THE MINI ADVENTURES OF SHRUTI

CHAPTER 15

On the third day, after a long ride in the palanquin, Shruti sat on a rock next to the rock on which Hanuman was seated, but none of them spoke. Hanuman stared at the view before him, thinking of Ram, while Shruti was lost in her own world. The fourth morning, was finally the time when Shruti could ride Beauty, as they had reached the forest. But to her dismay, they would have to walk for a while, and when the ground would get a bit more even, they could ride a horse if they wanted to. But for now, they would have to leave the horses outside the forest. Shruti got out of the palanquin with her heart beating fast. She saw a melancholy, grey, thick, dense, forest in front of her. The troops and palanquin bearers had stopped right before the forest started. There was a wooden sign to their right, saying 'Danger! Do not enter!'. Shruti noticed the sign and also noted that it was placed in a slanting position.

She looked at Hanuman who was scanning the forest with his eyes. "Shall we go in?"

"Come."

The troops were led inside the forest by Shruti and Hanuman, and they followed them sheepishly. Shruti saw them holding on to their spears like a scared kid clutching its parent's hand.

Never mind...

She continued walking with Hanuman. The ground was indeed uneven. The horses wouldn't have been able to walk at all. And also, the grey mist in the forest was making everything look spooky and dark and cold. She looked here and there as she walked, but saw nothing worth calling the forest 'enchanted'. After a while of walking, there was a steep slope ahead of them. After getting down the slope, they would get to walk on even land. Hanuman jumped down, and Shruti skipped her way down the slope. She was about to fall down when she reached down the slope, but Hanuman didn't let that happen. Shruti thanked Hanuman and thanked Ram in her heart, for finally leading them to an even ground. The troops too got down and then the walking resumed.

Not long after their effortless walk on the even ground, they heard a rustling sound. Everyone stopped, and kept their eyes and ears alert. Shruti clutched the handle of her sword, and Hanuman was ready to attack any foe with his mace. After maybe a minute of stillness, from either sides, thick black smoke poured in. It choked the troops and made them cough. As soon as the troops behind Shruti started coughing, she immediately held her breath. Hanuman took her by the hand and tried to clear away the smoke by blowing. The smoke stayed for quite some time and Shruti could not hold her breath. She inhaled through her mouth and held her breath again. The coughing behind her had reduced a bit, and Hanuman's efforts were bearing fruit. After some time, the smoke cleared.

Shruti exhaled and breathed heavily. She turned around. "Hanuman! Look at the troops!"

Hanuman turned around and discovered the unconscious troops. "Someone purposely arranged for that smoke, so that we become unconscious. There is someone here."

I'm safe because I didn't inhale the smoke and held my breath. Thank God!

"Now what?"

"Whoever you are, come out and face us! Don't hide like a coward! Come out and fight!"

Shruti frowned as Hanuman reached the end of his words. She placed her palm on Hanuman's hand, which was still holding her hand. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Challenging the foe to a fight."

Shruti slammed her forehead slowly. "Hanuman! If you want to find out who is hiding here, why are you challenging them to a fight?"

"What do you mean?"

Shruti paused for a moment. "I can't explain now. Come with me."

She pulled Hanuman away from the unconscious troops. After they were a little far away from the troops, Shruti and Hanuman watched them from a distance.