Mahina, the capital city of Durja

The decision for the Vinayagar Chaturthi tax had been announced and it did not please Dhruva as much as it did when the king mentioned about going through the financial records of the past years. Much to his disappointment, Varadarajan was all smiles for the small triumph of his victory. The crown prince shook his head for the poor decision of the king in the matter between people and the money.

"The tax will be implemented with a lower rate than it has been fixed for all the citizen for this year festival. This decision is taken by keeping in mind to not disturb the funds of royal treasury for future use. Finance minister had spoken to us and his will brief the rest of you on the future expanses." The king gestured Varadarajan to begin as he laid back on the high chair, ready to listen once again of the finance minister's plan.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Fellow council members allow me to brief you the plans for Durja and for the people. These are only suggestion which have not been finalised by the respective ministers in case the crown prince have the question," said Varadarajan, answering the already bubbling question in Dhruva's head. "The plans includes free food scheme, harbour reconstruction, military funds and weaponry along with basic maintenances of the city and the villages. Further updates will be reported in the future council meeting. Thank you." The finance minister concluded and sat proudly for accomplishing his briefing without stumbling much as he expected.

Dhruva's scrutinising gaze never left the minister, he did not believe any of the so-called plans to be executed in the near future. Varadarajan's early precautionary have also hinted that this should not be questioned as long as these plans are still in talking terms.

"We will be looking forward for these projects to go on floor soon, Lord Varadarajan," stated Dhruva, loud and clear for the council member to hear.

***-----*****-----***

Dhruva watched the city from the palace watchtower as town crier announced the tax implementation to the subjects of Mahina. Displeased with the turnout of the event in the council room, he murmured to his uncle, "I have disappointed them again, mama. I promised them I would stop the execution of the extra tax this year and I failed." The aged warrior next to him held his shoulder in a firm grip as a sign of strength.

"You only fail if you did not try, son," said his uncle, a fine warrior, Megavannan.

Megavannan, a warrior from Dhruva's maternal kingdom possesses features of a man in his forties although the warrior's age had passed sixty. His tall, broad chest, well-built warrior physic and large muscles scream years of training and battles fought while the aged scars from many battles adorned his handsome face. Hailing from Haridra, the largest nation in Lambodara where finest warriors were born, Megavannan moved to Durja along with the princess of Haridra after her marriage. Since then, he had been the most respected warrior in Durja, holds a high post in the imperial guard and a dotting uncle for Dhruva.

"Yes, mama but I should have considered speaking to him personally as well. I thought speaking in the council meeting might help me gain more support from the ministers but they seem uninterested in the welfare of the people of Durja."

"Then it's time you continue to hunt for best people in the nation, get them trained and ready for your regime. It's important to have intellectual people than self-centred ones." Megavannan whispered although there were no one on the watchtower except them.

"I have been thinking about it too, mama. There are far more capable people outside of Mahina. As soon as we get back from Mount Gaja, I'll be off again."

Megavannan nodded and clasped his hands behind his back watching the city's movement. Elite people of the city living closer to the palace seemed unaffected by the news however, that wasn't the case for those poorer families in the poor area. From the watchtower, the prince and the warrior observed as the people gathered outside the palace disagreeing and arguing with the town crier. Poor him, he had nothing to do with it but had to bear the consequences of the palace's decision.

"Had your mother been alive, she would have put her foot down for the notorious taxes. She wouldn't have let your father waver from his duty." The aged warrior sniffled remembering the queen he had once served, Brinda the princess of Haridra and the late queen of Durja.

Dhruva's shoulder sunk at the mention of his mother. He had always wished she had been there to guide him but fate had it has own agenda. Fate took away his mother when he was five, leaving him all alone in a palace full of conspiracies and emotionless people. When Kumudhavalli, his stepmother came in, the affection he had for her initially slowly changed after she had her own children. As he grew older, he found solace in his uncle, Megavannan and in the many houses of the soldiers he befriended.

Since then, he wasn't just the prince of the Durja and brothers for his step-siblings but a family member in the houses of the people who considered him as their own and treat him like a family instead of a prince. For the kindness they had shown to him it was his responsibility to help them as much as possible to lighten the burden that has been dumped yet again on them.

Sikva the capital city of Kavish

Agathiyan busied himself in the supervision of the upcoming Vinayagar Chaturthi festival. An important festive season where everyone in Lambodara comes together in one place to offer prayers and celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God annually.

A ten days celebration had however been reduced to four days owing to a chaotic brutal fight exploded between Kavish and Durja sixteen years ago at Mount Gaja. It was only after the queen of Haridra stepped forward that the outrage was alleviated.

After several heated discussions, the Haridra Queen, Naavarasi declared the first four days of Vinayagar Chaturthi for the people of Kavish and the following four days for people of Durja to perform their prayers and offerings. Both kingdoms have been strictly prohibited to be around the celebration ground apart from the days allocated for them.

Nevertheless, the remaining seven kingdoms in Lambodara bore no restriction of whatsoever to participate in the ten-day celebration. They were free to be a part of the celebration of devotion, colours, music and delicious food of all kind.

It was a ritual where people of Kavish come together to make one massive statue of ten feet tall by contributing a handful or more clay taken from their house surroundings or clay bought from the market. Known as a kingdom that excels in aesthetic field and often provides manpower to kingdoms for the same, Kavish bears the stress to showcase their most exclusively sculpted Lord Ganesha every year.

The chief physician, stood before the massive Lord Ganesha statue. The majestic elephant-headed God sat with one leg crossed over the other, a hand on the knee of the folded leg, another hand had its palm raised as a blessing. The year's statue was laid on a huge wooded chariot flaunting its spectacular handwork. He felt shiver ran down his spine as devotion flooded in him. The visual before him was nothing but pleasant with the sun shining bright behind the towering statue, Lord Ganesha appeared surreal.

Hey Gananayaka, may this year's journey be smooth as always. Bestow your blessing to your children who will come to you for the first time in the year. May our path to reach you be not interrupted.

"Is everything ready, raja vaithiyar?" Bavaneswaran's breezy voice greeted him as he stared the breath-taking statue of Lord Ganesha in admiration, his usual stern face was seen to be in serene before the Lord's statue.

The royal physician bowed down in salutation, "Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Ganesha is ready for the journey once we have the confirmation from the Chief General who has gone with Yuvaraja Nakul and his men to clear the forest path to Mount Gaja," he answered.

A tradition of walking to mount Gaja had been a ritual for the Kavishians despite having the developed facility of ratha vimana. Many in Kavish believe that moving in procession toward Mount Gaja invokes abundant of devotion and show the king agreed to keep the tradition going with tight security.

"The puja for Lord Ganesha will begin today evening for those who will not be able to travel, maharaja." Agathiyan added after instructing a few ladies who approached him to make garlands for the evening puja.

Bavaneswaran nodded with a smile, "I'm delighted with the preparations this year, raja vaithiyar. You and rajaguru have done an exceptional job yet again, Kavish is blessed to have both of you," he complimented and gestured Agathiyan to follow him as he walked ahead.

Bavaneswaran and Agathiyan took a stroll around the temple ground where the preparations took place, the king's security escorts, the Vajrapadai followed them in a respectable distance. The Vajrapadai are a special group of soldiers who had taken the oath of loyalty to the king of Kavish till death. They are ranked as the highest amongst the soldiers in Kavish.

A long walk of silent observation later, the king spoke. "Raja vaithiyar, now that we are all preparing to visit Mount Gaja, I think you can use the time available to teach Nakshathra what you intended five months ago," reminded Bavaneswaran.

"Raja vaithiyar, I'm aware that there will be close to no time in Mount Gaja for you will be involved in the prayers but I can't let you be in Mount Gaja longer that these four days or any other day in the year. You know why," said Bavaneswaran, casting his eyes on the massive statue from the other side of the ground.

Agathiyan averted his gaze away—embarrassed at the event that took place in courtroom, Raja Vaithiyar nodded, "Yes, maharaja. I understand and I'll use this time wisely. Thank you."

**---****----****----***

Bavaneswaran, the tall and muscular king's presences grabbed the attention of the people. Though he has natural tan skin that blends effortlessly among the common people and wears simpler clothing compared to kings in their folktale, his mere appearance fears his subjects. The sight of him sends them a wave of nervousness as he stopped at each station watching them work on the given task.

For his casual visit, he had combed back his black shoulder length wavy hair and left it loose without the crown. Preferring to always stay humble and not to show off his superiority, Bavaneswaran only wears his crown for court session and royal visits.

Nevertheless, his scrutinising and examining look often give away the impression of him finding faults although that wasn't the case. He finds it interesting, how his subjects work with devotion and with perfect skill tirelessly. He made sure he compliments them for their work before leaving their workstation.

At the narrow lane ahead, a group of folk musician and dancers occupied the path blocking the king's way. The local artist was among the few who still preserves their culture and narrates ancient story through the art form. They were seen practicing their performance for an event to come. Upon sighting them blocking the king's way, Bavaneswaran's guards took off to evacuate the group however, the king stopped them and watched their performance from a close distance. After a short span of time, he left leaving the artists to continue their practice and headed to inspect the other areas.

Bavaneswaran sauntered around the area after Agathiyan left him with his guards to prepare for the evening prayers. His observant eyes roamed every nook and corner with satisfying smile. Children were seen playing games of their fancies while elders sat together at the end of the lane, chatting. As he walked pass a small alley, a familiar sound of giggling among many little giggles had him stop in his track.

It was a narrow alley that had a sharp bend to its right and left not far from where he stood. The sound came from one of the bend. Bavaneswaran's breathing gradually turned heavy, his hands remained at his sides clenched into fist as the familiar voice came louder and he soon guessed the owner.

The guard he sent to check returned with a positive reply to his guess. "Maharaja, it's Princess Nakshathra." Bavaneswaran nodded and foot it back to the palace leaving one of the guards to get the youngest prince, Nathan to bring back Princess Nakshathra to the palace.

Though being humble is his nature, Bavaneswaran was also known to be a headstrong man when comes to administration of his kingdom and family especially. Coming from a reputed family of Heramba, Bavaneswaran puts himself in charge in preserving the forgotten old family culture and tradition—a life with rules more rigid than most royal families in Lambodara.  He holds pride to the statement.

"A serious lesson need to be thought to this stubborn girl," he chided.

One thing he doesn't like, his children disobeying the royal protocol and behaving frivolously. For Bavaneswaran, a royal should always have discipline, self-control and carry oneself with royal elegance. He believes someone with high discipline value earns respect from their people without the need of pulling any stunt when desperate. 

He wondered if his youngest daughter would earn any respect from the people.

**--**--***--**--

Mahina, capital city of Durja

"If anyone comes, knock the door twice and run away." Ranganathan whispered to Udumban whom nodded his head.

"Don't just nod. What you should do when someone comes?" asked the master of the dwarf.

"Knock twice." Udumban replied showing two of his short fingers.

"Good."

Ranganathan checked the corridor once again before sneaking into the large chamber. Grateful for the unguarded floor, thanks to Alli for using queen Kumudhavalli to make the arrangements, sneaking in became easy for him these days.

"Devi!" he called and from one end of the room came Alli.

Her face was covered in a red shawl pairing it with her maroon saree and as usual he tried to make a guess of her mood by reading her eyes.

"A message from Shoolin, the realm of south," she seethed. "King Shijay Durjaya is demanding us to clear the due soon or he would wage a war." She threw the scroll on the table nearby and plopped on a chair.

She is annoyed.

Receiving a message from Shoolin had never been good for Alli. It has always been asking for payment or threat to wage war. This time was no different, the payment to Shoolin had been delayed by two months. If they continue to ignore the message and delay their payment, Shijay might march to Mahina and use the army she had gathered in Shoolin for her future agenda against her. If that happens, all the years of paying Shoolin for training and accommodating her armies would go in vain.

Ranganathan reached for the scroll and went through it a multiple time before he spoke. "Had it not for Prince Dhruva, we would have paid Shijay on time. That silly boy spoiled everything!"

"We should use the remaining funds for now, Devi. We can't delay any longer. I'll head to Shoolin with the money and explain to Shijay about our current situation. Maybe ask for extension for our next payment." Ranganathan suggested.

"Of course! Do we have any other option? Leave now to Shoolin and settle the due before he sends our armies against us." Alli reluctantly agreed. "And don't forget to throw a thousand gold coins to that Varadarajan for covering up the use of the extra tax." She flung a small pouch of coin to Ranganathan and sat with her eyes closed.

Allying with Shoolin has been both a privilege and danger for Alli. The surety of Shijay's agreement to keep and train her armies lay on the money they pay him. With her plan nearing the launch, she can't afford to lose even before the war begins. She had to think for a better and attractive payment that would keep him from threatening them in the future.

Ideas rolled in to aid her and a smile played on her lips; she had found a better option that would delight the King of Shoolin. Alli called Ranganathan just before he leaves and shared her idea. Delighted with the news, Ranganathan persuaded her to have it in written to present it to the king.