GRUMBLEEEEE!
"[Embarrassed] I think I should… eat something?"
And everyone burst into laughter.
Some maids arrived with lots of food. One of these maids, had a very uncertain aura, especially the look in her eyes. But more importantly, she was trying to hide her face. They arranged everything on the table where we set and were ready to eat. That maid brought me a glass of juice and went back with everyone.
("So suspicious….. Why would she hand over the class only to me?")
" Ariya, that was specially made for you." Lupa said.
"Juice?"
"Yes, to increase your immunity and vitality."
"ohh…"
I concentrated on table which was full of delicious menu.
("Wow today is cuisine is one from India!!!")
"Please enjoy…."
I was very hungry. I had it to my satisfaction.
"It's delicious…Mmmm!"
After a satisfying meal, we sat there in the balcony enjoying the windy breeze.
"Lupa we are here to ask you about the map you discussed with Queen Ariya before war." Roger spoke.
"How did you know about the map?"
"It was me. I saw it in my dream and I also have the map here with me."
Lupa was puzzled.
"Can you show it to me?"
I remove the pendant from the my pockets and displayed the map on the wall.
"This pendant….. Ariya... [emotional]… this is the exact map. I thought it was wrong but…."
"But it was right…. as per queen."
"Yes, exactly. She said that the village connects the Secret way to devil realm and that she got it from….."
"From the ancient book…..'The arising of OurPrana'… Am I right Lupa?.... Don't be so shocked. I saw it in my dream last night…"
"But even if the map was correct, there army attack us from their main Centre; that is the door that connects the devil kingdom." Lupa continued.
"But then, why did Queen suggested this map to follow?" Roger asked.
"I doubted the same. Why?... But then I remember what Queen said,
"SOME PEOPLE ARE VERY CLOSE TO US. YET THAT IS WHAT WE THINK. THEY FEEL CLOSE BUT IN REALITY IT IS JUST THE OPPOSITE. THEY ARE POSSESSED BY THEIR INNER DEVILS…"
and she give me a KEY and went ahead. After that I never saw her again….."
"Did Queen knew that some people are worshipping devil? Fiona asked hesitatingly.
"What? How is this possible? It is forbidden!"
"The black smoke from the pendant and plant, are indeed a proof of black magic or devils magic." replied Fiona.
"But that pendant belongs to….."
"Lady Carol."
Lupa was devastated at the facts. He sat down in despair and covered his face with his hands.
("How can this happen? How did I never notice something like this? Not even once?...")
Roger consoled Lupa.
"Lupa, can I see the key?" Fiona asked.
Lupa had it chained in his neck. He took out and showed it to us.
The key looked like an ancient one. The exquisite carvings and symbols in Emerald where intact in a small space. I took the key in one hand and the Phoenix pendant in the other. They both started glowing and transferring the glow from each other.
"Hey, why don't you hold it together?" Roger suggested.
"Like this?"
I put it together and they both just went up in the air; the pendant reflected the map on the wall while the key started spinning near a location on the map.
"That part is the village."
"The same village, that connects the secret way?"
"Yes, the same village."
"But where does this key belong to?" asked Fiona
"I just went there with queen Ariya. But I don't remember anything from that time. I always feel uncomfortable whenever I think about that time. It feels only ominous…"
Lupa was anxious.
"Lupa." I approached him, "We all are together with you. So you don't need to get this feeling. You can do it. Let us face this together."
Lupa looked at me and smiled, with some tears dropping from his eyes. I wiped his tears and he embraced me like a small child. Roger and Fiona did the same.
"But first let us take a look at that book…" I suggested.
We all wear back to giggling and all the friendliness.
"Let us go to the secret library…!" Lupa said excitingly.
He grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the stairs. Fiona and Roger followed us behind. We went down the stairs to the great hall and then behind the stairs in the dark passage.
Lupa spelled 'UJJVALS', creating a small piece of light above our heads, lightning our way ahead. There was a big door in the dark space, with tree structures and snakes structures on it. They were made as a lock for the door.
Lupa, again spelled out a spell, 'DVARAMKALIT'
And the snakes moved back from the lock; farming a tree figure which opened up the door for us. The stairs for the basement were really dark and deep. We descended down slowly, watching our steps and lighting the Ojas stones on our way.
The stairs lead us to a very big library filled with large number of books and other antiques. It was cosy and had multiple sitting areas. Lupa went towards a book shelf attached to a wall. There was a small statue of a fairy figure holding a crystal ball. He pulled the crystal up, still attach to the figures and the book shelf was divided into two, making a way for us in the centre. There was a small room inside.
"Amazing! A hidden room?!"
"This is the secret collection used by my family, the WOODBERRY's."
"LUPA WOODBERRY is your full name?" I asked.
"Yes, Is there a problem?"
"Nope, I was just curious…. I guess?"
He opened a cupboard and removed some books. Then he took out a very tiny key and opened a secret book compartment. There were several books with their titles glowing in the dark. In there was the book, glowing in Crimson, with the title 'THE ARISING OF ORUPRANA'