Part two, in the Samsaara Series.
Samsaara : Malakh-ul-maut
Rishaan finds himself in the midst of another adventure that takes him to Alkapuri to catch the most dangerous person he will ever come across.
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The spire diagonally opposite to Lord Ishrafil's, was where we stepped out. This must have been the tower where Lort Metatronas lived. A wide lawn with short cropped grass cushioned our feet as we walked towards the spire. The sky today was the bluest I have ever seen. Even without the blue reflection of a true ocean, the bright blue Earth at the cusp of the horizon as it set gave the sky the most beautiful blue-green shade.
The lawn was scattered with dandelions that took flight with the smallest draft, at times we saw the yellowest of butterflies chasing after them. The rain-forest air that was being pulled in through the air-generator spire on top was the freshest near the tower where it originated. The others were perhaps used to the beauty of this City and the Citadel, not me. I took time to absorb the sights, sounds and smells. The lawn was bordered with red vetiver bushes. The exposed vetiver roots filled the air with its earthy-petrichor odour.
Just beyond the right end of the lawn, we saw a small crowd. As I looked through the gaps between the bushes, I saw lines of intricately carved marble grave-stones. Between the gravestones, there was some commotion.
"What are you looking at Rishaan?" Omar asked as his curly short afro bounced with each step looking like those bouncy-castles upon which kids played during birthdays.
"Nothing, there's a crowd gathered there, and the people are talking with quite an animated body language," I said.
"Maybe we should check it out," he said.
"Let's finish our task first, we are pressed for time as it is," Paviraa said.
From the corner of my eyes I saw a small movement near the bushes before the graves. It was Master Mooney, even from this distance, I could make out that it was him. The tiny bundle of arrogance was the only one in Alkapuri who wore a half pant and t-shirt with cartoons on them. Rest everyone were in their robes, and me in my black robe. I saw him crawl out of the bushes and walk with a slight crouch along the bushes till he reached the far end of it. Then continued to walk on the lawn towards us nonchalantly. This was definitely suspicious behavior, but I don't think he noticed that I had spotted him sneaking around.
We continued towards the gates of the tall spire. At the entrance of the spire was a tall door. Unlike the other spires which had carvings of the events of the Lord's lives, the walls of this tower just had a scroll and a quill inscribed on it. The door was very plain but looked sturdy. Again the door was not carved or beautiful. The door was covered with spikes and large deadbolts that span across the entire door length.
A guard at the door opened it and let us in. Having Master Mooney by our side helped us quite a bit, we didn't have to seek permissions and wait. He was very well respected throughout Alkapuri and the doors opened up for him wherever he went. Fortunately he is on our side, or at least that's what everyone thinks. I had never seen him so silent. Him sneaking around like a thief and now being silent makes me sceptical about where his loyalties lies.
