The waited for approximately 15 minutes, all the while chatting up eachother, and the people around them, until the reached the Room & Board Administration Office counter, handing the two women their pass. An animated, and, perhaps, overexcited, woman, clapped her hands in excitement. "Firs' day o' schu'!" She exclaimed brightly, her accent thick, "Excitin' innit'?"
The girls nodded in confusion at the lady's posititve attitude, and smiled shyly.
"Tis' mine too!"
"Calm down, Elizabeth." Yawned the woman beside the lady. Addressing the trio, she said, "As you heard, it's her first day. She's yet to find how annoying, tiring, and underpaying, this job is, and how irritating moody teenagers are. Here's your key, Room 999."
"Thank you, both," Said Ruhi, followed by May and Joy's 'thanks', as well, and the trio got on their way, roaming the intricately carved halls of the Academy.
They roamed for what felt like hours, but probably didn't amount to even half as much, let alone an hour in total, when Joy stopped, as if realizing something, and suddenly pulled a map out of seemingly nowhere. "I forgot I had this!" She exclaimed, slapping her forehead.
Ruhi and May followed suit, slapping their own foreheads, as well, "You had that, all this time, and never told us?"
"As I said, I forgot--I only just remembered!"
The two shook their heads at Joy, and patiently waited as she studied the map intently for a minute.
"Oh." Said Joy suddenly. "We're going in the wrong direction. We've been moving in the southern areas, where all the classes are, but our dorms are in the North West section. Furthermore, we're currently in the South Eastern area of the school, meaning we'll have to walk all the way across the grounds."
Joy sighed, but Ruhi, determined to keep the posititvity going, smiled, "That's not too bad!"
"Yeah, but what makes it worse, is that there's a huge courtyard in the middle, so we'll have to go around it, which accounts for nearly double the distance."
This time, both Ruhi and May groaned.
Joy held up a finger, "But, this school is like a mini-city, so after around a third of the distance it takes to get there, we can take either a cycle, horse, or carriage, to the Dorms, and go by road."
Ruhi and May cheered at the prospect of a lighter journey, but May was quick to ask, "Is there anything else you've forgotten, or are we good, now?"
"Nope. We're good." Said Joy, but, then she paused, "Wait, no. There's one more thing--if I recall correctly, only juniors and seniors are allowed to use the carriage or horse, as they have been taught how to ride them. We will have to make ends meet with a bicycle. And, the good ones are probably gone by now, considering the fact that we're considerably late."
They groaned once more, then stared at Joy intently. "What?" Asked a perplexed Joy, "Why are you looking at me, like that?"
They continued to stare. Realization dawning upon her, Joy shoved her friends playfully, "Come on, lets go, I haven't forgotten anything."
"Anything else," Corrected May under her breath.
"I can hear that, you know? Now, let's get going." Joy said, gently pushing her tired friends.
The three walked on for another 15 minutes before they reached the road, and where aghast when they saw not a single bicycle was left, except one beaten up unicycle with a flat tyre.
The road was a well built cobblestone pathway of around 8 feet in diameter. Lined by brush and overgrown weeds, but filled with beautiful flowers, peonies, daisies, and daffodils, the walk would be scenic to say the least, and indescribable to say the most. Up ahead, though, she saw a forest-like landscape, providing a jungle-type look to the area.The traffic-controller standing next to them confirmed their suspicions. "The road goes through a forest," He said, "A forest that surrounds the entire Academy, as well as some parts of a few neighbhoring kingdoms. I won't sugarcoat; there are wild animals, most likely predators, and it's a long path. Nothing's every really happened, though, so you'll be fine. Just don't put your feet on the ground."
The three friends looked sickened by the thought of a wild animal attacking them. Ruhi spoke up first, "Why not put our feet down? If we don't, how are we going to get there? We need to walk, as all the vehicles are gone."
"This area used to be a tiger reserve, before we claimed it for the Academy. Some tigers tend to come back a few times a year, and, although it's not likely to happen, we make sure to take all precautions. If you walk on the ground, a tiger could pick up your scent." He told them. Then, as an afterthought, "Your dorms and the forest surrounding them are perfectly safe, though. It's only this strip of the jungle to fear of."
"But why go through all this? What if something happens to any of the student body?"
"This isn't daycare," Said the officer. "This is Gurukul. If you can't handle a little risk and danger, then you're not fit to be here. And I have a horse, who can fit all three of you. If you squeeze in."
"Ugh!" Said May, who, they learned, was terrified of wild animals. She sat down on a stone, head cupping her face.
"It's fine," Consoled Ruhi, "It's probably a test, and he's just scaring us. My father went here, and he never warned me about such a thing."
Joy shook her head, "This school wasn't so big, back when your father went here; after he ascended the throne, the school got more popularity, and they underwent many renovations, and acquired more land. And, they got a new Headmistress, one who is very particular about making us 'strong, fearless, individuals', and who is very tough."
Ruhi gave Joy a look, and Joy shrugged, "She deserves to know." Was all she said to a very frustrated Ruhi.
Deep breaths in, deep breaths out, She told herself, inwardly, as she tried to console both herself and May at the same. "It'll be fine. You have us, and we're strong!" And, one of us can use her powers to fight off something...or someone, she didn't add.
May shook her head wildly. "Yup. We can do this." Taking slow, long, controlled, breaths, she got up, and asked--more like told--the officer, "Bring out the horse, please."
The officer gave a mock-salute, and brought out the most intimidating and majestic animal Ruhi had ever seen. The horse was a large one, possessing a black tail and mane, and a brown body. He was tall, and wide, but also looked fit, and agile. "Is that an Arabian Horse?" She asked, trying hard not to gawk, and failing.
The officer smiled proudly, "The very same. He's our emergency horse, Ashwin."
Ruhi walked up to the horse, "Hi, Ashwin," She cooed softly, laughing as he nuzzled her neck, and giggling as he licked it.
The officer stared, "You've got something with animals," He remarked. "Ashwin's warmed up to you almost instantly."
"I used to ride, back home," Smiled Ruhi, thinking quickly of the palace grounds, her horse, Raatri, a dark, raven haired mare who she loved.
"Then, maybe, we can break the rules for a bit, and let you and your friends ride Ashwin. I don't ride her much, anyway, and she's big enough to fit three. If you squeeze it."
"You'd do that?" Ruhi asked, and, when he nodded, "Can we...keep him? For, just as long as we're here? Please?" She made sure to add the puppy-eyes.
The officer sighed, "You may, but don't get too attached."
"Thank you!" Exclaimed Ruhi, shaking the officer's hand wildly. "Thank you so much!"
"I suppose it's fine." Said the officer, not unkindly. "Now, get on your way, ladies, on your way now."
Ruhi got on the horse first, taking the reins, as the officer helped her on, followed by May and Joy, who, though struggling to slide onto the large horse, ended up on it, in more ways or less, if the fact that Joy's face ws resting on the horse's backside, and May's face on the side of the horse, was not included. The officer helped them sit upright, and they bid their goodbyes, Ruhi nugding Ashwin to start into a light canter.
The three kept their pace moderate, considering that this was the first time for two of them, and they made their way through the jungle. Between the canopy, Ruhi could see the feiry lines of sunset, and knew Ava and the others had probably reached by now. She hoped they were fine. May, on the other hand, was chanting, Don't let your feet touch the ground, don't let your feet touch the ground, don't let your feet touch the ground, mentally, until Joy groaned, saying she could hear May's chanting, and letting her know that she was talking outloud, practically screaming into her ear, the whole time.
The three rode for an hour, and, surprisingly, reached the Dorms without incident, and by dark. "We're here," Announced Ruhi, staring up at the two grand palaces, barricaded by a gate. One was the girls dorm, one was the boys dorm, she'd concluded. The girls dorm was a golden palace, decorated by fiery Angichins (fire signs), the theme being passion, virtue, purity, and bravery. The boy's silver palace was decorated with calming Paanichins (water signs), the theme being grace, honour, purity, persistance, and freedom.
"Guys?" She asked, after she was met with silence, and...what was that? Snoring? "Guys?" She asked again, reeling Ashwin upwards, his hooves in the air, and the two fell on the ground. "Guys!"
Joy and May groggily opened their eyes, A "Ye-yeah?" from May, and a "Huh?" from Joy followed.
"You both did not just sleep through the entire ride!"
"I didn't!" Protested Joy, "I saw everything!"
"Did you see the tiger?" Asked Ruhi, with animated eyes, "I was so terrified!"
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"I saw!" Exclaimed Joy, trying to match the enthusiasm, while May just whimpered. "It was amazing! I wasn't scared at all."
"Jokes on you, then," Laughed Ruhi, "Because there was no tiger, and we had an uneventful journey.'
"Oh, come on," Joy shook her head, and May laughed at her, along with Ruhi.
"Good job," Smiled May.
"Let's go, now," Joy motioned towards the doors, laughing.
The three friends went in with good spirits, checking in at the reception desk (which was the center point between the two buildings), and getting their luggage from the Luggage Center. They were about to retire to their room, when Ruhi spoke up, "You two go. I'll come soon, but I have to finish an important thing, first."
She walked to the reception desk, and asked the lady if her friends had checked in, naming each one. "I'm sorry," The lady said, "They're in the list, but they haven't checked in, yet."
"Thank you," Said a breathless Ruhi, as she looked towards the gate, and waited impatiently for her friends to come.
Where are they?
She turned, back facing gate, and held her head in her hands, mentally scolding herself for letting them go. If they didn't come by tomorrow, she'd have to go to the office, and notify them. Her thoughts continued to spiral, until she heard a creak from the gate, and it slammed into her, pushing her onto the ground.
Annoyed, she snapped, "What the heck?"
Turning to face the perpetrator, she ended up smiling, then grinning, then running up to hug a confused Pearl and Ava.
But then her smile dropped, losing it's shine, as Pearl and Ava shoved her back, making a disgusted sound, "Who are you?"
"Good prank." Laughed Ruhi, her voice unsure. "It was your idea, right Al?" She reached towards him to box his shoulder, playfully, but he shoved her hand aside.
"Disgusting. Get away," He said, and shoved her out of the way when she just stared. The rest followed suit, and she stopped Amar.
"Amar, what's going on, why's everyone acting like this?"
"Get your face out of my sight! Who even are you?" He shoved her so hard, she fell on the ground. She startled, seeing genuinely no recognition in his eyes.
Her friends--or, well, previous friends--walked inside, not even turning back.
What had happened to this morning's camaraderie?
Her eyes swelled up, and she felt her chest constricitng, her sight blurry with tears.
Suddenly, she heard a sound, and she blinked away her tears, forced herself to pull herself together, and got up, to face the sound. "Hey, there," Said the person resposible, as he walked up to the gate, opening it. She took in his appearance, his leather armour, his plated arms, and his glistening sword.
"Hey, Kishore. What are you doing here, this late?"
"I could ask the same of you," He said, opening the gate with a grin.
"Just getting in some nighttime air," She smiled, her sadness and constricting lungs being temporarily pushed away. She couldn't let anyone know something was up.
"Same, here," He smiled, and Ruhi raised her eyebrows.
"With armour and a sword?" She scoffed, "I highly doubt that,"
"Secret Krrish stuff," Joked Kishore, but she didn't think that was far from the truth.
"You know, you remind me of my imaginary friend, Sophie. She was just like you."
"Oh, really? How so?"
"She was annoying, and mysterious." Ruhi laughed though the sound was broken. "Maybe I should call you Sophie."
He groaned, and she added, "Yeah, I'm calling you Sophie."
"That's nice," He said, purposefully being annoying, and she laughed.
"Well, I'm going to go for my nightly walk," She said, with a wave.
"See ya," Waved Kishore, as he walked back inside.
She let the sobs free, but then, belatedly, realized it was a full blown panic attack. She couldn't stop, and she couldn't breathe. Gasping, she stared in space, C'mon Ruhi, you can't do this, not now. You're good. Everything's fine. They don't matter. They're idiots. It's fine.
But she knew it wasn't fine.
A memory rushed at her, a tsunami, it's height, speed, and size, so large, it consumed her.
She was 8, but still mature than most kids her age, yet, she had a rebellious streak. She was fed up, of being kept in the shadows, away from her people. Kept to the sidelines, until she was 'old enough'. Yet, that day had seemed too far away. The only times she'd gone out of the palace was her class at the local gurukul, and that wasn't enough. She wanted to see her people, for herself. So, she snuck out.
At first, overwhelmed by the sights, smells, and noise, she was joyful, fascinated by every little thing, as she wandered the streets, She was beyond delghted, when a shopkeeper even gave her a Cream Roll (a delicacy for the gods...and children) for free.
She skipped down the streets, excited for this little adventure.
After arriving to the neighborhoods, she made her way to the slums--a place she'd never seen before.
Once she reached, she felt a deep sadness for the children there, who were being cared for by their distraught mothers. Sickness had fallen upon them, and the Government was doing nothing. Deeply dissappointed, her little heart felt for these children. She saw a toddler with his mother, coughing up blood, and her heart broke at the scene. Bending own, she carressed his cheek, asking the mother, "What's wrong with him?" Breaking down into sobs, the mother answered, choking between her cries, "He hasn't eaten for too long. The local doctor says he will die if he doesn't eat in the next few days."
"And you can't feed him?"
"I myself haven't eaten in weeks," Said the mother weakly, and it was only then she noticed, the sunken eyes and cheeks, her thin frame, the weakness with which she held he toddler. And she couldn't have been more than 25 years of age. Ruhi fished in her bag, and pulled out the cream roll, and some coins. "Didi," She said, using the respectful word for sister. "Please, take this." She said, and split the creamroll in half, one for the child, one for the mother.
The mother gave the bigger half to her son, who choked in hungry bites, and managed to swallow. Ruhi handed her a bottle of water. "I'm sorry, this is all I have on me," She said.
The mother's eyes swelled with gratitude, as she waved Ruhi goodbye, after giving her the blessing of an illustrious life.
Happy she could help the boy, but severely disturbed at the condition of the people in the slums, she made on her way. She ended up getting lost, and rounded into a dark alley. Shaking her head, she turned around, to find someone she knew. A boy, named Nikhil, from the school she went to. He was older, of about 18, and was known for having a temper.
"Come here to see how pitiful our condition is?" He asked, menacingly. "Or to show off your wealth?" He reeked of alcohol, and something else, something her innocent mind could not comprehend at the time. His red eyes, sunken cheeks, and his staggered walk all showed signs of him being drunk.
"Bhaiya," She said, using the word for older brother, "I'm not here for that. I promise. I just got lost."
"Of course. That's what all the wealthy peoples say. 'I got lost', as if coming here is something you wouldn't do, not even at the brink of death." He staggered closer, and she could smell the rancid smell of alchohl.
She coughed, fear coursing through her veins, "Bhaiya, you know I'm not like that..." Then, she saw the knife in his hand. "Bhaiya, no!"
"Why?" He asked, his senses out of his hand. He grinned maniacally, and he staggered even closer.
She ran.
He chased after her, knife still in hand, and she feared he would catch up. Soon, she took a turn out of the alleyway, and gasped, not liking the scene before her. She was on a cliffs edge, facing a 20 foot drop into a valley. She cursed under her breath (her curse limiting to stupid, idiot, ugh, shoot).
Nikhil was right behind her. He grinned once more, and lunged for her. Sidestepping the lunge, she closed her eyes, thinking she would die. She stood there for a few moments, wondering if she was dead, already. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and saw Nikhil hanging on to the cliff for dear life, knife on the ground beside her foot.
He cried out, as his hand started slipping, and she grabbed him, trying with all her might to hoist him back up, but her strength was limited at the time. Suddenly, she remembered her magic, and she was at war with her self. A year ago, using her magic had landed her into unconciousness for days, and bedrest for months. Was it worth trying again? Nikhil wasn't bad. He was drunk, and scared. Poverty would do that to you. She sighed. She would have to try her magic.
As soon as that thought came to her, he slipped.
She called upon her magic, and it responded, rushing through her blood, waiting for her command, and she gave it her order. Slowly, and surely, the boy was being lifted up into the air, and he stared at her, eyes wide in shock. Her temples were throbbing, the pain intense, and suddenly, the pain was all over her body. She could hear his murmurs of 'godess', 'angel', and his muttering of thanks, that somehow prevailed through his drunken state, and, encouraged, put more of herself into it.
But, doubts struck her mind, Was it really worth it? He'd tried to kill her, but she shoved them aside, as she felt the magic slipping away at the mere thought of it.
Then suddenly, her magic stopped, it failed her, and he fell down into the valley. She could hear his screams, his cries, which would haunt her forever, as he drifted down, and then stopped, legs splayed out, head and back a bloody mess.
He'd died because she wasn't strong enough, because she doubted her intention. She'd killed him.
Ruhi was now back in the present, the memory having one it's work. Her grief of the past, her regret, had intensified her sadness. Stop it, Ruhi! Stop it. That wasn't your fault, and neither was this.
But, could she really say that?
In her heart, she knew she couldn't. Breath in, Breath out, She repeated, a mantra in her mind, trying to regain control. Focus on something. Focus!
Suddenly, a soft, delicate, thing, fell into her lap. Blinking through her tears, and still gasping for breath, she looked at it. It was a peacock feather, it's swirling patterns calming her. She stared at it intently, shoving all thoughts out of her mind. Suddenly, she heard flute music playing, and her head perked up. She was breathing evenly, now, and her eyes had stopped shedding tears.
She laughed in hysterical relief, her attack having passed. Thank you, God, she thought to herself, hoping it would reach her saviour.
"You're welcome," Said a man, of about 30, who stepped out of the shadows.
She startled, and turned around to look at him, unable to see his facial features, except for a muscular yet lean body, and well defined jaw, stubble lining across it. Her searching eyes looked for any chance of a weapon, and only found a bow slung across his back, along with arrows in a quiver. A hunter, she thought. But she found it odd, that a hunter held a simple wooden flute in his hand, and a golden headband across his forehead.
Her battle instinct told her to flee, but her heart seemed to trust him, the very sight of him, relaxing her nerves. "Pardon?" She asked, a confused expression portrayed on her face. "And, not in a bad way, but who are you?"
"That peacock feather," Said the hunter, his voice like a waterfall, relaxing, yet deep,"It's mine. It flew away in the breeze. Are you well?"
"I'm so sorry," Said Ruhi, quickly handing the man the feather. "And, I'm well, now."
The man made a noise, signalling something she couldn't understand. She raised her eyebrows, and he laughed, "My bad, my bad, it's so dark, you probably can't see me. I was quirking an eyebrow."
"And my lack of sight of you shouldn't trouble me?"
"Evidently, it doesn't. And, anyways, I'm known as more of a savior than a villain." She knew that it didn't make sense to talk to a shadowy hunter in the middle of the night, but her soul felt as if he were her long lost friend.
"Arrogant much?" She joked.
He tensed, saying, "I've seen things that should rid me of it,"
She was wise enough to know not to push the topic. "So, who really are you?"
"Some call me Ram, others Mohan, and further some Narayan."
"So. You're from a line, aren't you? A secret line, that, unlike the Line of the Subedaar, isn't popularized." Secret lines weren't uncommon, and most were appointed by different kingdoms, in order to act as spies. "I'll call you Ram Ji."
"You could say that," Said Ram Ji, a smile in his voice, as he placed the peacock feather in his headband. "And you're diverting topic."
"Pardon," Laughed Ruhi, "I entirely forgot, sorry, what was the original topic?"
"You very well know." Said Ram Ji, once again a smile sounding through his voice, and piercing through the silence of the night.
She sighed, and her mouth gave in, spilling out words before she could stop it. When she was done, Ram Ji seemed less surprised than she thought, "Losing friends can hurt," He said. "Especially when they're like siblings. But, what you should focus on, instead, is that, if they're emotions for you can change within a few hours, are they your real friends?"
She sniffed, "You tell me,"
"I don't want to impose, but, from my point of view, and based on what you've said, I can conclude that, no, they aren't. They aren't your real friends." He paused, then reiterated, driving the point home, "They aren't your real friends."
She stood there, agape, as his words were true, and they had an effect on her, She smiled at the ground, then looked up, "You're..." She paused, Ram Ji nowhere in sight, and his peacock feather all that was left to tell her it wasn't a dream. She shook her head, a smile on her face. The good man had left, just as soon as his work was done. She continued, "Right."
Gently, she picked up the peacock feather and touched it to her forehead, reverentially, "That good Ram Ji wasn't just an ordinary man," She spoke outloud, her heart confirming the statement.
And she knew she would meet him again. She just knew it.