Dushyant entered his tent and took off his travel-worn clothes. Clad only in his lower pants, he walked out of the backside of the tent which led to a small stream coming down the mountaintop. He ran his hand through the short hair which was in stark contrast to the shoulder-length hair sported by most men.
Grinning, he chucked off his shoes and raised his hands, ready to dive.
"Third Young Mas…" his personal valet, Midush, who served by his side during his stay here in the camp, had just been informed of his master's arrival.
When Midush reached the tent, he was greeted by the sight of the bare-chested man ready to plunge into the freezing cold water.
By the time he called out to warn him, Dushyant had already jumped into the not-so shallow and biting cold stream.
Shaking his head in worry, Midush felt that he would age rapidly again during this stay of his master. Unlike other generals or even lower ranked officers, Dushyant didn't like his valet to follow him on missions.
It was only when he came to the camp that Midush was allowed to serve him.
An orphan picked up and adopted by the army to do sundry tasks, Midush had started taking care of young Dushyant when the latter was just an eight year old boy.
Midush still remembered the instructions given to him by General Chandraveer at the time he was shifted from serving food in the army canteen to the general's house in Sarvaan city.
"You will be serving Third Young Master from today onwards. His words are your command. Your duty is to only listen to him and obey him without any wayward thoughts. Even if I were to tell you something opposite to your young master's wishes, you will follow his order instead of mine. Understood?" The booming voice of General Chandraveer had scared the skinny teenage Midush but he had managed to nod his head shakily after listening to the order.
Seven years older than him, Midush had seen the sombre and withdrawn looking boy turn into an aloof yet generous master.
Amongst the three sons of General Chandraveer, Dushyant was the quietest and also undoubtedly the most brilliant. Surprisingly, he was also the first one to leave the comfort of the Sirsa household and start living in the army camp at Nildiri Hills which was a few hours away from Sarvaan city.
The Sirsa clan was a military family and for many generations, all the male members of the clan had gone into the army. Across generations, it was claimed that General Chandraveer was by far the most illustrious member of the Sirsa clan.
But now it seemed that his third son would surpass him soon enough.
It was widely known in the military circle that General Dushyant's fighting style was even more fierce than his father or his elder brothers, Agastya and Nakulesh.
Agastya was two years older than his younger twin brothers and worked closely with and under his father's guidance. It was understood that he would be the one taking over the mantle of the Northern army from his father when General Chandraveer retired.
Nakulesh and Dushyant were twins but Nakulesh was a few minutes older. Hence, Dushyant became the Third Young Master of the Sirsa clan. Nakulesh was currently serving as one of the deputy heads of the royal guards in the capital. It was a prestigious post and showed the trust which Raja Indraneel had in the Sirsa clan.
"Stop pacing in the tent, Brother Midush. It won't make the general come back anytime sooner," a faint tinkling laughter arose from behind him.
"Miss Avantika, you are here," Midush's face creased into a smile looking at the pretty girl in front of him.
A cute dimple peeked out of the left cheek of the seventeen year old fair maiden and she nodded shyly. Carrying a tray in her hands, she came inside the tent and put the covered food on the three-legged small table, which lay neglected on the side.
"I have brought his favourite dishes. Tell him to have them before the food gets cold," she said and turned to walk out.
Midush's laughing voice arose from behind as he said, "Third Young Master hasn't been in the camp for so long. Aren't you going to meet him?"
The petite girl's face turned crimson. She lowered her head and replied softly. "He still has to do a lot of catching up with the pending work. I am sure that he will be very busy for the next few hours. I will see him when I bring his dinner."
"Ah… our third young master is very lucky! By the way, how did you know that he was arriving today? He hadn't sent any intimation to the camp," Midush couldn't help but ask in a puzzled voice.
He was feeling slightly left out at not being aware of his master's return.
Avantika blinked her eyes innocently before answering him. "While crossing Sarvaan, he sent a messenger to inform the family about his return. I… I thought that he may not have enough warm clothes in this place. So I came here to deliver a few things. Aunt Kuntala has also sent a few provisions for my uncle."
Midush couldn't help teasing his young master's sweetheart who had also grown up in front of his eyes. "Look at that! Like a perfect husband, he is already informing his future wife regarding his whereabouts. I can be rest assured about his life now."
Avantika glared at him for pulling her leg but said, "I have got some stuff for Brother Midush as well. Didn't you say last time that you liked the fabric from my father's store which another soldier's family had sent for him? I have got a few bolts along with. Please choose the one you like and give the remaining to the other attendants who serve my cousin."
Midush looked at the girl with worship in his eyes. "Ah… it is the mistress who is perfect. Not only taking care of her husband but also his poor subordinates. This servant thanks you on behalf of all the brothers. Rest assured, we shall continue to serve the third young master well on your behalf!!"