Tiger Thief

by Michaela Clarke

  “We’re almost back in the mountains!” he said. He looked at Emira in wonder. “Did you carry me all this way?”

  Emira growled gently, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

  Sharat pushed himself to sitting. “Where’s Aya?” he asked.

  Emira made a gruff noise as she got to her feet and padded up the hill. Sharat followed her past the boulders and saw Aya and Uma sitting together by a campfire, deep in conversation. Ripiraja perched on a tree nearby, his feathers reflecting the sunset.

  Uma had already seen them. She lifted a hand and beckoned.

  “Up here!” she called.

  Emira padded towards her with a growl of greeting.

  Aya’s head shot up and dimples appeared on her cheeks. “You’re awake!” she exclaimed.

  Sharat smiled weakly as he stepped up to the campfire. He was feeling dizzy.

  “I’m hungry,” he said.

  “Sit down,” Aya told him with a grin. “There’s plenty of food.”

  Sharat sat next to her and took what she was offering. Then he hesitated. “Emira must be hungry, too,” he said.

  Uma jerked her head towards the mountains. “There are fish in the river, and plenty of goats in the hills,” she said. “Emira can look after herself.”

  Sharat glanced out over the countryside. “Is it safe?” he asked.

  Uma nodded. “Yes, it’s safe,” she reassured him. “We’re not in the Empire any more.”

  The tiger’s tail twitched. It had been too long since her last hunt. She glanced at Uma with a questioning sound in her throat.

  “I’ll watch him,” Uma told her. “Don’t worry.”

  Emira’s eyes shone with intelligence as she growled in reply. Then she stalked off to find some prey.

  Sharat looked around again. “How did we get here?” he asked. “The last thing I can remember was Rookh trying to turn me into a licker.” He shuddered. “He put this golden thing in my chest.”

  “I knew he was controlling you,” said Aya. “He thought that if he could make you kill Emira he could stop the Queen’s prophecy from coming true.”

  Sharat felt puzzled. “But Emira didn’t die,” he said. “What happened?”

  “Mohini tricked him,” said Aya. “She knew that when you stabbed Emira with the Sword of Shiva it would open a gateway back to Aruanda. That was her plan all along – to escape. The trouble was, you weren’t a jinni then, so when you used the sword it ended up killing you.”

  “But it didn’t kill me!” exclaimed Sharat. “I remember now. We were in some kind of tunnel. Me, Emira and Mohini. There was a light at the end. Mohini wanted us to come with her. Then I heard someone singing.” He stared at Aya. “It was you!” he said. “You were singing my jinni name. It was Kalki!”

  Aya nodded. “That’s right,” she said. “I called your jinni name and you came back as the Prince of Jinnis and fought Doctor Rookh. That’s how we got away.”

  Sharat frowned. “But how did you find out what it was?” he asked.

  There was a strange look on Aya’s face. “It turns out I knew all along,” she said. “Mohini came to see me in the dungeon. She was the one that told me.” She glanced at him shyly. “You’re … you’re my brother.”

  Sharat stared at her in wonder. “Your brother?” he said.

  Aya nodded. “As soon as she told me I knew I had to find you,” she said. “My mother always used to talk about my brother, Kalki. I just didn’t realise who he was.” A sad look crossed her face. “I didn’t know who she was, either.”

  Sharat reached down to take her hand. “So you were part of my family all along,” he said. For a moment neither of them said anything. Then Sharat cleared his throat.

  “What happened next?” he asked.

  Quickly she told him about how she’d stolen the key from Mohini and made her way to the fight.

  “I tried calling your name,” she said. “But it didn’t work.” She shook her head. “I thought it was all over when you stabbed Emira. Luckily Ripiraja found the amulet just in time and dropped it in my lap.”

  There was a shiver of feathers in a nearby tree.

  “Ripiraja! Ripiraja!” cawed the parrot.

  Sharat’s head shot up. “You made it!” he exclaimed. “I thought Emira had eaten you!”

  “Eat me?” The bird puffed himself up in indignation.

  Sharat and Aya laughed, and even Uma smiled.

  Aya nodded. “I used my last wish to ask Alcherisma to mend the Mazaria,” she said. “That’s how I brought you back to life. It was no good calling your name, I had to sing it.”

  Suddenly Sharat let out a gasp. “I’ve just realised what the Queen was trying to tell me at the end of her dream,” he said. “‘Aii!’ She was saying Aya’s name.”

  He glanced at his sister. “She must have known you were the only one who could wake my jinni side.”

  Aya nodded. “Maybe that’s why she gave me the Mazaria,” she said quietly.

  Uma was nodding, too. “It’s as if you were meant to find each other,” she said. “As if she’d planned it all along.”

  Sharat felt a pang of longing. “I still can’t believe she was my mother,” he said. “I just wish I’d had a chance to rescue her.”

  There was a look of pain on Aya’s face. “We couldn’t have rescued her even if we’d tried,” she said. “That’s another thing Mohini told me. She’s dead. Rookh’s finally killed her.”

  Sharat felt a sharp pain. “Dead?” he said in disbelief. “But what about the prophecy?”

  Aya’s lips twisted. “That’s all nonsense as well,” she said bitterly. “There never was any prophecy. It was just a nursery rhyme after all.”

  Just then Uma interrupted. “I wouldn’t be sure about that,” she said.

  Sharat and Aya looked at her. “What do you mean?” asked Sharat.

  “I found something very interesting in your wound,” Uma told him. “Something that prevented Rookh’s gold from entering your heart. It may even have saved your life.”

  Rummaging in her skirts she pulled out a small oval object and held it out for them to see.

  Clicking his beak, Ripiraja hopped over and cocked his head to one side. “For me?” he said hopefully.

  “No, Ripi, this isn’t for you,” said Uma sharply.

  “What is it?” asked Aya.

  Uma had a glint in her eye. “This is something I haven’t seen for very many years,” she said. “It’s a seed from one of the trees that used to grow in the walled garden that once stood at the centre of the City of Jewels.”

  “A seed? But how did it get into my chest?” asked Sharat, confused.

  “You tell me,” said Uma. “It must have come from something you ate. A fruit, perhaps?”

  Sharat frowned. “But I didn’t eat any fruit in the City of Jewels,” he said. He hesitated. “Unless you count the fruit from the dream.”

  “What fruit?” said Aya.

  “The Queen of the Forest gave me a piece of fruit,” Sharat explained. “I ended up swallowing it whole when Rookh dragged me out of the urn.”

  There was a look of jubilation on Uma’s face. “That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear,” she said.

  “What do you mean?” asked Sharat.

  “Remember I told you that the jinnis were the spirits of the forest?” said Uma. “Well, this is the seed of the Queen’s tree. She must have given Sharat the fruit knowing that he was her only hope of escaping Doctor Rookh.”

  Sharat stared at the witch. “Do you mean that if we plant this seed we can bring her back to life?” he demanded.

  Uma’s eyes were shining. “Yes,” she said.

  Sharat felt a rush of excitement. “So I’ve fulfilled the prophecy after all,” he exclaimed.

  Uma shook her head. “Not quite,” she said. “You won’t have fulfilled the prophecy until you’ve planted the seed and the tree has grown. Only then will the Queen be reborn.”

  Sharat and Aya exchanged glances.


  “Let’s plant it now!” exclaimed Aya.

  Uma shook her head. “No,” she said. “We’re still a bit too close to the City of Jewels and we still don’t know what’s happened to Doctor Rookh. I’d prefer to wait until we reach the mountain kingdoms.”

  “But how are we going to get to the mountains?” asked Sharat. “I don’t think Emira can carry all three of us.”

  Uma’s eyes twinkled. “We’ll go with the circus, of course,” she said.

  Sharat’s heart leapt. “The circus?” he exclaimed. “Where are they?”

  “They’re on their way,” said Uma. “We should be able to see them by now.”

  Pushing herself to her feet, she led them past the boulders to a ridge overlooking a road that twisted up the hillside from the plains below. “Look!” she said, pointing.

  Two elephants and a chain of caravans trundled slowly into sight.

  Sharat let out a cry of recognition. “It’s Tara and Baba!” He turned to Aya. “They’re the elephants from the circus!”

  Aya looked down in wonder. “It’s just like we planned,” she said.

  Uma turned back to the camp.

  “Ripiraja!” she called.

  The big bird flew over on silent wings and landed on her arm. “Yes?”

  “Tell Lemo that the boy and his tiger are safe,” she said. “They can come and fetch us as soon as it’s light.”

  With a squawk of agreement, Ripiraja took off and circled three times before swooping down to the valley below. For a while they just stood and watched the stars coming out as night fell. Soon Emira appeared next to them, groomed and well fed. Sharat put his hand out and caressed her neck.

  “We’re going home!” he whispered.

  Emira sighed happily. Then she leaned against her boy and began to purr.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  REUNION

  Sharat and Aya were lying asleep by the fire when they were woken by the sound of trumpeting. Immediately, Emira jumped to her feet and shot off to investigate.

  Moments later a voice boomed overhead.

  “Sharat!”

  Before Sharat could react, he was lifted off the ground and drawn into a warm embrace.

  “Where have you been?” demanded the ringmaster. “We’ve been sick with worry.”

  Sharat grinned in delight. “I’ve found Emira!” he said proudly.

  Lemo lowered him to the ground. “In future, let me know before you disappear like that!” he said, trying to look stern.

  Sharat rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop grinning.

  Aya sat up, her hair tousled. She looked sleepily up at them.

  “This is Aya,” Sharat told his father. “She helped me find Emira. Now she’s coming to join the circus.”

  He and Aya had decided not to share their secret just yet.

  “You’re most welcome,” said Lemo, smiling warmly as he took Aya’s hand.

  Aya eyed his moustache with interest. “Are you Lemo?” she guessed.

  “I am indeed,” said Lemo.

  “Don’t I get a hug?” interrupted a low voice from behind them.

  Sharat spun around to see an older man with a weathered face and stocky body.

  “Hussein!” he cried, running over to embrace his friend.

  Aya threw off her blankets and jumped to her feet. Sharat had told her all about Hussein. “Where are the elephants?” she demanded.

  “They’re just over there,” said Hussein, pointing as he disentangled himself from Sharat.

  The elephants were still brightly painted. On their backs were colourful blankets and howdahs jangling with bells. Emira had already rushed over to greet them and was winding happily around their legs with a rumbling purr. Tara sniffed the tiger’s fur, then raised her trunk to trumpet loudly.

  Sharat ran over to join them.

  “The small one is Tara, and this is Baba,” he told Aya. He grabbed Tara’s ear and clambered nimbly on to her back.

  Aya stood still as the elephants examined her. Then Tara breathed out and sent jets of air down her neck. Aya laughed and Tara wiggled her trunk with a snort of approval.

  Sharat barked an order. Tara bowed her head and flapped her ears forward.

  “Hold on to her ears,” Sharat told Aya. “You can climb up her trunk.”

  Aya hesitated. “Won’t she mind?”

  Sharat laughed. “She minds a bit when Hussein does it. She’ll hardly notice you.”

  Aya hauled herself up and sat next to Sharat.

  “It’s a bit different from riding Emira,” he said with a grin.

  Hussein climbed on next and sat behind them.

  “It’s good to have you back,” he told Sharat. “We were mad with worry when you went missing.”

  “I told you I’d find Emira!” said Sharat proudly.

  Hussein put out a hand and squeezed his shoulder. “You did very well,” he said with a smile.

  Next to them, Lemo was trying to heave Uma up on to Baba’s back while Ripiraja flew around their heads.

  “Call yourself a witch?” he crowed. “Fly! Fly!”

  “Quiet, or I’ll turn you into a toad!” snapped Uma.

  Ripi cackled. “Push!” he shrieked at Lemo.

  “You would almost think that bird knows what it’s saying,” remarked Hussein.

  “He’s just very well trained,” said Uma, with a warning look at Ripiraja as she settled into the howdah.

  Lemo climbed up after her and at last the elephants set off at a gentle pace while Emira roamed ahead, occasionally diving into bushes for prey.

  “I’m never putting her back in that cage again,” Sharat called out. “So don’t ask me.”

  Lemo smiled over from his perch on Baba’s neck. “I won’t,” he promised. “From now on Emira is as free as you and I.”

  Emira growled in approval.

  It was a gorgeous morning. The sun was rising into a sky dotted with fluffy, white clouds. Now that they were off the plains the air was fresh and cool.

  “Have a banana,” said Hussein, offering Sharat and Aya a whole bunch.

  When Tara heard the word banana, her trunk reached up over the top of her head and they took it in turns to feed her.

  The circus had set up camp in a fertile valley by the banks of a fast-moving river. The whole troupe was waiting for Sharat’s return. As soon as they arrived, a girl vaulted on to Tara’s back and embraced Sharat warmly.

  “You made it!” she cried.

  Sharat disentangled himself. He was grinning. “This is my cousin, Risa,” he told Aya.

  The two girls looked at each other. There was a moment’s silence.

  “Hello,” said Aya shyly.

  “Aya helped me find Emira,” Sharat explained. “Now she’s coming to live at the circus.”

  Risa hesitated, then she gave Aya a quick smile. “It will be good to have you here,” she said.

  Then she turned back to Sharat and gripped his arm in excitement.

  “You’re a hero!” she said. “We’ll have your name up in flares, Lemo says.”

  “What does Pias think about that?” asked Sharat.

  Risa laughed. “He’ll get over it.”

  Then Sharat caught sight of the rest of the troupe. “Come on!” he told Aya. “I want to introduce you to everyone.”

  As he helped Aya climb down off Tara’s back she was surrounded by a crowd of people all clasping her hand and kissing her cheeks.

  “I’m Vijay, the snake charmer,” said a man with slicked-back hair.

  “Fezzik, fire-eater,” said a lanky man covered in piercings and tattoos.

  “I am Bhim! Magician extraordinaire,” announced a small, fat man. “I’m sure Sharat has told you all about me.”

  Sharat laughed. “Don’t worry if you don’t remember all that,” he told Aya. Then he caught sight of Ram. The boy was standing off to one side looking uncomfortable but when he saw Sharat looking at him he stepped forward.

  “I’m glad you’re bac
k,” he said awkwardly. “It … it was horrible not knowing what had happened to you.”

  Sharat paused. “I’m glad to be back, too,” he said. He turned to Aya. “This is Risa’s brother, Ram,” he told her. “He’s an acrobat.”

  “Hello,” said Aya.

  To Sharat’s surprise Ram smiled. “Hello,” he said.

  Sharat glanced around. “Where’s Risa gone?” he asked. “I want to tell her everything that happened.”

  But Lara the horsewoman had other ideas. She came striding over with a purposeful look on her face and grabbed Sharat by one of his ears.

  “You’re not going anywhere until you’ve had a good wash!” she declared. “And I suggest you come too, young lady,” she said, glancing at Aya.

  Before Sharat could protest, she had dragged them off for a bath in two steaming basins of water. Then she took Aya away to give her a new set of clothes, and by the time they were blissfully clean and dressed, the feast was ready. Soon great pots of stew, platters of aromatic rice, spicy vegetables and freshly baked bread were served up by the fire, all followed by the most delicious fruit.

  Aya could hardly believe the size of the serving that was doled out to her. Rice, stew, vegetables, bread, and three different kinds of chutney.

  “Is this all for me?” she said.

  Sharat laughed. “Go ahead!” he said. “You’re part of the family now.”

  Aya grinned, and tucked in.

  During the feast, Sharat continued to be mobbed by people coming to hug him and offer congratulations. Then, as they sat around the campfire they listened, spellbound, as he gave them a watered-down version of the story, leaving out the part about the Prince of Jinnis. Afterwards, everyone fell silent.

  “I’m just so glad you got away,” said Lemo, putting his arm around his son. “I never thought I’d see you again.”

  “You’d better choose your next wife a little more carefully!” Lara called out, her dark eyes shining with mischief.

  The performers roared with laughter as they teased the ringmaster. Then they rose to their feet to do what they enjoyed best, which was to sing, make music and celebrate.

  Sharat was still a bit weak, and Aya was feeling shy, so they went and sat next to Uma.

  Once they had settled down, Sharat turned to Aya. He’d barely had a chance to talk to her all day. “I meant to ask you – what happened to Alcherisma?” he said.