“It’s been a while. Thought I’d drop by to chat.”
“N-Neel?” Janani said breathlessly. Her wrist lost strength, and the pan fell, but Vir caught it before it could hit the ground.
“Better watch it with that! What would you have done if I’d gotten burned?”
Janani flushed in shame as she shook her head. “Ah, you! You’re teasing me. You saved this entire city on your own, and now you fear a cooking pan?”
Vir grinned, carefully setting the hot pan back on the wood stove. Vir might be resilient to burns, but he was quite sure Janani was not.
“I take it things are well, then?” he asked. “I don’t see any riots in the streets. That has to be a good sign, right?”
Janani gave him a smile, and while she did her best to hide it, Vir couldn’t miss the pain in her expression. One that said things were not going well at all.
Vir’s expression darkened. “Tell me everything. What has transpired in the months I’ve been away?”
Janani shook her head. “No, I apologize. I did not mean to worry you. Let me make some chai, and we can chat.”
The orphanage teacher left no room for argument, so Vir obediently took a seat at the small square table nearby and waited.
Shan, who’d watched the whole encounter from nearby, settled on his haunches beside Vir’s chair.
The tea Janani brought out shortly thereafter was hot, rich, and absolutely delicious.
“An improvement from last time,” Vir noted, earning himself a look of contempt from Janani.
“How rude! I am just as proficient at tea making as I was a few months ago.”
“Then it must be the ingredients. You’re using higher-quality leaves, and some spices, too.”
“I suppose,” Janani said, sipping her tea. “Provisions have never been an issue after what you did for us. Shoes, clothing, food… The children eat well these days.”
“Then the issue isn’t with the orphans… but the city at large? Is it the rebels?”
“Yes… and no. The rebels have been more active lately, though I can hardly blame them. In fact, I am thankful that they protect us when the fights break out.”
“Asuman’s at it again, I see,” Vir said, already thinking of a plan to refresh the governor’s fear.
“No, actually. Asuman has been doing his best to keep the peace, and our faithful guardian has dutifully defended us in your absence.”
Shan exhaled sharply, straightening his back.
Janani chuckled, petting the Ash Wolf. “Y’know? Sometimes I almost think he can understand us.”
“He’s the most intelligent wolf I’ve ever seen,” Vir admitted. “Though, if not Asuman, then who?”
“The Warriors. Well, all the Kothis, really, but they are led by the Warriors. The Rulers remain mostly under Asuman’s thumb, but the Warriors hold sway due to their physical strength. It’s normally never an issue because the families are always squabbling with one another. This time, though… I’m afraid you’ve provided a very compelling flag for them to rally under.”
“Asuman can’t squash them without looking like he’s Gargan-friendly, but he’s also scared of Vaak, should he allow the Warriors to harm us.”
“A sticky situation if there ever was one,” Janani said, taking a sip of her tea. “I’m afraid we may have a civil war on our hands if nothing is to be done.”
The way Janani looked at Vir strongly implied her desires.
“I’m sorry, Janani. You know I want Gargans back in control of our city, but it’s too early. I’ve only just started assembling an army. They’re not ready. I’m not ready.”
Janani deflated. “I’d assumed as much. Still, to hear you already have an army gives me hope. I only pray you are quick enough.”
“No prayers required,” Vir replied. “The gods will not keep Samar Patag peaceful. Only action will. It appears I need to pay Governor Asuman a visit.”
“I think I speak for all of us when I say that would be appreciated,” Janani said with relief. “Shall I prepare your room?”
“Appreciated, but no,” Vir said, finishing his tea and standing up. “I’m not here long. I’ve business at the Ash Boundary and only stopped in to check up on things. Before I head out to see the governor, though, I’d like to visit Bolin. Has he recovered from his injury?”
Janani’s tea cup stopped halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she set it down and smoothed out her apron.
“Neel…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please understand that I am grateful for all you’ve done. The orphans are so grateful. I need you to promise me you don’t blame yourself for all that happened.”
“Janani?” Vir said, frowning. “What are you saying?”
“You couldn’t have known. Even if you’d been here, you couldn’t have helped. Neel, Bolin is gone.”
67
RETURN OF THE GUARDIAN (PART TWO)
Vir and Janani stood at the shores of the Gargan Sea, just outside Samar Patag to the south. The world was silent, save for the crashing of waves lapping against the coast. None of the turmoil and injustice of the city reached here. It was peaceful, in direct opposition to Vir’s own state of mind.
“It was here. This was the spot,” Janani said. “As per tradition, we cremated Bolin’s remains. While we wished to keep them interred in an urn, Chitran law prohibits Gargans from following our tradition.”
Vir felt the taste of copper in his mouth, but willed himself to remain quiet. Forget saving Bolin, he hadn’t even known the child had died. He hadn’t attended his funeral.
“And so, we spread his ashes upon the sea, that his soul may return to the great cycle. That his next life may be better than his last,” Janani added softly.
Vir said nothing for a long moment. In his head, a storm raged. Thoughts of hatred at the Chitran for being so cruel. Hatred at the Chitran for failing to protect the city when the Ash Beast horde arrived. The guilt had passed. Now all Vir felt was anguish at his powerlessness as he idly stroked Shan’s fur.
It was a gentle squeeze on his shoulder that brought him out of this forest of dark thoughts.
“As I said, nobody blames you, Neel. Not in the slightest. So, please, do not blame yourself.”
“It was a Chakra wound, wasn’t it?” Vir asked somberly, watching the waves lap against the shore.
“We cannot be certain. It could have been trauma to his mind. Or, yes. It could have been Chakra. His condition was stable for a time. Then it took a turn for the worse.”
“I have a Naga friend. Perhaps he…”
“No,” Janani countered. “The Gargans rallied Greesha to bring in a Panav healer. There was nothing she could do.”
“I see. Would you give me a few moments to pay my respects?”
“Of course. Take all the time you need,” Janani replied, backing away to a respectful distance.
Vir sank to his knees and closed his eyes, hearing the lapping of the waves, and believing that Bolin’s spirit was somewhere among them.
When he spoke a long while later, his voice was softer, more melancholic, “Did you know? Someone once told me that for most demons, the Chakras are steps toward enlightenment. Toward letting go of the shackles that bind us to this world.”
“They sound wise,” Janani said softly.
“Perhaps. But if that means not caring about children like Bolin… about tragedies… is that enlightenment, Janani? Or is that simply hiding from the truth?”
“As someone who has only opened her Foundation Chakra, I am hardly one to comment. I think, perhaps, that your answer may lie elsewhere. Perhaps enlightenment is not about feeling apathy to such tragedies, but rather growing from them? At least… It’s what I’ve done. These orphans… I treat them the same as the children I never had. Believe me when I say that I understand what you feel. I understand it all too well.”
“I’m sorry,” Vir said, rising to his feet. This time, it was Vir’s turn to comfort Janani, whose face was now covered with tears. “I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been for you.”