Chapter 1

A carriage, flanked by a group of guards clad in lightweight armor, traveled along the well-trodden path surrounded by thick forest. Led by sword-wielding horsemen, the procession came to a sudden stop as ordered by a robust, young commander, easily identifiable by his distinctive armor.

Following the commander's directive, the soldiers broke formation and settled into groups, while the carriages in the rear also came to a halt, and well-dressed men disembarked. Meanwhile, the commander's gaze fixated on a large carriage, slightly distinguishable from the others, resembling those from the 16th century.

Dismounting his horse, he strode purposefully toward the peculiar carriage.

Upon opening the door, the commander was greeted by the overpowering scent of wine emanating from within the carriage, where a figure lay surrounded by scrolls and small wooden wine barrels.

Frowning disapprovingly, the commander shook his head and called out to the slumbering occupant, "Your Highness Karthikeya." Despite the loud call echoing through the forest, the soldiers and servants paid no heed, seemingly accustomed to such disruptions. Meanwhile, Karthikeya, abruptly awakened from his sweet dream, fluttered open his eyes, his expression reflecting evident shock.

It took him a moment to fully shake off the remnants of last night's revelry, still palpable in the form of a throbbing headache. Glancing irritably at the imposing figure in front of him, he grumbled,

"Marthanda!"

"Believe me when I say one of these days, this will be the death of you," Karthikeya retorted, his voice laced with frustration.

"Yes, Your Highness Karthikeya, but do remember, one of these days, these very indulgences will be the cause of your downfall," Marthanda retorted, casting a wary glance at the barrels flanking him.

"Sigh! How many times have I said this? I drink not out of addiction but out of necessity for my martial training," Karthikeya replied, his temper simmering as he spoke with a genuine earnestness.

Observing Marthanda, it was clear he didn't believe Karthikeya's explanation one bit, instead taking it as another excuse. "You've changed, Karthikeya. As a friend, I hope to have my old companion back," Marthanda sighed, turning away and walking toward an open area where soldiers had gathered.

Karthikeya wanted to say more, but as he watched Marthanda's departing figure, he mumbled under his breath, "Soon, Marthanda, very soon." Glancing at the corner, where a loading icon blinked, almost complete, Karthikeya's gaze softened.

Despite Marthanda's apparent disrespect, Karthikeya didn't mind, recognizing that it was his own actions that had shaped Marthanda's attitude. He held Marthanda in high regard, valuing him more than anyone else. Marthanda was not only his childhood friend but also a loyal subordinate, offering unwavering loyalty, friendship, and expertise in the realms of war, military training, and strategic planning.

Setting aside his thoughts, Karthikeya stretched his weary limbs and stepped out of the carriage. Surveying the scene in front of him, he noticed the other carriages some distance away, while ahead, in a relatively open area, soldiers had gathered around. Smoke rose in the distance, and a group of archers and spearmen stood guard, vigilant against potential threats.

Karthikeya proceeded towards the assembly. As he moved forward, the soldiers all stood up, greeting him with respect that was notably absent in Marthanda's demeanor. Reaching a circle of men seated on a red carpet, with Marthanda among them, Karthikeya approached without hesitation.

Witnessing Karthikeya's arrival, all of the men stood up, adopting a posture of respect as they greeted him. This time, even Marthanda extended a respectful greeting, recognizing the need to uphold decorum in the presence of others.

"Good morning, let's all take a seat, for we have a day's travel ahead of us," Karthikeya said, offering a warm smile to his subordinates and friends.

Seated from left to right were his closest comrades and friends.

On his left sat the second-in-command, a seasoned man named Achuthanandan. A practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine and a distant relative from Karthikeya's mother's side, he was 50 years old and unmarried.

Exchanging nods with the four and the elder Achuthanandan, Karthikeya settled in beside them to partake in the meal. A maid brought forth an array of dishes and bronze utensils, not as opulent as those used by the royal family, yet still noteworthy, given the forest surroundings.

Among the remaining four subordinates, each hailed from a distinct background. Marthadan, from a prominent Kshatriya family in the Chola dynasty, was the youngest son of the household. Excelling in leading troops and combat, he eventually rose to the position of supreme commander in Karthikeya's personal army, after meeting and forming a close bond with him at the Gurukuls.

Next to Marthanda was Kannappan, a man of short stature with tribal origins, who exhibited exceptional intelligence despite lacking formal education. Karthikeya took him under his wing, ensuring his education and subsequently appointing him as the manager of the soap and perfume industries under his authority.

Kannappan's remarkable business acumen shone through in his role.

To Kannappan's left was Rana, a wandering sage endowed with profound knowledge, who had recently joined the group, contributing his scholarly expertise. Finally, there was Ramu, the son of Karthikeya's mother's personal servant, who had faithfully served Karthikeya as a loyal butler and accountant, accompanying him on the current expedition.

In addition to these, there were three more subordinates: Lekshmi, once Karthikeya's personal maid, who had later been appointed as the lord of Trincomalee for her exceptional management skills; Sreenivasan, entrusted with the naval command of the Chola Navy left behind at Trincomalee; and Vikraman Varma, a courageous warrior and strategist from a prominent Kshatriya family in the Chera territory.

Vikraman had been spared by Karthikeya after a duel during the war and now served as the lord of Manthai, another city of the kingdom of Anuradhapuram. Vikraman and his family were tasked with the daunting mission of restoring this crucial port city, which had been reduced to ruins due to the significant impact of the recent tsunami on oceanic trade.

The mealtime was brief, given their current travel situation, and passed swiftly with some light conversation. After the meal, the team resumed their journey, maintaining the same formation as before, navigating the official road, which in reality was nothing more than a muddy trail winding through the forest.