Satpal awkwardly cleared his throat a few times as he stood watching the trio, asleep under the tree. Raja-sa lay on the ground with an arm flung across his eyes, Harinakshi Bai-sa huddled against the tree in a sitting position with the odhani drawn tightly over her head and part of her face, and Shera wedged between the two – his head resting partly on his paws and partly against Raja-sa's thighs.

Dawn was on its way and the sky was no longer inky. Down in the camp, there was already some movement.

"Raja-sa..." the guard timidly called out. But Shera was the first to react and woofed loudly, startling Hari, who let out a loud gasp. Vayu squinted, opening just one eye, til the unfamiliar surroundings registered.

After shushing the dog, he addressed Satpal "When did Shera come up here?"

Not wanting to admit that he had dozed off while he was supposed to be guarding Harinakshi, Satpal mumbled "Just a while back... before the birds started flying on the horizon." And then rambled on "It will be soon light. I have been up here all night and haven't sent any word to the camp. They will be worried if you are missing..."

Vayu hummed and absentmindedly scratched behind Shera's ears, who immediately moved to rest his head atop his person's stomach for allow for easier access.

Still a little groggy, smiling slightly Hari instinctively reached out her hand to run it through Shera's abundant, luscious fur.

But the dog immediately growled, forcing her to snatch away her hand. The tiny smile from a moment before was replaced by an annoyed glare and she drew to her feet mumbling "What's his problem?! Can't he recognise a loving touch? I am heading down."

Vayu remarked in a teasing tone "I promise, I won't bark or bite if you choose to lovingly ruffle my hair."

As she walked away with a roll of her eyes, she heard him chuckling softly and then calling out "Satpal, accompany her to the camp and let Amiraj know that I will be down shortly."

Bringing himself to a sitting position, Vayu soaked in the early morning sights and sounds. The sky on the horizon had the slightest hues of orange and pink. But the rest of the landscape was still shrouded in darkness, making all the mountains and cliff appear more ragged at this time of the day.

Artificially planted and manicured gardens might look beautiful at a first glance, but he felt they lacked the ability to draw one back to themselves again and again. For everything they had to offer was already meticulously displayed to its best advantage.

This is what really resonated with him. The natural beauty of the wilderness. The seemingly chaotic overgrowths, the uneven ground, the creepers growing where they could in search of sunlight. The not knowing what could be lying underneath the dense shrubs, or even deeper in the burrows underground, or which birds are made their homes in the heavy foliage covering some ancient evergreen. So many unknown delights awaiting discovery!

Few birds had started flying overhead and watching them Vayu thought of Hanuman. He smiled recalling her reaction when he had alluded to the probable reason why she had chosen that name for the bird.

And then his eyes narrowed thinking about the rest of their conversation. For the first time, she had shared things that truly mattered to her. Spoken of people and circumstances that had played a part in moulding her into the woman she had become. And more importantly, it had given him a glimpse of the jaded view that she held of the world and the men in it.

He wasn't oblivious to the realities of life, the inherent selfishness, or thirst for power in humans. And yet, he had led a much more sheltered and privileged life compared to hers. Yes, he had gone into battle and faced the enemy many times, but at least he had been well equipped with the required weapons and training.

He hadn't figured out if she was born in that world or circumstances had pushed her into it. But nonetheless the challenges must have been immense.

Vayu quietly marvelled at the discovery of how instead of letting all those pressures break her, she had chosen to morph into a diamond. For yes, she was a diamond. Maybe a little rough and uncut, whose value was not easily recognised by the untrained eye. But a diamond, nonetheless. And whenever he spent time with her, a new facet was revealed.

Even if I had not truly recognised her value while in the kotha, Chandrika Bai knew it well. So, why did she send her to me for a few paltry pieces of silver? And with all the gifts to top it??

A voice in his head boomed – Because she was entrusting her treasure to you for safekeeping.

Was it all payment to keep her safe?! The thought startled him and occupied his mind for some time.

He wasn't sure what had led Chandrika to believe that he was the right person to shoulder this responsibility but knew that he was already committed to it.

But how do you safeguard someone who views safety as a prison? It was clear from their a-goat's-right-to-freedom discussion of the previous night that she considered herself shackled to him. And while he had magnanimously asked her if she wished to be set free, Vayu wondered if he could fulfil that wish, if she were to really choose it.

Does she not feel anything for me? At all?? Does her sharing her thoughts with me last night mean her heart is slowly opening to me???

Though unable to fathom her feeling for him, he was resolved to focus on some new tasks he had set for himself.

Hearing a rustle in the bushes, Shera started barking and then ran off to chase what turned out to be a rabbit. Vayu too sprang to his feet, ready to return to all the other responsibilities that he had been shouldering for long now.

By the time Hari walked into the camp, most of the occupants were up for the day. Kanta rushed to her looking aghast "Where were you?! I was just going to Amiraj-sa to ask if Satpal was back."

Before Hari could reply, Satpal ambled in behind her and grumbled "How could I come back when she refused to come down..."

Looking horrified, Kanta demanded "You stayed up on the hill all night?! Hari, how can you be so careless? What if someone or something had done something to you... Bai-sa will kill me!" Turning to Satpal, she continued "And Raja-sa will probably kill you too! Why didn't you insist that-"

Yawning, Satpal interjected "Don't worry! Raja-sa too spent the night with her up there. And now, I am going to get some rest!"

Eyes widening, Kanta addressed Hari "You spent your first night with him in the open?! On top of a hill?? Hey Bhagwan... what is this madness?!"

"Stop spouting nonsense! How can you even imagine something like that?! We just talked." Hari retorted and headed towards her tent.

Kanta stood staring at her back – A young man and woman... just talked all night?? How can that be?! No... she is probably just being shy...

But then deciding a shy Harinakshi was an even more unlikely phenomenon, Kanta just stood feeling perplexed.

But Kanta wasn't the only one in the camp found it hard to believe that nothing else had transpired between the young couple on the hill the night before. Few people in the vicinity tried to supress their smiles as some knowing looks were exchanged.

Krushanu too stood at a distance, gazing at the entrance to the camp till he spotted Vayu and Shera entering.

Shera was with him? Krushanu instinctively relaxed. If Shera was with him, there is no chance anyone could have got anywhere close to Vayu. That dog is more possessive of Vayu than a wife!

After spending few minutes with Kamal as he pointed out the slight change in colour of Hanuman's fuzzy growth and watching him devour two worms, Harinakshi retired to her tent.

* * *

A few hours and a nap later, when she stepped out of her tent, Hari noticed Krushanu huddled with some men near few horses which were being readied to ride away.

Vayu was conversing with Amiraj who was reading to him from a scroll. He was dressed in a beige dhoti, maroon kurta, and a beige turban. The kurta and turban were sparsely embroidered and decorated with some pearls. He also wore a string of pearls around his neck, and a sword in a decorative sheath hung by his side.

Today, he looked more like a King than he usually did.

Recalling the remarks she had made to him about his usual choice of attire just the night before, Hari wondered – Did he take my words so seriously?! Has he dressed up for me? But then shook her head trying to dismiss the absurd notion.

Nonetheless, she couldn't stop her gaze from repeatedly wandering in his direction as she headed towards Devrat, who was busy measuring out some powders.

"Khamma Ghani, Vaidya-sa. Can I help with something?" she asked. After peering at her for few moments, the older man nodded approvingly "You look better now. The colour is back in your cheeks. Give me some time to finish measuring things. I will call you when I bring out the new batch of roots to be ground."

Agreeing to come by later, Hari approached the man who was busy grooming the horses "Isn't Shardul back at the camp yet? I though he was supposed to join us here..." The man nodded "He returned to the camp last night but had gone out this morning for some chores." She responded "Okay, then I will help you for some time. Are you still to brush this one? Or should I start on the brown mare?"

She had been silently working on the brown mare for about ten minutes when Vayu approached her "Did you get some rest?" When she confirmed that she had, he informed her "I am going to Amardeep-sa's haveli. It will probably be late evening when I return."

Not sure why he was suddenly sharing this with her, she muttered sounding perplexed "So, why are you telling me?"

Eyes twinkling with mirth, he lowered his voice "I letting you know, so that you don't complain that I get to wander off without informing anyone."

She huffed "I did not complain about your freedom, just about the lack of mine!"

"Well, feel free to explore the marketplace in Umbrali. I am sure you will find it amusing. Just take your guards with you." He responded.

"I don't need anything right now..." she muttered in reply.

He shrugged "You can go whenever you wish to while we are camped here."

As he walked away, he grinned over his shoulder "And don't forget to tell our little Hamunan that I shall bring him the best worms out there!" She squeezed her eyes in embarrassment.

For Harinakshi, the day passed away working with the animals and helping Devrat grind some medicinal powders. At one point when she was assisting Vaidya-sa, a solider had arrived seeking treatment for a wound on his arm that he had got during the sword practice. She listened Devrat instruct Madho to fetch some leaves from a nearby shrub, and then attentively watched as he ground them to a paste and added some of the powders from his box of medicines.

Having learnt that she wasn't the type to get queasy at the sight of some blood, Devrat let her observe as he cleaned the wound, applied the medicinal paste, and advised the soldier how to care for it.

Shardul was out for the most of day. But when he returned, they sat chatting for some time while he shared some news of his time away from the camp.

That evening, Bhiku kaka again planned to make a special meal of Gatte ka Pulao. While Kanta helped him with the more important task of frying the Gatte, Harinakshi was deputed with the task of chopping cucumbers for the raita. Kamal assisted them by fetching and cleaning the ingredients as required, while Hanuman's nest was set close by where everyone could easily keep an eye on him.

When she inadvertently started cooing at the bird, Hari stopped abruptly recalling his teasing. And then grumbled internally - Why did he have to spoil even this for me?? No, I won't let him! I will talk to the bird all I want. And talking to Kali, Suraj or Balaram does not make me their mother!

Suddenly, she addressed the cook "Bhiku kaka, how is it that you never cook anything different for Raja-sa in the evenings? You always serve him whatever is cooked for everyone. Does he not expect an elaborate meal as a king?"

Bhikaji nodded approvingly "He is very particular in that matter. Says he wants the men to know that he is one of them." Then he chuckled softly "We all joke that after travelling with the army for years, he has lost the ability to enjoy good food!"

"Does he spend a lot of time on the road then?" she asked inquisitively. The older man nodded "Yes... he likes to lead the men on the field."

Hari frowned "So, who looks after the affairs of the court in his absence?" Bhikaji shrugged "Rajmata-sa... and of course Raja-sa's Kaka-sa."

"Harinakshi jiji! Look Hanuman is trying to flap his wings! Do you think he will fly soon?" Kamal pulled her to the nest.

As darkness fell over the camp, the occupants enjoyed the meal. And then they engaged in some music and dancing around the fire. The two women of course just watched from a distance.

Sometime later, Kamal approached Harinakshi and requested for a story. As she indulged his fancy, some of the other soldiers gathered around too and listened nostalgically, missing their own children. A few requests were made, and Hari did her best to fulfil them.

Raja-sa and his ensemble had not returned even when it was time to retire for the night. Glancing at the moon overhead, Harinakshi rolled her eyes – Apparently, it's still not late evening!

* * *

It was about mid-morning the next day, and the women was hanging out some washing when Satpal informed Harinakshi that she had been summoned to Raja-sa's tent. Kanta immediately shooed her away insisting she would finish the task.

Though the guard outside his tent bowed indicating she was expected, Harinakshi stopped "Please announce my arrival to Raja-sa." When the guard conveyed to the king "Bai-sa is here." Vayu countered "Why are you telling me? Send her inside." The guard bowed "She insisted on announcing her first."

So, she is still upset over the last visit here... Vayu dismissed the guard "Tell her, she has been announced."

As she entered the tent, she glanced around. His tent was much bigger than the one she shared with Kanta. Though not cluttered with any ostentatious decorations, it was probably the only tent in the camp with some real furniture. A teak-wood bed was placed to one side and two large wooden chests on the another. A table with couple of chairs sat almost in the centre. The insides of the tent were decorated with the flag and emblem of Sudhagadh. The orange rising sun declared that the royals of Sudhagadh claimed a kinship with the Suryavanshi dynasty.

Vayu observed her taking stock of the surrounding. She was wearing a maroon lehenga – the same one she had worn that day by the stream, when feeling perturbed he had pulled her into his arms. His lips curved slightly at one end, wondering at the coincidence.

When her eyes settled on him, occupying one of the chairs, Harinakshi realised that he was alone. Not even Shera??

When she greeted "Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa.", he nodded "Come inside."

Approaching the table, she noticed that it was scattered with many scrolls - maps and letters, a beautiful quill and closed brass inkpot.

Not sure what to do next, she stood unconsciously fidgeting with her odhani for a bit before asking "You called for me?" When he just hummed in response, staring at her with an unreadable look in his eyes, Hari thought – Surely, he couldn't have summoned me here just to stare at me! Then why??

Unable to think of a plausible reason, she chattered "Did you bring back any worms for our... I mean... Kamal's Hanuman? It's okay if you haven't... Bhiku kaka said he will get some when he goes to the market next."

Standing up, he took a step closer and asked, "Why aren't you wearing the nose-pin I got you?"

Dressed in his black dhoti-kurta and a red stole tied at the waist, hair once again tied back by piece of sting, he looked rather intimidating. The tiger nail hanging around his neck gleamed menacingly.

Taken back by his completely unexpected question, she blinked and then fumbled "I... did not... think to wear it..."

He took another step closer "That I can see. Did you not like it?"

She instinctively took a step back, but this time gathering her thoughts replied steadily "It's nice, as I said that day. I just didn't think of changing the one I always wear."

As Vayu deliberately and very slowly ran his gaze over her, Hari quivered with a mix of exasperation and some foreign feelings.

When he slowly reached out to tilt her chin upwards, eyes widening she demanded "What... are you doing?!"

Smirking, he leaned closer "What do you think??" and then added after a small pause "Is this not welcome?"

Taking back a few steps till she felt the back her legs press against the frame of his bed, she hissed "Not at all!"

He advanced, quirking a brow, "Really?? Are you sure?"

"Of course, I am sure!" bringing her hands between them, Hari tried to push him away.

But before she could understand how it happened, she felt him flip her on the bed. Though he had ensured she was not hurt during the landing, she felt breathless and more scared than she wanted to let on.

Ignoring her infuriated "Raja-sa, stop!", the next moment he lowered himself onto the bed. His body hovering over hers, he pinned her arms to the mattress.

"Have you no shame?! Is this how you respectfully treat a woman?!" her outrage grew by the second as she struggled to pull her arms free.

When he did not answer, she sneered "I had thought, you would at least pretend that my consent mattered. That you would make at least some show of being considerate of my wishes!"

As her breathing quickened, his eyes were drawn to her heaving bosom. For a fleeting moment, his mind blanked and the plan was forgotten. A primal need pulsated in his heart, urging him to lower himself closer to her, to crush her softness with the hard planes of his chest. The pull that he had experienced since the moment he had laid eyes on her in the kotha, had only grown stronger over the last few weeks. Staying away was no less than a torture. And he so wanted to end it, that very second!

But that's not why she is here! He reminded himself sharply, and in just the nick of time.

After taking a moment to gather his thoughts and calm his heartbeats, Vayu lowered himself some more and moved closer to her right ear.

Hari bit on her trembling lips, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hearing her beg. A part of her heart, which had unknowingly started building some hopes, started crumbling.

Vayu whispered hoarsely against her ear "You don't want this. Yet, you are trapped under me. And neither of us is dead."

After giving his words a few moments to sink in, as she struggled to make some sense of them, he added "Don't worry. I am going to get up now. And no need to react now, okay?"

Letting go of her arms, he pushed himself off the bed.

Immediately scrambling off the bed, she tried to move towards the exit. But he obstructed her way "Wait. That was just the beginning of your lessons."

"What lesson?? That you are all powerful and can force yourself on me?!" Her eyes were once again flashing with rage.

"No... it was just to show you that as much as your words and sentiments are admirable... they are useless. They will not save you if someone stronger tries to force his will on you." Noting she still hadn't quite connected the dots, he elaborated "The other night, on the hill, you said you will kill either the other person or yourself before allowing them to degrade you. And yet, you couldn't do a thing to stop me."

As her face drained of colour acknowledging the truth in words, his voice softened "Just a firm resolve, and few angry words aren't enough. First, you must learn to truly fight."

Fetching a small dagger from one of the chests, he held it out to her "I am not shrugging my duty to protect you. But you should be able to protect yourself. Learn to use this. It is small enough to hide on your person but will prove deadly if the need arises."

Sensing her uncertainty, he unsheathed the dagger and cajoled her "Hold it firmly." Then bringing her hand close to his neck and positioning the dagger near his jugular, he continued "The blade might seem thin, but it can slice through the flesh very effectively. All you need to learn is how to make the most of the element of surprise and deliver one quick strike here. Trying to overcome your enemy with physical strength might not be the most effective option for you in most cases. So, figure out what can be your strength."

Sheathing the dagger, he let go of her hand.

Then pointing at his Adams apple, he went on "If you don't have access to a weapon, delivering just one swift and hard blow here with a stiff palm or an elbow is guaranteed to incapacitate your attacker for at least a short while."

He continued, as she tried to wrap her head around his words, "Remember, if your oppressor has already made up his mind to take advantage of you, your words of anger or accusations are highly unlikely to change his mind. If you choose to use them, use your words only as a distraction while you figure out the best way to attack him. And forget compassion. If he is willing to hurt you, you are entitled to fight back as you can. Bear in mind, you will probably get just one good shot at catching him off-guard. You must make it count! Do you understand??"

When she stiffly nodded, he spoke with a determined look "Come, I am going to ask Amiraj to assign you a trainer. Set aside some time for practice every day. In fact, get your Kanta to train too."

Still not happy with his approach, she demanded "Was that the only way to deliver your message? By scaring me, almost to the point of trauma??"

He was taken aback by her question.

After silently dwelling on it for a while, he replied "Please know, my intention was not to traumatize you. But unfortunately, this is the only way I have been taught. I was thrown in the lake when I was four to teach me to swim, and I was handed a sword at seven to learn to defend myself."

Then he pondered some more and added "Our bodies... or reflexes... they work differently in different situations. What I did in there, it was to show you how you are likely to react when you find yourself in a dangerous situation. What you are capable of when your instinct for survival kicks in and your body is in the fight or flight mode. It wouldn't have helped if I had just set out a task for you to showcase your ability. It wouldn't have been quite the same."

Her indignation faded away as his words sunk in.

As they stood in the entrance of the tent, she thrust her chin up. "How could you let me hold the dagger to your throat? What if I have used it on you?"

He frowned momentarily and then laughed "I admire your confidence. But, as of now, it is very ill placed! My little doe, you still have a long way to go!"

"Also, what would be the point of eliminating the person who is trying to teach the goat how to grow some claws?" Vayu shrugged before heading to find Amiraj.

As Harinakshi watched him walk away, her hand holding the dagger trembled.

Long back, another man had set out a course of education for her. Though determined to send her to fight clandestine battles on his behalf, he had not considered it necessary to teach her how to defend herself. Even being her father, Ravindra had only been focused on how it would benefit his cause. She had been deemed disposable.

Her eyes shimmered again. But this time the tears were not of rage, but of relief mingled with disbelief. My safety really matters to Raja-sa! To him, I am not disposable...

* * *

(Hi Dearies, 

Hope you enjoyed this part! What did you think of Vayu's approach to showing Hari that just words are not enough? 

I think we often set high ideals for our girls but do not equip them with the skills required to follow through. All of you please make sure that you learn some self-defence and be self-reliant. 

Take care. 

Lots of love, May)