“I don’t understand,” Satya said. “Are you saying that Maharaj Yusha of Videha sent an assassin to kill his own dancer?"

“We have no proof,” Veerata replied. “We still haven't been able to establish what kind of poison was given to her.”

“Are you sure,” Uncle Madhava asked, “she didn't take the poison herself?”

“We did consider that possibility. She could have consumed it under threat or perhaps out of some twisted sense of patriotism.”

Vidyuta added. “We knew early on she had no wish to end her life. She cooperated with Rajvaidya's treatment. Her will to live is very strong. That's probably why she's stayed alive until now.”

Veerata nodded. “In any case, if she’d taken any kind of poison herself, then we would have found traces of it in her chambers. We searched everywhere. We found nothing. Not even an empty bottle.”

“May I ask,” Uncle Madhava said, “how did you manage to keep her condition a secret for so long?”

“About a week after she arrived, we found another dancer to impersonate her and move into her new home in the capital city. We declared she’d recovered from her illness. Only a chosen few maids, guards and doctors are allowed to visit her under oath. It's an elaborate, but necessary deception to avoid war.”

Vidyuta turned to Satya. “But we won't be able to keep up the deception for long. That's why we need your help.”

Satya shook her head. “What if I can't help her? My uncle is right. I still have much to learn. I'm not a real physician… just a student.”

Vidyuta smiled. “Senapati and I have complete faith in you, Satya.”

Veerata agreed. “Right now you are the only hope we have to save Anjalika.” 

“It's too much. Why does anyone need to kill a dancer just to declare war?”

“I’m afraid I cannot answer that,” Veerata sighed. “Call it international politics. Samrat Padmapani has nurtured the alliance with Videha for years. All you need to know is that he would do anything to save Anjalika and avoid war.”

Aunt Sulochana stepped forward, her voice low and dripping with contempt. “Senapati, why should we help you? How can you expect us to uproot our life here and go with you to the capital city?”

“I’m aware my request may sound selfish to you, but on behalf of Samrat Padmapani I can assure you that you will be compensated for any inconvenience.”

“Senapati,” Uncle Madhava said, “would it not be better to ask for help from Acharya Dhanwantari? He is Satya’s teacher and a skilled physician.”

Veerata shook his head. “We can’t risk disclosure. The great Acharya Dhanwantari is well-known and well-respected throughout this kingdom. He’s always in the public eye. He has a constant stream of patients coming to the university hospital for treatment. Asking him for help is not easy. Even if he cooperates with us, we will not be able to keep the dancer’s condition a secret anymore.” 

Silence pervaded the room. Satya shot a glance at her aunt and uncle. They looked undecided. She felt the young general’s eyes upon her again. She knew he expected her to agree to his request. 

It was her own fault. Despite Vidyuta’s remonstrations, and disregarding her own safety, she’d stayed awake all night just to help him. Possibly, Veerata admired her because of that. 

She turned away from his relentless stare, and looked out the open door into the yard thinking about all that she’d heard. The town had begun to stir. Satya thought of the last three years she’d spent in this peaceful hamlet. When she’d woken up this morning she’d been heartbroken at the thought of leaving this place. But now it seemed like leaving would’ve been a better option. 

Going to the capital city and meeting Padmapani was the very situation that she had run from three years ago. Nandini died so that she might live. 

Is this my fate? Am I fated to live in fear of being discovered forever? 

The idea frightened her. She knew it frightened Aunt Sulochana, and angered Uncle Madhava. All three of them felt helpless in the face of the destiny that was thrust upon her. But how long could they avoid it?

Above all else, she had to admit she was curious about the dancer, dying in the palace. Can my powers heal the woman?

Acharya had taught her never to abandon a patient under any circumstances. Perhaps, if the discovery of her true identity was inevitable, then she’d be prepared. Sometimes it is necessary to move towards danger and face it head on instead of running away. 

Satya turned back to the young general. Her face shone with determination, ignoring the obvious passion she’d ignited in his heart, and the curious stares of the other three people in the room.

“Senapati,” she said. “Pardon me, but I have one condition. We’ll come to the palace and help this dancer only if you agree to it.”

“If you succeed, you will be paid–”

Satya interrupted, shaking her head. “That is not what I meant. I told you I can’t accept money for my services because I’m not a doctor yet.”

“Then, what do you want? If it’s within my power, you shall have it.”

Satya raised her chin. “I would like to complete my medical studies at the university. If I am able to heal the dancer, then I want you to promise me that you will allow all of us to return home to Satvikshila.”

Veerata raised an eyebrow. “Is that all?”

She hadn’t expected his reaction. “I thought you’d want us to stay in Vijayanagar.”

“Why would I do that?” He sounded vexed. “You and your family are free to live where you choose. I am not going to order you to stay in the capital city any longer than necessary.”

“If I may add,” Vidyuta said, “Samrat Padmapani knows nothing about you. Same goes for Rajvaidya. If you are unable to save Anjalika, then you might face some kind of punishment.”

“Don’t frighten her!” Veerata raised a hand to stop him. “I shall be responsible for your safety. I also promise to bring you back here… or wherever you might wish to go… after your mission is completed.”