02

After days of travelling, they were back in the Pahrya's main kingdom. The servants rushed about in the palace grounds in preparation for the feast. That would take time since it was only evening. So Karma sat down with a group of army men as they ate rice snacks. He enjoyed their company, especially during wars, their passionate and jovial talking.

Karma was laughing and telling about that one time an enemy grabbed his pants down, when someone's shadow fell inside the room. It was Druva. He looked troubled as he called Karma outside.

"Where is Ahinara?" Druva asked.

"Isn't he with the king?" Karma asked. "Having a council meeting?"

"No."

"Oh." That was weird.

"He must be with that monk again, listening to his preaching," Druva said. "He even missed today's ceremony to thank Rosani for victory and safe journey. Teacher Aryasita was furious. He suspects Ahinara has become a heretic."

"What? No way!" Karma said, gesturing with his hand to calm down. "Ahi will never do something like that. Have more faith in your cousin."

"Always so confident…" Druva's words lingered. He nodded to the room behind. "Why do you hang out with the common soldiers so much? They are peasant-born."

Karma shrugged. "I don't care about class. They are nice men."

"There, you are acting like Ahinara. That monk's preaching is getting to you too."

"I've never gone near that baldo," Karma hissed.

Druva rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I will go and calm teacher down. You fetch Ahinara."

--

The sky grew dark when he reached the small dome-shaped building on the outskirts of the city. But the air was still hot and damp as the day. This was a monastery of men who preached godless classless life. What did they make of the life, he wondered, when they had discarded everything?

Inside was a large room with a door to another at the end, where the monks lived perhaps. Two people sat here on their folded knees, lit by torches on the wall.

The younger man was lost in thought. He looked like a traveller with long braided hair and a black cloth wrapped over his chest. Only his violet silk langotti gave away that he was a royal. His crown decorated with mayastone laid discarded near the entrance where Karma stood.

The older man was bald and wore a large black robe. His face had a look of calm observation. He was speaking quietly.

"-are forgiven as your circumstance cannot be helped. You did not wish to cause harm to others. But the more deaths you will accumulate, the grimmer your soul will grow."

"I want to be free," Ahinara said, sounding weak and tired. "I want to achieve freedom from this terrible cruel world. What should I do?"

The monk, he was called Mahasita or something, rested one arm on Ahinara's shoulder and said, "Strive towards the Guided One. You have to take the necessary steps before this world consumes you."

Karma knocked on the entrance and the two turned.

He was playing with Ahinara's crown like a ball as he walked further in. "Here you are! You are keeping everyone waiting at the palace."

Ahinara's expression toughened. He nodded, stood up, walked toward Karma who tossed the crown in his hand. Mahasita walked behind.

"I am delighted to find you at my humble monastery, brave warrior," Mahasita said.

"Me too," Karma said with a glare. "I am not sure about the delighted part though."

"Enough," Ahinara said, patting Karma's shoulder to follow him.

The two made their back to the palace grounds.

Okay, so Karma was not the cleverest man in the world but he couldn't be that blind. That monk had a total grasp on Ahinara! How did he not see this before? Karma felt worried.

Ahinara had grown with Karma and Druva after their teacher Aryasita discovered Karma in the village and chose him among his students.

As a child, Ahinara was not as big and strong as other warriors. His timidity compelled him to hide in the queen's quarters when other boys bullied him. Teacher saw this and made Karma swear an oath to protect the heir to the throne with his life.

Today he was a powerful prince everyone could not help but follow. Karma had seen how. Ahinara had ideals for himself and for everyone he led. This was the most honourable thing Karma had seen. He did not fight for riches and power, he fought for Ahinara's ideals.

Yet… he did not understand this man before him.

"Ahi, what is going on with you?" Karma said, jogging up to Ahinara.

"Nothing." Ahinara kept pacing away.

"You are like a brother to me," Karma said. "I know you are not the type to do something on a whim. If something is bothering you then talk to me. We will solve it together."

Those last words finally broke Ahinara's speed. He turned around with a sigh. "I am just… tired today. Let's talk later. "

Karma heaved a sigh of relief. "I am holding onto you for that."

--

The palace was built like a mountain range made of stones. Ahinara and Karma were climbing the long series of stairs when they spotted Aryasita and Druva discussing something on the end.

Aryasita finished saying something and looked down. Despite being a priest-born, he looked powerful and like a warrior. Aged white hair covered him in a long beard and mane hanging over his back. He wore white langotti. He stood with his hand clasped behind and stared disapprovingly at Ahinara.

He looks like an angered god, Karma thought. That moment, lamp fire picked up the wind and raged in the air.

Ahinara did not greet him, merely regarded him coldly and continued climbing the stairs.

"Were you with the savage's monk again?" Aryasita demanded.

"I-"

"We were at the mango orchard," Karma interrupted. "It had been so long. We lost track of time."

Aryasita weighed Karma's words for a moment as he studied them. Then laughed. "You boys haven't changed. Come, the meeting is over but I will brief you."

Inside was the main hall with the king's chair. Several empty cots and chairs laid around it. The king was still there. When Ahinara went to greet him, he hugged in return. "Here is my son! The gods couldn't have blessed anyone with a better heir than you. I have heard all about your victories.

"And Karma! The great warrior of Pahrya and most loyal friend of my son. Our achievement would have been very little without your strength."

"Thank you," Karma said, beaming.

"The king and I have been discussing your future, Ahinara. The raining season will come soon and the south will be lush with the crop. We must contest land there," Aryasita said.

"More bloodshed," Ahinara whispered.

"If they refuse to cooperate."

"But not without you getting married this time," the king interrupted. "I've noticed you are not paying attention to your fiancée, son. Were the girls in the war camps that good?" He laughed meaningfully.

Ahinara had not looked in the girls way actually. Unlike Druva who often played around among the flirty servers. Even the girls sighed, waiting to catch his eyes.

"You too, prince Druva and Karma. You should be settling down with a pretty wife by now."

"Err." Karma scratched his head. The truth was, whenever he looked at the girls – noble or peasant – their shy teasing stares, their giggling over everything he did, their dull talks. He failed to maintain interest. He wanted a connection. Someone like…

"There is something else I have been meaning to discuss, Ahinara." The king's voice was serious. "I am thinking of turning the kingship to you."

"Father, why!" Ahinara exclaimed. Karma gaped.

"It would be more convenient for the empire if you have full control. I have seen your skills in leading. It is the right time. I have grown old too."

Ahinara stood in silence, digesting it. He was the only child of the king, after years he had been trying to have one.

"Don't worry, your teacher Aryasita will stay by your side guiding you. I will make the declaration during the feast. Be present. Now excuse me, I must look to the preparations. Nephew, accompany me."

Druva glanced at Karma before leaving with the king. For years they had been fighting over who Ahinara would choose to be his commander-in-chief. The highest position next to the king.

"Now," Aryasita said, "tell me the truth, boy. Why do you keep that monk's company so much?"

Ahinara's jaw was tight. His muscle tense.

"As an emperor, I must listen to my people. Some of our subjects follow the Guided One's teaching. Mahasita is the most influential monk," Ahinara said, his speech sounded rehearsed.

"Is that it? Good," Aryasita said moving about the courtroom with hands clasped behind. "They are nothing but barbarians jeopardising the system of our society. I plan for Karma to deal with them tonight."

Ahinara's eyes widened. He bent down and started laughing. The sound echoed uncomfortably through the hall. When he stopped and looked up, his face was contorted in pure rage.

"Enough," he growled. "Why is it that every solution to keep this empire is death of innocent men?"

"They are not innocent to reject the will of goddess Rosani. She has gifted us mayastone to rule this world and shape it to a better place. Bring barbarians out of the wilderness and civilize them," Aryasita said and glared. "Has that monk made you forgot your purpose?"

"What about you?" Ahinara said. "Priest-born are supposed to guide man from destruction toward peace. Instead, you led the warriors loose in the field to kill. All because you all thirst after mayastone."

"You warriors merely fulfil your purpose to Rosani," Aryasita said. "There is nothing more honourable than you to fight for this empire. Then after you die, you will be achieve-"

"Lies!" Ahinara shouted. "Lies! You can say this to please other murderers. But you cannot fool me anymore. Rosani is merely a lie to fool people in thinking they serve a purpose in obeying you."

Aryasita's sneered. "So you have finally said what is in your heart. I knew it! After all my teaching and guiding you for every moment you needed me, you thank me with this? I will not stand you a heretic, even if I have to have you killed," he declared.

Ahinara looked down, stung. He stayed silent, remembering his teacher's help.

"I am sorry but," Ahinara whispered, "I cannot go on causing grief and destruction and pretend this is for good anymore." Then he said with more determination, "After I am crowned king, you will be moved to a village. You can choose the destiny to suit yourself. Teach their children to better men in life. Your place is not beside the throne."

"I-" Their teacher looked shocked, humiliated. But he composed himself. "I understand."

With this Ahinara turned to leave.

Karma had been seeing this exchange in stunned silence. He snapped himself out of it and dashed after the prince. "Wait!"

Ahinara ignored him and sped down the stairs. "I said wait!" Karma called out. He blocked the prince as soon as they reached the ground and was surprised to find a pained expression on his face.

"Why did you do that for?!" Karma burst out.

"I told you we will talk later. Go and enjoy the feast. I am going to meet my mother in her apartments. You have no business there." Ahinara slipped beside him.

"No, you have to tell me now," Karma said, following. "You have gone mad, treating our teacher like that! He cared for us, Ahi. And you framed something terrible in return."

Ahinara continued to ignore him and walked in silence.

"I will fight you," Karma said. "Until you speak."

"Stop being a simple-minded brut and use your brain for a change."

"I trusted you for that."

Ahinara sighed. They had reached the building where noble women resided. Some servant girls spotted them as they passed by and giggled in excitement. He finally turned back.

"Aryasita or me. You will have to choose one now. Hopefully you choose him. Because I am going to lose."

"What do you mean?" Karma asked. Now that he noticed it, it was not pain on his face. It was trouble, confusion, hopelessness, resignment. He wanted to know badly why Ahinara was acting this way. He wanted to know what to say to make him open his heart and speak.

"Oh," a feminine voice spoke. "If it isn't my lovely husband-to-be."

"Helen?" Ahinara said to the tall young woman who appeared out of nowhere.

Karma's heartbeat quickened. Ahinara's greek betrothed. She wore a white chiton and tied her red hair back. Her pale yellow skin brought out the green colour of her eyes. She was as beautiful and exotic as Karma remembered her to be. And each of her step toward them chased away the heaviness from the air.

"Hey," Ahinara said. "We finally meet."

"Here I thought you were intentionally hiding from me," Helen said, studying him. "What's with the gloom on your face?"

"Tired. I will see some other time." Ahinara began to walk away but Helen stopped him.

"Oh, I know why…." she said and smirked. "You got scolded from your father!"

"No- What?" Ahinara said incredulously.

"The king had heard all about the naughty things his son did while he was away. And as soon as he returned, he burst into a good long lecture about behaving yourself," she said. "It's okay. I can understand the temptation."

Karma watched as Ahinara looked flustered.

"You should not worry your father like that," Helen said, pointing up a finger wisely. "But who am I to advise that? Just recently my philosophical pursuits made me follow a wet-nurse all the way to her home in a remote area. Father thought I got kidnapped."

This time Karma choked down his laugh.

"Why were you- nevermind," Ahinara said. "I am actually tired, Helen. I just came here to see my mother."

"Fine. You are dismissed. I was heading for the feast."

"Don't go alone. Take Karma with you."

'Nice excuse,' Karma thought.

She eyed Karma for the first time, "Alright my new bodyguard. Follow me."