Wild cub

Harsha was preparing to depart for the Nayaka's mansion in Thanjavur. The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity following his meeting with his elder sister, Lakshmi. He had been busy managing various issues in the road development projects and addressing the concerns that arose. Now, with everything in order, he decided it was time to visit the Nayakas.

Prashant had proven to be quite effective in handling tasks and solving problems after Harsha's strict teachings. Harsha had instructed him on the methods advantages and disadvantages in different terrains, how to allocate and reserve land for roads, and how to handle disputes efficiently. With Prashant managing things smoothly, Harsha felt confident leaving for Thanjavur.

He made his way to the Northern Complex to inform the Empress of his departure. The Empress was likely already aware of the invitation from the Nayakas' Patriarch, but Harsha knew it was his duty to formally inform her of his travel plans, as she was in charge of palace affairs.

As he walked through the palace corridors, Harsha's thoughts drifted to the upcoming journey. The Nayakas of Thanjavur were known for their military prowess and strategic importance. Meeting the Patriarch could be a significant opportunity, but it also carried potential risks.

Upon reaching the Empress's quarters, he was greeted by a servant who led him to her. The Empress was seated by a large window, her elegant form silhouetted by the sunlight streaming into the room.

"Your Majesty," Harsha began with a respectful bow, "I have come to inform you of my departure to the Nayakas' mansion in Thanjavur. The Patriarch has extended an invitation, and I believe it is an opportunity worth pursuing."

The Empress looked up from the documents she was reading, her gaze sharp and assessing. "Harsha, I am aware of the invitation. It is indeed an important opportunity. Ensure that you don't bring shame to the Royal Family."

Harsha nodded. "I will, Your Majesty. I have made all necessary arrangements for my absence, and Prashant is well-prepared to handle any issues that may arise."

The Empress gave a small nod of approval. "Very well. Travel safely and make the most of this visit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Harsha replied.

With the formalities completed, Harsha took his leave and headed to his chambers.

A week had passed since Harsha had left the capital, Hampi.

During his journey to Thanjavur, Harsha had visited numerous places, acquainting himself with the intricacies of the Empire.

He paid his respects at various temples, such as Mahabaleshwar and Tirupati, marveling at their architectural expertise and spiritual ambiance. 'It's fascinating how these structures have withstood the test of time,' he thought, admiring the dedication and artistry of the ancient builders.

Harsha was impressed by the maintenance of some towns in the Empire. 'The urban planning here is remarkable,' he noted.

However, his admiration quickly faded as he witnessed the dire living conditions of the masses. Basic necessities were lacking, and most people were uneducated and impoverished, surviving on the bare minimum. 'How can an empire be strong if its foundation is so weak? ' he wondered, his gaze shifting to the poor people in every village they pass through.

The most sickening sight was the blatant caste discrimination. Lower-caste individuals were treated with disdain, their lives marred by systemic oppression. 'This is beyond idiotic,' he thought to himself. ' did any scripture advocate for such discrimination? The caste system was meant for labor division, not a hierarchy of worth.'

Harsha vaguely knew about some scriptures after reading them from the library in the palace. He found the system idiotic because it didn't favor merit but status. He is a person who prefers merit over status. Status can only get you so far, but if the person is capable he can be of much more use.

Now, Harsha found himself in a small town near the border of Tamil Nadu. Lying in a vast grass field, he soaked in the cool breeze and the vibrant greenery that seemed to stretch endlessly. The clear blue sky overhead was a canvas of serenity, while the chirping birds and the earthy scent of the soil provided a calming backdrop. 'Nature's beauty is a stark contrast to the ugliness I've witnessed,' he mused, closing his eyes for a moment of peace.

As he lay there, he reflected on the past week. 'I've learned so much, yet there's still so much to understand about this era.' He stretched his limbs, feeling the softness of the grass beneath him.

Later, Harsha was in the carriage continuing the travel to Thanjavur after a brief period of rest. He looked out of the carriage as he was being escorted by a couple of soldiers through a dense forest on the outskirts of the Tamil Nadu border.

As it would take a few hours to even reach the next town as said by the Guard Captain, Rahul Shetty, Harsha laid down in the carriage and read a book that he carried along so he wouldn't become bored during his travels from one town to another and also used the time to learn something about the Empire and its history for future reference.

Harsha was accompanied by elite guards from various units of the army led by a man named Rahul Shetty, Narayana and Varun both insisted on joining as guards in his journey to Thanjavur, and were approved by Rama Nayaka the Vice-captain of the Palace Guards.

A few hours later, A knock was heard on the carriage door, and this jolted Harsha awake as he fell asleep reading in the carriage. The Guard Captain said, "Your Highness, We are approaching a town. We will rest for an hour or two here as we need to restock some supplies."

"Sure," said Harsha in a drowsy voice as he stretched his arms after waking up from a good nap.

Harsha looked out of the carriage window as they approached the town slowly. The lush greenery surrounding the town stretched out before him, with green pastures on the outskirts and people laboring in the fields. India had been an agrarian society for centuries, relying heavily on agriculture due to the subcontinent's vast arable land and good climate.

The carriage entered the town, weaving through its narrow streets. Harsha noticed a crowd gathered in the middle of the road, the sound of screams and shouting growing louder as they approached.

"What is going on? Why have so many people gathered there?" Harsha asked the Guard Captain riding beside his carriage.

"Your Highness, it seems they have caught a thief," replied the Guard Captain, his voice steady and indifferent.

'A case of mob justice, eh?' Harsha clicked his tongue and ran his hand through his dishevelled hair, disgusted by the noise and chaos. "Stop the commotion. I will personally mediate the problem," he stated.

The Guard Captain was taken aback by the order. "Your Highness, you don't need to interfere."

"I don't like to repeat myself, Guard Captain," Harsha said, glaring at him with a frown.

"Yes, Your Highness," the Guard Captain replied, bowing slightly. He had no power to question royal authority.

A scream pierced the air as the order was given, and the crowd began to calm down upon seeing the royal crest on the carriage and the soldiers. Harsha exited the carriage, feeling the gaze of the crowd upon him, wondering what a royal family member was doing in their small town. The Guard Captain was about to order the crowd to bow, but Harsha stopped him, finding the gesture excessive and tiresome.

He made his way to the center of the commotion and saw a middle-aged bald man standing over a young boy who lay on the ground, blood dripping from his forehead and bruises covering his body. The boy's clothes were caked with mud as he tried to shield himself from the mob's blows. Harsha noted the boy's gaze, wild and full of rage, directed at the bald man.

'Ohh, It's a wild cub, seems like he wants to tear apart the bald bastard,' he chuckled to himself.

"What happened here?" Harsha inquired, his expression indifferent as he looked down at the bloodied boy.

"Your Highness, THIS LOWER CASTE SCUM TRIED TO ROB MY STORE!" the bald man yelled, his face contorted with rage as he pointed at the boy.

"I DIDN'T ROB YOUR STORE! YOU TOOK MY MONEY AND DIDN'T GIVE ME FOOD I PAID FOR!" yelled the boy back at the bald guy, his voice trembling and eyes tearing up at the situation and pain he was currently experiencing.

"YOU SCUM! DID YOU THINK I WOULD FEED SCUM LIKE YOU AT MY STORE?" said the bald man.

Harsha quickly grasped the reality of the situation: the man had tried to rob the boy, refusing him food because of his lower caste. Disgust twisted Harsha's features as he noticed the small pouch of coins clutched in the man's hand, while the young boy had nothing.

Harsha turned to the boy, who was trembling under the weight of the accusation. "What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked, his voice cold.

The boy, barely able to speak through his tears, whispered, "I... I didn't steal anything,"

" He is lyi-," began the bald man only to be cut off mid-sentence by Harsha.

"That's enough. You all are fucking annoying! I will give appropriate punishment to the wrongdoer," Harsha spat, rubbing his forehead in irritation. 'This annoying fat bastard.'

"Cut off the fingers of that fat bastard there. He is the one who stole from the young boy," Harsha ordered, pointing at the bald man and running his hand through his hair in frustration.

The smile quickly drained from the bald man's face as he heard the prince's command. The guards swiftly seized him from running away and dragged him away, ignoring his pleas.

Harsha looked down at the boy, who was covered in mud and blood. Despite his frail appearance, his eyes burned with a fierce determination, like a wild cub fighting to survive. The boy's thin, pale frame suggested severe malnutrition, and his gaze toward the bald man was filled with a deep-seated hatred.

'I like that wild look. Maybe I should raise this cub into a fully grown tiger,' Harsha mused, intrigued by the boy's fierce spirit.

Harsha was faintly reminded of his previous life, seeing the boy's desperate struggle to survive. He, too, had once fought tooth and nail to endure the harsh conditions of the research facility. In the research facility death was an everyday thing. He had faced death and killed people countless times.

"Clean this mess up, and treat the boy's wounds," Harsha commanded to Varun and Narayana who were silently standing gazing at the situation blankly.

"Yes, Your Highness," they both said in Unison snapping back to reality.