Scene 1 – The Sacred Fire
The first rays of morning slipped across Kannauj's palace.
Instead of the usual bustling corridors...
The palace courtyard stood in unusual silence.
Rows of officials, attendants, soldiers, caravan drivers, craftsmen, physicians, translators, and servants had gathered in neat lines.
Nearly everyone who would join the northern expedition stood together.
No one had begun eating.
No one spoke loudly.
At the center of the courtyard...
A square brick altar had been prepared.
Fresh mango leaves decorated its four corners.
Marigold garlands surrounded its edges.
Copper vessels reflected the morning sunlight.
Beside them rested bowls filled with sandalwood powder, sesame seeds, barley, clarified butter, rice, and fragrant herbs.
A sacred fire waited to be born.
Then—
BWOOOOOOOM—
A conch shell echoed across the palace.
Every conversation stopped.
The royal priests entered together.
Their saffron robes swayed gently as they approached the altar.
The eldest among them carried a wooden ladle.
Another held sacred kusha grass.
Another carried water drawn from Mother Ganga.
Behind them...
Emperor Chandraveer entered the courtyard.
Everyone immediately bowed.
Everyone: "Prabhu."
Chandraveer raised a hand.
Chandraveer: "Today we do not seek conquest."
"We seek a safe road."
His voice settled over the courtyard.
Chandraveer: "May every person who leaves these gates..."
"...return through them."
The chief priest stepped forward.
He placed two wooden sticks together.
With practiced movements...
He kindled the sacred flame.
Tiny sparks danced.
Then—
The fire awakened.
Golden flames rose into the morning air.
The priests began chanting together.
"ॐ अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम्..."
The deep Vedic hymns rolled across the courtyard.
The sound seemed older than the palace itself.
One by one...
Offerings entered the fire.
Ghee.
Barley.
Sesame.
Fragrant herbs.
Each offering disappeared into the flames.
Sweet smoke spiraled upward.
The scent of sandalwood spread through the courtyard.
Even the horses waiting nearby gradually became calmer.
The priests continued.
"स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः..."
"स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः..."
The words carried blessings for protection, strength, and safe return.
The Blessing of the Expedition
The chief priest turned toward the gathered travelers.
He dipped a mango leaf into sacred water.
Tiny droplets scattered through the air.
They landed upon helmets...
Shoulders...
Travel cloaks...
Even Tara's sleeve.
She instinctively touched the cool droplet.
Malini quietly folded her hands.
Malini: "May the mountains be gentle."
Tara smiled softly.
Tara: "I'll settle for them not throwing us off a cliff."
Malini elbowed her.
Malini: "Don't negotiate with the mountains before we've even met them."
Dev whispered from behind.
Dev: "I'd like to negotiate with breakfast."
Ritu answered without looking.
Ritu: "Agni gets fed first."
Dev: "Unfair."
Priya quietly scribbled onto her scroll.
Priya: "Observation."
"Dev considers divine order inconvenient."
Dev: "I object."
Priya: "Noted."
The Royal Tilak
The chanting slowly softened.
Now each traveler stepped forward.
One by one.
The priests placed sandalwood and vermilion upon every forehead.
A pinch of unbroken rice rested atop the tilak.
A red-and-yellow raksha-sutra—a protective thread—was tied around each participant's wrist.
When Tara stepped forward...
The chief priest smiled kindly.
He tied the thread firmly.
Chief Priest: "Minister."
"The road ahead will test cleverness more often than courage."
Tara blinked.
Tara: "...That's oddly specific."
The priest chuckled.
Chief Priest: "The mountains prefer clever travelers."
She looked thoughtfully at the thread now wrapped around her wrist.
Then stepped aside.
Even the Horses
The lead horses of the convoy were brought forward.
Each received a sandalwood tilak.
Marigold garlands settled around their necks.
Small bells tied to their harnesses jingled gently.
The chief priest lifted both hands.
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Chief Priest: "May Agni carry your prayers."
"May Dharma walk before your wheels."
"May fear leave your hearts."
"And may every traveler gathered here..."
"...return safely to Kannauj."
The final offering entered the fire.
The flames flared brilliantly.
Then gradually settled.
A peaceful silence followed.
For a long moment...
No one spoke.
Then Chandraveer smiled.
Chandraveer: "Now."
He looked across the hundreds gathered before him.
Chandraveer: "Let no one say Kannauj sent hungry travelers into the Himalayas."
Laughter spread through the courtyard.
Even Dev looked as though his prayers had finally been answered.
Servants immediately began opening the long banquet tables.
Steam rose from dozens of freshly prepared dishes.
The solemn ritual gave way to warmth.
And together...
The empire shared one final meal before the road beyond the northern horizon.
The sun had barely risen above the rooftops of Kannauj when the eastern courtyard of the Imperial Palace was already overflowing with people.
But this morning...
Nobody was carrying crates.
Nobody was shouting orders.
Nobody was checking inventory.
For the first time in days, the palace staff had been told to put their work aside.
The Emperor had ordered a feast.
Long rows of tables had been arranged beneath enormous silk canopies. Brass plates gleamed beneath the morning sunlight, while servants moved between the tables carrying steaming dishes.
Freshly cooked rice.
Flatbreads.
Vegetable curries.
Spiced meat.
Lentils.
Fresh fruits.
Sweets.
Milk.
Tea.
The cooks had clearly decided that if everyone was going to spend the next several weeks traveling through mountains, they deserved one proper meal before leaving.
Hundreds of people had gathered.
Soldiers sat beside caravan drivers.
Ministry officers sat beside palace servants.
Physicians ate alongside stable workers.
Even some of the blacksmiths who had spent the previous day hammering weapons and repairing wagon parts were finally sitting down.
The atmosphere was strangely peaceful.
Almost festive.
At one table, several logistics officers were already complaining.
One of them dropped his spoon onto his plate and leaned backward.
Officer 1:
"I don't think I remember what sleeping feels like anymore."
The officer beside him continued eating.
Officer 2:
"You slept yesterday."
Officer 1:
"For twenty minutes."
Officer 3:
"That wasn't sleep."
Officer 1 looked offended.
Officer 1:
"I closed my eyes."
Officer 3:
"You collapsed on a crate."
Officer 1:
"A comfortable crate."
The others laughed.
Another officer took a long drink of water.
Officer 2:
"How many caravans did we process yesterday?"
Officer 3:
"Sixty-two."
Officer 1:
"Sixty-two?"
Officer 3:
"Sixty-two."
He stared at his food.
Officer 1:
"...I never want to see another caravan again."
The officer beside him smiled.
Officer 2:
"Give it two weeks."
Officer 1:
"Why?"
Officer 2:
"You'll miss them."
They all stared at him.
Officer 1:
"...Are you insane?"
The table erupted in laughter.
A few tables away, several young officers were talking about the journey.
One of them had never traveled north before.
Young Officer:
"Do you think we'll actually see snow?"
The older officer sitting beside him nodded.
Older Officer:
"If we reach the higher passes."
Another young officer leaned closer.
Young Officer 2:
"How cold is it?"
The older officer thought for a moment.
Older Officer:
"Cold enough that you'll stop complaining about the summer heat."
Everyone laughed.
The first young officer looked slightly nervous.
Young Officer:
"I've never even seen a mountain that big."
The older officer smiled.
Older Officer:
"Then you're going to remember this journey for the rest of your life."
The young officer looked toward the palace gates.
For a moment, his excitement outweighed his nervousness.
At another table, two stable workers were talking while tearing pieces of flatbread.
Stable Boy 1:
"I'm going to miss Surya."
Stable Boy 2:
"Your horse?"
He nodded.
Stable Boy 1:
"He's the best horse in the eastern stables."
Stable Boy 2:
"You said that about the last horse."
Stable Boy 1:
"That was before Surya."
The second boy laughed.
Stable Boy 2:
"You're saying goodbye to a horse like you're leaving your wife."
The first boy shrugged.
Stable Boy 1:
"At least Surya listens to me."
The second boy stopped eating.
Stable Boy 2:
"...Fair."
Nearby, several palace cooks were finally sitting down together.
One of them looked completely exhausted.
Cook 1:
"How many people are we feeding tomorrow?"
Cook 2:
"Everyone who's traveling."
Cook 1:
"That's not a number."
Cook 2:
"I stopped counting."
Another cook laughed.
Cook 3:
"At least we'll finally get to eat our own food."
The first cook stared at him.
Cook 1:
"We're cooks."
Cook 3:
"I know."
Cook 1:
"We always eat our own food."
He paused.
Cook 3:
"...Not while we're cooking."
The table went quiet for a second.
Then everyone started laughing.
A little farther away, the members of Tara's ministry had gathered around one table.
For once, none of them were surrounded by scrolls.
Priya was eating while talking about the northern kingdoms.
As usual.
Priya:
"I've been reading about the old temples in the Himalayan regions."
Dev immediately groaned.
Dev:
"We haven't even left yet."
Priya:
"And?"
Dev:
"You've already started lecturing us."
Priya ignored him.
Priya:
"Some of the temples contain inscriptions that haven't been properly documented."
Ritu calmly ate her food.
Ritu:
"She'll be carrying them all back with us."
Priya looked offended.
Priya:
"I am not."
Dev pointed toward her.
Dev:
"You packed forty-three scrolls."
Priya:
"Forty-three is reasonable."
Dev:
"For a journey?"
Priya:
"For history."
Yash quietly smiled.
He had barely touched his food because he was staring at a folded document beside his plate.
Dev noticed.
Dev:
"Yash."
Yash looked up.
Yash:
"Hm?"
Dev pointed at the document.
Dev:
"Put it away."
Yash immediately covered it with his hand.
Yash:
"I'm just checking something."
Ritu looked at him.
Ritu:
"You're eating."
Yash:
"I can multitask."
Dev shook his head.
Dev:
"You're going to check reports until the mountains fall on you."
Yash reluctantly folded the document and put it away.
Yash:
"Fine."
He picked up his food.
Then hesitated.
Yash:
"...Actually..."
Everyone looked at him.
Yash:
"I'm a little nervous."
The joking atmosphere at the table softened.
Yash looked down at his plate.
Yash:
"This is my first major expedition."
Priya smiled.
Priya:
"You're not the only one."
Ritu nodded.
Ritu:
"Being nervous is normal."
Dev leaned back.
Dev:
"I was nervous too."
Yash looked surprised.
Yash:
"You?"
Dev:
"Of course."
He paused.
Dev:
"I just hide it by complaining."
Yash laughed quietly.
Yash:
"That's actually convincing."
Dev smiled.
Dev:
"Good."
For a few moments, they simply ate.
No paperwork.
No duties.
No responsibilities.
Just friends sharing breakfast before a long journey.
Across the courtyard, Tara sat with Malini.
She wasn't saying much.
She simply watched.
The entire palace seemed different today.
The same people who had spent yesterday rushing around with crates were now sitting together and talking about their families.
Their work.
Their worries.
The places they wanted to see.
The things they would miss.
Some were excited.
Some were nervous.
Some were pretending they weren't nervous at all.
Tara slowly looked across the enormous courtyard.
Hundreds of people.
Tomorrow...
All of them would leave Kannauj.
A soft breeze moved through the canopy.
Malini:
"You're quiet."
Tara looked at her.
Tara:
"I'm just watching."
Malini:
"What?"
Tara glanced toward the young officers laughing at one table.
Then toward the stable workers.
Then toward her own ministry officers.
Tara:
"Everyone."
She smiled faintly.
Tara:
"They're all so different."
Malini nodded.
Malini:
"But tomorrow they'll all be traveling together."
Tara looked toward the palace gates.
Beyond them lay the roads leading north.
Beyond those roads...
The mountains.
Tara:
"Yeah."
She took another bite of food.
Tara:
"It's strange."
Malini:
"What is?"
Tara thought for a moment.
Tara:
"Yesterday, it felt like we were preparing for a trip."
She looked around again.
Tara:
"Today..."
"...it feels like we're actually leaving."
Malini smiled.
The conversations continued for a while longer.
People ate slowly now, no longer in a hurry.
Some spoke about what they would see in the northern kingdoms.
Others talked about the things they would miss back home.
The courtyard felt almost peaceful.
Then—
BOOOONG.
The great bronze bell of the palace rang across the courtyard.
The conversations gradually faded.
Everyone turned toward the raised platform.
Chandraveer had stood.
He looked across the enormous gathering.
Hundreds of people sat before him.
People who had spent days preparing for this very morning.
People who, in only a few hours, would leave Kannauj.
Chandraveer raised his cup.
Chandraveer:
"In only a few hours..."
The courtyard became completely silent.
Chandraveer:
"...this courtyard will be empty."
A few people smiled.
He continued.
Chandraveer:
"Every caravan you have spent these past days preparing will finally leave the palace."
His gaze moved across the soldiers.
Then the officers.
Then the servants.
Chandraveer:
"You will travel through lands many of you have never seen."
"You will meet people whose languages and customs may be unfamiliar to you."
"And you will face roads that may test your patience..."
He paused.
Chandraveer:
"...and your legs."
A few people laughed.
Even some of the soldiers looked down at their feet.
Chandraveer:
"But remember..."
His voice became more serious.
Chandraveer:
"You are not traveling as separate ministries."
"You are not traveling as individual households."
"You are traveling as one imperial expedition."
He raised his cup.
Chandraveer:
"Look after one another."
"Help one another."
"And above all..."
His expression softened.
Chandraveer:
"Return safely."
A quiet warmth settled over the courtyard.
Chandraveer:
"I may not be departing from Kannauj with you today..."
His eyes briefly moved across the crowd.
Chandraveer:
"...but I will meet you again in Kashmir."
A few people exchanged excited looks.
The Emperor joining them later suddenly made the distant destination feel much more real.
Chandraveer:
"Until then..."
He raised his cup.
Chandraveer:
"Carry the name of Kannauj with pride."
"And return with stories worth telling."
Hundreds of cups rose into the morning light.
Everyone:
"To the Northern Expedition!"
The courtyard erupted into cheers.
Tara raised her cup with everyone else.
Her eyes briefly met Chandraveer's across the courtyard.
He gave her a small smile.
She returned it.
Then the noise of the feast slowly returned.
People went back to their food.
Some began talking excitedly about the journey.
Others joked about how little time remained before departure.
And somewhere beneath all that noise...
Everyone knew the same thing.
They had only a few hours left in Kannauj.
After that...
The road to the north would begin.
The farewell feast slowly began to wind down.
The courtyard remained crowded, but the atmosphere had changed.
People were no longer eating hurriedly.
The initial excitement had settled into relaxed conversation.
Some officers leaned back in their seats, completely full.
Others were already discussing the final things they needed to check before departure.
Servants began collecting empty plates.
The cooks carried away the remaining dishes.
A few soldiers were already arguing over who had eaten the most.
Soldier 1:
"I had six."
Soldier 2:
"You had four."
Soldier 1:
"I had six."
Soldier 2:
"I was sitting beside you."
Soldier 1:
"Then you should've been counting faster."
Their argument disappeared beneath another wave of laughter.
Tara watched the courtyard for a moment.
Then quietly stood.
Malini:
"Where are you going?"
Tara stretched her arms.
Tara:
"Somewhere quiet."
Malini:
"You're not going to help with the final preparations?"
Tara gave her an exhausted look.
Tara:
"I've been preparing for days."
She sighed.
Tara:
"I want to do something that isn't work."
Malini smiled.
Malini:
"Fair enough."
Tara walked away from the courtyard.
She passed through the palace corridors, then turned toward the gardens.
The further she went...
The quieter everything became.
The voices of the officers faded.
The clattering dishes disappeared.
Even the sound of the courtyard became distant.
Soon, all Tara could hear was the soft rustling of leaves.
She stepped into the garden.
A gentle breeze moved through the trees.
Flowers swayed beside the stone pathways.
A small fountain trickled peacefully near the center.
Tara smiled.
Tara:
"Much better."
She walked toward a familiar stone pavilion.
And stopped.
Someone was already sitting there.
A wooden chessboard rested between them.
Tara's eyes widened.
Tara:
"...Arin?"
The man sitting beneath the pavilion looked up.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Arin:
"You're late."
Tara immediately smiled.
Tara:
"You've been waiting?"
Arin:
"For twenty minutes."
Tara:
"That's your problem."
Arin shook his head.
Arin:
"Still the same."
Tara walked over and sat across from him.
She looked at the chessboard.
The pieces were already arranged.
Tara:
"I heard you finally returned."
Arin:
"This morning."
Tara:
"After months."
Arin:
"After months."
Tara studied him.
Tara:
"You look tired."
Arin:
"I've spent the last several months traveling between military posts."
He leaned back.
Arin:
"I am tired."
Tara smiled.
Tara:
"Good."
Arin raised an eyebrow.
Arin:
"Good?"
Tara:
"Now we're even."
Arin:
"How?"
Tara:
"I've been exhausted preparing this entire expedition."
Arin looked toward the palace.
Arin:
"I saw the courtyard."
Tara:
"Chaotic, isn't it?"
Arin:
"I thought an army was preparing for war."
Tara:
"Apparently we're going sightseeing."
Arin laughed quietly.
Tara reached toward the chessboard.
Tara:
"Come on."
Arin:
"You're already trying to distract me."
Tara:
"I haven't even moved yet."
Arin:
"Exactly."
Tara rolled her eyes.
She moved her first piece.
Tara:
"Your turn."
Arin studied the board.
Arin:
"You're playing differently."
Tara looked up.
Tara:
"Am I?"
Arin:
"You're thinking more."
Tara smiled.
Tara:
"Maybe I've become smarter."
Arin:
"Maybe."
Tara:
"That sounded suspicious."
Arin:
"It was."
Tara narrowed her eyes.
She moved another piece.
Arin immediately responded.
Tara:
"...You're not supposed to move that quickly."
Arin:
"Why?"
Tara:
"It makes me nervous."
Arin:
"That's the point."
Tara stared at him.
Then quietly smiled.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
They simply played.
The garden remained peaceful around them.
After months of military campaigns, ministry work, political meetings and preparations...
This tiny game of chess felt strangely important.
Tara looked at the pieces.
Tara:
"I don't know when I'll get to do this again."
Arin looked at her.
Arin:
"Chess?"
Tara:
"Games."
She moved another piece.
Tara:
"Once we're in the mountains, it'll probably be meetings, travel, ceremonies..."
She sighed.
Tara:
"I doubt I'll have much time for anything like this."
Arin nodded.
Arin:
"Then enjoy it now."
Tara looked at him.
A small smile appeared.
Tara:
"That's what I'm doing."
The two continued playing.
Neither of them noticed the figure standing farther away at the edge of the garden.
Chandraveer had arrived.
He had intended to speak with Tara.
In his hand was a small embroidered pouch.
He watched the two of them for a moment.
Then his eyes settled on Tara.
She looked genuinely relaxed.
And for some reason...
Seeing her like that made him smile.
He stepped closer.
Arin noticed him first.
His eyes shifted toward the Emperor.
Then toward Tara.
Then back toward Chandraveer.
Chandraveer gave him the smallest possible nod.
Arin immediately understood.
A tiny smile appeared on his face.
Tara continued studying the chessboard.
Completely unaware.
Chandraveer stopped a few steps away.
Then—
He deliberately cleared his throat.
Chandraveer:
"Ahem."
Arin looked up.
Tara finally noticed him.
Her expression immediately changed.
She knew exactly what he had just done.
Tara:
"..."
She slowly looked toward Arin.
Then toward Chandraveer.
Then back toward Arin.
Arin quietly stood.
Arin:
"I suddenly remembered something."
Tara:
"What?"
Arin:
"Something extremely important."
Tara narrowed her eyes.
Tara:
"You don't have anything important."
Arin smiled.
Arin:
"I do now."
He walked away.
Tara watched him disappear.
Then slowly turned toward Chandraveer.
Her expression said everything.
Tara:
"...You did that on purpose."
Chandraveer sat down opposite her.
He tried to look innocent.
Chandraveer:
"Did what?"
Tara stared at him.
The chessboard remained between them.
And in Chandraveer's hand...
The little pouch waited quietly.
Tara continued staring at Chandraveer.
He sat across from her, wearing the most innocent expression he could possibly manage.
It wasn't convincing.
Not even slightly.
Tara:
"You intentionally made Arin leave."
Chandraveer:
"I merely coughed."
Tara:
"At him."
Chandraveer:
"I happened to cough in his direction."
Tara's eyes narrowed.
Tara:
"Convenient."
Chandraveer smiled awkwardly.
He placed the small embroidered pouch on the stone table beside the chessboard.
Chandraveer:
"I actually came here because I wanted to speak with you."
Tara glanced at the pouch.
Tara:
"What is that?"
Chandraveer picked it up.
Chandraveer:
"A little something."
He held it toward her.
Chandraveer:
"For your journey."
Tara didn't take it.
She simply looked at him.
Tara:
"I don't want it."
Chandraveer's hand stopped.
Chandraveer:
"...You haven't even seen it."
Tara:
"I don't need to."
Chandraveer:
"It's rather nice."
Tara:
"I'm sure it is."
She moved one of the chess pieces aside.
Tara:
"But I don't want it."
Chandraveer lowered the pouch.
Something about Tara's tone made him realize this wasn't simply about the gift.
Chandraveer:
"Did I do something?"
Tara didn't answer.
She stood and began gathering the chess pieces.
Tara:
"I should go."
Chandraveer:
"Tara—"
She turned toward him.
Her expression wasn't furious.
Just irritated.
Tara:
"I don't like being interrupted when I'm playing."
Chandraveer blinked.
Chandraveer:
"...Oh."
Tara picked up the final chess piece.
Tara:
"And now I don't feel like playing anymore."
She placed it inside the wooden box.
Tara:
"Goodbye, Your Majesty."
She walked past him.
Chandraveer remained seated.
Chandraveer:
"...Goodbye."
Tara disappeared through the garden entrance.
Chandraveer looked down at the unopened pouch.
For several moments, he simply stared at it.
Then he sighed.
Chandraveer:
"...She really didn't like it."
He opened the pouch himself.
Inside was a small, beautifully crafted piece of jewelry.
Expensive.
Elegant.
Something most people would have treasured.
But Chandraveer suddenly remembered Tara in the market.
She had stopped to admire paintings.
Handmade decorations.
Small crafts.
She had looked at those things differently.
Not because they were expensive.
Because someone had made them.
Chandraveer slowly closed the pouch.
Chandraveer:
"...Of course."
He stood.
A short while later...
The palace corridors were busy again.
Chandraveer walked quickly.
Then faster.
Then suddenly broke into a run.
Several servants stepped aside in confusion.
Servant:
"Your Majesty?"
He didn't stop.
Servant:
"...?"
At the end of the corridor, Nayan spotted him.
Nayan:
"Prabhu?"
Chandraveer continued running.
Nayan:
"Prabhu?!"
No response.
Nayan hurried after him.
Nayan:
"Where are you going?"
Still nothing.
Chandraveer disappeared around the corner.
Nayan stopped.
He looked around.
Nayan:
"...Again?"
He sighed and followed.
Meanwhile...
The expedition courtyard had become even busier.
The final horses were being harnessed.
Drivers were taking their positions.
Imperial banners were being raised.
The first caravans were already lined up beyond the main palace gate.
Tara stood beside her carriage.
Her luggage had been loaded.
Malini was checking the last few things.
Tara glanced toward the palace.
She remembered the garden.
Chandraveer's disappointed expression.
A tiny feeling of guilt returned.
Tara (thinking):
"Perhaps I was too harsh."
She looked down.
Tara (thinking):
"He probably just wanted to see me before I left."
She sighed.
But there was nothing she could do now.
The convoy was almost ready.
Tara stepped into her carriage.
A few minutes passed.
The drivers began preparing the horses.
The convoy slowly came to life.
Then—
A voice echoed from the palace entrance.
Chandraveer:
"TARA!"
Tara froze.
She turned toward the palace.
At the top of the grand staircase...
Chandraveer was running toward her.
Alone.
No guards.
No servants.
No royal attendants.
He was holding a small cloth pouch.
Tara stared.
Tara:
"...Your Majesty?"
Chandraveer ran down the remaining steps.
He finally reached the carriage, breathing heavily.
Tara opened the door.
Tara:
"Are you alright?"
Chandraveer nodded.
He held the pouch toward her.
Chandraveer:
"I brought something else."
Tara looked at him.
Then at the pouch.
She accepted it.
Slowly opening it...
She froze.
Inside was a small woolen doll.
It was handmade.
Its stitching was slightly uneven.
Its clothing was simple.
Its dark hair had been carefully woven into a tiny hairstyle.
And somehow...
It looked like Tara.
Tara stared at it.
Then at Chandraveer.
Tara:
"...You made this?"
Chandraveer looked away slightly.
Chandraveer:
"I tried."
He scratched the back of his neck.
Chandraveer:
"It isn't perfect."
Tara looked back at the doll.
A smile slowly appeared.
Tara:
"I like it."
Chandraveer's expression immediately brightened.
Chandraveer:
"Really?"
Tara:
"Yes."
She carefully held the doll against herself.
Then she looked at him.
Tara:
"You made this yourself?"
Chandraveer:
"...Yes."
Tara:
"Why?"
Chandraveer hesitated.
Chandraveer:
"I remembered how interested you were in handmade things."
He smiled faintly.
Chandraveer:
"I thought this might make you happier than something expensive."
Tara's expression softened.
For a moment...
She simply looked at him.
Then she leaned forward.
And gently kissed his cheek.
Chandraveer froze.
Completely.
Tara pulled back.
Tara:
"Forgive me."
She smiled.
Tara:
"But I had to give you a return gift."
Chandraveer continued staring at her.
His brain had clearly stopped functioning.
Chandraveer:
"..."
Tara giggled softly.
Tara:
"Thank you."
Chandraveer finally managed to speak.
Chandraveer:
"...You're welcome."
His voice was unusually quiet.
Tara began closing the carriage door.
Then paused.
She looked at him one more time.
Tara:
"Oh, by the way..."
Chandraveer looked up.
Tara:
"You didn't need to follow me all the way to the market that day to spy on me."
Chandraveer's entire expression froze.
Chandraveer:
"..."
Tara smiled innocently.
Tara:
"I knew."
The first caravan bell suddenly rang.
CLANG!
A driver shouted from ahead.
Driver:
"THE CONVOY IS DEPARTING!"
The horses began moving.
Wheels slowly rolled across the stone courtyard.
Tara held the little woolen doll close.
Tara:
"Goodbye, Your Majesty."
Chandraveer was still recovering from her revelation.
Chandraveer:
"...Goodbye."
Tara smiled.
Then closed the carriage door.
Her carriage began moving.
One caravan followed another.
Then another.
Then another.
The enormous expedition slowly began passing through the palace gates.
Tara watched Kannauj disappear behind her through the carriage window.
She held the little doll in her lap.
A faint smile remained on her face.
Outside the palace...
Chandraveer stood completely motionless.
His eyes followed the convoy until the final carriage disappeared through the gates.
Slowly...
His hand rose to his cheek.
He touched the exact spot where Tara had kissed him.
He remained there.
Frozen.
For several minutes.
Footsteps suddenly thundered behind him.
Nayan:
"PRABHU!"
Chandraveer didn't move.
Nayan finally reached him, completely out of breath.
Nayan:
"Why did you run all the way outside the palace without any guards?!"
No answer.
Nayan:
"Prabhu?"
Still nothing.
Nayan followed his gaze toward the distant convoy.
Then looked back at Chandraveer.
His hand was still resting against his cheek.
Nayan:
"...What happened?"
Chandraveer finally blinked.
But he still didn't answer.
The morning breeze moved through the palace gates.
The imperial banners fluttered above the departing caravans.
And far beyond Kannauj...
The northern road awaited.
Cut to black.