4 hours later, they finally cross the GORAHA forest, from there, there are many mountains, lakes and small jungles, their horses are getting exhausted after running full speed for 4 hours straight.
Tejas and Vidur stop their horses near the lake road, they first feed their horses water and food, then they free their horses so they can play near the water for while.
Tejas and Vidur went to the near area to build camp.
"Tejas, you collect woods then start fire I will build tent." Vidur said to Tejas.
Tejas went collecting woods and start the fire, while Vidur built the tent and caught some fish with his bow.
Tejas see Vidur catching many fish so he challenges Vidur.
"Vidur! let's do a challenge, whoever catches the most fishes get 75% of the fish to eat and he will not cook them, while loser have to cook for the winner, and he will only get the remaining amount to eat."
"Are you serious Tejas? You know you have never beaten me when we do fishing challenge!" Vidur mockingly said to Tejas.
"That was 4 years ago when we were small. I am now better than before I can win this time, I will show you my effort of training." Tejas replied with confidence on his eyes.
20 minutes later,
Tejas lost to Vidur
Tejas caught 18 fishes while Vidur caught 21
Tejas collapsed on the ground, "Why am I still losing to him all these years?"
"Next time I will win Vidur I will show you!"
Vidur laughed " Hahahahahhaha! As you wish.
You know Tejas you almost got me. You only lost because I caught three more than you, but I think you have improved so much in this past 4 years. You have learned many things in your archery training from my father and practiced every time as I saw you were improving day by day.
I am faster than you for now, but in the future, I don't know! but I will also improve my archery skills so I will not lose to you."
"So do you mean I don't have to cook, and we share our food half?" Tejas asked to Vidur with an innocent eye.
"No, I am still a winner, so I will do what we have bet in this challenge and you as a loser have to cook and only get small number of fish." Vidur replied.
"Ok fine I will do it this time but next time it will be you!" Tejas said to Vidur.
After Tejas finished cooking, both started eating it. Tejas was not happy because he didn't get to eat many fish, because of that he was still hungry.
"Hey Vidur! we got our bow now, but they don't have names. Why don't we give them a name?"
"Do you have a name for your bow Tejas? I have a name on my mind for my bow. I will name it Ijya because it shines like a sun."
"That's a nice name for your bow Vidur, now for my bow its name will be INA because my bow looks stronger and durable like me Hahahahaha."
While both of them were talking they saw 3 people riding horses, all of them stopped near to them, 3 of them look like they came from far away. 2 men look like adult and one was young.
one of them came forward, he was big and strong like a strong soldier. They were all wearing scarf to cover their faces. they also have weapons two big guy have a Talwar in there waist, the young guy weapon like a long staff cover by clothes.
The one came forward; he became suspicious after looking our weapons and started asking questions?
"Who are you boys? Where have you come from? Where do you wish to go?
Tejas said
"Before asking questions to others, shouldn't you introduce yourself? Why should we tell you about ourselves? When we don't know you guys?"
The big guy got angry after what Tejas said to him, "Don't you know how to talk with your elders, boy?"
Tejas said,
"I know but I also think the elder don't know how to talk with his juniors."
Big guy said,
"Do you want to fight with me boy?
Tejas said,
"I don't wish to fight you, but if you want to fight me then I will fight."
Vidur giving signal to Tejas not to fight, but Tejas didn't care about.
Vidur was going to stop Tejas but suddenly a loud voice came."
"Enough!" young one spoke in loud voice,
The young one came forward and said,
"I am sorry about my subordinate behaviour, they are just protecting me, it's their job to look after everything if they see danger, they will do anything to get rid of it, that's why he was asking questions to you guys, so they can decide whether you guys are dangerous for us or not."
"I can tell you about where we came from and where we are going but I can't reveal our names and information about us, we have our own circumstances so please understand us."
Tejas and Vidur looked to each other, Tejas was trying to convince Vidur to tell them about them self,
After some time Vidur agreed to Tejas decision.
Tejas told them about everything.
Young one said,
"So, both of you guys are going to the Gorakh City where the exam is holding for both Warriors and Hunters.
We came from Videka Kingdom and we are also going to the Gorakh City for that exam but do you guys know which road take us faster there?"
Tejas said,
"What are you talking about? Isn't there just one way?"
Young one replied,
"So, you guys also don't know? Is this your first trip to Gorakh? My subordinate heard this from other people that from here 1 km away there are 2 ways to go to Gorakh city, but we don't know which way will lead us faster, that's why I was asking you about this.
Anyway, it was nice to meet you guys."
The young one saw cooked fish, the young one was distracted by that cooked fish for a second but controlled himself.
Young one asked,
"So, you guys cooked fish and ate them as I see the bones of fish, do you guys have some more?"
They came from far away and they looked hungry so Tejas gave them half part of cooked fish of Vidur."
"Hey Tejas!! that was my fish, why are you giving them?"
"Don't you see Vidur? They are hungry, at least we can give them this much, they are our guests."
"Hey Tejas! did you give them my fish because you are angry with me because I didn't share my fish with you?"
"Nope, I just gave them because they looked hungry in my eyes and he was also asking about fish and you had so many left. Why should I be angry with you? No hard feelings between friend."
Young one said,
"Thank you for sharing your food with us even though we are strangers. We misbehaved with you guys but you showed us how good people can be even with strangers. I will never forget your deeds to us.
Both of you are going to the Gorakh Darbar city why don't you guys come with us."
Vidur said,
"Thanks for your invitation but we have to reject that, this is our first time outside of village, so we want to experience ourselves by going slowly everywhere, but we will meet in Gorakh Darbar city exam, so there is no rush."
Young one replied,
"Yes! what you said is right. It's your choice, but what a shame. I wanted to know more about you guys and your village, I think I will have to wait for that.
Anyways, we have to go now, thanks for the food again, by the way I heard about in this area there is Rakta bandits this is their territory and wild animals who attack travels so beware and be safe see you soon in capital good bye."
All 3 of them left the camp and went to the way of Gorakh Darbar City.
"Hey Vidur! why did you reject their offer? I think it will be a good for us if we join them."
"Tejas, did you forget what our fathers said " don't trust anyone outside of village, follow your instincts, they didn't tell us about themselves, but we did! I only agree because of you that was my mistake. Don't reveal anyone from now on about ourselves until you trust them, or they will take advantage from us in future."
Tejas replied,
"Ok, whatever you say but my instinct tells me they are good people, but maybe you are right, or wrong, who knows time will tell that, anyways, we should also go now we spend to much time here let's go."
And so they head towards the Gorakh Darbar City.