Belonging to the secret guerilla army, the five hundred odd soldiers, including Ashmayu, always referred to Dushyant as 'Master' and not 'General'. Their loyalty was solely to Dushyant and they did not recognise any other authority.
The group was a secret existence and apart from the emperor and General Chandraveer, no one else knew about it.
During the time of war, these guys became the additional support, with their unorthodox methods of fighting, if so ordered by their master else they spent their entire time training at the highest peaks of the Nildiri mountain, under near inhuman conditions.
Hence, their entity had managed to remain hidden for the past five years, ever since the group was first formed by Dushyant.
Ashmayu was the only person from the secret team who remained close to Dushyant under the guise of a personal guard at the army camp and was otherwise the next-in-command of the guerilla army.
Since Dushyant had just finished an official assignment under the orders of the emperor, he wanted to take some time off and go up to the peak to train with his people.
The battalion which he led in the Northern Army, also consisted of his people but at the end of the day, they were under the command of General Chandraveer and loyal to the kingdom of Mandhaar.
"Master, the young general seems to be ready and waiting for the upcoming event," Ashmayu said suddenly.
Even though it was just the two of them on this desolate hill at this hour, Ashmayu remained cautious in his speech.
Dushyant nodded expressionlessly. "The winds are going to change sooner than later. We may need to alter our timeline. The enemy played a good move."
Many kilometers away, Sarvaan city
"Husband, you are back!" Kuntala's voice held an unmistakable joy.
Since they hardly saw each other during the year, Madam Kuntala cherished the sudden visits from her husband, General Chandraveer, even more.
After their eldest son, Agastya was born, it was a conscious decision on her part to not live in the desolate, tough conditions of a military camp.
Though this decision led to the biggest setback of her married life, the distance was also the reason why Madam Kuntala managed to overcome the difficulty and save her marriage.
"Yes, I was supposed to be here sooner but was called midway to the capital," said General Chandraveer.
Ever since he came out of the palace, a few days ago, the general's mood was heavy and tangled. On the face of it, the emperor had summoned him all the way to Dima to reprimand him for the unsolved matters between Adra and Mandhaar. But, in actuality, the real issue was more complex and serious.
General Chandraveer didn't know how to avoid the disaster which was headed his way.
Sensing his unhappiness, Kuntala consciously shut her mouth.
She had wanted to inquire about Nakulesh, her second son, who was posted in the palace as a royal guard but stopped herself.
She turned his attention away from the topic and said, "Would you like to bathe first or have breakfast?"
General Chandraveer patted her shoulder absently and said, "I want to have a quick bath. Arrange for some hot food to be packed. I will leave for Nildiri Hills in the next hour."
Madam Kuntala pouted unhappily. "But you just arrived home after so many days. Won't you stay at least till lunch?"
"Dushyant is waiting for me at the camp. There are some urgent matters to deal with. I will come back once that's sorted," he said comfortingly and started removing his heavy boots and the belt around his waist which had the moon engraved sword hanging on it.
Kuntala's face suddenly twisted with anger and she couldn't help but lash out. "He is your son, your junior. He is supposed to wait for you, not vice-versa. And if it is so urgent, he should have come here to report it, and not have his ageing father run after him."
The general paused in his action of stripping and looked at his wife.
He said in a quiet voice, "I am going to the camp because work matters can't be brought home. As for Dushyant coming back here, don't you know why he would choose to stay outside in the wilderness instead of returning home throughout the year?"
Madam Kuntala's eyes were brimming with hot tears now.
She replied in a choked voice. "So, it is my fault that I can't love your wild child whom you brought home when your own wife was in the middle of delivering your son! You had a romantic affair outside and sowed your seed in another woman's body while your wife waited for your return from a perilous mission. If that wasn't enough, you decided to declare to the entire world that the wild seed is yours and my son, twin of my Nakulesh. Of course, you are the lord and master of the Sirsa clan! In the end, your decision is the final word! But, why am I not allowed to even hate that child privately who almost tore my marriage apart and caused me a near miscarriage? For that, did I ever beat him up or starve him? Have I not treated him equally as my two sons? His clothes, his education, his lifestyle, where have I lacked? Still, if he chooses to stay away, is that black pot supposed to land on my head as well? What more do you want me to do?"
Seeing her cry, General Chandraveer didn't know what to do. It had been like this for the past twenty plus years. He knew that it wasn't his wife's fault for feeling this way but he was unable to disclose the truth to her and could only accept the blame quietly.
"I am sorry. It is me who is at fault. Please don't distress yourself. Your health will get affected," he tried to console her awkwardly.
Irrespective of how fierce and magnificent he was on the field, in his private life, Chandraveer still remained the shy and awkward guy who had trouble expressing his thoughts to his loved ones.