The suspicion of being spied on, locating them by the end of the day, the attempt to chase them down to extract information, and then stumbling upon the dead bodies in the secluded lanes- this cycle repeated for the next few days with Pruthvi whilst patrolling in Purvachand. However, he wasn't awfully paranoid as earlier. King Aghasthya, as per our expectations, had once again stepped up to suppress the matter, before the news broke out. Once he believed that Pruthvi had no part in these gruesome streaks of murders, he bargained a confidential meeting with the High King to investigate the matter in a way that other Panchayat members wouldn't point a finger at the Samagraha on duty. I had my eyes and ears open to get the hang of how easily things were working out in his favor but wasn't able to get a thorough grasp on it yet.

"He has his way to deal with such matters," Dhanunjay said, when I asked him, although not in so many words, "Every King has their own style. Maybe you should start having one too."

Against my better judgment, I nodded curtly in response. And then silently did what I had to do.

Even though Pruthvi was off the hook, these terrible daily murders put him in another predicament. The person behind these misconduct was either trying to save him from Shashi's men or it could be a stunt to frame him for these murders. No matter what, on King Aghasthya's orders, Pruthvi kept reporting about the day's events, and secretly did his own research regarding this delinquent behind the screen.

Leena, on the other hand, had got herself involved in her own personal task- to locate Jyran's hut and to know Tyrell's movements. Patrolling for day long in the province with a map in her hand and a bag of chips in another, she walked everywhere, talked with people, been trying everything she could to get a single clue. Luck did not favor with her yet, we were never its favorites anyway. Although occasionally, she claimed to hear a slight coughing sound or a muffled moan when trying the mind connection with either Tyrell or Celina. That bothered her day and night.

The attacks from the beast appeared to have leveled off. A team of knights was set up in every province only to light the huge bonfires at every nook and corner. The intermediate mages working under the order of the Kings provided their best aids. Everything seemed to be running smoothly, until a week later, a horrific letter was handed over to me by a Harakara.

To Hayden Mackay

Subject - Written final warning for unsatisfactory job performance.

You have been informed before through the King Aghasthya Swaraj about the recurring attacks on the villagers of the Sharad Dynasty that aren't caused by the Clan of Almourah. On further analysis, it has come to our attention that your Constellia, being an extra loud and ferocious supernatural animal, is behind some of the fatal effects on the people. A couple of cases are registered under your name, and the Panchayat is ready to issue a warrant for arrest if this continues. Exactly twenty-six people have died of cardiac arrest and other twenty are suffering from severe brain damage. Even the knights are being tortured and refuse to work with your Constellia when on duty. The villagers are scared and are raising the vexed question of exactly how many days they will be having you as their Samagraha in charge. This is your final warning. Control your Constellia. Otherwise, Panchayat will be forced to take legal action against you.

Regards
Imtiyaz Jafar
The High King of Paramarashtra.

"Villagers are scared of me now?" I yelled, letting my irritation out that I had stuffed within me for the past few months. I glared hard at him. He had his face laid down on his paws and was shooting vapors out of his mouth in the evening's foggy weather. "See what you did! What were you thinking, Singh?"

"First of all, I can think whatever the hell I want," he drawled, steamy vapors blowing out of his mouth, "and second of all, they are not scared of you, they are scared of me. So beat it."

"No, you beat it," I said, dumping the legal document into the pocket of my jacket. "How many times have I told you not to go after people?"

"I do not," he protested, slightly lifting his head up, "It is not my fault that they come out of their houses in the middle of the night and make themselves available for the leeches to prey on them. I roar. That is what I do. I can't purr like a cat, can I? Humans are the most annoying creatures in the Authentic Universe and they make me crazy."

"Oh, you make me crazy!" I said, testily, "Singh, I'm here not as a friend today but as your master. You need to give me an explanation. What happened last night?"

We were having the discussion in the isolated street towards the end of the village, where the villagers never usually passed by, and the preferred place specifically was chosen for Singh to accommodate during the nights. There were a couple of bonfires lit at the entrance of the lane. A few knights headed over to add fuel to it. But on finding me chatting with my lion, they ran off screaming into the village.

I huffed.

Singh didn't retort with a threat. Those days were long gone. He sincerely answered my question. "Last night leeches were all over the village. They spotted me and melted like ...something gross that can melt. An hour later they emerged at a different spot, my identifier buzzed and it took me a while to recognize the place that needed help. Then I found them battling against those humans in steel dress..."

"Knights. And they are wearing special armors to protect themselves."

"Yeah, whoever. Screams and cries, until I raided them back. Ask your knights to stay quiet or out of my sight while I'm in charge. We don't hurt humans. We save them from perishing danger. But if they try to meddle in my business, I might have to cross some lines."

"You already have crossed. Normal people are scared of you Singh, for what you are. They can't be blamed. Please, for heaven's sake, be gentle whenever they are around until we end this madness. Think of other ways to deal with the beasts. I'm already muddled up with too many problems, please don't be another one."

He flicked his tail. "And when is that going to be?"

"Sorry?"

A strong gust of wind blew across us, fanning the bonfires. "You were talking about ending this madness?" He asked.

"I don't know. It might take days, or months or years. We are all trying to figure a way out."

Singh harrumphed. "A lot of people have strived hard to find a permanent solution. But the clan still keeps coming back. All those years when Doctor and Naag went an extra mile to keep the humans safe from them..."

I felt the change in the topic, which I didn't mind. I needed a diversion from seeing myself writing the diary sitting on the hard rock of the prison floor for the rest of my life. "Whom are you referring to? Who has, besides Doctor and Naag, tried to find a solution?"

He lifted his paw and nuzzled around his whiskers. "Wasn't someone from your family involved?"

I sighed gruffly. "Not surprising at all that you know about him."

"It was Doctor and Naag who kept bragging about him," he explained. "They worked mainly under his orders. Of course, it was sickening to hear them gloat about the greatness of this king." He turned his face around and lowered his voice when he said, "Although it sparked an interest to choose someone from his family."

I scratched my forehead. "So that must be one reason for your utter disappointment finding me nothing like him."

"You are. Actually. Everything like him," he said shrinking his eyes, "You just try to act otherwise."

"You are delusional."

"Do you want to debate on your inner-self with me, kid?"

"Okay, I've got no time for this," I said quickly, placing my hands inside my jacket.

Nothing could be more embarrassing than discussing my private thoughts especially with Singh who had the knack of exaggerating them in an undeniable way.

The sun setting behind the horizon, and its blaze blending gently with the moonlight, it was past my time to retire for the day and report to King Aghasthya. But I stayed back. Certainly because of the disturbing notice that had become obvious reason to talk things through with Singh the very day. "There is something I need to ask."

"I know. I heard your mind this morning."

"Cool," I said, quite sarcastically. "You're a thousand-year-old. These beasts have been living in Authentic universe for the past thousand years. First, second and third-generation sum up to the said thousand years. Correct?"

His mane ruffled with the wind, almost covering his face. But also allowed the slight hint of a frown to peek through. "I understand your point. And yes, we have been fighting them for centuries."

"Don't you generally need a master to summon you and instruct you? Or have you been working under Naag's orders."

"That and our master's orders."

"Singh," I said politely, "You've read my mind. You know what I want to know. Tell me everything and mainly don't hide anything from me."

He crouched completely back down, having that rigid posture of any other lion looking for its prey.  "This includes the First and Second," he replied, his voice low and flat. "Mainly the First."