Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

An hour later, they reached the lodge where Shaurya had been staying all this while. Having been with Prithvi long enough, Shaurya knew better than to ask for any details from Bela at this juncture. But he could see that she was a tad nervous. Once inside, Bela asked him to stay put in the small lobby area and went to look for the old man who manned this place.     

She had been given the reference of the lodge owner by Prithvi and hadn't investigated him on her own. Hence, she didn't know much about his background or associates. Thinking back, she realized that it had been a big mistake on her part. Irrespective of the source being trustworthy, she should have done her own recee. She pulled out the sheathed knife from under her breastbone where it had been held with a bolster. She tucked it behind her back for easy access.     

Knocking at the door of the old man's room, she got no response. About to turn the doorknob to enter the place, she heard footsteps and looked sideways.     

"Oh! You are here," the old man's face wrinkled up in a smile.     

He held a tray in his hand which had three glasses.     

"I think he hasn't arrived yet but I wanted to get the kesar milk ready in advance and keep it in the lobby," the old man told Bela as he walked past her towards the living area.     

Bela placed a hand on the man's arm and asked him, "Who is this person? How did he get to know about me and the guy who is currently living here? Are you the one who told him? Why? Are you a spy? Himprayag? Chandragarh?"     

The old man took in her slightly hostile posture and smiled.     

"A spy, you say? Hmm... I am not sure who I am anymore, a recluse citizen of Himprayag or a long-forgotten agent of the Chandragarh army. At this juncture of my life, it doesn't even matter anymore. As for the person who is coming here tonight, he carries the trace of the past glory, so don't be too harsh on him till you meet him. I think that he wants to taste a bit of what his forefather had experienced. But then, what do I know. I am just an innkeeper," with that, he walked ahead, his knobby knees creaking in protest.     

Bela stared after him. Her instinct told her that he was someone trustworthy but that didn't mean she was going to lower her guard anytime soon.     

"Hello, grandpa! Long time no see," a cloak shrouded guy came in from the side entrance and walked towards the old man with a smile.     

"Leave your smelly rags at the door before you enter. Haven't I told you this earlier?" the man grumbled.     

Rudradev shrugged out of the cloak in one fluid motion and threw it on the ground.     

With an apologetic smile, he said, "If I was to do that, someone may get curious about my presence here and then unearth the secret of this place. Do you think that I am ready to share the secret of kesar milk with anyone else? As it is, you are so stingy and haven't given me the recipe yet!"     

Bela, of course, recognized the young strategic minister of the royal court of Himprayag. He had been the last person on her mind to meet her here under these circumstances.     

Wasn't he supposed to be the closest aide of Prince Mithilesh?     

Schooling her expressions into normalcy, she gave a respectful bow and said, "Greetings, Minister! I wasn't expecting to see you here. This rundown inn seems a far cry from your opulent accommodation in the city."     

At her testing words, Rudradev grinned and shook his head.     

"I think grandpa here will take offence at your unkind remarks about his place. As for my presence, didn't you hear just now? I am here for the milk," with that, he headed towards the glasses which had been placed at the center table in that room.     

"I am going to leave you guys to it. Make sure that you all place the empty glasses in the kitchen before you leave. Oh! I have left a milk jar for you to take along, Rudra. Make sure to bring it back the next time," with that the old man went out of the room.     

Shaurya had not moved from his spot. He stood alert and poised, waiting for a signal from Bela. Rudradev, on the other hand, seemed oblivious of the wariness in the room. He picked the glass and sauntered towards the area where a couple of lounge chairs had been placed.     

"Aren't you going to sit?" he asked Bela with a raised eyebrow.     

Deciding to let him lead the scene, Bela sat opposite him and waited while he slurped the drink with obvious enjoyment.     

"Ah! The old man seems to have outdone himself tonight. Every time I come here, the taste seems to keep getting better. I am sure that you are wondering as to why am I going on and on about it. Well, as per the legend, I am told that my distinguished forefather was extremely fond of it. He attributed the sharpness of his mind to this very drink. Since he is my role model, I am inclined to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, no one in Himprayag seems to know how to make it like you Chandragarh people. Hence, I have to make the trek to this place every single time," he said with a nonchalant smile.     

"Even though your forefather belonged to another country, isn't your loyalty directed towards your native place, Himprayag?" Bela asked him in a pointed manner.     

Rudradev threw his head back and laughed, "Is my presence here a sign of disloyalty towards my country? Won't this mean that you harbour ill-intentions towards Himprayag?"