Son of Fire, daughter of the Sun

Chapter 2: The Recalcitrant Bride

It was only a yojana to reach Hastinapur, but the sun was low on the horizon, foreshadowing the imminent onset of night, and a halt had to be arranged. The Great Bhishma would have been able to travel in the dark if he were alone, and he had done so before. However, now he had to think first of all about the royal people, whom he had to deliver intact. After sending one guard to the forest for sweet fruits, another for brushwood, and a third to the river for water, the Great Bhishma remained seated near the chariot, guarding the three frightened princesses who had been taken away from Kashi this morning. However, Only the two younger ones, Ambika and Ambalika, looked frightened. They sat huddled close to each other, looking at him with the eyes of quivering deer. The eldest, moving away from the sisters, huddled into a ball and, clasping her knees with her hands, burned him with angry eyes, like a wild beast that does not want to obey the will of the hunter. In the sparkling eyes of the elder princess, the illustrious warrior saw seething rage, but this did not surprise or upset him at all. All three girls have not said a word to him since he put them in his chariot. They refused food and water and deliberately ignored any of his suggestions and requests addressed to them.

"We will spend the night here," Bhishma said, trying to ignore the oppressive silence that had reigned after the departure of the guards.

"Tomorrow at noon we will arrive in Hastinapur, where you will be greeted with respect. You should not fear mistreatment or be afraid of the future. The daughters-in-law of the Kuru dynasty will always express only love and respect from all the inhabitants of Bharata and all members of the royal family."

Again there was no answer, but Gangeya did not expect it. He calmly began to inspect the string on the bow, checked the sword, taking it out of its scabbard. One had to be on the alert, because even at a halt at any moment an attack of robbers or rakshasas could threaten. The great Bhishma knew that he would go all night without sleep. How can one sleep when the life and honor of the future wives of Prince Vichitravirya is in his hands? He will guard the girls until dawn, and tomorrow he will bring them to the capital unharmed. The three guards returned almost simultaneously, bringing water, fruit, and firewood. Bhishma easily struck a spark from the stones, and the fire blazed, dispersing the approaching darkness and scaring away the uninvited forest guests. Spreading the fruit on a banana leaf, Gangeya handed the food to the elder princess. Swinging sharply, Amba tried to knock out the offered food from his hands, but the son of Ganga lifted the fruit leaf higher in time, and Amba's blow hit the air. The girl screamed furiously, jumped to her feet and tried to repeat the same thing, and again the fruits were out of her reach.

"I can understand your feelings towards me," Bhishma said calmly, when, after the third unsuccessful attempt, Amba stopped inflicting useless blows into the void.

"But why are you punishing the sisters?" They are hungry. They need to have dinner." His answer was an angry yell. Bhishma looked at the princess with interest. Her hair was disheveled, breaking out of her hair, her face was flushed. And the eyes... Holy Mother Ganga! Those eyes could incinerate anyone, even Agnidev himself. Great Bhishma suddenly felt a hot tingle in his chest. It spilled over the body, fogging the mind.

What happened with me?" Gangeya was surprised, trying to get rid of the unusual sensations as soon as possible. Once upon a time, he felt something similar, watching Satyavati's dancing gait from the back when she first appeared in Hastinapur, but then it passed.

"My sisters will not eat or drink from your hands!" Amba declared with hatred. Without paying the slightest attention to her words, Bhishma handed a banana leaf to the middle princess, Ambika, and softly said,

"You don't have to do the same as your elder sister. If you are hungry, take fruit and share it with your younger sister," and he nodded expressively towards Ambalika. Ambika hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took a ripe passion fruit.