Ujjayini — The Royal Palace
The private audience chamber had become quieter after the King finished speaking, but Eshaan could still feel the weight of the questions that had been placed before him. Vindhyavarman had returned from the western front only that morning, yet he had already reviewed the reports concerning the attack at the Mahi River, the strange mark carried by the hooded rider and the records that had been gathered about Eshaan's movements. None of it gave Eshaan the answer he wanted. If anything, it made the situation more confusing. Someone had apparently known his name before he reached Ujjayini, someone had continued watching him after his arrival and someone had eventually sent armed men to take him alive. The King did not know who these people were, but unlike everyone else who had spoken about the matter, Vindhyavarman had the authority and resources to actually investigate it. That alone made Eshaan feel slightly less helpless.
