Yashvanth was sitting sadly on a tree, drinking a can of beer.
"Don't be so disheartened Yash, you'll find someone someday!" Devrath said.
"I have given up hope Bhratashree" Yashvanth said, taking sips from his can. "This is like, the 7th Swayambar I lost" He punched on a tree.
"Maybe she just was'nt right for you!"
"You know I'd actually won the contest in Prince Aryavan's Swayambar! And he clearly liked me too. But no. 'I want my son to marry a Princess and not another Prince' Meanwhile the prince would have made him happier than any other Princess" Yashvanth said.
"We can't exactly change their mindset" Devrath said.
"You know who could've won today's Swayambar? You, Bhrata Dev! It was archery anyways that's your expertise" Yashvanth said.
"Yash, you know I'm not keen on marrying anyone else"
"But Bhratashree, He probably doesn't even know you anymore!"
"I don't care" Devrath sighed. "It's him or none" He said.
"With you being almost celibace and my rotten luck, we might end Lord Garud's decendants" Yashvanth said.
"Don't say that, we're just in our early 20s, we still have time" Devrath said. "Anyways let's race till our house."
"Really? You always end up losing" Yashvanth said.
"We can still try"
"Challenge accepted!"
With that both got to the starting point.
"Three-two-one!" with that they both sped off towards the end of the lake.
"I'M GONNA WIN, LIKE ALWAYS!"
"NAAH, SEE I WIN THIS TIME!"
"BHRATA DEV YOU ALWAYS SAY THAT, BUT YOU NEVER WIN!!!"
Yashvanth was sure that he would win, like usual, as he was way forward compared to Devrath. But then his sharp, eagle-like eyes caught someone near a large tree.
****
"ONE-TWO. ONE-TWO.ONE-TWO. ONE-TWO" The new recurits were having their training on the outskirts of the forest.
"Ya'll can rest here for some time" Their instructor, Inspector Deepraj said.
"YES SIR" The young boys said. And sat down to rest.
"So tiring" Armaan was taking deep breaths.
"Honestly, do they want to kill us?" Karma said.
"You do know that once we complete our trainig, we might have to go for missions that require us to walk through glass, run as fast as the wind, eat snakes for survival?"
"Keshav, This is Gangtok! We hardly have a few stealing cases in a month here in the hills. I don't think we'll have to eat snakes anytime soon" Karma said.
"Never hurts to be prepared" Keshav said, brushing his hands against his silky, black hair. A locket flashed on his neck, it was a golden leaf skeleton with his name embedded in it. - केशव
"And well I don't think we'll get to explore this forest so well outside the training"
"BTW, did you guys know this forest is said to be magical?" Karma said.
Armaan scoffed. "People just believe in everything" He said.
"BREAK IS OVER NOW BACK TO TRAINING!" Inspector Deepraj commanded.
"YES SIR!" The boys got back to their training.
Keshav was climbing up a tree when his locket got stuck in a tree and snapped from his neck and feel in another tree nearby. "Shit, my necklace!" He hastily got down tree. He could'nt afford losing that gold necklace.
While the other trainees started marching again, Keshav slipped off to get his necklace. But as fate would have it, a monkey got to it faster and took it. Keshav's instincts got better of him as he started chasing the monkey.
Keshav ran deeper inside the forest chasing the monkey. A good while later, the monkey finally dropped it. Keshav hastily picked up the necklace.
"Thank God!" He wore it back. He looked around. "Oh Shit!"
He had dwelled too deep inside. Now he was lost. He was looking around when he heard some strage noise. He turned to see a GIANT spider.
"Don't panic Keshav, you're a police officer" He told himself. He looked around for some thing. A large branch had fallen nearby. He could use that as a self defense.
KT KT KT KT The spider came near him. Keshav gave him a hit with the branch. However the spider only got aggitated at him and ended up biting him.
"You Bitch!" Keshav got more angry and fought with it. Luckily he was able to beat it.
That was when he came across this another creature near the lake. It looked like a monkey with it had fish scales, and had a hollow head filled with water.What was the Japanese Mythical demon kappa doing in Gangtok?
It started chasing him. He tried attacking it just pulled the branch from hishand and scratched him, making a deep cut down his stomach. He started running away from it only to trip and fall down hard. He clearly sprained his ankle. The Kappa was coming closer and closer. Keshav closed hiseyes and prepared for impact.
He never felt the impact, but suddenly felt a gust of wind and heard flapping
of wings. He was being carried in someone's arms and being lifted from the ground.
He opened his eyes and found himself staring at a pair of eternal Hetrochrome eyes. His rescuer had and had large wings. Instead of nose and mouth he had long break, like an eagle's. Was Karma right about magical beasts of the forest? The boy looked at him locked eyes for a second. Keshav could'nt help but blush.
"Boy hold me tight, you could fall!" The eagle said.
"Oh...o.....k...." he gripped on the his neck tightly.
"Bhrata Devrath wait up!" The boy shouted.
"What Yash I was winning for the first time!" Another creature flew towards them, he also had the same Hetrochrome eyes, beak, and wings, and was a tad bit shorter. "Wait what's that?" The Devrath guy said looking at Keshav.
"He... Looks like human, I don't know how he ended in the forest but he looks injured"
"Let's take him to our house, then."
They took him to a large tree. It had really huge trunk. There were windows and a door on the trunk.
The two creatures flew down near the door of the tree. Devrath opened the tree and entered, followed by Yash. His beak disappeared and now Keshav could finally see handsome face. He looked like someone straight out of a Bollywood.
Inside was one big, kinda circular room. It had a fireplace in one spot near the circular wall, along with firewood and large utensils. On the other end were two large nests, the size of a bed with pillows and everything. There were lots of oil lamps, no lights. There was an old pendulum clock on the walls. Then near the center was a large mat.
There was also an altar, that had a large Idol of Garuda, the wahan of Lord Vishnu. There were idols of many other Gods. A diya sat in the center with a dhoop beside it.
Yash placed Keshav on one of the nests. Keshav was expecting to get poked by the twigs, but inside it had cotton padding to make the it soft, like a bed.
Yash touched the wounds to heal them. He ran his hand slowly where the Kappa had scratched Keshav and it started healing. Not even scars left. His hand felt so nice and warm.
Devrath came to them with a bottle of beer in his hand.
Keshav was feeling dizzy with a mild hadache.
"How's he?" Devrath asked.
"I healed his bruises but he has a broken..." Yashvanth replied. "...What happened?" he suddenly asked noticing Keshav's Discomfort. He then noticed the bite on his shoulder.
"DON'T TELL ME YOU WERE BITTEN BY AN ACROMANTUALA!!" He sounded concerned.
Keshav looked at him confused. He had never heard that name before.
"Did you come across, like a large spider?"Yash asked and he nodded.
That must be the Acromantuala
"Shitttt! Bhratashree prepare a remedy he was bitten by an Acromantuala! Also he has a broken bone!" He told Devrath frantically who rushed to the fireplace.
"You calm down, Bhratashree is getting a remedy" Yashvanth said. Keshav was finding it hard to keep his eyes off him.
"What ya looking at?" Yashvanth chuckled. Keshav blushed.
After some time Devrath came back to the room carrying a teapot and a small bowl. He put some tea on the bowl.
"Here have this" he handed him the tea. Keshav tried grabbing it but couldn't cause he was feeling weak.
"Let me help" Yashvanth took the bowl. He placed his wing behind him for keeping his head upright. He put the bowl in front of his mouth and tilted it.
The tea was kinda bitter with a dash of sweet honey. Keshav started feeling better.
"It'll help you heal, though you will have to stay here for a few weeks till your ankle gets healed and the effect of the poison wear out." Yashvanth said.
"And BTW I'm Yashvanth, and this is my brother Devrath" Yashvanth said.
"I'm Keshav" I said.
"Keshav! That's a cute name!" Yashvanth said.
"Thank you... Yash" Keshav finished the tea.
"Call me Yashvanth" Yashvanth took the bowl from his hand.
"What is this?" Keshav asked.
"Oooh it's the draught of healing" Devrath said.
"It contains purple orchid flowers" Yashvanth said.
"And the roots of the Brikha Vriksh, the biggest tree in this forest which is also the forest's guardian."
"Leaves of tulsi, Indian medicinal plant."
"A Dragon's blood"
"Powdered bones of a rhino's femur, to make your bones stronger and heal faster"
"And lastly, crushed black widow spiders, it's an antidote to Acromantuala venom"
Keshav almost puked. Yashvanth must have noticed that.
"Don't spit it out!" Yashvanth said. "It's medicine"
"You guys have spiders in your food???" Keshav couldn't process that he just drank something that contained spiders.
"Black Widow Spiders are the only known cure to Acromantuala venom, so..." Yashvanth said. "Iron beats iron"
Keshav vowed to never drink that wierd tea again.
Yashvanth then touched his ankle. He did some movements with his hands and conjured bandages and cotton.
He then moved his hand directing the items to wrap itself around his ankle.
"That ought to do it!" Yashvanth said, heading to the cold closet and grabbing a bottle of homemade wine. "Anyways, do you wanna drink?" He asked.
"Yash, he's not well right now. You can't offer him a drink!" Devrath said as he summoned the bottle from his hand and drank it.
"Devrath bitch get your own bottle! That was mine!" Yashvanth said.
"Yours? I don't see your name written on it!"
Yashvanth took the bottle back from Devrath and gripped it tight and drank it. "Get your own Drink" He said.
Devrath rolled his yes "You need to go get woods for the fire btw, and gather some vegetables" He said. "I'll go to the jungle and hunt something"
"Wait, if we both go, who'll take care of Keshav ?" Yashvanth asked.
"Umm... Yashvanth? We won't take that long." Devrath said. "And besides we can build a wall around the tree"
"Excuse me, I'm a police officer" Keshav said. "My job is to protect, not be protected"
"A human police officer" Yashvanth said as he leaned really close to Keshav's face. "This forest, is not for humans" he said as he waved his hand to build a magical bubble around the tree.
He grabbed an axe and went out to get firewood and vegetables. Devrath flew out of the house for hunting.
Keshav was feeling dizzy and closed his eyes. He slowly fell into a slumber.
Yashvanth came back getting firewoods and vegetable to see Keshav sleeping in the cutest manner.
He snapped his finger to wash and cut the vegetables. He made his way towards Keshav, who was sleeping peacefully. He moved his hand through his hair.
"You have such beautiful hair" He mumbled. "You really live up to your name" his eyes went to the golden leaf locket he was wearing. "That's a beautiful locket"
"Liked it?"
Yashvanth got started.
"Aren't you asleep?"
"I was but I woke up when you started playing with my hair"
Yashvanth immediately withdrew his hand. "Sorry" he said.
He then went to light the fire with the help of some Flintstones.
Ever since that fateful day, he'd lost his powers. He'd never tried using it again.
Devrath arrive holding a live chicken. "I found chicken" he said. He placed the Chicken on the board. He then drew out his talons and tore the chicken's neck with his bare hands.
"Are you just gonna drink your beer or help me clean this chicken!" He told Yashvanth.
"You didn't help me with the vegetables" Yashvanth said.
"Oooh help you do something you can with a snap of a finger?"
"Ok ok Bhratashree I'm coming " Yashvanth went and helped him pluck the feathers and clean it.
After the chicken was done they put everything in a pot along with the aromatic flowers (they give the aroma) and boiled them.
"What are you guys making?" Keshav asked, raising his torso.
"We are making chicken stew?"
Keshav then took out a cell phone, and started holding it up.
"What are you doing?" Yashvanth asked
"I'm looking for network" he said
"Network?" Devrath chuckled "There is no network in the forest!"
"Yeah, no network or electricity" Yashvanth added.
"Oh crap" Keshav put his cellphone back. "What are you guys, a fairy?"
"You can say that" Devrath said. "And we are the Prince of Birds, since we are direct decendants of Lord Garuda"
Keshav now realised why there was a large Garuda idol on the Altar.
"Dinner's ready btw" Devrath said. He summoned three copper plates to the middle of the mat, he then put rice and the contents of the pot on the plates. And some copper glass with water.
"Can you stand?" Yashvanth asked Keshav .
He tried standing up but his injured ankle did't let him. "Owwwwe" he screeched and sat back down.
"Never Mind" Yashvanth carried him the same way he had earlier and put him on the mat. I sat down beside him to eat.
Once they were done, Yashvanth teleported all the dishes to the sink and they started washing themselves.
"Wanna go for a flight?" He then asked Keshav.
"Yeah me and Yashvanth love going for late night flights" Devrath said.
"How?"
Without any words, Yashvanth lifted Keshav on his back.
"Hold me tight, okay?" He said. He went out and Devrath was there too. They started flying.
"WE ARE HERE!!" Yashvanth shouted
"THE PRINCES OF THE BIRDS!" Devrath shouted.
The birds around the sky gave way for their Prince.
"WOWWOWOWOWOW" Keshav seemed to be enjoying himself.
"LIKE IT?"
"LOVE IT!"
"WANNA SEE SOMETHING" Keshav said. They were above the lake.
Yashvanth dived down, close enough for him and Keshav far enough to not get wet.
Keshav scooped up some water and splashed it in Yashvanth's face, who returned the favour. Then Devrath scooped the water with both his hands and splashed it on them both. Then Yashvanth scooped water and splashed Devrath.
They kept playing for quite a long time untill it was midnight.
"Let's go back home now." Devrath said. "Race, Yash? We couldn't complete today"
"Sure!" Yashvanth said "Three-two-one!"
They spend off.
"Common Yashvanth! You can do it!" Keshav cheered him "Let's go!" Yash said and started flying.
They arrived home before Devrath. "You were awesome Yashvanth" Keshav had a wide smile on his face.
"Ain't I!" Yashvanth said and ruffled his hair. I carried him to my nest and placed him.
Devrath arrived.
"I WON I WON I WON!" Yashvanth said.
"Aishhh... I thought he would slow you down and I'll finally win!"
"Well I'm THE YASHVANTH , THE PRINCE OF BIRDS" Yashvanth said.
"By the way do you have a blanket? It's kinda chilly here" Keshav said.
"Ummm... We don't use blankets, we have this" Yashvanth showed his wings. "Don't worry, I will keep you warm" Yashvanth got in the nest, and wrapped his wings around him.
Keshav was taken a bit aback. Although he was used to sharing the bed with random ppl in his training, Yashvanth just made him feel that way.
"Feel warmer?" Yashvanth asked. Keshav nodded. "Yeah"
Devrath blew off the lights with his wings. "Good night" he said
"Good night" Yashvanth said. And went to sleep.