Map of Doon Valley

After an enlightening conversation with his master, Ranav decided to visit the old village chief, Tenali Raman, before returning home. The fresh, post-winter air was invigorating, and the villagers were starting some activities as people prepared for the new season. When he reached the chief's house, he found Tenali in the courtyard, tending to a small but neatly maintained garden.

Winter had left its mark, with patches of snow still dotting the garden. However, the chief had taken measures to preserve his plants. A temporary shelter had been built over the herbs, a practice common among those who could afford it. This ensured that even in the harshest months, valuable herbs survived the frost.

"Good morning, Chief!" Ranav greeted, stepping into the open courtyard.

Tenali straightened up, surprised but pleased to see him. "Good morning, Ranav! What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here so early. Is everything alright?"

Ranav smiled. "Everything's fine. I was at my master's place earlier and thought I'd drop by here it's been months since we last spoke."

Tenali chuckled warmly. "At least you remembered this old man. Come inside."

He led Ranav into the house, where they settled in the cozy lounge. The village chief called for tea, and as they waited, he inquired, "How are your parents? I haven't seen them in a while."

"They're doing well, just a bit bored staying indoors all winter," Ranav replied.

Tenali nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, yes, winter tends to do that. By the way, I have some news for you. Ganesh Deolalikar sent a message about your new house. A merchant from the county delivered a letter from him yesterday. He wants to know when you'd like to begin construction."

Ranav's eyes lit up. "I'd like to start as soon as possible! Winter is almost over, and the snow will melt in a few days. The sooner we begin, the better."

"That's good to hear," Tenali said. "But keep in mind, they'll need to transport building materials from the county. If the roads haven't been cleared of snow yet, there might be delays."

At that moment, a maid entered, placing a tray of steaming tea on the low table between them.

Tenali gestured toward the cups with a proud smile. "Try this tea, Ranav. I brought it back from the capital myself. It's one of the finest blends."

Ranav took a sip, savoring the rich, aromatic flavor. "This is excellent tea. Thank you, Chief."

"You're welcome," Tenali replied with a grin. "Now, about Ganesh's message… would you like me to include your reply in my letter to him, or would you prefer to send a separate one?"

Ranav shook his head. "There's no need for a separate letter. Including it in yours will be fine."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Actually, I need your help with something else. Do you have any maps of our village and the surrounding areas? I've never ventured far from the village, except for that one trip to the county. I'd like to understand our surroundings better before exploring further."

Tenali's expression grew serious. "You know we're on the border of the kingdom, right?"

Ranav nodded. "Yes. Our village is the last settlement before the Doon Valley. But the valley itself is within our kingdom, isn't it?"

"Not entirely," Tenali explained. "Only part of the valley lies within our borders. Come with me… I'll show you."

He led Ranav to his study, a room filled with shelves of books, scrolls, and other documents. At the center was a large table, its surface covered by a transparent glass sheet that protected a detailed map of the kingdom.

"This is the largest map of our kingdom I've been able to acquire," Tenali said, pointing to various points of interest. "Here's our village, right at the edge of the border. To the east is Duggada, another border village, and beyond that is the vast expanse of the Doon Valley."

Ranav leaned over the table, his eyes scanning the intricate details.

Tenali continued, "To reach the county, we have to pass through Anantum and Sankissa. As you can see, our village is nestled deep within the valley's edge. The actual valley starts here," he said, tracing a line along the map, "a vast lowland bordered by a long mountain range. The rains from the mountains drain into the valley, forming rivers that eventually flow into the Karnali River. This river meets the Tripathaga River at our kingdom's border."

Ranav listened intently, his mind piecing together the geographical layout.

"The valley is lush and fertile," Tenali added. "Wild animals and magical beasts thrive there, but they rarely venture into our area because the valley provides everything they need. That's why our village enjoys relative peace compared to other border settlements."

Jessica's voice echoed in Ranav's mind. "Ranav, I'm taking control of your body. I need to touch the map to copy it into the library."

Without hesitation, she took control, subtly lifting the glass and touching the map. Once the transfer was complete, she relinquished control.

"I'll try to touch as many scrolls and books as possible while we're here," Ranav thought.

Tenali, oblivious to the exchange, moved to a shelf filled with scrolls. "Let me show you some maps I've collected over the years."

While the chief rummaged through the scrolls, Ranav casually wandered to a nearby shelf containing handbound books and notebooks. Acting quickly, he touched each item, his movements so fluid they seemed natural. By the time Tenali returned with three scrolls, Ranav was back at the table, looking as though he hadn't moved.

"This scroll," Tenali said, unrolling the first map, "was created by the Hunters Association. It marks areas near our border populated by beasts. If you ever plan to venture into the woods, copying this map would be wise."

He opened the second scroll. "This one I compiled myself, based on information from herb collectors who use our village as a starting point to reach the White Mountain Range. It's a bit crude… I'm no artist… but it shows the safer routes into the mountains."

Finally, Tenali unrolled the third scroll. "This is a map of the Doon Valley. I inherited it from my grandfather, and it's incredibly detailed. It shows the terrain, mountains, and even areas where valuable herbs grow. This map is a family heirloom, so I can't part with it, but if you ever lead a team into the valley, I'd be happy to send a team you. Helping my family put this map to good use would mean a lot to us."

Jessica's voice brimmed with excitement in Ranav's mind. "Oh my Gods! Is this the Doon Valley? It's so detailed!"