Chapter 140.
PART 1.
The next morning, Munshi hears the incident of the last night. “The kid is safe for now; he is in the school.” Said Munshi. “And I do have some info which you asked for.”
“Really?” asked Hatori, he did not expect the necromancer to dig things up so quickly.
Munshi smiled. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, you know.” He spoke. “Anyway, this house was built by a banker, but there is an interesting history about him. he had a maid working for him, who died in this very house.”
“How?” asked Hatori. “The cause of death I mean.”
“Never revealed. I believe it was never recorded.” Said Munshi. “But I talked with some old locals and studied the local newspapers of that time. people suspected that he had a fair with her, and once she got pregnant, he killed her.”
“Pretty clear reason, for so called “Unclear” reason of death.” Remarked Hatori sarcastically. “I presume this is the actual truth?”
“I believe you presume correctly.” Said Munshi.
“What happened to the banker?” asked Hatori.
“This one is clear.” Said Munshi. “About a year later, he jumped from the roof of this house, and died.”
“Just to be certain, we both think that he killed the maid, even though there is no official proof of it?” asked Hatori.
“Yes, I am pretty sure about it,” said Munshi.
Later, when Dhruv comes back from school, Hatori tells Devakaran and Aabha what he has learned from Munshi. Once more, the necromancer remains quiet, letting Hatori do the talking. “In short, I believe this is the soul of this maid who wishes to take vengeance for her death since she is still angry.”
“I can’t believe it,” said Devakaran. “How could something like that happen here? it is a respectful area and has remained so for hundreds of years. No self-respecting mage would do a crime like this.”
Hatori is annoyed. “Sir, is that your bias? After all, the man was a banker himself.” Said Hatori. “Besides, you really shouldn’t disregard the facts we have gathered for you in your service, just because you don’t like them.”
Devakaran kept his cool. The boy is correct, but he cannot admit that out loud. “I’m not saying that. but I cannot believe that man killed the maid. It must be something else.”
“What about you, Miss?” Hatori turned to Aabha, just to gauge her reaction.
“I also agree with my husband.” She spoke.
‘Typical wife.’ Thinks Hatori, but does not let his thoughts show up on his face. “Honestly, whether you believe or not does not change the fact that you have an incredibly dangerous vengeful soul in your house.”
Devakaran opens his mouth to retaliate, but Dhruv speaks up before he can. “Do you have pictures?” he asked.
“Honestly son, this is not the time—” tried to say Devakaran.
“Of that maid and the banker, you mean?” asked Hatori.
“Yes.” Confirms the boy.
The parents could not do anything to Hatori. But they can get harsh with Dhruv for ignoring them like that. “Dhruv, this is no way to behave!” said Aabha in a hard tone.
Hatori turns to Munshi, and the necromancer gives him the pictures. He shows those pictures to the child, and Dhruv points to the picture, recognition clear on his face. Even Hatori could see that, despite his lack of experience in recognizing the difference of expression on the human faces.
“I saw this man, and this woman.” Said Dhruv, hugging himself, remembering a scary memory, no doubt.
“What? When?” all the outrage is gone, Devakaran turns to his son and asks.
“About a week after we shifted in this house when mom had a teacup shatter on her forehead.” Said Dhruv. “They were arguing on the second floor near the stairs, and this man pushed her. I was scared, I thought it was mom. I climbed the stairs and reached the spot, but no one was there.”
“But why didn’t you tell us?” asked Aabha, horrified by the recount.
Hatori resisted to give them a sarcastic look. “Because you never listened. Every time I tried to tell you, you put a finger on my lips.”
It seems both of the parents realized their mistake. After they apologize to their son and promise to listen to him (which Hatori thinks they may never manage to fulfill), he brings them back to their original point.
“I brought this info to you because I wanted to know. Is there a spot which this soul can use for its retreat?” asked Hatori.
“Nothing specific comes to mind.” Said Devakaran.
“Maybe the basement?” asked Hatori.
“Why do you think it could be the basement?” asked the banker.
“Because, as you have said, it is still locked, and has remained so before you ever arrived in this house. You have not opened it still, so it would be the perfect place.” Explained Hatori. “Also, remember, souls do not need to worry about doors or walls.”
“What should we do then? Open the basement?” asked Aabha.
“In my opinion,” said Munshi, finally deciding to speak, “It would be the best. The soul will not expect an attack on its retreating area.”
Both of the parents nod, and they go to open the basement. “I suggest you leave this house once you open this door.” Said Hatori. “Not only for your own safety but for your child’s safety as well.”
“Yes, we understand.” Said Devakaran seriously. As quickly as he opens this door, he will run out of this house.
While the banker finds the right key and opens the lock, Hatori speaks with Munshi. “Will you have my back in this battle, master?” he asked.
Munshi rests a hand on his shoulder. “I will always have your back. Do not worry.” Assured the necromancer.
True to the instructions, Devakaran left in a hurry after opening the door, and Munshi and Hatori slowly descended the flight of stairs to the basement.
PART 2.
Porus has left the capital. Zeko is with him as his guard, and Amarnath is confident that together, they can handle anything. Not that there would be anyone foolish enough to try anything with them. (And if they were, these two can sever them from the gene pool). Porus has not told anyone in the court about this, aside from announcing that yes, he is having a tour, and no, the schedule won’t be shared with anyone, and no, there won’t be any suggestions or reconsiderations.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
They would have thrown a tantrum, so Porus didn’t bother with it.
Both of them are in Zeko’s car, driving outside of the capitol. The king is observing the small town where they have stopped for the night. “Tell me, does Hatori know that you have taken pictures of him, and have plastered it all over your car in hidden spells?”
“Your funeral.” Declared Zeko, coming out of the car. “Also, no, there are no pictures.”
“Right, right,” said Porus, also leaving the car. His apprentice can be so touchy sometimes.
They arrive in a small hotel, where once their food arrives, Zeko checks it for poison. Hatori has shared the yantra to do that with Zeko, and it has made it so much easier. Still, he ran some basic spells himself, to make sure that the kids didn’t overlook something. Finding nothing, he declares the food to be safe. “The food is safe to eat, your majesty may begin to eat the food of the commoners.” He said sarcastically.
“That’s not funny.” Said Porus, mixing the curry with rice.
After eating, they go back in the car, which will continue to drive to their destination overnight, while these two mages take naps alternatively. The hotel owner never recognized the king, although he did consider that second man somewhat familiar. Zeko is a known sight, of course, having come with Hatori and other people many times to his hotel before.
PART 3.
Done with his practice of the day, Shin is relaxing and flexing his fingers. Playing an instrument for a long period can be painful sometimes. “You have learned much from me regarding music,” Sangita was saying to him, “But you should know that there is another side to this than playing or singing. And that is, of course, negotiation.”
Shin looked at her, the bells on his head jingling with the movement of his head. “Spells can be performed with music; indeed, the music theory has helped in the development of the magic. however, concerts, and albums, are the primary ways to make money as a musician, besides becoming an educator and a researcher like me. and I believe you know better than anyone else that when there is money involved, you should never give an inch. For other people will try to take a mile.”
“Shouldn’t you keep this information to yourself then, mam?” asked Shin. “After all, I could end up becoming your competitor one day.”
Sangita smiled, the amusement clear on her face. “You still have a way to go before you can do that. and besides, I really don’t like to think of my own students as my competitors. I rather nurture you with all the knowledge I’ve got, rather than worry about some of you putting me out of a job in the future. And if you can surpass me, so much better!”
Shin shook his head. His instructor can be so strange sometimes. He knows that this kind of attitude is not widely accepted among the mages. Some of them rather strangle the children to remove their competition.
PART 4.
Raven is not happy with his summer vacation this year. he didn’t get to go to Zeko’s house to meet with Hatori and others this year, and now, he is returning to his internship under the general. The general told him to find a reason to pick up weapons and join the military.
He kind of implied that spending time with family and friends can help with that. but he did spend time with family, but not friends. Raven is uninterested in finding out about his cousins, he never got along with them anyway. Josh is still at his home, soon enough going back to the Academy, James has already returned there. and Hatori and Shin have also left.
‘I must make sure that the general does not find out about my thoughts.’ Thinks Raven. No need to broadcast his unhappiness to everyone.
PART 5.
The musty smell of the basement assaulted Hatori’s nose, as they completed their descent through the stairs. This was a very spacious area, good for moving around. Meaning, nothing can box him in a corner easily. Munshi is just behind him, overlooking his shoulder. The necromancer is certain that after this year is over, he won’t be able to do this anymore though. his students is growing at a frightening rate.
Hatori suddenly goes stiff, as a wave of malicious magic hits him, and he observes a skeleton coming out of the ground. The bony monster was much bigger than it had any right to be. Surely women didn’t grow this tall in the past? Hatori also regreted regaining his eyesight for the first time. being blind spared him a lot of the horror.
“You.” shrieked the skeleton. “You’re protecting that banker. he’s reborn, I’ll kill him for murdering me and my unborn child. But before that, I’ll kill you for getting in my way!”
The eloquence of the soul ran out, and bristles of a broom came at Hatori, which he blocked with a hasty shield. These weren’t any normal bristles, they were like iron spikes, and any one of them could pierce his body. Hatori thinks for a moment whether this is karma or something since he uses iron spikes himself in his fights a lot. But he denies that after a while. there is no way this soul is out here to punish him for brutally stabbing people with conjured iron spikes.
While these thoughts go on at the back of his head, he conjures the chains, and manages to snare the skeleton in those. Hatori noted that the skeleton lacked fighting experience, probably due to lacking interaction with the world outside. he carefully aimed, and fired the spell to disperse the soul. The skeleton disappears with a shriek.
Munshi moved behind him, and Hatori whirled around, spells ready to attack. but he recognized his teacher in time. “Easy now, let me handle everything else.”
Hatori decides this is a good idea. His wildly beating heart is not likely going to stop any time soon.
The soul was gone. The purpose of their arrival was fulfilled, the payment was received, and Munshi and Hatori left this house behind. Hatori waved back when Dhruv waved goodbye to him.