Kaalan - An Arshi romance travel back in time

Kaalan

Small intro to Satavahana dynasty - They ruled Andhrapradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra around 2000 years ago. They ruled for more than 450 years. While the story is entirely fictional, I've tried to draw inspiration from real characters of that era like King Sumukha who established the Satavahanas kingdom and Susharman, King of Kanva Kingdom. It is a romance set in this era. This story starts when the Satavahanas were vassals/subordinates of Kanva kingdom.

Chapter 1

Amana and Simha were waiting in ambush in the darkness. They had been joined by Kaalan and his men a few hours ago. They had heard at the town market in Kooram that She will be travelling this way to Shivapuram with her friend and soldiers.

For the men, it had been a long wait in silence. Suddenly a sound alerted them to draw their swords. The sound was of the growing rattle of two horse drawn carts. As the carts drew closer they could see that the animals were weary and ragged after the long and difficult journey from Kooram. This bend of the road will be even more difficult - the men had made sure of that, placing big stones and boulders on the road, enough to slow the carts down but done carefully enough not to risk toppling them. One of the carts carry a delicate load that is much too precious.

On the other side of the road, waiting in a tree, Kuntalan and Parthan were ready with their bows and arrows. Two well aimed arrows are all that are needed to maim the drivers of the cart. Then they can overcome them.

Kaalan is filled with the thrill of the upcoming fight. He knew that there were nine men in her entourage, not that it was of any concern.

His brother Simukha, ruler of Satavahana kingdom is going to be surprised when he takes her to him. He had not told Simukha of this plan.

Simuka's friend Shyamalan, a mahabhoga* of Satavahana, wanted war on the Kanva king Susharman who had provoked him.

Kaalan always hated Shyamalan, the lecher. But his brother, blinded by friendship, overlooked all of Shyamalan faults. If this plan succeeds, we can have a upper hand when we go to war. Probably even avoid the war.

Kaalan strangely felt angry at the soldiers for making 'Her' travel at night without caring for her safety. Do they think that they are so invincible and no one will hurt her? Agreed, she is the daughter of the King Susharman who rules this Kanva region. But still.

She was returning after a darshan at a Vishnu temple. He heard that she likes to visit temples. He was intrigued by this devotion of hers, at her age. For him bhakthi is only for old age. His twenty- years- elder- than- him' sister, Anjali Devi's prayers for him has earned him enough spiritual equity that was enough for this birth and all the rebirths after this. He was sure Anjali will adore this girl. Same interests.

Kaalan can see the two carts. Two soldiers in each cart and five soldiers in horses. Princess and her friend are travelling in separate carts and He can guess that princess is in the second cart which is decorated with silk screens covering their doors.

The carts slowed down because of the stones. Horses started to neigh and their feet are getting hurt. In these parts, horses don't have shoes. His kingdom, a coastal region, had had more influences from foreigners from across the seas. From Arabs his people learned to fix horseshoes on their horses. His horses, shoes and all, were ready in the woods behind him for quick escape back to his home.

Kuntalan's arrow flew in an arc and pierced the cart's driver on the side of the neck. His moan alerted all the other soldiers on the horses. Parthan's arrow also found its target. The driver of the second cart fell down on the ground. With a roar Kaalan's men charged in and surrounded the two carts.

Kaalan, at lightning speed pulled a leg of a soldier from the horse near him and when the rider lost his balance, with a deft swipe of his sword he tore his torso. He then took his dagger and buried it in the calf of another soldier at the same time, pulled him down to the ground and slashed his neck before the soldier could react.

Kaalan approached the first cart and started fighting with two men at the same time. He hurt the fighting arm of the one soldier and kicked the other soldier between his legs. He quickly grabbed the second soldier before him like a shield and slit his neck. When the soldier slumped on him, Kaalan threw him on the other soldier and when the soldier lost his balance he slashed at his head.

Kuntalan and Parthan jumped on the second cart on top of the soldiers from the tree and started fighting them. Simha and Amana took care of the other soldiers on the horses. Soon there were moans and grunts from the soldiers on the ground. Kaalan ordered his men to tie the Princess's men who were still alive with ropes.

Dawn crept slowly among the woods waking the birds to foretell his arrival. Princess's friend from the first cart started wailing in high pitch. Kaalan approached the second cart which is silent in all this chaos and lifted the silk screen. There is no one.

'Find her' Kaalan shouted at his men.

His men who were busy with the fighting didn't notice the other side of the cart till now. She couldn't have gone too far. The fight had lasted only a few minutes. They didn't expect that she would try to escape.

There was a dilapidated mantap near them. Kaalan signaled some soldiers to search it.

Kaalan and Amana started to search the woods.

'Don't scare her too much' said Amana.

Kaalan was too angry to speak. He didn't like this delay one bit. He had planned this kidnapping to the minute.

They heard a screech somewhere ahead of them.

Amana ran ahead of Kaalan through the trees.

Kaalan searched the ground carefully for the signs. In one place near a tree he noticed a rock poking out of the ground. He can see footprints and a blue broken bangle near it. There was a large hole on the ground where he can see the roots of the trees nearby it and it was filled with leaves and loose sand. He crossed it and went ahead for a few steps and hid behind a tree.

Slowly the leaves started moving and he can see the blue color saree of the Princess. She peeked through the foliage. She stood up gingerly.

Kaalan looked at her face and was stunned. In his kingdom, she was known for her beauty and devotion. But nothing prepared him for the sight before him. Even with red sand on her face and leaves sticking to her hair she managed to take his breath away.

Her eyes were alert and she suddenly cocked her head in his direction like somehow she could feel him staring at her. He carefully hid himself again. She started climbing without making any noise.

While she was busy climbing the hole, Kaalan moved around the hole silently and within a second, went near the girl and pointed his sword at her throat. She gasped.

At that moment sun rays which streamed through the woods fell on Kaalan's face. She stared at him with an endless gaze. She appeared to be in a trance. She murmured 'Arnavan'.

____________________________________________________________

So How is it? Do you like it? Pl do comment and Like.

Chapter 2

Arnavan was stunned to hear his given name from her lips. Everyone outside his kingdom knew him as Kaalan' meaning Yama' (Reaper) which was given to him for his invincible power and skill he showed in the wars he fought. He had thirty two scars all over his body that showed his valor. There were numerous gruesome rumors among men about him. Arnavan encouraged these rumors.

He took the sword away from her throat when she made no attempt to escape.

How did she know my name? Why was she looking at me like somehow she knew me? Arnavan's thoughts were in swirl. He was also staggered by her beauty in their nearness. Her honey colored eyes, straight nose, her glowing translucent skin and her lips - moist and rosy like the lilies in the pond at his home, were blunting his senses. He thought that she looked like a forest nymph, a mohini.

When he heard footsteps he remembered his mission. It's high time to gather his men and retreat to their nearest town 'Avanti' in their kingdom.

Avanti is one of the fortified towns, Satavahanas started building when they decided to end suzerainty of the Kanva kingdom over them. They are planning to build more than thirty such towns. They stopped giving economic and military assistance to King Susharman, father of this girl for many years now. Susharman is afraid of his brother's Sumukha's growing military power.

Arnavan clasped her hand firmly and with the slightest of effort pulled her out of the hole, which made her to fall on him. Arnavan froze when her soft body touched him. The enchanting fragrance of her body, the suppleness of her form, and silken feel of her skin assaulted him like no other weapon he had faced before.

He held her by the waist, as gently as he could to steady her, but still fearful that the grip of his war hardened callused hands might hurt her..

She wore a blue uttariya* thrown over her left shoulder. Arnavan thanked god that she is wearing a Kaccha* and her soft assets hidden from his view. Most of the women in royal family wore just a shawl and all village women are bare chested which was a common sight at that time. He was not sure that he could treat her beauty with the same indifference.

She started struggling against him to free from his hold.

'Leave me alone,' she said fiercely with her eyes blazing, 'don't you know I am a princess of this land?'.

'No one will hurt you' he said sharply when her nails scratched his hand.

He saw Amana emerging from the woods and stopping in his tracks at the sight of the princess. Though they have seen Yavanas*, who were the fairest of all, this princess' beauty must have stumped him.

Arnavan lifted the uttariya and covered her face quickly. It is best that her beauty is not known to his men now. He plucked her from the ground and tossed her over his shoulder and started to walk quickly. He seemed to have surprised her, by lifting her suddenly. When she regained her breath she started to shout and hit his shoulders and back.

When he reached the path, his men were ready with the horses they've retrieved from their hiding place. He ordered his men to leave immediately.

When Princess's friend saw her, she started to scream and wail at the same time 'Leave her. You will all suffer for hurting us. She is Piratti* Khushi Kumari. Khushi ! Ask them to untie me'

* A lengthy silk scarf worn from the waist which covered women's bust

* A shawl which women used to cover their chest with a knot in the front

Chapter 3

Till now...

Princess Khushi, who is the daughter of Kanva King, Susharman was kidnapped by Arnavan, who is known as Kaalan among other kingdoms . Khushi was being carried by him after her failed attempt to escape.

The reason for kidnapping will be revealed in the later chapters.

From this chapter, it is Khushi's point of view.

Princess Khushi's POV

The whole thing was so infuriating. Getting kidnapped in my own land. It all happened so quickly.

Damn him...

He is walking so fast carrying me as if I don't weigh at all. I tried to squirm with all my might and hitting his back with my hands. I might as well tried to hit a iron wall.

I was still in a daze to know that it was Arnavan, who kidnapped me.

Now I can see my friend Preethi with her hands tied to the cart and her face all red, crying in fear.

Poor Preethi...She was with me in my palace only for the past three months. She was left in my care by her father who is a Amatya (minister) in my Kanva Kingdom. She is supposed to learn royal etiquette and manners from me. It was a common practice for girls from key families in my kingdom to come and stay with me as my friend to improve their manners and their looks. But most of her time spent in talking about men. She is a sweet thing. But she could be more brave.

Preethi started howling "Khushi, ask them to untie my hands. If only my father came to know about this".

I was slightly disgusted with Preethi's behavior. I must have brought my own bodyguard, Katya along with me to the temple. She would have been of much help.

When Arnavan put me down, I hastily withdrew my small dagger which I've kept hidden in my kayabandh* in my right side and took a backward step. Gripping the dagger firmly I tried to slash his right hand which had the sword.

His brown eyes widened. In spite of the surprise, he easily blocked me with his left hand and made a grab towards my knife hand. I dodged it by ducking sideways. Again I tried to slash his neck and when he moved backwards, I made an S' movement in the air with my dagger and from the other side tried to slash his neck again.

But he didn't try to attack me with his sword. I knew that he only wanted me to drop my dagger. When I made a slashing movement across his chest, he ducked and with his left hand he scooped me and held me under his arm and at the same time he banged my dagger with his sword. My hand shook terribly by his hard attack which made me drop my dagger.

With me under his arm, he started walking towards his black stallion. It was so humiliating to be carried thus, like a small kid. I squirmed under his hands. He hoisted me on top of his horse. When he swung his leg to pull himself up on the horse, I lunged for the bridle reins of the horse and gripped my knees at the horse's side and started to ride away.

But curse him, my plan failed when he ran along with the horse snatching a rein from my hand and hoisted himself on the horse effortlessly. I gasped when he wrapped his arm around my waist tightly.

"Enough tricks or your friend will pay for it' he warned me.

His breath fanned my side of the face. He swiftly joined his other men.

"Why are you kidnapping me?" I asked him. There was no way to escape now. At the least I can try to gather some information from him. I can try to escape again when they stop next time.

"Where are you taking me?" I questioned him again when he didn't answer.

"Avanti" he told calmly.

I heard Avanti was the city they built recently which is fortified against siege.

Suddenly i had a doubt. I heard that some men kidnap maidens in order to marry them. It is considered gallant of the groom, to be enamored by the beauty of the maiden to take pains to kidnap.

"Why are you taking me away?" I asked him again.

Had he seen me somewhere and taken by my looks? Kidnapping me to marry me seems difficult to believe.

"Have you seen me before?' I asked him again when he didn't reply.

"How do you know my name?" he countered me suspiciously.

Now, I didn't answer him.

*Kayabandh - a cloth which tied around the waist several times on top of the calf length skirt which women wore in those days.

Chapter 4

Khushi's POV

"How do you know my name?" he asked me suspiciously.

Of course I knew him. Am I not thinking about him for the past four months since that day I visited that cave temple. He was always in my thoughts. Each and every moment of that day is etched in my mind.

For a long time I wanted to visit temples and stupas at Satavahana kingdom. Mainly the huge Bhuddhist stupa in Amaravathi which is 18 metres high and Undavalli caves which has a huge Buddha's statue. Though I am devoted to Gauri ma and Vishnu, I'd like to see various statues and artistry of the masons in these temples.

Even though the Satanahanas are vassals of our Kanva Kingdom, in recent times they are rebelling against us.

But, Father completely ignored my request when I asked his permission to visit the temples.

"This is absurd. Don't we have enough temples here for you to visit?" he admonished me.

But I always win at the end. After smothering him with his beloved dishes and sweets for a week and of course with my constant nagging, finally he gave in grudgingly. He also tried to send a small army with me, but I convinced him of my plan to visit it covertly like a common women with Katya, my bodyguard at my side.

It was such a happy trip. So,Katya and I with two soldiers dressed as pilgrims, we set out. We went to numerous towns and visited many temples in our trip.

Finally when we visited Undavalli, we heard that King Simukha and his family was visiting the temple. Katya and the soldiers cautioned me against visiting that temple. But I refused them point blank.

When we heard that Kaalan was with them, Katya begged me to drop the plan. Kaalan's name was only whispered among men. They say that he was so ruthless, cruel and a man with no pity.

She tried to shame me by saying that I was being careless and misusing my father's trust in me. But I couldn't see any trouble in it. Have we not managed till now without raising any suspiscion.

So with more care we dressed that day.

When we visited the cave temple, it was teaming with people who wanted a glimpse of the King.

Ondavalli* was a Buddhist temple which has a five meter long sculpture of Buddha. Satavahana kings were patrons of Buddhism.

I was astonished to see the four storied cave built with sandstone. We went to the first floor and stood in the verandah overlooking the western caves and took in the sight. The King was in talks with monks inside the ground floor. We didn't know the whereabouts of the Kaalan. There were so many soldiers around the vihara with their horses, horse carriages and elephants. There were also palanquins which brought the women folk of King's menage.

A short distance away from the western caves, there was a group of soldiers near by a temple elephant. Some men who were visiting the temple offered bananas and coconuts to elephants for which the mahout made the elephant to bless them with its trunk.

When I was watching this, I saw a small girl with a kid who appeared to be her brother, was trying to get near the elephant. The little boy was so fascinated with the elephant. He seemed to be wanted to touch the trunk of the elephant.

When the mahout saw this, he scowled at the children. It seemed that they wanted to take the blessings of the elephant but they had nothing to offer it. When they again tried to come near the elephant, the mahout swatted at the children. It made the girl to lose balance and she fell on her brother. Her brother started to cry pityingly both from his fall and from his disappointment of not being able to touch the elephant.

That's when, I saw a tall man approaching them. He had a royal bearing,dressed with silk Uttariya across his broad chest and a silk clothed turban. He walked with a easy grace. He lifted the crying child gently in his arms. He turned his head and glared at the mahout, which made him tremble. At once the mahout fell on his feet and appeared to be asking for forgiveness.

The tall man went near an elephant which had an ambaari*, unlike the temple elephant. It must have brought the king's family to the temple. When he said something in the elephant's ear, it knee-led down and sat. To the child's great delight the man hoisted him on the ambaari.

The child started squealing in excitement and his sister was standing near by, laughing.

As I was watching all this, I felt something that I never felt before. Though it was a small gesture, the generous kindness touched my heart. I fervently wished him all the good in the world and I wanted him to be blessed in his life.

After some fun, he lifted the child out of the ambari with his arms flexing. Yes of course I watched his arms. I also watched his lean muscles in his broad chest, his strong jaw, and his narrow waist. Oh god! his smile when the child hugged his legs. Who is this man I wondered.

Then I heard some commotion near us. It seemed that the King's family finally reached the first floor where we were standing. We hid ourselves behind the pillars so that we were not in view of the family.

The king and queen with their small boy stood near us. They looked over the scene below, the kid started squealing "Look, Uncle is here! I can see him there near the elephant" he shouted.

The Queen asked him to stay quiet. When the King heard this, he also saw the tall man and a kid who was hugging him. The sight seemed to amuse the king. He said "Oh!! Your uncle Arnavan is not going to like this when the word gets out, that he is being hugged lovingly by the children." The queen also laughed.

"Yes, your brother wants to known as a rakshas who drinks children's blood" the queen said.

So the man's name is Arnavan. It has a nice ring to it.

Wait! What!! King's brother!! But he is ...

At that moment, the tall man looked up at the first floor and looked at the king's family. He seemed to be embarrassed to be witnessed by so many people. He gently removed the kid arms away from his legs.

The King and queen laughed at his predicament.

"The mighty Kaalan is blushing, who would've thought" the queen said laughing. The king joined the laughter.

Kaalan!!!Kaalan!!! The man whom I've wished all the good in the world was Kaalan!!

In the past four months, he was always in my thoughts. There were so many rumors about him which seemed to be at odds with the man who was kind to a small child. He was an enigma, I decided. I needed more facts about him.

Even yesterday...

At the temple inside the Garbhagriha*, I stood with my eyes closed in prayer. Preethi asked me to pray for a brave and handsome husband. It wasn't new, she always talks about marriage. But what's new was, when she said that, I saw a tall man, smiling at a child before my closed eyes.

*Hindu sculptures and deities were added to Undavalli caves in the later period.

*Seat or throne on an elephant's back

*Innermost sanctum where the murti resides in Hindu temples

Undavalli cave picture

_________________________________________________

Hi guys i hope you like my updates. Please leave your comments about any doubts in meaning or whether i am boring you with so much history stuff or the style.

Pl try to comment and like. I cherish each and every comment and like. Thanks for your support😊

really amazing concept, u've written it so well, waiting eagerly for further updates

Fabolous story historical stories are always treat to read n this one is really mindblowing n the way you have written is also very good so really looking forward to read more.

Originally posted by: virika23

really amazing concept, u've written it so well, waiting eagerly for further updates

Originally posted by: Uzii

Fabolous story historical stories are always treat to read n this one is really mindblowing n the way you have written is also very good so really looking forward to read more.

Originally posted by: aazzz

Interesting story