Shadow and Light

11

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The Light

She came to court; I didn't think she would come here after the embarrassment she faced last time.

I couldn't believe my ears when Adwith told me about general Hirav and how he was killed, and why he was killed. Shadow killed him without second thoughts, she must have witnessed it firsthand. He disgraced the royal court with his actions.

For the first time I don't blame her, whatever she did was...correct.

I couldn't even blame her for what she did, she protected my people and for that I won't call her a criminal but a saviour.

From the corner of my eye, I could see her laughing, what is that about?

I turn my attention back to Baruna, who Is telling me what the possible solutions could be, "Your highness, in my opinion..." I blur her out, my whole attention is on her, on her smile, there was something inside me that wanted to know the reason behind that smile.

"Maharaj?" Baruna says, bringing my attention back to the matter at hand. "Y...yes, I am listening" I tell her.

"I have also devised a plan to send an indirect message to Abhira, to not underestimate us at all. I have..." "But why do you think this is going to work Baruna?" a voice interrupts her, its of Chandrabhan, her biggest rival. A smile plays on my lips, he is running against her in the elections for the Head of ministers, but the truly amusing thing was, they might seem like rivals and enemies, but they were happily married and used my court to pull each other's leg.

"No interruptions Chandrabhan, let her finish and if I think your input might be valuable, I will listen to it, right now please keep quiet" I warn him, I am not going to listen a husband wife quarrel in my court, you can do that at home.

"Apologies your highness" he says sitting back in his chair.

"Continue Baruna" I order her.

"As I was saying your highness, the river doesn't belong to one kingdom, and for the sake of our people, it would be better if we force them to stop the construction of the dam they are trying to build. We need to show off the strength of our army, because they have seemed to forget the power we hold" Baruna finishes, I nod my head in agreement, her solution is the best way we can.

"Your suggestion is admirable Baruna, but why waste the armies time by making them go to the borders just to show off in front of a kingdom which like every other kingdom knows about the power Vardhana empire holds. I don't think they have forgotten; I think they are challenging us" she speaks up. Her voice laced with amusement.

She stands up and walks up to me, "The Abhira kingdom has always tried to capture land from Vardhana, this is their new attempt" she says, confidence dripping with her every word.

"What would you suggest your highness?" Baruna questions,

"War is the last thing this kingdom needs, it might be well for the kingdom, but the people we lose, the woman who become widowed the kids who lose their fathers is a sight no one wants to see, Baruna. No need to send our men on the borders, I suggest you send me a messenger to deliver my letter to the king of Abhira. The construction of that dam will stop and also his failed attempts as they have gotten very tiring." She smirks.

"Apologies if I may sound rude your highness, but what would you write in that letter?" Baruna says, her eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"Nothing special Baruna, just..." she smirks and looks at me.

"My name"

With that she turns around and takes her leave, taking her new assistant with her.

Everyone in the court is stunned, the power that she radiated while she spoke, numbed the court men's minds.