The King's Shield

Chapter 44 - The Bridge of Death

A bolt of lightning reached from her heart to her head. Her heartbeat pulsed high and strong. She wished to slice the man in half, the man who stood before her. This man, who accused the love of her life. But her feet didn't move. Her hand held the hilt of her dagger, tight, so tight that her fingers turned numb.

Each accusatory word King Vishwa said about her king was like a stab in her heart. She didn't want to believe what she had heard. This king, the man she loved so dearly, the one who had restored her faith in humanity, a kind soul, he would never dishonour a woman. He would never take advantage of anyone's vulnerability. This man, her love, was a good man, a sincere man. Doubting him would be like doubting the very frame of their love.

She took two steps closer to King Vishwa, ready to cut out his tongue, but a look from King Adhiveer stopped her. His eyes were sincere, in pain and urgent.

When King Vishwa left, the king was about to turn to her and say something, but Uncle Bhairava interrupted him.

" I have nothing to say about the accusations, my king." Bhairava said, " King Vishwa is not a man of principles or morals. But if you wish to take his daughter as your Queen. I don't have any objection nor do I have the right to question your decisi-

" How can you say this, uncle..." Adhiveer said. " Princess Ambika has lied, I ... " He stopped, shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
" All my decisions always are and will be in the favour of my kingdom and my people. It is and always will be my first priority."

" But my king, dismissing him so quickly, if you think a political alliance like this is beneficial to our kingdom then-

Adhiveer raised his hand.

Shiva felt her heart twist in pain. How could Uncle Bhairava say something like this? Although she knew that uncle was not wrong. Uncle Bhairava would always support the king and think of the betterment of the kingdom.

A long time ago, she had thought of this; her mind had thought of the possibility that the king would take a queen who matched his status, a queen who would keep the kingdom strong and also be the support that the king needed. A long time ago she had taken an oath to protect the king, her love, even if he didn't give their relationship a name, even if he would take another as his queen. She would unquestionably stand for him because her love for him was greater than her own happiness and her duty towards him was greater than her own wishes or desires.

The thought of him with someone else was painful, painful enough for her to take death instead of a life without him, but King Adhiveer was first a king, then he was the man she loved.
In the years that she had known him, she knew that he was disciplined steadfast and focused. A true king.

Shiva put down her head and was going to exit the tent but then one of the soldiers hurriedly entered the tent.

" My king, a few of our scouts have brought news just now. King Vishwa has brought an army with him; they are waiting beyond the forest line," the soldier said.

" I knew that man could not be trusted, first sending a messenger wanting peace, but then arriving with an army, the treachery, " Uncle Bhairava paused, " but how did he know where we were? How did he find us," he said.

Someone within our army has been sending the enemy the news of our whereabouts, Shiva thought.

" Someone has been following us since the beginning... Arm yourselves and prepare for a brawl. We might have to fight. How many men does he have? " Adhiveer asked the soldier.

" A battalion of a thousand soldiers perhaps, the scouts say, " the soldier replied.

Adhiveer gritted his teeth. " And we have about a hundred," he said. He walked out of the tent. Others followed him. " Do any of you know how to climb a tree?"
He asked loudly. The entire camp stood still. Two men came forth.