Chasing the Sun

IV

|| - Theatricals - ||

"There's no hiding place in sky, earth or sea from sins you have committed..."
- Lord Buddha
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Her cheek stung with the force Afreen had used on it. Kashi bit on her cheek and dropped her gaze momentarily to contain the film of tears gathering over her vision. That moment had been enough for Satyavan to act. Before Kashi could intervene, he had already drawn his sword on Afreen and had her backed against the wall with the blade against her throat. To her credit Afreen looked straight into his eyes, her gaze still burning with fury and her face flushed with anger. In her absolute rage she looked like a flash of thunder. Only, it was not enough to unnerve Satyavan.

"How dare you!" He growled his expression monstrous. "How dare you touch her?"

Afreen huffed, uncaring of the blade held against her and shot back.

"How dare she switch the goblets? How dare she harm my prince?"

Ever since being dragged back into Afreen's chambers by the fuming owner herself, finally things started to make sense to Kashi. She blinked once, surprise dulling the initial pain she felt as she hurriedly move closer to the two and laid a hand on Satyavan's shoulder.

"Not now Satya," Her tone was calm and commanding at the same time that Satya dropped his weapon at once. Looking at Afreen, Kashi said the next few words. "I did not change the goblets, you know me Afreen, I do not care for anyone who has links with McLane."

Afrean's breath were still rugged, as she gave her once of the most detesting glares she could manage to, still looking as graceful and poised as ever.

"But you warned him of the poison in his cup, do you deny that Kashi Bai?" Her tone was sarcastic, as if almost challenging her to prove that statement wrong. Kashi shook her head.

"No, I don't deny it."

Afreen's eyes flashed dangerously.

"That means you do want that McLane boy alive. I'm sure even my dear commander would like to hear your reason for that..." She casted a dark look at Satyavan who had now fallen silent and was watching them with a ominous scowl. Kashi sighed and looked at both of them in the eye before she spoke.

"Because if the choice is between Khan and McLane, I will not ever for any reason, chose Khan over anyone else."

"What do you mean, Rajkumari?" Satyavan spoke finally. His forehead creased, as he tried to comprehend the meaning of what she had just uttered. Kashi was not looking at him but at Afreen. She too had shed some of her initial fury and looked calm enough to listen to Kashi's explanation.

" Offering that drink was Mirza's ploy to give the poisoned cup to McLane right?" She asked, making herself comfortable as she sat on Afreen's bed. "What if I tell you, it worked?"

"I'll tell you, you're not making any sense," snapped Afreen.

"Afreen," Kashi said stiffly. "McLane did not drink from the goblet given to him, but Mirza drank from the goblet he took. Think - just think for a moment that no one switched anything, but Mirza himself did. Do you see what I mean?"

Afreen was silent for a long moment and then when Satyavan opened his mouth she held out her hand to silence him and spoke.

"You meant to say, McLane's goblet was already poisoned?"

"Mirza took it in return of the cup he poisoned himself and drank it, while McLane did not drink the poison he was handed?" Satyavan too added an explanation edgewise, giving a dark look to Afreen for not letting him speak before.