CHAPTER 45 The Blue Shadow and Three Questions
The fine dust raised by the horse hooves floated in the air. In it, the sun rays shone like golden threads. As they came out of the cave mouth, the black sheet of the blue shadow waved in the air as if an invisible hand was flying it like a flag.
Her eyes, those deep blue seas, looked at each of the three horses and the warriors on them one by one. Her gaze was reading something, weighing something, like an experienced miner testing the purity of gold.
She raised her hand. No gesture. Just a slight curl of her fingers. A pulse ran through the air.
Who are you, her voice was like a stream from an icy waterfall. Clear. Sharp. So cold that her words seemed to freeze in the air.
Akshansh grabbed the hilt of his sword. His knuckles turned white. You tell me first. Who are you? And why did you bring this child here? His voice had a strain in it, like a rope being pulled hard.
The blue shadow looked at the child. Something fluttered in her eyes. Softness for a moment. Then the same mysterious calm. She stretched her hand toward the child, palm open.
Without touching, the child began to rise in the air.
Everyone stopped breathing. The child rose slowly. A circle of air formed around his body. The bed of leaves remained below, and the child was still sleeping. His breathing was regular. That innocent smile still on his face.
Akshansh eyes widened. Dont do anything to that child. His voice cracked, as if a piece of metal had broken. Or else your life will also be in danger.
The blue shadow looked at Akshansh for a while. There was no fear in her eyes, nor anger. Only a deep unbreakable calm, like an ancient ocean. Then slowly, she turned her hand.
The child began to come back down. Slowly, carefully, he lowered onto the same bed of leaves. His sleep was not disturbed. His brows tensed for a moment, then relaxed.
Kalpit decided to get off his horse. His boots landed on the ground, raising dust. He joined his hands. Not with humility, but keeping a respectful distance. Who are you, he asked. His voice had the same softness found in a quiet conversation. And why did you save our lives? And why did you bring this child here? Please take the trouble to tell us.
The blue shadow looked at Kalpit for a while. Her gaze sank into Kalpits eyes, as if she was looking into the dark corners of his soul. In Kalpits eyes, she saw goodness. And a genuine concern for the child.
She curled her finger in the air.
The air trembled. Dust particles came together, swirled, and in a moment took the shape of a letter. White, smooth, as if made of moonlight. The blue shadow threw the letter toward Kalpit.
The letter floated through the air, slowly, like a feather. Everyone was surprised. Akshansh brows tensed. Aksh eyes widened.
Akshansh immediately got off his horse. Kalpit, step back, he growled like an animal. I will deal with this woman. He drew his sword. The metal sound echoed. And he stood in front of Kalpit, like a shield.
But Kalpit grabbed Akshansh arm. Wait, Akshansh, he said calmly. He caught the letter from the air. The paper was warm, as if someone had kept it in the sun.
He opened the letter. On it was written:
My name is Varunya. You can also call me the Blue Shadow. I saved this child from someone. From a great danger. You can take this child with you.
Kalpit read the message aloud. His voice was slow, stressing each word.
Akshansh made a face. How do we know you didnt kidnap this child? It could also be that you stole this child and are lying now because you saw us.
The blue shadow looked at Akshansh. Something sparked in her eyes. A small flash. She curled her finger in the air again.
Another letter appeared. This one was bigger than the first, and on it, blue ink was shining. She threw it toward Akshansh.
Akshansh caught the letter in the air. He opened it and began to read.
Do you think I am afraid of you that I would resort to lies? I am so powerful myself that I can destroy the three of you in a moment. Then why would I fear you?
Akshansh kept looking at the blue shadow. There was a struggle in his eyes. Anger, suspicion, and a strange kind of respect. Aksh and Kalpit looked at each other.
Aksh put his sword back in its sheath. The metal sound echoed again. So what do you want from us? And why did you save us from Andhak Void? Is he your enemy? Or do you want some condition from us?
The blue shadow looked at Aksh. Something changed in her eyes. A glimpse of pain for a moment. Then the same mysterious calm. She curled her finger in the air.
A third letter flew toward Akshansh. Akshansh caught it and opened it.
I helped you because I need something from all of you. And as for whether I am enemy or friend to Andhak Void, you do not need to know that. You will find out for yourselves.
Akshansh stopped reading. He looked at Kalpit, then back at the letter. But what benefit do you get from all this? What do you want from us, he asked. There was no anger in his voice now. Only a deep curiosity.
Will you help us defeat Nirag?
The blue shadow nodded her head. Slowly. Barely noticeable.
A line of happiness appeared on Akshansh face. His lips lifted. A real smile. The first time that day. Good.
But the blue shadow waved her finger in the air again. A fourth letter appeared and flew toward Akshansh. Akshansh caught it in the air.
I will help you. But in return, you will have to give me something. Something that you love very much.
Akshansh sank into thought for a moment. He closed his eyes. Pictures floated before him. His parents. Their smiles. Then their blood. Nirag face. His black eyes.
He opened his eyes. Yes. Yes, I will give it. For Nirag death, I can give you anything. But for that, you must come to our palace.
The blue shadow nodded her head. Then again, she waved her finger in the air. A fifth letter.
Yes, I will come with you. I will come to your palace after some time. Right now, I have an important task to do.
Akshansh nodded his head. Come on, Aksh, Kalpit. We must go now.
Aksh and Kalpit looked at the woman once, then sat on their horses. The horses turned, and they set off toward Nabhgadh.
Behind them, the blue shadow lifted the child in her arms. The child was still sleeping. She took a step in the air. And vanished. Only a faint blue shimmer remained in the air, which sparkled in the sunlight and then disappeared.
The sun was beginning to set by the time they reached Nabhgadh. The golden light fell on the palace towers, but that light looked cold, like gold plated ice.
Akshansh got off his horse. His boots landed on the ground, and he began walking toward the palace.
Akshansh, wait. Aksh voice came from behind.
Akshansh stopped. He turned. Aksh and Kalpit both stood behind him. Clouds of suspicion were hovering on Aksh face.
What is it? What do you two want to say, Akshansh asked.
Aksh took a deep breath. Should we trust that woman, he asked. His voice had the same suspicion that a warrior feels when stepping into unknown territory. Dont you think she could deceive us? She could also be Nirag accomplice.
Akshansh closed his eyes. Whatever it is, we have to trust once.
Kalpit nodded. Yes, Aksh. If she wanted to kill us, why would she save us from Nirag?
Aksh looked at Kalpit and gripped his sword tightly. His fingers turned white.
Akshansh said, Whatever happens, will be seen. And he went to his chamber.
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Night had fallen. Moonlight flowed from the cave toward Pavangadh, like a blue path. The blue shadow took the child and reached Pavangadh. She went straight to the settlement, toward the house from where the child had disappeared.
The house door was open. Inside, a lamp was burning, but its flame was dim, as if it too was drowned in sorrow. The blue shadow gently placed the child on the doorstep inside. The child was still sleeping.
She turned to leave.
Then she heard someone groan.
The sound was coming from nearby. She stopped. Kept her ears open. Again that sound. A painful breath. A broken groan.
She moved toward the chamber from where the sound was coming. Her anklets made a very soft sound. Cham cham cham. Like the sound of a distant waterfall.
Inside the chamber, Agni lay on the bed.
His eyes were closed, but his eyelids were trembling. His breaths were irregular. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Dried tears shone on his cheeks in the moonlight. His hands hung off the edge of the bed, fingers curled.
The blue shadow entered the chamber. She saw. A man lying on the bed, groaning. Tears were flowing from his eyes.
She smiled. A sad, gentle smile. She began to leave.
Then Agni hand moved.
The water from the pitcher kept near him began to fall on his face. Drops on his eyes, on his cheeks, on his lips. He started to struggle. Small movements, like someone fighting in a dream.
The blue shadow stopped. She turned back. She went to Agni, picked up the pitcher, and put it aside. Then she cleaned Agni face. With her hands. Gently. Her fingers moved on Agni cheeks, wiping his tears.
For a moment, she looked at him. Then she touched his neck. A touch so light it could not be felt. She began to pour water into his mouth. Drop by drop. Slowly.
The moment she touched it, the pitcher began to glow. A blue glow. Soft. Gentle.
The blue shadow made Agni drink the water and put him to sleep. His breaths became regular now. His face calm.
She left from there.
Only the sound of her anklets remained in Agni ears. Cham cham cham. Fading away. Then gone.
Then flames of fire began to emerge from Agni body.
Small flames. First red, then blue. They covered him, but did not burn him. They just glowed. Giving warmth.
Agni suddenly sat up.
His eyes were open. Red. Shining. He screamed. A scream that came from his entire body.
NEER.
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