Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

0Mriga put the glass away and lowered Shaurya's head gently, mindful of the bloody wound on his neck. With a soft grunt, Shaurya turned to his side, facing his back towards Mriga. His even breathing could be heard after a few moments in the otherwise quiet room.     0

"What happened?" Abhirath's hushed words brought Mriga out of the stupor.     

She had been standing there, staring at Shaurya's back, apparently.     

"Uh, he wanted water. Now he has gone back to sleep. I think he is running a fever," she replied in a soft voice.     

Gesturing her to get up, Abhirath led her out of the room.     

"I didn't find much in the kitchen. But I did manage to make some sugar water. The proportion may not be right nor the taste, but you have had quite an evening already. So, just drink it up. Will help you get some energy back," he pushed the half-filled glass in front of her.     

Mriga looked at his concern filled eyes and found his warmth reaching her. Even though her stomach protested at the sight of the liquid, she inclined her head in gratitude and picked up the glass. Grimacing as the too sweet liquid hit her throat, she drained it nonetheless without any outwardly reaction.     

"Thank you!" she told him with a smile.     

Abhirath's eyes greedily absorbed her radiance directed towards him. At this moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the whole world.     

"I…" he started.     

"You mean to say that he would know who did it just by looking at him?" the Vaidya's voice reached them at that instant, causing them to look towards the stairs.     

Saraswati replied in her usual acerbic manner, "Father, why are you so curious about the workings of the operational side of the organization? You are just a doctor, you remember that, right? Always wanting to play a spy."     

"Huh! Just a doctor? Not only did I carry that hulk of a man down all those steps myself, I even conducted the entire exercise of saving him, alone. What are your capabilities apart from simply passing down instructions from one to another, spy my foot! How dare you look down upon me when you yourself are no better than a secretary," her father said sullenly.     

At that moment, Mriga and Abhirath came in their view and Saraswati stopped short of saying whatever stinging reply she had ready for him.     

Both the students bowed to her, respectfully.     

"Any developments or changes?" Saraswati's father asked them.     

"He woke up and asked for some water. But he was incoherent. Also, his body is burning up," Mriga spoke up immediately.     

"Ok. Both of you did a good job. Now go back and rest. I will let you know if you are needed again," Saraswati told them.     

Without waiting for Abhirath's reaction, Mriga spoke up, "I… uh, I would want to stick around and help, if that is ok. I just want to, umm… he is my mentor and I just…"     

"I understand. You are welcome to come back and tend to his health later. But for now, you need to change out of these blood-stained clothes and also catch some sleep. Make sure to dispose these garments. Blood doesn't wash off. Report here after six hours. Ok?" Saraswati said firmly but kindly.     

Mriga nodded her head in agreement and followed Abhirath out.     

"Why don't you freshen up and meet me outside the foodhall in half hour for an early breakfast? Full stomach ensures better sleep," Abhirath said to her outside the Admin building.     

Mriga looked up at the still dark sky and tut tutted.     

"Isn't breakfast eaten after the dawn breaks? What you are talking about is more like a midnight feast," she said with a tired smile.     

"As long as there is good company and good food, how does it matter whether it is noon or dawn or dusk? In fact, this is the perfect time to go to the foodhall. The cooks will be prepping for the breakfast and with some luck, we may get the best dishes, freshly made," he persuaded her.     

"Ok, alright. You don't have to sell it so hard. I am almost always ready for food! Will see you in a bit," Mriga told him with a short laugh.     

Since the classes were over for the term, the students were only supposed to help tidy up the Gurukul and get it ready for the next term before they left for their respective homes. They were supposed to aid the teachers and non-teaching staff in whatever chores were assigned to them.     

Mriga came back from the foodhall and penned a note for Ishani telling her that she was unwell and would escape the duties this morning. She wanted to go back to the Admin building as soon as possible. She went and flopped down on her bed, trying to get some sleep.     

Though she had gone to the foodhall with full intent to enjoy a hearty meal, she couldn't eat more than a few mouthfuls. She had made an excuse to Abhirath that it was too early for her to eat but in her heart, there was some sort of unexplained uneasiness. She didn't know what was she fearing exactly but she was restless. After a lot of tossing and turning, sleep still continued to evade her.     

"Argh… I might as well get up and go see whether I am needed at the Admin building. No point developing a crick in my neck by staring at the ceiling, here," she muttered to herself and sat up.     

Yash had received the message last evening that Mriga was looking for him, so he got up early to go meet her at the hostel before they went for their respective assigned tasks.