The winds of Chitral were never simple, carrying with them the scent of pine and the distant echo of a forgotten past; they are like whispers of fairies who live in the high and inaccessible snowcapped peaks of the Hindukush that engulf Chitral. They are gentle, like a sweet heavenly melody, but sometimes violent, like the dance of destruction by the deity of apocalypse.
But the winds are different today, coming early and still without the usual tenderness of the morning dew; not violent but plain. The old man standing at the crumbling monastery that clung to the side of the mountain had a calm face, but deep in his heart, a small typhoon was brewing.
He looked forward at the young man sitting with concern, not very far away, with his legs crossed. He had been this person's butler, chief steward, and servant since his birth. The young man followed him, and now he follows him, or they both walk together. He is not certain now, but he is this boy's shadow, that was his word. The promise he made to the boy's father.
The young man slowly opened his eyes, looked at him with a teasing smile and said
" Acharya, still listening to the wind? I am sure some fairies must be talking to you."
He smiled back and said nothing. His name is Acharya Ragunatha Namboothiri, and he is called Acharya by the young man when his mood is very pleasant; otherwise, it's always old man.
" They say that there are a lot of fairies living in this mountain" Young man's eyes swept across the high peaks and continued, "Tell me, how many have you wooed?"
" It's been five years today," he ignored the young man's words and said, " shouldn't we go back?"
The young man before him, Vikram, the Manavikrama Varma, now called Dr Vikram, is exiled for five years to lead an incognito life. The punishment was issued by his mother, and he had to follow. And he, the old man, was the only one to follow
" Not yet", Vikram said, " The forces are still in the dark, and we can't play this game blindly."
"But Mother ?" The old man asked.
"She sent me away without question," He looked at the old man's eyes, " and that makes going back a little difficult."
The old man was silent for some time, looking at the horizon for clues to the puzzle of life before him. He then slowly looked at the two bits of paper in his hand and said,
"There are two telegrams,, He said
" She is coming, Arohi Singh, to annul her engagement"
Vikram smiled, "That was quick, and what's the other one?'
"A letter of challenge, From Cresent Moon"
" That's a shame," Vikram smiled, "I started to become a peaceful person, and this world"
"We should reject it," The old man was cautious, " Our identity may get compromised."
" I like fishing", Vikram smiled.
The Acharya's face changed, the old man got lost in deep thought and looked into the distance. Vikram slowly stood up and walked out with a smile, and said
" What do you think of my disciples?"
The old man was shaken into reality by that question, and a playful arc developed in his face.