Smack! Arya had been slapped awake. He was standing by the still lake the brilliant blue sky reflected in the still mirror-like surface of the lake. He still felt dazed.
Last night was a blur to him. The fight might as well have been a dream. He looked over to Drishti the mysterious girl who had asked for his help. Now he felt like he had somehow crossed a boundary without meaning to. He drove that thought out of his mind. Arya had already apologised to her and she seemed to have forgiven him.
"We need to talk but before that help me will you?" Arya asked her looking over at the assailants sprawled on the ground.
"O... OK," She replied looking at them hesitantly.
Arya looked at them carefully. They had the same clothes as if it was a uniform. All of them had died as a result of last night's fight. Arya joined his palms together and prayed.
"We need to burn their bodies", he said.
"What? Why? These people tried to kill me and you. Why would you go so far as to burn their bodies?" Drishti asked.
Arya looked at her trying to gather his thoughts. He had thought that everyone thought the same way as he did. "Even then, they deserve some respect."
"You believe all life is sacred?" Drishti asked again, tucking her hair behind her ears.
"Of course" Arya replied without hesitation.
"That's the problem with you men. These people tried to kill us and if you believe in the circle of life you would let them be so that the other animals and birds can eat them. They will return to dust naturally." She said while inspecting their clothes.
Arya stood by that beautiful lake dumbfounded by this perspective. He had not thought about life in such a way. This was one of the times when he missed his Guruji. He would answer in a way that would make even a donkey understand the concept of life and death. He chuckled to himself.
"Did you just laugh at me?" She asked incredulously.
"No, of course not," Arya replied hastily. "I was just thinking that's all."
"So what have we decided?" She looked at Arya.
He looked into those storm-grey eyes. They had a peculiar quality which just drew him in.
"Hello?" She prodded.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Let's leave them be. But let's at least close their eyes." He replied.
Arya joined his palms together again and prayed. Drishti joined him and then they closed their eyes.
"Look what I found on him," Drishti said showing a pouch. "It has some coins in it."
"That is good. Right?" Arya replied.
"Yeah, it is good. We have got money now and also looking at this coin I can see who wanted me dead." She replied with a grim look.
Arya looked at the coin she handed him. It was a gold circular coin with two clashing swords and a peacock on the other. He looked at her perplexed. "How does this tell us who tried to kill you?"
"Do you seriously not know anything?" She asked flabbergasted.
"I know many things. Why would you ask me that?" He replied taken aback by her accusations. "I saved our lives didn't I?"
"Oh come on. Fine. This is the coin of a kingdom called Mayurnagar," she said looking exhausted, "You know what that is at least right?"
"That someone from Mayurnagar tried to kill you?" He asked hesitantly.
"Finally you're talking some sense." She replied smiling for the first time, "Now go away somewhere I need to clean myself."
He stood there looking towards the forest for a while but then decided to move away. He went towards his makeshift camp, the cool breeze was slowly getting warmer as the sun rose. He had not thought much about it but his journey had come to an abrupt halt meeting Drishti.
"I am ready", she called.
"Okay, let's go," Arya replied. Drishti had repurposed the headband as a makeshift hair tie, its fabric now securing her tousled locks away from her face. He noticed she had also donned the trousers of one of their assailants, the fabric worn but serviceable, blending seamlessly with her tattered tunic.
"What are you looking at? Is it not that good?" She asked looking down at her clothes.
Arya had not noticed but he was staring at her. "No... Nothing. It looks good. I mean.. come on let's go." He replied his hazel eyes gleaming brightly.
He gathered all of his belongings and then set off with her.
They trudged along the soft soil, their feet sinking almost an inch every time they took a step. Their struggle ended, however, when they reached a road. The ground was firm and without vegetation. It was wide enough for two bullock-carts to pass through simultaneously. They walked on for an hour until a big fortified city was visible on the horizon. The sun was shining with a renewed intensity as if it was trying to prove a point. Even the Vasant (Spring) breeze was no match for it.
The road stretched before them, a ribbon of packed earth and gravel winding its way through the verdant landscape towards the imposing silhouette of Mayurnagar's fortified walls. The journey was alive with the chirping of unseen birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. People could be seen coming in and out of the gate walking towards the forest and other cities.
"So what is it like living in the city?" Arya asked with excitement.
She stopped in her tracks which made Arya stop as well. He turned towards her and asked, "What? Why are we stopping?"
"You really don't know anything do you?" She replied with a dumbfounded look, "Don't tell me, you have never lived in a city?"
"No, I was raised in the Gurukul", Arya replied now getting annoyed with her incredulous expression.
"You will love it", she declared.
"Why? What is so special about living in a city?" Arya asked. He had only gone to the nearby village when he was in the Gurukul. It was a quaint little village with huts and farmers. Some cattle and not many people.
"There are so many houses," she exclaimed, her voice laced with excitement, "all close together, with tiled roofs and colourful walls. And the Shiva temple, oh, it's magnificent! The tower reaches for the sky, and inside..." she paused, searching for the right words, "it's so peaceful, you almost feel like you can touch the heavens."
Arya listened intently, a bemused smile playing on his lips. He watched her animated gestures, her eyes sparkling with an almost childlike wonder as she described the bustling bazaars, the aroma of spices and sweets, the vibrant fabrics and trinkets.
"And the people," she continued, "they're always laughing and talking. You can find anything you need in the market, from the finest silks to the juiciest mangoes!"
He couldn't help but marvel at the contrast. This was the same woman who had spoken of death and survival with such pragmatism. Yet, here she was, gushing about the simple pleasures of life with an innocence that belied her experiences.
"Wow, that sounds very exciting", Arya replied enthusiastically. "So what next? We are here." He stated.
They approached the main gate. There were two sentries on each side of the gate cladden in what looked like copper armour. It was gleaming and well polished. It almost looked like it was never worn in battle.
He looked at both of them and in a stern voice asked, "Halt! Who goes there?"
Arya was stunned by the firmness in the guard's voice. He looked towards Drishti for instructions but before she could say anything the guard let out a yelp.
"Oh my lord! It is her." He said, "Quick, send word to the palace that the princess has returned!"