Shatru Sesham: Sequel of Baahubali ✔️

Chapter Forty-Six

On a bright new morning, the battalion had set sail from Varuni island under the leadership of Samarth. Being the eldest, most experienced, and war-tanned among the group, technically he was in charge of the mission. Though Aparaajitha and Mrithyunjay were like the twin eyes of this mission, the final right to decide the exact course of action had been vested on Samarth by Annapoorna.

Annapoorna said, "General Samarth, your decision will be final. Not that I fear Aparaajitha would make a wrong decision that isn't in everyone's interest. This is the first time she is setting out on such a difficult and dangerous journey. I am still not sure if she is fully ready for this. I gave in to the wishes of the children. But I still fear her youth, inexperience, impetuosity and deep-rooted dislike and vengeful mentality for Subahu which might occasionally mislead her. I rely on you to keep all of them out of danger while successfully completing this mission."

"Please rest assured, Amma. I will take care of everything. Nothing will go wrong as long as I am alive", assured Samarth.

The fleet of five ships set sail on a south-easterly course with favorable winds and tides. As Aparaajitha waved goodbye to her foster mother and everyone at the islands from the deck of her ship, she felt her chest become heavy with emotion. As they started sailing further and further into the sea, all the people turned into distant specks on the horizon. After a few more minutes, the coastline and the islands were lost from the view.

Aparaajitha wiped the slight moistness from her cheeks. She turned around to examine her current surroundings. She told within herself, "That life is over. This is a new phase of my life." She glanced around at the crew members on her ship. These people were going to be her friends, supporters and comrades in this mission. She had to cultivate a close rapport with them and win their trust if this mission was to succeed.

Aparaajitha flashed a brilliant smile greeting them. But most of them simply nodded and continued with their duties. She felt momentarily disappointed. They were still apparently embarrassed and distant whenever they interacted with her. They spoke in monosyllables of 'Yes' and 'No'. It seemed as though they didn't regard her as one among them but placed her on a high pedestal much above them.

She envied the kind of rapport both Samarth and Mrithyunjay enjoyed with these men. They joked, they laughed, they made merry, they sang songs and also occasionally danced while rowing . Samarth was on the ship that was leading the rest of the ships including theirs. Mrithyunjay was at the steering wheel of their ship. Aparaajitha turned to Malli and asked, "Malli, why do these men treat us so distantly as if we are aliens from another planet? Don't they like us coming along with them on this mission?"

"Appu, both of us are the odd ones out. These men would never have travelled before with women on board. It is natural they feel shy and embarrassed. Why look at our flying tresses of hair and their short and trimmed hair. Look at our clothes and theirs. We are dressed in such fine silks and jewelry. And almost all of them are wearing sooty, oily, and stained cotton clothes. They are just wearing tunics and some sort of long pull up pants."

Aparaajitha instantly realized that though she did not want to create any sort of distance between herself and her men, her gender and her style of dressing were unconsciously self-imposing them on the men. Gender was something she couldn't help. They had to make peace with it with time. But style of dressing was something she could change. Without a doubt, they would never interact with her on an equal level if she was going to be dressed in such finery.

She summoned one of the crew members and asked him for something in a low voice. He sounded very surprised, "Are you sure, Princess? I am not sure it is advisable."

"You don't worry about that. I will manage. These clothes are too stuffy for a journey like this", Aparaajitha winsomely replied.

The crew member did not demure any further. He went in and brought back four pairs of clothes the crew members wore along with him, "These were the only spare pairs we could manage for you and your friend, Princess."