The Emperor of Murzaan, Azael Aftaab Murzaan, struggled with himself, his own dark desires, as he lusted for Princess Veera. "Would it be a sin to have her right now?" Aftaab fought his own intelligence and wanted to be foolish, mesmerized by Princess Veera's sensual beauty, he dared to lay next to her, in her private chambers, at the Palace of Indira, surrounded by Chandraprava warriors. He huffed in annoyance as he was compelled to behave himself with Princess Veera. He moved his face away from Princess Veera's, who was fast asleep. Aftaab got up from the bed and casually loitered in Princess Veera's bedroom to distract himself from the lust that was taking over him. He stopped at her dressing table, and picked up her hair brush and smelled it. He whispered, turning to Veera, "how do you manage to smell like the storm, Princess Veera?" Intoxicated with her smell, he tried to keep her ornamented metal hair-brush away, but accidentally dropped it. With a loud ringing noise, the metal brush landed on the intricate mosaic marble flooring. Princess Veera jolted awake!!! She screamed in fear, "who is it???" But when she looked around, there was no sign of Aftaab! He had vanished without a sound! Nehi, Princess Veera's maid-servant, walked in and enquired, "Princess Veera? What happened?" Veera wasn't sure and she jumped up from her bed, and confessed, "Nehi, I felt someone's presence in my room, as if someone was sitting beside me on my bed and touching me". Nehi was taken aback to hear that and she frantically looked around in Veera's private chambers, but there was no one, only a stunning black cat at the balcony adjoining the bedroom, and then saw the metal brush lying on the floor. Nehi picked up and showcased it to Princess Veera and pointed at the black cat and explained, "looks like it is one of your cats, Princess Veera. He must have come looking for you, wanting your attention." Princess Veera broke into a smile and went to the balcony and picked up the big black tomcat, and she exclaimed, "then, tonight you will sleep in my bed." Nehi greeted Veera and exited. Veera lay down on her bed with the tomcat. Aftaab was still there, hiding in plain sight, behind the balcony walls and the curtains, he mumbled in annoyance seeing Veera lying with the tomcat, "lucky bastard! That tomcat!"
The night transitioned to day, and no one knew that this day would be a major turning point in their lives! The tone of the morning was joyous, as Raja Moti Chandraprava addressed the ministers of Chandraprava, along with his sons, his Chief of Army, and with Raja Maniket from the Kalaneel Dynasty who was with a few of his own ministers. The Royal women folk of Chandraprava, including the Queen, Princess Veera and Princess Rekhaha were seated at the jharokha, escorted with their close maids, the daasis, who stood guard beside them. And amongst the guards at the entrance of the Palace Hall, stood none other than Azael Aftaab Murzaan, disguised as one of the Palace guards. One of the senior guards kept a watchful eye on him, unable to recall when this newcomer had been recruited. Aftaab, aware of the suspicion, tried his best to blend in with casual conversation and local stories, but he sensed it wasn't going too well, before things would slip out of hand, that he must make his exit soon from the palace. Raja Moti was elated and addressed all, "I am proud to announce my daughter's marriage, the eldest Princess Veera Chandraprava will soon be the bride to The Great Ruler of the Northern Continent, from the Kalaneel Dynasty, Raja Maniket Manan!" All hail for the Kings' union! Raja Maniket roared a promise, "this marriage is the beginning of a strong alliance, with our values aligned, we shall fight the injustice done to us, and our people. This marriage is an effort to ensure I am guided well, with a Chandraprava Princess by my side, as my wife, who will soon be called the Queen of Kalaneel Dynasty!" Up at the jharoka, Princess Veera felt a pang of responsibilities and accepted it gracefully, as her younger sister, Princess Rekhaha extended her hand to hold hers, and whispered, "my warmest felicitations to you on this auspicious occasion my dear sister." Princess Veera smiled and graced the moment as she looked up ahead. Back in the main hall, Raja Moti instructed his ministers to coordinate closely with those of the Kalaneel Dynasty and brief Raja Maniket about Chandraprava's army and artillery before his departure to his kingdom. Raja Maniket intervened, "if I may, Raja Moti Chandraprava. I wouldn't want the ministers to hurry with such an important task. I am going to write back home formally, letting them know that I will be extending my stay here at Indira. That way, I can jump into preparation and learn on the field to prepare a war tactic that is undefeatable! Ofcourse, only if you, Raja Moti and Princess Veera would have me here at Indira?" Raja Moti is pleased to hear that and says "ofcourse! This is your home now Raja Maniket!" Raja Maniket thanks him and says, "why go away when my future, my goals are right here in Indira." And as a gesture he looked up at the jharokhas from the corner of his eyes and gazed at Veera. Princess Veera, seated at the jharokha, blushed. Her sister, Princess Rekhaha, caught the moment, and teased Veera, "what a man! He can romance you, even in a political meeting!" Princess Veera hushed her sister to keep quiet, as Rani Roopai glared at them to keep quiet, but she too seemed to be very pleased with Maniket's extension of stay at Indira and the blossoming romance between Maniket and Veera.
When the meeting was adjourned, Rani Roopai found Raja Maniket wandering in the outside corridor area and she walked up to him and teased him, "looking for someone, Lord Maniket?" Raja Maniket, like a young boy blushed and fumbled, "oh no, my apologies my Queen. I was just…" when Rani Roopai intervened, and gestured to her personal maid-servant, "tell Princess Veera that I have asked her to show Raja Maniket around the Palace, to give him a tour of our lovely Palace." She smiled at Raja Maniket who had no words to express. The maid-servant too, controlled her smile and walked away. Rani Roopai smiled at Maniket and said, "you can thank me later." Raja Maniket blushed, feeling foolish as Rani Roopai walked away.
Moments later, Princess Veera and Raja Maniket wandered the decorated corridors and chambers of the Indira Palace, and Veera went on talking about the history of various elements, "this large elephant placed at the center of the Palace, was gifted to my great grandfather, by a Kalaneel King, your grandfather actually. They had then placed it here, as a symbol of humble strength and wisdom, that would transcend into our household." Raja Maniket admired Princess Veera's description, "what a lovely thought!" He stared in awe at Princess Veera instead of the sculpture and she taunted him, "have you seen it before?" Raja Maniket was embarrassed and blushed, "Princess Veera, I don't know why, but you are the only one who makes me nervous. No one else in this world makes me so conscious of my being." Right next to where Princess Veera and Raja Maniket were, Emperor Aftaab in disguise stood tall, pretending to guard the corridor area from a distance, and tried hard to eavesdrop on their conversation. Aftaab as a guard was trying hard to keep his eyes off of Princess Veera! Princess Veera walked close to Raja Maniket and said softly, "I wouldn't want you to feel that way around me, I want you to be comfortable, to speak your heart and mind out to me. I don't just wish to be a woman in your life, but a friend too. Come, let me show you my personal Chamber, so that you too can see that I am actually very simple in my taste." Raja Maniket and Princess Veera started to walk towards her private chambers through the corridors of the Palace, when Raja Maniket asked, "so, tell me, which is that one area in your private chambers that you spend most of your time in?" Princess Veera excitedly answered, "oh the chess arena! No doubt about that one." Emperor Aftaab fell behind and wasn't able to eavesdrop on their conversation. Amused, he muttered to himself, "did she say chess?" And here, Raja Maniket had a similar reaction, "you play chess?" Veera nodded a yes, "all the time. And let me warn you, I can be a bitter loser." The two chuckle and Raja Maniket shared an insight, "I don't think I have seen a woman play chess, ever!" Princess Veera asked, "is it meant only for men to play?" Raja Maniket teased, "fierce! That's good!" Princess Veera blushed, when the two were interrupted by a commotion in the Palace premises, and found all the guards running towards the back entrance of the Palace. Princess Veera and Raja Maniket enquired, "what is the matter?" The Palace Guard advised Princess Veera to retreat back to her private chambers, saying that there was a safety breach in the palace. He informed them that a Murzaan Soldier had just been caught, trying to infiltrate into the Palace of Indira from the Back Gates. Emperor Aftaab was alerted hearing this and thought to himself, "what have you done, Zulfi?" He too started to move in the direction of the commotion, the Back Gates of the Palace.
Just a few moments later that day, at the backgates of the Palace of Indira, Zulfi was nailed up against the large stone Palace walls, with shackles around his body. The Princes of Chandraprava, Veera's Brothers- Rujaimal, Pooran and Vedan, along with Chandraprava Soldiers stood tall with their capture. Raja Maniket joined them and the eldest son of Raja Moti Chandraprava, Prince Rujaimal told him, "this twig-like Murzaan soldier was found this morning, trying to sneak into the Palace of Indira from the backgates." Raja Maniket said, "Prince Rujaimal, I would like to personally interrogate him." Prince Rujaimal nodded in approval and said "very well then." Azael Aftaab Murzaan, the Emperor in disguise too, reached the site, and his face stiffened, and his casual behavior disappeared seeing Zulfi in shackles. Princess Veera was watching this sight from the upper deck of the Palace and she rushed down to where all are gathered around the captured Murzaan Soldier, Zulfi. Seeing Princess Veera's presence, Prince Rujaimal reacted, "Princess Veera, you cannot be here." But Veera retorted, "am I not a Chandraprava warrior?" Princess Veden, the youngest, whispered to Veera, "this is not the place to argue Veera." But Raja Maniket intervened, "Princess Veera, what do you have in mind?" She replied to her soon to be husband, "my King, I too wish to observe the interrogation. I promise, I shall not intervene. Raja Maniket declared, "I will allow it, but under one condition, you will have to let me guard you personally. I cannot take a chance." Veera nodded in approval. Raja Maniket stepped forward towards Zulfi and drew his sword and asked, "the Murzaans must have gotten a hint of the alliance, and sent you here to spy, a weak, fragile one like you is a good spy because no one would doubt you. But what I don't understand is, why were you so desperate to enter the Palace in broad daylight? Did you come looking for someone?" Aftaab felt the situation spiraling, worried about Zulfi's survival, gripped the sword at his waist and advanced towards Raja Maniket, ready to attack! While others remained fixated on the questioning, Aftaab moved towards Raja Maniket! Zulfi was lifeless from the beating he had received, yet he mocked, "Raja Maniket Manan, why don't you tell me, why you crossed Zaleela, the mother of all treacherous seas? I have heard you need more friends to fight my Emperor Azael Aftaab Murzaan?" Raja Maniket was furious and he lifted his sword to strike Zulfi. Aftaab tensed up as he prepared to attack in Zulfi's defense. Just as the moment danced on the edge of violence, Veera stepped in, stopping Raja Maniket, "please stop! We do not kill in the Palace of Indira. It is a sin. This is the Goddesses home." Raja Maniket was embarrassed, "forgive me my Princess." Aftaab took a breath of relief and stared at Veera from the corner of his eyes, but that very moment, Veera picked up on his stare and she turned to look at him! Aftaab and Veera were face to face! Veera too stared at his face and Aftaab tried to look away. Princess Veera froze as she recognised that face from the night at the sacred pond! She, at once snatched a sword from a guard and held it on Azael Aftaab's neck. Aftaab was shocked!!! Everyone was shocked and no one understood why the princess had turned on a Chandraprava soldier. Princess Veera assertively spoke, "that face! I have seen you!" Emperor Aftaab couldn't believe how sharp Princess Veera was! Veera ordered, "tell me at once! What were you doing at the sacred pond that eve, and why were you dressed like a sadhu?" Zulfi saw the sight, and was shocked to find Aftaab, his Emperor, disguised as one of the Chandraprava soldiers, but didn't react to his discovery to avoid suspicion. But now, Zulfi worried about Aftaab who was being questioned by Princess Veera. Aftaab without fumbling spoke with a fluent Chandraprava accent, "yes I was there at the sacred pond on the eve of Bihuru, to pray, like everyone else, my lady. But forgive me, that I seemed like a sadhu to you. I didn't have anything new to wear for the festivities." Princess Veera was not convinced, but felt a pang of guilt for judging a soldier's festive outfit. Yet, Princess Veera ordered, "prove that you are one of us, a Chandraprava?" Everyone was taken aback by Princess Veera's skill and authority. But Aftaab calmly took out a coin that carried the emblem of the Chandraprava, which each soldier received, like an identity card. Veera studied it for a moment, convinced, she finally lowered her sword, "All right then." Emperor Aftaab exhaled in relief. Princess Veera, along with the Princes and Raja Maniket walked away after ordering further interrogation of Zulfi's, the infiltrator who is to be shifted to the prison chambers of the Chandraprava Fort. Zulfi was left with a dozen Palace guards as the Royals left.
A short while later, as the royals walked towards the main Palace area, Raja Maniket commended Princess Veera, "you are a brave one." Veera's three brothers teased in unison, "she is the bravest of us all!" Princess Veera blushed and justified, "I do think it is important for a Princess too, to know the matters of the Kingdom." Suddenly there were loud screams coming from the area of the back gates where Zulfi was kept. All were alerted, along with a few guards that were escorting them. They rushed back towards the backgates of the palace and to their shock and terror, there was no sign of Zulfi, the captured Murzaan Soldier! The broken shackles hung on the wall, with dead bodies of a dozen Chandraprava soldiers lying on the ground, who had been alive and guarding Zulfi just moments ago! Prince Rujaimal glared at the site and screamed, "guards! There is a traitor amongst us." Prince Vedan added, "we are sure now there is more than one." Raja Maniket requested Princess Veera, "Princess, you really shouldn't be here." Prince Pooran shared an insight, "no one is safe right now, we must find them." When they all heard a loud scream, coming from the Palace corridors.
Inside the Chandraprava palace, in the corridors leading to the royal family's private chambers, Emperor Aftaab, still dressed as a Chandraprava soldier but no longer in disguise, ran through chopping down any guard who tried to block his way. But Zulfi struggled to keep up, or defend himself, when Emperor Aftaab instructed him, "Zulfi, I am going to lead you to the open garden area, from there, you will have to jump off the tall walls." Zulfi was shocked, "no way! I cannot jump." Aftaab pressed on as he fought off the in-coming Chandraprava guards, "you have to Zulfi. It is an order." Zulfi fretted, knowing well he wasn't quite the warrior, nor did he have the body for it, like his Emperor Aftaab. Zulfi asked, "but what about you?" Aftaab, moved through one body after the other, "I am going to stop them here, help you buy some time. No more chit chat. Go!" Zulfi, not sure of what he was going to do, obeyed his master blindly and ran towards the open gardens.
Just then, Raja Maniket and Prince Rujaimal reached Emperor Aftaab, along with a few soldiers of Chandraprava, and Raja Maniket himself charged at Aftaab with all his might! Swords clashed and masculinity was put to test, both equals of each other, it was a balance that the two warriors struck with their ferocious attacks. But finally, Emperor Aftaab attacks grew heavy for Maniket, he fell down and Aftaab finally slashed Maniket's sword in half. Prince Rujamal saw the sight and they felt Aftaab would behead him, but Aftaab preached, "I heard Princess Veera say how it is a sin to kill someone in this palace." Aftaab had spared the life of his enemy and with his knowledge of the Palace corridors, he jumped off from the corridors and ran off to the roof area. Raja Maniket was shocked to find himself still alive, and cutting a sorry figure, he screamed out to the soldiers, "he is on the roof… get him!" The Chandraprava soldiers struggled to find a way to the terrace, unlike Aftaab. And Aftaab was already gone! Raja Maniket sighed in anger and found a piece of cloth, a fabric fluttering on top of the Palace Dome's finial. He announced, "retreat back, he has gone… and get that piece of cloth from there", he pointed at the fluttering fabric. By now, everyone reached where the commotion was. The Queen, Rani Roopai with Princess Veera and Princess Rekhaha stood there in shock, as Raja Moti too joined them and said "this kind of an infiltration is a humiliation to us." Prince Rujaimal added, "it is not a humiliation father, it is a shallow act of cowardice by the Murzaans, to be sending out spies to our private quarters." Prince Vedan added, "they clearly felt the desperate need for it." Raja Maniket apologized, "this is because of my presence I suppose, I am deeply shaken by this insult and I couldn't kill that spy." Raja Moti clarified, "no Raja Maniket, your presence is not the issue, Prince Vedan is right! They felt desperate, they felt threatened by your presence, and hence such an act. Clearly they sent their best warrior as a spy out here. Yet, they fled and that is still a win, Raja Maniket." A senior guard intervened, "forgive me my King, but the spies, they were not Murzaan soldiers." The soldier stood there with the piece of cloth that was fluttering on top of the dome. Raja Moti and others were confused and he asked, "what do you mean they were not soldiers? Who were they then?" Raja Maniket took the cloth in his hands, shocked he read, "this was fun, but let's meet again. But this time, on the battlefield, at the Northern borders of Murzaan, on the coming New Moon! Signed Azael Aftaab Murzaan, the Emperor of Murzaan!?!" Everyone was in disbelief! Raja Moti mumbled in shock, "It cannot be. The Murzaan Emperor himself was… here?" Raja Maniket in shock mumbled, "...and he has declared a war?"