Only a few hours were left before the sun would rise on the horizon.The golden light will cast a reddish hue on the sky.Thus,it will mark the beginning of a new day.However this new day won't bring joys and a new ray of hope.This new day will be the first day of a battle.A battle which could take the form of a full fledged war.The air was filled with anticipation and fear.Mothers prayed for their children.Wives prayed for their husbands.And each and every citizen of Kalinga prayed for their motherland.They were at the brink of war.A war which will claim lives.A war which will leave many families shattered.A war which will result in bloodshed and gory.No one knew when the war would end.But one thing was clear.It would end with the flag of either Magadh or Kalinga flying victoriously.But again,where is the victory in a flag flying over corpses??What would be the value of this victory??
The Mauryan army is expected to launch a surprise attack from the east.Our troops need to be positioned and prepared for the same.Our cavalry may not be as good as the Mauryans but our infantry is definitely better.This works in our favour. Meanwhile the women will act as our reinforcements.',said Varadh, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kalingan Army.Her chain of thoughts was broken.
But why?? Our King had allowed women to fight as well.And by doing so,he had granted equal status to us as well.Then why should we act as reinforcements??We are no less than men.And we are ready to lay down our lives for our motherland as well.',a woman spoke out.Before the Commander in Chief could answer someone else did it for him.
No one is questioning your loyalty for your motherland.But as women our role is far greater than that of men.We are not alone.We have our families.Our children.Who will look after them if something happens to you?? You are answerable to them too.Your spirit to die for your motherland is admirable.But it wold be better if you live and win the war.',another woman spoke.As she was speaking all the eyes turned in her direction.Everyone listened with rapt attention.
Says who?? The wife of our dreaded enemy Ashoka.',muttered a soldier.It did not go unheard.Varadh glared at him.
You shall not behave like this with Lady Karuvaki!!! Apologize immediately!!',Varadh snarled.
There is no need of an apology Commander.Let it be.',she said.Then she turned towards the soldier.
I know that you have your apprehensions with my presence here sir.And I won't question it.Yes,I am Ashoka's wife.I don't deny it.And I never will.But here,at this moment,my identity is that of a soldier who is here to fight for her motherland.That does not make me any different from you.So,its my humble request that you cast your apprehensions aside.For we are at war.And everyone of us present here is a citizen of Kalinga. Our goal is the same.To protect Kalinga.',she said.Her voice had an edge of steel and she had a solemn look on her face.The soldier did not reply.He only nodded briefly.
All of you are dispersed.Sleep well tonight.For we have to fight with all our heart and soul tomorrow.',said Varadh.
I apologize for that soldier's behavior,Your Highness.',said Varadh. He was truly apologetic.
There is no need for apology Commander.And please don't call me Your Highness.For all of us are soldiers here.',she said.The look on her face was unreadable.She seemed so different from the carefree fisher-woman whom Varadh had known.Marriage to the Emperor had changed her. Varadh sighed.
You are still like my little sister,Karu.I understand how difficult it must be for your to face your husband tomorrow on the battlefield.',he said.
I appreciate your concern for me Varadh. But tell me one thing honestly.Is it easy for any of us over here?? All of us have put our lives at risk.Our families,our homes,everything.Its not.The war is looming over our heads.Over Kalinga.So,it would be better for all of us to concentrate on the war instead.Not on me.Not on what anyone thinks of me.',said Karuvaki. It took some moments for Varadh to speak again.
All right Karuvaki!! Now go and get some rest.We have to fight tomorrow.For Kalinga.',he said with a smile.
We will win tomorrow Commander.For Kalinga.',she said and walked away.
Varadh watched her with amazement as she walked away.Indeed,she was a different person.Even though she was a commoner by birth,her spirit was noble.He still remembered the day when she was presented before the king of Kalinga.
Welcome to Kalinga Raajsabha, Rani Karuvaki!! ',said the king.
Forgive me for my impertinence,Your Highness.But I have come here as a citizen of Kalinga. Not as a queen.And I wish to be treated as any other Kalingan citizen is treated.',she said.
As a king,its my duty to respect the wishes of my citizens.What do you seek of me??',asked the king.
What every other citizen of Kalinga wants right now.I was to pledge my life to the cause of my motherland.The war approaches.I seek a position in the army.',she replied calmly.There was a collective gasp.
I will not deny this.But do you realize that there are consequences of this action of yours?? ,the king asked.
This war itself will have disastrous consequences.We don't have the luxury to ponder over our individual conditions,Your Highness.I am well aware of the consequences and I am ready to face them.Only for the sake of Kalinga.',she said.After what seemed like an eternity,the king spoke.
So be it.Lets see how skilled you are with warfare.',said the king.
That was how the fisherwoman who had gone on to become a queen had joined the Kalingan army.She was an enigma.Almost everyone admired her because she of resolution and determination.That was Rani Karuvaki for everyone.A fierce warrior.A devoted citizen.A kind woman.
When she was alone in her tent,she was left with nothing but memories.Memories which were like the pages of a book that kept on reopening.Memories which could never be taken away from her.Memories which she could never drive away from herself.They were of all sorts.Sad memories.Happy memories.Bittersweet memories.All of them were so different from each other.But strangely,all of them had one thing in common.They were all about one person.About him.She had h avoided speaking of him ever since she joined the army.She had simply refused to answer whenever anyone had asked about him.Nowadays,her mind was so preoccupied with the war that she seldom thought of him too.But now,in the rare moments of solitude,she could not help but remember him.
He must be thinking about the war right now.He must be planning his moves and strategies.He is not someone whose attention will be diverted.After all the annexation of Kalinga is extremely important to him.But what about the endless carnage and bloodshed that will happen?Does he even think about it??Does it matter to him??',she thought to herself.
Its not that she did not know the answers to the questions that raced in her mind.Deep down,her husband knew very well about what was going to happen.He knew its consequences and repercussions.Its just that his ambition was important to him as well.It was just then that another memory etched itself onto the canvas of her mind.It was one of the most beautiful memories ever.And it was one of the most cherished memories which she had shared with him.
A few months had passed after their marriage.Though she was getting used to the life of royalty,she terribly missed what she loved to do the most.Fishing.It was a part of her daily routine.It made her happy.But she was a queen now.And she had learnt that it was not appropriate for a queen to pursue such a habit.Despite that knowledge,she was not going to give up.She was determined to go fishing.
As she could not do it during the day,she decided to go for it at night.It was midnight.She quietly sneaked out of the palace with the help of her maids whom she had taken into her confidence.She was dressed in her old fisherwoman attire.A boat was ready for her at the river and she had her net ready.She stepped into the boat and rowed off.The excitement and enthusiasm which she was missing had returned.
Now what would the Emperor think if he saw that his wife was fishing at night.',she chuckled to herself.But her attention was diverted when she saw another boat close to hers.It was a man.From his attire,he looked like a fisherman too.
Strange.Maybe I am not the only one who goes out for fishing at night??',she thought to herself.But something was weird about the man.Though he looked like a fisherman,it appeared as if he knew nothing about fishing.He was not even holding the net in a proper manner.He had his back towards her.
Sir,I am sorry to interrupt.But your method of fishing is totally wrong.',she said.Though she should not have spoken to he stranger but it was an act of impulse.
I know I am doing it in an incorrect manner,my Lady.You see,I am an amateur.But my wife knows this art very well.I was hoping that she would teach me.',he said as he turned.She was surprised.
My lord!!! What are you doing here at this hour??',she asked.
Didn't I tell you just now?? I am here to learn fishing from my beloved wife.',he replied with a grin.She had recovered from the shock of seeing him by then.
Is that so?? What would the people think when they find out that their Emperor,the Devanaampriya,goes out for fishing at night??',she asked.
I have no idea.But I do have the right to do what pleases me don't I??',he asked.
Okay,jokes apart,I apologize for leaving the palace at this hour without asking you.I know that its unbecoming of a queen.',she said solemnly.
And I apologize for following you.Wait!! I think you were the one following me because I was here first.',he said.
Never mind who was here first.I am still better at fishing than you my Lord.',she said playfully.
We shall see.Hopefully,the situation will change once I have learnt from you.',he said.
Are you serious?? You want to learn fishing??',she asked.
Well,if I were not serious about this,then I won't be here in the first place.',he said.
You will be the first Emperor in history who turned into a fisherman.',she said.
And you will be the first queen in history who went out for fishing at night.Now shall we begin??',he asked.They both laughed.
It was certainly one of her rare and precious memories.Part of her wanted to relive that memory again and again.But there was another part of her which reminded her that it was but a memory.And memories are not places for people to remain forever.Today's reality was different.She was at war.Her motherland was threatened.And she had to defend it at any cost.She had to face him tomorrow on the battlefield.And she would do it.She had not hesistated to support Kalinga over him.She had not hesitated to take up weapons.Tomorrow she would not hesistate to raise them at him.But she prayed to God that she would not have to face him tomorrow.Because there was also a fear that her courage will fail her.What if she is unable to hurt him??The thought of hurting him was unbearable but it had to be done if needed.In the battlefield,when they faced each other,they won't be husband and wife but two opponents.And she could not afford to become weak.
She closed her eyes and prayed to the Almighty.She prayed for Kalinga's victory.She prayed for the welfare of her people.She also prayed for courage to do what was right.
It is strange,isn't it?? When you are trying to fulfill one duty,you fail the other.I may have attempted to fulfil my duty towards my motherland but the truth is that I have failed in my duties as a wife.',she thought to herself.
Before she let sleep overcome her,she uttered a last prayer.It was a prayer for mercy and peace for her husband.For she was aware that he was tormented from within.But this was clouded by his ambition and obsession to win Kalinga. She prayed for him to get relief from the soul crushing pain he was about to endure.
The Mauryan camp was in a frenzy.The troops had mobilized and reorganized themselves several times.The Emperor himself supervised the arrangements.He had planned every move,every strategy in a calculative manner.This victory was necessary for him at any cost.He knew that he would not rest until he had annexed Kalinga and made it a part of the Mauryan Empire.Nothing will stand in his way.Nothing.He was sitting in his tent when the spy entered.
I have news ,Your Highness.The Kalingan troops are relying on their infantry.Our cavalry surpasses them of course.But they have an advantage with their foot soldiers.Also,women are participating in the war.',said the spy.
As if I don't know!! So there must be a dearth of men in the mighty Kalinga that women have to take up arms.',he said.
My sincere apologies,Your Grace,but the women of Kalinga have willingly taken up arms.Infact they are trained warriors as well.Their spirit is worth applauding.',said the spy. Ashoka remained silent.
Thank you for your efforts and information.You may leave now.',he said after a while.
When he was alone,he sighed.The spy was not wrong.The women of Kalinga had an indomitable spirit.He knew it very well.Because he knew one of them.Better than anyone else.
Karuvaki!! Brave,feisty,witty Karuvaki. Passionate,lively.',he thought.He wondered whether she thought of him.He knew that she would be there on the battlefield.He would try his best not to hurt her.Perhaps,after it was all over,he could persuade her to reconcile.Though the chances were really bleak.Slowly,his mind drifted to their last meeting.
So you have decided then??',she asked.
Decided what??'
That you are going to attack Kalinga.'
Its not a decision.Its a fact. Kalinga's annexation is necessary.Not only for extending the empire but also for our economic benefits. Kalinga has trade routes to many other countries.',he said.She did not say anything but simply stared at him.
Look,I know that Kalinga is your motherland.But this war is necessary.This war is not for personal causes.Its for the empire.',he said.
You have convinced yourself my Lord.But not me.I guess that is where we have to take a major decision about us.',she said.
Us?? How is this related to us?? You are my wife.I am your husband.Nothing is going to change that.This is a political matter.',he said.
I know.And anything related to my motherland concerns me too.',she said.
Are you telling me not to annex Kalinga?',he asked.
I am telling you to do what you think is right.I will do what I think is right.And that is to stand by my motherland.',she said.There was a long pause.
So...you are leaving??',he asked with uncertainty in his voice.
Yes.I am leaving. Kalinga needs me.',she said.
And what about me?Don't I need you??',he demanded.
Yes you do.But Kalinga needs me more.',she said.
And what make you think that I will allow you to leave??Its my right as your husband to stop you.',he said.
Duty.Its my sense of duty which tells me to leave.And I know that you will not stop me.Because you know that I am just doing my duty.',she said.
Leave.But I promise you one thing.Next time we meet,Kalinga will be mine!!',he said.
Kalinga belongs to no one husband.It has never been defeated.',she said.
They looked at each other.Her eyes were moist.But she turned away and left.He was left alone with his feelings.
The memory was gone as soon as it had come.He regained his composure back and wiped a tear.Only a few hours were left for dawn.Only a few hours before the battle conch will be blown.
What is done is done.She made her choice.I made mine.',he spoke to himself.
