[A note: As human beings, we are all equal. Kindly do not persecute or discriminate against anyone and stand up against people who do so. The author does not wish to create any social/religious/political tension and respects all religions equally. Any mention of caste or religion is done to provide the background of people of the era mentioned in the story. The author would not tolerate if her work is used to insult anyone.]
Part 1 – The Webs of Politics
Around 3100 B.C.,
Moonlight swept in through the half-closed window and rested atop a board of chess. Darkness concealed in its grasps an individual. His fingers deftly grasped the 'King' and started observing the piece.
"Did the King make a move? But, no... the King moves only one step at a time. It must be the Queen", the individual commented. His voice held authority.
The winds howled and threw open the window. Another figure came into view. He was kneeling.
"Nirbhay says it was a mistake on his part. The forces await your command, My Lord", reported the kneeling-figure.
"A mistake?", said the figure crushing the piece in his hand. "Command the forces to retreat lest the Mahamantri realizes our existence."
"I will relay the orders, My Lord."
The clouds thundered in protest of the conspiracy. And the winds howled creating a tense atmosphere. Darkness loomed over Hastinapura. It was a moonless night.
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Part 2 – The Dark Clouds
Kavita gazed at her friends. The words she had uttered had astonished the group. The news was absurd, strange, improbable, unprecedented and... unreasonable. After all, why would...
"Why would Maharishi Veda Vyasa visit Hastinapura so... suddenly?", questioned Vrushali voicing everyone's thoughts. Vrushali tended to be bold and would never mince her words.
"Why can't he?", questioned Ranajay. Maharishi Vyasa was a relative of the Kurus and it should not be considered absurd if he suddenly felt the desire to meet his grandchildren.
"He had last visited 6 years ago. Surely, he must want to meet his grandchildren now that half a decade has passed", completed Kavita. She didn't agree with Ranajay but since no calamity had befallen on the Kingdom and the Royal Family, any other reason will seem improbable.
Vasusena gazed at the group and his eyes landed on Vidhvathi. She knows something...
Vidhvathi abruptly looked at him and shifted her gaze to the forest indicating that they meet and talk there. Vasusena nodded and attempted to direct the conversation to less political topic.
"Shouldn't we be practicing?", questioned Vasusena. They were charioteers-in-training who would become official charioteers in 10 years' time and not just any charioteers... charioteers to the Royal family.
Nilay and Nikat sighed. They train everyday... Vidya might assist them out of this terrible fate. They gazed at her expectantly.
"We should!", said Vidya as she gazed at Kamlesh Kaka's house oblivious that she had 'shattered' the hearts of two 'poor' souls. She remembered those red eyes clearly. From the corner of her eye she could see Nilay and Nikat deftly picking up wooden swords and muttering some inaudible words regarding how cruel the world is to them. She sighed. Sometimes she felt that she was the most mature one in the group.
Bhavani Kaki's face kept flashing in her mind. The words she had said... were they true? Vidya prayed otherwise, because if they were...
"Dark clouds are looming over Hastinapura", she whispered.
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Part 3 – Premonitions
Around 3100 B.C., a day before Vrushali's return,
A woman sat crouched in a corner of the room praying to the Lord. Her hair was tied in a bun with several grey and silver lines relaxing in between the black. Her features were sharp and she gave the impression of a strict commander. Her wrinkled face betrayed her years of experience.
She slowly opened her eyes and observed her surroundings. As she turned her dark black orbs met with cold grey ones.
She observed the girl in front of her. If not for her scar, one would say she was a divine beauty. An ethereal peace surrounded her and her eyes were sharp showing her intelligence. Vidya... She closed her eyes and abruptly opened them as if realizing something.
"Danger awaits", she muttered in a deep eerie voice.
"Bhavani Kaki, I understand that you are displeased. Nilay and Nikat did not mean to steal mangoes from your husband's yard", related Vidya... her voice pleaded to ignore the two miscreants and their crimes.
"I was not talking about the twins. Danger... it is looming around the corner. A terrible evil is waiting to be unleashed. Hastinapura, no, a Chandravanshi (Sanskrit, a descendant of Chandra) is in danger. I have seen the signs", said Bhavani violently. Her face appeared distressed and her forehead was perspiring. She glanced in fear all around the room and reclining against the wall fell down to the floor with her head in her hands.
"What do you mean?", Vidya said in a serious voice grabbing Bhavani by her shoulders. Chandravanshi meant the Kurus... the Royal Family... they were in danger? In the presence of Mahamahim? Or was Bhavani Kaki talking about someone else?
"My words... pay heed to them, child. Shadows are conspiring in the dark. My predictions are never wrong. Be careful", said Bhavani before she shrugged off Vidya's hands and left the room leaving the child to ponder by herself. A warning? But, how was Bhavani Kaki so sure of that a Chandravanshi was in peril?
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The Chapter ends here. I apologize for uploading so late but, I had to face a lot of problems recently and it was tiring. I thought that my story was not that interesting and decided to abandon it. But, then I changed my plans. So, here I am... back.
Anyways, what do you think of the chapter?
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An Endeavor to Change Destiny
Historical FictionA young girl from the Dwapara Yuga hears a part of the great Bhagavad Gita through a dream. Why was she chosen? How did she hear it? Delve in to know about the secrets, mysteries and politics that took place and how the girl used her knowledge to ch...
