Suta's Samragini

CHAPTER 33

What! Exclaimed the queen. My sons are here. When did they arrive? Why wasn't I informed earlier? She asked surprised and amusement evident in her voice.

Messenger - they arrived earlier at dawn. They asked us not to inform you as they wanted to surprise you but before we could act the news of attack on Magadha was received. They decided to lead the defence with whatever soldiers remaining in the city. They asked us not to inform you but we couldn't do so.

So here i am.

Chandralekha whose mind was earlier agitating but had kept the facade of calmness now relaxed and turning to the crowd who were visibly shaken out of fear and were praying to the almighty that Maharaj return in nick of time.

She asked the crowd that now there is no need to worry. You all should go home and prepare for the victory celebration. Soon this Dimbak will be dealt with.

Citizen 1- but how maharani. The army is busy in another war and princes have only a handful of soldiers and they are inexperienced too. How will they manage this tough battle.

Chandralekha - the one who has to win the world should know how to overcome these kinds of smaller problems. He should know how to convert the difficult situation in his favour.

Citizens were still not convinced but they chose to follow their queen' words and they dispersed.

MEANWHILE IN THE BATTLEFIELD.

A young man with a radiance of sun on his face with a sun symbol on his forehead with tawny eyes and golden complexion was seen riding a horse all alone towards the huge swathe of the army whose end was difficult to recognize.

He stopped right in front of them and started looking from one end to the other.

Dimbak who was waiting impatiently for the response of Magadha was quite surprised to see a young man all alone came.
He became cocky and mocked
- what are you seeing kid? The no of soldiers in this army outnumbers the stone that is used to build the city of Rajgriha.

The man- no i was just calculating the quantity of logs that would be required to make the pyre of this whole army.

Dimbak- you are standing right before the death. Are you not afraid?

The man- Fear? Huh. It is in fact you who is afraid that's why you decide to take advantage of Maharaj Rudra' s absence and attacked. But don't worry this Karna will give the attack on the back with the final strike on your chest.

Dimbak- Karna ha ha ha. He started laughing hysterically. And said Karna. See i am frightened hearing your name. Don't you feel afraid? He asked the soldiers.
They started laughing too with him.

Karna just looked at them.

Its enough Karna. Now the time for childish talk is over. Get ready to die. He signalled one of his men to attack him. But before he could launch an attack . Karna threw a knife to his gut and he immediately died and next second he threw another knife at Sindhuraj who swayed out of harm' s way just in the nick of time.
He thundered at the audacity of this young man. Kill him.

a portion of the army started following him as he ran from the battlefield.

Soon he reached to their hiding spot in the jungle situated on the side of the battleground.
He asked Shaurya are you ready?

He nodded in affirmation.

But one of the soldiers expressed his doubt- Rajkumar they are huge in number. We are far less in no. Will we be able to hold them off.

Karna- i know you all are afraid. It is quite natural too. But if you think that the army that is coming behind us is like a wave ready to drown us then yeah it is true but is is als true that you all are that stone that can withstand that storm. If you can generate the courage that is in your heart then you can be that stone. So tell me are you with me to defend this soil and to colour this soil with rhe blood of our enemies.