The night that followed after Azael Aftaab's disturbing visit to the Palace of Indira wasn't an easy one as the Chandraprava Empire was left confused and worried about the war. Were they really visited by the Emperor of Murzaan? And did he really announce a war like that? These questions loomed not just with Raja Moti Chandraprava and his ministers, but also with Princess Veera. She stayed up all night, staring into the night sky recalling that face she saw at the sacred pond. And how she had confronted that soldier at the back gates. How the night before that, she had felt someone's presence in her private chambers and wondered if that was the Emperor of Murzaan, Azael Aftaab Murzaan himself? A wave of shivers ran through her body thinking about it all. She whispered to herself, 'it cannot be. How dare he come into my chambers and touch me. No, it wasn't him." She tried hard to fight off these troubling thoughts, but failed and called out for her daasi in the middle of the night, 'Nehi? Nehi?" Nehi, who slept right outside the princess's boudoir, keeping guard and for her needs, came rushing into her chambers, worried, she asked, "what happened my lady? Are you alright?" Veera assured her, "I don't know Nehi. I want you to go and find out from the administration if that soldier I had questioned at the backgates, if he is still around? Or was that man the Murzaan Emperor." Nehi felt bad for Veera and saw how troubled she was with everything that had happened in the palace. She tried to comfort Veera, "my lady, why don't you sleep now, and tomorrow morning, I will let you know of your inquiry, is that okay?" Veera wasn't convinced but Nehi insisted she slept off for the night.
On the other hand, Azael Aftaab Murzaan and Zulfi were on their way back on foot to Shesh-a-baad, the capital of Murzaan Empire. But they were no longer in disguise and had to be careful, when to their luck they were cordoned off by Murzaan soldiers. One of the soldiers addressed the Emperor, "my King, we are glad to see you hail and hearty. Long live my King! We have been sent by Quila Kahan, the Chief, to search for you, to protect you and to cater to your comfortable return to Shesh-a-baad at ease. May we set up a camp for a restful night?" Azael Aftaab commended him, "I will have to work harder on my disguise it seems. Yes, set up a camp and make sure it is a comfortable one, and call for a hakeem ( healer in Arabic )." The soldier inquired, "is my King hurt?" Azael Aftaab clarified, "it's for my confidant, Zulfi. Set up the camp and ensure he gets all the rest he needs. And I shall continue my journey to Shesh-a-baad." The soldier saluted and obeyed his orders.
The next morning, Raja Moti sat down with his ministers and Raja Maniket to discuss repercussions of Azael Aftaab's visit. Raja Moti Chandraprava was furious and he expressed, "is this some kind of a sick joke? And was he really there at Indira? And at the palace? And since when? For how long? All this is not acceptable!" Raja Maniket tried to ease Raja Moti, "he is a madman, my king. He has no ethics or morals. He does whatever he wishes and pleases him. He has no rules and regulations and follows none." Raja Moti in fury screamed out, "but this is atrocious! Preposterous!" Prince Rujaimal tried to compose the situation, "that is what he is known for, father. I'm sorry." Raja Moti realised he had lost his composure, took a moment to compose himself and spoke calmly, "no I am sorry. But what do we do now? Are we really going to war?" Raja Maniket spoke with resolve, "I have a feeling that there will be a war, but when and where is important. Let us send out a messenger who can speak with the ministry at the Murzaan Empire and follow up on their Emperor's visit." Raja Moti huffed, "yes, do that." Raja Maniket added, "war is not the issue, Raja Moti. That is infact what we wanted. But the question is when. It cannot be the coming new moon, as written by that lunatic Azael Aftaab. It is too soon. I will not be able to call for my men, my artillery and my defence systems. They will not reach us so quickly. We need them, if we want to have a chance at winning this war." A heavy tension engulfed everyone in the meeting.
That evening, Princess Veera waited to hear about the man she had questioned at the back gates. Nehi took notice of how Princess Veera was obsessing over Azael Aftaab's visit, how her hate had engulfed her. When finally, an administrative soldier came in and gave Princess Veera the news that the soldier she had questioned was nowhere to be found, that they had found the body of a soldier in one of the drains of the palace. He shared with Veera how Azael Aftaab might have murdered one of their soldiers and taken his uniform and the identity coin, and walked around like a Chandraprava soldier. Princess Veera's blood boiled as she heard this and she huffed, "he made a fool of us! How the hell didn't anyone get to know that there was a stranger, a Murzaan amongst us, amongst the soldiers?" The administrative soldier was shaken to see this side of Princess Veera who was known for her jovial nature. He frantically apologized to her and begged for forgiveness. Veera, engulfed in anger, signaled for him to leave. Nehi tried to comfort Veera, when Veera ordered her too to leave her alone. Nehi was taken aback and let Veera be. Alone, Veera recalled how she had her sword on Azael Aftaab's neck and she mumbled to herself, "I should have not shown any mercy and should have just slit his throat!" Veera hated herself for making that mistake and she broke down and started to cry profusely.
Azael Aftaab journeyed for days and finally arrived at his capital, Shesh-a-baad. And the entire palace, everyone gathered to welcome the Emperor! Hundreds of queens, thousands of concubines, dozens of eunuchs, a million soldiers, many entertainers, dancers, singers, musicians gathered at the entrance to get a glimpse of Azael Aftaab's return and to see their Emperor in good health. Azael Aftaab entered the palace and the first one to greet him was his mother, Nakaba Murzaan. She caressed Aftaab's dusty face and expressed her concern for him, "how can you leave us without a word Aftaab? You are not a child anymore. This isn't a game." Aftaab greeted her with respect and saluted her, but his words carried a sense of bitterness, "I learnt it from you mother. The way you left me when I was an infant. Was that a game?" Aftaab's words pierced Nakaba's heart and mumbled, "my child, please forgive me for the past. We didn't…". But before she could finish, Aftaab avoided the topic, and moved forward to greet his real mother, "ammi! Are you going to scold me too?" Aftaab walked to Mazala Shieza and took her in his embrace. Nakaba saw how Aftaab treated his step mother,Mazala with more affection than her, his own mother, and she knew well that it was her own fault that he would never forgive her for abandoning him as a child and it was Mazala Shieza who had raised him in her absence. This was the most painful part of Aftaab's life and he never wanted to talk about it. Mazala Shieza smiled at Aftaab and expressed her happiness, "I'm simply glad for your return and to see you well. I am sure my King had his reasons to disappear like this. But where did you go?" Aftaab smiled back and said, "you know me so well ammi." Mazala always enjoyed the attention Aftaab gave her, and how he treated her more like a mother, than his own mother. Aftaab enquired, "where is Kahan baba? I don't see him welcoming me." Mazala Sheiza played smart and said, "he is very upset with you for not obeying him. He seems to forget that you are no longer a little boy, that you are the Emperor." Aftaab's face stiffened to hear this ploy of Mazala's. Aftaab walked off towards the official chambers of Quila Kahan.
Aftaab visited the official chambers of Quila Kahan, the Chief of Murzaan Army and said, "Kahan baba you didn't come to greet me, why?" Quila Kahan looked rather upset and spoke with quite the tone, "well, you disappeared without a word. You do realize you are the Emperor, and if something were to happen to you, this empire would be without a King and without a next in kin, the Murzaan would perish overnight. Do you have that realization? Do you even know what that means?" Azael Aftaab justified, "I went to Indira because Raja Moti Chandraprava has made an alliance with Raja Maniket of the Kalaneel Dynasty of the Northern Continent. And together they are planning to take our empire down." Quila Kahan was shocked to hear of this. Aftaab pressed on, "and you, being the Chief of Murzaan should have been the first to know of this. But you had no hint of it all." Quila Kahan cut a sorry figure and it was true that he knew nothing about the alliance. Yet, he snapped, "If you knew of this happening, then we could have sent someone else to find out the details. You cannot put yourself at risk like this, Aftaab." Aftaab glared at Quila Kahan and spoke assertively, "not Aftaab, address me as your king. And I will behave the way I wish to. Now, prepare for war. We will go to war with the Chandraprava on the coming new moon!" Quila Kahan was shocked to hear about the war and retorted, "war? We cannot go to war for your entertainment Aftaab." Aftaab asserted again, "prepare for war, or I will find someone else to lead my army." Quila Kahan finally felt the pang of Aftaab's words and how serious he was. He mellowed down and addressed Aftaab, "my king, I am sure there is a way to work this out and avoid a war." But Aftaab was adamant, "no. I have already declared war this coming new moon. And if it isn't this new moon, then we will allow them more time to prepare and that might give them an edge over us. It has to be soon, for us to ensure a win. Tomorrow I want to discuss this with the ministry and take an account of things, to start the preparation for war." Aftaab walked off with the final order, and Quila Kahan saluted him filled with bitterness.
Azael Aftaab was right! He had not only stalked Princess Veera but also roamed across Indira, studying the Chandraprava Empire closely enough to gauge their readiness for war. That was why he had announced the coming new moon for the war, denying Raja Maniket and his army the time to summon artillery and soldiers from across the treacherous Zaleela Sea. It had seemed like an impulsive move, but actually was a very calculated one! Azael knew well that Maniket's Army would need more than two full moon cycles to reach the Southern lands. And the Murzaan Army started to prepare for war and put their best foot forward as the days passed by.
In all this commotion, Princess Veera met with Raja Maniket, who had taken time from his busy schedule, drowning in preparation for the war. Veera saw how stressed he was and asked him if he wanted to share his worry. Maniket sighed and told her that he had already sent a message to his homeland, asking his army and artillery to come to Indira. But he feared they would not arrive in time. He shared with Veera, "Princess Veera, we are trying our best and working on the fastest routes, but I know well how Zaleela is a cruel sea, and only a miracle can make this happen." Princess Veera sympathized with Raja Maniket and asked, "what about the neighboring states? Is there anyone who can help?" Raja Maniket huffed, "No. Your father was right. Everyone is either a coward when it comes to Azael Aftaab, or already his friend. We have no hope, it seems." Veera consoled her fiance, "Don't lose hope, Raja Maniket. Sometimes miracles do happen. Have faith in Goddess Indira. She will do what is right." Raja Maniket nodded and hoped for the best.
While Princess Veera comforted her soon-to-be better half, Rani Roopai pressed Raja Moti Chandraprava with her own worries as a mother. She huffed, "I know everyone is busy preparing for the war, but what about our daughter Veera? Isn't her wedding important to you? And maybe this war might not even happen. There isn't any confirmation, so why are we not preparing for the wedding?" Raja Moti lost his nerve. "What is wrong with you, Roopai? How can you even speak like this? You are the bloody queen! Don't you care about your kingdom, your clan?" Rani Roopai broke down under her husband's stern tone. "No, I don't. All I care about is Veera, my family. Don't I have the right to choose my family? You promised me you would be a father first." Raja Moti felt compelled to answer. "Yes, I did, but times have changed, Roopai. Please understand, the Murzaans are no joke. You talk of Veera's wedding? There will be no groom, no man left in this kingdom if this war breaks out… God forbid my words." Rani Roopai wept at his response, when the royal couple was interrupted by the King's confidant who announced the urgency. "My king, the messenger has returned from Shesh-a-baad and the war has been confirmed by the Chief of Murzaan Army on the new moon." Raja Moti and Rani Roopai exchanged a horrified look, and he ordered, "Assemble everyone in the meeting hall." The King walked off as Rani Roopai collapsed on the floor crying.
Just a few days away from the war, Azael Aftaab worked hard alongside his army and prepared tirelessly for the war. Mazala Shieza paid Aftaab a visit at his workout area, where he practiced sword fighting, wrestling, etc and impressed she cheered for him. Aftaab took a break and greeted Mazala and asked her, "what brings you to this dusty arena ammi? I know you don't do well with dusty arenas". Mazala smiled at him, "don't tease me my King. Maybe I too should wrestle a bit and prepare for war." Aftaab assured her, "I promise you ammi, the women of this empire will always be protected and would never have to lift a weapon." Mazala smiled and blessed Aftaab, "I have all my faith in you, may you always succeed. But I insist that you take my son, Zulala, to shadow you at all times." Aftaab assured her, "ofcourse Zulala is my right hand man, he will be next to me at all times. He is my best warrior." Mazala was proud to learn that Aftaab thought highly of her son, his step brother. Mazala went on, now with a casual tone, "But tell me, why Indira? I mean, why did you personally go there? And for so many days?" Aftaab blushed and Mazala took notice of it, and she probed, "oh! So there is more to this, than just Raja Maniket from Kalaneel Dynasty? May I ask what or who it is?" Aftaab doesn't reveal anything and brushed off Mazala's probing, "it's not like that ammi." Aftaab excused himself and went back to the arena, but Mazala wondered what or who was there at Indira, that Aftaab didn't even share with her. He would share everything, every detail of his life with his ammi, but not about Indira? Mazala was intrigued by this secrecy of Azael Aftaab. Harishiri Kaha, a eunuch, who was a confidant to Azael Aftaab's first wife and Queen, greeted Aftaab and addressed him in style, "a pleasant day, my King." (The queens of Murzaan and the women of higher ranks of the Empire had eunuchs as their confidants. They not only were protectors and soldiers, but also companions and a source of amusement for them. The practice, inherited from earlier kings, reflected the orthodoxy and mindset of that age. Eunuchs dressed in feminine silks and jewels, much like the women of the harem, and took pride in serving the royal household.) Azael Aftaab looked up from his task and mocked the eunuch, Harishiri, "am I in some kind of trouble, Harishiri?" Harishiri blushed, "my king, why do you always trouble me?" Aftaab pulled her leg, "why do you always do things that I have to trouble you for?" Harishiri deflected the question, "your first Queen, my beloved lady, Rubini Murzaan has asked for your presence in the harem tonight." Aftaab was thoughtful and informed, "you know well I will never say no to Rubini Murzaan, but let her know that I wouldn't have much time in my hands." Harishiri saluted the Emperor and made her exit.
And that night, Azael Aftaab kept his word and he headed towards the harem, where he first met with his first wife, Rubini Murzaan at her private quarters. Azael Aftaab had married Rubini at the age of 12. She was the daughter of one of the wealthiest kings, who didn't have a male heir and had struck an alliance with Azael Aftaab to ensure the well being of not just his daughter, but also his kingdom as well. Azael Aftaab had taken over that kingdom and married Rubini after Rubini's father, the king had passed away, when they both were only 12. Since they were of the same age, and there wasn't any war, or bitterness, the two had become friends as teenagers and had grown up together, sharing everything they experienced. One could say, they were more like best friends, than man and wife. As Azael Aftaab entered Rubini's boudoir, he spoke in a hurry, "forgive me my lady, but I will not be able to stay for long. I'm sure you know well about the upcoming battle with Indira." But Rubini appeared in a beautiful attire and asked, "I hear you, my King. But the days and nights ahead of you will demand undivided attention of yours. And all work and no play drains a man of his vigor. Hence, it is of utmost importance that you enjoy this night." Azael Aftaab smiled at her, "you have always been impressive and your thought process has been unbeatable. You are right, as always, my Queen Rubini! Thank you for always thinking the best for me. So what do you have in mind for me for the night?" But Rubini demanded authoritatively, "first you have to tell me why you were at Indira for so many days?" Aftaab blushed and finally spoke excitedly, "oh Rubini, I have never desired a woman the way I desire her! She smells like the storm!" The peculiar thing about this relationship was, instead of being jealous, Rubini would do anything to make her Emperor Azael Aftaab happy. She enquired with excitement, "what was she like?" Aftaab expressed, "her skin was the color of honey, that glistened under the moonlight, her hair was like waves of the sea, and her waist would fit in my hand, yet she had the most beautiful curves." Rubini listened to him attentively, she jumped up and said, "allow me a few moments my king, I know just the thing for your entertainment tonight!" Aftaab chuckled and asked, "where are you going Rubini?" But Rubini had already left him. Aftaab started to walk around in Rubini's private chambers, when Harishiri, the eunuch walked in and saluted Aftaab and asked him to follow her. Aftaab did so, and asked, "where are you taking me Harishiri?" She chuckled and said, "to the harem, where you are going to have quite the night. Oh, I cannot say more, I will ruin Rubini's surprise for you." As Aftaab entered the main hall area of the harem, a place of entertainment and indulgence, only and only the Emperor of Murzaan, a beautiful female musician with a string instrument entered and started to play, followed by a few maid-servants served Aftaab alcohol in silver cups, setting up the mood for the evening. There were beautiful oil lamps that Harishiri dimmed, and Aftaab started to enjoy and unwind as he gulped a cup of the traditional Murzaan alcohol which was known to be the strongest. A few moments later, a dozen gorgeous women entered and started to dance around Aftaab. Aftaab smirked as he realised they all matched Veera's description that he had expressed to Rubini. He mumbled to himself, "Rubini, you are one of a kind." The dancers started to entertain Aftaab and started to come close to him, sit with him, touch him and tease him. Harishiri gestured and the soldiers on duty looked away to give Aftaab privacy, while Harishiri stood there as guard. The dim lights, the sensual music and the dance, the beautiful bodies moving around Aftaab were all very intoxicating. But in the drunken state, Aftaab started to see Veera among those dancers, and he mumbled, "Veera… Veera… come close to me…" And the dancers, one by one started to come close to Aftaab and started to lie down with him. Aftaab was surrounded with a dozen women lying around him, as he whispered, "Veera… I want to consume you…". He held on to a dancer and brought her face close to his lips, and instead of kissing her, he smelled her, a deep breath, but Aftaab looked disappointed. In a drunken state, he mumbled, "you don't smell like the storm." And he let go of the dancer's face, but the dancer didn't. Aftaab was being consumed by a dozen sensual women who were dying to serve their master, their Emperor, while Aftaab tried to get away, but failed in his drunken state. The women lusted for their Emperor and consumed him all night long!
While Azael Aftaab craved Princess Veera, Veera met with her fiance in secrecy late that night, at Chandraprava palace, in her private garden. Nehi, Veera's daasi, stood guard for no one to see their meeting. As Veera approached Raja Maniket, who had been waiting for her, she enquired, "my King, I received your message to meet you here, late at night? Is everything alright? I hope you know that it is forbidden to meet like this, before the wedding." Raja Maniket apologized, "I know my lady and I feel awful for meeting you in this fashion and breaking traditions. But I needed to speak with you alone." Veera asked, "what is it? What has happened?" Raja Maniket hesitated, "I don't know how to say this my Lady." Veera grew nervous, "what is it Raja Maniket, please tell me." Raja Maniket finally spoke, "please know of the fact that I am smitten by you, that my heart has already started to admire you beyond the stars. But, right now, everyone should concentrate on the war and its preparation. Their attention shouldn't be divided and that includes me as well." Veera was confused and asked, "what are you trying to say my king." When finally Raja Maniket spoke, "I apologize for saying this Princess Veera but I do not think it is wise of me to marry you, or continue this engagement right now, with the war looming on our heads. My heart doesn't allow me to marry you, or stay engaged to you, just before I go to war with one of the most vicious emperors. What if something happened to me, then you would live a life of widow and that is a cruel life to live. You know that very well. You are too young to have the life of a widow." Veera was overwhelmed to hear this and cried out, "please stop!" Raja Maniket kept mum. There is a moment of silence, when Veera composed herself and said, "first of all, I believe in you. I know you will win and you will return to me. And secondly, I am very proud of you, for making this wise decision of postponing the wedding. But I will still be your fiance and I will wait for my king." Raja Maniket was touched by Veera's words and held her hand, "I cannot thank you enough my Lady, for how much your faith means to me." Princess Veera fought her tears off and smiled through them, as Raja Maniket bid her goodnight and walked away. Princess Veera saw him walk away, and she finally broke down, cried and wondered what her future, her fate, had in store for her, as she prayed to Goddess Indira, "please let my love return to me, Goddess Indira."