The banyan tree

Magiscience

Chapter 11 The banyan tree

Charles arrived in Srinagar two days later.

He figured it wouldn't be too difficult to locate Gangothri. A man with purpose is easier to understand. Gangothri sought to escape from the law. Secondly, he wanted release from his sins. He's had experience orientating himself to new environments. In relation to the territories they were in, it is generally clear where he can achieve both.

He figured that that's how Mike had killed Bosennica. A seal is trained underwater. It is ideal training for night combat. They would have tracked each other over the moor, possibly in a radius of about a mile. Mike would have waited for nightfall. Once the sun set, he would have had the edge over Bosennica. The bog area may have been the only open source of water available to both men out in the weather.

At the hotel, Charles had come to learn of the situation from the housekeeper. Curiously, the Kashmiri police, had later brought in some Russian types in suits, that had made inquiries about Mike. So now, there might well be a manhunt for two people, suspected of the murder.

In addition, the chef's brother from Pakistan had come by to make inquiries.

Charles realized that the Indian Brahmanic traditions would not deal with Gangothri. Blood is not dealt with by the Thevagon elements that support the cause of the Thevan. They would have asked Gangothri to clean up first. This would involve two parts.

First, the Mahimorata factor, comprising elements of world justice, would have thrashed him to bits, removing all relations and ex-communicating him from society. That he may have already done in his teenage years, with some exceptions.

The second is the Innamorata factor, where he'll have to suspend his personal identity. This, as far as Charles knew, Gangothri had not done. This is accomplished in two ways. The growing paranoia and self persecution would force his conscience to succumb to the rule of law and social customs, as pre-requisites for survival. This would weaken his ego completely initially and he has to find a way hold himself in position.

Secondly, he would have to seek the Atharva. A quick check on the internet revealed the most distinguished schools for the Atharva, in Kerala, on the South West coast of India. Charles would have to seek him there. The studies involve herbal remedies, self defense and the Acharium, which deals with feminine studies.

In the meantime, Charles figured he has to come to terms with his own involvement in Gangothri. Certainly, Gangothri had been useful to his UNESCO studies. He would have to give something of equal value in return to him. Perhaps to persuade him to give himself up to the law when he's done.

Charles sent an e-mail to Mike to apprise him of the news he had received at the hotel, in Srinagar.

Gregory O'Connor was not by any means a patient man. However, he had a knack for getting along with people. He lived with a history of the land in Boston and a fine history it has been. He loved the English like they were his own children. In the original experience of the brotherhood of the Celt, the way their ancestors had come to the British Isles together, it was with the promise of an idea.

The idea was a simple one, that man is capable of determining his own future if he brought his heart to bear with his relations. The English went on to take a severity of control over issues in their relations but they brought civilization to the whole world. To say for instance that the sun never set on the British empire was as much to say that the sun never set on the Celt brotherhood.

There were constant excesses, whether it was in Ireland, Scotland or Wales, but the English boys needed a little something under their belts, if they were to rule the world. Suffice to say, such a feat of a one world idea has never been duplicated by anyone else.

He saw his role as the Justice of the Peace in matters that were not otherwise guided with a clear decorum. It certainly is the man who makes things possible and certainly, one size doesn't fit all.

With the Americans in the equation, it has been a little tricky. The current generation still views Adolf Hitler as the ghost behind the works in Europe and elsewhere. Here was the man who brought real politik to things he did, with a forcefulness that has not abated in its influence to life in these societies. It would be nice however, if it stopped somewhere and everybody could start all over.

He looked at Mike without speaking. Then asked,

“You're retired?”

“About three years ago,” Mike replied.

“I heard that you were an Indian swamy for a while, is that true?”

“For about two years,” Mike replied, “its to cultivate a social attitude.”

Gregory expressed surprise. His large eyes protruded from their sockets with a glassy stare that resembled the look of concern a mother gives to her child.

“They teach those things now?” he asked.

“It overcomes what a man has to do to create an achievement in his career, these days. Refines him in his older years.”

“That's the thing about the Americans isn't it? They'll try anything, “ he said and lit up a cigarette.

Mike waited. It appeared natural to allow Gregory the ' one eye view ' of the situation.

 

“You know what a Banyan tree is?” he asked through puffs of smoke from his mouth and strained eyes.

“There's one in front of every Indian temple,” Mike answered.

Gregory raised his eyebrows, pursed his lips and nodded in mock appreciation.

“It's three men coming together in a team to cultivate the possibilities for life's survival. Elsewhere they view it as a triangle,” he drew with his fingers,” to make a mountain. The Bonners are saying you chopped down their tree. Do you understand what that means?”

“It was a set of circumstances that rolled into a sudden and unexpected outcome,” Mike replied.

“Unexpected?” Gregory repeated. Then turning his face he said,” he gives a madman a Luger. That's like asking the man what it feels like to hold your prick in your hand. That man has his hand around the trunk of a Banyan tree. You know what that means? That's the prick of three men!”

Mike found that amusing, but made no comment.

“Now you ask your Indian guru what that means the next time you see him,” he said with unblinking eyes. “In the meantime I have to clean up this mess and you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be coming back to you.”

Mike rose to leave.

“You know where to find me,” he said as he left.

Behind him, Gregory rose from the table.

“A purple heart who became a Swamy,” he said, shaking his head. “Whatever will they do next?”