The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 34

Maya's eyes fell on a huge painting hung on the musty wall. It was covered with dust and looked disheveled. "Look at this," said Maya and took a few steps towards it.

The painting depicted a courtroom with the king sitting on his throne surrounded by 11 subordinates. They were all dressed in red robes with the king donning a golden crown on his head.

"How many subordinates did King Himaqat have?" questioned Advika as she scanned the painting, trying to remove the dust from it. "Eleven," said Maya staring at the painting. "But we can't conclude like that."

"Of course, I was just-"

There was a click that drew their attention. Advika's heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at the door. Maya rushed towards it and pulled the door handles with all her might, almost swinging from it.

Advika looked around trying to bring her breathing to normal. She spotted a window and rushed towards it. "Maya!" she called and scanned for the opening of the hexagonal window. The edges and corners were covered in rust, making it impossible to open. Maya knocked on the window. "Glass can be broken," she said.

Maya lifted her right leg and fit the glass forcefully. Advika searched the room as Maya kept kicking the glass.

Jewellery, swords, old velvet clothes, daggers, and some locked books were all she found. "Maya," she said and sat on the dusty ground. "It seems like some king, queen, prince, or princess lived here."

Maya, breathing heavily, staggered towards Advika and sat on her knees. "Do you realise," she almost screamed, "that we are stuck in an unknown place with no network."

Advika immediately checked the signal on her phone. She took a deep breath. "Maya," she said. "I know we are stuck and, relax we will get out of here."

"How? How Advika!?"

"Calm down," said Advika. "Remember the first poin-"

"O! shut up!" said Maya and got to her feet. "I don't need your tips. Just tell me, how are we going to get out of here?"