Stop joining the points. At times, it let you taste the bitter poison.
~Saurabh, the sorcerer.
__________________

The Present,
In the season of Zelos, at the month of Crol-20, in Gezareal Hivar.

As the gusty pool of tiring thoughts rippled through his nerves, Walor took a deep breath. He couldn't find anything helpful in pondering over the tempting past. He chose to stay away from that as much as he could. The very moment, a poignant venom poisoned the firm brotherhood feelings. The moment when he failed to realise the play of fortune and his impending fate. That one fated spring that rained the misery hooting his summers with harsh winters.

He was unsure of where he had let it slip. Remembering that incident was never an easy one. Trepidation and suspicion gripped him whenever those deep depths of remorse and scars resurfaced to cripple him.

Rominia looked a bit better compared to him but was extremely confused. Cruising through his silence, Rominia silently went to sit beside him, but he was lost between his remorses and vale of tears. The diary had slipped to smash the floors; it's faint murmurs of aches compared to nothing that was written on them. The writer kept plopping the cerulean bolster that lay beside him on the white wooden divan while his eyes dug into his past through the polished emerald-veined white floors. From his erratic actions, she could understand that he was more flimsy than before.

If it was some innocuous grief, she would let him inundate it for as long as he wanted. 

At times, the ode of solitude could be a better healer than words of warmth. 

She believed that. But at this moment, his unsteady threads could cost the lives of Hivarians in the catastrophe that was approaching them, and that alarmed her even more.

Somehow, I should find a way to solve this. 

Her temples drummed. When she was about to speak, she sensed his firmness reduce to trickling tears. The tiny flows had formed a full-round globe to stand on his edges. Before they could drip, she held them in her palms.

"Don't let them out. You don't have to. You are a good person, Walor! You have always been."

"I doubt that, Mina. Maybe I was so self-absorbed. I failed to let him realise my true thoughts. It's my fault. I failed him as a parenting brother." Walor disclosed his guilt.

"The one who is covered in ignorance can have a chance to subdue himself to pursue wisdom. But the one who pretends will never try or refrain from criticizing! To me, he is an imposter, and you are fuming his blame on yourself, all for inutility. Leave it aside, Walor. Nothing blooms on crying over the spilt milk."

"I have no choice, Mina. All my paths lead nowhere. I'm wandering over a loop, and it replays and rewinds me, but neither fades nor heals. Can you help me out? I'm caught in these vicious currents."

He crawled into Rominia's palms like a craving soul, searching for something for betterment. It was all very foreign to her. Seeing him so fragile, as though a little breeze may swap out his spirit or a mere spark would turn him completely into grey powder, he felt as though he was in a barren land, whose only way out was to stop bargaining the air to live more. He should be saved. If not, he will be slaved to these chronic worries.

"Don't make it hard for me, Walor. Don't you remember what you told me?" She paused to catch his glance. When he looked at her with creasing brows, she continued.

"Whenever hurting days dawn on you, feel the feeling but don't give in to its embodiment. Witness it and let it go. You were the one who told this to me. But it seems like you don't preach what you say." On hearing her words, he felt a light screech in his void. Ascertaining that, she resumed.

"Listen, I'm with you, and we are going to handle this together. Trust me, everything is going to be fine, and let this happen."

Walor's eyes doused yet again, and she knew why. Those words were the exact verses that he spoke to Zwisk. The very words that perished them into this mayhem. Instead of getting him out, all her efforts pushed him deep down. But being like this was not good for anything. After all, Zwisk would have already begun marching towards them, and they must do something before the thunders scream their laughter at them.

"Walor, listen to me! I have made up my mind to speak to your brother." Her words widened his eyes in concussion.

"What! Do you think he will listen to you? Don't be a chump, Mina. He is ferocious, and you have no idea what he can do to you."

"Trust me, Walor. He may be angry and diabolical, but he's not heartless. He is still the same boy who roamed with you and longed for a father's unconventional love. He is still that little boy who has grown up hearing all your words. The only thing he needs is some clarification over the things that tricked him that day. I can help him with that. Don't worry, Walor, he can't harm me."

"But he is changed now, Mina. He had become a ruthless man who had killed a clan to satisfy himself on the throne. He had drunk oceans of blood to quench his thirst to become a ruler. Do you think he'll even wait to hear you out? The moment you stand before him, he will lock you up in his prison. I can't let that happen, Mina. Please don't make me fidgety." Walor tried to make her understand his misery.

"Walor, try to understand. He had never had his heart wreathed in love. He always felt that if he had had his mother, no hardship would have come to him. I will meet him, Walor, but not as your wife. But as a meant-to-be mother of him," Rominia asserted her thoughts.

"Mother? Do you think he will see you as one? He had outgrown it all. You still have no clue about him. You have just heard about him! No, Mina. I can't let you go." Walor spoke in an unconvinced tone.

"He can't harm me. Now that I know him well through you, I can survive a better deal! I don't have a past with him or any share of his life. I can face him with full commitment and control." She tried to assure him as she passed him a glass of water, but he kept it tight.

"But still. I don't think this would work. The beast that has been a massive prey for so many decades wouldn't quench itself on an appetising meal. It's him! He awaits me, not you. He wants his Hivar, not your concern."

He was so willing to make it sharply engraved in her heart that he wouldn't be involving Rominia in this. She could read his convictions, yet they would save none. She was sure not to send him.

If I, being the bait, can give them a chance to regain, it shall be me.

"But can you face him with no nervousness? Are you so stubborn just because you are a better hand than me in this situation?" Her robust words broke the frost in him. His red eyes and stiffening face scared her.

"I know! I'm the weakest when it's about him, but I can't let you pay for my misfortunes, and I mean it." 

Stating it in a fragmented tone of indignation, he went away from that place. She was sure he had made his decision stand strong over his weak side. Indeed, she must convince him or make a decision herself. For either of those, she needed someone to guide her and help.

She called out one of her ladies in service, who ushered her to attend while pulling her oversized aprons. The lady folded her hands over her thighs and bent her head so low that her waist-length auburn hair broomed the floor. 

"Get me the charioteer and make the arrangements for me to visit the Stupa." 

With the orders flying, the lady walked away to arrange all her chores accordingly. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and lost herself in a nap. After a few mowoh, some soft yet sharp footsteps made her open her eyes.

"Your highness, everything is arranged as per the orders," her lady said.

"Thank you, Ayirel! Kindly look after the baby and make sure she causes less trouble for her father," Rominia requested. She then took out a piece of parchment and inscribed a few lines for Walor. 

"Please hand it over to his highness while I'm away," she directed. 

Indeed, she wished to retire herself from the pile of arguments that would follow. After handing over the piece of message to Ayirel, she started walking towards the palace gates. She could see the charioteer and the little food and water being packed neatly and cleanly, as she expected. She then boarded the three-wheeled chariot that was ready to be pulled by four Oshieys.

"Make it as soon as possible. We don't have much time to spare," she informed him.

"Sneaking, are we your highness?"

"I wish I could offer a no."

Her words energised his seeking eyes to bloom a smile on his thin lips.

"On your command, your highness!"

Stating that he nuzzled the vast skulls of the thick brawny animals, their five-footed build was controlled with two collars of silver spikes, one in the neck and the other in the middle of their trunk. Splashing their vigour upon their metallic irises that contrasted their black furred bodies, they sprinted as fast as they could. Adding to their fastness, the charioteer drove over all the shortcuts that he had mastered. He would have to reach the base of the Blazhen ranges, which would be a two payorah ride if they took the usual route. But with his skills and the vigour of Oshieys, he made the chariot ride through the muddy terrain and shrub-filled paths, which made the journey short. As they moved ahead, the thin and wide awnings started intermingling with each other, indicating that they were nearing the hilly lands.

With a rapid and regular pace, they reached the breezing Blazhen mountain, as the inky blues of twilights painted the peak to keep its retreating rays upon their valley. Drizzles drenched the thick green terrain of the forests. But the thick canopies recouped them while the petrichor of the golden, wet sands revived their tiredness. With the help of nature, they reached. Slowly, the rolling wheels and the four pairs of sprinting legs came to a gradual halt. Rominia climbed down and rushed near the cliff of the Stupa Peak. From here, she would have to hire the theurgic chariot, the one that would take her to the Stupa. 

The Lumas and Solas dynasties had an uncommonly dynamic sphere of command. Since the Stupa was a place of neutrality, there is no map that would locate it as its location changed over the axis of equity pertaining to their powers. Only the theurgical chariot would be the key to guiding them.

After glancing cursorily through the mists and clouds that were teasing the intricate green canopies of the silent forests, Rominia closed her eyes to chant to ask for the chariot. 

"Guide me, dear saints! I shall seek your mercy."

As she enunciated, a glow of light appeared before her eyes. A luminous aureolus chariot with two big smooth wheels and a golden flag that swayed at the top of it with an eight-pointed star emerged in front of her. Rominia was happy that her request was accepted by Saurabh. Usually, people couldn't get there until there was a real need and an acceptance of their request was taken care of beforehand.

Maybe he was expecting me already!

In the soonest possible, she boarded the chariot, and in no time, it disappeared into the radiant light that surrounded her. It travelled in a couple of dozen crests and troughs, akin to the sailing ship on the turbulent tides, and then emerged into a yellow grassy yard. On sensing that the journey was done, Rominia let out a tiring sigh.

The senugh she opened her eyes, she understood that she was there. She tread, keeping her urges and determination level. From the moment she had decided to visit the Stupa, her mind tossed her, maiming her as she kept recollecting the memories of her previous insipid visit.

With great cheer and sheer brimming in their hearts as parents, they arrived for their daughter's Naamekaran Utsav. But the more she slipped into it, the more timid she grew in its bittersweet emotions. She brushed it all aside and focused on making the present hopeful. She reached the entrance and walked through the enormous pillars that narrated the tale of the lords of the cosmic clans and the legends of strong warriors. Without giving any time to appreciate the sculptures and their craftsmanship, she walked past the yellow wood halls to reach the twenty chambers that were present on the lane. 

The burnt brick domes held a crystal pearl chandelier that illuminated the hall with the golden flames of the candles that surrounded them. She looked at the simple, floral wooden doors with tough black knobs. Amidst the rows of rooms facing each other, there was a large chamber in the middle that had the door opened ajar. It was the Saurabh kamrā. When she neared the entrance, the thick smell of incense filled her senses with a profound serenity.

From the corner of the half-split wooden door, she could see him sitting with a book that was written in metallic pages and bundles of parchment covering the table, all set perfectly to impose a sapient look. Recognising his involvement, she stood silent until he threw a smile and raised his golden eyes at her.

"My hearty greetings, Saurabh!" Rominia bowed to him.

"Live long, Rominia Helen. It's very strange to see you at this hasoi. I can see that you need my help." Saurabh said it with a grin that brightened her glooms.

"You always knew my purpose, even before I could say it. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have given me the chance to see you." She sat in the seat placed in front of him.

"Yes, my dear. I know what's on my child's mind. So what have you planned? How are you going to confront Zwisk?" He asked her while closing his heavy books.

"I couldn't predict that, Saurabh. I have no hope that I can do it all by myself. I don't know what makes us collide with hardships all the time since my-" Rominia suddenly halted.

"Since when? Even you wish to say that."

Before she could say anything, her eyes flooded with tears. At last, she was about to say that her daughter's birth was the start of all their problems. 

How contagious the mind has become, she cursed herself. 

She felt broken as she searched for reasons to make it better. Those words, even if not uttered, still echoed in her mind. She didn't know what she should do. Nor could she say anything anymore.

"Don't worry, dear. I'm happy that your wisdom has let you realise the bite at the right moment. Stop joining the points. At times, it will let you taste the bitter poison instead of aushadh."

"What should I do? These thoughts are smoking my mind. I feel so lost in them. I'm completely devastated, Saurabh. Kindly guide me through this. I need help finding the solution." She requested him as her heart began to race.

"There are moments where even trialling may turn futile. When we feel we have nothing on our end for a situation, analyse it well before jumping to conclusions. It will help more than letting things wait," Saurabh stated.

"When I can't hold my mind in its sanity, how can I leap into any analysis?" Rominia spoke out her complicated thoughts.

"Calm down. Let me help you. Just answer my questions as your intuition guides. Ready?"

"Yes, Saurabh." Rominia stated that she was mustering her virtue.

"Great. With the hope of a resolute solution, let's begin. Were you expecting that such a problem would come?"

"Yes, Saurabh, but the claimant of the issue was the unexpected one!" She answered spontaneously.

"It's not an issue. Since you've expected it beforehand, did you think about what you should do in such circumstances?"

"Yes. I did."

"So, what was your presumptive decision?"

"According to the scriptures on battling exhortations, I had decided to try to make peace rather than be rebellious. Peace after a war is always a more fatal disaster than the loss caused by the storm itself. If the opponent remains thick, then I shall bring my people into the battlefield."

Her considerate answers made Saurabh smile in appreciation of her wisdom.

"Rightly said. Your choice is better. Go ahead."

"But Zwisk is my brother-in-law!"

"Are there any typical rules put forward if any two blood relations confront in a battle?" Saurabh's interception widened her worries.

"Protocols don't change, Saurabh. But emotions would. How can anyone fight against a person on whom we once focused everything? If we're pushed into such a situation, however strong we're, we'll rip into innumerable flakes."

"So you state that your doubt is not about the protocols? But the wigwagging mind. When it comes to the mind, you must master the intellect! Once you control it, it becomes a phenomenal weapon. It will start conquering anything; you would wish it too."

"Mastering the mind is not something that we can acquire in an instance. It takes a lot of energy and effort."

"Certainly, you're right! Still, there is one more powerful weapon that is even stronger than the mind! Ever heard of it?"

After pondering in brief depth, she asked, "Is there any?"

"I have heard that you're well known for your intellect. So I will test it now, if you're ready." He said this while his fingers scratched his forehead.

"Yes, Saurabh. I will give my best." Hearing her words, his smoke-teased eyes gained a cheerful shine.

"It is there with everyone and has only one way out to be positive. It stays in all moments and fades with each passing moment. If not mastered and administered well, it ruins all. What is it?"

Rominia sank in her seat with a deep thought for a few seconds, and she asked, "Are you sure, Saurabh, it has only one answer?"

"It depends amongst us. So tell me what caught your mind."

"If that's the case, then I can state two things. One is POWER and the other is TIME."

"Can you tell me why?"

"Sure, Saurabh. Power is present in a warrior or hidden in a slave, and so is time. The only way to make time and power effective is to utilise them at the right level. Hence, a warrior seeks it at war and a slave for the wage. Time and power are intertwined. They both stay in our past, present, and future. As the dezaeh goes, it diminishes its vigor. If we don't know how to handle them well, it can turn fatalistic. Unused time and refused power can never be a pleasing gift. Once failed, they never return."

Saurabh raised his eyebrows to touch his forehead in amusement. "You got it! This is what you must focus on."

"But how, Saurabh? Both may fit your riddle, but they differ on a strong aspect. Especially, power is something that we can control, but time is something that controls us."

"If you combine them and use them well, even the inane things will become sane."

Rominia pondered over those words again for some time, and the moment she tried to connect them, she understood them. A smooth sigh transpired all over her bated breath. At last, she had acquired whatever she anticipated. With a new vibrance seeding an immense faith in her, she paid her respects to Saurabh and decided to get ready to do her duties.

At last, she was relieved of her bundle of nerves that had been triggered by so many impulses to explode. At last, she could feast her eyes on a clear vision over the blurring focus. At last, she gripped her balance once and for all.