"Lord Trishan, where is Arya? Have you heard of him? Have you seen him?" asked Dhanudanda.
"I have seen him. And I definitely know where he is now," replied Trishan as he straightened out the scrolls with business details, his eyes not meeting Dhanudanda's.
"Could you please tell us what happened to him?" Parashar requested, voice calm but edged with tension.
"Your friend was offered a place in Rankriti's ranks. She wanted him to work for her. And he, the man-child he is, questioned her. He doesn't want to work under her. He says he's only here because he doesn't want Rankriti to hurt you all," Trishan replied, still focused on the scrolls and documents before him.
"What a boy!" Dhanudanda said with a smile, pride unmistakable on his face. "This guy is full of surprises."
"Is he still alive after declining her offer?" Ashvapati asked, breaking his silence for the first time since the meeting had begun.
"Not for long. Vayodhara is going to decide his future in Suryagadh now. He is definitely not leaving this city," Trishan said calmly, as he continued working through the papers.
The room fell silent.
The name struck deep.
Vayodhara.
It was a name that was known but rarely heard. Spoken with a mix of reverence and fear, it was like something from a half-believed tale. No one knew the full extent of Vayodhara's power, but all knew better than to cross paths with it.
"Can we... or at least I... meet him?" Savignya asked quietly.
Trishan looked up at last, his eyes landing on the familiar voice. He saw Savignya and managed a small smile. But there was something else in his expression—pain, a flicker of something long buried.
"Are you fine? I heard the battle gave you scars," Trishan asked. He finally seemed present, interested in more than scrolls and signatures.
"I'm strong enough to handle a few scratches from the battle," replied Savignya.
Trishan smiled again, softly. He knew that line. It had been his.
"Can I see him?" she asked again, gentler now.
"I will take you to him. But don't waste too much time for him. He is now at the mercy of Vayodhara. He is not going to return, not even if I ask for it," said Trishan as he stood up, folding the last scroll.
"I just want to see what condition he is in. We can handle things without him here. But I need to make sure he's alive," Savignya said, her voice steady.
Trishan nodded and began walking toward the exit. Savignya followed close behind. So did Parashar, Ashvapati, and Dhanudanda.
"Where do you think you're going? Only she can come. You stay right here and get things done," Trishan said sharply without turning back. His voice left no room for argument.
The three men stopped. They exchanged looks, reluctant but compliant. Slowly, they turned and returned to their seats, staring down at the documents they had barely read.
Savignya followed Trishan through the stone hallway. The corridor was dimly lit, only the occasional torch offering flickers of light that danced across the aged walls.
"Please don't tell me you are still trying to make your dream a reality," Trishan said without looking back.
"It is not a dream," replied Savignya sharply.
"Then are you sure your search has ended?" he asked again.
"I don't know. I need to be sure," Savignya said after a pause.
"Is that why you're here? To see if he is the one?" Trishan asked.
"Too many questions for a single visit. Is this the fee for seeing him?" she asked with a wry smile.
"You still believe in your dream then. And you're here to see him. But remember—Vayodhara stands between you and him," Trishan warned.
They walked a bit further. The hallway narrowed, the stone becoming rougher, less maintained. The sound of their steps echoed around them. At the end, there was a door.
Trishan paused for a moment before pushing it open. He stepped inside. Savignya followed.
The room was small, dimly lit.
Arya sat on the bench. His posture was upright, unbowed. He was bruised but not broken. When he looked up and saw Savignya, he smiled faintly.
Savignya exhaled with quiet relief.