Around 2000 years ago, there was a kingdom, Shailantara, surrounded by the mountains. A beautiful river passed from the kingdom, making it a great land for farming and a natural fortress.Ā
After the death of the 18th king, Chogyal Dorje, during a war, the kingdom was on the brink of chaos, as there was no one to sit on the throne since the two princes, Chogyal Desma and Chogyal Hi'um, were still young. That's when the grand minister proposed the idea of assigning a teacher to the two princes and after they turn 19 years, whoever will be more skilled was to be throned until then the queen took reign of the kingdom in her own hands. Peace returned to the kingdom once again but it couldn't last long, because of queen's sudden death three years later and the argument of the two princes. To prevent the inner conflicts, the grand minister decided to split the kingdom. As Prince Desma was cherished by the citizens, he was given the castle in the valley where most of the citizens lived. On the other hand, Prince Hi'um, who wanted to open the kingdom for the outside world, was given the castle located on the mountain along with some villages outside. As the years passed by, there rose a tension between the two brothers.Ā
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Ā 13 years later. Around the time of annual harvest festival
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"Sir Divankar, how are the preparations for harvest festival going on?" came the voice of a man in his thirties from behind.
"My lord!... Everything is going well. People are excited for the upcoming banquet with their beloved King.... It's all thanks to you, my lord, that people of this kingdom still have reason to smile," said Divankar, an old man who was teacher of king and now is his advisor.
"Is that so? It's a good thing that people are happy," the king, Chogyal Desma, said with a gloomy look.
"What's wrong, my lord? Is something worrying you? You don't seem happy," asked Divankar.
"It's just that it has been more than 2 weeks since the letter was sent, yet, there haven't been a single word from him. He didn't come to the festival for all these years, neither did he send replies of the letters. I just want to meet him, not as a king but as a brother. And if God is merciful, I would like to have those brotherly quarrels one last time," looks towards the mountains as the king said.
"From the bottom of my heart, I pray for your wish to come trueā¦ But at these times, where we don't know who is a friend or enemy, the citizens need you, a king they can follow. So, please stay strong for the smiles of people," said Divankar in a soft caring voice.
"Thanks, Sir Divankar. But I want to give it my best. Although my stupid brother is blinded by the comforts of outside world, I still believe that he hasn't forgotten his big brother."
"..."
"Ask Prince Chandra to come to throne room. Tell him he has to go to his uncle," the king ordered a knight standing nearby.
***
In the throne room:
A young boy, around the age of fifteen, came inside, bowed his head to the king. "I, Chogyal Chandra, greet the lord," he said.
"It's not an official meeting, so you can refer to me as father," said Chogyal Desma.
"As you wish father," rising his head the young prince said.
"You have to go to the mountain castle to deliver an invitation letter for harvest festival," said Chogyal Desma.
"Really! I can go to uncle Hi'um? (the prince asked excitedly) ā¦ But you never allowed me to go there for last 10 years," asked the prince.
"Itā¦It was because of increase in wild beasts on the way to the castle. Although the danger still remains, therefore Knight Aabir will be accompanying you on your journey.
"Oh! ā¦ Father?"
"Yes?"
"Umm, since brother Aabir is going, can I take my friend with me?"
Chogyal Desma hesitated at first but then said, "Fine. But first, ask their parents for permission and also go to your mother before going outside. She will be worried if you leave unnoticed."
After the young prince left,
"Wild beasts? Huh! It wasn't wild beasts that killed our knights. It was those bastards from the mountains who killed them," said a man, almost in his sixties, coming through the dark corridor.
"Uncle Tenzing! When did you come?" "You seem to be angry. Were there troublemakers among the soldiers?" the king asked.
"I wish that it was a soldier. It would have been much better to teach him a lesson. But unfortunately, it's you. Not only that you aren't doing anything about the deaths of our soldiers but you didn't tell Prince Chandra the truth. You do realise that he is going to be the king someday, right?" said Commander Tenzing.
"Uncle, I can understand why you are annoyed but I too am trying my best to find the reason for the deaths of our soldiers. Captain Aabir is assigned the mission of finding the truth about all the incidents. As for Prince Chandra knowing the truth; I don't want to drag kids into this matter. Also, we aren't sure whether it was an ambush or accident," the king explained.
"REASONS? ACCIDENT? You are still asking this? That idiot Hi'um let himself be Dhritiman's puppet. He is the reason of their death... He might be blinded by someone else's influence, but king, youā¦ you've blinded yourself because of your love for him," raising his voice Commander Tenzing said.
"Commander Tenzing surely is right. I also believe that his majesty needs to do something, otherwise it will be a disrespect to the death of our soldiers. But Commander, you too understand that if a war is to take place, many people will die, not just soldiers but innocent civilians and even kids. Therefore, we shouldn't do anything without evidence," coming from the back, Divankar said.
"..."
"Divankar! You really are good with your words. But know one thing that I will never trust you and that brother of yours. I have my eyes on you." Commander Tenzing said angrily before leaving.
"I still can't understand why uncle doesn't trust you, Sir Divankar. You have done so much for our family and yet uncle never believed you," the king said with a gloomy expression.
"It's okay, my liege. Commander Tenzing's temperament doesn't bother me. It's just that he cares about Prince Chandra so much. You shouldn't worry my lord," comforting the king Divankar said.
"...You are right. I think I should get some rest. I hope all this enmity ends soon and all of us live happily," the king expressed himself.
"That day will come soon. Just trust the God."
***
Next day;
Prince Chandra along with his friends, Ipsha and Aniket, left for the mountain castle together with Knight Aabir. Since the destination was far, because of the uneven terrain, they had to stop a few times on the way. They reached the castle by evening. At the entrance, the soldiers guarding the gate checked the identities of the people who wished to enter. One of the guards went inside to ask for permissio
"Sir, Prince Chandra from the valley wants to enter the castle," the guard said to an old man.
"Prince Chandra! Is he alone?" the old man asked.
"He is with two commoners who might be his friends and Knight Aabir Borbaruah. I have checked their identities too, Sir," The soldier replied.
"Youngest swordmaster, Aabir Borbaruah?! What is he doing here? You can leave now. I will go to them myself," the old man said.
Ā
***
"Greetings, Young Prince! I am Dhritiman, the advisor of the king. I hope you didn't have any problem on your way here," said the old man.
"There wasn't really any problem. We even played near the waterfall for some time."
"Is that so? I am happy that you enjoyed but Prince I advice you not to go near waterfall, there can be wild beasts," Dhritiman said with concern.
"It's fine. I was with them," Aabir said.
"Oh! The Beast of the Valley! It's a pleasure to meet someone as legendary as you, Sir Aabir. I still remember when a sixteen-year-old knight killed more than a hundred invaders all by himself. Even now, remembering the moment you ripped off the head of one of their captains sends chills down my spine," Dhritiman said.
"Thanks for the compliment but I am a human not a brainless beast."
For some reason the compliment didn't really make Aabir happy.
"Why be modest? You are qualified to boast about your strength. Because of you those Chengdu people didn't try to invade again."
"Aren't you going to let us in?" Aabir asked in a cold tone.
"Oh, I totally forgot. Please forgive me. The King has been waiting for his nephew. But first allow me to show you your room," Dhritiman said.
"Prince and kids you may enter, I will bring your things."
"I am sorry for the misunderstanding but Sir Aabir, you are not allowed to enter."