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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 />
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