Katyayani knew that she should have told Trini about her real intentions earlier on regarding her wanting to go on the mission with that group but she had wanted to check those people and their capabilities on her own, without any recommendations or bias.
Even though she knew that Trini would never try to influence her, Katyayani had developed an inexplicable wall, keeping her a small step away from everyone.
Actually, she should be grateful to her dear cousin, Dharitri and her now dead ex-boyfriend, Ganak for instilling this trait in her.
"It is just a thought, Trini. I wasn't sure of it all this while and hence didn't share it with anyone till now," Katyayani said without meeting her eyes.
Trini knew the temperament of her young mistress the best amongst all of them and smiled in response.
"Let me know when you want me to reach out to those guys. They usually take some time to prepare and plan before picking up an assignment so we should have the timeline ready at our end first," Trini said softly.
Katyayani gave her a guilty nod in return.
Chatvari wanted to break the uncomfortable atmosphere and said, "Young Miss, should we give a clue to the other side about the dealings of two nights ago?"
Katyayani gave a cold smile and shook her head. "Isn't my eldest cousin famous for her calm demeanour, just like her poised mother? I also want to see how long she can hold onto her composure. It is fun to play cat and mouse, no? Moreover, I still have to settle the score with my eldest aunt on behalf of my mother, not to forget her husband, who was the actual perpetrator. Let this pyaada* remain hidden for now."
Nildiri Hills, many miles away from Dima
"Miss, this servant simply can't take it anymore. Why don't you rest at the next village this evening. I will try and buy us some thicker clothes in the local market there. I am afraid that once we reach the mountain top, it will be even colder than it is right now. In my entire life, I have never experienced this kind of harsh weather," Laasya begged Princess Anara.
They had been in the carriage for almost a week now and despite the fox skin cloak and the presence of charcoal braziers, Princess Anara also felt that her bones had become brittle due to the unyielding Northern wind.
As they galloped across the distance, the landscape outside the carriage changed drastically every few miles. Gone with the opulent cities with bustling travellers and activity. Soon, even the lush fields with crops were left behind. Not only did the path become more uneven and tougher to travel, even the population became scarcer.
The scenery outside looked desolate.
Except for a few hardened travellers, not much traffic was seen on this path.
Did her mother even know what kind of place was this Nildiri Hills where General Chandraveer and his sons were stationed? More importantly, was she expected to come and live in this wilderness after her wedding?
Her, Princess Anara, the most cherished royal daughter!
This was a bit much of a price to extract in return for being Prince Anirudh's sister. Even if her brother was to become the next monarch, her life would be spent with her prospective husband guarding these bleak hills.
Apologies! She was not interested.
Her only motive in going up the steep mountain was to clearly see the face of the 'chosen groom' so that she could reject him outrightly when it was the time of the swayamvar, that too in case her mother disagreed with her rejection of this proposal.
Also, Princess Anara was the type of person who liked to see things to their proper end. She was tenacious, a trait which she had inherited from her mother, the empress.
It would be infinitely better for her to marry one of her maternal cousins in the Southern kingdom or even a wealthy merchant in Mandhaar.
Anyone was better than a guy living his life in this wilderness!
"Ok, stop whining. Once we reach the village, ask the carriage puller to look for a respectable inn. Though it would be a challenge to find one in this godforsaken place," Princess Anara replied on a sulk.
Laasya pretended to not notice the dissatisfaction in Princess Anara's tone. Her mistress's mood had worsened with the passage of time in the past few days and she was already immune to it by now.
Trailing by a few metres behind them, Dushyant's mind was churning various possibilities while sitting on the horseback.
He had originally wanted to have the royal princess tailed by his people but as his path merged with the carriage ahead, his thoughts turned complicated.
This route was a singular road leading to the Northern army's base camp, which had been his original destination. But why was a princess headed to a place like that? Who had sent her? What was her motive?
Come what may, he couldn't fathom the reason behind this.
As he saw the carriage take a turn in the local marketplace, he also followed behind closely.
He wasn't worried about the princess's shadow guards discovering his presence.
All through the way, he had alternated between carriages and horse-rides to keep himself away from their suspicion. His clothes were extremely nondescript and commonplace. He wasn't any different from the other fellow travellers on this path.
An hour later
"Miss, this maid will go and get some food. You don't need to come down to the restaurant. The wind is unrelenting and you may catch a cold," Laasya tried to convince Princess Anara who wanted to go down to eat at the inn's dining room.
This was the only place which could be called an inn, though its facilities were a far cry from the luxurious places which Princess Anara was used to.
"I am sick of sitting in a closed place for so many days. Don't tell me what to do. Have you forgotten your identity just because I have humoured you recently?" Princess Anara reprimanded her with a frown.
She was feeling extremely motion sick after so many days of travel despite having a strong physical foundation. Climbing down from the first floor, Princess Anara made her way to the shabbily decorated restaurant which held a mild damp, mossy smell, typical of a hilly area.
*Pyaada - Pawn