The next morning, Varchaswa sought for a private audience with his father, the King. The Prime Minister Vidura & the Generals Nakula and Drona were also in attendance.
Varchaswa said, "Greetings all elders! I am here to make a request of you all."
Prime Minister Vidura asked, "Is this related to the Mock Battle?"
Varchaswa replied, "Both yes and no. It is difficult to describe in few words. I request the permission to speak freely."
King Paartha said, "Speak freely son, if it is for the welfare for the kingdom and if it is something doable, we will help."
Varchaswa requested, "I want you lend me the Royal Military Grounds for training for the next 6 months. As per my knowledge, the military grounds will be free for this period."
King Paartha stated, "Lending is surely possible, but it is related to taxes. I can't lend it to you for free."
Varchaswa had expected this. He said, "I am aware. I will use the funds granted to the Principal as well as my personal funds for the first 3 months. As for the next 3, I will come up with something by then."
King Paartha asked, "In that case, I don't have any objections, but why do you need the Royal Military Grounds? You have the Academy Training Grounds right?"
Varchaswa replied in few words, "I need them both."
Nakula interjected, "Care to elaborate?"
Varchaswa explained, "The Academy Grounds will be used by the Final and Pre-final year students. As for the Royal Military Grounds, they will be used by the Sophomore and Freshmen."
Prime Minister Vidura was impressed, "So you are already thinking long-term. Good, good."
King Paartha was happy as well. Granting the permission, he said, "Indeed, it is good to be prudent. Fine I grant you the permission."
Next day, the freshmen and sophomores were transferred to the Military Camp where they began their training. At the same time, the Final and Pre-final year students began their training at the Academy Training Grounds.
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Varchaswa returned to his Private Palace after his meeting with the King, the Prime Minister and the Generals. He asked the servants to fetch Khyaati & Vaibhavee to his Study Room. After a few minutes the two girls arrived.
Varchaswa said, "I apologize for inviting you two ladies this late in the evening, however, given the fact that you are my sworn apprentices bound by Oath of Loyalty, I guess you wouldn't mind."
Puzzled by the formal language of her brother, Khyaati asked, "Brother, why are you talking like that?"
Varchaswa replied "Because I want you to understand that this is going to be a conversation between a Legendary Awakened Mage and his Apprentices. This is not a conversation between siblings. You need to understand the gravity of the situation."
Vaibhavee asked, "What you mean is this conversation is a secret bound by the oath of loyalty?"
Varchaswa replied, "Indeed, it is as you think." After pausing for a moment, he continued, "What we are about to discuss are to be considered the topmost secret and of topmost priority. But if you feel burdened, you can choose to not listen."
Khyaati smirked and said, "I may be your apprentice, but I am also your sister and a Princess of the Dwaarakaa Royal family. There is no way I am afraid of a little 'burden'."
Vaibhavee also expressed her determination, "After coming this far from home, I was given a chance to prove myself. There is no way I am turning down my first challenge."
Varchaswa looked at them both deeply and then said, "Since, the both of you have resolved yourselves, I will tell you. But before I do that, I would like to ask you a couple of questions. OK?"
Khyaati and Vaibhavee both replied that they are ready for a few Questions.
Varchaswa asked his first question, "What do you know about ancient Mythological texts like Mahaabhaarata & Raamaayana?"
Vaibhavee replied, "I have heard their names. As you are aware, I spent my childhood with my mother in military camps, so I am not educated properly. I only know there are ancient books written in ancient languages."
Khyaati added, "From what I learnt, those ancient texts have been researched across the sub-continent. There are many versions in existence and there are some folk stories and folk songs about them passed through the ancient times in the common tongue.
Many Scholars are researching these texts, even Grandfather Vidura has been trying his best. He once told me that there are many other books from ancient times written in the ancient language which have been passed down in kingdoms and empires for generations. These books are not easily accessible and are kept in the Hidden Libraries of their respective Kingdoms and the Empires.
Also, the texts are written in more than one ancient language. The texts that the Vijaya Nagaram Empire in the south has, is written in a language that is even considered pre-ancient. They claim that, that particular language is the first language of the world and is part of their heritage."
Varchaswa was impressed by the knowledge demonstrated by Khyaati. He said, "As expected of my sister. I see that spending time with Aunt Geetaa has its benefits."
"Of course, apart from Grandfather Vidura, aunt Geetaa is the best scholar in the Kingdom" Khyaati said with a smug look.
At this point, Varchaswa realised that Vaibhavee was feeling down so he looked at her and said, "Vaibhavee, you don't need to feel so down. You are, in no way inferior to Khyaati. She has her talents, and you have yours.
Your expertise lies in Military tactics, operations and strategies. If I am not wrong, you have learnt all three from your mother. So, cheer up! You have your own role to play."
Vaibhavee realized the meaning of those words and said, "Yes I understand."
Varchaswa then took are two booklets and handed it over to them. He explained, "These booklets will help you learn the ancient language called Sanskrit. The ancient texts in our hidden library are written using this ancient language. It is also called 'Deva-Vaanee' meaning 'Language of the deities'. It has a very robust and accurate Grammar."
Vaibhavee asked, "By calling it the 'language of the deities' do you mean to say that the heavenly deities talk using this language?"
Khyaati also asked at the same time, "And does that mean that the chants used by the priests in temples especially during the awakening ceremony is the same language?"
Varchaswa smiled and said, "Well I just told you what I know. I am not a heavenly deity so I cannot say what language they converse in. And yes, the language of the chants is the same language. The chants were passed down in the families of the priests as a secret heritage.
However, they just know the pronunciation. They do not know how to read or write the ancient language. They use their own language to read and write those chants. As long as the pronouncements are fine, it works."
Khyaati asked, "But brother, how do you know all this?"
"It's a Secret." replied Varchaswa.
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Chapter End.