Sapth Lion’s mask turned in Nala’s direction. ‘Still finding a nest for broken souls, Parshuram?’

‘If not breaking them himself,’ Sapth Human added. The eyes behind his mask stared Nala straight in the eye.

‘Did your Master give you the scars on your face, and maim your wrist?’ Sapth Lion asked. ‘Poor sod. But it’s nothing compared to what he is truly capable of. Has your Master told you what he did to his last student?’

Nala said not a word, but kept looking at her feet.

‘Did your Master cut out your tongue, girl? What are you staring at?’ The shadowcat beside Sapth Human stared at Nala as though Nala was a pigeon waiting to be chewed. Sapth Human casually stroked its head. ‘If she plants her teeth on your neck, you will be dead in a heartbeat.’

Nala remembered Parshuram’s warning about the Saptarishis being even more dangerous than he. She remembered how she was to slouch, her knees ever ready to scrape the floor. And to always mind her manners. The best thing was doubtless to bend the knee and whimper. She didn’t know whether it was the news of Bheem or the way these men talked to Parshuram, but a sudden madness possessed her. With cold disdain, she uttered a single word in response: ‘If.’.

IV

Sapth Human stared coldly at Nala, nonplussed. The shadowcat growled, straightened itself, its tail snapping like a salute. There were audible gasps, hissing like a tea kettle, from between gritted teeth behind masks. Masha almost giggled. Parshuram himself turned to stare at Nala, a bemused look on his face.

Did that really come out of me? Who was unhinged enough to insult a goddamn Saptarishi? She could imagine Akopa fainting and Varcin falling to the ground laughing, at this tale. Presuming the wretched shadowcat left her alive to return with one.

Sapth Human finally spoke. ‘My pet does not appreciate your tone, girl.’

‘As my Acharya’s pet, I share a similar sentiment about your tone with my Master.’ I certainly know how to pick my moments to be brave. But now that it was done, there was nothing to do but own it. And thus, the two pets, one of the Bane of Ksharjas, and one of a Saptarishi, glared at each other.

Later, Nala would always be grateful to Sapth Boar. He hooted as if it was the funniest thing he had ever heard, but there was no laughter in his eyes when he turned them on Parshuram. ‘The girl has mettle, Parshuram. A fiery streak. Hone it well.’

‘Yes, yes,’ Sapth Horse said huffily. ‘Let’s get on with it. We are the Saptarishis, and it would be nice if we behaved like it for a change. Parshuram, we will have Balthazar deliver a goblet to you by tomorrow, along with Sister Masha.’