Rewriting the War (Duryodhan)

Chapter 11 - Intoxicating Fire

The next day, somehow, Sahadev had managed to convince the women to visit the village temple while I remained back due to my severe 'headache'.

Naturally, Dushala had been concerned, requesting to stay behind to provide me with company, but I quite literally kicked her out of the damn place.

"I want to grant the day off for everyone."

Yudhishthir addressed the servants of the Lakshagriha. I saw their tired faces morph into one of happiness as they went their way towards their houses in the village.

"But I just need four men and one woman to attend us, Purochana." He stated to the builder when alone.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Purochana restrained the last four men to leave and upon seeing them, I immediately felt remorse for their ill luck.

"My daughter will attend to you, Lady." He leered at me.

Whoever his daughter was, I mentally mumbled a sorry.

"Purochana, can you come to the main hall for a minute." Bheem ordered him.

"Yes, Prince." That fool immediately complied.

"When should we start the fire?" Nakul whispered to me as we followed the others.

"About in twenty minutes."

It would be perfect as the servants would have moved to the outer ring of the forest, nearing the village.

And it would take them at least half an hour to travel back even if they detected the smoke. Judging by the material it was built in, I was certain that the whole place, perhaps except the bodies, would be down to ashes by the time the help arrived.

"Sit on this chair." Arjuna commanded him and by that time, Purochana began to suspect.

"Why, Prince?" He tried to resist but Bheem pushed him down and Sahadev wasted no time in tying him to his place.

The other servants weren't able to defend much as each were tied to their respective fates.

"Dad?" A girl shouted from the entrance of the hall and upon taking in the room, she realised her dire time ahead. At once, she started to sprint and I took off behind her.

It didn't take much to catch up with her; my athletic training came in handy, and I lifted her with surprising ease.

"Please, leave me." I recognised the voice and finally looked at the girl in my arms.

"Aditi?" I exclaimed in horror.

"Haste, Amara." The voice of Arjuna reached me but I took no notice of anything except the trembling tear stained face of my maid.

"Please..." She begged but my feet dragged me to her designated chair despite my heart begging me to reconsider.

Bheem tied the final rope around her and her cries of pleas were subdued.

"I thought you were kind." Her voice seemed to taunt me. "But it was a lie." She nearly spat.

But I continued to be silent about her existence, preferring to use my time aiding the Pandavas in intoxicating the men.

"There will come a day." She cursed loudly, definitely getting under my skin. "When you would suffer like me despite doing nothing wrong."

It seemed like she had a lot in store and I made her gulp down the potent potion just so she could stop jinxing my already worrisome future.

The moment they were all inebriated, we removed the ropes and placed them in our respective rooms in order for it to appear natural.

Once done, the Pandavas took their praised possessions, their weapons, and we made it to the tunnel at the centre of the hall.

One by one, they stepped inside and I flung the match across the room.

It was quite a disturbing sight to witness first hand. The whole place lit with fire, which seemed to spread at a rapid pace.

"Come on." Bheem urged me to close the lid and I did with much difficulty at the thought of that girl getting consumed by the fire.

As we walked through the dark underground tunnel, none of us dared to speak.

The immense seriousness of what we had just committed made us grieve for different reasons.

For them, it was to leave the women of their family alone and the betrayal of their uncle.

And for me, it was the choice to kill my maid. A child of twelve.

Not that I regretted it.

But it was indeed troubling to know that I had no other way than to kill an innocent soul just to save others.