The wind howled, as the frosting rain drizzled down like confetti.

Pruthvi refused to attend the impromptu meeting with King this evening, disinterested to see the elderly man harp on about the current matters until he dramatized the situation and proved who the real boss was. He preferred to patrol instead and left for Purvachand with a hope to see Celina. He hadn't been seeing her, let alone getting an opportunity to confront her again, since the day he had come face to face with her. If the war was meant to happen, then it shall need her consent as well.

"Sit," ordered King Aghasthya, his wrinkles over his cheeks trembling. He walked aside and made himself comfortable pulling the chair aside to sit directly in front of me. During one of those awkward silence, Ashwant and Ira Zutshi joined the meeting. They slowly walked inside the cabinet room, as if the floor would slip away. Their faces were fearful and body language indicated nervousness.

Every passing second felt like sharp prick sent on nerves before King Aghasthya exploded. "Who killed Bhupathi Garg?"

My heart clamored against my ribcage. It took a moment to realize the dreadful news was broken out and must have turned into a bigger one than my declaration of war. My mouth felt dry and I cringed with fear. But I remained intact to the chair, maintaining the expressionless visage. Not even a thousand people shall spot growing tension inside me.

"If I'm the one you've chosen to ask, then it means you already suspect who it could be," I said, sternly and unregretfully. "There's no need for indirect discourse."

"Yes, I do," King Aghasthya said through his gritted teeth. "And the evidence is left everywhere. Fire, smoke and unconscious knights witnessing you and Singh entering the correctional facility. How naive of you to think you'd be able to get away from this?"

"I never wanted this crime to go unnoticed. I totally understand the situation. I was in an excellent state of mind when this happened."

His eyes enlarged. "You are talking as if...are you admitting it? Hayden Mackay, did you kill the King of Madhyakshetra?"

"I don't think there is anything I'd say will make you feel otherwise."

"Just say it," he said, and slammed the table hard making Ira startle out of her wits. "SAY IT!"

"Yes! I did it..."

"Hayden, Stop!" Ira shouted.

"....if that's what you wanted to hear."

My throat pinched and ears rang hearing my own voice stating the confession. Did I really commit a crime to feel this way? But there was no point in giving a rebuttal to the accusation. I was involved in this murder. For sure, I had half a mind to wipe the mediocre king out from the face of the Earth. Singh only did what I had intended to do.

"I cannot believe this," he said, disdainfully, "You were way too obedient and respectful for all these months. I thought you were coming along nicely even though it was so unlike you. I should have guessed that something dark and stormy was brewing behind all those show-offs."

I pressed my eyes shut, feeling the pressure building up. I rocked back and forth.

"What is your problem?" he continued, "I did whatever you asked me to do. I've arranged a meeting with the Sergeant. I made them agree to be a part of your plan. Leena risked her life to make your plan succeed. Bhupathi Garg was finally caught red-handed. What else did you want?"

"I wish he'd kept his mouth shut," I said, my eyes moistening, "I wish he hadn't threatened to hurt the most important person in my life. We don't kill humans, we save them from perishing danger. And now look, the danger itself has perished. Your Majesty, don't tell me this is not you wanted."

"No!" he yelled, "I wanted the criminals punished, that is what I wanted. And we succeeded in it too. You getting further involved in the Bhupathi's case is not acceptable."

"You would have been fine with his death if I weren't the one to be involved. You know what, Pruthvi and I are the same. Think of me as someone from the streets and punish me as much as you want. But only after I return from Uttarameer. Because I can and will do everything I want to do first."

"What if I throw you in jail right now?"

"I'll run away," I replied, darkly. "You know very well that I'm capable to do that."

Aghasthya shook his head. "Harsh's kin, who he proudly wanted see ruling his dynasty, is currently sitting in front of me as a criminal and threatening to be a fugitive..."

"I am already a criminal and a fugitive in the United States of America. Going by the same identity in another country does not matter much to me. I'll gladly be the same person everywhere."

King Aghasthya leaned forward and when he spoke, there was a touch of heartbreak in his tone. "Son, all I wanted was to make my friend's dream come true. I wanted you to accept the Will and be the King of your dynasty. You have a golden opportunity in front of you, please don't throw it away."

"I do see the opportunity, which I created for myself. Having me sit on that throne is not important today, Your Majesty. Please understand that. Everything I want from you is to let me go. I know how to finish this. Please don't come in my way. This is the only chance that appears to be for the greater good. "

"Greater good? You take me twenty years back, Hayden. How can you both be so alike? He sacrificed his life for the greater good and now you..."

"Oh for heaven's sake, it was a freakin' suicide!" I shouted, violent rage filling in my head. Ashwant and Ira got startled hearing my voice that rang throughout the cabinet. "Your friend's decision was to commit suicide for the sake of his children."

"What?!"

"Yes! Did he forget that taking away one's own life is no lesser crime than the act of killing itself? He failed to follow the stupid rule he started. How the hell did he assume that everyone would follow it?"

"You are twisting it all up."

"I'm not. And you talk about sacrifice, I'll tell you what a sacrifice means-that everything my friends did for this country. Pruthvi and Leena giving up their relationship so that Leena can have the ability. Tyrell, bowing down to the father's cruelty just so that Celina can live and safeguard her clan. They didn't simply die. They are living a life of crap just for this country."

Ira cupped her mouth and sobbed silently. King Aghasthya dropped his gaze down and shook his head unable to retaliate.

"Your Majesty, your friend left his people to live in a smelly old catacomb, trying to make the best of it. They are living only with this hope that one day someone out of nowhere might come and give them the life they deserve. They can keep waiting and you can wait with them as long as you want. But I can't. I cannot wait for some prophetic hero with godly powers to come and save your country. I'll do it myself!"

"Youngblood," said King Agasthya, "is so full of vigor and inconvincible. Hayden, does this have anything to do with Tyrell? Are you doing this for Tyrell?"

I wiped the teardrop that was about to fall. "If you mean my selfish intention is making me take this decision, then you need to have second thoughts on the way you judge me. I am not here to get my character certificate stamped. Period. All I know, that the future of this country is dependent on the aftereffect of this war. The intention behind it is of no significance."

Aghasthya placed his fist under his chin."What can I do or say to make you stop?"

"Now that I have High King's permission, there is absolutely nothing that can stop me."

"What if you die?"

"I'm a Samagraha." I replied, turning my head away, "I don't die."

A look of incredulity crossed his face. "What are you so proud of? What do you even have to be proud of? That burning stone in your pocket?"

I gave away the answer without any hesitation "My determination."

"For what? Hayden Mackay, what do you really want?"

I closed my eyes and imagined Nazira. "I want to love this country."

"By killing?"

"By cleansing."

"Violence. That's your solution?"

"Fight fire with fire. Right?"

King Aghasthya stood up harshly. His chair slid back and Ira jerked on hearing the loud scraping sound filling in the room. "You have an answer for everything," he said breathing heavily. "Well, I guess your mind's incorrigible. Your ideas might differ but you are after all his kin. Always rebellious and determined. Fine Hayden, you win. You have High King's permission. You can do whatever you want. And I want you to leave before dawn before Sergeants find out you're guilty of murdering a king. But hear this old man's request- please, for Harsh's sake, for the love of God, just because it's the outcome that is important and not your intention behind it, do not be more brash and careless. Take someone with you.  Pick just anyone-Leena or Pruthvi..."

"No," I said, "Pruthvi and Leena have to stay back and continue patrolling. The rest of the country need them atleast until I finish Almourah off. Nazira needs them too. I've decided on someone I want to join me in this job. High King has already given his nod. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have an objection with this because he is stronger than I am."

"Who is it?"

I averted my gaze over to Ashwant Veer, who remained silent this whole time and waiting for a chance to disclose this exclusive detail without making it sound like giving the old poor King another shock for the day.

-x-