MORNING AFTER THE NIGHTMARE:-
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Morning light stretched across the Gurukula grounds of Siri Puram.
Puru stepped outside before the training bell rang. Sleep had been uneven. The fragments of his dream lingered faintly, though he chose not to dwell on them.
Near the outer boundary wall, Raghu was already awake.
He scattered grains across a flat stone while pigeons gathered in restless flutters.
"You're early," Raghu said without turning.
"So are you," Puru replied.
"These fellows wake me," Raghu said, watching the birds settle. "No matter how far they wander, they return here. Once they know a place, they never forget it."
Puru observed the movement of wings.
"They always return?"
"Always," Raghu nodded. "That's why they're used for letters. Take them far enough, and they still find their way back."
The training bell echoed across the courtyard.
The calm dissolved into discipline.
TIME FOR INSPECTION:-
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By late afternoon, Minister Vikrantha entered the Gurukula grounds.
It was not his first visit. The students recognized him immediately.
Master Sukarna, once a general of the kingdom's sword division and now aged but steady, approached him.
"You return sooner than expected," Sukarna said.
"The king values readiness," Vikrantha replied. "Preparation begins here."
The inspection began at once.
Students were ordered into formation.
Vikrantha walked along the lines, posture straight, expression firm.
"Raise the blade."
"Maintain distance."
"Do not lower your guard when you tire."
His instructions were sharp, direct.
He turned to Sukarna.
"How many nearing enlistment age?"
"Eighteen within the year. Six can be recommended earlier if required."
"Records?"
"Updated weekly," Sukarna replied, handing over the scrolls.
Vikrantha reviewed attendance, endurance logs, discipline reports.
"Prepare a full count of those fit for recruitment within two seasons," he said. "Include performance consistency."
"It will be ready," Sukarna confirmed.
The inspection concluded without ceremony.
MEAL WITH THE MINISTER:-
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The inspection had ended hours earlier, but as usual, Vikrantha remained for the evening meal.
The students were used to it. He visited often enough that his presence no longer caused stiffness — only straightened backs during training.
Under the oil lamps, Puru, Tanuj, and Raghu were midway through their meal when Vikrantha casually sat down beside them.
Raghu froze for a second. "Minister… you always choose our group."
"That is because this group makes the most noise," Vikrantha replied dryly.
Raghu placed a hand on his chest. "That is confidence, not noise."
"Confidence?" Vikrantha tilted his head. "I saw you trip over your own foot this afternoon."
Raghu immediately protested. "That was strategic falling."
Tanuj burst into laughter.
"Strategic?" Vikrantha repeated. "Then perhaps next time, strategically fall on your opponent."
Raghu grinned. "If I fall on him, Puru will still somehow win."
Vikrantha looked at Puru.
"You see? Even he has accepted his fate."
Puru shook his head slightly. "He exaggerates."
"He underestimates," Vikrantha corrected lightly. "You have been steady since I first saw you."
Then he turned to Tanuj.
"And you," he said with a faint smile, "you are good. Very good."
Tanuj straightened slightly, still smiling.
"But you have unfortunate luck."
"Unfortunate?" Tanuj laughed. "Why?"
"You train beside someone who refuses to let you shine alone."
Raghu slapped his knee. "That is true!"
Tanuj laughed openly. "Then I will just have to shine brighter."
"Good," Vikrantha replied, amused. "I prefer competition over comfort."
The mood remained light.
Raghu leaned forward slightly. "Minister, if I improve enough, will you recommend me early?"
Vikrantha studied him for a moment, pretending seriousness.
"If you improve enough, I might recommend you to guard the kitchen."
Raghu gasped. "That is a position of power."
Tanuj laughed harder.
Even Puru allowed a faint smile.
After a few more light exchanges, Vikrantha rose.
"Train seriously," he said casually. "I would rather see you in armor than in excuses."
With that, he walked away.
Raghu watched him go. "He enjoys troubling me."
Tanuj nodded. "That means he likes you."
Puru remained quiet — neutral, calm.
THE LETTERS SESSION:-
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The following morning, the royal court of Suvarna Mandali assembled at first light.
Scrolls rested beside the royal scribe. Ministers stood in ordered rows beneath the high pillars. At the center, King Karthikeya Kautilya sat composed upon the throne.
The letter session began.
The first seal was broken.
"From Siri Puram, Maharaj. The previously reported missing youth remains untraced. Search efforts continue. No new evidence has been recovered."
A faint murmur moved through the hall.
The second scroll followed.
"From Swarnapuram. A man has disappeared after nightfall. No signs of disturbance reported."
The third.
Then another.
And another.
Village after village.
Names changed.
The result did not.
When the final letter was read, the scribe lowered his hands.
"In total, ten disappearances have been formally recorded this season."
The murmurs grew heavier.
One minister spoke cautiously, "If ten have reached the capital… how many have not?"
Silence followed.
King Karthikeya Kautilya rose.
"Gather all reports," he said evenly.
"Rewrite to each affected family. Request further details — any irregularity, however minor."
He turned toward the council table.
"List every shared element across these cases. Do not assume similarities. Confirm them."
His voice remained steady.
"Compile a structured report. Map the occurrences. Review patrol records. Speak directly with the village heads."
The ministers straightened.
"I expect preliminary findings placed before this court by dawn."
"No speculation. Only facts."
The scrolls were collected.
Orders moved quietly through the chamber.
Ten disappearances were no longer rumor.
They were now under the authority of the throne.