Issi regained its wits and tossed Bagheer, flicked its tongue, and bit deep into Bajjo's abdomen. Sugriva wept for his friend, as all the monkey could do was lay there. Fortunately, the water staunched the bleeding. Sugriva only wished it meant the pain would dull.
Issi tossed Bajjo, and the warrior flopped on the ground. Water reached out, wrapping Bajjo up and pulling him toward the water healers. Antidotes were forced down his throat by a tendril, though Sugriva couldn't imagine the venom was the same they faced before.
The monstrosity slithered around posts and up the pit, to the surface, where a massive bear waited. General Humbari. The general picked the snake up by the neck and slammed it into the ground. Bones crunched under the might, and rocks chipped off and tumbled into the abyss below. The snaked hissed and said, "I am no mere Fang, janaav. I am the one who resides in the Mountain Sanctuary. I have a plan, a plan deeper than any of you will understand. You will not tame the chaos today."
Tired of speeches, General Humbari smashed the snake into the rock again and again, until the head lulled, dazed. He lifted his claws to gut the creature, but instead Issi shifted under the general's grasp, and blood poured from Humbari's hand. The general staggered back. With newfound freedom, Issi bit Humbari, and the massive bear slumped to his knees. Issi shrank down and slithered through the foliage, as Sugriva passed out.
WHEN SUGRIVA CAME TO, the first thing he saw was General Dabip in a loin cloth, hands on his hips, with dirt smeared across his body and matted into his impressive beard. Muscles rippled under the sheen of mud and sweat. Bronze chakrams wrapped around his bulging forearms, squeezing tight so his veins were more obvious. It was not what Sugriva wanted to see, and was likely a sign he was off his dharmic path.
"You're not dead," Dabip said. "You did us proud when you fought Issi without hesitation, and you held out longer than General Humbari himself. Though remain humble in his presence."
Sugriva's head thumped from pain and drugs. His side and chest hurt where he was stabbed. The monkey grinned and was about to speak, but all he could do was cough. Iron flavored his spittle.
General Dabip laughed and patted Sugriva's leg. "You’re still healing. Haven't found any more pits, so there is time." The ascetic gave a brief smile.
Grime rubbed into Sugriva's hairy legs as Dabip massaged his calves. "Bajja is awake and found his strength. He wanted to do more, but the honey badgers refuse to let him lift too much."
The dirty hand went from Sugriva's calf to his foot, fingers digging into the arch to make it cramp. Sugriva flinched and gasped but still couldn't speak. The general was both part infuriating and part inspiring, but it seemed today he only wished to irk the monkey. Then General Dabip walked around the side of the cot to look Sugriva in the eyes. His breath reeked of onions and garlic, and when he leaned closer the black rot of his teeth was evident. All Sugriva could think of was not getting spat on.
Without another word, as if a full conversation occurred, Dabip patted Sugriva on the forehead and walked out of the medical tent.
It was another week before Sugriva was up and walking, and in the meantime Bagheer, Bajjo, and Labda kept him company. Bagheer would sit in silence, aside from relating a fable from time to time on some talking animal and some horrific fate for leaving the path. Then the black panther would sit there in silence, ruminating on the message he delivered as if Sugriva could glean the significance. Much to the monkey's chagrin, he gained no knowledge from the obscure stories.
Bajjo would tell war stories, especially any action he saw since Sugriva was still out of commission. The stories were either straight out lies or half truths, as Bajjo's guts looked like they could spill out of his wound at any moment. There was no chance he was still fighting.
Labda brought a game. There were four in his rotation, and two of them he mastered well beyond Sugriva. The games required forethought and strategy, where Sugriva focused more on rash decisions. This brought the man great joy, and after each victory he said, "Maybe next time you will see what I am doing before I do it. Until then, I clearly see what you are doing before you even know you're doing it. The victor will always be the one who knows himself and his enemy." Drinking together afterward always calmed Sugriva’s competitive nature.
After two months, General Humbari visited Sugriva. The general was pale, and his usually proud gait was more of a limp. He leaned up against walls, and finally struggled to sit down next to Sugriva.
"You fought well against Issi. Many men fell against it, and I almost did. Our physicians were able to get a sample of Issi's venom and made a counter for it." The general sat down, panting. Perspiration dripped down his forehead. "I'm getting old. I might be over the bite and poison, but my body doesn't want to catch up with the rest of me. Maybe the Ashtadash call me to the next life."
Sugriva watched in horror as the general made these comments. It was against dharma to promote one's own death. Yet the general was above reproach from Sugriva, who was a simple servant.
The general laughed softly, clapped Sugriva's thigh, and said, "It will not due for me to wonder these things. I should go rally the troops. We found another pit, and we will destroy it. If the spirits favor us, we will find Issi again and put an end to this. Now gather with your squad. You
