It wasn't even a day, that I had to partially take charge of the fortress of Kamboja. I felt more responsible even when I knew it was just for two days.

Dusk was about to set in, the earth drenched in the nascent pink rays. I started fidgeting my fingers. The thought that we would meet again made my chest warm. Warm blood rushed to my neck revisiting the queer encounter at dawn. Varma noticed my unfamiliar fidgeting and how I paced across the
chamber.

"You had some work, ain't it?" He asked, wriggling his brows. It was evident he was enjoying how impatient I was.

I wanted to shut him up, but stopped in the midway.

"Will she come?" My brows pursed together.

"You can't assume it, right? Go and find out. You shouldn't make her wait." He munched the bright red apple the third time.

I grabbed the paper scroll, glanced at Varma and left the fortress. My steps felt hurried and urgent, and never knew one name could make me so different. I breathed out when I finally made it to the destination. The sun hadn't set in yet. The pink rays were diminishing with each passing moment and a pale blue took over its reins.

I was in my own sea of thoughts when a cold touch made me jolt.

"Oh!" I couldn't help, my lips were stretched to a weird smile.

She smiled back. I repent I didn't notice the small pit which was carved on her left cheek when she smiled. I never did see her smiling before.

"You got the scrolls?" She enquired.

"Yes, I did."

"I asked a few people whom I know, about this Shiva temple. They knew it. It's in almost the middle of the woods. But they say, the temple is cursed and people don't usually go there." She stated in a convincing note.

"What about the curse?" My questionaire wasn't going to cease so easily unless it sated my curiosity.

"They don't seem to know about it." She curled the end traces of her hair.

"I want to know and go to that place in either ways, cursed or not. I have a short business in there."

"Will you mind a second partnership in your business?" Her lips curled up in a half smile, as her eyebrows wriggled playfully.

"Not at all. Do you have a dagger or a tiger-claw with you? That might help." I tried to reason her.

She showed me a short dagger and a boomerang, the later I wasn't much familiar with.

The path through the woods were smoother than I had imagined. The wild cats were nowhere to be seen. A few weeds and creepers dominated the otherwise smooth landscape.

"Did you see the trident?"

"Ah, that one." I affirmed.

"It's hard to see the way further than this. The tall ferns aren't a good help." Iravati stomped the dark green foliage as she advanced past me.

The weather, in the woods was primarily damp making it hard to light a flambeau. With the slight grace of light that we were provided, we moved on.

The Shiva temple was dilapedated at it's best, weeds and green grasses grew between the black stones. The faint chirping of grasshoppers greeted us. Astonishingly, the wild animals were at bay, the shrubs rarely shook, indicating the absence of its usual creatures. We sat at the pedestal for a while. Iravati's eyes were restricted on the scrolls, I watched over the dark environment.

"There must be a path to the left." Her words were just above a whisper.

Happily, we were able to light a small fire near us with some dried leaves and a few twigs.

I wrapped and tied some dried leaves on a long and thick twig, a make belief flambeau for a while. We proceeded towards the left of the temple. The dark, green foliage thickened, no natural light accompanied us except for our miniature flambeau. I doubted whether it would last more than a few miles. The owls were hooting, each hoot came with a thud of my anticipation.

Clearing the long grasses, we were blocked by a giant boulder. Moss and mushrooms grew on frequent clefts and clutches. Iravati climbed up from a shallower cleft, I followed her cue.

To our utter surprise, a bare ground adorned in the middle of the dark forest. Smell of leaves on fire hit my nostrils.

"Is there a secret den in here?" Iravati asked. It was too dark to notice her expressions. The twig too was spent. Naturally, looking over the scroll was impossible.

"Did you hear some footnoises?" I whispered.

She gestured me to keep quiet as she advanced in slow steps.

As we neared the bushes, we saw huts and thatches across it. This must be an arcane spot, I bet nobody knew this ever before. The scrolls too didn't mention this place.

A dark pit was dug on the right. The fire in the centre was making the environment more visible than before.

A few oddly dressed men and women came out from the hut. Iravati must have nudged her elbow on one of the gentle twigs that made them aware. One of the women in the group creased her brows towards our bush as she threw a boomerang.

I grabbed Ira's forearm in a reflex and she fell upon me. The only sound that reached my ears was our rib-shattering heartbeats. Luckily, the boomerang hit a tree behind us. If it did hit Ira, the boomerang would have changed its direction and they would have known of our presence.

My palms were clammy and Ira was holding my forearm, the other free hand gripped her dagger.

We saw some goats, cows and sheep tied in ropes under a shade in a good distance.

"I think they are the cannibals." She whispered, her breathing hitched at the sight of little children bound with chains.

The reads have increased considerably but the votes are lagging behind. It would be a help if the silent readers make their presence felt. Anyways, I am looking forward to atleast 20 votes for this update.

Till then, happy reading.