Chapter 37

The palace was still and quiet this time of night. Ishwari was sure she was the only one awake. Quietly, she made her way towards the east side of the palace where Shanna's room resided. As much as she wanted to do this alone, she knew it wouldn't be possible without a little help. Just getting past the fortress at the bottom of the mountain would be a task in itself. Though she was sure every guard now knew who she was. They wouldn't dare lay a hand of her after the incident so long ago. Still, she didn't want to risk it.

Ishwari firmly knocked on the wooden door, feeling a little guilty knowing how late it was. After a moment the door finally opened and Pavel stood before her in a loose-fitting t-shirt and night pants. His expression became concerned.

"Ishwari?" He questioned.

"May I come in?" She asked her personal bodyguard.

Pavel nodded, still a little confused and stepped aside, allowing Ishwari to enter the room. She immediately saw Shanna sit up in the bed her and Pavel had just been asleep in. The large man motioned for Ishwari to take a seat in the chair that sat in the corner of the small room, before sitting on the edge of the bed himself.

"Are you okay Ishwari?" Shanna asked her friend.

Ishwari swallowed, unsure how to start the conversation. "I need Pavel's help."

"Help with what?" The guard asked, still curious.

"I know where Mohan Gahle is."

Pavel and Shanna looked at each other surprised before looking back to Ishwari. "Why are you just now coming forth with this?" He asked.

Ishwari shook her head. "If too many guards show up at his location, I'm afraid it'll put my son in danger. I'll take you to him Pavel, but only if it's just you that comes with me."

Pavel opened his mouth but stopped, still debating on what to say. Before he could answer Ishwari continued. "I need to get my son back, and once I do; I won't be returning here. I'm leaving the country. Ajay and I will live in peace no matter what it takes."

"Ishwari... the king would have my head if I did this..." Pavel finally spoke.

Ishwari gave Pavel a faint smile. "He'd never admit it, but Pagan cares about you. I have no doubt in my mind that he would ever hurt you or Shanna."

"And what about the king?" Shanna asked, joining in on the conversation.

"I want him to recover from this but truth is...he won't" Ishwari glanced down at her feet. "He's only going to get worse. Things will only become more dangerous on his path for vengeance." She looked up at her friends, tears welling up in her eyes. "I will always love him, but my son will never be safe as long as Pagan is part of our lives. Ishwari focused her attention to Pavel. "Please, you're the only one who can help me."

After some thought, Pavel sighed and nodded. "When are we doing this?"

"Now." Ishwari told him.

Pavel nodded once more. "I'll need some time to get my gear. Meet me by the front entrance in twenty minutes.

Ishwari pressed her back up against the wall as she waited for Pavel, thankful he agreed to help her. She glanced around at the expensive interior of the palace. She had grown so accustomed to this privileged lifestyle, she hoped she'd manage okay once she was in America. She highly doubted that she'd receive arrangements quite as delightful as this. Never in her life did she see herself living in America. It wasn't her first choice, but she knew Pagan would be less likely to follow her, knowing he despised American's.

After some time, she heard footstep approach. She looked to find Pavel in his full guard armor. Shanna trotting along beside him.

"You sure you want to do this?" Pavel asked, wanting Ishwari to be absolutely positive in her decision."

Ishwari shook her head. "It's not that I want to. I have to."

Pavel reluctantly nodded and extended his arm to hand Ishwari a bulletproof vest that he brought with him. "I'll do this on the condition you wear this."

Ishwari willingly put on the protective gear under her coat. Once she felt comfortable, she turned to her friend. Shanna wrapped her arms around Ishwari, embracing her tightly. "You have no idea how much I'm going to miss you." Tears filled her eyes. "Please write me and keep me updated on your wellbeing."

"You'll have to come visit me." Ishwari said, wiping away her own tears.

Saying her final goodbye's Ishwari and Pavel finally made their way to one of the armored vehicles and started their drive down the mountain. Getting past the fortress was easier than she thought it would be. Pavel lied and told the gate keeper that he was just taking Ishwari on a drive for a change of scenery. The guard believed him as Pavel was a much higher-ranking officer.

"Head toward Naccarapur. It's not far from there." Ishwari told Pavel.

"Of course, he'd be in southern Kyrat." Pavel rolled his eyes not looking forward to the long drive ahead of them.

It neared three in the morning before they finally reached the town Ishwari had instructed Pavel to drive to. She directed him to a secluded back road on the outskirts of the small village until they reached a lone cabin.

"This is it I'm assuming?" Pavel asked.

Ishwari nodded.

Letting out a sigh, Pavel reached for his assault rifle he had beside him. "I'm going to scout the area before we approach the building any further. Lock the doors and keep your head down. If you see any kind of gunfire, use this and call for back up." Pavel handed Ishwari a radio.

Pavel moved to exit the vehicle and Ishwari grabbed hold of his arm. "Thank you so much for this Pavel. Please be careful."

Pavel gave her a smile and proceeded to step from the vehicle, shutting the door behind him. Ishwari watched as Pavel neared the cabin, waiting for him to get about thirty feet from the car before silently climbing over into the driver seat. She let out a sigh, already feeling guilty for what she was about to do.

She started up the vehicle, causing Pavel to quickly turn around. He was only able to stare at first, confused by what it was Ishwari was doing. He soon ran towards her when he realized she was backing up. Before he had time to reach the car, Ishwari was already gone, leaving a trail of dust behind her.

The steering wheel felt odd in her hand. She was rarely allowed to drive cars when she was living with Mohan and she never drove the entire time she was with Pagan as they were chauffeured everywhere they went. She shook her head. She had hoped that Pavel would forgive her. She hated leaving him the way she did, especially in the middle of nowhere, but Mohan was an issue she had to deal with alone.

She left Pavel only ten miles from Mohan's actual location. It took but only fifteen minutes to arrive at his real where abouts, stopping the car at the bottom of the mountain that the Gahle homestead resided. She decided that it would be best to walk up the mountain, not wanting the sound of an approaching vehicle to put Mohan on edge. Reaching behind her into the duffle bag she had packed, she grabbed the handgun, placing it into her coat pocket before hiking up the steep hill.