WHITE AND BLACK. # BOOK.1 - THE SWORD OF SILVER

THE ROYAL BALL

In the distant caves of mountain Kailash ,

A sage sitting in a Dhyana (Meditation) pose ,
Someone enters out of nowhere and says,
"Ashwatthama , the final piece of the act is to play today at the Mauryan Palace ..."

The sage opens his eyes and looks at the person standing in front of him. He says,
"Priest , i was wondering when you'd be coming again.But why today?"

"Something is going to happen at the Royal Ball , after the award ceremony , and the boy will need your help."

"But you know i don't work for anyone , have you forgotten the last time when i picked sides ?"

"Ashwatthama , i know and i still have the guilt for what happened back then , and i cannot repay you with anything . But this boy is no ordinary , even you know that..."

"Alright , but do you really think he will do what you have expected him to?"

The priest nodded and simply vanished . Ashwatthama picked up the mask and wore it , and headed to the palace.

At the palace the preparations were going on for the award ceremony . The main hall was decorated with lights , that glow when moonlight falls on them , flowers that sprinkle fragrant water on whomever walked near to it, a fountain of the costliest drink in the Mauryan kingdom, and statues that welcomed the guests .

Aarav was sent a special tailor just to make him a dress for the evening's ball and ceremony. After knowing that he was going to the ball with Reva , the queen had specially brought the costliest cloth in the kingdom just for him.

The tailor was taking his measurements , just by his hands , he said,
"You are quite a lucky boy to go with the Princess to the ball, no doubt the queen admires you." He said as he was moving his measuring tape all over Aarav's body.

"Sorry to say , but why all this just for a ball?"Aarav asked him.

"Not any ball , its the royal ball ! Even getting an invitation is close to impossible for even a royal family . So many important persona will be there , boy , you better stay calm . Usually everybody freaks out .Now ...which colour would you like ?" The man asked as he started writing all of his measurements with a quill in thin air.

"Navy blue would look good on you..." Someone said from the door. Aarav turned and saw Megha standing there .

"Alright then , you're dress will be ready by the afternoon , thankyou..."The tailor said and headed out of the door.

"Hey Megha ! Needed something ?" Aarav asked her .

"Nah..just came to see whether you're sane . What is it?"She asked looking at tensed face.

"Well...actually , you see if there's a ball tonight , then there will be dance , and i'm a shit dancer .So i just wanted to ask whether you can teach me ..." He asked her.

"Ofcourse ..." Megha said,"...I would hate to see my best friend dancing with a complete idiot."

Finally after two hours of training , and several hits on the head from Megha , Aarav learnt dance atleast to survive tonight's ball. He walked down to the hall wearing his light navy blue suit , and saw that almost all of the royal families had arrived . He saw Pranay and Mayank standing near the drinks table. Aarav went near them ,
"Hey guys ..."

"Now , here is the celebrity . So ready?"Pranay asked him.

"Yeah...i guess..." Aarav saw that both the boys were staring somewhere behind him . He too turned and saw , his mouth dropped looking at them.

Megha , Shiba and Reva were walking down the stairs hand in hand with the queen,
"Guys , is that girl Megha ? i...." Pranay asked still staring at Megha who was wearing a cream coloured dress.