The twins were waiting outside the factory, keeping a close watch on what happened around it. Minute after minute, hour after hour, nothing changed. Then, as the markets closed and darkness swallowed the streets, a group of men entered the factory. The guards let them pass as if they were well-known within the premises.
The twins observed them carefully. These men were different. They did not resemble the slaves or the other workers. They carried weapons—daggers and swords—but their swords were not ordinary. They were finely crafted, resembling the kind only soldiers would possess.
Rudra and Raghav exchanged glances. Marketu had mentioned that no managers oversaw the factory; he controlled everything himself. He had also claimed that only his own men handled both production and distribution. Then who were these newcomers? And if they were traders, why did they arrive under the cover of darkness?
Moving like shadows, the twins followed them from a safe distance. Marketu greeted the men, and they engaged in a hushed conversation. Though they tried to listen, the twins couldn't make out what was being said. Then, Marketu led them toward a restricted area—one where no worker was allowed. He unlocked a door with a set of keys, and the men disappeared inside.
Raghav and Rudra waited patiently. After some time, Marketu and the men emerged. Marketu's men carried wooden boxes, loading them onto a horse-drawn cart. But instead of taking the usual route out of the factory, the cart slipped into a dark alley.
The twins exchanged nods. They stayed back just long enough to see Marketu retreat into his chambers before hurrying after the mysterious figures. The alley led to an open space, yet when they reached its end, there was no sign of the cart or the men.
Raghav signaled to Rudra, who immediately turned back toward the market. Rudra sought out one of their whisperers and sent a quick message. Meanwhile, Raghav studied the ground, noticing faint wheel tracks and disturbed dirt. He followed the trail into the woods, hoping it would lead him to their targets.
After some time, he spotted a small fire in the distance. A single tent stood nearby, with the horses and the cart beside it. Raghav climbed a tree and kept a close watch. Three men sat by the fire, engaged in a discussion. But something was off—the language they spoke was unfamiliar. Occasionally, they switched to Lokavani, but most of their words were beyond his comprehension.
One of the men eventually stood and entered the tent. Another walked away, vanishing into the night, while the third remained by the fire. Raghav's patience was wearing thin, but he knew he had to wait for the right moment.
Then, out of nowhere, drowsiness crept over him. His focus wavered, his vision blurred. He shook his head, but before he could regain control, his grip on the branch faltered. He slipped, barely catching himself, but the sound was enough. The man by the fire snapped to attention, calling for the others.
Raghav cursed under his breath. Two figures emerged from the darkness and pursued him. He dashed through the forest, weaving through the trees, but he had no idea which direction to take. The men split up, flanking him. He ran faster, trying to shake them off, but his foot suddenly caught on something. He crashed to the ground. Before he could rise, strong hands seized him. He struggled, but it was too late. Rough ropes bound his wrists, and before he could protest, something heavy struck the side of his head. Darkness swallowed him.
As consciousness faded, one thought crossed Raghav's mind: Had the message reached them?
Back in the city, a quiet commotion had begun. Small groups of thieves, beggars, and street urchins—those who lived in the shadows—spread out, slipping through the city's many entrances. Rudra led one such group, heading toward the last place Raghav had been seen.
The message had spread: "If I don't return in two hours, come find me where I left you."
Meanwhile, Arya lay in his chambers, unaware of the events unfolding beyond the palace walls. That is, until Rudra burst in, his face grim.
"We need to move," he said urgently. "It's Raghav."