Change of Plans?

"Vayu, please do not argue with me." An exasperated Dharmeshnath tried to convince his son. "We need to visit Nazaan first, then Kaivalya."

"Father, I am not running to Nazaan." Retorted Vayu "I have Seol's letter. He has himself said that the grievance was made mistakenly. He has withdrawn the grievance, then what is the HURRY?"

"I have a hunch. Something is not right in Nazaan. May be Elixir and Seol are not being honest."

"Why does it always have to be The governor of Nazaan?" An indignant Shivashakti retorted. They were in a chamber annexed to the courtroom.

Shivashakti, Manyata, Veerbhadra, along with Jaivira the commander of the royal army and Vrijeswar the commander of the Capital guards were there. The minister of treasury and the minister of transport Sebastian and Dasonda were accompanying them.

"You always had a problem with Seol, I fail to understand why?" Shivashakti shot at Dharmeshnath.

"Cause I have my reasons."

" What about Elixir?" Shivashakti mockingly asked "What is your hunch about him?"

"I believe he is a good man, but suffers from incorrect assessments" Dharmeshnath replied calmly "Unlike you brother, I don't have favourites. I know Seol is your friend, and I thought you would be looking forward to meeting him."

"Huh, that was not your excuse for visiting Nazan, first?"

"I don't crave to visit Nazaan, you do. And I don't need any excuse." Said Dharmeshnath ever so calmly "I was trying to make my son understand..."

"You may have forgotten but I am the Royal Adviser so it is my duty to advise the Emperor.."

"Oh, I was not trying to advise the Emperor, I was advising my son, do you object to that?"

"But what you have been advising on is a matter of governance and administration, not parenthood and rearing of babies.."

"Enough" snarled Vayuvijay. "Look at the two of you. Is this how royals behave. Fighting like that infront of everyone." The others present in the room, quickly lowered their heads.

"I will think about it father." Vayu said slowly "But I can't assure you. We still have a month left for the baby's naming ceremony. I will leave a month after that. I am not waiting for three more years."

"But won't the baby be too young to travel?"

"Are you insane? I am not taking her or Ajeenkya with me. Not after what happened to them."

After Manyata had regained consciousness, she had narrated how someone had pushed her from behind. Vayuvijay had also got to hear Ajeenkya's version of what happened in the forest. He had decided he wouldn't take her or the younger one with him on his voyage.

"You cannot do that."

"How can you say that Vayu."

"It will be breaking the command of the Supreme Operator."

"I am the Emperor of Ethar. I don't need to be told what I can do, or cannot do."

"Forgive me your highness," finally Veerbhadra spoke up, "but we cannot participate in your act of disobeying the Oracle. We will not proceed with any arrangement for the voyage."

"You dare.." Vayuvijay was shocked by his audacity.

"My loyalty lies to the Supreme Operator first my lord." Said Veerbhadra.