Arya rose, gripping his sword as he moved out of his chambers. He called for the servants, ordering them to gather the men for a search party.
Kalanemi rushed through the corridors, his expression urgent. "Master Arya! There's a group of fifty men ready and awaiting your command!"
Yatnish stood nearby, observing everything in silence. As Arya and Rudra prepared to join the search, Kalanemi stepped forward, his concern evident. "Master, you are not thinking of going yourself, are you?"
Arya shot him a sharp look but did not reply.
Kalanemi pressed on, his voice firm. "Master, listen to me. Do not go out in the dark after Raghav. You must understand—you are one of the most powerful men in Bhuva Mandala. This is not something you should risk yourself for. We have men for this kind of work. Consider your safety."
Arya hesitated for a moment. Rudra glanced between them, uneasy with Kalanemi's words. From a distance, Yatnish gave Arya a slow nod of agreement.
After a moment of contemplation, Arya relented. "Go," he ordered his men. "Bring Raghav back."
Rudra clenched his jaw, clearly displeased. Arya placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "If they don't find him by dawn, I will send the entire army."
Rudra said nothing and turned away, leading the search party into the night. Arya remained behind, pacing anxiously. Kalanemi tried to console him, while Yatnish continued to watch, his expression unreadable.
As the men left, Ashvapati entered. Arya approached him and explained the situation. Ashvapati listened calmly before speaking. "There are not many in this city who would dare harm Pit Master's close ones. Think rationally before acting rashly."
Kalanemi nodded approvingly. Arya, however, was not at ease. A nagging feeling told him something was wrong.
Meanwhile, Rudra and the soldiers moved quickly, arriving at the spot where he and Raghav had parted ways. Following the same trail, they pushed deeper into the night. A few soldiers split off to search in different directions, while the whisperers of Chorpatta had already scouted ahead and reported that there was no immediate danger along the path. With this reassurance, the search pressed forward at an even faster pace.
Two whisperers soon spotted the mystery men. They were hastily packing their belongings, their movements were tense and quick. They, too, feared they had been followed. The whisperers remained hidden, watching closely.
Then, out of nowhere, a lone figure stepped into the clearing. The mystery men immediately drew their weapons, ready for a fight. But before they could react further, the stranger struck. Fast, deadly, and precise—one by one, the mystery men fell. Within moments, their bodies and the wooden boxes disappeared into the night, along with Raghav.
The whisperers, stunned by what they had witnessed, quickly relayed the information to Rudra.
Back at the palace, as the night neared its end, Arya could no longer sit idle. He prepared to leave himself, his resolve strengthening. Ashvapati stepped forward. "If you must go, then I will accompany you."
Kalanemi sighed in relief at this. He knew Arya would not be deterred, but at least Ashvapati's presence would provide some measure of protection.
As dawn approached, the search party reached the edge of a brook. They searched the area but found no signs of the attackers or the missing cargo. Instead, they discovered Raghav lying unconscious near the water.
Rudra rushed to him and carefully lifted his battered form. Without wasting a moment, he sent word back to Arya.
When Arya received the message, he sank into his chair, exhaling deeply. Relief washed over him, but worry still gnawed at his mind.
At sunrise, the search party returned. Raghav was placed in a secure chamber, where the Vaidyas attended to his injuries. Rudra walked past Arya without a word, his expression cold. He did not stop, did not acknowledge him—he went straight to Raghav's side.
Arya watched, understanding Rudra's anger. He had chosen not to go. He had allowed caution to dictate his actions. But had it been the right choice?
The day moved forward, life in the city seemingly returning to normal. But beneath the surface, the questions remained.
Who were those men? What was in those boxes? Who had killed them and taken everything, including Raghav?
Rudra, sitting beside his unconscious brother, was trying to search for answers. His mind swirled with these unanswered questions. And then, Arya entered the room.