“Is this the only way?” Satya asked, her voice low and anxious. “Is this the only way to travel to the capital city?”

Veerata smiled, soothing her fears. “Satya, you already know, don’t you? We don’t have much time. We need to get you to Vijayanagar palace as soon as possible.”

They stood in the middle of a large temple compound just outside town. A few priests sat cross-legged around a sacred fire in a wide semicircle, reciting several mantras at superhuman speed, while pouring ghee, or clarified butter, into a tremendous bonfire inside a huge square-shaped apparatus, made of mud, and cemented into the middle of the compound floor.

An hour ago, Satya and her family had followed the young general’s party out of the hamlet. A few neighbours had seen them leaving. Plain awe had marked their faces. 

Veerata had thought it unnecessary to explain anything to anyone. Uncle Madhava had managed to tell one of them that they would be back soon. 

Upon reaching the main road, Veerata had announced he and Vidyuta would escort Satya to the palace, through a different route to save on time. Uncle Madhava and Aunt Sulochana had to separate from their niece. The young general’s soldiers were to escort them on horseback to the capital city. 

At first, both aunt and uncle had been against it. They’d insisted Satya was too young to be left unchaperoned. When Veerata had assured them they would not be separated for long, they’d relented and left with the soldiers. 

Satya had followed the young general and his physician friend. Accompanied by two guards, the trio proceeded towards the other end of town. On their arrival at the temple compound, Veerata had informed Satya they would be traveling through the fire portal to save time. 

Satya protested. “Senapati, you never said anything about a fire portal.”

Veerata looked puzzled. “Do you find it uncomfortable?”

She shuddered. “I’ve never used one before.”

“This is the fast way. We will reach the palace in minutes.”

“I’m not jumping into the fire,” she snapped.

“You don’t have to jump. We just step in together.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Not at all. The priests here are very skilled. You may experience some discomfort, but I promise you it won’t hurt.”

Satya gulped, still unsure. 

Veerata shrugged. “How else should we travel?”

“Don’t you have a pavan-vimana… a flying chariot?”

Veerata’s eyes widened. He smothered a laugh. 

She frowned, annoyed once again at his shameless amusement. 

“Forgive me, Satya,” he chuckled. “You amaze me every time. Where did you hear about the pavan-vimana?”

“I read about it in the library at the university.” She pouted. 

Veerata nodded. “That makes sense. The pavan-vimanas are Samrat’s property, but they’re not known to the common people. I can get a license to use one under special circumstances. It’s a long process, too… so much paperwork! Even if I could get a hold of one, it would take some time for it to reach us. We would also have to reveal the true purpose of your visit to the palace staff.”

“I see!” 

He smiled again. “The fire portal is my personal transport. I can use it whenever I want without informing anyone. It will also help to keep your visit a complete secret from everyone.”

“Senapati.” A guards approached him. “It’s ready.”

“Very well!” Veerata beckoned Satya. 

The chanting had reached a fever pitch. Together, Veerata and Satya stepped up to the edge of the bonfire, keeping a safe distance from the flames. 

Vidyuta, and the guard who had spoken to the general just now, stepped up behind them in the queue.

“Don’t worry, Satya,” the young doctor said. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

Looking over her shoulder, she smiled back at him, grateful for his words. She caught the young general staring at her, his entire face alight with admiration. 

Standing shoulder to shoulder, they were closer to each other than she’d expected. Blushing, her gaze dropped. She turned back to the bonfire. 

The flames rose higher and higher with the chanting, rekindling her grief for her lost sister. Nandini was born with the power to wield fire at will. The memory tugged at her heartstrings. 

“I wanted to tell you something,” Veerata spoke in a low voice, breaking into her reverie. “It’s about the kidnappers.” 

Satya looked up at him. 

He continued. “I didn’t want to speak of it infront of your aunt and uncle.”

“Do you mean the men who were keeping the girls captive in the basement?”

Veerata nodded, averting his gaze. “The same men who tore your dress.” His tone sounded piqued, though his face betrayed nothing.

“What about them?”

“They’re dead.”

“All of them?” Satya asked, fearful of the true meaning of his words.

“I beheaded them myself,” he hissed, “after my soldiers hanged the mayor.”

Satya trembled. He was truly a merciless executor. 

Does he want me to say ‘thank you’? 

She remembered the humiliation she’d suffered and felt a sense of bitter relief to know that the men had paid for it with their lives. At the same time, she marvelled at the fact that the great general of Satayu had executed them to avenge her dignity. 

Is this his way of paying me back for saving his life? 

Or does he have another hidden agenda? 

He’d also kept the information a secret from her family to save her from further embarrassment. His undisguised adoration now troubled her. 

What does he want from me?

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asked.

“I just wanted you to know the truth,” he said. “I never tolerate violence towards women and children. My soldiers already know that.” 

The fire had risen to a height of ten feet and shaped out like a halo. The heat was getting unbearable. The priests were sweating; their white cotton robes soaked through. The smell of clarified butter and herbs filled the air. 

Satya shook all over. 

The nearest priest signaled to enter the fire portal. 

Veerata nodded and stepped even closer to her.

“Pardon me, Satya,” he said, slipping his right arm around her waist. 

She started in surprise at his sudden, solid grip. The next instant he stepped through the fire portal, taking her with him.