I started walking with the commander. Everything around me was astonishing. I came here by boat on my own, but the weather is just like back home. We began to walk. But how long can one keep walking? Everyone around us looked like thieves and robbers — I felt afraid whenever I looked at one, wondering what size each might be.
Me: Commander, how long are we going to walk like this?
Anil: Pardon me, sir… but we have to steal the map made by our King Harquimus from here.
Me: Steal?
Anil: Yes. And sir, please call me Anil while we're here. If I'm called "commander," people might get suspicious.
Me: Alright. But where will we find that map?
Anil: It's kept in the royal court's armory.
Me: The armory. How are we going to steal it from there?
Anil: Since we're already here, we'll have to do something. Let's take a look around the royal court first.
The commander and I started walking toward the royal palace. There were so many beautiful carriages nearby, and I felt odd walking like a king. Still, strolling in such a beautiful place filled me with joy. As we walked, we came close to the palace — it was very well-decorated.
Me: See, Anil. Compared to our palace, this one is so beautiful. Just imagine how beautiful the princess here must be.
Anil: Speak softly, sir.
Me: Why?
Anil: Just mention the princess of this place and people get worked up about it.
Me: What do you mean — what kind of ruler is the underworld king?
Anil: The ancestors of this kingdom's king were inhabitants of Akashpuri. They were the first to discover this place. They opened it up for everyone — humans, jinn, and fairies can all come here.
Me: Oh!
Anil: Yes. The first king here was a jinn from Akashpuri. He ran away with a princess from the kingdom next to Jalpur. King Harquimus created this place; it was where he used to perform his devotions. We never come here out of reverence. But after that time, the jinn declared this place his own kingdom.
Me: Then you didn't declare war?
Anil: We wondered how they could build a kingdom on their own… but who would have guessed they would gradually open the place up to everyone… All the thieves and scoundrels from our kingdom, and all the thieves and scoundrels from Akashpuri… then people like you — filled with theft and deceit — filled this lower world… and they even became its army.
Me: Then they're very powerful now.
Anil: Yes. They possess three kinds of power… All our paranormal weapons are here… the scientists have given them a touch of modern technology… Now with those, not only our country but the lands of the jinn and fairies can be destroyed as well.
Me: So they don't wage war?
Anil: The ruler here never takes anyone's side. And he never will… They keep all their modern weapons for their own security… They won't start a war on their own. Only if someone declares war on them will they fight.
Me: So those you never even considered turn out to be the strongest soldiers in the end.
Anil: Yes, you could say that… But the palace isn't decorated like this without a reason. It looks like there's going to be some festival.
Me: Yes, that seems likely.
Anil: Sir, don't ask anyone.
…
I didn't listen to him. I noticed someone who looked like a veiled girl… maybe a fairy… whatever she was, I called out.
Me: Hey, you there!
(The girl hears me, adjusts her veil)
Girl: Hmm? Would you like to say something?
Me: Why is this royal palace decorated so beautifully?
Girl: Are you new here?
Anil: No, we're not new. We came two months ago on business. We had to come again, and found it beautifully decorated.
Girl: Ohhh… Princess Nilanithi's marriage has been fixed. They're decorating for the ceremony to find her groom.
Anil (whispers to me): Then it will be very difficult to get the design out of here, sir.
Girl: You don't look like you're here on business.
Anil: You may say that, but we really are here on a deal.
Girl: There's no point lying to me. I'm a sorceress. You're a water-man, and you're a human. I can tell what you've come here to do.
Anil: Look, we—
Girl: Should I tell Lord Raja about you? He'll take your throats afterward.
Me: No, don't do that at all. You'll get whatever you ask for.
Girl: Hmm, I suspected you might be spies. I only shot one arrow — I didn't expect it would hit two targets.
Me: What do you mean?
Anil: Sir, he wants to do business with us.
Girl: Yes, you heard right. So tell me why you're here.
Me: You said you were a sorceress — so why are you asking now?
Anil: Sir, she made us lose our minds and now we're under her control. Whatever she wants, we have to do, or it'll be very hard for us to get out of here.
Me: We're here to steal a map from the army chambers.
Girl: Stealing a map from the army chambers isn't something scoundrels like you should be doing… Leave.
Anil: We have to take it with us at any cost.
Girl: Where would you go with that map?
Anil: The map will lead us to wherever it says to go.
Girl: Sounds like a treasure hunt… Fine. I'll bring you the map — but what will you give me in return?
Me: If you want, I'll give you a sack of gold coins for this job.
Girl: No, that's not enough.
Me: Then tell me what you want.
Girl: Take me out of this kingdom safely. And you must let me share in the treasure.
Me: Okay, agreed. (I smiled at Anil — she thinks we're treasure hunters.)
Girl: One of you come with me. The other stays here and waits.
Anil: Sir, you stay… I'll go… there could be danger inside…
Me: Alright.
I waited while they went inside. I didn't trust the girl or Anil. After a while, they returned.
Anil: Sir, hurry — we're finished here.
Me: I can see that… where do we go now?
Anil: Lock the map. First we have to get out of here, then we'll open the lock.
Girl: Quick, get out of here… We shouldn't stay long. If we're caught, both your necks are forfeit.
Anil: Yes, sir, let's go.
Me: But how do we get out with so much security at the gate?
Girl: We'll use the servants' route. All the guards are in the royal palace. I have a friend there who will help us get out.
Me: So… Anil and you?
Girl: You can call me Nila.
Me: Alright, Nila and Anil — let's go.
…
We reached the gate. Her friend let us out. We slipped out through the cemetery — luckily nobody saw us.
Me: Listen, Anil — if I'm in water, I can't even tell I'm in water. Forget the water… it's snowing here now but I don't feel the cold. Why?
Anil: Sir, the drinks you were given yesterday are doing this to you. Your sensory powers are changing like ours. You'll still be human, but your perception will be like ours.
Me: That's… good news. We must keep our identities secret from this girl. Otherwise, there could be trouble.
Anil: Yes, sir.
Me: And stop calling me sir. We're friends now. Call me Hridoy.
Anil: As you command.
Nila: Okay, where are we going next?
Me: Will you really come with us?
Nila: Yes. If you leave without me, I'll go and tell people about you. Then see what happens.
Me: No — stay. Come with us. So Anil, where are we going now?
Anil: We're heading to an old museum in Switzerland. That's where we'll get the key to this map. From there, we'll open the lock.
Me: Okay, then let's go.
Nila: Hmm. But before that, we'll need some weapons. You probably don't know, but if you want to enter the realm of the demons, you'll need some weapons.
Me: What do you mean we should go to the realm of the demons?
Anil: Hmm, she's right. Actually—
Me: Don't start again — now we have to enter another realm?
Nila: Yes… this kind of lock is made by only one person. And that's Jonik De… he is a demon. Without him, it is impossible to open this lock.
Anil: How do you know all this?
Nila: Because my mother had also brought a lock like that for me from Jonik De.
Me: Ohhh. But Anil, where will we get weapons now… If we'd known earlier, we could have gotten them from the underworld.
Nila: Come with me; I'll arrange the weapons… it will just cost a little.
Me: Okay, let's go.
…
We walked across the snow.
Me: It's night already… we need to spend the night somewhere.
Nila: Yes, that's why we're going.
Me: Do you have a familiar house around here?
Nila: Not just familiar — it's my own house.
Me: You mean you're not human?
Nila: I'm half-fairy, half-human. My mother was a fairy and my father was human.
Me: Ohhh.
Anil: Then hurry up. If people see us in these strange clothes, they'll think we're crazy.
Nila: Hmm, let's go.
…
We arrived at Nila's house. She gave us two of her father's garments. We put them on. I looked at Nila — red eyes, pinkish-red lips, pale red hair. She wore a red dress — she looked like a true red fairy. I stared without blinking. Even more beautiful than a princess. The commander nudged me.
Anil: You can stare later.
Me: Hmm.
Nila: You all sit for a while. I've ordered food; it will be here soon. Eat and then sleep.
Me: You're a fairy's daughter — you get hungry too?
Nila: Of course I do… I have human blood. I'm human too. I'm just different from ordinary humans.
Me: Wow… I didn't see you earlier. You're really beautiful… actually the most beautiful I've ever seen.
Nila: Everyone says that.
Me: Really.
Nila: Stop it… So how did you find out about this treasure whose design was in the underworld kingdom?
(I cleared my throat)
Anil: Actually my grandfather used to tell me the story of this treasure… He tried very hard to get it but couldn't, so my human friend and I came here to find it.
Nila: Hmm, good… Now the three of us will definitely get it.
Me: That would be great.
Nila: I think my order is here.
A pizza delivery guy arrived with pizza. After eating, Anil and I went into a room. I kept looking at Nila — she kept looking at me the same way. I had a little crush on her. It seemed she had a little crush on me too.
Anil: Sir, I don't feel comfortable with this girl.
Me: She's the one who helped us so much, commander. She'll help us even more.
Anil: Still, I feel a bit suspicious.
Me: Don't worry… nothing bad will happen… You had a long tiring day, rest.
Anil: Yes sir. You need to rest. Please sleep.
Me: You sleep too, by my side.
Anil: How is that possible, sir?
Me: I'm not your king now… I'm your friend. Come and sleep by my side.
Anil: Alright.