18.4

With the carriage to himself and the welcome relief of nothing more he could possibly do, Max relaxed, stretched out on the seats and dozed a little, lulled into a rejuvenating abyss by the soothing rhythm of wheels on track.

Clickety-click.

Clickety-click.

He didn’t think, he didn’t dream, he just lay in a state of exhaustion, vaguely hoping for the best as the train powered out of the city.

Clicketty-click.

Clicketttty-click.

Clicketttttty- click.

Clicketttttttty-click.

Aware of the slowing rhythm Max roused himself and walked to the open doorway.

Torrents of cool, fresh air poured through him as he leant into the wind and gazed out over the lush, green cane-fields.

Then he saw it, a small mountain standing proudly in the half-light crowning the station ahead, with an alluring white castle set into the rock near its peak and a flag flying proudly from its highest tower.

Mate….

Welcome to Charminar.