LOGINShare
Chapter 2 - Losing everything
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56It was a crazy scene. The city was burning, people were screaming, and the wind was whipping around Toshani.
They had only gone a hundred meters before a scream pierced the night. Toshani stopped, recognizing her mother's cry of anguish. Toshani was unable to move from panic- until she heard a roar. her father roared into the night before silence fell.
"Princess we need to move." The Oracle said.
"My....my parents." She cried.
"They sacrificed their lives for you. Let it not go to waste your highness." The oracle said.
"Let go of me..." Toshani screeched but was muffled when a large hand covered her mouth.
"Princess you must be quiet, or you will get us killed!" said Manas, placing a viselike grip on her arm.
"They are hurt, captain! I must go back... we must try and save them" Toshani sobbed, trying to pry his grip from her arm.
"The king knew what he was doing and accepted the danger. My mission is to get you to safety princess... I gave your mother my word" said the captain, as he continued to pull the distraught princess along behind him.
"Stay behind me princess, keep to the shadows. We are nearing the moat." Manas cautioned her.
They approached the moat and gingerly walked across the wooden planks set across it by their invaders. They were almost on the other side when a shout was heard.
"Stop them!"
"Run!" Manas yelled.
They ran blindly without looking back. A rain of arrows followed them.
"Wait!" The Oracle yelled.
A thin streak of light appeared from her hand forming a protective layer above them. Stopping the arrows midway.
"Keep running" she shouted.
Toshani had stopped in the track. Manas grabbed her hand and ran. They ran like crazy without looking back into the dark forest.
Toshani looked at her bloodied feet as she balanced herself on a makeshift bridge made of wooden lofts. Silvery moonlight gave some respite in the pitch darkness of the forest. However, it also made them vulnerable to being detected if someone followed them.
The river was swelling below them. Leaving the castle was not the end of her troubles. She had to cross a vast land full of enemies and traitors to reach the safety of Lorna.
"Your highness please be careful," Manas said as he held her hand leading her towards the other side.
Toshani looked straight ahead afraid of seeing the surging river below them. The rushing water below diminished the noise of hoofbeats which was approaching nearer.
"There you are princess!" A booming voice broke her attention.
She turned towards the riverbank which they had just left. Her eyes growing wide in terror.
The horse riders of Vatsaya were glaring at them. Their faces lit up by the burning torches which they carried.
"Come on princess you can't run away. Just come to me."
Toshani knew that voice.
It belonged to Anbir the crown prince of Vatsaya, Rudra's elder brother.
"Princess don’t look back just continue moving they can't follow us on horseback," Manas said as they inched closer to the other side.
Toshani had last seen Anbir 6 months back when he had arrived along with Rudra to participate in the Svyamvar to win the hand of her sister Revati.
He was not successful.
"Is this war due to that?" She thought.
"Go capture them. Make sure the princess is alive." Anbir commanded.
"My lord we can just shoot them." The commander who was a big man dressed in armor said to the prince.
Anbir turned towards his commander clearly looking annoyed.
"I said ALIVE you idiot! now get off your lazy ass and get her."
The commander reluctantly got off his horse. His well-polished boots splashed in the mud making him even more annoyed.
The bridge shook dangerously as the sudden weight of armored soldiers tested its strength.
"Don't turn back princess once we are on the other side, just run as fast as you can. We'll get the advantage of time." Manas whispered to her.
"Stop otherwise we'll shoot!" A voice boomed over the noise of the rushing river.
Toshani turned back to see a soldier pointing an arrow at them.
She froze. A sudden surge of anger coursed through her.
She took her bow from her shoulder, strung an arrow, and pointed it at Anbir.
"Stay away prince Anbir! " She said.
"Princess no!" Manas shouted. His eyes wild with concern.
Anbir narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Toshani. The girl had spunk.
"Toshani just comes over, otherwise you will die!" Anbir warned her.
Toshani aimed her bow carefully at Anbir. He was tall, with wide shoulders, his features were razor-sharp just like his brother Rudra. Brown eyes stared back at her. However, the brothers had no resemblance. Anbir had silver golden hair with pale skin.
Rudra was dark with bronze sun-kissed skin. He was tall and broad just like his brother but with hazel eyes.
She shook her head to repel his memory. She was about to kill his brother better not to think of him.
Twang!
An arrow whizzed past her hitting into in Manas. He gasped.
"MANAS!" Toshani forgot all about her target and turned towards Manas.
"Princess!" He whispered.
Blood spurted from his mouth. He lost his balance and fell into the gushing river.
"NO" Toshani screamed.
Looking down at the savage river, her eyes teared up at the precious life which had just ended.
"Get her" Anbir commanded.
She turned her head and glared at Anbir. His face lit up in the torchlight. She aimed her bow at him again.
"Don't you dare move! " her violet eyes blazed with anger.
TWANG! Another arrow shot past her. She closed her eyes bracing for it to hit her.
"AH!" A male voice screamed.
She opened her eyes. Anbir toppled down dead from the horse. An arrow sticking out from his neck.
"My lord!" His men shouted. There was mayhem as more arrows flew at them hitting the soldiers.
Amazed she turned back to find the source of arrows. They were being shot from the other side of the riverbank. She narrowed her eyes trying to detect shapes in the dim moonlight.
Before she could identify her savior, the bridge shook violently as more soldiers moved towards her.
"Catch her! she killed the prince," they shouted.
Her arrow was still in the bow. She never got the chance to shoot it.
A soldier had almost reached her and lunged at her, his armored hand clawing to catch her.
She scrambled back as the bridge shook violently. She lost the footing and the next thing she remembered was falling through the ice-cold air. Falling into the swelling river.
The soldiers looked on stunned as her body washed away with the currents.
To be continued......
Related chapters
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 3 - The wild princess
6 months earlier -The kingdom of Shambala had a peculiar climate. It had snow-covered mountain peaks, vast grasslands, thick woodlands, and a perfectly sunny coastline.It shared its border with the Vatsaya kingdom in the west, Karoliya in the North, and Anatolia in the east. The south side had the sea. Shambala had important seaports and it was on an incredibly significant trade route. Ships from various places regularly docked at Shambala adding to its prosperity. Some people said it was because of the power of mother goddess Aditi that made Shambala so tranquil and prosperous. Her mysterious source lay somewhere in Shambala.The palace in the capital city of Kushan was in an uproar. Queen Kalita was agitated. The first of the suitor princes was supposed to arrive shortly. It was the tradition in Shambala and several other kingdoms that when a princess had too many suitors or she had not chosen anyone on her own. A svyamvar was organized, were princes or kings from various nations
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 4 - Rudra
Prince Rudra yawned as he rode along with his brother Anbir, and the entourage of about 50 soldiers and staff. He was not really interested in the Svayamvaar of princess Revati.He was just 18, too young to participate anyway. His half-brother Anbir was one of the contestants. Rudra had just tagged along to give him company.Anbir's mother the former queen had died years ago. The current queen of Vatsaya and Rudra's mother was Queen Chitralekha."Rudra are you sleepy? We can take a break if you wish." Anbir said.At twenty-two, Anbir stood a good six feet one inch tall, only an inch taller than his dad. His body was lean and muscular from his active life. Hunting, riding, and sword training filled his day, as studies in politics, arithmetic, reading, and writing filled his night.King Tarekdeo doted on Anbir; it is said he deeply loved his former queen Jyoti until a mysterious illness took her away.He was never the same after that. He used to wander alone in the woods, caves, met seve
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 5 - The tree climbing princess
Rudra and his entourage were now in the capital city of Kushan, the home of the royal family, and therefore the capital of the Shambala Kingdom. Looming marble towers grew from the city's center like white tree trunks into the heavens. The streets were lined with old trees and bright flowers. The finest artists and craftsmen worked along with them in grand shops and houses. Endless gardens sprawled across the city, interspersed with inns, eateries, and tea houses that took the form of gazebos and houses.People walking around looked happy and content. The palace had architecture like no other in the district. Several centuries earlier the royal family of Shambala had shipped in an architect from an overseas city. They wanted something exotic to inspire awe in the population. So instead of the peaks in the roof, it had gold-domed towers. It had an open porch at the front, held up with most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white and blue. Inside there were no door
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 6 - The ball
"He's not going to be pleased." Malcolm cast a look over the aftermath of their chaos - a splatter of papers and scrolls.Four knocked out Shambala guards were slumped at the entrance. He exhaled deeply, "This was a mistake.""Perhaps we are in the wrong room?" Gopi said."This is the royal archives room and as per my Information this is where the suitors' challenge had been put," Malcolm said."The prince is not going to be happy," Malcolm said moodily."You're being melodramatic." Gopi a commander, was far more at ease."I don't understand why the prince needs the challenges in advance. He is competent enough to win anyway." Gopi continued."Careful! Any word against the prince would be treason." Malcolm had a stern expression.Gopi rolled his eyes. He was apprehensive about their whole stealing the challenge mission right from the beginning. Anbir had got tipped off by some internal source from Shambala that the blueprint of the challenges was stored in the archives.Hence, he sent
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 7 - The card game
"Sure, why not? Shall we have stakes?" she answered cheerily, between sorting out her cards."Stakes? How mercenary," Rudra commented, though it was clear that this was meant to be a joke."Certainly. Perhaps, if I win..." He quieted, thinking before his smile returned. "If I win, I'd like you to tell me more about the challenges.""Are you trying to wriggle out information from me to make your brother win?" She asked."I want him to win so that we can be related and get more opportunities to meet." He gave his most dazzling smile which quickened her heartbeat."But that would be duping. Your brother should win fairly." She spoke."Hmmm, perhaps I should change my stakes. How about if I win you tell me just the first challenge?""It's still unfair." She replied." You just need to tell me what the challenge is. I am not asking for the key to solving it. It's still fair." He insisted.She pondered over a moment."Ok. And if I win...I want you to tell me something about you, which no on
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 8 - Deal
Rudra strode towards the noise which he had heard while playing cards with the princess."Malcolm! What are you doing here?" He asked the Vatsaya guards who were dressed in formals for the party."Prince Rudra! We were just returning from an errand for his highness." Malcolm replied while Gopi rolled his eyes."I think I know what that errand might be," Rudra said wryly.He did not approve of his brother's erratic ways to win the contest. However, Anbir was headstrong and would do whatever he wished."This way he'll get disqualified before the contest commences." Rudra thought.He went back into the party which was wretchedly boring as described by Toshani.At the thought of her, he sought her around in the crowd. She was dancing with someone he did not know, and she had a scowl on her face.He smirked.She was amusing. Though he could not point out why he was so taken with her. It was like being pulled by a magnet. He just watched her glide around the dance floor.He joined his brothe
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 9 - First contest "The riddle"
"Fifteen contestants, fifteen greatest warriors, princes and kings have gathered here to vie for my daughter's hand" King Suchihero paused."It truly an honor. The ancient system of Svyamvaar was established to choose the best man for a princess. There are 5 senses, 5 elements, 5 continents on this blessed Earth. Hence there would be 5 challenges. They will be revealed as we proceed." The first contest was taking place in a hall which was the size of an average auditorium. There was a central stage where the contestants were seated.The highest pavilion, near it, was filled with the royal family. Then the guests, and courtiers.Rudra shifted in his seat. He was not interested in the contest really. He was scanning the pavilion for Toshani.Anbir bristled in anger having to appear for such a childish contest for the foolish king but he restrained himself. As per his father's order, he had to win.The oracle took over from the king as she approached the stage to brief the contestants a
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 10 - The second contest (Pearls of wisdom)
Bhairav leaned against a snowy boulder. The chilly air felt like little needles on his exposed cheeks. He had been trekking for hours. It was not always like this.Long ago before the ice age, Kailash was full of greenery, tropical trees, and plants. However, it changed along with several other things on Earth. At least it did not have wild animals now, only snowy emptiness.Peering through the fog he tried to ascertain his location. The Citadel would be right after the giant Shivling.Shivlings were representations of the infinite, with no beginning or end. The Shiva himself.He clutched his staff and started further.*******Rudra was waiting for Toshani at the stables. He hoped he was in the right place. She did not precisely stipulate where.A young stable boy of about 15 approached him and asked him to accompany him.Rudra nodded and followed the boy.The boy took him through a labyrinth of walkways, finally arriving at what looked like a haystack somewhere in the stable.He stopp
Latest chapter
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 79 - Epilogue
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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 78 - The wedding
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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 77 - New Beginning
"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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 76 - Aftermath
"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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 75 - The war
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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 74 - The source
"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.
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 73 - Into the cave again
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?"
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 72 - Surrender with conditions
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
The Shambala Chronicles Chapter 71 - The queen of elves
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.
