Beyond {UNDER EDIT}

S1-5-Brotherhood

A swift cold wind entered the room as the sun died, welcoming the nightfall.

The better part of an hour passed before the next words were spoken. This time once again the silence was interrupted by Panav, "Where does this 'destiny' belong, didn't Aarush say anything about that?"

Ojas spoke up too "Yeah, even I've been wondering the same thing."

Abhay had his feet still fixed at the same place, "I, I don't know... but he said leave this 'cursed land', that's what my first aim is..."

Rohak looked up, "And then?"

"And then I guess we'll figure out the place where our 'destiny' belongs..."

Ojas stood up, "Abhay," He paused

"... what makes you say 'we', eh? Why do you think we're even supporting you? Aarush's foretelling was meant for you, not us..."

Abhay was taken back. Every word fell like thunderbolts upon his ears. There were sudden bursts of inexplicable emotions. He had always wanted to know why those three were supporting him but somehow he never had the gallantry to bring up that topic. It was fear, distress to lose the only support he had. But now he had misinterpreted the question,

"I never have forced you all to join me. If you wish to come then I shall thankfully welcome you all but if you don't, I have no authority to force any of you..."

He could not bear it anymore, he walked towards the door before his eyes would deluge tears.

Ojas smiled and side-stepped in his path.

"Please, just, just let me go..."

He turned but Rohak and Panav blocked both directions.

"What do you guys want?"

Rohak spoke up "Our parents had left for the heavenly abode years ago with that cursed saint... Do you think they have made it?"

Panav came in closer, "Do you think that by being merely guided by some self-proclaimed godman, someone can attain moksha, salvation?

Abhay smiled, he finally was getting the point.

Ojas rested his stretched hands on Abhay's weary shoulder. " Abhay my brother, A person can attain the Lord only on the basis of his karma , his actions, and these stupid self-proclaimed ' Godmen' don't give a damn, we shall help you find Aarush and your destined land, we may find the unlucky citizens as well, this whole affair is messy and we shall reach the core of it."

Abhay was speechless. Tears escaped his eyes. But these were of elation, something he hadn't truly felt ever since Aarush had left.

Panav beamed, "Cheer up man! He just asked that so we could reveal our immense faith in you and your plans, and also the importance of finding those citizens, I mean, who knows what that unholy Devarishi might have done to them."

Rohak casually punched Abhay, "And don't ever think that we are gonna leave you...nor will we allow you to leave us."

The four laughed.

Then Abhay spoke, "Oh yes, we shall leave this cursed place and go where OUR destiny truly belongs. What has been spoken for me shall apply to you all as well, and never shall I part ways with you'll, till death do us apart..."

"..Till death do us apart." The three repeated.

Rohak slapped Abhay on his back, "We must sleep now, we just survived a somnolent day, and yet another one awaits us..."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The messenger ran as hastily as he could. His throat was parched but he couldn't discontinue. The news was so important that even minutes of postponement would lead to the King cutting off his head.

He saw the room and forced his weary legs to move faster. Two guards, heavily armed, stopped him by pushing their spears sideways, forming a cross pattern.

"I, I need...to...see...the King... "

"For what reason?"

"I...have got...news...news from the...Eastern, Eastern Squad..."'

Almost instantly, the soldiers pulled back their weapons and allowed the fatigued messenger to go forward.

He knocked the door. "Come in." came the reply.

"My Lord!" the man burst in. King Hriju sat on a splendid chair reading an old manuscript. There were bright oil lanterns burning which illuminated the room, giving it a striking advent.

"Yes, what is it...um..." Hriju had definitely met and seen the messenger many times but he had failed to remember his name.

"Rudra, My Lord ....Rudra is the name!"

"Yes yes, Rudra, what is it? You seem to be tired, have a seat."

Rudra refused the offer and continued, "My Lord, I bring news.... From the Easten Squad..."

Hriju stood up. A messenger this late from there would mean some very essential news. "What is it?"

"The squad noticed a group of ....Praveg troopers passing through the mountains, apparently planning to enter our territory from South..."

"CURSE THOSE DAMNED MEN! WHAT DID YOU'LL DO?!"

"The squad chased them my Lord, our men even shot arrows....but they were way too agile and well adapted to the forest ways than us..."

Hriju pushed Rudra back and his back hit the wall, he pulled out his sword in one swift move while his hand seized his neck.

"SO THEY ALL ESCAPED, EH?"

Rudra grinned, "No, my Lord, No.... We caught one...alive"