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

3.2 TriArambh

I moved on. "This TriArambh, with so much hostility brewing in them, how come they are all living together in Uttarameer?"

"They don't. They broke Uttarameer down in three equal parts. Matsyasvi and Pizaca protect their clans in such a way that none of the beasts enter their personal territory. But you know very well how it is, curiosity soars strong in young veins. They want to experience the real trouble and then face the repercussions head-on. Sometimes they tend to divert and all the Matsyasvi that rebel to fight Almourah, never usually return. Once they are gone, they are gone forever."

"He kills."

"Brutally. Almourah never let go of a chance."

"But you are here now," I asked, "Half of your clan did move from Uttarameer."

He shrugged. "King Harsh."

I dramatically cleared my throat, before he could say any further. I wasn't ready to go there yet. Although, I was aware that his topic was soon approaching, so I began mustering heavenly composure. "Extreme case of sibling rivalry, it seems. What about Sir Pizaca? Has he got any part in it?"

"He is an idiot," Ashwant said through gritted teeth. "A mischievous rogue. Clumsy, insincere, he likes to make a mockery of humans noble values. It's magic maybe but people easily tend to fall into his trap, believe his words and then lose their dignity and self-worth. Geez, all those stories about him, they aren't as funny as they are meant to be. Father used to say he could have resolved the problem between his brother and sister but no, making a fool out of someone is more essential."

I sniggered softly. "I want to know the reasoning behind this rivalry. What could have happened between them that, after all these centuries, Almourah couldn't take the high road and forgive her?"

He leaned back and stared up blakely at the roof. "Well, legend has it that we bring bad luck. Misfortune. One of the reasons why Panchayat doesn't want us to mingle with humans. This has started a thousand years ago when there was a group of men, the sailors wanting to join Almourah to learn magic from him. For this, they have to cross this reservoir where Lady Matsyasvi resides. Unfortunately, they were neither able to cross it, nor able to return alive. They just disappeared. And Lady Matsyasvi wasn't able to do anything about it."

"Is there any truth in it? Are humans still disappearing?" I asked, getting slightly worried for Celina.

He nodded. "Yes. That's why it's very rare for a human to cross the border to go to Uttarameer."

"Thought Lady Matsyasvi is powerful."

"She is. But she has weaknesses too which is the root cause for this rivalry. I still remember the story and it says that Almourah knew what was happening down there. He circulated rumors that Lady Matsyasvi had a hand in the disappearance of men. This began on that fatal day when Almourah had an argument with his sister, demanding her to let the men, wanting to cross the reservoir to join his army, live. Nobody knows what actually happened between the brother and sister but, it is believed that he does know the truth, as he is the only man who came back alive. And also with a grudge against his sister, that apart from demolishing her, he will also make every woman's life only a mere source of attraction towards men."

I grimaced. "Sounds like men versus women thing."

He gave a forlorn smile. "You are quick to make it look so frivolous."

"I am just trying to understand. Men disappear, without any reason? What, is Lady Matsyasvi allergic to men or something?"

"Can we please move on?"

"No, tell me."

"Hayden, Lady Matsyasvi is next to the Deity. It is wrong to trash-talk about her. I told you she has a weakness. But she is what she is. We gotta accept."