Vikara is having liquor with his brother in the estate's outhouse.

Vikara - "How was your stay at the temple? Did the scholars give you any trouble?"

Varaha - "No. It was peaceful. You should visit sometime. The birds chirping in the morning, the fresh gusting wind from the nearby forests, and then the scenic beauty and divinity of nature herself revealed right in front of my own eyes. It is magnificent."

Vikara - "They turned you into one of them already. I can tell."

Varaha - "You sound disappointed."

Vikara - "I am. We are to become the rulers of this land. Do you have any idea what is going on here?"

Varaha - "Father said everything was alright."

Vikara - "Explain Dhamini getting attacked then."

Varaha - "But you said those were some ordinary bandits."

Vikara - "Ya...I mean...no. At the moment I didn't want to frighten Dhamini that her life could have been in danger. I mean, but you do understand that a bandit attack on us is highly improbable. We keep all of the thieves and mercenaries in our back pockets. No bandit could have the balls to mess with our family."

Varaha - "Maybe. But the bandits must have mistaken them by their appearances."

Vikara - "Mistaking Dhamini I can understand. But Karni? There is not a single person in Sagarkaar who wouldn't recognize him."

Varaha - "So what are you thinking? Someone's trying to take us out? Have anyone particular in mind?"

Vikara - "I don't know...I...I am thinking, that attack was probably not meant for Dhamini."

Varaha - "What do you mean?"

Vikara takes a final sip and walks off the outhouse door.

Arkha has found a few hoof prints.

Arkha - "Hoof prints suggest activity towards the east."

Karni - "East from here? We'd be moving towards the Khasi village."

Arkha's eyes give off a surprised expression.

Karni seems relaxed. He mounts his horse - "Maybe they found the bandits before us."

Arkha and the mercenaries follow his lead.

All 4 of them enter the village of Khasi. The village has poorly made huts on the forefront of the village. There are wooden spears that act as a defensive boundary to fend off intruders. The village has a lot of barracks and plenty of militia roaming to check for unnecessary guests. Karni and the company are directed to meet their commander. They leave their horses and walk up to meet with the commander.

The commander's tent is enormous. They are told to wait outside.

Zerdan exits the military tent.

Zerdan - "Whoa! Karni! You brought friends?"

Karni - "Did you see any bandits here?"

Zerdan - "No. There is no way any bandits would set foot inside our place, you've said that yourself."

Karni - "Unless they are on your payroll."

Zerdan - "Mind your tongue. We treated you with all the courtesy the last time. Keep giving me that tone and I'd be forced to give you the infamous Khasi treatment."

Karni and Zerdan stare at each other, neither willing to back down.

Zerdan's man walks in and interrupts the stare-off. He whispers something in Zerdan's ears and leaves.

Zerdan - "Keep our guests entertained. I'll be back in a minute."

Zerdan walks alongside the man. Zerdan sees a man standing at a distance. Zerdan could easily make out from the appearance of who he is. It is a 7-foot-tall large beast of a man. The man walks towards Zerdan.

Zerdan - "Khasim. Why are you here?"

Khasim - "I sent those bandits behind him."

Zerdan is agitated.

Khasim is cold and calm, ready to face anything.

Zerdan - "Why?"

Khasim - "He knows."

Zerdan stays quiet. He decides to return to Karni and walks away when suddenly Khasim speaks. Zerdan halts.

Khasim - "Tell him he can't avoid me any longer. I'll hunt him down. No matter where he hides."

Zerdan walks off.

Karni and his friends were sitting on the floor awaiting Zerdan. Arkha and the two mercenaries stand up. Karni remains seated.

Zerdan apologetically speaks - "I stand wrong. It was Khasim. He sent out bandits to pursue you. You should know that I or my militia had no part in this. On part of the misconduct by one of our own, I apologise to you and the Vyasa family."

Karni stands up - "We're leaving. Arkha, let's go."

Zerdan - "Irdan Khasim wants to challenge you."

Karni - "I am not interested."

Zerdan is displeased by the answer.

Zerdan - "I cannot stop him from pursuing you. He says that he'll hunt you down no matter where you hide."

Karni - "Tell him to come by himself next time, rather than sending petty bandits behind me."

Karni and the mercenaries leave.

Zerdan's pride has been hurt. He feels as though Karni has mocked him in front of his subordinates but more than that, he feels as if Karni has mocked the Khasi name.