AT the inn Sanyhaḥmān paced back and forth in giddiness, quite ecstatic over the prospect of how much gold could be had from finding the lord’s daughter. With her disappearance, the total number of vanished people came to thirty-three, and the townsfolk grew ever more restless.

Now it seemed they and even the lord had little choice but to seek help wherever they may find it, even were they to use force. Feyūnhaḥ however was worried for if they tarried too long, they could surely lose Iḷēhaḥ’s trail. There was no telling how long she would stay atop the mountains or what she was even going there for without the Dvhaḥṣhtro in hand.

As she was thinking this, the waiter brought over some drinks for their table in large metal jugs. Milk wine for the princess, Svyamhaḥ for the demon, pulped mango juice for the boy, and a clear substance almost like water for Sanyhaḥmān. When he noticed the jugs being placed on the table, he rushed over. He first sniffed the contents of the jug, and a smile spread across his face.

“What is it that you ordered, monkey?” said Nakthaḥm. “It has quite the pungent aroma, much to my disgust.”

“It does indeed smell quite bad, demon, but its taste is another matter entirely. After a while of drinking, you get accustomed to the smell.” He then pushed the drink to the center of the table. “Would any of you like to try it, barring the boy? Sorry lad.”

The boy shook his head in disgust. “As if I’d drink it! The smell of all these drinks makes me nauseous. I’ll keep to my mango juice,” he said, chugging down the contents with both hands on his jug.

Sanyhaḥmān laughed and then looked to the princess and demon. Feyūnhaḥ asked, “What drink is this?”

“I’m glad you asked!” he said, anticipating the question. “It’s known as Svytadhcva, clear rice wine. It’s a popular liquor in Pedyṃhaḥ and seems to have gotten an audience on this continent as well.”

Feyūnhaḥ’s curiosity was piqued, and she took a gulp of it. Her face became instantly flushed, and she let out a breath of hot air. She seemed exceedingly satisfied.

“This drink is quite strong! Even stronger than the milk wine. By what method is this prepared?”

Sanyhaḥmān thought for a bit. “I don’t know the specifics, but what I can tell you is that it takes on the order of months for it to be fully prepared. And it’s said that it occurs in one large barrel instead of separate ones. That said, I still prefer Svyamhaḥ over this, as do many people across Ārhmanhaḥ. But it does get painfully dull drinking the same thing every time. Every once in a while, a change of pace is good for the heart, or it would be if liquor were good for it in the first place.”

“Hah! Very interesting; true indeed are those words, but it matters little to us,” said the princess as she brought her jug high in the air in a slovenly manner. Sanyhaḥmān sat on the low-rise seat beside her, firmly placing his rear on the cushion. He then took his jug in hand and hit it against hers, and the two chugged down the contents. The demon swirled the Svyamhaḥ in his jug and sniffed it before imbibing.

“How unpleasant it is to drink a sacred substance in an unsightly jug. I say one must relish in the taste of liquor instead of consuming it in such hasty fashion,” said Nakthaḥm with a displeased look, though his words fell on deaf ears as Feyūnhaḥ and Sanyhaḥmān laughed aloud. “Though I must ask, what is your business with that liquor, and why even bother to help us now? You have obtained your meal, have you not?”

Sanyhaḥmān shook his head, clicking his tongue, and said, “I’m sure we’ll get more money if I stick around with you guys. After all, isn’t it better that I’m able to earn on my own than mooching off of you?”

The demon raised an eyebrow and said, “Since when was it decided that you would come with us? I don’t think any of us assented to such a thing.”

He looked to the others. The boy shrugged and the princess laughed and waved her hand, seeming not to care and now thoroughly drunk.

And then he sighed. “Alright, state your business then and I shall decide whether you will come or not. What use does a heavenly liquor serve for a Vachūṇaṃār?”

“I’m glad you asked, friend!”

And Nakthaḥm furrowed his eyebrows at that. He did not think he had become this monkey-man’s friend at all, at least not on his side.

Sanyhaḥmān’s expression then became uneasy, and he looked around, before whispering, “I can’t reveal too much concerning it. For now, what I will say is that it’s needed to help my people in a certain way, and that there is a method to acquiring it. In fact, what I am actually searching for is related to the method, rather than the liquor itself.” And now smiling, he said, “I don’t know where your journey shall take you, but I think it should be more fun with others about. Seeing as how I’ve spent many years traveling alone up to this point across the various continents, perhaps it’s by some calling I have met a group of strange folk like you. Plus, given how it seems you are all fluent in the Prekrd9, of the Central continent, I think you should be needing my help if you choose to go elsewhere in the world. I am a master of languages, and have learned all the Prekrds!”

Nakthaḥm burst into laughter, “You might be a master in languages here, but as for my tongue, well you would not be able to speak it.”

“Ho! do tell!” said Sanyhaḥmān now curious.

And the demon’s laugh cut off in an instant, and he gave an emphatic, “No.”

Sanyhaḥmān shook his head, and sighed in disappointment. “In any case, I see it only fitting that I should join you in whatever quest you embark on, and perhaps the method I seek can then be obtained!”

Nakthaḥm thought for a bit, and then looked to the others. Seeing some purpose behind this, he said, “Well, Sanyhaḥmān, I do not think you very well realize what truly it is you are getting yourself into. But if it is money and a method you are after, it should do little if anything to hinder our quest. And your knowing of the various Prekrds, will no doubt prove helpful.” And then smiling, he said, “Welcome along, Sanyhaḥmān!”

“Glad to be here! Pleasure doing business with you, Nakthaḥm!”

The following day, they had decided to split up and search the city for any possible clues as to the maiden’s whereabouts. Sanyhaḥmān went west, Feyūnhaḥ went north, Nakthaḥm went east, and Tūmbṃār went south. They parted early in the morn.

Sanyhaḥmān was able to find the building where the priestesses and priests lodged though there were few there at the time. Most were busy at the temples and Fiyukthis performing morning rituals. The building itself did not look too different from the others on the outside, keeping to the same cylinder construction, but internally there was a large open space in the middle with many rooms and columns along the perimeter. It was also multi-leveled, and much of the interior construction resembled that of a spiral as if to mirror the city’s layout itself through its ascent. As he looked about, he spotted a priest who walked by.

Sanyhaḥmān approached him and asked, “Pardon me, but do you know where I may find the high priest? I have some questions I need to ask him.”

“His quarters are on the third level to the south-eastern side but he has been gone for some time. I’m unsure as to when he shall be back.”

Sanyhaḥmān bowed. “Thank you, good sir; I’ll come again another day.”

The priest bowed in like and gave his blessings before leaving. Sanyhaḥmān, however, did not intend to leave and instead waited for his chance.

When the regular priests and priestesses had cleared away from the vicinity, he snuck into the high priest’s room to gather what he could. He found many scrolls and various ritual utensils but none that would indicate his whereabouts. Even within the smaller compartments of the desks and shelves, there was little to be found. If not for such things, the room would look almost empty. A truly minimal lifestyle they maintained.

Just as he was about to give up on his search, he noticed a thin crease running in the center of the floor. Following it, he saw it created a perfect square and moved his hands across it. There were four more sets of creases at each of the corners. Pushing them, however, did not activate anything though they did slightly recede into the floor on contact before slowly rising back to the floor’s level. He sighed and looked outside. The sunlight shined through the window, and the golden glistening of dust could be had under the beams.

Sanyhaḥmān then noticed that he could see a soft trail with the dust under the light, passing through each corner and ending in the center. He pushed against each of the spots, the squares sank again, and as soon as he put his hand center, the section of the floor recessed and moved to the side, revealing a set of stairs leading toward a dark abyss. They seemed to pass between the thick wall of the lodge and descend deeper past. And so, down the stairs he went and the entrance covered behind him.

The princess scoured high and low near the aristocrats’ estates, keeping a low profile. She wore the white cloak that masked her appearance, presenting herself as a pilgrim, and traveled with light steps across the smooth stone stairs.

This area was quite peculiar for many of the buildings kept a considerable distance from one another, but if one looked closely enough, they could see that they created a half-domed layout, in contrast to the rest of the city. Passing between them, however, was a grand road leading to the lord’s estate. Were it not for the small size of the town, one could have mistaken it for being of a royal capital.

Many of the people dressed exquisitely with long dresses and robes, and the women were adorned with a scarf – longer on the left than the right – that draped down their chests and arced over their backs much like Iḷēhaḥ’s. She wondered whether Iḷēhaḥ could have been an aristocrat for the same elegance and grandeur that she displayed could be seen in the people here, though she was often a slob when not presenting herself.

If she were to hail from such a place, perhaps Feyūnhaḥ could get much out of just observing the folk even if she was familiar with most of their habits. There is always much to learn if one carefully pays attention.

She in years past had noticed the lavish lives much of them led apart from the regular townspeople, and though the way many of them dealt with their servants was not all too different from aristocracy in Siḍhrehḷūr, there was a particular level of disdain that they displayed toward them, the same habits not having changed since.

“Make haste! Do not dare to slow me down. I do not make threats idly, and much coin has been spent on your ilk. See to it that I do not have to abandon yet another servant who can hardly keep pace by me.”

“Yes, my lord! Forgive my fault; I shall make amends.”

The tired and sullen face of the servant who hung his head low and the solemn and proud face of the aristocrat upright in posture passed by her. For almost every aristocrat who walked, there were at least one or two servants following behind them. The treatment of the servants here seemed more abominable to her than back at home, and though she desired to confront them, she held herself back. She had by that point already resigned herself to the fate that was cast, knowing full well there was little she could do by herself.

As she walked about the vicinity, she saw a lone woman sitting on a cushion on a polished stone wall, under a mango tree. The woman had her legs brought up, and she wrapped her arms around them tightly, almost like a child. Since Feyūnhaḥ saw the other aristocrats as unapproachable due to what looked like their busyness and seeming disdain toward her, she took the chance to sit beside the woman.

The woman flustered, and stammering in her speech, asked, “Do – do you have business with me?”

“Not in particular, no, but you seem rather sad. Would you mind telling me what ails you? Perhaps I can help.”

The woman looked her over and said, “Are you a pilgrim?”

Feyūnhaḥ smiled and turned to her. “Some people think as such, but I’d much rather be seen as a regular traveler.”

The woman then calmed herself and spoke, “You see, my husband has been gone for some time. For at least three weeks now. I have searched far and wide and had even my servants scour the entire town, but no trace or sight of him could be had. Perhaps he was spirited away by whatever terrorizes this town as of late. And now that the daughter of the lord has vanished, I fear the worst! I know not what I should do. O Follower of the Gods, please put my mind at rest. I wish not to feel like this any longer and yearn to hope that my husband will come back to me safe.”

The princess pondered for a bit and thought of Iḷēhaḥ’s words and the words of the priests and priestesses in Siḍhrehḷūr during her youth. And it was then she remembered a hymn from the Vādrunṃs and sang:

Yatram hvarathe haomkan aivibanam

Samiztra Svyaṃ hvarenakt syarvedat

Varitñyānush’ve dhı̄nava hvathemān

Hvathem kudah dvı̄tamānam zūryave

Nilṭhra-Vreshahaḥ hashmeva azhvesham

Zretkṛ vresh Ṃārhaḥn zretratve vhneṣham

Kudah vimanam heshadhi ahsmakem

Vageryivahm sahyimvanam thehaḥṃār

Zayagñavı̄zhṛā saochañe yentahvahm

Hthavayiti pathama Lūshanam

Tatvahm zhvāshapa yastrige Dehaḥṃār

Lirzhaveyam liravati Arhaḥṃār

The land shines with benevolence and grandeur;

As the Sun and Moon shine eternally in the night;

Dancing and chasing one another through the day;

Even when one cannot see both.

So like, the Friend and Protector of all, (who) sees to our aspirations;

Seals our loyalty and fulfills our desires;

And when all has been enacted,

Shall we depart with them.

To the sacrificial flame that burns within us;

And sets the path to illumination;

To which we shall one day tread,

Beside the Gods toward That One.

“Have these words I’ve spoken eased your heart? As I don’t hail from here, I know little as to the knowledge of people in Ahasṭṛṭhaḥr.”

The woman smiled in delight and said, “I know the words you speak! The Vādrunṃs are indeed beautiful though much of their meaning even to this day confounds me as certainly it does for many around Ārhmanhaḥ.”

“On that account, I’m not surprised. However, I’d like to assure you that just as Nilṭhrahaḥ and Vreshahaḥ forge our friendships, and bind our connections to one another, so too will I act in their stead and help you find your husband. You have certainly heard of the decree that the lord of this town has issued. I was already on track to find where his daughter had disappeared, and should I succeed, I’m sure to find your husband in the same place. I don’t doubt that all these cases are linked at large and shall do my best to see to his safe return.”

The woman was ecstatic and grabbed Feyūnhaḥ’s hands and put them to her forehead. “Gratitude be to the Gods for sending someone to help me! Your confidence assures me, and I pray for your success. Bless you and all with whom you travel!” She then stood and pulled the princess up. “Please, you must come to my home, not only for pleasantries but for any information that could lead to my husband’s and the lord’s daughter’s whereabouts. Perhaps there is something in my husband’s study that could help you.”

“I shall take you up on that offer, kind madam.”

“You need not call me as such. You are my friend. My name is Sāstishā, for I am She who Praises, what is yours?”

“Feyūnhaḥ, for I am of That who Trudges Forward, friend.”

As the dawn light crept over the high stone buildings, Nakthaḥm scoured the alleyways and docks to the east. Much of the far side of the eastern district was separated by water trails connected by tall bridges. Many small ships traveled under these bridges, usually docking themselves behind certain buildings to offload supplies and tools.

At the pier, he saw many sailors and fishermen getting ready to embark on the waters. There was a single burly man giving orders to the rest who looked to be a captain.

He approached him and asked, “Good day, sir! Might I take a bit of your time?”

The captain glared at him, looking him over from bottom to top. “You’re quite the strange fellow. I don’t think I’ve seen one like you in Viprūtaram. And dare I say you look rather suspicious, especially dressed in black as you are.”

“Well not fully, mind you. I have at least a white shirt under my coat.”

The captain scoffed. He did not seem interested in indulging the demon any further and tried to shoo him away. Nakthaḥm grabbed his hand and brought his face close to that of the captain.

“Regardless of willingness, I shall ask—have any suspicious folk, barring me, made rounds around these parts? You see, I am on an errand to find the missing individuals whom have supposedly been kidnapped. My companions and I must leave town soon, so I do hope you can relay any information you have on the matter, now or should it come your way,” said Nakthaḥm as he squeezed the captain’s hands.

The captain was visibly strained, and his arm quivered. Nakthaḥm released his hold, and the captain bent onto his knees, taking large gasps of air.

“Perhaps I was a little too forceful.”

The captain gave him another glare but said, “Your grip is strong! Enough to crush my hands! And it doesn’t seem you’ll let me be, so I guess I’ll tell you this much.”

He then reduced his voice to a whisper and continued, “Every three nights, various priests and priestesses come to me to take them toward an island in the center of the lake. It’s quite the small place with only a few trees and shrubs visible atop it. I usually leave immediately after dropping them off, so I know little of what they do there. They also somehow make it back to the mainland on their own from that point. Usually, on such excursions, I would leave passengers with a few boats for the return journey, but these priests and priestesses explicitly bade me not to bring any for them. There could be another path which they take to reach town, but having gone on that island myself, I see nothing in the way of it – at least not in plain sight. This is as much as I know, though I don’t dare say that they’d have any connection with the disappearances. Not a wise thing to suspect the Servants of the Gods.”

“Unwise indeed,” said Nakthaḥm as he clicked and tapped his nails. He then bowed and continued, “But my gratitude to you for the information. If I may ask one more thing, do you happen to know if any of the individuals approached you this morning? I sensed a presence here earlier before arriving.”

The captain gave the demon an even more suspicious look. “Aye, they were here just a few minutes before you. Take the alleyways south, and you should be able to catch up with them.”

Nakthaḥm smiled and bowed once more before walking away. The captain sighed and rubbed his head in irritation. Many of the sailors and fishermen ran to his side and asked what had just happened. But he would not tell them.

He then looked to the sky and saw a flock of seagulls fly low over the buildings and thereafter shouted, “Get back to work! A storm will be heading our way soon.”

The demon shut his eyes as he walked through the dark corridors. He carefully listened for any movement that could be had off from him. After some time of walking through the angular paths, he could hear some whispering not too far from him. He chased after the source with some light steps, and around the corner, he saw a group of five priests and priestesses walking swiftly. They then took a turn, and Nakthaḥm hastened after them. But as soon as he looked around the bend, they were gone. And no more was he able to detect their presence.

He paced back and forth around that spot, trailing his hands across the dirty walls. Closing his eyes once more, he paid close attention to the rough surface of the wall. He slowly walked forward, and he felt the evenness of the wall’s creases behind the dirt and grime. After a few moments, he felt the path of the crease curving, though visibly such a path could not be seen. He trailed his hand along it, releasing one finger at a time until he made a full loop and moved his finger straight down.

At that moment, the wall vanished, and a set of stairs leading into a dark abyss could be seen. He put his nose to the opening and could smell the rancid odor escape the passage. He opened his eyes and waved his hands in front, and the wall reappeared. It felt solid, and the demon smiled.

He continued along the alleyways making his way to the southern side of the city. The sun drew high and having sought what he wanted, he decided to search for Tūmbṃār.