Unveiled

As the month of March grew to a close, the winds and the waves changed; so did Sanskar's judgment of duty. The days grew darker and the skies often littered with purple, grayish blue and dark gray clouds. Mornings would wash away in drizzles that confined them inside the ship and nights were dedicated to the roaring waves. The slight storm did not cause any harm to the voyage and the passengers were safe in the embrace of their luxurious vessel.

The changing conditions did not sit well with Shobha or perhaps it was simply her growing sense of righteousness against the ploy she had taken part in. It was an unpredicted spell of hypertension and she fainted few hours in to another rainy day. A doctor was summoned by a frantic Sanskar and he had advised her to remain in bed, well rested for the remaining of the day and the next day to follow. She was taken to the infirmary to remain under observation for the day.

That was how Swara found them, when she returned from her early scheduled training for the last of their performances. Shobha was resting in the infirmary, with the covers drawn, half covering her and Sanskar sitting on the bedside, talking in a muffled tone.

Why didn't anyone call me?' She cried out, with a fair imitation of Sanskar's earlier reaction. Dida, you didn't take the tablets right? What is this, I leave for a couple of hours and you go on and do this to yourself?'

Sanskar turned to Dida, with a crooked eyebrow.

Dida, huh?'

Shobha smiled, rather faintly.

I asked her to call me that. It sounds odd; when you're called Mrs. Bose...makes me feel like her principle or something.' She shrugged and Swara sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her concernedly. Oh god you two!' Dida exclaimed. Don't look at me as if I've lost a limb or two; come on, that doctor's mad!'

Not as much as you are.' Both Sanskar and Swara said simultaneously. They caught each other's eye and grinned, before Sanskar gained some of his senses and looked away.

Dida looked from one glittering pair of eyes to the other,  with an amused smile curling her lips and sank back to her pillows. Now what exactly are you gonna do about that?' She said then. I mean, when you leave I'm free to flip back to my original plans for today right?' Her cheeky smile went unnoticed by them as both snapped in to orders at the comment.

After a few minutes of threatening, blackmailing and bribing, Dida agreed to lay back and rest, only if the two would keep her company. Accepting defeat, Swara sat back, on the couch and folded her arms. Give up, Mr. Maheshwari. You know very well she wouldn't listen.'

But Miss Gadodia, you had lunch plans with your crew right?'

That can wait.' Swara told him picking up the empty tea cups and leaving to put them away. Sanskar smiled slightly as he sat back to watch over Dida and caught the lady eying him sharply.

What?'

She is a good girl.' Dida said knowingly. Someone who has a lot more to herself than being the "eye".

I know,' He nodded grimly.

Let her go Sanskar, lift the spell.'

You know that I can't Dida, I gave my word.'

Your father had given his word to someone too, it nearly cost an entire kingdom their life.' Dida pressed her lips with a distant look in her eyes. You know the tale better than I do.'

*

The cafeteria was a cheerful place. Although Ragini liked spending her time in the deck, feeling the winds and watching the ocean, the clam quiet surrounding of the dining hall was also soothing. They sat at a corner table, as they planned during the practice and waited for Swara to show up. Lakshya sitting across her was dazzling in the sunlight. Ragini often wondered if it was some malfunction in her eyesight or he really emitted a soft glow.

She watched him hopefully to catch his eye, but he was staring at the entrance unblinkingly. The soft mummer of Janki filled her ears.

He is waiting for her...see he is too busy even to look at you!'

Shut up!' She snapped.

I'm sorry - what?' Lakshya jumped startled.

Oh, no, nothing.' Ragini shook her head nervously. Janki's late, I don't know why...' She added after a thought, to distract the conversation.

Lakshya sighed, for a moment his glow dimmed. Ragini narrowed her eyes.

Seems like, she isn't going to make it.'

Umm?'

Maybe she is busy with her travel companion.' He offered with a hard try at a dazzling grin. Ragini smiled back, feeling repulsive of her own soaring spirits. Swara was not coming, did that mean, they were to dine alone and together?

A few long moments passed in the silent dining, both Ragini and Lakshya lost in their respective thoughts. Finally, Lakshya leaned against his chair and sighed.

I have something to tell you,' he said finally. There was a serious edge to his tone and his eyes rather set determinedly. Ragini wondered if he would say what she wanted to hear. But that would be wishing for too much.

What is it Lakshya?' She asked him, with one of her well practiced mild smiles. Ragini did know how to make her features look good, the right angle her lips should curve over, or the right amount her eyes should shine to make her look innocently curious. She was not sure when she had learned those tricks of forming an incoherent mask over her ever gloomy emotions. Perhaps Janki, who has now become a part of her, had a hand in that.

Lakshya took his time to form his thoughts. His eyes had a faraway look and the soft glow melted with the sunlight washing over his face. Watching him, lost in his thoughts, Ragini wondered, just like Swara, did he also have an edge hidden to his existence. Was there a mask he was wearing effortlessly? If so, what would he have to discuss with someone as un - resourceful as her?

I'm in love with someone,' he said finally, in a very jittery tone, a few octaves higher than his usual. But I'm afraid she doesn't even notice me.' He sounded hurt, desperate and somewhat irritated.

Ragini drew in a rattled breath still managing to hold on to the last strings of her composed mask in place.

Why don't you just tell her then?' She tried to sound casual, falling miserably at the effort. It went unnoticed by Lakshya, who was keenly observing his nails.

She wouldn't listen.'

Why so?'

He looked up at her. The soft glow was emitting from his eyes once more.

Would you, if someone you hardly see proposes out of blue?'

Ragini was taken aback for a moment. Surely, he did not mean her. Surely Lakshya was not trying to work out her reaction indirectly was he? Startled and disarmed by her tingling excitement Ragini decided to play as casual as she could.

I would, I hope...because I don't think...'

You deserve it, for whatever reasons beyond my comparison.' Lakshya offered a perfect ending for her sentence, tilting his head. Now tell me, how am I going to convince her otherwise?'

You already did,' she muttered in a tone he would not hear. For that once, she was deaf to Janki's whispers, blind to the obvious error of judgment she made a moment ago and dumb to anymore questions Lakshya threw at her. For that once Ragini was happy in a bubble too fragile to last long.

*

The temple of Agni, was getting drenched in untimely rains, the storm had not yet worked its way off from the lands of Vajra. After threatening Mohan, outside the court where Devi Nanda had manipulated the situation to result in Lakshya's banishment, no one had seen Devi Annapurna. They could not have, since the lady had long since, left the secure and warm shelter of the Agnidyuth fortress and was riding through the sheets of dark rain that endlessly poured over her hooded figure and the child riding with her.

Kuwar Lakshya had never ridden so far from home, even in sunny spring. The sky was empting buckets of icy water over them, making the chill ran to the marrows of his bones and his teeth clattered hopelessly. He had tried a few times to turn his head and observe his mother's expression, but was unable to as the cold had stiffened the muscles at his neck and shoulders. It seemed his mother hardly cared, as she continued to increase their speed, even when the path ahead was lost in water and darkness.

The lamps, at the steps that lead to the temple of Agni, never extinguished by petty rains, shone ghostly in the sea of blackness. Instead of approaching the stone gate leading to the entrance of the great temple, Annapurna steered her mare away off the path and detoured around the woods to a less significant entrance by the east side of the temple.

Aryamaan was waiting for them, at the mouth of that stone gate. He took the reins from Annapurna's weary hands and helped his sister and his nephew to dismount. Lakshya looked up at the gallant structure of the temple, casting a giant shadow over them and shielding them from the cruel winds. Annapurna ushered him inside before he could drink in the view and Aryamaan with his firm grip on Lakshya's shoulder steered the boy in to a secluded passageway, once inside.

Where are we going?' Lakshya asked him and since he did not reply yanked his head to look at his mother.

We're going to pay our respects to the great lord Agni.'

In this weather?'

Keep your voice down,' muttered Aryamaan. And hurry up.'

Lakshya tried to follow them, his mind swarming with questions. He had not yet understood the gravity of the situation he was fallen prey to. The stunt of those swordsmen at the court indeed had frightened him, but it did not clear things. Now being lead to the deserted prayer chamber in the lower level of the temple, he was wondering if this was a kind of nightmare he had to free himself from.

The witches of Sambhava clan called themselves the priestesses of Agni. They were the first sight that greeted the rain drenched party as they entered the chamber, lit with mild torchlight and filled with muffled sounds of the rain against the stone walls.

There was a deep rectangular pit running the length of the room and to a closer eye, it revealed to be filled with live coal. The women muttering chants to the elven god, circled the coal pit, their hands raised in prayer and eyes closed, lips moving wordlessly. Lakshya stumbled backwards; watching them wide eyed and clutched a handful of his mother's robe.

Why are we here?' He asked again.

Annapurna bit her lip. Although her eyes shone rather determinedly, her face turned paler and her voice was rather unsteady as she spoke in reply.

The priestesses will bless you for your journey Lakshya,' she said, her eyes resolutely set upon some point over his left ear.

Bless me? How? Why?'

Thankfully, the high priestess of Sambhava took over almost immediately.

It is just a ceremony for the royals who leave the elven lands for the first time my dear prince,' she said rather comfortingly. To make sure they have a safe journey.' She smiled at him, in a reassuring manner and met Annapurna's eye. I would never have agreed for a lesser royal my lady,' she said then.

And you will have the dowager queen's gratitude forever,' Annapurna said in a compose, empty tone, and knelt in front of her son, looking in to his eyes and laying her hands on his shoulders. I've never comforted you with lies Lakshya, and neither will I do so today. It is going to hurt, and hurt so very extremely that you will be forced to shut down your conscious mind completely. It will cut, cut so deeply that the connection between your soul and your mind will be severed forever. It will affect you so much that never ever will an elven power have any effect on you.'

Are you going to torture me mother?' The young prince sounded frightened. I swear I'm not going to hurt brother ever, I'm not...'

Shh,' Annapurna hugged her son, silencing him. I know, but it is necessary to do this so no one would use their power on you and try to persuade you otherwise.' She lied easily and looked at him tenderly once more. And my brave son will aid the kingdom in any way he can right?'

Lakshya nodded now convinced that his mother was still worrying about the safety of their land and their future king. He had faced the events that remained the darkest memory of his life with the thought of proving them he was no traitor, and of leaving no chance for anyone to make a traitor out of him. That had been enough for a child to be convinced. He was happy, even when he fell gravely ill the day after, that he had aided the king in the only way he could.

*

The intelligence forces of Vajrateerta consisted of the common spies on its base level, the Skia and then the guardians, all headed by the lord of Skia Agni, the guardian of the queen mother Devi Nanda. The common spies hardly had any rules to obey, other than being discreet and loyal. They were chosen from the general public and could be anyone anywhere. As much as the common spies were free and untamed, Skia were bond and disciplined. One did not become a Skia easily, it took years of training both mentally and physically to learn to dissolve oneself in to the surrounding completely. To be insignificant yet deadly, to be unnoticed, yet notice everything. The hardest to achieve was the unwavering loyalty. The Skia never defied the throne of Vajra, for they had been taught the painful consequences that would follow.

The house of Skia, situated in an unknown location was as silent as the dawn descending upon it. The stone walled building, unmoving and cold. There was hardly any sign of life outside the carefully kept lawns or the outer passageways. All the Skia, had gathered to witness the passing of one among them, the girl who was killed before she could reveal who had lured her in to giving up her code. As most would have expected they did not condemn her as a traitor that was not how Skia operated. They were alien to emotions like betrayal, anger or resentment. They simply acknowledged that she had committed an error which none of the remaining should ever repeat.

Line, by line of neat, black clothed Skia walked to the stage where the body was kept, bowed their heads in respect of the dead and walked away in silence. No tears, no backward glances of sadness or even a sigh of mourning was offered as they went off.

The room emptied gradually and as the last of the Skia walked off, Agni stepped forward. His face a cold mask of indifference, he stared at the girl, his arms crossed behind his back. The door snapped shut, with a faint sound that his trained ears picked up and he was locked inside, alone and unwatched.

The corner of Agni's lips twitched, as he blinked furiously. Unconsciously he stretched out an arm and the tips of his fingers brushed against the girl's hair. Clenching his jaw, and fisting his fingers to stop them from touching the cold body, Agni turned away and suddenly went rigid and completely still.

Yuvraj!' He said bowing deeply. How did you even know this place?'

Sanskar stood in the middle of the now empty chamber. His arms crossed casually and his eyes the pleasant lake green.

I know how to find my way,' he said shortly.

Agni nodded slightly, his hands still fisted, and walked across the room to reach him.

Any orders Yuvraj? What brings you here?'

Sanskar ignored him, walking to the stage where the body was kept. He stared at the girl, for a long moment the smoky green of his eyes slightly melting.

Her name was Piya right?' He asked Agni, in a curious tone. Before she gave up that existence to become a Skia?' Agni nodded again, but remained silent, his eyes sparkling strangely. Not all can forsake themselves the way you do Agni, not everyone forgets.'

Why are we even discussing this, my lord?'

Just because I was curious. I wanted to see how disconnected you've become with yourself Agni. I was curious to see how the lord of Skia would bid farewell to his kin.'

The statement undid the remaining restrain Agni had over his emotions. His eyes misted over and he wiped them furiously.  Sanskar turned to look at him and held out his hand.

Come, bid your daughter the farewell she deserves,' he said then. I would simply forget this incident when I walk out, for me lord Agni never let down his guard.'

She shouldn't have done it.' Agni said in a vain attempt at his usual steady tone. She should have trusted me.'

So you do know what her reason was...'

Her sister is in human captivity.' Agni said slowly. Pari has a knack of getting in to trouble and a human researcher has discovered she has some supernatural abilities. She has to act like an orphan to stop our existence getting revealed and the man has adopted her. Piya wanted to rescue her for months now.'

So someone made her believe they can help her with that.' Sanskar mused out loud. Someone who has access to human realms...interesting.'

Yuvraj, she shouldn't have listened to anyone. She...'

Don't blame her.' Sanskar said softly. She wanted to protect her sister, as I wanted to protect my brother some years previously.' He looked at the uneasy expression Agni supported and smiled. We don't agree with each other on that yet, do we?'

I don't think erasing the prince's memory would solve the problem my lord.'

Yet I did it. Because that was all I could do, to make everyone believe he would no longer be the threat he is predicted to become.' Sanskar continued. It is hard to let your family go Agni, I know this...so do you.'

But that's the code of Skia, you have nothing to call yours of you're a shadow.'

Then that code has to change.' Agni said nothing as Sanskar continued in his firm tone. You can't force loyalty out of someone Agni, you have to earn it. I know my brother will not murder me, because he loves me more than my throne. Similarly I know you will never defy me, because I will return your daughter to you.'

Agni approached him slowly and stood by his side, gazing at the girl's corpse.

Then we will discuss about the codes of Skia.'

*

The stars looked strangely brighter above her, sprinkled over a vast sky of midnight blue and shaded with silvers and cream whites of moonlight. Swara was wondering through a forest, its whispers muffling in to the winds.

The dream changed quickly, as soon as she realized it was a dream and was replaced by a white hot pain. She could hear herself screaming. There were flames, glimpses of burning coal and stone walls, sounds of metal colliding together and the smell of burning flesh.

Let it go,' a voice urged her.

No,' her voice was sore, and her throat felt raw. I won't!'

The pain continued to burn her wave after wave.

It will go away if you listen.'

I won't! I won't! I won't!'

You're not going to escape this place until you give up.'

The pain was back. Dimming her other senses, every cell every vein was on fire. The fiery sensation melted into some sort of venom spreading throughout her. She could feel it flowing through her body from vein to vein making her body rigid, burning her eyes, suffocating her throat. No more breath came no matter how much she gasped. It was going to kill her while that voice laughed in a cold giggle that rang through her eardrums.

Sanskar!' She screamed, instinctively.

A hand brushed across her forehead, she sensed it faintly. Voices were talking around her all dimmed from the thick layer of pain.

Swara?' said a voice so close to her ear then a fresh wave of pain washed over her. Wake up, you're dreaming.' It was a male voice, deep and pleasant though its tone was somehow broken. Was it Mr. Maheshwari? Why did he sound so pained?

Her eyes flew open as another wave of pain washed over her. The cold air burned them, yet she could see nothing, only a mess of colors waved in and out of her vision. In the darkness some shadows moved. She was falling down...down and down. Someone grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently that her teeth clattered.

No Swara! Don't fall asleep again.'

His voice was disturbing her. She was leaving that place, the darkness would soon lift, and she was so sure of it. What was his problem really?

Look at me!'

Stop - sh - shaking - me,' she said through the clattering teeth. I -It hurts!'

Swara Gadodia, look at me!'

His cold hands were cupping her face. She blinked and the glossy green eyes were staring at her. Their noses were almost touching. She gasped for a breath.

Keep looking!' his voice ordered distantly. Don't you dare close your eyes!' She blinked. It was hard maintaining that stare. Her vision was turning foggy.

You just had a vision,' he said softly tapping her cheek. Don't close your eyes!'

She was reflected in his eyes, which were clear and deep, twinkling in the lamp light. She hated that reflection of hers, pale and white gasping for breath each time a new thought formed, in her mind. A spark of pain passed through her veins and she gasped again. Was he feeling the same thing? Was that the reason his eyes were glossy? Was that the reason her mind was more focused? Only because he was sharing her pain? Even without blinking?

It was just a vision, let it go. None of those things happened really.'

But they will,' she muttered feverishly. He is going to find me,' she gasped for a breath. He's going to torture me.' Her eyes still burned as fresh tears warmed their way down her cheeks. Swara blinked and looked up, in to his eyes. I'm scared.'

No one's going to hurt you, not all visions come true.'

They do, they do.' She murmured, clasping her shaking hands together under her chin and curling in to a ball. The prince of Vajra will kill me.'

Sanskar sighed and said nothing more as he leaned his forehead against hers.

Her own childhood laughter rang over her mind. Sunshine, the smell of fresh grass, the wind whispering around Kaldwaara, every memory of her childhood was sharp and vivid in front of her eyes.  The venom wasn't spreading anymore, the pain was gone. Still she was alive, safe and warm in his arms.

Swara took a few calming breaths before closing her eyes after making sure those emerald eyes were still around watching over her. The deep pleasant voice hummed a tune she was not familiar with and slowly she drafted back to sleep, knowing that no nightmares would return this time.

*