City guards let the convoy pass through the gates. The convoy walked through the city—a city of order and peace. There was no chaos whatsoever. The warlords moved ahead toward the centre of the city where the palaces towered over the entire skyline. These eight palaces belonged to the council of the Ashtaraj Triad.
Eight incredibly powerful beings controlled the council. They resided in these palaces and governed the three great Mandalas—Prithvi, Bhuva, and Jangala. But despite being part of the same ruling body, these state heads did not get along. The dynamic was similar to the Yamsabha, only on a much grander, more dangerous scale. They worked together only when absolutely necessary. Most of the time, they avoided even seeing one another. And yet, none ever deferred from their duty. They were powerful, intelligent rulers who understood control—both of people and of politics.
Each council member had warlords, merchants, and administrators working under them. Just as Rankriti oversaw the Yamsabha, the others managed networks of their own. These eight rulers were known as the state heads. The balance of the Ashtaraj Council was maintained by an intricate web of politics and power. No one intervened in another's territory easily. But ambition often bred conflict. And the higher one rose, the more they wanted.
"Do I even want this all?" Arya sat by his window, eyes trailing over the palace grounds. "The war, the power, the money. It is only inviting more and more trouble for me."
He stood, leaning against the stone-framed window, watching the city gates. A convoy was entering. At first, he thought it was a standard procession—perhaps supplies or local merchants under inspection. But as he squinted through the midday sun, he recognized a familiar figure.
Savignya.
And behind her, Ashvapati.
A wave of relief and joy broke across Arya's face. A smile he hadn't worn in days returned. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted for the door. Down one flight of stairs. Then another. He reached the second floor and caught sight of the convoy entering the castle.
But suddenly, his path was blocked.
Trishan.
Without a word, Trishan grabbed Arya by the arm and dragged him back. Arya resisted, like a child struggling to break free from a stern parent, but Trishan was stronger and angrier.
"What don't you understand, Arya?" Trishan snarled, pulling him into a side corridor and slamming him against the wall. "Didn't you see what happened the last time you defied the state? Stay in your room. Only come out when you're asked to. Do you want to die?"
Arya's breath caught. He looked up, frustration bubbling just beneath his fear. "My friends are here! I want to see them. I haven't seen them in a week. I don't know how they are. At least tell me why they're here."
"That doesn't concern you," Trishan snapped, his voice lower but colder now. "You've been given time to think about the offer. That is your only concern."
Arya narrowed his eyes. "I don't think you understand, Trishan. I'm here because I care about my friends. I don't want Rankriti to harm them. If it were just me, you wouldn't even see me here. I would've escaped. Or died. But I'm not going to stay here under someone else's thumb. Not like this."
His voice didn't tremble. His words were not loud, but they carried a weight that made Trishan pause.
Something in Arya's tone stuck.
Trishan loosened his grip. He stepped back, frowning, mind suddenly tangled in thought. Then he froze.
He felt it.
A presence. Close. Watching.
He turned his head.
Rankriti.
Standing a few paces away, hands behind her back, she was watching them with a faint smirk curling at the edges of her lips.
"Your grace! I was just explaining to Arya what a grave mistake he is making. I will make sure he understands and obeys. Let me talk to him again," Trishan said quickly, bowing.
Rankriti didn't blink. "I don't think he's going to listen to you, Trishan. He's already made his decision."
Her voice was calm. Dismissive.
"I knew what his decision would be the day I made the offer."
She turned slowly, her gaze lingering on Arya for a moment.
"I will let Vayodhara decide his fate in Suryagadh."
And with that, she walked away.
Trishan was left standing silently. He looked at Arya, disappointment etched deep into his face.
"What have you done, boy?" he muttered. "I suggest you rethink your decision."
He turned and walked away.
Arya remained where he was, heart pounding in his chest.
Outside, his friends were now inside the castle. Inside, he had just sealed his fate.