Varaha - "Forest fires are unusual in these parts."

Vikara - "That is no forest fire."

All 3 ride towards the fire.

A few bandits are burning husks and setting the forest ablaze.

Vikara whispers to Varaha - "Some kind of tradition?"

Varaha shouts to get everyone's attention - "Stop! What the hell are you doing?!"

The bandits run away and saddle up their horses. They dash away into the forest depths. Karni decides to follow them and dashes on horseback into the woods. Vikara follows Karni. Varaha decides to retreat and call for the village elders to help snuff out the fire.

Vikara sees Karni dashing across the woods at blinding speed. The horse is jumping across fallen trees and broken bridges in a flash. Vikara tries to keep up. Vikara shouts to Karni - "Don't you think it's a trap?"

Karni seems to have not heard Vikara. Soon Karni reaches the hideout of the bandits. All their horses are stationed outside. There are roughly 6 huts.

Karni dismounts from his horse. Vikara catches up and gets off his horse.

Vikara rushes and grabs Karni's shoulder - "Stop dammit! You'll get yourself killed!"

Karni - "Perhaps I should. Why did you follow me?"

Vikara - "Ohh...now I see. But...I put way too many stakes on that tournament. I need you alive. The wedding can wait. Come! Let's go back."

Karni - "No. That'd end badly. Your father..."

Vikara - "Let's just get out of here. I think a good shot from an arrow could get us both killed."

Karni and Vikara retreat from the bandit's hideout.

The previous night at the estate -

Rashva seems tense about his son's marriage. He goes to his bed but wakes up immediately. He cannot bear such an opportunity slipping away. He walks outside the estate and goes to the stables. He looks inside the stable house and sees Karni sleeping. He quietly enters.

Karni wakes up and sits on his bed - "What happened?" Karni speaks in a tone of concern.

Rashva clears his throat - "Would you die for him?"

Karni's eyes widen.

Back at the estate, Vikara and Karni have arrived back. They are greeted by a surprised Varaha.

Varaha - "You both! Damn, you two really scared me!" 

Vikara - "Where is our dear father?"

Varaha - "He left an hour ago."

Vikara - "For what?"

Varaha - "Don't know."

Vikara looks at Karni - "What were his instructions?"

Karni reluctantly replies - "There'll be a distraction in the forest. Use it to get away from you two. From there the hideout will either be my tomb or they'd take me to the Pragath manor to pass the sentence."

Varaha - "You could have told us."

Karni looks at Vikara.

Vikara stops Varaha and asks him - "Where has our father disappeared to?"

Varaha - "There is a chance he may be at Ivora's place."

Vikara - "Karni, let's move."

Karni follows Vikara.

They both mount their horses and ride away.

Rashva looks agitated. Rashva's silence is broken when the leader of the bandits arrives.

Rashva - "Took you long enough."

Leader - "The Ivoras made sure that you'd pay us even if the job went south...but...taking money for a failed job seems ill of our traditions. What about we kill him right now in your house?"

Rashva - "Vikara won't allow it."

Leader - "Maybe. But he won't even know it happened. We will kill him like a ghost."

Rashva - "Stop talking like an idiot! You will all be chopped up into pieces by my son."

Leader - "Then go ahead, you suggest us a plan."

Rashva - "I have a plan."