Son of Fire, daughter of the Sun

Chapter 7: Night in the Forest

"You?! Karishma was surprised. Why did you kidnap me?"

“When I saw the sudarshana on Vasudeva’s finger, I knew that you couldn’t win. And I also understood from the expression on your face that the prospect of a wedding in Dwarka did not please you. While Duryodhana was arguing with Vasudeva, I ran after my horse, rushed over and took you away."

"And now you consider yourself a daredevil?" Karishma asked with a challenge.

"Should I be grateful to you?"

- "No. Just get married. Anyway, I kidnapped you and do not intend to let go." Karishma choked.

“For what reason?”

"You refused to accept my challenge. You did not dare to fight when I invited everyone who wanted to measure their strength. Cowardly, like others, or, even worse, showed contempt. Do you consider women as inferior beings like everyone else? Then why would I follow you?"

“But you still have no choice,” Arjuna said calmly, crouching under another low branch.

“When tomorrow at dawn we return from this forest together, no one else will claim your hand and heart."

"Are you going to attack my honor?" Karishma inquired gloomily.

Karishma deftly jumped down, shaking the leaves out of her hair. “I note that you were not very kind for the groom."

- "You too. For the bride." The absurdity of the current situation has reached its peak. Just think, thought Karisma, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra tried to make her the queen of Anga, Krishna, glorified by all, won the swayamvar, and in the end she ended up in the forest with the third of the Pandava brothers. It wasn't the time to laugh, but laughter burst out of his chest. She burst out laughing, not holding back, not embarrassed, and not trying to cover her face with her hand.

Arjuna involuntarily supported her laughter. The horse glanced apprehensively at his maddened riders, lowered his head and began to chew grass melancholy.

— "And now what?" Karishma asked laughing.

- "First you need to find a stream, then fruit. Or,” he pointed to a bow strapped to the saddle of a horse along with a quiver of arrows,

“we can shoot a pheasant or a deer for dinner."

- "I'll take care of it!"

- "Here's another! Who is the man?"

- "And who is the braggart? I'll bring the game and cook it on the fire faster than you can aim!"

“All right, let’s see who brings more game before sunset.” And at the same time find out who is the best archer. Do you want this?"

" No,” Karishma suddenly cooled down

" This is the wrong argument. I don't want to kill anyone just to prove to you that I'm a better shot. Besides, there are plenty of other things to do."

"It is necessary to have time to collect brushwood and build a fire before dark so as not to become prey to predators. I'm good at archery in the dark. And I won't sleep all night. No tiger will come close to you."

"Are you bragging again?"

- "I'm telling the truth. The great acharya Drona taught me a lot. We'll spend the night here and in the morning I'll take you to Champa. Mom and brothers are already there, so we will play the wedding without delay."

- "And when did I agree to the wedding?" Karishma frowned.

“By the way, you have not fulfilled the main condition of svayamvara". Arjuna looked at her in puzzlement.