In the Wake of the War

Chapter 39

They had managed to sneak out of the Palace gates, barely missing the guards as they took their places for the next shift. Vrushali had remembered at the last moment to close the windows behind her as she got out.

"Where to, now?" She asked, wrapping the dark shawl Arjun had given her more tightly around herself.

"To the stables near the city gates." Arjun replied and they walked swiftly through the darkness of the night, making as little noise as possible.

They couldn't even risk lighting a torch lest they be seen. Fortunately, Arjun just like her Vasusen(and wasn't it ironic, making a comparison between them?) had vision sharper than that of an eagle and lead her forward by the hand, avoiding any stumbling on her part.

They got to the stables moments before the Sun rose.

As Arjun led his horse out, Vrushali gave him a look. 

"You told me my white sari would be too conspicuous. What about your huge, white horse?"

Arjun winced. "Yes, I realised that I should have brought a dark coloured one, but oh well. The Sun will start to rise soon anyway, and once Surya Dev is properly up, it shouldn't matter too much."

Vrushali rolled her eyes good naturedly as he helped her onto the saddle before climbing up in front of her.

"The stable hand won't talk, right?" She asked.

Arjun grinned. "He shouldn't, considering that he has enough gold coins that not just him but his next two generations can live comfortably."

Vrushali huffed, grabbing the saddle tightly. "I don't particularly care about bribing but.... oh well. Needs must, I suppose."

"I don't think anybody really cares much about bribing, Angarani. Unless they're on the receiving side, of course."

Pulling on the reins, Arjun urged his horse into a fast trot. 

"We don't want anyone to get suspicious about a very fine horse galloping hard through the kingdom with two riders." He told her. "We'll pick up speed the moment we cross the borders."

Vrushali's heart had been beating in a continuous nervous thrum since she had begun the perilous climb down the palace walls. Her heartbeat only kept speeding up the farther they made it towards the city gates, the fear of being discovered before they left the city becoming greater and greater.

For a moment when they reached the Citadel gates it seemed as if they might miraculously pass through without any interruption, but at the last moment, they were halted by a guard.

"Please state your reason for leaving the city for the record."

"They didn't ask that when I came in." Vrushali heard Arjun mutter under his breath before he cleared his throat and said, "We're going to meet family in a different Kingdom."

Which was the truth actually.

The guard eyed them and proceeded with, "State your name and relation for the record."

Well. Well.

It seemed that riding double on a horse definitely came with some problems. For some reason, she didn't think saying that 'Oh we became friends a few hours ago!' would work in their favour.

"Uh.. I'm Savyasachi and she is..." Arjun began and hesitated. Hesitation was not good.

(Damn that Yudhishtir for raising terrible liars even in difficult situations.)

"I'm Padmavati and he is my brother." She cut in hastily before the mild pause could become suspicious and definitely did not think about the implication of her words.