POV Lokanandha Senapati
Under the shade of a giant banyan tree, an old man with a weathered face and a bushy beard sat beside a lake, engrossed in fishing. Loka Nandha Senapati, as he was known, appeared to be in his early sixties, yet his sturdy build and confident demeanour reflected his years of military experience. His name "Senapati" was a testament to his previous role as the supreme commander of the Vijayanagar Empire's army. Now, in his retirement, he found happiness in the simple act of fishing.
In the tranquillity of the moment, as he felt the tugging of a fish on the line, an abrupt disturbance shattered the peaceful scene. A servant came running towards him, unceremoniously trampling through the grass. The old man's eyes narrowed with irritation as he watched his potential catch escape. He regarded the servant with a steely gaze, causing the young man to falter in his steps.
"Just when I was about to have a catch," Senapati grumbled, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Master, here is the royal edict from the capital," the servant said quickly, holding out a rolled-up parchment.
As Senapati's eyes fell upon the official seal on the parchment, his irritation subsided, replaced by an air of seriousness. He unrolled the edict with care, scanning its contents.
"Looks like my old bones are still in need for the empire," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
POV Raghavendra Bhat
In the heart of a Shiva temple, Raghavendra Bhat sat in deep meditation, his eyes closed in devotion. As the chief priest of the temple, it was his duty to connect with the divine and guide the religious practices of the faithful. The temple, adorned with intricate carvings and draped in colourful silk, emanated an aura of spirituality that permeated every inch of its sacred precincts.
Amidst the silence of prayer, an assistant approached, hesitantly interrupting Raghavendra's meditation. As he opened his eyes, ready to reprimand the intruder, he noticed the parchment held in the young man's trembling hands. The seal of the royal family adorned the parchment, leaving Bhat curious and intrigued.
"Your Holiness, I bring an order from His Majesty," the assistant said, attempting to convey both the urgency and importance of the document.
Bhat accepted the parchment and began to read its contents carefully. The language of the edict spoke of matters pertaining to the religious and cultural department, something he had not encountered before. Uncertain of the implications, he decided to seek clarification from Vijay himself.
ROYAL PALACE HAMPI
Several people are sitting in the royal palace as if waiting for someone, some looking reserved, and others confident, as if they are used to such occasions. These people are the council members, precisely gathered because of the letter from Vijay
The doors swung open with a grand flourish, heralding the entrance of Vijay Deva Raya, the esteemed king of the Vijayanagar Empire. As everyone rose to their feet in respect, the room echoed with the chorus of "Long live your majesty" and "Long live Vijayanagara."
With a graceful wave of his hand, Vijay motioned for everyone to be seated. His eyes scanned the council members, their expressions ranging from curiosity to excitement. His voice was firm yet soothing as he began to address them.
"Today, we gather here to inaugurate the imperial council," Vijay announced, his tone carrying the weight of the moment. "This council shall serve as the pillar of our empire, aiding me in formulating and implementing various policies."
The council members listened intently, their hearts pounding with a mixture of honour and trepidation.
"You, esteemed members, shall represent me in the diverse fields of your expertise," Vijay continued. "Each of you shall bear the weight of responsibility as my ambassadors."
A sense of pride surged within them as they embraced the trust placed upon their shoulders.
"However," Vijay added, his eyes holding their gaze, "let it be clear that you are representatives, not wielders of power. I, as the monarch, retain the authority to remove any of you from your position should the need arise."
With this declaration, a hush fell upon the gathering. Everyone understood the magnitude of their roles and the necessity to remain loyal to their sovereign.
"Let us proceed with the formation of the council," Vijay announced. "We shall have the livelihood department, internal security department, military department, finance department, religious and cultural department, judicial department, business department, and, in the future, more departments as the need arises."
After explaining the purpose of their gathering, Vijay proceeded with introductions.
"Lokananda Senapati, Head of the military affairs department" Vijay announced, and the old veteran of many battles rose from his seat. He warmly greeted his fellow council members, acknowledging their presence with a nod and a reassuring smile.
"Raghavendra Bhat, In charge of the religious and cultural department" Vijay continued, and the chief priest stood up gracefully. He joined his palms in a traditional gesture of respect and greeted his colleagues with a "Namaste,".
"Lokesh, Leading the livelihood department with his outstanding medical knowledge and experience," the scholarly head of the livelihood department. As he rose to his feet, he exchanged nods of acknowledgement with the others, appreciating the expertise they each brought to the council.
"Arjun, Head of the internal affairs department," A seasoned veteran. Arjun stood tall and greeted his fellow council members.
"Rajesh, In charge of the Business department, " Vijay said, and the head of the Business department stood up with a friendly grin. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate on ventures that would benefit the empire's prosperity.
"Ravi, My former butler now entrusted with the finance department", Ravi rose gracefully. He smiled warmly as he exchanged pleasantries with his colleagues.
"Bhuvan, the head of the judiciary department".
End of Chapter 6.