Chapter 18 The Dagger in the Shadows
Neer began walking towards his chamber and the piece of paper was still in his hand as he tried to understand it deeply Just then another gust of wind came and another piece of paper flew and fell near his feet He stopped This time there was something else on the paper A map on which the main gate and secret passages of the Prakashgadh palace were marked
His gaze quickly rose towards the walls and towards the windows Who was sending such precise information He peered behind the pillars of the gallery but there was no one there There was silence but that silence now felt frightening
He began walking again and now his steps were fast Just then from behind the curtain that black man appeared again His eyes were on Neer every step As soon as Neer reached the turn of the narrow corridor the man in black clothes took out a long thin glass nail from his gloved hand with some black substance on its tip and threw it in Neer path The nail rolled on the ground gleaming and almost invisible
Neer was advancing towards that person and his gaze was ahead on the piece of paper His foot was about to step on that shining nail Just then a hand came from beside him and went under his foot Neer was about to place his foot on that hand but could not because Agni was standing in front of him
Agni raised his head and looked into Neer eyes His hand was still under Neer foot where the nail lay Neer Agni said in a flat tone Gently place your foot to the other side
Neer made Agni stand up and said Agni get up What are you doing Why are you bowing before me
Agni stood up and raised his right hand His palm was turning red where the nail was pressed between his hand and Neer foot Just then seizing the opportunity that black man escaped from there disappearing behind the curtain
Neer said to Agni What happened Agni Why did you stop me from placing my foot down
Agni picked up the nail from below and held it before Neer The tip of the nail was black and sticky as if some poison was applied on it Neer looked at the nail in astonishment and then looked into Agni eyes A nail How did a nail come here
Agni looked angrily at the soldier who was guarding the door The soldier knelt down folding his hands and said Forgive me forgive me Maharaj Such a mistake will not happen again Please grant me pardon Maharaj
Neer said to the soldier You may go from here
The soldier stood up folded his hands to Neer and left
Neer looked at Agni Agni said to Neer Are you alright Your foot
Neer said My foot is fine Agni But where did this nail come from in the middle of the path And this paper
Agni was astonished to see the paper He took it from Neer hand and said This This paper This paper is
Neer cut him off and said Does not seem to belong to our kingdom does it
Agni nodded yes Neer said But how did it come here
Agni held the paper in front of a burning torch Neer said Agni what are you doing
Agni held the paper before the fire and words began emerging on it Enjoy the sweet of family Soon you will taste poison Suryapuri awaits your downfall
Agni looked at Neer Neer said to Agni Who could have written this
Agni looked at Neer and said I do not know Neer But this is written about the very moments we had just a while ago That means someone is keeping an eye on us
Neer was startled to hear this Agni said to the soldiers Soldiers Search the palace An intruder has entered
The soldiers folded their hands and said As you command Maharaj
Hearing Agni voice Nirag came to Agni and said What happened Tauji
Agni said Nirag give the order to increase palace security
Nirag said As you command Tauji And he left from there
Agni said Come Neer You rest I will escort you to your chamber
Neer nodded yes Agni walked with Neer to drop him to his chamber
Nirag sat on the royal throne in the palace court and gave the order Soldiers increase palace security
The soldiers said As you command Maharaj And they ran outside the palace Some soldiers began searching the palace Just then a soldier found black clothes He came to Nirag and said Maharaj these black clothes were found in the palace It seems they belong to that intruder
Nirag said Find him right now Go find him
The soldier said As you command Maharaj And he left from there
Just then Anvay arrived and said What happened Nirag Why is there chaos everywhere
Nirag said Anvay an intruder has entered the palace Everyone is searching for him
Anvay stood there watching everything Just then a soldier came running and said Maharaj A soldier was just seen fleeing from the border of Prakashgadh
Nirag clenched his fist in anger and began advancing towards the soldier in rage Anvay was startled to see his changed behavior
Nirag went straight down and grabbed the soldier by the neck and lifted him into the air How How did that spy escape from here Both of Nirag eyes had turned black and a third eye was emerging on his head from which a purple glow was emanating
Nirag lifted the soldier and threw him far and said How How did that intruder escape Bring him from anywhere I want him found Nirag screamed Go
Anvay saw this and went to Nirag and said Nirag Calm down Calm down
Nirag looked at Anvay in anger and gave him a sharp push and shoved him Anvay was about to fall but someone caught him before that Anvay raised his head and saw Agni standing in front of him
Anvay said Margdarshak
Agni clenched his fist and began looking at Nirag Nirag was still panting and that strange gleam was still in his eyes Agni saw it That black fissure on Nirag forehead was opening again and something was moving inside it
© 2026 Aaryaveda All rights reserved Do not copy or repost without permission