Unlike Zaiden, Zaidee was a piece of heaven on Ethar. As the royal convoy rode down from the port they passed undulating grasslands, which melted into tall pine trees.

Ajinkya rode with Haron, while Adhata was seated with her father. Wind swept their hairs as the princesses breathed the clean air of Zaidee.

"I have heard they don't eat animals here," Adhaata asked her father.

"So have I," Vayuvijay replied, "we will soon find out."

"When shall I be able to ride like Surya," Ajinkya asked Haron who rolled his eyes, "soon princess." Haron and Anakul both knew that Ajinkya was obsessed with the little pyro. At teams it got into their skin.

"Look," Vayuvijay pointed to the fields. Amongst the horses and mares there stood a fleet of pure white unicorns.

"WOOOWWWW," squeaked Adhaata.

"Father can we touch them," Ajinkya shouted as their horses galloped.

"No," their father replied sternly. "Unicorns are delicate creature, if your touch is harsh, they will wither."

"Father, Tutor Stanley says Unicorn blood makes one immortal." Vayuvijay shook his head in disappointment. "No love, Unicorn blood doesn't make you immortal. It makes you a monster." He mentally made a note to reprimand the tutor if he was feeding such bullshit to his daughters.

They marveled at the beauty of the pearl white creature as its coat glistened in the sunlight.

"Father why don't we have Unicorns in Rajdhani?" Little Adhaata complained.

"Because Zaidees don't slaughter animals like we do." Ajinkya cried out to her sister.

"Father is it true?" Adhaata looked appalled.

"To an extent yes." Vayuvijay replied, "Unicorns only thrive in a land which sheds no blood.....neither human nor animal."

"Why can't we make Rajdhani like Zaidee?" Adhaata asked innocently "Slaughter free."

"Then what will happen to the Lions and wolves like Aboli ?" Asked Vayuvijay.

"Hmmm" Adhaata said thoughtfully, "Father are Peguses like Unicorns?"

"No love, Peguses have wings, they can fly, and unlike Unicorns they can be found anywhere in Ethar. That is why unicorns are the symbols of Zaidee.

"Yes Tutor Stanley told us, Unicorns are Zaidee's, Phoenix are Kaivalya's, Airavats are Rajdhani's, Amroks for Nazaan, Red lions for Kanaan and Dragons in Zaiden."

"But father we couldn't see a Dragon in Zaiden?"

"Because Dragons are rare and stay on inside caverns, and we didn't visit any of the caverns. "

"Father, Tutor Stanley says sightingof a dragon is a sign of an impending doom?"

"Your Tutor Stanley needs some tutoring too I believe." Vayuvijay huffed, irritated with the superstitions that were being fed to his children.

As they rode grasslands lead to a forest of pines and ferns.

"We are here your majesty, " one of the Zaidees State guard, who had received them at the port, announced.

"But this is a waterfall!" Surya remarked incredulously.

"It is actually the gateway into the magical land of Zaidee." Shivashakti commented.

"Lord of Riddles, may we be granted passage?" The Commander of Zaidee State Guard Louis spoke out.

A sphinx slowly padded out from behind the cascading water. Its paws splashed against the water as it emerged. It stood in the middle of the plunge pool and bowed before the Emperor.

"But commander, to enter into the lands of Zaidee, one must give me the right answer to all five of my questions." The sphinx mischievously smiled at the Commander, swishing his tail. Its long wet hair matted against its chest as its torso blended into its golden coat.

"The one seeking passage is the Supreme Emperor!" Commander Louis said astounded.

"The Governor never made any exceptions," the Sphinx smiled, "not for the Emperor, and not for himself either."

"I will oblige, my lord," Vayuvijay replied as he climbed down of his horse and bowed to the Sphinx.

" Very well, You Majesty, remember one wrong answer and you shall not be allowed ever." The Sphinx beamed

"I am often running, but I have no legs. You need me, but I don't need you. Who am I?" The sphinx asked.

Vayuvijay thought for a moment before he noticed the waterfall.

"Water." He replied.

"Correct" The sphinx nodded appreciatively.

"I  never speak unless spoken to, many have heard me, but none have seen me. Whom I?" The sphinx asked grinning.

Vayuvijay pondered. This one was a little tough. May be one's inner voice Vayuvijay though. But his own subconscious always spoke without being spoken to.

"An Echo". Anakul answered on his behalf.

"Right you are young man." The sphinx acknowledged. His night in the dungeon had taught him something, Anakul realized.

"I no longer have eyes, but once I did see. Once I had thoughts, but now I am white and empty, who am I?"  The sphinx asked.

"Is it an abandoned marble palace?" Shivashakti wondered aloud.

"Is that your answer my lord?" The sphinx asked.

"No no no, absolutely not?"

Vayuvijay rubbed his forehead, pressing his temple to find the answer. He smiled

"Ofcourse The skull." He replied.

"How far can you run into the woods?"

"I know this one," Dasonda beamed. "Growing up in a land of forest does teach you some funny facts."

He looked at the sphinx "Half way my lord, after that you will be running out."

"Last and the most important one your majesty." The sphinx looked solemnly "The more I appear, the less you see, so riddle me this, what could I be?"
Each of the men and women pondered.
"Father how long will this take," little Adhaata squeaked. "I am tired and hungry. It will soon be dark, and we won't be able to see the beautiful Zaidee."

"That is it." Vayuvijay's head perked up, "Its Darkness." He cried out. He hugged his younger daughter.

"Indeed it is." The sphinx said. "Your are welcome to the radiant state of Zaidee. The forever blooming and growing. But refrain from killing any living being when here. You can pass through this gate  as many times you wish, till you exhaust your period of welcome, unless you decide to make Zaidee your forever home. Once you leave this land you shall have to answer me again to gain access. Hope your stay in Zaidee is comfortable." The sphinx stepped back into the cascading waterfall. The ground shook as the waterfall parted to form an arch gateway.

"Welcome to Zaidee," Shivashakti grinned as the Royal envoy passed through the archway.

Zaidee was more beautiful than the stories revealed. The fields were covered in bloom of every color. As they progressed they saw the houses were made of marble. Each had a small balcony with bougainvilleas climbing down. The wooden doors and windows were Pink, blue or mauve painted.

It was cooler than the other states, inspite of the bright sun.

"This is the south of the state," Commander Louis informed. "Its warmer here. The north is colder."

Ajinkya noticed that the Zaidees wore long silk robes over their Dhotis and Cholis, which were tied around their waist.

As they moved they saw Sudra women, tending to pumpkins and eggs plants.

Children played on the small wooden bridges that ran across rippling streams. Butterflies of every color fluttered around the fields.

As the Emperor and his companions moved, the Zaidees stopped their work and came down to the side of the roads, sitting down on their knees and bowing their heads.

The Zaidee governor Damyon was a year or two younger than Vayuvijay and the youngest Governor ever appointed in the history of Ethar. He was one of those appointed by Vishwamitra, and considering the amazing work he had done, Vayuvijay expected him to be the head of the state for a longer period. Damyon stood at the foot a huge marble palace. Unlike Zaiden or Rajdhani, Damyon's abode didn't have any exterior wall.

"Your majesty," Damyon bowed before the Emperor, "I hope your journey wasn't too harsh."

"Aah it was all well, until your Sphinx made me overwork my brain." Vayuvijay's eyes twinkled. "I do appreciate it though."

He said as relieved spread through Damyon's guilty face. He allowed ushered the Emperor and his companions into the palace. The inside of the palace was as beautiful as the outside. The courtroom had a high domed glass ceiling. There were velvet cushioned chairs that adorned the court room. A huge gold throne with purple velvet padding sat at the centre. Two smaller thrones sat on it's either side.

Ajinkya noticed that even though the Brahmins here wore white, yet their clothes had a silky sheen to them. Damyon's sleek long silver hair fell toh his waist. He was fair with a strong jaw and sharp nose.

"Your majesty," he spoke to the Emperor as they walked across the hall to the living quarters, "I didn't wish to bring this up, but there has been some developments recently." He announced.

"Something to worry about?" Vayuvijay asked.

"I would leave that up to your judgement......We have managed to capture an Eavaling." Everyone of Vayuvijay's companions gasped. "Dont worry, it is under surveillance. We merely wanted to study it, to know its weaknesses." Vayuvijay nodded skeptically.

"I want to see it the first thing tomorrow." The Emperor told the governor.