Ghost Monkey, стр. 24
Everyone they meet, the voice said. Kill everyone in the village and offer them up. Better yet, offer up the warriors. You will be king of the pit.
Zaina chastised airily, "Trust what you see, not what you think of. Demonic illusions are pierced with patience and truth, while strengthened by presumption." The priestess often made the other soldiers grumble with her grains of wisdom, which Sugriva appreciated. He enjoyed any time the elite of the caste could be humbled.
Farm fields stretched upstream from the Fangs. Narrow canals brought water into the fields, with downstream ditches dug to avoid swelling in rainy season.
A man rode a bull through the fields. He had on a rice hat and thick rags covered in mud so thick Sugriva thought the rags may as well be mud. A thick layer of dirt formed where the mud dried. His hands were covered in soft leather gloves. With all the clothing, he looked like a lump on a large bull. The bull had a gold nose ring, denoting some wealth—or banditry.
When the man saw the small army, his bull trotted over to them. The man's hands retreated into his cloak, and he brought out two swords. "What do you want? We are a peaceful people and only want to be left alone. Please go."
"You have a pit near here," Madhav said. Madhav was the one in charge, though he was sitting comfortably at the main camp during Puncture Day. All the warriors except Sugriva were at the main camp during Puncture Day. "We are here to take care of it. Not here for trouble."
The man thought for a time, then looked downstream to where the temple was. "Why? We’ve obtained balance. They keep predators away. It would be easy for us to grow too quickly, and they keep that in check. The Ashtadash ensure we don’t grow too large."
Sugriva flinched, then snarled. "How dare you defend them. They are murderers and chaos. They deserve to die. Any balance they give is a lie."
Yes, let anger energize and guide you.
The lump shuffled under all the robes. His hands retreated back into the sleeves, and the swords disappeared. "Interesting. You were touched by one."
He snarled again, then nodded and looked away. He can sense you. He is like you. Kill him before he reveals your secrets. Sugriva ran a finger over his staff and desired to kill the man. Madhav and the others were looking for a pretense to do the same, and this way they didn't have to besmirch their name.
"There's a tingle in the back of your head, I bet." The man scratched at his covered chin. "I could help you, I think."
Madhav said, "There's no time to help a monkey who can't shift into a proper janaav. Tell us about the pit."
The man ignored Madhav, and this endeared him to Sugriva. The man said, "We have a special plant here: chaos fruit. Eaten by itself, it will put you in a battle trance. You don't need that, though, do you?"
Sugriva growled. "I lose my senses every fight. Zaina, my priestess, needs to bring me back every battle, or I’d kill everyone. I’m cursed."
"You were humbled. The cycle isn't done with you in this life, or it would have sent you on already."
Zaina cut in, much to Sugriva's surprise. "Tell me how I can help."
The man said, finger raised, "Let me tell you the story of Ganaptu, the Ashtadash of Fish."
Chapter TenGanaptu, the Spirit of Fish
The water spirit Ganaptu stayed in the waters of Baptap, swimming among the fish and eating them at his leisure. The fish, grateful for the current, willingly gave themselves over if chosen. Then Ganaptu aided them in completing their dharma, as they moved onto the next life.
One day, when Ganaptu prepared to devour a fish, claws ripped into his prey's flesh and plucked it from the water. The school of fish were picked off one by one, leaving the water spirit at a loss. "What was that?" he wondered. He stuck his head out of the water and saw a dozen hawks swooping down to eat his school.
When a hawk saw Ganaptu, by far the largest fish in the river, it seized at his head with sharp talons. Others joined in, but when Ganaptu realized his life was endangered, he shifted into water so they could not grasp him. It broke the spirit’s heart when all he could do was watch his fish get picked off by the hawks one by one. He went to the surviving fish and said, "Hawks will make dinners of you. They harass me. What should we do?"
A fish said, "We can deal with hawks. We only stay docile for you and your teachings. Flee. There is a grotto upstream. Hide in there and you will be comfortable. Men are near, and they hunt or train the hawks."
"What of my friends? Where will you go? How will you be taught?" Concern tore at Ganaptu's chest as if a hawk found purchase in his breast.
"You, master, are beyond reproach. We will swim off and find other schools. We will teach them as you taught us. Now go, before the hawks swoop down again to eat us and harry you."
What was left of the school swam downstream quickly, and the hawks followed. Ganaptu went upstream until he found a tunnel, which led into the grotto. It was a comfortable home, and Ganaptu remained there for years. Over the generations, fish would swim upstream to be taught by Ganaptu, having heard of his wisdom. But man fished them up, and the fish were fearful.
One day, afraid the fish would stop visiting and Ganaptu would be alone, he went to speak with man. "Do not fish up those who stay here. They are learning from me, a water spirit. Give them peace, and I will bless this land with fresh water and lessen