Sun Moon & Stars Volume II Call Of The Skull Men

CHAPTER 5

At the stroke of midnight Kailinga, Mallaketu and Uruvasha waited in front of the hermit's house. Apart from the small area brightened by the three kerosene lamps that they were holding the entire forest was in complete darkness.

They watched a faint light, at the end of the narrow path under the canopy of trees, approach. A figure emerged from the dark and stood in front of them. Then slowly removed the hood covering her face and bowed. They nodded and removed their hoods as well.

They smiled, as it was impossible not to return the smile of the woman who stood before them. It was her best feature, the mark of her innocence, though her dimples were now mostly hidden within the lines of her age. Deep crows feet now surrounded the sides of her brown eyes but her eyebrows still had a prominent arch.

"You know they will come in search of you Purnima?" Kailinga said.

"I know because without me they won't be able to complete the task," she said in a very calm tone.

"I heard your daughter looks exactly like you," Mallaketu commented.

"No, she looks how I looked twenty-two years ago," she corrected.

"You could have used your knowledge to stay young, but you decided not to," Uruvasha reminded her. 

She looked up, "No Uruvasha, my knowledge is for others, not for me." It was impossible to tell the differences between the triplets. They all had pale skin, an oblong face with a long pointed nose, pierced ears, thin lips and their heads were completely shaved; they were identical and yet Purnima could tell them apart.

Kailinga smirked, "You never make a mistake in identifying us."

"We are brethren Kailinga. Trained together to fight cults like Kaanthalis."

"How long Purnima? How long do we have to wait? The hermit's gone and now it's time for your husband," Mallaketu asked.

Purnima lifted her head and pointed at the moon, "few more nights Mallaketu. Have patience. It will soon happen."

"I wonder one thing though. Now that it will target your daughter what happens to the Kami?" Uruvasha asked Purnima with a deep curiosity.

"She is out of danger for the time being. Though her physical pain comes to a halt I cannot alter her fate. She will keep playing a major role in the ritual and she is yet to face her emotional turmoil," Purnima replied. "Being a Kami they are affected both physically and mentally. We do not have the right to interfere until the right time."

Mallaketu drew a triangle on the ground with a big stick. He added a round symbol on the top, a half-moon flat at the edges on one corner, twin stars flat at the edges on the other corner and in the middle, a huge trident but its edges were not flat.

"The host? Do you think, the demon of your husband Hiralal has recognised the host?" Mallaketu asked.

Purnima nodded. 

"So it is true, the host exists?" Kailinga rubbed her chin covered in deep thought.

"I am afraid. Yes." Purnima informed. "I have asked my friend in Varanasi to help them. Let's hope they have interpreted the manuscript properly."

"Krith's grandfather will help? I am shocked!" Kailinga was trying to bring up the topic of Purnima's friend who he didn't trusted much but Purnima didn't comment. Sensing a tension Uruvasha diverted them back to their usual discussion. "Jayu, Kami and the host are born in the same century. What about the sun; Ina?" Uruvasha questioned.

"Alive." Purnima said closing her eyes.

"So Trikon Sangam is ready." Kailinga picked up an earthen pot full of water and poured over the pattern. Things were getting out of hand. For the first time, everything was happening according to the plan of the Kaanthalis.