The Delphic Emir

The Emancipators

Author's POV:

Karthik covered his wife from everyone and sneaked her to their chamber. His whole body is shivering and he is not even in the state to think anything rationally.

" Karim, please go to the head priest's house and call him to my chamber. Can you do that without anyone's notice? Tell him that it's my request." Karthik said panting and holding Karim's hands to get the head priest.

" Please don't do all these King. I'll oblige to any of your commands. You need not request." Karim said wiping his sweat. He ran to the head priest's house and knocked on the door. Karim repeatedly wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and knocked again seeing no response.

The lady who looked so pious and had a warm aura opened the door.

" Ma, can you call Pandit Ji? King requested for him and he is in great trouble." Karim requested. The fine lines of worry on Karim's face emitted the worry he and his King is going through.

" You please wait here, I'll call the head priest." Said his wife.

It took a few minutes for the priest to come and each passing second is like a test for Karthik. Every second that is left behind made him feel like they are taking his wife's life. His large hands held his wife's small cold hands. They felt as if she is removed from the freezer.

" After all the battles I've fought and won you, you can't just leave me like that. Just hold on to me Diya. Please." Karthik whispered carefully placing her rogues aside.

There was a small knock on the huge door of Karthik's chamber and he looked alert.

" Who is that?" Karthik asked with authority lacing his voice.

" Ummm King, it's me, Karim." Karim said in a low tone. Karthik hurriedly opened the door and let them inside.

" You know she is in danger. Don't you?" Karthik asked trembling in anger while his eyes are red and blurry in pain.

" I do dear King. I know much more. And if you don't hurry now, the history will repeat." He said in a bold tone that made Karthik take a step back.

" What history?" Karthik asked even after knowing what may happen.

" She will have the same fate as the late Queen if you don't act on time." The priest said looking at Diya's face which is getting paler and paler.

" My friend is a doctor. I'll contact her." Karthik said not in his senses. He looked around the room searching for his mobile while it is in his pocket.  

" Stop." The priest said rudely and Karthik stilled for a second looking at the 0th dimension. All he could see was pure darkness, just like how his life was without his Angel. The priest walked to Diya and held her wrist and sadly looked at his King who is sunken in a great voyage.

" She was being given the slow poison just like the late Queen and I still feel there are chances of her survival. And whoever gave this made sure that these can not be found through any medical tests. They used the herbs found deep inside the jungle. They took the help of an Ayurvedic scholar." The priest said concerned.

" Please tell me what can I do. I'd do anything to save my wife. I'd do anything." Karthik whispered closing his eyes, holding the priest's hands. Karim looked pained seeing their King whose life is so miserable since his birth.

" On the North of the Kingdom of Arka, there is a small valley among the dense forest. There live the tribe' named Kanji." The priest said and Karim's eyes widened.

" Will I receive help from them? I'll reward them heavily." Karthik asked desperately.

" No." The priest stated pouring the water on his hopes.