Dusky Moonlight

30

30.

The next morning, they started walking up the mountain before the sun could even show up. They have given their horses to the merchant who showed the route to reach the Siddhar and assured them that he'll keep it safe until they return.

Munching the grapes, Narenthiran walked looking at the uneven path. Aathiyan's eyes were everywhere and he had his dagger close in case an animal intruded on their path.

"How are we going to find the man who lives in this jungle? Look it's too huge, Aathiya, you should reconsider this," Narenthiran is on the verge of giving up. He's so frustrated with hours of walking and still has no clue regarding that man. He's losing his patience and Aathiyan can understand that.

The merchant said to Aathiyan that he will find a red crystalline rock along their way and asked them to wait there until the siddhar shows up. If he didn't come to see them even after a day or two then that means he doesn't want to meet them. Aathiyan hopes this should go well.

After five hours of walking on the high slope, they found the red crystalline rock which was glowing brightly in the sunlight. How on earth is this here? Aathiyan thought standing before the red crystalline rock. It's so bright and visible from everywhere.

His legs were aching and he's gasping profusely but the happiness he felt made him forget everything.

"We are here and we have to wait," Aathiyan said.

"Thank God," Narenthiran falls on the ground feeling utterly tired.

Aathiyan sits beside looking everywhere, he couldn't find a single soul in this dense forest. Suddenly the ambiance became silent and the trees stood still. The skies shrouded in darkness. A loud thunderstorm intimidated them. Minutes passed and an hour passed and it started to rain but Aathiyan didn't move from that place. He felt he's being watched, he thought maybe this was a test so he didn't walk to a shelter. After all this, he can't give up easily.

Narenthiran stood under the tree's shelter and that's when he noticed a shadowy figure watching them in the far end of the dense woods.

He thought he's imagining things but when he noticed the figure moved towards them he became anxious.

"Aathiya, look there," he said in a low tone.

Aathiyan's eyes trailed to the way Narenthiran's fingers pointed. A smile plastered on his face that he found Siddhar.

An old, half-naked man emerged from the dark, his long locks were damp and clinging to his skin. Except for his eyes, everything is covered in hair.

Aathiyan looked up at the man who he believed to be Siddhar and the man stared back at Aathiyan's eyes.

"Royal blood has come to see me, huh?" Siddhar's voice seemed young compared to his .

"Why are you here?"

Aathiyan greeted him properly.

"My name is Aathiyan and I am from the southern Kingdom," he said, "I need your help; you have to save my father,"

"Why do I have to do that?" the man smiled.

"Because he's my father and I want him to live," Aathiyan replied.

"No one can change the fate of someone. You should leave this place," he said not paying attention to Aathiyan's pleas and urgency.

"Please, I beg you. I came here to see you crossing many dangers and putting my life at risk. You should come and see my father. He's dying and it's tormenting to see him that way," Aathiyan argued.