Ch-8: The Unlikely Savior

Hampura, a quaint village on the outskirts of Vidya, lay draped in a thick veil of fear and uncertainty. Karnasagar, a trusted aide of the king, arrived at the Mantri's residence with a contingent of soldiers. They were here under discreet orders from the king himself to ensure the safety of the Mantri and his family.

As Karnasagar and his soldiers approached the Mantri's abode, they were greeted by a heart-wrenching scene. The Mantri, who had once wielded considerable influence within the kingdom's court, was now on his knees, alongside his wife and their tearful, little daughter. The Mantri's son, stood nearby, his face etched with a mixture of fear and unwavering resolve.

Mantri: (pleading) "Please, we beg for your mercy! Spare our lives!"

Wife: (tearfully) "Our son is innocent! You mustn't take him away from us!"

Daughter: (sobbing) "He's just a boy! Don't punish him for something he didn't do!"

Karnasagar, a man of stern demeanor yet compassionate heart, raised his hand, signaling his soldiers to lower their weapons.

Karnasagar: (calmly) "Hold, my men. There has been a grave misunderstanding."

The Mantri, still on his knees, dared to look up, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing despair.

Mantri: (tentatively) "Misunderstanding? What do you mean?"

Karnasagar: "The true purpose of our presence here is not to inflict harm upon your family, but to safeguard it."

The Mantri's furrowed brow relaxed ever so slightly as he struggled to grasp this unforeseen twist of fate.

Mantri: (intrigued) "Safeguard? But why would the king be concerned about our welfare?"

Karnasagar, realizing the Mantri's inquisitiveness, chose his words with utmost care.

Karnasagar: "There are malevolent forces within the court, individuals who harbor ill intentions towards you and your family. The King, in his wisdom, wishes to ensure your safety."

The Mantri, a mind that had long been entangled in the complexities of court politics, began to entertain newfound ambitions.

Mantri: (contemplative) "His Majesty acknowledges me? Perhaps this is my opportunity to prove my worth."

In this moment, the Mantri appeared to have momentarily forgotten about the grave accusations of black magic that had hung over his son's head. Instead, his thoughts gravitated toward personal advancement, the prospect of ascending the ranks and enhancing his social standing.

Mantri (Inner Monologue): (With determination) 'Finally, fortune smiles upon us. The King's notice is a rare and precious opportunity, one that I must seize with both hands. Through our loyal service, we shall rise in rank and social standing, and I shall prove that our family is deserving of this honor. It is a chance to rewrite our destiny, and it is all thanks to my son and his unexpected actions that our name now reaches the King's ears.'

Mantri: (determined) "I shall guarantee the protection of our family, and I shall supply His Majesty with the arms he requires during this trying period of war."

Turning to his son, who had been released from room arrest, the Mantri declared:

Mantri: "You are no longer restrained, my son. Your actions have drawn the King's gaze upon us, and it is now our solemn duty to serve him with unwavering loyalty."

Vijay, his heart brimming with relief and gratitude for this unexpected turn of events, silently offered his thanks to the deities. In an era where even the faintest misstep against the king could spell doom for an entire family, the Mantri's newfound resolve had offered them a ray of hope. Yet, the cloud of suspicion still lingered, and the veracity behind the accusations of black magic remained shrouded in uncertainty.

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Vijay, relieved and grateful for the unexpected twist of fate, couldn't contain his eagerness to thank Karnasagar for their rescue and for the protection they now enjoyed from potential threats. However, he knew that before he could embark on such a mission, he had another pressing matter to attend to – his late lunch. The drama and tension had kept him away from his meal for far too long.

Inside their home, Vijay's mother, Malini, watched her son with a mix of sadness and distress. She had been deeply troubled by his ordeal during the period of room arrest, particularly the impact it had on his appetite. As he entered, she wasted no time in ensuring he wouldn't skip another meal.

Malini: (worried) "Vijay, my dear, you need to eat properly. Look at you, missing meals like this! It's not good for your health, especially with your constitution."

Without waiting for him to respond, she swiftly loaded a plate with food and, in an almost motherly, forceful manner, shoved a mouthful into his mouth.

Vijay: (muffled) "Mother, I appreciate your concern, but I'm perfectly fine. The food is delicious, as always."

Malini: (concerned) "You say that, but you've been through so much. What if your health deteriorates further? How will I ever find a suitable daughter-in-law if you keep causing trouble with your poor constitution?"

Vijay, slightly exasperated by his mother's relentless worries, tried to reassure her between bites.

Vijay: (smiling) "Mother, please, you worry too much. I promise to take better care of myself."

However, Malini was not easily swayed from her concerns about her son's well-being and his future prospects.

After finishing his lunch, Vijay prepared to leave the house to express his gratitude to Karnasagar. As he stepped outside, he came face to face with the village priest, a man as elderly as the father of the Mantri himself. The priest was in the midst of a lamentation about how the Mantri had abruptly left the puja midway, potentially incurring the wrath of the goddess.

Priest: (indignant) "How dare Vaishakhnandan abandon the puja like that? We may invoke the goddess's anger with such behavior!"

The Mantri, fully aware of the significance of the priest's words, reacted swiftly. He bowed low before the priest and, in a display of genuine remorse, clung to the elderly man's leg.

Mantri: (begging) "Forgive me, revered priest. It was a matter of great urgency that compelled my departure. I deeply regret any offense caused."

The priest, despite his initial anger, was known for his benevolence and quickly softened his stance. He began recounting, for what seemed like the thousandth time, a childhood story about being punished by his own guru. The Mantri, although accustomed to this tale, contorted his face but was bound by courtesy to listen patiently.

Meanwhile, Vijay seized the opportunity to discreetly slip away from the premises. He chuckled to himself, amused by the situation, and set off in the direction of the soldiers' tent, where Karnasagar awaited.