Katyayani looked at Dvi and said, "Since you will be living separately from us when we reach Dima, all the things apart from the bare essentials which we need at the Bali Mansion, will go with you. Arrange the carriages accordingly. Also, do not come to the residence to visit me. I will come and see you at the music hall as and when. Send a message if an urgent need arises to Eka or Chatvari through our people employed at the Bali Mansion."
A few people from the Dharamshala had been selected and plugged amongst the servants of Katyayani's relatives living in the Bali Mansion three years ago. These people were unobtrusive, and had slowly grown in their respective masters' eyes in this period. Their only task was to keep Katyayani abreast of the movement in her paternal house during the time that she was away.
"Trini, help Dvi in packing up the weapons, extra clothes, and surplus food items. You will travel with her tomorrow and come back here by the end of the day." Katyayani's brows furrowed in concentration as she continued planning for the upcoming trip.
Trini looked at the young girl who had grown up from a shy child into a stunning young lady. There was a time when all this annual planning was done by the four of them and she followed. But within the first two years of them being assigned to her, Katyayani had learnt the art of management and foreplanning.
"...you may not be able to dry enough herbs before we leave. But it doesn't matter. Let's just take what we have. Anyways, it is a matter of three months. Don't waste your time in fretting over it," Katyayani was consoling Chatvari when Trini emerged from her thoughts.
Katyayani knew that none of her attendants liked the Bali clan and despite the availability of every provision in the thriving household, they preferred taking their own things to be used while living there.
Trini was happy to help Dvi as she didn't have much to do here except for training Katyayani during this period.
Since they couldn't follow their morning routine after reaching the city of Dima, Trini was used to adopting the role of a female bodyguard. All she needed to do was follow Katyayani around in the house or when she stepped out in the city.
"Ah… I almost forgot. One of you send the news to the Bali mansion informing them about our arrival, three days from now."
Early Morning, three days later
"I will see you in the Chaitra maas*, Mahant ji. Don't go around eating too many sweet things, the remaining teeth will also fall off," Katyayani teased the grumpy, old man gently.
The two of them had a love-hate relation and were always trying to get one up on each other despite the huge disparity in their age.
"Hmph, if I were you, I would worry about spending the days in that treacherous city. Make sure that you maintain a low profile. There is no need to galavant around the place like a wild banshee as you do here. You also have to look after your…" He started ranting, only to be cut off by her next words.
"Someone from the cabin will deliver meals during this period. You are not to go to the forest or the village downhill to look for supplies. You must take care of your health and not overexert yourself. The winters seem to be carrying a harsh edge this time around. I know that you won't leave the temple premises and go somewhere warmer. Hence, a cart with coal and wood has been parked next to the woodshed outside your residence half an hour ago. Don't be stingy in using them," she said with an unexpected softness in her voice.
The old man's eyes had started to glisten but he would die before letting her see his emotions. "Aren't you getting late? It will take you at least five hours to reach the city and another hour to reach your stingy mansion. Do you want to stumble around the city during the dark? Leave now and don't linger on the way. Be wary of strangers. Who knows what kind of people are frequenting the road!"
Katyayani didn't try to correct his words. Compared to him who hadn't stepped off the Mandh mountain in years now, she had been travelling across the entire region since a young age. She grinned at him before bending down to touch his feet.
His gnarled fingers touched the top of her head in a blessing and then he turned around to walk away, lest his eyes betrayed him.
Since Dvi had left the mountain two days ago, it was only Katyayani along with the three of them, who galloped down the hill. A white colored cotton cloth was tied across each of their heads like a turban, with one end at the back of their heads and the second one brought in front of the face like a face mask and clipped behind the ear.
Only their eyes were visible through these masks. They were wearing plain, white riding dresses, which consisted of a long, thick kurta and fitted leggings. The heavy fur coats over them were black with no insignia or embroidery. The black leather riding boots came up to their knees and fitted snugly against the calves. Matching gloves in sheepskin completed the ensemble. It was tough for onlookers to determine the gender, age or any other detail about these riders.
But they made for a striking picture!
Three hours later
"Miss, this is the inn where Dvi has made arrangements for us," said Eka, as they all dismounted from the horses in front of a nondescript, small lodge. Due to the cold weather, the place seemed deserted despite it being right at the outskirts of Dima city.
The horse, which Katyayani was currently riding, had been brought over as a foal nearly three years ago from the Northwest frontier land which was famous for breeding the best horses in this continent.
*Chaitra Maas - Period of March-April as per Lunar calendar, in the standard Hindu calendar, Chaitra is the first month of the year.