Sikva, capital city of Kavish

They had returned to Sikva ten days after the man had succumbed to the death. Disappointed and broken at the turn of events, she detained herself in her chambers longer than she did the last time. Neither did she went out of her room to the library like she did before nor did she meet anyone in her family. She had shunned everyone since her return. Deeply affected by the man's death, she found herself with no direction but one to retrieve her lost people. Yet she couldn't bring herself to go into a family that have been after her family's lives for so many years and worst, a life without love. Not a life she wished to live in.

Days turned into weeks and Nakshathra begin to taste the overwhelming of emotion killing her. Her day long staring at the vast sky watching it turn from blue to orangish-pink and back to darkness had eaten up the Nakshathra she once was; cheerful, carefree, playful and rebellious.

Tired of being gloomy, angry, miserable and depressed, her dull eyes fell on the set of letters laid on her side. Letters her brothers and her sisters-in-law have written and slid it under her door since she had locked herself in her room.

She took one of the letters written by her youngest sister-in-law, Malarvilli and went through it once again.

Come out Nakshathra. We miss you. The palace misses you and wishes to see you continue to rebel for the one thing you always went against.

Come out Nakshathra, we miss you. The library misses you and wishes to see you rest in its arms while you read. Isn't it something you love to do?

Come out Nakshathra, we have a long way to go and don't dwell into something you can't change. You don't have to do anything to please anyone, your brothers will take care of it. You don't need to take the burden to get the lost back. Just come out and live your life, little sister. Your little friends miss you too. You remember them, don't you?

Come out, we are waiting for you.

Nakshathra folded the letter into half, she too missed everything. She missed going out of the palace, playing with her friends, spending her time in the library and serving as a physician. Where did she miss the Nakshathra, she once was? Dragging herself to the mirror, she stared at her contrasting reflection, a depressed and lifeless girl.

"What are you trying to prove, Nakshathra? That you are the only one have problem in life? Stop behaving like its end of the world. Anni, was right. You need to get out. Get out! Get out!" Nakshathra screamed in agony, pulling her hair in the process.

Suffocation. Nakshathra was suffocating herself with her overthinking and unwanted prediction of her life. She wanted to run away, away from the palace, away from her responsibility and away from everyone. She rushed and tore the door open, startling the guards at the corridor. Nakshathra sprinted heading out of the palace.

Her feet carried her all the way to the river Smiti. She would have gone to her mother but seeing her in her current state might add to her mother's worry. The dawn was a sight to behold, she gazed at the setting sun as she made her way to find clarity and peace of mind.

At the riverside, far from the populated part of the river, she found herself a secluded space behind a huge tree. The fresh air, free streaming river, the sound of water burbling against the smooth rocks embraced her with its earthy nature. Sat against the tree, she closed her eyes to let her caged mind go free, forget everything that disturbed her sanity and be free once again. She wanted nothing to come between her peace and herself, not even her responsibilities given to her.

Nakshathra knew she was strong but the physical strength she displayed wasn't enough. She had to regain her mental strength, making it stronger, no matter how strong her opponent be, she should emit equal power.

She spent a couple of weeks recouping herself.

I need to be stronger mentally, emotionally and physically. I need to prepare myself. I need to start from here, in Kavish, in the palace. If the marriage has to happen, I will not bow to anyone. I will stand firm in my decisions and fightback if situation demands. Let go of it. Let go of everything that had tied you down. Let go. It's now or never, Nakshathra.

She pledged with new resolution to help her control her future.

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

In the province of Ambikeya

The patter of drops fell from the dark sky came as an invitation for them to rest. Dhruva and his three Yujyagana had been travelling through terrains for the last four months towards Kavish. In order to genuinely show their evidence of travel, they entered the northern kingdom, Haridra and progressed to the east in the province of the kingdom before exiting through the main boarder gate and into the kingdom of Ambikeya.

Embarking on a journey to Kavish for a peace talk with the royals had to be the riskiest mission he has taken upon his shoulders. Their history was such that even if he speaks the truth of his intention, people would easily misunderstand him. In order to avoid confusions, he calculated his entry into Kavish not as prince of Durja but as a merchant from Haridra.

Though his way to step into Kavish, an act of deceive, he however, intends to break his identity during his meet with any of the royals he would have the talk. Unlike his previous visit to Mount Gaja in disguise, he maintained his true identity as Dhruva without fake beard hiding his face.

The cloudburst had slowed their pace and now they sit in their makeshift tents warming their selves with a cup of steaming hot tea offered by the villagers nearby before the rain grew heavier. Dhandapani, one of his Yujyagana burst into the tent. His straight hair stuck on his forehead with water dripping from its pointy ends and running down his clean-shaven tanned face.

"You guys are the worst!" he claimed angrily and fetched a fresh towel from his travel case.

Dhruva and the rest supressed their laughter as Dhandapani muttered in annoyance. They knew he hated rains and never enjoys the dampness it creates afterwards and yet they sent him out to check on their horses at a local stable.

"Dhruva, you should have sent either one of them. Why did you agree with them to send me? Now look, I'm drenched and cold." Dhandapani threw the wet towel on his other two mates, Arasu and Viswanathan.

"Learn to love the nature, brother. We are just giving you the experience," Viswa chuckled and passed him a cup of tea, calming his friend down. "Here, it tastes good. Only if the pretty lady could bring us a hot pakoras... ahhh. Rainy day made perfect." He closed his eyes and imagined having pakora with the hot tea.

"Keep imagining, Viswa. It's not going to happen." Just as Dhruva said the otherwise happened.

The same girl who had brought the pot of tea for them came in with a tray covered with banana leaves. She must have run from her house to their tent with the small umbrella laying outside the entrance. Dhruva noticed.

"Amma made some extra pakoras, she sent me to give it to you," she said.

"Oh, devi. You read my mind. This just what I needed. Thank you," Viswa's euphonic voice had her blushing. She shyly smiled and took her leave disappearing into the rain.

"Hmm... The pakoras are amazing..."

"It seems like those pakoras were brought just for you, Viswa," said Dhruva, eyeing the tray that has not left Viswa's hand from the time she had given it to him.

Simpering idiotically, Viswa offered. "Have some."

"I would like to have all of it but no, thank you. I am fine with the tea. Enjoy your pakora." Dhruva tapped on Viswa's shoulder before heading out.

Arasu and Dhandapani followed suit. The rain had subsided to a drizzle, chilly air carrying the smell of earth felt divine.

"Have you checked with the locals? How far are we from Kavish?" asked Dhruva.

"About sixteen days of travel with short breaks," replied Dhandapani.

The prince nodded and went on for a solo stroll around the village while Arasu and Dhandapani joined Viswa in the tent. The travel had certainly tire him however, Dhruva anticipated to have the meeting finish soon and send Vadivel and his friends back to their families.

As per his instruction, his remaining Yujyagana will be heading straight with the fugitives to Gajdant, Kavish's neighbour and wait for Dhruva to get the help they need to get them cross the border. Dhruva prayed for a smooth converse with the Herambas.

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

Sikva, capital city of Kavish

"It's been three months, I can't believe how things have changed," commented Nathan fixing his gaze on his sister at the temple while Parthiban and him waited for her on their horses at the bottom of the temple staircase.

Nakshathra had been spending her days meditating, providing the locals medicinal aids, being with her little friends, trying to learn new skills and if time permits, she spares them for her family. Gone was the Nakshathra who locked herself in her room every time things happen the way she did not expect. She now faces them courageously.

Her brothers would never forget how she had put her foot down to the king requesting to put an end to the Heramba rule. The rule which has been shaping their life in the wrong way. Never have they thought anyone would be brave enough to speak to king the way Nakshathra did. Perhaps every following event had took her patience to the brink. Each time they think about it, they get goosebumps.

"Rajakumari Nakshathra will be punished yet again for going against the Heramba rule. You will now re-read the Heramba rule manuscript aloud for the next seven days." The king announced for her undignified act of 'sitting with the commoners and having lunch together.'

Like always, Nakul stepped forward to plead for Nakshathra however, she spoke instead.

"With due respect, I will not accept your punishment henceforth, maharaja," bellowed Nakshathra making heads turn to her with surprised wide eye and shell-shocked. The private court room itself grew warmer in temperature.

"Nakshathra! Have you lost it?" Nakul growled lowly. Like everyone in the room, he too was shaken by Nakshathra's outraged tone. He was a display of anger, worry and fear, if had anyone noticed him.

"No, anna. I have it secured, it's you and the rest of the family who have lost it. Allowing some rules written hundreds of years ago to control our lives. Nothing in the rulebook will help any of us. It might have for people back then but it's not applicable for now nor for future," she argued with resolute and turned to Bavaneswaran, sitting on the throne in a private court.

His nose flared as he glared at his youngest daughter. Infuriated by her rebuke, he burned in rage. He held the throne's armrest with white-knuckled hands, with eyes combing through the faces of his family and extended ones.

"Can you, maharaja, tell one difference between any of us? Can you distinguish what colour any of us like? Or our personality, maybe? Who among us is the pragmatic one? The easy-going? The stern and controlled? Who? I want you to name at least one?! Aren't we your children, you should know about us, don't you?" Her words flew high up the ceiling in fury.

Silence filled the small court room. Each one present had their heart beat with extreme intensity. Anticipating with horror; of the king's reaction and what would happen to the youngest princess for breaking the rule and raising her voice to the king.

"You can't because you have formulated all of us one kind. The Heramba kind of dummy humans! Your highness, if you have the time, think about it. Those rules were written for people of those times not for now. Everything needs to change and you need to change." Nakshathra swept her glance through the court meeting every pair of eyes, she knew she had got all of them worried but she had to do this.

"Give a thought to it. Abolish the Heramba rule, let us live our lives. Your reigning might have made the people happy but you have made us all not so proud." Nakshathra let her words hand in the air, slowly be absorbed by everyone in the room.

She felt bad to have brought the issue up but she had no choice, just like she had accepted to change herself, the king needs to change too. None of them should live their life with guided lines on lifestyle and behaviour, she thought. Everyone deserves to exhibit and explore themselves or there won't be any difference between one and another. She wanted him to understand.

Moments in thick silence passed and she courteously bowed and requested everyone in the court to leave. She wished for a private audience with the king. Regardless of the king's respond for a private conversation, Nakshathra ushered all of them out and closed the door.

What happened behind the closed court room, none of the brothers knew but in the next couple of days indeed everything changed. The Heramba rule manuscripts were brought out at the open courtyard of the palace and was burned to ashes in front of everyone. Following it, the king had announced that there will be a new rule written for palace conduct and that it will be discussed and debated together before putting it in the new rulebook. When they all turned to her with surprise, she simply winked and tossed her braided hair behind her shoulder before disappearing in the threshold of the adjacent chamber.

"What are you two doing here?" Nakshathra beamed as she descended the staircase with a prayer tray filled with fruits and flowers.

"Oh, we have got a news to deliver," said Nathan and jumped down from his horse. "Can't talk in the palace, so we came looking for you." He patted the shiny brown mane of the stallion.

Creasing her eyebrows, she exchanged glances with Parthiban and Nathan before questioning with an arched eyebrow.

"I received a message from the platoon I had sent to the sea to find the ship you guys encounter in Ansa."

"What's the message about?" asked Nakshathra, stepping forward closer to her brother.

"The ship reached Makshala harbour in Shoolin and later those people who boarded the ship from Ansa were transported to different countries." Nathan filled her in as he took a piece of banana from the tray she held.

"Situation is getting pretty rough. Our platoon won't be able to go after any of the ships carrying our people now, it's too late. They all have been sent to various other places." Parthiban emphasised.

The brothers watched she dwell in her thoughts for a moment, "It is okay, if they can't. Let's not waste their time, summon them back, Nathu. We will find some other way to reach our people," replied Nakshathra, calmly. "One thing that we could be happy about is that there are no complaints about missing people after tightening the security around the coastal and border of Kavish. We will find a way." Nakshathra assured the brothers who watched her in amazement with her respond.

She might not have actually overcome her agitated nature but they could see how Nakshathra was able to control herself by giving her a few moments before putting her thought out. Likewise the brothers hoped they could steadily retrieve their lost people back.