Vedavalli and Prince Mukund, now going by the title Officer Prithviraj arrived at the border of Kshatriyapuram. Vedavalli got down from her caravan, she stared at the setting sun. They were on time, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as they approached the village. She had rejected the idea of riding horseback from the palace to Kshatriyapuram, as she knew that it would only add to the already tense atmosphere. She even switched her official clothing to make the villagers feel friendly.
As they made their way through the village, they were greeted by curious and wary glances from the villagers. Kshatriyapuram was a tight-knit community of farmers, artisans, and merchants. Vedavalli knew that her father's influence was strong in the village, as he was the head of the council of elders and a strict traditionalist, deeply respected by the villagers. The village was also known for its skilled archers and warriors, who were trained from a young age to defend the village from any external threats.
They made their way to the village council's meeting hall, where the meeting with the village leaders was to take place. Vedavalli's father, the head of the council, was already seated at the head of the table. He acknowledged Vedavalli with a nod, but his expression was cold and distant.
Vedavalli sat in the council meeting hall, her gaze fixed on the door as she waited for the elders to arrive. She fidgeted with her hands, her thoughts preoccupied with her conversation with the Queen. A worried look was etched on her face, her mind troubled as she remembered the Queen's warning.
"Are you sure you're ready for this? Your father is a difficult man, and he doesn't always see eye to eye with our kingdom's policies."
"I understand, your majesty. But I am a Varman, and I must ensure the safety and well-being of all the people in our kingdom, including those in Kshatriyapuram. I will do whatever it takes to resolve this land dispute, even if it means facing my demons."
"I have faith in you, Vedavalli. You are a strong and capable leader. Now, you have Officer Prithviraj with you, and he is a skilled warrior and a valuable asset to your team. Remember, we are still not sure who is behind the false accusations against him and we cannot take any chances. Keep him close and trust only those who you know you can trust."
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As the council meeting began, Vedavalli took her seat at the head of the table. The elders of Kshatriyapuram sat on one side, while representatives from the neighbouring kingdom of Anga sat on the other. The atmosphere in the room was tense, as both sides were determined to make their case heard.
The leader of the Kshatriyapuram council, Vedavalli's father, was the first to speak. "This land has been in our possession for generations. It is crucial to our farming operations and the livelihoods of our villagers. We cannot allow the neighbouring kingdom of Anga to take it from us."
The representative from Anga, a tall man with a stern expression, stood up to respond. "We understand the importance of the land to your village, but it is also important to our kingdom's expansion and development. We have been negotiating in good faith, but it seems that Kshatriyapuram is unwilling to come to a compromise."
The argument continued back and forth, with both sides presenting evidence and making their case. Vedavalli listened carefully, taking note of the key points and concerns raised by both sides.
Meanwhile, Mukund had blended in with the common folk and was keeping a low profile, but she knew that he was keenly observing the proceedings. She also noticed that he had spotted the Anga flag and was on high alert. His regal bearing was betrayed only by the hint of nervousness in the way he held himself.
As the council meeting continued, Vedavalli noticed that the representative from Anga did not seem to recognize her assistant, Officer Prithviraj. This was not surprising to her, as Prithviraj was now going under a different name and identity, but it did confirm her suspicions that none of the people in the village would recognize him as the prince.
She made a mental note of this, knowing that this would work in their favor as they could move around the village with more freedom and gather information without drawing attention to themselves.
As the meeting came to a close, Vedavalli turned to Prithviraj and whispered, "You did well, officer. Keep up the good work." He nodded in response, his eyes scanning the room as they made their way out of the council hall. She knew that he would be vigilant and would not let his guard down, knowing that the safety of himself and the village is at stake.