‘This is on . . .’ Ujal could only whisper at first. He paused and then stepped up to Aarti. ‘This is ON YOU!’ He readied to launch an attack, but Payal brushed him aside.

Ujal wasn’t the only one furious at Aarti. Idhika’s list of grievances against Aarti had grown. She still wasn’t over the incident with the Himalayan vulture, and Aarti’s recent antics made her undeserving of the place she called home. She had to be taught a lesson.

Idhika moved forward. In one swift move, she brushed past Payal and dealt Aarti a hard slap.

Aarti froze. She dared not react. Not in front of everyone. Instead, she put on a bewildered look—much like the chicken whose body she had occupied earlier—and mumbled uneasily, ‘She chose to follow us. We didn’t force her.’

‘Tru-truly,’ Payal agreed.

Ujal turned to Guru Amrav. ‘Help me, Light Seeker.’

‘Son, your sister has disappeared beyond the river and is now in the clutches of those that roam the valley’s surroundings. Only those within Vanyasa can help you now. But know that secrets don’t cross between the valley and Pataan. So be mindful of that; don’t let anyone learn that you crossed Kalanag and waltzed down here, no matter the cost.’ His tone was full of foreboding.

‘To hell with that. I’m telling all of Vanyasa! I don’t care who wakes up—’

‘Shhhh,’ Guru Amrav snapped.

‘In fact, I’m going to blow the conch and wake up the ENTIRE village!’ Ujal’s eyes were brimming with tears, and the bow that slung over his shoulders swung in frustration. ‘They have to send out people to find Prithvi.’

‘All right,’ Guru Amrav said in a pacifying tone. ‘Sanaka will have my hide . . . but . . . I’ll send out a search party myself.’

He considered the yogis who had stepped out with him. When they realized what was on his mind, many of them tried their best to blend into the background and become inconspicuous. They squabbled over who deserved to sit out this expedition, but eventually, fearing the Light Seeker’s rage, six yogis left brandishing weapons of all sorts.

Within moments of the search party’s departure, Payal and Aarti prepared to sneak away, sheepish looks on their faces. They were as unwilling as the yogis to feel a smidgen of responsibility and edged towards the steps that ran up to Kalanag and into Vanyasa. Aman, Fayza, Idhika and Ujal had no energy to reprimand them, and let them go. The four of them kept their eyes on the sky for any sign of the eagle. As time wore on, Aman, Fayza and Idhika lay worried on the edge of the cave, making sure none of them fell asleep. Ujal sat beside them, his face digging into his palms. How would he ever face his parents if his sister did not return safely?

Their uneasiness grew as the night progressed. Hours later, the search party returned, but there was no Prithvi accompanying them. Without revealing details, they delivered the unfortunate news and rushed back into the valley.