Chapter 2: CHAPTER 1- THE OWL IN THE PATH
A train was travelling quickly on the rails of the railway between the hills of Rajgarh, billowing smoke in the light of the moon.Two men were sitting in a first-class cabin of that train; one of them was a charming young man who was dressed in a three-piece black suit and was calmly reading the newspaper.A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his 50s was sitting on the berth directly in front of him and was looking at him as he read the newspaper."Will you please quit looking at me?"The young man took his eyes off the newspaper and said.
"I care a lot about you. Why do you do such things, which would not be wrong to say 'risking your life', Master Roy?"The elderly man said, looking concerned.
"Because I like it, Jaydev"Mr. Roy said in a firm tone.
"I'm unable to comprehend you. Nevertheless, I would unquestionably advise you to value your life, Master Roy."
"I live every moment because of what I do."
"Huh...I can't win an argument with you, but I must say that you haven't told me anything about this trip."
"We are going to explore some of the beautiful places of Rajasthan"
"Where exactly are we headed if by beautiful you mean scary and mysterious?Due to the fact that you postponed the Colombian trip, which would have been profitable for your company."
"Colombia has been experiencing conflict for the past week."Mr. Roy shifted his gaze to the top of the paper and began reading an article that appeared to be as follows:-
"The conflict in Colombia, which started on May 27, 1964, is a low-intensity, asymmetrical conflict between the government of Colombia, far-right paramilitary organisations, organised crime groups, and far-left guerrilla organisations like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), who are vying with one another for greater control over Colombian territory. Multinational firms, the US, Cuba, and the drug trade are a few of the major foreign actors involved in the conflict in Colombia."Mr. Roy folded the newspaper and, "And we are travelling to 'Akal' since the princess there invited us."
"When you say 'princess', you are referring to an invitation from a royal family.And now you're telling me this, Master Roy"
"Does it really matter?"Mr. Roy stated while putting the newspaper on the table that was affixed to the compartment wall.
"Yes, Master Roy, it matters.The status of the person in front of big people is not something they take the time to discuss."
"They have sought our assistance, Jaydev, and the one who seeks assistance is blind to the status of those who provide assistance.And in terms of rank, we are equal to a king."Mr. Roy stated while flashing a slight smile.
"It is not a matter of status but of pride.People born into royal families do not lose their pride, even in front of those who help them."
"Will see"
"How much time will it take us?"Jaydev muttered while clinging onto his berth, which was slightly rocking from the train's pace.A little golden pocket watch with a chain on the key that was gleaming because of the light in the compartment was removed by Mr. Roy from his pants pocket.
He opened the pocket watch and, "After another 30 minutes, we will reach Bandikui Junction. It will take us around 2 hours to get from there to Akal." Putting the watch back, he said.
"Akal...haven't heard much about this place."Jaydev said.
"Me too, but we'll soon find out."Mr. Roy observed the moon in the sky through the window.The train was travelling at its own pace, leaving numerous breathtaking vistas in its wake.
"We're about to get there."Mr. Roy said. The siren of the train blared loudly, echoing all around. In the dim light of the station lights outside the window, the large yellow board of Bandikui Junction was easily discernible.They both came out of the compartment and got down from the train.They had their attention glued to the station's walls, which were constructed to resemble palace walls.The station wasn't overly busy, and there wasn't much light, perhaps because it's nighttime.
"We have to exit through Gate no:-2."Mr. Roy said.
"But there are no sign boards here; how would we know which gate is number 2?"Jaydev said it in an irritating voice. They then noticed two ticket collectors who were conversing with each other.With a thick moustache, one of them appeared to be around 40 years old, while the other appeared to be only a few years old—roughly 18 years old.
"Let's ask them." Mr. Roy said. Both of them reach the ticket collectors.
"Excuse me, can you let us know where gate number two is?" Jaydev asked them.
"I'm sorry, but I believe I've seen you before."As the young collector closely observed Mr. Roy, he commented.
"Maybe I'm Rudra, Rudra Roy."Mr. Roy said with a smile. When the ticket collector heard this, his eyes grew quite large, as though he were having trouble believing what he was hearing.
"Really... Rudra Roy...I've read each of your books, 'The tales of Goa', 'The nights in Nile' and 'The shadows of Panipat'. Please pardon my language...I'm not sure what I'm feeling at the moment."His eagerness was causing his voice to break.In this instance, the second ticket collector appeared to be very perplexed.
"I'm grateful that you like my work.Your name?"Mr. Roy asked him.
"Dinesh, Dinesh Das." He said it with a wide smile on his face.
"Can you let me know where Gate Number Two is, Dinesh?"Mr. Roy said this while taking his handbag from Jaydev.
"It would be my pleasure, of course. Please both follow me."As he turned on his torch, he stated. The station was quite big and deserted.
"Electricity is still not provided in a good way here."While pounding his torch, whose light fluctuated in intensity at various intervals, Dinesh spoke these words.
"Yes, we can see this."Jaydev said in a lazy voice.The night was a bit cold.They were moving in the direction of the large iron gate in front.Mr. Roy stopped and turned to look in the shadowy area behind the fence as they were passing through it.
"What happened sir?" Dinesh asked Mr. Roy.
"Nothing...stations are never empty"After saying this, Mr. Roy proceeded to make his way back.
"Yes... "Dinesh's reactions indicated that he did not comprehend what was being said.After coming out of the gate, "Do you have a pen with you?" Mr. Roy asked Dinesh.
"Yes, Mr. Roy"Dinesh reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a pen, holding it out to Mr. Roy.
"Thanks"Mr. Roy wrote something on the first page of a book that he took out of his handbag and then handed over to Dinesh.
"Rudra Roy and the valleys of Assam... "Dinesh read the cover of that book.
"Even though it hasn't been released officially yet, you'll like this book."Mr. Roy said in a firm tone.Seeing Dinesh, it seemed as if he was unable to find words to express his happiness.
"Thank you... Mr. Roy"Dinesh said softly.
"Enjoy it"Mr. Roy stated with a meagre smile. That's when,"Mr. Roy", In front of them stood a man in his fifties.
"Yes" Mr. Roy said.
"Proceed with me"Without saying anything more aside from that, the man then began to walk. Both of them began to follow him.Near the station, on the side of the road, was a really gorgeous Rolls Royce Silver Cloud that was still radiating beauty well into the night.
"Nice...so now our royal treatment begins."Mr. Roy said to Jaydev.They entered the vehicle.
"The travel is still lengthy, so I believe we should get some rest, Master Roy"Jaydev said.
"Jaydev, you appear quite worn out; get some rest.I'm thinking of feeling the silence of this journey."Mr. Roy uttered while maintaining control of the automobile window.Rudra Roy was glancing out the window as the car drove through the dense woodlands. The trees looked a little frightening against the blackness of the night.That's when,the automobile came to a quick stop.The jerk of the car caused Jaydev to awaken.
"What happened!" Jaydev said loudly.
"There's something in the way" The driver said. Through the car's windscreen, Mr. Roy attempted to gaze in front of the vehicle.In the beam of the headlights, a large, dark object could be seen moving.
"What's that?"Jaydev asked Mr. Roy.The black creature rolled its ball-like neck and opened its large yellow eyes.
"An owl"Mr. Roy said softly.
'𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬',Driver made a booming honk.The owl didn't fly, though.
'𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬, 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬' , He honked again."Why doesn't this bastard fly!"The driver said angrily. Opening the automobile gate, Mr. Roy descends.
"You don't have to go there, Master Roy"Jaydev says to him from behind. He approaches the owl and takes a position close to it.The owl was looking directly at him with its large, moonlit yellow eyes.He felt as though the eyes were looking into his soul as they fixed on him.
"What's he doing there, exactly?"The driver asked Jaydev.
"Something new"Jaydev said softly. Mr. Roy slowly started taking his hand to that owl.But that's when the owl spread its wings and flew towards the sky.
"Huh... " Mr. Roy sighed and returned in the car.They set off on their silent trek once more.A deserted village was now in front of them, and something was gleaming outside of the houses in the moonlight.
"Some folks affix something glistening to their windows." Jaydev said looking at the houses.
"The objects there are mirrors, not windows."The driver said in a firm tone.
"What?"Jaydev said in a confused manner.However, the driver didn't say anything else.The vehicle came to a stop just ahead, close to a sizable wall between which a great door was constructed.
'𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬, 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘬', Strong horn blows were made by the driver. The door swung open loudly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone