Abide With Me

Utkarsavat Patal

"How did you come to know this secret information?" asked Lan Zhan. 

"I have an Uncle who works with the security guards!" Pranith revealed proudly. 

Lan Zhan rubbed his ring and spoke to Wei Ying, "Utkarsavat Mines are run by private soldiers and no workers are allowed to leave!" 

"Sounds very promising!" replied Wei Ying through his own ring.

SaMi put on her most innocent and helpless look and held onto Wei Ying's arm for further effect. Wei Ying put on his best Fond Uncle expression and at the entry of the Singhala Mines, asked to see the top person in charge. Two Gulls escorted them into an old but well-kept Office where they were met by Madam Aulia, the Director of Mining Operations. Looking up from charts covered with figures in various foreign currencies, she put her complicated-looking abacus away and said, " Yes?" in a crisp tone that implied she had a busy schedule!

Wei Ying bowed and smiled. Slowly. At Madam Aulia. Who, suddenly flustered, got up hurriedly and fairly squealed, "I forgot! The foreign dignitaries! Welcome to Singhala Patal! How may I help?" Wei Ying placed a hand on SaMi's shoulder and introduced her as the Prefect of the High School of Amparan Swamps. He requested that SaMi be allowed to work on a geography project, reviewing the working of gemstone mines. He spoke volubly of Research Work, Collaborative Efforts, Government Involvement, Need for Discretion, and Confidentiality Clauses to such an extent that Madam Aulia, bamboozled by his words, beguiled by his smile, and befuddled by his twinkling eyes, found herself signing an official document permitting SaMi and Wei Ying unrestricted access to the whole of the Singhala property. "You may start tomorrow," Madam Aulia smiled. 

"Thank you for your contribution to Scientific Research," intoned Wei Ying, with another angelic smile. SaMi went 'Ppffft!" As she dragged him away,  Madam Aulia stared wistfully after him. Wei Ying rubbed his ring and said "We are in!"

Back at the Amethyst Inn, that night, Lan Zhan, Wei Ying, and SaMi used the pearls they had been given to update the Princess and the Chieftain.

The next morning, Lan Zhan set out with Pranith in tow. Pranith said, "Two years ago, a foreigner came to Lanka. He paid the locals from the Aquatic Realm huge sums of money and gained mining rights in these hills. He started employing anyone willing to work hard in his mines, as compared to the Singhala Patal, which employs only experienced miners. 'The Utkarsavat Patal' he called the new venture. He pays well, gives the workers meals and a place to stay while not working."

"But,...?" prompted Lan Zhan. 

"No one who went through those gates has come out in two years!" said Pranith. 

"How do you know they are even alive?" asked Lan Zhan. 

"Message pearls" Pranith grinned easily. "Their families receive messages frequently. 

"What do the pearls say?" inquired Lan Zhan. 

"Just that the sender is alive and well, nothing more!" By this time the Pelicans had turned off the canal and come to a stop near a wooden pier. Clambering off his pink ride, Pranith held out his hand and Lan Zhan put a few coins into his palm that the ShuiTa deposited in the Pelican's beak.

"Follow me" said Pranith and slipped into the lake abutting the pier. Wading after him, Lan Zhan saw that the lake's shores lapped the base of the hillside the Utkarsavat Patal was located on. The sun was setting and the waters were golden. Within the next few minutes the sky was suddenly black as it is wont in the tropics. Lan Zhan studied the stars as they popped out one by one. and taking out a pearl given by the Princess he recorded his exact location and placed his palm in the water. A silvery fish approached suddenly and picking up the pearl, swam away with a flick of its tail.