The Battle Of Hearts A Choice Between Power And Love

Chapter 17 The Call For War And Sacrifice

Annika's POV

At night a horn was blown to gather the army and assemble them and prepare them for war. The troops of soldiers gathered in the army field behind the palace. The army general gathered the blueprints of the palace in Punjab and handed it over to my brother. Aditya stood there with the general in his royal armour. He turned his attention to me as I walked into the field. I was no longer in my lehenga - I changed it for my armour. His face morphed from the surprise of seeing me in the field to concern as he saw me dressed in the battle armour much similar to his.

"Annika what is this?" he said as he walked over to me and as he handed the prints back to the general. When he got near me, his hand wrapped around my elbow in a firm grasp and bought me to the side of the field.

"What are you doing here chotu?" he said, his voice concerned.

"The war - I am joining" I stated. That was a statement I would not go back on.

"I promised dadi maa.." I thought to myself.

"Annika, I will not take you along with me!" he said, to which I glared at him.

"That was information I was passing on to you, not that I was asking for your permission Annika!" his voice raised.

"You will not raise your voice at me bhaiyya, for now I am not only your sister but I too have responsibilities of my own to serve my country - I am the yuvrani and I made a promise to dadi maa, which I intend to keep" I firmly stated.

"Fine" he sighed, giving in to my stubborn demands.

"I won't cause trouble! I know how to fight! I have been trained and you know it Aadhi!" I said.

"I know! I am not denying that Annika! But you're my little sister too! Having you out there in the battle field is stressful for me and I would always want to protect you, even if it's out there!" he said, clearly concerned. "Fine. I'll let you there, out in the battle field - but on one condition. You must stay close to me all the time" he said.

"But I can take care of myself!" I exclaimed.

"You can, but no. You have to stay close to either me or Philip at all times - I believe he is a great swordsman!" he said resolutely. "This is so that I am sure you will be under someone's wings if not mine. Please Annika! I am compromising your safety because you wanted to join in! You have to say yes to this – or would you rather stay back with maa and dadi maa?" he said, his tone stern as he placed the condition on me.

"Fine! Whatever! As long as I get to be a part of this!" I said rather reluctantly, accepting his condition.

"What is the plan?" William asked as he walked to the side of the grounds. Philip and Amaia followed behind Aditya's shoulders, which finally relaxed as I accepted his condition, then soon stiffened again as his eyes landed on Amaia.

"What is she doing here?" he asked Philip.

"Well, she is persistent about accompanying us with the staff, as someone might need medical help" Philip explained.

"But we have the healers and the physicians, along with some staff to assist them! It's dangerous out there! We are going out for war, not a relaxing holiday!" he said, worried once more.

"But I want to come with you!" she exclaimed. Aditya stilled as he looked at her, as those words fell out of her lips. She looked back at Aadhi, shocked by her own words. I couldn't help but chuckle. Aadhi then cleared his throat, which snapped Amaia out of her little thought bubble.

"I mean, all of you are not, umm... you" she said softly, a hint of embarrassment coating her voice and words.

"Yeah, so the plan of action?" Philip asked as he patted Aditya's shoulder, as if to pull him back to reality, with a hint of warning.