2.Care for a Hunt?

It is almost midnight. Pattukudi is sleeping in calmness. But Aran could not sleep; it is so hot and humid that his entire body is drenched in sweat. Summer is halfway through and this is the period that people call it 'The Wrath of Agni'. The people of Pattukudi were finding it hard to battle the heat.

Aran finds it extremely difficult to even stay inside his hut. He goes out to get some fresh air. He hears the sound of some kids giggling and turns to the sound and finds these children. They are sitting in front of the central Banyan tree. The tree is huge; the trunk at the ground stretches for almost 25 feet. He watches his uncle Maniyalan Mathiyan, reciting the epic story of Ramayana to the younglings. The kids are listening keenly. He sits at the back.

The lone torch which was burning itself for others had begun to dull. Watching that, Maniyalan asked, "Lord Rama was so great but why did he prioritize the rumours of Sita even though he knew she was pure and put her through a hell of a test?" Dead silence. Aran could hear the sound of Torch burning clearly. Few moments passed and a slight wind blew past them. The kids embraced the wind even though it was not cold. One of the kids raised his arm. Maniyalan said, "Let's save that answer for tomorrow. Now everyone hurry and go sleep, we have a big day ahead!" All the kids took off slowly and Aran could see the disappointment in the face of the kid who raised his arm. He did not have a choice; he stood up and walked towards his hut. After all the kids left, Aran went to his uncle.

"Do kids even understand what was going in the mind of Lord Rama at that time?" asked Aran. Maniyalan replied, "Kids these days…hmm, You shall find out tomorrow!" Aran smirked and shrugged it off. He asked, "So, when is Aunty returning?" As soon as he posted the question, the torch went off. Mani took the torch and walked towards their hut. Aran followed. "She will be here within a week, but that may change according to the health condition of the person she is treating" answered Maniyalan.

"Don't you feel lonely when she leaves you like this for weeks and months?"

"Hmm, sometimes yes. But when you marry a Healer, it's just good enough to assume that you will spend as much as less time with them"

"Is it true that even you don't know who she went to treat?"

"Alright, enough questions for a 12 year old boy; now go get that white cloth that's hanging in the back!"

Aran just shrugs it off. He is a little disappointed as he could not get his uncle to spill any beans regarding these things related to the Empire. Aran gets the cloth. Mani removes the ash parts and rolls this new piece of cloth onto the torch. Then he opens a big clay pot which is filled with some light blue liquid. He dips the cloth end of the torch into the pot and then dries it. Mani asks, "Not sleeping well, eh?" Aran replies. "The heat, it's too much for me to handle"

"You sure it's not the nightmares?"

Aran gives off a blunt stare. Maniyalan then lights the torch up. "Care for a hunt now?"

Aran's face changed. His face wore a sportive look. "Of course, I am."

"Get the Bow and Arrows"