"The King among the Kings, Ruler of Eight provinces, Bearer of the mythical seal, Overlord of the great Mauryan Empire, his majesty, the emperor, Bindasura Maurya has issued an edict, get onto your knees and receive the privilege, oh honorable Brahman."
The sound of a man screaming at the top of his lungs while standing up on the stage built around a bodhi tree resounded throughout the small remote village in the Champa province.
The villagers stood around the tree looking at the unusual appearance of the King's messenger in their remote village.
As they were watching the unfamiliar scene, a man stepped out from the crowd
"I am honored to receive the Privilege"
He was wearing a pure white dhoti and nothing but a sacred thread across his chest.
Kneeling down he replied to the messenger which indicated that he was ready to receive the imperial edict.
"In the residence of the divine Bhodi tree and in the witness of great Mauryan subjects, henceforth I Shall relay the message of the emperor himself, may the god of oath examine my words and shall incinerate this body if I were to lie"
The messenger chanted the religious words accounting for his truthness and broke the imperial edict's seal.
As soon as he opened the edict, all the citizens around him kneeled with their heads held down, showing their respect for the Imperial edict.
It was a law in the empire to respect the Imperial edict with the same respect that the Emperor himself received, any rebuttal or contradiction to this is considered treason against the throne, and the culprit would be judged for immediate execution.
Even if the people don't like kneeling, the fear of the cold blades hanging on the hips of royal escorts made them comply.
"The emperor of the Great Mauryan empire, Bindusara Maurya, otherwise I, the ruler of the eight provinces, have heard a great deal of your deeds and wisdom. You, who are a true Brahmin deserve more than just being in a remote province. In recognition of your achievement, I am now summoning you, Dharman, the chief priest of the Champa province to serve me in the imperial palace as the vice imperial priest, accept the honor and be present before my eyes as soon as possible."
The Messenger finished reading the edict and closed the scroll.
Each and every word in the edict would be personally written by Emperor himself, and delivering those exact words is the responsibility of the messenger.
Dooth, who had been the Imperial messenger for about 20 years relayed the emperor's message and looked at the Brahmin who was now kneeling with his head held high.
"What is your answer, oh honorable Brahmin"
He asked in a respectable manner.
In response, Dharman slowly raised his head with a slight smile on his face.
"If it is the will of the emperor for me to be in the imperial palace, who am I to reject?"
Even though he was given a choice to accept or refuse, Dharman was aware that refusing the grace of the emperor would mean trouble for himself, so he decided that accept the position willingly was far more favorable to him.
Besides, the position of the Vice-priest means that he would be able to meet with 'that' person.
The Chief Priest and the prime mister of the Great Mauryan empire, and the one who raised the previous emperor to glory, the most intelligent man in all Mauryan, Dharman was overjoyed that he would be able to work with such a man.
"I will follow the respectful sir back to the imperial palace, but please give me some time to say farewells to my Child"
The Imperial palace existed in the province of Patlipautra, it was fifteen days away from the Champa province by horse, so Dharman was a bit hesitant to leave his family here, but as it is the order from the emperor himself, he had to go.
So, he at least wanted to say farewells to his family before departing as such he requested the messenger.
"There is no need for farewells, the emperor has ordered your whole family to be moved to the capital, so be at ease."
The messenger noticed his worry and said so to Dharman, who was a bit hesitant to leave his daughter and wife.
"All hail the Emperor, then this man has no objections, I shall follow you anytime"
Dharman became ecstatic hearing his words as the only worry he had was now resolved.
"Then we will depart by tomorrow's sunrise please be ready by then"
"I shall do so"
Bowing in respect to the Brahman, Messenger, Dooth stepped down from the stage and returned to the temporary tent that was built by the royal escorts for their stay till tomorrow.
Noticing the end of things, the people also dispersed leaving the brahman alone in front of the bodhi tree.
"It seems like fate wants me in the Imperial palace this time, I shall follow the will of the cosmos, and may the gods look over this humble man"
The gentle murmurs of Dharman faded as he was seen praying to the bodhi tree.
A new chapter is starting in the life of the brahman, which in the future will become the reason for 'THE BIRTH OF CHAKRAVARTHY".
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Volume 1 - THE BIRTH OF CHAKRAVARTHY is officially started from this chapter, It will not be like the generic stories of reincarnation so you can look forward to it.
And don't forget to vote! ;)