The Wrath Of Yakshinis

The Case

The light beams originating from the sun, flooded the earthly surroundings. It was almost noon and the sun had travelled up in the sky. The city of Uttampur seemed to be busy in preparation of upcoming festival.

The immature buds had gradually bloomed in morning and were still fresh and beautiful. The king of all seasons, Spring, had arrived. Just a few days ago, His Highness, King Raviprakash of Uttampur had announced the beginning of preparation for The Kama Mahotsav, the festival of Spring and Love. Uttampur was known to organize and promote this local festival on large, pompous scale.

Everything was seemed to be normal in the city. Or it was just an assumption of civilians. The public in upper and lower civilian towns had no idea that the citadel had it's own unique turbulent atmosphere. The citadel not only protected the royal family and the high ranking officers, but also hid the secrets behind it.

The Royal Court was summoned at the request of The Heir Prince, Chandrakant. It was an emergency meeting. The King had issued an order to the Minister of Justice as well as the leaders of investigating units to be present at the court.

The huge spacious hall of Royal Court was filled with all important people that were summoned. The court always had a serious atmosphere in such emergency meetings. All the whispers were silenced as the loud announcement of arrival of King Raviprakash was made. The King was followed by Her Highness Queen Aruna and the Crown Prince,  Yuvraj Chandrakant. After the royal settled down, others too sat on their seats following the Royal Code of Respect.

With a bang of the gong, King Raviprakash gestured The Crown Prince, to begin. All ministers, nobles and other officers present in the Royal Court, were seated silently paying attention. All eyes gazed the Prince as he bowed down in respect and began, "Your Highness, I am thankful to you for arranging this meeting. So I'm here present as an advocate for my loyal subordinate's wife and his mother. My loyal subordinate: Sangram Deva has been missing from last two days."

Everyone's gaze got tensed as he paused. Then he sighed and elaborated, "Sangram Deva had been working for the Royal Court since 7 years. He's one of the seven main advisors in the Council of Spys and Security." He paused for a moment again and then continued, "The last time he was seen leaving for some unknown reason at evening...two days ago. After that, he wasn't seen. Though I sent some junior officers to resolve the matter. But this didn't work. I think that his disappearance is related to the rebellion of the Sama people. He was officially handling that case. Now I hope Your Highness, you can understand the seriousness of the situation."

"Prince Chandrakant," The King raised voice after pondering, "If this is the case, I'll order for a quick action." His eyes travelled to The Minister of Justice.
Jayaram, the Minister of Justice, accepted the usual piercing gaze of His Highness with his respectful eyes.
"Lord Jayaram!" The King commanded the minister, breaking the silence, "I order you to appoint your best investigating officers for this case. Sangram Deva is a part of our royal government and his life must be protected."

"I'll try my best, I promise," Jayaram said politely bowing down.

"You just promise?" The King mocked in a serious tone.

The Minister had forgotten to say something important in perplexity. He bowed again and apologized, "Pardon! Pardon...! Your Highness..." then he corrected his words, "I swear by my mother and my motherland to keep the responsibility of this emergency case first before all my personal priorities!"

"As the crown prince is advocating the case, you must directly report to him," The King further extended his order. He sighed and then glanced at Prince Chandrakant. That glance was unexpectedly worrisome and emotional. Then with a usually bold voice, His Highness commanded his son, "Prince Chandrakant, you must present report of this case to me directly." He lowered his eyes and whispered thinking about Queen Mother, "I don't doubt you, my son but if my mother would've been in a healthy state... then..."

Indeed, it was the first time in His Majesty's reign, he had to transfer all the powers of Queen Mother to the Crown Prince. It was due to Queen Mother's deteriorating health from almost an year. She couldn't handle the departments of Security and Defense due to an unknown illness.

"Lord Jayaram!" The King raised his thunderous voice, silencing the whispers in the court.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Minister Jayaram responded while bowing down to His Highness.

"I hope you've decided who's going to lead the case?" The King interrogated with an extremely serious tone, "If not then, make your brain think faster. As it's matter of our loyal member of Council of Spys and security, I order you for a quick action."

"Your Highness," Jayaram bowed again and answered with a respectful gesture, "I've chosen the best investigation unit for this case. I'll soon appoint them."

"Can I ask you who's the leader of that investigation unit?"

"He's..." Jayaram glanced at Dharmavijay, who was standing with other investigating officers in attention position. His face was almost expressionless and plain. No wrinkles of worry or fear were drawn on his placid face. Just for a second, their eyes met and suddenly a tense worry seemed to have flickered for a moment in his unblinking eyes. "He's Noble Shaurya Someshwer." The minister's gaze moved to another man standing adjacent to Dharmavijay and his voice amplified, "He's one of most intelligent officers I got."

"Your Highness," Shaurya Someshwer, the investigating officer bowed his head. Everybody looked at the 30 year old leader of the best investigation unit with hopeful eyes. But Jayaram's eyes were on Dharmavijay; his eyes expressed a complex feeling. Dharmavijay and Shaurya, both were his favourite apprentices, when he himself was a leader of a investigation unit, a decade ago.

Why this weird feeling....? I think... this case is not for Dharmavijay. Or is it? Of course, Shaurya is better in solving cases related to rebels and national security....

Jayaram couldn't stop pondering about his decision. Thousand thoughts flooded his brain. His sixth sense somehow tried to convince that he was wrong in making choice.

Am I wrong?

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