The next morning, it was time to leave for Sringiri village to hunt down the lion that has been creating havoc in the village and nearby areas.
Some six-seven disciples had already gathered to leave. Daksh being a punctual guy was right on time but Chitra and Pragyan were late as always.
They came leisurely walking as if nothing has happened. Pragyan waved at Daksh while Chitra was busy gawking at him. It wasn't her fault, his tall build and the chiseled body was ornated by a bow and quiver tied on his back and a sword tied on the left side of his waist. His perfect face and piercing dark brown eyes could bewitch any girl even if he didn't mean to.
"Stop drooling over him" Pragyan whispered, "You are giving me a second-hand embarrassment"
That's when Chitra came back to her senses, a little embarrassed she went to her horse.
Daksh with a blank expression, "You are late"
"But Gurudev has not arrived so....." Pragyan trailed off. Daksh didn't reply and hit the pebbles with his shoe in boredom.
Finally, Atreyacharya also arrived accompanied by Suruchi and his wife Katyayani who wore a worried expression. Suruchi ran up to the group of disciples. Chitra picked her up in her arms. "You are so excited" she pulled her cheeks.
Atreyacharya patted his horse's back, ready for departure. However, Katyayani was worried, "She is too young to go on hunts and is still recovering from her illness. I don't think it's a good idea to take her with you"
Atreyacharya sighed, "I want to start her training soon. We can not waste any more time. Also, Prince Bhanu is supposed to come here soon. I can't believe I'd have to train that dog's son", he clenched his jaw.
Katyayani, "Why him? Did you say yes?"
Atreyacharya, "Do I even have a choice". It was more like a statement rather than a question. "Alright it's time to leave," he said with a faint smile.
"Suruchi come here" he called and commanded his disciples to leave.
All the disciples bid goodbye to their Guruma and headed to the Sringiri village.
Daksh couldn't help but drift into the memories of good old days. Every time they go on any such missions reminds him of his adventurous days with his friend Crown Prince Atharv. In fact memories of his own family and the royal family never leave him alone. Royal family doted on him and treated him like their own son, if not for the world-known fact that his majesty has only a son and a daughter, people would think of him as their sibling.
This pair of the new generation was considered to be the mirror image of what their fathers were, His majesty Uday Pratap and commander in chief Ratan Jeet.
Crown Prince Athrav and the son of the commander in chief Daksh were called as 'jewels of Malvika Puri'. Men and women wished they had sons like them, girls wished they had a husband like them, boys wished they could be friends with them.
They'd often dress up as commoners and take a trip to the cities and villages of the kingdom to know if everything was going fine and the people are living in peace. Crown prince believed that the best way to know and feel the pain and difficulties of people is to walk among them and witness it.
"Come on Daksh--move your fat ass be quick" Prince Athrav walked past him and climbed on his horse that was already brought by the guards near the main gate of the palace.
"Language, Your highness" He arched his eyebrow.
Prince Atharv, "Alright slowpoke!"
Daksh shook his head in disbelief and climbed on his horse, "Let's go"
"Wait wait wait!" Princess Malvika came running accompanied by a maidservant, "Where are you going?"
"To catch a rainbow" Prince laughed out loud. Although Malvika is just a little more than two years old she knew that catching a rainbow is impossible which made her frowned.
Daksh shot a glare at him, "Do you think you are funny?"
Atharv fake pouted, "Am I not?"
Daksh shook his head, "We are going to another city" he told the Princess with a smile.
Atharv jumped down his horse and came to Malvika kneeling down to her height he asked, "Should I bring something for you, my princess?"
"No, but bring Suruchi, now off you go," she said, her choice of words made everyone around them laugh.
"Okay!" Atharv ruffled her hair and climbed back on his horse and together they left the palace.
After over three hours of traveling, they reached Rewa, a prosperous city of their kingdom called Malvika Puri.
After leaving their horses in a stable of an inn they started taking a stroll in the market asking for the prices of items in random shops. Most of the things were usually expensive which made them feel so uneasy.
"Aah I'm so hungry" Daksh groaned, "Let's eat something first then continue"
Atharv pointed to a stall, "How about apple--we can eat on the go"
"How much are these apples for, sister" Daksh asked the young girl on the stall.
"Sister, you look pretty in red" Atharv said giving her a thumbs up which made the girl slightly blush. Daksh couldn't help but roll his eyes "Don't start with your flirting", he whispered under his clenched jaw.
Atharv whispered back, "Do you think I'd flirt with her calling her a sister? I'm just being nice"
"You boys don't look like from here", the girl looked amused.
Both boys looked down at their outfits realizing that she must have noticed that they didn't look typical Rewian "Yeah--we are travelers" Atharv replied "You have got keen eyes sister"
"You don't have to pay for the apples, I'm giving you two for free" she pushed two apples forward.
Daksh said, "No no! we will pay for it"
"Consider it as a welcome gift to our city and you are travelers so save your money for some other time" She said in her velvety sweet voice. Atharv couldn't deny her, he felt so overwhelmed with her kindness and took the apples from her. After bidding farewell they headed further into the market.
As Atharv saw a jewelry shop, he quickly walked inside. "What are we doing in a jewelry store?" Daksh asked in confusion.
"Buying a piece of jewelry" Atharv stated the obvious "Tell me-- if you had to gift a girl something what will you give?"
Daksh, "A ring?"
Atharv, "Too intimate"
Daksh, "Bangles?"
Atharv, "Old fashioned plus we need a size"
Daksh, "I don't know what else girls wear"
Atharv, "I can't think of anything either". In unison, they nodded their heads and concluded that they are dumb when it comes to buying something for girls. An idea hit them when they saw some girls in the shop. Clearing his throat Atharv asked the girl who was choosing some ornaments, "I apologize for interrupting miss, can you please help me with something?"
She turned around to look at him. The girl had delicate features and hazel eyes, her hair was tied beautifully in a braid. Her pale pink skirt went all the way down touching the floor and the same colored drape hugged her body accentuating her curves at the right places, her earrings dangled with the motion of her head. Judging by her clothing it looked like she belonged to a noble family and was here with her entourage.
She waved her hand in front of his face that's when he realized he's been looking at her like a creep. He cursed himself under his breath. Judging the situation Daksh came in to save, "We are looking for an appropriate gift for a girl, may you please help us?"
"Sure" she smiled "How old is she?"
"About your age" Atharv finally came back to his senses.
The girl thought about for a moment before giving out a few options, "A necklace? A ring? A pair of earrings? Or maybe a pretty hairpin?"
"Earrings!" both said in harmony.
She picked up a box from the counter and opened it in front of them to show. It contained a pair of beautiful earrings, "These are the best that I could find in this shop. I was going to buy it but you can have it"
Atharv felt bad, "No you keep it. Just help us pick another one"
She whispered so the shopkeeper couldn't hear them, "Actually I didn't like any other pair here. You can take these I have plenty more so don't worry"
With much hesitation, they bought those earrings, expressing their gratitude over and over again they left the shop. Just like other items in the market, these earrings were also usually expensive. It was just a small price for them but for normal people, everything sure was very expensive.
Atharv pouted, "I should have asked her name"
Daksh chuckled, "Anyways, have you bought these for the girl at that stall?".
Atharv nodded and said, "I shouldn't be taking something for free especially when she probably didn't make much money. I couldn't say no when she said apples were a welcome gift. One can't easily find those who are willing to help someone selflessly" he sighed and added, "Kindness is the rarest jewel"
Daksh nodded. Upon reaching the apple stall again they waved at her and pushed the box in front of her, "We have brought something for you"
The girl shook her head with a troubled expression, "No it's not necessary. I don't want anything"
After insisting furthermore, she finally accepted the box.
It was turning already dark so they decided to stay in the city for the night and went back to the same inn where they had left their horses.
Atharv couldn't help but think about the sky-high prices in every shop, "We need to find out what's happening here".
Daksh nodded, "Hmm".
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Fun fact: Princesses in India were often named after their kingdom and their father. They used to have some other names as well.
While Princes were often named after their mothers.
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