LEGACY ||Indian Historical Fiction||

37|| HIGH AND MIGHTY

Majestic horns bellowed as the royal family of Swarnonnata stepped out of their palace. Chavi stood in the middle draped in a white dhoti saree. Ansh stood at the back of the crowd almost as if looking over the entire process.

The cold breeze of the days second quarter caressed Chavi's face, blowing a few stands of her loose hair to her face. Her barefeet landed against the moist soil of the land as she made her way to the River Kasturi that flowed mightily a few miles away from the palace. The subjects all stood on the sidelines all the way to the river. A shock it was to them that their princess was among them and was a commendable student under Hiranmayi.

The ice cold water of the river sent shivers up Chavi's legs as she stepped in. The rythmic chanting of the sages was heard but went distorted as she dipped her entire self in the river, standing strong against the gushing waters. She rose back up, hair sticking to her back and her forehead and her dhoti saree growing faintly transparent and hugging her toned physique.

Gaurang who stood at the back, on a heightened piece of land leaned against a tree as he watched the ritual. A playful yet content smile played on his lips. He caressed his hand along the scarlet shawl that he draped over his shoulder.

"A few days more," he spoke, "and I'll join you, my love."

"It's something that you're roaming free..." Ansh spoke as he approached Gaurang with crossed arms.

"And it's something that you forced the coronation on her."

"Forced? It's her right."

"She hates it. The royal life. She'd rather flee from her kingdom to avoid it." Gaurang said reminiscing.

"You needn't love everything you do." Ansh spoke with a bitter gulp, "you do it because you're supposed to."

"Like you?" Gaurang scoffed, "Do you enjoy war and else? Do you enjoy making hundreds suffer?"

Ansh held his gaze for a moment before looking down and rolling his shoulders back. He looked at Gaurang again and bowed.

"I shall bid you a good day." He left.

•••

"Why does your kingdom seem eerily empty?" Darsh asked Adarsh while mounted on a horse, on a cliff from where the kingdom was visible.

"It is empty, isn't it?" Adarsh said wondering.

"Anyway, through the valley it would take a quarter and two?"

"Lesser if we go through the ghats. The valley is visible from the royal chapel and our soldiers are on watch there always. Intuitively I can tell, Ansh's army is also camped there, we'll risk exposing ourselves. The ghats, however are not as revealing, we'll be more or less unnoticed."

Darsh looked at him with an impressed smile, "You know a lot about your kingdom for someone adopted. No offense."

"None taken," Adarsh smirked, "Adopted or not, my kingdom is my own."

"Maharaj." The general called, "We're set to proceed."

"Yes, Senapati-ji. Turn the army towards the ghats."

Rihit bowed to his king and turned to his army gesturing them to move towards the ghats. Darsh and Adarsh got down from their horses to

"No but why is your kingdom this calm this early in the morning?" A voice spoke beside Darsh who stood beside Adarsh. Ishani winked at the two.

Darsh pat her on the back supportively while Adarsh simply pursed his lips, resisting the smile which crept up on his face seeing Ishani in a tougher more agile clothing.