Forest of Demons Read Online Free Page B

caught her eye. She peered back through the window, a shocked gasp exploding softly from her lips. A tangle of naked limbs glistened in the firelight. Ravi’s broad, bare back rose into view, shielding his partner. Priya’s eyes travelled down to his buttocks, and she stumbled back, falling off the crate. Dry-mouthed and scandalized, she quickly retreated to the other side of the square and continued her journey to the vythian.
    The vythian’s home was a flat, tiled structure with a thatched extension where he treated patients. She knocked on the door and waited patiently for a minute before knocking again.
    “Who is it? Goodness, this better be urgent,” the vythian grumbled from behind closed doors.
    “Vythianji, it’s me, Priya, the villee’s daughter. Papa is sick. Please will you come?”
    There was a short silence, then, “Bring him to me in the morning.”
    Priya bit back an angry retort. “It’s his leg—he’s in pain and has a fever. You know he won’t be able to make the journey. . . please.”
    “I’ll come after my morning surgery.”
    Priya pulled out the coins, jangling them loudly. “I have coin.”
    There was another short pause, followed by the sound of the bolt being drawn. The door opened and the vythian stood before her, bag in hand, shawl on, ready to go. Moonlight glinted off his spectacles. He held out his hand.
    Priya dropped the coins into his waiting palm.
    “Lead the way.”
     
    Priya had never seen Papa look so ill. His face was pale and pinched in pain, his brow beaded with perspiration. Ma stood to one side, wringing her hands while the vythian examined the leg, prodding and probing, and probably making the pain ten times worse. Papa’s leg was swollen and had taken on a purplish tinge. It didn’t look good.
    The vythian sat back. “I’ve something for the fever, but the swelling will need a poultice. Unfortunately, I don’t have the roots to make it.” He shot Papa a reproving look. “Someone has been neglectful in their duties as villee.” He sighed. “There’s little I can do without the root.” He rubbed his hands on his trousers and stood.
    Ma looked at him beseechingly, but he ignored her.
    “What does it look like?” Priya asked.
    “Excuse me?”
    “The root. What does it look like?”
    He blinked rapidly in her direction. “Um, like ginger but smoother. The skin is green.”
    Priya nodded. “I’ll find some and bring it to you. Will you prepare the poultice?”
    The vythian nodded. “And while you’re in the forest, there are a few other items I’m in need of.”
    She held out her hand. “Give me back my coin and consider the items I gather as payment for the treatment.”
    The vythian’s eyes narrowed as he considered this. “I tell you what: I’ll hold on to the coin, and if you succeed in finding the items I require, I will return the coin to you.”
    Priya nodded. “Very well.”
    “Come with me; I’ll write you a list.”
    As she followed the vythian to the door, Ma grabbed hold of her hand. “Priya, it’s too dangerous.”
    Priya patted her hand. “There’s no choice. Papa needs this poultice. I have to go.” Ma’s eyes told her that she understood, but the hard slash of her lips told her that she didn’t like it one bit.
    “Be careful, beti.”
    “I will.”
     
    The list was a lot longer than expected, and worth much more than the simple return of the coin the vythian had taken, but she knew when not to push her luck. She’d do this job and save her Papa’s leg. The vythian had confided in her at the surgery, whether as further incentive or respect for Ma’s sensibilities, that if Papa didn’t get the poultice, his leg would become toxic and need to be amputated.
    She needed to find the root. As the sun rose majestically in the sky, she ventured alone into the forest for the first time.
    Her father’s satchel with its many compartments and tools was slung across her shoulders. Her feet were encased in his leather work