Shatru Sesham: Sequel of Baahubali ✔️

Chapter Ninety-Four

In the prison cell,
The night passed without any major incident. The guards came on their regular rounds. The day watch replaced the night. By this time, Narasimha had started recognizing a few of these men; the guards who did the night duty, and the guards who served during the day. There hadn't been an occasion to summon The Chest of the Ancient Masters. He had been managing well-enough without it. He had the capacity to survive without food, water or sleep for days together. Vinayak was also sharing a portion of his food and water with him.

When there was a momentary lull, Narsimha removed the brick from the wall. He looked around and tapped the wall softly, "Hey friend, do you know anything else about the rescue mission? It would help if we are prepared."

Vinayak replied, "I don't know much except that the rescue mission will be personally led by Mrithyunjay, Princess Bhagiradhi's husband. And it will be this night."

Narasimha sat down shaking his head, "No, this cannot happen. We have to stop it at all costs."

Vinayak's eyes widened with confusion and surprise, "But why? Mrithyunjay is the best on our side."

Narasimha caught hold of the aperture and got up, "I know. I have personally seen his prowess. But when I say he has to be stopped from coming here, I mean it. It is alright even if we aren't rescued immediately."

Vinayak did not question any further. He composed the message, "Abort mission immediately."

His hands were unsteady as he tied the thin strip of black cloth to Mooshak's feet. He gently lowered his pet on the ground and watched him with unblinking eyes as he made his way through the long, deserted corridor.

The oil merchant was at his counter behind the barrels and pots. He checked both the feet of Mooshak. Nothing was tied to either of the feet. He fondled the rat and offered wheat and barley grains mixed with jaggery. The rat nibbled and licked its favorite treat from the oil vendor's hand. After completing its treat, Mooshak sped away towards the dungeon.

The oil vendor had attached a tiny pouch with powdered husk to Mooshak's feet while he was feeding it. There was a very small hole in the pouch. It left behind a thin and imperceptible trail of the path it took to reach the dungeon. The task of Mrithyunjay and his companions to free the Prince and Vinayak would become easier. He smiled to himself at the apparent brainwave.

Narasimha paced about his prison cell. He knocked his toes occasionally. The walls of the cell were turning up too close for his comfort. He bit his nails and gritted his teeth. He clenched and unclenched his fists. At last, the prison cell felt like prison. He felt caged and constrained.

Several hours had passed. Narasimha knocked the weakened part of the side wall. His ears were plastered to the wall waiting for Vinayak's response. Vinayak said scratching his head, "Mooshak returned but with this empty pouch tied to his feet. I don't know what it is supposed to mean."

"Can you send Mooshak into my prison cell through the ventilator? I will examine and tell what I think", Narasimha said.

A few minutes passed and Narasimha could hear the tiny pitter-patter of the mouse's feet invading the quiet silence of his prison cell. Narasimha picked up the mouse in his hands. He touched the pouch tied to its feet and dusted it gently. He smelt the powdery and dusty remnants of the pouch that had been clinging to it. Husk. A tiny hole had been punched to make the husk drop in a fine line.

Narasimha gasped, "Our message never reached them. They tied this pouch of powdered husk to find out our exact location. This means they are still planning to rescue us this night."

The black strip of cloth lay crumpled at the end of the winding corridor. The shoes of the guards stamped over it every time they passed. One of the guards bent down to examine, "What's this black strip of cloth doing here?"