his heel and set off towards what had now grown into a large roaring fire8 >The nights will 7e cold at this altit de9 hence the fire9@ the Beneral e6plained with his 7ac+ to the children8 The ca$psite co$prised of the large fire which was s rro nded 7y a ring of roc+s and one green can;as tent9 which the children were infor$ed was for the$8 >!here will e;eryone else sleepA@ as+ed Aryan8 >'y soldiers and 4 will sleep nder the stars8@ >) t won%t it 7e coldA@ as+ed Aryan with concern8 >!e ha;e trained to end re heat and cold9 rain and snow9@ replied the Beneral8 >This ;alley is pleasant eno gh9 and with a war$ fire s ch as this one9 sleeping nder the ele$ents will 7e as en:oya7le e6perience as any co ld 7e8@ Ansh s$iled at this8 5e9 too9 en:oyed sleeping o tside as the Three )rothers were so$eti$es allowed to do d ring the s $$erti$e8 The light fro$ the fire ill $inated soldiers practicing with large stic+s as well as s$all stic+s attached to chains8 They $o;ed < ic+ly and $ade hardly any so nd when they : $ped and l nged8 Their feet whispered into the dew co;ered grass as they landed8 There were other fig res9 too9 s$aller ones engaging in $oc+ co$7at within the shadowy confines of the orchard8 !itho t warning9 a s$all9 dar+ fig re e$erged fro$ the shadows9 ca sing Corneli s%s short tail to sha+e ;iolently fro$ side to side8 The Bl spin ran 7ar+ing e6citedly at the wood ny$ph who was approaching the$8 4n the flic+ering light of the ca$pfire9 the children tho ght it was A7hinor9 7 t as the ny$ph drew nearer and greeted Beneral Breyson9 they reali/ed it was not their friend8

The pale green creat re did 7ear a stri+ing rese$7lance to A7hinor9 7 t his hair was 7l e9 and he was far taller and $ore $ sc lar than the ny$ph they +new8 As he approached9 Agni was s re he%d seen the ny$ph 7efore8 Corneli s see$ed to +now the $an who 7ent down to scratch the Bl spin 7ehind the ear as Beneral Breyson t rned to Ding Drinio s and the children to introd ce the fa$iliar loo+ing stranger8 >Co r 5ighness9 the #y$ph Sco ts ha;e ;ol nteered their ser;ices8 This is A;ana++ar9 Co$$ander of the !ood #y$ph Sco ts of Chancell7erry8@ >5ow do yo doA@ as+ed Ding Drinio s and e6tended his hand to the short $an who shoo+ it with his s$all green one8 >A;ana++ar8 Co %re A7hinor%s 7rother?@ Agni said9 reali/ing he had indeed seen the ny$ph in the photo hanging on Tall lah%s wall8 >That%s right9@ said A;ana++ar with a nod8 >And yo $ st 7e Agni9 Aryan and Ansh9@ he said8 >A7hinor told $e a7o t yo children8 !e ha;e 7een trac+ing yo r progress8 4 $ st say9 4 a$ i$pressed8@ The Three )rothers s$iled shyly8 >!hene;er yo are ready9 sir9@ said Beneral Breyson9 >we wo ld li+e to disc ss o r strategy for to$orrow8@ >2f co rse9@ said Ding Drinio s t rning to the children8 >!o ld yo e6c se s pleaseA@ Princess Priya and the Three )rothers $ade their way o;er to the green can;as tent9 lea;ing Ding Drinio s towering li+e a giant o;er the Beneral and A;ana++ar as they stood in disc ssion8 Corneli s followed the children into the tent where they deposited their 7ags8 They then ree$erged into the cool night air and too+ seats near the fire8 >4 did not reali/e how tired $y legs were9@ said Priya stretching8 >'e either9@ agreed Ansh8 5e shoo+ his short9 +no77y legs8 The e6ha sted children too+ a seat 7y the fire and sat o7ser;ing their s rro ndings in silence8 The Three )rothers9 partic larly Ansh9 were fascinated 7y the soldiers9 $any of who$ were still practicing8 Their acro7atics co ld 7e seen in the di$ light8 Priya9 ha;ing seen the Chancell7erry Ar$y practice e;ery day in the giant s< are9 was less interested9 and t rned her attention to the ;alley in which they sat8 2ne of her fa;orite poe$s was said to 7e ha;e 7een inspired 7y the 7ea ty of night in the Valley of Flowers8 2ne line she partic larly en:oyed was9 >The sweetest scent was e;er +nown floats pon the air that%s 7lown8@ The pale night-7loo$ing flowers had 7eg n to open9 and already their fragrance o;erpowered the scent of the 7losso$s that had 7een open d ring the day8 Their white faces nf rled and reflected the pale of the $oon8 Priya watched as the ill $ination of the flowers crept across the ;alley8 She then ga/ed

p at the giant roc+y pea+ of 'o nt Dailasa that o7sc red half the night s+y8 4t was as if the s+y had 7een c t in half8 3oo+ing aro nd the ca$p9 the little princess co ld see her father standing in the edge of the s$all gro;e8 Tho gh her father was $ ch taller than Beneral Breyson and A;ana++ar9 Priya was str c+ 7y how frail his thin fra$e see$ed ne6t to the two stoc+y $ilitary leaders8 She had 7een concerned after her father was ta+en away that her opinion of hi$ $ay change8 She had always ;iewed hi$ as the s$artest and $ost infalli7le person8 She wo ld ne;er ha;e i$agined so$eone co ld o;erpower or o twit hi$8 To Priya9 her father was the e$7odi$ent of righteo sness9 and righteo sness ne;er fails9 so she had 7elie;ed8 ) t now9 her faith was sha+en8 5er father had 7een swept ;iolently away fro$ her8 And in the days that followed 'aridi s%s s rpation of the throne9 Priya had 7eg n to do 7t her father%s : dg$ent8 She wondered how her wise and +nowledgea7le father co ld ha;e allowed the sit ation to get so o t of hand8 She had 7een left at the $ercy of 'aridi s9 who had 7eg n to r in the +ingdo$9 destroy the forests9 terrori/e the citi/enry9 and drain o t the color of the capital city8 .espite all that9 Beneral Breyson had followed the +ing%s orders to not o;erthrow 'aridi s8 She had not nderstood9 and had 7een angry9 disappointed8 All of those feelings had fled9 howe;er9 the $o$ent she and her father were re nited8 The do 7ts in her $ind were replaced with her happiness8 3ater on9 d ring their :o rney ho$e a7oard the La Marta9 she and her father had spo+en a7o t his depart re and the precipitating e;ents8 She had not as+ed hi$ a7o t it8 Rather9 her father initiated the con;ersation as if he +new what was on her $ind8 They were on the dec+ one night8 Drinio s was stretched o t on his 7ac+ with his hands 7ehind his head9 staring at the stars while Priya practiced her g itar8 The +ing sat p and loo+ed at the girl9 propping his el7ow on his 7ent +nee8 >4 +now yo $ st 7e wondering a7o t 'aridi s9@ he said8 Priya i$$ediately stopped playing and loo+ed at her father as he spo+e8 Priya sat < ietly for a $o$ent and then said slowly9 choosing her words caref lly9 >Ces9 4 ha;e had so$e diffic ltly nderstanding yo r $oti;ations8@ The +ing nodded and was silent while Priya%s fingers pic+ed idly at the lost $elody8 At last9 the little girl as+ed9 >.id yo not +now that 'aridi s wo ld $a+e yo lea;eA@ She loo+ed at her father8 5is pale 7l e eyes were f ll of e$pathy9 and he shoo+ his head8 >4 a$ sorry9 $y little willow 7ranch8 Co are disappointed with $e8@ 5e to ched her chee+ gently8 >Co are correct8 4 did not foresee $y co sin following thro gh on his threat of 7anish$ent8 4 p t too $ ch confidence in his sense of decency and nderesti$ated the depth of his 7itterness and sorrow8 4 did not 7elie;e the sit ation wo ld deteriorate as it has8@

Priya and her father had tal+ed long into the night that night8 The stars had shone 7right o;er the sea as they did o;er the $oonlight ;alley where Priya sat 7y the fire8 ) t in the $o ntain ;alley9 the little princess felt $ ch closer to the stars8 She stared into the 7onfire and tho ght a7o t the disc ssion she and her father had on the ship8 5e had told her that it $ay 7e necessary to in;ol;e the ar$y9 e;en tho gh he did not relish the idea as there had ne;er 7een a $ilitary enco nter in the entire history of their +ingdo$8 >4 want to a;oid ;iolence at all costs9@ he had told her9 >7 t we $ st also protect what is right8@ As he said this9 he had an odd e6pression on his face9 one that Priya had ne;er 7efore seen8 >4 do not want to set an e6a$ple for f t re generations that fighting is the correct path8 'aridi s is $y co sin8 4 lo;e hi$ and wish hi$ no ill will8 ) t he cannot 7e allowed to encroach pon the freedo$s of the citi/ens of Chancell7erry8@ >3oo+ at yo r friends9@ he had said9 gest ring to the Three )rothers who sat ne6t to 3arry listening to one of his tales as a large gro p of pirates played cards8 >They ha;e co$e so far and done so $ ch to protect their ho$e8 As the leader of o r +ingdo$9 it is $y d ty to protect the$ and to help the$ protect the$sel;es8@ Priya%s $ind floated 7ac+ to this con;ersation as she stared o t at the ;alley dotted with soldiers preparing for 7attle8 She9 li+e $any in their peacef l +ingdo$9 had grown p 7elie;ing ;iolence was nnecessary8 She had not agreed with her father%s decision to se force against 'aridi s8 She was p lled fro$ her re;erie 7y Ansh e6tolling the wonders of the ar$y%s physical prowess8 >They are aweso$e9@ he said as he ga/ed at the shadowy fig res aro nd the field8 A pair of soldiers in 7lac+ pants and s$oc+s stood on the opposite side of the fire8 They : $ped9 +ic+ed and flipped thro gh the air8 The soldier on the left 7ent low and swept his leg in a large circle9 and the $an on the right : $ped so high to a;oid the other%s +ic+ he appeared to defy gra;ity8 >They train e;ery day9@ e6plained Priya9 >in a ;ariety of for$s of co$7at8 Beneral Breyson insists pon it8 5e says $ore than physical training9 $ental e6ercise is re< ired to learn $ ltiple disciplines8@ She 7egan to point o t the different fighting styles that the ar$y $e$7ers practiced aro nd the ca$psite8 >Brappling9 sword fighting9 nin: ts 9 + ng f 9 tai chi8 =6plosi;es9@ she added9 $otioning to the far end of the ;alley where tiny golden e6plosions and p ffs of s$o+e co ld 7e seen8 .espite the intensity of the ar$y%s energy9 the ;alley was s rprisingly silent8 The wood ny$phs practiced a$ong the orchards8 Their tiny 7odies twisted thro gh the air9 and they : $ped fro$ 7ranches li+e stealthy cats8 Agni and Ansh sat silently transfi6ed while Aryan stood and 7egan to $i$ic the $o;es of the sco ts and soldiers8

The soldiers% $o;es were elegant9 al$ost as if they were dancing8 S rro nded 7y dancing soldiers in a ;alley filled with fragrant glowing flowers9 Priya 7reathed deep and atte$pted to e6pel her an6ieties8 5er father was falli7le9 yes9 and he had $ade a gra;e $iscalc lation that res lted in their c rrent predica$ent8 ) t that did not $ean she had to lose faith in all of his plans8 She needed to 7e confident9 needed to 7elie;e that this new strategy of his9 whate;er it $ight 7e9 e;en if it in;ol;ed ;iolence9 wo ld wor+8 4t was hard to feel s+eptical a7o t the a7ility of Beneral Breyson%s ar$y while they de$onstrated their prowess so i$pressi;ely aro nd the$9 and Priya rela6ed a little8 2 t of the dar+ness9 fo r $en and two wo$en wearing 7lac+ ar$y s$oc+s approached the opposite side of the large fire carrying ;essels filled with water8 They sat the large pots at the edge of the fla$es8 2ne of the$ recogni/ed the princess and wa;ed8 >Bood e;ening9 Princess Priya8 4t%s good to see yo %re all right9@ the $an called8 >Than+ yo 9@ said Priya8 >Fro$ what 4 hear9 yo %;e 7een thro gh so$e ro gh st ff lately8 Co $ st 7e pretty to gh8 =;er thin+ a7o t :oining the ar$yA@ The yo ng $an grinned9 the other soldiers la ghed9 and the little princess 7l shed slightly8 >4 always en;isioned $yself as $ore of an acade$ic9@ she said9 >7 t yo ne;er +now what will happen8 4 a$ certainly +eeping $y options open8@ The si6 soldiers er pted into la ghter8 >That%s a good one9 princess9@ they called8 The water had 7oiled9 and the soldiers po red it into two t 7s8 4nstantly9 the s$ell of so p filled the air8 2ne of the soldiers rang a 7ell8 >.inner?@ he sho ted9 and the shadowy fig res fro$ aro nd the ;alley $ade their way towards the glowing fire8 There were 300 soldiers in the Chancell7erry Ar$y8 Tho sands applied e;ery year9 and only the $ost pro$ising candidates were accepted into the training progra$8 Children so$eti$es started when they were as yo ng as fo r years old8 All 300 soldiers $ateriali/ed o t of the dar+ness and $ade their way towards the food ;ats8 2 t of the trees 7ehind the$9 ca$e the !ood #y$ph Sco ts8 There were perhaps "0 !ood #y$ph Sco ts in all9 and the Three )rothers i$$ediately recogni/ed one sco t whose long red hair shone in the $oon and firelight8 >3oo+9 it%s Violet9@ said Ansh9 and Corneli s started 7ar+ing9 which ca sed the p rple ny$ph to t rn her large eyes in their direction8 5er face lit p with delight8 >Corny9@ she called9 and the Bl spin 7o nded o;er to her9 lic+ing her face as she 7ent down to pic+ hi$ p8 Violet approached the children and said9 >!ell9 yo 7oys certainly get aro nd8 4 tho ght yo were heading for Chancell7erry Castle8@

>!e were9@ said Aryan shyly8 Violet s$iled at hi$8 >!e went9@ e6plained Agni8 >Then we $et Priya9 and we went with her to find her father8@ >!e went to #o 'an%s 4sland9@ said Ansh e6citedly8 Violet ga;e a low whistle8 >Pretty i$pressi;e8@ She r ffled Ansh%s hair8 Beneral Breyson9 A;ana++ar9 and Ding Drinio s :oined Violet and the children8 =ach $an held a $etal $ g filled with stea$ing so p8 >Co children sho ld get so$ething to eat9@ the general ad;ised9 gestic lating with his enor$o s $ g8 >The so p is instant9 7 t it%s filling9 and it doesn%t taste too 7ad8@ >4t is e6cellent9@ said Ding Drinio s9 and he too+ a large g lp8 >Ceah9 +ids9@ said Violet9 >let%s go get so$e gr 78@ She clapped a s$all hand on Agni%s sho lder and too+ off towards the line for food8 The children followed Violet who9 7eing tall for a ny$ph9 was taller than e;en Priya8 She wore a 7rown leather ;est and $atching pants9 and Aryan was re$inded of cow7oy stories his $other sed to read to the$ as she sidled o;er to a roc+ and gra77ed p a $ g fro$ the large stac+8 She dollopped so$e so p into the $etal container and handed Agni the large $etal ladle8 >Caref l8 4t%s hot9@ she warned and then stal+ed off gracef lly towards A;ana++ar8 >She is so 7ea tif l9@ said Priya9 staring after Violet8 >5ow do yo +now herA@ She t rned to Agni who was also ga/ing at Violet8 >!e $et her at the wood ny$ph ca$p in Chancell7erry Forest9@ he 7l shed8 >She was stationed there8@ >4 thin+ she $ st 7e a !ater Forest ny$ph8 5er hair is so red8@ The 7oys were < iet8 They did not reali/e ny$phs fro$ different places differed8 Then Ansh said9 >2 r $other has red hair8@ At the $ention of their $other9 all three 7oys loo+ed a little sad8 Priya noticed their e6pressions and pic+ed p fo r c ps and handed one to each of the Three )rothers8 >5ow a7o t we get so$ething to eatA@ she s ggested8 She filled each of their c ps9 and then the gro p $ade its way to where Violet and Ding Drinio s were standing along with A;ana++ar and Beneral Breyson8

A;ana++ar was saying9 >.efinitely not8 'aridi s has those awf l things e;erywhere tearing it p9 chopping trees9 prooting 7 shes8 The Forest isn%t safe for anything right now8 The #y$ph Ca$p is fortified9 7 t 2%)rien has e;ac ated $ost of the residents8@ Ding Drinio s loo+ed gra;e9 and he glanced down at Priya with concern on his face8 >!ell9 they can stay here at ca$p8 5opef lly9 they will not ha;e to 7e there long8@ >Co $ean s9@ Priya said 7l ntly8 >Ces9 dear9@ replied the +ing8 >!e had intended to send yo children to Village in the Valley ntil we got 'aridi s safely sorted o t9 7 t it appears he has sent Bra;it s into the heart of Chancell7erry Forest on his way to Village in the Valley8 4t has 7een selected as the first stopping point of the newly constr cted roads8@ >Co can see it fro$ the canopy9@ said Violet9 sha+ing her head8 >4t%s : st a h ge path of destr ction9 and the s rro nding forest has all t rned grey8@ >!ell9 we do not want to go ho$e9@ said Agni8 >#ot yet8 #ot while 'aridi s is still in charge and 7 llying e;eryone8@ Aryan and Ansh shoo+ their heads in agree$ent9 and Priya loo+ed at Agni ad$iringly8 Beneral Breyson s$iled +indly8 >4 appreciate yo r senti$ent9 child9 7 t we $ st consider yo r safety8@ Agni scoffed8 >!e ha;e not 7een safe since that . +e or whoe;er he is rode onto o r far$8@ 5e loo+ed fro$ the +ing9 to the general9 to A;ana++ar8 >And we will not 7e safe ntil 'aridi s is no longer a7le to terrori/e o r +ingdo$8 #o one will 7e safe ntil then8@ The general considered Agni appro;ingly8 >The 7oy has a point9@ he said to Ding Drinio s with a s$ile8 The +ing nodded8 >Perhaps it was pres $pt o s of s to ass $e we +new what was 7est for yo 9@ Ding Drinio s said8 5e e6changed a loo+ with Beneral Breyson who s$iled and shr gged his sho lders8 >Co children ha;e a right to see yo r :o rney to its end8 Co $ay acco$pany s if it is yo r wish9@ said the +ing9 and the Three )rothers e6changed 7right s$iles8 >!ell@ contin ed Ding Drinio s9 >since yo will 7e acco$panying s to$orrow9 yo sho ld 7e $ade aware of o r plan8 !e will lea;e early and $a+e ca$p on the other side of 'o nt Dailasa8 Then the general9 A;ana++ar9 and a few soldiers and sco ts9 and 4 will go and spea+ to 'aridi s8 =;eryone else9 incl ding yo children9 will stay at the ca$p8@ Agni was going to protest9 7 t Ding Drinio s contin ed8 >4t will 7e a co;ert endea;or9 so only a few $ay co$e8 !e hope to enter the castle and spea+ to 'aridi s witho t ha;ing to resort to ;iolence8@

>!e are trained in se;eral different non-;iolent techni< es that we will e$ploy9@ Beneral Breyson e6plained8 >And the Sco ts are e6cellent at going ndetected9@ said A;ana++ar8 >Ces9 so hopef lly9 the ele$ent of s rprise will 7e in o r fa;or9@ Ding Drinio s said8 >'aridi s will 7e so shoc+ed that he $ay 7e willing to gi;e p8 5e only has a handf l of s pporters9 and only a ;ery few how are act ally loyal to hi$8@ >And what if he does not gi;e pA@ as+ed Priya8 Ding Drinio s loo+ed at his da ghter and said9 >4f 'aridi s does not listen to reason9 $y child9 4 a$ sad to say we $ay ha;e to force hi$ to ;acate the throne8 4 do not relish the idea of sing ;iolence against $y co sin9 7 t he cannot 7e allowed to re$ain in control of o r +ingdo$8@ >Co %re da$ned right he can%t9@ said the general8 5e clapped the +ing on the sho lder8 >.on%t worry9 sir8@ Then he collected all of their $ gs and e6c sed hi$self8 Al$ost as if on a ti$er9 the soldiers and sco ts readied the$sel;es for 7ed8 A few re$ained 7ehind tidying the ca$psite and sec ring its peri$eter8 The children went to 7ed9 and Violet slept o tside the flap of their tent while Ding Drinio s9 Beneral Breyson and A;ana++ar sat strategi/ing into the wee ho rs of the $orning8

The Return
The day of Ding Drinio s%s ret rn to Chancell7erry City9 Princess Priya awo+e 7efore the s n rose8 The so nd of the soldiers and Sco ts practicing drills ro sed her fro$ a dist r7ed sleep8 She rolled o;er and stared at Agni9 Aryan and Ansh sleeping8 Ansh was on the far side of the tent8 5e had +ic+ed off the green9 woolen ar$y 7lan+et and was lying on his 7ac+ in the cold $orning air8 Priya tho ght he loo+ed cold8 Aryan was c ddled ne6t to Agni with his ar$s wrapped aro nd his older 7rother8 Priya fo nd their faces co$forting8 She had grown so acc sto$ed to these 7oys who she had only +nown a $atter of wee+s8 They had 7eco$e her 7est friends9 and as she sat watching the$ sleep9 she reali/ed she lo;ed the$8 She felt she finally +new what it was li+e to ha;e si7lings8 She resisted the rge to c ddle p with her adopted 7rothers and fall 7ac+ to sleep8 4nstead9 she p shed 7ac+ the ro gh wool 7lan+et that co;ered her9 placed it o;er Ansh who stirred only slightly9 and slipped o t of the tent into the cold $ist of $orning8 The ;alley was filled with fog8 The s+y was light8 Altho gh9 the s n was not yet ;isi7le8 4t wo ld 7e nearly noon 7efore it pea+ed o t fro$ 7ehind the giant pea+ of 'o nt Dailasa9 and 7y then9 they wo ld 7e gone8

The soldiers were 7ac+ in for$ation perfor$ing their $orning calisthenics8 Priya shi;ered as she watched the$ and decided to $o;e a little closer to the fire8 The earth and air near the fire pit were still war$9 e;en tho gh the fire had 7 rned down to nothing 7 t coals8 A twenty-foot wide pit of coals still prod ced a lot of heat8 Fo r large ;essels of near 7oiling water sat on the far side of the pit with coals stac+ p aro nd their sides8 Priya loo+ed aro nd and saw her father sitting on a large roc+ near the apple trees8 5e appeared to 7e writing9 so$ething she wo ld fre< ently see hi$ do when they li;ed in the castle8 5e +ept a :o rnal9 she +new9 7 t she had not seen hi$ write in it since his e6ile8 She had pres $ed he did not ha;e the s$all9 leather-7o nd 7oo+ with hi$8 Priya wal+ed to her father thro gh the deep grass that was still wet with dew8 She $o;ed < ietly9 7 t the +ing still $anaged to hear her approach8 5e loo+ed p and s$iled as she watched her wal+ o;er8 >Bood $orning9 dear9@ he said as the girl sat ne6t to hi$ on the cold stone8 5e +issed the top of her 7raids8 >Bood $orning9 father9@ she said and rested her head on his sho lder8 They 7oth sat for a long $o$ent staring o t at the $isty ;alley8 Then Priya said9 >4 $iss $other8@ The +ing sighed and patted her leg8 >4 $iss her too9 darling9@ he said consolingly8 The two re$ained sitting ne6t to each other as if loc+ed together8 !hen Agni wo+e and went o tside9 they were still sitting silently9 7 t the fog had retreated down the ;alley and had 7eg n to po r o;er the ridge on the far side li+e water8 )rea+fast was s 7d ed8 Ding Drinio s was h ddled in serio s disc ssion with A;ana++ar and Beneral Breyson on the far side of the fire8 The children sat together and ate 7land porridge in silence8 The at$osphere was tense as the ar$y pac+ed p the s$all ca$p9 and the gro p prepared to lea;e8 The children followed silently as the ar$y for$ed ran+s9 and Beneral Breyson led the$ thro gh the tall crac+ in the side of the $o ntain that9 to the n+nowing eye9 appeared to end in a stone wall8 The children +new9 howe;er9 that the cre;ice wo ld lead the$ thro gh the enor$o s $ar7le $o ntain and deposit the$ on the other side high a7o;e Chancell7erry City8 A;ana++ar and Beneral Breyson led the way8 The ar$y followed in ran+ 7ehind the$9 and the #y$ph Sco ts 7ro ght p the rear8 The Three )rothers and Princess Priya ran along side Ding Drinio s and the general8 Ansh often do 7led 7ac+ and frolic+ed with Corneli s8 Aryan wal+ed silently with his 7row f rrowed9 lost in tho ght8 Priya was silent as well9 and Agni watched her8 5er confidence was sha+en9 he co ld tell9 so he too+ her hand and ga;e it a reass ring s< ee/e8 She loo+ed at hi$ and s$iled9 a s$all grin of relief 7efore her 7row again f rrowed9 al7eit slightly less than 7efore8

The gap 7etween the towering walls of grey granite and stri+ing white $ar7le see$ed narrower with the ar$y $arching inside of it8 The walls reached so high that the s+y was 7 t a strip of clo dless 7l e8 Finally9 the gap at the end of the cre;ice co ld 7e seen9 and soon the children stood with the Chancell7erry Ar$y and the #y$ph Sco ts high on the side of 'o nt Dailasa staring down at Chancell7erry City and the enor$o s e6panse of forest 7eyond8 The grand city see$ed s$all fro$ s ch a height8 Aryan ga/ed o t o;er the landscape8 )eyond the rolling hills9 one of the ;alleys was his8 5e fo ght 7ac+ a pang of ho$esic+ness8 The children followed as the ar$y and #y$ph Sco ts $ade their way effortlessly down the steep $o ntainside8 The children str ggled to +eep p8 2n $ore than one occasion9 Aryan had to 7e gra77ed 7y a soldier after slipping on the loose stones nderfoot8 Ansh swore he heard )o7 the goat%s hoo;es and tho ght he saw gli$pses of hi$ darting 7ehind 7o lders and roc+y o tcroppings8 >!hy won%t he co$e and say helloA@ Ansh as+ed9 a little disappointed8 >5e%s pro7a7ly : st shy aro nd 7ig crowds9@ Agni consoled8 This cheered p the 7oy who +ept loo+ing for the el si;e $o ntain creat re8 The s n was high in the s+y 7y the ti$e they reached the field at the 7ase of the $o ntain8 Beneral Breyson t rned to his soldiers8 >'a+e ca$p here8 The sco ting party will go and co$e < ic+ly8 !e sho ld not 7e long8@ A;ana++ar9 Violet and another deeply $ sc lar sco t were part of the sco ting party along with Beneral Breyson9 Ding Drinio s and three soldiers8 Ding Drinio s nodded to the children9 and the gro p left witho t another word9 $o;ing < ic+ly across the long field towards the castle8 >.o yo thin+ they will 7e all rightA@ as+ed Aryan ner;o sly as the children sat together and watched the sco ting party grow s$aller and s$aller8 Corneli s placed his head reass ringly on the 7oy%s lap8 >They will 7e fine9@ said Agni9 and he patted his 7rother%s ar$8 Priya stared 7lan+ly at the gro nd in front of her feet and then 7l rted o t9 >!hat if they aren%t fineA 4 $ean9 the last ti$e $y father tried to reason with 'aridi s9 he got +idnapped8 5ow can yo 7e so certain that e;erything will wor+ o tA@ She loo+ed at Agni8 5er e6pression was half-acc satory and half-pleading8 Agni loo+ed at his friend who was so clearly tro 7led9 and then he noticed his 7rothers were staring at hi$8 They9 too9 were interested to hear his answer8 The lan+y yo ng 7oy drew a deep 7reath and loo+ed at the soldiers and ny$ph sco ts aro nd the$8 Then he ga/ed o t at the forest 7eyond the field8 5e t rned his eyes s+yward to where the great

grey and white face of 'o nt Dailasa was now o7sc ring the $idday s n8 Finally9 he loo+ed 7ac+ at the e6pectant faces awaiting his answer and s$iled8 >'y $other always says e;erything always happens for good8@ Priya was interested9 as Ding Drinio s often told her the sa$e thing8 Agni contin ed8 >So if yo c t yo r finger9 it ca ses yo pain9 7 t the ne6t ti$e yo se the +nife9 yo %ll 7e $ore caref l8 2r if it rains too $ ch9 and the hay goes 7ad9 and yo ha;e to fig re o t how to feed the cows9 it $a+es yo s$arter8 And the ne6t ti$e9 yo %ll p t the hay p while the s n%s still shining8@ Agni pa sed9 thin+ing8 >Co see9 as long as yo ha;e faith9 as long as yo 7elie;e e;erything will 7e o+ay9 and then it will 7e8 !hat happens is not i$portant9 7 t the way we react to what happens is8@ Priya9 Aryan and Ansh pondered this while Agni sat thin+ing8 5e added after a $o$ent9 >That%s how 4 +new this plan wo ld wor+ o t and we wo ld 7e a7le to sa;e the far$8 4 $ean9 nothing has gone according to plan9 7 t 4 7elie;e e;erything will wor+ o t8 Co r father will 7e a7le to tal+ so$e sense into 'aridi s9 and e;erything will 7e fine8@ Agni s$iled8 Aryan and Ansh were totally con;inced8 Aryan laid 7ac+ once $ore to stare at the s+y9 and Ansh res $ed playing with Corneli s8 .espite his reass ring words9 Priya re$ained so$ewhat s+eptical8 A few of the re$aining $e$7ers of the ar$y prepared a l nch of sliced 7read and cheese8 #othing was heated8 A fire wo ld create s$o+e9 and they did not want to gi;e any sort of indication that the ar$y had arri;ed or that Ding Drinio s was on his way to the castle8 The children sat chewing the dry sandwiches9 washing down ch n+s with cool spring water8 All they co ld do now was wait8 Ding Drinio s and the sco ting party $arched silently into the e$pty streets of Chancell7erry City8 Two sco ts $o;ed ahead9 traipsing o;er rooftops while two soldiers stole < ietly down the narrow lanes to ens re there was no resistance8 The coast9 it see$ed9 was clear8 4n fact9 the s ally 7 stling city was eerily lifeless8 .oors and windows9 s ally open to the air9 were sh t8 Bardens and lawns had t rned a sic+ly grey8 The once colorf lly painted ho ses were ashen8 Ding Drinio s was stric+en8 5e co ld not 7elie;e the change that had occ rred in the glorio s city in s ch a short span of ti$e8 5e resisted the fleeting rge to 7la$e hi$self for the sad state of affairs8 4nstead9 he too+ acco nt of the sad9 silent city and foc sed on the tas+ at hand getting 'aridi s to stop peacef lly8 2nly once did the ad;ance sco ts and soldiers co$e r shing 7ac+8 They p lled the +ing9 the general and the sco t co$$ander rapidly into a silent side street as one of 'aridi s%s carriages went rattling 7y8 The carriage loo+ed $ore li+e a war $achine8 They had the$ e< ipped with h ge $etal c tting i$ple$ents on the front in order to chop down the

forest8 Beneral Breyson o7ser;ed the carriage as it tr ndled 7y8 The $achine was s rprisingly < iet despite its large si/e8 >That co ld pose a pro7le$9@ he stated after the carriage had rolled a safe distance away8 >Ces9@ agreed A;ana++ar in his characteristically stern9 silent $anner8 >!e ha;e 7een facing great diffic ltly with these enchanted $achines8 !e ha;e fo nd no way to stop the$ yet9 apart fro$ incapacitating their operators8@ The color of the ny$ph%s s+in dar+ened to that of green-7rown $ d8 The +ing nodded and said nothing8 A soldier appeared o t of thin air8 >Sir9 the coast is clear8@ Beneral Breyson e6changed a glance with A;ana++ar and Ding Drinio s9 and their s$all party once again 7egan $o;ing8 They were not far fro$ the castle now9 and Ding Drinio s noticed a s$all 7oy loo+ing forlornly o t of a high attic window8 The child%s ga/e soon fell on the s$all gro p tra;elling down the co77lestone lane8 The +ing%s eyes $et the 7oy%s9 which widened in astonish$ent8 Ding Drinio s s$iled and offered a little wa;e8 The 7oy%s frec+led face shone as they wal+ed past his ho se8 As the gro p reached the end of the street that opened into the large co rtyard s rro nding the castle9 they stopped8 The re$aining sco ts and soldiers left9 and it was : st the +ing9 A;ana++ar9 and the general8 They s r;eyed the co rtyard8 4t was a lifeless wasteland8 The trees9 hedges9 and rows of flowers were all grey8 =;en the stones and soil see$ed to ha;e lost their color8 The sco ting party stood on the west side of the castle8 The gro nds sloped pward to where the white $ar7le str ct re stood ele;ated a7o;e the town with 'o nt Dailasa towering 7ehind it8 Ding Drinio s t rned and loo+ed o t at the city that lay 7elow the$8 3arge pools of once-green trees loo+ed sad8 The well-$anic red lawns and cheerf l ho ses had lost their l ster9 and the for$erly l sh forest 7eyond was a shadow of its for$er glory8 Ding Drinio s closed his eyes8 The last ti$e he had loo+ed pon the great city of his 7irth9 it had 7een a ;i7rant9 colorf l patchwor+ of life8 ) t now9 Chancell7erry City was a sea of grey8 The fl ffy o tlines of tress were nothing 7 t $onotone cl $ps8 The ho ses9 once painted in a range of colors fro$ pin+ to 7l e9 stood li+e to$7stones8 2nly a hint of their for$er color re$ained on their chee+s8 The tall spires of 'iss ' llin%s enor$o s ho se stood on the so th east side sta77ed the dis$al s+yline8 The old ho se painted pale yellow and white had always re$inded the +ing of daffodils in springti$e8 #ow9 there was no color left in it8 =;en the white sh tters were whiter9 li+e 7leached 7one9 li$p and lifeless8 5e loo+ed p at the s+y9 and it was as if loo+ing thro gh a thic+ grey fog8 =;erything was d ll8 The . llness9 he tho ght8 The +ing was appalled8 5ow co ld 'aridi s ha;e allowed things to get so 7adA Certainly9 his co sin was no longer in control of his $ental

fac lties8 Perhaps tal+ing to hi$ wo ld not ha;e its desired effect after all8 Perhaps the Sco t Co$$ander and the Beneral were right9 and it was ti$e to se force8 At that $o$ent9 Violet ca$e < ic+ly towards Ding Drinio s9 Beneral Breyson9 and A;ana++ar8 She 7ec+oned for the three $en to follow8 They passed thro gh a low stone wall to :oin the re$aining sco ts and soldiers9 and then the s$all gro p $o;ed thro gh the co rtyards silently8 Ding Drinio s tried not to notice the color that had 7een drained fro$ the landscape8 At the large door at the entrance to the castle9 fo r g ards lay nconscio s8 Two sco ts p shed the enor$o s stone doors open silently9 and the gro p $o;ed < ic+ly into the inner co rtyard8 The sco ts and soldiers $o;ed aro nd the e6tre$ities8 Ding Drinio s stopped8 >!e will stay here8 Please anno nce $y presence to the acting +ing and re< est hi$ to co$e8 4 a$ s re he will 7e co$pelled to o7lige8@ Beneral Breyson loo+ed as if he had reser;ations with Ding Drinio s%s plan9 7 t he said nothing8 After an instant9 A;ana++ar spo+e8 >4 will stay here9@ he said si$ply8 Beneral Breyson nodded9 t rned and departed with a pair of sco ts and soldiers flan+ing hi$8 The s$all dar+ green ny$ph stood ne6t to the tall pale +ing while Violet paced 7ehind the$8 #ot a word was spo+en9 7 t Ding Drinio s cast a 7rief glance of appreciation that al$ost rese$7led a s$ile at A;ana++ar9 who reciprocated with a stern nod of ac+nowledg$ent8 )efore the general ret rned with 'aridi s9 the large co rtyard echoed with a tiny noise9 whispering and the h shed sh ffling of steps8 A;ana++ar9 Violet and Ding Drinio s t rned towards the so nd%s origin8 4t was the 7oy fro$ the window8 5e was pointing at the +ing and whispering to a thin wo$an who held his hand and loo+ed tense8 5er ga/e followed the 7oy%s finger and ca$e to rest pon the +ing8 5er face 7ro+e into a radiant s$ile9 and a s$all cry of :oy escaped her lips and r shed thro gh the silent gap that separated the$8 She raised a hand in a s$all9 ca tio s wa;e8 The +ing ret rned it heartily and ga;e the wo$an a large9 confident s$ile8 E st then9 Beneral Breyson along with the soldiers and sco ts ca$e aro nd the corner9 flan+ing 'aridi s at their center8 'aridi s wore his c sto$ary dar+ green and held his head high as the soldiers followed closely at his el7ows8 The 7lac+ of their nifor$s and the earth tones of the #y$ph Sco ts% stood in star+ contrast to the d ll grey of the co rtyard8 Violet%s 7rilliant p rple s+in and fire color hair drew e;ery eye in the s< are9 which had grown to 7e < ite a few8 The news of the +ing%s ret rn had spread < ic+ly9 and residents of Chancell7erry City slowly filtered into the co rtyard8 They stood nder ledges and a$ong flower 7 shes9 watching the scene nfold8 Soon9 'aridi s and Drinio s were standing face to face8 The #y$ph Sco ts and soldiers ho;ered closely8 The two $en were e< ally tall and thin8 Ding Drinio s%s pale face wore

an e6pression of care and concern9 and al$ost perpet al lo;e8 'aridi s%s pale feat res9 howe;er9 were contorted with anger8 5is dar+ eyes spo+e of hate and retri7 tion while Drinio s%s 7l e ones spo+e of peace8 4t was Drinio s who 7ro+e the silence8 >'aridi s9@ he said 7 t was na7le to finish8 'aridi s interr pted angrily9 >'ade it 7ac+9 eh9 co sinA 4 s ppose yo %;e co$e to clai$ what%s rightf lly yo rsA@ 5is ;oice $oc+ed the +ing8 Ding Drinio s too+ a deep 7reath8 >'aridi s9 what yo are doing is not right8 3oo+ aro nd yo 8 The city is nrecogni/a7le8 The !ood #y$phs are de;astated8 They ha;e had to flee fro$ their ca$p8 Co are destroying the forests9 s c+ing the color o t of o r +ingdo$9 threatening to throw fa$ilies o t of their ho$es8@ The +ing shoo+ his head9 7 t 'aridi s was n$o;ed8 >3et s p t an end to this8 !e will contact .r8 Von Freeson and see if he can i$pro;e pon the carriages8 Perhaps he can fi6 the $agic so we can a;oid this d llness8@ 'aridi s stood9 seething silently8 Then he e6ploded8 >Then whatA =;erything goes 7ac+ to nor$alA S re9 4 $ight get a carriage9 7 t what a7o t the roadsA !hat a7o t $y ;ision for the +ingdo$A =;erything is always a7o t yo 9 Drinio s9 and what yo thin+ is right8 !hat a7o t what 4 wantA@ Ding Drinio s was stern8 >)oth of o r personal desires are irrele;ant8 !hat $atters is what is 7est for the +ingdo$8@ 5e $otioned at the e;er-growing crowd aro nd the s< are8 >All of its inha7itants8@ The #y$ph Sco ts stood a little straighter8 >!ell9 4 don%t care?@ cried 'aridi s8 >4 don%t care what anyone else wants8 4 a$ tired of li;ing $y life to please other people8 4 a$ thro gh with that8 4 a$ going after what 4 want now?@ Ding Drinio s was cal$8 >Co are free to do whate;er yo want9 7 t not at the e6pense of others8@ 'aridi s scoffed indignantly8 5e narrowed his eyes and too+ great pleas re in the sentence he tossed at his co sin8 >And who is going to stop $eA Co A 4f yo re$e$7er correctly9 4 a$ the one who 7anished yo 9 and 4 will do it again8@ 5e spo+e li+e a $an in co$$and of a tho sand-$e$7er ar$y9 not one at the $ercy of a gro p of angry soldiers8 Ding Drinio s nodded8 5is ;oice was e;en8 >4 will not $a+e the sa$e $ista+e twice8 4f yo ref se to recall the carriages9 call 7ac+ Sloane9 and relin< ish the throne9 4 will ha;e to allow Beneral Breyson to re$o;e yo forci7ly8@ There was a 7rief instant d ring which a flash of fear crossed 'aridi s%s face8 4t was gone i$$ediately9 tho gh9 and replaced 7y his ha ghty9 reproachf l glare8

>Co ha;e $ay7e two do/en who call the$sel;es faithf l to yo 9@ Ding Drinio s went on8 >S rely9 they cannot go p against the f ll force of the Chancell7erry Ar$y who are9 at this $o$ent9 ca$ped at the 7ase of 'o nt Dailasa awaiting $arching orders8 4f yo will not go peacef lly9 it pains $e to say9 yo will go 7y force8@ 'aridi s was silent9 calc lating8 !hen he spo+e9 his ;oice was hard and ;eno$o s8 >Two do/en $en alone $ay 7e no $atch for his ar$y8@ 5e spat the words in Beneral Breyson%s direction8 >) t yo r 300 soldiers stand no chance against two do/en of the greatest war $achines +nown to $an8 They are indestr cti7le8@ 'aridi s la ghed a cold9 cr el la gh8 >Co$e here to$orrow at noon8 'y $en will 7e here with their steeds8 Co$e and try to $a+e $e lea;e 7y force9 co sin9 if yo dare?@ Ding Drinio s considered this8 >!e will 7e here8 3et hi$ go8@ The soldiers and sco ts hesitated8 ) t a nod fro$ Beneral Breyson ca sed the$ to part li+e a c rtain aro nd hi$8 'aridi s t rned on his heel and $arched 7ac+ into the castle8 The crowd 7ro+e into cheers and r shed to the +ing8 5e shoo+ $any hands while townspeople called9 >!elco$e ho$e9 sir8@ The co rtyard cele7ration went on for < ite a while ntil Beneral Breyson was finally a7le to e6tract the +ing while $a+ing e6c ses a7o t heading off to prepare for the following day%s 7attle8 The crowd followed the$ thro gh the o ter co rtyards and down the streets that led o t of the city8 As they headed across the field to where the rest of the ar$y was ca$ped9 they left 7ehind a far happier Chancell7erry City than the one they had entered less than an ho r 7efore8 The ret rn trip to the ca$p at the 7ase of the $o ntain too+ nearly half an ho r9 e;en at the rapid pace set 7y the long-legged +ing and the < ic+-$o;ing general8 4t was a silent trip8 2ne of the soldiers noticed the approaching gro p9 and the entire ca$p stood to await their arri;al8 The loo+ on e;ery face was the sa$e8 The s$all ca$p was a sea of anticipation8 The nspo+en words h ng o;er the crowd as the sco ting party ret rned8 The soldiers sal ted the general9 and the ny$ph sco ts greeted their ret rning co$$ander with 7oth hands clasped in front of their chests8 Priya ran to her father and threw her ar$s aro nd his high waist8 Ding Drinio s pic+ed p the little girl and h gged her tightly and then set her down 7efore hi$ and spo+e8 >To$orrow at noon9 we face 'aridi s and his $en in a 7attle for o r +ingdo$8 A conflict li+e this one is nprecedented8 =ight h ndred years ha;e gone 7y since Chancell7erry%s fo nder9 the great Ra:a Dhan9 sewed the seeds of peace that wo ld 7eco$e o r +ingdo$8 4t is a sad day indeed that has co$e8 !e find o rsel;es in a position where $ilitary s+ill and tactical training are no longer p rs its for those who desire to $aster 7oth $ind and 7ody9 7 t are a practical necessity to 7e inflicted pon a fellow resident of o r +ingdo$8 4 a$ sorry that we ha;e failed to co$e to a peacef l concl sion9 7 t 'aridi s wants a fight9 and we are the protectors of this +ingdo$ and its people8@ The +ing p lled his long fra$e p to its f ll height8 >)elow lies a city that has lost its will to li;e8 The people are scared9 7ereft of hope8 !e $ st defend o r +ingdo$8@ 5e loo+ed

aro nd at the rapt crowd8 >And we will8 !e will show 'aridi s that his enchanted war $achines and color s c+ing $agic are no $atch for those who ha;e confidence in the righteo sness of their endea;or8 !e will regain o r +ingdo$9 not 7y force and threat of ;iolence as it was illicitly ta+en9 7 t 7y the force of o r character8 ) t re$e$7er9 these are o r co ntry$en9 not o r ene$ies8 They ha;e $erely lost their way8@ Beneral Breyson stepped forward and addressed the ar$y8 >This $eans non-;iolent incapacitation sho ld 7e i$ple$ented when possi7le8 Certainly9 non-lethal $eans are to 7e sed8 Co ha;e 7een training yo r entire life for this8 P t all of yo r technical +nowledge to se8 To$orrow9 we $ st sa;e o r +ingdo$ witho t 7rea+ing its spirit8@ The general t rned8 The ar$y stood for a $o$ent and then 7ro+e into gro ps and 7egan practicing the techni< es they already +new 7y heart8 2ne of the s< ad leaders approached the general8 >!hat are o r orders9 sirA@ as+ed the tall $an with closely cropped hair8 >The +ing9 Co$$ander A;ana++ar and 4 will confer on a co rse of action8 4 will relate the plan once it has 7een decided9 Eerald8 For now9 please r n callisthenic and the agility drills8@ >Ces9 sir8@ The $an nodded9 t rned and departed8 Beneral Breyson t rned to Ding Drinio s and A;ana++ar8 >Sir9 4 $ st say9 if we go in now9 they won%t 7e e6pecting s8 !e can ta+e the$ 7y s rprise in a $atter of $in tes8@ A;ana++ar nodded silently8 >4f we wait ntil to$orrow9@ the general went on9 >'aridi s will ha;e ti$e to get the carriages 7ac+ here9 and they will definitely pose a pro7le$8@ Ding Drinio s nodded8 There was no do 7ting a co;ert9 $iddle of the night operation wo ld 7e faster8 >4 ha;e gi;en $y word9 Bregor8 And perhaps a defeat on his own ter$s will gi;e 'aridi s pa se8 Perhaps it will help hi$ reali/e the +ingdo$ is not his8 Anyway9 we will ha;e to face these chariots one way or the other8 'aridi s will already ha;e infor$ed his $en to ret rn at once to the city8@ >Tr e9@ agreed the general9 >7 t we co ld head the$ off while they%re still in the forests8 !e don%t ha;e to face the$ all at once8 !e co ld e;en go now8@ A;ana++ar stood as a silent witness8 The where and when of their confrontation $eant little to hi$8 To the #at re #y$phs9 the only $atter of any i$portance was getting the carriages of destr ction to stop har$ing the wild li;ing things8 4t did not $atter how8 The #at re #y$phs accepted death as a nat ral part of life and had no iss es +illing a few creat res to ens re the safety of greater nat re8 These $oralistic de7ates9 he tho ght9 were the real$ of h $ans9 and s ch decisions were 7est left to the h $ans to decide8

>4f we go 7ac+ on o r word9 it will only heighten 'aridi s%s sense that he has 7een cheated8 This will not sol;e o r pro7le$9 only delay it8 4f we defeat hi$ on his own ter$s with the f ll s pport of the +ingdo$9 perhaps he will see that Chancell7erry was ne;er his to control8@ Beneral Breyson was not con;inced9 7 t it was clear the +ing%s decision was final8 They were to $eet in the field the ne6t day at noon8 'o nt Dailasa wo ld 7are silent witness to the +ingdo$%s historic str ggle8 As A;ana++ar and Beneral Breyson left to infor$ their troops of the 7attle plans9 Agni noticed fig res approaching fro$ the distance8 The nearer the fig res drew9 the clearer they 7eca$e ntil soon9 the field was filled with the shapes of the townspeople fro$ the capitol city $o;ing across the field towards the ar$y so$e r nning9 so$e carrying large containers9 and so$e with s$all children in tow8 The story of the +ing%s ret rn and the ca$p at the 7ase of the $o ntains had spread9 and the city%s residents r shed to greet their +ing and the ret rning ar$y8 Two of the first to reach the ca$psite were the 7oy fro$ the window and his $other who greeted the +ing with wide s$iles and a 7o < et of grey flowers8 'ore and $ore of the city%s residents arri;ed8 Se;eral people had 7ro ght food for the +ing and the ar$y8 'iss ' llins arri;ed s rro nded 7y her st dents8 5er flowing yellow hair stood in star+ contrast to the d ll en;iron$ent aro nd her8 She loo+ed to Priya li+e a tall daisy in the $iddle of the field8 The teacher spotted Priya a$idst the crowd and ran to the little girl8 >Co did it?@ 'iss ' llins said9 raising her ar$s in ;ictory8 She then loo+ed appro;ingly at the Three )rothers who stood staring at 'iss ' llins%s ethereal 7ea ty8 >And yo three9@ 'iss ' llins said pointing at the 7oys with a s$ile9 >were a7le to help her9 4 s ppose8@ She s< ee/ed the$ into a large h g8 !hen she released the$9 she planted a +iss on each 7oy%s chee+9 which ca sed all three of the 7rothers to 7l sh sheepishly8 She t rned 7ac+ to Priya9 e6cited8 >Co $ st tell $e a7o t yo r trip8 4 do hope yo too+ at least a few notes8@ Priya loo+ed a little g ilty8 >4 $anaged to ta+e a few8@ 'iss ' llins wa;ed her hand dis$issi;ely8 >#o pro7le$8 That $e$ory of yo rs is a steel trap8 Anyway9 4 $ st try to get a word in with yo r father8 !e will spea+ later8@ And she was gone9 lea;ing the faint s$ell of :as$ine in her wa+e8 The children watched as 'iss ' llins wor+ed her way thro gh the +not of people s rro nding the +ing8 She wea;ed her way aro nd se;eral large picnic 7lan+ets co;ered in food8 Beneral Breyson and A;ana++ar had allowed the soldiers and sco ts to stop their practice to eat8 A fire had 7een started8 Priya sat staring for a $o$ent8 Then she got p and started off towards the foot of the $o ntain calling9 >Co$e on9@ to the Three )rothers o;er her sho lder8 The 7oys

followed her9 and she threw herself de:ectedly on a large 7o lder at the 7ase of the $o ntain8 The little princess loo+ed p at the 7oys with a sad e6pression on her pretty face8 5er long 7raids h ng past her thin +nees pon which she rested her s$all chin8 >4s this going to wor+A@ she worried alo d8 4n tr th9 the Three )rothers were ns re of the +ing%s plan9 7 t the festi;e at$osphere 7 oyed their spirits8 #one of the$ spo+e9 7 t Agni sat down 7eside the little princess9 and his 7rothers followed his lead8 All three children were perched in a row staring at the i$pro$pt cele7ration that had spr ng p in the field8 4t was a 7ea tif l scene8 The late afternoon s nlight filled the field with the green golden softness of a s $$er e;ening9 and in that $o$ent9 it was al$ost as if the color had not 7een drained fro$ the tall grass8 Fro$ a distance9 the d llness of Chancell7erry City was still apparent8 ) t the pale ho ses reflected the rays of the s n that c t 7etween the pea+s of the towering $o ntain range9 and the washed o t city was lit in ;arying shades of gold9 orange and red8 The children watched as the ho ses changed color with the setting s n9 e;er dar+ening into shades of p rple and 7l e9 as Corneli s played at their feet8 4t was s $$er9 and the s+y wo ld not f lly dar+en ntil well into the night9 7 t a 7onfire was already roaring near the ca$psite9 and its fla$es grew e;er 7righter8 >3et%s get 7ac+ o;er there9@ said Agni8 They were the first words spo+en in o;er an ho r8 >4 want to find o t what e6actly is happening to$orrow8@ The children followed the eldest 7other 7ac+ across the field towards the glowing fire8 Aryan felt the tension growing in his sto$ach and nderstood Priya%s apprehension8 5e said nothing9 howe;er9 preferring to follow Agni%s cool and confident lead8 The e;ening see$ed to slip away in large ch n+s8 !here the ti$e went9 the children were ns re8 4t was a 7l r of faces :oyo s townspeople cele7rating the +ing%s ret rn9 an6io s deter$ination in the eyes of the soldiers and #at re #y$ph Sco ts9 'iss ' llins% cr $pled e6pression pon hearing the news of the ne6t day%s i$pending 7attle8 A7o;e all9 ho;ered the +ing%s face8 5is light hair was shaggy and had 7een 7leached to near white aro nd his te$ples fro$ prolonged e6pos re to the s n on #o 'an%s 4sland8 4t $ade hi$ loo+ old9 Priya tho ght8 Ding Drinio s spo+e forcef lly as he shoo+ hands and patted 7ac+s reass ringly8 5is tanned face and wide9 easy s$ile pro:ected confidence confidence of a < ic+ and easy ;ictory9 confidence that soon all wo ld ret rn to its nor$al har$ony8 Priya sat $ost of the e;ening < ietly watching her father as he greeted the e;er-growing crowd8 5er eyes followed hi$ as he e6c sed hi$self to spea+ with the general and A;ana++ar8 They were clearly disc ssing the ne6t day%s strategy8 The little princess tho ght her father loo+ed tired9 and in tr th9 he was9 7 t his e6ha stion was only e;ident in the 7l e of his eyes that had faded slightly8 #o one noticed e6cept his da ghter8 Priya wondered why this was8 Perhaps9 she tho ght9 the people of the +ingdo$ had 7eco$e so acc sto$ed to $ ted colors that they did not notice the faded 7l e of his eyes8 2r

perhaps there was no difference in their shade9 and the little princess saw so$ething not ;isi7ly recogni/a7le8 Perhaps she saw into her father%s $ind8 Perhaps saw so$ething that the +ing hi$self did not recogni/e8 4n that $o$ent9 as Priya conte$plated her father%s tired eyes and lighter hair9 she reali/ed he was getting older8 4t was so$ething that had ne;er occ rred to her 7efore9 which str c+ her as odd8 5ow co ld she ha;e ne;er reali/edA She had certainly grown older9 and her father $ st ha;e aged along with her8 She had grown taller9 and learned to spea+9 and cele7rated each new year with a whole host of fresh acco$plish$ents8 ) t she ne;er considered that her father%s life was passing in the sa$e $anner8 To Priya9 her father was a constant9 nwa;ering force8 And now9 as she watched hi$ wea;e thro gh the crowd of people9 she reali/ed that he was h $an9 falli7le9 and capa7le of $a+ing $ista+es and ageing : st li+e anyone else8 4nstead of 7eing let down 7y this reali/ation9 howe;er9 Priya was elated8 She had 7een wrong to p t her father on s ch a pedestal8 4t wo ld 7e nreasona7le9 she tho gh with a la gh9 that anyone9 regardless of how wise and nderstanding they were9 wo ld not $a+e any $ista+es or $iscalc lations8 Priya e6haled deeply8 She was relie;ed8 S ddenly9 she +new what Agni had said was tr e8 =;erything wo ld 7e all right9 no $atter what happened8 The day of the first 7attle in the *00 years of Chancell7erry%s history dawned clear and war$8 For years to co$e9 the $o$ento s $orning wo ld 7e re;isited 7y poets and playwrights8 Stages wo ld depict the $a+eshift ca$p9 and actors wo ld dra$ati/e e;ery last detail the h ndreds of townspeople waiting e6pectantly9 the heat as it rose o;er the grey city8 2ne poet fro$ Chancell7erry rose to partic lar fa$e after witnessing the entire e;ent and going on to write an echoing 7allad entitled9 >The Breen and the Brey8@ 5e was str c+9 he said9 7y the d ll green field and the grey city 7eyond8 5is follow p poe$9 >The Brey and the !hite9@ was a7o t a clo d for$ation he saw that e;ening after the 7attle was o;er that9 he clai$ed9 helped hi$ $a+e sense of the t r$oil in so l after witnessing the 7attle8 Priya wo+e early as the s n was : st 7eginning to strea+ the eastern s+y a7o;e the forest8 Agni rose too9 and Priya wondered if his sleep was as dist r7ed as hers had 7een8 She had not gotten a chance to spea+ to her father the night 7efore9 and she was deter$ined to do so 7efore e;eryone else was awa+e8 She got her opport nity8 5er father was already doing his $orning e6ercises as she e6ited the s$all can;as tent8 5e finished the s n sal te9 then stood and wal+ed o;er to his da ghter who waited with her ar$s across her chest watching hi$ intently8 She loo+ed p and hi$ s$iled9 and then said9 >Today is the day9 h h9 pappaA@ Ding Drinio s s$iled and too+ the little girl 7y the hand8 5e led her along the edge of the field near the foot of the $o ntains8 Agni watched as the pair strolled slowly thro gh the dewy field8 The s+y grew increasingly lighter9 and the air held the slightest hint of the i$pending heat8

Father and da ghter had wal+ed a long way in silence8 >Co are afraid9@ the +ing said9 loo+ing down at Priya8 She did not ret rn his ga/e8 >4 a$9@ she ad$itted with her eyes on the gro nd8 Ding Drinio s p t a hand on the girl%s sho lder8 >4t is nor$al to 7e scared9@ he said reass ringly8 5is ;oice was e;en9 and his hand ca sed a war$ cal$ing sensation to spread thro gh her 7ody8 She rela6ed a little8 =;erything was going to 7e all right9 she told herself8 They wal+ed in silence9 and after a while9 the +ing re$o;ed his hand and placed his ar$s 7ehind his 7ac+8 They wal+ed along the 7ase of the $o ntain8 .ew cl ng to the deep grass8 The s n was gathering strength9 and soon it wo ld e$erge fro$ the e;er-7rightening hori/on8 Ding Drinio s stopped and t rned to loo+ at the light strea+ed s+y that was still dar+ o;er their heads8 The eastern hori/on was ali;e with light8 Pale pin+s and oranges were painted across filigree clo ds8 Priya stood loo+ing at her father as he watched the s n rise8 The colors were reflected in the white stone $o ntain 7ehind the$8 4ts granite and $ar7le o tcroppings were now a soft orange8 The +ing t rned his regal face towards the girl and s$iled8 5e followed her ga/e to the cliffs ne6t to the$8 >!hen 4 was ;ery yo ng9 4 sed to wa+e p early in the $ornings and go to the top of the o7ser;ation tower to watch the s n co$e p8 4 ha;e always lo;ed the way the $o ntains reflect the colors8@ 5e s$iled at his da ghter with a twin+le in his eyes8 >4 always wished 4 were the slightest 7it artistic so 4 co ld capt re s ch 7ea ty on a can;as8@ Priya giggled8 5er father%s poor artistic a7ilities were well +nown 7y the little princess8 5e co ld not e;en draw stic+ people properly8 The +ing s$iled8 >4 was always a 7it $ore s+illed at orating than with a paint7r sh9@ he conceded9 >7 t that s+yH@ 5e t rned 7ac+ to stare at the ill $inated $o ntain8 After a $o$ent he said tho ghtf lly9 >Perhaps so$e 7ea ty cannot 7e capt red8@ 5e loo+ed down at his da ghter and then 7ac+ to the $o ntain8 Priya%s face grew tro 7led again as she ga/ed at her father%s 7ac+8 5e t rned as if he sensed her an6ieties8 5e cro ched down so their faces were ne6t to each others8 >.arling9 4 a$ afraid too8 Today is an i$portant day for o r entire +ingdo$8 And while 4 wo ld ha;e preferred to find an a$ica7le resol tion to o r c rrent pro7le$ with 'aridi s9 4 7elie;e he is nwilling to see any other alternati;e than an o tright confrontation8 4t see$s that is what he wants8 4 : st hope one day he can forgi;e $e for what we are a7o t to do9 and that one day9 he will see that what he is doing now is har$ing so $any8@ Ding Drinio s shoo+ his head8 5e loo+ed into Priya%s large eyes and s$iled8 >So s$art and so 7ea tif l8@ 5e to ched her chee+8 >4 a$ ;ery l c+y to ha;e yo as $y da ghter8@ 5e h gged her close8 >4 a$ sorry9 $y da ghter9 that yo $ st end re s ch strife in yo r yo ng life9 7 t 4 7elie;e yo will 7e stronger 7eca se of it8 Co already are8@ 5e e$phasi/ed his words with an e6tra s< ee/e8 Priya h gged her father 7ac+ and s$iled into his sho lder8 She co ld hear the nspo+en words ringing in her head8 >=;erything happens for a reason8@

)y the ti$e Ding Drinio s and Princess Priya ret rned to the ca$psite9 the s n had risen as had Aryan9 Ansh and $any of the townspeople8 Aryan and Ansh sat with Agni eating toast and drin+ing tea8 The dew had dried9 and the hot9 s ltry air pressed down pon the ca$p in the field8 S $$er had 7eg n in earnest8 4t occ rred to Agni that the s $$er festi;al $ st 7e only a few days away8 The soldiers and #y$ph Sco ts had already eaten and were practicing drills or $a+ing preparations for 7attle8 The townspeople see$ed an6io s8 Beneral Breyson and Ding Drinio s had ad;ised non-ar$y $e$7ers to ret rn ho$e 7efore the 7attle for their own safety9 7 t the citi/enry had ref sed8 They insisted that they wo ld stay o t of the way as spectators and only inter;ene if it loo+ed as if the soldiers and sco ts needed assistance8 >!e will do anything to see 'aridi s o t9 sir9@ one wo$an had insisted8 4n the end9 the townsfol+ who wanted to stay were per$itted to do so as long as they stayed at a safe distance away fro$ the 7attlefield8 The carriages co ld $o;e fast9 and Beneral Breyson was concerned a7o t people 7eing cr shed 7eneath their large wooden wheels8 As the $orning progressed9 tensions started to r n high8 The 300 soldiers stood ready in the hot s n wearing their thin 7lac+ s$oc+s8 The #y$ph Sco ts flan+ed the front of the ar$y%s ran+s8 Beneral Breyson9 A;ana++ar and Ding Drinio s stood at the front of the gro p8 The townspeople re$ained at the edge of the ca$p8 .espite the +ing%s warning to ret rn ho$e9 'iss ' llins had decided to stay along with her st dents who had also ref sed to lea;e the field8 As the s n 7egan its approach to the /enith of the s+y9 a r $7ling co ld 7e heard co$ing fro$ the direction of the city8 The crowd went silent9 and e;ery eye was ri;eted pon the hori/on8 The soldiers stood in sharp for$ation with the #y$ph Sco ts flan+ing the$8 Ding Drinio s stood in front of the rows of asse$7led 7ra;ery9 the s n reflecting off his golden hair8 A;ana++ar and Beneral Breyson stood at his sides with steely reser;e in their eyes8 The large carriages tr ndled across the field at a rapid pace8 As they approached9 the grey s$ear s rro nding the$ 7eca$e apparent8 4t trailed 7ehind the silent carriages as they $o;ed towards the awaiting ar$y8 4t was an nsettling sight to say the least8 The carriages loo$ed large on the hori/on9 and they see$ed to 7e $ ch 7igger than the ones the Three )rothers had seen $o;ing past the 1ni;ersity as they hid in the 7 shes8 And as the carriages drew closer still9 Aryan +new why8 The carriages were 7igger9 $ ch 7igger8 =ach of the enor$o s grey or7s had 7een fitted with large saws on the front8 Aryan n dged Agni and said9 >3oo+ at that8@ >4 +now9@ said Agni tensely8 >A;ana++ar said there were saws on the carriages now9 rightA 'aridi s%s $en ha;e 7een sing the$ to c t down the forest8@

There were fo r rows of h ge rotating 7lades on the front of the si6 carriages8 Aryan tho ght they loo+ed li+e h ngry $onsters r nning across the field towards the$9 eating p the color as they ca$e8 The carriages with their gnashing teeth rolled to a halt in the center of the field as the s n h ng high in the $idday s+y8 The si6 grey $achines for$ed a circle9 their noisy grinding saws faced o twards and created an i$penetra7le line of clan+ing $etal in e;ery direction8 'aridi s%s loyals9 less than fifteen $en in all9 too+ positions atop the carriages with swords in their hands8 Slowly9 the 7oys noticed the th ndering of hoo;es o;er the slanging $etal of the tree choppers8 The . +e ca$e riding fast on his 7lac+ and sil;er horse directly at Ding Drinio s fro$ the inside the ring of $achines8 5e stopped and stared at the a$assed soldiers ringed 7y townspeople with disdain8 5e then spo+e down at Ding Drinio s fro$ atop his tall horse8 >Ding 'aridi s will cede his throne only if yo can defeat hi$8 )ring yo r sword8 5e is in the center8@ 5e $otioned to the circle of $achines8 >Co and yo alone8@ 5e tossed the words down and then rode away8 Beneral Breyson glanced a loo+ at the +ing8 Drinio s loo+ed at hi$ and s$iled8 >!e proceed with o r co rse of action9@ said the +ing8 >!e cannot allow 'aridi s to dictate all of the ter$s8@ Beneral Breyson s$iled8 >3et%s go?@ he sho ted9 and the entire $ass 7egan to $o;e towards the seething9 glistening +not of $etal that sat radiating greyness in the center of the field8 Princess Priya gra77ed Agni%s hand and s< ee/ed it tightly8 The entire crowd held its 7reath8 The $etal of the carriages% saws glistened o$ino sly8 'aridi s%s $en operated the $achines while others stood on the side7oards wielding their swords8 Aryan co ld see 3ance and Sa$ standing on one carriage8 Their contrasting fig res were hard to $iss8 )eads of sweat rolled down Agni%s chee+s8 Corneli s cowered at Ansh%s feet ntil the 7oy finally 7 ndled the little Bl spin into his ar$s8 The silent ;i7ration of the carriages and their tree c tters had red ced hi$ to a < i;ering golden 7all8 The 300 soldiers encircled the carriages and p lled their weapons8 They flipped high in the air9 ;a lting o;er the carriages% sawing teeth and landed on the side7oards8 The clang of swords rang o t across the field9 adding to the $etallic grinding that filled the air8 The #y$ph Sco ts soared into action and 7egan s 7d ing the sword-wielding $en atop the war $achines as well8 A few ny$phs and soldiers fell to the gro nd along with 'aridi s%s $en8 Fro$ where the children stood a h ndred yards down the field9 none of the fallen see$ed serio sly in: red9 7 t nonetheless9 they were ta+en 7ac+ near the crowd to where a s$all triage center had 7een esta7lished8

Agni ga;e Priya a s$ile which she heartily ret rned8 4n $o$ents9 all of 'aridi s%s loyalists were 7eing held 7y soldiers9 so$e in the triage center9 so$e on the edge of the field8 The carriages were ta+en o;er 7y the ar$y9 and their gnashing teeth silenced8 The delighted crowd : $ped : 7ilantly8 The soldiers rolled the carriages apart9 and the crowd gasped8 They ran closer to see9 7 t 'aridi s was nowhere to 7e fo nd8 Ding Drinio s loo+ed to Beneral Breyson8 >5e $ay ha;e escaped d ring the 7attle8@ The +ing nodded8 >2r he was ne;er there to 7egin with8 ) t that is of no conse< ence8 5e has relin< ished his s pposed hold o;er o r +ingdo$8 That is what $atters8 Today is one of cele7ration?@ 5oo;es falling hard 7 rst thro gh the crowd8 The . +e atop his 7lac+ horse rode hard and fast towards the +ing9 +noc+ing people aside as he went8 Beneral Breyson and the near7y soldiers $o;ed in to protect the +ing9 7 t the . +e 7ent low with one hand9 gra77ed Priya 7y the ar$9 and rode off as he grappled the girl onto his horse8 They were gone in a flash of the horse%s sil;er $ane8 >Priya?@ Ding Drinio s sho ted8 Agni was already in $otion when Beneral Breyson cried9 >Follow hi$?@ The soldiers and the #y$ph Sco ts chased the large 7lac+ horse across the field followed closely 7y the crowd of townspeople8 Priya%s cries were heard o;er the horse%s lo d gallop8 2n the far end of the field9 near the edge of the forest 7ehind the castle9 a fig re Agni +new to 7e 'aridi s stood8 The 7oy%s l ngs 7 rned as he raced towards hi$8 5e saw the . +e toss Priya fro$ his horse9 and 'aridi s gra77ed the girl and held her ro ghly8 The crowd of townspeople stopped short when Beneral Breyson held p a hand9 signaling the ar$y to proceed slowly8 >That%s far eno gh?@ 'aridi s sho ted8 The . +e paced near7y atop his horse9 and 'aridi s held Priya tightly8 5e 7randished a large sword which he placed precario sly close to the girl%s chest8 The Three )rothers had not stopped r nning at Beneral Breyson%s signal9 and now they crept slowly forward along with the ar$y9 hiding 7ehind the 7lac+ s$oc+ed ran+s8 >3et her go?@ said Ding Drinio s as he ad;anced towards 'aridi s in a $enacing $anner8 >#e;er?@ 'aridi s sho ted and 7ac+ed away closer to the forest8 The . +e ca$e and placed his horse%s hind < arters 7etween the +ing and his da ghter8 >4 +now yo will do anything for yo r da ghter9@ 'aridi s was saying9 and he so nded as if he hated Drinio s for his paternal lo;e8 >=;en sacrifice yo r life8@ The . +e 7 $ped his horse into Drinio s8 >) t will yo sacrifice yo r +ingdo$A@ 'aridi s as+ed8

Ding Drinio s stood silent8 The ar$y was close now9 and Agni co ld see that Priya was crying8 Silent tears slid down her face8 'aridi s went on9 >)eca se that%s what it will ta+e8 4t is either yo r da ghter or yo r +ingdo$8 Co decide8@ Ding Drinio s was stric+en8 5e stood silently for a $o$ent8 >Co$e on9@ whispered Agni8 >4 ha;e an idea8@ And the Three )rothers $ade their way silently thro gh the ar$y as Ding Drinio s said9 >The +ingdo$ is not $ine8@ The 7oys reached the edge of the ar$y and $ade their way nnoticed into the forest8 'aridi s contin ed his tirade8 >#ot yo rsA Please? .on%t 7e so high and $ighty8@ 5e la ghed cr elly8 >4t%s a to gh decision9 isn%t itA Co r child or yo r throne8 At least yo ha;e a choice?@ 'aridi s sho ted9 and as he did9 he gest red with the sword ta+ing it away fro$ Priya%s chest8 4t was then that the Three )rothers $ade their $o;e8 They ran < ic+ly fro$ their hiding spot in the forest9 pelting 'aridi s in the head and 7ac+ with roc+s8 'aridi s sp n aro nd9 releasing Priya fro$ his grasp : st a 7it8 4t was eno gh8 Agni gra77ed Priya while Aryan and Ansh p $$eled hi$ with their wooden swords which had hitherto gone n sed in the 7otto$s of their 7ags8 4t was eno gh of a distraction for Priya to 7rea+ free8 The Chancell7erry Ar$y needed no f rther in;itation8 They descended pon 'aridi s and the . +e8 Aryan watched as one of the soldiers +noc+ed the large sword fro$ 'aridi s%s hand8 The enor$o s sword fell at the 7oy%s feet9 and he pic+ed it p and loo+ed down at the $an cr $pled on the gro nd8 The . +e was riding in aro nd the$ to pre;ent the soldiers fro$ their ine;ita7le descent8 ) t in that instant9 it was : st Aryan with a sword in his hand and 'aridi s lying on the gro nd8 >Bo ahead and do it9@ 'aridi s said loo+ing at the sword8 Aryan considered a $o$ent8 4t wo ld 7e finally o;er9 7 t the 7oy shoo+ his head9 recalling what his $other had told hi$8 >=;eryone always deser;es a second chance8@ 'aridi s ga;e an e;il s$ile8 >St pid little 7oy8@ 5e +noc+ed Aryan ro ghly to the gro nd9 stood and gra77ed the sword8 5e held it high in the air9 and Aryan cowered8 As 'aridi s sw ng the sword thro gh the air9 a golden 7 ndle darted thro gh the air and latched on to his ar$8 Corneli s had s n+ his long sharp teeth into 'aridi s%s ar$8 The Bl spin held on tight as 'aridi s atte$pted to sha+e the creat re off8 Finally9 he sw ng his ar$ hard9 and Corneli s went flying thro gh the air8 5e landed on the grass9 and the . +e i$$ediately rode o;er and +ic+ed the creat re hard with his horse%s hind legs8 Corneli s s< ea+ed and lie $otionless on the gro nd8 >Corny?@ Ansh cried and raced o;er to scoop p the little creat re8 >Sho ld ha;e hit $e when yo had the chance9@ 'aridi s said $enacingly9 and he sw ng the enor$o s $etal sword toward the 7oy%s c rly hair8 Then a lo d deep ;oice rang o t9 >'aridi s?@ And a strange loo+ crept across his face8 5e sp n with the sword still raised high to find the ;oice%s origin8

4n an instant9 'aridi s saw 'arsodos9 large and h l+ing9 7y the edge of the forest8 A second later9 'arsodos%s h ge a6e was h rtling thro gh the air8 4ts 7 tt str c+ 'aridi s directly 7etween the eyes9 and he fell to the gro nd nconscio s8 The crowd had fallen < iet at the so nd of 'arsodos%s 7oo$ing ;oice8 The enor$o s $an $o;ed < ic+ly across the silent field and stood o;er his nconscio s son8 The children stood clinging to each other as they watched 'arsodos 7end down and place his ear to the fallen $an%s chest8 4t was easy to see how si$ilar the two $en loo+ed8 They had the sa$e ang lar chee+ 7ones9 and their hair was the identical shade of :et 7lac+8 The father%s9 howe;er9 was wild and 7 shy9 and strea+ed with grey9 while the son had hair that was slee+ li+e a ra;en8 The old $an stared at the $otionless 7ody9 and after so$e ti$e9 nodded and loo+ed away8 The Three )rothers were not close eno gh to see with certainty9 7 t the enor$o s $an%s eyes see$ed to ha;e changed to a pale grey and loo+ed ;ery $isty8

The Awa"ening
!hen 'aridi s ca$e to9 se;eral ho rs had passed8 5e had 7een shifted into a roo$ in the castle9 and a ;ery large9 p rple +not had for$ed on his forehead8 !hen 'aridi s opened his eyes9 'arsodos was relie;ed8 5e had 7een concerned that he%d thrown his hea;y a6e too hard and ca sed his son per$anent da$age8 The window was open in the s$all stone roo$ where 'aridi s lie8 The e;ening s n filtered in thro gh the white cotton c rtains8 The so nd of cele7ration9 la ghter and singing floated p fro$ the town 7elow on the war$ 7ree/e8 'aridi s%s dar+ eyes slowly foc sed on his father8 5e loo+ed away and said9 >Father9 4H@ 'arsodos raised a large9 ro gh hand9 and 'aridi s fell silent8 >4 a$ sorry9 son8 4 a$ sorry for e;erything8@ The great $an%s eyes 7ri$$ed with tears8 >4 ne;er sho ld ha;e left yo here alone8@ 'aridi s stared silently at his father8 The enor$o s $an contin ed9 r nning a hand thro gh his 7 shy 7lac+ hair that was tinged with grey8 >4 a$9 4 s ppose9 a creat re of ha7it8 4 can see that now8 Tho gh9 for years9 4 always tho ght that was : st the way things o ght to 7e8 ) t 4 reali/e now that 4 can change the way 4 a$ the things 4 do9 and say9 and thin+ and feel8 And 4 +now it%s not too late8 4 can change9 'aridi s9 and so can yo 8 !e can 7e a fa$ily8@ 5e fell silent for a $o$ent and then added8 >4 was selfish and foolish9 and 4 hope yo can forgi;e $e8@ The shoc+ on 'aridi s%s face slowly $elted away and was replaced9 not 7y his typical sneer of disdain9 7 t 7y a loo+ that was filled with 7oth relief and lo;e8 4t was as if the years of 7itterness and :ealo sy had 7een wiped away 7y his father%s ret rn8 5e loo+ed $ ch yo nger witho t the creases of hate across his forehead8

Ding Drinio s ;ol nteered fro$ the corner where he had gone hitherto nnoticed9 >'aridi s9 4 a$ sorry too8 4 did not reali/e how i$portant these carriages were to yo 8 4f yo want9 we can spea+ with Professor Von Freeson and see if he can $a+e a new $odel that perhaps does not s c+ the color o t of its s rro ndings8 !e will9 of co rse9 still ha;e to disc ss the iss e of c tting down the forests8@ 5e said gently8 'aridi s loo+ed at Drinio s with a $i6t re of sha$e and wonder8 5e s$iled8 >That will not 7e necessary8 The carriages were a 7ad idea8@ 5is face showed his regret8 Ding Drinio s nodded +nowingly8 >!ell9 4 thin+ yo two pro7a7ly ha;e a lot of catching p to do8 4 will lea;e yo to it8 .o co$e and ha;e so$e dinner later8 4 thin+ the +itchen staff is in so$ewhat of a festi;e $ood today8@ 5e $o;ed to the door9 and then t rned and added9 >'aridi s9 do not 7e too hard on yo rself for what has transpired8 The +ingdo$ has already forgi;en yo 8 #ow9 yo $ st forgi;e yo rself8@ 5e s$iled at his co sin and departed8 Ding Drinio s sat silently on a stone 7ench in one of the castle%s co rtyards 7eside his da ghter who had9 in typical fashion9 already f lly reco;ered fro$ the incident with 'aridi s and his 7roadsword8 They sat for se;eral $o$ents watching the townspeople cele7rate8 Agni and Aryan sat on the gro nd and played with 7lades of grass8 Ansh sat apart9 silent and with $oist eyes8 At length9 Priya as+ed9 >.o yo thin+ they will e;er ret rn9 the colorsA@ 5er eyes were fi6ed on the city8 The orange filed rooftops and colorf l par+s were coated in a grey sheet8 2nly the hint of their for$er glory re$ained8 >2h9 4 a$ s re that it will9 dear8 !e already contacted Professor Von Freeson9 and he ass red s that the effects of the carriages are only te$porary8 Bi;en a wee+ or two9 e;erything sho ld 7e 7ac+ to nor$al8 A good9 hard rain wo ld not h rt either8@ Priya s$iled8 Then Agni as+ed9 >!hat a7o t the forestA@ Ding Drinio s t rned his eyes to the h ge dirt scar c t into the forest 7eyond the edge of the city8 5e sighed8 >!ell9 we plan to plant so$e 7 shes and trees8 Fro$ what 4 nderstand9 that path has 7een c t all the way to yo r ;illage8 Perhaps we can se it to i$pro;e trade8 !e will ha;e to do so$ething a7o t the $ d9 tho gh8 4 will $eet with 2%)rien a7o t it soon8 4 a$ s re the !ood #y$phs are already wor+ing o t a plan of action8@ They sat for a while long8 The s+y had dar+ened9 7 t s $$er days in the +ingdo$ were long9 and it wo ld 7e light for se;eral $ore ho rs8 >!hat will happen to the . +e and 'aridi s%s other s pportersA@ Aryan as+ed9 loo+ing p at Ding Drinio s with his large9 7rown eyes8 The +ing loo+ed down at the 7oy8 >!ell9 for now9 Beneral Breyson has the$ loc+ed in the eastern$ost tower8 !e will spea+ to the$ indi;id ally later and fig re o t the 7est way to deal with the$8 Certainly9 they $ st 7e p nished9 7 t in what $anner is yet to 7e

deter$ined8@ The +ing went on8 >Beneral Breyson has sent soldiers o t to let the residents all o;er the +ingdo$ +now that 'aridi s is no longer atte$pting to e6tort ta6es fro$ the$8 Two soldiers are on their way to yo r ;illage right now8 They will 7ring yo r parents here when they ret rn8@ >The letter?@ Agni e6clai$ed and prod ced the folded en;elope fro$ his poc+et8 >4 pro$ised 'arsodos we wo ld gi;e it to 'aridi s8@ Agni handed it to Drinio s who s$iled8 >4 will see he gets it9@ said the +ing who s$iled8 >Co three 7oys ha;e done a great ser;ice to the entire +ingdo$9 not to $ention what yo ha;e done for $e personally8 4 than+ yo fro$ the 7otto$ of $y heart8@ Agni and Aryan s$iled and 7l shed so deeply that their ears and nec+s t rned scarlet8 Ansh9 howe;er9 nodded slightly with his eyes still fi6ed on the gro nd8 Ding Drinio s rose fro$ his 7ench and sat on the gro nd ne6t to the 7oy8 5e placed a long ar$ aro nd his thin sho lders8 >4 a$ sorry a7o t yo r friend9@ he said9 and tears 7egan to r n down Ansh%s tanned chee+s8 >Corneli s was a good creat re8 5e was 7ra;e8 5e ga;e his life to sa;e o r +ingdo$8@ >5e was a good 7oy9@ Ansh said8 5e stro+ed a s$all wooden 7o6 that ho sed the Bl spin%s lifeless 7ody8 The 7oy had decided to ret rn Corneli s to A7hinor for a proper 7 rial8 E st then9 A;ana++ar strolled o;er thro gh the $erri$ent8 5e was s$iling widely and ga;e Ansh an odd loo+ when he noticed his distra ght e6pression8 >!hy the long faceA@ 5e as+ed8 >This is a ti$e for cele7ration for all of s8@ The #y$ph Sco t co$$ander noticed the s$all 7o6 and the pained loo+ on Ansh%s face and ch c+led8 >2h9 no9 do not 7e sad for o r Corneli s9 little wor$8 Bl spins ha;e nine li;es8 Corny is only on his fo rth or fifth one now8 5e sho ld 7e co$ing aro nd any ti$e now8@ Ansh loo+ed p with dis7elief and then h rriedly pic+ed p the 7o6 and re$o;ed its lid8 Corneli s%s 7ody was still lifeless8 5is long ears were li$p9 and his eyes were closed8 The 7oy%s face fell8 A;ana++ar stooped down ne6t to hi$ and peered into the 7o68 >5e : st needs a little enco rage$ent9 that%s all8@ 5e r 77ed the Bl spin%s golden f r softly 7etween his th $7 and inde6 finger8 5e $assaged the creat re lightly all o;er its s$all 7ody while whispering in a lang age the children co ld not nderstand8 Then finally9 Corneli s%s chest 7egan to rise and fall e;er so slightly8 Princess Priya gasped9 and tears lea+ed fro$ her eyes8 Ansh%s face 7ro+e into a radiant s$ile8 A;ana++ar nodded and rose8 >5e sho ld 7e right as rain in no ti$e8 Bi;e hi$ a few $in tes8 #ow9 if yo %ll e6c se $e9 4 ha;e so$e cele7rating to do8@ Ansh wanted to than+ A;ana++ar9 7 t he was speechless8 5e stared at his Bl spin friend9 enco raging hi$ in the sa$e nintelligi7le words A;ana++ar had sed as the others loo+ed on8 Finally9 Corneli s stirred and opened his green eyes to loo+ at the 7oy8 Ansh s$iled8 >5ey9 Corny9@ he whispered9 and the Bl spin str ggled to his feet9 hopped o t of

the 7o6 and lic+ed Ansh%s face8 Soon9 the creat re frolic+ing 7etween an+les9 7egging for 7its of ca+e and 7read9 and enth siastically rinating on se;eral 7 shes that once wo ld ha;e 7een a ;i7rant green8 Ding Drinio s s$iled9 patted Priya%s leg and stood8 >!ell9 4 a$ going to ta+e a long9 hot 7ath and ha;e a c p of tea8 4 ha;en%t had either in < ite a long ti$e8@ 5e loo+ed down at his dirty9 tattered clothes with a s$ile8 5e too+ one last loo+ at the city9 ha/y in the e;ening s n8 A little 7it of color see$ed to ha;e already ret rned in the 7rief ti$e they had 7een sitting8 >4t loo+s as if the s $$er festi;al has co$e early9@ he la ghed and then wal+ed 7ac+ towards the castle9 his long ar$s and legs swinging as he went8 The ne6t $orning9 the Three )rothers wo+e early8 They said good7ye to A;ana++ar and the rest of the #y$ph Sco ts who were pac+ing to ret rn to their respecti;e posts8 Violet h gged each of the 7oys tightly 7efore she piro etted away8 Ansh called after her9 >Violet?@ And the p rple creat re twirled aro nd ca sing her fla$e red hair to swing aro nd her waist8 >!hat is itA@ She as+ed8 >Co sho ld ta+e Corny 7ac+ with yo 8@ Corneli s whined slightly and r 77ed against the 7oy%s leg8 Violet s$iled8 >4t doesn%t loo+ li+e he wants to go with $e9@ she said8 Ansh 7ent down and loo+ed at the Bl spin8 >Corny9 4 +now yo want to co$e with $e9 and 4 thin+ it%d 7e great if yo ca$e too9 7 t it%d 7e 7etter for yo to go 7ac+ to the !ood #y$ph ca$p with Violet8 Co %re s pposed to 7e in the woods8 4 don%t thin+ a far$ is really the 7est place for yo 8@ The little golden creat re whined8 5e n dged Ansh%s leg with his head and allowed the 7oy to stro+e his f r and scratch hi$ 7ehind his long ears8 >4 lo;e yo 9@ said Ansh9 and he h gged the s$all creat re tightly8 Corneli s wal+ed o;er to Violet and 7ar+ed cheerf lly9 his tail wagging8 >)ye9 Corny9@ the children called9 and Violet and the Bl spin wal+ed together o t of sight8 The rest of the $orning was $arred 7y an air of sad anticipation8 The Three )rothers +new their parents were set to arri;e that day9 and their ad;ent re was soon to 7e o;er8 )efore noon9 their father arri;ed on horse7ac+ along with one of the 7lac+-s$oc+ed soldiers8 The 7oys had 7een ner;o s a7o t seeing hi$8 After all9 they had r n away witho t a word and had 7een gone for se;eral wee+s now8 #ot to $ention9 they had ta+en his $ap fro$ his c p7oard witho t as+ing8 Their father was not angry9 tho gh8 As he alighted fro$ the horse9 his face was co;ered in a s$ile so large it loo+ed nreal9 and he ran to the 7oys and 7 ndled all three of the$ into a large e$7race8 !hen they parted after an e6tended9 e6tre$ely tight h g9 there were tears in their father%s eyes8 Ding Drinio s and Princess Priya stood and watched as the 7oys% father h gged the$ again9 and +issed the$ and r ffled their hair8 !hen he finally released the$9 Ding Drinio s stepped forward8 >'r8 Angre9 4 a$ Drinio s8 4 7elie;e we ha;e $et 7efore8 Co ha;e e6cellent cheese9 if 4 re$e$7er correctly8@ 5e shoo+ his hand8

The 7oys% father s$iled as tears lea+ed fro$ his happy eyes8 >Ces9 good cheese and three wonderf l 7oys8@ 5e h gged the$ again8 >Ces9@ agreed Ding Drinio s9 >yo r sons ha;e 7een < ite helpf l8 4n fact9 they were essential to resc ing $e and getting 'aridi s to release his grip on the +ingdo$8@ >2h9 yesA@ their father as+ed i$pressed9 loo+ing at the 7oys8 >4ndeed9@ said the +ing8 >They are ;ery 7ra;e yo ng $en of the highest $oral character8 Co $ st 7e ;ery pro d8@ Their father 7ea$ed8 >4 a$8@ Aryan loo+ed p at his father fro$ yet another e$7race and as+ed9 >!here is $a$$aA@ >She co ld not $a+e the trip9@ their father replied8 >5er 7elly has : st gotten to 7ig9 and we were afraid with all the 7 $ping on the road here9 she $ight : st ha;e the 7a7y right in the forest8@ The Three )rothers la ghed8 >So shall we go9 $y ladsA@ their father as+ed8 >!e can get ho$e 7efore tonight if we lea;e now8 Tra;el%s $ ch faster with that 7ig path c t in the forest8 #ot too pretty tho gh8@ The Three )rothers were silent8 >4 +now yo %d lo;e to stay with yo r friends@ said their father with a glance at Priya%s pained e6pression9 >7 t yo r $other $isses yo so$ething terri7le8 Pl s9 4 don%t want to lea;e her all alone9 the 7a7y co$ing along as it is8@ Ding Drinio s $o;ed close8 >!ell9 so long for now9 gentle$en8 And than+ yo once again8@ 5e h gged each 7oy8 >Please ret rn soon for a ;isit8 Perhaps yo can co$e for the 5ar;est Festi;al8@ 5e loo+ed at the 7oys% father +nowingly8 >Ces9 sir8 4%$ s re they%d lo;e to co$e8 !e%ll try and get the$ o t here9@ their father said with a hand on the 7oys% sho lders8 >Bood9@ s$iled Ding Drinio s9 and he shoo+ their father%s hand again8 Priya tearf lly approached the 7oys8 She h gged the$ and +issed each 7oy on the chee+9 which $ore than pleased Agni8 She held his hands and said9 >Pro$ise yo %ll write $e8@ >4 pro$ise9@ Agni said9 7l shing8 Priya s$iled9 and the 7oys% father and Ding Drinio s e6changed grins8

She stepped 7ac+8 >4%ll ne;er 7e a7le to than+ yo eno gh8@ She p t her ar$ aro nd her father%s waist8 >Co are $y 7est friends8 4 will $iss yo ;ery $ ch8@ The children wa;ed good7ye as their father g ided the$ 7y the sho lders to the waiting horses8 Agni sat 7ehind his father8 Aryan and Ansh sat with the solider on the other horse8 Priya and Ding Drinio s wa;ed fro$ the steps as they rode off8 >Bood 7ye9@ Priya sho ted8 The Three )rothers wa;ed9 and soon they had disappeared into the city8 Priya and the +ing stood for a while watching the e$pty space where they had 7een8 Finally9 Ding Drinio s said9 >!ell9 4 will go in8 4 $ st tal+ to 'aridi s8 5e plans to go into the forest to li;e with 'arsodos8 4 want to spend so$e ti$e with hi$ 7efore he lea;es8@ Priya nodded 7 t did not loo+ at her father8 >Co go ahead9@ she said with her eyes still foc sed on the gates of the city where it $et the forest8 Ding Drinio s nodded9 patted her head and said9 >All right then8@ And he left the girl standing watching for the con;oy to e6it the city and 7e gone8

)ome
Aryan sat staring at the pin+ strea+ed e;ening s+y8 #early three $onths had passed since the 7oys had ridden o t of Chancell7erry City on horse7ac+8 The entire fa$ily was gathered on the large porch 7ehind their far$ho se eating fresh ice crea$ with late 7loo$ing straw7erries that grew on the shady side of the far$ near the s$all strea$8 Their $other held their sleeping sister who was now two $onths old9 and Aryan was at peace8 There was a nip in the air which signaled that s $$er%s end was not far off8 The lea;es had already lost their ;i7rancy8 Soon9 they wo ld 7 rst into color9 t rn 7rown and fall away8 Aryan loo+ed at the happy faces of his fa$ily and co ld not help 7 t s$ile8 4t had 7een an interesting s $$er9 and tho gh he was sad to see it end9 he was still happy8 As pro$ised9 Agni and Princess Priya had $aintained d tif l contact ;ia post9 and Priya had co$e to ;isit the$ in Village in the Valley not long after their sister was 7orn8 The 7oys% parents had pro$ised they co ld ;isit Chancell7erry City for the 5ar;est Festi;al9 and Agni was 7eside hi$self8 Priya had written to tell the$ that Captain )ill and 3o isa had ;isited Chancell7erry City8 They had gotten $arried9 and now9 Ding Drinio s was sending the$ as e$issaries to #o 'an%s 4sland8 The La Marta wo ld 7e Chancell7erry%s official flagship9 going in search of ncharted territories9 new lands and new ci;ili/ations8 S ch ad;ent re? Aryan tho ght8 5ow e6citing it wo ld 7e to sail the seas9 7ringing the goodwill of their +ingdo$ to others8 ) t loo+ing at the trees s rro nding their s$all far$9 he felt happy8 5is need for ad;ent re li+e the stories he read was9 at least for the ti$e9 satiated8

3ife did not always ha;e to 7e a grand and e6citing ad;ent re9 he tho ght as he too+ a 7ite of ice crea$8 So$eti$es9 it can : st 7e ordinary8 And the :oy in life is disco;ering that the ordinary is indeed e6traordinary8 The =nd

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