Sikva, Kavish

What an eventful day it had been for the entire city of Sikva. In the morning the palace had witnessed one of a goosebumps worth rebuke from the youngest princess of Kavish and in the afternoon a remarkable duel between the princess of Kavish and prince of Pareen. The news of Princess Nakshathra declining the marriage alliance had spread like a wildfire all around Sikva and sparked debates among the commoners. The announcement had the citizens leave everything they were doing to reach the palace.

Soon the news of her challenge with prince Abhimanyu surfaced among the crowd and they reached to the training ground too. Despite not knowing the reason behind her declination, the crowd cheered for their princess's victory. The blazing afternoon sun raised the heat on the ground but they did not deter to leave the ground. Each one was seen fanning themselves and wiping their sweat all the while anxiously waiting to witness the duel.

"Nakshathra, are you sure about this?" Nathan asked her for the tenth time as he helped her check on her sword and tighten her armour.

"I am, Nathu. Didn't I tell you; I have had someone check for me on Abhimanyu's sword skill. It's average. But that doesn't make me any greater, I'll try my best to win. I must win." Nakshathra adjusted her outfit made fit for duels as such, a fitting knee length top which flared from the waist and dhoti to cover her legs.

Nakshathra wasn't proud of herself but confident, she still had some doubts on being defeated by Abhimanyu then she thought about Dhruva for a second, he had popped in her head for the first time in the last two days. If she needed to reach him and find her missing people, she had to defeat Abhimanyu first. "Just one round, Nakshathra. Finish it in a blink."

The rule was simple, the first to draw blood, wins.

She took her stance, front foot facing her opponent and back foot turned sideways so, did Abhimanyu. They circled within the boundary line with their swords pointed at each other until her opponent ran out of patience.

Abhimanyu closed the space between them in two big strides. Nakshathra pivoted on her heel to the side and blocked his strike with her sword. The first clash of the blades erupted the arena with applause. Abhimanyu smirked, acknowledging her skill with a tilt of his head.

They stepped backwards, circling closer to each other than before. Nakshathra spun her sword forward and lunged. Sword clashed on sword. Abhimanyu grabbed hold of her wrist while her other hand held her blade. their swords crossed before each other. He pushed her back with force towards the boundary line.

Her back foot was closing in to the line and once its out, she loses. Nakshathra pushed forward with all her strength but they physicality did not match each other. She was falling behind. The smirk returned on his face. "Quit now and we can happily live in my palace. I promise I'll not see another woman than you," he whispered.

"That. Will never. Happen." Nakshathra found more strength from within and shoved him with a short, loud groan.

"What if I win?" A clangour of swords.

"What if you don't?" She thrust at him. He evaded her strike by an inch of his waist.

"I'll make sure I do." Abhimanyu shoved her sword away. "I make you pay for that one embarrassing moment you have cost me."

"Then I'll be sure you won't." If he thought by provoking her, he would disturb her concentration then he was wrong.

He swung at her. Now with more force, she realised. And he swung again. Nakshathra countered and the duel carried on with no exchange of words—in earnest.

This duel was no joke to her, she had to win at all cost. She had put her life at stake. This was no practice, no retrial, no reconsideration. And this challenge to win her life back got intense.

Abhimanyu leaped forward, aggressively. She crouched with one knee on the ground and deflected Abhimanyu's charge. He tumbled to the other side. She twisted her body and up on her foot, he was still within the circle and he was quick on his feet. He charged again and she blocked each one of his blows with narrow escapes.

Nakshthra's mind began to waver again, hands grew weaker but all she had to do was draw the first blood.

They had each taken a short break, circling the boundary like predators. Both exhausted, parched and out of breath.

"This is going to hurt, princess. I am sorry but I have to win." She heard him cautioned her seconds before he feinted and punched her in the chin.

She should have seen that coming.

The arena gasped in shock and anticipated their next move in silence.

That blow was strong and she tasted blood in her mouth. That blood isn't counted, right. Nakshathra bent low, a hand on her chin. The punch had shaken her a bit more than she would have expected. And from the corner of her eyes, she caught Abhimanyu bolt towards her.

Nakshathra snapped her head in his direction and swung her sword at him. He leaped back and missed by a breadth of a hair, only tore a small piece of his sleeve. He repulsed her second strike but he was obviously tired like her. His movement slowed.

She spun her sword forward. Another clangour of swords. His legs got slower and then Nakshathra brandished her blade and sliced his thigh.

A second later, his blade gashed open her arm. She flinched as he let out a growl and turned to face the crowd with sword hanging by his side.

At the special view compartment for the royals, her brothers and family were straining to see who drew whose blood first. It wasn't possible to see for so far but they should know. Nakshathra tried to find the cut she made on his thigh, if there was no blood. She had lost the challenge.

She watched as her opponent breathing hard, he then turned to her. His face bright with big smile, he spread his arms wide and motioned at her. Clueless at the start but her eyes fell on the crimson liquid blotting his beige dhoti at the spot she had grazed.

Abhimanyu offered his hand to her. "You won, Nakshathra."

No word that had ever come out of his mouth sounded sweeter and this had compensated the punch he had given her and the cut on her arm. She took his hand and he held them high. He took the pride in announcing her victory to the audience and the exuberant crowd cheered and so did Abhimanyu.

"Congratulations, Rajakumari. You certainly wield the sword better than me." Abhimanyu beamed. "Your determination is commendable and I am proud to have lost against you." He placed a hand on his chest and bowed down.

"Thank you. I know my skills are good and I also know that you did not use all of your strength either. You had been holding back, here and there. Why?" Nakshathra and Abhimanyu conversed in the same place as they fought while the rest waited for them outside.

"First, I am not supposed to harm you heavily and I also have to take the first blood. Second, this is your kingdom and if I ever hurt you here, then I am sure a dead man." He stepped closer came and whispered, "third, I don't fight with woman. I make love with them." He grinned. "This isn't me. I don't fight at all but lesson learnt." Abhimanyu winked at her.

She rolled her eyes at his statement and shook her head. "Well, good for you but here's a small advice as a physician."

Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow.

"Stop bedding different women. It is not good for your health. I hear a new disease have started spreading in the red towns across the Lambodara because such frequent activity." Nakshathra chuckle when Abhimanyu widened his eyes and looked puzzled at her. He soon revived himself as if he understood what she was implementing.

"I'll keep that in mind, Rajakumari. I think we should get going. People are waiting for and once I have settled some of the matters here, I'll leave to Pareen." Abhimanyu led the way to the exit with a slight limp caused by her cut.

"Why don't you stay for Rati?" Nakshathra asked as they stepped out of the arena.

"Thank you for asking but I think I should get back and honed my skills." He laughed. "Not really, but after losing this fight I think I have to set things right for me," said Abhimanyu. He headed out but stopped midway, as if debating with himself. "Rajakumari, I am sorry," he apologised with vivid sincerity.

"Why?"

"For everything. For whatever I did knowing and unknowingly." His eyes expressed guilt and embarrassment as he averted his gaze. Nakshathra guessed it could an apology on behalf of his sister or just him ending their enmity.

She watched as he took a bow at king and the queen whom she failed notice earlier and with the rest of palace residents seated behind them. He indulged in a short talk with them before leaving back to his chamber.

Flashes of white teeth adorn the faces of many as they cheered for Nakshathra from the other side. She joined her palms together and bowed, accepting the flower shower. Her eyes swept to the king and the queen leaving the stage. Did the king appear happy or disappointed? She couldn't tell but she was happy. Pleased with herself for the victory and proud for accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of her life.

So did her brothers who had rushed and crushed her in a big hug.

*-*-*-*

Every year the Festive of Rati, also known for the celebration of love were celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and anticipation. It's a festive for union that celebrates all kinds of loves. A ten-day celebration and the most looked forward for in the festive were the night part of the days. Legend has it that during the Rati festival, Kavish will be under a spell and it was mostly seen working on those who have not manifested their love. The spell was said to make the most difficult of a relationship, work and some even ties the knot. And for the same reason the Festive of Rati became famous, memorable and celebratory, inviting people from all over Lambodara. The Festive of Rati often bring out the old stories of the country that symbolises love and were widely told across the kingdom; in towns, villages especially in Sikva.

One of the most loved love stories was the story of Sathyabama and Mihunan. A story dated almost a hundred years ago, of a Labour Minister, Lord Mihunan and a common lady Sathyabama. Mihunan and Sathyabama was deeply in love with each other and was known to many as the lovebirds of Sikva. Like most stories, they too had to go through trials of fate.

It was during the Festive of Lights when an accident occurred, leaving many injured and some dead. Sathyabama had been one of the unfortunate ones to have been there during the collapse of a building. Devastated Mihunan rushed at once when he heard of his lady-love stuck under the ruins of the building. It was only after hours of labour they found her bloody and injured.

After several days of intensive care under the watchful eyes of the physicians did, they informed each victims' families of their condition. Sathyabama's condition had been the trickiest among all. Although she was only mildly injured, the post effect of the accident had disturbed her mental state causing her to repeat an incident which the physician suspects her to have witness before the fateful event. An intervention of demon to seize the celebration of lights.

Local folks might have exaggerated the story to make it sound more ornate however, Mihunan's part of the story fascinated Dhruva as he stood among the children listening to the story. Seated under a large banyan tree, an old man narrated the story all the while maintaining his eye contact with Dhruva.

When Mihunan was told about Sathyabama's mental state, the elders in his family as well as hers advised him to move on and settle for a much pretty and intelligent girl. But the devoted lover refused to abide their persuasion and remained by Sathyabama's side till they found a cure for her which was seven years later.

"The sky rumbled and strokes of lightning flashed when they finally got married after years of wait. Local folks said it was a sign of blessings from the heaven, in the form of droplets. And so was the story of eternal love of Satyabhama and Mihunan." The old man concluded as he slapped his thighs and stood up with the help of his long staff.

Slowly, the crowd dispersed and he faltered his way to Dhruva with a clear intention to make conversation with him. Asogan, the storyteller had introduced himself to the crowd in the beginning was a bony man with only a thin dhoti wrapped around his waist. Holding Dhruva in a strong gaze, Asogan struck a conversation casually.

"How did you find the story, young man? Inspiring?" Asogan asked. He joined Dhruva into the city.

"Is it true, the story?" Despite knowing the story to be part true and part made-up, Dhruva was curious to know it from the narrator himself. He also thought this exchange would help him keep his mind busy with something else instead of dwelling on the reason he came back to Kavish.

"Ah... it has been told for generations. There might be a few additions to the story but I could guarantee the core of it is real." Asogan took out a piece of crumpled paper tucked at his waist. A pamphlet inviting folks around Kavish to attend the annual Festive of Rati.

"Legend of Rati says that the lord of love, Kamadeva, his wife, Rathi Devi and his solider comes down to earth for fun-love-fair. They were said to go wild in their adventure shooting arrows of love for ten straight days, so had been said. Stories spread over years that during the ten days there was nothing but love around, all happy and peaceful." Asogan threw his hand in the air animatedly. "And today we too celebrate ten days of Rati festive with good intention and love for all." The man paced ahead, observing a small crowd passing by.

"Quite amusing. So, you mean to say they come down every year to have their fun?" Dhruva asked.

"Hmm...yes, they do. Or how else do you think young boys like them who are only keen in swords gets courage to confess to the woman they love?" As an instant example, Asogan pointed to a small lake where one can find at least three pairs of man and woman, each one blushing away as they talk to one another. They were everywhere, in fact, to Dhruva's surprise.

Have I been shot by the Lord of Love as well, Dhruva thought as he reflected on his own growing feelings for Nakshathra. "No, that can't be," he muttered and shook his head denying it completely as a silly thought.

As if there had been a silent call raised in the middle of the city, people rushed towards the city centre or to the Big Road as Asogan called it. The road royal visitors use to enter and exit the city. Dhruva craned his neck to get a glimpse of the gathering through small gaps between houses and caught the view of a few flags heading out of the city. When he asked Asogan, the old man filled him with a small information which brought him a huge relief.

"The procession of Pareen is leaving? But they must have only reached here four days ago, right? Plus, the festive of Rati about to begin." Dhruva stared at the moving flags with confusion.

"It is true. Everyone thought there will be double and longer celebration but the hype deflated as quick as it inflated." Asogan shrugged as if he too was disappointed at the turn of events. "The princess gracefully declined the alliance brought by the Prince of Pareen by taking the laws she had been reading since young as her aid." As Asogan spoke of Nakshathra, he puffed his chest proudly as if he would for his own daughter.

"She declined? But didn't the king give his words to the King of Pareen?"

"Who knows about the details, all we know—"

"Thambi!" Asogan was interrupted by the calling of a man from behind. "Thambi, Dhruva! Wait for me." Dhruva recognised him as the farmer, Nachimuthu whom he had helped to plough his land some time ago.

Nachimuthu pranced his way to Dhruva with a huge smile on his face. While the farmer headed in their direction, Dhruva's mind was somewhere else. He was keener to know what exactly happened and how Nakshathra managed to stop the marriage alliance fixed by the king himself. Did the king accept her declination without an argument? If it was true, perhaps he was of no help any longer. Guess I should leave then.

"Thambi! So happy to see you and you know my son has returned!" Nachimuthu exclaimed excitedly as he grabbed Dhruva's hands in his.

"That's a wonderful news, ayya. What happened to him and how did he get back?" Dhruva asked, his eyebrows narrowed as he tried to guess if his son was among the men, they brought from Ilyadari.

Nachimuthu scanned around and whispered, "It's too dangerous to speak about it out loud. Why don't you come with me to my house, I'll share it with you? You can also meet my son," he suggested, pointing to the direction on his left.

"Thank you, ayya but I should be leaving now. The work I came here has already been done. I need to head back soon."

"You should stay at this farmer's house, young man. You look exhausted from your travel. Take a couple of days break, you need it. I'll come and see you day after tomorrow and we both can head to the city square together." Asogan insisted as he held his gaze on Dhruva. "Trust me, it will be worth the wait, prince." He mouthed the last word and caught Dhruva off guard.

The old man walked away casually as if he had said nothing to him even before he could react. He began to question if Asogan was his real identity. How did he know? Does Nachimuthu know who I am too? Am I in for a trouble? Dhruva followed Nachimuthu with trepidation.

*-*-*-*-*

Alli poured herself a glass of Soma, a gift from Shoolin sent by Ranganathan with Shijay's message of accepting the alliance she had proposed. She leaned back in her plush chair with her legs propped on the table while she reread the message. Alli liked how a message as such could give her a sense of accomplishment although it wasn't even counted as one amidst an uninteresting phase of her plan—waiting.

She had been waiting, for months and with every raising sun she had nothing to show as her fruition and that only added to her frustration. Alli was in desperate need of feel the real triumph or she would lose herself, wasting her existence for nothing. She sat straight and slammed the glass on the table, she huffed, Dhruva's delay too was an added disappointment.

"What if that pathetic boy failed to win the girl's heart and come back empty handed? No, no. I can't wait till Dhruva comes back with nothing. You can't expect things to happen naturally for you, Alli," she scolded, gazing at the elephant engraved on the ceiling. "Maybe I should use the Varhinsas I had sent to disturb the prince of Pareen and to abduct the princess. Hmm... then we will use her and get the treasure and destroy the Herambas..." Her deep booming laugh reverberated around the room.

Alli abruptly stopped laughing and stared at her reflection on the mirror. "It's time we pan the attention here. I can't wait to have you here, Rajakumari Nakshathra. Then you will be all mine to play with."

*-*-*-*-*-*