The minister Vishwakeerthi encountered a problem. There were no empty lands available near the palace to build the 11 dwellings for the moderners.
He soon informed the emperor about this. Emperor Samudra thought for a while and asked him to renovate the old palace which had 13 rooms. And to provide each one with a room. Since it was the old palace the rooms were quite large with individual baths. The old palace also had three kitchens. It was abandoned after the death of Queen Chandramathi who was Emperor Samudra's mother. She had ascended the throne of Nishantha after the untimely death of her husband Marthanda. The current palace was much smaller and was meant to be a royal library and learning center. Samudra was just 12 years old when she passed away after a brief illness. He was devastated and converted the royal library building to a palace and started to live there. He hadn't set his foot in the old palace for the past decade.
This apathy caused the old palace t
Tanisi and her contemporaries had been training for almost 6 months now. The old palace was quite damaged hence they were still put up at the charity lodging. They had to share rooms now as needy people had started to throng the capital of the Nishantha kingdom.As a prosperous kingdom, Nishantha drew people in hordes. There were many who came in search of livelihood, better opportunites and living conditions. People usually came with the intention of staying and becoming the subjects of the kingdom. Homeless, and very poor people were provided accomodation and food at the charity lodgings. While the women and children received three full healthy meals a day, the men were fed only two meals and encouraged to find work and settle down as quickly as possible. The accomodation was provided for free if the women opted for volunteering at the household chores of the lodgings. Hence almost always they cleaned their rooms and the utensils. They also cooked. Nishantha had managed the
Through Vikas, Makaranda had known about the moderners trip. He had devised an evil plan. Unbeknownst of all this the moderners happily set out on their journey. They all reached their destination on the 20th day of leaving the Capital city.They were exhausted by the travel. But one look at the serene place they forgot their fatigue. The place was extremely beautiful. The waterfall was just the right height to act as a shower. The water that flowed was also cool and not too much or too less in volume. After falling down it continued as a stream. It was surrounded by dark rocks and green creepers and trees. The flowing of water made a pleasant soothing sound. All of the adventurers, got into the stream and some got under the waterfall and played in water. They laughed while splashing water on each other.Vikas didn't participate much and after washing himself, he simply sat on the rock. His eyes were on Tanisi. Tanisi was wearing a deep purple Antariya(Top cloth which
Vishwakeerthi was now worried. He was also the bossom friend of the Emperor. They had received their education together from the same Guru Acharya Shvethadhwaja. He tried to pursuade Samudra to drop this idea of he rescuing the captives personally. He wanted too send Balabhadra and Shourya to rescue them. Shourya was the commander-in-chief of Samudra's army. Shourya was a very brave man. He was an astute warrior. His formations were formidable and he was the right hand man of Samudra. Even though Samudra trusted Shourya and Balabhadra he couldn't leave this mission to them as he knew that the Prince of Kaingitya was directly involved this time. He wanted to deceive the Prince and make a mockery of the Kaingitya royals this time. Finally Vishwakeerthi had to oblige and make arrangements for the emancipation. Without letting anyone else know Samudra set out immediately with 100 of his men along with Shourya and Balabhadra. He also took additional clothe
He immediately looked at her to check if she was alright. He saw her full lips which were trembling. Her skin felt so soft against his. He removed the blindfold. She couldn't see properly immediately. But Samudra did. And he was spellbound. She was enchantingly beautiful. His heart missed a beat and he couldn't take his eyes off her. He didn't even blink. By the time Tanisi's eyesight adjusted to the surroundings, Samudra found his composure. He looked at her foot which had the weight tied. He was annoyed to find the metal ring locked to her ankle. How would she walk. He cannot even carry her as the weight would dig into her flesh. He wanted to remove the weight from her ankle. He made her sit down and checked the metal ring around her ankle. He looked at her and found her staring at him. He enjoyed her attention. Looking at her he asked, "I need to unlock this weight". She suddenly blinked her eyes as though coming out of a trance. Her cheeks flushed crimson when she realis
Tanisi started shivering in the cold. Samudra noticed that her uttareeya hardly provided any protection. He carefully removed his uttareeya. It was warmer and made of fine fabric. He spread the cloth around his back and pulled Tanisi into an embrace and covered her in his uttareeya as well. His body heat and the warmer cloth made Tanisi slowly fall asleep.Samudra loved the proximity. He let her sleep in his arms. He couldn't see her as it was dark but her regular breathing felt nice and he found his passion getting kindled. He smiled and suppressed his urge and fell asleep.The night was uneventful and Samudra woke up to the chirping of the birds. He saw Tanisi still sleeping with her head rested on his shoulders. He slightly brushed his cheeks against hers. Her skin was very soft. He kissed her cheek. And slowly lowered his head to kiss her neck. He could feel himself getting aroused. He stopped and looked up.He wanted to wake her up. Before he could think of
They continued to walk. Halting in between to give some rest to Tanisi. She noticed he hardly seemed tired. She had started to feel the exhaustion. But continued walking nevertheless.He found some fruits and root tubers to satisy their hunger. And soon they were thirsty. He then heard the gushing sound of flowing water. Tanisi was tired, hungry and thirsty. She was soon getting angry at nothing. Samudra signalled her to follow him. She got irritated at this and stuck her tongue out at him. Samudra was amused; "What was that for? Don't you want water?" Tanisi ignored him and started walking towards him. She saw small, bright red, berries. Immediately she ate one. It tasted delicious. Samudra saw the plant and said with a smirk, "I know you are hungry but don't eat them for your own good." Tanisi asked, "Are they poisonous?" Samudra said,"No they aren't. But I am sure you don't want their effect on you.." So saying he turned towards the water source. Tanisi snatched a wh
The next morning Samudra woke up earlier than Tanisi. He quietly removed his embrace and his uttareeya and sat up. He kept staring at her as a hungry wolf. He remembered her naked self and then closed his eyes and murmered "Lord Mrityunjaya, help me control myself around her. I am losing my self to her. Or give her to me as my wife so that I don't have to regret these days and actions of mine." As warm and bright sun rays hit her face, she stirred. Samudra quickly and quietly turned away from her. His posture was such that he was guarding instead of staring at her. Tanisi opened her eyes slowly. And saw Samudra's back towards her. She felt a kind of warmth looking at him. She had started to rely on him and trust him. He was extremely handsome. And his demeanor was affecting Tanisi. She had felt her heart flutter at his sight. She got goosebumps when he used to smile at her. She was afraid she would fall for him and was praying silently they reach the others as soon as possible. Prox
Tanisi and Samudra took rest and the rest of them prepared lunch for all of them present. They were 30 people totally. The wounded and scouts were absent. The rescued moderners were all there except Atul. He was hurt during the rescue operation and hence was taken in urgency to the capital to provide him with a Vaidya(doctor).After surviving on wild fruits and root tubers, Tanisi felt she was in heaven when she could wash her hair, take a bath, change her clothes and eat properly cooked delicious food. She silently thanked God for the provisions.They were to camp there that night and on day break they were to move to the next point. By that time more reinforcements would have come along with chariots to take those who needed rest or medical attention back.They slept peacefully with second batch of warriors guarding them at night. The next morning they woke up early and after quick washup left the place and proceeded further towards the Capital.After w