King of Hearts and Queen of Swords✔️

Chapter Six

Dharini stuck her chin up. The wind tickled round the edges of the black cloth wound round her eyes. The brambles often got tangled with the loose ends of her clothes and scratched against the creamy, velvety smoothness of her olive-colored skin.

The terrain was strewn with sharp and pointed rocks. The under soles of her feet were bruised at many places. She could hear the gurgling waters flowing past as she followed behind the men.  Her heart pounded within her ribcage and the blood thrummed within her veins.

"Come on. We haven't got all night to do this."

One of the masked men kicked her in the butt as he grinned lecherously. Her nostrils flared as she balled her fists while stumbling forward a foot or two to regain her lost balance. She stuck up her chin in the air and soldiered on. She couldn't let these men see how scared and vulnerable she felt.

She muttered to herself, "Shikha hang on. Your big sister is coming for you. Nothing will happen to you."

"We've arrived", said one of the men.

The cloth around her eyes was untied and she was shoved into a corner.

"Athikay is expecting us", he said. "Don't try anything clever. Or else, you know what will happen to your sis...."

She nodded her head gravely. She knew better than to try anything now. Her sister and the rest of the people of her hamlet were in a precarious position. The man drew a strange-looking wind pipe and blew into it five times. It sounded like the wind rustling against the leaves but a bit more pronounced.

"He'll be here in a couple of minutes."

Her knees were buckling under the pressure of the situation. She moved towards the nearest tree to lean for support. One of the soldiers shouted, "Have you gone mad, woman? There are traps all around this place. If you set foot in the wrong place, you will be mincemeat in a moment. Once our work is done, you're free to throw away your life."

An involuntary shudder ran through her as she backed away. They needed her. She told herself. Play your cards right.

She was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed the arrival of the man who had been responsible for the nightmare that her life had recently become.

"Planning to betray me? I know that look of yours. When master spy and assassin, Shivani's eyes are drawn together in a knot like that, it means she is thinking."

She plastered a fake smile on her face in an effort to appease her tormentor who had supposedly guessed the direction in which her thoughts were currently headed, "Athikay, you know I left that life behind me long ago. Why dig into that past? I helped you in getting Bijjaladeva to escape. I spied. I collected information. But that's all I can do. No more."

"If you cared for your sister and the people of your village, you would do more. But I see that you don't."

Athikay made a gesture with his hand as though he was slashing someone.  One of the men along with him was about to leave to execute Athikay's orders.

She groveled at Athikay's feet as she screeched, "Please, please, stop. I can't kill. I am not that person anymore. But I will do anything else for their lives."

Athikay agreed, "Alright. One hostage in return for the other hostages. I want the future queen of Mahishmati."

She sucked in her breath. She understood Athikay's game plan now. He was going to hold Avantika captive and lure Mahendra Baahubali into his trap.

She asked in an apparently emotionless voice, "Can I see my sister?"

"Of course. That's what you came here for", he laughed as he rubbed his hands softly in anticipation.

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

The bells tinkled from within the Rajamata Devasena's personal worship place. The notes of a melodious song in praise of Lord Krishna wafted across the walls along with the sweet aroma of sandalwood paste and camphor accompanying it.

Sanga knocked on the door before peeking in rather hesitantly. Devasena smiled from within motioning her to come in.

"When you said early morning, I didn't know how early or how late", Sanga chattered affably. She was carrying a heavy wooden box.

"Sanga, you should really let the maids do their work", Devasena smiled as she gestured to her maids to bring in the box.

"Well, this will take some getting used to. I don't know if I will ever let another person do my work for me", Sanga replied, as she smiled nervously, clasping and unclasping her hands. "Careful, there. Don't drop it. Thank you, dears."

The box was set on a huge round table.  Sanga untied the loose end of her saree which held a key. She opened the box and out tumbled dresses, toys, knick-knacks and a wide array of other things.

"These came by from the village just now. I thought you would want to see them", Sanga said.

Bubbling with laughter, she picked up a wooden rattle and showed it to Devasena.

"This was Mahendra's favorite toy when he was small. He would never part with it. Once, he lost it while we were visiting a fair. I offered to buy him a brand new rattle. But he wouldn't agree. He wanted his rattle and no other. He refused to eat or drink anything. We had to recruit our whole village to search for this rattle. He had to have what he wanted. He was always very stubborn, my Mahendra. I am sorry Rajamata. I just got carried away. He is your son actually."

"No, Sanga. He is ours. You gave him love and a home when I couldn't have given him anything. You are really fortunate you have so many beautiful memories with him."

Devasena's eyes glazed over as her shoulders slumped and drooped. Sanga placed her warm hand over the Devasena's.

"I see only one way to rectify this. We should convince Mahendra to marry soon so that you may relive his childhood through his children's."

Devasena smiled in acquiescence, "I like the plan and I am sure our son thinks the same."

Sanga had a curious expression on her face before recognition dawned upon her, "Oh! How could I have been so foolish not to see it till now? I am getting old really. I like the girl by the way."

"Me too. I am just waiting for Mahendra to ask."

Devasena and Sanga held their hands together as they smiled surreptitiously. Mahendra walked in just then holding Avantika's hand in his.

"I hope I am not interrupting my both, sweet mothers."

"It's a welcome interruption, son", Sanga patted and ruffled Mahendra's hair with her fingers.

"Mother, you're making my hair crazy. I am not a small kid. I combed it just now", he complained, sporting a mock angry face.

"Nobody complains against a mother's love. It's a gift", teased Avantika, as she sidestepped behind Devasena, beyond the reach of his hands.

"I see all the ladies in my life have ganged up against me", he said, shaking his head and slyly winking at Avantika. He dropped down on his knees and sought blessings from both Devasena and Sanga.

He gestured Avantika to come and stand beside him, "Dear mothers, with your blessings, we want to spend our lives together."

"Would the day after tomorrow suit both of you because me and Sanga here cannot wait any longer? I discreetly consulted the Raj Purohit even before you spoke to fix an appropriate time and date for the wedding."

Mahendra's mouth opened wide before he quickly shut it. He continued grinning from ear to ear as he gazed into Avantika's eyes. Devasena and Sanga broke out laughing as they clicked their fingers to the side of their ears to ward off any evil eyes on their children.