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

11.1 The Three Worded Letter

"So, how are the people?" Ira asked, picking up a pair of scissors and handing it over to the medic providing me first aid.

Try as I might, but I couldn't remain deadpan as I mustered the reply. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play innocent with me, Hayden Mackay. I know you're not going to Rawat to roam anymore."

I bit my cheek and hissed with pain when the medic apply a cooling balm on my sprained and swollen wrist. "Er...well.."

"Don't even try, hon," Ira said, "Nazira already told me that you've been spending time getting to know them better."

I slumped my shoulders down, unable to believe that she could be the one to give away the major info. "Oh, Nazira has no voice but she gotta big mouth."

"Now don't be so ridiculous. She's such a sweet little girl. Besides, she really admires the gift you've given her the other day."

She waggled her eyebrows, a mocking smile twisted the corners of her lips. I dropped my eyes down and remained silent until the medic dressed my arm.

There was no denial though, I've been visiting them every second day. Although my identity was kept a secret, I was yet welcomed with open arms and warm early morning wishes. Yuvan, who had been a rebellious delinquent, eased up a little and conversed with me, got to know the real me, kept showing off his archery skills. Within a week, that ornery little punk, who once had tried to kill me, became my buddy.

"So, am I going to be your Noble knight? Am I hired?"

"Get smarter first. Finish your education. We shall think about that later."

"Oh screw that. Education is for people with no talent."

With the aid of regular visits to my dynasty, I was able to acquire more knowledge about the clans and their functionality. One such clan that piqued my interest was Clan of Maya, the only dysfunctional clan residing there, and it was due to a shortage of right guidance and tutors. Yuvan had mentioned that they were the only unhappy clan since they have to earn their keep by doing the domestic chores for others.

The attack in Sharad's village two days ago had been brutal. In recent times, it could be the deadliest one that had caused destruction on the unheard scale. A part of the village was largely damaged, with a few people losing their huts and other properties. King Aghasthya suspected if the beasts were getting accustomed to the bonfires and that the trick to deliberately make them melt wasn't working anymore. It seemed to be getting progressively more gruesome, days reverting back when the beasts had first flooded throughout the country. Pruthvi and Leena had complained about the same with King Aghasthya the other day. None of us were ready for another round of hectic work schedules.

Villagers have started to become homeless, who for the moment, were stationed in the infirmaries. Witches and warlocks were asked to generate a few basic resources for them. There was a high need for other kinds of shelters. King Agasthya had been busy to resolve this issue. And for that reason, I'd been waiting to disclose the information about me getting to know the right location of my Dynasty. Now I was in a huge dilemma whether or not to suggest King Aghasthya to let Sharad move to the catacombs until he found a better solution.

Tonight, Pruthvi and Leena were late as usual. Nazira was in her bedroom busy painting. And I was sitting with Ira Zutshi, who seemed to be in a playful mood. And thanks to Nazira, now that the secret was out, I didn't mind to converse about the inklings and concerns I'd been having since Shourya had shown up in my threshold.

"Mrs. Zutshi, I was wondering," I asked, flexing my painful wrist. "That catacomb must be pretty meticulously built. I've been roaming there for months and never heard a darn squeak from underground. They are literally shaking hell and heaven to keep their businesses running."