Adharva was honestly impressed by the suggestions made by Mithraos. He has heard that the legendary warrior Eloy had made the suggestion. The fact that Mithraos could just have brushed it off and proceeded with a full on war and that he did not do so, made him have some respect for the King too.
Adharva let his brothers discuss the terms. He was not worried about them disappointing him. They never would. Even when they lost parents at a young age, his brothers have brought him up without making him feel the void, with help ofcourse. Even when they taught him the lessons in being an King and a proper man. He knew he do not follow all that they taught him, but still, what he did absorb kept him sane.
He also knew that the Chief of Warriors of Mauraye was not going to be happy about this. He was on a retreat and would be on his way back now. He had not let him know because he didn't want the man to get hurt. But he knew if the chief warrior had anything to say about it, he will be here, with the wrath of a god.
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A fortnight later, the war began. It was brutal. Eloy was in the middle of it. The Kings themselves were just watching and observing.
"Who is that?" asked Adharva eyeing Eloy who was fighting fiercely bringing down men left and right.
"That is the famed Warrior Eloy," said Dhruv, the younger brother in admiration.
"I thought I asked you to stay back behind the guards," said Adharva.
"I am not a child. I want to be a warrior like Eloy. Let me observe and learn," said Dhruv
"At the expense of our soldiers?"
At that the little one looked conflicted. But he soon got over it and looked at Adharva.
"We are at war, no matter what. This way, I can learn from the best," said
Adharva had to admit that the warrior is the finest he has ever seen.
He watched as the man swished the sword beautifully like he was dancing.
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The war stopped at night. Adharva is yet to meet Mithraos. But his warrior Eloy , he left a mark. Adharva turned to see the Malvan warrior Head.
Shikhar is the head of the warriors and army and Adharva respected and loved him like his own brothers.
"Your highness, this war will be destructive. If this goes on, both Kingdoms will destroy their own economies and will fall prey to the other Kings waiting for a sign of weakness," said Shikhar.
Adharva was silent.
"I have seen the warrior Eloy in battle now and as the head of the army, I can assure you that at the end of the war, only the warriors and the Emperors will remain," said Shikhar.
Rishi was at the door. Shikhar looked down at the ground then. Adharva snorted inside at the by play. He had been seeing it since he was ten.
"I agree with the head warrior. We would fight by your side, Adharva. But we should think about our people. I am sure King Mithraos is thinking about the same too," said Rishi.
"I also feel that I should take lead because we need the head warrior here at the palace?" said Rishi.
"Does it mean that you no longer trust in my abilities," asked Shikhar , eyes still down.
"That was not what I meant. You would be a better asset here if we loose ground. To protect the family," said Rishi.
"You underestimate Samarth then. And we both know that was not what you meant. Do you want me guard the door to the royal kitchen, your highness?" asked Shikhar.
Rishi glared at Shikhar.
"I want to see you in my chambers Shikhar. Before that try and knock some sense into this child," said Rishi and stormed out.
Shikhar looked on and then looked back at Adharva.
"He is worried," said Shikhar.
"I know," said Adharva. And he also knew that Shikhar was more worried about him than about what will happen at the war.
"We will all be fine, Apaa," said Adharva. Shikhar smiled at the moniker. Adharva was 6 when he started calling him apaa , a mix of mother, father and angel in the native tongue when he used to carry him around.
He let go off his officious stance and came forward and ruffled his hair.
"I expect you to be very observant and decide. I was not here when you decided to wage a war or it would not have happened. Proves the theory that I can't leave you four alone for any amount of time with that foolish ministers," said Shikhar.
Adharva did not say anything. He looked down in obedience. Shikhar dropped a kiss on Adharva's head and wished him a good night and reached the door.
"If I hear about another whore ever in the palace, Adharva, I will be sure to embarrass you with all your childhood stories being circulated across the Kingdom and beyond and to your future husband," said Shikhar, looking at him warningly and in fond exasperation and left.
Adharva knew he was lucky. Even though he lost his parents, he had everything. Almost.
___
Shikhar reached Rishi's quarters.
"Your highness, what did you want to talk about?" asked Shikhar.
Rishi glared at him.
"This is a dangerous war, Warrior Shikhar. You were away and there was no need to run back," said Rishi.
"One would think that an empire would need it's chief warrior now," said Shikhar.
"My kids need you," said Rishi.
"Were you looking for a sacrificial play and me being left with the kids and then patch them all back up?" sneered Shikhar.
Rishi looked down.
"Your head is not supposed to be lowered, your highness," said Shikhar.
Rishi did not look up.
"Would it be so bad if I wanted exactly that?" asked Rishi.
Shikhar did not say anything for a moment.
"Foolishness do not become you, my highness," said Shikhar looking down.
Rishi almost smiled , his face still looking down. When Shikhar called him My highness was the only time he was trying to comfort him without seeming awkward. It was also the only time he acknowledges the past.
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Eloy watched amused as Mithraos and Adharva rolled on the ground. The cover is that they are fighting and the winner comes out the best warrior. Eloy knows it is to entertain him because their little prince had been playing a war victory dance on his kidneys. He is also getting horny. These men were weird and Eloy knows it is a sort of foreplay. He is also weird because he likes it. Both joined him soon and wrapped their arms around him. Little Aeneas was crawling on the floor next to them and all three uncles watched. Aeneas's eyes were fixed on the little bundle Dhruv was holding against his chest, showing the baby off to Aeneas. Ekalavya and Samarth's son Daven, named after Samarth's father Davenor is now one month and ten days old. Daven was watching with wide eyes as his older brother crawled near him. Samarth sat there leaning on Rishi and Shikhar who were both smiling. Ekalavya himself was sitting next to Rishi, occasionally talking about some of the law and order issues. Ya
Eloy was overseeing the preparations in the kitchen. He loved spending time with the cooks and learning new things sometimes. He also spent time training with his husbands who never challenge him. He thinks it is amusing because the men think they will lose to him. He has more belief in them. He went over and checked the pie. The smell became too much and he rushed out with a need to vomit. He vomited in the garden and his husbands who were in a meeting with councilors in the outdoors saw him and ran over. They held him and Mithraos rubbed his back as Adharva ordered for water and healer. "I am fine, really. Stop fussing over me," he said gently even as he leaned back against Mithraos. Adharva wiped the sweat off his face and they took him to the nearest room. He let them lay him down and was exasperated as both sat next to him. Mithraos took the handheld fan from the maids and waved it himself. Adharva made him wash his mouth and drink some water. The healers arrived soon after tha
Rishi smiled as he helped Shikhar lean on him. Then, Shikhar moved his tunic and let their son latch on. Both men looked at each other in awe. " You are magnificent. I have no words to describe what you did today," said Rishi, his eyes still damp."Don't cry. Your highness, I can be magnificent only for a magnificent man. And you are magnificent, magical even."I can only hope that you never realise I am just a common- ordinary man," said Rishi. "You are foolish sometimes, but it is foolishness born out of love and I can only adore it. When not foolish, you are magnificent and even in your foolishness you are my knight in shining armor. My highness, we finally have this- everything," said Shikhar with a smile. "We do and I must thank you for everything. Every moment of happiness in my life, love, I owe it to you," said Rishi. "And I you," said Shikhar."I love you," said Rishi."I love you too, Rishi," said Shikhar."We must name him," said Shikhar after a silence that stretched o
Dhruv smiled as he chased the calves across the grazing land. It was early morning and he was in the cow pasture of the palace. He love the animals here. Yagni knew where to find him when he gets back from early trainings. Sure enough, his husband stood there with a smile. Dhruv felt himself blush. That rarely happens but Yagni can make him go all shy with a look. Yagni embraced him, not minding that the staff were watching. "All sweaty," said Dhruv, pressing a kiss to his cheek."I can always go bath," smirked Yagni."Don't you dare," said Dhruv and brought the man's arms around him as they stood and watched the cows graze. ----------Ekalavya stirred first. Samarth was asleep in his arms. He bent down and pressed a kiss to Samarth's forehead. He opened his eyes and Ekalavya watched as his beautiful face split into a grin. Samarth looked at his stomach which now houses the heir to Karivaayi throne. Their child. "I never thought I would have any of this till the day my father ask
When Eloy was finally awake, it was morning next day and the emperors sat by his side. Eloy gave them a small smile. "I am fine. See, there is nothing wrong," said Eloy. Both men just returned the smile and couldn't stop the tears. Eloy comforted them and asked the men to join him in the bed and they did so without question. "Does Thaveri still stand?" asked Eloy teasing them both."They should feel lucky that we are not burning them down yet," said Mithraos. "We can't do thinks like that. No matter how angry we are, diplomacy is key in such a matter or the enemies will unite," said Eloy gently. Adharva then told him about what was done to the attackers and the message sent to them. They decided to wait till Shikhar gives birth before moving an inch on the issue. They did not want to trigger anything. They planned to send Shikhar, the baby and Rishi to Karivaayis before making a move. ----------------Eloy smiled as he looked at his husbands. Both were asleep. He wiggled out of
Samarth stood gazing out onto nothing in his garden. Yes, his garden. That is what Ekalavya calls it. He misses his family. He has made a home here with his husband with the added bonus of a father and another brother. Life was really good. But he knew he will always miss his brothers and brother in laws when away. There is no stopping it. He felt two very familiar arms wrap around him and Samarth leaned back into the familiar warmth of his husband. "Are we missing home?" asked Ekalavya wrapping him in a protective hold. "This is my home- what we are making together. I miss the other part of my family and land, yes," said Samarth with a small smile. "We will be visiting soon," said Ekalavya."I know. I just - you know I have never stayed away from them for such a long period," said Samarth.Ekalavya looked at him and wiped his eyes. Samarth froze because he did not realise that he was crying. He felt like a child at that moment and he just hugged Ekalavya tight and the hug was ret