"Are you really serious?" Marshal Jay was still not sure whether to believe Sharv.
"Completely," Sharv replied, without elaborating further.
"Okay then, when do you plan to do it?"
"Today, or as soon as you provide what is asked for."
"I'll give you all the detailed maps in about an hour. Until then, let me explain the governmental system of the city," Marshal Jay offered after gesturing to his intelligence officers for the needed maps. Sharv just nodded, so he continued.
"As you may or may not know, a Knight needs to master at least one Chakra to the fifth stage, the Master stage. That is just a simple Knight, the lowest rank any force has. Then, to be a Commander, one needs to master at the very least three Chakras to the Master stage. Being a Commander is the minimum criterion to become a Sector-Chief—Ward Chief, or in the case of a village, a Village-Chief. Generally, a city is divided into four sectors or wards, with a central sector for the City Magistrate," Marshal Jay explained in detail.
"So all in all, I might just face four Commanders. That's normal," Sharv commented, causing Marshal Jay to frown. "How many Knights can be present there?"
"In Swarnaa, 2000 to 2500."
"I don't want to kill that many people," Sharv said to himself, which again deepened Jay's frown. But saying the sentence himself almost made his chest itch, as if the tattoo on his chest had just moved in dissatisfaction. "Guess I will have to act secretly," Sharv completed his thought, which gave a sense of relief to Jay.
"Perfect," he said. "You already know Suvan, so he will accompany you. And…" Marshal Jay paused, looking at Sharv's clothes. "You see, that is quite a distinct way to dress. May I suggest some different clothes for the mission?"
"Do I really need to change?" Sharv questioned reluctantly, looking at Kant.
"Your dressing is quite unique, Sharv," Kant spoke for the second time in this long conversation. "And on a secretive mission, it's not good to be unique."
Sharv sighed and nodded. "Then I want those military or warrior pants, whatever they are. And I am not wearing any cap or something to cover my hair."
"Don't worry, I'll bring them," Kant immediately left to bring the clothes. The conversation came to a standstill, but before the silence could become daunting, both Kant and the intelligence officers returned. Kant had brought cargo pants and some simple shirts, as Sharv wished, and the intelligence officers had brought detailed maps of the city and the jail area. Apparently, the base had an extra clothing service too, which amused Sharv. But he left immediately after getting what he wanted, telling Suvan to come and find him when he was ready.
********
SWARNAA CITY, CITY MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE
"Today, I am going to the District headquarters. You would not even have been informed about it if not for one man, Sharv," the City Magistrate told the four men sitting in front of him. All of them were wearing the same black military outfit as Durjay, the City Magistrate. On their chairs rested golden overcoats with purple peacocks imprinted on them. Under the peacock, 'PROTECTOR ORDER' was written in bold purple letters. All of them had a military haircut and clean shaves. Listening intently, they frowned simultaneously upon hearing the name.
"I know what you all are thinking: how can a single man mobilize all of us?" the City Magistrate started after observing their reaction. "He is a supposed Voidheart who killed two Commanders from the Void Corps and fifty other knights in a direct confrontation near Puruba Jungle."
The tension was palpable in the room now. None of the four Commanders were frowning or showing any reactions on their faces, but their heartbeats had increased slightly. Even the temperature was rising little by little.
"I think now you understand the severity of the situation," the City Magistrate spoke with a satisfied smile. "Here is the real problem: he was with a boy who is a rebel, according to the Shadow Order—the spy organization. And we suspect that they might make a move after getting support from such a capable warrior."
"That would be truly disastrous," said one of the Commanders with distinct red eyes.
"Yeah, the date of execution is near, and we have already made announcements," said another with a thick moustache.
"They might use this opportunity to extract those convicted rebels," said the third one with a burn scar above his right eye.
"Why are you guys rambling?" said the fourth, in an old, deep voice. He had wrinkles all over his face and a handlebar moustache. "We were summoned to prevent that from happening."
"Exactly," chimed in the City Magistrate. "Old man Vrat is completely right."
"Lohit, Keshi, and Jwala," he addressed them in order. "You all will be following Vrat and stay proactive. I will be back in four days, as I will be giving the annual reports so that I am not absent again in the near future. Is everything clear?"
The other three Commanders nodded reluctantly. It was clear they didn't want to follow Vrat. But the meeting was over, as the City Magistrate dismissed them.
*********
PURUBA JUNGLE, AFTERNOON
A short, burly man was flying with a mace on his back. Yes, it was Suvan, who was going to meet Sharv for the rescue operation. He was flying towards the lake. In a few seconds, he landed in front of the big Banyan tree. Sharv, who was meditating, opened his eyes, his long, wavy black hair flowing due to the air burst caused by the landing.
"Nice fit, Young Man," complimented Suvan, noticing the brown cargo pants and black T-shirt Sharv was now wearing. "Take this," he tossed a leather frog (a belt loop to carry swords) to Sharv. "It is needed when wearing pants to carry weapons. Kant forgot to add it."
"Thanks, I was thinking about tying a dhoti again to carry my sword," Sharv accepted.
"Sword? Isn't that a dagger you carry?" Suvan raised an eyebrow.
"You will find out soon," Sharv just smiled.
"I like your confidence, lad. But don't let it go to your head."
"I will keep that in mind. Now, should we go?"
"Why not? But at least tell me what your plan is."
"Yes, yes, my mistake." Sharv nodded, bringing out a map from a spatial pouch. "According to this map," he opened it on the ground, "the jail is located in the central sector or zone, where the Magistrate resides. So we will fly to one of the outer sectors as silently as we can and then stroll into the central sector. Everything else will be decided once I see the situation there."
"That's already better than the last one!" Suvan laughed out loud. "Just try to keep us safe. I want to at least drink before I die, as these seven days were dry."
"You really are a lighthearted person," Sharv commented with a deadpan look, completely opposite to the situation. "Well, enough of this. Let's go."
Sharv leaped with a sonic boom. Suvan, left behind surprised, also launched himself.
"YOU CRAZY BOY! WAIT FOR ME!" he shouted. "I am just at the Advanced stage of Air Chakra, not Mastered it yet."
Maybe he had jinxed something.