Satya felt dizzy. Memories of Amritambu surged through her mind, adding to the existing turmoil. The line between reality and fantasy blurred. 

She was back in Amritam palace. Headmaid Sulochana bent over her with a smile urging her to wake up. The old woman was dressed in a light-blue, uniform sari, looking younger and happier. 

Familiar faces met her in the passageways as she walked through the palace she’d once called home. The servants and guards were more like family. 

Warrior Madhava, her teacher, met her in the training hall, ready to give her a new lesson on single combat. 

Nandini visited her in the afternoon, asking about her lessons and her well-being. She was the beloved princess of Amritambu all over again. 

Then, the scene changed. 

At the southern exit of the palace, Sulochana and Madhava led her away from Nandini. She clung to her sister's arms, pleading with her to let her stay in vain. 

Nandini looked on in silence, a deep sadness prevailing in her kind eyes. She tore away from Sulochana and Madhava. She rushed into Nandini's arms hiding her sobbing face into her sister’s bosom. 

The scent of sandalwood brought Satya crashing back to the present. Deep rhythmic breathing rumbled against her ear. To her dismay, she realised her head was not resting on her beloved elder sister's chest. 

Her eyes flew open. She tried to pull away. Two muscular arms held her in a gentle, but firm grip. She looked up and her breath hitched in her throat. 

The young general looked down at her, deep candid concern reflecting from his blazing, amber-coloured eyes. Their noses were just inches apart. 

Both blushed in embarrassment and parted. 

“Are you alright?” Veerata asked, stepping back to give her some space. 

Satya touched her palm to her sweaty forehead. “Did I faint?”

“You were crying, too. Did the fire portal frighten you?”

“I felt a bit dizzy. I don’t remember what happened after we stepped into it.”

“First-time travel always feels a bit uncomfortable,” he admitted. “But I’ve never heard of anyone fainting before now. Are you afraid of fire?”

“I don’t know,” Satya lied, alarmed at his perceptiveness. She hoped she’d not spoken Nandini’s name out loud in the throes of her trauma. 

To her relief, Veerata was silent and did not ask further questions. 

She looked around her. They stood inside a large decorated hall. 

Is this Vijayanagar palace?

Behind them, the fire portal was still open. Vidyuta stepped out a minute later, along with the guard. Satya was glad to see the young doctor again. He expressed his concern on seeing her pale face. 

Veerata explained what happened and insisted on Vidyuta examining her right away. When the young doctor was satisfied that she wasn’t sick or injured in any way, they proceeded through the palace towards Anjalika’s chambers. 

They met no one, not even a servant, along the way. Upon reaching the door to the guest wing of the palace, the young general’s soldiers appeared in front of them, as though materialising out of thin air. 

No wonder the passageways and corridors looked deserted.

The soldiers had been assigned to move ahead and clear their path. Hence, the palace staff were nowhere to be seen. 

Veerata commanded all his men to remain in the outer corridor, including the guard who had accompanied them through the fire portal, as he led Satya and Vidyuta into the chamber. 

Past the door, they passed through an opulent sitting room, down a narrow passage, and into a lavish bedroom. The window curtains were drawn shut. The smell of herbs and decoctions permeated through the entire room. It was the most stifling place for any patient. 

The bed was at the other end of the room. Two large wall lamps lit it from above. A single lantern stood on the night table on one side. A motionless, sleeping figure lay huddled under the sheets. 

Three men were sitting around the bed. The oldest stood bent over the sleeping figure. All three were dressed in the palace physician’s common attire, made of the finest, white, muslin cotton and adorned with gold trimmings. They joined their palms and bowed their heads to the young general. They looked fatigued and sleep-deprived. 

“Pranam, Senapati,” the oldest man said in a gruff tone. “What brings you here?”

Veerata and Vidyuta returned their greetings in kind. “Pranam, Rajvaidya,” the young general replied. “How is Anjalika?”

“She has very little time left,” Rajvaidya declared. “Possibly, another day or two. You better prepare your troops, Senapati.” 

Satya moved towards the bed, a constricting feeling seeping into her bosom at the sight of the frail figure lying there. 

“Who is she?” the old man snapped. “What is she doing here?”

Vidyuta stepped forward. “This is Satya,” he said. “She is a medical student at the university of Satvikshila. We believe she can help Anjalika.”

“Get her out of here,” he said in an angry whisper.

“Rajvaidya–”

“I said, get her out! Have you forgotten Samrat’s orders? Strangers are not allowed in this room.” His whisper became shriller at every word.

“She can help–”

“Has she even graduated yet? I have a team of the best physicians and surgeons in the entire kingdom. If they can’t do anything, what can this little girl do?” 

His accusatory tone frightened Satya. She shrank backwards. 

The young general’s comforting hand stopped her, curling around her shoulders. “She is here on my orders, Rajvaidya,” Veerata said with a note of finality in his voice. “I have asked her to examine the patient and to provide necessary treatment.”

Satya looked up at him in awe.

“Impossible! Samrat will never allow it.”

“It’s my responsibility. I ask you to trust me. That’s all!” 

A fearful silence followed his command. After a long pause, the imperial physician gave a curt nod and stormed out of the room.