14) Chapter

The council room had fallen into a quiet hum of discussion as the commanders and chiefs processed Ereya's plan. As they came out of the room all were excited.

But Ereya stands at the edge of the camp, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, thoughts clouded by memories of Pramila and the pain he left behind.

He knew that he needed time away from the bustling camp to collect his thoughts. His eyes sought the peace of the forest.

As he approached towards  the edge of the camp stables, he senses someone behind him. He turns to see Dananjaya his loyal commander and childhood friend, a man of unflinching loyalty and strength.

"Ah, Dananjaya. Still awake at this hour?" Ereya spelled with an amusement.

"My Prince, there is no time to sleep when there is a war on the horizon."

Then he looked at Ereya with admiration, but sensing the prince's weariness.

"But I can see that you seek something more than strategies and plans tonight.  There is more I need to share with you as your friend, things that cannot be spoken openly, even among trusted men. If I am speaking too much please stop me my lord." Dananjaya spelled respectfully.

"Then very well, Dananjaya. Speak freely. We are alone now." Ereya said.

"I speak of the your wife, my lord. Queen Pramila. The woman you left behind right after your wedding."

"I didnt left her Dananjaya. I just cannot stay there. I cannot give her what she wants,thats it" Ereya spelled quickly.

"But I fear I may have wounded her beyond repair, Dananjaya. She will wait, yes, but for what? An empty promise? A life spent waiting for a heart that may never return to her?" Ereyas voice was barely heard.

"I don't think she wait for promises, my lord. She waits because she sees the man you could be —the man she believes you already are, despite what you cannot see. This kingdom may have chosen you, but she... she has chosen you every day, even when you have been unable to give her that same choice in return." Dananjaya said while placing his hand on Ereyas shoulder.

"Perhaps... perhaps you are right Dananjaya. But my head is aching. I need to have some quiet time." Ereya spelled.

"Of course my lord, I will stay with the men and keep them steady. Your plan is in good hands."Danajaya said with light smile and disappeared into the dark quickly.

The forest was quiet and the light sunrays filters through the trees as Ereya rides deeper into the wilderness.  As he walked to a secluded spot near a flowing river, its gentle current a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart.

As he stood beside the river he shed his armor, standing now in his simple tunic. His strikingly handsome face is taut with unresolved tension, as if hoping the river might wash away the burdens in his heart.

With a sigh, Ereya steps into the cold water, shivering slightly as he wades deeper, his mind swirled with thoughts of Pramila and the choices that have led him here.

His mind turns, unbidden, to Pramila. Her lovely face appears to him in fragments—the softness of her gaze.

"What have I done, Pramila? I've left you with nothing... nothing but empty promises." Ereya whispers but his voice was almost inaudible over the rush of the water.

He crouches in the river, submerging his head briefly, letting the coolness shock him out of his thoughts. Just as he surfaces, wiping water from his face, he heard a soft chuckle coming from the riverbank.

He looks up to see the wild young girl standing nearby, calm and composed, a soft smile on her lips. Her beauty is so natural and captivating that he finds himself momentarily stunned, unable to look away.

Ereya had seen countless beautiful women in his life, but this was different. This wasn't the polished beauty of the court, designed to dazzle and charm. She stood there in nothing but a simple white sari, and her hair was tied up lightly.

Ereya almost forgot to speak when he saw this beauty, . Her presence is effortless, serene, yet it somehow pulls him in entirely, making him feel strangely exposed in her gaze.

"Forgive me devi... I didn't realize anyone else was here." Ereya hardly managed to speak.

"Nor did I realize I'd find someone attempting to meditate in the river Sir. It isn't a common sight." Wild girl smiled gently with a hint of humor.

"Meditation... yes, perhaps that's what I intended." Ereya said with a light smile.

"I'd watch out if I were you, Sir. Those currents may be calm now, but they'll pull you under before you know it. And I don't think the river cares if you're trying to cleanse yourself of all the world's sorrow." Young girl spelled.

"Well, maybe that's exactly what I need—a river unkind enough to wash away a fool's thoughts."Ereya said

"You speaks well sir, But I'm just surprised to find someone looking so serious in the middle of the forest." she smiled. "Most people come here to lighten their spirits"

"Anyway and here I thought I had found solitude. Yet..." He pauses  his voice softens as he gazes at her, almost in disbelief.   "... you seem like a vision from the forest itself."

"A vision? I assure you, I'm as real as the trees around us." She said with a smile, clearly unphased by his admiration.

"Besides, if I were a vision, wouldn't I be one meant to guide you to wisdom instead of distracting you from it Sir?" She said with a gentle tease.

"well I don't know if wisdom is what you've brought me... but perhapsit is a clarity." he said almost laughing, but his admiration barely hidden.

"Who are you devi? A woman of such peace, such... beauty... it's as though the forest itself brought you here."

"Me? Just a traveler, Sir. I walk where the river flows, where the forest calls.  I seek the world as it is, to understand it as it is meant to be." she said with a light smile.

"Are you a Buddhist? You do talk like a one devi.  You seem to hold the peace of the whole forest within you. I think I envy you." Ereya said.

"Well guessed Sir.  But peace is simply knowing yourself, my lord. It comes easily when you carry little. But tell me... " her gaze turn towards Ereya" ... who might you be, wandering here in such a quiet night?

"I ..I.. Call me as Ereya, A man with many regrets" Ereya spelled quietly.

"Ereya..."  She repeated. "Wait are you.....? Nevermind, its a strong name. Fortunes favourite!"

Then she smiled lightly.

"Sounds like you know the meaning of my name too,it seems you've found more wisdom in these woods than I have in all my years.  Then tell me... if I may, what is your name devi?" Ereya asked feeling a deep sense of connection, his voice was soft.

"Does it matter Sir? I'm only someone passing through, like a breeze. Here one moment, gone the next." She spelled calmy with a smile.

"But that's why I'd like to know. Even the wind leaves an impression." Ereya said.

"Perhaps. But to tell you my name would only make me a part of your world, not mine Sir. Names have a way of binding us." she glace and the water.

"If you ever find me here again, perhaps you'll learn more." she said with a smile.

Without another word, she turns back to the forest, her gaze calm and unbothered.

"Then I suppose I'll be taking more walks through the forest. Devi" Ereya shouted at her with a broad smile.

The young woman smiles faintly, her expression as serene as ever, before she nods in farewell, disappeared into the trees.

Was it love at first sight? But he knew soemthing was wrong, and he felt it.