(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

3.1 TriArambh

"No way, Ira!" Ashwant yelled.

His swollen eyes were brimming with unshed tears. The last I checked a few hours ago, he hadn't looked lankier as much as of now, and with a posture that sagged. The pain that I had once experienced, the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, the relentless trauma- today I was seeing it on his face. It was crystal clear why though. The time for dire distress was here. With Doctor resting in death's cold embrace, everything has turned topsy-turvy. In addition, Almourah's wordless warning to annex Paramarashtra did bring back the torturous fear. Nevertheless, just for once, I wanted Ashwant to believe that Doctor had done something unthinkable to make him the succeeding master of the Diamond. And that, there was still hope.

The moment we'd reached the beautiful and hidden village of the Clan of Matsyasvi, Pruthvi, Leena and I were surprised to find the entire clan frightened and distraught more than necessary. The news of beastly clan's return seemed to have initiated an unusual commotion amongst them. Shortly before we had arrived, Sharad's knights were already spread across the clan trying to subside the growing chaos. Somehow this seemed to be a complex sight to behold. And all I understood that they wanted to return to Uttarameer and live with some Lady.

"Our Lady will protect us!" One of them had said.

"Our Lady wants us united!" said the other.

Ashwant, after finishing his day-long tiring duties at the graveyard, had dealt with the commotion tactfully and only after a few statements of reassurance, his clan had calmed down and returned to their respective huts calling it a day. The more immediate bad news, that came to him like a jolt, was when Ira informed him about our arrival with a beast.

Pruthvi had been thoughtful enough to hide the beast we had caught a few hours ago. He had taken it down to the underlying basement without anyone noticing. Thanks to Ira for showing an alternate direction, away from the eyes of the Clan of Matsyasvi, that lead them to that room. He and Leena had been guarding the beast since then. While I was here, standing in the middle of the hut, and waiting for Ashwant to calm down. He was an emotional wreck at the moment and there was absolutely no way to fully avoid him from overreacting that had everything to do with us confining an unwanted guest in his hut.

"How can you let them have a beast stay in my hut?" he asked, gravely. "Don't you know what they have against us?"

"These three have nowhere else to go," she explained, "They are practically homeless. I thought you'd understand."

"Oh, I understand it quite right," he revolted, "I understand that you've paved an easy way for Almourah to attack my clan."

"No, that can't be true!"

"You," he said, looking pointedly at me, "Ask your friends to take that beast somewhere else. Out of my hut. Out!"

"That basement of yours is perfect," I said calmly, ignoring his persistent attempt to get rid of us. "How come you never told us about it?"

"Had I ever mentioned, you would have already started a wrecking club down there. And look at what you are doing with it right now. Ira, please open the Gates. Let them go."

Ira shrugged at me, helpless. I gave her a single nonchalant nod as a cue to ask her to take it easy. Ashwant walked past Ira when she strolled inside the kitchen, leaving us alone. He went straight to the cabinet and pulled a large glass gasket and two containers.

"Mead?" He offered.

"No, thank you."

Without further imploring, he fixed one for himself. His face scrunched gulping down the reddish-brown liquor. My gaze dropped down to the floor inhaling the aroma that instantly filled in the living room, drifting the smell of the fish. The sweet and spicy intoxicating beverage reminded me of the unforgettable aftermath effect on the person I longed to see.