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

39.1 Me, and Mine

"What did the High King say?" Tyrell asked, curiously, and in a whispery voice making sure the conversation would go unheard to the other listening ears.

I bit my lip not to reply but then I felt a strong urge to tease the four of them a bit. "What happened between me and the High King, is between me and the High King."

He screwed up his face. "Meany."

The private meet with the High King had gone better than the way I'd planned. In fact, a memorable incident had occurred as well. Right after the trial was dismissed, the King's personal Sergeant had escorted me directly to his chamber, while my friends waited impatiently in the large expense against the Panchayat's building. As soon as the door was closed, the king of the kings had erupted with joy, sung his praises, offered me two bottles of Uilani de Blanc as a gift for me and my friends. "Give yourself some credit, kid," he insisted, "I may have granted permission but the pain and determination were all you." The old man seemed to have finally come along into his second childhood. And this side of his personality, confined within the walls of his chamber, had shocked me out of my senses.

"Hayden," Leena said, testily, "you were the one who asked us to quit keeping secrets. What happened to the one-damn-team spirit now?"

I sniggered. She beat me to the punch. I can win an argument with anyone but Leena. 

"Did he give a hard time?" Celina asked.

"Do I look like he gave me a hard time?"

"Did he ask why you're such a jerkhead?" Pruthvi asked.

I made a face. "No! It was a friendly conversation, alright?" I said, passing him the bottles of wine as a token of proof. "He asked me to give details about what happened between me and Almourah. I wasn't very precise though, simply told him that it took time for me to study his style. Even when the chances to win were bleak, I did not return knowing that I might not get another chance. And oh yeah," I looked at Celina, "after King Aghasthya's done giving you a forth degree torture, it will be your turn to talk to him. He wants to know what really happened with Doctor in his final days. The old man went on and on about his friendship with Doctor."

She winced. "Is that a good idea?"

"No, it's a terrible idea. But haven't you been through more terrible days?"

She pursed her lips and shrugged. Of course.

"And what else?" Leena asked, slight fear crossing her face.

"And...he wanted me to hand over the Pride to him. We all know that it's impossible, and I had to explain why. It seemed to be a fine opportunity so I made him aware of who we are going to target next, to which he immediately gave a green light to proceed. But it will be non-official. He doesn't want other Panchayat members to be involved, so nothing will be on paper." I caught Tyrell's eye. "Our next job is set. We gotta figure out how to get rid of Shashi's clan you've told us about."

He raised his eyebrows as if to remind me that that was nearly impossible. "Yeah, without forgetting that there are going to be two bodyguards spying on me round the clock."

"That we should."

Pruthvi and Leena shared a worried look. "Nothing about Bhupathi or...Archit?" Pruthvi blurted their concern. "I thought that is why he called you for an...out of Panchayat settlement."

I smiled down at Leena and placed a gentle hand on her upper arm. "You're are off the hook. You don't have to think about that day ever again."

"I knew you were going to say something like that," she said in haste. "But I want to know how?"