Rudra was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling and daydreaming about Toshani when a worried Malcolm arrived in his chamber. "My lord, we need you."Annoyed at his broken daydream Rudra turned towards Malcolm."What happened now?""The Prince....he is not waking up," Malcolm replied, fear exhibiting on his face.Rudra sat up immediately."What do you mean not waking up? What happened to him?" He did not wait for an answer and scrambled off the bed pulling on his robe. It was not late night but most of the people in the palace were either asleep or going to sleep.Rudra rushed into Anbir's chamber. Gopi their other guard was sitting near him bending on his body shaking him awake.Gopi turned towards Rudra and bowed slightly.Rudra approached the sleeping form of Anbir. He seemed to be sleeping blissfully a slight smile on his face."He looks fine to me. What's wrong?" Rudra asked the guards."He isn't waking up my lord, it's time for his energy potion. He had ordered me to remind hi
Udaya checked the pulse of sleeping Anbir and sniffed the wine goblet."It's a simple sleeping potion but combining it with wine can make a person sleep for 24 hours. Luckily, I have an antidote." She smiled pleasantly.She took out a root that smelled like wasabi. It was strong enough to make anyone's eyes water.She broke a piece of the root and pushed it in Anbir's mouth."It will work in a few minutes, " she added.Rudra waited with bated breath.In a few minutes, Anbir woke up coughing and gagging."What the hell is this! Who stuffed this nasty thing in my mouth.”? Anbir grumbled and spit the bitter root. Then catching glimpse of everyone in the room he asked."What happened? Who is this lady?" He eyed Udaya."Give him a cold shower, and drink lots of liquid. This will flush out the potion from his body." Udaya gave further instructions to Rudra while Anbir looked on stupidly."Thanks, Lady Udaya. Please allow me to escort you back to the infirmary." Rudra said."I will explain
The arena was full of people. Right from the Royal family, the noblemen, knights, and the commoners. Everyone was packed in the circular arena with a capacity of more than 5000 people.The third round of the contest was about a show of strength. The contestants had to fight against -"Ogres!" Rudra gasped.Ogres or rakshasa were magical creatures who were inhumanly large, tall, with a disproportionate head and body. However, they were amazingly fast, extremely powerful with an appetite for human flesh.They also had literally impenetrable skin making it exceedingly difficult to kill or subdue them through normal weapons."Some of them might die here, my lord." Gopi who was standing behind him whispered to Rudra." Yes, it is a fight to the death, but Anbir will make it. He is the best warrior of Vatsaya." Rudra replied.While the ogres roared behind their cages the seven contestants prepared themselves to face the ogres.Killing an ogre was tricky, it required special weapons, a massiv
Prahastha walked through the narrow lanes of the city. Every nation no matter how prosperous they are having hidden nooks and corners where the poorest, the most vicious, and the most unfortunate hide behind the veil of obscurity.This was the dingy part of the Aumeria, one of the major cities of Vatsaya. Even the king's guards avoided this part of the town.Like a sore wound, it was ignored by the rest of the population.He preferred living among these outcasts. No one bothered him and he could go about his business in peace. He threw some coins at a beggar sitting near a hidden entrance. Then he mumbled the magic words which unlocked the door of an ageing building. A flight of stairs led to a medium-sized quarter. No one could guess that Prahastha, one of the most accomplished and gifted Mages of the century was now a dreaded assassin - Dark Shadow.*******"And in conclusion, I would like to thank......" Prince Leonard droned on and on and on."I bet he loves the sound of his own v
She crossed the stables and reached a clearing which was surely an archery practice area. Rudra could see painted targets in the dim light some distance away.Toshani stopped there."How good is your archery?" She asked him with an amused smile."Not bad, are we going to practice archery in the dark?""It's more fun if you do in the dark. Shooting fixed targets in the daylight is easy, have you ever hunted in the dark? " She gave him a challenging look."Never tried it, though I am fascinated, let's see your skills, " he looked around then focused on a tree."Can you pierce the leaves of that tree?" He pointed at the tree.Toshani looked at him, her eyes conveyed she thought he was stupid."Is that all? I am the best archer of Shambala, Sir". She lifted her chin and gave a smug smile."Interesting, let's see the best archer of Shambala." He folded his arms and leaned against another tree.Toshani huffed then picked up a bow. She fitted the arrow on the string. Her eyes screwed in con
"Please, I am sorry, just let me go, " Leonard pleaded.Blood was pouring from the cut on his lips, it flowed down his chin and stained his pristine white collar. One of his eyes had turned black, the rest of his face was covered in bruises.Bent into a fetal position on the floor of his own room, he shivered in fright."Oh! Come on, I thought the great conspirator would be stronger than this. What a pathetic piece of shit!" Anbir spat at him."I think that's enough brother, he has got his lesson. Just ask him to withdraw from the competition."Rudra said from the chair he was lounging on. After reaching the banquet, Rudra had informed Anbir about what he had overheard in the courtyard. They had lured Leonard to come along with them. While Malcolm and Gopi kept a lookout.Anbir and Rudra had overpowered Leonard, roughed him up, and now he was crawling at Anbir's feet."I have a better idea, I can just kill him, " Anbir said while gritting his teeth in anger."I would suggest not to d
17 years ago -Queen Kalita tucked three-year-old Revati in her bed. Her golden curls spread on the pillows.After years of being childless, they had finally adopted Revati, an orphan child of King Suchihero's cousin. Suddenly, a bright light filled the room. Squinting her eyes Kalita stared at the source, which was a woman looking at her with sad eyes."Who are you, lady?" Kalita asked.Surprisingly, her presence was soothing rather than scary."You will be a mother again Kalita. Though you will not have much time with her. But you are going to be a vessel, a vessel for my heir.""I don't understand, my lady, " Kalita said."You will understand everything in time, child."The woman disappeared as unexpectedly as she had materialized. Kalita woke up from her dream. She rubbed her head trying to decipher the dream.***********Presently -"I have a question brother, " Rudra asked Anbir as they were getting prepared for the camp."Sure, go ahead, " " Why does the father want you to mar
Rudra rode through the thick vegetation following Toshani. Before he knew it, they were ridiculously deep in the wood where the sun was starting to get dimmer.Rudra wondered, where they were heading. Soon enough Toshani stopped, in the middle of nowhere.They got off their horses and left them to graze."What is this place? Why are we here?" "Well, since all you guys are so desperate to see fairies, I thought let me show you some."His eyes widened in surprise."Really? There are fairies here?" He whipped his head around, but he could not see anything except trees and plants."What a pervert!" Toshani shook her head."Excuse me! What did you just call me? How does that make me a pervert!" He looked offendedToshani chuckled."They are actually pretty vicious and dangerous, fairies I mean. " "Have you seen them?" "Yes, a long time ago. Since we are Shambala royalty, all beings living in this forest are under our protection. But that does not mean we can intrude in their dwellings as
8 years later -The palace courtyard was in chaos, attendants and maids were running around checking every bush and shrub."Did you find the princes?" One of the maids asked.The guard who looked thoroughly harassed shook his head.8-year-old crown prince Prahastha and 6-year-old prince Ryan were sneaking through the stables."Are you sure it's here?" Ryan asked."Yes, cousin Ishaan has told me."" If mother finds out we'll be in trouble," Ryan said anxiously."She won't find out don't worry, she is busy with the baby anyway," Prahastha replied confidently.He was tall for his age, with blond hair which shone like spun gold and amber eyes. He had sun-kissed skin, making him look like a figure carved out of gold.My golden boy that's what Toshani called him when she wasn't being reprimanded for his various escapades.Much to her annoyance, he had inherited her adventurous spirit. Ryan had violet eyes just
Toshani looked out of the window, the crowd of noblemen and dignitaries below growing minute by minute. Flashes of light reflected off the jewellery worn by the women and from the elaborately decorated sword sheaths fastened to the men's sides, as the setting sun rays reflected off them.She turned away from the window, catching sight of herself in the large mirror, her elaborately painted face staring back at her amid a sea of red satin and jewels. She was four months pregnant now.She looked down at her wedding dress, it's elaborate folds hid her slight baby bump and the skirt flared around her ankles.Fighting back tears she remembered how she once imagined her wedding day. She wished, her parents would be there. Her sister was alive.The thought of her family caused her brave façade to crumble. Tears leaked from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks."Your Grace! Oh, don't! Please don't cry!" Her lady in waiting called from across the bedr
"You met the Gods?" Shrushaw asked incradelously.Toshani nodded.News of her recovery had spread like wildfire and the next person to visit her after Rudra was Shrushaw. It felt surreal to be alive after going through years of uncertainty this was kind of unreal. It was amazing to think that the world continued to exist, even with all this grief and anguish."Ishaan?" Toshani asked."They are safe, Rob whisked them away before the attack. Everyone has been waiting for you, to take your rightful place, as the queen of Shambhala.""I don't think I deserve that title. Perhaps, Ishaan should be declared as the next heir." Toshani replied."It has to be you," Rudra interjected. He had not left her side ever since she has woken up."The people want you, they have been waiting for their princess. You have been their beacon of hope for years. Will you honour their request?" He asked."I can't do this alone," she repl
"Baby? Toshani's pregnant I had no idea." Rudra mumbled in shock."I am assuming it's yours," Shrushaw asked, her voice was laced with anger.Rudra nodded grimly. He was ashamed of himself. The ground shook. The cave was already breaking up, cracks appeared in its crystal walls and floor."We need to leave. This place is collapsing." Shrushaw screamed.Rudra nodded and picked up Toshani. Shrushaw gave one the last look at Bhairav's mangled body. She closed her eyes for a moment, things could have been so different it only......Another boom broke her reverie. The wall cracked and exploded for several yards to either side of the entrance, raining stones down on them. They dashed out of the collapsing cave. The hill and the waterfall slumped into a pile of huge rubble. Flooding the forest. Any trace of the source was buried in the rushing water.Rudra panted and wiped off his wet forehead as he reached the edge of the forest with Shr
Shrushaw moved among the soldiers, her sword trailing lines of blood in her wake. She used her grief for Prahastha to fuel her strikes. Her sword bit into steel and flesh alike. Swords shattered when met with her blade. She could have used magic but she needed the release. She wanted to kill and spill blood.In a matter of moments, she stood shaking and breathing heavy, a group of soldiers dead at her feet. In the distance, by the wall, Markesh and his rebels were battling a large squad of soldiers, and they were losing. They were being driven back.She scanned the battle, looking for small groups she could fight. She needed to fight.She sent a fireball spell towards a group of soldiers. Several groups of soldiers broke off and charged at her. They got within a few feet before falling to their knees, clutching their heads. Arrows hissed all around her and disintegrated into ash."Step back," a voice said from behind her.Shrushaw gasped
"Very well! Let's retrieve the source first, princess," Bhairav smirked.Rudra lunged at Bhairav, but he was frozen midway. One flick of his hand stopped him in his track unable to move."What have you done to him?" Toshani asked."Don't worry, he is fine! I have just immobilised him so that he doesn't interrupt us. Shall we proceed?" Bhairav asked.Toshani grabbed her torn dress to stop it from falling off her shoulders and nodded. She was still clueless regarding what was going on.Malcolm and Gopi were gaping at the proceedings baffled, unsure what to do. The column of fire in the middle was now a full blazing inferno. Flames cropped up through the ground, forking through the air.Bhairav was mumbling some incantation."Step into the column." He ordered Toshani."What? In that fire?" She asked aghast."It won't hurt you, now go!" He barked.It was useless to argue with him. She was going to die anyway.
Toshani stood in the doorway, transfixed. Staring at the little boy playing with a few wooden toys in the room. He would laugh, then chuckled while the older women smiled at him.It was surreal, Toshani had an urge to hug the little boy, who looked so much like Revati, at the same time she wanted to run away. Afraid that her jinx would endanger the little boy as well. All her loved ones ended up dead isn't it?"Who are you?" The older woman asked.Toshani stepped inside and bowed to the former queen."Your majesty, we have never met before.""How do you know me?" Queen Nyra asked.Toshani ruffled the golden locks of Ishaan who stared back at her with curious blue eyes."He looks just like Revati. " Toshani mumbled.Nyra narrowed her eyes."I am princess Toshani, your majesty. Revati's sister." Toshani said softly.The women seemed unfazed."So you survived as well, how did they find you?"
Toshani stared intently at the beautiful woman standing in front of her.The elf queen Zinfer. Toshani had wandered 100s of times in the enchanted forest. Yet she had rarely come across these creatures dwelling in the forest."You are indeed the heir of Aditi, you have the same eyes," she said."Thank you, but I don't know what is that supposed to mean," Toshani replied and paced in the shabby room. This was Rob's home. It was more of an abandoned stable in a ruined mansion. Several stalls had been converted into rooms."It just means the prophecy is true," Zinfer said." Dark days are ahead. You will have to be strong."Toshani gave an exasperated look."Don't know if anything can be darker." She mumbled."Why are you here, Zinfer?" The girl asked in a firmer voice.Zinfer walked over to the bed and sat down next to the girl, thou
A shocked silence filled the room. Shrushaw was sure she did not hear Rob right. "What?"Rob fidgeted in his seat before taking a deep breath to relax.