Two days after the war at the outskirts of Sharvanagar.
A letter reached Dhanudanda and Parashar from Ashvapati. It was brief, but clear: their presence was required in Lohitpuri. The war was over, and now the real work had to begin. Businesses had to be sorted, the ruins of power stitched together. They also needed to visit the capital. Rankriti had left them with no choice—she expected them at her office next week. Both of them agreed without delay.
A similar letter arrived for Kritipal. He stared at it for a long time before opening it. A letter from Lohitpuri wasn't something he expected—not after all that had happened. His allies were gone. No one stood beside him anymore. Refusing would only bring more trouble. Agreeing was the only way forward.
The next morning, the meeting began.
Dhanudanda had reached first. He waited in the hall with crossed arms, pacing occasionally. His mood was already on edge when Parashar and Kritipal arrived. The moment he saw Kritipal walk in, his eyes narrowed.
"Why is he here?" he snapped.
Parashar stepped forward quickly. "Dhanudanda, let's not do this now. We're here to sort things out. The war did enough damage. We can't keep dragging this.
Also, remember what Rankriti said—she expects us at the capital. We can't be seen fighting like this."
Dhanudanda shook his head. "I don't want to do any business with this man. No ties, no agreements."
Kritipal clenched his jaw but kept his voice steady. "I'm not here to listen to your insults. I'm here because Ashvapati asked me to come. Just like you."
"You have no place here, Kritipal. Get out before I make you."
Dhanudanda moved towards him. Kritipal didn't step back. His hands tightened at his side.
Before either of them could make another move, the main doors opened.
Ashvapati walked in.
"Gentlemen," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the room.
They both froze.
"You've been called here on behalf of Arya. Please take your seats."
Ashvapati's words were calm, without threat. But no one questioned him.
Everyone sat down. Dhanudanda and Kritipal didn't speak, but the looks they exchanged were enough. Parashar leaned back in his chair, watching them both carefully.
Ashvapati started the meeting by laying out the purpose—rebuilding, reassigning what was left, and finding a way to move forward. There was no longer a single path to power. Their enemies had fallen, but the silence that followed had left too many questions.
He asked them for ideas. Suggestions. The room stayed quiet for a few seconds before Parashar spoke.
"We should divide the businesses among ourselves. The ones who are left.
The war ended with many of our rivals gone. There are markets, supply routes—everything needs someone to manage it now."
Ashvapati nodded. "And how do we make sure the cities accept new names?"
Parashar paused. "That's the hard part. The people followed their leaders because they had power. We can't just take over and expect them to obey."
Dhanudanda leaned forward. "Let them see strength. Let them see us together. The cities will fall in line. They always do."
Kritipal gave a small nod. "Unless someone else gets there first. The thrones are empty. We're not the only ones watching."
The mention of Arya hung unspoken in the air.
He wasn't in Lohitpuri. He hadn't returned. He was still at the capital with Rankriti.
Would he come back? Would Rankriti let him?
No one had answers. And that uncertainty made everything harder.
There was another concern—one none of them voiced, but all shared. What if Rankriti decided to place new people in power? What if she filled the empty thrones with faces none of them recognized?
The war had ended, but not in the way they had hoped. Not with one side claiming clear victory and the spoils that came with it. Rankriti's arrival had changed everything. The old plans no longer applied. They would have taken cities, land, power—if the war had gone the way they thought it would.
Now they had to wait. Four more days until they left for the capital. Four more days until Rankriti revealed her intentions.
Savignya had not come to the meeting. Some said she was still recovering. Others thought she was waiting—watching from a distance to see what path the others chose.
Outside the meeting hall, Lohitpuri moved on slowly. Soldiers stood guard with extra care. The streets were quieter than usual, as if the city itself was unsure of what came next.
In the castle, the warlords sat in silence for a while longer, no more words exchanged. Not everything could be solved in one meeting. But they had started something.
What came next would depend on what Rankriti had planned.
And whether Arya returned.