The Pearls of Catharsis Times Issue 04, July 2017 | Page 21

different patterns; what they each enjoyed to eat, the tree they preferred to
build their nests on, the colour of their feathers and whether those feathers
changed with the seasons. She spent less time with the young women her age,
and preferred to interact with younger minds as she appreciated how carefree
and imaginative they were.
Locklin stood at the back of the 5 lines that had formed in front of the royal
huntress. She was giving a speech that aimed to introduce archery to the
students. As soon as she turned around to open the box of uniforms to give out,
Locklin made his escape.
He went into the forest and headed straight for the bamboo tree but noticed that
his bag was not there. He walked around the tree at least three times but still
couldn’t locate it. He then started looking at the neighbouring trees and
exclaimed, ‘perhaps a monkey got a hold of my bag!’ Then he heard a giggle from
above, and when he looked up, he saw her smiling at him. "Looking for this?" she
asked. He did not hear her words as he was mesmerised by her smile. "Do you
know, if you get caught running away it is treason?" she further probed.
After a few moments he managed to compose himself, while she began climbing
PHOTOGRAPH BY SUBHRADEEP
GUPTA