The real reason for Father Organza's laughter was the history of Arthur. It was a quaint town, nestled amidst barren mountains. The Hindus and Muslims living there were perpetually warring with each other, reacting violently at the slightest provocation. It had started a long time ago, this squabble, and had escalated into a terrible war. Some people say it started centuries ago, but many believe it started when the country gave one final, fierce shrug to rid itself of British rule. The shrug quickly became a relentless shuddering, and countless people were uprooted and flung into the air. Many didn't survive. Perhaps the mountains of Arthur absorbed the deaminating wave. People weren't cruelly plucked from the town. They remained there, festering, becoming irate and harboring murderous desires. And while the country was desperately trying to heal its near-mortal wounds and move on, Arthur's dormant volcano erupted. Momentary and overlooked, but devastating. Leaders emerged on both sides and, driven by greed, they fed off the town's ignored bloodshed. They created ravines out of cracks, fostered hatred and grew richer. The White family, the erstwhile rulers of the ancient town, adopted the legacy of their British rulers---divide and conquer.

A Darker Dawn