Ashok staggered towards the ground as the soldiers threw him."Ashok?" Emperor Bindusar asked."Samrat, this boy attacked rajkumar Shushim brutally," One of the soldiers explained."What? Ashok, did you really hit Shushim?" Bindusar was really stunned."Samrat I-" He stopped midway."Yes," He said."Why Ashok, you should know that attacking a royal member has a very brutal punishment," Samrat said."Yes Samrat, I know," Ashok looked towards the ground."I'm sorry Ashok, but a rule is a rule, there can't be any partiality," Samrat sighed, he ordered the soldiers to take Ashok away, and punish him until tomorrow.Ahankara put some medicine on her wound, her eyes lost in Ashok's thoughts.What are they doing to him?The doctor had visited, and had given her the ability to move around.She got up, and decided to head where Ashok was, afterall, he would be in intense pain.
*~*~*~*~*
Ashok groaned as the whips slashed his body. The pain was horrible, and it grew more every second."Akand," A female voice, said. "Rajkumari Ahankara?" Ashok was happy. But his voice contained pain.Ahankara turned around to look at Ashok, when seeing him in such a state made her lose her control.She ran to him, sat down and observed the marks and blood. It was horrible. She gently touched a mark, when Ashok winced."Ashok!" She spread her arms wide open, hugging him."Rajkumari, please, calm down," Ashok said, although he would rather stay in that position forever.Ahankara let go, and smiled, wiping her tears."I have someone who wants to meet you," She said, calling in a figure."Acherya Chanakya?" Ashok said."Ashok, there's something I must tell you, something I know you'll hate, but it has to be told," Chanakya said."What is it Acherya?" Ashok tried his best to smile."Ashok... I'm here to tell you about your... father," Ashok's pupil grew a deep shade of brown."He is... you know him very well... his the Samrat,".Ashok and Ahankara gasped. "What? Samrat Bindusar? No! That's not possible!" Ashok shouted."Ashok, listen to me, he didn't leave you and your Mum on purpose," He said.And so he told them the reality, the truth."Did Mum know?" Ashok asked."Yes, she knew. In fact, here they come," And down the stairs came Dharma and Bindusar. Ashok couldn't believe it. He was a prince.The soldiers untied his wrists and Ashok collapsed. Ahankara caught him, gently moving him towards his parents."Mum," He hugged Dharma."Ashok, it's all true," She smiled. Ashok moved towards Bindusar."Father!" He never thought he would say that. They all hugged.
*~*~*~*~*
"I have an anouncement to make," Bindusar began.All the princes and Ahankara were sitting there along with the patliputra."I have another son! And his name is Ashok!!" Bindusar anounced.Shushim sat there as if electrocuted."No! This can't be possible!" He whispered.Siamak smiled.And Drupad grinned.It really was lovely, except Shushim. "What can I do?" He thought desperately.Then he grinned, his eyes stapled to Ahankara."Of course," He smirked...
To Be Continued...