Chapter 7: A Prince and A King

Ashwani was given a heartwarming welcome in Ashwasena. He was a charming prince with a great sense of humor. Unlike Kartika who was silent and aggressive, Ashwani was warm and more relatable. Somehow, Kartika felt nice in his presence.

During the dinner, Kartika introduces Ashwani to his newly wedded wife Rashmi. It was the first time Rashmi met Ashwani. He was warm, friendly, and humorous. She was amazed by his soothing behavior.

Rashmi could not help but think to herself, “Father wanted me to marry him. How unfortunate I am that I fell in love with this cold-hearted monster who has no feelings for me.”

Even after dinner, Ashwani spent a lot of time with Kartika. As they sat together in the guest room, Ashwani told Kartika about his plan.

Ashwani said, “I think there would be many people in those villages who might have survived the forest but we might not know.”

Kartika seemed unsure, “Why would you think that? Won’t the survivors come to us?”

Ashwani replied, “Common people have their problems, my King!” …he chuckled… “My spies tell me that there are survivors…but most of them are either boycotted or rendered crazy by the people.”

Kartika was now curious. Even the Sage went crazy. He asked, “What do you suggest?”

Ashwani replied, “I want to disguise as a commoner and enter the villages. That way it would be easy to gather information. People get cautious around soldiers and people of the royal family… But I need to investigate all the villages around the forest. Most of them belong to Ashwasena.”

Kartika said, “It is a good thought. How do you want to proceed? I can make arrangements. I can join you.”

Ashwani laughed, “You can’t join me, Rajan! You are a King. Your people might recognize you. They will not recognize me though.”

Kartika agreed to it. He said, “You have my support. You can freely enter my territories. No one will stop you.”

They talked for a while and then went back to their chambers.

After weeks of preparation, Ashwani went on his quest. He roamed from one village to another collecting information about the forest. He met with a lot of stories, most of them seemed made up. But there were a few stories that sounded real. The next stop was Raghopur.

He entered Raghopur as a merchant of spices. He took shelter in the house of Rameshwar whose father was a merchant himself. During his stay, he tried to bring up the dark forest multiple times. Rameshwar was quite fascinated by Ashwani. During a conversation, he revealed the story of Raghu’s grandmother. He told Ashwani how Raghu’s grandmother had escaped the forest and lost her brother in that nightmare.

Ashwani wanted to know more. So he took his spices and reached the house of Raghu. He sang in a loud tone, “Here comes the merchant of spices…here comes the merchant of spices…Black pepper, red pepper, cumin, and cardamom…turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, fennel…buy everything at very low prices…here comes the merchant of spices!!!”

Raghu came out and asked playfully, “You are the one staying at Rameshwar’s place?”

Ashwani replied in a sweet tone, “Yes!!! Is he your friend?”

Raghu cheerfully replied, “Best friend!”

Raghu’s mother came out and enquired about the spices. Ashwani sold everything at a very low price. Raghu’s mother happily bought all the spices and went inside to get the coins.

Meanwhile, Ashwani asked Raghu, “Where are other members of your family?”

Raghu replied, “Father and elder brother are at the farm. Grandmother is at the temple as usual.”

Ashwani said, “Let’s go and meet your grandmother. She would love these spices.”

Raghu was not dumb. He knew that the merchant was asking everyone about the forest. Rameshwar had told him everything. He immediately agreed. Raghu’s mother came out of the house and paid the merchant. Raghu waited for his mother to go back inside, and then he went along with the merchant.

Ashwani met Raghu’s grandmother, Amba. Before he could set a background, Raghu spoke to her grandmother, “Amma! This merchant wants to know your story. The one in which you lost your brother in the forest.”

Ashwani was taken by surprise. He looked at Raghu as he smiled mischievously.

Amba was hesitant. But on the insistence of Raghu, she told everything to Ashwani. For the first time in his entire journey, Ashwani had such details of an incident. He thanked Amba and Raghu. He asked her, “Do you know anyone else who had such an experience as yours? Someone who survived?”

Amba looked at the stranger, and spoke in a shaky voice, “If you tell me your truth, I might say something.”

Ashwani sighed heavily. He knew that revealing his identity was risky. But he needed the information. He revealed the entire truth to Amba and Raghu. He said, “Listen, Oh Mother! I am telling you all this because I know the pain you have gone through. I along with your King, intend to crush that forest and liberate you all. Please keep this a secret!”

Raghu was getting goosebumps. He was standing in front of a prince. What a day!

Amba’s eyes were tearful. She told the prince, “I don’t know if this would help, but there was a priest in this village, a few years ago. He went into the forest to save his son. He was not successful in saving him. But he survived. He was in too much shock. His wife died grieving for his son. Therefore, he left the village. As far as I know, he remarried a Brahmin girl in the city of Avanti. Quite an irony, that the priest’s daughter from the second wife rules as the queen of Avanti.”

Ashwani felt goosebumps in his entire body. He was looking everywhere when the answer was in plain sight. He rushed back to tell Kartika everything.

Read the next chapter. Read all the chapters. Go to Chapter 1.