Pleading Guilty - Part 1 posted on Pg 1

Pleading Guilty - Introduction
A romantic saga of forgiveness, love and the importance of truth

Around hundreds of years ago, few centuries after the Chauhamana dynasty and a few centuries earlier than the Mughal dynasty was a dynasty which was divided into two origins; Aryavartas and Shramiks. Both the origins had only one thing in common; that they belonged from the same land. The Aryavartas were the nobleman who were involved with the King and Politician, yet the Shramiks were the workers who served their god (Aryavartas) as they were always taught that Aryavartas were as equal to them as their deities.

Due the Shramiks' compulsion, they were forced to work and were obliged to make the Aryavartas happy by building temples and statues of the Trimurti gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva). While they had some time to their families and their deities, they always prayed and expected that a messiah shall enter in their woeful lives and put an end to all the cruelty on themselves and their children.

Yet one day, when all the Shramiks were performing their regular duties, Madhav, a Shramik worker who was the husband of Pari and father of Sakshi, ceased Jaiwardhan, brother of Aryawardhan to raise hand on an elderly Shramik as he could not perform his work successfully due to being weak and thin, Jaiwardhan carried Madhav away to the King demanding an execution for the ignorant worker by giving wrong reports of what had happened, Madhav protested against him while the King simply allowed him to go but Jaiwardhan had something else in store..

By making a treaty to Madhav, Jaiwardhan offered him to either race down the track by surviving till the end from his soldiers who would be shooting continuous arrows and sharp sceptres or change his request of independence and return back to his normal duty by imploring him by caressing and wailing on his feet. Madhav, however demanded to race down the track while saying a goodbye to his fellow Shramiks and wife and daughter knowing he would definitely not survive..

As expected, Madhav was struck with an arrow as his pregnant wife could not endure such loss, she fainted and gave delivery to a baby boy whom many Shramiks predicted were their messiah as the news struck Jaiwardhan, he ran into the deserted village and killed all the newborns. Managing to escape from the cruelty struck on the entire village, Pari placed her newborn into a basket and watched it flow to the end of the other side of river where stood the queen Nivriti, preparing to drown herself ending her miserable life due to have giving birth to another dead child, she caught sight of a newborn and took him away happily taking a vow from a maid nearby. However Pari and Sakshi were relieved and returned back to the village, miserable yet glad..

Pleading Guilty -
Characters and their background

Dharam - A righteous Rajkumar who strongly believes in customs and to fulfil his responsibilities with the best results. He is the cousin brother of Veer and Agni, but seems to be far more close to Veer than Agni. Dharam is the next heir to the throne after his father but yet he believes that Veer is much more capable than him. He develops affection and love for Rajkumari Sia.

Veer - A mischievously vivacious Rajkumar who has a very little belief in customs and fulfilling responsibilities. Veer is the adoptive son of Nivriti and his original origin and background is Shramik but only Pari and Sakshi are aware of the fact. Although he is vital and always making practical jokes, he is very considerate about the protection of Dharam and his loved ones. He strongly starts admiring the company of Shera, a lady goon dacoit.

Maharaj Aryawardhan - The king of Aryanagar and father of Dharam. A gentle and pure minded king, he is very dependant on his elder brother for decisions involving politics and handling the city. Though, Jaiwardhan always instigate him leading him into more anger, Aryawardhan decides an approval on the bases of all proofs. He loves his widowed sister, Nivriti a lot as he understands her worries.

Nivriti - A widow Aryavart who is the sister of Aryawardhan and Jaiwardhan and the adoptive mother of Veer. She loves Veer a lot but hides the truth that he is not a Aryavart and keeps him away from the Shramik dynasty.

Jaiwardhan - An evil and vindictive Aryavart who is in charge of the matters of states and to keep a watch on the Shramiks to see if they are working to their ability continuously. Jaiwardhan has a son, Agni who thinks the same way and treats the Shramiks with no respect. He pays Shera to murder Dharam so Agni could be in line for the throne.

Agni - A foolish yet, immoral Aryavart who is the son of Jaiwardhan. Agni strongly hates Veer and feels jealousy erupting inside him whenever, he see's Veer or Dharam's friendship. He buys weapons from Shera and feels lusty about making her the queen of Aryanagar after Aryawardhan.

Shera - A lady goon, who sells weapons in Godhwar and travels around cities and towns in search for treasure. She hates Agni after he forcefully tries to kidnap her as she warns him to stay away. She falls in love with Veer but breaks off from him after the threat of her father and Jaiwardhan.

Sia - A haughty and aggressive Rajkumari who is proven to be very arrogant yet kind hearted. She is the Rajkumari of Awadhi and gets a great shock after it is revealed that Awadhi and Aryanagar are no longer related. She deeply falls in love with Dharam but is forced to get engaged to Rajkumar Harsh.

Pleading Guilty - Part 1 -
A perilous encounter

As the horse galloped down the muddy hill, Dharam swiftly wiped the sweat from his forehead while his nervous eyes were fixed straight ahead at the steep hill. The finishing stop, he and Veer had placed was only a few metres away and if he only made his horse more fast, he would win. As he kicked his horse several times, Dharam knew that he was already riding on the highest speed and so only controlled his horse into misinterpreting the way.

While racing down the stones, Veer jumped from one to another landing on his horse's back and racing to the finishing stop, with Dharam only a few inches further. But in seconds of time, Veer had took over and was already barging a place for his horse on the stop as he gave a victorious cry, Dharam stopped his horse not mistaking Veer for his illusion. But as he had dreaded, he had lost again with Veer once again using a short route which was quite an insecure point for performing racing skills..

"Did you use the hill to get over to your horse?" asked Dharam disbelievingly. "Didn't I tell you, not to use that route?"

Veer ignoring Dharam's warning smirked. "I know, but I can't accept defeat from you.."

Dharam sighed ponderously. If anything in the world Veer could not lose from was horse riding and every time Veer decided what they had to practise always choosing Dharam's weak points..

"We ought to be getting back now..tomorrow we'll practise -"

"Horse riding. We won't stop this until you win from me at least once.." cut in short Veer stroking the pain of his horse slowly and vigorously.

"Veer! We all know your skills in archery.."he complained smirking at the sight of him always losing in bow and arrow. Veer's colour faded away and he quickly changed the topic keeping his self respect..

"Do you know the way back?" asked Veer quickly.

"Way back? I've never stepped a foot in this muddy deserted area.." he responded astoundingly peering over the greenery which was denser than he had ever thought.

"I'll go and find some directions out of this.." Veer stopped at the sight of the place as he had never been in a disastrous position before that he had ran out of words.

Kicking his horse several times, it got into action and raised down the path leaving a tired Dharam who only knew that anger was awaiting him at the palace.

After a few minutes of waiting, Dharam heard the sounds of a horse being kicked to gallop faster. He trotted his own horse forward hoping it to be Veer but stopped as he stopped a ruff thug like mobster holding tightly onto the petrifying and protesting young infant boy.

Being a barricade between the mobster continuing, he tipped his attention to Dharam who stood with his sword's blade touching just under his chin.

"Let go off the boy.." he said harshly as the mobster released the infant and watched him climb down the horse without any needs of help.

"Rajkumar..if I were you..I wouldn't help any stranger because it can encounter you with difficulty.." he grinned kicking the forearm of Dharam causing the sword to fall out of his grip. With picking up the infant again, the mobster struck a dagger in Dharam's arm causing him to yelp in pain.

As he kicked his horse, it began to gallop but stopped as Veer stood in front of the mobster's horse glaring at him with ice cold and revenging eyes.

"I must appreciate your dares," fumed Veer calmly as the mobster backed away turning to gallop from another route but before he knew, he was off his horse with a sword struck in his stomach. The infant fell to the ground and waited as he watched both the brothers rejoin.

"Dharam," said Veer as hot tears prickled in his eyes. He tore off a cloth and vigorously wrapped it round his wounded arm.

"Veer..how far are we from the palace?" sighed Dharam ignoring the agony and the pain as Veer rested his arm in a comfortable position.

Sighing Veer knew that they were kilometres away from the palace and turning to go back in dark would be a very risky and chancy decision.

"We're in Godhwar.." came a small voice from behind the horse as both turned to look at the guilty infant who wanted to thank the Rajkumars but the words had been lost in his mouth. "There is a town and a Vaid nearby..I know the directions.."

Veer was relieved to hear the name of the Vaid as he nodded helping Dharam onto his horse and picking the infant up in the other, Veer galloped leaving two horses and one dead mobster..

**************

The infant directed him to stop as he climbed down in the not so populated town, ignoring all the vendors but rushing to one specific girl who was dressed more like a boy..

Veer and Dharam followed, keeping up with him as the infant peered at the face who was busy placing the heavy weapons in a bag.

"Shera Di.." came the small squeak as the girl tipped her head back to find three pairs of eyes examining her thoroughly.

"Shaurya..why are you out of your house this late?" she asked not missing the smirk on Veer's face as she tipped all her attention to the little infant as her deep dark eyes were looking at him and he knew he couldn't lie but he protested.

"Shera Di, where is the Vaid Ji?"

Noticing the wound on Dharam's arm, she peered back at the boy and told him the directions as he thanked her and took the two Rajkumars who couldn't imagine a girl dressed as a boy.

"Why was that girl dressed like a boy?" asked Veer curiously as he had not seen girls like her in a kind. Shaurya simply smirked.

"Shera Di, has been brought up like a boy. She is the most superior in this town in archery, climbing, sword fighting and horse riding.." he listed on his fingers startling the princes.

"Baba..who is the head chief of the town, taught Shera Di strictly to never lose and since we know her she has not lost a single challenge from Tasha.." the boy continued stopping to catch his breath.

"Who is Tasha?" asked Veer once again as Dharam pierced his eyes through his telling him to not get personal but Veer did not get the message and waited.

"Tasha, is the second superior in town and is the rival of Shera Di. He comes round often, and has asked her hand in marriage now several times but the reply is always "no"." he grinned.

He stopped in front of a shoddy cottage as he knocked on the door waiting for the Vaid to come. As the door slowly opened, the Vaid invited all of them in and slowly began curing the wound Dharam had gained giving him a night's bed rest..

**************

"Shera, what have you in store for me..?" asked the ruff looking boy running his finger across the blade.

"Death.." came the stiff reply from the girl as her hands curled around the dagger. "Get out of here.."

"No, today..I feel light-hearted and so I'll offer you all times winning if you marry me.."

"Get lost.." she muttered angrily thrusting a dagger at him but was caught by him just in time as he let out a little laugh..

"Guts, Shera.." he smirked curling his hand on her wrist as she tried reaching for his dagger grip just tightened causing her to yelp in pain.

"Shera won't spare you for this.." she warned as his head rested on her small gentle shoulder as she was disgusted, his other arm went around her waist pulling her closer..

"Let go off Shera!" she yelped in the deserted street as he tightened his grip even more. Suddenly a stiff arm pushed him off her as he landed behind her on the floor looking aghast at the Rajkumar who grabbed his collar to give him a punch but stopped as the melodious voice warned him not to.

"Don't..Shera owes him a lot for many things and she wants them repaid back to him. Shera never keeps debts.."

Suddenly a loud and piercing voice, whitened her to the colour of the cloud. She turned to where the sound had come from and without warning escaped quickly leaving a frightened Tasha and a curious Veer..