‘We cannot act in such haste,’ Idhika said, looking at them with renewed confidence. ‘In such cold temperatures, it is easy to forget to think. So we must proceed with care this time around. I will Atmayog to the valley and check, but it will be a time-consuming process. Firstly, will someone explain the events that transpired this morning to the five of us who have no memories since last night? What exactly did Sanaka say at the Sabha and Samiti?’

‘Jagrav rarely forgets a thing,’ Savitri said. ‘He should tell it as best he can.’

These were crucial details so the Souls stopped walking and looked at Jagrav.

‘Umm . . . okay,’ he said, blowing at his blue fingers. ‘I shall start as I remember, upon first light this morning, from the threshold of my hut—’

‘Yogis!’ the Eka said. ‘On second thought, this is no place for revelations, in the middle of an open field, with nothing but mountains looking down on us as watchtowers.’

With the effects of the lal bicchu now dissipated, Idhika realized that she had led the eleven this far east, to the middle of the country, from where Chayan and his Pishachus were not far. She instantly changed course and asked them to power on, reminding them that the swifter they trudged, the warmer the soles of their feet would get.

After ten minutes of swiftly moving westwards, Idhika called for a break. She put her arm on Aman’s shoulders and began to deliver instructions to all: ‘Aditya’s taken almost all light with him. In the remaining hour, there’s much to be accomplished. Or truly our dresses will be brittle by night. Phoo!’ She caught her breath for a moment. ‘Gather around, all, I need your eyes, all twenty of them. As we continue west, look out for three things. First, a hollow land, hidden if possible, or a grove—any place that will shield us from the winds at night. Second, tinder, pine sticks, firewood. Anything dry. Wet things won’t burn well and will make unwanted smoke. And third, large rocks, which we can heat by the fire and use to keep warm later.’

They set out again, faster, for now they had a purpose. Occasionally they would spread out a little too wide, and Idhika had to stop the journey to let everyone regroup. The fruits and neer they had would hopefully last them the night.

An hour after the sun had left, while searching for firewood, Aarti, Payal and Dhara found a thicket of branches. Behind it, the land dipped slightly into a trench. In that hollow space, only the westerlies were felt, and any other wind went past above them, off the jutted land.

‘This is the place we must nurture,’ Idhika announced, the numbness now seeping into her veins. ‘I feel calmer here in this ditch. Let’s begin by clearing the snow to make a bed for a fire. But to do so, use your feet alone because you will require the dexterity of your hands to break the firewood later.’