Devloka. . .

"Soldiers! Take positions! Remember the strategies that the Commander-in-chief had explained. Otherwise, we all will be killed. We will attack the non-believers of Aikyam when the first ray of sun hits the ground," instructed Mahishi.

She had returned from Agastya Malai to find the Deva army camped outside the fort. Another secret route was constructed on her orders as soon as she had conquered Devloka. That route had no Deva soldiers waiting to welcome her unlike the other secret routes. Her army was mobilized and ready to attack.

Vaayakaal had already sent a peace treaty which was rejected by Indra. So Kaal had come up with a strategy but she had simplified it. This had increased the risk that Indra might smell their trap resulting in Asuras losing the battle.

We can't afford wars that will drain the treasury. Only if those mercenary forces had arrived on time! She looked at the sky, wearily. Last few hours were intense and took a heavy toll on her mind. After a continuous eight hours of horse riding, she found the enemy outside her fort. Once she reached inside safely, she had to come up with a plan.

Strategy like last time won't work as Indra knew how the different groups functioned and would have perceived their weaknesses. They need to have a surprise element like last war so that the Deva army would not have time to react and would get over in a day. It was also necessary for Asuras to attack first to establish their control over the battlefield.

"Guruji, how did Deva army reach till here? Did you ask the lords to let them come here?"

Before leaving she had asked her teacher to let Deva army battle near the fort, just like how Indra had allowed it. She wanted to return his favour.

"Your Highness, the route King Indra chose had to cross by territories of three Deva lords - Soma, Dhruva and Apa. It seems he already had a pact with them to allow his army to reach here."

She smirked. "So he didn't want this favour. Anyways, we will be returning his favour in the war today."

Turning towards Nilakukshi, she stated, "Those three lords have displayed their disloyalty towards their Queen."

Playing with her ring, she instructed, "After this war is over make sure they are giving all the taxes money collected. We shall only give them seven percent of it. They won't have a chance to make money like other lords. This should also cover a considerable portion of post war costs."

"Yes, Your Highness."

She asked Sumali, "Why is your nephew taking three weeks to reach Devloka? Are you sure he is coming here?"

Kaal had reported to her that there was nothing suspicious about the leader of the mercenary army. Sumali replied, "He should be reaching today, Your Highness. He had to take a few detours to avoid the other Asura army. King Dahan's army is on alert in case we attack them."

"I never thought that Dahan would think of us trying to enter his empire in the guise of a mercenary army," she chuckled. Laughing before the war! This battle is driving me crazy. Indra, please don't try to analyze our strategy and just fall into my trap.

Within an hour, the sun rays filled the sky. A conch shell signal was blown, followed by rhythmic beating of war drums. This time the Asura army was divided into three groups. The first group had a mix of urumi and silambam trained soldiers led by Kaal. This group attacked the Deva army from the right side. To counter it, a considerable portion of Devas shifted their attention to it. The left and center portion were a little weakened.

Originally, there were two strategies prepared. First was the one in action and it will be until Indra makes a counter move. The second was prepared to tackle the above scenario. While the right side was engaged, if the left portion of the Deva army attacked, then the second portion of the Asura army would attack. This would mean losing a good portion of the army. The first strategy relied heavily on mental fortitude of both the armies. At this point, Mahishi's strategies were built on gambles.

At this stage, the losses incurred on both sides were more or less the same. While the Devas had learnt to defend urumi attacks, they had no ideas to counter it. Eventually they were slashed and killed but they managed to waste the Asura army's time and energy. Mahishi sighed as she got the reports of the battlefield. How did his army analyze our moves and learn to defend it so quickly? Yet I can't change the strategy now. If only the mercenary army arrives then my soldiers won't have to suffer!

Around four hours had passed by when Indra saw the doors of the fort opening again. The second portion of the Asura army led by Nilakukshi, entered the battlefield. This group charged towards the left side, causing confusion among the Devas. Many foot soldiers were mercilessly trampled by Asura cavalry due to this pandemonium. The center portion started to thin out on Indra's command.

Meanwhile, the part where barren land of the battlefield met with the start of forest was Sachi and her people were hiding. This was to the right side of the battlefield. Her people predominantly consisted of women, children and the elderly. Next to the main tent, she stood, sighing.

"Indra, we can't keep our people with us near the battlefield. It would be better to hide behind Aravalli mountains, I will make King Dahan make give us a free route to us -"

"If the Queen doesn't trust the King then the people won't. Also, you were an Asura princess, you are now a Deva Queen, why would he comply with your request?"

"Indra, I think Sachi is right. We would be busy fighting but what if Asuras take this opportunity to threaten the women and the children? Then we would have to divert our attention to protecting them," explained Brihaspati.

"Guruji, this time I am going to defeat her. I need the people with us so that when Asuras lose, they don't attack our people. We must not forget that there could be a spy amongst them who might reveal that they are hiding behind the Aravalli range. How will I protect them then? Is this what my people will get for trusting me?" he asked

Taking a step forward, she suggested, "In that case, I will make sure King Dahan will protect them."

Indra snapped, "Why are you so sure that he will help? Do you have anything that will work as a threat?"

Shaking her head, she replied, "Better than that, I might have some information related to Guru Shukracharya for which he will be willing to help us out."

"Guru Shukracharya? What is it? Is it related to Sanjeevani?"

"I am not sure what it is but my gut tells me that it's something close to both."

"You cannot convince him with that itself -"

"I know how to convince -"

"I am not taking help from any vile Asura."

"Indra! Don't forget that I have the same vile blood."

"But Sachi, even you mustn't forget that you're now Indrani. Learn to trust me," he announced and left from the tent.

She sighed. "Guruji, it's only because I trusted him, I waited for him to formally ask my parents for marriage. It's because I trusted him that I got rid of Nahusha -"

"My child, no one is doubting your trust. It may seem that His Highness is shaken by his defeat. I will try to speak to him."

A soldier walked up to her and informed, breaking her reverie, "Your Highness, the casualties from our side are around twice that of Asuras."

She stood, trying to analyze the battlefield reports. She narrowed her eyes. Why isn't Mahishi coming out? In the last battle she was fighting with her army. When will she come to the battlefield?

Dismissing the soldier, she took a few steps towards the battlefield. Last attack on the left side of our army was two hours ago. What sort of strategy is this? First right, then left. Will she be attacking in the centre?

Her eyes enlarged and started taking shallow breaths. She will be attacking in the centre! But when will she be attacking next?

As an answer to her question, the fort gates opened for the third time. Mahishi was seated on an elephant and riding towards the centre just like Sachi had predicted. I must inform Indra. She saw a guard nearby and ordered him, "Tell His Majesty that Mahishi will be attacking at the centre."

The soldier mounted on the horse and rode towards their King to convey the message. She clutched the end of her saree and took deep breaths. Just when she had calmed her nerves, she thought she saw Mahishi's elephant slowly walking in their direction.

Is she actually attacking us? The safety of our people lies in my hands now. She called, "Soldiers!"

A few soldiers guarding the people, ran towards her. "We will be attacked, gather everyone and ask them to make preparations to leave."

She also instructed one more guard to convey the same message to their King. Since the right side of Deva army was attacked first, Mahishi's army faced some resistance. Another soldier came with another report. The portion of the army that will be attacking us mostly comprises women!

She crumpled the report in her hand. So, she actually plans to attack us! For a moment I wanted it to be some sort of trap. If only Indra had accepted my proposal to include women in the army, we wouldn't have had to hide. After we win this war, I will make sure she is tortured for even thinking of attacking innocent people.

Indra was mounted on the horse, along with a portion of his troops following him. He received both messages from his wife. While his idea was to intercept Mahishi, he was not completely sure whether his idea might turn the tide. The previous loss had left with a doubt lingering in his mind. He felt like kicking himself for not listening to Sachi's suggestion but he didn't have time for it. Never had he expected Mahishi to attack innocent people. So this is your true nature?

When Indra reached behind the right portion of his army, a part of his left army had slowly started moving towards Mahishi. This message was conveyed by the war drums that were being played by Deva soldiers. Not everyone in the army had knowledge of war drum beats being used for signals. One of the reasons was to reduce moles that would give away this information. Second was in case he had to use these signals, only the ones who knew about them made a move and the enemy army wouldn't know about it.

While Mahishi was prepared to be intercepted by Indra, unknown to her, a small portion of his army was marching towards her.

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Two weeks after recovering from my nasty cold and headaches, back with this chapter. :)

Writing wars is something I love and hate in historical fiction. I absolutely love planning war strategies for my characters but writing it is tiresome.

Thank you for reading.