Aarambh- final part page 9

"Once your father leaves, no one can keep you from following
him. Thamgan told her, holding the needed clothes in her arms, eyes oddly
intent. "Better than prayers is the skill you hold, my Princess. Tell Hahuha
you go to Maheshi Devi and go help your father.

"But I promised my father and Hahuma I would not enter the battlefield.
Devsena protested, halfheartedly, eyes already looking longingly at the clothes
Thagam laid on the bed.

"The choice is yours my to-be Queen. The soldier replied
stepping back and bowing. "But the Aryans are unlike any foe we have faced. In
battles your father has been ever victorious, but having his daughter against
these demons who care for nothing but destruction will be more useful to him
than prayers.

Devsena started at the clothes as Thangam exited the room.
Shivering, Devsena remembered her dream- her father dying in the great hall,
smiling and at peace.

No She thought,
shivering lightly. Maheshi Devi sent me a
sign of doom. Surely she did this so I could prevent that doom from coming? I
will go and fight besides my father in disguise. Mahishi Devi has guided me in
this.

XXX

"You need not worry, my Manu-Manchuri Thangam cooed as she
rode the elephant with her chosen queen. "I have ensured that Devsena will die
on the battlefield. And with her, all obstacles in your path.

XXX

There was freedom in parading about as an ordinary soldier,
Devsena thought, hunkering down with the others as the rain of Aryan arrows
continued. Her father was behind the boundary line, riding his fine elephant,
ready to mow the Aryans down. In order to prevent recognition, Devsena had
smuggled herself to the front lines, where she anyway belonged.

I am the future Queen
of the Dravidians. I must be brave and lead from the front. How can I ask
anyone to follow me if I cannot take on their trials myself?

The rain of arrows finally stopped, and in the distance she
could hear the shouting of the Aryans and the thundering hooves of their horses
as they sped through the jungle.

"Truly, The soldier besides her muttered as he gripped his
sword, "there is no match for their speed.

"Then let them dash against us. Devsena whispered back,
smiling as the soldier nodded, visibly bolstering himself, "for we are the
rocks against who all stop.

Then the Aryans were
upon them, and she let out a cry and joined the battle.

XXX

Mausiamma was right
Devsena concluded, wiping the sweat and blood off her brow. War is not a game.

For all her valor she had never killed anyone. There was nothing
glorious about beating an opponent to the ground, his cries ringing in her
ears. There was nothing glorious about seeing a man choke to death on his own
blood, falling slowly down to the earth.

There was no glory in war. Only death. Only sorrow.

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They had taken the Aryans by surprise, but the tide of
battle was evening out now. Their leaders had regrouped and one of them, whose
face she had not seen but whose archery she had, for a brief mad moment! admired,
had started shooting their archers from the trees. Devsena gritted her teeth,
drawing her blade from the throat of another unfortunate, and began making her
way towards the warrior. Suddenly the man turned and rode away. Devsena paused,
wondering at the cowardice, when she heard her father's elephant.

Appa! Her mind shrieked in terror, suddenly remembering her
awful vision. Appa no! I have to help him.

Gnashing her teeth, Devsena grasped hold of the spear that
had been coming towards her, pulling off the Aryan who held it. As the man
grunted in pain, she leapt on the horses back, and urged it to ride, following
the man who was even now, gaining towards her father.

It had taken Devsena longer than she thought it would to
reach the Aryan. His men had fought fiercely, with an unending desperation,
especially once they realized who she was moving towards. All fell before her blade.

Just one more, Devsena
thought, I have to bloody this sword one
more time before it is over. Then I will take Appa home.

Mausiamma was right. This
is no game.

This is hell.

What was even more hellish was the slight she came up on.
Madhivanan, her father's attendant was running towards the Aryan who was about
to...!

No Devsena's mind
would not comprehend the sight before her eyes surely it is not my Appa who is on the ground defeated? No!

A cry wrenched from her throat and the Aryan turned. Their
eyes met.

Time slowed. It was as if the world had dropped dead before
her. All Devsena could see, all she could comprehend were his eyes.

Searing. Piercing. As if with his gaze a thousand arrows had
gone through her. Devsena was aware of blood thundered through her veins as
never before. Aware of each breath she was taking. And all her being was
concentrated on the warrior before her.

"Who? Was that her voice? To Be Queen Devsena's voice? That
near desperate whisper? "Who are...

He stepped forward, sword lowering, seeming as enthralled as
she was.

And then the couch shell rung, blasting through Devsena's
awareness. The warrior fully lowered his sword, still looking upon her, taking
a hesitant step forward. Suddenly he turned back, looking towards her father.

"Varundev! The cry rang through the woods. "What are you
doing? That is the Dravid king, kill him!

Devsena snarled, turning to the man who was shouting. A
stout Aryan sat upon a horse, his arrow pointed at her.

"I will take care of the woman. He snarled. "Kill the King!

"No, Angdev. The warrior's voice was firm, and Devsena
wished she could turn towards her. "That is against the rules of conduct. You
should lower your bow. The sun has set. The fight is over.

"There are no rules in war! Look upon this woman- you think
she will not kill you where you stand?! Kill him and be done with it!

"If I kill him then we have won nothing and lost everything.
The warrior's voice came closer, and Devsena's swiftly turned around, taking a
breath as she saw the man supporting her father and coming towards her. "Leave
it Angdev. The battle is done. Lower your bow and be an Aryan, not a dayet.

"Damn you Varundev. The other man cursed. "Die then for
your folly! He rode away, curses blistering through the air. The man, Varundev Devsena recalled, finished
walking towards her, stopping only a few steps away. They looked at each for a
moment, taking their fill of the other's countenance.

"Your King is injured, Devi. Varundev nodded towards her
father, who was moaning for water, "If you wait a few moments I can have the
purohits here with medicine.

Devsena wanted to snarl, but her voice came out soft
instead. "We Dravids do not accept charity from the enemy. It carries the death
sentence.

"It is not charity. Varundev argued mildly, turning his
head to look at Madivanan who had just arrived, out of breath from his mad
dash. He startled upon seeing her, but did not announce her title, for which
Devsena was grateful. "It is humanity. Varundev continued, transferring her
father to his vassal. "And a part of our customs.

"You Aryans have some strange customs. Devsena countered,
handing itching to...what? Touch him? What a mad thought.

"You Dravids seem to have the same. Varundev noted, tilting
his head to look upon her more fully, a smile teasing the side of his lips. "We
have never seen women fight alongside the men, and fight so well. And we are
well traveled.

"You have left everything behind. To conquer us.

"To find a home Devi. Isn't that what anyone wants? To come
home.

"We should go. Madivanan's voice interrupted them, breaking
up the charged air between them. Devsena nodded, and was beginning to turn when
Varundev's hand rose and flashed abruptly towards her. Devsena startled, but
jerked back even further when she noted what he had caught. An arrow that would
have cleaved her neck from her shoulders had it connected.

"It looks like someone wishes to see you dead, Devi.
Varundev noted, shaking off the drops of blood from fingers. He made a startled
noise when Devsena seized his hand, taking note of his injuries. A flash of electricity
arched through them both, and Devsena could not help but look upon Varundev,
finding his eyes upon her as well.

What madness is this?
She thought hazily, wanting so badly to lose herself in his eyes. What is this?

Mahishidevi what are
you trying to tell me?

She shook herself out of her stupor.

"Whoever did this will pay. Devsena hesitated, then shook
the hand she was still holding. "I will repay my debt Aryan.

"Varundev, Devi.

"My name is... She hesitated, then finished, "Devsena.

Varundev nodded and looked upon her as if she could disappear
any moment. Devsena turned and walked away with her father and Madhivanan. But
she could not help but look back. And he was still there, joined by two others,
watching her walk away.