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Chapter One - Richard Lewis

Chapter One - Richard Lewis

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<strong>Chapter</strong> 36<br />

Nol trotted up the granary's steps and pushed open the door. More of the thatch<br />

roof had rotted through, and patches of sky showed, dusty rods of light falling on Mak's<br />

old loom. He looked around at the room with its curved walls, larger than his parlor, big<br />

enough for, oh, a half-dozen rich tourists to meditate upon their yoga pads. Nol would<br />

tell them stories of the strange magical things that had happened in this granary, the<br />

spiritual forces that charged this space, and they would look around them in awe and<br />

sense the power and feel doubly privileged to be here. Why, they'd be willing to be pay<br />

more for the honor.<br />

He wouldn't tell them about Mother and Mantera meeting here in secret, though.<br />

Ampun, but Uncle Dharma certainly got that all backwards, didn't he, Nol<br />

thought. Mantera hadn't taken advantage of Mother in that way, which Nol didn't even<br />

want to think about for a single second. No, Mantera had been a friend who had helped<br />

Arini and Catra, not hurt them.<br />

Like a fighting cock with its hackle spread and its single-minded brain, Dharma<br />

was too blinded to see this.<br />

Nol still didn't like Mantera, and Raka he frankly hated. But the attack on Putu<br />

was now in the hands of the police. Nol doubted they'd be able to pin anything on Raka,<br />

who was too rich and well-connected. But people knew. In fact, Mbak Lena had quit her<br />

job when she'd heard. She'd come round to visit Nol and said she couldn't possibly work<br />

for a man who sent thugs to beat up people. Nol thanked her and then casually asked if<br />

she would be interesting in investing in a yoga and healing center. Tourists were going<br />

mad about yoga and Balinese medicine, he said. He hinted that he himself had a valuable<br />

collection of medicinal texts and a deep understanding of the ancient healing arts. Mbak<br />

Lena said she'd think about it.<br />

Tomorrow Putu was being released from hospital. He'd already had several<br />

dentist appointments at the hospital to have his teeth rebuilt. This was a serious matter<br />

that had already required a preliminary ceremony, which Dharma had helped pay for.<br />

Nol squatted by the loom and experimentally pushed the reed, which creaked<br />

from years of disuse. Old Mak must have spent hours and hours up here, making her<br />

songkets. And all that traveling she did to sell her cloth.<br />

His father had turned himself in order not to betray Luhde Srikandi. Uncle<br />

Dharma had been in on the plot. Oh, Mother and her secrets! Nol should have guessed<br />

the truth of it a long, long a long time ago.<br />

The stairs creaked under a footfall. Nol startled and then relaxed as he heard<br />

Mak's cranky muttering. She poked her head through the doors. "What are you doing up<br />

here?"<br />

"Thinking," Nol said. He held out a hand to catch a beam of light. "I should fix<br />

the roof."<br />

"This is mine. You're not going to take it from me. Where is that friend of yours?<br />

Sudana. I don't trust him. The two of you are always getting into trouble."<br />

207

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