Kaalan - An Arshi romance travel back in time - Page 3

Hi dear when are going to post the next chapter as I'm anxiously waiting for it.

Originally posted by: Uzii

Hi dear when are going to post the next chapter as I'm anxiously waiting for it.

It's Tuesday n you were going to update on weekend so plz your readers want the next chapter as soon as possible.

Originally posted by: Uzii

It's Tuesday n you were going to update on weekend so plz your readers want the next chapter as soon as possible.

Chapter 5

The horses sped past the muddy roads through the woods to Avanti, their flying hooves raising a cloud of dust behind them. Even though there were two people riding the horse, the well-rested horse rode swiftly as if it doesn't carry any load on his back. It is one of the war horses in Arnavan's stable, which is used to carrying heavy muscled men with their armor, so the extra weight doesn't seem to faze it, if only, one will call her an extra weight.

Arnavan remembered the feeling of carrying her. She was Soft, light and very feisty. The dagger fight was definitely a surprise. He didn't expect her to be so skilled with her dagger. Even though she was nowhere near a seasoned fighter like him, she can become a skilled fighter, if one can teach her a few techniques.

He imagined himself teaching her, looking into her alert honey color eyes which anticipated his every move, always looking for weaknesses and her supple body dancing, her long legs quick and firm and long pink fingers holding a dagger. He shook himself from the vision.

He rode the horse with her in front of him. She was riding bending forward slightly and holding on to the saddle tightly, with his arms around her like a cage. He imagined that it must be very uncomfortable for her, sitting with her back stiff, careful enough, not to touch him unnecessarily.

He thought about the situation which necessitated Khushi's kidnapping.

Khushi's father, the Kanva King Susharman, had captured thousands of cattle of neighboring king Shyamalan. Shyamalan is a small king (Mahabhoga) of Satavahana Kingdom, a ruler of a group of villages near Bhandara which is under Satavahana kingdom and he is also a key person and particularly a child hood friend of Arnavan's brother Sumukha.

Shyamalan, obviously enraged by this act of Susharman wanted revenge and was itching for a war. When he wins that war, he might ask Sumukha to make him as a king to Kanva region, a vassal under Satavahana rule.

Arnavan hated the whole idea of Shyamalan ruling his small group of villages let alone becoming a King of Kanva. He loathed his greed, his back stabbing ways, his cruelty and his lecherous acts and especially the condescension with which he treated Arnavan just because he had seen Arnavan grow up before his eyes.

This act of cattle stealing by King Susharman came as a surprise to Arnavan. Susharman had always been a peace lover, a patron of arts and sculpture, a connoisseur of music and dance. War and weapons seemed to be last of his priorities. So Arnavan has only though of the king as a soft target, never as an aggressor.

So when he heard of this cattle stealing by Susharman, it seemed to him an extremely foolish act to do. Even his brother has sent a few spies to check if Susharman has prepared an army for this surprise attack and also about his current military situation. Now he began to think if Susharman's interest in arts is only a pretense to hide his military preparation.

So Arnavan planned to take Khushi as hostage in return for the cattle her father stole.

But can he convince his brother Sumukha of this plan? What will Shyamalan do when he comes to know of her kidnapping?

So Arnavan was in deep thought when his passenger Khushi was increasingly getting sore muscles on her inner thighs, her back hurting by keeping it stiff, her hands are getting tired by holding the saddle tightly, her empty stomach roiling because of the dust and her whole body jostling by the horse.

When Khushi could not bear her discomfort, she asked Arnavan "How much longer to go?"

"A few more miles" he answered

Arnavan could imagine Khushi's inconvenience.

With his left hand, he gently but firmly drew her waist against the front of his body for Khushi to rest.

When he drew her near him, Khushi stiffened "I don't want your comfort" she snapped.

This made him angry.

"We still have a few more miles to go. Your wish" he said his voice hard.

Khushi threw away his hands and sat as straight as she could in the jolting horse.

After some time when his anger cooled he asked her again, more to distract her from her discomfort "How do you know my name? How do you know me?"

She was silent for some time. Finally she answered "I was there at the Undavalli caves when you visited it, a few months before"

"What!! How did you!! "He stammered.

Khushi chuckled.

Amana who is riding immediately ahead of him, heard her chuckle and cocked his head to their side. He threw a questioning glance towards Arnavan. Arnavan shook his head at him which made Amana turn his head and ride away.

"How did you come to my lands without my knowing?" he asked her when he managed to contain his incredulity.

Arnavan prided himself of knowing the comings and goings in his kingdoms. He had an army of spies. He was astonished and angry that she had duped them.

"You must have visited it under disguise" he murmured to himself.

"I was in your kingdom for almost a month visiting temples and stupas" She told him with a smile in her voice, expecting his disbelief.

He didn't fail her. But the anger in his voice confused her.

"It was the most foolish thing to do. Do you know you are a crazy girl Khushi. And your father allowed this? You could have visited as a Princess itself. You would have been safe. We would've ensured it"

"Don't you dare talk about my father? Ha! Look who is talking about my safety" she snarled.

"This is different" he told his voice hard.

"Why is it any different? Do you know how much my father will suffer when he comes to know about my kidnapping?"

"My messenger will soon reach your kingdom to inform that you are safe. We will release you as soon as your father does what we ask him"

"What are you going to ask my father? What do you want from him?"

Arnavan stayed quiet for some time. Finally he came to a conclusion.

"How much do you know about the happenings in your kingdom?"

"Fairly enough. Why do you ask?"

Khushi had many responsibilities. She established many Ayurvedic hospitals around her kingdom. Being a doctor herself, she spent her inheritance which she got from her late mother on improving the health of her citizens. She learned medicine under the famous Ayurveda physician Shusruta. She is also a trained dancer who takes her dance seriously and practices daily. In between medical practice she also accompanies her father in the palace court during governing meetings and in important judicial cases which her father solves.

"Do you know your neighbor Shyamalan, who rules villages near Bandhara? Arnavan asked

"Yes of course, I know him. He shares our kingdom border. Very cruel ruler I heard. I also know how his own people despise him. How could you and your brother allow him to behave like that?"

Arnavan remembered his brother Sumukha's reproaches to his friend Shyamalan over his mismanagement and how every time Shyamalan justified his actions. Though he hated Shyamalan, he got defensive when she asked him about this point blank.

"What about your father? Building temples and watching dances at court all the time?" he sneered

"My father is a good ruler. Don't you dare talk about him" She told him her face flushing.

"Then what about defense?"

"Of course, we have a good defense"

"Really, how many elephants do you have in your army?"

"We have..." She stopped. "Nice try. You won't get anything from me"

Arnavan lips twitched when she answered feistily.

"What about Shyamalan?" She asked

"He claims that your father stole his thousands of cattle..."

Khushi suddenly turned backwards to look at him when he said that. She cricked her neck.

"Aww..." she cried. She took a hand from the saddle she held and massaged the back of the neck. It made her lose balance in the jostling of the horse. Again she held onto the saddle with both hands.

Arnavan held her by the waist to stabilize her. He slowed his horse to trot.

Arnavan removed his hand from her waist. With his thumb he massaged her neck where she had cricked. His callused thumb stroked her silky soft skin with slight pressure caressing her. Her skin on her shoulders goose bumped. She shivered.

"Are you ok?" he asked her.

"Hmm" She nodded, her voice trembling.

Arnavan kicked the horse with his heels and the horse galloped. Khushi's hair fanned his face, her fragrance hitting him again making him light headed. Her hair was tied with a hollowed out ornamental shell, decorated with jasmines which fell on her shoulder. He could still feel her soft skin under his thumb.

ahaan...

Nice chapter so the reason behind khusi's kidnapping is out n arnav is affected by her although he is a bramchari but now with khusi he won't be able to follow the rules so looking forward to read more plz update next chapter soon.

Originally posted by: momoahmd

ahaan...

so the reason behind their rivalry is out...

I just love ur khushi...she is amazinggg...

eagerly waiting for u to continue...

n

thanks dear for pm...

p.s: it would be nice if u mention link of the updated chapter in ur pm...

Originally posted by: Uzii

Nice chapter so the reason behind khusi's kidnapping is out n arnav is affected by her although he is a bramchari but now with khusi he won't be able to follow the rules so looking forward to read more plz update next chapter soon.