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
"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
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
Toshani was feeling like a tour guide. Rudra was fascinated by everything, he wanted to visit every shop, try out every eatery, and struck a conversation with random people."Rudra you must not talk to everyone like this. We'll attract attention" She reprimanded him.Rudra was happily strolling on the cobbled road. They were in the middle of the market area. It was crowded with merchants and shoppers."I thought you were the fearless one." He spoke."I am fearless, not stupid!" She replied."Hmmm so tell me what the most fascinating thing about your city is?" He asked casually munching on a stick of kababs which he had bought from a vendor."Isn't it enough? You have seen almost everything!" Toshani grumbled.They had been wandering around for hours and she was tired.He just grinned at her. His eyes were suddenly caught by the glowing pagoda of a temple in a distance.He stared at it spellbound."What is that?" "That is the temple of Aditi.the mother goddess of Shambala," Toshani rep
Anbir was swimming through the lake. He had been swimming for hours through the weeds and fishes. He no idea how to find the pearls. It would take days to scan the entire lake to look for a tiny pearl.He broke through the water surface to catch some breath. There were various water lilies, swans, and ducks floating on the lake surface."Of course! The swans!" He suddenly recalled Sarasvati the Goddess of wisdom resides on the swan. The pearls of wisdom were not in the lake, they were with the swans floating on the lake!He swam back toward the bank where swans built their nests. He just hoped that he was not wrong or too late.He found a flock of swans, but he had no idea how to look for Pearls. Anbir started looking through the nests for pearls or any clues for the pearls."Are you looking for the pearls of wisdom?" A sweet voice asked him.He turned back but did not find anyone."Well, I am here." The voice called again."I must be going crazy" Anbir muttered."Well, if you don't w
When the universe was created by "Brahma" the creator God. He had several "mind-born" children. Mind born means born from his mind.Kashyap was one of the “mind-born” sons of Brahma and part of a prominent constellation Saptarshi (The seven).Brahma ordered Kashyap to go to Earth and marry 8 daughters of the celestial king Daksh for Earth was new and barren, devoid of any life.Kashyap married the 8 sisters and each wife bore him different races of children.His chief wife Aditi's sons were called Aditya.Second wife Diti's sons were called Daityas.The third wife Manu bore him manavs (humans)Fourth wife Danu bore him Danavs (demons)And so on. These children went on to produce different races and species on Earth. Everything was going peacefully when Brahma created Heaven. The Adityas and the daityas fought fiercely among themselves to rule the heavens. But daityas were evil, they were winning by deceit.To save her children Aditi gave her power to her sons the Adityas.The daityas
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
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.