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The Prince and The Temple Dancer

The Twilight shone with radiance of the setting sun. With the bangings of practising swords it felt like a symphony. It was the Practice time of the royals of the great city of Mayong. Vaig strike hard with his sword making Kshey flinch and fell backward. Vaig putted his sword on Kshey's neck, slowly pushing it in his skin, making a cut wound.

The teachers ran to the field and halted the duel practice calling a day to the training. Kshey was taken to the infirmary

'Ahhhh, please do it patiently. It hurts' said Kshey.

'I am doing with the greatest perfection, your highness.' said the doctor. Kshey mumbled in himself, 'Doesnt seem so..... I will take help of the greatest doctor....... in the universe.' and a shine came on his face with that thought.

Vaig walked to the dinner table and took his chair. Her father, The ruler of Mayong King Yoham and her step mother and Queen Chanchala were already present there.

'You came already, where's your brother? ' asked the King.

'How am I supposed to know? I am not his babysitter.' he said straight.

'Ohh, he is studying, dear. Kshey already had his dinner and is studying. Our son is a true scholar, don't you think?' said the Queen.

Vaig rolled his eyes. He knew his brother had no inclination towards studies and stuff. Kshey's only passion was painting which he would do with his heart along with interest in literature.

'He really have changed a lot. I remember how he said he has not interest in politics and trade. But now he is trying his best to fit in. ' The King said. And Vaig's eyes turned red.

'Under your great pressure and policy of imprisonment. Surely, what way was left to him.'

'What is this rude behaviour? Behave Vaig. I didn't said a word earlier but I did noticed your tone back.' said the King in a lod voice.

'Just said the truth' said Vaig 'There is no taste in it' as he engulped a spoonful of Lantern soup. 'I am done with the dinner' he stood from his chair, bowed and left.

Vaig went to his room and sat on the bed. The scene of the dinner was still in his head. He couldn't beleive he took Kshey's side. Maybe there still existed a string of affection and relation between the step brothers.

He stood up again and went toward Kshey's room. He was in front of the door standing silently. It was like something stopped him from knocking the door. He tried his all but his hands won't move. Suddenly a sound came from the room making him peek in the room from the window.

Amused by what he saw , his body froze. Kshey took his bag lying on the bed and hanged it by his shoulder. He took out a seed from his bag, mumbled something and threw that seed from the balcony to the ground down. And in seconds a big thick creeper appeared outside his balcony and he climbed down from his room.

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After a few seconds Vaig got back to his senses and ran inside the room, then to the balcony. He looked down searching Kshey but when he couldn't find him he climbed down the creeper. After a minute of searching here and there he saw a glimpse of Kshey moving towards the back of palace. Vaig followed him and saw him jumping from the wall. He escaped the palace.

Vaig was amused. He wondered where he was going and out of curiosity he climbed the wall and followed her to the Temple of Aadya. It was a beautiful piece of architecture and sculpture talent in shape of a pentagon representing the nature. The dazzled up building with diyas was all filled with crowd and Kshey got lost in. Vaig searching for him reached the main hall and there he saw someone.

More than thousands were gathered in the hall and watching the performance for the great Aadya. In between all the dancers there outshined she, Kanani. With her brilliance in moves, gestures and emotions. As soon as he saw her he forgot the reason of her arrival and watched her perform. It was like enchantment done on the crowd by her or maybe the goddess, who knows?

The performance came to an end and everyone bowed to the idol of all mother Aadya. Though Kanani stood firm. The priestess hissed, then whispered, signalling her to now but she refused.

She stood firm in the crowd her head up straight looking into the eyes of the heavenly mother. The priestess came to her with furious expression and said, "The last bow, Kanani. Your bow is a symbol of respect. So do, or you will face the anger of the mother.."

" I apologise but i won't. If done with fear then this bow isn't a respect. And such bow is a lie. if there is respect in my heart then the all seeing Aadya can see that in my heart. And if there is not then there is no worth of bow"

The people were shocked by all this. Whispering to each other about her though the sou d was loud to be heard by Kanani. And she did heard it all but for some reason it felt like she liked it. There was smile on her face. She had no regrets for her behaviour but a feeling of satisfaction and spark in her eyes as the celebration was ruined.

'God, She is in real danger. Why is so crazy like this?'

Vaig heard a familiar voice making him turn. To his surprise it was Mayur, son of the head of the nobles.

'What are you doing here?' asked Vaig.

'Attending the holy gathering, but how come you here? Don't tell me you sneaked out of the palace.' replied Mayur.

'Shut up! Mayur, I came here following Ksh...' he stopped in the middle as he noticed Kshey coming out of the crowd.

The crowd was slowly getting furious on Kanani. And the Priestess was aware of it. She tried to calm the crowd 'what a stupid and ignorant girl she is? The ignorant girl will surely be taught lesson, when Mother Aadya would enlighten her soul.... For the great Mother loves all, let's not give attention on her..' she said to the crowd.

Kshey came out of the crowd to the middle where Kanani and the Priestess were standing, taking everyone's attention. He pulled Kanani away from the center and said in a low voice, 'why always ready to create mess? Let's go from here. Kanani.... '

The Priestess calmed the crowd in the moment. Vaig was watching it all from the crowed and for some reason it was making him uncomfortable as he watched Kshe holding Kanani's hands and talking to her.

'What is your brother doing here with Kanani, he knows her?. He shouldn't be near her.' asked Mayur.

'I don't know, I had been following him, but wait you know her ' enquired Vaig.

'yeah, i do. I know almost everyone in Mayong. She is Kanani, grand daughter of Mahou. Not much people talk to her. I think you understand the reason. And I would recommend you and Kshey to stay away from her. She is just....'

'I don't care who Kshey take as his acquaintance. So don't tell me to stop him or anything. I just don't care what he do with his life. And the question about me, i am well aware about my class. So don't worry.' said Vaig. Though all that time his eyes were on Kanani.

The crowd got escorted by the Priestess to the upper hall, Kshey and Kanani went toward the garden and Vaig left for the palace.