Shakti- The Warrior Princess of Brahma

Chapter 4 Signs from the Stars

Chapter 4 Signs from the Stars

Mist covered the mountains and lay over the lake near which Princess Shakti and her small group of soldiers were camping. Though the mornings were cool and the air fresh, the soldiers still had trouble getting used to the scorching sun at midday. Having come from the south where the climate was humid and rain was in abundance, this terrible heat seemed to set their skins ablaze.

Setting camp in the very heart of the woods proved to be an intelligent decision. They had not met any intruders so far and had been left in peace to rest and recover from their long journey as well as to prepare and practice for their mission.

As the sun rose over the mountain, Princess Shakti could be seen sitting on a rock near the lake in the lotus position, lost deep in meditation. The rays of the sun glancing off the surface of the water and the slowly lifting mist made the meditating figure look surreal almost as if from a lucid dream. Warriors in Brahma were taught that mental strength and preparation were as important as physical strength and flexibility to win any battle. The deep breathing exercises and the extreme levels of concentration required for meditating made a person well tuned to his body.

A quote from the Holy Book Bhagavad-Gita goes, “ For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy”.

Princess Shakti was well aware that physical strength alone would not be enough for the events she was about to put in motion today.

The previous evening, she and a small group of soldiers had entered the city again, this time dressed in clothes meant to blend with the crowd. They watched the tournament demonstrations from far. Princess Shakti smiled to herself when she saw the black stallion once again bucking and kicking anyone who dared to go near it. Apparently he was also going to be a part of the tournament just like her.

Much later, strolling through rows of stalls selling various merchandise, Princess Shakti looked longingly at the rows of handmade beads and other fascinating trinkets on display. Pity she wasn’t here on a leisurely shopping trip. She was here on a serious business and could not afford to let down her guard even for a moment.

After many hours of wandering in and around the city, they had returned at sunset to the camp to discuss security and make adjustments to their original plan. Exit routes had been few and security was high making their risk even higher than initially expected. They had gone to sleep with bodies weary from exhaustion but their minds alert and their hearts filled with high spirit.

Presently a soldier now approached Princess Shakti to inform her it was time to leave. She slowly opened her eyes to see her other soldiers patiently waiting with their weapons and horses ready to go.

Soon they set off on their horses for the city gates. Dressed in black and covering their faces, their well-polished swords glinting in the sunlight, they looked like a small yet formidable army.

As they neared the gates, a long note could be heard issued using a conch shell followed by the sound of trumpets. The whole city was decorated with flying banners and flowers adorned the paths.