The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

Impostor

"Ram, eat a bit more now would you?" Kaikeyi asked hopefully, pushing another roti towards him. Ram swallowed, and shook his head frantically, directing her attentions towards Bharat, who collapsed.

"Oh, honestly! None of you eat!" cried Sumitra angrily, as even the twins looked full. "If you are bone-thin and unable to fight then I will be very angry, mark my words." Bharat laughed at this, shaking his head.

"Lakshman is always willing to fight. If he hasn't eaten for thirteen years, he'll still be able to defeat the worst enemies*." he said. The doors flew open with a loud bang, and a man suddenly came rushing into the room, eyes wide in alarm, and gait urgent. All chatter stopped, as they recognized his expression. Battle, war, death, imposter.

"Sir, the Dora Republic is charging on Ayodhya! 15,000 troops, half cavalry, half infantry." Dasharath paused for a second. This meant that half of their men were on horses. That was much, much more than them. Ayodhya, or rather, Kosala, was a peaceful state, and the only reason that the Dora Republic would attempt an attack was gold.

"Can we see them?" asked Bharat, standing up. Shatrughan stood up as well, but Ram just whispered with Lakshman. Dasharath shook his head.

"No, you all keep me informed through signals and messages by Bharat's parakeet. You shouldn't look at the enemy. Hide." Bharat wanted to interrupt, but at that very moment, his father looked more fierce, scarier than ever before. For the first time, the princes understood how Raja Dasharath Raghuvansh had conquered the world, brought people in awe, and made demons fearsome as Ravan run away. But, as their father walked away, Ram decided that just him wasn't enough.

Once out of earshot, Ram began to lead his brothers. "Bharat, Shatru." Ram ordered tersely. "You will be the best at planning. Bharat has a detailed eye and Shatru is good at strategizing." They nodded. Ram turned towards the third prince.

"Lakshman can keep us informed, since you are the best in recognizing battle strategies, and putting two and two together. I'll work on defense." Lakshman stood up, hand on dagger, and Bharat led them through the halls of the palace.

The pure white marble upon which they walked suddenly seemed ice cold, as if hands were about to snatch it away. No longer did the tall palace walls seem like a nuisance, stopping them from exiting, but a protection, stopping bloodthirsty enemies from entering. No longer did those windows appear just to look outside and daydream upon the trees, but to see how far the enemy had reached. However, the princes weren't about to look past simple windows.

Bharat turned left down the narrow hallway, and looking around sneakily, lifted up a hatch, into which they all crawled. The stepped into the secondary viewing area, a large, semi-circular room with spears and arrows and weapons galore, but also a large window which showed the viewer directly where the enemy was. The king did not know about this place, and Bharat had discovered after running after Shatrughan, who had dyed his hair yellow.

A table was positioned right in front of the window, with a viewing scope positioned on it, complex dials and lenses littered beside it. Gulping, and looking around for permission, which Ram gave him, Bharat peered into the scope. Gasping, he pressed his face closer against the lense, not believing his eyes.

"Not 15,000, they have 50,000 men. How, how do they have so many?" Bharat whispered, stepping away, and stumbling back, Ram catching him before he fell. All four brothers crowded around the window as Dasharath marched forward with his army. It was a magnificent sight.

The brave men of Ayodhya, sporting full battle suits, wrenched away from their families in order to defend not only the kingdom, the city, their families, but the honor of the king. Willingly ready to give away their lives upon one person's command. Looking upon their enemy with unflinching faces of resistance, loyalty in their hearts for their ruler, no fear building up in their heart for they put full trust in the abilities of their king, his ability to win, his ability to protect their family in case of their absence.