The Last Thunderborn

In the afternoon, Paramita took Ranav on a tour around the Solanki estate. The mansion was a sprawling one-story building, but despite its lack of height, it covered a vast area with numerous rooms. Every chamber was adorned with luxurious furnishings, decorated in an ancient yet elegant style that evoked a sense of history. In the heart of the estate, an artificial pond sat surrounded by a flourishing garden, bursting with colorful flowers. The open courtyard in the middle of the house allowed natural light to filter in, enhancing the serene beauty of the place.

As Ranav observed the estate's unusual design, he asked Paramita, "Was it always built like this?"

She nodded. "This has been the style of the Solanki household since the founding of the Mayura Kingdom. A thousand years have passed, yet they have preserved the original architecture while incorporating modern facilities. Solanki family takes great pride in our heritage… they were among those who fought alongside Kartikeya Mayura to establish this kingdom."

Ranav was intrigued. "So, if I want to learn more about the Solanki family's history, where should I start?"

Paramita smiled. "The ancestral shrine. All the major achievements of this family are recorded there."

Curious, Ranav followed her to a large chamber at the back of the house. The moment he stepped inside, his gaze was drawn to a life-sized stone sculpture of a man… Vikramaditya Solanki. A golden plaque at the base bore inscriptions detailing his legacy.

Ranav leaned in and read the inscription carefully.

Vikramaditya Solanki was a knight from the same village as Kartikeya Mayura, the founder of the kingdom. He first fought as a soldier under the king's banner during the initial phase of the kingdom's expansion. As the conquest progressed, the army divided into several regiments, each tasked with securing different territories. Vikramaditya was assigned to a force under Rudrapratap Krushna, the founder of the Krushna family. Their mission was to conquer the Taxila region, and Vikramaditya played a crucial role as a captain in the campaign.

After the successful conquest of Taxila, Rudrapratap was appointed Archduke of the region, overseeing its governance, while Vikramaditya rose to become the first Major General of the regional army. The Solanki family, once travelling knights, settled permanently in Taxila… the heart of the Krushna Archduchy. The central army under the king's direct command established its base on the banks of the Susoma River, which bordered the neighboring Garuda Kingdom. Vikramaditya remained the commander of this crucial military base until his death.

Ranav glanced around the chamber. Portraits of past Solanki family members lined the walls, their faces preserved in painted canvases. Each portrait bore an inscription detailing the individual's accomplishments. He noted a pattern… all of them had served in the army or had been honored by the king.

As he walked along the wall, he started counting. "Three Major Generals, seven Majors, and eighteen Captains." He paused, shifting his gaze to another set of portraits. "And twelve individuals awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished service."

But one thing stood out… all of them were deceased.

Ranav turned to Paramita. "It looks like this chamber only honors those who have passed away. What about the current members of the Solanki family?"

Paramita folded her arms and nodded. "That's right. Only those who have made significant contributions to the kingdom and are no longer alive have their portraits placed here."

She continued, "The current head of the family is Retired Major General Mahavir Solanki, my aunt's father-in-law. His portrait isn't here because he's still alive. My uncle, Rajveer Solanki, is also in the army. He holds the rank of Major and is still serving."

Ranav raised an eyebrow. "And what about your mother's side?"

Paramita smiled. "My mother is from a distant branch of the Solanki family. Our lineage began with Adityashree Solanki, Vikramaditya's daughter. She was a powerful mage."

Ranav recalled seeing her portrait earlier. "Wasn't she once the president of the Mage Association?"

"Yes," Paramita confirmed. "Her descendants kept the Solanki surname because it was a powerful name back then. My grandfather was from that lineage, and after his passing, my uncle became the head of our side of the family."

Ranav hesitated before saying, "I'm sorry for your loss."

Paramita shook her head. "It's okay. He passed away before I was born, so I don't have any memories of him. Over the years, our branch of the family became known for producing talented mages… just as the main branch is famous for its military service."

Just as she finished speaking, a cheerful voice echoed from behind.

"Little sister! I searched the whole house, and here you are… hanging out with the deceased! Where's my hug?"

Paramita spun around, her face lighting up as she ran towards the newcomer. "Big sis! When did you get here? I thought you were still at the academy!"

The two girls embraced tightly before the older one replied, "I just arrived a few minutes ago. We had an exam today, and now we have a fifteen-day holiday. I came home as soon as I finished my test."

Paramita stepped back and turned towards Ranav. "Sis, this is Ranav. My friend. He came here with me."

The girl's eyes widened before she gasped dramatically. "What?! You got a boyfriend before your big sister did?"

Paramita's face turned beet red. "N-No! He's Aunt Naria's disciple!" she stammered.

Ranav, maintaining his composure, walked over, clasped his hands and bowed slightly, and greeted her formally. "My lady, I am Ranav Limbekai. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The girl burst into laughter. "Little sis, did you force-feed him etiquette lessons?" She tilted her head, scanning him curiously. "Oh! He's cute! His skin is flawless! How do you have such perfect skin? I wish I had that!"

Suddenly, she cleared her throat, straightened up, and spoke more formally. "Ah, where are my manners? Forgive me… I got too excited seeing my little sister after so long." She gave a proper curtsy. "I'm Vayunisha Solanki, daughter of Rajveer and Vartika Solanki. Since you're Aunt Naria's disciple, and she's close to my mom and aunt, you can consider me your big sister. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ranav bowed again and said politely. "The pleasure is mine. Thank you."

Vayunisha beamed. "Come on, let's not stand here. If you're done with the shrine, let's have some snacks by the pond. It's a great spot to sit under the sky and chat."

Ranav agreed, and they left together. As they walked, Vayunisha turned to the kitchen staff. "I want some fried chicken and potatoes. What about you, little sis?"

Paramita grinned. "Sweet potato fries and chicken too."

Vayunisha turned to Ranav. "And you?"

Ranav shrugged. "Everything is fine with me. Just add an extra portion to your order. Thank you."

By evening, the air had turned slightly chilly. As they sat by the pond, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers. Thousands of stars twinkled in the black sky.

Paramita and Vayunisha chatted non-stop, seemingly forgetting Ranav's presence. He leaned back, gazing at the sky. A wave of nostalgia washed over him.

"I miss Failsworth," he thought. "The stars today looked just like this when I sat by the Moston River with Sarah, our feet dipped in the cool water..."

Lost in memory, he found himself walking toward the pond. Removing his shoes, he dipped his feet into the water.

Tears slid down his cheeks.