The retaking of the Stronghold at Ratu Gadhi became news that reach every corner of Kyrat, for the Golden Path it was the most devastating lost yet and for the Royal Army and citizens under their protection it was a crushing victory. It meant that the North-East region would no longer be hounded by further attacks. And the author of this audacious operation was Mistress Yuma who dispatched her Royal Guard Hunters to perform the grueling task. Merely six were sent to take the fortress on their own, if anything sounded impossible it was that they accomplished their task sustaining a single loss. Rumors were that King Min had personally participated in the defense of the stronghold against the Golden Path which sought to retake the stronghold.
Other news that wasn't as exhilarating were the death of the 'sky-tiger' by a Royal Guard named Prayan at the cost of his life. There was also a small portion with the article writing 'Have you seen this man?' A portrait of himself was present in it. Ajay Ghale to be precise.
Ajay chuckled at the glorification done by the propaganda department on the newspapers.
"Something funny?" Mr Chiffon asked as he did the measuring.
"No, nothing! But to think that this satchel is worth a hundred thousand!-"
"It's not a just bag, Ajay! It's an accessory to Combat Couture! If the materials are worth that much then I can't imagine how much more it's worth with my handiwork in place, millions perhaps! Besides, with the entire carcass I could even fashion His Royal Highness the jacket he always wanted."
Just as Ajay had stated the value of the carcass, Pagan had actually offered to buy the carcass from Prayan's family for four hundred thousand. What Pagan did with the carcass was have it sent to Mr Chiffon to have him do his jacket and more. Mr. Chiffon with access to this new addition to materials had some used in his 'Combat couture' collection which was worn by Ajay, his model and advertiser.
Maya and Ajay helped settle the transaction as he would send her the money to deliver to the wife of Prayan. When Pagan handed Ajay the money the former winked at him, he probably guessed it was actually Ajay that took it out but did not question why he took such an approach. In the end the Tiger's carcass belonged to him so he could do what he wanted with it.
Pagan knocked to announce his entry. "Ajay, boy! I heard you're going out after this, can I talk with you for a minute?"
"I'll be right there! Mr. Chiffon, we'll stop for the day, shall we?"
"Of course, Ajay! Go, don't keep his royal highness waiting…."
"Stay safe, Ajay. Oh! And remember, be fierce!" Mr Chiffon left him his signature adieu when he left the tailor's quarters.
One of the perks in having a personal tailor of Mr. Chiffon's quality, all the clothes were just right without discomforts anywhere. If it suffered a tear which was rare Mr. Chiffon would mend it, he was ok with Ajay being rough with the clothing because it gave it the war torn look.
Ajay went to the balcony where he found Pagan often having tea at.
"Hope I didn't take too long, is there anything you need me to do?" Ajay offered his services.
"Good man, Ajay! That's just the response I wanted to hear!"
Ajay took a seat across Pagan. "Well?"
"It's a rather tricky situation we have concerning arms, my dear boy!"
Ajay raised an eyebrow.
"It appears we're beginning to run dry on our weapon stockpiles."
-What?! Since when were the arms running out?-
"That's not the worst of it, our dear supplier has turn-coated. The cunt joined the Golden Path supplying them with weapons supposed to be in the Royal Guard armories. At this rate, we'll be fighting them with a pointed stick while they wield mil-spec weapons!"
Pagan expressed a moment of anger that could kill the traitorous Arms dealer with his gaze alone.
"That doesn't sound like a very enterprising thing to do for an arms dealer!" Ajay expressed his thoughts.
"Exactly! That was just what I was thinking! I pay him good hard cash….. sometimes in rubies! What does he expect those Golden Path monkeys to pay him in, twigs and dirt?!"
-Of course not, there's some foul play going on. I'll need to investigate!-
"So anyway, after proving you're such a capable lad back then with the stronghold I was wondering if you could help us out with the weapons shortage we have at the moment!"
"Be happy to help! In fact, I have rough idea of who might be willing to supply us arms for the time being!"
"Oh!...Really?" Pagan was delighted instantly that Ajay had a solution.
"Really! Just leave it to me!" Ajay assured him.
"I will! I can't tell you how delighted I am to hear you take the initiative in running the show!"
Ajay chuckled. "Alright, I shan't keep you from your day to day activities! Go on now!"
Ajay walked out of the shaded balcony just stopping shy of the door.
"There's just one thing…."
"Yes?"
"This arms dealer is a little eccentric and that includes his mode of payment."
"I'd give him anything at this rate, rhino horns, crack, fucking diamonds!"
-Close.-
"He might accept if it's conflict diamonds! He has a certain policy of working for the underdog see! So I'll just show him we're not doing so well at the moment."
"Conflict diamonds you say…. I do have a few of those things lying around somewhere…. Need to get some from Yuma later…." Ajay looked at Pagan meaningfully.
"Don't stress yourself over nothing, I'll handle it so just relax!"
"Hehe! Alright!...Now go quickly before I find someone else to do it!"
"Aye aye!" Ajay left for the armory.
Pagan was alone in the balcony, looking out the window.
"Go get'em kid!..."
Ajay came down to the armory in the basement where he found Maya waiting for him by the door.
"Morning, Ajay!" She said with a bright smile.
"Good Morning!" Ajay replied. It was a sharp contrast to three days ago where if looks could kill he'd be dead on first glance from her.
Ajay raised a cloth bag to her and jingled it to hint what was inside.
"Ah!- The money, you got it already?"
He tossed it to her as he made his way to the armorer to request some firearms and a kukri.
"So what's the plan today?" She asked him.
"Do I have documentation from Yuma yet?" He asked about the written order from Yuma.
"Uhhh-…."
"Figures." Yuma must intend for their cooperation to remain off the books.
Maya was now feeling awkward because she couldn't perform the one job he asked.
"Where are the rest?" He changed the subject.
"Um. Anish and Darshan went on leave. Bipin stayed over at the orphanage."
-There's this orphanage I keep hearing about, I'll need to pay a visit sometime.-
"That's a shame, I'll be giving his share to Prayan's wife." Maya giggled at his bullying of Anish's love for money.
"Morning, Ajay! The usual?" The armorer returned to the shop.
"Morning, Samar. Yes, same as usual!" He informed the armorer.
"So I still haven't heard what you intend to do!" Maya inquired today's activities.
"Here you go!" Samar the armorer passed over his kukri and customized pistol and a new AK rifle with all the appropriate ammo.
"Thanks, Samar."
"Anytime." The armorer waved.
Ajay turned to Maya to answer her queries.
"I have a job to do for Pagan first, then I'll meet with Prayan's wife. Is that ok?"
Maya nodded. Ajay slung his rifle after holstering the other weapons and ammo.
"Then let's finish this job as quickly as possible."
"Mmm! By the way, who was the buyer?" She let curiosity get the better of her.
In the jeep they were riding Maya remained perfectly quiet in the passenger seat.
She was stunned due to learning who had purchase the Sky-tiger's carcass off him.
"Is it that frightening?"
"That is a nightmare! I wouldn't even dare to do such a thing! That's like bargaining with the devil!" Maya expressed her shock to which Ajay chuckled.
"Is that how he looks? I wonder what kind of impressions people have of him then!"
"Uh- I didn't mean it like that! We're grateful to his highness for watching over us, although-."
"Let's just say he's scary shall we! There are several things he's done of questionable nature that makes him a tyrant." Ajay answered for her. "But to tell you the truth that's not what I see in Pagan." Maya wondered what he meant as she paid attention.
"What I see in Pagan is a torn man, who lost the love of his life and the product of that love! When he lost the things most precious to him, everything else seems trivial or worthless. He used his anger as an excuse to do what he wanted, but the consequences he really didn't care. If it killed him at least he wouldn't have to live another second in this wretched world."
As Ajay told Maya part of his analysis of Pagan's drive she shuddered to think of the lonely life the king must have endured.
"Then it seemed that he found his peace in watching over me, hoping he'd be able to at least redeem part of his soul for all the terrible things he did over the years."
"That-…..Sounds tragic!" Maya worked up the courage to say.
"It is, but I'm not about to let him fall! That's why the Golden Path needs to go!" He said with determination in his voice.
Maya looked at Ajay deeply.
-So that's why you want to destroy the Golden Path. To save his poor wretched soul.-
"I've also done some things of questionable nature, things I'm not proud of. That's why I kind of understand him." Ajay confessed.
Ajay had done equally horrible things, Maya couldn't imagine. But then, that might be justified with his abilities and prowess in combat despite only arriving two weeks ago.
"You're not as bad as you say, Ajay! Even now you plan to hand over the fortune of your kill to the victim's family." Ajay had a quick glance to see Maya smiling brightly at him.
"Thanks Maya…."
"Your welcome."
Ajay continued to drive deep into the valley, he had actually passed the King's bridge and was technically within the Golden Path territory.
"Where are we going?"
"An arms dealer that stays here." Ajay into an old ranch that was converted into a target range.
Ajay and Maya got out of the jeep and walked towards the only shack that was in the area.
"Now I need to warn you he's a bit….. weird! But likeable! Or so I heard from a friend!" He made the last part sound less like he actually knew the man.
"I dunno about that, the way you describe him sounds dubious!" Maya said as she strained her eyes at him.
As Ajay reached the door he opened it for Maya. "Ladies first!"
"That would be you!" Maya didn't like how she was sent in first.
-Ouch!- Ajay chuckled defeated and went in before her.
Sitting against a pile of crates reading a bible while wielding a submachine gun was Longinus.
"Welcome! I am Longinus!"
"Ajay Ghale!" Ajay introduced himself.
"Ajay? The Ajay?"
"The one and only!"
"Welcome Ajay! To my church…. away from church!
"That sells guns?" Maya said surprised.
"Of course! For the meek shall inherit the earth, my friend! All they need are some good guns." Longinus exaggerated with his two hands like a preacher to Maya and his weapon crates.
Maya gave a brief glance to Ajay wondering if he was really going to deal with this nutcase.
"Revelation 5:5…It is the most… invigorating read!" Longinus gestured to his guns.
"And on the elders sayeth onto me, Weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book, and loose the seven seals thereof!"
"What the-.." Maya barely finished her swear as Longinus continued his sermon.
"It is our savor! It is our savior returned to us as a lion, a warrior!... So, I started thinking to myself. When the Son of God is reborn, what gun would he use?"
"Wh-What-?"
"When Christ returns to break the seven seals and bring about the rapture, he returns as a lion yes? A lion needs teeth!"
He walked to his gun rack. "What gun would Jesus choose?"
"What makes you so sure Jesus needs guns to get the job done?" Ajay posed him that question.
Longinus turned around about to continue on but stopped halfway to think about what Ajay said.
"Mmmm… didn't think about that!" Maya wanted to drop backwards at Longinus doubting of his own faith.
"Sure, Jesus might not need guns, but the same can't be said for his followers!"
Longinus banged the table. "Exactly!...Exactly! To give the sheep the means to guard against wolves, they need guns!"
"Well, we have that particular herd of sheep in need of guns!"
"Really, and who might they be?"
"The Royal Army." Longinus spat on the floor upon hearing that name from Ajay.
"More like a pack of wolves wearing sheep's clothing!" He snorted.
"Are you sure that's the case? Or are your eyes so clouded that you mixed the truly helpless with those who seem like they're the really helpless!" Ajay's play with words caused contradictions to form in Longinus's head.
"What are you trying to say?!"
"I'm saying you're supporting the wrong side, but you wouldn't know! You're here only looking to redeem yourself of that past 'business'!" Longinus stormed towards Ajay and grabbed him by the collar.
"How do you know of such things?! I have told no one of such!" Longinus interrogated him, Maya tried to separate them but Ajay waved her not to.
"A vision!"
"A….vision?" Longinus blinked when he said so.
"Yes! A vision led me here. To the man that had done wrong but was saved by a bullet and baptized under the Goka Falls!" Longinus stared at him with disbelief at the things he had just said, no one knew of his past, no one except god.
-Thank god I remember his history! How could I forget after he preached them day after day! Urgh!-
Suddenly Longinus looked at Ajay with sparkling eyes. "It is true…It is true! The lord has watched over me and my work!" He proclaimed. "Praise be to his name!" Longinus knelt weeping tears of joy at Ajay's feet.
-God forgive me.-
Longinus wiped his tears away and placed his hands on Ajay's arms.
"What does the lord require of me?"
"The lord doesn't require anything, I was just given directions."
"Then what is the path which you must walk? What need is there of my guns? There is much to be desired from the Royal Army and Pagan! What is it you seek?"
"To become king!" Ajay got too caught up in Longinus's pace that he unveiled his true intentions, a slip of his tongue. Maya looked at Ajay with widen eyes.
"To become king, Mmm?…many have tried few have succeeded! Do you truly seek to become king…..or a puppet?" Longinus casted a doubtful look on Ajay.
Longinus continued to stare long and hard at him, to discern his true character. Ajay had to admit, he may be crazy but he was vastly intelligent. "You're worried of Pagan."
"How could I not be? That man is a devil! So the Golden Path tells."
"But the devil was once a man. And the one who turned him was them!" Longinus was surprised at what Ajay said as he continued. "My purpose of becoming king is to save him from himself and free Kyrat from the shackles of tradition! This Civil War has gone on long enough, I intend to put an end to it. And to do that I need to do unspeakable atrocities to achieve this goal, few die for the many.
You speak of Pagan as a tyrant, and a cruel man he is. But he's only human, but right now….. he's trying to redeem himself by restoring Kyrat to its natural order. Longinus, doesn't that sound like someone you know?" Ajay meant him and he knew it, Longinus took in all that Ajay said to him as he looked down deep in though fighting his contradictions.
"What's the point in seeking forgiveness if you can't even forgive others, Longinus." Longinus looked up at him shocked but also enlightened by his foolish action.
"He isn't the only one to suffer from the Golden Path, when the North suffered from famine and the Golden Path prevented food from passing through because they supported Pagan. They are blind to their own people because of who stands with them! Is this something a noble cause does?
Then just recently the Royal Armies arms dealer sided with the Golden Path and the Royal Army was left without a provider of arms, I've yet to find the reason he jumped ship but I'll find out soon. So now the Royal Army is losing its ability to protect the people and the sovereignty of this Country. So tell me Longinus! Who is the meek?"
Longinus was invigorated by his speech. It wasn't just him but Maya, Ajay did not know it but he had a talent for speaking to the masses and rousting spirit. Longinus closed his eyes to think and meditate on his decision.
"You have convinced me!...Let us do… business." Longinus took a seat with Ajay.
"Let's, Pagan can pay you in various means but there is only one you seek here, isn't there." Longinus nodded his head.
"Diamonds, conflict diamonds to be precise. Fragments of the terrible 'business' you were involved in so long ago! My conditions: All related conflict diamonds that have fallen into this country in exchange for indefinite supply of arms until the end of this civil war."
It was better for Kyrat not to have them at all. It was already stained with enough evil and cruelty.
Ajay reached out his hand. "Deal?"
Longinus smiled his pearly whites and caught his hand. "Deal!"
The drive to their next destination was a quiet one between Ajay and Maya. After finishing business with Longinus, Ajay informed him to keep quiet about his existence until such time that he personally reveals it, Longinus took it as the 'lion returning' and seemed to take a liking to Maya for her attentiveness to his sermons. He coordinated a meeting area between Samar and Longinus to settle supplying of the Army from his mobile. Sending a message to Pagan as well.
*It's done! I've arranged an appointment between Samar and Longinus (Arms Dealer). *
* :-) * Pagan sent back.
* Don't kill the crazy African * Ajay sent just to make sure his sociopathic tendencies don't victimize Longinus.
* ;-) * He hoped that meant trust him.
With that errand out of the way, he hoped to visit Prayan's widow to hand over the reward money.
Maya hadn't spoken to him since his accidental confession. To be honest, he also didn't know why he exposed his plan like that to Longinus. But the end result was better, at least he didn't have to keep secrets from Longinus and their deal was clean and simple.
"I hope you can keep quiet about this as well." Ajay asked Maya.
"Huh!- O-Oh!" She obviously had something on her mind.
"What's the matter, Maya?"
"It's just-….. this all seems extremely deep, to be involved in workings this big….. I'm not sure I'm ready for it." She confided her inner thoughts.
"That's fine."
"Huh?"
"You know….. until last week I was just a son trying to return my mother's ashes next to my half-sister. Then thrusted into the chaos that is this civil war that raged on since I was a child and longer."
Ajay reminded her, he was just a person. Although he seemed strong from all the feats he had done, he was a flesh and blood human being with problems of his own too big to handle others' difficulties.
"But I take comfort knowing my work with help those around me and myself." He released a gentle smile that caught Maya off guard and she blushed.
She hastily turned away to hide it from Ajay.
"Do I turn here?" He changed to the road directions with Maya.
"Ah!- Yes!"
The jeep moved up the small mountain and came to a plateau which the village was built upon.
The village was a charming little sanctuary away from the troubles of the outside, it was so high up the mountain and had little strategic importance to the Army and Golden Path that it was ignored.
"Oh! Maya's here!" A villager announced and all faces turned towards their parked jeep.
"Welcome back, Maya!"
"So good to see you're safe!"
"How was Mistress Yuma treating you?"
"She's taking care of me, how's everyone?"
The villagers gathered around her inquiring about her absence from the village to work in the Royal Guards. Ajay figured she was like the village celebrity, though not surprising. She could win that contest with her looks alone.
Ajay was treated like an extra as he went to secure the vehicle and holster his arms. But it didn't bother him one bit, in fact it was quite refreshing from the old days. Nearly everyone knew his name and how he looked like, they also got too familiar with him even though he didn't know them. He patiently waited for the crowd to disperse around her, playing with the necklace wheel around his neck. Every time he looked at it he was reminded of the horrors he had to face every day back then and the finale. He tightened his grip over it as he recalled Sabal's mocking face.
"Sorry for that Ajay, I'm a bit of a town hero here see-….Ajay?" Maya came over to find him deep in thought.
"Huh? Did you say something?" He returned the pendant beneath his shirt.
"Is everything alright?"
"It's fine, shall we go?" Maya nodded her head and led the way in the unfamiliar village settlement.
"This place seems untouched." Ajay gave his opinion of the village.
"You're right about that, although times can be equally tough here when crops fail."
"What is this place?"
"There's no name for this village so we simple name it 'Sano Pahada' which basically translates to little mountain."
"That's still better than some places I've heard of."
Maya chuckles. "Elina lives around the block." Maya led Ajay through a maze of high walls, it gave him the impression they were used for protection, but from what?
Maya opened a gate to a small cottage house with the same high wall fence and was greeted by a little girl. "Maaaayyyaaa!" The girl ran up to her ecstatic. Maya lifted the girl onto her shoulders.
"Hello again, sprout!" Said Maya.
"Muuuuu! It's Alisha!" The girl pouted but her expression soon changed to one of happiness once more.
"Maya? Is that you?" An older woman came out of the cottage, Ajay assumed it was the widow.
"Elina… I'm sorry for your loss."
"It's alright, one day I'll get over it. But for now, all that matters now is the growth of our darling daughter!" Prayan's wife wiped the tears from her eyes. After a minute of grieving she turned her attention to the unfamiliar face.
"And who might this be?"
"You can call me Badala." The alias Ajay operated under while Ajay Ghale was listed as missing persons.
"Maya, is this by chance your boyfriend!" Elina told Maya slyly.
"Don't even get me started." Maya completely shot her down. "He's my subordinate-."
"Like hell I am!" Ajay responded almost immediately.
Elina giggled at their comedy a slight bit, the same could be said for the child called Alisha.
"Why don't you two come on in, I'll brew some hot tea and snacks." Elina invited them both into the cottage house.
After seating them at the table Elina disappeared behind the kitchen. Leaving Ajay and Maya alone.
"Hey! What was that just now?" Maya whispered to him upset by his shun.
"You being my superior? Don't make me laugh."
"You're using the alias Badala, a Royal Guard, right? I'm an officer in the Royal Guard so obviously you're my subordinate!"
"Absolutely not! When did I ever say I was in the Royal Guard? I just work with you guys, I'm more like Pagan's runner!" Ajay argued with Maya.
They stopped their debate on Ajay's pending status as they noticed the little girl giggling away at their stand-up routine.
Maya cleared her throat and introduced them to each other. "Badala this is Alisha, Alisha Badala!"
"Hi!" Ajay said. The little girls smiled back at him like a little angel.
"Are you big sis Maya's boyfriend?"
"Everyone seems to think so, is she that out of touch with guys?" Ajay said wittingly.
"Wh- Why You!" Maya kicked him on the shin causing the latter to hold his leg in pain.
"Ready, sorry for the wait!" Elina came around the corner with a tray of tea cups and Kyrati biscuits.
"It's fine! We came uninvited anyway!...Thank you!" Maya received the cup from Elina.
"Thanks." Ajay said his thanks for the tea and biscuits.
"So what brings you both here? I'm afraid this'll be the last time you'll see us here, I'm moving back with my mother and father."
"You won't need to, that's why we've come!" Maya said to her holding her hands.
"I don't understand." Elina said baffled by Maya's cheerful behavior despite the dilemma they fell into of losing the only supporter of the family.
Maya placed the cloth bag Ajay gave to her this morning on the table. "Huh?"
Maya opened the string revealing the bank notes neatly tied in bundles thrown inside. Elina received the shock of her life.
"This- Maya… I cannot accept this!" She had gotten the wrong idea that Maya had loaned the money from her mentor as it was the only plausible reason for her to possess so much cash.
"Seems she's misunderstood, I'll take it from here!" Declared Ajay.
"Ma'am…."
"Y-Yes!"
"This money comes from the reward for slaying the tiger that your husband killed but suffered mortal wounds. His last wish was for you to take it and raise his child on behalf of him and apologizes for not being there with you."
"This-….." Elina began to tear again as Maya lent her a shoulder.
"Um… Big bro? What happened to my daddy?" Alisha tugged his sleeve innocently. Ajay looked up at Elina unconsciously who gave the expression she had yet to tell her child.
Ajay's expression held warmth as he looked into those large bubbly eyes. "Come over here and I'll tell you about the story of how your father fought the 'sky-tiger'."
The girl obediently sat across him and listened carefully.
"We were travelling on the mountains to perform our mission, after a long day of climbing we took a break."
"How high was it?"
"Up into the clouds!" Alisha gasped in shock.
"That's right, so high your house wouldn't even appear as a dot from how high it was. Anyway, as tired as we were we took a long break when suddenly-….a tiger appeared right behind Maya!"
"Ohh-no!"
"But it wasn't any ordinary tiger, it was the 'sky-tiger'! The legendary beast that preyed on unsuspecting mountain travelers. Many tried to organize hunts for it, none came back from their expeditions. And here it was, right in front of us!"
Maya giggled at the way Ajay conducted his story telling as did Elina who calmed down as Ajay explained on her behalf.
"The beast was as deadly as it was beautiful, oh! If you could look upon that fur you'd be just fascinated, beautiful white fur with perfect stripes! As for us, encountering such a fearsome beast was something we least expected. So the natural reaction to a tiger at such close distance was to freeze! We all froze where we were….paralyzed by fear, completely defenseless against a hungry tiger!"
Alisha covered her eyes cutely.
"And what do you think happened?" He asked her. Alisha cocked her head not to sure.
"Your father fired his gun at the tiger."
Alisha's eyes brightened. "Daddy did that?!"
"He sure did! His challenge infuriated the tiger who was used to having prey cower before it and so the tiger turned its attention towards him!"
Alisha gasps once more.
"The tiger leaped onto him as he fought alone for his dear life wrestling with the tiger's claws and powerful jaw."
"He emptied his magazine into the tiger, but it proved resilient and landed a fatal blow on him!"
"Daddy!-"
"Your father then looked at us and understood one thing. If the tiger was allowed to live we would all be eaten." Ajay added the note of despair into the story.
"So he did the most unthinkable! The tiger who thought he would lie dying turned to Maya for another easy prey."
Alisha started to get excited. "it was going to go after Big sis Maya?!" Maya held a hint of sadness on her face as she realized that she was the cause of Prayan's death, had he not fired, it would have gone for her instead. He sacrificed himself to save her.
"Hands wrapped around the tiger's neck pulling it back towards your father as he choked the tiger with his barehands!"
"Wow!"
"The tiger struggled as it realized for the first time someone was going to kill it finally! It kicked and scratched him but he held on with his dear life, knowing if he failed we would all die!"
His dramatizing had a good effect on the girl as she seemed to come to terms that her father made a choice in sacrificing himself for his friends.
"And then finally, the tiger let out its last breath and fell beside your father motionless. Your father had killed the beast of suffering and ended the reign of future tragedies! But your father was on the verge of dying, there was no medicine that could cure his injuries in time and he expended too much energy on subduing the tiger. And that's when it appeared!"
Maya was wondering where he would lead the story to.
"What appeared?"
"Kalachakra! The wheel of time."
"Wheel of time?"
"It snatched up your father and took him on a voyage across time!"
"It took my daddy?"
"It did! It took him before we had a chance to respond, but before he was taken he threw his pendant to us and said to pass it to his daughter so that he returned he would come to find her when she grows up!"
Maya and Elina finally understood the goal of Ajay's story. Ajay had crafted a story that would allow her to live in hope she could continue her life without the warmth of her father. Elina wanted to burst into tears again but held back.
"Maya, you have the pendant don't you?"
"Ah!- Yes, I do! Come, Alisha!" Maya took a knee near where Alisha was standing.
"May you always treasure it and know your father is always watching you from the sky!" Maya told her using the story as reference.
"Ummm!" Alisha nodded her head.
"Can I show my friends?" She asked as she held it up with her small hands.
"Sure, daughter." Her mother gave her permission. And the girl dashed out excitedly.
"Thank you, mama! And thank you Big sis Maya and Big bro Badala for keeping it safe for me! I'll always treasure it!" Alisha disappeared from the house leaving Elina with Ajay and Maya.
"Thank you for giving my daughter hope, Badala! And thank you, Maya! For providing us with the money we need to continue on without him!"
"No problem." Ajay said as he went for his tea again to moisten his throat after telling such a long story.
"It was the least we could do for him after he rescued us from the tiger!" Maya said but Elina looked doubtful.
"Um. He really didn't kill the tiger. I know my husband better than anyone, but….. thank you for conveying it in a way for my daughter to accept it! It should have been me telling it to her so once again thank you, Badala!" Elina lowered her head as a sign of respect.
Maya was partly troubled by the fact she could tell Prayan barely did any of the things Ajay had made up.
"If anything, Maya should be grateful to him. He was after all the only one not frightened to fight with the tiger back then and acted first saving her life!" Ajay revealed the truth in the story.
Elina looked up in surprise.
"So you have nothing to feel shameful of, you're the wife of the hunter who fought a tiger!" Ajay grinned mischievously.
Elina let out tears again but not of sadness. "Thank you, Badala."
"No Worries."
Maya was left pouting at the way Ajay had made her sound like she was completely hopeless.
"Oh! Cheer up, Maya! I'm sure that scoundrel must feel really proud he died for a beautiful woman. I have two minds of teaching him a lesson when my time comes." Elina joked as the two laughed.
After sharing a few good laughs and stories they figured it was time to leave.
"I still can't believe there's so much. Is it really ok for me to take it?" Elina asked as she looked at the stacks of bank notes piled up.
"They're for both of you, to take care of yourself and make sure Alisha has a good upbringing. Don't stress yourself out over nothing. Take care, Elina."
"Badala….thank you. And take care yourself!" Elina waved to him as he went ahead to start up the jeep.
"Well it's time for me to go as well, don't worry yourself. And stay safe!" Maya said her own good bye.
"Uh!- Maya?"
"Yes?"
"The tiger…. Who was it really killed by?... Was it Badala who did that?" Maya couldn't lie before her so she nodded.
"I don't know how to ever repay you or him for what you've done for me and Alisha today!"
She smiled at Elina "Then don't." Maya picked up Ajay's way of dismissing things. As she left waving her hand from behind.
Sitting in the jeep on the way back to Pagan's palace, Maya looked up into the night sky blanketed with stars shining boringly. It reminded her of the story Ajay made up on Prayan's passing.
-Kalachakra, he said.-
Maya wondered where he had heard of that ancient mythology. But he seemed well versed in some of the stories to come up with such a colourful story, she felt he could have become a fantasy book publisher if he put his mind to it.
Ajay noticed a stare. "What?"
"I just thought you'd make a great story writer that's all!"
"As if!..."
"Don't be modest. It was really good, the way you crafted it….. it just took our minds of Prayan's death and painted it in another picture!"
"Especially the part about the wheel of time! Even I couldn't think of incorporating it into a story like that. It sounds like her father became part of a legend."
"Should I have told her he went to Shangri-la?" Maya laughed heartily, she of course didn't believe in such a myth.
"You wouldn't believe in time either, would you….." Ajay quietly murmured to himself.
On the outside, Banapur was the same old town, home to the legendary Mohan Ghale. But inside it was utter turmoil. Within the council room, the top leader representatives in the Golden Path were having an emergency meeting. The purpose was to discuss the future of the Golden Path in light of the recent disaster at Ratu Gadhi. No one had expected the Royal Guards to take back the fortress so quickly and quietly that they could catch the inbound expeditionary force completely off guard and destroy them. Being Yuma's fortress, she was bound to act sometime soon but the word was going around from the propaganda department of Pagan was that it was done with only six Royal Guard hunters.
Something absurd because Ratu Gadhi was herald as invincible. The last time they tried to take the stronghold it took years of planning and consolidated resources by their top frontline commander to besiege the place in the shortest time possible, the same commander who held the garrison. Yet these hunters completely cleared out the stronghold including said commander, it went to show how dangerous this particular group of Royal Guard hunters were.
"Quiet!" Sabal roared at the bustling heated discussions going on. All mouths sealed before his demand. After his failure to kill Pagan that also resulted in the disfigurement of his face, Sabal had become a frightening existence within the Golden Path. Not because of his scars but complete flip in his personality, he became more aggressive and possessive. Even Amita was too afraid to confront him now and left for the frontlines to direct what was the disastrous failure at Ratu Gadhi stronghold.
Bandages still loosely swung from his half covered face and upper body making him appear as if he was a ghoul, or 'Rakshasa' as some were whispering about Banapur.
"Let's begin the assembly, now." He said in an authoritative yet calm voice.
"With all due respect but some the elders and Amita have yet-!"
"Let's… BEGIN!" Sabal was releasing a frightening aura as the representative who spoke was impeding his progress.
"Y-Yes, Sabal!" The said person cowered back.
"First off, where is she?" Sabal demanded.
"Her lieutenant reported she had yet to leave her room since 'that day'. The elders in favor of her actions thus far have been busy trying to rebuild the forces we've lost but it was still a crippling blow, that it was. It would take years to bring us back to our former strength." A lieutenant reported.
"She's like this after failing once? Hmph! I guess that's all she could measure up to in the end. No matter, the Royal Army will still be unable to move from their location, not with their main distributor of arms switching sides that is." Sabal laughed so sinisterly it sent chills down everyone's' spines.
But as he just mentioned, the Royal Army was now without means of replenishing their weapons and ammo. So if they wanted to go on the offensive once more it was not impossible. How had that happened was a mystery to even the top level commanders.
"I say we hit them once more, an opportunity like this rarely comes. Quickly, while we still have strength to spare." A representative opened the debate.
"Are you insane?! In the state that we're in we won't have anyone left to defend Banapur!" Someone objected.
"Who needs to defend it if we're on the offensive and they the defensive!"
"I second that!"
"As do I!"
"Aye!"
Majority expressed their desire to continue fighting the Royal Army. Many of them were the younger representatives while it was the old guard who adopted the reserve approach to consolidate their forces.
Sabal raised his hand.
"I'd like to make a suggestion." And all eyes fell on him.
"We've always been two minds about things so I feel we should start by picking one approach and go with it all the way." Sabal folded his hands resting on the table.
An elder from the conservatives stood up. "And how do you suggest we do that?"
Sabal grinned. "By picking a leader, I mean…. an actual leader that will make calls and veto as and when it's necessary."
The representatives talked among themselves.
"So with that said, I'd like to represent myself to be the leading figure of the Golden Path." As Sabal said these words there were a lot of jeering and arguing among young and old.
"Does anyone want to stand against it?" Sabal asked after clearing his throat and looked around.
The same elder from before stood up again and was about to declare he would. (Bang)
The elder plopped forward onto the table in front of him as all sounds ceased. Sabal had shot and killed the elder.
"Does anyone 'else' want to stand against it?" He asked again. But this time no one made a sound, they dare not even check the dead elders body to see if he could be alright or saved at the last minute.
"Good! It seems you are all loyal followers of the Golden Path and its principles the great Mohan Ghale had set for us." Sabal smiled innocently.
"For my first plan of action. There are a few people I'd like to introduce to you my brothers and sisters. Two people as a matter a fact!" He said in a playful manner now.
Footsteps creaked the wooden floor as a man with blond dye hair and a stylish business suit entered the room combing his hair. Thirty years of age, a handsome looking man of Chinese descent walked to the opposite side of the table from Sabal.
"First up I'd like to introduce everyone to our new supplier of arms. Mr. Solomon Khoo. As dashing as he looks, he was a member of the Hong Kong triad families. Quite the superstar back there too, he ran the largest human smuggling operation in the 2000s until Interpol crackdown upon him, now he smuggles weapons instead of humans. In fact, most of you would have recognized his handy work for the past few years because he was the very supplier of arms to the Royal Army." Sabal said in his sinister grin.
All attention turned to Solomon, several even drew their weapons at him as well.
"What is the meaning of this, Sabal? You bring a rat into our ranks?!" An elder demanded furiously as Sabal instantly waved for him to sit before sending a threatening glare at him when he was too slow to back off.
"I'm sure you all have grievances with Solomon here as do I, but…. I am willing to look pass the past transgressions for the sake of the future of Kyrat and the Golden Path."
"…. And in doing so you will all receive the best in military hardware one can get on the international market, all sparkling brand new with a lifetime guarantee." Smiled Solomon in a British accent.
"And why would you, switch sides to join us? What benefit is there for a snake such as yourself, sir?" A gallant commander asked of him.
Solomon chuckled. "A righteous cause!"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"I kid you not. Ai-yah!(Sigh) I was as ignorant and blind to the true callings of Kyrat, luckily Sabal was there to set me straight! So now I stand with Sabal in the Golden Path ready to do righteous work!" His acting skills were appalling and hinted he was working for other ulterior means. After all, one does not simple give away their products for free.
Some men entered carrying crates, mercenaries to be exact. They placed the crate in front of Mr. Khoo and plied it open with a crowbar. Lo and behold, within the crates were stacks of assault rifles similar to the ones issued to the Royal Guard in the past. Solomon pulled out an AR-derivative rifle holding it up in front of the table.
"My first sign of friendship and goodwill to the Golden Path. Enjoy!" He placed the rifle on the central table for all to see.
The mercenaries were passing the guns out from the crate to issuing them like samples. The commanders inspected the weapons, their faces could not hide the pleasant surprise of these weapons' superior handling to their own.
"You said you'd introduce two people, who is the other, Sabal?"
"I'm glad you asked! Our next guess is a foreigner also, yes!- But an old friend of Mohan during the early revolutionary days, he supplied arms to the Golden Path under a mutual aid pact between Mohan and the American Central Intelligence Agency. And now, he's come to pay a visit."
Lighting his cigar in the dank corner of the room where no one had previously noticed his arrival, came a burly American in Police shades walking to the table.
"25 years and I still can't figure out if that smell is bad sanitation or just the abject loss of hope!"
