" Fate is like a strange unpopular restaurant,
Filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like."

The darkness was seeping through the sky, dissolving the pinks and purples aftermath the red sunset sky. The flash of crimson was peeping vibrantly through the burrow of the mountain head, staying protected from the passion of power of people, and even unaffected of the yelps of the pained people.

The heaven realm was rendered powerless since the day, their prowess was snatched from their hands to make the weaklings bolster and the deities shade their ego.

No, it was not just a crystal or a carbon morphed into a diamond, it was that fire of a goddess's soul that could heal death and numb ailments. Something that was rare in mortal land, something that was gifted to the mankind by Goddess Ashtara of Heaven realm, the supreme deity of love and panacea.

Legends stated many predictions about its legacy and upcoming guardians but, the aid of that igneous stone was far beyond the told facts of the fables and legends.

The shrill call of the eagles and the vultures was inching ahead, tremors of terror evident and engraved in the hearts of the inhabitants. The years of formless meditation of the Saints in the depth of the chilling water while the chants and offerings of thousands of animals and men by the Aghoris , all were as if destined to get a rock- solid dimension today.

Offering of animals was a custom for them, no regret indulged in doing so. The newly written YajurVeda of their era gave them rights to practise it to get siddhi, the power they desired to conquer the worldly powers.

The black cloud hovered sky twinned with the hue of the peacock's indigo and green feathered trailing and dancing tail with the first showers after almost ten decades. The psithurism was sprawling goosebumps in the subjects of the Aryanka Province. The smell of petrichor and the swinging breeze created a symphony for the minds that exhaled in the aroma and beauty of nature. Not all adore that, just some sense and savor it !

Indeed true, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

The shy moon through the muddled sky was glancing and glittering gleefully. The moon looked as if someone drew a portrait of a person on its face in charcoal and smeared it red. Maybe it was the man, the whole Aryanka Province of Aryavart was waiting to be born, sitting rigid in these fury drizzles in furry, bulky red and blue fabrics of the province on the exterior of the deewar-e-shahi, the royal door.

The Aryankans, the dwellers of Aryanka Province were a wholesome culture blending both Arabic and British. Though the Aryavart culture i.e, Indian culture were new to them, still their political strategies emboldened them in invading northern half of the Aryavart from the actual inhabitants of Aryavart, The Dravidas.
 
Aryavart has been a glittering bird of prosperity and erudition, having the roaring and hustling Aryanka Province in North and Dravida Province in South. Both, being equally affuential in wealth, political strategies and war power , were always keen to extend their power and become the guardian of 'LaalChandra Mani' that would adorn them with the magical powers of the world. But as the words prevailed since ages, the LaalChandra Mani could only be acquired with a deadly condition that was, the one who conquers it will have to lose everything. Both Aryanka and Dravida were eagerly waiting for the real guardian angels of the bunch of blessings to be graced on the Earth, along with the misfortunes trailing forth.

" Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Narayani Namostute ! "

The chants of the head priest of Aryanka was echoing and energising the vicinity of the royal castle.

"This is the holy and celestial full moon day where the jupiter rests in pisces, this amalgam of stars is considered to be a day of growth, miracle and fortune." Head Priest stated.

There was a surge of happiness spreading among the people with this big disclosure. All were exulted to welcome their fate maker with grandure along with the royal family . There hope to acquire the invincible.

"Aaahhhh King, I am dying out pain Do something. Aaaha" There was Queen Rajshri crying out in extreme agony in the birth room, clutching her husband's hand tightly.

The mighty King of the Aryanka Province, King Rajendra Pratap Deo was helplessly consoling his tired wife.

"Just a little more, my dear. The whole territory is eagerly waiting for this heir of ours. Please darling , little more." Though his words were doing nothing to seal the severe searing of the birth process, still she was in peace at heart that her love was there for her.

Later in the passage of some agonising hours, the whole room was filled up with the wails of the new born infant. The dai maa took the baby in her care and washed it's blood and white creamy like- vernix smeared tender body in lukewarm water.

Everyone breathed a breathe of relief and glory, anticipating to witness the achievements of this new born in upcoming days. Both Queen and King relished the moment of joy and ecstasy. Whereas, someone's face had lost it's colours.

"What is troubling you, Great Priest?" asked the King in a doubtful tone as he was unable to contemplate the reason for his disappointment.

" Your Majesty, this son of yours will be your ablest heir, bestowed with all the blessings of Maa Ashtara. He will make you, us and everyone proud with his selfless love and invincible victories, but _" The Head Priest stopped his unmatchable astrological predictions abruptly, earning every single one's attention. Queen was on the verge of being unconscious. Her heart was ready to launch out of her rib cage with the saddend look casted over the visage of the head priest.

"But this son of yours will suffer the most and would be granted with a life loaded with glories and also, glooms. Moreover, he is destined to never get the one whom he will love beyond his life." Listening to this forecast of the head priest, Queen was disheartened. No mother would be happy to know that his son can never lead a cheerful life but something struck her ears and she promptly questioned.

"But, whom will the Prince love ?"

King and Queen asked in unison. To which the head priest didn't reply directly, but said " The time will solve all your queries and the person is yet to arrive."

To enlighten the atmosphere, the King announced a ball room party in the castle for all the commoners along with that, a distribution fest of sweets and many neccesities for the poor families was enacted, generously. The festivities carried on and on, making the grim slip out of the day with ease.

      In another sphere of the Aryavart, there was a war waging its tail between King Varunaditya, the real heir of the Dravida Province and King Osama, his distant cousin, the ruler of Athens. Osama was the real epitome of hunger for the throne of Dravida and to get Priyambada, the queen of Varunaditya. The war was terrifying. It killed thousands and thousands of innocent soldiers.

Later Varunaditya was deadly injured and his wounds were bleeding profusely, that knocked down his consciousness.

"I am coming, my Love. Just have patience, I am only a little distance away." King Osama chuckled evily, marching towards the main gates of Dravida Fort, where the royals resided, searching for the Queen.

Much to his sadness and anger, Queen Priyambada who was carrying Varunaditya's child in her womb had already left the palace, running for life. It was raining lavishly, still the pregnant queen continued on her journey.

Behind her were hundreds of personnels of Osama's army. Her heart was throbbing louder and louder. That was, when a sharp pain shoot up her abdomen. She realised her labour pain was heralding and increasing inch by inch.

When her mind was saying to run away, her feet wasn't permitting her to do so. Hence, she chose to hide in a deep pit nearby.

  Things never happen always as planned, nor events happen as you are prepared for. With a slight slip of foot, she crashed down into the pit aftermath a fall.

Due to sudden hit on her abdomen, her labour pain hyped up alarmingly. Left with no option, she rested her back on a wall and squated to dilate herself. Dravida though were not as powerful as the mighty Aryankas, but they were ones, those can never be defeated in the war of wits.

Knowledge was their weapon, and elephants their carriers. Erstwhile, power and horses were the hustling host of Aryankas.

Biting down on a thin wooden bark, she tried relentlessly. There was no one to aid her, still she had to go for it, for her baby. She knew, it was the time for her child to bless her with motherhood.

Mumbling to herself again and again, that she was strong enough for it, she pushed over and over again. Her screams being covered up due to the pouring down rain and thunders. The cool winds wavering off her pain and salty sweats dissolving in the freshwater of the downpour.

The pain shoot to its highest peak, as she felt a leg peeking out of her body a little. Though she was exhausted she knew, she had to keep going. Her body trembled like a leaf, as she saw her own blood in the small water reservoir, that had huddled in the curve of the pit.

She closed her eyes, and sat while releasing heavy breaths. Spreading her legs wide, she determined to push again. In fewer minutes, she felt something being thwatched out of her body.

Her happiness slumbered as the baby was neither breathing nor weeping. Her heart cried, and muffled sobs of her own emancipated. She rubbed the baby's chest and back, anticipated her body to hear up to come alive.

When her hope was on the verge of a breakdown, she heard a small cough, followed by a soft cry. She saw her reflection in her eyes, and kissed the baby's gingerly black hair.

It was her baby girl, her angel, her fighter !

Having no idea of what to do next, she coiling the little of umbilical cord, and separating the waste with a sharp edged twig.

She wrapped the baby girl with her half torn saree, that wasn't wet and came out holding the baby close to her chest to make her warm.

At the meanwhile, when she came out of the pit in her wobbly steps, walking with her baby close to her chest.

She was startled to see Osama in a few metres of distance and then, rushed forward to snatch the baby out of Priyambada's grip.

"Give back my baby. How can you be so mean?" Priyambada snapped at Osama and pulled him back to get her girl back, but he was absolutely stronger.

Osama pushed Priyambada back and she stumbled falling down on the ground with a thud. Helplessly, she pleaded after few futile trials and Osama was very pleased, seeing her vulnerable.

When Osama was going to throw the baby girl down the cliff, King Varunaditya appeared out of blue to whom he assumed dead.

King Varunaditya slashed off the two arms of Osama for trying to kill his baby in a swift motion and stabbed him to death mercilessly, Osama's plaintive voice resonating in the atmosphere.

"You deserved more than this, Moron. Great Warriors aren't made by frightening a lady, Stupid .You are the biggest coward I have ever seen." King Varunaditya said pouring all his heart's hatred for him in his words and commanded the soldiers to throw his half-lifeless body in the dungeon.

King Varunaditya handled his daughter in his one arm and the tired Queen on the other and relished a family moment after the vital victory.

"Our daughter will be the samragi of Dravida. She will make us proud, my instincts claim so. Live long my Princess. I love you so much. Priyambada, thank you so much for bringing her in my life." King Varunaditya's happiness knew no bounds as he again poured his heart and his exuberant emotions forth his queen and his lovely princess.

They went back to the Dravidian Castle together, and all the people of the province welcomed them with pomp and fervour.

The arrival of Princess made the Province, livelier and happier. The fate of the both provinces were destined. But, what was to witness was - wheather or not their fate was opulent ?

____________

Thank you so much for reading this book. 🙏

Please vote, comment and share.🎉

Happy Reading. 🌸

Stay safe and take care :)

Love,
Biswa ❤️