Chapter 5

As the ship approached the harbor for the first time in the weeks, Raghu and I rushed to the grow. "Finally in Kalpi?" I asked. Raghu shook his head, "Khairwan, I heard it's another three days" Hundreds of soldiers waited on the shore, their , I could see their reaction as the ship came near.

Adhvrushya appeared with Mritunjay, both the men were dresssed as if for war. "Mritunjay's carriages are waiting on the shore , both you will Travel with the son of Kalpi's official consultant. He's waiting for us at the shore." Adhvrushya told .

I tried to pick out the person with whom we were gonna travel but Reyaansh marked "Don't bother, there are too many soldiers and horses." I glared back at him, "I can see that."

"Have you taken your sketches?" Raghu asked. "Yes. And do you?"

Raghu nodded. he had hidden my father's ring from the chamber before Mritunjay could claim it. I looked at the polished decks for one last time as the sound of trumpets pierced the air. Three of us had board the ship but only two had reached the enemy's shore. Mritunjay was the first to move, followed by Adhvrushya and Reyaansh.

When it, was our turn to walk the wooden steps, Raghu held out his hand. I shook my head, "I'm fine" but we hadn't felt land for so long and, suddenly my legs gave up beneath me. "Raghu"

But it wasn't Raghu who caught me, Instead it was whom I never wanted to be "Reyansh". "Be careful" he laughed, I felt my cheeks growing warmer at the sight of him. He gave his smile which irritated me the most, "Now, don't faint on me princess. I'm not the one who's supposed to take care of you here."

He left me down, I looked around but couldn't find Raghu. "Princess" he pointed at the horse-drawn carriage, Raghu stod near the carriage talking to someone. I ran from there to Raghu looking back at Reyaansh, that looking back and running in front made me bump into Raghu.

"Careful Kria" Raghu said, Reyaansh laughed hard at this from where was standing. The tall and lean guy next to him with whom he was talking, "Welcome Princess Kria. I'm swayam, Son of Kalpi's official consultant" He help open the door of the carriage for us.

Inside , I and my brother listened the Chat while Swayam Chatted with Reyaansh outside, "Welcome back, Brother." I could hear their laughter. "How were the Women of Vardha. They would have swooned in your arms, falling in your arms like Princess Kria" Raghu's eyes came me, I looked away(slightly blushed).

"Very funny swayam, she just tripped and I helped her that's it.'

"Okay, And the fighting?"

"The Gods were with us" Reyaansh said. "With us, or with you. I heard you fought..." Swayam cut himself off and his voice grew serious, "I'm Glad to see you've returned safe, Mritunjay"

"Swayam" I heard Mritunjay reply, I hope you've been applying as much passion to your studies as you do to your gossiping." I heard Mritunjay reply. "Yes, Mritunjay" he said quietly. "Good. Then you may tell what kind of ship is this" There was an uneasy silence and I could imagine Swayam's extreme discomfort.

I pressed my mouth close to the window and whispered, "Battle cruiser"

"Kria" Raghu mouthed but Swayam had heard and repested the word, "I guess it's a battle cruiser". I heard Mritunjay step back, "He's going to be a titan in the senate and on battlefeild as well." Swayam joined us in the carriage, he looked immensely relieved.

"I don't know how to thank you, Princess Kria" he said. I smirked, "Women of Vardha, know much more than just falling in the arms of men." And gave my hand forward. He shook his hand with mine, "Got it, Kria"

"So, you are Reyaansh's brother?" Raghu asked.

"Prepare yoursleft to get confused much of the time from now till you understand our relations. I'm son of Asva, she's official consultant of Kalpi. My mother(Asva), Reyansh's father(King Dhaumya) and Mritunjay have known eachother from years after death of King Dhaumya my mother and Mritunjay took care of Reyaansh and his sisters." He said.

I understood it, "In that case you are also a prince? And that Reyansh has sisters also? Are they like him only?" Swayam laughed at this, "Yes, Im a Prince too but Reyansh is the real heir of Kalpi and No her sisters aren't like him Antra and..." he blushed a bit on taking the name. "And swayam?? Im waiting"

"Sharon"

We both glared at him, to stop his blush Raghu asked "We'll stay as prisoners in Kalpi's? Prison house?"

Swayam saw the look which I gave to Raghu, "Not at all, you'll stay with us in our palace, don't be nervours my mother loves children but Varali will never like you"

"Varali?"

"Mritunjay's sister. She doesn't like anyone." His expressions could tell how much dislike he had for her. "Do you have a sibling?' I asked. "Ya! I've a sister, Taani. You'll be a good friend of Taani, Antra and Sharon but don't except anything from Varali."

.

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It was the last evening of our journey, we would reach Kalpi by tonight. Raghu and Swayam carried on with their talks, I threw back the curtains of the window and pressed my face into the window. Procession of our Carriages came to a sudden stop, and Raghu and I both looked at Swayam, "Are we there?" I asked nervously.

Swayam frowned. "We haven't even passed the Kalpi wall then we'll enter into Kalpi" then he leaned out of the carriage. There was commotion happening in front of us. I could hear raised voice of Mritunjay and Adhvrushya.

"What's happening ?" Swayam shouted. When no one answered, opened the carriage door and I caught a glimpse of soldiers. "I'll be right back" he promised, shutting the door.

"What do you think it is?" I asked Raghu.

"A broken wheel or maybe a dead horse."

"But then why the soldiers?"

Swayam returned and his look was grave, "You might as well get out and take in some fresh air. We won't be going anywhere for a while" He helped Raghu and me from the carriages, then explained, "Some sort of rebellion is going on inside the walls."

"And now we can't enter?" my brother exclaimed.

"Well, we could" Swayam ran a hand through his hair, "But it would be much more prudent not to. It's a slave rebellion going on" As word spread among the carriages that there would be no more progress for several hours, doors swung open and tired looking stumbled out into the cobblestones.

We approached a group of soldiers who were explaining to Mritunjay how it had happened. Adhvrushya and Reyaansh stood on the other side listening intently as the Soldier described the scene just inside the walls.

"Many of the slaves are the one who escaped from the our prison. It began this morning, and since the more slaves have joined the rebellion"

"And who is leading them?" Mritunjay demanded. "No one, They've been stirred up by" the soldier hesitated "By the messages of Kuru. And now they've taken over streets." He finished quickly. "Its nothing to worry about, Mritunjay. The rebellion will be put down before sunset."

Soldier remained silent at attention as Mritunjay turned his face to Swayam, "Was there any trouble when you left Kalpi three days ago?"

"None, the streets were peaceful/"

"I doubt there would be a hand of Kuru. When we'll find him..." Reyaansh said. He was cut by Mritunjay, "We'll crucify him. I don't care Kuru is leading these slaves. His messages will breed the next Black scorpion. And remember" he said darkly "a third of Kalpi's population is enslaved.

"What's this Black scorpion and Who's Kuru?" I said aloud.

Everyone glared at me, Reyaansh indicated Swayam to take us away from the conversation. He pulled us to our carriage, "Who's Kuru and what is this Black scorpion?" I asked again.

"Black Scropion was a slave, almost fifty years ago he led more than a thousand of slaves into a revolt against Kalpi and slavery going on in Kalpi but that revolt was crucified. So for years the slaves never crossed their lines but Now again a person named Kuru is breeding them by posting messages. Who is he?, What's is real name? no one knows anything"

I was bit tensed listening the story, Raghu and Swayam played chess while I lay on my seat inside our carriage.

I didn't realise when my eyes were closed, and I went to a light sleep. It was late night when I felt someone close to me, my breathing rate increased, his breath was striking my lips. When my eyes opened, I saw glimpses of Reyaansh in the dark. He was so close that I couldn't even react to his presence, his one hand encircled my waist and other ruffled my hair.

His breath was tingling on my lips I don't know for how long, then his hand moved to my lips and rubbed them slightly, another one made random designs on my waist. He gently kissed near my lips. I opened my eyes, found Raghu and Swayam lying in their seats in deep sleep. I looked around but there was no clue if Reyaansh, "Dream... huh It was just a dream" I explained myself and drank to some water before drifting to sleep again.

Im sorry people for being late... :) I hope you like it... if uh liked den do hit like and comment..