The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

The Headless Horseman

Ram never thought that Ravan wouldn't be able to see them. He was just counting down the hours they had before Ravan did see them. As far as he thought, it wouldn't be long. Ravan's palace was positioned relatively high, as if to show his superiority over all other beings. Even if it had been that size though, Mount Suvela was still relatively hidden away from the rest of the mountains and the palace and even the city. It took a keen eye and a knowledge of the topography to be able to spot it.

But Ravan had something else in his helm-a viewing balcony. Ravan had a viewing balcony, Vibhishan told Ram, one of the highest viewing towers in the world. He would be able to survey absolutely everything from that balcony. He could see the borders of his land, he could see all the mountains. He could see his gardens, keep an eye on them. He could keep an eye on his demon army, and he would be able to see if the entire monkey population of the world gathered on his land to wage war-especially if he was expecting it.

"What we need to do, Prabhu Shri Ram, is prepare." Vibhishan began, his voice sounding tired and slightly exhausted. Though he was a devotee, and he would never leave Ram's side, especially if it was asylum offered to him, Vibhishan had grown up and lived the large majority of his life in the palace, with comforts and luxuries, as well as his own side house, being treated and waited upon. Ram noticed this undertone, but did not mention it, much to Vibhishan's relief.

"I agree with Raja Vibhishan," Hanuman began eagerly. "I think we should prepare as much as possible! Ravan will certainly see us, but he won't gain anything from it. We aren't practicing secret tactics, are we? Besides, he must already know that we're somewhere on his land, he just isn't sure where. In addition, our army is currently ready to fight. No more leisure time for them, especially after yesterday. They saw one of their own die without even getting the chance to fight for you, and it's made them ashamed."

Ram nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "The only problem is, " he began thoughtfully. "We do not have much flat land here to practice. We are assembled on a mountain, aren't we? So how will we train? All we can do is march in place, Hanuman, not much else." He sighed, but shook his head. "Nonetheless, if that is what we have to do-let us march in place! I'll teach, and they shall remember the tactics!"

Hanuman nodded along as Angad crossed his arms determinedly. Sugriv picked up his mace, eyes narrowed. "Alright, currently we have many good vanars, but our main generals are visible. They are Sugriv, Raja of the vanar sena, Hanuman, mighty and powerful, Angad, Yuvraj and powerful, and Nal and Neel, both of whom have a great amount of power as well. You will lead our army into battle, you and no one else. We'll set up camp once the war starts around Lanka, and medicine tents and all. Once the more powerful enemies come up-such as Ravan's son Meghnath, perhaps some of his other sons as Atikaya and Narantak, then Lakshman or I will go out. Otherwise, we shall stay near to the army using arrows."

Among the mutterings and murmurings, surrounding the single lamp that they had lit, the sun disappeared into the edge of the sea once more, almost clumsily, slowly, as if regretting its own decision. But the speaking didn't stop, not when the army fell asleep after a day of practicing and being ordered around, not after Ram's eyes started to droop, but he quickly blinked them back open again, and not after the lamp finally went out with a gust of wind. Only one more sunrise, and one more sunset.

-----O-----

"They've got some nerve, those monkeys." Indrajit spat out through gritting his teeth together. "Those monkeys and those two hermits, sending you, Ravan of Lanka, offensive letters. How dare they-those-those imbeciles! Uncultured pieces of swine! They should rot in the Underworld! All of them!" Indrajit wrapped his hands around his throne so tightly that his hand started to slowly drip dark red blood.