Gregor's vision blurred as panic gripped every muscle of his body.
"You said you couldn't see the face of the bearer," for the umpteenth time he anxiously asked the servant who had delivered the scroll.

"No my lord," the servant shook his head "he only said this is for your and only your eyes.

Gregor finally tore the letter and held it to the burning candle of his desk. The paper curved before the black ashes fell on the wooden table.
"Tell the stable man to ready my horse and three more." He hurriedly told the servant, "And Dollam that I shall be boarding his ship, tell him not to set sail without me, or he shall not be able to dock on any port in Zaiden."

"My lord, shall be traveling tonight?" The servant asked curiously.

"Do as I tell you." Gregor barked, "don't ask too many questions."

*******************
The guards found the dungeon cells, that held the merchants empty. So was the quarters of the  Head of  Stare Gregor.

"He must have been blackmailed" Shivashakti observed. The body of Gregor's servant was found at the port.

"Dasonda, find out which ships departed yesterday night." Vayuvijay commanded "And also seal the borders of the state."

"My lord," Dasonda obliged before taking off.

*******************
Lovack knocked before entering the room.
"Lord Logan has eloped," he blurted out.

"Did he leave any message for me?" A nervous Odin asked. They were alone in the room.

"No...but shouldn't you hide somewhere safe?" Lovac asked.

"I was planning to return back to Olathe." Odin replied.

"Did you....." Lovac hesitated, "did you know about what they did to the nanny?"

Odin waited before nodding slowly. "You can judge me Lovac but to climb the ladder of success a man needs to be Ambitious and not Righteous." Odin said haughtily "That royal prick thought he owned me," Odin spat "His pitiful letters disgusted me. He thought my loyalty lied to him. I did what I had to do. I agreed to Logan's offer. I agreed to rat out the royal scum, in exchange for a place in Samena." He looked unabashedly at Lovac "You can judge me Lovac but, you have only seen the lights of Olathe and the shimmer of Samena. Had your childhood been in the shadows of Lachlan, being fucked by drunkards and addicts. When that Royal prick came, I thought he would rescue me," Odin contorted his face in hatred "His vows and words of love were nothing but promises made in the high of lust. I was a fool to have thought he was in love with me. That he would rescue me." He looked at Lovac "You would have done the same  Lovac," he muttered.

"You are wrong Odin," Lovac spoke in a strange tone "my hole may be for sale, my soul is not." He moved away as the door opened and Haron charged in. He wrestled Odin to the bed. Odin was strong but nothing compared to the bulky Kshatriya who had him pinned to the bed.

"Where are they," Anakul stepped and stood near Odin's head, his voice cold and emotionless.

"I don't know, " Odin gasped.

"I thought all this while that Logan must have threatened you." Anakul said as he slowly moved his finger along Odin's hair, "Why did you do it Odin?"

"You were born with a silver spoon. You wouldn't know what hunger is, what it means to live without a roof over one's head." Odin spoke as Haron dug his knees deeper into his abdomen.

"You could have told me Odin," Anakul said in the same cold voice, "I could have helped you."

"You never cared for me," Odin replied, "or else you could have asked me to accompany you. But you couldn't because I shall forever be a pleasurer, and you couldn't strut a pleasurer with your Royal family."

"I wish you knew me better." Anakul replied, "I was going to call you to join me in Zaidee." A hint of pain shot through Anakul's eyes. But that is all in the past. He swooped down to kiss Odin on his lips. The latter didn't struggle. Odin knew what awaited him. He didn't flinch as the cold blade of the dagger touched his neck. Anakul sliced Odin's throat finally parting his lips. Blood seeped out and soaked the white bedsheet as it turned a bright crimson.

Anakul wiped the blood from his face and walked out.

**********************
Aashika sat, lost in her thoughts, on the banks of Shreevoyi. Her mother had not been her usual self, after hearing about Anakul's sexuality. Revathi snapped at everyone, specially Ashika. She thought there was something wrong with her upbringing which had made her son homosexual.

The night was dark, yet Ashika couldn't feel fear. She couldn't feel anything anymore except for the void.  As the first light of the dawn crimsoned the dark sky, the words of her teacher came back. "The night is the darkest before dawn." She told herself. An arrow shot past her. She turned to look. It was Ashwathi.

Dushmant walked beside her.

"How long have you been engrossed in self pity?"  Ashwathi chirped.

Aashika smiled. "You have improved." She complemented her cousin, who bowed deep down to acknowledge. Her black Kshatriya attire gave her an edge.

Ashika walked with her cousin to their makeshift practice spot. A target board and two straw mannequins donned the practice spot.

Their horse grazed on the open land nearby.

"So what are you planning to do?" Aswathi asked.

"I was thinking of apprenticing under an administrator." Ashika replied

Aswathi whistled "And everyone had their best on Anakul to become a minister."

"You have anyone in mind?" Dushmant asked.

"None specific, may be someone from Zaidee or Nazaan."

"Good choice," Dushmant observed "I believe you should speak to grandfather once. He knows quite a few administrators.

Ashika felt a little detached from the gloom that had enveloped her. She enjoyed Dushmant and Aswathi's company but at the same time desperately wanted to get out of Rajdhani.

*************

It was time for Vayuvijay to leave Zaiden. His stay in Jade was uneventful.

"Whom do you have in mind?" Vayuvijay enquired. They were deciding who should fill the vacant seat of the Head.

"I would say, we choose one of the administrators of Olathe, Lachlan or Jade. They have known the land and also its people." Shivashakti stated.

"So had Gregor." Dasonda said quietly.

"You have someone in mind?" Vayuvijay perked up.

"Someone who can understand the people and their needs. Someone who is sympathetic yet logical. Someone who will listen to his heart, yet consult his mind too." Dasonda said.

"I think I know the right candidate." Vayuvijay smiled.

*********************
The Polis hall was overcrowded as the Emperor stepped in.

"Zaidenians, " Vayuvijay roared, "It is true that the administrators of each part has done their duty honestly. But to guide them and for the welfare of the people, I appoint Lord Jonah as the new head of Zaiden." Thunderous applause followed the announcement.

Jonah joined Vayuvijay in the podium and waved at his subjects.

Vayuvijay had found out that all this while Gregor had overlooked every crime of the merchants in lieu of bribe. The erstwhile Head had filled his pockets while the state sank deeper into crime. Most of the merchants had indulged in illegal trade and practices. Logan who was the owner of most of the brothels including Samena was the worst of the lot. He had abducted women, killed and sold exotic animals, stolen grains yet due to the steady flow of women he supplied to Gregor, the head had overlooked it all. Vayuvijay could not trust the administrators. For what he believed they may have been part to Gregor's corruption.

Jonah on the other hand was young, intelligent, compassionate and honest. He may have no experience in Administration yet Vayuvijay had faith that the young man will learn the art. The Emperor himself never had any experience of governing yet he became the Supreme Administrator within a fortnight.

As they left the Polis Hall a familiar face approached Vayuvijay.

"I cannot thank you enough your majesty," The burly man in his early forties said.

"He is my nephew too Ramin," Vayuvijay replied "you have redeemed yourself to an extent."

Ramin nodded. Ramin had been watching Anakul from the day they Royal Convoy had reached Olathe. He soon realized about his son's sexuality. Ramin had immediately sent for the man who was researching about the subject. It was sheer luck that Jonah had arrived merely a night before Amala's death. When news about Anakul's trial came out, Ramin had called Shian and narrated about Jonah. Ramin felt a burden removed from his chest. He may never be able to forgive himself for abandoning his wife and children, but he did save his son from a dark future.