Kama: Liberation(Vol-II)

Chapter 5. The Mages Return

Him, whose name isn't taken here, is alive.

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The Ishgarians stopped in a village on the outskirts of Revat for the night, planning to continue journeying at dawn. Aryamna, alone in his tent, waited for Ishvara's letter to arrive.

She had been writing to him since he left for the war. Master Makba had sent for her an owl named Chandra which was trained under the best of mages. Ishvara had told him in the last letter how she was impressed by the intelligent creature.

Ishvara, or Nadira– she had two names now. Just like Aryamna did. His name didn't really have any deeper meaning, other than not being Aryam. 'Aryam', and 'na'. He wondered how Nadira got the name Ishvara. It was a direct indication of her divinity. Maybe Ishvara still wasn't aware of her powers. Aryamna too wasn't in a rush to convince her of godhood. He would take time peeling off the layers.

Breathing in the earthy air always felt rejuvenating. Several torches were lit to compensate for the lack of twinkling stars, and the moon, perhaps out of boredom, had taken refuge behind the dark clouds. Despite the gloomy shade of the sky, Aryamna was confident of things finally being alright. The very thought pulled his attention towards Indumala's tent. When she was unconscious, Rudra had been staying with her all day. Now, maybe because of her health's good progress or the fear of being judged, Rudra slept in his own tent.

The lights were still blinking inside her tent, and the tinkering of giggles came to his ears. Aryamna smiled– his heart had undergone a change after the war. He no longer felt Indu would be unsafe in Rudra's company. Well, that was the safest place she could be in. Even though cursed, Rudra wasn't a man of bad morals when it came to love. Aryamna, having fathomed it, was slowly accepting the blossoming relationship.

His harmonious study was broken when he saw Dilrobar approach Indu's tent. Way before, when he had rescued Dilrobar and brought her to Ishgar's palace, inhibitions jabbed him everytime he faced the woman. The past hurled back and he would doubt her integrity. Although with time, miraculous things happened. It reminded him of other people he knew, who were also liberated by redemption.

"Should I go there?" He was worried if Rudra would disrespect the lady again. He knew Dilrobar wished to speak to Indumala. It was a very sensitive thing. The past, where Dilrobar was a ruthless villain, couldn't be changed. And to be honest, Aryamna believed it to be fair for Indumala to not forgive her. But it didn't mean he wanted Dilrobar to suffer physically. Rudra used to whip and beat her when she had come to Ishgar after the plague. Aryamna shuddered at the remembrance– her blistered skin shedding, feet scraped and scratched, reduced to a pitiful heap of bones. Mataraj and he had to interfere to stop Dilrobar from being killed.

People did commit heinous crimes in many births. Death was a blessing that made souls forget the previous pain. However, few warriors learnt to outgrow their sins in a single life. In Aryamna's perspective, Dilrobar was one of those fighters. She was defeating her inner demons and rebuilding herself.

The screech of Chandra alerted Aryamna. The bird came and perched on his arm. After petting and kissing it, he took the letter, and then attached his own reply to the claws and set it free.

By now, Dilrobar had entered the tent. "I pray for her to be fine." Aryamna went to his bed, eager to read his wife's handwriting.

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Rudra was not pleased to see Dilrobar, and she knew that well.