Chapter 148 - Nearing The End

"Lord, I want to ask something." 

Ishit's voice broke Oman's train of thought, who was at his usual morning walk in the orchard. The night was a sleepless night for him. There was really something wrong with the array. Vela had refused to open her mouth as she always did. Looking at the boy he couldn't help but recall what the Vela had said. 

"He is not what you think, Oman." 

Oman didn't know what the watcher meant by it.

"Oh! and what is it?" said Oman, wondering if it was something to do with Vela's sobs. He had asked Vela about the strange incident. Her reply had stressed him, for she was the cause. 

"I want to quit the event." said the boy, his eyes had no fear or apprehension as they always did when he talked to him. 

"May I know why?" 

"What the use of exerting myself, when no academy will accept me anyway. " 

"What made you think so?"

"Lord, I'm not a child anymore." Oman's could sense the brashness in the lad's voice.

" I can see why Tissa and his mentor are here with so many Maharathis. They mean harm to us. and    as far as I know, no academy would dare to go against the future monarch."   

Oman didn't reply immediately. He took a deep breath. The morning breeze lightened his mood. Oman always thought of himself as a wild animal. He loved the wilderness, its freedom, and waywardness. The sun was yawning in the arm of his consort Prachi (east). The orchard was empty. 

"Who says I think you as a child?. Someone, who is born to be a lord, is not a child even if he is wetting his beds. " Oman said looking around. "As for your reckoning about Tissa, the prince, you're not wrong. He wants me to dethrone. " Oman started to walk. " So you spotted it perfectly. But you missed one thing, Son.  " Oman glanced at Ishit. There was a mysterious smile on his stern face, showing he was not worried about the crown prince's treacherous motive. 

"Have you heard the lore of the origin of Inna's feast?" He went on as they sauntered amidst the laughing flowers. 

"Yes, I did," Ishit replied. He had heard all sorts of lores from Suta, after all, it was how he used to spent his long afternoons when all children of his age were attending spirit school. 

"Can you recite it for me? I think we have two and half ghadi  before breakfast." Oman said. 

Ishit gave him a surprised look. The tale of Inna's feast was well known and very ordinary. It was a childish tale that commoners loved to tell their children. 

He couldn't see why his father was suddenly interested in it. 

"They say " Ishit began. "when the children of Inna and Mazia, who lived in Castle Cira, grew up. They found the castle too small to live in. So like fledglings, they flew off into the large world as soon as their wings got strength. The castle, which once was as noisy as a tavern, was now silent as samsan (crematory). " Ishit went on, trying to keep it short. Though he liked Suta's version. 

"Mazia fell sick. Even the kiss of Inna, the lord of the day, couldn't warm her ever-growing cold body. Inna called the best Nimohis and even Mitras, but none could find the ailment that was tormenting the great mother. They shook their head and sighed. Inna grew worried, for he loved Mazia more than anything. So after trying everything, the knower of everything prayed Kushmanda, the primordial being, who created everything with her enchanting smile. The formless one, one who has a thousand faces, answered his prayer. Telling him what could cure the withering face of his gorgeous consort. Inna thanked the faceless mother and hurried down from his heavenly abode. He went to his children who by now had scattered around the world. He told them to return home for their mother needed their help. But except one they all refused. " 

"Do you know you, Lad? You can a be a good suta. A bit more polishing and your tales could earn you a living. " Oman chuckled as he halted beside the fountain. 

"Thanks, Lord!" Ishit blushed. 

"So what did Inna do after his sons refused to help him out?"  Oman said, 

"The proud Lord cursed them."

"What was the curse?" Oman asked with a smile. 

" Death! 

"They said before this incident, every living being was immortal. There was no Nysa, no white wife waiting for men to die. The lord of light created death for his sons. 

The powerful spell sucked the life from the unfilial sons, leaving them dead like stones. 

He took his only left son to his dying wife.

When the jewel among all the sons of Inna saw his mother's condition, he couldn't help but cry out. They said his voice brought unconscious Mazia back. Her dulled eyes looked at his son and she got up. 

She kissed her son as the cow licked its calf. Her strength came back. And when she was able to speak again. She asked about her other children, her eyes looking everywhere for them. 

Now Inna was in trouble. 

They said for the first time, the axis of dharma lied . Inna said her other children had run off to distant lands, and even his powerful golden rays couldn't find their traces. Mazia, who had a heart of a mother, didn't listen to him. With the power of her satitva, she created a divine being who could see everything happening in all three realms. And she saw her sons laying in the bosoms of white-wives with only their souls.

In an instant, she knew what had transpired. The grief devoured her sanity. Mother cursed Inna to remain alone for eternity with no one to give company. And thus the sun had no companion, She also cursed her only son Manu, who had assisted his father in his lie. 

The same death that had killed her other children would hunt Manu, too. 

Inna and Manu asked her forgiveness for their grave sins. Mazia, who had nothing but compassion, melted. She told Inna he could visit her once in twelve years, and her reunion would bless Manu with life."

Oman couldn't help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancient tale-weaver. How they hid the truth in such simple lore!

Just a few keys and one could unravel the original tale. 

"And thus how the feast of Inna had started. " Ishit finished the lore and looked at his father. 

"What do you think? Is the tale true? or It is just the brainchild of tale-weavers. " Oman asked. The gardeners had come. Ishit could see the maid coming towards them to invite them for breakfast.

"I think it is both," replied Ishit, " A little bit truth and imagination of Sutas."

"Oh!" Oman said, "Then I think you should go on with this event. " 

Ishit hadn't expected this. What did it have anything to do with the event? 

And before he could ask. Champa, the chubby girl, was there. 

And they were off to the dining hall. 

***

"To whom are you fighting today?" asked Esha.

Ishit looked at his token, and couldn't help but feel a bit excited after reading the name. 

It was the Oklian girl, who had given Ursha, the water pearl for breaking  Ajaya's legs. 

Ishit was not a vengeful person. But he had to avenge Ajaya.  After all, he had been punished for standing up for him.

And it was not like he was going to seek trouble with the girl by himself. The event had given him an opportunity, so why not take it. 

"Layla, a girl from Okala," replied Ishit. Ignoring Kaurvaki's scowling. The girl was getting under his skin now. 

She had found out that he was sleeping on the floor.  Now she was making fun of him. 

"Layla Redwood! "  suddenly Karuvaki asked as if she had woken up from a dream. 

"Yes!" Ishit replied, feeling stupid again. The girl seemed to know everyone. First Karana and now Layla. 

"Boy! you are in serious trouble now. " She said, her eyes widened to heighten the effect. 

"Stop calling me, Boy. You're not older than me," Ishit snapped at her. Esha giggled softly, trying to not spit out food. 

Padma and Oman had left for some important meeting with someone. So only three of them had left breakfasting. As for  Abhik and Vasu, they, father and son, were sucking up to Tissa, by staying with him in the royal hotel. 

"I know this little tigress of the mountain. She will tear off your limbs. " Karuvaki didn't pay any heed to his objection and went on. Her pretty face was grim. "You'd better quit it while you can, little Ishi. Or I'm afraid not even Aunt would be able to recognize you after the battle." 

This time Esha couldn't stop herself from spiting the water. 

Ishit gave him a furious look. 

"Oh! thanks for the encouragement," said Ishit and got up.

"You didn't get it. I'm serious. She is not someone you could fight with. " 

Karuvaki shouted as Ishit left with hurried steps.