The sound of waves lapping against the wooden pier echoed gently as Aryan stood aboard the elegant Kaligari ship, Tiger's Fang. The newly forged alliance with the island nation of Namira had gone smoothly. The sea breeze was cool, the sun was soft, and for once, the world felt calm.
"A toast!" shouted General Bhaskar, raising a silver goblet filled with spiced fruit wine. "To Kaligarh's future!"
"To Kaligarh!" everyone shouted in return.
Aryan sipped his wine slowly. It tasted like mango and cinnamon, with a strange fizz that tickled his nose.
Beside him stood Meena and Kaamaya—both dressed in flowing sea-blue dresses gifted by the Namiran queen. Meena leaned a little too close and whispered, "I never imagined you'd charm islanders with coconut milk and sailing talk."
Aryan chuckled. "I didn't do much. They were already scared the Empire to the north would invade. We just offered them protection... and good trade."
Kaamaya poked Aryan's arm. "Don't play humble. You impressed their shipbuilder so much, he offered to build us a special flagship."
"And he called you 'Golden Fox of the West,'" Meena added, smirking. "You really are getting popular."
Aryan sighed, sipping more wine. "That name's going to haunt me, isn't it?"
They laughed.
Just then, Reva returned with a basket of grilled fish, sticky rice wrapped in leaves, and sweet honey fruits. "Feast like an island king!" she declared, setting it down.
The group sat on woven mats by the edge of the deck. Soldiers and Namiran allies mingled on the beach nearby, some singing, others dancing to the beat of hand drums.
Veer and Sena—the tiger cubs—sat lazily in the sun, tails flicking as they munched on their own roast meat.
"This is... nice," Aryan said, relaxing against a cushion. "For once, no plotting, no fighting."
"Oh don't worry," Meena said with a teasing grin. "There will be plenty of that tomorrow."
"But tonight," Kaamaya said, holding out a mango slice, "you are forbidden to think about anything serious."
Aryan bit the fruit and made a face. "Too sweet!"
Reva pouted. "You don't like sweet things?"
"I prefer spicy."
The three girls exchanged glances.
"Noted," they all said in unison, their eyes mischievous.
Aryan suddenly felt nervous.
At sunset, they moved to a quiet corner of the beach, watching the golden sky melt into the sea. The air was filled with laughter, clinking cups, and soft music.
Kaamaya rested her head on Aryan's shoulder.
Meena leaned close from the other side.
And Reva? She casually fed him another piece of grilled shrimp. "You work too much. You deserve some pampering," she said.
Aryan cleared his throat, trying to keep his cool. "You're all pampering me too much."
"Get used to it," Kaamaya whispered. "We're not going anywhere."
End of Chapter 62