“What’s going on? Why are they not attacking us?” she asked after a few minutes, when they made no move.
Shota shook his head in answer, the confusion she was feeling reflected on his face.
“I have a theory,” came the unexpected voice of Billadev.
“What theory?” asked Shota, his voice testy, his worried eyes still on the monsters above.
“Well. I think the monster Veer is battling is their leader. Their sire, in short. He is certainly larger than the rest, isn’t he?”
“And?” asked Shota, his tone impatient.
“And I think they’re not going to attack us until the outcome of the battle is decided,” said Billadev confidently.
Girish, who was standing behind Billadev, raised an eyebrow at him. Chandra felt the same incredulity. Sometimes it was difficult to understand if Billadev was being serious or jesting.
“Like following some kind of protocol, you mean?” asked Shota sarcastically, finally looking at his friend. “These are wild animals, Billadev, and have you lost your senses?”
“Do you have a better reason, then?” demanded Billadev. “You will see, my theory on octopus decorum is correct.”
“Following your logic,then, the rest will attack if Prince Veer fails to defeat the monster, right?” came Girish’s deep voice.
That sobered the mood, and they all glanced at the action.
Veer managed to lop off many of the monster’s tentacles. His red hand flashed as he pried himself from the monster’s clutches. And yet, the monster kept coming back, seemingly with innumerable tentacles to spare.
“This can’t go on for long,” said Shota. Worry hoarsened his voice.
Unfortunately, even to her eyes, she could see Veer was slowing down, his reflexes not as sharp.
“Princess?” Girish said, a question in his tone.
Chandra shook her head in answer.
“We may not have any choice soon, Princess,” he pointed out.
“Yes, but not yet,” she replied more sharply than she intended, her face hard, hiding her indecision as best as she could.
Chandra knew what Girish was asking of her. The arrows she wielded were powerful and when used in a certain way, dangerous…even catastrophic, leaving no margin for error. She didn’t dare use them lightly.
“What are you talking about?” asked a very confused Shota.
Girish regarded her for a long moment. Chandra rigidly avoided his gaze. “It seems nothing is the matter. Forgive me, I spoke out of turn,” he said gravely.
Shota looked between them suspiciously, reminding Chandra, though, for the time being they were all working together, these people didn’t completely trust her.
“What does the red glow of his hand mean?” she asked instead, as she watched Veer tear a strip of the monster, hoping to distract and deflect any questions that may come her way.
“Increased strength,” said Billadev.
“Fat lot of good that is doing him now,” said Shota. “Veer’s greatest strength has always been his ability to connect to animal minds. Without that, we are doomed. Even if by some miracle, he wins against this creature, there are others.”
The fight raged on. Veer’s clothes had disintegrated to shreds. A long row of sucker injuries lined his torso. The dominant color in the water was more red than indigo.
“We have to be prepared,” said Shota, who watched the battle with a drawn face. “Should Veer fall, we will be up next. And I fear it’s going to be a bloodbath.”
Makeshift weapons were made quickly, directed by Shota and Billadev, from the scant rocks and whatever weaponry they had on hand. Spears and arrows were stockpiled.
Chandra unslung the bow and arrows from her back and scanned the cavern, seeking higher ground where she could shoot unimpeded. She became aware of Billadev staring at her sideways.
