The boarders all gathered at the ship rails, as the colossal mountains of Zaiden emerged along the horizon. The dense mist crept amongst the vessels as they approached. They could hear conch shells and trumpets faintly, announcing their arrival.

"That my friend," Amala murmured to Anakul "is Zaiden."

"It is beautiful." Anskul whispered in awe.

"The Emperor wants to have a word in private Lord Anakul." One of the Rajdhani guards informed him.

Anakul looked puzzled yet accompanied the Rajdhani guards to his uncle's chamber.

"That will be all," Vayuvijay told the Rajdhani Guard "make sure we are not interrupted."

He motioned Anakul to sit. He pushed away the scroll and rested the feather on the ink bowl.

"I know you are going through an emotional turmoil," Vayuvijay said carefully "I want you to know that I am here for you."

Anakul's heart sank. Did his uncle know? He should not have confided in Amala.

"I am not sure w-what you have h-h-heard but ......." Anakul started to stammer again.

"Anakul don't be silly," Vayu waved his hand "I am your uncle. I have known you since childhood." He looked at the boy pitifully "Your mother knew it would happen eventually," he sighed "may be that is why she didn't agree with you participating in the voyage. But I persuaded her, since I thought it will be a good experience for you and help you in your future." He continued "But seeing you like this now, I believe I was wrong."

"U-uncle I am sorry..I d-don.."

"Why should you be sorry?" Vayuvijay said impatiently "He should be sorry."

"He?"

"Ofcourse! Ramin abandoned your family," he face contorted as Vayuvijay uttered the name "for the sake of frivolous expeditions."

It dawned on him. Anakul realized his uncle was talking about his father who lived in Zaiden. When Ashika was two, their father had without a word left Rajdhani and settled in Zaiden. His bizarre researches had eroded all his sense of responsibilities for his family.

"I hope he has finally found what he was looking for," Anakul snorted, relieved that Vayuvijay was not aware of his sexuality "a design to eradicate crime."

Vayuvijay rolled his eyes "Oh don't remind me. Thank god neither you nor your sister share his eccentricity." He chortled.

"But if not your father," he paused "then what had been bothering you."

"Nothing uncle," he lied "I am merely homesick."

"That we all are."

"We are nearly there," Anakul told him "don't you want to see the docking"

"I have seen enough docking," Vayuvijay replied casually before returning to the scroll "you go on and enjoy with your cousins."

****************************
Aswathi brandished the sword, as she tackled her opponent. But the boy she was dueling easily disarmed her.

"One of the most important rules of sword fighting" their trainer told her as she picked up her sword "is balance."

She huffed "I am balanced."

"Not the body, but the mind." Aham told her "A Kshatriya has to be fiercely calm." He corrected Ashwathi's posture of holding the sword. "While his heart is to rage, his mind should be ever calm."

"How is one supposed to do that." Aswathi complained.

"Calm your mind so that you can calculate your opponents move and defend yourself from his strike, then channel the rage of your heart to every muscle of your body and attack." He took her sword and motioned the boy to dwell. As the boy swished the sword from right, aiming at Aham's right thigh, Aham effortlessly blocked him with the sword, held in his right hand. The boy retracted and this time went for his shoulder as Aham ducked and swiftly moved behind the boy and held the sword at his throat.

"And that is go for the kill."

Aswathi was amazed. She wished she could move so swiftly. As the class dispersed Aswathi walked to her horse. The training of Kshatriyas took place in a field behind the Temple of Oracle. As she galloped into the castle she found her brother in law.

"Dushmant, she got down from the horse and walked up to him."

"Yes," turning away from his fellow castle guard he was speaking to.

"I want you to teach me how to move like lightning."

"It has not been even a year since you became a Kshatriya." He smiled "Give it some time."

"The more time I waste, the more breathes my father's killer gets." She said grimly. "I will be waiting for you tomorrow at the training ground seven hours after day-break." She told him as she walked to the castle. "You better be there, or my sister shall know about the drinks at the dock."

Dushmant gaped at her.

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

"You really thought, I would believe your set up Empress." Jaya spat.

"You are delusional sister by law." Manyata had come to visit her to tell her that Saujanya had chosen to become a Brahmin. Jaya seemed disinterested. She had been in the dungeon for over a year. Her hairs were disheveled. Dirt covered her fingernails. Her skin had bruised. Her eyes were hollow. When Manyata had presented the Health preserver Jaya had denied to believe a word he said claiming him to be a stooge of the Emperor.

"You all shall rot," she sneered "I curse you Siiiiisteeeer byeeee laaaaaaw. Your empire shall burn."

"I came to share the news of your children," Manyata sighed "I have done my part." She turned to leave.

"You blame my husband, yet it was you who murdered Vrijeswar. The goblet he drank from, was meant for you EMPRESS. You made him drink it." And Jaya broke in a maddening laughter.

*************************
"My lord, some disturbing news have emerged from Aridos." Damien told Elixir. "The fertile lands around the desert has suddenly experienced a steep drop in the temperature."

"But how is that possible," a confused Elixir asked the administrater. Kaivalya had seven administrators. One each for East Bank, Shramshanth, Aridos, Algor, Woqda, and two for Midas. Since Midas had large mines of metals, it required extra pair of eyes and hands.

Damien was the Administrator of Aridos which was situated party in the desert. Shramsanth was the border city between Kaivalya and Nazaan was also partly situated in the desert. Woqda was on the South west and Midas was on south on the other side of the Mountains that separated Kaivalya from Rajdhani. Algor was to the north and East Bank was on the East. The Giga Ocean lied beyond the East Bank.

"The inhabitants are claiming it has something to do with the Eavaling infestation in the desert."

"I will have to speak to Jaiveera." Elixir said.

********************
"Unless I go there and visit, I won't be able to know for sure." Jaiveera said with urgency.

"Can't you delegate some one." Dharmeshnath pleaded.

"I am afraid Royal Advisor," Jaiveera shook his head "but I cannot rely on anyone, specially when the Emperor is scheduled to visit the place."

Dharmeshnath nodded. It made him uncomfortable to have the Rajdhani devoid of the Royal commander at such a time of crisis. He trusted Rudra and Chakir, but they had recently taken up charge, whereas the probable substitute of Jaiveera, Edmund was not even from Rajdhani.

"The Rajdhani is not in danger." He consoled himself.

*********************
Lachlan the southern state of Zaiden was overcrowded. Its beauty was lost behind the bustle of its people.

More than twelve people lived in each house.

The resources even though in abundance, were not enough for the never ending population. The Head of Zaiden was on the other hand a slothful man. He cared least about his people and more about splendor.

"He needs to be replaced," Vayuvijay told Shivashakti. After Lachlan they had planned to visit Olathe where the administrative Council was located. Thereafter their final destination was Jade.

"That will be a mistake"" Shivashakti observed, "replacing the head of the state immediately on your arrival will send a wrong message."

"Then how are we going to tackle this," he asked Shivashakti.

"First let's hear the grievances of Zaidenians," Shivashakti advised.

"Hmmm, I guess you have a point," he turned to Hendrix "spread the word that the Emperor's Court shall commence at the Polis Hall tomorrow ten hours after midnight."

**********************
Elixir's fear wasn't ill founded Jaiveera thought. He walked along the narrow lane. Two State guard accompanied him.

The greenery that once lined the trail was gone.

"Where are the villagers?" He motioned to the abandoned huts on the right side.

"We have not been able to trace all of them yet," one of the guards replied, "some had appeared in Shramshanth, seeking refuge."

"They said the cold had hampered the harvest." The other guard informed "The cattles wouldn't stay tethered anymore," the guard said warily "they tore off and escaped."

"May be it is some natural phenomenon." Jaiveera said, trying to reason the bizzarity.

He had been patrolling the roads of Aridos for more than a month, but nothing unusual has happened.

Jaiveera looked around at the barren trees. Their branches waiting futilely to bloom again.

Jaiveera sighed before tracing his way back. Their horses had refused to set hoofs on the village, so they had to traverse on foot.

***********************
The Emperor's announcement saw thousands of Zaidenians gathered at the Polis hall.

"I know you have a lot to say," Vayuvijay spoke to them from the podium in the middle of the round hall, "and I want to hear it all."

He turned to his right as he spoke "Therefore I have decided to introduce a new practice."

He motioned the administrator of Lachlan to remove the cloth to reveal a large steel box that stood on a pedestal beside Vayuvijay.

"This is the BOX OF GRIEVANCES." Vayuvijay informed them "Write your complains and drop them in this box, I assure that all your complaints will be redressed." He said assertively.

A huge round of cheer waved through the hall, reverberating through the dome shaped hall.

"And not just in Lachlan," he looked at adminstrator "inform the other states, to set up a Boxes of Grievances," he continued "and when they are brimming, tell them to send them to me."

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

The Box of grievances proved to be a master stroke. Numerous grievances had reached Vayuvijay. But the common undertone was the inaction of the Chief.

"Dear people of Lachlan," Vayuvijay addressed them as he stood at the same podium once again after five months "my time to part has finally arrived. But remember your Emperor is always with you, even if not in body, but his heart remains with you."

"I have implemented new statutes to ensure a better living for you all," he addressed them "I need you all to promise me that you shall adhere by these new statutes."

The Zaidenians screamed their ascent.

Vayuvijay unrolled the scroll he had in his hand and started to read out loudly.

"For the benefit of all, no one shall be allowed to possess any Dagger, sword, arrow on any such weapon which are capable of maiming anyone else."

"For the uniform distribution of resources, no family shall be allowed to have more than one child, unless it's a twin. Those who do not follow this rule, shall not be entitled to any food, grain or cereal."

The applaud that followed this time, seemed a little less enthusiastic.

"We are trying to invent birth control measures," Vayuvijay told the crowd "so that you can enjoy the process of child making without actually making one." He said with humor.

"I take your leave People of Lachlan," Vayuvijay bowed as he descended from the platform.