It was a crazy scene. The city was burning, people were screaming, and the wind was whipping around Toshani.
They had only gone a hundred meters before a scream pierced the night. Toshani stopped, recognizing her mother's cry of anguish. Toshani was unable to move from panic- until she heard a roar. her father roared into the night before silence fell.
"Princess we need to move." The Oracle said.
"My....my parents." She cried.
"They sacrificed their lives for you. Let it not go to waste your highness." The oracle said.
"Let go of me..." Toshani screeched but was muffled when a large hand covered her mouth.
"Princess you must be quiet, or you will get us killed!" said Manas, placing a viselike grip on her arm.
"They are hurt, captain! I must go back... we must try and save them" Toshani sobbed, trying to pry his grip from her arm.
"The king knew what he was doing and accepted the danger. My mission is to get you to safety princess... I gave your mother my word" said the captain, as he continued to pull the distraught princess along behind him.
"Stay behind me princess, keep to the shadows. We are nearing the moat." Manas cautioned her.
They approached the moat and gingerly walked across the wooden planks set across it by their invaders. They were almost on the other side when a shout was heard.
"Stop them!"
"Run!" Manas yelled.
They ran blindly without looking back. A rain of arrows followed them.
"Wait!" The Oracle yelled.
A thin streak of light appeared from her hand forming a protective layer above them. Stopping the arrows midway.
"Keep running" she shouted.
Toshani had stopped in the track. Manas grabbed her hand and ran. They ran like crazy without looking back into the dark forest.
Toshani looked at her bloodied feet as she balanced herself on a makeshift bridge made of wooden lofts. Silvery moonlight gave some respite in the pitch darkness of the forest. However, it also made them vulnerable to being detected if someone followed them.
The river was swelling below them. Leaving the castle was not the end of her troubles. She had to cross a vast land full of enemies and traitors to reach the safety of Lorna.
"Your highness please be careful," Manas said as he held her hand leading her towards the other side.
Toshani looked straight ahead afraid of seeing the surging river below them. The rushing water below diminished the noise of hoofbeats which was approaching nearer.
"There you are princess!" A booming voice broke her attention.
She turned towards the riverbank which they had just left. Her eyes growing wide in terror.
The horse riders of Vatsaya were glaring at them. Their faces lit up by the burning torches which they carried.
"Come on princess you can't run away. Just come to me."
Toshani knew that voice.
It belonged to Anbir the crown prince of Vatsaya, Rudra's elder brother.
"Princess don’t look back just continue moving they can't follow us on horseback," Manas said as they inched closer to the other side.
Toshani had last seen Anbir 6 months back when he had arrived along with Rudra to participate in the Svyamvar to win the hand of her sister Revati.
He was not successful.
"Is this war due to that?" She thought.
"Go capture them. Make sure the princess is alive." Anbir commanded.
"My lord we can just shoot them." The commander who was a big man dressed in armor said to the prince.
Anbir turned towards his commander clearly looking annoyed.
"I said ALIVE you idiot! now get off your lazy ass and get her."
The commander reluctantly got off his horse. His well-polished boots splashed in the mud making him even more annoyed.
The bridge shook dangerously as the sudden weight of armored soldiers tested its strength.
"Don't turn back princess once we are on the other side, just run as fast as you can. We'll get the advantage of time." Manas whispered to her.
"Stop otherwise we'll shoot!" A voice boomed over the noise of the rushing river.
Toshani turned back to see a soldier pointing an arrow at them.
She froze. A sudden surge of anger coursed through her.
She took her bow from her shoulder, strung an arrow, and pointed it at Anbir.
"Stay away prince Anbir! " She said.
"Princess no!" Manas shouted. His eyes wild with concern.
Anbir narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Toshani. The girl had spunk.
"Toshani just comes over, otherwise you will die!" Anbir warned her.
Toshani aimed her bow carefully at Anbir. He was tall, with wide shoulders, his features were razor-sharp just like his brother Rudra. Brown eyes stared back at her. However, the brothers had no resemblance. Anbir had silver golden hair with pale skin.
Rudra was dark with bronze sun-kissed skin. He was tall and broad just like his brother but with hazel eyes.
She shook her head to repel his memory. She was about to kill his brother better not to think of him.
Twang!
An arrow whizzed past her hitting into in Manas. He gasped.
"MANAS!" Toshani forgot all about her target and turned towards Manas.
"Princess!" He whispered.
Blood spurted from his mouth. He lost his balance and fell into the gushing river.
"NO" Toshani screamed.
Looking down at the savage river, her eyes teared up at the precious life which had just ended.
"Get her" Anbir commanded.
She turned her head and glared at Anbir. His face lit up in the torchlight. She aimed her bow at him again.
"Don't you dare move! " her violet eyes blazed with anger.
TWANG! Another arrow shot past her. She closed her eyes bracing for it to hit her.
"AH!" A male voice screamed.
She opened her eyes. Anbir toppled down dead from the horse. An arrow sticking out from his neck.
"My lord!" His men shouted. There was mayhem as more arrows flew at them hitting the soldiers.
Amazed she turned back to find the source of arrows. They were being shot from the other side of the riverbank. She narrowed her eyes trying to detect shapes in the dim moonlight.
Before she could identify her savior, the bridge shook violently as more soldiers moved towards her.
"Catch her! she killed the prince," they shouted.
Her arrow was still in the bow. She never got the chance to shoot it.
A soldier had almost reached her and lunged at her, his armored hand clawing to catch her.
She scrambled back as the bridge shook violently. She lost the footing and the next thing she remembered was falling through the ice-cold air. Falling into the swelling river.
The soldiers looked on stunned as her body washed away with the currents.
To be continued......
6 months earlier -The kingdom of Shambala had a peculiar climate. It had snow-covered mountain peaks, vast grasslands, thick woodlands, and a perfectly sunny coastline.It shared its border with the Vatsaya kingdom in the west, Karoliya in the North, and Anatolia in the east. The south side had the sea. Shambala had important seaports and it was on an incredibly significant trade route. Ships from various places regularly docked at Shambala adding to its prosperity. Some people said it was because of the power of mother goddess Aditi that made Shambala so tranquil and prosperous. Her mysterious source lay somewhere in Shambala.The palace in the capital city of Kushan was in an uproar. Queen Kalita was agitated. The first of the suitor princes was supposed to arrive shortly. It was the tradition in Shambala and several other kingdoms that when a princess had too many suitors or she had not chosen anyone on her own. A svyamvar was organized, were princes or kings from various nations
Prince Rudra yawned as he rode along with his brother Anbir, and the entourage of about 50 soldiers and staff. He was not really interested in the Svayamvaar of princess Revati.He was just 18, too young to participate anyway. His half-brother Anbir was one of the contestants. Rudra had just tagged along to give him company.Anbir's mother the former queen had died years ago. The current queen of Vatsaya and Rudra's mother was Queen Chitralekha."Rudra are you sleepy? We can take a break if you wish." Anbir said.At twenty-two, Anbir stood a good six feet one inch tall, only an inch taller than his dad. His body was lean and muscular from his active life. Hunting, riding, and sword training filled his day, as studies in politics, arithmetic, reading, and writing filled his night.King Tarekdeo doted on Anbir; it is said he deeply loved his former queen Jyoti until a mysterious illness took her away.He was never the same after that. He used to wander alone in the woods, caves, met seve
Rudra and his entourage were now in the capital city of Kushan, the home of the royal family, and therefore the capital of the Shambala Kingdom. Looming marble towers grew from the city's center like white tree trunks into the heavens. The streets were lined with old trees and bright flowers. The finest artists and craftsmen worked along with them in grand shops and houses. Endless gardens sprawled across the city, interspersed with inns, eateries, and tea houses that took the form of gazebos and houses.People walking around looked happy and content. The palace had architecture like no other in the district. Several centuries earlier the royal family of Shambala had shipped in an architect from an overseas city. They wanted something exotic to inspire awe in the population. So instead of the peaks in the roof, it had gold-domed towers. It had an open porch at the front, held up with most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white and blue. Inside there were no door
"He's not going to be pleased." Malcolm cast a look over the aftermath of their chaos - a splatter of papers and scrolls.Four knocked out Shambala guards were slumped at the entrance. He exhaled deeply, "This was a mistake.""Perhaps we are in the wrong room?" Gopi said."This is the royal archives room and as per my Information this is where the suitors' challenge had been put," Malcolm said."The prince is not going to be happy," Malcolm said moodily."You're being melodramatic." Gopi a commander, was far more at ease."I don't understand why the prince needs the challenges in advance. He is competent enough to win anyway." Gopi continued."Careful! Any word against the prince would be treason." Malcolm had a stern expression.Gopi rolled his eyes. He was apprehensive about their whole stealing the challenge mission right from the beginning. Anbir had got tipped off by some internal source from Shambala that the blueprint of the challenges was stored in the archives.Hence, he sent
"Sure, why not? Shall we have stakes?" she answered cheerily, between sorting out her cards."Stakes? How mercenary," Rudra commented, though it was clear that this was meant to be a joke."Certainly. Perhaps, if I win..." He quieted, thinking before his smile returned. "If I win, I'd like you to tell me more about the challenges.""Are you trying to wriggle out information from me to make your brother win?" She asked."I want him to win so that we can be related and get more opportunities to meet." He gave his most dazzling smile which quickened her heartbeat."But that would be duping. Your brother should win fairly." She spoke."Hmmm, perhaps I should change my stakes. How about if I win you tell me just the first challenge?""It's still unfair." She replied." You just need to tell me what the challenge is. I am not asking for the key to solving it. It's still fair." He insisted.She pondered over a moment."Ok. And if I win...I want you to tell me something about you, which no on
Rudra strode towards the noise which he had heard while playing cards with the princess."Malcolm! What are you doing here?" He asked the Vatsaya guards who were dressed in formals for the party."Prince Rudra! We were just returning from an errand for his highness." Malcolm replied while Gopi rolled his eyes."I think I know what that errand might be," Rudra said wryly.He did not approve of his brother's erratic ways to win the contest. However, Anbir was headstrong and would do whatever he wished."This way he'll get disqualified before the contest commences." Rudra thought.He went back into the party which was wretchedly boring as described by Toshani.At the thought of her, he sought her around in the crowd. She was dancing with someone he did not know, and she had a scowl on her face.He smirked.She was amusing. Though he could not point out why he was so taken with her. It was like being pulled by a magnet. He just watched her glide around the dance floor.He joined his brothe
"Fifteen contestants, fifteen greatest warriors, princes and kings have gathered here to vie for my daughter's hand" King Suchihero paused."It truly an honor. The ancient system of Svyamvaar was established to choose the best man for a princess. There are 5 senses, 5 elements, 5 continents on this blessed Earth. Hence there would be 5 challenges. They will be revealed as we proceed." The first contest was taking place in a hall which was the size of an average auditorium. There was a central stage where the contestants were seated.The highest pavilion, near it, was filled with the royal family. Then the guests, and courtiers.Rudra shifted in his seat. He was not interested in the contest really. He was scanning the pavilion for Toshani.Anbir bristled in anger having to appear for such a childish contest for the foolish king but he restrained himself. As per his father's order, he had to win.The oracle took over from the king as she approached the stage to brief the contestants a
Bhairav leaned against a snowy boulder. The chilly air felt like little needles on his exposed cheeks. He had been trekking for hours. It was not always like this.Long ago before the ice age, Kailash was full of greenery, tropical trees, and plants. However, it changed along with several other things on Earth. At least it did not have wild animals now, only snowy emptiness.Peering through the fog he tried to ascertain his location. The Citadel would be right after the giant Shivling.Shivlings were representations of the infinite, with no beginning or end. The Shiva himself.He clutched his staff and started further.*******Rudra was waiting for Toshani at the stables. He hoped he was in the right place. She did not precisely stipulate where.A young stable boy of about 15 approached him and asked him to accompany him.Rudra nodded and followed the boy.The boy took him through a labyrinth of walkways, finally arriving at what looked like a haystack somewhere in the stable.He stopp