Chapter 22 Shelter and Assault
The morning haze had not yet fully lifted At the main gate of the Prakashgadh palace two horses were restlessly pawing the ground The steam from their breaths rose like white clouds in the cold air Agni and Neer dressed in heavy travel robes were making a final check of their belongings
Nirag and Anvay stood nearby Nirag held a small box wrapped in green silk in his hands His fingers were tapping nervously on the edges of the box
Neer looked at Agni who was tightening the saddle of his horse Agni have you packed the fruits and offerings for the Tapobhumi
Agni nodded without looking up and the straps on his wrist were fastened tight Yes Everything is ready
Nirag stepped forward Pitashree This is an offering from my side He extended the green box towards Neer Please give this to Margdarshak on my behalf And convey my Pranam to him
Anvay also came forward and his face held a serious expression Convey my Pranam as well Margdarshak To Margdarshak
Neer took the box and stroked both their heads Yes I will convey it And Nirag I will give your offering to Margdarshak as well You both take care of yourselves Hmm He smiled and kissed Nirag cheeks Anvay do not take Nirag words to heart You know how mischievous he is
Nirag smiled but that smile did not have the shine it used to have He glanced at Agni for a moment as if wanting to say something but remained silent
Agni was looking at Neer but a deep line of worry was in his eyes Neer we must leave We need to cross the forest before sunrise
Wait a moment Agni Neer said I will just get my sword And he walked quickly towards his chamber
Agni looked at Nirag He went to him and placed his hand on his shoulder The warmth of his palm could be felt through Nirag woolen clothes Take care of yourself Agni said and his voice held a strange heaviness Anvay I have full faith in you You will handle everything
Anvay placed his hand on his chest and said Do not worry Margdarshak I will take care of everything here
Just then Neer returned with Varshini hanging from his waist giving off a dim blue glow today Shall we go Agni
Agni nodded and walked towards his horse Neer placed his hand on Nirag and Anvay heads Take care children I will return soon
Anvay and Nirag both nodded Neer followed behind Agni Both of them mounted their horses and set off towards the Tapobhumi The sound of the horse hooves began to echo in the morning silence
After going some distance Neer looked at Agni who was riding straight ahead What happened Agni Neer asked and his voice was like a gentle breeze I know you have a habit of staying quiet but lately you have become much too quiet Is there some trouble
Agni looked at Neer He took a long deep breath that expanded his chest and escaped No Neer He said and pulled the reins of his horse The horse neighed and began galloping faster In the loud sound of the horse running Neer question was drowned
Neer also pulled the reins of his horse The horse neighed and galloped faster running behind Agni horse towards the Tapobhumi
At that very time elsewhere in Nabhgadh Prince Akshansh was sitting in his study chamber studying an ancient text Only the lamp flame and the sound of him turning pages filled the room Just then there was a knock on the door and without waiting his chief spy Aksh entered There was an expression of urgency and worry on his face
Prince Akshansh Aksh said keeping his voice low There is confidential news
Akshansh closed the text What is it Aksh
Aksh came close and whispered something in his ear As the words fell into his ear Akshansh eyes widened His hands which were resting on the text suddenly tightened
Is this true Akshansh asked and his voice held a dangerous calm
Aksh nodded yes Yes Prince Our spies have observed movement of the Suryagadh army at the border A very large number And their direction is towards Prakashgadh
Akshansh stood up from his chair He gripped the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist so tightly that his joints turned white Prakashgadh Agni and Neer have gone to the Tapobhumi He muttered Only children are left behind
He began walking quickly out of the chamber Aksh followed behind him Prince Where are you going
To prepare the army Akshansh said and his steps echoed in the corridor And to send a message to Vedika
Meanwhile Neer and Agni had reached the Tapobhumi The Tapobhumi was situated in a quiet valley where the air was filled with the fragrance of incense and herbs They tied their horses outside and entered
The sound of chanting echoed in the courtyard of the Tapobhumi An Aahuti Vidhan(Ritual of sacred offerings) was taking place and the sounds of children studying and playing came from the surrounding rooms Agni and Neer looked ahead In front of a hut on a raised platform sat Margdarshak Vishrayan in the lotus posture wearing saffron robes and a white beard His eyes were closed but there was a divine glow on his face
Agni and Neer both went to Margdarshak and knelt before his feet They touched their heads to the ground to receive his blessings and touched his feet Both of them said in unison Pranam Margdarshak
Margdarshak Vishrayan opened his eyes His eyes were deep and calm as if filled with the wisdom of centuries He looked at Agni and Neer and a gentle smile came to his lips Blessings upon you sons I knew you both would surely come here
Neer said Yes Margdarshak We had to come Since you summoned us
Margdarshak smiled and looked at Agni Agni lowered his gaze Neer said Margdarshak this is an offering from our side for you Please accept it He extended the green box given by Nirag This special offering is from Nirag Margdarshak And both Anvay and Nirag have sent you their Pranam
Margdarshak smiled and said May you live long Then he said to Neer Neer now go and fetch water for me in a vessel
Neer folded his hands and said As you command Margdarshak And he went to fetch water
As soon as Neer was at a distance Margdarshak looked at Agni Agni I know why you have come here son
Agni folded both his hands and lowered his gaze and said to Margdarshak Forgive me Margdarshak I lied to Neer I disrespected your teachings You may give me whatever punishment you wish
Margdarshak smiled and said I know Agni Why you lied There is no fault of yours in this Do not consider yourself a criminal This was destiny
Agni looked at Margdarshak Then you know
Margdarshak nodded yes Agni saw Neer coming from a distance carrying the vessel of water He quickly said to Margdarshak Margdarshak grant me one more boon Neither I nor you should tell Neer anything about this matter Otherwise he will never be able to handle himself
Margdarshak nodded yes Neer came back with the water Margdarshak drank the water and said Go now both of you rest
Agni and Neer both folded their hands and said As you command Margdarshak And they walked inside the hut
Margdarshak watched them leave and spoke but his voice was so soft that only the wind heard it Agni you cannot hide this from Neer for long Because Neer will learn the truth very soon And you will not be able to handle his anger either son
Far away the army of Suryagadh had set out towards Prakashgadh The sound of their feet and the hooves of their horses echoed in the forest and the sunlight falling on their weapons gleamed like blood dripping from open wounds
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