Rising through the flames

Chapter 10-The Exorcism

The sailing ship adheres the harshness of the roaring sea while being burdened with three hundred workers and loads of trading goods. They were heading towards Thrailokapura. They all had similar features. All broadned brows with narrow eyes curiously searching for their final destination. They all looked so pale like dried coconut husks.

Those middle aged people had the sole intention to eke out their living while some youths had the passion to seek adventure by travelling from country to country. An untold pathetic story lies inside their grumpy eyes but these youngsters were too energetic and they fail to read the hearts of their elders due to a misleading fantasy which has blinded them.

Their emaciated faces were covered with muck as a result of travelling for so many days.
A stout young man was greedily eying at the left over bread crumbs.

"ffff..... I need more. My belly craves for more. I am hungry....."

He uttered and frowned at his friend who seems to be engrossed in his own world by lying his head on his folded hands.

"Hey... Do you hear me Cheng?

He shook his head and changed his position.

"I am sorry brother Li, I didn't listen to you. I was just thinking about the destination. I feel so excited."

"Cheng, it's not such a joyful thing to work as an outlander in an alien country."

Among all the fellow youngsters Li was the only young person who used to travel with the elders to faraway places. So he knew that the reality was dissapointing.

"I know brother Li but I've heard vivid astonishing tales about Thrailokapura, king Rudhra. their magic skills, everything."

Li gave out a meek smile in order to let the lad go deep into his fantasy.

"You will understand Cheng."

Wang Cheng was in his early twenties. A well grown up lad with a pale white skin and smooth lips. He was much more attractive than the fellow men on the ship. He was an orphan who lost both his parents due to treason but he was unaware of the deed of their parents which made them undergo death penalty.

Wang Cheng
Age : 23

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Whole Thrailokapura was getting prepared for the exorcism which was going to take place in the "Maya Dasnawatha."

Finally Malviran succeeded in finding out an adroit exorcist.
The exorcist covered his face with a devil mask and began to chant holy phrases. A green colour circle appeared and occupied the boundaries of the "Maya Danawatha."

It was breathtaking. Berunda didn't take her eyes away from the exorcism.

Suveri turned to go back into her chamber as she had a weak heart in watching such things.

"Amithnal, I want to go into my chamber. These things will haunt me if I see them."

Amithnal smiled and thought how pure and innocent she was.

"Sure Chief Queen."

Amithnal (Nanda) accompanied Suveri to her chamber. He observed the way she placed light steps while walking. Drum beats slowly grew indistinct and the surrounding grew hushed. Fires were glowing up rapidly and the images carved on walls gained immobility.

For some reason her heart was beating fast but this young maiden was unaware of the fact that he too has the same impulses within him. At once Suveri thought to break the silence.

"Amithnal, how about the wound in your hand? Did you recover from it? I feel so upset. All these happened because of me. If I've listened to you earlier when you told me to use the other route our lives won't fall in danger."

She pouted. Amithnal found her doing so really adorable but he needs to focus.

"Chief Queen. Its alright, There's nothing to worry about. Just forget that horrible incident my lady."

Her heart stopped as he said "My lady" Those words recurrently echoed within her eardrums.
Though some servants used to address her saying "My lady." this actually hits different to her.
Amithnal too wondered whether he said something wrong as her soft cheeks grew red.

"My lady, Did I say something wrong?"

Once again he uttered in the same manner and she felt too shy.

"No...No... You didn't say anything wrong."

She cut it off with her sudden reply.

"What's happening to me? Why do I feel so nervous?"

She thought.

"Ah.. Amithnal"

"Yes, chief Queen."

She felt comfortable as he addressed her with the title "Chief Queen" but at the same time it hurts her.

"Do you like painting?"

"No chief Queen. My business is to fight and guard but not painting. Why did you ask such a question chief Queen?" He asked with an affectionate smile.

"you were so keenly observing the paintings in the walls that's, why. Even warriors like you should learn arts. It makes a man perfect."

Suveri was a good painter. She has the talent of producing magnificent art.

"Yes, you are correct chief Queen but I can't even draw a line properly so it won't be easy."

He said.

"Well... then... Shall I teach you?"

Amithnal shook his head with a laugh.

"Chief Queen, are you going to make me undergo a treason? Lord Yanak will punish me for sure if he got to learn about me taking lessons from you."

Amithnal's remark made her laugh as well but truly she needed someone to admire her artistic skills and learn arts from her.

"My lady, I know that you are a talented artist. So you can develop your skills and I will help you by admiring them because that's all I can do."

The phrase "My lady." and the way he said that he'd admire her work filled her heart with pleasure.

"Are you sure? Will you admire them and point out my mistakes Amithnal?"

She asked from him by staring with those little eyes gazing with happiness.

"Yes, I will my lady."

"I am sure that you will be a good critic and a good friend too."

She said.

"I feel so glad because I made her happy. Its so funny that she doesn't act like the chief Queen. After all she's still too young. A young girl who should have been living with her parents."

After the chief Queen went inside her chamber Amithnal had to return to the present state.

The next day was a whole hassle inside the palace. The exorcist was lying unconsciously in front of the "Maya dasnawatha" and one of king Yanak's close acquaintance was brutally murdered inside his own chamber. His flesh was cut open and his whole body was stabbed. pinkish inner flesh was embossing. They witnessed the sign of a serpent drawn on his forehead from his own blood.

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What do you think about the new character? Who could have done such a gruesome murder? Share your ideas about today's chapter.

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