Sikva, the capital city of Kavish

When Dhruva was done with Arivu, only the little boy's mother and Arasu waited for him outside the house. His other two companions—Viswa and Dhandapani, Nakshathra and Arunya were nowhere to be seen. The ambience didn't sit well, he deduced by the tensed look on his friend's face. Arivu's mother however waited for him to tell her whether his attempt to feed the medication, a success or not.

"Arivu is a wonderful boy and he had taken his medication on his own, amma. Don't you worry anymore."

The mother smile in relief as she wiped her tears away. "Will you come again tomorrow?" she asked with hopeful eyes.

"I will, amma. As long as I am in Sikva, I will be here when it's time for Arivu to take his medication," assured Dhruva, holding the mother's hands between his. "Can I know, why Arivu needs this special care? He seems to be a strong boy."

Her head dropped in despair, "he has developed a weak heart, son. He often falls short of breath and weak. Kavi Devi found out the same from the physician during the arogyalaya camp and she had promised to take care and give him the best medication available so he could play and grow up like the other kids. I believe Kavi will heal my son." She beamed with a renewed hope.

Dhruva was however confused at the new name mentioned, he asked for clarification. "Who is Kavi, amma?"

"Devi Nakshathra, we call her Kavi," she replied. "I should check on Arivu. Thank you again, son. Bless you." She left them and rushed into her house.

"Kavi," he mouthed the endearment, silently. The respect and admiration he had on her grew as he learnt more about her. Then he realised her absences, he turned to Arasu. "Where are the rest?"

"Finding Nakshathra. She was with us and then all of a sudden, missing. The others have gone to look for her. Arunya said, Nakshathra wasn't doing well," Arasu filled him in as they marched out of the lane and to the main street.

After a long search, they found her sitting by the river absent-mindedly. When Dhruva and Arasu bumped onto the rest in the mid of their search, Arunya had suggested spots Nakshathra often visits and they had embarked to every place. The final spot was the riverside farthest from Arivu's house.

Dhruva requested to Arunya if he could go and talk to her. The latter stared quizzically questioning why, yet he left it unanswered and waited for her approval, simply because he had no answer. It was an impulse decision, he wanted to know what bothered the physician himself, perhaps.

After a thought, Arunya nodded and waited for them a little further under a tree with the rest of his guards.

He made his way to the lady sitting in a deep thought. Nakshathra was engrossed in her world of misery, he observed her creased forehead, a clenched fist pressed against her lips while another rested on her thigh and her doe eyes staring far.

"You are here and we have been searching for you everywhere in the city." He announced his presence in a merry tone. Dhruva sat on one of the many huge rocks by the riverside and dipped his feet into the cold stream.

She turned slowly regaining herself, a soft angelic smile spread across her face. "Did Arivu take his medicine like a good boy or did he made you run around too?" she asked as if she wasn't miserably distraught.

"All good for Arivu but what happened to you? You made the others worried of you. What if we needed you?"

"I kind of had the intuition, you'll make it and I was preoccupied with my own issues that I just walked away. I did not realise I came so far from Arivu's house. Sorry, I made you all worried."

"I did notice much earlier, you looked troubled. Is there something I can help you?"

"Oh, that's alright. I will work it out," she brushed it off. "Thank you for helping me with Arivu."

"The pleasure is mine." He dramatically bowed his head down.

They sat in a comfortable silence as the river cascaded through the rocky base, gurgling rhythmically. Far ahead were the laundresses washing clothes chatting and giggling. The cool breeze and shades of the huge trees soothed the mid-morning heat.

Dhruva's gaze fell on her feet submerged in the water, covering her anklets. Silver bells danced with the rush of the water, quite an enticing view, he fixed his gaze on them. He never had much fascination on little things as such but the anklets were a pretty sight.

He wondered if he was attracted to the anklets for its beauty or for it was worn by the person he begun to adore and respect. Whichever it was, the feeling of admiring felt new and beautiful. The water current grew stronger and the silver bells danced vigorously. Dhruva noticed one of the anklets had slipped out of its grip and holding on to the other. Before he could let her know, the pair of anklets drifted away from her. The prince did what he had to do, he quickly leaned forward to catch as the water carried the anklets rapidly down the stream.

The tinkling of the tiny bells caught her attention. "Dhruva!" She called seeing him almost fall into the river. Nakshathra too was quick on her feet to give him a hand. "What were you doing, Dhruva? Are you alright?" She asked pulling him back up.

He nodded with a laugh and settled back on the rock. "Your anklets," he held them up by the tip of the chains and let them dangle.

"Mine..." Nakshathra gasped and checked her feet. It was obvious, they won't be where they should be since its with Dhruva now. She scowled to herself in a mumble, "How careless?"

"I saw them drifting away from their clasp," he added while examining the ends of her anklets. They looked old and dull in colour with its designs close to vanishing, leaving only plain shapes of leaves connecting each other.

"Thank you. They belong to my Achi. They age, older than me. I should have been careful." Another dear attachment of her grandmother's that she never gave them to be fixed nor be cleaned afraid to be parted from it. Her gaze fell on the anklets in his hand.

"You are lucky, I had my eyes on them otherwise they would have been gone for good. Anyways, these are broken, let me get it fixed for you," he offered flashing his most charming smile.

His request seized her from refusing his help, "Well, I owe you two now."

Soon all six of them headed back to the city centre. Nakshathra although had not revealed what bothered her, she somehow let go of the disturbing thought. Her new friends were amazing, Dhandapani and Arasu were often after each other teasing and mocking with inside jokes while Viswa had to play the moderator role hushing them. Most all, they listen to Dhruva, the most composed of them all. He was so much more than she could decipher.

Gallops of horses close by stirred the interest of the group to catch a glimpse of the happenings. A number of guards led by a prince moved around patrolling the city. Dhruva found it to be the right opportunity to ask Nakshathra for her help. "It's an urgent matter and that is why we have actually come here for. But I'm afraid that I can't tell you now. I hope you can help us," he implored, knowing he had taken too much time.

"You think I can help you meet the prince because I am a known physician here?" She questioned with a surprise.

"You are well respected and seems to be from a noble family but if you can't, I'll find a way." He felt dejected, had he made her think he befriended her with an intention. That could have been his initial reason but it wasn't anymore, he thought.

**---****----****----**

The atmosphere in the ashram that now houses the Durja folks in disguise grew grimmer in the passing minutes of silence. A tall and heavily built man with a pair of introspecting eyes sat before Dhruva. The Durja prince shrunk in size in the presence of the man, towering him in height although they were seated. The meeting he had looked forward since long was finally arranged with the second prince of Kavish, Parthiban, courtesy to Nakshathra.

She had been kind and understanding when he had requested to get him meet the prince. Nakshathra did not pester for his reason behind his urgency yet subtly reminded him to let her know if the meeting turns out a success. He adored her maturity for respecting his privacy on the matter. It took him by wonder on how Nakshathra managed to convince the prince to have a meeting with him in a day? Were they friends or do they associate on daily basis since she was a physician? He couldn't guess however much he tried.

"You wanted to meet me. You mentioned it was urgent and persuaded Nakshathra to get a meeting with me. So, what it the urgency?" The prince asked, calmly.

Parthiban's quizzical gaze was nerve wracking, the usually confident Dhruva felt uneasily daunted under the prince's gaze. Nevertheless, bracing himself, Dhruva nodded in reply to Parthiban as his eyes followed the prince's hand. Although the view of Parthiban's waist and below was hidden under the table between them, Dhruva make out that the prince's hand held the hilt of his sword—ready to strike if need arise. A vigilant prince, he gathered.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dhruva Vinayakam, the crown prince of Durja."

Parthiban let himself absorb the information and slowly rose from his seat. "Durja?" he said, dangerously slow. "What are you doing here and what do you want?" He demanded calmly with a piercing stare. Briskly, Parthiban had his unsheathed sword pointed at the man before him. In a jiff, his thought shifted to Nakshathra yet seize it before he assumed further.

"I have come in peace not to fight, rajakumar. Please, sit down. I believe we have more important matter to discuss than to indulge in a duel. Though I would love to do a friendly combat with you, let's settle this first," Dhruva suggested.

"But you are the son of the king and queen of Durja who had sworn their enmity on us. Why would you be here for peace? Why are you here in the first place," countered Parthiban, studying for any underlying motive from Dhruva.

"I am the son of the Durja king but not the queen. My mother, the late queen Brinda was a princess of Haridra. That was how I acquired the seal of Haridra to enter your kingdom. But Maharani Kumudhavalli had long given up the resentment towards Kavish and requested the king to abort all plan that involve in attacking your land, these are her words. Well, I am here for a different issue all together, rajakumar." Dhruva's calm nature, serene brown eyes dissipated Parthiban's misgiving on the foreign prince for a moment.

"Yet, what is the assurance that maharani Kumudhavalli isn't deceiving everyone including you and have sent you on the pretext of other matter, perhaps as a spy?"

"I understand. Your doubt is genuine. Why don't you hear me out then decide for yourself?" Dhruva suggested.

Parthiban considered then nodded wryly, though the presence of Durja prince did not bring any chaos, he couldn't trust him completely either. Keeping his senses alert, he sat to hear the prince of Durja, his hand on standby with his sword.

"You must have been aware of the missing people in Kavish, don't you?" Dhruva began. He gained Parthiban's full attention, a look of recognition sparked in his eyes.

"Certainly, and what about it?" Parthiban had let go of his sword and crossed his arms

"I had a chance to meet some of them or say they had come to me seeking for help many months ago. I happen to be in the northern border of Durja where they were hiding themselves in the jungle; frighten, devastated and helpless. It was only after much coaxing they revealed their whereabouts. It seems they were kidnapped to be traded as slaves to various countries outside Lambodara. These men have somehow escaped and entered into Durja but being a citizen of Kavish, they couldn't find a way out. Not without their travel documents."

"Wait! They were kidnapped to be traded as a slave? How dare, who are those responsible for this?" Parthiban's hand clenched into fist; he slammed the table in fury.

Dhruva bowed his head down with humility, "I am ashamed to admit that someone from the royal household of Durja is behind this hideous crime. But as we speak, I believe my uncle, Megavannan is working on finding the culprit. We shall have them punished. You have my word."

"Megavannan, the respected warrior of Haridra. I have heard of him," murmured Parthiban with a nod and deliberated Dhruva's information. "Where are they now? How many of them?"

"If my men are on time, they should have settled somewhere close to the border of Kavish waiting for my order. They are a total of thirteen and safe under my Yujyagana's protection."

"How am I supposed to believe you? Are they genuinely people of Kavish?" Parthiban doubted, this could be an act to trap them or to plant a spy.

"I am right before you, good prince. Revealing myself without concealing my identity. I do not have any reason to be here but to bring them back to their families. Might I add, once again, I am for peace not war." Dhruva reassured; a warm smile spread across his face.

"Very well! If the returning refugees are indeed the citizen of Kavish, I would like to believe this as a start of a new ally between us. But..." Parthiban raised a finger as cautionary. "Don't take my words too seriously, I will need to verify them myself. For that I will need their names and other information of theirs if available," he added.

A sense of relief rushed through him; Parthiban had been practical without jumping into conclusion of their entry in Kavish yet been cautious enough to have measured trust on them. As much as he was to gain the prince's full trust, Dhruva was elated to have crossed half the bridge successfully.

"Keep me informed when they get to the border, we shall inspect and get them back to their families together," said Parthiban in a much placid tone despite the absence of a smile on his face as he walked out of the house.

"By the way." The prince turned to Dhruva. "What is your association with Nakshathra?" asked the prince. There was a hint of rightful authority and protectiveness in the prince's voice. Possessiveness, if he could add.

Dhruva looked astounded at the unexpected question. "I met Nakshathra at Mount Gaja first. We got into a small accident," he said uncomfortably. Mount Gaja had to be the only place apart from Kavish which he had entered without authorisation. He felt the scrutinising gaze of Parthiban drilling holes in him.

"So, you have been in Mount Gaja at the same time as we were? During the restricted days for Durja?" The menacing tone of Parthiban returned.

"Ah..., yes but only once." The need to hide his face at the moment sprinted but he covered it up with a smile.

Parthiban nodded and encouraged Dhruva to continue further.

"I then met Nakshathra, physician during an arogya camp. She appeared to be a daughter of a noble family, a respected physician and a generous lady among many, I guessed she could be of a help to reach you. That is how I acquired her friendship." His eyes twinkled with adoration for the physician, Parthiban noted.

The prince of Kavish gathered that Dhruva have not yet figure out about Nakshathra which relieved him from further assumption. "Very well, I'll see you then." The prince's horse galloped up the inclined road adjoining the main street and out of Dhruva's view.

Dhruva dwelled in Parthiban's last question and the emotion that sprawled with it in the latter's eyes. He could sense it, Parthiban turned troubled when he learnt about Nakshathra and his acquaintance. Was he sending a wrong impression to the prince? Does the prince think he will use the physician for his personal benefits? Or that he will hurt her to gain more from the Kavish royals?

He shook his head to disperse the thought and immediately sent Dhandapani and Arasu to the border of Kavish.

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