After 8 years

Even though Maahishmati won the war, many of Theerthali were actually happy to live in a secular country without the bias. Some tribes accepted the new culture without any hassle but remaining fled and never returned. Drushtdumnya was worried about the remaining, he was worried that after he would be gone what would happen of Maahishmati? His son was just 13 years old, he doesn't know anything. He knew his coughs weren't result of cold but something more.

He didn't wanted to hire a Vaidya, he wanted it to come and take his life but what about his kingdom? He was in a deep thought while looking at the Manuscript in front of him when there was a knock.

"Come in Siva" he said

"What happened?"

She sat by his side.

"Why do you think something has happened?"

"I don't know, you are reading the Manuscript upside down. You are thinking aren't you? Drushtya, tell me"

Drushtdumnya looked at the Manuscript and kept it portrait and thought about Siva. He could not trust anyone more than her. She is the Rajkumari of Kuntal Rajya, the Rajya known for bravery. He took her hands in his and observed how different they were from the normal ladies. Her hands were rough, some cuts here and there but beautiful for him.

"Siva why did you stop practising Archery after being married to me?"

"Because I got busy in raising Amar and then.... that war. After that my hands felt very limp, I was standing there helpless. Everything I learnt and practiced was of no use there, you had to look at me with those pain filled eyes. (Her tone was changed) I was of no use! He died because of me, Kattavani"

"Siva, I want you to do something. Just don't ask why please, do it for me"

"I would do anything for you or for greater good but I don't like the way you sound."

"Come with me"

He took her to a field, due to sounds it was evident that it was a practice arena. Where all the soldiers practice their strokes and moves. Their was silence after they went but the curtain was moved aside by Kaiki, who heard it all, she didn't want Maahishmati to grow or enhance their alliances. She was here with Sunandi and Kattavani's baby Rudrakshini, she could never accept their defeat. She would avenge!

...

"Hey, can I play with you?" He asked

"No, you are not supposed to play with us."

"Why not?"

"Umm... don't tell anyone but my mom says that we are not supposed to befriend or talk to Royalties" she hissed

"... but I have no one to play"

Manikanta smiled over Amar's plea and stopped Rudra from saying any further. Even though they weren't allowed to play with Amar, he really had no one to play. There were children who would come to play in their kingdom from other kingdoms but not yet because all of them were 2 or more years younger. So, Manikantha persuaded Rudra to let him play with them. Rudra was afraid of her mother, if she got to know she'll beat her but she wanted to play, she wanted to win every game.

Game wasn't just a word for her, it was her passion. She would learn every even if it took it months for her to learn. She was tired of defeating Mani so many times so she wanted a new opponent and now she had found a new opponent, Amarendra.

"Let's"

...

"Does it hurt Siva?" Drushtya asked

"Not much, it's been years since I've touched my sword. It's good to start everything all over again"

"I know, with each day going I want you to be better each day." He said smiling very brightly

Sivadurga gave him a small smile but she was worried about why out of nowhere he wants her to learn all of this? She didn't wanted to make him worried about this so she gave him space. She looked outside at Amarendra playing with Rudrakshini and Manikantha, she smiled. She liked her a lot because she never said no to learn anything, whenever she looked at her she could see her childhood when she was interested to play everything, try everything.

The only person she was worried about was Sunandi, her mother. The day Drushtdumnya reasoned with Sunandi and brought her with her baby, Siva felt very protective about the baby because Kattavani saved her and Amar's life. She took Rudra as her own but she was always doubtful about Sunandi, they didn't look alike a bit.

Drushtya would always mention another lady standing with them, who went inside the hut when he mentioned they won over Theerthali. Who looked more like the baby but when the chariot was kept ready that women didn't came only Sunandi and her baby did. Siva cleared her thoughts and went to call all of them inside as it was getting darker.

...

"Ha ha ha ha, my stomach is hurting by laughing so hard. Mani stop it!" Rudra laughed

Amar noticed her shoulders shaking with loud laughters, he also made jokes but she wasn't laughing on them she just smiled. He would feel left out because what both of them talked about he never knew it. About soldier's story, seller's market or things and events about the common crowd. Rudra and Mani would go on gossiping about it and Amar would smile or nod.

He had to keep up with them because he had no one, till now he would just do horse riding or go with soldiers to different places. Now he felt it necessary to be with people his age, doing things he should be doing. He had always watched them play in the garden outside the palace but he was always led to another garden by the Senapati, Brahma. He would look at them and laugh but never let Amar to join them but today Amar escaped him and played with them.

"Amar! What are you doing with these?" Brahma said in a disgusting way

"I was playing with them, they are my friends"

Rudra and Mani both gasped, they knew Raja and Rani were never biased but without them knowing all the other people in the kingdom behaved badly with Tribe Descendents.

"Amar, come with me. Your mother is calling you" Brahma said

Rudra and Mani glanced at each other. Rudra was worried about Amar, she didn't wanted him to get scolded because of her and Mani. She wanted to intervene but then Brahma turned around and spoke in a voice that only they could hear.

"Your Junglee mother would be informed about this!"

Her heart sank and her earlier wounds burned more.

***
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