Chapter 22.

PART 1.

Hatori walks to the castle by himself. He marvels at the capability of magic. Just a year ago, he would have never thought that he would have been able to walk independently from his school. Raven and Josh are not here with him today. They left before him.

This has happened once before, a few days ago. Hatori has made his peace with the fact that this is just the start. Soon enough, they will start to distance themselves from him. He suspects that some blame is on him. He should have controlled his instincts better. The choking Raven in that morning probably accelerated their consideration of getting away from him.

He shakes his head. ‘I’m way too tired to think about all of this.’ He has gotten tired mentally of answering the questions.

While most of the kids come exhausted after practical exams, Hatori is not bothered by those tests. Instead, the theory drains him. It has been this way back in his magicless world as well.

Hatori stops in his tracks. Last time he came from this road, there were a lot of people present. The road wasn’t empty. He walked slowly, ready to run in a different direction at the slightest threat.

PART 2.

Ravi Tandan is the guy in charge of Yograj’s operations, where he wants someone taken covertly or by force. He is waiting with ten soldiers from Joshi’s army. Though he has great respect for Yograj, he doesn’t like to work with his soldiers. They’re too green, specifically this batch.

He observes the child getting on the street. ‘Dammit, this won’t be easy.’ He predicted. The boy is clearly on his guard. ‘Nothing less can be expected from Zeko’s student. Just under a year, he turned this boy from a normal disabled child to this.’

He motions his men to move. The child is ready to run at the slightest sign of trouble. His men failed to conceal their footsteps. He cursed in his head a blue streak, as the boy started to run like a deer. The soldiers went after him like some excited group of hunters. He followed closely.

“Don’t harm the boy!” His warning came just in time, as the soldiers began to fire spells at Hatori. Restraining ropes come from the short staff carried by the soldiers. They switched the spell just in time. when the ropes failed to entangle the boy, they launched some joint breaking spells to stop the running boy.

Hatori’s instincts took over, and he retaliated with a fast series of Knockback spells, sending those spells back to the unprepared soldiers. Sickening cracks of bones and howls of pain echoed on the street; yet no one came to see what was going on. Ravi admired the boy for retaliating. It is true that the soldiers are substandard, but it is truly impressive that the boy managed to stop five fully grown adult mages.

But he is unable to avoid them for too long. After Ravi suddenly appears in front of the boy, while five soldiers come from behind, they entangle him within the ropes, and use the potion of sleep on him by cracking the viol near him. Once his struggles stop, they pick him up, and carry him off to their lord.

PART 3.

Ravi observes from outside, as Dhanraj, son of Yograj, presents the knocked-out child like a prize to his father. He kept his distaste for himself. He works for a pretty twisted family. Revealing his thoughts might just end his life.

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“Here’s the child father, whom Porus tried to keep away from you.” said Dhanraj.

“Very good.” Said Yograj approvingly. “Ravi, you may wake up the child.”

He enters the room, and splashes some water on Hatori’s face after conjuring a glass full of it. Hatori wakes up with a startled yelp. He quickly realizes he is unable to move, and his surroundings are different. ‘Not again.’ He quickly contains his distaste of waking up in an unfamiliar place.

“While the boy regains his bearings, explain how you captured him.” Orders Yograj.

“Of course, my lord.” Ravi bowed. “As ordered, I took ten of your soldiers to capture him. After clearing out the street, we waited for the boy to return from school. However, when the boy walked into our trap, he sensed something. He started to run; your soldiers started to chase him like he was their prey.”

“Despite my orders not to do so?” said Yograj in a displeased tone.

“Yes.” Said Ravi. “They used some spells on him, but my quick reminder made sure that they did not use any lethal ones.”

“I observe how he is undamaged.”

“He returned those spells, and knocked out five of your soldiers. However, he couldn’t keep it up for too long. After he got exhausted, I knocked him out with the sleeping potion, and brought him here.”

“That explains it. It is well that you remembered my orders. Not even a joint out of the place.” Praised Yograj. “You should leave and relax for now.” Ravi bowed, and quickly left. Yograj makes a note to do something about the lacking discipline of his soldiers.

“Now, boy, tell me who you are.” Orders Yograj.

“Hatori Eagle.” Answers the boy.

“A promising start. Keep following my orders, and you will realize that life is beautiful.” Said Yograj. “Tell me. Do you know why we have brought you here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm. Here’s a simple explanation. I want you, to work for me and my family’s interests. In return, we will look out for your education, training, and your general wellbeing.”

“And if I refuse?” asked Hatori.

‘I did not expect a child of his age to say those words.’ Thought Yograj. “Then, you will realize that life is horrible.”

“I think there’s a lot you’re not telling me.” said Hatori.

“Yes. You are not capable of grasping those matters yet. Enough of this chitchat. Do you agree to do as I command or not?”

Hatori considers for a moment. “No.”

“Very well.” Yograj snaps his finger, and a servant appears. “Take him to the basement. Do not give him food for three days. Give him water, but not food. Understand?”

“Yes, my lord.” The servant caries Hatori to the basement. Yograj expected him to throw a tantrum, but the child did no such thing.

“Father, why didn’t you deny him water as well?” asked Dhanraj, ready with a violent spell in case his father answered with violence instead.

“Because he’s still a child.” He answered. “Let’s see how much he resists without food for three days.”

PART 4.

Zeko searches the street. The signs point to a struggle and a chase. Talking to people has yielded no results, since no one has seen anything.

The tracking spells are not working anymore. He must go to the last location where they were active. At least the vital spells are still working. Meaning his student is still alive, though in what condition, he does not know.

(End.)