Rajavelu T's Blog

Chapter 6 | Burial Ground

“Where are you going?” asked Sugaall coming out of the kitchen with a plateful of wheat bread. “Where do you think? To my training, Wheat Cultivation,” said Maverick hurriedly.

“Uh, I think you…. no need… to go,” Sugaall said, tardily, tilting her head.

“Why?”

“Err,” Sugaall refused to make eye contact.

“Wait. Is this about the invitation?” Maverick asked with raised eyebrows.

“No, no, no, not that,” Sugaall spurted.

“What else? Where is Father?” asked Maverick, looking at the kitchen, which hid behind a cloud of smoke — Sugaall’s cooking!

“He left to the council.”

“So early!”

“Yes, there was an emergency.”

“What emergency?”

“Ah, nothing. Here, taste some bread, your favorite!” Sugaall stretched the plateful of wheat bread to her brother.

Maverick took a slice of bread from the plate, gave a bite, and said, “Nice! I didn’t know you can cook well.” Maverick expected that he would get hit by the plate Sugaall was holding for his sarcastic comment, but Sugaall remained still.

“Why I should not go to Wheat Cultivation tonight?” Maverick asked taking another huge bite.

“Um, earlier at dusk, Sinewy Bestride came here to inform you that… since he got some important work to do there is no… training tonight,” Sugaall said without making eye contact. Maverick saw her suspiciously; he knew although he was a reputed person in Tenebro, Sinewy won’t visit anyone personally just to inform them there will be no training. Maverick clearly understood Sugaall was lying.

“Hey, did you hear the bell from Watchtower? I reckon I didn’t hear it by dusk,” said Maverick, twisting his little finger in his ear.

“No, I heard the bell. Maybe something is wrong with your ears,” said Sugaall, with a fake smile.

“What is it?” asked Maverick, sternly.

“What?”

“What is it you are trying to hide from me?”

“Nothing… what would I hide from you? Don’t be stupid. Go have some rest,” Sugaall said without looking at him.

Maverick stood looking dubiously at his sister. “Okay. Thanks,” he threw the half-finished bread on the plate, took his bag, and started to walk towards the door.

“Wait,” Sugaall stopped him and kept the plate on the table; her face looked worried. She took a deep breath and said, “Irascias Piraat is dead.”

Maverick’s bag slipped from his shoulder. Sugaall went near her brother and said, “You are right, the bell in Watchtower didn’t chime at dusk. When the bulwarks went to check, they found Irascias dead in his chair. That’s why Dad left early to the council, to see if Irascias owes any debt to the council.”

Maverick didn’t utter a word; he stormed out of his home and galloped towards the Watchtower. While crossing the crowded market Maverick collided with someone on the road and nearly fell upon Mrs. Kindlespoon’s crate of eggs. She yelled at him, “Hey, slow down, boy. Don’t damage my goods.” Maverick didn’t turn to apologize; he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

When Maverick reached the Watchtower he expected there would be a huge crowd, but the road looked empty as usual. At the Watchtower, under its entrance roof, he saw two bulwarks. Before them, under the broken roof, was a large body covered in an enormous fur coat. Maverick halted under the roof, it was Irascias, covered from head to toe.

Maverick’s eyes became wet. Tears of sorrow peeked in his eyes but didn’t roll over. He kneeled and slowly removed the fur coat covering Irascias’s face.

“Whoa! You can’t do that. Step away!” a bulwark rushed towards Maverick. Another bulwark caught hold of the first one and said, “Hey, it’s Maverick. Shut up. Sorry, Mr. Maverick he mistook you for someone else.”

But Maverick didn’t hear any of that. He slowly removed the fur coat and saw Irascias’s lifeless face. The stinky hat was missing. The shaggy beard and uneven silver hair danced due to a sudden breeze. Irascias’s mouth was open a little with a smile as if he passed away singing a song. Irascias Piraat’s face looked the same except for the smile.

“Why are you crying, Mr. Maverick? Is he a relation of yours?” the second bulwark asked.

“Yes, he was a good friend,” said Maverick without taking his eyes off Irascias.

“Have the arrangements been made? Is the Undertaker ready?” An unknown voice knocked Maverick’s ears. He looked up and saw Specsolven, accompanied by three more bulwarks.

“Yes, sir. Everything is ready,” said the first bulwark.

“Then what are you waiting for? I have a lot of work to handle; burying this old guy should not delay my work,” said Specsolven tediously.

Maverick stood swiftly and said, “Hey, show him some respect. This is how you treat people?”

“Oh… Maverick Ciekawy is here…! Do you know who I am? I’m the Commander of Bulwarks. See the badge. I do have some respect for you, but I know what I should do, what I should talk. I’m the superior authority here. I can call anyone by any name.”

“No, you can’t,” Maverick said sternly.

“No, I can. I can, right?” Specsolven asked a bulwark nearby. The bulwark dropped his head.

“Hey, look at me when I’m talking,” Specsolven snapped his fingers.

“Yes, sir. You can,” the bulwark replied tightening his fist, in anger.

“See. I can. I can do anything I want,” said Specsolven turning to Maverick.

“Mav,” said a sweet voice. Velvebloo stood on the road away from the bulwarks. Maverick went near her ignoring Specsolven.

“I heard the news. There is nothing you can do here, he lived a full life. Come on, we must go,” Velvebloo said compassionately.

“No. You go to Wheat Cultivation; I’ll join you by midnight. I must be with Irascias till…, till he’s buried properly,” said Maverick, looking at his lifeless friend.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Velvebloo looked compassionately at Irascias’s dead body and moved. Maverick stood under the roof and leaned on one of its pillars and looked at Irascias Piraat.

Maverick remembered the wonderful moments he had with Irascias. The last night when Irascias said he befriended Mrs. Benaida and her granddaughter. In his childhood how he smuggled wheat from his home to give to Irascias, and a night when Irascias took him fishing at the Great River where they caught a lamprey, mistaken it for a snake, and ran. He remembered all the nostalgic moments he had with his old friend.

It became midnight. The half-moon rose vertically in the cloudy sky.

Four bulwarks stepped forward and shifted Irascias’s body on a wooden plank. Carrying it they started to move towards the graveyard. Maverick followed them. They went through the main street crossing the Library and Council. Jurisbard and his assistant, Mallicious Beck, stood at the entrance of the Council above the white marble steps. The people on the street didn’t show any sympathy when Irascias’s body went past them. Everyone was busy doing their own work. Some people murmured, “The old man is dead! Who will carry on his work hereafter?”

Maverick remembered Lypimenous’s words ‘People are vicious’.

They walked on a dark pathway leading to the graveyard. A bulwark led them holding a lit torch. When they crossed the village’s border the path grew darker and darker. Maverick suddenly felt chill and realized the Great River is nearby. He turned back and looked at his village, Tenebro, which was surrounded by the Twin Mountains in the East, the jungle in the North, and the Great River from South to West.

Through his lantern’s light, Maverick saw the gigantic river behind the tall trees. Some boats were anchored in the river, busy catching fish. Specsolven’s careless whistling irritated him. Suddenly the bulwarks carrying Irascias walked slowly. Maverick looked above and saw a big arch carrying the word: GRAVEYARD, above a broken rusty gate. The gate was heavily broken; only the bottom hinge was still attached, preventing the gate from falling.

“STOP” The bulwark leading them signaled. They lowered Irascias’s corpse and kept it near the grave. A tall, thin man stood near the grave with a shovel in his right hand and a lantern in his left. The Undertaker came near Specsolven raising the lantern and said, “Sir, everything is ready.”

Maverick looked around. The tombs were uncountable. Every tombstone was identical with equal space from each other. Maverick raised his lantern to have a clear look at all the tombs but they were so many to count. He assumed the line extended until the Twin Mountains.

“WAIT!” The bulwark who led them shouted. “WHO IS IT?” he roared at Maverick.

Maverick froze for a moment. “Mr. Maverick, move aside,” the bulwark roared again. Maverick realized the bulwark was looking at something behind him. He spun around and looked in the same direction. In the same path where they came, near the entrance, Maverick saw silhouettes of a lady and a girl coming towards them.

“What is it? Is that a ghost?” Specsolven trembled. Even Maverick and a young bulwark near him took a step back.

A bulwark stepped forward and drew his baton. All four bulwarks drew their batons. Specsolven snatched a baton from a bulwark and held it tightly in his shivering hands.

The silhouettes stopped. A sparkle appeared between the silhouettes and it jumped on a lit torch. Their faces were clear now. It was Mrs. Benaida and her granddaughter.

Everyone breathed a relief except Specsolven who rushed towards them, yelling, “What are you doing here, crazy old lady. You almost gave me a heart attack. Who are you?” he raised his baton pointing towards her face.

Maverick rushed at them to stop Specsolven from doing anything stupid. “She is my neighbor and a friend of Irascias,” Maverick explained. Specsolven’s cheeks were jumping in fury. “What are you both doing here in the graveyard?”

“My grandchild wants to see Irascias. She’s crying right from dusk,” said Benaida.

“Oh…! The little girl has some nerve coming to the graveyard. You are a fearless girl, aren’t you?” Specsolven yelled bending down towards the little girl.

Maverick asked, “Mrs. Benaida, why did you bring a child to the graveyard?”

“She insisted. There was nothing I could do,” Benaida replied hastily.

Specsolven shot an irritated look at Mrs. Benaida and went near the grave. Maverick looked at the child; her big eyes were very sore, tears still dripped. She had a half-dead flower in her hands. Maverick took the child’s arm and went near Irascias. “Hey, wait! What are you doing?” Specsolven stopped.

“Let her see Irascias for the last time.”

“Are you out of your mind? She is not supposed to be here — ”

“But now she is,” said Maverick and went near Irascias.

They both stood five feet away from Irascias’s body. “Will he wake up?” the little girl asked in an air of innocence. Maverick shook his head.

“Blard! Hold the lantern steady,” Lidrolla yelled at Blardece.

“Don’t yell at me. I’m afraid of darkness. Look my hands are uncontrollably shivering,” said Blardece.

“Give me that,” Velvebloo snatched the lantern from Blardece and went ahead of them.

“Don’t leave me behind. I feel like someone is behind me,” Blardece cried.

“Do shut up. That’s why I said steal another lantern,” Lidrolla yelled again.

“It’s easy for you to say. I know how my heart pounded when I stole this lantern without Sinewy noticing.”

“Keep quiet you both. We are near the graveyard,” Velvebloo shushed them.

Specsolven paced angrily from one end of the grave to another. “You said it was ready. Then why isn’t ready?” he yelled at the undertaker.

“Sorry, sir. I miscalculated his height,” the undertaker replied while throwing mud out of the grave.

Specsolven stopped looking at the entrance. “Who is it now?” he sounded exhausted.

Blardece, Velvebloo, and Lidrolla appeared before them.

“What are you, people…? Never mind. Enough of frustration for one night,” Specsolven caught his head with both his hands and walked away.

“Why did you all come here?” asked Maverick.

“What? Irascias was a friend of ours,” said Velvebloo.

Blardece rolled his eyes.

“Sir, it’s ready now,” the undertaker climbed out of the grave.

“Good. Now, dump this into the grave. I have a lot of work to handle,” said Specsolven hurriedly.

“Wait! That’s what you are going to do! Who will do the rituals?” asked Maverick.

“Mr. Maverick, only the family members can perform them. This guy had no one. No family, no relatives, no friends — ”

“He had me.”

“Nonsense! Only a family member could perform them. Now please allow us to finish this,” Specsolven spurted.

“At least say something nice about him.”

“He hasn’t done anything remarkable to say about,” said Specsolven and signaled the bulwarks to proceed.

“WAIT,” Maverick roared. “Seriously…? Seriously you think he hasn’t done anything useful. That man has spent the last ten years in the Watchtower performing the duty entrusted to him. In every dusk and dawn, he guided us. Now you are saying he hasn’t done anything?”

“Yes. He did what he was told to do. If you want recognition for him then there will be a portrait of him in the Watchtower; that’s all his work is worth. He was just an employee. Anyone can do what he had done. Do you know why the council hired him? Because he does what he will be told to do, that’s all.”

Specsolven waved his hands at the bulwarks. They bent down to lift Irascias.

“Wait. I’ll perform the final rituals,” said Maverick.

“What? Are you insane, Maverick?” Specsolven gasped.

“He was my friend. If friendship means a relation, then I’m his relative.”

“No, you can’t. I won’t allow you to do that.”

“Go ahead. Stop me,” Maverick removed his costly wolfskin coat and went near Irascias’s body. The bulwarks backed away from him.

“Maverick, don’t do this,” Lidrolla stressed.

Maverick stood near Irascias’s corpse, took a deep breath, and said, “Irascias Piraat was a great and loving mentor to me. This man spent his last ten years looking after us, at dusk and dawn. People may have seen him as an angry old man without a family, but for those who had a chance to indulge with him knew how generous and humble he was. All his life he desired to have a family and someone whom he can depend on, whom he can trust. He didn’t have the family he loved to have, but right now he has us. He didn’t expect anything from us but gave the utmost he had. At this moment, let’s bid him a final goodbye. May his soul rest in peace. Goodbye, old friend.”

Mrs. Benaida wiped tears off her wrinkled face. Velvebloo’s eyes become wet too but others looked at Maverick hostilely. Maverick nodded at the bulwarks. They placed Irascias’s body into the grave. Maverick took a handful of mud and spilled it inside the grave on Irascias’s feet.

“This is not good…,” Blardece whispered.

The undertaker took his shovel, filled the grave, and made a hump. The bulwarks erected a small tombstone upon the grave. Specsolven still hostilely looked at Maverick, picked a lantern, and moved. The little girl went near Irascias’s grave and placed a flower upon it.

“I will escort you both to the village,” a young bulwark said calmly to Mrs. Benaida. Velvebloo went near Maverick, stood beside him, and looked at the grave.

“Shall we move?” she asked quietly.

Blardece, Maverick, Velvebloo, and Lidrolla were walking on the dark muddy pathway. There was complete silence among them except for some crickets’ chirps. Blardece opened his mouth to say something but Lidrolla poked him and shushed.

“I appreciate what you did to Irascias, Mav. But you shouldn’t have done that,” said Velvebloo leading them.

“What should I have done? If I had allowed Specsolven to dump him like a waste, would that be nice? Would that be human?”

“Did you see the look of Specsolven? He saw you as a pest. Something bad is going to happen,” said Lidrolla.

“Actually, I thought to say that but you shushed me,” Blardece said to Lidrolla.

The four entered into Wheat Cultivation and mingled with the crowd. Soon Sinewy Bestride arrived and continued his training. Blardece was carefully removing weeds from his land. Lidrolla finished plowing her land and rested on the pathway.

“MAVERICK.” A sharp sound echoed. Maverick looked up and saw Sinewy standing before him. “Yes, sir,” he got up swiftly.

“Where were you during the first session?” Sinewy barked.

“Sir, I was in the graveyard. Irascias — ”

“Dead. I know,” Sinewy Bestride said without an ounce of empathy. “Did you get permission from me?”

“No, sir. I was — ”

“PUNISHMENT,” Sinewy roared. “Punishment awaits you. Five bags of wheat will be confiscated from your production.”

“Sir, but — ”

“Ten bags will be confiscated,”

Maverick sighed.

“Look at me, Maverick Ciekawy. You may enjoy the reception you receive from the villagers, but here, I’m the authority, I’m the law.”

“Sir, I’m not enjoying any — ”

“Don’t interrupt while I’m talking,” Sinewy shushed again. “Don’t do anything stupid in my place as you did at the graveyard. Next time, the punishments will be severe.”

Maverick was in quite a shock thinking how Sinewy Bestride knew the incident happened in the graveyard.

“Blardece, ten bags of wheat will be confiscated from you for stealing my lantern,” Sinewy added toward Blardece. Blardece dropped the shovel from his hands; his eyes and mouth widened in shock.

Aegis Tutelage stormed into his house and asked, “Where is he?”

Maverick came from the kitchen eating a slice of bread and said, “I’m here, Father.” Observing his father’s furious face Maverick asked, “Is there any problem?”

“Problem! You are the problem, young man. Why did you do that?” Aegis erupted.

“What did he do?” Sugaall asked from the feasting table.

“He performed the final rituals for Irascias Piraat,” cried Aegis. Sugaall gasped.

“What’s wrong with that? He had no one. That’s why I did that.”

“You are not his family. The whole council is talking about you. I reckon this is your friend’s idea,” Aegis accused.

“Friend! Who?”

“Lypimenous Nisipazl. I warned you about him. That guy is against the Council.”

“Wait! He is not involved in what I did. Please, Father, their enemies shouldn’t be our enemies too.”

“Don’t blaspheme the council. I don’t want my son to indulge with a moron. Now look, the whole council is saying you are insane. Listen to me. Don’t go against the people in authority, they’ll make our lives miserable. It will be better and safe to just concentrate on our work and be a good citizen.”

“Fine, I get it,” Maverick snapped. “If I had done nothing, afraid of the council and what others think of me, then you would have felt happy about me, ha?”

“Look here, son. I know you were so close to Irascias, but death is inevitable. Mourning over the dead won’t bring them back. You must let go,” said Aegis calmly and patted Maverick’s shoulders.

“Is this how you dealt when mother died?” asked Maverick without looking at his father.

Aegis gasped.

Sugaall worried that there would be a serious argument next, but Aegis remained calm. “Pass me my meal, Sacchamia. I must be in the DNIMATIV building before dawn,” said Aegis. Sugaall handed over the meal from the table. Aegis looked back at Maverick and left without saying anything.

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Chapter 5 — Lypimenous Nisipazl

Maverick got down the stage behind the council members; he searched for his friends but the huge crowd made it difficult for him to find. Maverick spotted a big lantern above one of the feasting tables; he lowered his head and closely examined the dying fire inside the rusty lantern. Although no wind could enter the lantern, the fire swished vigorously and died. Maverick felt a gentle tap on his shoulders and spun around. A bulwark stood stiffly and said in a humble tone, “Sir, the Royal Table is waiting for you.”

Maverick asked, “The what?” Since his mind was already occupied with the dying light in the lantern, it suppressed his knowledge about the Royal Table.

“Sir, the council members, the chief, and your family are waiting for you to join the feast at the Royal Table,” the bulwark explained humbly.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just — ”

“Please,” the bulwark stretched his hand towards the crowd.

Maverick and the bulwark passed through the crowd and reached the Royal Table. Jurisbard, Specsolven, Empirica, Swanky, Aegis, Sugaall, and all council members and department heads were seated at the Royal Table, which was decorated with a variety of roasted fish, eggs, and wheat.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the delicious dishes except Jurisbard’s and Aegis’s family. Specsolven scratched his bald head and yawned heavily. Swanky licked his lips in hunger. The moment Maverick showed up at the Royal Table everyone breathed a relief except Jurisbard who looked furiously at Maverick; he waved his hand at the bulwark who escorted Maverick. The bulwark bowed and disappeared into the crowd.

Aegis looked more furious than Jurisbard. Maverick sat between Aegis and Sugaall. All eyes were on Maverick. Aegis tilted his head slightly towards Maverick and said, “Where did you go? We all were waiting for you. Why are you so irresponsible?” Aegis tried to whisper but even Swanky who sat directly opposite to them at the big round table heard them with a delighted face.

Jurisbard cleared his throat. “No need to scold your son, Aegis. Youngsters are just curious. Let’s start our feast.”

The moment Jurisbard uttered those final words, everyone at the table filled their plates with a variety of dishes. Swanky, who ate hurriedly at first slowed down after realizing Sugaall was noticing him.

Empirica said, “Situations like this are very rare to happen. I’m really happy to share the Royal Table with Maverick Ciekawy and his family. It’s a special night for me too.”

“The honor is ours really, Madam Empirica,” said Aegis “I’m so glad to hear such humble words about our family — ”

“Even after Maverick disrespected the Royal Table,” Swanky interrupted. “Swank, shut up, I warned you,” said Empirica, sternly with a fake smile. “Excuse my son, Aegis. He gets upset when he misses his meal.”

“No need for you to apologize, Madam. The mistake is my son’s,” said Aegis; he turned to Maverick and said, “Go on, apologize.”

Swanky’s face got brightened.

“Um, I’m sorry for showing up late at the Royal Table. I hope you all forgive me,” said Maverick. Except for Jurisbard’s and Aegis’s families, everyone was keen on finishing the dishes on their plates.

“Apology accepted,” said Swanky raising his charming face, with a malign smile.

Jurisbard looked calmly at the conversation, and said, “People… you are making Mr. Maverick uncomfortable. He’s the center of attention tonight. Let him enjoy his freedom while he can because after joining Bulwarking I hardly think he will have time to enjoy.”

Everyone went clueless. Swanky coughed when he heard those words from his grandfather, the water he drank spilled out of his mouth. Specsolven, who was eating busily raised his head instantly, the big fish he was eating hung down vertically from his mouth. Even Maverick’s eyebrows rose in shock.

“Haven’t you opened your gift, Mr. Maverick?” asked Jurisbard, cutting a big chop of roasted fish.

“No… sir. I didn’t,” said Maverick and searched for the scroll in his robe.

“No need to search, Mr. Maverick. It’s a formal invitation for joining Bulwarking. I hope you won’t deny it?”

“No sir, he won’t. Thank you for offering such a great chance to my son,” said Aegis gleefully.

“Don’t thank me, he earned it. We don’t want a talented guy like Maverick working in a menial job. He will be a crown jewel in Bulwarking,” said Jurisbard.

Empirica’s smile vanished when her father-in-law called Wheat Cultivation a menial job. Maverick said nothing, just dropped his head, and ate.

The department head of Poultry asked, “Mr. Specsolven, as the new Commander of Bulwarks, do you have any new plans to preserve the defense fences? I heard a couple of nights ago some wild animals destroyed those and two bulwarks were severely injured.”

“Let me finish my food first, questions later,” said Specsolven, stuffing a mouthful of eggs. Maverick noticed Swanky was looking at Sugaall and whispering something into his mother’s ear. Soon people over the table started to converse about Tenebro’s economy, current population, and all political stuff.

“Sir, I’m getting a complaint from people that the availability of fish in the market is very low. We are getting plenty of fish from the river but why there is a huge demand for them in the market? As the market’s owner and head of fisheries are present here I would like to get a solution from them,” said Robust Fuhrer, the head of the People’s Committee.

“This is not a proper place to discuss such things, Robust,” said Jurisbard, finishing his meal. “And you can see the head of fisheries, Lacklue Neying, is not present here, so we can discuss this matter at the Council.”

“Sir, but the deputy head of fisheries is present here — ”

“I said we can discuss it at the Council,” said Jurisbard sternly, the Royal Table became silent.

Maverick who looked for an opportunity to escape from the political group made use of the silence and said, “Excuse me, I got my robe dirty. I’ll wash and come.”

Maverick got away from the table and disappeared into the crowd as fast as he could. He stood on his toes and searched for his friends. In the northern corner, below a torch post, he saw Blardece. Maverick rushed through the crowd and went near his best friend.

Blardece, Lidrolla, and Velvebloo were standing under a torch post having their meals. “Hey, look who is here!” said Velvebloo. “What took you so long?” asked Lidrolla.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” said Maverick with a relieved deep breath.

“Where did you sit at the Royal Table? What dishes were there? Did you sit near Jurisbard?” Blardece asked with glittering eyes.

“I said I don’t want to talk about it, Blard,” said Maverick, and grabbed a plate, filled it with wheat bread and fish.

“How do you feel?” asked Velvebloo.

“Um, the fish must have roasted well, it’s very raw,” said Maverick.

“Not the fish, brainy boy. She asked how you are feeling about the celebration,” said Lidrolla.

“Why?”

“I thought you are disappointed,” said Lidrolla shrinking her round face.

“Disappointed! About what?” asked Maverick, tearing a wheat bread.

“Didn’t you see what just happened? Tonight you are supposed to be the center of attention but Jurisbard turned the tables. He talked more about Bulwarking, and those council members and department heads delivered their job statuses, and finally, he appointed his son as Commander of Bulwarks. Why did he do all those tonight? Tonight’s celebration is only for recognizing your invention and your contribution to our village, but that old illiberal idiot turned it into a council meeting,” said Lidrolla angrily.

“Wait, the council members and department heads did what?”

“Why? Haven’t you noticed! I still didn’t know why they did that. They had a paper in their hands and read from those: their duties, what are they doing till now, what will they do in the future, blah, blah, blah.”

“Oh, that must be the thing they were hesitant to do,” said Maverick gulping a fish.

“What?”

“Nothing, when I was in the Council earlier, I saw all of them trying to mug up something from a piece of paper. They were hesitant but Jurisbard insisted them to do.”

“Jurisbard is a very adamant man. He gets what he wants and makes people have what he wants,” said Velvebloo leaning on a nearby table.

“No, that’s not true. He may be strict but he is a good man,” said Lidrolla.

“Earlier you called him ‘old illiberal idiot,’” Maverick chuckled.

“Yes, he may be my idol but I can’t tolerate him taking my friend’s momentum away,” said Lidrolla.

“Were you dreaming, Mav? How you didn’t notice their speech?” asked Velvebloo.

“Uh, I was distracted,” said Maverick palely.

“Hey, what about that gift he gave you? What’s in that?” Blardece questioned.

“You mean the scroll? Here take it,” Maverick tossed him the scroll and emptied his plate.

Blardece opened the scroll with excitement. “Wow…! Are you serious? It’s a formal invitation to join Bulwarking,” cried Blardece.

“Is it?” Lidrolla snatched the scroll from Blardece and examined it. “What are you going to do, Mav?”

“Nothing,” said Maverick washing his hands.

“Nothing? Are you insane, Mav?” Velvebloo asked instantly.

“Yes, nothing. He can’t make me have what he wants.”

“Really are you going to reject an invitation from Jurisbard? That too personally signed by him,” Blardece asked.

Maverick nodded.

“You are really going to regret this,” Blardece said harshly.

“Hello, Mr. Maverick. I’m glad… to see y-you here,” Fadherdy Bough greeted.

“Oh! Hi, Mr. Bough, nice suit,” said Maverick.

“Thank you. It is my wife’s selection,” said Fadherdy looking at his long coat made of beaver skin. Beaver skin coats were the cheapest in Tenebro. A pretty woman stood locked arms with Fadherdy.

“She is my, my wife, Presista,” said Fadherdy, “…and Presista this is Mr. Maverick and his… his friends: Blardece, Lidrolla, and Velvebloo. Did I pronounce your names correctly? Blard-ece, Lidrolla, Velvebloo…right?”

“Dear, I know them,” said Presista softly.

“She’s very pretty,” Lidrolla whispered into Velvebloo’s ear. Her face seemed familiar to Maverick and as Lidrolla whispered she was very pretty, but her flawless face looked dull. She looked very young compared to her husband.

“What are you people doing here, away from the c-c-crowd?” asked Fadherdy.

“Hunting a wild animal, care to join us?” said Lidrolla.

“Sure, wait. I’ll fetch my axe and crossbow.”

“Mr. Bough, she’s kidding you,” said Maverick.

“Oh, is it? Err — I was distracted by some good smell. Uh, look, wheat bread, my favorite,” said Fadherdy Bough, and clumsily attempted to grab a plate.

“Dear, just now you had your meal,” said Presista.

“Uh, did I? Yeah, maybe, umm,” Fadherdy stuttered.

“Thanks for the flowers, Mrs. Presista,” said Maverick, trying to start a conversation.

“You are welcome, Maverick. And, thanks for escorting my husband three nights ago; I can’t believe he forgot his way home.”

“No, I didn’t forget. I was kind of dep-depressed that night, heavy work you know. Uh, I’m really hungry,” Fadherdy took a plate and filled a lot of eggs and bread. Presista’s face went dull, again.

“Can I keep this scroll? I really like this,” asked Blardece. Maverick nodded.

“What’s with the scroll? Is that what our chief gave you?” asked Fadherdy, with a plateful of boiled eggs.

“Let’s give them some privacy, dear. He looks exhausted,” said Presista.

“Oh, okay. Enjoy your n-night, young people, enjoy…” said Fadherdy and walked away with his wife.

Maverick stood watching Fadherdy walk away, guided by his young wife.

“Hey, Mav, Are you dreaming?” Velvebloo shook her hand before Maverick’s eyes.

“No — What?”

“You looked worried. Are you worried about Fadherdy?” she asked.

“Um, yes, and — ”

“Don’t worry, with a proper medical treatment he can be cured,” Velvebloo said tapping Maverick’s shoulders.

“Not only him, I… had a dream yesterday, it’s disturbing me a lot,” Maverick said slowly.

“Dream! What dream?”

“I was inside a box, you see, a BOX, and the box was moving. I saw immense brightness outside the box, brightness I really can’t describe, believe me. There was a man inside the box with me but I couldn’t see his face. That man was talking to himself; I couldn’t understand what he was talking about. He said something about, uh, car… client, it was like he is talking to another person. I can’t see where the brightness came from. Suddenly the box stopped, the man got out of it and I saw a lady, but not her face, and……. I woke. Isn’t this crazy?”

“Um.”

“Right from dusk this dream, that brightness is distracting me.”

“It’s just a dream ignore it,” said Lidrolla

“Just ignore it!”

“Yeah. Earlier I had a dream, three years ago I suppose. Do you know what the dream was about? I was riding a wild hog in the market streets. Can you believe it?” Lidrolla chuckled.

“It’s normal, Mav. When you experience a strange dream it will bug you for two-three nights, just relax,” said Velvebloo calmly.

“Really, you are not going to join Bulwarking? Because if you join, within the next ten years you will be definitely promoted as Commander of Bulwarks,” said Lidrolla changing the topic.

“I hardly think Specsolven can survive as commander for that long,” Velvebloo chuckled. “He hasn’t got any prior experience in bulwarking and he won’t manage people smartly like Jurisbard.”

“I agree,” Lidrolla said with a nod. “If not Specsolven whom do you think is perfectly intellectual and qualified for such designation?”

“Lypimenous Nisipazl,” said Blardece pointing a man at a feasting table.

“Uh, yes. Lypimenous!” said Velvebloo. “He is talented and my mom once said he is from a reputed lineage but he is an underrated inventor. The Council doesn’t approve any of his inventions. He is socially inept, and I rarely see him conversing with people. That guy is like an island. I think we are the only friends he got.”

“Yes, I agree, Velve. But that guy is undoubtedly a genius,” said Maverick. “If he becomes Commander of Bulwarks, he would initiate more strategic laws and innovative machines for bulwarking. If you ask me I would say he is the one who truly deserves that designation.”

“You guys wait here. I’ll go talk to him,” Blardece ran to Lypimenous.

“Mav, stop him before he does something stupid,” Lidrolla spurted. The three ran behind Blardece, but before they could reach him Blardece had already started the conversation.

“Greetings, Mr. Lypimenous. I feel sorry for you. We know you are the only qualified person to be the Commander of Bulwarks but somehow Specsolven got it. Don’t feel sad, although the Council doesn’t respect you, it doesn’t change anything. You are a genius” Blardece said hurriedly.

Maverick who came sprinting managed to stop without dashing into Blardece. “Hello, Lypimenous,” he greeted

“Hello, Maverick. Your friend is trying to say something but I couldn’t understand. Can you help him?” asked Lypimenous. The sudden wind blew Lypimenous’s shoulder-length hair which went uneven. He had a plateful of fish, only fish. His dark connected eyebrows curled in suspicion. His dropped shoulders carried a heavy bag. He usually looks a little crooked but due to the heavy bag on his shoulders, he looked like a hunchback. Despite his age, he looked young and charming.

“Um, what Blardece trying to say is…. umm… uh,” Maverick searched for nice words to cover Blardece’s inappropriate words. Velvebloo and Lidrolla joined them.

“Don’t worry. I too didn’t understand what he said.”

Blardece again started, “Actually what is said is — ”

“Shut up, Blard,” Lidrolla shushed him.

“Well, well, well, we have Lidrolla and Velvebloo. Greetings, ladies!” said Lypimenous and turned towards Maverick, and asked, “What are you doing here, Maverick Ciekawy? I thought you will be at the Royal Table with those imbecile Council fellows,” Lypimenous said staring at the council members.

“Yes, I was there but their political conversations made me drowsy,” said Maverick. Everyone laughed.

Aegis Tutelage stood near the Royal Table and looked furiously at Maverick and his friends. Sugaall went near her father and said, “Come on, Dad. Let him enjoy with his friends at least tonight. You both can have your arguments at home.”

Soon people started to disperse from the feasting area. The bulwarks started to arrange the plates and feasting tables. Maverick, his friends, and Lypimenous started walking away from the Great Stage. Blardece explained how he got into a better place among the crowd during the celebration. One by one Lidrolla, Velvebloo, and Blardece departed to their homes. Maverick and Lypimenous were walking down the empty road, silently. The bright moon shattered its light over the silent village.

Lypimenous hung his head and was muttering something. Suddenly he looked up and said, “Now I understand what he said,”

“What?”

“Now I understand what Blardece said,” Lypimenous sounded furious. “How could he say that?”

“Please don’t take him seriously, Lypi. You know Blardece very well, he just gets clumsy when he speaks,” Maverick tried to convince him.

“Uh… yes. But he was right though,” Lypimenous’s voice sank.

“Come on. You are a good friend to me. You are a good friend to us. Why can’t you make more friends?” Maverick questioned.

“I can but I choose not to.”

“Why?”

“Because people are vicious, they are chameleonic monsters.”

“Come on, you are thirty-three years old now don’t talk like a child. If you hate people, then why are you nice to us four?”

“You four are… dependable. You don’t expect anything from me, like what Blardece did, you guys are honest with me.”

“If you don’t like to mingle with people then why did you come to the Great Stage?”

“For you.”

“Really… Come on, really only for me?” Maverick asked with raised eyebrows.

“Okay… fine… fifty percent for you and fifty percent for my research”

“What research?”

“Err… I can’t say that. If I say you won’t be surprised.”

“You are the most complicated person I have ever met,” Maverick said with a smile.

Lypimenous stopped. “Well, it’s nice speaking to you, Maverick. Now I must rest. Would you like to come, I renovated recently,” he asked.

“No, thanks. I must go,” replied Maverick.

“See you then,” Lypimenous bid him bye.

Maverick looked puzzled at Lypimenous’s house. It didn’t look anything like a house. Entirely covered with metal it looked like an eggshell.

Maverick walked slowly gazing at the bright moon.

“Hey, Wheat Boy.”

A familiar voice stopped him. Irascias Piraat sat on a bench under a torch post. “Come on, sit,” he tapped the wooden bench.

“Irascias, what are you doing here?” Maverick questioned while sitting. Irascias’s clothes smelled very bad.

“You see that lady over there. I had a chance to talk with her; she seems to be really a nice woman,” Irascias pointed at Mrs. Benaida, who was busy closing her windows from outside.

“You mean Mrs. Benaida!!” Maverick asked surprisingly.

“Yeah.”

“Really…! Unbelievable!”

“What? An old man can’t make new friends?” Irascias’s stern tone returned.

“No, no… I didn’t say that….” Maverick stuttered.

“Bye, Irascias… see you tomorrow,” Mrs. Benaida bid him bye.

Maverick was astonished, “I never saw her happy after her husband’s death thirteen years ago. How did this happen?”

“Uh, that’s a big story but I’ll narrate shortly,” Irascias sat stiffly. “I came to the Great Stage for attending the celebration, that’s where I met Mrs. Benaida and her granddaughter. That little girl was very fond of me, unlike other kids in this village.”

“So you made two friends tonight?” asked Maverick. Irascias sat motionless looking at a barrel in the opposite of the road.

“Irascias! Look at me,” Maverick waved his hand before Irascias’s shallow eyes.

“Wh-What, what are we talking about?” Irascias stuttered like he was woken up from half-sleep.

“Mrs. Benaida’s granddaughter.”

“Oh, yeah… Yes. That little girl. I promised I would take her inside the Watchtower tomorrow.”

Maverick saw a rare smile on Irascias’s wrinkled face. “You look different, Irascias. Not in the looks but I can see in your eyes, you are… happy,” said Maverick.

“Yes, yes I am. You see, Maverick. I’m eighty-seven years old. I have no family, no children and I don’t remember having any relatives. But tonight, I feel different after befriending that little girl and Mrs. Benaida. I feel like, I was born today,” Irascias Piraat said enthusiastically.

“Hey, I was there for you, and right now I’m here for you, even before you got your new friends,” Maverick snapped.

“Yeah, I know, Wheat Boy,” Irascias put his right hand around Maverick’s shoulders and dragged him closer.

“Did you have your food?” asked Maverick with his neck locked in Irascias’s fat arm.

“Yes, of course. Look at my tummy how big it is,” Irascias patted his stomach.

After a twinkling laugh, there was silence. They both sat looking at the bright moon.

“Okay… It’s getting late. I need to be in the Watchtower before the Eye Burner shows up,” Irascias got up hurriedly, wished his friend goodbye, and walked away on the empty road.

Maverick went inside his home and saw his father sitting sternly at the feasting table. Sugaall brought some freshly baked wheat bread to her father. “Do you want some, Mav?” she asked without looking at him.

“No, thanks,” Maverick turned to go inside his room.

Aegis signaled at Sugaall, “Ask him.”

Sugaall cleared her throat, “Um, what are you going to do tomorrow, regarding the invitation?”

“Nothing,” Maverick spun around. Aegis looked furiously at his plate. Sugaall signaled Maverick to go inside his room. Maverick locked his room’s door, turned off the lit torches, and jumped on the bed. After a while, the first bell from the Watchtower chimed.

Maverick took his blanket, covered it from head to toe. He rolled over a couple of times but couldn’t sleep. Frustrated, he threw his blanket away, lit a lantern, took a book from his shelf, and started reading. It can’t be called a proper book. A bunch of papers was hand-stitched on some old book’s cover. The second bell from the Watchtower chimed. After some time Maverick’s eyes closed slowly, his grip on the book loosened and it fell on his stomach.

Maverick felt a sudden chill. He ran his hands over the bed looking for his blanket but what he felt was not his bed, it was a polished wooden plank.

Maverick opened his eyes and realized he was sitting on a wooden bench under a lantern post. He looked up at the post, instead of burning fire there was a small lantern, a small but bright lantern. He looked around the place he was in and realized it was a graveyard.

In front of him, probably ten yards away, he saw a group of people standing, heads down, facing the same direction as Maverick. He saw something lying on a wooden plank, wrapped up in white cloth beside the grave. At first Maverick thought, it was waste baggage with clothes, due to its enormous size, but after realizing the atmosphere around him, he understood it was a man under that white cloth or maybe a woman.

Four big men standing opposite the people stepped forward, took the dead body, and placed it in the grave. A young man went near the grave, took a handful of mud, and spilled into the pit. After him, a lady and a small boy went near the grave and did the same. Everyone moved away from the grave and two big men took a shovel and filled the grave with mud, and made a hump above with the remaining mud.

The small boy who earlier dropped mud inside the grave went near and placed a flower on top of the hump. A bald old guy went near the young man, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said, “Your grandfather lived a full life. Without him everything is never going to be the same, he gave us the strength to live and guided us like a father. His death is an immense loss for us too; take care of your family. We are here for you, always.”

Maverick tried to look at his face but due to low brightness, none of their faces were visible. Everyone dispersed from the burial ground except the young man, the lady, and the small boy.

Maverick tried to stand but he found himself glued to the wooden bench. He tried to stand but he couldn’t even move an inch. With his full force, Maverick pushed himself front and fell from the bench. But instead of falling on the ground, he felt he was on a solid surface, with no trace of mud. Maverick got up but before him, there was no graveyard, not the young man and the lady, not even the wooden bench and lantern post. He was in his bedroom, standing beside his bed. The lantern’s fire was still alive. His whole body sweating; his entire room was in boiling heat.

Maverick grabbed his blanket from the floor and got on his bed. “Is that a dream?” Maverick mused and slept.

Read the next chapter here -

EA-R-TH Age of NeOlwd

https://rajaveluauthor.wordpress.com/...

Chapter 4 — Manipulated Celebration

“Greetings, Mr. Maverick,” the two bulwarks said uniformly. “We are here to escort you to the Council.”

“How did you both know I will be here?” asked Maverick.

The bulwarks looked at each other. “We are bulwarks, no one in Tenebro can escape our sight,” said one of them; he looked older than the other.

Maverick looked at them suspiciously. “Shall we move, Mr. Maverick?” the younger one asked. The bulwarks walked either side of Maverick, like protecting something precious.

“Is this necessary?” Maverick asked the elder bulwark.

“You may or may not like this, Mr. Maverick; but this is the Council’s orders,” the elder bulwark answered impassively.

The young man asked, “Those talks are true, Mr. Maverick?”

“What?”

“There is a talk going on in our village that, you are going to join bulwarking,” the young bulwark asked with a brightened face.

“No, no, no,” Maverick spurted.

“Why?” the brightness started to fade.

“Why! Let me ask you why. Why did you join Bulwarking?” asked Maverick, in a bossy tone.

“Because….because… I like bulwarking,” said the young bulwark palely.

Maverick’s face went solid. “Let me make this simple. I will ask you some questions, all you need to do is just say yes or no, only yes or no,” Maverick commanded.

“Um, okay.”

“You joined bulwarking because it’s the prestigious job in our village.”

“Maybe — ”

“Only yes or no,” Maverick snapped.

“Yes.”

“You joined because you can get nice pay compared to Wheat Cultivation and Fisheries.”

“Yes.”

“Also, even though if you don’t make any progress you’ll get paid.”

“Umm… Yes.”

“Have you made any invention of your own?”

“No.”

“Have you ever nominated your name to work as a Tolerator?”

“No.”

“Have you done anything useful to our village except following the Council’s orders?”

“No.”

“If you get married your wife will get a job in the Poultry by default. You both can be financially secured till you die, right?”

“Yes, that’s the good thing about bulwarking,” the young man said.

“Oh! I see. Can you tell me the work nature of bulwarks?” Maverick questioned.

“Um. We bulwarks must protect our village. We must be innovative and flexible. Our inventions are used for the welfare of our people and…and we should take care and protect everything in our village, from the E.B.B to even repairing your broken windows,” the young bulwark erupted in the end.

“Just recollect our conversation, you will know what I’m trying to say,” Maverick said casually.

After a brief silence, the young bulwark said, “Yes, I…I understand.”

Maverick stopped walking, and said, “Look, I didn’t intend to hurt you. You are not enjoying your work because you chose it just to satisfy your needs. Understand this; our needs can never be satisfied. If you choose something to just satisfy your temporary needs, it may look like you are satisfied but remember that you are digging an unclimbable pit for yourself.”

“Enough of this nonsense,” the elder bulwark roared. “You have reached your destination, Mr. Maverick. Wait inside the guest’s room until you are called. Come on, boy. You have a lot of work to do,” he grabbed the young man by his collar and dragged him away.

“Wait, sir,” the young bulwark freed himself from the elder bulwark’s grip and asked Maverick, “Are you telling me to quit this job?”

“No, I’m telling you to do anything which makes you happy, in which you find satisfaction.”

“That’s pretty big talk for a twenty-two-year-old kid,” said Mallicious Beck, the assistant of Jurisbard Huubrihaught. Excess oil dripped from the tip of his slicked-back long hair. A thick, long robe made out of wild hogs’ skin covered him from neck to toe. He looked a little crooked — maybe due to his constant bowings to the chief. Beck had a small scroll in his hand, which he hid inside his robe when Maverick saw. “Seems you read a lot of motivational stories, Mav-er-ick,” he recited Maverick’s name like biting them.

“Yes, Mr. Beck. Recently I read an interesting book titled ‘Eavesdropping’ is a crime,” Maverick smiled.

“How dare you call me a criminal,” Beck raised his voice. “I am a council member. If I want, I can have you arrested, or I can break your jaw right now!” Beck crooked over Maverick and yelled, “I am a criminal? I am…… a criminal? You are calling me a CRIMINAL?”

“I didn’t. Actually, you did. Twice,” Maverick couldn’t control his laughter. “Also…. you threatened and accused me of something I didn’t say. So, that’s a crime. Now… you are a criminal. Are you going to deny, Mr. Beck?”

Beck’s lips trembled. His tiny mustache danced above his lips, which indicated he couldn’t find any words to bounce back. “Wait inside the guest’s room until my master arrives,” saying this Mallicious Beck swished his robe and walked past Maverick.

The Council is a pentagon-shaped, large building, with white walls and a wooden roof. The entrance had a couple of polished white marble steps and torch posts were stationed from the Council’s entrance to the street. Although situated in the center of the village, between the Fish & Egg market and the library, an undisturbed silence covered the old building. The council members with their costly coats, dustless shoes, and prestige-carrying looks were swarming around the area.

Maverick sat inside the guest’s room until his spine ached. Looking at the four empty walls made him sleepy. Having heard a heavy noise outside, Maverick poked his head out and saw some bulwarks queuing in the corridor, like getting ready for a parade with a few banners and signs which praised Maverick. He came out to the hallway. From the end of the hallway, a dozen bulwarks came swiftly carrying a banner on their shoulders.

Maverick withdrew himself from the hallway, allowing the bulwarks to pass, and mistakenly opened another room’s door instead of the guest’s room. Maverick realized he was now among the high-ranked council members of Tenebro, who all sat around an oval table discussing something serious. All department heads were also there.

“Hah! Welcome, Mr. Maverick. What an impeccable entry,” said a middle-aged man from the table. “Have a seat, we like to get your suggestions too.”

Maverick sat on a chair near a tall, long-faced man with some silver hair hiding among his long, shoulder-level, greasy hair; he wore a thick cloak of rat skin that carried an immense smell of fish. All department heads and council members were there except Maverick’s father, Aegis Tutelage, and two seats were left empty; the middle and head seats. All were looking nervously at each other and kept reading something from a small paper in their hands. Maverick saw the long-faced man near him, he looked familiar. Maverick kept asking his brain who was he. Finally, it answered — Blardece’s father. Maverick tapped his head for forgetting his best friend’s father.

“Hello, Mr. Lacklue Neying,” Maverick greeted him. The long-faced man shot a suspicious look at Maverick and asked, “Do I know you?”

“I’m Maverick. Blardece’s friend.”

“Who?”

“Blardece, your son! I’m his friend, you know me!”

“Aha…my son, Blardece… yes…son,” Lacklue Neying said dreamily.

A large woman entered the room. The school’s principal and daughter-in-law of the chief, Mrs. Empirica Specsolven, adjusted her decorated blond hair and sat in the middle chair. The entire hall went silent. “He is on the way,” she said glancing at everyone, with a smile. Everyone dumped their heads back on the paper in a swift movement.

Empirica looked at Maverick with a warm smile. Suddenly the door flung open with a sound. A tall old man with a pointy nose, and dark chest-length beard which split into two at its edge similar to a snake’s tongue, thin as a stick, entered the room followed by Beck and Aegis. Everyone in the room stood up for their chief, Jurisbard Huubrihaught, except Maverick, who didn’t realize what was going on. Jurisbard sat on the head seat, Beck stood to his right, and after a wave of his hand, everyone sat. Maverick hid behind Lacklue Neying.

“Are all you ready with your speeches?” Jurisbard asked in a cold voice. There was no reply in the entire room. An old man, Weise, who sat left to Empirica asked, “Juris, is this necessary?”

The chief shot an angry look at the old man. “Problem?” the chief sounded so sharp.

“No, Juris,” the old man dropped his head.

Jurisbard turned to Aegis and asked, “Has your son arrived?” Before Aegis could answer, Beck said pointing at Maverick, “Yes sir. He’s right there.”

Jurisbard’s face went red. “What are you doing here?” he asked with his one bushy eyebrow raised. Empirica interrupted, “We are getting late, sir. I mean the bulwarks are ready, it’s already midnight,” her voice raised and ended slowly.

“Then why are we sitting here? EVERYONE TO THE LOBBY,” the chief stood and vanished from the room. Beck and Aegis ran behind him. All the council members and department heads stuffed the piece of paper safely into their pockets and left the room. Someone’s soft hand stooped Maverick from leaving; he turned and saw Empirica’s hand on his shoulder; she stuffed a piece of paper into Maverick’s pocket and said, “I know you haven’t prepared your speech, so help yourself with this.” With a goodbye smile, Empirica left the room. Maverick slipped his hand into his pocket to see the paper but before he could Aegis came running towards him.

“Why are you so late? I searched for you in the guest hall and in the entire building!!” said Aegis nervously.

“I actually — ”

“Not important, come,” Aegis said hurriedly. Maverick followed his father to the lobby.

“Put those aside, you nitwits,” a grumpy voice echoed from the lobby.

Empirica and Swanky were at the end of the hallway, clearly arguing.

“I don’t want to come, Mom. It will be boring,” said Swanky, irritably.

“You must be there when your father is honored. Don’t expect me that I’ll excuse you this time,” said Empirica. There was no usual smile on her face; rather there was a stiff look, her small eyes were sparkling in fury. Swanky opened his mouth to reply but seeing Maverick come he remained silent and shot a sullen look at him.

“Look here; your father will be disappointed if you are not there,” said Empirica returning to her usual calm tone.

The lobby of the Council was filled with bulwarks and council members. The bulwarks had already arranged themselves in two rows; they stood on either side of the council members and department heads. The boards which praised Maverick were missing. All department heads were in the back of the line; the middle was occupied by council members and in the front stood Jurisbard in the center, Empirica to his left, and in his right stood a man whose face resembled Swanky. A few shiny white hairs decorated his bald head and his overgrown belly looked like a fresh egg ready to crack.

Maverick was puzzled about where he should join in the line. Aegis stood among the council members and signaled him to go front. Beck pulled Maverick by his sleeve and made him stand in the front of the line, before Jurisbard.

“The boy… should be… in front, sir,” said Beck, nervously.

A tall gigantic bulwark with three layers of clothes, each from different animal skins and many medals on his chest came in front of the line holding a lit torch. “I… Kindlespoon, as the Deputy Commander of Bulwarks hereby start…… this parade!!” he raised the lit torch above his head accompanied by cheers from outside the lobby.

All bulwarks on either side of the line moved uniformly. The tall bulwark, Kindlespoon, led them from the front.

Maverick’s eyes widened in panic at seeing the enormous crowd outside the Council building; people of Tenebro stood on either side of the street, cheering. The line moved slowly through the street. Maverick maintained a broad smile on his face. The streets were filled with men, women, and children, holding lanterns, and waving them over their heads. The bulwarks on either side blocked some enthusiastic young people trying to get into the line. Most of the people painted their faces in red and some wrote E.B.B and Maverick’s names on their foreheads and hands.

Passing through all streets they reached the Great Stage — a place that hosts all important celebrations held in Tenebro. The stage looked marvelous, twinkling with lit torches and lanterns. The big concave semi-circle behind the stage was decorated beautifully by Sinewy Bestride and his team. The bulwarks created a way for council members and department heads to climb up the stage. The entire people of Tenebro gathered before the stage. The newly fixed torch posts illuminated the entire area. Maverick sat on the center chair between Jurisbard and Empirica. The center chair was always reserved for the chief but that night, Maverick was the center of attention. Jurisbard’s face clearly showed his discomfort with the seating arrangement.

Maverick searched for his friends: Blardece, Lidrolla, and Velvebloo. There was no sign of them. Sugaall stood in the front with her students. Maverick turned back and saw his father sitting in the last, at the end of the stage, with his semi-wrinkled face filled with happiness.

A lady climbed up the stage swiftly and sat near Jurisbard. She was an elderly woman with a big turban, and a lot of silver bangles and heavy earrings, by which her ears looked unusually long. The village’s librarian, psychiatrist, and counselor, Miss. Coercilin Dupile said casually, “Sorry for not joining the parade, Juris. I had to clean the entire library.”

“Only cleaning, I assume?” asked Jurisbard, without taking his eyes off the crowd.

“Yes… yes, Juris,” the lady replied.

The bald man from the parade was sitting next to Empirica; they both were whispering something between them.

A short, thin man went to the center of the stage, stood upon a wooden stump, and raised his voice, silencing the crowd. Every speaker must speak only if they stand above that stump.

The thin man grabbed his own coat at his torso and spoke, “People of Tenebro…. how fantastic it is to see all of you gathered here, to celebrate a special night in our lives. I see the happiness on everyone’s face and we must honor the man who is responsible for this. Ladies and gentlemen…. here he is… the savior of our lives, the barrier at dawn, the symbol of inspiration… MAVERICK CIEKAWY………..”

The crowd roared. Maverick stood up and bowed to everyone. When he sat Empirica whispered in his ears, “You know it’s not a compulsion to do that.”

“Yes, but I’m nervous.”

“I can sense that. Don’t faint,” said Empirica.

The thin man raised his voice above the cheering crowd and said, “The reason we celebrate this tenth anniversary of the EYE BURNER BLOCKER is because this is our guardian, our hope, this saves us every dawn & dusk. The E.B.B is ultimately unique…..”

Velvebloo stood among the crowd with Lidrolla and Blardece. “He looks nervous!” said Velvebloo.

“Of course he is,” said Lidrolla. “If the entire people of our village look directly at only you how would you feel?”

“Shh! Keep quiet girls. I’m trying to listen here,” said Blardece, peeping over the crowd. “Look at him; he is sitting in Jurisbard’s chair… wow… ask me, if I was there what I would have done?” he asked them both.

“Fainted,” they echoed.

The speaker said, “Now I would like to welcome our chief, the Head of Council, Commander of Bulwarks, and our surrogate father, Mr. Jurisbard Huubrihaught, under whose guidance we survive every night.”

Jurisbard stood from his chair and walked to the wooden stump like a breeze of cold air. With his thin, black robes moving freely in the wind, he stood above the stump stretched his arms straight to his shoulders like hugging someone.

“The place where we stand was once barren land. This place never carried any human footprints; there was never any bit of happiness, only cries of the animals and monsters. But tonight we…. we all gathered here and celebrate this event because we humans… we evolved. My grandfather always said ‘Humans evolved from animals’ but I say, we might have evolved from animals but as long as we trust each other, as long as we believe what is to be believed and trash what is to be trashed, we don’t turn into animals. Tonight we celebrate this historical achievement by Mr. Maverick, the EYE BURNER BLOCKER, which in a sense protects us all at dusk and dawn from the Eye Burner. Remember people, we all will survive only when we accept the truth and abide by it,” said Jurisbard. The whole crowd went silent and cheered when he finished.

Velvebloo and Lidrolla looked at each other, confused. Jurisbard sat in his chair, now comfortably.

The speaker stood on the stump and said, “I would like to welcome Mr. Maverick Ciekawy to share some words with us.”

Maverick felt like someone hit him straight in his brain. Speech? Is this everyone reminded me about? How did I forget this? What I’m going to do now? Thoughts rallied inside his head.

Empirica whispered into Maverick’s ears, “Turn out your pockets.” Maverick slipped his hand into his pocket and found a piece of paper that Empirica gave him earlier in the Council.

Maverick walked to the stump glancing at the paper, something regarding honor, achievement, and patience was written dramatically. Maverick stood upon the stump, when he looked at the crowd he forgot what he mugged up. He licked his dry lips thinking what to say; his eyes scanned everything in his sight, to speak something about. The crowd which was silent in the beginning started to murmur.

Maverick looked up and saw the EYE BURNER BLOCKER; its beacons glittered steadily in the dark night. He stuffed the paper into his pocket and took a deep breath.

“It is an amazing feeling to stand before you all as a symbol of inspiration, but really I’m not supposed to be called an inspirational man. I will tell you why. Ten years ago when I came up with an idea to solve the problem which we were facing for centuries, I didn’t know I would be remembered for years and decades. I didn’t think of the fame or the allowances, I didn’t think of anything else. I just had an idea and a plan to execute the idea. It took two hundred nights to build the E.B.B. At that time I didn’t think about the result. What if I fail or what happens if I succeed, or what if this doesn’t work, no, I inadvertently didn’t allow my mind to slip into fear of failure or comfort of success. I had in my mind, only about how should I execute my plan.”

Maverick continued, “I’m not an inspirational person, I didn’t inspire anyone, but my idea inspired. The bulwarks who worked with me in the Twin Mountains are inspired, not by me, only by my idea. Even tonight when someone calls or acknowledges me with respect, it’s because I took a step without fear of failure. Hereby, I say — ”

“By all the words he said from depths of his heart denotes Maverick’s modesty,” Jurisbard interrupted. He placed his bony hands firmly around Maverick’s shoulders, a grip that Maverick felt unfriendly. Jurisbard continued, “Because of his humbleness he got himself into a reputable status. And also I thank Maverick for mentioning the bulwarks and their efforts for the construction of E.B.B.”

Jurisbard pulled a small scroll out of his pocket, looked at Maverick, raised the scroll above, and said, “As the chief of Tenebro, Head of Council, and Commander of Bulwarks I hereby present this priceless gift to Mr. Maverick, for his precious contribution to our village.” The whole crowd roared and lanterns are seen going up and down perpendicularly. Maverick received the scroll and opened his mouth to say thank you but Jurisbard interrupted again.

“Thank you, Mr. Maverick, for sharing your thoughts, now you can relax,” said Jurisbard and signaled Maverick to sit. “Alright people, let’s give Mr. Maverick big applause.” The crowd echoed.

Jurisbard stood above the stump and said, “Maverick’s philosophical speech was indeed a feast to our ears — the council members on the stage laughed — but don’t forget, the real feast is almost ready,” he let out a self-satisfied smile.

“Speaking of celebrations and bulwarks, I have a very important announcement. Until this moment, right from my age of twenty-five, I am the Commander of Bulwarks, a position which I held for a long period next to the Chief of Tenebro. When I became chief of Tenebro we had no experienced and politically stable bulwarks, so I took the position of Commander of Bulwarks to defend, construct, maintain, and help the people of Tenebro.”

Jurisbard gazed at the crowd and continued, “We bulwarks defend our village from wild animals; we constructed every building in our village, even from repairing your roofs to the construction of invincible boats for fishing. The EYE BURNER BLOCKER, the Council, Watchtower, Poultry, Library, Asylum, the graveyard, this stage, your homes, your boats everything… everything holds our fingerprints. Believe me people; our civilization was not possible without the bulwarks.”

The crowd cheered.

“I think it’s time for me to step down from my post and allow the younger generation to lead Bulwarking,” Jurisbard sighed. The crowd went silent.

Jurisbard continued, “As I always say ‘Talented people will be always inevitably presented with an opportunity’. I appoint a young man to carry on Bulwarking, and I am very happy and proud that the young man is also my son,” he stopped a moment and looked at the clueless crowd. Jurisbard raised his cold, grunt voice, and said, “I appoint Specsolven….. as the new……. Commander of Bulwarks…” He pointed his bony fingers toward a man sitting on the stage; his face blossomed with happiness.

Maverick bent a little from his chair to see who that was. He looked curiously because he had never seen Jurisbard’s son before. The bald man from the parade stood up and walked to the stump. Empirica nearly jumped out of her chair when Jurisbard announced her husband’s name. Maverick looked palely at Specsolven walking towards the stump. That moment he realized Specsolven, the son of Jurisbard was also the father of his most annoying nemesis, Swanky, and husband of Empirica, who clapped her hands with full force by which Maverick’s left ear gone deaf for a while.

When Specsolven stood upon the stump, all the bulwarks shot fish oil from their mouths through their lit torches, which in turn spat bright yellow fire, thus making bright lights emerge among the dark crowd. For a moment, the place looked like a lit torch itself; nothing was visible because of the extreme brightness. The crowd applauded inconsistently, which showed their disappointment.

Maverick sat unmoved by looking at a nearby torch post. The bright dancing fire on the torch post reminded him of something he recently experienced. The dream, the brightness he saw while he was in the cubical box, the stranger, the lady, all those images visited his brain blurrily.

Specsolven stood on the stump and was saying something very proudly but none of those words went inside Maverick’s ears. After Specsolven finished his speech, all the council members and department heads went one by one to the stump and spoke something looking at a piece of paper they had.

Maverick was only physically present; his mind was busy recollecting his strange dream. When Empirica came to sit, after finishing her speech, her silky coat accidentally fell over Maverick’s face, which pulled him back to the present.

“I’m sorry,” said Empirica instantly with a tight-lipped smile.

Jurisbard stood upon the stump stretching his arms again. The crowd looked so tired, even Sugaall was yawning.

Jurisbard stressed softly in his grunting voice, “Let the feast begin.”

The half-sleepy crowd cheered, their happy faces blossomed again. The council members and department heads walked down to the back of the stage where the feast was held, the bulwarks escorted them. The feasting place looked marvelous — thanks to the efforts put in by Sinewy Bestride and his team, who scooted around the corner tables instructing the bulwarks. The feasting tables were arranged in long columns and in the four corners stood bulwarks with tastily cooked fish, eggs, and wheat ready to serve everyone.

Read the next chapter here -

EA-R-TH Age of NeOlwd

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Chapter 3 — The Eye Burner Blocker

Maverick was happy for no reason. It was not because he doesn’t have to go to his training at the Wheat Cultivation, or not about the awaiting celebration. Indescribable happiness filled his heart.

Maverick stepped out of his room after a heavy sleep, scratching his head, barely opening his eyes. The hall was filled with a new fragrance; a strange, but good smell. He sniffed; his long nose scanned where the smell came from. Upon the table was a nosegay of flowers with a letter enclosed. Maverick examined the flowers; they were half dead, heads down. “Is this yours??” he asked Sugaall.

“What?” Sugaall let her squeaky voice pass the feasting room.

“Are these flowers yours?” Maverick asked again

“Which flowers?” Sugaall came out of her room hurriedly, nicely dressed, and combed her long hair well. “Oh, that! A fat guy came early at dusk wanting to see you. Since you were asleep he handed me this….this flowers and left.”

“The letter?” Maverick asked.

“He gave that enclosed with the flowers. You want me to explain every bit of what happened?” Sugaall said angrily, going into the feasting room.

Maverick looked at the letter. On the cover, it was written: To my friend Maverick Ciekawy by Fadherdy Bough (Not to be opened by others)

Maverick remembered him; the big man who always forgets his way home. He opened the letter carefully. Inside it was written in flawless handwriting.

I’m very happy to greet you on a special night. May your service and intellect methods continue to inspire a great many people among us. I’m proud that, I can say to my children and my grandchildren that I lived in the same nights when Maverick Ciekawy lived. It’s an honor to have met you.

My wife reminded me that you helped me to reach my home three nights ago. So I enclosed some flowers with this letter as a gift of gratitude.

See you during the celebration, sir.

Thank you,

Fadherdy Bough.

Reading this Maverick reached the feasting room. “Why are you smiling?” asked Sugaall, packing her food. “No, I’m not,” replied Maverick with a tiny smile. “I never saw you smile for no reason,” said Sugaall.

“Take a look at this letter. This man says he idolizes me. He is the same age as our father but he calls me ‘sir’. Do you think something is wrong with him?” Maverick asked and pulled a chair and sat at the feasting table.

“Yes, definitely wrong. You! His idol!!” Sugaall laughed. “Wait. Are you saying he is abnormal and must be admitted to the Asylum?”

“No, no, no, no,” Maverick bounced. “I just asked ‘Is something wrong with him’ and you are entirely exaggerating!!” he erupted.

“Do you think I’m wrong?” asked Sugaall, raising her eyebrows. “Um, err,” Maverick looked at the ceiling. “Yeah, he is weird sometimes. Always forgets his way home. He is mostly depressed for no reason.”

“Then I’m not wrong,” said Sugaall.

“But never forget; he is a good man. At least he thought to greet me personally, which as a sister you didn’t,” Maverick said.

“Come on! You want me to dramatically say ‘Oh, brother, I’m so proud of you. Tonight is the most important night for you, cheer up,’” Sugaall tried to sound in a different voice.

“Not in this voice,” said Maverick, glancing at the letter.

“So, why you are laughing?” asked Sugaall. “No, I’m not! Am I?” said Maverick, still with a grin on his face. “Aren’t you going to your training tonight?” Sugaall asked, changing the topic.

“No. Sinewy Bestride said he will be busy organizing the celebration, Hence, no Wheat Cultivation for tonight,” Maverick replied in a relieved tone. “Why you are in a hurry? Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked her sister.

“I’m getting late. I can’t let the students wait. I’ll eat at school,” said Sugaall, who works as a teacher in the school, teaching General Studies about Tenebro. “Pass me my meal box,” Sugaall said, packing her books hurriedly.

That hit Maverick’s brain like lightning. The word ‘box’ rang in his ears. The strange dream he had flashed in his mind. The unusual cubical box, the brightness, the man inside the box, the lady, everything flashed before his eyes.

“I’m getting late, Maverick. I’ll join you and Dad at the Council. Dad told me two bulwarks will escort you to the Council, so have yourself ready,” saying this Sugaall went out.

Maverick sat dormant; none of his senses worked. The last words he heard after the shock was ‘Bulwarks will escort you to the Council, so have yourself ready’. As his sister said he got ready and ate more than five fish to ensure his stomach don’t disturb him during the celebration. He noticed something on the feasting table along with the flowers; it was Sugaall’s meal box. Maverick cursed himself for not noticing that earlier. Now he must go all the way to the school to give her that. Without having a second thought Maverick grabbed the meal box stepped out of his home and paced towards the school.

The street looked empty. In the market, no stalls were opened except Mr & Mrs. Kindlespoon’s. Mrs. Kindlespoon, as usual, stood outside her stall with a big board in her hands which said:

SPECIAL NIGHT OFFER

100 eggs for 6 sacks of wheat

2 fish for just a dozen eggs

… Hurry…

There were no people on the market street but she still advertised in her squeaky voice. “Special night offer… hurry up, everyone.”

Maverick took the other street and went galloping towards the school. When he reached the school his nostalgic memories triggered. Maverick looked at the school’s entrance gleefully which took him to his most pleasant memory; the night when he met his best friend, Blardece.

A small boy sat in the mud, crying, with his curly black hair soaked in mud.

“What happened to you?” asked the eleven-year-old Maverick.

The small boy raised his head and looked at Maverick. With his brown eyes filled with tears, he said, “Those boys did this to me.”

“Okay… Why are you still in the mud?” Maverick asked. The small boy turned his head and saw where he was sitting; a pond of dirty rainwater. He was drenched in mud from the waist below.

“Come on, I will help you,” Maverick lend his hand to the boy and tried to pull him out but the boy was too heavy. With all his strength Maverick pulled him. The small boy dashed into Maverick and he, in turn, dashed into somebody.

“I’m sorry!” Maverick said, turning to the one whom he dashed upon. But to his surprise, it was two girls. A tall, stout, black-haired, round-faced, girl, and with her was a brown-haired, medium-height, oval-faced girl; the brown-haired girl looked so pretty.

“I’m sorry!!” Maverick said nervously. The two girls didn’t pay him any attention. Their eyes were fixed upon the small boy.

“What happened to you!” asked the pretty girl.

“He fell,” said Maverick.

“Oh! You look awful. Uh, my home is nearby, just two streets away, why don’t you come and have yourself cleaned?” the tall girl asked.

“Um, thanks,” said the small boy.

“What’s your name?” asked the brown-haired girl at Maverick.

“Uh. I’m Maverick Ciekawy.”

“I’m Velvebloo Flowere,” said the brown-haired girl. “And this is — ”

“Lidrolla Scintill,” said the tall girl, “And you?” she asked the small boy.

“Blardece Neying,” the boy replied

“Hey, Neying, you can’t escape from us.” A sound made those four turn instantly. Two large boys came running towards them.

“You must apologize for what you did,” the first boy said. Blardece trembled with fear.

“Leave him alone or else you will regret what is going to happen now,” Lidrolla warned the tall boy.

“Strange. He got some friends,” said the second boy.

“Make him apologize. I’ll let him go or else,” said the first boy, twisting his wrists. Lidrolla slipped her hand into her bag and took a handful of small stones. She threw a stone horizontally into the dirty mud; water splashed all over the boys.

“Ah! This stinks!!” yelled the second boy. She threw another stone and again the water splashed on them; some went straight into the second boy’s mouth. “STOP, STOP,” they yelled. Lidrolla didn’t stop. She fired more stones in the dirty pool; soon those two boys were soaked in mud more badly than Blardece. The two boys ran as fast as their feet could carry them. They slipped and fell but didn’t turn back.

“That was a good move,” Maverick praised.

“Thanks,” Lidrolla replied, dropping the remaining stones in her bag. “Shall we move?” she commanded.

“I haven’t seen you in school. What are you studying?” the pretty girl asked Maverick.

“I’m studying Bulwarking,” replied Maverick, with a warm smile.

“Bulwarking! Fascinating subject,” said Lidrolla gleefully, and continued, “Believe me, if I was a boy, I would have definitely become a bulwark. The attractive uniforms, the work in architecture, access to weapons, and most importantly… guarding our village. It’s a lovely life.”

The pretty girl jumped across a puddle of water and said, “But Bulwarking is the most dangerous occupation in our village — ”

“Innovative too,” Maverick interrupted.

“Yes, I agree,” the pretty girl smiled.

“Well, what are you studying, Velverblo?” asked Maverick. “It’s Velvebloo,” she corrected him. “We both are studying the History of Tenebro.”

“Boring subject,” Lidrolla yawned.

“Are you making any significant invention in Bulwarking?” asked Velvebloo.

“Yes. I’m trying to figure out a way to block the Eye Burner, temporarily,” said Maverick.

Lidrolla laughed aloud, “You are joking, right? Blocking the Eye Burner is impossible.”

“No. it’s not impossible,” said Maverick confidently.

“Are you sure you can do that?” asked Velvebloo. “I don’t doubt your skills, but, if you are successful then you will be a reputed person in our village. Congratulations in advance.”

“Thanks, Velve…bloo,” Maverick smiled.

“Geeks,” Lidrolla whispered in Blardece’s ear

“What about you?” Velvebloo asked Blardece.

“Uh — I’m…I’m studying about fisheries. My father is the deputy head of the fisheries department,” replied Blardece with pride. Having not been aware of the pit of water in front of him, Blardece slipped and fell flat on the dirty water.

“Seems like your friend has a habit of falling,” said Lidrolla to Maverick.

“Can I help you, Mr. Maverick?” a sullen voice pulled Maverick back to the present. It was the school’s secretary. “What brings you here, in your busy schedule?” he questioned hurriedly.

Maverick hid the meal box behind him and said, “Nothing — sir. Just came to see my sister!”

“Oh! Miss. Sugaall!! She’ll be on the northern block,” the secretary said in a low voice. Tying his hands behind him he moved.

“Thank you, sir.” Maverick took a few steps; again the secretary’s voice knocked his ears. “Hey, Maverick could you do me a favor?”

“Yes, sir. Of course, I will.”

“If the principal asks where I am — ”

“I’m not going to see her — ”

“Shh… Shh… Just listen. If she asks me, please say you didn’t see me,” he trembled.

“Okay,” said Maverick, dubiously.

“Thank you, boy,” a sudden delight filled the secretary’s wrinkled face.

Maverick asked, “The principal is still, Mrs. Empirica Specsolven, right?” But there was no reply. He turned and saw the secretary hiding behind a large tree and signaling him to move.

Maverick reached the loud and noisy northern block of the old building. He crossed every room, glancing at the windows searching for his sister, and finally, he stopped at the last room. Sugaall was there surrounded by a bunch of twelve-year-old students; all were giggling. It was a shock to Maverick to see Sugaall very close to her students. She was saying something in a low voice. The students burst into laughter every time she stopped. Maverick couldn’t believe his own eyes. She might be cracking a joke, Maverick mused. Instead of handing over the meal box, he stood secretly at the window, to listen to what Sugaall was saying.

“Tell us about the EYE BURNER BLOCKER,” said a girl, raising her hand. “Yes, yes, tell us,” the whole crowd chanted.

Sugaall scanned everyone with her charming dark eyes and asked, “So you all are curious about why we are celebrating tonight?”

“YES,” they replied.

“Then off to your seats,” she shooed them. Everyone jumped into their seats. Maverick for not to reveal his presence hid behind the windows.

Sugaall spoke audibly. “Before eleven years, during dawn, Tenebro was not the same as you see every night now. We were living as usual but the dawn terrified us. Not all nights were the same as you think. Some nights ended soon, some nights lasted more than usual. We don’t know when the Eye Burner shows up and when we must shelter ourselves in our homes. So we didn’t — ”

“What’s an Eye Burner, really?” a thin boy from the first desk asked. The whole class broke into laughter.

“You don’t know what an Eye Burner is?” Sugaall asked the boy.

“My mother told me it is a fire demon which comes on the sky every day and, and will burn us to ashes if we step out during… day,” the thin boy rhymed.

“The latter part is true but not the ‘fire demon’ thing,” Sugaall said. “The Eye Burner or Sun is the exact opposite of the moon. The moon is not harmful, but the Eye Burner, as I said, it’s the exact opposite. It will burn us.”

The thin boy nodded.

“So, coming back to what I was saying; people were afraid during dawn. They finished their work in a rush. This had a huge impact on our village’s economy. The fishermen, bulwarks, farmers, poulterers everyone did only a half night’s job. The Council and bulwarks took immense steps to change this situation, but none worked. One fine night, Maverick Ciekawy, came up with an idea to predict the Eye Burner’s arrival.”

“Maverick Ciekawy is your brother, right?” a girl from the last bench asked.

“Yes, my little, genius, brother,” Sugaall sighed. “Okay, back to the story, no more questions,” she returned to her strict tone. “His idea was pretty simple. It was observed that the Eye Burner comes up in the sky from behind the Twin Mountains and fades into the river.”

“I don’t understand,” said the thin boy, instantly.

“Come here,” Sugaall called the boy and made him stand to her right. She called two girls and made them stand left to her. Standing between them Sugaall said, “Now imagine I’m our village, Tenebro, okay. These two girls are the Twin Mountains which is in the eastern part of our village, and you are the river which flows in the west. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the boy nodded.

“Now do you see the gap between their heads?” Sugaall asked the boy, pointing at the two girls. “Well, imagine the gap is so small and thin.” She peeped her hand between the two girls’ heads and said, “Through this gap, the Eye Burner comes up and reaches vertically above our heads — she stretched her hands above her head vertically — and during dusk, it descends to the river, and fades,” she dropped her hand on the small boy’s shoulder. “Do you understand now?” Sugaall asked, tilting her head towards the thin boy.

“Yes, ma’am,” the boy replied. “Okay, good, off to your seats,” she shooed them.

“Now back to the subject,” Sugaall clapped her hands and turned towards her students; her ponytail swished a semi-circle and rested on her shoulder. “If you are in the Twin Mountains by dawn, you can see the Eye Burner’s light before the people of Tenebro. So, Maverick Ciekawy’s idea was, there will be a tolerator — bulwark — on top of the Twin Mountains and six other tolerators, three in each mountain’s bottom will be ready with the EYE BURNER BLOCKER.”

“Like I said if you are in the Twin Mountains you can see the Eye Burner’s light before the people of Tenebro. So during every dawn, the Tolerator at the top of the mountain will send a signal. By seeing that, the Tolerators in the bottom of the Twin Mountains will fire the EYE BURNER BLOCKER, temporarily blocking the Sun for a while, till we, the people of Tenebro, safeguard into our homes.”

“The mechanics of the EYE BURNER BLOCKER is simple. The six tolerators have a total of sixteen cannons with them, eight in each mountain. During dawn, after they see the signal from the Tolerator on top, they will fire some specially made fireworks from those cannons, aiming at the sky. Those sixteen fireworks meet up in midair, between the Eye Burner and our village. Then BOOOM!!! they explode, creating a giant cloud of smoke blocking the sunlight from reaching our village. Hence, the EYE BURNER BLOCKER.”

Everyone in the classroom sat paralyzed. Their broad eyes now shrunk, some were looking at their neighbors by the corner of their eyes.

“What? You all don’t understand!!” Sugaall asked in shock. Murmurs peeped among the students.

Sugaall sighed and said, “Okay…. Let me use an example.” She looked around the room puzzled. “Got it,” she snapped. Sugaall turned off all the lit torches in the room except one. She took that and placed it on the wall in the eastern corner.

“Listen here,” she silenced the crowd. Sugaall pointed to the girls in the first row and said, “Now imagine you girls are our village. Everyone must observe them closely,” she ordered.

“Yes, ma’am,” all boys replied joyfully.

Sugaall went near the first row, took a big board, and raised it above her head. There was no difference in the room by her actions, except in the first row. The whole class was filled with the lit torch’s light but the first row was dark. The shadow of the board was on the first row of girls’ faces.

“See. This is how the EYE BURNER BLOCKER works. The lit torch is the Eye Burner which is millions of yards away from our reach. This board is the E.B.B which blocks the Eye Burner’s light at every dawn.”

“After dusk, when the Eye Burner is gone, the Tolerators who are residing in the Twin Mountains will light the beacon fire and start preparing the E.B.B, to get it ready for dawn. The two vertical lights you see in the Twin Mountains are the beacon fire.”

“The number eleven!!” a boy from the middle row said dreamily.

“What?” Sugaall spun towards him.

“The two vertical lights we see in the Twin Mountains every night. Which…which looks like number eleven. One-one!!” the boy replied quietly.

“Yes, good, and!! You sound like you know something about it!” asked Sugaall.

“Yes, madam. My father was a Tolerator two years back,” the boy said softly.

“Wonderful. So, could you tell us all about your father’s work?”

“Um, yes,” the boy got up. “I…I missed him a lot during those nights. He would — ”

“No, no, no, not that part. I asked about your father’s work, as a Tolerator.”

“Uh, okay. Um, my father is a bulwark for the past twenty-seven years and, before two years he was selected as a Tolerator by the Council. He departed to the Twin Mountains at the start of the winter with five other men,” he stopped.

“Carry on,” Sugaall said leaning on her desk.

“The Tolerators are the most experienced and talented bulwarks. They spend a whole year in the Twin Mountains maintaining the E.B.B by every dawn and dusk. A total of six Tolerators will be working on the E.B.B, three in each mountain. They will reside in the caves during the day, safeguarding themselves from the Eye Burner, and work all night preparing the E.B.B for dawn. The two vertical lights we see every night were lit by them, indicating they started to work on the E.B.B.”

“Good. Thank you,” Sugaall applauded softly.

A boy in the last row asked, “Why can’t the Tolerators fire those cannons from our village itself, why should they be in the Twin Mountains for that? Does it take a whole night for them to prepare the fireworks? Who is that old man on the top of the Twin Mountains? I heard he hasn’t got down from the mountains since the E.B.B’s was constructed. And, seriously… fireworks! Do fireworks create such a big cloud of smoke?”

“Excellent question,” said Sugaall with bright eyes. “Since the E.B.B’s inception, none has asked these questions, other than you now. I’ll explain that.” Sugaall came to the center of the room and said, “Those fireworks aren’t like those you play with during Moon Praising and New Year. They are very dangerous. If they, by mistake, explode in the cannon itself, there will be no life for more than fifty yards around. I’m talking about only a single cannon’s effect; think about the whole sixteen. Working as a Tolerator isn’t easy, boy. They risk their lives to save ours.”

“Yes, it takes a whole night for them to prepare those fireworks because they should assemble all those exploding shells from scratch. Nothing is readymade because if they have all those shells ready for them, and if anything goes wrong, a whole year’s shells will explode. I hope I don’t want to explain how terrible it would be.”

“About that lonely guy upon the Twin Mountains, well, I don’t know his name but when Maverick asked the bulwarks for a Tolerator, who should be ready to spend a whole year alone on the top of the Twin Mountains, no one stepped forward. At last, an old guy volunteered. The bulwarks and tolerators after some years had requested him to come down and let some other tolerator do that, but he didn’t accept. His only answer was ‘I found peace in here’. Only after that, he got the name ‘Man above the Mountain.’”

A girl in the first row asked, “What about that scary old man in the Watchtower? Is he connected to the working of E.B.B? Because whenever I see him, he just blabbers that he is responsible for the safety of our lives.” Everyone laughed.

Sugaall in a strict tone said, “Yes, he is right, and his name is Irascias Piraat, not some scary old man. He is risking his life daily for us. So, show him some respect.”

“Sorry, madam.”

“Irascias Piraat’s work is directly dependent on the working of E.B.B. During dusk he will ring a bell twice from the Watchtower. The first bell indicates the Eye Burner is about to fade. The second bell indicates, it has faded and we are safe to come out. During dawn he will ring the first bell to indicate, the E.B.B has been fired, the Eye Burner will show up soon, and the second bell is to say…” she stopped for a moment. Silence covered the entire room. “If you step out of your home…” Sugaall scanned everyone in the room from right to left, opened her lips slowly, and said, “You will die.”

“Wow,” the whole crowd rhymed.

“During every dawn when the Man upon the Mountains signals about the Eye Burner’s arrival, the tolerators start firing the E.B.B, and Irascias Piraat will start ringing the bell. But during dusk, he is risking his life every day. He opens a window in the Watchtower facing west, and by calculating the movement of light inside his room, he rings the first bell, indicating the Eye Burner is about to fade, and rings the second bell when the Eye Burner’s light leaves his room. The dangerous part here is if by accident he steps into the Eye Burner’s light while the window is open… what happens?” Sugaall asked

“He will die!” the whole class rhymed in shock.

“Yes…. I hope hereafter you all will show him some respect for taking that risk for saving us,” said Sugaall.

After scanning everyone’s face, she continued, “When Maverick approached the Council with this idea, everyone was shocked, not only the council members but the whole people of Tenebro too. A small eleven-year-old boy handily solved the problem, which the whole Council and bulwarks couldn’t able to solve for decades,” Sugaall said proudly.

“Madam, someone is hiding near the windows,” a boy from the corner of the first row shouted.

“Who is it? Saki, is that you?” Sugaall came out. Maverick showed himself near the door.

“What are you doing here?!” asked Sugaall. “I… came to give your meal,” Maverick replied.

The girls in the first two rows peeped in front to see him. “It’s Maverick Ciekawy… Maverick Ciekawy.” Murmurs filled the classroom.

“Uh, thanks. I didn’t think you would bring — ”

“You didn’t eat at dusk so — ”

“No, Saki shared her food with me.”

“I didn’t know — ”

“It’s okay.”

That was the most awkward conversation Maverick had with his sister.

“SHUT UP!!” Sugaall silenced the noisy classroom.

Finally, Maverick opened his mouth and asked, “So, you are proud of me but won’t — ”

“Excuse me, Mr. Maverick,” a voice interrupted. Maverick didn’t turn but cursed the owner of that voice.

Sugaall without answering him greeted the girl behind Maverick.

“Hi, Saki”

“Hello, Sacchamia”

“Two bulwarks are waiting for you in the lobby,” the girl said to Maverick.

“Okay. See you at the Council,” Maverick said to Sugaall.

“No. I’ll be joining at the Great Stage. I must escort all students there,” Sugaall replied.

“Fine,” said Maverick and started to move. The girl followed him.

“Mr. Maverick, do you mind if I ask you something?” Saki asked softly,

“No. Not at all,” replied Maverick, irritated.

“Have you seen the secretary? I’ve been looking for him since dusk.”

“No,” Maverick responded quickly. “Hm. Okay,” she sounded disappointed.

“May I know why are you looking for him?”

“Not me. The whole school is searching for him.”

“Why?”

“I have been told that he played a prank on Mrs. Empirica,” Saki said quietly.

“What!! On the Principal!” Maverick startled. “He is a sixty-year-old man, not a nail-biting child!”

“Uh, yes, but in the recent nights, he is behaving… weirdly. Always scolding us for no reason, and sometimes he runs in the lobby giggling like a child. Do you know what’s the most annoying thing? He plays hide & seek with an imaginary friend,” she exploded.

“Yeah, I can see that,” said Maverick looking at the garden.

“Here they are. They two are waiting for you, Mr. Maverick,” Saki said pointing at two bulwarks in the lobby. “Wait!! Is that him? What’s he doing on the tree? Get down, sir,” she ran towards the secretary, who tried to climb a tall tree in the garden.

Read the next chapter here -

EA-R-TH Age of NeOlwd

https://rajaveluauthor.wordpress.com/...

Chapter 2 - Rookies Joining

A year ago…

1268 A.D.

Night – 278

‘Get up, Maverick’ was the sound that woke him. A blurred figure of a woman stood before him; he rubbed his eyes to make his vision clear. It was his elder sister, Sugaall.

“Can’t you realize, Maverick? It is nearly midnight. You will be late for the first night of your job. Be there where you must be now, before you make Father angry, again.” Razor-sharp words rushed out of Sugaall’s mouth.

“I will be going. Just get out of my room and shut the door behind you,” said Maverick, pulling his blanket off his sister’s hands, and laying back on the bed.

“Get up, Maverick. Don’t be such a lazy idiot. Should I ask Benaida to come, to wake you up? Just like when you were a toddler!” said Sugaall with a wicked smile. Shooting an angry look at his sister, Maverick got up from the bed and walked to the door.

“If you really hate that job, then why are you going?” asked Sugaall.

“What choice do I have?” were the only words that came out of Maverick until he got ready, for the first night of his training at Wheat Cultivation.

Meanwhile, all graduates in the village, Tenebro, were getting ready for Rookies Joining; an annual recruitment event where graduates choose their careers.

In Tenebro, out of a vast number of occupations available, these four were considered reputed: Bulwarking, Fisheries, Wheat Cultivation, and Poultry.

Bulwarking: Dealing with constructions and new inventions for the welfare of people, and protecting the village from wild animals. They maintain the law and order of Tenebro and the most profitable occupation. ‘If you don’t know something, ask the bulwarks’ was the most repeated dialogue among the villagers.

Fisheries: Working as a fisherman in the Great River which flows from southeast to west surrounding the village.

Wheat Cultivation: An agricultural job. Cultivating wheat on the outskirts of the village.

Poultry: Chickens were raised for eggs, only eggs. Unlike Wheat Cultivation and Fisheries, only women work in Poultry because only women are fit for that. A stupid rule imposed by a retarded fool whose name disappeared in history.

Among the four, the villagers considered Bulwarking as a very reputable and high-profile job, forgetting the importance of the other three.

Everyone in Tenebro consumes only fish, wheat, and eggs.

Maverick had chosen Wheat Cultivation because of three reasons: 2) Fishing is not one of his many talents. 3) According to him, Bulwarking, although an innovative job was spoiled by political interference from the Council. 1) His father wants him to join Bulwarking or accept a job in the Council—Maverick hates both.

While getting ready, Maverick saw his reflection in a mirror near his bed. A twenty-two-year-old boy, with dark eyes, an oval face, widow’s peak short black hair, fair height, and normal physique, looked back at him.

A medium-sized, red-colored notebook near his bed got his attention. It was Maverick’s journal, in which he recorded all his happy moments. He took the notebook lamely and frisked a few pages. When he stopped, a page he wrote ten years ago was open.

Hi. I’m Maverick Ciekawy.

I decided to write all my happy moments in this journal starting tonight.

What should I write? All I have in my mind is EYE BURNER BLOCKER, EYE BURNER BLOCKER, and only EYE BURNER BLOCKER.

Let me introduce my lifestyle.

In my village, Tenebro, we all work during the night and sleep during the day. Because everyone says, during the day the Eye Burner will be in the sky and if we step out of our home, it will kill us.

It was a horror for me when I was a kid, but not now. I am eleven years old, nothing will frighten me hereafter.

First, I would like to describe my village, Tenebro. Ours is a small village surrounded by, the Forest in the North, the Twin Mountains in the East, and the Great River which flows from the Twin Mountains surrounding our village from Southeast to West.

Oops! I forgot to say why I am happy.

As I said, the Eye Burner was a big threat to us, but not anymore. I have made an invention to block the Eye Burner during dawn. It is named the EYE BURNER BLOCKER by our chief, Jurisbard Huubrihaught. You may think about how something can block the Eye Burner. I like to describe but my hands are aching by this quill I stole from my sister’s purse.

In the middle of Tenebro, there is a tall building called the Watchtower, from which a bell is rung during dusk and dawn to warn us about the Eye Burner’s arrival. My old friend is managing that.

Maverick threw the journal on his bed with a nostalgic smile and came back to reality. Upon remembering the upcoming events he was neither nervous nor excited but departed dull-minded.

Handing over Maverick’s midnight meals (3 roasted fish, 6 boiled eggs, and a loaf of wheat bread) Sugaall asked, “Really! You are wearing this for the first night of your job?”

Maverick’s long overcoat made of wolf’s skin looked dull and his boots were coated in mud. Despite the dim light from the lit torches in the hall, he looked awfully dirty. Maverick didn’t reply; he snatched his food from Sugaall’s hands and stepped out. The wind was not heavy but terribly cold. His every step left a clear mark on the wet mud. It must have rained all day he mused. The street looked beautiful like every night as it was.

The torch posts which stood uniformly till the street’s end sprinkled light over the dark street. The torch posts were vertical iron poles with fire on top, to brighten the heavy night. A few people — bulwarks — were seen climbing the torch posts and refueling them, in order to not let the fire go off. His neighbor, Mrs. Benaida, greeted him, as usual, standing outside her home yawning heavily. Greeting her back Maverick reached the Fish & Egg market.

Among all the stall owners calmly conversing with their customers, an old woman was seen shouting in her sharp, squeaky voice. “Limited offer…… fifty eggs for just five sacks of wheat….limited offer!!!” People who crossed her paid no attention.

“Don’t just walk by, you fools, this offer is only till dawn,” she yelled. An old man in bulwark uniform came out of the shop and whispered something to his wife.

“I know how to run our business. You don’t teach me. Occupy yourself training your rookies,” she roared at him. She turned to her customer and asked in a confused tone, “What was I saying, dear?”

Maverick realized walking down that market street definitely won’t be a good idea. So he turned to go the other way. When Maverick turned he collided with someone; his bag fell but luckily he didn’t. If he had fallen, his already clumsy dress would have become far more awful to explain.

“I’m s-sorry, very sorry, I didn-didn’t see you standing… I’m sorry,” said a trembling voice. Maverick took his bag from the fresh mud. He looked up and saw the man who still didn’t stop apologizing. A tall big man, twice as big as a sack of wheat with an overgrown mustache that almost covered his mouth stood before him.

“It’s okay, I’m alright,” said Maverick dusting the mud off his bag, trying to move. ‘Please he should not remember me’ Maverick whispered in his mind.

“Ah, wait! Are you…you Maverick? You are Maverick Ciekawy?” asked the big man.

“Uh… yes,” said Maverick with more dull in his voice.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you. Ever since the night, you made that historical achievement, I have been waiting to meet you,” he took Maverick’s hand and shook vigorously out of excitement. “I’m bringing my wife for tomorrow night’s celebration, hoping to meet you and—”

“Um, Mr. Fadherdy,” Maverick interrupted with a suspense-filled look. “We met two nights ago. I walked you to your home when you said you forgot where your home was!”

“Oh! We might! Sorry, I have a poor memory nowadays,” gulped Fadherdy Bough. “Oops! I’m getting late tonight too! I hope our chief won’t mind if I say I met Maverick Ciekawy on my way,” he laughed nervously. “Anyway, n-nice meeting you. See you tomorrow night at the celebration. Don’t forget your sss…s-speech,” said Fadherdy Bough and disappeared into the market crowd.

“Hey, Bough, where is the payment for my eggs? Don’t try to fool me.” Maverick still heard that old lady’s voice among the noisy crowd.

While walking around the market Maverick recollected all events from dusk. The whole night seemed to be sluggish for him. Then he remembered Fadherdy’s last words ‘Don’t forget your speech’. Why would I give a speech? Is that important? Maverick mused.

“Why are you talking to yourself?” a sharp voice pierced his ears. The crowd paused and all were staring at a person across the street. A boy of his same age, fair height same as Maverick but stout, with curly black hair which jingled while he crossed the street came near him. He was Maverick’s best friend, Blardece. “What are you doing here? I thought you will be taking the market route,” the boy asked.

“Err — Mrs. Kindlespoon is in a bad mood tonight,” replied Maverick tilting his head. Blardece burst into laughter. “That woman is far too complicated to understand.”

They moved to avoid the crowd.

“Forgot to ask something, have you prepared your speech?” Blardece asked.

“What speech?”

“Hey, don’t try to fool me. I asked my mom to pack me extra fish and eggs so that I can stay until dawn,” said Blardece. “I can’t wait to see you standing among the council members in the Great Stage. Everyone will be chanting your name,” Blardece said with his hands in the air imagining that scene. “I heard something; they are giving you a special title, ‘SAVIOUR OF TENEBRO.’”

“WHAT?” bounced Maverick with a horrified face.

“Nah, I’m just joking. Just to see that look on your face,” Blardece smirked.

They reached the main street which was less crowded. Maverick stood unmoved looking at the street’s end. Blardece, who took a few steps stopped after noticing Maverick.

“What’s wrong, Mav?” asked Blardece, gazing in the same direction Maverick looked.

“Why haven’t they lit the beacon fire?” Maverick said in a jolting shock, without even blinking.

“Maybe they are still sleeping.”

Maverick shot a sharp look at his friend. “I’m going to the Council to report this,” he said, starting to move.

“Whoa, wait! We are already late for Rookies Joining. You can’t just—”

“This never happened before. They are responsible if—”

“Hey, Mav, look!”

A tiny sparkle twinkled far away in the dark night. The sparkle expanded and became a steady light. Another light peeped through the dark, near the first light. Suddenly the two lights started to climb uniformly like someone was chasing them, and they stopped. It looked as if a painter painted the number eleven in the air with fire.

“I wish I could light them myself one night,” said Blardece with glittering eyes. “It’s not easy as you see,” said Maverick with relief after seeing the beacon fire. “You will be like standing under an inferno; you must prepare your body to sustain the heat—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You invented that, everything you say will be right,” sighed Blardece. Maverick didn’t respond; he stood with his dark eyes fixed upon his greatest invention.

“Admiring your invention, huh? Maverick, the inventor of ‘EYE BURNER BLOCKER’ ta-da,” mimicked Blardece.

“Shut up, Blard,” Maverick chuckled.

“Holy chicken! An old man can ring a bell punctually but these youngsters are too lazy to light the beacon fire,” roared Irascias Piraat from the balcony of the Watchtower, looking at the ‘number eleven’. Even at the age of eighty-seven, he didn’t lose his solid voice. The shaggy beard, heavy boots, stinking hat, and dirty coat frightened every child in Tenebro.

Blardece went near the Watchtower. “Actually, Mr. Irascias Piraat, it’s not as easy as you see. You will be like standing under an inferno; you must prepare your body to sustain that heat,” Blardece repeated Maverick’s words.

“Shut it, boy,” said Irascias and threw his wooden mug aiming at Blardece’s head. Maverick rushed near and pulled his friend out of the speeding mug’s path. It missed Blardece’s head by an inch.

“Mr. Irascias, it’s me. Maverick!” he raised his voice so the old man could hear.

“WHAT?”

“It’s Maverick, uh, ‘wheat boy,’” replied Maverick.

“Oh, it’s you! Hold on,” said Irascias and climbed down the wooden stairs which creaked because of his weight. “What you brought me now, boy? More wheat I assume!”

“Um, no. I’m on the way to Rookies Joining,” replied Maverick.

“Oh! Okay.” There was some disappointment in Irascias’s voice. Blardece still stood like a statue watching Irascias’s mouth, which spat words without opening wide. Irascias ducked to take his mug but Maverick rushed before him and handed it over. Irascias breathed heavily because of the stairs.

“You must sit,” said Maverick grabbing Irascias’s elbow and directing him to a nearby chair. “He is my friend, I thought you knew him?!” said Maverick helping him sit.

“I thought he was from the Council, to reduce my wages, again,” muttered Irascias. “I’m sorry about the mug, boy,” he added towards Blardece.

“It’s okay. No problem,” said Blardece with a stupid smile.

“I thought you came to see me,” said Irascias looking at Maverick.

“I…uh…,” Maverick scratched his neck uncomfortably.

Maverick used to spend most of his time with his old friend but at that moment Irascias Piraat failed to understand that, Maverick was in a hurry.

“Who cares about this old man?” Irascias howled. His rusty voice broke in sadness. “All you need me to do is, ring the bell twice in the dusk to wake you all from your happy sleep and do the same in the dawn to warn you all to close your doors and windows before the Eye Burner shows up. But you cut down my wages,” he said furiously.

There was an awkward silence among them.

“Uh, Mr. Irascias, it’s getting late. Don’t worry, we will meet at dawn,’ said Maverick tapping the old man’s shoulder.

“Good luck with your job, boy,” Irascias said lifting his half-closed eyes.

“Thank you, sir,” said Blardece.

“Oh, Good luck to you too,” Irascias added towards Blardece. Maverick tried to hide his laughter, but couldn’t.

They started to move fast.

“That man is crazy. He tried to break my head,” said Blardece.

“He is a nice guy, just short-tempered, that’s all,” Maverick shrugged.

“You are bribing him wheat every night?”

“Bribe? No! The Council is not paying him well. So—”

“So you are supporting his living?”

“Yes. So what?” bounced Maverick irritably. “My father works in the Council, they pay him well. We always have more than enough,” replied Maverick. “Don’t tell me you are not getting enough fish. Your father is head of the fisheries department,” he added.

Blardece nodded and after a moment of silence asked, “Hey, do you know anything about Wheat Cultivation? Any facts or information I could use to impress our trainer?”

“No. Nothing,” Maverick opened his arms lamely.

“If I perform well, I could get a promotion in Wheat Cultivation, and support my family too,” said Blardece with new enthusiasm in his voice. “If you too perform well, of course, you would, we both could get promoted.”

“We may,” said Maverick palely.

“What? Are you not interested in Agriculture?” Blardece barked. “Yeah, I understand now, your father already earns well and you too get a lifetime supply of wheat, fish, and eggs because you are famous. Why would you hope for a promotion? How stupid of me,” Blardece scoffed and slapped his forehead.

“Whoa! Where did this come from? I’m not interested, that’s all!” replied Maverick.

“Not interested?”

“Yes. What? You don’t know what is happening in my life?” asked Maverick.

“No,” Blardece shook his head innocently.

Maverick took a deep breath and said, “My father wants me to join Bulwarking and have—”

“Wow! Seriously?” Blardece interrupted before Maverick could finish. “You can have a lifetime supply of resources, and if you marry someone she gets a job in Poultry by default. What do you want in your life other than this?”

“Lifetime secure job is not what I need, Blard. We must be passionate about what we do, irrespective of what the work is,” said Maverick.

“You are taking philosophy seriously,” Blardece said with a solid face. “What is wrong with Bulwarking? You have always wanted to become a bulwark since your childhood!”

“Yes. I love what they do in bulwarking, but hate how they do it,” said Maverick. “They should work with some pointless rules and should get approvals from the bottom level to top management if they come up with something new. Some favor you for no reason and some hate and degrade your work for no reason. I can’t imagine myself pleading with someone to approve my invention. I want to be a freelance inventor but my father isn’t accepting it,” he finished.

“This is life; you can’t always be gifted with opportunities. If you want to succeed in something first stop complaining. Society always listens to the winner’s lie, not the loser’s truth.”

“Who is philosophical now?” asked Maverick.

Blardece froze for a second and said, “Never mind. So why did you choose Wheat Cultivation?”

“Here I can at least be happy with you people. I got you, Velve, Lidrolla.”

“Okay!” Blardece sighed lowering his bushy head.

“STOP…” a voice echoed. A tall man with a dark mustache, tight outfit, and messy hair stood before them. Pointing his brawny hand towards their face he said, “Late for the first night of your job! Are you both stupid in your empty heads? Before you got yourselves admitted, you are EXPELLED. Off to your homes,” he erupted. Both Maverick and Blardece stood motionless, filled with horror. Blardece’s eyes became wet.

“Wait. You are Maverick, right?” he asked

“Yes, sir,” Maverick replied politely.

“Good. Good,” shrinking his brown eyes he said, “Splendid.” His big nose grew even bigger. “I retrieve what I said, you are not expelled. You are admitted and you. What’s your name, kid?” he asked Blardece. But Blardece with his eyes wide open looked directly at that guy’s nose. Before he could figure out what was going on, Maverick interrupted, “Blardece, sir. Blardece Neying.” The tall man pointed his brawny hand towards an archway, which said: WHEAT CULTIVATION.

Before the tall man said another word, Maverick caught Blardece by his collar and dragged him into the archway.

“That was too close. I thought he expelled us,” said Blardece still not recovered from the shock.

The smell of wet soil filled the entire area. People of the same age stood in groups — noisy as usual. Maverick stood on his toes to find his friends among the crowd.

“Ouch!” Blardece cried in pain, rubbing the back of his neck.

“What?”

“Someone hit me, look.” Blardece showed a small stone. Maverick knew the person who has the habit of giving that kind of welcome; with a smile that occurred naturally, he turned. Lidrolla Scintill stood behind them, a few yards away aiming another stone at Maverick’s head. As he turned unexpectedly, she couldn’t control her arm which already released the stone. It hit straight in Maverick’s forehead. “Come on! Not again,” cried Maverick. She came hopping like a child.

“Why do you do this always?” asked Blardece still rubbing his neck.

“Why? I always like to welcome by surprise,” said Lidrolla.

“Stupid welcoming,” Blardece muttered looking around.

Lidrolla, adjusting her dark waterfall-like hair said, “Don’t worry, next time I will aim a rock at your mouth.”

“Um, no, thanks, good welcoming,” Blardece jerked. “Where is Velve?” asked Maverick, looking around.

“Uh, she went to bring some water. Will come soon,” said Lidrolla.

“Hi.” A soft voice came floating in the air. It was Velvebloo; with her brown-striped hair dancing in the wind, matching her brown eyes which sparkled, she came with a mug of water.

“Hi, Velve.”

“Hi, Velve.”

Maverick and Blardece rhymed.

“You both are late! How can you be so careless?” asked Velvebloo, trying to sound strict in her sweet voice.

“It’s because of him,” Blardece instantly pointed at Maverick. “We had to stop at the Watchtower.”

“Please tell me you didn’t trouble that old man.”

“We troubled him! He tried to hit me in the head. Maverick saved me.” Blardece’s eyes widened in anger.

“He is a little disturbed.”

“Little? Seriously, little disturbed?”

“I don’t remember retards are allowed in Wheat Cultivation,” Swanky deliberately poked his nose in their conversation.

Swanky the only grandson of the village’s chief, Jurisbard Huubrihaught; spoiled and annoying, he never missed a chance to poke into someone’s discussion. He set up a rivalry against Maverick for reasons unknown. Swanky stood rigidly with his jet black hair covering his forehead, skin glowing like polished metal, and showing off his upper body muscles deliberately. Maverick remembered that Swanky was four years older than him, so what was his business there?

“What are you doing here, Swanky?” asked Maverick in a bossy tone.

“Making friends,” said Swanky, fixing his eyes on Velvebloo. She paid him no attention.

“You have nothing to do here,” said Blardece.

“That’s none of your business,” Swanky replied without taking his eyes away from Velvebloo.

“Of course, he has business here, Blard,” said Lidrolla. “Who do you think handles chicken poop supply to the entire Tenebro, other than the prodigal grandson of our Chief. Oh, not chicken poop, many call that manure for plants. Yes, manure supplier.”

All four chuckled except Swanky; his face was red in fury. The flirting look vanished from his face and he gave a sharp look at Lidrolla; she looked away mockingly.

Swanky moved away, his face must be burning in shame. They all laughed again till their stomachs ached. “That was a nice one,” said Blardece.

“Alright, everyone enough of your gossip and chit-chats,” the tall man who stopped Maverick and Blardece rushed into the field. Everyone ran to their allotted piece of land and stood firmly. Maverick searched for his land; luckily his land was near Lidrolla and Velvebloo. Blardece’s was next to Lidrolla. The tall man gazed at everyone from one end to another.

“The name is Bestride, Sinewy Bestride. I will be your trainer in Wheat Cultivation. I don’t care who you are or where you come from, all I need from you is to obey and respond, only to me. Never try to act smart, never leave this place without my permission, and most importantly, don’t ever, ever, ever, and never question my authority. You all will be given an equal piece of land, in that you must cultivate wheat at the end of the oncoming winter.”

Sinewy Bestride continued, “Only those who make within the first thirty ranks are eligible to be farmers. They will be presented with a piece of land that serves as an ancestral property for them and their family (Blardece’s face brightened). Others who fail to make it within the first thirty ranks will be again admitted for training or can choose some other profession, like Bulwarking, Fisheries, or anything you consider as a job.” Sinewy twitched a nasty smirk on his rough face and continued, “Wheat Cultivation will be not like how you studied in your school. This will be tough. If you want to leave, leave now or else I’ll kick your lazy face if I find you skipping my instructions.”

None moved a muscle.

“Alright, let’s start with the basics. Before you get your hands on the field you must know the basics of Wheat Cultivation. You must know your land very well than anything in your life…”

Sinewy Bestride continued without stopping. No one asked any questions. They all stood like statues. Soon some of the trainees had half-closed eyes — sleeping, but they gasped whenever Bestride raised his voice. Blardece, who was enthusiastic in the beginning, soon joined the sleeping crowd.

“Do you think he is going to speak all night?” whispered Lidrolla.

“I don’t know. Just act like you are listening,” said Maverick, barely opening his mouth. “What do you think Swanky is doing here?” he asked Velvebloo, the know-it-all of the gang.

“I’m not clear, but I heard a rumor—”

“WHAT?” shouted Blardece, who just woke up from his sleep.

Sinewy Bestride stopped his speech and gazed at the crowd with his ghoulish eyes. Unsure about who did that he continued. “You must use your tools very carefully. I don’t care if you hurt yourselves but no harm should be done to the land…”

Lidrolla stomped on Blardece’s foot. “Sorry,” he whispered in pain.

“What’s the rumor, Velve?” asked Maverick.

“Tomorrow night during the tenth anniversary of your invention, EYE BURNER BLOCKER, there is a talk that a new commander for bulwarking is going to be appointed.”

“Really!” surprised Maverick. “Whom do you think will be—?”

“SILENCE,” roared Bestride and continued, “After you make sure your crops are planted uniformly you must…”

All stood pretending to listen for the whole night. Their legs ached but no one dared to raise their voice. Maverick desperately waited for the words ‘class dispersed’ from Bestride; which he finally said. All trainees rushed out of the archway as fast as their legs could carry them.

“I’m hungry,” said Lidrolla. “I can’t believe he didn’t allow us to have food. A whole night lecture is not enough for him.”

“I’m hungry too,” said Blardece.

“Hey, why don’t you all come to my home? My mom would have prepared some boiled eggs, fresh from the Poultry,” asked Lidrolla.

“No, it’s already late.”

“I need to take care of my cousin.”

“I need to rest.”

All three bounced soon.

“Um, see you all tomorrow. Don’t be late for your celebration too, Mav. We all will be watching you,” Lidrolla departed reminding Maverick about something he should not forget.

Maverick entered his home and saw his sister at the feasting table with a plateful of roasted fish and boiled eggs. “How’s your job?” she asked, with a mouthful of food.

“Horrible.”

“Uh, at least make it sound good when Dad asks,” said Sugaall.

Maverick didn’t respond. He sat down at the table and started to eat. Since he was hungry, even his sister’s cooking tasted good.

“You hungry?” asked Sugaall, fixing her dark, adorable eyes on her brother.

“What do you think?” replied Maverick, busy swallowing the boiled eggs.

Their father Aegis Tutelage stormed into the house, carrying heavy baskets filled with fish and eggs. He looked identical to Maverick except for the thin receding hairline, which looked like a cultivated wheat field. “Sorry..! I’m late,” he gulped.

“Sit down, Dad. I’ll bring you fresh fish,” said Sugaall, collecting the baskets from him. Aegis sat opposite Maverick. With a broad smile on his face, Aegis Tutelage looked eagerly at his son.

“How was the night?” Aegis asked with bright eyes.

Maverick remembered his sister’s advice. “Splendid,” he said, trying to make it sound good. “We learned new things about cultivation, wheat, and tools, of course. We enjoyed really.”

“I knew you would… enjoy,” said Aegis with a fake smile.

Sugaall brought a plateful of fresh fish and distributed the fresh and hot ones to Maverick, others to her father, and sat between them both.

Aegis said, “What surprised me is, you are not accepting a job in the Council and refusing to join Bulwarking, but you find something interesting in Wheat Cultivation.”

“Father, we talked about this,” said Maverick in a frustrated tone. Sugaall switched a fresh fish to Maverick’s plate against an over-baked one.

“But what I am trying to say is, if you still join Bulwarking you can get a fair promotion within next year,” said Aegis, swallowing his chop of fish. Maverick opened his mouth to say something but before he uttered it, Sugaall kicked his feet from under the table and signalled him not to speak. Maverick got up without finishing his food and went into his room. He slightly heard Sugaall and Aegis arguing.

Maverick Ciekawy sat near the window and watched the people hurrying to their houses. The street was usually noisy at dawn. The first bell from the Watchtower chimed. Irascias Piraat, even though in his trembling old age was always punctual. Soon it will be dawn, but before that, the Tolerators must turn on the EYE BURNER BLOCKER.

There was a knock on the door. Aegis stood by the entrance, folding his coat made of lion’s mane, and said, “Um, sorry, I shouldn’t have talked—”

“It’s okay, father. Please, let’s not talk about that again,” Maverick pleaded.

“Okay. It’s about dawn. I’m… I’m going to the DNIMATIV building,” Aegis said. Maverick nodded.

All council members should sleep in the DNIMATIV building every seven days once — a rule by the Council.

After Aegis left, Maverick closed the front door and all windows and made sure nothing was open. He turned off the lit torches in the hall and went into his room, leading the darkness.

There was one lit torch in his room in a corner, and a lantern hung above his bed. He went near the lit torch and took a closer view of the fire, which burned heavily, clinching the top of the wood, like something trying to drag it away. He took a book from his cupboard and glanced over some pages. The second bell chimed from the Watchtower, indicating the Eye Burner has come. Maverick turned off the lit torch and jumped on his bed. His eyes started to close slowly and shut at once.

In his deep sleep, Maverick felt some tingling feeling in his toes. He rubbed them on the bed. The tingling increased. Now his toes started to fold, and his ankle then the knees and hips too. His neck twisted causing horrible pain.

Maverick opened his eyes; he was not in his bedroom anymore. He felt like he got stuffed into something, like a four-foot cradle. He tried to get up, freeing his hands but his head bumped into something. He couldn’t open his eyes which were in great pain like someone punched straight into his eyeballs. He strained a lot to open but shut them as fast as he could. In a swift movement, Maverick dumped himself into the four-foot cradle and covered his eyes with both hands. His body started to tremble from head to toe.

Maverick Ciekawy never saw such brightness in his life. He once visited the Council which had hundreds of lit torches and lanterns, but they cannot possibly match the brightness he saw. He heard strange sounds; sounds which he never heard in his twenty-two years. He didn’t dare to open his eyes to see what was going on around him. But then, out of nowhere, he heard a familiar sound in an unfamiliar voice.

“Why hasn’t he moved his car yet?”

The sound stopped his brain from panicking. His body exhaled relief. Maybe someone is there! I could ask for help. Where am I? Where is this brightness coming from? Is it dangerous? Questions flashed through his mind.

Still, the sight of brightness frightened him; he didn’t dare to stand but soon understood he can’t be in that four-foot box for long. His elbows and spine were in severe pain. Maverick opened his eyes slowly, this time it didn’t strain. He looked up and saw what he bumped into. A black plain metal, the same metal was to his right, crushing his elbow. On his left was something like a barrier but covered tightly with a black, thick cloth. Grabbing the black cloth he managed to sit, but his right leg got caught in a tangled coil of rope. Maverick got his eyes above the barrier, his black pupil got big, and so was his mouth.

He was in a box, but not perfectly cubical. He remembered the unfamiliar voice ‘Why hasn’t he moved his car yet?’ Car! What’s a car? What language is that? Maverick mused.

Maverick looked around the box which was divided into three compartments, he was in the last small one, the middle one was big and the first one had two big chairs, chairs without legs, and there was a medium-sized stick between them. In the right chair, he saw a man, who faced the same direction as Maverick; only the back of his head was visible.

Maverick assumed that the unfamiliar voice belonged to him and opened his mouth to talk, but his tongue didn’t twist. He couldn’t make any sound, only air rushed out of his mouth. Maverick stretched his hand, trying to reach the ‘unknown’ man, but he couldn’t. The more and more he tried, the more and more the rope tightened on his leg. There was a tiny mirror in the front of the box. When the man adjusted the mirror Maverick saw his reflection.

“Hey, move your car, you idiot,” the ‘unknown’ man yelled; he took a small, slim, rectangular box and placed it on his left ear. “Hello. I have very happy news for you… my client presented me a new car… yes, yes in your favorite color… I’m on the way… I know, I know, I should not use mobile while I’m driving… okay… okay… within thirty minutes I will be in our home, get ready…. aha…. uh…”

Maverick tried again to call him but his tongue remained stiff as a stick. He started to free his leg from the messy rope. After a great struggle when he freed his leg, suddenly the box stopped.

The man pushed the metal to his right, it opened similar to a door, got out, and slammed it hard. Maverick jumped into the middle compartment and saw a beautiful house pained in green, and a lady coming out, but couldn’t see her face.

“You are early,” the lady said.

“Yes. I promised my son I will take him to see the cricket match. If I fail to keep my promise I’m not a good father,” said the man.

Maverick opened his mouth and shouted, “HELP.” His tongue twisted letting the words out. He shouted again and jumped into the first compartment. Instead of getting into the first compartment, he felt like falling. There was no possibility to fall inside such a small box, but he still felt like falling from a great height. Suddenly Maverick felt severe pain in his back and head.

Maverick found himself in his bedroom, lying on the floor beside his bed. The lantern’s fire was still alive, and his back was hurting a lot. He got to his feet and saw his messed-up bed. His whole body was sweating and his entire room was in boiling heat. He felt like a fish being baked in a fire.

“Stupid dream,” Maverick said to himself, got on his bed, and slept.

_______

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Chapter — 1 | After the Heated Argument

23 years later…

Year – 1269 A.D.

Night – 287

In a small home near the Great River, a family was having their late-night meal.

“Hey, Cred. Where is your friend?” asked Credulous’s annoying elder brother. “SHUT UP!!!” said Credulous furiously and continued to eat. His mother brought in a plate: six boiled eggs, five loaves of wheat bread, and two roasted fish from the kitchen.

“Don’t again start with your brother,” she scolded her elder son, “Maverick’s death has terribly upset him.”

“Maverick Ciekawy is not dead,” Credulous screamed. His elder brother, having his plan worked out had a wicked smile on his face and said, “Mom, Cred still thinks Maverick is alive!”

Their father, who was very busy eating, lifted his head suddenly and said, “I knew Maverick very well. He was a good guy. A great guy I would say but… obsession is dangerous.”

Credulous’s lips tightened. “He is not obsessed. Maverick is a genius.”

“Uh, Cred. Maverick Ciekawy is no more,” said his elder brother.

“MAVERICK IS NOT DEAD!!!” Credulous screamed again. “He is not dead, and all he said was true.” His father and brother coughed hearing those last words. “All he said was true! If it was true, then why did he die?” asked the elder son.

Their father, swallowing a whole egg said, “I remember, twenty-three years ago, the Council tried to kill Maverick when he was a baby, his mother saved him. But now, that sacrifice is wasted by his obsession.”

“I hate him,” Credulous punched the table with his tiny fist.

“Hate who?”

“Jurisbard Huubrihaught. Our chief, I hate him.”

“Cred, he is our chief. Mind your tongue,” said Credulous’s mother angrily, and she asked her husband, “Is everything alright now, in your work?”

“No. Everything is a catastrophe now,” said the husband looking at her with raised eyebrows. “Everyone has started debating about Maverick’s death and his… his final words, about who was true, whether Maverick or Jurisbard, whose words were really the truth.”

Credulous’s mother pulled a chair and sat between Credulous and her husband, and said, “If you see from Maverick’s point of view it sounds like he was right, but if you see the same from our chief’s point of view then, it looks like, Jurisbard was right!”

“Yeah, it’s very confusing,” said her husband and took a roasted fish from the plate. “Anyway, who cares? Hereafter, who cares about a dead man’s words?” he said with a mouthful of delicious fish.

“MAVERICK IS NOT DEAD,” Credulous’s voice echoed. “Did any of you actually see him die?” he roared.

The three became silent.

The elder brother now spoke calmly, “Cred, listen to me. If someone close is dead, it will be very hard for some people to accept that person is gone forever. In their grief, they start to believe that person is still alive and will come to them. I don’t want my brother to do the same. Please, believe me, Maverick Ciekawy is dead.”

“Oh, you believe!” Credulous nodded sarcastically. He turned to his mother, looked at her sharply, and asked, “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?”

_______________

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Chapter — 0 | EA-R-TH Age of NeOlwd

Year – 1246 A.D.

Night – 277

In a dark village, Tenebro, surrounded by mountains, a forest, and a river, a baby was born.

“It’s a boy!” said an old lady, holding the baby in her trembling hands. Her rusty old voice had a mixture of excitement and pity. After thirty nights, the baby’s family purchased a new home and settled near the Fish & Egg market.

“Mom, why can’t I go out during the day?” asked the baby’s three-year-old sister. Benaida, an old lady, their friendly neighbor, who was there when the baby was born said, “You can’t go out. The Eye Burner… it will turn us into ashes. We’ll die.”

“Mrs. Benaida, please! She will be frightened. She will know about the Sun when she is a grownup,” said the baby’s mother.

After the girl slept, the old lady said, “When I was her age, I have always wondered how the day would be. Instead of working at night and sleeping during day, for a chance, if we get to see the day…” Benaida signed and said, “But we can’t. The sun will burn us.”

Suddenly the front door flung open with a bang. The baby’s father emerged from the night. “Are they sleeping?” he asked nervously. The mother stood up due to her husband’s worried face. “Yes!”

“We must go,” said the husband and started to pack their clothes.

“Go where? What happened?” asked the wife.

“Get ready before they come,” said the husband hurriedly and lifted his daughter, without disturbing her sleep.

“Where? Who is coming?” asked the wife sternly.

After being locked by his wife’s furious eyes, the husband gave his daughter to their old neighbor, took a deep breath, and said, “They are coming, the Council.”

“Coming for what?” his wife’s face was cold as ice. “They are coming to kill him!” said her husband. Mrs. Benaida closed her mouth in horror. “Killing a child! Can’t they think anything cruel than this?” she gasped.

The husband’s voice trembled. “I tried to convince them, but our chief is not ready to listen to anything. We must not waste time; we should disappear before they come.”

“But it’s about to dawn, the Eye Burner will show up anytime now. If you go out, you will die!” said Mrs. Benaida. The baby in the cradle was sleeping peacefully not aware of the awaiting danger.

“Take care of our children,” said the mother. “But, dear, we can’t fight them! The Chief won’t listen to you. They can’t be reasoned with anything!” said the husband hopelessly.

The mother kissed her daughter and approached the baby. “Don’t worry. Till there is air in my lungs, I won’t let anything happen to you.” She kissed him and went out, into the spine-chilling night against their inconvincible chief, Jurisbard Huubrihaught.

At the street’s end, an eleven-year-old boy who had recently lost his father saw the lady go.

“First child in a day, huh! I hope they kill him,” his whisper silently pierced the air around him.

__________

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How does a writer think?

A writer thinks from multiple points of view for every single situation

Let me start with an example:

A judge calls two people to explain a certain incident.

One is a writer, the other is a… let’s keep him as an accountant.

First, the judge asks the accountant to describe the incident of a motorcycle accident involving a mother and her child.


The accountant or any common man will describe it like this.

“It happened quickly. I saw the motorcycle coming fast and by the next second, it collided with the mother and the child. I rushed there and helped the mother to stand up and checked on the child. Other people who were along with me helped the motorist too. Hopefully, it wasn’t a major accident. Only a few bruises, that’s all.”

The judge asks, “Since you are a witness. Who do you think is the reason for the accident?”

“I am not sure who made the mistake. It’s a busy road, and it’s busy timing too. I’m not sure.”

Now the judge calls the writer to explain.

“I was busy pacing through the crowded street with two bags of groceries for my lunch. Suddenly, there was a blaring sound coming from the east. In a split second, the collision happened. Like everyone nearby, I too hurried to the spot to help them. As everyone was helping the young motorist and the women stand up, I noticed the traffic light was red.”

“The mother had clinched her child, safeguarding the poor little thing from damage, but she had received a huge bruise on her left hand, and her right hand still holding on to her child’s torn school bag.”

“I took notice of the young motorist who wore complete formal attire with swollen red eyes. His motorcycle was hot – must be on run for a long time.“

“I’m sure the time was closer to 09:00 AM.”

“I am glad to find out none involved in the accident were injured, just bruises on the hands and legs.”

“The judge asks, “Since you are a witness. Who do you think is the reason for the accident?”

“As I mentioned earlier, the motorist was in full formal attire with swollen red eyes. So, either he should be drunk or he must a worked an extended shift till morning. As it is clear right after the incident that the motorist is not drunk, that means must have had an exhausting work without sleep.”

“On the other hand, the woman is taking her child to a school that is nearby to the incident’s location. Since the time is nearly 9 AM, the mother might be in a hurry to make sure her child gets into school.”

“The blaring sound everyone heard is not the acceleration of the motorcycle. Rather, it was the sound made due to applying the motorcycle’s break suddenly.“

“Less than 10 seconds after the collision, I noticed the traffic signal showing red.”

“This is what might have happened.”

“The motorist having worked an extended shift without any ounce of sleep riding a motorcycle ahead of him was a signal crossing. Meanwhile, the woman is in a hurry to take her child to school, waiting for the pedestrian signal to turn green.”

“Since there is no CCTV footage to clear whether the woman crossed the road before the green sign, or the motorist failed to notice the traffic red signal.”

“We can't accuse both parties here. But, I deeply feel sorry for the child having the traumatic experience. “

Hold on!!!

Now you may think, not all writers are Sherlock Holmes!

The point here is, writers pay more attention to details. They never miss any.

Similar to this incident, if a writer convinces a story and executed it. For every dialogue written, the writer thinks and executes from every angle involved, to make sure the event is believable and realistic.

Let's imagine, a story has 10 characters. The writer thinks like each character for every situation involved.


The writer makes each character unique based on how they think, how they speak, how they walk, etc.

For making all these possible, all great writers are great observers.

Only when you observe things well, you can replicate those convincingly in writing.

So, long story short. A writer thinks from multiple points of view for every single situation.

My complicated relationship with Maths, Accounts, and Life!

Where do I even begin!

Since my childhood, I have always been a daydreamer - still a daydreamer.

Growing up as a silent kid with poor social skills and below-average in studies, even struggling in expressing my ideas, I often found excitement in daydreaming.

Sometimes I’ve imagined myself as a police officer in a high case with the most dangerous criminals. Sometimes I was a superhero with omnipresent powers.

Well, every hero has a weakness, and mine was… no.. is, Mathematics. Yes, Mathematics is my kryptonite, and my Maths teacher was my arch enemy. The interesting part was, my arch enemy changed appearance every year.

Similar to a video game, when the hero defeats the enemy, the game takes him to the next level where an even more powerful enemy will be waiting for him. Hence the hero must fight and defeat those powerful enemies and finally gets to the boss.

But in my life, the storyline was interestingly different.

Each year, my arch enemy demolishes me with all those algebra and trigonometry weapons, and when their shift is over, they’ll ‘pass’ me to their higher management. This continued for 10 years. Yes, I got failed, humiliated, punished, but never have I ever stood up to my enemy and tried to fight him.

Rather, my approach was like, ‘don’t train the untrainable’. I never had any interest in Maths, I am neither prideful nor guilty.

On the whole, Mathis is my evil ‘ex’

No matter wherever I go, she still stalks and taunts me often.

The best part for me is, I’m over my ‘ex’ but she is never over me, never will!

After graduating 10th standard, I’ve taken the right decision for which I’m proud of myself, till now.

Similar to every other Indian family, my family too benevolently forced me to take up engineering

But I had other plans!

Looking at my 10th marksheet, I analyzed what are my strongest areas, and what are my weakest. The weakest is obviously my evil ex, and my strongest are theory papers. Although I liked science, I hated Maths more. After turning down Maths and science, I choose Accounts as my career path.

Most of my circle said I'm choosing a comfort zone and I would surely fail and regret. But, I choose not to overfeed my mind with all those suggestions, and let me be the judge for my own decisions.

Fast forward 6 months, I scored the first rank in my class. Centum in Accounts, Commerce, and Economics.

For a kid who never ever got all-pass for the past 10 years, pinning the first rank badge on my shirt boosted my confidence.

Now, what motivated me to excel in studies after choosing the Accounts group was a short and personal story that will be better explained in future.

I enjoyed the 2 years being a prodigy in Accounts. I was the teacher’s favorite, class leader, and also popular among friends, for one reason - I could do Accounting well.

The love between myself and Accounts bloomed in those 2 years. Like an innocent love with no commitments. After getting into college, the love got to a serious stage. I enrolled in ICWA, after guidance from my uncle. Everything was fine, everything was wonderful, everything was fantastic. The balance sheet was perfectly ‘’balanced’

And after a while, after I landed my first job in an MNC, slowly the love started to fade.

I like accounts, but I couldn't see a career in which I would be satisfied. After resigning from the MNC job (Will explain in another blog) I even worked for a few months in an Auditor office as an accountant. I’ve done my work well, got appreciation from my seniors, and also my boss. Yet, the crack grew wider and wider.

After thinking a lot, and preparing myself for another great risky experiment, I quit my job as an accountant, and said final bye to my love for accounts.

We are still on good terms till now. Not like that tyrannical trygnometry trouble-maker

Just like everyone has their childhood crush. I too have one, no.. three

Since my childhood, Space has always fascinated me.

Often i look at the night sky decorated with stars and clouds and muse how big the universe is?

I wanted to be an Astronaut. I proclaim I would become an astronaut when I grow up, when I didn't even have any idea of how to become one.

Although I missed to take that turn in this life highway. I’m madly positive I will find myself between the earth and moon, before the grim reaper finds me.

Similar to my previous crush, I was equally infatuated with Archaeology. But, even before I tried to explore it, it was buried deeply.

For a guy who loves mystery, suspense, and thrill. Fascinated to become a detective is not a surprise. I even did two private investigations on my own at the age of 12 and succeeded. Yes, I found out who murdered my goldfish, and retrieved my magnetic watch which one of my cousins broke into pieces and disposed of.

Yes, these seem like petty tasks, but for a child of 12, I felt I'll be a good detective.

After I bid farewell to my accounting love, I took a break and paid my full attention to a new passion, which I wanted to do for a long time.

Pen a novel.

Although my financial and family commitments were ballooning day by day, I was 23 at that time and determined that would be the right age to take any risks.

For nearly a year I started to daydream and whatever I dreamed, I wrote it down. Thus born my debut novel EA-R-TH Age of NeOlwd.

I never hoped I would become a good writer, still I am not a good writer. But if you ask me what I'm good at, I'll proudly proclaim I'm a fantastic daydreamer.

God has blessed me abundantly to be creative. And now I realized my career has come full circle.

In childhood, I daydreamed a lot and wanted to become omnipresent, and God has listened to my 'want' and blessed me with a career on being omnipresent & creative.

Confused?

Every writer, author, novelist, storyteller, or whatever name my fellow daydreamers call themselves, I have the power to be omnipresent in the world I create.

Even though the world is fictional, I try to bring life through it with innovative ideas and compelling characters. And there, a new love bloomed, my love for writing.

During my 1 year of break, during my first draft of my debut novel, never have I been filled with soooo much satisfaction.

Every character I've sculptured, every chapter I've completed, gave me a satisfied sleep every night.

Now I'm addicted to it.

And will continue to be addicted to my love till I become a forgotten history.

And, what else do I say to my love life…??

Well, life is full of surprises….

Never stop dreaming… 💭