Page 67 of The Burning Mountain
It still didn’t prevent the rush of anger.
“As your…friend,” said Veer, stressing his words. “I feel it’s imperative to advise you against playing games of a certain sort. Payback is not enjoyable at all.”
“I have to admit, I don’t like games to the same extent you seem to, but it would be unsporting of me to shy away from them.” Samudra didn’t even bother to hide the laughter in his voice. They both turned their gazes back to the game, in time to see the bird fly from Chandra’s hands. The princesses gave chase again. “I think it’s safe to say, the monal is happy here,” said Samudra.
“Enjoy the pheasant’s presence as long as you can, Samudra. However, afemalemonal thrives best in the Vindhyas.”
Samudra threw his head back, laughing, then offered an apology when he could talk.
“We’re here,”called Billadev as he and Shota made their way toward Veer and Samudra. “Sorry for being late. I just had to taste this excellent wine,” he said, holding up a flagon.
“Are we interrupting something?” asked Shota, perceiving the tenseness between Samudra and Veer.
Veer shook his head, his movements stiff.
“Your Majesty. May I say this is an amazing wine. How do you ferment it?” asked Billadev.
“We don’t make it. It’s from the far isles,” answered Samudra, turning toward Billadev.
“Which one of the far isles?” asked Billadev, in Sumedh’s native tongue, causing Samudra’s brows to climb up his forehead.
“Please don’t mind him. He picks up languages easily and likes to show off,” said Shota with an exasperated fondness. “He has nothing on his brain usually, apart from good food and this ability.”
“That’s not true. I occasionally think about women too.”
“It’s from Dvaravati,” answered Samudra. “The locals there ferment the wine with a specific type of grass.” He contemplated Billadev. “You really can learn any language? Without hearing it spoken even once?”
“The language needs to be alive for me to learn it,” said Billadev, shrugging. He waved his arms, as if emphasizing his point, and narrowly avoided breaking the flagon on the stone ramparts. “Meaning I need to hear or see it spoken. I’m not as good at written ones, unfortunately. Shota is better there. Although if you ask me…”
Billadev and Samudra fell into a conversation.
“Is everything all right, Veer?” asked Shota in a low voice, having moved a little away to have privacy.
“Yes,” Veer bit out. “Everything is fine.”
Shota took his measure for a long moment. “Very well then. I’m ready for our guests,” he said, taking the amulet out of his pocket. The unassuming amulet was lit from within, making the red lac transparent, as if on fire. He returned it to his pocket and gave Veer a grim glance. “I hope you are too.”
“So, is it magic? Your talent for languages?” Samudra asked, the question distracting Shota. He had often wondered the same, ever since he came across Billadev five years ago and discovered he was able to break all his ciphers.
Billadev frowned and placed a finger on his lips, rubbing it back and forth. “Who knows? I believe it’s a combination of great memory and good fortune.”
“I shall give you a cask of excellent wine if you come to work for me,” offered Samudra.
“That would be a waste of wine,” muttered Shota, “because the sop would just drink it all and forget everything the next day. Great memory, indeed.”
Billadev sent a scowl in his direction.
30
THE CONFRONTATION
“Your guests are here,” said Samudra after a soldier approached him with a message. “I’ve instructed my men to lead them up here.”
“Thank you. Can you also send word to Princess Chandrasena to present herself here?” asked Veer. The women had disappeared from the terrace a while ago, moving their game indoors.
They all directed their gaze toward the gates of the city, where they could see two figures approaching. One was a wizened old man who needed a stick at his side as a prop, and accompanying him was a tall, robust young man with a heavy beard, who had a bloodstained bandage wrapped around his forehead.
Dread sat in Shota’s belly. Virat’s powers had always unsettled him, even when he was alive. He couldn’t help it. A mind-control mage in close proximity to the crown prince and would-be heir would make anyone wary, but most of the time, he managed to keep his true feelings hidden.
