Exploring Bahlikiwara
Time Stamp: Vikram Era: 6 Chaitra 1637 (March 1579)
Siddharth, now with Arjun's memories intertwined with his own, felt the weight of his newfound knowledge pressing on him, coupled with the remnants of his identity crisis. Despite the turmoil, curiosity and a sense of duty drove him forward. He knew he needed to explore Bahlikiwara on his own, to see and understand the city firsthand. With this resolve, he approached Vaniika.
In her quarters, Vaniika was busy preparing for a meeting with traders from Bacilia. The room was filled with documents, maps, and trade agreements. Siddharth hesitated for a moment, then knocked lightly on the doorframe.
"Didi," he called softly. Vaniika looked up, her expression softening when she saw him.
"Siddharth, come in. How are you feeling?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm feeling better," he replied, stepping inside. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
Vaniika set aside her papers and gave him her full attention. "What is it?"
"I want to explore Bahlikiwara." Siddharth said, his voice steady. "I need to see the city, understand it, (''and find answers to my questions'' , he murmured.)"
Vaniika frowned slightly, her protective instincts kicking in. Vaniika sighed and thought for a moment. "I have a meeting with the traders from Bacilia today, so I can't go with you," she said, her brow furrowed with worry. And thought about how, for Siddharth, it's not safe to go alone. "This city is vast and unfamiliar." She thought.
"I know, Didi. But I need to do this," Siddharth insisted, trying to keep his voice steady and not too forceful. Inside, Arjun cringed at having to act cutesy to gain her approval. "I promise I'll be careful. And I won't go far. Just enough to get a sense of the place."
Vaniika sighed, her eyes searching for any sign of hesitation. Seeing none, she nodded reluctantly. After a brief pause, She spoke. "Alright, you can go. But you must take a security detachment with you. I'll also request the citadel commander to keep a force on standby, just in case. Promise me you'll be careful?"she continued. "you must promise me you'll stay within the safer parts of the city. And if you run into any trouble, you come back immediately. Understood?"
Siddharth nodded eagerly. "I promise, Didi. Thank you."
She gave him a small smile. "I have to meet with the traders from Bacilia today, so I won't be able to accompany you. But I trust you to be careful."
"I will," Siddharth assured her. "Good luck with the traders."
Vaniika chuckled. "I'll need it. Those Bacilians drive a hard bargain. But before you go, let me set the security detachment for you and request the citadel commander to keep a force on standby, just in case."
Siddharth nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had his sister's permission, and now it was time to explore the enigmatic city of Bahlikiwara.
As Siddharth departed from her office, Vaniika couldn't shake the feeling that something was different about her younger brother. He had always been curious and adventurous, but today, there was something more—an intensity in his eyes, a determination that hadn't been there before. His voice, though still carrying the familiar warmth, had a layer of distance, almost as if he had matured overnight.
"Why did he suddenly ask to explore the city alone?" Vaniika pondered, her thoughts swirling with confusion and concern. "He sounded so distant, so different."
She replayed their conversation in her mind, noting how he carried himself with a newfound confidence. The way he spoke, the steadiness in his gaze—it was as if he had grown years older in just a single day. Even his mannerisms had changed; she noticed he no longer fidgeted when stressed, a habit she had always found endearing.
"Could the accident have caused this change?" she mused, her heart heavy with worry. The idea that such a traumatic event could alter someone's personality so drastically was unsettling. She sighed deeply, feeling a mix of pride and unease as she watched him disappear into the bustling streets of Bahlikiwara.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft knock of a servant at the door. "Vaniikaji, the merchants have arrived."
She nodded, pushing her concerns aside for the moment. "Thank you. I'll be there shortly."
As she prepared to meet the Bacilian traders, her mind kept drifting back to Siddharth. She couldn't help but wonder what he would discover in the city and whether the change she saw in him was temporary or something more permanent. Whatever it was, she hoped that he would find the answers he sought and that he would remain safe on his journey of exploration.
Shaking off her worries, Vaniika straightened her posture and took a deep breath. It was time to focus on the task at hand. The merchants from Bacilia were known for their shrewd negotiations, and she needed to be at her best to secure a favorable deal. Yet, even as she walked toward the meeting room, a part of her mind remained with Siddharth, silently hoping for his safe return.
Siddharth first met Captain Raghav, the head of his security detachment, in a small courtyard within the citadel. Captain Raghav was a stern but kind-faced man, known for his loyalty and unwavering dedication to his duty.
"Your Highness," Captain Raghav greeted, bowing respectfully. "I will be leading your security detail during your exploration of the city."
Siddharth nodded, appreciating the captain's seriousness. "Thank you, Captain Raghav. I look forward to our journey."
Captain Raghav then briefed him on the security measures in place. "We will be keeping a close watch on your surroundings, and in case of any emergency, we have a signal gun to contact the citadel's forces immediately."
Feeling reassured, Siddharth replied, "I trust your judgment, Captain. Let's proceed to meet Commander Vidhyadhara."
They walked through the bustling corridors of the citadel until they reached the commander's office. Commander Vidhyadhara, a tall, imposing man with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing eyes, stood to greet them. His expression softened when he saw Siddharth.
"Your Highness, it's good to see you up and about," Commander Vidhyadhara said warmly. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm much better now, Commander. Thank you," Siddharth replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. Inside, Arjun felt a pang of discomfort at the need for such formality.
The commander's eyes darkened slightly. "I want to assure you that the repair team responsible for the accident has been duly punished. Such negligence will not be tolerated again."
Siddharth nodded. "Thank you for taking care of that, Commander. I appreciate it."
Vidhyadhara then asked, "May I ask, Your Highness, what prompted the urgency for this tour?"
Siddharth paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It's nothing more than motivation, whim, and curiosity, Commander. I've always been curious about the city, and I thought it was time to explore it on my own."
The commander chuckled. "Ah, the curiosity of youth. It's a powerful thing. Well, I hope you find what you're looking for."
He then turned to Captain Raghav. "Captain, you have the signal gun, correct?"
"Yes, Commander," Captain Raghav replied, holding up the device. "In case of emergencies, we'll use this to contact your forces."
"Good," Vidhyadhara said with a nod. "Remember, young prince, your safety is our top priority. If you encounter any trouble, don't hesitate to use the signal gun. My men will be there in no time."
Siddharth smiled, feeling reassured. "Thank you, Commander. I'll keep that in mind."
With their conversation concluded, Commander Vidhyadhara saluted Siddharth and Captain Raghav before sending them on their way. As they left the citadel, Siddharth couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The city of Bahlikiwara awaited, and with it, the answers to the many questions swirling in his mind.
As they walked, Captain Raghav spoke up. "Your Highness, where would you like to begin your exploration?"
Siddharth thought for a moment, his eyes scanning the bustling streets ahead. "Let's start at the central plaza. There's something there I want to see more closely."
With a nod, Captain Raghav led the way, and Siddharth followed, ready to delve into the mysteries of Bahlikiwara.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone