Eldest : Karna and Pandava

10.Towards Kurukshetra

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The flags of the allied nations fluttered in the gushing wind. The site evoking a sense of both pride and anxiety within the confines of the heart that beholds it. Several kings and their loyal soldiers were here to support them; And apparently they had kept their trust on the Pandava brothers to provide them a fruit worth that support, in the form of a victory etched in the annals of history, written in the ink of righteousness.

Karna and Vrishali drove on a chariot, with Karna holding its reins. Five horses pulled the majestic chariot with great enthusiasm, their hooves patted against the hard and sturdy land of Kurukshetra.

As the dust rose and settled behind them , Radheya's thoughts swirled around his teacher. The great teacher Parashurama had once conducted a grand yagna in the land of Kurukshetra, turning it holy with his devotion. He has bestowed a blessing upon the land through the yagna that, 'whoever faced their brave death in the land of Kurukshetra would attain the heavens.'

Karna was now standing firm on the same land , where his dear Gurudev had once slaughtered many arrogant rulers with his mighty axe. The great Bhargava Parashurama has wiped the earth's surface rid of several haughty Kshatriyas , not just once but a whole 21 times back to back. The thought sent a trail of goosebumps along his being , the land wasn't just another battlefield, but the lap of defeat for the unrighteous. They had a legacy to keep, had a responsiblity to fulfill.

Bade bhaiyya!
A hand was gently placed on Karna's shoulder, who was lost in his own world since their arrival. Karna recollected himself to the present and turned to meet the curious gaze of his brother Arjuna.

Arjuna!, seems like most of the tents are already set . Only few more work remains.
Karna sighed, dragging his gaze across the vast expanse of tents, trying to make things seem normal as possible.

The new atmosphere is irking him beyond limits. He felt left out , a bleak rush of outlandishness invaded his mind. He knew nobody here; royalty was a ghettos for him since childhood. The trite pretences of respect and pompous hospitality to show-off prosperity that tagged along with the royal status, left an egregious taste about royals in his mind. He knew he shouldn't judge everyone based on a stereotypical behaviour , but he couldn't help but notice that every other royals were one way or the other - sanctimonious; with very rare exceptions like Dwarakadheesh ShreeKrishna.

Yes , things are falling into place. Your tent is set towards the west wing near to the river and amidst our tents; hope you will like it there bhaiyya!
Arjun said. He wasn't unaware of the turmoil Karna was going through, but he chose to ignore that eerie feeling along with Vrisha. Dhananjay too was feeling smothered by emotions that choked him to a state of frenzy that he desperately tried to mask with a stoicism. He was barely holding on to his dear sanity and a discussion about the said insane anxiety was the last thing he required at the time.

Karna noticed how Arjun's voice was barely above a whisper. Like he is intentionally holding back many things. But Radheya didn't commented on it as he didn't wanted to come across as presumptuous. Arjun walked away to catch upto Bheema as both were summoned for an unofficial gathering among kings and commanders.

The air was tense around Vasusena, the stomping feets of marching soldiers and the distant sound of metals, wooden planks and materials rising and settling in the process of tent making, mingled with the mid-day breeze.
A few random murmurings and hushed conversations drifted through the air. Karna's warrior senses weren't being merciful to him. Gossips about the man with a golden armor and their assumptions about his sudden appearance, perturbed him. He shook his head , a frail attempt to get rid of such thoughts and walked towards west , to find his assigned tent.
A rest was needed , the journey has been tiring even though he only had persued half the way.
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