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

38.1 Promoted to Glory

Ashwant Veer and I shook hands.

It's been over a day and a half since our escape from the great disastrous war of Uttarameer. We had immediately started for Dakshinpur with best of intentions but the plan had to be altered seeing how Hardik had been affected as well and it tended to take regular breaks from flying. To carry the load of five of us with frazzled nerves and the heavy casket must have been daunting. As an addition to our stress and irritability, Hardik kept wandering off to someplace else quite a few times within a day. An impatient Pruthvi had yelled at the poor thing. The constant process of adjustment and taking turns to guard the precious dead body had burned us all down. Later, as soon as we neared the vaguely familiar locality of a well know medieval castle, Pruthvi and Leena had suggested waiting for Ashwant Veer in a nearby traditional country inn of Madhyakshetra.

"Ashwant told me tons of time that they sell the best coffee," said Leena "And if I don't have it in my stream right now, I might wander off as Hardik did."

Coffee, oh yeah, that was what I craved for. I could hang out with my friends drinking a strong decoction coffee all day long.

The place was a few streets away from the Panchayat. Celina and Tyrell had trudged in a daze, looking down at the ground and shielding their faces using the hood of their jackets. All the way during the journey, seeking a fair chance, they had discussed and whispered to each other in private. And on being asked the answer had always been- "Nothing." What a relief that must be, entering an almost empty inn and no one to recognize them.

"Thanks for sending our Constellia," I said to Ashwant Veer who had come in about an hour later. "Sometimes we forget they exist."

"They are dead," Ashwant said and noticing me frowning like fury, he quickly added, "Not the Constellia, dink. Naag reported this morning. He told me that the situation in Almourah's territory is not so serious as it was and is likely to get better. The point is not even a single beast is alive. Although, half the province is completely destroyed and flooded out. But hey, what more can I expect from the five of you. Especially you. Didn't I say you're a ticking time bomb?"

I sniggered, rubbing my nape. "Little rascals for the Samagraha of the generation, huh? Good luck working with us for the rest of your life."

"But here's the thing," he added, his smile slowly disappearing, "Seems like there are quite a few beasts who have stayed back. They were spotted just yesterday in Paschimgarh."

My mouth slightly dropped. "Oh, so..."

"There's nothing to worry about," he said, softening his tone, "When knights figured out that they were dying, rumors already have passed that these beasts are not as harmful. They are not a threat to the citizens anymore and knights have been given direct orders to encounter kill them."

"Perfect," I said, relieved.

"Also, after we deal with Panchayat today, just a heads up, the High King wants to have a private meeting you. Only you."

"Er...today?" I asked, and looked aside at my friends who were shifting places to sit in a more secluded area away from the eyes of the few customers present in the inn. I briefly wondered if they were ready for the big meet. Okay, if I was ready for the big meet.

He gave a friendly pat on my shoulder. "Don't you worry. High King is way over the moon that the task has been successfully completed. He definitely seems to be in our favour. Buckle up to face whatever happens today. And oh yeah, nothing about Bhupathi, alright? High King wants to save it for later. It's going to be about the war, Tyrell, and Celina only. Make sure they are prepared. So, see you in Panchayat right at eleven. Until then, suit yourself. Everything's on me."