To Kill A God

04. It Doesn't Leave. Ever.

Soon, Nila was filled with some of the most homely food she had ever eaten, and she was evermore enthusiastic. She waited patiently for the lady to finish her breakfast and helped her clean up all while desperately pushing down her curiosity.

Once they had cleaned up and the lady had finished her morning routine, Nila bogged her down with as many questions as she could utter. The lady chuckled warmly. "Calm down, child. I haven't forgotten yet."

She sat Nila down and began with the simplest things anyone could discuss. "What do you make of the weather today, child?" she asked. Nila frowned slightly at such an enquiry, but brushing that aside, she replied truthfully.

"I find it to be very cool, and quite pleasant."

"I don't mean like that, child. What do you think it means for your journey?" she elaborated. Nila looked at her questioningly. She thought for some time, but every answer she gave ended in a rejection.

"Well, I'm not sure then. All the answers I have thought of don't seem to be what you are searching for, good lady," she said, keeping her vexation hidden. The lady sighed and drew a picture in the sand with her finger.

"You see, dear, the weather has a lot to do with one's journey. Just as how the winds and the stars are important for ships, the weather is important for one travelling on foot.

"So now, I ask you again, what do you make of this weather, child?"

This time, Nila took some time to think. The weather was cool and it pulled one's attention to it. It was soothing and lulled people to sleep. Right then, Nila realised, the answer was staring her right in the face.

"It is a hindrance to my journey," said she, slapping her thighs with excitement. "This weather lulls me to sleep and takes my concentration away from the path. It wishes to throw me off track!"

The lady smiled enigmatically. "Good." she complimented. "However you still need some practice. Fret not, we have two more months until the month of Karka, and that is more than enough time to learn." There was a twinkle in her eyes as she said this which unnerved Nila. There was something about this lady that made her feel that these two months were not going to be pleasant.

---

It had hardly been a month since Nila had met the lady who was to guide her journey further. However, she had learnt so much about journeying on foot that Visha hadn't taught her. The calculations for optimum utilisation of her time, the perfect time to walk long distances and when to rest were all a new world to her. Yet, she wasn't able to put her learnings into practice and she grew restless to do so.

While with Visha, she practised daily, be it the art of fighting or be it navigating the seas. Here, the only water body was the thin river that flowed by and she couldn't journey too far away either. For now, she had to be content with practising with her dagger and trying to hit the target with her arrows.

Today, however, had started strangely. When she woke, the lady wasn't there. Nila wasn't thrown off by that - most of the days were like this. What was strange though, was that the lady didn't come back till noon. By then, Nila had grown worried and was just starting with a bag of meagre necessities and some medicines.

"There is no need to go anywhere, child. I do apologize for worrying you." the lady said, as Nila came up to her in concern. She was stand-offish, annoyed almost. Nila didn't want to toe the line with her, so she kept quiet and merely inquired whether she was hurt or not.

The rest of the day passed in silence, with the lady watching carefully for any mistakes in Nila's practice. Night fell, and as the two retired to bed, the lady finally spoke. "Child, I want you to listen to me carefully," she said, beckoning Nila to sit next to her.

Concerned, Nila slid closer to her.

"I truly am sorry about this, child. But it is in your best interests," she said, taking Nila's hand tenderly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as though she was preparing herself for doing something difficult. Nila waited patiently, her hand enveloped in the warmth of another's.

Wind rattled the window, and silence was all around them. By now, Nila was scared. She opened her mouth to ask the lady what was wrong, but a searing pain shot through her. It coursed through her like a serpent slithering its way through her body. The only thing keeping her sitting was the lady's firm grasp on her hand. Nila pulled and pulled, but her hand didn't budge. Opening her eyes, she gasped to get the words out. But nothing came out.

Through her tears, she saw that the lady had slight tears pooling in her eyes. In an instant, she knew. This searing pain that seemed to tear into her body was all done by her. Rage filled her for an instant, but with it, the pain increased. She saw the lady flinch in pain as well, and a slight satisfaction swept through her mind before she lost consciousness.

The pain still didn't leave her.

---

Nila jolted awake, her eyes wide in fear and sweat pouring down her back. She was just outside a house, sitting on the platform built outside all houses. Her bags were placed next to her, tied to each other. Gasping, she looked around her in abject terror. It was still dusk, and there was no one on the street. Gathering herself, she walked out and looked up at the house. It was huge, spanning almost three houses in breadth. Various wooden windows spanned across the house, leading Nila to believe it was an inn.

She walked up to the wooden door and knocked as loudly as her tired body allowed her. Minutes passed, and no one came up to open the door. She knocked once more and sat down on the side of the platform. Minutes ticked by slowly and just as she got up to knock once more, the door opened.

"Yes? Who is it?" the person who opened the door asked. They looked to the side and stepped back in surprise.

Sweat and grime covering every inch of her body, her clothes worn and dirty, Nila managed her best smile and said, "Good day, good sir. May I have a room in your inn?"