The tall steel gates surrounding the vast forest took years to built and today was the first for the Princes of Gopar and Uthon to see it in person. Even Omkara was amaze seeing just the tall trees sway back and forth in unison. 

Omkara: Do you hear that?

Gauri who had just step out of her carriage looked up towards the sky and down towards the entrance of the forest.

"Your Majesty should be careful. Remember these trees will play tricks on you. They are like sirens that can lure you to your death. The sound you hear is the forest greeting it's visitors. It seems it has been awhile since it's seen so many people at it's doorstep."

Her constant warning of the dangers that lurk beyond those trees only made the thirst for blood in Omkara's veins run wild. His eyes darkened as he took in the air surrounding his playground. 

"This will be fun."

Extending his hand to his sister to help her down the three step ladder Sahil could not contain his excitement as well as fear. 

"Gauri be careful."

The small trembling hand that was suppose to escort her down reminded her just how young Sahil still was. 

"Sahil. Today you must be on alert. Dangers lurk in every corner. Even the people closest to you cannot be trusted. The goal today is the White Tiger and nothing else."

"I know Gauri. It's just that the forest is can sense us and it's unnerving."

"It is okay. I am with you."

Omkara noticed her eyes shifted towards Kali who seem to be deep in thought.

For many years people from all around have asked Kali if they could explore the enchanted forest they even tried sending large amount of treasures but only today did he decide to let others enter. He figured his chances of getting the White Tiger to appear would increase if more experience royal hunters were present. Each and everyone of them had royal blood running through their veins which would definitely attract the beast but only the blood of Ashen will be able to tame it. But in his father's will revealed a legend that the White Tiger was not the most powerful animal in the forest but deep within it lies another that was only seen once by their ancestors but never caught. Eyes as yellow as the sunlight and fur black as night a creature so strong and fast that no one has really seen it clearly but it was definitely residing in the forest. The only fact that was ever noted about the creature was that unlike the White Tiger that could only be tamed by the blood of Ashen due to a spell the ancestors had casted this creature was too powerful to catch hence anyone can claim it. And once they do the creature's future offspring will only recognize that line of royal blood.  When Kali realize such a creature existed he quickly burnt the legend into ash as instructed in his father's Will so that outsiders will never know of it's existence. Only when it was time for him to write his own Will will he  pass down the secret to his heir. It was difficult enough to find the White Tiger after the Fountain of Healing went missing but to know that another creature where others can claim was lurking in that forest made his decision today a bit difficult. But he figured the chances of encountering  that creature was next to none so he ultimately decided to take the risk by allowing so many inside this forbidden forest.

"If my father and grandfather never saw the creature then the chances of it turning up today is close to impossible. But if it does appear it will also become MINE!"

Samarjeet, Veer  and Ajay were not fools. As they sit on their high horse they could already sense the forest's magical powers. They knew of the White Tiger and it's ability and just how detrimental it would be if Kali was to succeed in binding it. So when Kali invited them to hunt in Ashen's Forest today only confirmed that this was the year the beast will drink the water from the fountain. This was something no one wanted and to make sure it stays that way they will make sure to scare off the immortal tiger before the Blood Binding Contract is performed. Once the chance is missed it will be another 50 years till the people of Ashen can try again. 

With so much blood thirst in the air Svetlana too was anxious. That White Tiger was indeed an obstacle she did not want to tackle but even if Kali was able to bind it she too could kill it by eventually killing him. So today her main goal was that little heir of his. Once she could get rid of Sahil then Gauri would not be too far behind in death. Once his bloodline is eradicated then  over throwing Kali would be too easy and Ashen will finally be all hers. Knowing that her secret guards have hidden themselves in the forest Svetlana could only hope that they too don't succumb to it's magic so that her plan wont just be in vain. 

As the large gate slowly closes behind them Kali jumps down from his horse to help his Queen out of her carriage. Turning to face his guests Kali slowly walked closer to the forest.

"Let's not pretend not to know what today is."

Seeing the conflicted looks on everyone's face made Kali laugh and as his lips hooked up he could see their gaze intensely study his every move. 

"The White Tiger is suppose to take it's first drink today and you all know what that means. You are all probably wondering why I would allow any of you to enter when something so important lays deep inside the forest."

Samarjeet: Why did you?

Kali: Simple. To lure it out. The more royal blood it smells the hungrier it gets. Without you my chances of seeing it might not happen during my lifetime. Since this is the only chance I will get I am not afraid to let you stop me...if you think you can.

Veer: So basically your Highness is using us as bait?

His evil laughter echoed through the forest disturbing the peaceful birds that once was perched on the branches of the singing trees. 

"Bait? I am giving you a chance to either witness your new King conquer a beast or you can try and stop me. Is that not benevolent of me?"

No one wanted to deny that this was a risk for all of them and since Kali had taken this step they too will take this opportunity to sabotage  Kali's one chance.

While everyone was thinking of either taming or scaring the White Tiger away Omkara wanted to try  and see if it was impossible for him to kill an immortal creature. How much can that tiger endure under his arrows and sword? The challenge was just so titillating that the excitement was now surging throughout his body. 

Ajay: Will the Queen and the Princesses also come along?

The last thing the men needed was to worry about the women while they hunted for the mystical beast.

Kali looks at Svetlana "Does my Queen want to come along? Or wait here at the entrance for my victorious return?"

Gently bowing her head and smiling at the men "I will wait here. I can't even ride a horse so I should not be partaking in such a sport. As for my daughters it is up to them."

Ishana could barely walk as she stayed close to Svetlana "I too will stay back with mother. I don't think I can ride a horse today."

Seeing Ajay smirk at her forced her to bury her head behind her mother's arm.

"Damn him!"

Samarjeet looks over at Riddhima who kept staring at Omkara.

"Crown Princess will also stay back?"

"No. I will come along."

Samarjeet: You can ride a horse?

Riddhima: I might not be too skilled but I am sure I am safe among such gallant men. I do not want to miss the chance of seeing the enchanted White Tiger.

Omkara jumps down from his horse and walks over to Gauri who seemed to be looking for something.

"And you?"

When her eyes locked onto the black horse that Sahil made sure to bring for her Gauri put her two fingers under her veil and a whistling sound could be heard.

Everyone stared as the horse quickly ran over to it's master side. 

He saw her hand stick out to grab hold of the reigns that was jolting up and down from the horse's neck and once it ran pass her she quickly grabbed the reigns  while kicking herself off the ground to jump right onto it's soft back. Tugging hard at the reigns to calm her horse down Gauri slowly gallop around Omkara who had a big smile on his face. 

"I see Princess Gauri can hold her own."

Stopping her horse from moving Gauri gently stroke the hair of her horse "Good girl Amia."

Seeing how Omkara was still staring at his sister Sahil gestured his horse to come close.

 "Your Majesty should not worry about my sister. It is her who taught me how to ride. Even father could not beat her."

Seeing her grab a bag of white feather tip arrows Omkara quickly got back on his horse and as they all made their way into the forest their hearts jumped as they heard a loud "roar" shaking the the entire forest. The trees shook it's branches and leaves started to blow everywhere in the air. Birds flew out in masses into the bright blue sky. Small critters were heard chirping in excitement as loud hooves could be heard stomping and shaking the ground beneath their feet. 

Gauri: It has taken it's first drink.....

**Hope you guys enjoyed this update. Hopefully I can give one more this week. I am thrilled to read such great response! I hope you guys enjoy the ride I have in store for you. Do vote if you enjoyed.**