Chapter 32 The Bread the Salt and the Secret
Anvay kept his gaze lowered to the ground and his fingers were folding the edge of his garment Yes friends The danger is Nirag
As soon as these words were spoken a heaviness suddenly filled the air of the dining hall Everyone began looking at each other Akshansh brows furrowed slightly and Aksh and Kalpit eyes widened in shock Minister Pratimesh who had been standing quietly until now shifted his weight from one foot to the other in an imperceptible movement
Just then a servant arrived and said and his voice broke the tension Pranam Maharaj The meal has been prepared Please grant permission to serve the food to the guests
Anvay nodded yes and said You may go We will come shortly The servant folded his hands and said As you command Maharaj And he left from there
Just then Minister Pratimesh arrived and said Pranam Maharaj Pranam honored guests
Everyone bowed to him Anvay said This is our Minister friends And Minister Uncle these are our friends from Nabhgadh
Hearing the name of Nabhgadh the minister eyes widened and for a moment an expression of surprise and calculation flashed across his face Then he calmed down and said Come Maharaj let us go for the meal
Anvay looked at all his friends and said Come friends let us go and eat Everyone nodded yes
They reached the dining hall The servants washed everyone hands and then laid out seats for them and placed plates of food before them and served the meal Anvay said Everyone please begin eating
The minister was still standing there Anvay said Uncle you also eat with us
The minister said No Maharaj how can I eat with you
Anvay said Servant serve food for the minister as well The servant nodded yes
All the friends began looking at each other The plates of food were before them filled with warm bread and vegetables but the tension of that secret conversation floating in the air weighed heavier than their hunger Akshansh tore a piece of bread but stopped before chewing it Kalpit gaze was swinging between Anvay and the minister Aksh had picked up a piece of potato but he kept looking at it as if some answer was hidden within it
Anvay saw everyone and understood that they all wanted to say something He looked at Akshansh and said Speak freely friend What do you want to say
Akshansh looked at the minister Anvay said He is our most trusted minister You cannot speak in front of him friend
Akshansh looked at Anvay and said Forgive me friend but can this secret matter be spoken in front of the minister
Anvay smiled and said Yes friend why not Whatever you want to say you can say it
Akshansh said to Anvay Friend you told us that Nirag is a danger but in what way You did not tell us that What has Nirag done that he has become a danger
Anvay took a deep breath and said Friends you all already know that Nirag is the son of Andhak Void
The minister coughed and began drinking water and his hand trembled slightly
Anvay continued You all also know that after the great war when we all together destroyed Andhak Void the physical form of Andhak Void was destroyed But because Nirag is a part of Andhak Void Andhak Void left a fragment of himself inside Nirag body so that he was not completely ended through his son Now that very fragment is slowly establishing its control over Nirag body and mind That is why I called Nirag a danger
Aksh Kalpit and Akshansh were stunned to hear this Kalpit said So that means Andhak Void is still alive inside Nirag
Anvay nodded yes
Akshansh said So friend do we now have to fight Nirag
Anvay said No Akshansh We do not have to fight Nirag We have to fight that evil inside him that Andhak Void The only worry is that the neighboring kingdoms should not find out that Andhak Void is inside Nirag Otherwise we will not be able to save Nirag
Aksh said But it is the same thing is it not Anvay Whether we fight Nirag or Andhak Void the injury will be to Nirag
Anvay thought for a moment and his gaze fixed on the food in his plate which was now growing cold Then he said Together we will definitely find some solution Friends do not worry
Everyone nodded yes but their yes did not hold full conviction Akshansh said We should leave now friend We came to meet you and we are extremely happy to find you safe and well Now we must go
Anvay said But friend you all just arrived today
Akshansh said Yes friend but we are all with you Now we must go
Anvay nodded yes and said Alright friends You all also take care of yourselves And I pray that your journey is successful
Everyone hugged Anvay and began leaving Anvay bid them farewell In a short time Akshansh Aksh and Kalpit disappeared into the dust raised by their galloping horses And Anvay also went to his chamber
The minister stood there smiling watching them all but his smile did not reach his eyes There was only a deep worry and a heavy sense of responsibility carved into the lines of his face
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