The morning sun illuminated the guest quarters of the Katyuri royal palace.
Servants hurried through the corridors, guards changed shifts, and palace officials prepared for the formal audience with their royal guests.
There was only one problem.
The Pratihara delegation was still asleep.
Two Katyuri attendants stood outside the guest chambers, exchanging increasingly confused glances.
Attendant 1 : "Have they not awakened yet?"
Attendant 2 : "It doesn't look like they have."
Attendant 1 : "The sun has been up for hours. Surely someone among such a large delegation should be awake by now."
Attendant 2 : "They have travelled a considerable distance through the mountains. Perhaps they are exhausted."
Attendant 1 : "Even the guards?"
A thunderous snore emerged from one of the rooms.
Both attendants slowly turned toward the door.
Attendant 2 (thinking) : "That man could probably sleep through an entire siege."
Attendant 1 : "Should we wake them?"
Attendant 2 : "We were instructed not to disturb the guests unnecessarily."
Attendant 1 : "And their audience with the king?"
Attendant 2 : "I imagine that qualifies as necessary."
Attendant 1 : "Then why are we still standing here?"
Attendant 2 : "Because I would prefer not to be responsible for angering an entire imperial delegation before breakfast."
The first attendant considered this argument.
Attendant 1 (thinking) : "A reasonable concern. Perhaps the king can wait a little longer."
They continued waiting.
Another hour passed.
Then another.
Not a single Pratihara emerged.
Attendant 1 : "I believe we have a problem."
Attendant 2 : "I believe we have had a problem for the past two hours."
By the time the sun had climbed high into the sky, Malini had already completed her morning routine.
Disciplined as ever, she had washed, dressed, organised her belongings, and checked the day's schedule.
Then she noticed the time.
Malini : "The audience..."
She checked the schedule again.
Malini (shocked) : "Oh, you have got to be kidding me!"
She hurried into the corridor and spotted the two Katyuri attendants still waiting outside.
Malini : "Why are you both still here?"
Attendant 1 : "We have been waiting for the delegation to awaken, respected lady."
Malini : "Awaken?"
Attendant 2 : "None of the guests has emerged from their chambers."
Malini stared at them.
Malini (thinking) : "The entire delegation? Every soldier, every official, every attendant? What on earth did they do last night?"
Then she remembered the feast.
Malini (thinking) : "Oh, I see. They ate as though the empire had outlawed food for a month, and now they intend to sleep until the next reign."
Malini : "Thank you for waiting. I'll handle this."
She marched toward Tara's chambers and opened the door.
Malini : "Tara. Get up."
A mound of blankets shifted.
Tara : "No."
Malini : "The audience with the king was supposed to begin hours ago."
Tara : "Then technically, we have already missed it. There is no point rushing now."
Malini paused.
Malini (thinking) : "She has been awake for three seconds and is already negotiating her way out of responsibility."
Malini : "Fine. I'll inform the king that his distinguished guest has abandoned diplomacy in favour of her pillow."
Tara (shocked) : "YOU WOULDN'T!"
Malini : "Try me."
Tara slowly raised her head.
Tara (thinking) : "She would. That woman is genuinely capable of doing it. I should never have encouraged her to become so competent."
Tara : "All right, all right! I'm getting up. You don't have to threaten international relations over a little sleep."
Malini : "You slept through the entire morning."
Tara : "A little excessive sleep."
Malini : "Get dressed."
Tara : "Yes, Commander."
Malini : "And don't call me that unless you intend to follow orders."
Tara (thinking) : "I have created a monster. A very organised, terrifying monster."
Tara pulled the blanket over herself again.
Tara : "Malini, I think I have gained at least ten kilograms overnight."
Malini : "Congratulations. You are still getting up."
Tara : "You don't understand. My body has become too heavy to move."
Malini : "Then consider this an excellent opportunity to test your theory."
Tara : "You are supposed to be my friend!"
Malini : "I am your friend. That is why I am not allowing you to embarrass yourself before an entire royal court."
Tara stared at her.
Tara (thinking) : "She makes a distressingly convincing argument whenever she wants to ruin my day."
Tara : "Fine. But if I collapse on the way, tell the king I died in service to the empire."
Malini : "I'll tell him you died doing what you loved most."
Tara : "Sleeping?"
Malini : "Avoiding work."
Tara laughed despite herself.
Tara : "Cruel woman."
Malini : "Move."
Tara finally sat up.
Tara (thinking) : "And thus, another glorious morning begins with my defeat at the hands of my own head servant."
The source of the disaster had begun the previous evening.
After days of cautious travel, rationed meals, and constant concern over provisions, the Pratihara delegation had finally reached the Katyuri capital.
Their hosts had welcomed them with a magnificent feast.
There had been fragrant rice, lentils, vegetables prepared with mountain herbs, fresh breads, rich gravies, curd, sweets, and dishes unfamiliar to many of the visitors.
For the Pratiharas, the feast represented something even more precious than hospitality.
They could finally eat without worrying about tomorrow's supplies.
Tara sat before her plate, looking almost emotional as she surveyed the abundance.
Tara : "Oh, thank goodness. We finally get to fill our stomachs after spending the entire journey worrying that we might run out of food midway."
Aryav : "Stop talking and keep eating."
Tara : "Those may be the wisest words you have spoken in weeks."
Aryav : "I am capable of wisdom."
Tara : "Naturally. It simply appears whenever food is involved."
Aryav ignored her and reached for another piece of bread.
Aryav (thinking) : "If the journey had continued for another week, I might have declared war on our supply officer."
Across the table, Kavya noticed him reaching for the platter of sweets.
Kavya : "Leave some for the others."
Aryav : "I am taking only two."
Kavya : "You have already taken four."
Aryav looked at the sweets in his hand.
Aryav (thinking) : "I should have counted before answering."
Aryav : "Then I shall ensure the remaining ones are distributed fairly."
Kavya : "I trust your judgement. Just remember that fair distribution does not mean keeping the entire platter beside you."
Aryav quietly moved the platter away from his elbow.
Kavya returned to her meal, deciding not to pursue the matter.
Tara watched them with amusement.
Tara : "It is comforting to see our officials remain committed to their duties, even during a diplomatic feast."
Kavya : "Someone has to ensure that our delegation remembers why we are here."
Aryav : "I remember perfectly well why we are here."
Tara : "Of course. We are here to establish diplomatic relations, strengthen ties between kingdoms, and discover the full extent of Katyuri hospitality."
Aryav : "Precisely."
Tara : "Especially the hospitality."
Aryav gave her a resigned look.
Aryav (thinking) : "There is no winning an argument with Tara when she has decided to be troublesome."
Around them, the same scene unfolded throughout the delegation. Soldiers who had spent days eating carefully requested second servings, and even the more disciplined officers relaxed their usual restraint.
Two Katyuri attendants watched with growing astonishment.
Attendant 1 (thinking) : "Were they never fed like this before?"
Attendant 2 (thinking) : "Perhaps travelling through the mountains was more difficult than we imagined."
A Pratihara soldier asked for more rice.
Attendant 1 (thinking) : "Perhaps considerably more difficult."
The feast continued late into the evening. Conversation grew louder, laughter filled the hall, and the travellers enjoyed the rare luxury of eating without worrying about the next day's provisions.
By the time they returned to their chambers, everyone was exhausted, comfortably full, and ready to sleep.
The Katyuri attendants had no idea that their generous feast would contribute to the greatest collective sleeping session the palace had ever witnessed.
Back in the present, Tara had finally finished bathing.
Malini checked the day's schedule while Tara dried her hair.
Malini : "We need to be presentable. The king has already waited long enough."
Tara : "I agree."
Malini looked up, suspicious of the sudden cooperation.
Malini : "You agree?"
Tara : "Of course. I am a responsible minister."
Malini : "You tried to convince me that you gained fifteen kilograms overnight."
Tara : "I was exploring possible explanations for my condition."
Malini : "Your condition is laziness."
Tara : "A cruel diagnosis from someone who claims to be my friend."
Malini : "Would you prefer a less accurate one?"
Tara smiled.
Tara (thinking) : "I genuinely enjoy having someone around who tells me when I am being ridiculous. Unfortunately, she is also willing to do something about it."
A knock sounded at the door.
Two Katyuri attendants entered carrying a neatly arranged set of traditional garments.
Tara turned toward them.
Tara : "Are those for me?"
Attendant 1 : "Yes, respected minister. We thought you might prefer to wear these today."
Tara examined the clothing. The garments were considerably thicker than her usual court attire, with several layers designed to retain warmth. Their embroidery and patterns reflected the region's traditions.
Attendant 2 : "The climate here is colder than in the plains. These garments are better suited to the local weather, and we hope they will keep you comfortable."
Tara touched the outer fabric.
Tara (thinking) : "They have clearly prepared these with care. My usual clothes would hardly be suitable for a long day in the mountain cold."
Tara : "These patterns are beautiful. Are they traditional to the Katyuri court?"
Attendant 1 : "Yes. Certain patterns and colours are associated with our region and customs, though styles differ between communities and occasions."
Tara : "Then I shall be careful not to wear anything inappropriate for the audience."
Attendant 2 : "That is very considerate of you, respected minister."
Tara smiled.
Tara : "Besides, I would rather wear something warm than spend the entire audience shivering."
She lifted one of the outer garments and inspected its thickness.
Tara : "The mountains have developed their own defence against the cold. The wind will have to negotiate with all these layers before it reaches me."
The attendants exchanged an amused glance.
Attendant 1 : "We hope they serve you well."
Tara : "I am certain they will. Thank you for preparing them."
The attendants helped her arrange the garments correctly, explaining how the layers were worn. Tara listened attentively, asking a few questions about the designs and their use in mountain weather.
Once dressed, she examined herself in the mirror.
Tara : "I look different."
Malini : "You look appropriate for the mountains."
Tara : "That is a polite way of saying I look prepared to survive a blizzard."
Malini : "It is a polite way of saying you should hurry."
Tara (thinking) : "Different from what I usually wear, but elegant. I should remember how these layers are arranged. It would be embarrassing to need help every morning."
Tara : "Very well. Let us go and apologise to the king for our collective disappearance."
Malini : "You will apologise properly."
Tara : "I shall be the very image of sincerity."
Malini : "That is exactly what worries me."
Once Tara was completely ready, she turned toward Malini.
Tara : "Bring me paper, ink, a writing brush, and whatever else I need to write a letter."
Malini : "A letter? To whom?"
Tara : "Someone in the imperial capital."
Malini watched her for a moment before a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
Malini : "Ohhh. Is there a secret lover waiting for your letters back in Kannauj?"
Tara froze.
Tara (shocked) : "WHAT?!"
Her cheeks immediately turned red.
Tara : "W-What on earth are you talking about?!"
Malini : "Nothing. I was merely curious. You suddenly want everything necessary to write a letter to someone far away."
Tara : "It is not a private letter! I have to inform the capital that we have reached our destination safely!"
Malini : "Ah. Official business."
Tara : "Obviously!"
Malini : "And more precisely, the Emperor?"
Tara : "YES! THE EMPEROR!"
Malini : "I see. My mistake."
She turned away, wearing an innocent expression.
Malini (thinking) : "That reaction was considerably more interesting than the answer."
Tara (thinking) : "I am going to throw her into a mountain stream one day."
Tara : "And stop smiling like that!"
Malini : "I am not smiling."
Tara : "Your face is smiling!"
Malini : "Perhaps you are imagining things, Minister."
Tara : "Just bring me the writing materials!"
Malini left, her shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter.
Tara watched her go.
Tara (thinking) : "A secret lover? Honestly! Where does she get these ridiculous ideas? And why did I blush so quickly? That makes it look suspicious!"
She covered her face briefly before straightening.
Tara (thinking) : "Enough. I have more important matters to deal with."
Malini soon returned with paper, ink, brushes, and the other necessities.
Malini : "Here you are. Try not to start another argument with the paper."
Tara : "Leave."
Malini : "Gladly."
She stepped outside, leaving Tara alone with her writing materials.
Tara sat down, dipped her brush into the ink, and stared at the blank sheet.
Tara (thinking) : "All right. Simple. We have reached the Katyuri capital safely. I need to report our arrival to the Emperor, confirm that the delegation is secure, and inform him of anything important that happened during the journey."
She raised the brush.
Then stopped.
The battle.
The flames.
The Raksha clan reinforcements.
The wounded guards.
The convoy surrounded on the road.
Tara stared at the paper.
Tara (thinking) : "If I tell him everything, Chandraveer will know how close the convoy came to disaster. He will want explanations, and he will certainly ask about the decisions I made."
She imagined the Emperor reading the report, his expression becoming increasingly serious.
Tara (thinking) : "He might decide that I took unnecessary risks. He might question my judgement. And if he considers the incident serious enough, he could even remove me from my position."
Her brush hovered over the paper.
Tara (thinking) : "I cannot simply hide what happened. But perhaps I can present the events in a more reassuring manner."
She nodded to herself.
Tara (thinking) : "Yes. Reassuring. Concise. Diplomatically appropriate."
She began writing.
'Your Majesty,
I am pleased to report that our delegation has reached the Katyuri capital safely.'
Tara paused.
Tara (thinking) : "Good. Accurate. Nothing suspicious so far."
She continued.
'During the journey, a few stones fell along the road.'
She stopped.
Tara (thinking) : "A few stones? That makes it sound as though someone dropped rocks from a hillside."
She glanced toward the door.
Tara (thinking) : "Well, stones did fall. That part is technically true."
She continued writing.
'The situation was handled, and the delegation continued its journey.'
Tara leaned back.
Tara (thinking) : "Short, clear, professional."
Then she remembered the wounded guards.
Tara (thinking) : "Perhaps I should mention that a few guards suffered injuries."
She added another line.
'A few guards twisted their ankles while avoiding the stones. Some sustained bleeding, but the situation was managed.'
Tara stared at the sentence.
Tara (thinking) : "This sounds as though half the convoy tripped over a pile of rocks."
She dipped her brush again.
Tara (thinking) : "I cannot write that we were attacked by armed men, surrounded by fire, and rescued by the Katyuris. That would invite a hundred questions."
Her expression grew uneasy.
Tara (thinking) : "And I certainly cannot explain the entire situation without discussing my own decisions."
She added the final sentence.
'We reached the Katyuri capital safely, and our hosts have welcomed us warmly.'
Tara put down the brush and read the letter from beginning to end.
Tara (thinking) : "A few stones fell. Some guards twisted their ankles. Everyone reached the destination safely."
She stared at the paper.
Tara (thinking) : "Anyone who knew nothing about the journey would imagine we had experienced the most uneventful trip in the history of the empire."
A pause.
Tara (thinking) : "Which is precisely why this is a good letter."
Her confidence wavered as she considered Chandraveer's likely reaction.
Tara (thinking) : "He is not stupid. If he asks for a detailed report later, I will have to explain everything anyway."
She unfolded the letter again.
For a moment, she considered adding a sentence about the seriousness of the attack.
Then she looked at the blank space.
Tara (thinking) : "No. One problem at a time."
She folded the letter carefully.
Tara : "We reached the Katyuri capital safely. That is the most important thing."
She nodded firmly, trying to convince herself.
Tara (thinking) : "And if the Emperor wants to know more, he can ask me when we return."
The letter was accurate enough to defend, vague enough to conceal the worst of the journey, and suspiciously determined to make a near-disaster sound like a minor inconvenience.
Tara placed it beside the ink.
Tara (thinking) : "There. My official report is complete."
She glanced at the folded paper one last time.
Tara (thinking) : "May the gods grant that he never asks what 'a few stones fell' actually means."
A knock sounded at the door.
Malini : "Tara? Are you ready? The delegation is assembling."
Tara quickly tucked the letter away.
Tara : "Coming!"
She rose, straightened her traditional Katyuri garments, and stepped into the corridor.
Malini glanced at her.
Malini : "Finished writing to your mysterious person?"
Tara (shocked) : "MALINI!"
Malini : "I was asking about the Emperor."
Tara : "You are enjoying this far too much."
Malini : "A little."
Tara (thinking) : "I should have kept the entire journey a secret from her. No, she would have discovered it anyway. She always does."
Together, they joined the delegation.
Aryav secured the audience documents while Kavya checked that everything required had been gathered.
Aryav : "We should not keep our hosts waiting any longer."
Kavya : "Agreed. Everything is ready."
Tara : "We survived bandits, fire, and a mountain journey, only to be defeated by a feast and our own beds."
Kavya : "Let us hope the king does not include that in his account of our diplomatic achievements."
Tara (thinking) : "The Great Pratihara Slumber. A historic incident that shall never be recorded in the official archives."
She smiled.
Tara (thinking) : "Unless I decide to write the report myself."
The delegation approached the doors of the audience chamber.
Their journey through the mountains had ended, but their work in the Katyuri kingdom was only beginning.
Beyond those doors waited a king, a new court, and relationships that could shape the future of both kingdoms.
Tara straightened her posture.
For now, she had a royal audience to attend, a diplomatic mission to fulfil, and a letter whose carefully chosen words might one day return to haunt her.
To be continued...