I gasped, snapping my eyes open when I felt heat around me.

I looked over to Yudhishthir, who was equally surprised.

He began to yank at the ropes that bound us, looking for a way out when suddenly he was poked by a spear.

Yup.

We were about to become barbeque.

I looked at those that poked him and was... Well, surprise would be an understatement.

They had an outstretched neck, small beady eyes and puckered lips. They had noodle like arms and the parts under their waist... I wish they wore pants. Or anything like them. They had two, split fish tails.

Each pointed in a different direction.

Me and Yudhishthir stared at each other with worry and one clear motive. Find Rudra and leave.

They began to chant an unusual song, a language beyond my understanding. Their rhythm increased rapidly, with quick succession, reaching the crescendo and culminating with the entrance of, what I assumed was their king.

The leader sat on a bed of straw and wood, carried by four of his soldiers. Only the ornate , rather enormous crown peaked from above a curtain of banana like leaves, ones which covered the leader's entire face.

"Stop!" The voice of the leader called, deep and dark as the curtains steadily fell.

Had I not been tied to a log, I would have fallen face first.

Yudhishthir seemed to regain his sanity before me, because he exclaimed,
"Rudra! " His eyes wide as he saw my son, sitting with a very heavy looking crown over his head.

" Papa? Fufashree? " He asked, his voice deep, still coming from the large, bamboo megaphone in front of him.

" Rudra? That's my son! " I exclaimed, thrashing around, although I had not much space to move, hanging on the log.

He signalled to a few guards, well, I assumed he did. He just looked at them, they nodded, spoke a few words and let me and Yudhishthir down.

We fell from the log, onto the river bed.

"Rudra? " I was still in shock as I watched him step down from the palquin, strolling towards me, the child was only nearing five and they named him a king?

He fell into my arms as I pulled him up, " What is going on? " I asked him, eyes wide as Yudhishthir joined us.

" Papa, they are, Tari-tari -tarika. They are the Tarika tribe. They are the rulers of the rivers in this area. From what they said to me, their king died and did you know! He was a child, just like me! " He exclaimed happily.

" So why just you, I mean, I'm glad they didn't take Abhi, but why only you? " I asked him and he shrugged his shoulders.

" How would I know? " He said, looking at me with his mother's curious eyes.

" It's probably because of Sagarika. She keeps Abhivart under her odhini. Even at night I have to be careful before I step into the bed. Once I accidentally stepped on his arm, " Yudhishthir winced at the memory.

" Alright then should we leave? " I asked and instantly, a phalanx of swords surrounded me, sharp and it was unlike the metal used on land.

" Alright. Hold on, " I put Abhi down.

" Do you understand their language? " I asked him and he shook his head, " No papa, but they do have a priest who understands ours. He was the one who made me ' Tarikak' their leader. " He said, voice worried, " We can leave here right? "
His eyes widened in fear.

" Of course we will putr, it's why your father and I are here. You need not worry so, " Yudhishthir reassured him with a hand on his head.

" Tarikak Rudransh. You cannot abandon your post like this, what of our community. We were told only a child of fire could head it. What are we to do now!" An old man- whatever these people were swam over, his eyes we're grey, they held great wisdom. He seemed to have a torn fin, so his movement was akin to limping. He had his hand on a cloth that  covered the expanse of their chest, but yet again, nothing that covered below their waist.

" Pan-" Rudra pinched my arm, pulling me down, " Don't call him Pandit papa, he's called the Tarkoki. Calling them Pandit ji makes them grow red with rage. Literally. Their fins become red, vibrant red, " He whispered and I nodded.

My son learnt so much within the span of only a few hours... He truly has taken after his mother, I was proud...

Okay you caught me, I was a tiny bit jealous.... Like not one sexy hot personality of AJ - okay I'll stop.

" Alright, Tarkoki, I respect the decision you have made to choose my son as your leader however he is merely four years of age and he is a Prince of Pragjyotishpur already. How is he to govern a land, that too under water? " I asked and the elderly nodded.

" My prince, a father looks after his son's possessions till the son has matured in age. So, you must take responsibility for our tribe. Or live here with us -"

" But we cannot Tarkoki, we have a responsibility to our lands as well. We can look after your kingdom, but we cannot live here, " I cut in, tension spread in the room.

" Alright, then we will wait for our king to return, we will stay under your rule till then Yuvraj. "

" But what about now? " Yudhishthir asked and they shook their head.

" Mahoday, we are the Tarika, we have been ruling with our own leadership for decades, a few more years are of no harm to us. We will wait for our rightful ruler, the one who will free us from our curse, " The Tarkoki said, his eyes full of pride.

" What curse? " Yudhishthir asked, and I nodded in agreement.

" Mahoday, that curse is one which we fear even speaking of. I am sorry, we cannot tell you till we have our ruler, " Another Tarika member said.

" Al-alright. So shall we leave right now? " I asked and they agreed, leading us to the city limits.

We took deep breaths, I tried to hold Rudra close, when the Tarkoki came up to us.

" Yuvraj, for our leader's safety, we want you to have this, " He opened his palms to offer us three jelly fish like masks. They looked like membranes.

" You can breathe easily through this, you have to simply wear it, like a mask. You don't need to hold your breath, " He said, helping Yudhishthir Rudra and I.

As we bid them aideu, I was met with the murky waters once more.

It surprised me how warm they kept their city limits, because the freezing cold of the dark river hit me at once.

It felt like breathing in the cold weather. We were able to breathe, but each breath was laboured as I swam up the surface.

As soon as we collaped on the river bank, I enveloped Rudra into my arms, moving my angvastr away to pull him closer to my chest, trying to eliminate the cold.

"Should we rest -"

" No, we should get back as soon as possible Yudhishthir. They may, be strong, but I don't feel comfortable leaving them alone like that. We must be swift. Rudra will be fine. He'll sleep soon, " I said, watching as my son drowsily, closed his eyes.

As we began walking I felt Yudhishthir's silent laugh.

" I took you to be a fool, simpleton. You are a wonderful leader, a strong husband, a brilliant father and an extraordinary brother, " He said to me, eyes shining with pride.

" Please, you were just jealous of me because you thought Saag loved me instead of you, " I said to him, laughing as he snapped his head away, face, flushing even in the dark.

" Yes well, she spoke so highly of you I thought-"

" If you had listened to what she said, you'd know she could never like me. She banged me in the head when I asked her that out of fear, "

" Fear? " He asked, scowling.

I slung one arm over his shoulder.

" Yes Yudhi boy, fear. I always thought of her as my sister.... I cannot imagine being married to her or sharing any, relationship of that sort with her, " I told him and he smiled.

" Yes well, she can only be handled by some, " He said, smiling fondly.

" Handled? You handle me? " Saag's voice called as I saw her, her son and Devi slept soundly by a fireplace as she tapped her foot in silence.

Before we could move closer she held her hand up.

" Yudhishthir, what gift did you give me on the third anniversary of our wedding? " She asked and we looked at each other confused.

" Saag -" But she shot a hand out, creating a circle of fore around all three of them.

" Answer me, " She warned, her eyes blazing with fury.

As Yudhishthir stopped to contemplate the answer, I saw Devi wake up, her eyes softly opened, then widened in disbelief.

" Karali -"

" Patience. Mano. Patience. " She warned, eyes unmoving from us.

" I didn't buy you anything. I went to Mata to learn how to stitch and redesign a saree you owned with the pearls we got from our trip to the Pushpbhoomi waterfall, " He said and I watched the flames in Saag's eye die down, as the fire in front of us vanished.

The moment it did, I saw Saag run over to pull Yudhishthir into a sharp hug, clutching at his shoulders. As if she would climb over him and stay there.

" Priye? Sagarika? " He asked, confused but she refused to budge.

" What's wrong Karali? " Devi asked, when her eyes finally landed on me.

She began to move to me, but mid way fell to her knees, sobs shook her body.

" Rudra, look mata is crying. Go hug her, " I roused my son as he rubbed his eyes, before gently moving to her, pulling her into a hug with his small hands.

" Oh my baby! " She cried, holding him close.

" We are here, " Yudhishthir kept reassuring a worried Saag.

" What happened? " I asked and she sighed.

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Soo.... Yep. Once more I'm far too late...

I'm sorry 🤦🏽‍♀️😭

Anyways... Tell me how it was and do vote

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥