Friend or Foe

The next morning, everyone was having their breakfast as Miara entered the room. Maira wished them with a smile and took her seat. Soon the maid served her breakfast.

"Maira, where is Abhijit? He didn't come with you?" King Chanukya asked.

"No grandpa. I am about to inform you about this. Abhi got an important message from his mother. So he left at midnight", Maira said.

"What happened? Anything serious?" King Chanukya asked.

"Abhi's mother is not quite feeling well. I think it is too serious. Otherwise, his mother usually doesn't bother him for small issues. I hope she gets alright soon", Maira said with a sigh. She is feeling uneasy after Abhi left her.

"You should ask him to bring his mother here.We can help them out", King suggested.

"Yeah I've already insisted on that grandpa. If mother is able to travel, I asked him to bring her here", Maira said.

"That's Good. Let's eat, everything will be fine", King said.

Miara smiled and resumed her eating. When she observed Ashmita she was eating calmly and her eyes seemed to be a little swollen.

"Ashmita are you feeling well?" Maira asked.

Ashmita who was eating silently looked up and nodded.

"See Master Maira, I asked her several times but she was just nodding her head and didn't say anything," Prathap complained.

"What's the matter Ash?" Maira asked again.

"Nothing Sis. I just had a nightmare" Ashmita said while munching on her food slowly.

"Just a nightmare..? See how you look", King said.

"Is it really a nightmare or something did happen Ashmita? Won't you share with your Grandpa?" King asked worriedly.

Ashmita looked at her grandfather and said, "Don't worry grandpa.I am perfectly fine, just worried about something bad will happen to us in this war. That's it and nothing at all"

"Don't worry dear. This is for your parents and our people. So we will win", King Chanukya assured Ashmita.

Ashmita just nodded her head, but Maira sensed something was missing. She knows Ashmita well and she is not someone who afraids of war and all. Even if she's afraid, sure it's not this much, something has definitely happened. She decided to find it later.

"Grandpa, I want to discuss with all of you about the strategies and explain my plan of action. So shall we meet at your chamber after breakfast?" Maira asked carefully.

"Sure, but not after breakfast. I have some important discussions going on in the court, so I will meet after that. Meanwhile, why can't you go and meet Oak and seek some information about Rose Kingdom. It can be helpful", King suggested.

"Sure Grandpa but not only Oak, I want to meet someone else too", Maira said coldly.

"Who is that?" King asked.

"Indrajit", Maira replied.

King thought for some time and nodded. He guessed the reason behind this meeting so he said yes for Maira's plans.

"Karthik and Shilpa, I need you both. Please come with me to Indrajit", Maira asked both for their help.

"Sure" both nodded.

"Ashmita, Vijay and Pratap you go and meet Oak. Get as much information as possible and ask him for help", Maira said. As Veda is helping Yashoda in medicine, she doesn't want to disturb them.

"But why are we meeting separately? We all can go meet them one after the other right?" Pratap asked.

"Yes, we can. But Ashmita's mood is not good so she can't possibly deal with him. It is better if she can meet Oak. She feels comfortable with him and now that is the best thing and in this way we can share the workload", Maira explained.

"You have a valid point. Ok we will do as you said", Pratap nodded in agreement.

Everyone nodded and parted their ways after breakfast. Maira, Karthik and Shilpa went towards the secret base where they kept Indrajit hostage. After bringing him there, they never showed up in front of him but they made sure that he was alive.

Once they reached the training ground they went to the corner and opened a square shaped lid. Karthik and Shilpa know about this passage but it is created to imprison culprits whom they want to draw out information. They didn't actually use it from ages as they did get the need to bring them here. They are used to end it there and then itself.

After opening the underground passage, they enter through the steps and go to the room where Indrajit is imprisoned.

The room is guarded and Indrajit is tied with metal chains there. He looked pale but his aura and his body are scary. Even in that condition he didn't budge and sit there like a statue.

"So how are you feeling now?" Maira asked.

Indrajit who was sitting silently and observing his surroundings noticed the presence of someone and when he heard the voice of the same person whom he desperately wanted to meet brought a smile on his bleeding lips.

"Huh.. Seems someone showed up after a long time. It seems you are busy building your courage to meet me?" Indrajit smirked and replied without looking at them.

"Haha.. You are thinking too highly of you don't you?" Maira said.

"Well that is true. But what is the connection between you and that elf?" Indrajit asked coldly.

"What makes you think that I will tell you all the information you want?" Maira replied coldly.

"Well, the same goes with you. Whatif you ask something and I won't tell you? So make the right decision" Indrajit snapped.

"Your offer seems very interesting. Let's begin then," Maira said with a smile.

"But..." Karthik and Shilpa wanted to protest but Maira signalled them not to worry about anything. They kept quiet and nodded.

"Hahahaha Nice nice, So let's begin. How do you know him?" Indrajit asked.

"I don't know him. We just saved him", Maira answered as a matter of fact.

"Well I know about you. I just want to know who you want to be. A friend or a foe?" Maira asked directly.

"How did you know about me? Did that traitor tell you?" Indrajit snapped.

"It's your turn to answer Indrajit", Maira said coldly.

"I will never betray my master. Now you tell me", Indrajit asked.

"Ok fine. I got my answer. I don't find any reason to continue this game. So take rest until you meet your creator", Maira said and left the place.

"You.. How dare you play with me?" Indrajit fumed with anger.

Maira stopped in her tracks and looked back by turning her head slightly and said "Save your breath. Just spend your time peacefully until you die". Maira left along with Karthik and Shilpa who were grinning from ear to ear.