The Dark Of The Light ||| (ON HOLD)

Shark's feast

The wind flavoured the fleet, enabling  them to traverse four months distance to Jenzou in two and half months. Unlike Storm island, Jenzou was densely populated. The port of Jenzou was lined with sea food shops.

Laos the chief of Jenzou island, welcomed them with seven dozen Guards and fifteen open horse carriages. Ajinkya was on a carriage with Shivashakti, Anakula and Adhaata. While Vayuvijay rode with Laos. She looked around in awe at the pebbled road lined with bougainvillea trees of different color as they travelled to the mansion. After a while they reached a square, with huge shops, that sold everything from carpets to castles. They took a lane on the other side of the square and a narrow path lead them to the colossal mansion.

"This may not be as Opulent as your castle," he told them as he gave them the tour of the mansion they were to be lodged at "but it will provide you all the amenities you need for a comfortable temporary retreat." Laos informed them.

"More than comfortable I believe." Vayu smiled as he begged leave to retire early.

"Your Higness there is news from the Capital." Hendrix approached them with a grim face. Vayuvijay's heart skipped.

He walked up to the Emperor and spoke in his ears.

"The Commander of the Castle guard was poisoned during his daughter's wedding feast. He is no more. Your father fears the poisoned wine was meant for the Prime Minister."

Vayuvijay was already exhausted from the travel, the news seemed to take away the last bit of strength.

"Excuse me," he muttered before going to the room designated for him. He couldn't afford breaking down in the presence of his daughters.

************************

The pyre stood on the banks of the Shreeyovi River.

It was only a month back, Dushmant had proposed her here, Chitralekha thought as she and Aswathi stood before the pyre holding a burning log. The lifeless body of Vrijeswar lied on the pyre, as two Tulsi leaves were placed on his closed eyelids.

Aswathi stood stoic, no emotion played on her face. While fresh tears rolled down Chitralekha's tear streaked cheeks.

A bard played the mourning song behind

"Thou left unwiped, the tears of thy child
Thou left empty, the heart of thy wife
Thou left unprotected, thy land.
Thou why so abruptly withdrew thy hand."
Rest now o brave one
Thy bravery, shall be
Thy legacy

"Ether shall wait, till thou walk on her again,
Born in a different body, thy soul shall remain.
Rest now o brave one
Thy bravery shall be
Thy legacy."

"The Empire shall remember thy sacrifice.
Peacefully thou rest now, who will balm the pain of thy demise."

"Rest now o brave one
Thy bravery shall be
Thy legacy"

Chitralekha's hand trembled, Ashwathi held her hand as they lit the pyre. Fire engulfed the logs as the motionless body of the once fierce commander dissapeared behind the flames.

Chitralekha fell to the ground as the wood thudded away from her. The Castle guards gathered at the funeral pounded their spears on the ground, as the priest blew the conch. The smoke from the pyre veiled the Ray's of the sun.

Dharmeshnath held Shakuntala, who sobbed on his chest. Revathi and Shantipriya removed the earrings and bracelets Saudamini adorned. She was a widow now, and widows never wore jewelry. A hollow laughter escaped her "And my daughter designs jewelry."