Princess Fighter: Search for the Throne

XXIV

They reached back to the place where they had trained the children before. With his hands on his hips and chin protruding out, he stood there in a militant pose, glaring at him.

"Think for the first five sessions, just concentrate on getting them to hold the bow for a while and then helping them do extensive hand exercises. Depending on the flexibility and improvement of each child, start giving them that arrow pole," he instructed.

Although he wanted to disagree with whatever he said, unfortunately, this was what he had planned in his head as well.

Upset, he said, "You can also tell me this at the ground gate. Why did you bring me back here?"

Abhirath did not immediately answer him and placed the bag he was holding on his shoulder.

"Give me your bow" he said faintly.

Now, he's really upset.

"The correct form to ask for something is - can you give me your bow or may I respectfully borrow your bow? In such a case, the chances of someone approving your request are higher. If you don't realize it, the people around you aren't your slaves. What's your problem? Can you never speak politely?" he finally said it.

He did not respond to the wound. Instead, he pulled a bow from his shoulder and began to stretch it out. Exasperated at her arbitrary behavior, she tries to get it back from him.

He let her take it and said gently, "I want you to show me your attitude."

Mriga looked at him in disbelief. Did he not hear a word of what he said to her a minute ago?

"I want to see your position where you're just about to release an arrow" he added as an afterthought.

"I'm not one of your students. You may be the best out there but I'm not too bad either" she told him, his nose raised.

There was no way he would open himself up to his ridicule in this way. He knew that once he did what he asked, he would release the 'pearl of wisdom' in the usual terrible way and he did not want to get angry again on the first day.

They still have nine more days to attend this training.

While he stood there with a distant look in his eyes, Abhirath lost his temper. He came and stood behind her and pulled an arrow from her shoulder.

Before he could open his mouth to argue again, he turned his shoulders and grabbed to catch his hand that was holding the bow.

Speaking next to his ear, he said, "Either your shoulder muscles aren't strong enough or your spine is weak or your bow weight isn't right for you. Every time you pull your hand to release the arrow, your back curves involuntarily. Even though it is a negligible arch, it makes a huge difference to your end result. Maybe you haven't noticed."

"So basically, you're saying that in one way or another, there's something wrong with me" he said sulking, even refusing to consider his words.

Ignoring his anger, he continued speaking, "Last year, during our sports meeting, you didn't have this problem. Maybe recently. Have you ever hurt yourself?"

Saying so, he covered his hand that was holding a bow with hers and brought it at eye level. Mriga tries to pull away from his grasp but he survives.

"I'm just trying to help you. What's wrong in it? Why do you have to fight me in everything?" he asked, the intensity suddenly rang out in his words.

"I haven't asked for your help and I don't need it" he said and exited the involuntary half-hugging position where they were standing.

Taking his things, he walked away without saying a word.

Abhirath stood there, hands clenched at his side.

"This is a list of possible candidates that the department has submitted to Rani Samyukta. The man has just come to convey this to you" Ramanujam told Prithvi.

Prithvi beckons her to leave him on his desk and re-reflect the boundary map he has been obsessing over for the past hour.

Ramanujam was already used to the eccentric behavior of his superiors and stepped out of the room, silently.

Saraswati sat in her chair, sorting through the shipments they received from various corners of the country.

"So, tell me." she said as soon as she walked out of the room.

Ramanujam looked at him asking and replied, "He is still busy looking at the map of Chandragarh."

He rolled his eyes desperately and said, "You guys are all almost genius spies and are really idiots at the same time. Why do you think I'd be interested in what that old croquettes do in that room? I want to know the details of the mission at the exhibition."

Ramanujam's turn to give him a sour look.

"For a spy, you're quite a gossip. I told you that Abhirath was the first to identify the person whose mission it was and he passed his test. He has been assigned to the Northern Zilla's head Suraksha Chakra and the man is full of praise for his abilities. Regarding the due code breaker, Chiranjeev managed to decipher the message that had been delivered to him within the stipulated time but Nirbhay failed to do so. But the supervising teacher told me that Nirbhay had more potential than Chiranjeev. He just lacked confidence in his own abilities. As for Vandit, to be honest, I'm afraid he managed to fulfill his duty, but he did so after a little help in the form of a hint from the southern zilla Mentor," he told her.

Saraswati kept looking at him, waiting for more.

"Now what? I've told you everything there is" Ramanujam said in self-defense.

"Argh, you're slow. What about Mrignayani?" saraswati said with a roll of her eyes.

Ramanujam's turn to see it.

"Are you feeling all right? Aren't you the one who coordinated the entire process of bringing in defecting spies from other countries? If Shaurya goes halfway from the exhibition, there is no duty, right. How did he finish him?" he asked her desperately.

"Uff, I don't want to know about that. I asked him what happened after that. I knew he disappeared for a while and then Shaurya panicked. I also know that the big boss doesn't know the whole story, but you did it because Shaurya confided in you." he said with a final whisper.

Ramanujam looked at him in shock. How could this woman know everything?

"Don't look at me like I'm a witch. And stop trying to figure out how I know things. Just tell me what's really going on," he grinned and said.

After Ramanujam recounts the incident to her as told to her by Shaurya, she turns to contemplative mode.

"Hmm.so that means no one knows where he is for 3-4 hours. Attractively. I was eager to see Shaurya's face when he realized that he had lost it" he said happily.

Ramanujam wanted to check his forehead to see if he had a fever. He thinks that he spouted out a truckload of crap today.

"Do you want to hear my observations?" he asked her.

"Can I choose to say no?" cynical answer.

Saraswati gave her a sharp look which she responded with a hasty reply, "Of course I'm joking. I'm listening."

"Well, I think our dry, serious, and very focused, male Hero was hit by a wild fireball" he said with a small smile.

"Huh? Who are the two of them? Aren't we talking about Mrignayani's performance?" he asked, confused.

"God, did you not eat today's food or what? How can you go crazy to this level? I'm talking about Shaurya and Mriga, of course," he explained.

The eyes of Ramanujam were very distrustful of them. He shook his head, as if trying to clear it up and then started laughing.

But Saraswati was undaunted by her attitude.

She told him, "Did you know that Shaurya came to me right after the competition was designed by Guruji? He told me that although the allocation of mentors was my responsibility, but he wanted to help me with his input because he knew this intern closely. He begins by allocating the boys first and all four are assigned to different zilla heads. As a result, he was the only option left for Mriga. Comfortabley? Intentionally? What say?"

Ramanujam shrugged and replied, "So? What's wrong with that? What he said was the truth. He's just being proactive."

He gave her a superior smile and said, "Really? Then why had he never shown this proactive attitude in the case of the mentee before? If you remember, he has rarely visited Gurukul in the last few years since he finished his education. He would always say that it was important for him to remain undetected, even undercover. But haven't you met him a lot lately, since the trainees came back from doing internships under him? And even during that time when they stayed under his guidance, he was the only one he chose to take part in the mission. I thought I had enough mole rat nests with me to make mountains out of them! Huh!"

Ramanujam still felt that there was not much he said, but did not want to prolong this silly conversation. He nodded his head, as if agreeing and fled from there. He's going crazy...

...****************...

Two days later

Chinranjeev and Nirbhay have been summoned to the Admin building along with Vandit and Abhirath at night. They submit assessments that they must submit to their respective classroom teachers to add to their final grades.

For this semester, their internship has been completed and they are now just preparing for the written exam for the next.

Chiranjeev observed his report while standing there and looked at Ramanujam, "Guruji, this report says there is nothing extraordinary about me. Therefore, I am an ordinary student with minimal ability to carry out my duties."

Ramanujam nodded and replied, "It's not just yours, everyone's reports read the same thing. Don't tell me that you expect us to take note of features like - being able to decipher coded messages in five minutes or being able to tail someone without being discovered, and so on. The cover page of a spy is very boring and average. If you're looking for a confession, you should go and join the army or the police."

Nirbhay immediately intervened and said, "No, of course not, Guruji. We enjoy our current situation. There's something very interesting about living a double life."

The others nodded their heads eagerly in agreement. Once forgiven, they went out together.

"Almost. You didn't think twice before opening your mouth, did you? I can't believe you actually dared to question the teacher about the score. This irresponsible behavior of yours reminds me of others!" Abhirath scolded Chiranjeev once they were out of the hearing range of their teacher.

What Vandit responded flatly, "Didn't everything remind you of that person in one way or another these days?"

Although Vandit spoke slowly, Abhirath heard him loud enough to glare at him.

"Are you two talking about Mriga here, maybe?" Nirbhay asked lazily.

The two boys looked at him with wide eyes.

"Haa .. what's with that expression. It's not hard to know. The first time Shaurya's brother came to Gurukul disguised as a bad guy, Abhirath was the first to go and stand in front of him protective. None of us knew each other at the time. But he did not hesitate even a single second before doing so. On our first day at Shaurya's brother's shop, he loses his cool from interacting with strangers. Though he had already tried to twist it gave an obscure reason but it was clear enough for anyone with eyes and a little common sense, to look through the thin grounds. Lastly, she hates you the most for sharing a comfortable relationship with her. Again, he tried to hide it under your bad performance clothes, but I know better," he concluded, staring at Vandit.

Abhirath became angry and said, "What is this empty tooth? Have you all gone mad? Who said I was talking about it? Nirbhay, you really have to sign up for the writers workshop. You're good at making up stories out of thin air. Stop assuming things ... I warned you all. "

Chiranjeev ignored the explosion completely and asked Vandit, "Hmm?"

The boy continued to babble at Abhirath mercilessly, ignoring his angry denials.

Finally, Nirbhay said, "So, do you think we should help him? If left alone, he will not be able to reach his target in the remaining two years of our Gurukul life. What if someone else snared our girl? that time?"

"Actually, I think it may be too late" Chiranjeev said slowly.

"How's what?" Nirbhay asked curiously.

"Do you know that our classmate from the accounting department is always the first in the relay race... I can't remember his name at this time. I think he's pretty 'friendly' with our little Mriga. I've seen them gather together around the library and meet him several times outside the Art princess dormitory" Chiranjeev said.

Now all eyes are on him.

"Uh, I went to the girls' dormitory to, ahem, hand over a package to someone who has the same zilla as me. Stop looking at me like that. By the way, focus on our friend's problem here for now. That's again important," he said hurriedly.

This time, even Abhirath did not try to refute or deny the claim. He had seen her coming with the man on their first day guiding the juniors.

But his heart refused to believe that something was going on between the two of them. Isn't that man the son of a great official? Why would he be interested in a girl with a normal background?

Her heart replied back gloomily – 'Because she is not a normal girl. He was a bright little star that spread the sunlight around him!! And you're a fool for not recognizing her in the last two years.'

Vandit peeked at her sad expression and told everyone, "I was really depressed after that appraisal report and needed food to comfort me. Should we go and see what our famous foodhall decides to serve today?"

Taking the cue, everyone nodded in agreement and turned towards the cafeteria.

"Oh! Hi you guys.." Mriga was happy to see familiar faces standing in front of him.

He had been summoned by Ramanujam to receive his report after the boy and hence met with everyone near the Admin building.

He has not seen anyone but Abhirath in the past few days and is very excited to meet a lot of people.

The boys looked at each other in fear. It was as if he had been conjured by their thoughts.

"What are you doing here, Mriga?" Vandit recovered first and asked him.

She made a face to him and replied, "Just because I didn't finish my apprenticeship doesn't mean I can't be invited to tea by the teachers, right?"

Everyone looked at him in wonder. Why were none of them asked to stay for tea?

He looked at their shocked expressions and giggled.

He lowered his voice a few octaves and said, "Aren't you really that gullible? I can't believe that you all believe my stupid lies, not even Abhirath!"

"Why, why don't I trust you?" he replied with heat.

Vandit embraced his shoulder and said lightly, "Haha, this is what he meant. See, you were the first to question him about everything. So, what are you doing here, Mriga?"

He tried to cover up his currently restless friend, but Mriga was very happy that the boy was tricked by him just a moment ago, so there was nothing wrong with Abhirath's remark.

He shrugged and said, "I'm here to gather my appraisal report. Although I interned for a short time, but I still need to show you the note."

"Well, don't expect too much. We've all been given mediocre reports to make us look normal, not 'extraordinary'. I assume your report will be identical to our report" Nirbhay said with a grin.

He laughed and after agreeing with his assessment, moved to leave.

"Uh, I .. we wonder if you want to join us for dinner after this? Abhirath told us that you have done a good job teaching younger children. We all want to hear it," Vandit spoke to him back down.

Mriga turned around and looked at Abhirath in surprise, "Right? You said nice things about me after giving me so much grief on the ground?"