THE PATH OF FORGIVENESS WITHIN ENMITY
Tejgarh – Evening
Agni stood in the palace gardens, his gaze fixed on the sun bleeding into the western horizon. For days, a strange unease had clung to him, a feeling like the scent of danger on a still wind. He hadn't seen Akshay all day, which was unusual. Akshay had become the anchor of his routine—morning meditation, afternoon councils, evening walks in this very garden.
He turned his steps towards the palace's western wing, where Akshay's chambers were. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, Akshay sat by the window, his eyes fixed vacantly on the darkening sky. There was dust on his clothes, and on his right palm, a dried, scabbed-over scratch.
Agni (Voice laced with concern): "Akshay, where were you? I haven't seen you since morning. I looked for you in the court as well."
Akshay turned slowly, as if emerging from deep thought. His eyes held a deep weariness, and something else he seemed to be trying to hide.
Akshay (With a faint, hollow smile): "Ah, Agni. My mind was restless. I went for a ride outside the palace—through the forest trails. I was… remembering Father."
Agni (Taking a step closer, relieved): "That's good, my friend. It's important to find moments of peace."
But Agni's sharp eyes caught the detail Akshay missed. The scratch on his hand wasn't from a careless stumble. Its edges were too straight, like from a sharp stone or a tool. And the dust on his tunic wasn't the fine palace dust; it was the coarse, dark soil from the deep woods.
Agni (Voice growing more serious): "What happened to your hand? This scratch…"
Akshay (Quickly pulling his hand back): "It's nothing, friend. I slipped while walking. Scraped it on a rock."
Agni didn't press, but the seed of doubt was planted. He saw the tension in Akshay's shoulders, the way he avoided direct eye contact. "Just… take care of yourself, friend. You are important to me… to this kingdom."
Akshay merely nodded, a heavy silence hanging between them. Agni lingered for a moment longer before turning to leave. The moment the door clicked shut, Akshay let out a long, shaky breath. He stood up quickly, poured a glass of water from a jug, and drank it down in hurried gulps, as if his throat was parched—or as if he was trying to wash away an invisible poison.
---
Nilagarh – The Solitude of Night
Neer sat alone in his chamber. The flame of a single oil lamp danced across his face, casting long shadows that seemed to hold the ghosts of his memories. He closed his eyes, and an image bloomed instantly—Queen Vaibhavi, standing in the palace kitchen, a tray of sweets in her hands, that gentle, loving smile on her face.
Neer (Whispering, his voice carrying the break of a child): "Mother… why did you leave me…? You said you would always be with me, so why did you go?"
His eyes snapped open, scanning the room—the gold-embroidered throne, the velvet curtains, the swords mounted on the walls, the pearl necklaces scattered on the table. Symbols of a kingdom he never asked for.
Neer (Voice thick with emotion): "I don't want this kingdom, this wealth, this gold, this palace… I just want you back. Just bring back that day when I returned from Gurukul… you were standing at the gates, tears in your eyes… you cooked my favorite food with your own hands… you shielded me from Father's scolding when I misbehaved… you tucked me in at night with your love… Motherrr… why did you go?"
His voice trembled. He buried his face in his hands, and his shoulders began to shake with silent sobs. The lamp's flame flickered in sympathy, a tiny companion in the vast darkness of his grief.
---
Tejgarh – The Next Morning, Dawn
Akshay found Agni in the eastern pavilion, practicing his sword forms at sunrise. Agni's blade flashed in the air, each strike containing a controlled fury and a deep-seated pain.
Akshay (His voice held an unusual heaviness): "Friend Agni, stop. I have… grievous news."
Agni halted, his chest heaving, sweat gleaming on his brow. He took in Akshay's face—it held a sorrow deeper than ordinary grief.
Agni (Catching his breath): "What is it, friend? Your face…"
Akshay (Looking down, struggling to form the words): "It's… it's Neer."
Agni (Stepping forward swiftly): "What about Neer? What happened to Neer?"
Akshay (Voice dropping to a near-whisper, as if he himself couldn't believe the truth): "Neer's mother… Queen Vaibhavi… she has passed. In a lion attack."
The words hung in the air. Agni's face went deathly pale, as if all the blood had frozen in his veins. His sword slipped from his grasp and clattered loudly on the marble floor.
Agni (Lips trembling, voice utterly devoid of emotion): "What… Neer's mother is dead?"
Akshay (Nodding, eyes moist): "Yes, friend. The news is confirmed."
Then, the dam within Agni broke. He fell to his knees, and a wail tore from his chest—suffocating, broken, saturated with a guilt so profound it was paralyzing.
Agni (Weeping, words shattering): "What is happening to us, friend… what curse has befallen us both… whose curse is this? First my father… then my mother… then your father… and now Neer's mother… This is a curse… this is the consequence of the curse we uttered on that battlefield…"
Akshay (Kneeling beside him, a hand on his shoulder): "Hold yourself together, friend. It is not a curse, it is fate."
Agni (Looking up, his eyes burning with a desperate resolve): "We have to… we have to go to him, Akshay. He will have no one left now. He will need support, friend, he will need someone… he is alone… utterly alone…"
Akshay (Firmly, but with deep worry): "Control yourself, friend, get a hold. Going there is not wise right now. Do you understand? The people of Nilagarh see you as…"
Agni (Stood up, a fanatical glint in his eyes): "I know nothing of wise and unwise, Akshay. We must go to Neer. He must be shattered… we cannot abandon him…"
Akshay (Raising his voice): "No, friend, we cannot go! Understand! The people of Nilagarh hold you responsible for their Maharaj's death! Your face there is not a symbol of apology, but of vengeance! They will not let you leave alive!"
Agni (A strange calm settled on his face, as if he had made his final decision): "Then so be it. We are prepared to fight them too, but we will go. If I must die, I will die before his eyes… perhaps only then he can forgive me."
Akshay (Letting out a long, resigned sigh): "Alright, friend… but I will come with you. For your safety. And perhaps… to help your words reach him."
Agni merely nodded and walked towards his chambers—his steps heavy, but his resolve unshakeable.
---
Early Morning – At the Border of Nilagarh
The sun had not yet fully risen. A thin veil of mist hung over the forest. In a plain, unmarked carriage sat Akshay and Agni. Agni was draped in a simple sari, the pallu carefully arranged to cover most of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. He was in the disguise of a woman—a desperate gambit that could save his life or plunge him into deeper peril.
At the border checkpoint, Nilagarh soldiers halted the carriage. Akshay leaned out of the window.
Soldier (Bowing respectfully): "Prince Akshay! A pleasure to see you. But this…"
His eyes fell on the 'woman'.
Akshay (In a calm tone): "My wife. I am here on a personal visit."
The soldier hesitated, but he recognized Akshay. He nodded and let the carriage pass.
The journey to the palace was made in heavy silence. Agni's eyes scanned the landscape of Nilagarh through the window—the same mountains, the same river, the same trees… yet everything looked altered, as if the entire kingdom had been painted in the grey hues of mourning.
At the palace gates, the guards recognized Akshay. Their gaze flickered to Agni but they remained silent—perhaps truly believing him to be Akshay's wife.
Guard: "Prince, your friend is here to see you."
Neer (Voice from inside, tired): "Bring them in."
The door opened. Akshay and Agni entered. The chamber was semi-dark, curtains drawn. Neer sat in a chair, papers scattered on the table before him, but his eyes were not on them; they were fixed on a point of emptiness.
Akshay turned and closed the door behind them, sliding the bolt shut.
Neer (Standing up, brow furrowed): "What are you doing, friend? Why lock the door? And…"
His gaze settled on the 'woman'. He tilted his head slightly, confused for a moment.
Neer: "Who is this woman? Did you get married? And why this secrecy?"
Akshay (Calm, but with an undercurrent of urgency): "Friend, keep your voice down and do not make a sound."
Neer (Growing more perplexed): "But what is happening? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Then, Agni slowly lifted the pallu from his head. The mist cleared. Neer's eyes widened—first in disbelief, then in shock, then in a wave of intense anger that flushed his face red.
Neer (Taking a step back, voice a mix of astonishment and wrath): "Agni! You… what are you doing here? How did you get here? Who dared to bring you?"
Akshay (Stepping between them): "Calm down, friend, calm down. Let me explain everything, but first you must be quiet."
A guard's voice came from outside: "Prince, is everything alright?"
Neer (Controlling his voice, though his eyes remained locked on Agni): "Yes, all is well."
The sound of footsteps receded. Neer stepped closer to Agni, stopping directly in front of him. His eyes held not just anger, but a deep, burning pain.
Neer (Voice shaking, words like sharpened blades): "How dare you come here? Are you happy now!? Have you seen the result of your actions? You took everything from me, Agni, everything! First Father, now Mother… are you satisfied?"
Agni (Voice so soft it was almost a whisper): "No, Neer… forgive me."
Neer (Laughing, a bitter, broken sound): "Forgive? You did everything, and I received the punishment. I lost both my parents. I begged you so many times that war wasn't necessary—'Agni, stop! Let's find a solution through talk!' But you didn't listen to a single word! And then you turned my father to ash… to ash! Your fire made him into cinders!"
His legs gave way. He sank to his knees as if his bones had dissolved. Agni moved instantly, lifting him and guiding him to sit on the edge of the bed. Akshay offered a glass of water, but Neer knocked it away. The glass shattered on the floor, water spraying.
Agni (Tears streaming down his face, carving paths through the dust of his journey): "Forgive me, Neer. I know I am not worthy of forgiveness… but I did not do any of it intentionally. It happened… I don't know how… but forgive me, Neer, please forgive me. My soul burns with this guilt every moment…"
Neer (Shouting, a note of near-madness in his voice): "Will your begging bring my father back, Agni? Speak! Will your tears resurrect him? Can your pained voice bring my mother back?"
Agni stood with his head bowed, his back slightly bent as if the weight of Neer's every word was pressing him down. His lips moved, but no sound came. His silence was the loudest answer.
Neer (Grabbing Agni's shoulder, shaking him): "Why are you silent, Agni? Speak! Will forgiving you bring them back?"
Akshay (Stepping between them, separating them): "Neer, get a hold of yourself! Don't let anger blind you! Look, Agni came here—risking everything, his very life—just to ask for your forgiveness! What was destined has happened. Now forgive Agni, friend."
Neer (Laughing through his tears): "Forgive? How can I forgive him, Akshay? You know how much it hurts here…"
He thumped his fist against his chest.
Akshay (Becoming grave, his voice taking on a new, logical, peace-seeking tone): "Friend, listen. Your ancestors harbored enmity, but now both of you are effectively the rulers of your respective kingdoms. If you wish, you can turn this enmity into friendship. You can bring prosperity to both kingdoms together. This will lighten the burden on both your hearts, and end the hostility between the two lands. Perhaps… perhaps this is the path that will bring peace to the souls of your parents as well."
Neer (Shaking his head in disbelief): "What are you saying, Akshay? Do you realize what you're suggesting?"
Agni (Looking up, a spark of new possibility in his eyes): "Yes, Akshay, what kind of suggestion is this? Do you truly think it's possible?"
Akshay (Looking at them both): "Friends, I know this suggestion is difficult, but in this situation, neither of you can rule effectively alone, nor can you end the enmity between the kingdoms. Therefore, this is the only appropriate suggestion right now. Neer, I am not pressuring you. You can consult your ministers on this matter as well. Their and your decision will give this suggestion a new direction."
A deep silence fell over the chamber. Neer looked at Agni—his eyes no longer held rage, but a deep exhaustion and an impossible question. Agni looked at Neer—his eyes held guilt, and a tiny, fragile hope.
Neer (Softly, a hint of decision in his voice): "Alright… I will speak to the Grand Minister about this matter."
Agni (Looking directly into Neer's eyes, voice humble and pleading): "Neer, I ask for your forgiveness from the bottom of my heart. Please forgive me, if you can. And… if this path is truly possible, then I am ready."
Akshay (Letting out a breath of relief): "Friend, we must leave now. Whatever your decision, send us a message."
Agni took one last look at Neer—a glance that held a decade of friendship, the tragedy of a war, and perhaps, the hope of a new beginning. Then he drew the pallu back over his head and slipped out of the chamber with Akshay as silently as they had come.
As the door closed, Neer remained standing—a storm of emotions raging within him. Then, slowly, he walked to his desk and summoned a servant.
Neer (Voice carrying a new, firm resolve): "Call a council tomorrow at dawn. All ministers and the Grand Minister must be present."
The servant bowed and left. Neer looked out the window—the carriage was disappearing in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust. His eyes held no more tears, only a deep, contemplative stillness. Perhaps, just perhaps, Akshay's suggestion was the path that could bind not just two kingdoms, but two broken souls.