8.

The Ambaram

Soon her eyes roll back and she lost the tight hold on the world. But before the darkness could completely swallow her, Arnold lifted her cold body in his warm chest and looked at her face. It looked ugly under the light of the moon as she was slowly letting go of the threads of life.

She was a survivor of the war.

He concluded immediately and his jaw clenched in tension. She was a woman of Alvar and the tribe wouldn’t agree to keep the pebble of different soil. They will most possibly leave her to die or throw her back towards the soldiers of satin land. They were too reserved to even welcome a person in need. The rules were too strict to break. If he didn’t provide the immediate aid she needed, she might not survive to see the next sun. All her fight to reach here and escape the predators of flesh will go in vain.

A battle broke within his mind and he found himself thinking to either save her or leave her here to be devoured by wild of nature. Taking her would only increase the problems. She would die here peacefully judging by her slowing breathes. The chieftain, if got an air of her, would possibly admit her in the harem. 

Arnold didn’t know her well, but he could relate to her pain. She was adamant to survive as she chose to enter dangerous Ambaram rather than taking the road to a different nation where the soldiers could’ve easily found her.

Unknowingly his hold tightens on her and he took a deep breath.

It wouldn’t be safe to take her to tribe but he knew of a place where she will be treated well.

The mountain of the scared witch.

Without wasting further time, he rushes back to where he had left his horse not a few hours ago, and to catch the attention of the muscular creature he blows a whistle.

The face of an injured and passed out girl was tucked in his neck and he could feel the warmth of her slow breath hitting his flesh. They were too quiet for his taste. Her body was so cold.

Soon the buckles of horseshoes were heard and he took a sigh of relief. His dark companion that matched the color of his clothes appeared from the horde of sleeping trees and stood in front of him obediently. It took Arnold seconds before he jumped on his strong back and took his reins in one hand while supported the weight of the girl with the other. The heels of his shoes kick the sides of Diam, his horse and the magnificent creature lurches forward in the darkness believing the guidance of his master.

He ran with the air, faster than normal days, sensing the urgency thrumming in the veins of his master. It left him restless too, but he was well tamed to act on instincts. Diam was a good horse.

A fierce and determined look was set on Arnold’s face as he rides through the darkness of a dangerous forest. His heart thudded hard both in excitement and fear. He needs to reach the doorsteps of the witch as soon as possible to save a life. The hold on the reins was tight until his knuckles turned white. Soon the heaviness of the forest cleared and the lake came in view. He has traveled this path too many times to fall for the beauty of the place. The determined man was aware of the dark secrets that lurked on the surface, hidden from the new eyes. He took a sharp turn and, instead of stopping a few meters away from the lake, rides through it on a path where the water was shallow.

The lake was deep and home of hungry crocodiles that rested on the shores during the night and swam on the surface to attack the prey during the day. They hardly terrorize this shallow and small path in between the silent lake.

Ahead of the cold lake lays the mountain of the witch.

He fastens their pace as Diam starts to climb the mountain urgently. It was a three miles climb before they will reach a secret passage that will take them directly to the doors of the witch’s cave. They will successfully avoid colliding with hungry mountain bears in the midst.

Crossing the bed of white and violet flowers and sleeping trees, he finally reaches the secret passage hidden behind a giant rock. The mouth of passage was wide enough, giving him space to pass after climbing down from Diam’s back. He made sure to send his uneasy and nervous friend first in the dark tunnel then followed closely behind. The horse neighs fearfully once in a while but keeps on walking, assured of his master’s close presence. This place always brings all his nightmares to life. Poor creature.

Arnold silently follows the trail of his horse that was able to guide him in the lightless tunnel. He kept each step cautiously- to not trip accidentally and drop the unconscious girl in his arms. As her breathes haggard, his body tenses in worry. The path that used to take less time before now took over a lifetime to cross.

But his impatience was soon gifted with the sight of an opening.

Diam neighs in happiness and jogs ahead to breathe out the humidity and Arnold sighs in relief.

Arnold was now at the top of the mountain and stood breathless in front of an old cave covered by mystifying clouds and illuminated with the fire torches. A layer of green algae covered the rocky surface of the cold cave. Tree torches burned on the mouth of the cave to ward away the darkness inside.

At the entrance of the cave, ahead of the three burning torches, rested numerous bundles of both magical and medicinal herbs tied in dirty fabrics, so that their essence doesn’t dissolve in the air. They were kept one over other, arranged in neat piles to not tumble on the ground and block the entrance. Ahead of the piles, the mouth of the cave widens, revealing a giant hall. At the right corner of open space, 5 shelves were arranged in a line that held old and withering parchments from anonymous sources and some gory items hidden inside glass jars like- eyeballs, jaws, cat bones, bat skulls, jars of different types of blood, worms, and insects and so on. The restricted shelves also carried the items and tools such as pots and basins that are used to prepare a certain remedy or medicine. Five glass globes of different sizes rested on the top shelf with mysterious fog swirling inside them.

Diam took his spot at the right corner outside the cave and gazed at the night sky in wonder.

Arnold’s shoulders relaxed as he swiftly entered inside the warm cave and reached the hall where the person of his interest rests.

There she was, sitting on a wooden chair knitted with the help of thick grasses that grow in the roots of the mountain. Her silver eyes were focused on reading the parchments of an ancient and worn out book and bony fingers traced every word. Her long white hairs were tied in a neat bun and pale skin glows under the vibrant sizzle of a red and blue fire burning in the fireplace.

He cleared his throat, catching her attention and she lazily looks up from the book.

Her eyebrows shot up, almost hiding behind her hairline when she scanned the people in front of her from head to toe.

“My goodness, Arnold, whom did you killed this time?” the cunning witch of the mountain questioned in amusement before rising from her position gracefully, revealing her elegant purple gown in the process. Arnold gulped, feeling lightheaded all of a sudden and lays the girl on the big stone table in front of the witch.

“Udona, I found her passed out in the Ambaram. I believe she would need your assistance. Save her life.” He insisted brushing off a few rogue tendrils that managed to fall on the girl’s ashen face. Udona frowned as she took in the scene in front of her in distaste and, slaps his hand off the unconscious girl’s face.

“Seriously, Lord Arnold, did you do something to her? Why bring her here when the healer of the tribe could’ve aided to her fast? Why cut the long way carrying an evaporating life?” Udona asked as she smelled death in the pores of the being lying on her stone table and immediately reached for the water in the cool clay pot.

“Because she isn’t from the tribe. I found her running aimlessly in the forest with the soldiers of Baden on her tail.” He announced, feeling sudden fury erupting in his chest at the mention of forsaken soldiers and Udona sent him an envious glare.

“Your tribe won’t appreciate this, Arnold. They will punish you for involving with an outsider.” She warned as she brought a china cup filled with cold water to the girl’s lips and saw it falling carelessly from the corners of her pink lips.

“I see you every month, Udona. You are an outsider too. Moreover, what they don’t know isn’t going to hurt them.” He spat carelessly, watching the witch working closely over the girl. Udona rolls her eyes and looks at him. She knew better than to argue but provoking Arnold has always been fun. Even a squirrel can get a reaction out of him. 

“I may tend to the girl, but a witch never works for free.” Udona reasoned as she successfully makes the unconscious girl drink the water. Keeping the china aside, she faces Arnold to gauge his reaction. Sighing heavily, aware of the nature of this stubborn witch, he reaches for a few silver coins in his pockets and offers her. The witch rolls her eyes in annoyance and pushes the coins away.

“It’s not the wealth I seek, boy. What I need is far too precious. Bring me the hair of the tribe’s most innocent girl. All of it.” She demanded and he pursed his lips in astonishment.

“What for?” he asked seriously and she chuckled. Her melodious voice resonating in every corner of the giant cave.

“Trust me. I am not going to do something as heinous as destroying the world or killing an innocent being. A piece of innocence is the most important ingredient of my recipe. I will need them for casting a spell of beauty and youth. Unlike you, there are a few people who wish to live longer and watch the world evolving and changing to new heights.” She presented him with her idea, and he looks away in exhaustion. The long journey of days and sleepless night were finally catching on him.

“I will get them in the time of seven days, but first, take care of her.” He promised sincerely before pointing towards the unconscious girl and the witch nodded humorlessly. She turns towards her shelf and looks for the medicines and herbs that will help to heal the drowning girl.

“You may leave now. I will see what I could do. Return only when you have my price.” She instructed ending the conversation and he immediately turned to leave. He had no interest in staying longer and see Udona poke and dance around the awful and horrid stench of herbs. In the meantime, he will ride to his tribe, rest for a night, get the hair and return before seven days.

The girl has to be a secret, his secret.

***

Giggles and hollers of little children echo in the square of the tribal village as they play and fool around with lambs of goats and sheep. The energetic young ones would chase the little animals and screech in excitement when the annoyed cattle would jump to bite back. The girls were wearing cotton skirts and blouses, whereas boys only wore knickers or breaches of the same fabric weaved by their mothers to cover their bodies. Such clothes were the better choice to pass the humidity and warm weather of the forest.

The old ones were sitting over the choraha, a tiny circular stage in the midst, exchanging news and political topics happening around the countries. They would share the old oriental pipes once in a while to smoke marijuana burning in it. Although the smoke burned their chests and left harmful effects, they were too far gone to think of it. Their old eyes, which were full of wisdom and has learned the cruelty of the world were now addicted to the sight of the pipes. The way it sent rush in their veins and swallowed the tension in their muscles was marvelous.

“I’ve heard that King of Baden has mercilessly ripped Alvar from its roots. They burned the left citizens and took the children to train them as their future soldiers. What kind of time is this where human is eating another human?” One of the old villagers wearing a white turban, which covered his equally white hairs, spoke. The others hummed in agreement as they inhaled the smoke.

“I agree with you, Samuel. In our days, the kings used to be kind and noble. These new successors have brought shame to the soil of their country. In our time, we barely heard the talks of war, blood, and destruction. But nowadays, it has become a regular practice. Everybody has become greedy for power. They want more and more. Will this dark reign come to an end?” A brown-eyed man wearing golden stones in his ears questioned, looking in distance. His eyes glazed over the innocent young ones that played in the field like there is no tomorrow.

Only if the children that were burned alive or taken were as lucky as them. They have spent their childhood either fighting for survival or submitting in front of a cruel king. 

The talks of the elders came to a halt when the horde of tribe’s warriors returned from their patrolling duties. All of them wore a black disguise from head to toe. Their faces contorted in exhaustion and torturous worries. Patrolling the borders of the Ambaram wasn’t an easy job. It was as difficult as wiping the remains of a sea from the shore. These warriors have raided the area for the protection of the tribe by sacrificing their hunger and sleep. The chieftain sent them the moment he got a whip of the war. He was worried about the possibilities if the armies chose the Ambaram to either hide or reach other nation faster. No one, no outsider is allowed to step in the sacred sanctum unless they come here carrying blessings of the Lord or for suicide.

The young warriors rode their horses at a lazy pace as they were finally home. Their arrival indicated that the war has come to an end and the army of Baden was on its way back to the Castle.

As they went past the square, they bowed their heads in respect, greetings to the elders. The elders smiled, appreciating their brave act, and raised their palms in blessing.

The kids that were scattered like tiny beans in the wide lawn now scurried to take the corner and gawk at the tired batch of bulky men. Their eyes only held admiration and respect for the warriors.

The doors of the small huts with had hay roof, opened one after another after hearing the unusual buckles of horseshoes. The females duck their head out and joy shined on their faces noting the presence of their warriors. The wives jumped out of their cool houses and rush to their warrior husbands.

The warriors when saw their better halves coming their way, steps down from the horse and engulfs the tiny females in a bone-crushing embrace. Their lips found their ways to each other and mingled in a spell of love.

The unmarried ones were either greeted by their sisters or mothers. Their fathers patted their back and eyes finally fluttered with relief.

When the warriors were out protecting them, their folks stayed awake too. The worry didn’t let them sleep. Each minute was counted until their return. No old father wanted to lose a young son. They had sent prayers to the lord to protect the horde.

Arnold sneaks his way when everyone was busy greeting each other after a long work of four days. As he was passing by, one of the elders, Samuel caught him.

“Arnold, son, how did it went?” he hollered from his position catching the attention of the horseman who stopped the ride and turned to face the elders.

“Uncle Samuel, Good evening. It went well. A few soldiers of Baden did try to venture the area but the predators of the Ambaram, the wolves of the forest, took good care of them. I suppose by this time, the vultures must be sating their hunger over the leftover. I must leave now and inform the chieftain about the case.” Arnold dismissed them respectfully and pushes Diam in the direction of Chieftain’s house. Thankfully no one noticed his absence. If his best mate Anton did, he didn’t show it. Arnold knew the curious lad was going to question him later.

‘I want you to bring me the hair of the tribe’s most innocent girl. All of it.’

The words of Udona rang in his ears and he couldn’t help but feel anxious. Where could he find the most innocent girl? The one who is untouched or the one who has always been selfless without crossing the boundaries?Diam jogs ahead and increases its pace slowly, feeling the strain in the reins. The master must be in deep thoughts to not pull the reins regularly guiding him towards the destination but the horse was smart and took it upon himself to bring the master home. He neighs, alerting others of their presence, sending a direct signal to clear the path if they loved their lives. The children in the street squealed out their joy watching their favorite warrior returning from the patrols. They hollered his name to catch his attention and were immediately greeted with one of his best smiles.

Arnold was halfway to the chieftain’s house when he had to pull Diam’s reins back to bring the galloping beast to a screeching halt. A smirk appeared on his face and shoulders hunched back when got the magnificent view of the tribe’s most beautiful girl, the daughter of the chieftain.

She was standing in his path, wearing a seductive smile and a blood-red blouse and skirt. There were intricate patterns in white on her skirt, whereas the blouse was plain giving a teasing view of her cleavage.  Her long golden hairs went down her back and flew with gentle slaps of the wind. She stood right in the middle of the street looking in his eyes unfazed, blocking his path.

“Welcome home, Lord Arnold.” Her whisper sent shivers down his spine and he gulped feeling the sudden tightness in his pants.