Chapter VI The Dark Forest
Asking a Mouse for Directions
"I'll go in and you follow." said Rikki to Avíá the next morning. "Can't we just go around it?" said Avíá. "Hmm." said Rikki. There were some mice nearby. "I think I'll ask some of those mice over there." He headed over to them. "What's on either side of the Dark Forest?" he asked. Most of the mice scampered upon seeing the mongoose. Rikki managed to pin one down. "Please! Please! Please! Please! Don't eat me!" he squeaked. "Avíá and I have already eaten." Rikki said. The mouse sighed in relief. "I have a few questions for you." said Rikki. "Why should I help a mongoose?" squeaked the mouse. "Because, I may just regain my appetite if you don't cooperate." said Rikki warningly. "What do you want to know?" asked the mouse. "What lies on either side of the Dark Forest?" said Rikki. "To the left side, more of the Wet Lands. There are many snakes there. I never go there. I can't tell you much about it. They've eaten some of my relatives." squeaked the mouse. "Ok," said Rikki to himself, "so we shouldn't go that way unless we'd like to fight Her Highness. Also, I believe she'll think we'd go that way. She'd never think we'd go into the Forest." "Into the Dark Forest? You're mad!" squeaked the mouse. "You'd have to be pretty desperate to go in there!" squeaked the mouse. "We are." said Rikki. "And on the right side?" "You'd have to go several miles to the northeast to go around it. It's pretty much uphill and wide open with no tress that way. Also, you'd reach the Land of the Lions a lot sooner than, or so I've heard from some birds, if you went across the Dark Forest directly." said the mouse. "Why do you ask?" said the mouse. "I'm Rikki-tikki-tavi." said Rikki. The mice smiled at him. "Are you now? Well, you should know that the King and Queen are headed this way." said the mouse. "Thank you. Yes, you'd best not be seen with me." he said, releasing the mouse, who, after thanking Rikki for all the help he'd given to the jungle, scampered off.
"What did our rodent friend have to say?" asked Avíá. "We can avoid it by going through a lot more of the Wet Lands. Nagasta probably expects us to go that way. If we go the other way, we'll have to go too far north and also reach the Land of the Lions too soon. And we'd be seen too easily if they looked that way. Nagasta will not expect us to go through the Forest." he said. "Also, Nagasta and Karistan are headed this way. We'd best go into the Forest right away."
Entering the Dark Forest
"I'll do it." said Avíá. "But please protect me." "With my life." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. The two headed into the Dark Forest. As soon as they stepped inside, mist sprang up, making the path behind them hard to see. "I don't like this Rikki!" said Avíá-tía-tárá. "Don't worry. I'm here." he said, trying to reassure her. They headed southwest for a while and then stopped, hearing something coming up behind them. "Who's there?" Rikki said. Three snakes came out toward them, not quite noticing them in the mist around them. Rikki killed the nearest and Avíá managed to kill the other two without having to put up much of a fight.
"That was close." said Rikki. "Yes, I think they sent them to guard here just in case we went this way." said Avíá.
Avíá's Family
"Well done Avíá! I knew you could do it!" said a voice somewhat to the left of them. "Arda?" said Avíá in shock. "I thought you said she was dead!" said Rikki, confused. "Oh me?" said Arda. "Yeah. I guess you could say I am." He couldn't have just heard that. Arda said that she was dead. Yet what was she doing here talking to them? "Very funny you two!" said Rikki. "Oh Arda!" said Avíá, running up and trying to hug her sister, but her paws only sank through her. Rikki rubbed his eyes, not believing what he had just seen. "Are you a ghost?" asked Rikki uneasily. "A dead mongoose?" "Yes, I guess you could call me a ghost, and I suppose you could call me dead, though I'm very much alive. My name is Arda." said Arda. "Who are you?" "I'm Rikki-tikki-tavi. I'm best friends with your sister, Avíá-tía-tárá." said Rikki. "Are you really?" said the ghost of Arda. "I didn't tell the cobras anything about you!" "You were really brave. I just wish I could have been there. Things could have turned out differently." said Rikki. "He's my boyfriend, Arda." said Avíá. Arda giggled. "Ahhhh, I'm your boyfriend now. Good. I think I'm better than Undelli." said Rikki. "Totally. Avíá, I told you that I didn't fully trust Undelli. However, Rikki-tikki-tavi is so cute! And he's your age." said Arda. "I knew Undelli too, or thought I did. I'm afraid it was I who killed him. He tried to kill me, and even tried to hurt Avíá. I think he only liked her for her looks. However, though she's gorgeous, I like her for being her. She's my first and only girlfriend. I've never really cared for girls, but Avíá seems to be a special type of girl that I've never seen the like of before, but that I want to be around." said Rikki. Avíá smiled. Rikki-tikki had said she was his girlfriend.
"There were at least fifty snakes there. You couldn't have done anything more than gotten yourself killed." said Arda's ghost, or whatever she was. "Arda, where are Mom and Dad and Avála?" said Avíá. "We're here. Who's your new boyfriend?" said the ghost of a mongoose that must be Avála. "Rikki-tikki-tavi!" said Avíá, grinning. "Is he really?" said Avála. Rikki nodded. "How'd you get so lucky?" said what must be Avíá's mother. "You could say we ran into each other." said Avíá. She and Rikki laughed. "So, what brings you two to the Dark Forest?" said what must be Avíá's father.
"They're after the Magical Herb of Kalindo." said a voice, which Rikki recognized. "Tacróc?" said Rikki. Tacróc nodded. "Kalindo. I've never heard of that one." said the ghost of Avíá's mother. "I think I have." said the ghost of Avála. "It's supposed to cure a mongoose from a cobra bite. But it's supposed to be over a thousand miles away."
"I was wondering," said Rikki, "can we see the ghost of anyone in here?" "No, just those you knew in life." said Arda. "Or at least anyone that one of you two knew in life." said Avála. "Why are so many afraid of the Forest?" said Rikki. "Well, seeing those who are dead frightens many. Also, sometimes it saddens them, seeing those they love but cannot touch or hold and it drives them mad." said Avíá's mother. "Can the ghosts actually hurt anyone?" said Avíá. "Those with wicked hearts can be harmed." said Avála. "So why are you risking your life to go to Kalindo?" said Avíá's mother.
"Well, I barely survived my last fight with the Queen. I'm going to need some help this time I think. Somebody has to kill Nagasta. She won't stop until someone stops her!" said Rikki.
Nag and Nagaina
"Even a magical herb can't save you, young fool!" hissed a cold and familiar voice. "No! Impossible! I only hear that voice in my nightmares!" said Rikki in horror. "Who is that?" said Avála. "Nagaina The Wicked! Nagasta's mother!" he said. A big green cobra came toward them, one Rikki had hoped to never see again. "Cute girl." said Nagaina. "Nagaina!" said Avíá, horrified. "So stupid to be working with Rikki-tikki! Look where that got your family!" she hissed. "You're dead! He told me he killed you!" said Avíá. A black cobra came at her, whom she just barely dodged in time. "Nag the Terrible! Nagasta's father!" said Rikki. Nagaina came at Avíá. Avíá tried to run but had been caught off guard. Rikki noticed in time and threw himself in the way. Her fangs penetrated him, but instead of cutting into him, they went right through him harmlessly. "How very touching! You have a girlfriend!" she hissed. "Rikki, I…." said Avíá, amazed at how Rikki, though he hadn't needed to as it had turned out, had risked his own death to save her. Rikki stared as Nagaina tried once more to bite him. "It's no use on a living mongoose. But I might be able to bite your friends here." she hissed. "You can't hurt us. We're safe from you evil ones!" said Arda.
"Maybe. Maybe." hissed the ghost of Nagaina. "But you were just dying[1] to meet my daughter's friends!" "Well, at least we don't have our death wounds, like you evil ones do!" said Avíá's father. Rikki looked and noticed that Nagaina's neck was broken. "I'll kill Nagasta just like I killed you!" said Rikki, his eyes turning red despite the fact that Nagaina was already dead. "My daughter is now Queen of the Garden, and Queen of the Jungle too!" said Nag. Rikki noticed a strange cut on Nag's hood. Avíá backed away in terror. "I see you have a girlfriend." said the ghost of Nag.
"So you've noticed." said Rikki coolly. Here I am talking to dead cobras. The Coppersmith was right. There are both good and bad ghosts in the Dark Forest. thought Rikki, still having a hard time believing what he was seeing. "Your human friends don't stand a chance." hissed Nag's ghost. "Anyway, she'll eventually find out what you did to us and you and your friends will all pay!" "Well, they have the gun, which worked on you." said Rikki coldly. "It wasn't what killed him." said Tacróc's ghost. "It was you." "Me?" said Rikki. "Yes. You've severed some of his vital arteries with your teeth when you bit him. He was already dead by the time the bullet hit him." said Tacróc. "But I thought the gun had killed him. I only said it was me because I wanted Nagaina to leave Teddy alone." said Rikki. "Anyway, if I had smashed that last egg, Avíá's family would still be alive and everything would be right." "That's right." said another voice. The ghost of Karait had come to taunt him. "If you were Rikki the Valiant, you'd have managed to kill Nagasta. Now, she's taken over the Jungle because you were careless" "Oh, he's right! What a fool I was!" moaned Rikki. "Is that really what you think?" said Tacróc.
If Rikki Had Destroyed Nagasta's Egg Immediately
"It's all my fault." said Rikki. "Come." said Tacróc. He led Rikki away from the others and toward a pool. It seemed to be made of liquid mist. "Come in and see what would have been had you smashed Nagasta's egg." said Tacróc's ghost. Rikki dived into the pool with Tacróc. It felt very icy and he let out a yelp as the water, if you could call it water, hit him. They sank into a fog and when it cleared, he was amazed to find himself back in the garden, though the surroundings seemed rather misty. "Where am I?" said Rikki. "You have traveled back to the day you fought Nagaina." said Tacróc. "Finally. I can see how much better off the garden would have been if I'd dealt with Nagasta properly!" said Rikki.
He noticed a younger version of himself smashing eggs. He had three left and smashed two of them. "Well, I should deal with this one. That'll wipe the smile off of Nagaina's face." he said, ignoring the calls of Darzee's wife. He opened Nagasta's egg and crushed her. His foe was dead! Now to finish off Nagaina! Why couldn't I have finished off the last egg? the real Rikki thought miserably. His younger self headed into the house. The real Rikki and Tacróc followed. "Your eggs are all gone." said his younger self. "I destroyed them all!" The real Rikki-tikki-tavi laughed at the look of horror on Nagaina's face. "No!" she hissed. Then he noticed a change in her. Fury. "Say goodbye to your friend!" she hissed, striking Teddy several times. Teddy stumbled and was bitten across the throat by Nagaina as his younger self watched in horror. Teddy's eyes rolled back into his head and he lay there, dead. "No!" screamed the real Rikki. "I'll kill you for that!" said his younger self, grief-stricken. He charged Nagaina, but, too overcome by grief, wasn't able to stop in time to avoid her strike and she bit him across the throat. He fell and Nagaina attacked the big man and his wife. "No. This can't be." his younger self said. "If only I'd kept that last egg, something to blackmail her with." "No!" gasped his younger self, before keeling over, dead. What?! thought the real Rikki. I'd have died if I had destroyed the egg! The scene flashed forward toward Nagaina, with her new mate, Karistan, in the garden. The two terrorized the garden, with no Rikki or humans to stop them.
If Rikki Had Tried to Destroy Nagasta's Egg after Fighting Nagaina
"Ok. But what if I had smashed the egg afterward? Would Teddy and I still have died?" said Rikki. The scene faded to Rikki, talking to Darzee's wife. "I'll go deal with that last egg." said his younger self. "I'm going to finish off the last of the cobras." He headed into the hole and the real Rikki and Tacróc followed. "Where's that egg? Oh dear!" said his younger self, noticing that the egg had hatched. He looked around, but before he could look far, he was suddenly stricken from behind and bitten several times in the throat. He cried out as the young Nagasta bit him. Darzee's wife came toward him to see what caused the commotion and was killed and eaten by Nagasta. "No!" screamed the real Rikki. Nagasta slithered away into the jungle. "I'm sorry, Darzee." gasped his younger self, before falling over, dead.
"I've seen enough." said the real Rikki. "It's obvious that what happened was for the best. I'd have died and so would have others had it been another way." "Yes. It does not do to dwell on the past, Rikki. You should be concerned with the present and the future." "Do you know what will happen in the future?" said Rikki. "I mean, now that you're dead." "I do. But I cannot tell you. It isn't for a mortal to know his or her lot in life ahead of time." said Tacróc. "Ok. Can you tell me…er…will Avíá really ever take a strong liking to me?" said Rikki. "If you mean marriage, I cannot tell you that. It is not right for a mortal to know what his future will be. But I can tell you that yes, she fancies you." said Tacróc.
If Rikki and Avíá Fail
"Can I know what will happen if Avíá and I fail?" said Rikki. "Yes." said Tacróc. The scene changed to a dreadful scene. Darzee and his wife were being forced to offer their children as an offering. Chuchundra lay, sobbing, next to the lifeless body of his cousin, Chua. The house lay falling apart, deserted of humans. The snakes feasted on frogs and little birds. Evil mongooses ran around the garden, grabbing unfortunate mice. "It's official." said Nagasta. "The last humans for at least 500 miles are dead. We will soon rule India! The humans have no chance against us!" "Indeed." said an evil mouse. "No humans makes everything better." said an evil[2] rabbit. "The humans will never stop our venom!" hissed Karistan. "Come my children! Let us finish off all who would stand in our way!"" At least two hundred children, the product of many years of ruling the garden and the jungle, followed him and Nagasta out of the garden to finish off the humans and other enemies of Nagasta.
"Ok. I know what I must do." said Rikki as he and Tacróc started rising out of the pool. He headed back to Avíá, who was alone at this point and was glad to see him. "So, where have you been?" she asked. "Long story. I've found that I'd have died had I attempted to destroy Nagasta's egg." said Rikki, shivering. "Good. Now you'll stop blaming yourself." said Avíá. "I asked Tacróc what would happen to us in the future, but he said, 'It is'…." said Rikki. "Not for a mortal to know his or her lot in life." said Avíá, finishing for him. "How….?" asked Rikki. "I asked my family those questions. They can't tell us. And maybe that's for the best." said Avíá.
Rikki-tikki and Avíá-tía started prowling the forest, looking for mice. They found some and, after their meal, decided to spend the night in a hollow, which was hidden by many exotic[3] plants. "Wow. I wish we had plants like these in the garden!" said Rikki, admiring them. "What's it like living with humans?" asked Avíá. "Wonderful. They feed your more than you'd normally be able to catch on your own. And they let me sleep on their bed." said Rikki. "Think they'd let me stay?" said Avíá. Either that or I go! thought Rikki. "I think after Nagasta and Karistan are dead, they'll do anything I want." said Rikki, smiling. "Actually, they'd probably do anything I want already."
Discussing the Killers of Avíá's Family
"Well, this has been quite a strange day, hasn't it?" said Avíá-tía-tárá. "I'll say." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. Rikki and Avíá sat there for a while, licking their fur clean[4] "Why do you continue to stay with me Avíá?" said Rikki. "What do you mean?" said Avíá. "You could have left me behind at any time. You're risking your life by continuing with me." said Rikki. "I'd be losing my honor if I didn't stay with you." said Avíá. "Also, it's possible I might meet one of the killer's of my family. I'm not an avenger like Nagasta, but if I come across the killers, I'm not backing down either." "Did you get a good look at any of them? I mean, would you know what one of them looked like if you saw them again?" asked Rikki. "Most certainly." she said. "I've already dealt with the one that killed Avála, but there are three others." She described several of the attackers, none of which Rikki could recall meeting, until she described the ringleader. "I know that one!" he cried out. "I now wish I'd killed her when she was a child, but I had decided to be merciful to her. I probably could have killed and eaten her." he said. "Who is it?" said Avíá. "Nagasta's daughter, Ragiva. Another of her favorites, and I expect her new favorite after Kinsta's little accident." said Rikki-tikki. "Well pity on Ragiva if I ever come across her." said Avíá-tía-tárá. She mentioned more of the attackers. Rikki only recalled two others, the two that had killed Amíra and Alánda. "Yes, I recognize two of them. The one that killed your mother is Kinsta's wife, who calls herself Shída The Terrifying. The one that killed your father is Nagasta's son, and, I suspect, new favorite after Ragiva, Buraai. He makes Kinsta look like a garden snake. I'm not sure I could take him. He's quite clever, like his mother I fear, too. He was one of the ten that didn't eat my booby-trapped mice, and, personally, I think he had enough reservations not to eat anything I offered him."
"I'm sure you could beat him. As to why I'm sticking with you, I want to help you as much as I can, and, well, I have nowhere else to go, now do I? I loved talking to my family, but the point is, they're dead. I won't be seeing them again for many, many years, unless our mission fails, after we leave the Dark Forest. I can't keep dwelling on the past. I've got to think of now and of the future." she said. "And what do you have planned for the future?" he said. "I'm not exactly sure. But I know you're part of it, though to what extent I still don't know." she said. So do you love me or not? Rikki thought. "Anyway, I'm tired. I'm going to bed." said Avíá. She and Rikki laid down, their heads on each other's shoulders. You can decide later if you want. I mean, after all, we have a long journey still ahead of us. And besides, she's the first girl I've ever really liked. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun anyway. I wish Tacróc could have told me more about her, if he couldn't tell me anything else. Rikki thought, as he and Avíá fell asleep.
The Missing Gun
"Where's the gun?" said Alice to the big man. "Don't know. This is the second one I've lost this week!" he said. "I really wish we had our mongoose with us!" said Teddy sadly. "He'll come back, if he hasn't gone bad like many of the others." said the big man. "What do you mean? He's a nice one. He's saved us from snakes many times. Why didn't he just kill me in my sleep if he was bad?" said Teddy. "You're right. We've got to hold out hope." said Alice. "Nice work." said a cobra to a bunch of crows. "The big man won't be blasting us like he did the father of our Queen!" "We found the mongooses on an island! We discovered them while throwing the gun into the water." cackled one the crows. "Should we kill them?" "No! The King and Queen have specially given orders that all of them and the birds and muskrats and the humans can only be killed when he is there to witness it. He must suffer for his crimes!" hissed another cobra. "Do you think Avíá-tía-tárá could be dangerous though?" said another cobra. "Of course I ruddy well do!" hissed the first cobra. "Even Her Highness admits it. Though I think she fears You-Know-Who[5] more." "Well, they were headed toward the Dark Forest. If they get out of there alive and with their sanity, then we'll have the lions waiting for them. The King and Queen have gone to see to it personally." hissed the second cobra. "I hope Rikki gets back soon!" whispered a frog to a tailorbird. "Me too." whispered the tailorbird.
Undelli
Avíá woke up, startling Rikki. She had heard Undelli's voice. "Rikki, it's Undelli!" she said. Undelli came in. Rikki noticed that there was a plant-shaped cut across his chest. "So, you've stolen my girl, Rikki!" said Undelli coolly. "Stolen indeed! Hmmmph! I left you when I found you had joined Nagasta! Anyway, you're dead. Once we're out of this forest, I'll never have to listen to you again!" said Avíá coldly. "Avíá, you're blowing the chance of a lifetime!" said Undelli. "What do you mean?" said Avíá. "In case you didn't notice, he's falling for you! He'd trust you with his life. If you were to slash his throat in his sleep, the Queen would forgive you. She'd reward you greatly." said Undelli. "I've killed tons of her snakes. She wants me dead." said Avíá. "She will forgive you if she knew his secret. He told you who really killed her parents didn't he?" said Undelli. "Maybe." said Avíá. "But I still lack a family. I have Nagasta to thank for that!" said Avíá, her eyes turning red from rage. "She'd help you find a new mate. A better one. You could have a new family. And you could maybe get rid of the Queen someday anyway. Then you could be Queen of the Jungle." said Undelli. "No! My family would never forgive me if I did such a horrible thing!" said Avíá. "They need never know. They're dead." said Undelli. "No, they're not! At least not to me! Also, I've met them here! And they approved of Rikki. I noticed that Mother didn't like me dating you, Undelli." said Avíá. "Anyway, he's willing to die for me. Unlike you were!"
"Rikki, we could always talk." said Undelli. "We could before you showed your true colors, Undelli." said Rikki, his eyes red with anger at Undelli's attempt to tempt Avíá. "Yes, you're powerful. Maybe you should be the King of the Jungle." said Undelli. "Yes, you could bring in the new mongoose order! You could deal with the humans!" "I don't want power. Why would I want to boss others around like Nagasta does?" said Rikki. "They owe you! And your friend Darzee and his wife were meant to serve you!" said Undelli. "They're my friends! Not my slaves! Go back to your other evil friends Undelli!" said Rikki. "Fine. But maybe you two will be joining us sooner than you think!" said Undelli, vanishing into thin air.
"Are you really falling for me?" said Avíá. "Yes. Kind of." said Rikki. "Funny. I'm kind of falling for you, too!" said Avíá. "Well, that's great to hear. Anyway, we've got another day in the forest ahead of us. And who knows what or who we'll meet next." said Rikki. He lay down and Avíá wrapped her paws around him in an embrace. "You truly are amazing!" she said. "I'm not so sure I'm amazing. But I can say that I'm lucky. Lucky to have found you." he said, hugging her as well. She smiled at him and the two were soon asleep once more.
Rikki's Family Discusses Him and Avíá
"I wonder where Rikki and his new girlfriend are now?" asked Rímíra. "To think he may have found a mate is really wonderful." "Rikki doesn't really like girls." said Ravánti. "Well, those birds we talked to said they saw the two kissing." said Rédarí. "Those birds were quite rude, if you ask me. I'm sure they didn't want anyone to see them." said Rikíla. "Kissing? Rikki knows he's not supposed to be…" said Rímíra. "Perhaps he really is in love." said Ravánti. "I think some of their crows have spotted us." said Rédarí. "Think we should leave?" said Rímíra. "No. We're safer here. Anyway, Darzee thinks she won't come for us until Rikki is back." said Rédarí. "I wish we could eat something other than bugs!" moaned Ravánti. "Rikki and Avíá are probably getting to eat lots of cobras!" "Well, they're being chased all over the jungle by Nagasta's minions." said Rikíla. "I just hope they're safe and happy, wherever they are."
Avíá Asks Her Family about Rikki-tikki-tavi
Avíá woke the next morning. Rikki was still sleeping. He had been snoring and had woken her[6]. It could be worse. At least he's not having any more nightmares. she thought. She headed outside to relieve herself and later spotted some mice. She grabbed several and ate some and brought the rest back to their hollow for Rikki. She noticed her father, Alánda, and her mother, Amíra, coming toward her. "How are you doing, dear?" said Alánda. "Never better." said Avíá. "How are you?" "We're happy here. A wonderful garden, plenty of flowers and rivers. Lots of birds too[7]." said Amíra. "Wish I could come with you." said Avíá longingly. "Oh, that would make Rikki very unhappy if you did, Avíá." said Alánda. "'What do you mean?" said Avíá. "He's made it clear that he'd come here first before he lets anything happen to you." said Amíra. "He's truly wonderful." said Avíá.
Sending Out the Crows
"No sign of them anywhere!" hissed Karistan to his wife. "We've searched the Wet Lands and found nothing." said a viper. "We've patrolled the other side of the Dark Forest. We haven't seen anything so far." said a mongoose. "Imbeciles!" hissed Nagasta angrily. "They must have gone into the forest! Now they'll probably get there to the Land of the Lions before I can[8]! But maybe the lions will finish them for us anyway. You crows, fly over the forest and head those two off. And also send word to the lions." "Fly over…the…Ddddddark Ffffforest?" said a crow. "Unless you'd like me to feed you to the lions!" Karistan hissed. The crows took off. "I'll give the mongoose or mongooses who find and kill our pesky friends on the other side of the forest, if they get that far, anything they want." said Nagasta. "We hear and obey." said Avíá's former friend, Alísa.[9].
Rikki, Avíá, and Avíá's Family
"So you think he's Mr. Right?" said Avíá to her brother Avála. "I think that's for you to decide." said Avála. "I've noticed how he leapt in the way to save you from Nagaina." "Avíá! Avíá! Oh no! Where are you?" Rikki called. He searched for her but couldn't find her. "They must have her!" he said in a panic. "Listen up! You've got her I see! Let her go and I'll come quietly.[10]" said Rikki. "No need, Rikki. I'm over here!" she called to him, totally taken aback that Rikki had just agreed to hand himself over to Snake Empire in order to free her. "That's a relief!" said Rikki. "You were actually going to give yourself up to them?" said Avíá. "Of course I was! If it would get them to let you go!" he said. "But they'd kill you!" she said. "I can live with that.[11]" he said. Avíá snickered. "You've got a funny boyfriend, Avíá!" said Arda. "He's just a boyfriend! Nothing else, Arda![12]" said Avíá-tía-tárá. "However, I love him far more than I did Undelli, when he was good, or at least seemed good." said Avíá. "I told you he wasn't to be trusted." said Amíra "You were right. He wasn't to be trusted." said Avíá. "However, I totally approve of your new boyfriend here. I can actually believe that he's Rikki-tikki-tavi. Good find Avíá!" said Amíra. "Yes, I'm Rikki-tikki-tavi." said Rikki-tikki. "Your oldest daughter is the bravest mongoose I've ever met. Her loss was quite painful. Many mongooses I've known, or thought I did, would've joined Snake Empire, too afraid to lose their own life by continuing to resist. Not Avíá. Many mongooses would have left me to be caught, not daring to possibly lose their own life and reputation[13] to save me from Dark Mongooses. But not Avíá-tía-tárá. She is true and loyal. She could have left me after she helped me escape, but she chose to go with me to Kalindo. She says I helped her with her pain of losing you. I tried my best, but she is very strong on her own. She helped me through my own feelings of helplessness. She's the companion I wasn't looking for but I'm glad I found." said Rikki-tikki-tavi.
Avíá blushed and turned bright red. "I'm just an ordinary mongoose. I'm nothing like you." she said to him. "Avíá, I already told you, I'm just an ordinary mongoose too. I have no special powers. Everything I am, you are too." he said. She turned even redder. "I could never have killed Karait, Nag, and Nagaina! I'd have died the first fight I had." she said. "I think you could have. There's far more to you than you know. And, even if you couldn't, I know your heart. I know that you'd have given it your all and died bravely rather than stood aside and let the innocent die." he said. "I could never have fought Nagasta." said Avíá, near tears at Rikki's praises of her. She had always admired him and the stories about him. Now, he was saying she was just as capable and just as worthy of praise. "I think, once you have gotten a bit older and in more snake fights, you could kill Nagasta. I really do. I have been a bit more at ease since I met you because I am confident that if I died on this mission, you can carry on for me, get the Magical Herb of Kalindo, and, with the herb, have just as much a chance as I would have had of getting rid of Nagasta and Karistan and ending Snake Empire yourself." he said. She threw her paws around him and cried, unable to take his praises of her any more. He patted her on the shoulder. "You should be proud to have such a daughter." said Rikki to her parents. "I'm proud to call her my friend." he said.
"You've inspired a lot of us to fight back against the cobra King and Queen!" said Arda to Rikki.. "Have I?" said Rikki-tikki-tavi. "Yes, you've brought hope to the jungle. Rabbits and mice, at least many of them, are fighting her, though it's often a losing battle, especially with quite a few mice and rabbits on her side. But you're our hero!" said Arda. "Well, we've got to get going if we want to get to Kalindo soon!" said Rikki, leaving with Avíá. Avíá's family waved goodbye to them and then vanished into thin air.
Darzee in the Garden
Darzee flew over the top of the garden, not wanting to attract attention. "So, how is it?" he whispered. "A bit better now that She's gone!" said a frog. "She's gone?! Hurray! Rikki has finished her at last! I knew he could do it!" said Darzee. He was always such a feather brain. "No, I mean gone as in left the garden, heading Southwest. We do have something to be glad about. Her Horribleness[14] has added a new name to the Forbidden List. Some mongoose named Avíá seems to be raising Cane[15] a lot lately." said the frog. "That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard that name before[16]?" said Darzee. "Many of the vipers scattered whenever they heard 'Avi-tia-taday!'" said the frog. "Of course, all the ones that did not scatter ran for their lives upon hearing 'Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!'!" said the frog. "Wait, she's with Rikki-tikki-tavi?!" said Darzee. "Oh wait, now I recall. The crows were talking about it. " "I'm sure they were." said a nearby toad. "What after the deaths of Arknác and Sicréc. So you're children are avenged!" "Arknác and Sicréc are dead?!" said Darzee. "Yes. They only found their bones, next to some bones of vipers. They were after the Coppersmith but seem to have met a bad end." said the toad. "Nagasta's turned on them, eh?" said Darzee, starting to laugh. "Since when have you heard of a cobra eating the meat but not the bones?" said the frog. "But then, what killed them?" said Darzee. "Well, the cries of 'Avi-Tia-Taday!' and 'Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!' nearby and then a later shout of 'Send Nagasta and Karistan our love!' were most telling!" laughed the toad. "I didn't know he could eat birds!" said Darzee, a little uneasy. "What is going on? Why are you awake?" hissed an angry cobra, coming out. "Plotting against our King and Queen, are you?" He spotted Darzee. "Well, welcome back Darzee. I think after you witness the deaths of your two friends here, you'll be a lot less rebellious!" he hissed. "Do your worst!" said the frog and the toad, charging at him. "I plan to." he hissed. They put up a good fight and managed to hit the cobra several times, but in the end, he managed to bite and eat both of them. "Come a little closer, Darzee!" he hissed. Darzee flew higher up, not wanting to let him kill him too. This was Buraai[17] one of Nagasta and Karistan's deadliest children. "I think I'll pass on that one, Buraai[18]!" said Darzee, pooping on the cobra's head and flying off.
"She Loves Me. She Loves Me Not."
Rikki walked alone in the hour before dusk. Avíá had gone off hunting mice. He approached several flowers. "I wonder if she loves me." he said out loud, picking up one of the flowers in his mouth. "She loves me." he said, plucking off a petal with his paws. "She loves me not." he said, plucking off another petal. He continued with this until the flower ran out of petals and he ended with "She loves me not." He then picked up another flower and continued[19]. He had ended with "She loves me." after finishing his fifteenth flower when Avíá came back with several dead mice. "What are you doing with all of those flowers?" she said, staring at all the petals next to him. "Nothing." he lied. "Great. I'm starving." he said, heading toward the mice. As he sank his teeth into the first mouse, Avíá said, "I do love you." she said. "Whabbbbbt?" he said, spitting out a mouthful of mouse meat. "I love you. I saw what you were doing with those flowers. You don't have to pretend. Silly men, they think we don't notice." she said. Rikki turned bright red. He moved up to leave. "I'm sorry I spied on you. I won't do it again." said Avíá. "Avíá, Avíá, Avíá, I'm not mad at you. Very hard for me to be. I'm going to get some mangoes for us. They'd go great with mice." he said. "I thought you didn't care that much for them." she said. "It's grown on me. I'm starting to like them. I figure, if you're so fond of them, they can't be that bad." he said.
Rikki in Love
That night, he and Avíá decided to sleep under the stars, hidden inside a flowerbed in case anyone or anything should try to find and attack them while they slept[20]. "I could get used to this." said Rikki, leaning forward and stretching. "Used to what?" said Avíá. "Used to traveling always with you." he said. "I should hope so, if we're heading all the way to Kalindo, which neither of us knows exactly where it is." she said. Rikki chuckled. "I meant, forever." he said. "What do you mean by 'forever'?" she said. "After our mission is done. Maybe not the traveling part, but still." he said. "What do you mean?" said Avíá. "Well" said Rikki, "Nag, Nagaina, Karait, Tivía, Karistan, Kinsta, Nagasta, Undelli, and others have tried to conquer me and failed. But you're….er….well…" he said, starting to sweat and feel very nervous. "You're…you're…er…." "I'm what?" said Avíá. "You're really conquering me." he said. "Am I?" she said, starting to smile. "We've been together about three weeks or so and you're already falling for me?" "Well, I no longer can work alone." he said. "I will always need a companion from now on. My days of solo work are forever gone." "Am I that companion?" she said. "It sure looks that way, though I cannot tell the future." he said, yawning. Mrs. Rikki-tikki-tavi. That will be a good one for my friends to hear. But wait….do I have any other friends? she thought, and started to cry. "Why are you crying?" said Rikki. "I just realized, I don't have many friends. Most of them hate me now and have joined Nagasta. Even Alísa-vída-canta, who once was my best friend, has joined the King and Queen." she said, crying. "Avíá. Avíá." said Rikki, patting her on the back with his forepaws, "They weren't really your friends. They couldn't be if they chose evil and you chose to do the right thing. And anyway, you still have me." he said. "True." said Avíá-tía-tárá, "But Ï don't seem to have any others." "The Coppersmith liked you. And I'm sure Teddy and the others will like you too." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. "You can stay with me in Teddy's bedroom." "What if he doesn't like me?" said Avíá-tía-tárá. "Then I'll bite him[21]." said Rikki. The two laughed.
"So what are we up against? I mean, I've never met Karistan and Nagasta, which I'm thinking is a good thing." she said. "Well, Karistan is worse than 20 Nags, and Nagasta, she's so deadly I can't even compare her that well to Nagaina. We're in for a rough fight, even with the Magical Herb of Kalindo." he said. "I should have told you that." "I already knew this wouldn't be easy, though thanks for the warning." she said. "If we die, then we'll be with my family. If we make it, then we'll have something to tell our grandchildren.[22]" "Yes." said Rikki. He then playfully poked Avíá. "What was that for?" she said, a bit annoyed. He giggled and then started to run off. "So that's how you're going to be." she said. She ran up to him and poked him back. She giggled. He poked at her and ran. The two ran, chasing after each other and poking each other playfully, giggling. Outside the forest, a man said "Mongooses in love by the sound of it." His wife said "They are such funny creatures."
Rikki and Avíá ran into a pool of water, knocking each other over and splashing each other. At one point, Rikki tripped and didn't get up. Avíá went over to him, concerned. "Rikki? Rikki, are you all right?" she said. He suddenly grabbed her and kissed her. She laughed and splashed him in the face and they resumed chasing each other for a while. When they were done, Rikki and Avíá headed back to the flowerbed, dripping wet and still giggling. "I sure enjoy being with you." she said. "I share the pleasure." he said. "So, how do you plan to get past these lions?" she said. "I thought that not all of them might hate humans and agree with Nagasta. We could try spying on them at night and seeing if there are any like that, and get their help. If that fails, then we can try to move at night, though they might look at night too, but I'm still thinking of ideas, mind you. Do you have any?" he said. "Well, we could try to go near the human villages that border this Land of the Lions. However, I suspect that Nagasta may attack those and we should try to warn the people. With the lions helping her, they could be in for a rough fight. Especially as I'm sure Nagasta will have the attack at night to minimize her losses due to guns." she said. "I agree." said Rikki.
Rikki and Avíá Tell Each Other Their Secrets
"Do you think we might come across Nagasta and Karistan if they're headed this way? Could we take them if we did?" said Avíá. "We could come across them. We'll have to be careful. We might be able to take Karistan together, but I think we'll need that herb to take Nagasta, even if we work together to kill her." said Rikki. "I have a question." he said. "Your name: Avíá-tía-tárá. What does it mean?" "My Beloved One." she said. How very appropriate! he thought. "What does your name mean?" she said. "Our Great Hope." he said. "Very fitting.[23]" she said. "I've been meaning to ask you something." "What?" he said. "What is your family like? I've told you about mine, and you've seen them too." she said. "Well, my Father is very brave. He urged my family to sneak past Nagasta on the night I found her identity. Very brave of him. Also, he saved me from the flood. And also he's not afraid, well, not too afraid, of Nagasta. He's probably more concerned about me than he is afraid of Nagasta. I've finally sent word to him by mice about Nagasta's true identity. He has beaten several cobras before, but says I have a skill that he has yet to get." said Rikki. "You're very unique. He could obviously see that." she said. "Avíá, you too have those skills. I can tell." he said. "Me? No. I'm just ordinary. Maybe a bit talented but nothing more." she said. "No, I can tell, you really are." he said. "Anyway, my Mother also has her fair share of cobra fights. She's really worried about me. I hope she didn't faint when she found out that it was I who killed Nagasta's family. She's very tenderhearted. My brother Ravantí is a real joker. My parents had him and Rikíla when they thought they'd lost me to the flood. He hasn't fought any cobra yet, but I think he could. Rikíla is very sweet. It was she who told me about the Magical Herb of Kalindo. I think she could fight a cobra too." he said. "I shall love to meet them all!" said Avíá.
"You know" said Rikki, "I once pinched Rikíla and let Ravánti get in trouble for it. I feel really bad about it now. I hope I can see them again. It would be simply awful to find that they'd died like your family did." "I've played similar tricks on my brother and sister. You mustn't judge yourself too harshly, Rikki." she said. He talked more to Avíá, telling her things he had told nobody else before. He found it strange that he was divulging all of his secrets to a female that he'd known for less than a month, yet he felt that he'd always known her. "Avíá" he finally said. "Yes Rikki-tikki." she said. "You know that I've never told anyone a lot of that stuff before." he said. "Not even your family or your best friends?" she said, incredulous as a child that had been told that he was to have sweets for every meal of every day of his life that her hero would tell her things he'd told nobody else. She felt very comfortable around him, an excellent replacement for her dead family. Yes he'd make a good husband I think. she thought. I wonder if he'll be good with kids though. However, he's very protective and I'm sure he'd protect the children, and, me of course. If he even wants to marry me that is. I'm not sure he's The One for me yet though. thought Avíá-tía.
"Rikki, I'm afraid of heights." she said. "I've never told anyone before. Once my sister Arda and I went up a tree, chasing a parrot, hoping to bring the bird to our family, to brag about, and also to eat[i]. I got nervous about twenty feet up. I had almost slipped and might have fallen to my death, had not Arda saved me. She was my best friend. I was rescued, though the parrot got away. However, I've been afraid to go up high ever since." she said. "Especially now that it reminds me of how Arda saved me but that I couldn't save her." she said, shedding a tear. "Yes, that can bring back memories, and no mongoose should have to go through what you did. Though you must conquer your fear. For your sister, and, for me. I won't make you. A mongoose ought not to be afraid of anything." he said. Avíá-tía-tárá felt ashamed of herself. "However, even I get afraid too." he said.
"What frightens you?" asked Avíá, very curious as to what could frighten The Great Rikki-tikki-tavi. "I met Nagasta for one. You can't meet her and not be afraid. Also, I'm afraid of losing my family and friends, and especially….especially…" he said, a lump forming in his throat from nervousness. Compose yourself Rikki. She doesn't need to know that you're head over heels in love with her!he thought. "You." he said. "Me?" she said, amused that she was one of the things her hero and new boyfriend feared to lose. "I think you're very romantic!" she said. He grinned.
Crow Attack
"Well, goodnight." he said. The two rested their heads on each other's shoulders and fell asleep. The next morning the two got up. Rikki and Avíá stretched and yawned. Rikki headed off for a while and came back with several dead mice. "Ok. What's the plan for today?" said Rikki, munching on a dead mouse and giving the rest to Avíá[24]. "Well, if we go all day and night, we might be able to get there before any of Nagasta's minions do." said Avíá. They headed off but soon stopped, hearing wings flapping. "Sounds like wings. Think it's another ghost?" said Rikki. Nagasta's crows came upon them. "Finally, we have you two!" cackled one of the crows. "Bring it on!" said Avíá. Several crows grabbed her and tried to fly off with her. However, Rikki attacked them and she was freed. Several tried to fly off with him next, but were stopped by Avíá. "We're outnumbered!" said Rikki. "Yeah, that's right, you can't win!" said one of the crows. "You're little game is over!" said another crow. Rikki and Avíá stared behind the crows, noticing Avíá's family coming toward them. The crows mistook their bewilderment for fear. "Not so tough, now are you?" said one. The crows were about to grab Rikki and Avíá when they were suddenly attacked by Avála, Arda, and Avíá's parents from behind and eaten[25] Rikki and Avíá attacked several more in the confusion. The crows were all killed before they could try to escape. "Thanks guys." said Avíá, eating a crow. "No problem." said the ghost of her brother, devouring a crow. "Well, farewell." said Avíá. "Those crows have too much fat on them." "Avíá." said her sister. "Yes, Arda." said Avíá. "I trust that you now are glad that you're alive. You don't wish you were dead anymore, do you?" said Arda. "Of course not. I'm obviously here for a reason." said Avíá. She and Rikki headed off and didn't stop much all day. They rested for two hours and then headed off into the night. "It seems like we're being watched." said Avíá, noticing all the eyes of nocturnal animals staring at them in the darkness. "We probably are. But you're safe with me." he said. "Who's there?" said Rikki. "Just us owls." said an owl. "Are you with the Cobra Queen?" said Avíá. "We don't like her methods, though we try not to take a side if we can help it. However, she is so bad that we have decided to oppose her so we're on your side." hooted an owl. "The cobras are on the move. If you hurry you will be able to beat them to the Land of the Lions." said another owl. Rikki and Avíá continued on for the rest of the night.
The Coppersmith Returns
The Coppersmith reached Darzee and the others an hour before dawn. "So, you're safe." said Darzee, relieved. "Your wife and kids stopped by earlier today. They were worried about you. So is it true about Arknác and Sicréc?" "It is." said the Coppersmith. "Good riddance!" said Darzee's wife. "Did Rikki go into the Dark Forest?" asked Ravánti. "Yes, he and his girlfriend did. I couldn't talk them out of it." said the Coppersmith. "So he does have a girlfriend!" so Ravánti, grinning. "Don't you dare bother him about it!" said Rikíla. "I just hope he thinks of a proper proposal." said Ravánti. "Goodness, Ravánti." said Rédarí. "Don't you think that's a bit soon? He can't have met her more than three weeks ago! It took me months before I dared to propose to your mother!" "And another two months before I finally accepted it." said Rímíra. "I'd like to meet her family all the same." said Rédarí. "That's quite impossible." said the Coppersmith. "Why?" said Rímíra. "They've all been killed in a cobra attack. She was the only survivor." said the Coppersmith. "That's terrible!" said Chua. "The poor dear. She must be quite lonely." said Rímíra. "She does have Rikki." said Rikíla.
Darzee Plans a Revolt
"I'm going to start a revolt against the Queen. She and the King are gone at the moment and I've seen enough, especially with what they're doing to children." said Darzee. "What are they doing?" asked Rédarí. "What do you expect?" said Darzee. "Teaching them that the King and Queen are so perfect, that humans are evil and have been trying to destroy us creatures for thousands of years and that we're finally getting our revenge. That Rikki-tikki and his friend Avíá are bigots and trying to divide us and don't want us to have rights. I've even heard that they were trying to start something where parents could feed unwanted children to the snakes as a means of freeing themselves from the unwanted burden of having to care for them. I had had enough after overhearing that, and came in and objected right in the middle of their little brainwashing session, decrying that as nothing short of murder and telling all parents not to cave into this and to be parents, only to be called a bigot and a hater by the establishment, of course. However, I think I got enough outcries that they canned that idea, at least for now." said Darzee. "Be careful." said Rímíra. "Most of the crows are on Her side." said the Coppersmith. "I'll go at night then." said Darzee.
Ramadú-alva-tandi
By dawn Rikki and Avíá had come to within a few miles of the other side of the Dark Forest. "Farwell." said Arda to them. "Until we meet again." "When exactly will that be?" asked Rikki uneasily. "We cannot say, but we think you'll be surprised." said Avíá's father. The mongoose family vanished. The two ran along beside each other and jumped into a small stream. "That was refreshing." said Rikki, shaking off the water upon crossing the stream. "However, I'm still exhausted. It won't do to be in the Land of the Lions likes this. Nagasta will make short work of us." "Agreed." said Avíá, shaking off as well. "Let's rest here for a bit." said Rikki, yawning and barely awake. "Good idea." said Avíá. She and Rikki laid down and she rested her head on his shoulders and fell asleep. She's not so bad. I am getting rather fond of her. But what to propose to her with if I we ever get that far in our relationship. Hmmmm….there's always Nagasta. Yes, that will make an excellent engagement present! How many girls can brag that they got the Cobra Queen as an engagement present? he thought. He was about to fall asleep when he noticed a mongoose who looked slightly familiar coming toward him. "Great, Great, Great-Grandpa Ramadú[ii]?" he said. "But you died when I was only a month old." "Yes. It is I, Ramadú-alva-tandi." he said. "So what brings you here?" asked Rikki. "I'd like to see my great-great-great grandson. I'm very proud of you. I noticed you have a girlfriend." said Ramadú. "Avíá-tía-tárá." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. "Quite the lovely young lady. And you are pretty lucky." said Ramadú-alva-tandi. "What do you mean?" Rikki-tikki said. "It was at least four months before I got my first kiss from Ríta-dali-thía. And at least six before she laid her head on my shoulders like that." said Ramadú. "I see you are trying to go for the Cobra King and Queen." "Yes." said Rikki. "Well, here's some advice. If they charge at you, quickly jump up and bite them in the middle of the back. That's a surefire way to put an end to them." said Ramadú. "Goodbye Rikki-tikki-tavi." he said. He left. Once out of sight, he muttered "Rikki has found love. This is wonderful! Oh how I wish I could tell him!" Rikki meanwhile had fallen asleep, totally exhausted.
Avíá-tía-tárá Fights Alísa-vída-canta
If Avíá hadn't heard the sound, they'd have both been dead. As it was, she yelled just in time: "Rikki, watch out!" Alísa-vída-canta came charging at them. "Hello Avíá." she said. "Go away Alísa!" said Avíá. "I see you have a new boyfriend." said Alísa coolly.[26] "Isn't he lovely?" said Avíá. "So, you're just going to be a fool like your parents! It's thanks to Rikki here that they're dead!" said Alísa. "No, it's those like you who killed them!" said Avíá. "So, you'd choose that fool and death over reason, happiness, and power?" said Alísa. "It's you who's the fool, Alísa-vída-canta! And, for your information, I'm far happier with Rikki than with your wicked lot[27]! And I've noticed how scared you are of us. Some power, huh?" said Avíá. "Well, I've come to take down your man!" said Alísa. "Please Alísa. I don't want to fight you![28]" said Rikki. "I wouldn't want to fight me neither! You're no match for me!" said Alísa.
"You want to kill him? You'll have to kill me first[29]!" said Avíá-tía-tárá, blocking her way to Rikki-tikki-tavi. "I had hoped you'd see reason. Very well, on your own head be it[30]! said Alísa. Avíá and Alísa charged at each other, their eyes both red. Alísa and Avíá collided and struck each other. Avíá recoiled, bleeding. "What's a matter? Need your boyfriend to help you win a fight?" taunted Alísa. "No! I can fight my own battles." said Avíá. "What will Rikki do when you're dead, Avíá[31]?" said Alísa. "The only thing that's for certain is that this shall end when one of us is dead!" said Avíá, managing to bite Alísa. "You get away from her!" said Rikki to Alísa, his eyes turning red. "Are you afraid I might kill your girlfriend?" taunted Alísa.
Avíá and Alísa continued to fight. Neither appeared to be winning and both were soon bleeding quite a bit. Alísa managed to dodge a blow of Avíá's and suddenly struck Avíá, knocking her to the ground and pinning her. "I'm glad I'm the one who gets to put an end to you!" said Alísa, raising her paws to strike Avíá across the throat. "No!" Rikki yelled, rushing forward toward Alísa. Avíá managed to move one of her paws free and slapped as hard as she can into Alísa's throat, breaking her windpipe and killing her within seconds. "No! You cannot beat me!" Alísa gasped before dying. "I beg to differ!" said Avíá, starting to lick her wounds.
More Ghosts
"Are you all right?" Rikki asked her. "Yes, I'm fine. Alísa will never be bothering anyone again!" said Avíá. Once the bleeding had stopped, Rikki and Avíá headed the rest of the way through the Dark Forest. On the very edge, they were met by Undelli, Alísa, who had a broken windpipe, and Karkróc, who had fang mark[32] across his throat. "Well well, look here, if it isn't the dream team!" said Undelli. "Go away!" said Avíá. "I have some lovely news for you!" taunted Alísa. "I don't need to hear it, thanks. I've left you back there for the red ants to eat, never to bother me again." said Avíá coldly. "Glad you met a bad end, Karkróc." said Rikki. "Told you not to mess with cobras." "Her Highness was upset about Kinsta." said Karkróc. "Anyway" said Alísa, "the first human village has been destroyed!" "What?!" said Rikki and Avíá together. "Oh yes, the lions were a lot of help!" said Undelli. Rikki and Avíá exited the Dark Forest and came upon a high cliff, overlooking a plain and also a human village, strangely silent, located to the left of the plain. "Have fun." said Karkróc, unable to move any further.[33]
[1] Even after death, Nagaina is still very wicked.
[2] It seems without Rikki, many creatures have decided to go bad rather than resist. How sad! LLLLLLL
[3] somebody or something unusual and striking: a person or thing that is foreign and unusual, especially a plant or animal
[4] Yeah, Rikki did go in that pool, but he's been walking around in the forest with Avíá, looking for food and got a tiny bit dirty.
[5] Rikki. Also, maybe they're afraid to say the name, as though they fear he might come up behind them and kill them.
[6] Upon interviewing Rikki, he claimed that Avíá snores too. JJJ
[7] They're talking about where they go when they die. Birds go there too apparently. Where the "evil ones" go, I haven't decided yet.
[8] Nagasta and Karistan have come all day and night for a couple of days to make a pace faster than Avíá and Rikki. They're reached the edge of the Wet Lands already. . However, even the adrenaline of their evil is starting to wear off and they need to rest.
[9] She's renounced Avíá because Avíá is an enemy of Nagasta and she choose to go bad and Avíá didn't. Now the two will be enemies. Maybe Avíá will finish her like Rikki did Undelli.
[10] He's willing to let the cobras take him if they let Avíá go. Fortunately, they don't have her.
[11] He was being somewhat ironic there. JLK
[12] You say that now! JJJJ
[13] Reputation is what others think of you. Character is who you are. Can't recall who said that.
[14] New title for Nagasta by those that hate her.
[15] Causing lots of trouble.
[16] Darzee can really be an airhead at times.
[17] Name is Romanized Urdu for "Evil".
[18] Buraai will be having a nice long chat with Avíá someday in the future. JJJJJ
[19] He wants to ensure that he ends on "She loves me." even if he has to pick all the flowers in the Dark Forest to do it! JJJJJJJJ
[20] Not that that would be that much of a protection with their snoring. JJJJJ Not that they snore that loudly. Mongooses are light sleepers, though they can sleep through a good deal of noise if totally exhausted or very, very tired.
[21] He was joking…..I hope.
[22] She and Rikki have a positive view on life. However, Rikki may well want to die if Avíá dies. Whether Rikki and Avíá will actually have grandchildren, especially grandchildren in common, remains to be seen.
[23] Appropriate.
[24] He's already eaten quite a few already.
[25] Apparently the ghosts can hurt bad guys. JJJJ
[26] without friendliness or enthusiasm
[27] A group of mongooses or things of a particular kind. In this case the Dark mongooses.
[28] Rikki doesn't want to fight girls (er, girl mongooses, he doesn't mind fighting Nagaina, Nagasta, or Tivía.)
[29] Yes, Avíá-tía-tárá is willing to die for Rikki now too! JJJJ
[30] It's your choice then.
[31] As they grow closer, more and more it is that the answer to that will be "He'll lose the will to live."
[33] The ghosts, both good and bad, can only stay inside the confines of the Dark Forest while in the mortal world.
[i] I've found a picture of a mongoose carrying a parrot that it fought off other mongooses to keep and he later presumably ate the parrot.
[ii] No, you are not imagining it, everyone in Rikki's family, at least on his father's side, and his mother and brother and sister as well, all have their names begin with the letter R. In Avíá's family, everyone on her mother's side, as well as her father and brother and sister, all have their names begin with the letter A. A combined family between Rikki and Avíá, if one were to ever exist, would have children and grandchildren with that have names that start with either A or R.