The Doctor
"Wow…!" Arjuna glanced at the seemingly never-ending wall.
Each section of the walls seemed to reach the sky. They were marked with golden linings, with red banners between each lining.
The gates stood open, bustling with life. The armored guards performed their checks on each carriage before permitting them entry.
As the carriage approached the gate, they were told to get off. In order to check if there was any contraband, they used a magic tool, similar to a metal detector.
While a guard inspects the carriage, the well-dressed man is pulled to the side. They wanted to check his identification, as well as documents relating to his stay in the capital.
"All of you guys are ready to go. Except him," the guard pointed at Arjuna.
The well-dressed man was flustered and gestured at Arjuna to come to him. Arjuna hesitated, unsure of what was happening.
The guard looked stern. "Where are your documents? This one only includes his family and the coachman."
"Uh…" Arjuna pats himself down.
Kunti dropped down from Arjuna's shoulder into his spatial bag. "Come here."
Arjuna swiftly moved into his spatial bag, where Kunti handed him a paper. It read "Special Entry Permission," signed and stamped with the royal family's seal.
"So be it," the guard allowed entry for everyone.
Once inside, Arjuna was bewildered. It was something he couldn't comprehend. He lived all his life in that quaint village, only seeing the outside world through his phone.
The architecture was a blend of old and new. There were stone buildings with arched windows and wooden balconies beside sleek structures with glass panels and intricate metalwork.
Narrow alleys twisted between tall buildings, while broad streets allowed carriages and carts to pass effortlessly.
Arjuna's eyes sparkled, bewitched by the sight in front of him. There were street performers all over.
Not far from the gate, people were busking, along with children running through the crowd. Along the way were street vendors that sold various things, from fabrics to raw meat.
"You wouldn't see this anywhere else," Kunti laid back down on his shoulder.
"It's like a different world," Arjuna smiled wider than ever.
Poci, awoken by the loud noise, peeked his head from the bag. "Too loud."
Arjuna chuckled softly. "How wonderful!" throwing his
The people beside him looked at him with concern, even some covering their kid's gaze. It was understandable as Arjuna was in the middle of the street.
"I like your energy," the well-dressed man patted Arjuna's back.
Arjuna rubbed his neck. "Haha…"
"This is where we split," the man put his hand in his pocket.
"Where are you going?" Arjuna asked curiously.
The man looked down at the ground with a glint in his eyes. "I've got some things to take care of,"
"Oh, alright. Good luck with that," Arjuna put forward his hand.
The man grabbed Arjuna's hand and shook it. "You too. Here's my business card; call me if you need help."
After the firm handshake, Arjuna found a card stuck in his palm. It had his name, "Dom Dustrang," and a number to call him. It had a stamp that said it was from the Dustrang Merchant Company. He left Arjuna soon after.
The initial awe of the capital's vibrant chaos settled, and Kunti poked Arjuna's left cheek. "Let's go; we're on borrowed time."
"Who?" Arjuna turned to Kunti on his shoulder.
Kunti looked at Arjuna in disbelief. "You're joking."
"Of course I am. Let's go," Arjuna chuckled.
Kunti was dumbfounded for a second and then began navigating. Arjuna followed her instructions and stumbled through crowded streets and dingy alleys.
Although he was inside a small alley, he could still hear the haggling and horses trotting, with the occasional shouting of the guards. Even someone talking from their home.
He passed through another wet market; his nose was hit with the intense aroma of spices mixed with raw meat.
He also noticed a herby smell. He looked at the distance and found several medical facilities, such as clinics, apothecaries, and herbal shops. The closer he got, the fresher the smell was.
The bustling market suddenly turned quiet as he entered the medical area. It was as if there were a barrier placed to prevent noise.
Arjuna eventually arrived in front of a modestly sized building, between a tea house and a bookstore. The sign outside only spelled the word "Clinic."
Arjuna looked skeptically at Kunti. "This is it?"
"Let us not judge a book by its cover," Kunti wagged her finger.
Arjuna pointed at the building. "The cover is a concrete building with 'clinic' spelled on it."
"Just go inside," Kunti pointed at the double-glass door.
Arjuna reluctantly went in, and a chime greeted him. The faint scent of disinfectant disoriented him. Nothing different was inside.
It was a standard clinic that you could find even in the countryside. Everything was the same, from the waiting rooms to the medical rooms.
A man looked sideways from the computer at the front desk. "Sorry about the disappointment,"
His eyes, ridden with black circles, met Arjuna's youthful gaze. Arjuna analyzed the man's appearance before offering a nod.
The man looked tidy but unkempt. His white coat was rolled up to his shoulder, the tie folded into his back, and ink stains riddled his fingers. His hair was a mess, and he was unshaven.
"Don't you think it's rude to stare so much, kid?" the man interrupted.
Arjuna, flustered. "Ah, sorry."
The man stood away from his desk. "You must be Arjuna."
Arjuna glanced at Kunti, who turned herself back. She floated and pounced on the man, hugging him tightly.
"I've missed you, doctor…!" she rubbed her face on his jagged beard.
"Me too..." the doctor patted her head, gesturing to Arjuna to sit down.
"So you're the doctor she's been hyping about?" Arjuna sat down on a chair.
"It seems so," the doctor said, with Kunti spinning herself on the doctor.