Samarth stood gazing out onto nothing in his garden. Yes, his garden. That is what Ekalavya calls it. He misses his family. He has made a home here with his husband with the added bonus of a father and another brother. Life was really good. But he knew he will always miss his brothers and brother in laws when away. There is no stopping it.
He felt two very familiar arms wrap around him and Samarth leaned back into the familiar warmth of his husband.
"Are we missing home?" asked Ekalavya wrapping him in a protective hold.
"This is my home- what we are making together. I miss the other part of my family and land, yes," said Samarth with a small smile.
"We will be visiting soon," said Ekalavya.
"I know. I just - you know I have never stayed away from them for such a long period," said Samarth.
Ekalavya looked at him and wiped his eyes. Samarth froze because he did not realise that he was crying. He felt like a child at that moment and he just hugged Ekalavya tight and the hug was returned with as much love.
"You know whenever you want, I will take you to wherever you want which means if you want to see your brothers, I will take you," said Ekalavya fondly. Samarth just gave a small smile.
"I understand. We only found El and he is there. Also, I can never sleep peacefully when Yagni is away. That's family I guess," said Ekalavya. Samarth nodded and just stayed closer to Ekalavya, not wanting to let go.
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Dhruv was creating mayhem in his quarters as usual, servant boys and young warriors playing with him in the courtyard. He won yet another round of hand wrestling and the cheers went up.
"What's the fun in wrestling with people who might just concede the game to the prince?" asked Yagni from the entrance. Dhruv turned and saw Yagni standing there and ran to him. Sure enough, Yagni had Dhruv on him, hugging the life out of him.
"I missed you," said Dhruv an almost pout on his face.
"I did too. Now, come let us see who amongst us win a hand wrestling?"
Dhruv scoffed.
"Of course, I would," he smirked not letting go of Yagni and turned to all.
"This is my Yagni," said Dhruv, beaming. Yagni saw them all bow but he could see the way they were all assessing him. He had no doubt, prince or not, these people would kill him if he looked the wrong way at Dhruv. His Dhruv has that sort of effect on people.
He sat down after giving a small nod. The wrestling began and Dhruv started pouting when he was losing. Yagni knew he shouldn't encourage it but he didn't put pressure, wanting to see Dhruv smile widely. Dhruv looked at him surprised but did not go for the win but just got up and kissed Yagni.
"You don't have to let me win," said Dhruv.
"Oh, how he has grown and matured."
Yagni heard in the background. He only had eyes for his Dhruv who was clinging to him. Yagni kissed him back. They heard everyone leave.
"Of course, I want you to win, always," said Yagni fondly. Dhruv smiled widely and there was a blush on his cheek. It was a sight to behold.
Yagni couldn't look away.
---------------
The wedding was simple, with only the family. They all spent quality time
as a family and that was very important for each of them.
Eloy should have known that enemies were calm, way too calm for something to not go wrong. It happened out of nowhere, the whole family was returning after offering prayers at the sun temple. An arrow struck him and he turned. It was natural response, he reflexively sensed the next arrows and they were aimed at his husbands. Eloy stopped both of it, with his sword out, slicing it into two, pushing his husbands away.
Eloy fell and it was all darkness after that. From the way he was held, he was sure it's Adharva. He can feel Mithraos' soothing hand on his hair. He just wanted to open his eyes and reassure them, but couldn't.
-------------
Adharva had thrown his knife in the direction and one of the archers fell. Mithraos did not hesitate and jumped over, he had always been trained at safer landing at considerable distance and his knife lodged on the other archer's stomach. They turned to see Eloy looking disoriented and blue.
"I think it was poisoned," said Shikhar, worriedly, covering Eloy from further danger.
"Come on, we need to get him to the healer," said Ekalavya. Rishi nodded. They all made their way to the infirmary, Adharva carrying Eloy as they practically ran. The healers were checking him.
"We need to get the poison out before it reaches his organs," said the healer and began working on doing just that. All were kicked out of the room. The two emperors went to the dungeons to see the two attackers and was followed by the family, except for Shikhar who fainted because of all the tension. The healers made him rest with Dhruv sitting by his side along with Samarth. Rishi left after Shikhar reassured him that he is feeling better.
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Adharva practically slammed the archer on the floor and had his leg pressed firmly on the wounded area.
"Who sent you? " asked Mithraos.
The guard tried to go for poison locked around their neck and Ekalavya tore if away, not bothered about cutting them in the process.
"Tha- ve- ri," the one who was bleeding from the stomach said. He didn't have much time, obviously.
Adharva and Mithraos looked at each other and then at Rishi who shrugged. He doesn't mind how cruel the punishment is. He thinks the emperors are rational people who can take decisions without his guidance.
"Hang them at the Thaveri borders and bring a parchment, we are sending a message to the Thaveri queens," said Adharva, his fury rolling off him in waves. Mithraos wrote down the message and kept the three poisonous arrows in it, along with the message. They sent it off with a messenger.
The family then rushed to Eloy's side. The healers have not yet opened the doors. Mithraos looked at Adharva. They were both speechless.
"You both should go and wash the blood off yourself . He will be fine," said Rishi. Both were silent.
"How's Apaa now?" asked Adharva when he saw Dhruv.
"Better," said Dhruv.
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Adharva and Mithraos went to wash up. Once it was just them, silence reigned. Adharva got into the bath first while Mithraos used the one in the next room. Mithraos was already sitting on their bed. Adharva joined him. They just looked at each other and Adharva saw the tear drops brimming in Mithraos's eyes.
"Mithra," Adharva moved closer and pulled Mithraos into his arms. And the dam broke. Adharva did not realise he was also crying till he felt his cheeks grow wet.
"He will be fine," said Adharva, not sure that he believed it himself.
"If he is not, this will be the end of Thaveri and me. Adharva, I won't survive a day without him- without either of you now," said Mithraos, not worried about being judged as he spoke to Adharva.
"I know. And I used to laugh at such sentiments. I understand it now. I- I wouldn't last a day without either of you either. Our El is going to be fine," said Adharva.
"Thaveri will see our wrath," said Adharva gently as Mithraos calmed down.
They just stayed like that for some time. But the more time they spent in there without El, the more difficult it got to breathe. Both got out and walked like lost men towards the infirmary. They stayed there, outside at the door, on the floor like common men. When grief strikes, when the loved one is hurt, any man- Emperor or Pauper, is just a man.
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The Warrior And His Emperors
Fantasy#1 in Kings (Earlier) #1 in Threesome He was a warrior. He was meant to protect the King and the Kingdom. His name brought the fear for life in warriors across the world. What he never thought he would become was the High King of two Emperors. Their...
