Search for the Pond of Eternal Sentience- Part 1 [Veer]

"Let me accompany you, Guruji," Surya implored. "He is my uncle, after all. I must come." 

A pigeon mail brought the tragic news to the northern palace that morning, and it devastated Surya. Veer had known Surya for eighteen years of his life, and despite his gentle and kind nature, he had a strong spirit, not easily broken. But the news almost broke him. 

"My child, bringing you with me would mean a pause in your treatment, and that is undesirable. You must continue your healing. I will take ten of our men and leave for the search at once." Guru Briharshi was determined, but Surya had trouble accepting the decision. 

It was hard to believe that the warrior prince of RakhtaPrastha, Knight Commander Abhiram, was gravely injured during the royal procession a week ago. But that was what the letter said. It also said only the water from the Pond of Eternal Sentience could save his life, not a drop, but an entire chalice. Not many in the land knew where the pond was located, but fortunately for Lord Abhiram, Guru Briharshi did. And despite their rancor, Briharshi did not want the lord commander to die. It was the mutual respect that great men held for each other. 

Veer was not close to the commander, but he viewed him with a certain regard. He had grown up hearing the legends of the warrior prince of RakhtaPrastha, the champion who saved the North and conquered the East for King Shaktidev. It seemed unreal that the same legendary hero would be lying on a bed one day, battling for his life. But a lethal poison had taken over his body, and its only antidote was the water from the Pond of Eternal Sentience. 

"And Veer here would come with me." 

Veer spun his head towards Guru Briharshi. "Me?" 

"Yes, I have trained you the same way I have trained Surya, have I not?" Guru Briharshi posed a simple question. Veer gave a reluctant nod. "Then, it is decided." 

With five horses, two carriages, and sacks of food and other necessary items for a five-day journey, a band of twelve men left that very day before the sun reached mid sky. The party traveled north first, deeper into the snow valley, where nothing else survived but ice. The valley's bed stretched wide, from the Kailash ranges on the east to the Himalayas on the west. Tips of the mountains disappeared into the clouds, and its slopes were covered in thick white glaciers that sparkled in the sun like a million diamonds. As they pressed northward, the path became wider and the white of the clouds melted into the white of the snow, making it one soft cottony stretch of land. Quiet and peaceful, the path to heaven must look something like this, Veer imagined. 

After a day's travel, the group took a hard left turn, and the picturesque surroundings quickly changed to something else. The group left behind the pure white snow of the valley for rocks and gravels. Stony hills with little vegetation lined the rough and bumpy road. The air was still cold but without the wetness of the snow. As the men continued to ride west, the hills turned to hillocks and eventually flat grounds, and the soil became more fertile with fields of grasses and trees in view.

The group reached a lush, colorful meadow on the third day. The gentle breeze softly teased the purple and orange wildflowers that were giggling under the warm kiss of the sun. By the meadow was a beautiful lake, water lukewarm and clean. The men decided to take a long, cleansing bath in the lake to wash away all the dirt and grime of their three-day journey. They hurriedly secured the horses and set up the camp before racing each other to the lake. 

Veer prepared to join the rest too, but Guru Briharshi's voice called out to him, "Child Veer, I am going in search of some medicinal plants. I will be back in three sun marks. Watch my belongings and do not leave them unsupervised under any circumstance." 

Leaving behind those instructions, Guru Briharshi went in pursuit of the herbs. Seeing no other alternative, Veer tightened his jaw and flopped down beside Briharshi's belongings to guard them. Soon, he spied a group of gorgeous young maidens walking towards the lake. They carried linens and garments and soaps and oils in their hands, happily chattering and giggling, like a flock of warblers. 

Veer was not the only one paying them attention. The entire band of knights stood half immersed in the lake, transfixed, as the beauties set down their bathing items and disrobed themselves. The young women languidly walked into the lake, taking no notice of the hungry stares from the young knights at first. A few of the women saw the men gawking and giggled. 

Veer inhaled deeply to calm his thumping heart. The sultry image was too much to bear. So, he closed his eyes and began to chant mantras that calmed the mind. He heard the women giggle and splash and draw closer to the part of the lake where the men were rinsing. Veer shut his eyes tighter as his lips busily and loudly uttered the mantras. 

"Are you travelers?" A voice as sweet as honey asked, seemingly directed to the men. 

"We are," one of the men replied hurriedly, "do you live nearby?" 

"We do." This time it was a different honey voice. "And we come to this lake every day. But we never see such handsome and polite young men as you. Which kingdom are you from?

"We are the knights of RakhtaPrastha." Another of the men proudly declared, barely containing his excitement. 

"Oh, you are knights? Oh, you must come and play with us, and when we get tired, you must tell us all about your adventures. Please." 

"Yes, you must come. Please." 

The young maidens did not have to beg much. The men were more than keen to play with them after the long, strenuous journey. Veer was cursing his luck at this moment, his luck, and his guru. Why did he have to sit there and watch the guru's effects while the others took the pleasure of a warm company? He gritted his teeth and balled his fist against his knees, and focused on his chants with twice the will. But his curiosity got the better of him, and his ears perked up to catch any amorous talk he could. Yet, he heard none. A sudden odd silence filled the area.