Chapter 4
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Plop!

The stone fell into the water creating a splash. A few water droplets flew, falling on her feet. She scowled at the water, absently picking up another pebble and throwing it in the water.

I'm different. She declared in her brain.

She automatically picked up another one and launched it at the same place where the other stones were thrown.

I always have been. When I was a child, I was the smallest in the clan. I'm younger than them even now.

Her hand threw another round pebble aimlessly, but forcefully. She winced as the water droplets from the splash sprayed on her face.

I have always been too... happy. Too cheerful and carefree. Unlike other Veera Nāryāha, I don't have a sense of responsibility.

Suryakanti threw another rock but this one didn't sink nor splash. It floated!

I'm different, just like this rock. Even if it blends in with the other rocks, its roots lie elsewhere.

Her fingers lowered to touch the pebble, as her lips tugged upwards. Am I being a melancholy poet? The girl stayed there for a few minutes, taking in the cool breeze and the soothing night around her, her tangled thoughts slowly separating into threads. Her fingers brushed off the pieces of mud stuck to it to reveal a shiny surface.

Huh? 

Then in a blink of an eye, her head swiveled up so fast it was a wonder that it didn't snap from her neck. She jumped up to her feet and ran back, trying her best to not shout for help.

She stopped to a halt in front of the leader's tent, panting hoarsely. "Dacoits, not far away. Somewhere - around... here," she informed. 

"Are you sure?" the voice came from inside one of the tents, sounding unmistakably like Bahula's.

"Yes! I don't have time to explain..."

The flap of the tent was peeled up and in no time, the Veer Naaryaha had strapped in daggers, packed up necessities, and were up and about.

"Naaryaha, weapons at the ready, be discreet. One of you let the horses lose now. We can call them later. Hide yourselves but keep your eyes on the targets. Chhaya you're the diversion. Take this traveling bag, stay near the tent premises." Uma Bhagini instructed everyone.

"Can I help with something, Bhagini?" Charu questioned when at the same time Surya asked, "What must I do after the diversion, Bhagini?"

"Charulatha, go with Bahula. And Chhaya, after the diversion, switch places with Charulatha. No matter what, run around the tent towards us. You will hide in the next part and Charu will fight." Uma told the girls.

Charu nodded and went with Bahula. She hid behind the huge boulders, eyes trained on her friend who was pretending to add fuel to the fire. The dacoits filed into the clearing, trotting on their horses. They had tied a dark-colored band around their heads, and another thicker one went around their waists, holding the numerous rows of sharp, glinting blades in place. 

The leader, the one in the lead and with a horn tied to his waist, got off his horse and the others followed. They held themselves proud and high, enjoying the fear on Surya's face. What they didn't know was that the expression was fake.

Suryakanti scoffed mentally, They think they're the kings of the jungle? We, queens, will show them who we truly are.

"You there!" He pointed at her, his dark, bushy brows rising. He looked menacing with his large beard, wide build, and eyes that pierced one's soul.

She got to her feet slowly. "W-what do you want?"

"How many others are there? Hand over all your money, quick."

"Please don't hurt us, the others are sleeping in the tent. We are but silk traders, there are three of my sisters, please take our money but spare us." She pleaded with hands clasped.

"There are no men with you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"They've gone to f-fetch water. T-they'll be back soon." She said, her voice trembling.

He stalked closer to her, a predatory glint in his eye. He studied her face for several moments. "Lies. Men!" He barked out. "They're all alone. Take the women captive and loot the gold in the tents."

He turned back to Surya. "Now I'll take you!" He lunged towards her.

"No!" she screamed, running away from the leader and into the woods. 

Uma froze in her hiding spot. "Why is Chhaya running away? That's not what I told her to do. She will land herself in trouble!"

Perfect, the princess thought, my plan is working. The leader is now too far away from the tent to hear his men.

The familiar flow of adrenaline controlled her jerky movements and smoothened them into swift, fluid ones.

The darkness was slow as it engulfed her in patches, the dense tree branches obscuring the moonbeams and restricting them from touching the grassy earth. An owl hooted in the distance, crickets chirped among the bushes, and fireflies danced in a corner. But she didn't have time to stand and admire them. She turned back and smirked as she saw his silhouette following her.

He's fast, I can't play around.

She quickly climbed up a tree and sat there, incredibly still as she pulled out a hidden sword strapped to the branch. 

Steady Surya, 

She stood up trying to keep her legs from wobbling. She spotted him beneath the tree, looking around and cursing. He stood at one spot squinting in the dark to look for her.

Unlike last time, she jumped off the branch quietly plunging a sword into the unsuspecting leader's back. He let out an agonized shout, turning around to face her. "You!" he rasped. A jolt of fear shot up her arm. Had she not struck the sword in deep enough to kill him?

She scrambled backward, her breathing shuddering as her eyes went wide with fear. He charged towards her with a ferocious roar, only to drop down, dead, within a few inches of her. She heaved relieved breaths, a slow smile forming on her face as she leaned against the tree behind her.

What a splendid story I shall have to tell Charu...

She jumped to her feet all of a sudden, remembering about the other Veera Naryaha. She rushed back to the campsite. But only to find them cleaning their weapons and dragging the dead bodies out.

Bahula was rushing here and there. "Is she here ye-" she paused when her gaze landed on Suryakanti.

"Goodness! Do you know how risky it was to run off like that? Uma Bhagini had clearly instructed you to stay behind the boulders. Safe, hidden from the dacoits. But no! You had to go off into the woods with the dangerous dacoit leader of the Bhadra Mahavanam bandits who could've killed you!"

Surya gasped. "Dacoits of Bhadra forest?" They were a famed group of ruthless bandits who practically ruled over the region. She was stumped by the revelation but later was a little proud of herself for killing their leader.

"Yes, you should've known. Especially since we're in the Giri Aranyam which is very close to the forest surrounding Bhadra forest. If you had failed to kill him, he would've called for backup and would've killed you! And us too." She scolded the princess.

"But he didn't, Bhagini," Surya pointed out. 

Also, they are famously known for staying near the middle parts and outskirts where a river flows. And that is on the opposite end from here! How was I supposed to predict that they would come here of all places?

"A stroke of luck. Remember, that kind of luck doesn't strike every time." Bahula spun on her heel and left towards her tent.

Suryakanti looked at Charu who just shrugged and beckoned her to come. "How did you women kill them?" Surya asked. "The surprise jump attack?"

Charu shook her head. "Not exactly. More of the set-up-a-ruse, hide and kill technique..."

Uma shook her head. "Bahula, Charulatha, we can only pray that she lives. First, we've got to protect our clan and camp. Chhaya can run a while, and she can run fast. Enough to stall for some time. I'll get her soon after."

"Yes, Bhagini. But the dacoits approach now." The other woman said.

The three hid behind the tent, watching the shadows inch closer to them in contrast to the light flickering glow of the fire in front of the tents when-

"Anujaaha!" Bahula's voice interrupted Charu's story, pulling their attention towards her. "Come on, pack up. We have to get moving now if we want to reach Shyama Kunda early."

"Aw, you hadn't even got to the 'ruse' part..." Surya whined.

Charu turned to Surya. "I'll fill you in about it on the way, Chhaya."

"Alright." She smiled.

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Glossary:

Bhadra Mahavanam (bha-dra ma-haa-va-num) - Name of a forest. Literal meaning = Maha means 'great', here in size, and vanam means 'forest'.

Giri Aranyam (gi-ri a-run-yuh-m) - Name of a forest. Literal meaning = Giri means 'mountain' and aranyam means 'forest'.

Shyama Kund (sh-yaa-muh-ku-nd) - name of a place.

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To anyone who is confused, Chhaya is Suryakanti Verma, the princess of Vaishalanagara and daughter of Revati. Chhaya is what she is called by her sisterhood clan, but her real name given at birth is Suyakanti.

Hope that clears it :)

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, do vote and comment.

Bye for today,

-Chinmayi, 14.