Saptsindhu
At the reprimand, Ratansingh stiffened and nodded respectfully. He wrote out a missive which was to go to his handler in Chandragarh.
In the message, he explained that Shauryaveer had approached the spies in Saptsindhu with the intention to defect and Ratansingh had gotten to know about it through his network. He had confronted Shauryaveer and tried to disuade him from it. He further went on to say that despite his advice and warning, Shauryaveer had gone to meet up with agents from Saptsindhu which resulted in a scuffle.
Unfortunately, Shaurya was killed in this encounter, and Ratansingh couldn't capture him alive for interrogation.
Capital, Chandragarh
Prithvi received the note from his colleague, informing him about Shaurya's demise. He smiled grimly and gazed at the dark sky, lost in his thoughts.
Eastern Zilla
"Vidyut has been shifted to another facility. His injuries are worse than what they first appeared to be. Internal bleeding is suspected," the Vaidya informed Lata and Mriga, who had come to the facility where he had been taken initially.
Both of them looked at each other with worried frowns on their faces. Mriga, especially, was feeling really bad.
"I am sure he will be fine, soon. His parents must be on their way to take care of him. Given his background, he will be provided the best care possible. Don't worry so much," Lata consoled her.
Mriga turned her neck to look at her senior curiously and asked, "You mean to say that he belongs to a wealthy family?"
Lata nodded and replied, "Not just a wealthy family but an influential one, as well. His father is the chief of Western zilla."
"WHAT??? You mean to say..." her voice trailed off when she realized what she had been about to say.
Lata waited for her with raised eyebrows but Mriga shut her mouth.
"Do you know the family?" Lata finally asked.
Mriga debated about how to answer and then responded with a complicated expression on her face, "I have met his sister at the Gurukul. She is my senior but I didn't know till now that they were related."
"Ah, the famous Vindhya kumari," Lata nodded.
"You know her?" Mriga asked.
She shook her head in negative and said, "No, but I have heard about her from Vidyut's mouth enough number of times. He is very fond of his sister. Apparently, she is touted to be the next queen. So, how is she as a person? Good enough to be Chandragarh's next head of state?"
Mriga bent her head so that Lata couldn't see the plethora of emotions flitting across her face.
"I don't know her well enough to comment on that. I have just come across her a few times," she replied vaguely.
But her head was reeling with the information. How could the siblings be poles apart? Vidyut was really the epitome of kindness and everything good. But she couldn't say the same about his sister. Or maybe her views were colored by her personal experience with the girl. Irrespective, she didn't think that the girl was the right choice to be the next queen but everyone around seemed to treat it as a foregone conclusion.
"I have filled in the form but haven't given any thought to what do I need to do to beat this overwhelmingly popular candidate," she mused.
Thankfully, the selection of the queen was not done through public voting, otherwise she or anyone else would not have even stood a chance.
Himprayag
"Congratulations on winning the competition. I am told that you managed to spur the horse to mold itself to your will and it made a wonderful sight. I wish I could have seen it myself but urgent affairs kept me away," Gayatri said politely to Bela.
Bela inclined her head in return, acknowledging her praise.
"I am sure that you are wondering about the purpose behind this luncheon," she said, leaning back on her chair and indicating that Bela should take a seat across the small dining table which had been set for two.
Surveying the woman in front of her, Gayatri recalled that she wasn't a young woman as had been her first impression. Her registration form had indicated her age to be thirty-eight but she didn't look that old. What was surprising was that with such talent, she had never applied to their contest in the previous years. Then, there was her unique weapon which had caught her attention, along with that of a few more army personnel.
"I think that my crossbow has warranted this honour," Bela said politely.
Gayatri hid her surprise but she was impressed with the woman's reply. She was definitely not an ordinary person. Her calm demeanor was starkly different from the reaction of normal people who were invited to such a meal. Most of them tended to be in awe of their surroundings to even comprehend the questions, forget being able to get it right. But this one here was as cool as a cucumber!
Inclining her head to one side, Gayatri acknowledged the fact, "Yes, you are right. A few of my colleagues believe that we can use this current design of yours and make it even better. Would you be willing to sell the prototype to us?"
Bela smiled serenely and replied, "I am happy to give it to you but in return I want a private audience with Princess Ahilya."
Gayatri's entire being came alert suddenly. She leaned forward, benign expression gone from her face in an instant.
"To what purpose?" she demanded.
"I have a proposal for her but I will share it only in her presence," Bela's stance didn't change in front of the hostility shown by Gayatri.
"And if I decline?" Gayatri asked.
"Then both she and I would lose a great opportunity," Bela replied with faint regret in her tone.