The World Beyond by Sangeeta Bhargava Read Free Book Online Page B

used to steal our cattle, but now she has started attacking the villagers. She has killed a dozen men already. Kishore here barely managed to escape with his life.’
    ‘I see,’ Salim said quietly.
    ‘The villagers are panicking and fleeing the village. I don’t know how to protect them.’
    ‘Salim,’ called out Abba Huzoor.
    Bowing slightly, Salim answered, ‘Yes, Huzoor.’
    ‘We want you to lead the hunt to catch this maneater. You must leave by tomorrow. We cannot waste anymore time.’
    ‘ Me , Huzoor?’ Salim squeaked, brows raised. He cleared his throat. Why did his voice sound like a sheep that has been cornered by a wolf?
    ‘Yes, you, my son. I hope you will not let us down,’ said Abba Huzoor.
    ‘Have no doubts, Abbu, it will never come to that,’ Salim mumbled.
    ‘We’re glad to hear that.’ So saying, Abba Huzoor got up, signalled to Ali Naqi Khan to dismiss the court and left the hall.
    Salim watched dully as Abba Huzoor walked up to Sambhu, his favourite elephant. The elephant was kneeling just outside the Safed Baradari. As soon as he saw Abba Huzoor, he raised his trunk to his forehead and saluted him. Abbu patted his forehead and settled down on the golden howdah. The party began to move towards Kaiserbagh Palace.

    Salim looked dubiously at his reflection in the mirror as Chilmann tied his cummerbund. Lines creased his brow. He was scared. True, he had gone hunting several times before, but it had been confined to Musa Bagh, the royal hunting grounds where the kill had been the spotted deer, sambar, porcupine, black buck, barking deer, hare, even the odd jackal, hyenas and fox. But a tiger? And that too a maneater? Salim swallowed. The words of the woodcutter came to haunt him again. ‘You’re a coward,’ he had said. Salim shivered involuntarily as he remembered the boy who had been honoured at court yesterday. How cruelly he had been assaulted by the tigress. No, he must go and tell Abba Huzoor he couldn’t do it. And then? He would never be able to show his face to Abba Huzoor again. More than anything, he had always wanted to prove to Abbu that he was a worthy son. Yes, this was his chance. He must kill that tigress no matter what. He had no choice.
    ‘Preparing for war, are we?’ Daima demanded as she entered his room.
    ‘Oh, Daima,’ Salim chortled, momentarily forgetting his fears. ‘I’m going after that maneater. She has already caused much havoc.’
    ‘Why do you have to go? Are all the brave men in Avadh dead? And isn’t your Abba Huzoor’s hunting party soon to go into the jungles?’ Daima asked as she straightened the sheets on the takhat.
    ‘No, I very much doubt it,’ said Salim as Chilmann put on his boots. ‘Even if he decides to go hunting, it won’t be before December. And you know that Abbu can’t go off just like that. It will take at least two weeks to get his hunting party together. By then the tigress will destroy I don’t know how many more villages.’
    Daima said nothing but proceeded to tidy the clutter on his desk.
    Salim rose and adjusted his jodhpurs. He picked up his gun, polished the cool metal with his fingers, then brought its tip to his nose. He liked the smell of sulphur. He swirled it proudly before tucking it into his cummerbund. ‘And what’s more – not only Abba Huzoor, but Hazrat Ammi has also asked me to go. She feels I’m ready to prove my valour.’
    ‘That upstart!’ Daima exclaimed. ‘That low birth! Had the nawab wrapped around her little finger for years and now she talks about valour and manhood … Indeed!’
    ‘That’s not true, Daima. She’s an amazing woman. She’s so intelligent, and her guts – sometimes I wonder whether she’s a man. She knows no fear.’
    Daima pursed her lips. ‘You’re getting late … Go now.’
    Salim chuckled softly.
    The heels of his boots clicked loudly as he walked down the stone floor of the corridor. He could not comprehend why Daima didn’t like Hazrat Ammi. Maybe it