In the carriage, the prince and his friend were sitting facing each other. One had overjoyed expressions, the other had his signature expressions. Furrowed brows and fierce eyes. They looked at each oher with their own expressions.
"One's facial expression is a gift to another." Kuber said as he smiled softly, with bright eyes.
"Stop rubbish talking and tell me, where are you taking me?" Pralay asked aggressively.
"Calm down first." Kuber said and looked outside through window, "The wather is chilling today. Great that I had you worn this thick cloak." He said. "Do you know that the designer of this cloak is the senior designer of His majesty's mansion. He only sews clothes for the king. No one has the permission to get their clothes sewed from him except the king himself. I got this from father as a reward when I completed all the vedas at the age of 8. I've never worn it even once. People like to call this 'the cloak of serenity' as it is Alice blue in color which represents calmness." He smiled proudly as he looked at Pralay, "You should feel honored to be wearing this." He pointed at the cloak.
There was silence between them for a while.
Pralay sighed in annoyance, "Answer. My. Question." He said, looking straight at the prince.
Kuber smiled in reply, "The place where I'm taking you today will give you ethernal peace."
"You talk like you're taking me for a sacrifice. Ethernal peace? From what? The world?" Pralay frowned and looked away.
"Why'd you say that? I clearly didn't mean that." Kuber replied as he showed his disappointment. Pralay looked back at him. "Well, what I meant is..." Kuber smiled again, but wasn't asnwering.
Pralay awaited the answer from him but in the end, he didn't get it. He sighed and shook his head.
After an hour or so, the carriage stopped. Seemed like they reached their destination. Nakshatra removed the curtains and extended his hand to help Pralay get off it. Pralay, clearly unwilling, held his hand. Kuber helped him too. He was carefully gotten off the carriage and was seated on the wheelchair. After him, Angad helped his prince to get off too. Kuber stood behind Pralay.
"Time to go." Kuber said and pushed Pralay's wheelchair ahead.
"I can do it myself."
"Its okay, let me do it."
They went ahead.
Pralay saw it was a big estate, seemed like it belonged to a community. It didn't look like a private mansion. Yet, it was decorated with flowers and expensive accessries. It appeared like royal palace sponsored that place.
"This year's ornamentations are managed by Her highness herself." Sita said as she smiled looking at the flowers at the front gate. They looked and smelled very fresh. "Its so beautiful." She acclaimed. Others agreed.
The prince raised his chin in pride.
"You have a sister?" Pralay asked.
"I do. A very sweet elder sister. Two years older than me. An elegant and graceful princess. You'll know when you'll meet her." Kuber Bharat replied with a smile.
They entered through the gate. All the guards, servants and maids at the entrance greeted His highess with great pleasure. The prince returned the smile. They sprinkled fresh Ganges water on them as a welcome.
"Seems like you weren't lying when you said you wanted to introduce me to everyone." Pralay huffed looking at the enormous amount of people in front of him. They were chatting with each other, smiling and laughing. Pralay assumed it was a joyous event.
"Certainly." Kuber beamed.
The whole buliding had two floors. The hallway was especially embellished with His majesty's favorite, Alyssum flowers. For enhancing the walls, fabric with flowers printed on them were used. There were imported lanterns used too.The hallway leaded to a huge hall. It had no roof. A clear beauteous sky above. Pralay breathed the fresh fragrant air. He could smell winter heath. It wasn't even visible anywhere. Perhaps, they were used as fragrant scent all over the surrounding. The sweet scent of winter heath is a hidden gem in the frosty air. Pralay couldn't help inhaling the scent again. It's aroma was powerfully pleasing. To be able to make a scent out of winter heaths, Stambha looked like a very rich country.
"The ground floor will have seats for the the audience. The first floor is built for the five Immortal lords while the second floor is reserved for the first immortal lord." Kuber informed his friend, Pralay, who had no interest in all that. He just wanted to sleep.
As the prince made the entry, everyone in the hall looked over in his direction.
"Its the crowned prince." People blissfully said and bowed their heads in respect.
"But who's that man?" Everyone's attention was immideately grabbed by someone on a wheelchair.
Questions emerged within the crowd: "But isn't he wearing the cloak of serenity?"
"Why is he wearing that?"
"Didn't it belong to the former king? Why does he have it?"
"Is it his highness's friend?" Even the ministers put their attention towards them. They looked at each other in Shock. The prince really wanted to introduce his friend to the world through that royal cloak, indicating that he was someone very important ro him. He raised his chin in pride and confirmation. He had no bit of doubt in his decision.
Pralay had no interest in any of that. He was quiet, until that one statement was made, "Seems like someone from His majesty's disabled courtyard." Upon hearing that, Pralay immideately looked at the direction from where the voice came. His eyes gave pure intention of killing.
"I'm not disabled!" Pralay abruptly replied. Everyone looked at him with surprise. There was a sudden noise created within people. Kuber sighed as he knew something like that would happen, but he fully supported his friend. He was a little concerned as well.
"Beneath roses, lies my Oleanders. Kills the soul, rots the roses." A divine appearing man flied from the hallway roof and landed in front of the prince.
It was a youthful man, wearing liliac clothes on which, golden leaves were embroided. His hair were long and neatly tied. His eyes were appealing and nose was sharp. He wore a beautiful smile on his face, convincing everyone that he was the most beautiful man in that hall.
Upon seeing him, everyone's attention was driven towards him, distracted from Pralay. They felt like they were in a dream. "Woah! That's the third immortal lord! Isn't he?" A well informed child passionately said.
On the other hand, seeing someone using flying technique from the martial arts world, Pralay was astounded, "Who is this? Why does he have a martial arts technique?" He wondered.
"Immortal lord Rishi Yajna!" His highness stepped closer and greeted personally. Rishi Yajna greeted the prince back with a gentle smile.
Ridhi and Sita looked at each other with shock. "The third most popular poet of the country?" Angad shockingly recalled too. Pralay tried to remember that name as it sounded familiar, but his memory still hadn't returned. So, he sadly failed.
Upon hearing that name, Adarsh immediately stepped forward too, "Lord Rishi Yajna? Is this really you?" He couldn't keep his stunned face. It was his first time attending that event, so he was seeing him for the first time, totally mesmerized.
Rishi Yajna looked at Adarsh, "Yes." He said calmly.
"It's my first time hearing his name. Who is he?" Avadh quietly asked his senior.
"You're a junior, probably that's why. Decades ago, some people left the martial arts world to roam around and coincidentally found Stambha. Since then, they have been living here. They are believed to be immortals. They live near the lakes and mountains. This lord here, is one of them. He is also, the third most famous poet of our country." Nakshatra enlightened his junior. Pralay was also able to hear that.
"Why can't I remember anything?" Pralay thought as he still stared at the immortal lord.
Rishi Yajna looked at Pralay with inquisitive eyes. They both looked at each other with same curiosity. One trying to remember the other.
That's when the guards at the entry made announcement, "The great, righteous king of the Stambha country, His majesty, Narsimha Bharat is on his way!"
Right then, everyone present their bowed ther heads in pleasure and extreme respect. His majesty made a delightful entry. He wore a rich golden robe with a white cloak on which peakocks were embroided. His gold jewellary enhanced his aesthetics even more. His hair were half tied up from the front which gave him a clear clean look. His clothes and ornaments were expensive, but the most precious thing he wore was his smile.
His majesty laughed cheerfully, "Everyone shall rise up and take seats." He offered and started talking with the guests around. That's when his eyes landed on his son, the crowned prince.
"Kuber!" His majesty rejoiced, spreading his arms wide open to embrace his son. Kuber merrily ran towards his father. Both son and father hugged each other passionately. Others smiled too, seeing the unbreakable bond between king and the prince.
Immortal lord Rishi Yajna left the sight as it wasn't the right time for him to make entry in front of His majesty.
Once, the father-son duo was done caressing each other, Angad rushed and touched His majesty's feet.
"Oh Angad! How have you been?" His majesty blessed him by patting his head with a genuine smile.
Angad smiled, "I'm fine, Your majesty. I'm glad you're in a great health too."
Ridhi and Sita went there too. His majesty cherished them like his own daughters. He childishly smiled at them as if he was looking at his little daughters and got some sweets from his cloak to give them to the twins . He always carried some in his inner pocket. Nakshatra and Avadh joined them. The king blessed them too.
"Oh, is this one of the juniors recruited this month?" Narsimha Bharat questioned with a generous smile.
Avadh looked at his senior, nervously. Nakshatra sighed and gently pushed him towards the king to answer his questions himself. Avadh nodded shyly. The king patted on his shoulder.
"Don't be scared. In this chilling weather, chill out!" He laughed. Everyone laughed too.
"Your majesty must keep the humor inside today." Mahavir Bharat joined them.
"Uncle!" Kuber ran to him to get his love too. They all looked like a very happy family. That's when His majesty's eyes landed on someone on wheelchair, at a little distance from them. He was distracted. He noticed him wearing the cloak his father passed on to him and which he gave to his son as a reward.
"That man..." His majesty mumbled while looking in Pralay's direction. He was still smiling. Seeing him still smiling, Pralay was a little shocked. Everyone who had looked at him for the first time, gave him eyes filled with pity and compassion. His majesty was the first one to look at him casually and not like he was a disabled person.
When Kuber heard his father say that, he realized that he had totally forgotten about Pralay. He almost passed out. He was afraid that Pralay might say or do something rude. He grabbed Angad's arm and squeezed it tightly as he saw his father walking towards the troublesome man. He was internally screaming. So was Angad.
"Your highness! Don't pinch my arm!" Angad almost bawled. Ridhi and Sita panicked too. Mahavir couldn't understand the reason behind their such behavior.
"Seems like the doom is near..." Nakshatra stated. Although he didn't like Pralay and wanted him to be caught, he still couldn't wish for the prince to be humiliated in such grand public. Avadh bit his nails in panic. The only calm man there was Adarsh. He just had his hands behind his back as he stared at Pralay with skeptical eyes.
But the unexpected happened. Pralay's brows went back to normal, and he even bowed his head to greet His majestty. Everyone's jaw dropped. Kuber held his head.
"Is this not a dream?" The prince almost shrieked.
Although, Pralay brought stroms everywhere he went. But today, he really lived upto his cloak. He was respecting someone for the first time. Everyone exhaled in relief. They thought that it was Praly's one great act but this time, they were wrong. It wasn't any act. In fact, it came right from within his heart. He just kept staring at the king.
"Kuber...Is this your friend?" His majesty asked. He noticed his jewellaries on him and he had already seen the cloak. There was no doubt that that man came from the prince's mansion.
"Yes, father!" Kuber went running behind Pralay. Pralay's brows were furrowed again as he looked away from His majesty.
The king nodded, "Is this why you weren't willing to get out of your mansion often lately?" He asked with a teasing smile.
"Ah, no wonder. I thought so too." Mahavir nodded as he realized. He finally figured out why His highness was always in hurry to return to his mansion.
Kuber trembled at the doubt that his majesty might have guessed that it was the same "new animal" everyone talked about.
"Didn't you say you'll introduce me to everyone? Why are you frozen?" Pralay mumbled quietly. Kuber coughed at the fear that others might hear him and he pretended to laugh and agree with his father.
"Father...that...actually..I was----" Turned out the prince was still not mentally very prepared to do so. Pralay sighed as he closed his eyes. How couldn't he guess his would happen. At some point, he had trusted the prince.
Hearing his son stutter like that, the king started laughing loudly. He was clearly scoffing. "This is hilarous, Mahavir. Did you see that?" He shook his head and sighed.
Mahavir laughed a little too. Although he couldn't understand what exacty was happenning because unike hHis majesty, he was seeing everyone's expressions and not just the prince's or his friend's. So he was actually very confused.
"Whatever! You must not fear me. Go ahead and have fun. Spend your time with whoever you want. The youth doesn't last forever anyways. Drink it till the ultimate drop." Saying this, His majesty left from there to share laughters with others as well.
"What are you kids always after?" Mahavir gave them a confused look and went after his brother.
Only then did Kuber let go of the breath he was holding, "God saved us!" Everyone else agreed.
"So, now. Will you ever tell me where exactly we are?" Pralay asked. He was getting impatient now. He had to know what was going on.
Now that His majesty had come, the spiritual Aarti to purify the environment, began.
"What's the rush? Let's find ourselves seats first." His highness said and pushed Pralay's wheelchair forward towards one section. It was reserved for the prince and his freinds. In that section, Pralay and Kuber sat in the front and behind them were seated the others. Ridhi, Sita, Angad, Nakshatra and Avadh. Adarsh followed them too.
"Now, if you don't let me know where we are, then don't blame me for ruining the environment----" Pralay had not even finished yet, and he was already interrupted.
"Wait! Don't. Don't do it. Save the name of the cloak you're wearing" Kuber looked at him immediately as he started speaking. He cleared his throat before saying, "This is the annual event prepared for the six immortal poet lords. Everyone is invited in this divine event. People come here to witness the immortal artists and their divine arts." He pointed upwards at the first floor. "The immortal lords must be seated in five different directions facing the king. East, north, northern east, south and southern west. As I told you before, the third floor is reserved for the first immortal lord. In front of all the side, a viel is hanged to hide the immortals. Probably not to spoil their grand entry?" He smiled.
Soon, after, the event began. The hustling and bustling rose. His majesty seated on his throne, awaiting the upcoming art. The audience prepared their eyes to witness the divine performances.
The host announced, "The sun is about to rise. With lord Surya and His majesty's blessings, we shall begin the event." He said as he smiled and walked away from there.
As the sun rose completely, the first immortal stepped out of the viel. She flied down from the southern direction of the first floor.
"With cherries in my chamber, I embroid the yellow flowers on my blowzy clothes. The divine dance of peacocks have began, seems like rain is soon to arrive." A soft and airy voice said.
She was the immortal lord Saundarya Devi. As her name suggested itself, her beauty was one in a hundred. No one in the hall could compare to her beauty. She was dressed in a leafy colored attire which enhanced her gold jewellery in the most enchanting way. Her dusky almond eyes, her turned up nose and her wide lips seemed like the creation of beauty itself. On top of that her wistful smile gave everyone inner peace.
The audience was fascinated. Those who had come for the first time were regretting for not coming before. The girls were totally bewicthed by the hypnotic beauty of the immortle lordess.
"That's immortal lordess Saundarya Devi for you! The second most popular poet. She is also said to be the best dancer of our country." Kuber sacked his palm on his thigh in excitement. He showed an amused smile on his face.
"A dancer? I would love to see her dance! What is it like, Your highness?" Avadh asked with axcitement.
"Well, I've only witnessed her peformance once when she danced on the roof of city temple twelve years ago for the whole night. Even the moon stayed longer to light her dance that night. At that time, I was a kid. So, I don't really remember most of the parts but I do remember the amount of people who had gathered to witness that scene. It was beyond counting." Kuber said in her praise. Pralay looked at the immortal awaiting to see if her poetry was as beautiful as her.
Saundarya Devi first greeted His majesty, who in returned bowed his head too. The king had a cheerful expression, welcoming the immoral to the event. With him, was sitting his younger brother, Mahavir Bharat.
"A good poem!" The audience andorsed. "Indeed a good one."
Kuber smilingly looked at Pralay, "Pralay, do you understand the words?" He calmly asked, "If you don't, ask me. Alright?"
"I don't need your help to understand these mere words." Pralay replied without even looking at him. Kuber sighed at his attitude. He wasn't mad, just disappointed.
"So, you don't think it was beautiful?" Kuber asked. Pralay maintained silence. Kuber sighed.
"I want to know, Your highness! What exactly did it mean?" Avadh asked. He scratced his head with his inner brows raised, as in curiosity. Nakshatra looked at him and smiled.
"Let me tell you." Everyone else, except Kuber and Pralay, looked at him. The two of them had already understood. Nakshatra began explaining, "Cherries and yellow flowers symbolize happiness and joy. So, the environment is joyful. The rain here depicts good luck. The speaker is expecting heaven's blessings."
"Such beautiful use of words!" Ridhi praised as she looked at lordess Saundarya with applauding eyes.
Behind the viel, Rishi Yajna smiled politelly with his eyelids dwonwards as if he was remincising about some past. He looked back at the lordess. It was time for him to step out now. Just when he was about to walk out, someone else had already done so. He remained in his place as he heard the good poem.
"My youth awaits my adventurous journey, the books await my volorous tales. My swans will wait for my victorious return, as leaves await the glorious spring."
From the eastern pillar, flied down a man. He guffawed with delight. His face was heart shaped, his eyebrows curved. From his pheonixed eyes, overflowed the joy of youth. He smiled at the king and greeted him enthusiastically. His salmon-pink attire enhanced his fair skin even more.
With his enterance, Kuber smiled giddily. "Immortal lord Sudarshan Moksha!" He exulted.
Pralay looked at him with squinted eyes, "Why are you so over excited?" He questioned.
"You wouldn't understand!" Kuber replied, still looking at the dynamic lord in front of them. Pralay kept staring at him with squinted eyes and furrowed eyebrows. Ridhi, Sita and Angad giggled behind them at little quarrel between them. Nakshatra grinned in victory. Avadh didn't even have time for that. It was his first time attending that event. He was just cherishing the grand event.
"I should have just stayed in my room." Pralay mumbled in annoyance as he looked back at the immortal lords.
"Immortal lord Moksha." Saundarya greeted by bowing.
Sudarshan immediately rushed to stop her, "You are my elder. Dont bow to me." He said and bowed instead. They passed each other reverent smiles.
His majesty and Mahavir looked at each other with immense joy. Everyone loved Sudarshan a lot. His poetries carried tales of one's youth which reminded everyone of their young days.
"Immortal lord Sudarshan Moksha, also the best known horse rider of the country. He's the second youngest among the other immortals. You won't believe how much I admire him." Kuber said without looking at Pralay.
"Let me also see then, what's so special about him." Pralay locked his gaze on Sudarshan.
Immortal Sudarshan turned to the youthful audience, as he sang the poem, "The sun has just rise, the cornflower has just bloomed. No one can stop one's youth, the sun set doesn't always mean one's doom. So, I'll hop on my hose and travel until the black roses bloom." He raised his chin and showed a jubiliant smile.
Everyone applauded. The wise men hadn't even praised him yet and the new visitors hadn't even completely processed his poem when he sang one more poem, "When I encounter my adjacent dotage, let my white sword croon the tales of my majestic youth. Like the butterflies sing the stories of gladiolous and the sea waves proclaim the greatness of moon."
He turned towards the king.
"This one was for you, your majesty." He said.
"Three magnficient poems in one row! He really lives upto his title!" An impressed voice emerged from the audience.
The king himself was left astonished. He nodded in approval as tilted his head slighly back, expanded his posture and puffed his chest, "Great! Have it curved on my room's wall." He ordered right away.
Mahavir nodded obedienly, "As you wish, You majesty." He smiled. The scholars present there immideately started noting the poems.
Kuber was looking at his father. The immortal lord just said that the poem was for His majesty. Did that mean that he was reffering to his father's adventures in his youth. His face had a smile full of pride.
"His majesty must be profoundly heroic in his young days." Sita brimmed with exihilaration.
"Does he still have his "white sword?" I wonder." Ridhi showed her curiosity.
"He does. My father told me once."Angad replied. Both Ridhi and Sita looked at him. He continued, "It is believed to be sealed in the Indrajaal peak temple. It was done so by His majesty himself and that too decades ago."
Pralay, tapping on the edges of his wheelchair's armrests, trying to recall what he just heard from the back, "Indrajaal peak...white sword..." He thought. He was trying to refresh his memories.
Rishi Yajna snapped his fingers as he smirked, "Seems like ts my time." And immideately flied down. With him came gales. Kuber fidgeted and squinted his eyes in prevention from the wind. Then he remembered his freind beside him. He immideately stood up to stand as a shield in front of him. Pralay had furrowed eyebrows, tensed lips as he rolled his eyes and pulled Kuber back to his seat. Angad raised his forearm in front of his face. Ridhi and Sita turned their faces behind. Nakshatra had pushed Avadh down while he covered his head. That was a part of training he recieved all these years. It finally came in use. Meanwhile, he was also trying to see whatever was happening in the hall.
Adarsh had a fascinated smile on his face as he did his best to witness the mind blowing sight in front of him. Although, he could barely see anything with his half closed eyes.
The king was passionately looking at Rishi Yanja and chuckled, "I knew he would do this." He said as he looked sideways, towards his brother. Mahavir gave a conceded laugh.
The immotal lords did not even flinch.
"Two companions, Phlox and Blue Lotus. Standing at the bridge, one longs for elation, another for wisdom. Walking side by side, percieving each other, forging ancient paths, where they had to return. A promise admist them, they split their ways, shall we reunite again, they sang goodbyes. Two companions, Phlox and Blue lotus. Former searched for roads, latter for former." Rishi Yajna orated the poem.
Just after he presented his poem, the wind slowly stopped. Everone could finally breath in relief. Nakshatra released Avadh's head who was eagerly waiting to be released. He astoundingly looked at the immortal lord.
Kuber settled himself and strikingly looked at Rishi Yajna, "Such a compelling entry." He blinked.
"Pure show off." Pralay scowled.
"Its weird. Even though it was a strong wind, I did not feel cold at all." Ridhi smiled dazzling. Sita nodded with realization.
"Right. I realised that just now." Angad replied.
"That was excellent! I remember your promise from last time. You really lived upto it." Narsimha Bharat chortled. Rishi tuggged his eyes up.
"What promise, senior?" Avadh asked in curiosity.
Nakshatra smilingly turned his head to his junior, "Last he made a promise to His majesty that his entry next year, which is now, will make everyone astonished." Avadh nodded as he understood.
The immortals greeted each other, "Immortal lord Rishi Yajna." Saundarya Devi walked gracefully towards him with a smile. They were almost same years old, so they both bowed to each other.
"Great to have met you after a year!" Sudarshan, as always energetically bowed to him. Rishi smiled at him.
Just then, a melliflous flute was heard. It seemed to be coming from the northern east pillar. Each one in the venue turned their heads up in wonderment. For a fine while of time, the player did not show themselves. Everyone's eyes eventually got closed by their own. There was something inherently calming about it, that even Pralay had closed his eyes. He was caught off guard and when he realized, he instantly opened his eyes.
He saw, out of viel, from upwards, a bewitching bald man flied down while playing flute. He wore sapphire colored clothes with a thick ivory cloak. He wore a radient smile on is face as if he was so exultant to meet everyone after a whole year. He looked towards the king's direction with pure agitation as he landed on one foot graceflly and slowly lowered his flute form his lips.
"Leave the Brahma lotus and moon alone at night. When the former blooms and latter beams, let the fireflies carry their tales. I shall sit on the divine peak and play the flute, while the warm breeze dances in joy, until, the sun rises."
Everyone finally opened their eyes. In front of them, stood the next immortal lord. As his monolid eyes met with Narsimha's, the king felt ovrflowed joy, "Dojin?" He exulted.
Mahavir Bharat's eyebows raised for a minimal time. He gasped with surprise and exhaled, "It really is him!" He smilingly said indistinctly. As Dojin looked at him, they both shared a gentle laugh filled with gleefullness.
The state minister nodded in approval, "As expected from the immortal lord Dojin." He smiled.
Kuber, dazzeled as he spoke, "Immortal lord Dojin Brihaspati! The sixth ranked poet. You must have guessed, he's the youngest among all the other immortals. He has just recently attained immortality. I guess, just eleven years ago. He's actually young in real terms too. Compared to other immortals, he should still be just beginning his youth. That's so young to able able to attain this level. He practices buddhism and like all other immortals, only appears during this annual event. I have heard that my uncle shared a prodigious bond with him in his young days. Immortal lord Dojin also loves playing flute as you can see his comely flute hanging by his waist." He said and smiled radiantly, "Oh, and also, my uncle and him studied together in childhood. They were senior and junior, like you two." He turned and pointed at Nakshatra and Avadh. The two of them smiled astonishingly at each other.
"Your highnes, you seem to know a lot about him than other immortals." Adarsh said.
"Of course, uncle used to tell me a lot about him in childhood." Kuber smiled as he looked at Dojin.
Pralay clenched his fist, "Does it ring a bell?" He asked himself. He really felt like he knew Dojin and he had met him before.
The immortal lordess Saundarya gracefully walked towards lord Dojin and they both greeted each other with regards. Dojin paid his respect to his other seniors as well. Everyone in the hall was blessed by the presence of the four immortal lords standing in front of them at the same time.
"Just like before, your poems still include flutes." Lordess Saundrya said as she laughed gracefully. By her laugh, she was showing on behalf of everyone that they knew when Dojin arrives, he was going to speak something on flutes. Everyone else present there showed the same kind of laugh. Of course, with due respect. Even lord Dojin knew that about himself. Flutes and him were inseparable.
His majesty laughed too as he shook his head. "See, he has still not changed." He said while looking at Mahavir for a while.
Mahavir nodded smilingy, "You're right. He and his love for flute, will never come to an end. I wonder, will he ever write poems on things other than that?" He claimed.
"Your highness, I actually believe I'm able to do so now." Dojin said as he shifted his eyes from audience to Mahavir. They all were surprised after hearing that. Half of the audience didn't even believe him.
Saundarya stopped laughing and stared at Dojin for a while, with a gentle smile on her face and raised eyebrows. As if she was asking "really?"
Mahavir looking at Dojin with trustful eyes. He believed his junior.
Dojin turned towards the sun and swinged his hand towards sky. Just then, suddenly, a lightning struck in the morning sky. The sun was obscured with dense clouds. There remained a very dim light. Everyone looked at the gloomy sky with shock. The weather went a little cooler. Suddenly out of nowhere, there appeared a pine tree out of glittering fog. There was cool breeze shaking the leaves of the tree. There was astonished noise emerged within the audience.
Immortal lordess Saundarya Devi looked up at the dark sky. It was purely magnificient.
"Senior, what's happening?" Avadh asked. His eyes were widened with extreme shock. He was totally captivated and mesmerized. His eyebrows were pulled up as much as is humanly possible. He had never witnessed a scene like that before.
Kuber, impressingly looking at the breathtaking sight in front of him replied, "I forgot to tell you." His voice sounded like he had been possessed. Pralay looked towards him. It had got so dark behind the viel, that he could barely see his expressions clearly. "Immortal lord Dojin has a speacial power." Everyone looked at him with impatience. They got chills on their bodies when Kuber completed his sentence, "He can control the weather whenever he wants."
Suddenly, a superbolt lightning struck that brought an intense light. Kuber's expressions were clear to Pralay. The prince was powerfully overwhelmed. Pralay immideately looked back at Dojin with his eyebrows creased as in pure shock and horror. It was as if he remembered something really terrifying from past. His forehead started sweating.
"The clouds look beautiful. Its like the rain is near." Immortal lord Sudarshan said as he passed Immortal Rishi Yajna a gaze.
Dojin closed his eyes and pulled his flute out from his waist. As he began to play it, everyone felt possessed by an unknown power. The moment, the melodies from the flute reached their ears, the tensed up expressions on their faces turned into relaxed ones as if someone had suddenly put their souls in heaven.
Kuber smiled happily as if he heard something out of the universe. But for some reason, the flute sounded sorrowful. It was also beautiful at the same time. It was confusing. Like someone was crying and smiling together, a regret and realization all together.
Pralay, who was looking at Dojin with full concentration clenched on his fist tightly. He did seem to recall a lot of things.
While Dojin was paying his flute, no one heartfully dared to interrupt in between. There was total silence with pure solemn. The viel was flowing like a slow river, gracefully. Behind them was Kuber, feeling the most stoothing emotions of his life, yet sad. The melody was like a sence of beauty or serenity in the face of sadness. It sounded like someone's separation.
Soon after, it also started sounding like a mix of aggression and regret. A pure feeling of grief took place in everyone's heart. There were loud thunderbolt lightnings heard. Even with their closed eyes, the light from them were flashing through their eyes. Each one's expressions were very tensed.
Mahavir pursed his lips as he sighed sorrowfully, looking at his junior. The king tapped on his shoulder as if he was consoling him.
Although all the immortals equally had their own powers but Dojin's power was something that couldn't be possessed so easily. One had to connect with the nature and universe itself. They were always fascinated whenever Dojin did that. It took a lot of inner power to attain so.
Rishi Yajna looked towards the tree. A feeling of anguish took place in his mind as if he was remincising a lot about a lot of things. He turned towards Doojin, who finished playing flute and slowly lowered it from his lips.
Everyone opened their eyes. The lightnings seemed to calm down. The sky was still gloomy though, and there still was a cold breeze.
Dojin slowly turned his head towards the pine tree beside him and started walking around it in circle. He began his poem, "Again, wind and leaves gossipped about sky." He pulled the sides of his lips a little up, "The sky has finally impressed clouds."
Everyone saw that the leaves were shaking very elegantly as if there was really a conversation going on, between them and the wind. Some birds came flying by them. He continued, "Birds were spreading the gossip." He looked up towards the sky and closed his eyes, "They were all in joy. Not knowing, that the clouds will disappear once it rains." He opened his eyes. Everyone could sence a feeling of grief. "Again," He took a pause, then finished his poem with the miserable line, "The rain will never be anyone's friend."
There was a sudden silence in there. Even the cold breeze could be heard. For some reason, no one felt like saying anything. Just then, a poetic voice was heard with a poem:
"Hyacinth seed perished. The spring had not even arrived yet. The moon who was ardent to cherish it, secluded iself in anguish. The lake recieved buoyant tears from the gloomy sky that day. And the seed...was buried deep within the soil until it disintegrated and vanihed. The spring was shattered in Hyacinth's absene."
Everyone looked up, from where the voice came. On the second floor was standing a man. Seeing him there, His majesty was shocked. Mahavir looked at his brother with extreme surprise.
The man was wearing white clothes with a shimmering head band. His hair were white and reached his abdomen and were untied, but neatly. In the middle of his headband, a peacock was carved. His eyebrows were thin, so were his lips. But his eyes were comparatively big and sharp, represented those of a swan. Everyone felt a pleasing breeze when he entered the sight.
Narsimha slowly got up with his eyes blinking in disbelief. Behind him, his brother and all the ministers stood up too. His majesty was dumbstruck. Mahavir turned towards the ministers and asked them to sit back.
The white haired man, staring at the king, smiled faintly with his eyes softening. They carried a lot of emotions one couldn't understand simply.
"Thats----" Kuber stood in shock too. Pralay looked towards him. Angad, Ridhi, Sita, Nakshatra, Avadh and Adarsh stood too. Avadh didn't know what exactly was going on. He was just confused as ever.
The four immortals looked at each other with revalation.
The man flied down and landed right in front of the king, just ten metres away, "Its been a while, Your majesty." He smiled and bowed to pay respect.
"You----" His majesty was in awe, but he took a deep breath and exhaled, keeping in mind the consideration of the present environment.
The white haired man raised his head. All the other immortals rushed to him and bowed together. They were told to rise up by the man with a polite smile.
His majesty burst out in a chortle, "You really like giviing surprises. Don't you?" The man smiled widely too, while looking downwards. His majesty sighed and stopped laughing slowly. Both now seriously looked at each other.
"Who is he, Your highness?" Avadh couldn't help but ask.
"That's..." Kuber blinked and continued, "He's the first ranked immortal lord Priyom Sharanga."
Pralay squinted his eyes while looking at the immortal lord and twitched his fingers.
Avadh and Adarsh gasped. Adarsh almost passed out, "Lord Priyom Sharanga?!"
"Seriously though, nothing can still compare to your poems." Immortal Dojin said and sighed in defeat with a smile. Immortal Priyom swinged his hand towards sky, still mantaining eye contact with His majesty. The weather went back to how it was earlier. Sunny and somewhat between warm and cold.
Dojin looked toward the sky, in disbelief he sighed, "It had to happen." He turned towards the king, "Your majesty. A poem came in my mind all of a suddden. Shall I speak?" He looked at Narsimha with such expressions that were clearly saying "Please let me! Please!" His majesty looked at him and nodded instantly thrice. He was trying to maintain his calmness.
"Go ahead." Saying this, Narsimha put his hands behind his back and turned towards his seat. He closed his eyes.
"Admist murky sky and divine peak, danced the swords. Unsheathed and furrid. The flute passing by sensed their sufferings, and sheathed the swords with serenity. The sords were never outraged again." With a wide pleasing smile, Dojin ended his poem.
This time, he got approval from lordess Saundarya devi. She nodded twice, gracefully.
"Beautful." She praised with a smile. Dojin politely smiled back to her as a grattitude.
Avadh looked at his senior. Nakshatra realised him looking at him. He turned his head towards his side and sighed, "I'll tell you the meanings when we reach back. Can you wait?" He asked with his inner brows raised as if he was actually requesting him to wait. He himself wanted some time to process everything that was happening. Avadh helplessly nodded in agreement. Sita was biting her nails in panic and Ridhi just froze.
"I'm scared, Your highness." Angad showed his fear. Kuber sighed and raised his head towards sky.
"Only god knows now." He replied.
Not understanding the depth of the situation at all, Pralay turned his head towards the prince,"What exactly are you all afraid of?" He asked with furrowed brows.
"The thing is..." Kuber began telling, "Immortal lord Priyom only attends the event once in a decade. Last time he appeard eight years ago. So its still two years ahead of the time he was suppossed to appear. This time, he has appeared unexpectedly, it means something major must have had happened. I remember father telling me that decades ago, he appeared like this, five years earlier and turned out there was an upcoming flood near Stambha. You all must have heard about the massive flood that took place decades ago. At that time, none of us were born but we all are taught about it, at least once during gurukul. Thousands of people lost their lives in that." He gulped and blinked in fear, "I wonder, what is it this time." He sighed again in fear.
"Stop sighing over and over." Pralay said as he looked back towards the hall.
The audience was in shock as well.
The old miniser stroked his hand on his beard in fear. The environment was really tense.
"Why don't you smile? Now, that I've appeared out of expectation, you all are going to pull a long face?" Immortal lord Priyom said as he turned towards others. Mahavir shook his head and sighed.
"Why is everyone sighing?" Dojin mumbled. Sudashan smiled with his head down in mockery.
Except the lords, everyone in that hall was in deep tension.