It had been six months since Rudra had arrived at the citadel. Six months since he had last communicated with Toshani or anyone in the outside world.
He had to follow a strict lifestyle like a monk. Though that did not stop him from daydreaming about Toshani, the things he would do with her when they would finally meet.
Rudra took a deep breath and entered his father's chamber.Tarekdeo was lying on the bed, a broken man. Though Rudra could not help hating him, he could not see him like this. He always remembered his father as strong, powerful.
4 years later - Maya - I walked through the thick shrubs, careful to avoid tripping over exposed roots of a huge banyan tree.I am on a mission. The cool fall wind gently blew my dress against me, the dry leaves crunched beneath my boots as I walked down the dirt road. I adjusted the bow that was slung across my shoulder and pulled a bottle from my satchel. I made my way to a nearby stream to quench my thirst and soak my aching feet. The stream was still and clear, the afternoon sun shining off it in such a way that the water acted as a perfect mirror. I took a moment to admire my reflection.My dark hair was pulled up in a ponytail. I have high cheekbones, full lips, pointed nose and violet eyes.People in the village say I am strikingly beautiful. That could be because I look different from them. The mountain people here have smaller, mongo lid features. I am taller than average women here, I have sun-kissed skin and sharp features.I get asked out a lot by the village lads and the
"Navya, what are you doing here?" Rudra asked."I thought you wanted me here," she replied in a sultry voice. Navya was beautiful, and she knew it. She had that superior look around her as if she were better than the rest of the world.It was typical of anyone brought up with privileges. As soon as he was the c
He smiled and brushed his thumb lightly on her cheeks.Navya smiled shyly at his gesture."It is getting late my Lord and we both have an early morning tomorrow. Perhaps, we should retire to our bedchamber?" She said in a husky voice.
Maya admired herself in the mirror."This would do," she said to herself.She was dressed in a crop top and a voluminous skirt leaving her midriff bare. That was the normal peasant dress in Kusasthali. She had tied her hair in two braids with ribbons in it.
Rudra has been wandering around in the fair for hours. He had become proficient in sneaking out of the palace comforts, ever since.......He brushed aside the thought.He was dressed like a common person, baggy pants, and sleeveless tunic. A leather boots and belt completed his look. He also had a hidden dagger
"Look there, your boyfriend is following you," Kaanchi whispered to Maya.Maya turned around where Kaanchi was pointing at. There he was leaning against a pole. His hands folded, staring intently at her.
At the tournament entrance, Rudra walked up to the desk.The man behind the desk was quite obviously a scribe, there were stains of in on his fingers, and even one on the tip of his long, beak-like nose. He seemed to be quite old as well and missing most of his grey hair. When he looked up from his scroll and spotted Rudra.