The King's Shield

Chapter 36 -The Journey on Water

Varah and Bhumi had gathered their crew of sailors and a ship was readied. The children were sent to their grandmother's house which was in a nearby village.

Shiva was teary-eyed when she said her goodbyes to the children. Adhiveer felt the same. He knew the uncertainty that shadowed their future. They were preparing for a war and didn't know what the end of it was going to be.

When they packed up from the room Adhiveer stood there for a while and looked around. An unusual feeling gripped his mind, a feeling of something missing. If he were not a king, if he were a commoner, he would have had a house like this, a place which he could call home, with her. He would have thought of living a simple life, a complete family with her.

But there was no place for hesitation in his life. His duty as a king was and always would be a priority. His kingdom had been his family for as long as he could remember. Throughout his childhood and adulthood, he was looked up to as a leader and a reliable king. But meeting her had given him a chance to see beyond that persona. Beyond the walls of his palace. It had given him a sight of what the people thought about him and his reign, what he looked like to his people. A reflection of his deeds as a king, seeing his kingdom through their eyes. He had got to the core of his kingship.

He let out a sigh and walked out of the room and climbed down the stairs.

" You can tell us the truth now at least. How did you fall for a king? I cannot still wrap my mind around that thought, " he heard Bhumi's low voice." You said that his life is in danger. Who are the people who want him dead? Did you save his life? Is that why he holds you with such high regard?" She asked.

" To tell you the truth, he saved me..." Shiva's voice rang through the room. " I was lost, lost in a whirlwind of vengeance. His kindness and sensibility brought me out of the darkness. He is more than just a king; he is something more to me. He has become someone so important that I cannot fathom a life without him." Shiva said," Yes, I went to Merujaya to kill him. But now... He is... I don't have words to describe what he is to me."

His heart melted, her words bored in deep. The sincerity in her voice was enough for him. When she had agreed to go with him to the capital, his happiness knew no bounds, but the fear of losing her to the war, to the cruelty of the situation that they were in, was heavy. He had lost her once, he was not ready to face that situation again. His life was bound to her, and he wouldn't be able to forgive himself; to lose her again would be the death of him.

Shiva and Bhumi were packing food and supplies in the kitchen.

" The man with crooked fingers is the same man who wants the king dead. That man has destroyed many lives and many families. I have taken an oath to kill him with my own hands. Even if I have to lay my life to reach that goal, I won't hesitate." The ferocity in her voice was evident.

He couldn't let that happen. Bal will have to pay for his crimes. Adhiveer knew that he alone could give Shiva justice. He could not let her be reckless, he couldn't let her walk into danger. If there were a way for him to convince her to stay. He knew she was stubborn and wouldn't heed his request. And she was loyal and she wouldn't step back from the oath that she had taken.

He was helpless and it angered him.

The sails fluttered in the wind and the journey was set. After they loaded the cargo and the ship was in the waters the weight of the circumstance could be felt. Adhiveer knew that there was no looking back from here. He tried convincing her to stay back. But she didn't heed.

" My king, you are stuck with me till my last breath. Even if you don't want me I will be there with you," she said with a smile. At any other time, her refusal would have melted him, but this time, it weighed him down.