Slowly, Surya's fingers fanned out as Vidyut slid his long bony fingers between Surya's and trapped them in his clutch. Prince Surya felt few tingles on the sides of his fingers. The sensation creeped up over his entire two hands as if bolts of lightning were coursing through them. Vidyut lightly grazed Surya's palms with his finger tips.

"All you need is a little help." When he let go, there were diaphanous films of thin air rising from Surya's fingers, swaying as he moved them. Surya uttered a few silent chants from his memory and slowly the air around his right hand began to congeal, forming a fine mace. And then it melted away.

"Maybe you can teach me more when you visit next time. I hear you are riding out tomorrow at dawn." With the practice session over, Surya and Vidyut walked towards the exit of the terrace, where the Tantric apprentices waited for them.

Vidyut nodded at the statement. "We have overstayed our welcome. If we stay here any longer, we will start dressing in colors and pearls."

"Come now. A touch of color is not the most terrible thing in the world. But you must have been wearing black for so long."

"It suits me," Vidyut said in a flat voice.

"Indeed." Surya smiled uncertainly.

The row of young crows rose to their feet as the two seniors approached them.

"Regards, your royal highness." The four said in unison as they bowed to the prince.

"Are you boys ready for the journey north?"

"Yes, your royal highness." Rig, one of the two siblings, responded, sounding firm and dutiful. The rest nodded, their heads bobbing in sync.

"What about you, little guy?" Surya crouched down in front of little Tilak. "Do you not want to stay here longer?"

The mere boy of ten looked first over Surya's shoulder, at his tutor, standing behind him and then, simply shook his head. The child was wearing his new robe that was gifted by the king the day before. It was a little loose on the sides.

Surya could not help but pick up the quiet, lovable kid.

"Even if I give you sweets and fruits and snacks?" The child once again looked over Surya's shoulder before shaking his head. His chubby cheeks trembled slightly as he shook his head. Surya gave Vidyut a sideways glance. "Okay, then. I will ask my servants to pack some for your journey." And then he yielded to his need to squish the child's face before he settled down the kid.

Surya turned to Alok, next. The boy had lost a limb in defending the royal family from the pack of bandits. If he could grow a limb for him as repayment, he would. But even the greatest incantations and sorcery could not return what was lost.

"Your royal highness." Alok bowed his head in respect.

"I would not disgrace myself by attempting to thank you with words, Alok, as they will fall short in expressing the debt we owe you. But you will receive something today, a reward from me, as a show of gratitude, and I would not hear you refuse it."

"If that is your order, my prince, I could not dare." Alok bowed his head once more as he held the healed and covered stump of his right limb in his left hand. "I want to thank you, my prince, if I may be so bold. If it were not for your assistance and kindness, I would not have lived." Few drops of tears started to stream down the youth's cheeks.

Surya moved forward and brushed away those tears with soft hands before pulling the boy in an embrace.

"It is your mentor you owe your life to. He sat awake by your side day and night, the first few weeks." Surya stole a glance at Vidyut, who was nonchalant. "But I would graciously accept your appreciation."

Next, Surya proceeded to hug the two siblings, who mostly remained silent. The two brothers looked alike, but their countenance varied dramatically. While Rig seemed wise and prudent, more sensible than his age, his brother Raag appeared somewhat muddled and unsure.

At last, Surya turned to their mentor, the tall youth who was standing right behind him.

"Hope you have a safe and pleasant journey home, my friend. I apologize if I ever used words that undermined your skills. I only jest. Me and my uncle owe our lives to you and your apprentices, Tantric Vidyut." The Tantric was gazing into his eyes, but his face remained unchanged. "How long until your next venture to the south?"

The Tantric sighed at last. "That is for the Guild to decide. They are distrustful of the Southern roads. And zealously safeguard the charges against any threat. After this incident, one would have to sell their right hand to make the Tantrics visit their land."

Surya nodded. "Ah, a pity. Perhaps I would visit the freezing country of yours then if I decide I need another lesson from you." He heard a sniffle from Alok and went to pat his shoulder. "Or who knows? Maybe I will enroll in the Guild. Learn some tricks." He smiled at his own jest, to which Alok lightly giggled through his whimpers.

Surya, then, walked up to Vidyut. Standing in front of the Tantric, the awkwardness of the moment could not be waved away. And hence he did what he thought was best. Placing a light arm around Vidyut's shoulder, Surya pulled him in for a quick sideward hug. Vidyut was too tall for this to feel natural; hence the two left it at that, and Surya made his way towards the exit, wondering if it would be years before they meet again.

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