Chapter 3 - East Beckons

“My lord, a messenger has come from the east,” announced Makaran

Sambhu Asan, looked up from the book he was reading. It certainly seemed like an odd hour for a messenger to arrive and then again, he had been waiting on for a response from a certain someone from the east for months now.

Sambhu Asan signaled Makran to bring in the messenger

There were few routes into Madera that escaped the eyes of the village guardsmen. Sambhu Asan who was well aware of the protected boundaries had sent specific instructions to his acquaintance to enter via one of the many forest routes that connected to Madera through an underground tunnel. The tunnel itself was a well-protected secret and built on months of hard work of Makaran and his men under Sambhu Asan’s guidance. The opening to the tunnel was covered with a strong double wooden door, well camouflaged by leaves and could be opened only from the village end by one of Makaran’s men who stayed always on guard.

Presently the messenger came in to Sambhu Asan’s room along with Makaran and his men. The messenger’s whose face was hidden behind a shemagh, bowed to Shambhu Asan and handed over the scroll.

“Please be seated” said Sambhu Asan to the messenger

The messenger bowed the head in polite refusal.

Sambhu Asan broke into a pensive mood as he read through the scroll. He quickly took out a parchment and passively penned a reply to be sent back to his contact. He handed over the message to the messenger along with food supply for the journey back. The messenger bowed and took leave.

“Makara, we need to be prepared. The east has beckoned” said Sambhu Asan

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