Devi and Chandra

Prologue

There is no way she's going there, Chandra decided. There's no way either of them are going there.

He took a deep breath, and unclenched his fists. Trembling with anger and adrenaline, he moved towards the portrait of his father that he had got especially made for his huge wall. I cannot believe he would do something so horrendous to her. He looked at his father right in the eyes. I don't want to disobey him or you, Father, but I can't abandon her like that either. I won't be like the Pandavas. You might've not approved of this, but Jyeshtha's actions have brought agony and insult to our entire lineage and land, Father. And above that, he has put her life and honor in danger.

As much as I hate to say it, Jyeshtha is not fit to remain king anymore.

The eerie silence of the majestic room loudened his thoughts. He was feeling quite nervous about his plan of action- Chandra had never met a Shaka, had no real-life experience with the fighting tactics of the latter. And intentionally jumping into enemy territory and fight while being surrounded by them was never a part of his battle strategies. But as his heart pounded against his chest, he realized that his regard for both the women was stronger than any fear. In the years that Chandra had known them, Devi and Vasanta remained closer to him than his own brother.

How could he let either of them be stripped of their honor and get executed by a mindless enemy?

Perhaps more unstable than Rudrasingha's mind is Jyeshtha's.

Chandra had always looked up to his elder brother. Never once had he thought negatively of him, never once had Rama treated him with disaffection. People said that their princes were almost like the legendary princes of Ayodhya, who had lived millenia ago, and had stuck together by their sheer love for one another.

What happened to Jyeshtha?

Chandra's gut was churning with disgust. And somewhere in his heart, he was feeling guilty for loathing his brother at the moment. Somewhere, he wanted to believe that all that Rama did to Devi, and to the empire, never actually happened.

Somewhere, he felt betrayed and foolish for having put all his faith all his life, in the wrong person.

Perhaps the age of Rama and Lakshmana is really gone.

Slow tears trickled down Chandra's eyes. Tears of love; of anger; of worry; of anxiety. Same action, but different emotions, for different persons.

"Prince."

Varuchi's grim voice scattered his thoughts. "The arrangements are complete. It's time, Prince."

Chandra turned around. "You are not very happy with my decison, are you?"

"I am tensed to another level, Rajakumara, and you're literally presenting yourself on a golden plate to them," he shook his head. But then a smile came across. "Still, Chandragupta, I could not be more proud of you."

Chandra snorted, and embraced his friend. "You can't imagine what kind of emotional hell I'm going through," he slapped Varuchi's back. "But your surprisingly simple words have put some strength into me."

"I don't always use fancy Sanskrit words, Your Highness," the scholar moved away, laughing. "There are times when showing off my grammar skills may cost me my head, since, you know..."

"Yeah, Varuchi. My sword gets out of control when you speak those shitty words I can't understand."

Chandra looked at the reflection of his diguise once more. He adjusted the dagger in his belt, then firmly wrapped a red muslin cloth around his waist. He then pinned a golden buckle on the knot. Devi would be enraged even more, he chuckled. I've literally copied her style, haha.

"You're good to go, Chandra. C'mon, it's getting late. You want to keep that bastard waiting?"

"Definitely not."

Praying to his aaradhya one more time, Chandra stormed out of his chambers.

I desperately need your blessings, Narayana.