Veerata opened his eyes to birds chirping and sunlight streaming in from the glass windows of his bedroom. 

For the first time in years, he felt no pain in his lower body. He’d lived with it for so long, it’d become a part of him. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept so well. The odour of Vidyuta’s decoction and balm greeted him, overpowering every other aroma in the room. 

He grinned. Vidyuta’s done it! He’s cured me.

He shifted on the bed with great care, but didn’t get up. 

The pain won’t come back, will it?

His eye fell on the young doctor sleeping in a chair to his left. 

Was he working all night? Did the guards call him to my room? Wonder what new medicine he came up with? I must reward him soon. 

A low, deep breathing from his right made him turn his head and blink.  

Satya’s lovely face rested on her folded arms, a few inches from his right leg. She looked fast asleep, doubled over the edge of his bed.

Who’s this? 

His eyes studied the familiar garment covering her upper body. 

Isn’t that my uttariya? 

He remembered her now. 

The girl from last night? What is she still doing here? Where are the guards? Why didn’t they send her home?

Her presence also reminded him of Brahmadatta’s nefarious activities. 

No time to waste. I must get the other girls released from the basement, and arrest that scoundrel.

He glanced at Satya again, noticing the worn and smelly cloth poultice next to her elbow. If it had been round and white before, it was now crumpled into a pyramid-like shape, and blackened with the oils from the herbs inside. 

“Good morning, Senapati,” Vidyuta’s voice broke his reverie. 

Veerata turned to his friend. The young doctor looked wide awake now. He rose and stepped closer to the bed. 

“Doctor, what is she doing here?” He pointed to the sleeping young maiden.  

His friend sighed. “Satya wanted to help,” he said. “I know it wasn’t my place to decide, but she insisted.”

“Insisted? What do you mean?”

“How are you feeling?” Vidyuta leaned across and examined the young general’s wound. He gasped, eyes widening in disbelief. 

“What is it?” Veerata frowned. He heaved up on his elbows and peeked at his lower body. To his utter astonishment, his thigh had healed. The wound was closed. Only a reddish scar remained. No wonder he didn’t feel any pain. 

Vidyuta poked the skin with his fingers. “Does it hurt?” he asked. 

Veerata shook his head. “How?”

“I’m not sure. Do you see that poultice? Satya has been applying that thing to your wound all night.”

“Are you sure?”

“I saw her prepare it before my very eyes.”

“Did she use a special ingredient?”

“Not that I know of, but—”

“What is it?”

“She said there was magic power still trapped in your leg from three years ago. That’s why the wound kept reopening.”

Veerata blinked. “Magic power?”

“Forgive me! I had to tell her about the incident with Maharani Nandini.”

“Are you saying that her power was trapped in my leg all this time?”

“Satya said she could feel it.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“Well, this is the first time I’ve seen someone using a poultice to remove magic power from a wound. She must be an exceptional student.”

“Student?”

“She said she studies medicine at Acharya Dhanwantari’s school.”

The young general scratched the stubble on his cheeks. “I’ve heard how the great Acharya and his students perform medical miracles.”

Vidyuta agreed. “So have I.”

“But, doctor, your medicine always worked on me before.”

“True. My treatment almost healed and prevented gangrene. Only trouble was that your wound kept reopening and bleeding.”

Veerata shrugged. “That’s my fault. Lack of rest and all that. Occupational hazard.”

“I don’t blame you, Senapati. However, seeing how your wound has vanished completely, I think this girl was right about the trapped magic.”

Veerata looked back at the sleeping young maiden. Last night, she’d seemed so helpless and embarrassed. Now her relaxed face stirred something inside him. His lips curled into a smile. 

She sleeps like a baby. Doesn’t she care where she is right now?

He remembered the strange memory that had clouded his mind when he collapsed on the floor. 

She reminds me of Maharani Nandini. But why? She’s just a poor village girl, isn’t she? She doesn’t even look like her. 

His gaze traveled over her unruly, copper-coloured hair. It looked messier than before, her tresses standing out all over. Her thick braid, curled over her shoulder, had unraveled all over.

I get it now. It’s her hair. Very similar to Maharani Nandini’s hair.

His eyes rested on her plump, pink lips, parted in sleep, and her round cheeks with the horrendous red scar from last night.

Pretty. Even in all that mess.

He blinked again. 

What am I thinking? She’s just a child. Very pretty and intelligent, but still… 

Another soft breath escaped her parted lips. 

Veerata’s heart skipped a beat. It was undeniable. He felt something more than a plain attraction for the young maiden. He wished to find out everything about her—her family, her friends, her hobbies, her whole life! 

What’s wrong with me? She’s so young and she’s been through a most humiliating experience last night, yet she stayed back to help me. 

Her selfless attitude charmed him more. 

She’s saved my life. How can I think about her in any other way?

“Senapati,” Vidyuta asked. “What are you smiling about?”

Am I smiling?

Veerata straightened his face. “Doctor, looks like this little girl is a better physician than you.” He teased.

Vidyuta laughed. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. You need food, though. Shall I ask the maids to send your breakfast?”

“No, please tell the guards outside to step in for a moment,” Veerata said. “I have new orders for them.”