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Council Under Watch
The grand council chamber of Nandigram was thick with unease.
Golden lamps burned along the carved stone walls, casting wavering shadows across the ministers' faces. Every breath, every shift of cloth or cough echoed too loudly in the tense hall. The letter of the serpent cult still haunted them, though none dared admit it aloud.
Shaurya entered with quiet steps, his cloak flowing like still water. He carried no scrolls, no symbols of command—only his presence, which weighed heavier than steel. Rajnandini followed close, her hand resting near her blade, eyes sharper than an eagle's.
The ministers rose and bowed, though some hesitated, their voices cracking on the ritual words:
"Glory to the Kingdom. Glory to the heir."
Shaurya seated himself, gaze steady, his silence stretching until the weight of it forced them to fidget.
"The Circle," he began, his voice calm, unhurried, "believes it coils unseen among us. Let us see if the serpent dares breathe when the air turns thin."
---
The Trial of Duties
A servant brought forth three sealed scrolls, which Shaurya placed on the table.
"Each of you will open one," he said. "Inside is a command. Fulfill it by tomorrow's end. These are tasks of loyalty, meant to test not your strength, but your devotion."
The scrolls were distributed. Raghav the Treasurer's hand trembled as he broke his seal. His command: Provide a transparent account of the treasury, with no coin uncounted.
Commander Bhavan opened his: Deploy a surprise inspection of the city guard barracks.
Scribe Devadatt received his: Collect witness testimonies of merchants accused of funding the Circle.
The air thickened as others revealed similar duties. Each task was sharp, designed to cut into hidden loyalties.
"Fail," Shaurya said, his eyes sweeping the room, "and you declare yourself unfit. Betray," his voice hardened, "and you will not leave this hall alive."
No one dared speak.
---
The Slipping Mask
By evening, whispers slithered through the palace corridors. Ministers scrambled, scribes hurried, and guards marched with new urgency.
But among them, one man moved too quickly, too desperately.
Scribe Devadatt had retreated to his chambers, papers spread before him. His forehead dripped with sweat as he forged testimonies instead of gathering them. His hand shook, blotching the ink.
"Too dangerous," he muttered. "If I name the merchants, the Circle will know I've betrayed them. If I spare them, the prince will see through me. Curse this trial…"
A shadow fell over his desk. He froze.
Rajnandini stood in the doorway, her voice cold. "Your hand shakes too much for a man who claims innocence."
Devadatt scrambled, shoving parchments into his robe. "P-Princess, you misunderstand! These are only drafts—"
Her eyes narrowed, but she did not step further. Instead, she smiled faintly. "Drafts? Then present them tomorrow. In council. Before all."
---
The Gathering
The next day, the council reconvened. Scrolls were laid before Shaurya, each minister reporting their completed tasks.
Raghav sweated but produced clean ledgers. Commander Bhavan's inspections were blunt but thorough. Others gave their accounts, some with fear, some with pride.
Finally, Devadatt shuffled forward, clutching his parchments. His voice wavered as he read fabricated testimonies aloud—names invented, words rehearsed.
The hall was silent when he finished.
Shaurya leaned back, studying him. "Strange," he said softly, "that not one merchant you named could be found this morning. My men searched before dawn."
Devadatt's face drained of color. He dropped to his knees. "I-I was deceived! The merchants must have fled!"
Shaurya's voice sharpened. "Or perhaps you warned them."
---
The Unmasking
Gasps spread through the chamber. Ministers leaned back, horrified, as Devadatt stammered, "N-no, I swear—"
But Rajnandini's hand shot forward, ripping his robe aside. From within spilled a small silver amulet—its pendant shaped like a serpent swallowing its tail.
The council erupted. Some shouted in fear, others in outrage.
Devadatt wailed, "They forced me! I had no choice! They threatened my family—"
Shaurya rose, his calm presence cutting through the noise. His words were cold iron:
"You had a choice. And you chose venom."
The guards seized Devadatt as he wept. Ministers exchanged fearful glances, for if one of them could be a serpent, none felt safe.
---
The Quiet Verdict
As Devadatt was dragged away, Rajnandini turned to Shaurya. "Shall I execute him now?"
The hall froze, waiting for his judgment.
But Shaurya's gaze was distant, thoughtful.
"No. Let him live—for now. Through him, the Circle still breathes. And a serpent that breathes… can be tracked to its nest."
His calm tone sent a deeper chill through the ministers than any execution. It was not mercy—it was strategy.
---
Foreshadowing
That night, Devadatt lay shackled in a guarded chamber, sobbing into the dark. From a crack in the wall, a serpent slithered through, its tongue flicking near his ear.
A voice, disembodied, whispered through the hiss:
"You spoke too much, little scribe. You will serve us one last time."
His eyes widened in horror.
And elsewhere, Shaurya, standing by the balcony with Rajnandini, whispered to himself:
"The Circle thinks it plays with fear. But fear is a blade I will turn in their throat."
The war of shadows had truly begun.
To be continued....
Thankyou PratikMonty for your contribution of 300 power stone.