Vidyuta was a skilled and methodical physician. He spoke very little but gave clear instructions and expected prompt action. He also expected the highest level of secrecy in regards to the young general’s condition. Satya was told to ask for water and clean cloth and other surgical items from Veerata’s personal guards only. They would make sure that no one else in the mansion heard about his state of health, while fetching the items from the kitchen. It took Satya very little time to realise that the young general was suffering from a long-standing ailment. She watched the young doctor’s treatment keenly. She was still not allowed to operate but Acharya had given her permission to attend his own surgeries for her learning.

Vidyuta raised the patient's antariya, exposing his legs up to the hips. A deep scar was visible on his left thigh. It seemed as though the wound had healed but it kept reopening from time to time. It was a wonder that the garment had not soaked red. Vidyuta cleaned the blood with hot water and cloth. The patient started to shiver a little. In contrast, his breathing had become easier now. His painful moans had also turned into a low hum. However, his handsome face was contorted in writhing pain. Sweat still glistened on his forehead. Vidyuta began preparing a balm on the bedside table. The fragrance of dried herbs overshadowed the aroma of the jasmine incense that had been lingering in the room. Satya picked up a fresh cloth, dipped it in the water basin and started to wipe the general’s forehead. She flinched at the contact, unprepared for the revelation it offered her. In a single touch, she knew what was causing the wound to not heal completely. Hiding her astonishment, she spoke to the doctor. “May I ask how he got injured like this?”

He replied without looking up from his work. “It was in a battle - three years ago.”

“The siege of Amritambu?”

“Have you heard of it?”

“A little.”

“Pass me some more cloth, please!”

Satya busied herself with the doctor’s orders. When she believed him to be distracted for a moment, she ventured to touch her fingertips to the exposed skin around the young general’s wound. Luckily, her touch did not hurt him. Instead, it helped her feel the answer more clearly now. Remnants of a very powerful fire magic lingered in the bones of the young general’s wounded limb. She recognised that power instantly. Memories of her beloved elder sister resurfaced in her mind. Their connection was forged by birth. She could feel it in her own blood. 

Nandini had fought Veerata. How else could he have received a wound from her powers? She glanced at the doctor. Dare she ask him about it? Would he really tell her the truth? She decided to take a chance. “I heard that Senapati won the siege,” she said. “This wound looks fatal, though. How is that possible?”

“It was fatal, yes,” the young doctor sighed, deeply. “It has improved over the years. But it keeps opening up from time to time.” Vidyuta applied a medicinal paste to the clean wound. Veerata stirred and writhed at the sting of the herbs. Having finished applying the whole paste, Vidyuta turned back to the bedside table. This time he began preparing a decoction. 

“Can you tell me,” Satya continued, “under what conditions did he get this wound?”

Vidyuta turned to her exasperated. “What’s with all the questions? Can’t you see I’m working here? I need complete silence. Do you understand?”

Satya gulped again. The young doctor looked angry but she had to tell him about her discovery. “Please, doctor, this is not a normal battle wound. There’s magic power still trapped in Senapati’s leg.”

“Magic power?” The young doctor looked astonished for a second time since she had met him. He looked at the comatose patient, remembering something from a long time ago. “How can you be so sure?” he asked after a pause.

Satya had prepared herself for this question. “Acharya taught me how to feel the presence of magic power in a wound.” This was only half the truth. Although Acharya did know how to detect magic power in a wound, he had never taught it to any of his students. “If I know the exact conditions in which he got wounded, I might be able to help you remove the magic. The wound will heal faster, then.”

The answer worked. Vidyuta had heard of Acharya’s expertise so he believed Satya. “He was trying to save Maharani Nandini,” he replied, having deliberated in silence for a while. Satya’s breath hitched in her chest, hearing her beloved elder sister’s name. She tried to open her mouth to ask further details but no sound would come out. Luckily, Vidyuta continued to speak. He recollected the events that the young general had shared with him about what happened in the tower inside Amritam palace. The queen had lured the young general and his men into the tower. It seemed like she was just hiding from them. But she had actually prepared an ambush. Veerata wanted her captured alive. It was impossible under the circumstances. He begged her again and again to surrender. He never raised his sword. She wouldn’t stop fighting. She began hurling fire bullets at them. One of the archers’ arrows struck her in the chest. When Veerata tried to help her, she unleashed all her powers to destroy him. The same archer pushed him to safety at the last minute before the blast. The young general escaped with this wound while his archer and the queen were blown away. 

Hearing how her beloved elder sister died, Satya was moved to tears. Steeling herself, she held back her emotions. For the second time that night, she turned a grateful eye towards Veerata, whom she had blamed for Nandini’s death for the last three years. If the young doctor’s words were true, then he did not kill her sister. He was trying to save her. Had she surrendered to him, Nandini would be alive today. The thought was comforting and crushing at the same time. However, Satya reasoned that her hatred for Veerata could never completely vanish. Tonight she would save his life not only for the girls held captive in the basement, but also for the compassion he had shown her beloved elder sister.