Officer Dara, accompanied by a cadre of his most trusted soldiers, made his way to the royal physician's abode nestled in the southern confines of the fort. Whispers among the nobility, notably Kadal, suggested that the youthful prince had hastily sought refuge in the medical quarters upon his return and had yet to emerge.

Two vigilant soldiers, attuned to the commotion outside the medical sanctuary, promptly relayed the details to their superiors. The air thick with tension, Officer Dara swung open the creaking door only to have a glass jar hurtle towards him, shattering upon impact at his feet.

Dara instinctively shielded his eyes, the back of his hand warding off the sharp remnants of shattered glass. Upon cautiously reopening his eyes, he beheld a disconcerting scene. The frail healer, a timeworn figure, knelt before the incensed young prince, surrounded by two male attendants. The enraged royal figure, amidst a storm of fury, flung containers and pots of medicinal concoctions at the walls and door.

Upon noticing Officer Dara's entrance, the prince momentarily ceased his destruction, fixing a dreadful and electrifying gaze upon him. His voice still tinged with agitation, he addressed Dara, "Ah, Officer Dara! What brings you to this coursed office? In need of the services of this charlatan, perhaps?"

Dara responded with a sardonic chuckle, maintaining a solemn yet empathetic demeanor, "I find myself pondering the same question, Your Excellency." Taking a moment to collect himself after surveying the chaotic scene, he continued, "In truth, when word reached me that His Eminence sought solace in the physician's quarters, concern for your well-being propelled me here posthaste. I feared you might have incurred an injury during your foray into the forest, and I deemed it my duty to ensure your safety, Your Majesty. Are all things in order, my liege?"

Dara's composed and conciliatory tone served as a balm for the agitated Prince Raibod, diffusing the brewing tempest that threatened to erupt just moments before. "Yes, everything is in order—physically, at least. Your concern is appreciated, Officer Dara, but there's no call for further worry. You may take your leave."

"But Your Eminence," Dara interjected respectfully, "with all due respect, what transpires here demands an explanation. Command me, and I shall serve in whatever capacity you deem fit, my liege."

The fervent prince, casting quick glances between the doctor and his attendants, redirected his attention to Dara, his words tumbling out in haste, "Regrettably, Officer Dara, this purported healer is utterly incompetent, showing no regard for his patients. I suspect him to be an imposter."

"Why, Your Highness? As far as my knowledge extends, this physician is among the most skilled practitioners in the royal capital. King Salar himself appointed him, a testament to his expertise. I advocated for him as a personal physician for our northern expedition. If you permit me to elaborate..." Dara began, offering a measured and rational explanation, only to be abruptly cut off by the impatient prince, "Enough with your endorsements! This charlatan fails to recognize any form of medicine! He can't even prescribe a simple remedy for minor injuries!"

The physician timidly raised his head to respond, "Your Majesty, we possess miraculous ointments and treatments capable of mending all sorts of wounds and bruises, the likes of which even neighboring monarchs and nobles would go to great lengths to obtain. No disrespect intended, Your Highness. However, your request is impractical."

Raibod erupted in fury, a torrent of mad rage escaping his lips, "Silence, you incompetent quack! Utter another word, and I'll decree to sever your miserable tongue!" Trembling with fear and anxiety, the aged healer sank to the floor once more, his eyes reflecting unspeakable terror.

Dara, now positioned as the intermediary in this escalating dispute, couldn't bear to witness the venerable healer suffer any longer. He implored the volatile prince, "Your Eminence, I beseech you! Exercise restraint. You speak of harming one of the most devoted servants of the royal family, whose lineage has faithfully served the Salar dynasty for generations. Their miraculous remedies have spared countless lives, including those of our soldiers. Have mercy, Your Highness!"

In response, Raibod slammed a pot in his clenched fist onto the table, challenging Dara's plea, "Really? Then explain why he can't prescribe a simple remedy for a minor bruise on the face and lips."

Dara, turning to the elderly healer, pressed for an explanation, "Is this true? Are you genuinely unable to provide the appropriate ointment for such a simple damage?"

One of the assistants, seemingly perturbed by the ceaseless dialogue, rose from the ground and approached the medicine cabinet, laden with jars and glass containers brimming with ointments and medicines. With a solemn tone, he asserted, "Your Highness, every box of medications here is adept at treating various wounds and bruises. I swear! Applying just a small amount of this medication to the affected area of your female companion will expedite the healing process in less than 24 hours. However, your request for a specially formulated cure may be a tad impractical, my liege."

"You call it impractical, do you?" Prince Raibod barked menacing threats and brandished intimidating gestures. As the prince continued his tirade, Dara couldn't help but reflect on the last words inadvertently articulated by the doctor's assistant.

The revelation of "His Majesty’s female companion" hung in the air, a tantalizing tidbit that threatened to cast a shadow on the proceedings. Dara, aware of the potential diversion, needed to refocus the conversation on the pressing issue at hand—unraveling the mysteries behind Prince Raibod's recent erratic behavior.

"His Majesty has a female companion?" The words lingered, prompting a barrage of incredulous thoughts. "Could there be truth to this statement, or was it merely an inadvertent slip of the tongue by a panicked and frustrated individual? A secret paramour for His Majesty? Impossible!" Dara couldn't allow the discussion to spiral into speculative darkness; there were more pressing matters at hand.

His duty compelled him to steer the discourse away from the irrelevant and confrontational tangent. "Did Your Highness request the drug to be prepared in a specific manner?" Dara queried, determined to cut through the veils of distraction.

The doctor, previously silent in the face of fear, finally spoke, "Yes, Your Highness desires a concoction derived from the plants and contents of the nearby forests. However, I must confess, that I lack knowledge about this particular wooded area. Consequently, I am unable to furnish any medicines or ointments prepared in such a manner."

Regaining his composure, the old healer continued, "All the healing potions you see before you have been meticulously crafted in the capital by highly skilled and experienced pharmacists. None of us have ventured into the forest and mountains to gather the requisite herbs for alleviating the pains of the royal family. It is beyond our capabilities. We are healers, not wanderers!"

Unconvinced, the prince, at the precipice of his patience, retorted, "Enough of your excuses! How can a reputed doctor like yourself be so inept and unlearned? I hereby command that you be confined within this sham of an office!" The tension in the room escalated, leaving Dara to ponder the depths of the mystery surrounding the prince's drastic actions.

As the doctor's explanations fueled the flames of the prince's anger, Dara, with his deep and dignified voice, sought permission to intervene. "Your Highness, may I interject?"

"Don't try to defend them! Not anymore!" growled the prince.

Undeterred, Dara continued, "I understand your frustration with the shortcomings of this facility, but it holds paramount importance for the health of everyone, especially the courtiers. Allow me to propose an alternative."

The prince's fiery attention was captured by Dara's proposition. With determined and piercing eyes, Dara declared, "I will help you find the herbs you seek in the forest myself."

The prince, taken aback, exclaimed, "You?"

"Yes, my lord! I am intimately acquainted with this forest. I spent my childhood surrounded by family and relatives in this very area. Before relocating to the capital, I traversed these plains, forests, and mountains extensively, gaining knowledge of the medicinal herbs that abound there," Dara explained.

"Officer Dara, you seem quite sure of yourself!" the prince chuckled.

Dara remained steadfast, "You understand the grave consequences of a soldier being wounded on the battlefield. It's for this reason that I dedicated myself to acquiring limited wisdom on survival in the wilderness."

Dara's reassuring words penetrated Raibod's skeptical mind, enchanting the proud prince. "Is that so? Can you truly find the remedy for me?" Raibod inquired.

"I will retrieve the medicine you desire in less than 24 hours, Your Excellency," Dara responded with unwavering confidence.

"I don't have much time. The medicine should be in my possession by tomorrow morning!" the prince insisted.

Dara laughed, "No problem! I shall depart immediately if you allow me..."

"No!" The prince's harsh tone silenced the room. A suffocating stillness settled, and no one dared to speak as Raibod continued, "I cannot afford to waste any more time. Therefore, I will accompany you myself!"