The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 40|Man Hunt|

Karikalan pulled back the bowstring and aimed his bow at the bushes. Carefully adjusting it to the prey's movements. Parthibendran laid back on his horse and looked at the Prince, who was so concentrated on the job at hand.

"How many more innocent animals are you going to kill until your quench for blood is fulfilled?" Parthibendran asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "If I stay here any longer I'll melt,"

"Quiet!" Karikalan snarled. Pallavan obeyed, reluctantly. Adithan steadied his hands and took his aim again. The arrow from his bow whizzed past through the bushes, an ugly fox cry came back as the reply.

Pallavan was pretty sure Adithan drowned down two bottles of wine before coming for the hunt, but his aim said otherwise. Each and every one of his arrows had hit its mark. Maybe drinking continuously for five-six years numbs the effects of it?

Although it was the dead of noon the owls hooted for some strange reason. Parthibendran looked around, he felt something fishy going on.

"Satisfied?" Pallavan asked restlessly. Adithan shook his head and took out another arrow from his quiver. "For god's sake Ilavarase You can't just kill the entire forest,"

Karikalan dropped his head and groaned lazily. "Leave if you're going to keep lecturing me,"

"Leave you alone so that you could lunge yourself into another fire? I'm not taking any chances," Parthibendran snickered, not knowing how much it would hurt Karikalan.

Karikalan curled up his fingers. "I'll be fine without you, Leave," He ordered.

"You know what! I'm sick of babysitting you! Do what you want, I'll be waiting at the camp," Parthibendran turned back his horse and began riding away, leaving Adithan all alone in the forest.

It was a good thing for Karikalan though, now he could execute his plan without Pallavan bothering him. His plan of taking revenge and inflicting pain upon the people who are responsible for his Kanmani's death. He jumped off his horse and looked around.

"Where ever you're hiding come out and fight me like a man!' Karikalan yelled, drawing out his sword.

The bushes behind him ruffled, Karikalan tightened the grip around his sword and waited for their attack. "Are--" Before he could finish his sentence an arrow whizzed toward him and found a home deep inside his shoulder. "Shit--" Adithan grunted and stumbled back, balancing his body on the sword. He placed his hands on the arrow and plucked it out. Blood oozed out of his wound.

Before Karikalan could get onto his feet, Devaralan jumped up from the bushes and lunged at him, pinning him against a tree with an arm on his throat.

"Get off me!" Karikalan grunted struggling under Devaralan's grip. He looked around hoping to reach out for his sword.

Devaralan laughed and pulled out his dagger. "Glorious Kali! Accept our offer--" Before he could finish his sentence, Karikalan elbowed his face and freed himself from Devaralan's monkey grip. Adithan rolled to the side and coughed, catching his breath.

Devaralan sprung to his feet. "Don't keep our goddess waiting!"

A group of seven rebels came to Devaralan's aid but Adithan didn't flinch even a little.

Karikalan picked up his sword and got up to his feet. "Where's Nandini?" He asked furiously. "Did you kill her?!"

"What are you talking to him!" Varagunan shouted. "Slit his throat quickly!"

"If you want to get out of here in one piece answer my question! Where is Nandini!?" Adithan thundered. The rebels looked at each other and cracked up laughing.