Journey to the Old Era (Drisana's Mahabharat #1)

Chapter 2

3000 BCE Time Period

One troop of people were going somewhere. Large chariots and carts were moving along with men in horseback at a slow pace.

Among them, one man was looking thoughtful with a disturbed expression marring his face while riding his horse. Noticing him, another man came from back beside him riding on his horse and asked,

"What's the matter Sahdev? You're looking disturbed since we set out for Varanavat."

"I don't know bhrata Arjun. I'm feeling like something is going to happen, something unexpected. I'm unable to put a finger on it either it'll be good or bad." replied Sahdev.

"Don't take too much tension. As long as we're together, there's nothing that we can't handle." Arjun tried to assure Sahdev though he himself was feeling restless.

Like something wasn't quite right. Something that wasn't supposed to take course, had actually happened. The nature around seemed oddly calm too. Arjuns' eyes travelled through the troop to assess if there was anything wrong. But he found everything to be normal. No one else seemed to face any discomfort. However, he remained alert just in case they were to face any trouble.

Little did he know, the trouble heading their way wasn't going to be one to be handled easily.

♧♧♧

As the sun set, they decided to stop and rest near a pond after checking for possible threats. At night, Arjun left the tent to make rounds as he was unable to sleep.

Here inside one tent, a large man was nudging someone continuously.

"Nakul, get up! I need a snack."

"Bhrata Bheem if you want a snack, you should go, grab something. Why are you grabbing me?"

"Because you're going to carry it for me. Now get up before I throw you out of the tent."

Nakul got up still half asleep and followed Bheem. They were coming back to the tent after raiding the temporary kitchen when Arjun came there. He smirked watching Nakul carrying a large basket of sweets with his eyes half closed and Bheem eating from another basket that he held in hands.

"Where were you Arjun?" Bheem asked as he saw Arjun coming towards them.

"Actually I wasn't getting any sleep, bhrata. So thought to check the surroundings."

Nakul got smacked on Bheem's back as he stopped to talk to Arjun.

"What Nakul? Can't you walk properly? If you drop my sweets, I'll drop you into the pond." Bheem threatened in irritation. Nakul didn't even bother to hear. He was sleeping while standing only.

"I don't understand how can he sleep even while standing." Arjun wondered shaking his head.

"Must have learned from his horses." Bheem replied making Arjun snort.

Suddenly the clear sky got darkened, clouds were forming and wind blew hard giving indication of a storm. Arjun, Bheem and Nakul were instantly alert sensing danger.

"What is happening suddenly? The sky was clear even a few moments ago." Bheem said.

"Look. Something is happening there bhrata." Nakul said pointing towards the pond.

Above the pond heavy clouds had formed and was taking shape of a tornado. As Nakul, Bheem and Arjun watched, the ferocious tornado lasted only a few minutes before it finished and everything went back to normal. Till now Yudhisthir and Sahdev had also appeared alongside them with their mother, Kunti.

"What was that?" Sahdev asked.

"Don't know. We should check the pond and it's surroundings." Arjun said.

Along with Sahdev, Arjun went near the pond. There at one side of the pond, a figure was sprawled on earth unmoving. Arjun and Sahdev got closer to find a girl's unconscious form. She was barely breathing, blood was coming out of her nose and mouth. Arjun picked up the girl and ran towards their tent.

"Is everything alright? Who's that?" Asked Yudhisthir.

"We found her on the side of the pond. She is badly injured." Arjun replied.

"Bring her to my tent putra. Nakul you also come and see what happened to her." Kunti said.

Arjun brought the girl inside the tent and placed her on the bed. Kunti with Nakul's help started to check her. There was a head injury with a scratch here and there. Her skin was burning hotter than fire and her breathing was shallow. Nakul's breathing stopped for a few moments at the sight of the maiden. Then with the help of his mother and dasis, he did whatever he could.

"Mata there's nothing else we can do for now. We've to watch her breathing. If it doesn't get better and her skin doesn't cool down till morning then we probably won't be able to save her." Nakul told his mother grimly.

"Poor girl. God knows what happened to her that she landed here in this condition. Putra, you go outside, I'll change her clothes. Her clothes are so strange and torn. I'll call you if needed." said Kunti.

Nakul nodded thoughtfully and went outside where his brothers were waiting. They asked about the girls' condition and was worried hearing the reply.

"Bhrata Arjun, have you noticed her clothes? It's so strange. I've never seen anything like that. I wonder where she has come from." Nakul noted.

"You're right, Nakul. We were also talking about it sometime ago." Arjun replied.

"Well, who she is and where she's from, can be found only if she survives." Sahdev said.

♧♧♧

After sometime, Kunti called Nakul to check the girl. There was no progress. He insisted Kunti should rest as it had been a long day offering to watch over the girl himself. Kunti relented and left Nakul along with the dasis to the girls treatment. Rest of the pandavs also retired to their tent.

The night passed with tension. But thankfully the girl's breathing evened out and her skin also cooled down gradually. It wasn't a normal fever. Her skin was too heated like she was exerting fire. She was still unconscious. Nakul hoped she'd gain consciousness soon. He'd remained beside her the whole night where his mata and brothers kept coming to check on her.

After morning prayer and breakfast, they all gathered in the tent. Kunti sat beside the unconscious girl and kept her hand on the unconscious girl's forehead.

"What should we do now? We were supposed to continue our journey this morning." Bheem asked looking at Yudhisthir.

"We have to wait for her to get consciousness. We can't resume our journey with her in this condition." Yudhisthir replied.

"You're right, putra. This girl is in our protection now. Hopefully she'll get better soon." Kunti said looking worried.

The whole day passed and later that evening the girl started stirring. Kunti who was sitting beside her called for Nakul. Along with his brothers, Nakul entered to find the girl waking up slowly.