The Silver Anklet (17 page)

“My leg,” gasped Raani. “I'm dying!”

“Let me take a look, Raani,” said Tara. “See how bad it is. Try to bear it, okay?”

The look did nothing to assuage her fears. Raani's calf was swollen and puffy. Some areas had a purplish tinge. The infection was spreading really quickly and if she did not get to a village soon, she might even lose her leg. There was no way Raani would be able to
walk
with this wound, let alone run. Their chances of escaping were less than zero and Zarku knew it.

“How bad is it?” asked Raani. Her eyes searched Tara's face.

“The wounds are infected,” said Tara, trying to keep her voice light and her expression calm. “Pain is the only thing you'll have to worry about. But you won't be dying today.”

Raani did not smile.

“Can you do anything right now?” said Ananth. He crouched next to Tara.

“I can put a salve on it, the same one I used for Kabir,” said Tara. “I still have some of the herbs left.”

“Then hurry. We can move out immediately,” said Ananth. “I'll take a look around in the meantime.”

Tara found some flat rocks and quickly ground up the remaining ritha and tulsi leaves she had saved. Vayu rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his dishevelled hair. He looked exhausted. They all did. They hadn't eaten for two days and were at the end of their strength.

She had been so confident that they'd be able to save the children. Now Suraj was almost lost to them and two of their group were badly injured. What chance did they have of saving
themselves
let alone Suraj, or Sadia, who was still captive? And if they failed, Zarku would be back to haunt the villagers.

Ananth burst into the clearing. “We have a chance of escaping — a very good chance!”

“Really?” asked Kabir.

Ananth nodded. “I was exploring the area and found a machan
.
I climbed up to take a look and I saw the river!
The river
!” He almost yelled out the last two words. “It's not too far, maybe a few hours' walk, depending on our speed. But we'll definitely make it there by nightfall. We have to!”

“That means … that means —” said Raani. A tear slipped down her cheek and she dashed it away.

“That means, we make it to the river, we find a boat and escape. Prabala will know how to defeat Zarku and save Suraj,” said Ananth. “And we don't have to worry about hiding again tonight. In fact, if we're lucky, we won't have to face Zarku again on our own.”

Tara stared at him. They actually had a chance! They did! Vayu rushed to Ananth, picked him up and did a small dance. Raani managed a watery smile and Kabir gave a thumbs-up sign.

“Ready to move, Tara?” said Ananth. “I don't want to lose a minute.”

“Almost done,” said Tara. She smeared a handful of paste on Raani's calf, feeling the torn bits of flesh shift and slide under her fingertips. Raani bit down on her knuckles, uttering tiny moans. When the paste covered every bit of the wound, Tara bound it up with her dupatta.

“Your turn, Kabir,” said Tara.

Kabir took off his shirt and sat with his back to Tara.

Her spirits sank as she smeared the remaining paste on his back. It was a field of bloody craters, crusty in some areas and soft in others, oozing pus. It was hot, too; for the third day in a row he had a fever. Would he last until they reached the river?

She blinked back tears and tasted salt. All this because Zarku wanted revenge on her.

“Time to move out,” said Ananth. He slung the bow over his shoulder and picked up the last arrow.

Kabir pushed himself to his feet and Ananth ran to help him. “Can you manage?”

“I have to,” said Kabir. “Sadia is counting on me.

I'm her favourite brother and I cannot fail her.”

“Best leave that shirt off,” said Tara. “It's badly soiled and will only irritate your skin more.”

Kabir nodded and tossed it aside.

“Come on, Raani,” said Ananth. “If Kabir can do it, so can you.”

Raani got to her feet. She screamed the moment her foot touched the ground and fell right over.

“I can't,” she said. She lay face down on the ground, her hands clenched into fists. “You'll have to leave me and go.”

“Come on, Raani,” said Tara. “You can do this.

Lean on me and hop if you have to. We're not staying here and we're not leaving you behind.”

“I can't,” said Raani. She raised a teary, mud-streaked face to them. “It hurts so much, I'd rather stay here than put any weight on it. I'm sorry. I can't bear pain very well. In fact — not at all. Before this, I barely ever got a scratch and even then I was in agony.”

With her leg bound up in the bright green dupatta that was limp and soaked in blood, her ragged clothes, and her dishevelled hair she looked so different from the Raani who had first stepped into the forest. Yet Tara liked her a lot more this way.

The sun shone warmly and colourful parakeets flew overhead. It was a miracle that they were still alive, thought Tara. And one they could not waste.

“We're going to make it,” said Tara. “We're not giving up. Not when we're so close. Ananth, why don't we make a stretcher to carry her?”

“Bad idea,” said Ananth. “It will slow us down tremendously. Of all the days, today we need speed. And forget trying to hide or move through the thick parts of the forest with it. She'll have to walk.”

“I've given you an option,#8217;#8221; said Raani. “Really, I don't mind. For the first time I've seen what that madman can do, Tara. After all those warnings of yours, I understand what you mean, now. You have to reach Morni, get Prabala and stop him. At any cost. Just leave me — go!”

They looked at each other in silence. How were they going to deal with this? No one wanted to stay there a minute longer and yet how could they leave Raani behind? There seemed to be no way out.

“I'll carry her,” said Vayu.

All eyes turned to him.

“I'm the strongest of us all,” he said. “And we'll be able to move faster than if she were to walk.”

Raani's lips were trembling. She opened her mouth.

For once nothing came out.

“Are you sure, Vayu?” asked Ananth. “It'll be tough going and today we're really going to have to pick up the pace.”

“I'll manage,” said Vayu. “Let's get ready to move.”

“I-I-thank you, Vayu,” said Raani. “And … I'm sorry.”

Vayu shrugged. “Forget it.” He lumbered over to Raani and lifted her as easily as he would a child. One hand supported her shoulders and the other was under her knees. Raani groaned just a tiny bit, but slid her arms around Vayu's neck. She was still unable to look him fully in the eye.

Kabir leaned on Ananth who took the lead, and this time Tara took up the rear as they raced toward the river.

Tara looked down at her grimy hands. Involuntarily her hand curled into a fist. Together, they would do this.

Surely against the five of them, Zarku was no match.

— fourteen —
Race to the River

T
^he
fierce afternoon heat scorched Tara's skin. Sweat poured from her like water from a broken tap. She drew in a lungful of hot air, feeling her insides melt. All she could think of was water; drinking it, pouring it over her burning scalp, splashing it on her face, and falling into it. She licked her chapped lips and looked up at the sun through the thinning trees. It blinded her and she stumbled, bumping against Vayu.

“Watch it,” he said. His was voice barely above a whisper. Raani winced.

“Sorry,” Tara managed to croak. “How much farther?” she asked. It seemed like they had been walking forever. With each step the unease within her grew, as if they were running away from danger and yet heading right into it.

“Judging from how far we are from the hills, I'd say, about three, maybe four hours more,” said Ananth.

“Then we can all relax and float downstream.

Tara closed her eyes wearily. Three or four hours more; would she last that long? Kabir stumbled along in a haze of fever, helped by Ananth, and Vayu was carrying Raani, panting like a steam engine. Neither had uttered a single word of protest. Tara felt a pang of guilt and shame; she had so little to complain about.

“Do you think we'll find a boat there?” asked Raani, suddenly.

“Depends on which part of the river we come to,” said Ananth. “If it's at one of the docking areas we'll be really lucky, and if not, we'll swim as far along the shore as we can until we find one. With the river navigable this year, there will be a lot more boats along the riverbank and the best part is, Zarku can't track us easily if we're in the water.”

The thought of jumping into the cool water made Tara walk faster. Once again she bumped into Vayu, who had stopped.

“
Swim
?” he said. “I can't swim. I'll walk along the shore.”

They all stopped. The moment Ananth let go of Kabir he sank to the ground with a deep shudder.

He coughed once or twice and then was silent. His eyes had sunk deep into their sockets and yet glittered brightly.

“You can't be serious, Vayu,” said Ananth. “It's really easy. We'll all help.”

Vayu put Raani down gently and sat beside her, breathing hard, his face red and streaming. He shook his head. “I almost drowned in the village pond when I was a child. Since then, water has always scared me. But don't worry, I won't slow you down.”

“Stop being stupid,” snapped Ananth. “That will defeat the whole purpose of trying to get away from Zarku. If you remain on land, he'll track you and us. You'll have to get into the water.”

“NO!” said Vayu. “I won't and no one can force me.”

Ananth glared at him and Vayu stared back, his face expressionless. But it was clear that no one could force Vayu to do anything that he didn't want to.

Raani touched Vayu's arm gently. “I'm a good swimmer,” she said. “I'll help you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Let's get to the river first,” said Tara. “It may not even come to that.” She got to her feet wearily though every muscle in her body protested.
And if we
have to swim,
thought Tara,
then by God, I'll push Vayu
in myself
.

Ananth nodded and hoisted Kabir to his feet. Vayu lifted Raani up again. This time there wasn't even a whimper from her. There had been a time when standing close to Vayu had made Raani wrinkle her nose and spew the most vitriolic words. But Raani was changed now, by circumstance and by things they had endured together. Enduring. That was it. They must endure, together. Somehow.

“If we keep up this pace, we'll be at the river by evening.” said Ananth. “Let's not stop at all. We're doing great — keep going.”

Easier said than done. Tara focused on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to ignore her splitting head, the deep thirst that sapped her strength, and her screaming muscles.

River, get to the river and then find a boat
, she thought. Then Morni. Prabala would be there. He would take care of everything after that. But would it really be that simple?

“I'm slipping, Vayu,” said Raani. “Maybe you should take a break.”

“We can't afford to,” panted Kabir. “If we stop now, I might not be able to get up again. So … tired.”

“Can you manage, Vayu?” asked Tara.

“I do need a break,” said Vayu.

Tara ran up ahead to Ananth. “We have to stop.”

They both looked at Kabir. “All right,” Kabir whispered. “Let's stop.”

Ananth sat him down. “I'm going to take a quick look to see how far we are,” he said. He shinnied up the nearest tree and was soon lost within it, the shaking branches marking his progress to the top.

Tara leaned against a tree trunk, sucking in huge lungfuls of blistering air, gazing around her in an exhausted stupor. If Zarku had stood in front of her right now, she wouldn't have been able to move a muscle.

Vayu gently lowered Raani to the ground. His kurta was soaked, as if he had had a bath with all his clothes on. His face was so red it looked like the setting sun.

The branches shook again and Ananth dropped out of the tree. “Not far now. I saw a glint of water. But this has to be our last break. Agreed?”

“What if we tried hiding instead?” asked Tara. “Take our time and find a really good spot. I saw a cave or two as we were walking. We'll have a much better chance than trying to run with one of us injured and the other ill.”

“If we're on land, he'll find us,” said Ananth. “Do you seriously think he'll let us win? And even if we do, he won't spare us. You know that, Tara. He hates you for defeating him and he will have his revenge. Against you and against all of us.”

The words stung like a volley of slaps. Her head reeled. Ananth was right. They were all in danger because of her.

“Can Suraj swim?” asked Raani.

Tara was lost in thought. How they must all hate her right now for leading them into this mess, when she could have,
should
have faced it alone.

“Tara!” said Ananth. “This isn't the time to daydream. Can Suraj swim?”

Tara remembered her brother's weak attempts at swimming back at the village pond. He had never liked the water. She shook her head.

“Good,” said Ananth. “Then that's our only hope.

Zarku will not follow until he can find another boat. No more breaks till we reach the river. Come on!”

They nodded solemnly. Kabir stood up without any help and leaned on Ananth, his eyes clear and full of purpose. Vayu scooped up Raani, squared his shoulders and started marching. Tara followed them, her insides churning with guilt and anger.

The last leg of the race. They had to win!

— fifteen —
Kabir

T
^all
trees, prickly bushes, and knots of tree roots slowly passed by Tara's weary gaze as she plodded along. Clouds of mosquitoes enveloped her, but she ignored them. They swarmed around her, mercilessly biting every inch of exposed skin, but she had no strength to shoo them away. It was that or walk. She walked. They all did, silently.