Chapter 20: Chapter 20
As Bairavendra's sword continued its trajectory, it bore down on Agnathan with a speed and precision that left him little room for defense. However, in a remarkable display of control, Bairavendra halted his blade just inches from Agnathan's chest, leaving a shallow gash as a reminder of the close call.
Before Agnathan could express his gratitude, a swift punch from Bairavendra sent him crashing to the ground.
"You've lost," Bairavendra declared, his voice resonating with authority. The two warriors stood locked in a silent battle of wills, each refusing to yield an inch. The world around them seemed to fade away as they held each other's gaze, the unspoken acknowledgment of their mutual respect and skill hanging in the balance.
With a heavy sigh, Agnathan conceded defeat, his voice laced with resignation, "I admit my loss. Kill me." He relinquished his weapon, his spirit as broken as his body.
Bairavendra regarded him with a mixture of pity and admiration. "I'm afraid I must disappoint you," he replied, his voice surprisingly gentle. "My task is to apprehend you, not to be your executioner. Your fate will be decided by His Highness."
Agnathan's eyes widened in surprise and some disappoint. He had expected a swift and merciless end, but Bairavendra's words offered a glimmer of hope, a chance to face judgment and, perhaps, redemption.
Bairavendra, his gaze lingering on Agnathan, turned his attention to his soldiers. "Arrest everyone," he commanded, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "His Highness has ordered that no harm or mistreatment be inflicted upon the women or children."
With renewed vigor, the Chola soldiers sprang into action, apprehending both the soldiers and the individuals who had surrendered within the mansion. Bairavendra's voice rang out once more, "Garuda," he called out to a trusted lieutenant, "deploy 100 men to safeguard the wealth and food supplies in the mansion." His orders were met with swift nods and a flurry of movement as the soldiers carried out their tasks.
With Agnathan arms bound and his spirit subdued, Bairavendra escorted him towards Karthikeya's residence, leaving the remaining prisoners to be led to the dungeon by the soldiers. The once vibrant mansion now stood shrouded in an eerie silence, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours before.
As the sky darkened and the moon cast its silvery glow upon the land, Bairavendra hastened towards Karthikeya's residence, the apprehended Agnathan in tow. Meanwhile, news of the assault on the Dakkhina Vihara family and their affiliates spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of various noble families.
The sudden arrival of messengers carrying summons from Karthikeya sent shockwaves through these households. The messengers' urgent tone and the ominous threat they conveyed at the end left many hesitant, unsure whether to comply. The possibility of rebellion stirred among some, but ultimately, the four major noble families decided to heed Karthikeya's call. Before venturing out, they gathered among themselves, their minds clouded by fear and uncertainty. The massacre at the Dakkhina Vihara family mansion had shattered their illusions of security, and they were now left to face the consequences of their actions.
Karthikeya, having returned to his residence, promptly cleansed himself and the armor before indulging in a hearty meal, having skipped breakfast in the heat of the day's events. Despite the sun's descent, Karthikeya found no rest, instead heading to his study upon finishing his repast. The room contained a small table at its center, adorned with a collection of scrolls.
He took a seat, his hands reaching for a small tablet drawer. As he opened it, the familiar rolled-up scroll with its distinct seal came into view. The scroll was dark in color, bearing a wolf logo as its insignia. Karthikeya was well aware of its origin and the sender's identity. It was the report from his shadow guards, detailing the various activities of the Chola officials, prominent nobles, rebel hideout bases, their supporters, and other pertinent information.
The Shadow Guard, an organisation under him consisting of elite Assains, Vishakanyas and warriors, renowned for their mastery of espionage, sabotage, unconventional warfare tactics, and peculiar skills, remained one of Karthikeya's closely guarded secrets, concealed from even his own father. Despite the substantial resources they consumed each year, the Shadow Guard had consistently delivered remarkable results. They had established secret bases throughout the empire and beyond, extending their reach into neighboring kingdoms.
During wartime, they had provided invaluable intelligence, minimizing casualties and facilitating strategic victories. They had also eliminated business rivals and adversaries who posed a threat to Karthikeya's interests.
The current report hailed from the Shadow Guard's base in the kingdom of Anuradhapuram, detailing recent events. Karthikeya's eyes fell upon the seal, its intricate design concealing a hidden puzzle. If mishandled by an unsuspecting individual, the scroll would self-destruct in an explosion, triggered by a concealed chemical.
With practiced ease, Karthikeya manipulated the seal, revealing the scroll's contents. His gaze swept across the page, absorbing the concise and pertinent details regarding the disaster's impact and casualties for the organisation. He learned that the bases near Anuradhapuram and Trincomalee, along with their personnel, had remained unscathed, suffering minimal damage.
However, the third base had met a dire fate, completely obliterated along with all its active members, but thanks to the fact that the base was small the casualty wasn't much.
A detailed list enumerated the extent of the losses, itemizing the destroyed assets and personnel. The report concluded with a summary of the disaster's aftermath, highlighting the Shadow Guard's efforts to maintain operations and gather intelligence amidst the chaos. Karthikeya's mind raced as he digested the information, contemplating the implications and formulating a response.
Shifting his focus to the second pressing matter, Karthikeya delved into the report's revelations regarding corrupt officials within the Chola administration. The report painted a grim picture of Vallavaraiyan's dishonesty, revealing his collaboration with local landlords to establish a clandestine port south of Anuradhapuram, concealed amidst the dense forest.
This illicit port served as a conduit for nefarious activities, including the unauthorized sale of grain stockpiled in local granaries. Even more disturbingly, Vallavaraiyan and his accomplices had been diverting relief supplies intended for disaster victims, lining their pockets with the misfortune of others.
Karthikeya harbored no doubts about the report's veracity. His unwavering trust in the Shadow Guard's capabilities was complemented by his firsthand observation of the glaring inefficiencies in the distribution of disaster relief aid.
With a forceful blow that sent tremors through the table, Karthikeya continued his perusal of the report. His eyes scanned the subsequent section, which meticulously detailed the presence of rebel spies and operatives within the kingdom and even within his own residence.
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