Road leading to Ujjayini
Eshaan had expected to meet the King.
Instead, the man waiting beneath the royal banner was a young prince.
The first thing Eshaan noticed about him was that he did not look like someone who had spent his recent days inside a palace. His clothes were fine enough to mark his position, but they were meant for travel rather than court. Dust had gathered along the hem of his robe and there was a faint mark upon his cheek which looked as if it had been left by the strap of a travelling bag or perhaps a long day's ride. He sat upon his horse with a straight back and a calm expression, while several royal soldiers stood behind him holding the horses of the rest of the party.
Eshaan slowed his horse as Harigupta rode forward.
The two men exchanged a few words which Eshaan could not hear from where he was sitting. Harigupta then turned around and looked toward him, before raising his hand and motioning for him to come closer.
