Ch-5: Shadows of Suspicion

As the Mantri and his family returned to their palace, a heavy silence hung in the air. The injured workers, although grateful for Vijay's unconventional treatment, couldn't shake the fear that had taken root in their hearts. The experiment had defied their understanding of medicine, and the physician's accusations of black magic had sowed the seeds of doubt.

Upon their arrival home, the Mantri, his face etched with concern and determination, ordered that Vijay be placed under room arrest. Despite the pleas and protests from his wife, he stood firm in his decision. The accusation of black magic was a grave one, and he believed that isolating Vijay was the only way to protect his family from potential repercussions.

In the confines of his room, Vijay's thoughts raced. He knew that the situation had taken a perilous turn, and his actions to help the injured workers had inadvertently placed his family under possible danger.

The discussion in the household began with his older brother Rudra theorizing about the root cause of Vijay's involvement in the alleged black magic. "Perhaps," he mused, "his constitution has always been poor, making him susceptible to such dark practices."

Vijay's little sister named Shruti, initially on her brother's side, voiced her agreement with her older brother but quickly fell silent under the weight of their father's stern gaze and the disapproving looks from their older sister.

The older sister named Nandini, her expression clouded with resentment, recalled a past incident from four years ago. "I always knew there was something off about him," she declared, her voice laced with bitterness. "Four years ago, when our brother's health worsened, the old physician came, the one different from the current one. He brought along his new apprentice, young and handsome."

Her voice trembled as she continued, "I fell in love with the apprentice, but after a few weeks, he contracted an incurable disease and died. I couldn't bear the loss, and it made me resent our brother. Now, with these accusations, I can't help but think he had something to do with it."

As she recounted her past, a sense of foreboding settled over the family. The room arrest of Vijay, the accusations of black magic, and the dark shadows of suspicion threatened to tear them apart. The fate of the Mantri's family now hung in the balance, and the past and present were intertwined in a web of uncertainty.

Adding to their unease, the physician, who had accused Vijay of black magic, could be seen from the palace gates, his presence a stark reminder of the brewing storm that threatened to engulf them all.

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As the physician made his way into the palace, his connections with the royal physician opened doors to a world that left him utterly stunned. The scale of the palace was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Its sprawling expanse could easily accommodate a hundred thousand people for extended periods. Over a thousand rooms, each adorned with intricate, mesmerizing architecture, whispered tales of a bygone era.

The palace itself was a masterpiece, an architectural marvel that seemed to defy the laws of gravity and aesthetics. Towering columns reached toward the heavens, their surfaces etched with elaborate carvings that told stories of ancient glory. The grandeur of the palace was matched only by its impregnability, with armed guards stationed at every entrance, swords and spears gleaming in the sunlight.

As the physician entered the palace, he felt like an insignificant speck in the grand tapestry of history. The sheer magnificence of the place left him breathless, and he couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden within its walls.

Presented in the opulent court of the King, the physician found himself surrounded by the most influential figures in the Kingdom – the King himself and the sixteen esteemed ministers, merchants, physicians, generals, writers, and more. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air as he awaited the King's judgment, his heart pounding with uncertainty.

As the physician stood before the King, he addressed him with due respect, "Your Majesty," but soon his arrogance got the better of him. He began to exaggerate the situation, weaving a tale of black magic and mysterious spells. According to his account, the boy had used alcohol on the workers, and this unholy act had caused their wounds to vanish miraculously.

The King, intrigued and alarmed by this narrative, inquired further about the entire situation. He turned to his trusted advisors – the Senapati (General) and the Royal Physician – for counsel.

The Senapati, a stern and resolute figure, advised the king not to tolerate such heresy. He warned that it might be a ploy orchestrated by an enemy Kingdom to weaken their resolve. Even if it wasn't, the temple would not let such an act go unpunished, and the Kingdom could face the wrath of the goddess if they failed to take action.

The words of the Senapati sent shockwaves through the court, and the ministers voiced their concerns with a sense of urgency.

One minister declared, "This is an affront to our traditions and beliefs! We cannot let this go unchallenged."

Another added, "If we do not act swiftly, it may set a dangerous precedent. Our Kingdom's honor is at stake!"

A third minister exclaimed, "We must make an example of those involved to prevent any further transgressions."

The court was in chaos as the gravity of the situation began to sink in. Accusations of black magic within their own kingdom struck fear and disbelief into the hearts of those present.

Amidst the turmoil, the Royal Physician, known for his wisdom and calm demeanor, shared a remarkable personal experience. He had once gone to war in his early days, and during that time, he had witnessed an incident that forever changed his perspective.

He recounted the story: "In the heat of battle, three of my friends were mixing raw alcohol to fortify the soldiers. However, one of them, who later turned out to be a traitor, attempted to poison the mixture. Another friend saw through his treachery and blocked his attempt. In the scuffle that ensued, the traitor was stabbed.

"In his pain, he stumbled upon the very alcohol he had tried to poison. To my astonishment, when I later examined his wound, I found it had been disinfected by the alcohol. It was a revelation."

The court fell into a momentary hush as the Royal Physician's words hung in the air. The possibility of alcohol as a disinfectant challenged their long-held beliefs, and the court was divided between ancient superstitions and the prospect of a revolutionary discovery.