Rankriti entered the office chambers where everyone was waiting for her. As soon as she entered, everyone stood up and bowed. Her presence was magnificent. Dark green robes followed her every step. Silver and gold ornaments shimmered against her brown, gleaming skin. Her gold bracelets moved gracefully with every flick of her hands. Everything about her presence exuded command.
Trishan followed behind her, leaving Arya upstairs.
Everyone waited for Rankriti to speak. No one dared to make a sound. The weight of her presence demanded silence.
"Thank you for being here," she said, walking towards the large table in the center. "I see you are all here. Does that mean the war and the fight is over?"
No one replied for a moment.
Then Parashar stepped forward and answered with a poised voice. "Yes, your grace. We have gotten over our differences. We want to settle them and start fresh."
Rankriti didn't smile. She didn't even nod. She simply turned to Trishan. "All right then. I don't have much time anyway. Trishan, assign the businesses to them. Divide the assets among them and have operations started immediately. I don't want any delays."
Everyone remained silent. They expected something more. Then Rankriti continued.
"Also, I have two new replacements for Eknandini and Raktapasu."
Everyone looked at one another. Two replacements? That changed the power dynamics. If two new people were joining the Yamsabha, things would get complicated.
No one wanted to give up the businesses they had fought for. Dividing the spoils of Raktapasu, Eknandini, and Sharvas made sense. But adding new players into the table would cause friction. New players meant new claims. There would be no peace if the council had to absorb outsiders.
Rankriti let their curiosity simmer for a few seconds before continuing.
"I can see the curiosity in your eyes. The two people joining are Kaushan and Sarthak. Sarthak will handle the trained soldiers' supply, and Kaushan will handle the taxation. Any questions?"
The room remained silent again. But one man stepped forward.
"Forgive me, your grace," said Kritipal carefully. "Isn't Kaushan the merchant who was backing Sharvas during the war? Are we sure he can handle a position in Yamsabha?"
Rankriti didn't raise her voice, but her stare cut through the air. "You were the one who introduced him to Sharvas, weren't you? He has the money. He has experience. Most importantly, he understands money. I think he will do just fine at the table. Unless you have a problem with that?"
"No, I—I'm not questioning your choice, your grace," Kritipal replied quickly. "I was just curious. I know who he is, and you're right. He will do just fine."
But his face betrayed the calculation happening in his mind. Kritipal was already evaluating his own position. Already planning how to turn Kaushan's presence into an advantage—or at least a neutral factor.
Rankriti looked around once more. "I met Sarthak during a tour of Jangal Mandala. He is known to be a warrior in that land. He has experience in war and training. He will do well with the soldiers. He will ensure that our military strength is disciplined and prepared."
A few of the warlords shifted in their seats. Sarthak was an unknown entity to them. His presence was unsettling.
"Make them feel welcome at Yamsabha," Rankriti said flatly. "One more war, and I will have you all retire from this table before you can even move."
She stood.
Everyone stood up with her.
She said nothing more. Rankriti had come, delivered her message, and left.
As the heavy doors closed behind her, the room remained silent for a few seconds. The sound of her absence echoed just as loudly as her presence had.
Trishan picked up the documents and began sharing details with everyone about the redistribution of businesses. The logistics. The regions. The control.
But the attention of the room had shifted. Everyone was curious about the two replacements.
Sarthak. Kaushan.
Who were they really? What did they want? And how would their entry change the balance of the table?
Parashar glanced at Ashvapati. There had been no mention of Arya whatsoever. Not a single word. Not even an acknowledgment of his presence in the castle.
What happened to him? Was he being punished? Or was he being prepared?
Parashar's thoughts churned. Arya was many things—but quiet was never one of them. If he wasn't mentioned, it meant something bigger was going on.
Yamsabha had more members now. New alliances would form. Old ones would fracture. And while Rankriti held the leash tight for now, it was only a matter of time before someone tugged too hard.
Arya's name hadn't been spoken, but it hovered in the air like smoke.