Chapter 3 The Shadows Calling
The air in the garden suddenly stood still
Neer and Agni were still talking when Nirag body suddenly went limp His knees buckled His eyes shut in a blink and he began to collapse to the ground
Neer breath stopped
Nirag His voice was laced with terror He ran to Nirag and caught his body in his arms Nirag head fell against Neer chest His face had gone pale His lips trembled and drops of sweat glistened on his forehead
Agni ran forward too His eyes widened
Nirag Son He grabbed Nirag shoulders but Nirag body felt lifeless His breaths were shallow and slow as if some invisible force was pulling him from within
Neer lifted Nirag into his lap He placed his hand on Nirag forehead The skin there was burning as if a fire raged inside
Agni Look He has fainted Neer voice shook Nirag Nirag wake up son What happened Look we are both right here
Agni took Nirag from Neer arms His body felt as light as a feather Agni held him firmly and started walking towards the palace with quick steps
Neer come Let us take him to the palace chambers
The soldiers in the corridor saw them and panicked Agni did not give anyone a chance to speak He went straight to his chamber and laid Nirag down on the bed Neer quickly placed a pillow under his head and pressed a cold cloth to his forehead
Nirag face was pale His breaths were still slow Neer sat beside him and began running his hand through Nirag hair
Agni Something has happened to our Nirag His voice was breaking
Agni held Nirag hand His fingers were cold
Call the physician He told a soldier
The physician arrived within moments He checked Nirag pulse He examined his pupils Then he took a deep breath
Maharaj Do not worry Maharaj Nirag is fine now It is just some weakness Or perhaps he fainted due to some deep worry He will regain consciousness soon
Agni nodded
Thank you physician
The physician bowed and left quietly
Neer remained sitting near Nirag head His hand rested on Nirag forehead slowly stroking his hair
Agni Our Nirag is worried about something He said softly Perhaps he is unable to accept the truth of his birth He is our son Yet why do these questions arise in his mind
Agni came close to Neer He placed his hand on Neer shoulder and squeezed gently
Neer Do not worry Everything will be fine Nirag will recover soon
Agni picked up the water pitcher and poured water into a glass He handed it to Neer Neer smiled faintly and took the glass from Agni hand He began drinking slowly His eyes were still fixed on Nirag
Just then Nirag eyelids fluttered
He slowly opened his eyes He held his head and looked around The room seemed blurry
Neer immediately supported him
Nirag Are you alright His voice was full of motherly affection
Agni placed his hand on Neer shoulder and signaled him to stay calm
Nirag nodded
Yes Pitashree I am fine I just felt a little dizzy
Agni sat down beside him He placed his hand on Nirag forehead
What happened son Are you worried about something
Nirag lowered his gaze
No Tauji I am fine
Agni placed his hand on Nirag head and smiled Then he stood up slowly and walked away
Neer gave Nirag some water Nirag drank it Then he turned to Neer
Pitashree I need to tell you something
Neer cut him off
Nirag Not now Just calm down and rest son We will talk later
Nirag nodded
As you wish Pitashree
Neer stood up and left the room
As soon as he was alone Nirag grabbed his head His eyes shut tight
How can I tell Pitashree that something strange is happening to me Like someone is controlling me from within How do I say all this
He opened his eyes His shadow was cast on the wall of the room That shadow shifted slightly as if something else was breathing inside it
Nirag shook his head
Friend If you were here how easy it would be to understand all this Where are you friend Where are you Anvay
At Pawangadh
The royal palace of Pawangadh was silent
The night had grown deep In the main chamber of the palace Anvay stood alone Before him on the wall hung large portraits of his mother Dharaya and father Vayansh Both of them were smiling The same smile that used to calm Anvay in his childhood
Anvay lit a lamp
His eyes were moist He spoke softly
Mother Father Why did you leave me All the burden of this kingdom has fallen upon me How can I handle everything alone Father
His voice broke Tears began streaming down his cheeks
Just then a hand was placed on his shoulder
Anvay wiped his tears and looked back Chief Minister Prathamesh stood there His eyes were also moist
Anvay hugged him
Prathamesh stroked his head
Son Anvay Compose yourself The King and Queen gave their lives to save you Now you must take care of their kingdom
Anvay nodded
Uncle You know everything What is hidden from you But I do not feel good here at all It feels like the memory of my mother and father haunts me every moment
Prathamesh caressed Anvay cheek
Son Why do you not go to Prakashgadh for a few days To the kingdom of your parents friends Agni and Neer and your friend Nirag It will divert your mind and you will feel better with them
Anvay remained silent for a moment
Then he nodded
Alright Uncle
Prathamesh smiled
I will handle things here Do not worry
Anvay hugged Prathamesh
Thank you very much Uncle
Prathamesh nodded
I will make arrangements for your departure
Anvay went to his chamber
After a while a soldier arrived
Victory to the King The chariot for your journey to Prakashgadh is ready
Anvay nodded
Alright Let us go
He climbed into the chariot
The chariot moved towards Prakashgadh
On the way the wind grew stronger
Anvay looked out of the window
There was a black smudge in the sky Just for a moment Then it disappeared
Anvay heart pounded hard
Is that the same shadow
The chariot raced on
But a question echoed in Anvay mind
Nirag Are you really okay
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