Chrysalis

2

The dry leaves crushed under his feet. The cry of the peococks were heard at a distance. He cleared the wild grasses to move forward. A bunch of arrows were slung behind his back, the left arm held the bow firmly. A man ahead his age accompanied him too.

The soft rustle of the woods and the illusive white trails helped him in navigating his way breaking all the camouflages posed by the wild beast. Whereas, his hazel eyes were pinned on his aim.

The wild beast unaware of its predator, stopped by a brook within the woods. He stretched his bow-string after brushing aside the cordate leaves hanging from the low branches. He relocated his aim; the white tiger.

With a swish, one of his arrows stuck dangerously close to the albino silhoutte.

"You missed it." The companion whispered.

"Nah", a sardonic chukkle left his lips.

Realizing it's forthcoming danger, the albino figure turned around as it's gaze fell upon the man who aimed it.

The dagger like claws of the beast stood out, the distance between the predator and prey remained less than a mile. The companion turning pale out of fright, climbed the sal tree, which stood proudly witnessing the act.

He clasped his arrow and pulled the string. The tiger leaped higher as it tended to grasp him. Much to his dismay they both fell on the ground, the white tiger over him as he fought hard to catch his breath. Fresh blood trickled down the blades of the wild grasses. Neither a cry nor a scream, just eriee sounds of ragged breathing summed up the ambience.

"Rajkumar !!!!" The companion climbed down the sal tree, almost choking on his own airs.

He pushed away the carcass of the dead tiger. His white kurta dripped off fresh and dark liquid. A mighty scratch adorned beneath his left ear, at the apex of his neck.

"Announce to the villagers, they don't need to fear anyone anymore except God.." He smirked a grin of victory.

"Abhimanyu, you could have killed it by the first arrow. Why did you wait for it to turn to you? It was too risky." His companion Dhiraj  enquired.

"A true warrior always fights from the front, whoever the opponent be." He replied as they strolled out of the dense woods.

"Pardon Your Grace." After a few while, messenger from the palace hurried his way towards him.

"Maharaj Paarth is no more. Maharani has requested you to arrive at the palace as soon as possible."

He stood flummoxed barely registering the words which left from the messenger.

"Please!" She whined. "Why don't you respond? It's been seven years, please speak, Bhaisa." She nudged his arms with full force but in vain.

"He won't." Sirsha caressed her hairs to soothe her. "Get over it. The Court is waiting for The Queen, not a weeping princess."

"Sirsha Maa", She addressed Mahamantri Sukhrai's wife, "You will see one day, I will find out the ones who destroyed my family." She kissed her brother's palms before leaving.

Each morning the immobile figure of his dear brother Utkarsh Pratap, reminded her of that unholy night. 

Regardless of everything, she decked herself up with those lifeless gems and jewelleries.

"See how beautifully it shines on you." The handmaid giggled in her own.

"Gold has no worth than it's intricate patterns." She muttered under her breath.

"Are you telling me something, Rajkumari?" The maid asked.

She nodded aimlessly, putting on the saphire bangles one by one.

The guards and the delegates curtsied as she treaded down the hallway.

"HOSHIYAAR (Be alert) OUR ETERNAL GRACE, RAJKUMARI TARA MAYURAKSHI IS ARRIVING TO THE COURT." The drums rolled as usual.

She gestured everyone to take their seats after settling on her throne.

"Mahamantriji, let the court proceed." She declared authority seeping through her voice.

Mahamantriji- The Prime Minister
Bhaisa- Dear brother ( in a respectful manner).