SwaSan & RagYa FF - Behind Enemy Lines - Pt 7 on Pg 21 (05/10/16) - Page 9

Hey!! Update soon dear.. M eager to know what happens next..

Chapter 4 - The Kaushal Palace

A week had passed since they were captured yet Swara and Ragini received no news from the outside world. Swara had assured Ragini that they would be out in a day or two. This was taking way longer. The people in the camp were either nice to them or indifferent. As Sanskar had said, no one ill-treated them.

Swara didn't discuss with Ragini the events from 2 nights ago, when she saw her and Lakshya. She thought once they were out of here and the Maheshwaris in another far off kingdom, any budding love story would be nipped. She prayed to leave as soon as possible.

Ragini, however, didn't look like in any hurry to leave. She was mingling with the people. She was a princess and they were robbers/outlaws, yet Ragini didn't mind interacting with them. She had a heart of gold, Swara thought and that was her best quality.

However, Swara knew it was good for them - for Ragini especially to leave as soon as possible. Swara didn't particularly appreciate the growing closeness between Ragini and Lakshya. Though they didn't talk to one another in front of her or others, she noticed they would smile at each other and talk via gestures. She had to put a stop to it. And the only person who could help her out was Sanskar.

She groaned inwardly as she entered his tent. He was busy talking to a man. She cleared her throat to make her presence known.

Sanskar and the man looked at her. Sanskar signaled to the man and he left. "What do you want now?" Sanskar asked as he sat on a chair.

"It's been 7 days!" Swara exclaimed, "I don't think prince Vikram would take so much time to respond. Have you even put forth your demand to him?"

"Yes we did," he snapped, "but your fiance hasn't responded. It's been 3 days already."

"That's strange," she muttered.

"You thought he would rescue you as soon as he heard that you were captured?" Sanskar smirked, "Guess he is not Prince Charming after all."

"Did he negotiate with you or something?" Swara inquired to which Sanskar shook his head, "Nothing, no response. Almost as if he doesn't care what happens to you. And you want to marry this guy!"

"I am not marrying him," Swara protested, "Not after knowing what he has done to his own people."

"What about King Shekhar? He could pay you too," Swara suggested. She wanted Ragini to leave this place.

"We don't want anyone else's money," Sanskar replied, offended, "We just want what is rightfully ours."

"How honorable," Swara mocked. "So what does that mean for us?"

Sanskar pinched the bridge of his nose, "Keeping you here is becoming more dangerous day by day. This was our last resort - to get our share. But if Vikram doesn't concede, I don't know what we'll do next."

"What does that mean?" Swara questioned, "If he is not paying up, shouldn't you let us go? And maybe next time kidnap people who actually are important to him?"

"Logically a future wife should be one of the most important people in his life right now but clearly that is not working out," Sanskar added.

"Set us free then," Swara spoke softly, "I miss my mother."

Sanskar looked at her. Her eyes were becoming watery. He walked over to her and stodd next to her.

"We are suffering the most in this battle between you and Vikram," her voice was becoming hoarse; "My mother will be worried sick. I am her only family in this world."

A tear trickled down her cheek and she wiped it with the sleeve of her shirt. Sanskar awkwardly placed his hand on her shoulder and lightly rubbed it to placate her, "It's a matter of few days, I promise."

"You have said that before," Swara reminded him, "And now a week has passed. My mother doesn't have anyone else. I am her only family. She must be so lonely."

Sanskar furrowed his eyebrow, "You are the Queen's only family?"

Swara bit her lip. She had let the truth slip away. She quickly spoke, "I mean my mother and I are very close. We are not that close with my father..." she trailed off, hoping Sanskar wouldn't notice.

Fortunately he didn't. He replied, "Trust me, I want this to end more than you do. I am tired of living like a criminal. I am doing everything I can."

Swara nodded and left, lest she blurt out anything.

---------

Swara found Ragini sitting near the stream, thankfully alone. This had become their favorite spot whenever they wanted some privacy. Swara filled Ragini in on everything that Sanskar had told her.

"Vikram is least bothered about us. Why does that not surprise me?" Ragini commented.

"Aren't you scared?" Swara asked, "Vikram doesn't want to give in to their demands. They won't accept money and gold from anyone else other than Vikram. This tug of war could go on for a long time and we'll not be able to return home."

"It's not that bad here," Ragini remarked.

Swara widened her eyes, "Not bad here? Princess, we are hundreds of miles away from home, surrounded by strangers, being used as pawns in these games. How can this not be bad?"

"I feel free here Swara," Ragini confessed, "Back at the palace I felt like I was in chains. I had to sit, talk, walk, eat even marry as others told me to. I felt like a trained animal. Here I don't have to follow anyone's directions. I am not a princess. I can live like I want to."

"The King and Queen never imposed any rules on you," Swara countered.

Ragini nodded, "They didn't. But such things are expected from me. My marriage was fixed with Vikram without even asking me. Mother and father don't think that it is wrong because they got married the same way. But I don't want such a relationship."

"You'll not have to marry Vikram when we return," Swara assured.

"But I'll have to marry someone - some other prince or king," Ragini stated, "We maybe royalty but we have very restrictive lives. These past few days, I have experienced so much freedom. Life will change for me when I am back in the palace."

"We can think of something at home," Swara tried to lift her spirits.

Ragini shook her head, "I am an only child, sooner or later the crown will be passed on to me and I'll have to lead."

Swara placed her hand on Ragini's, "Let's take one day at a time, princess."

--------

At the Kaushal Palace

Prince Vikram sat in the council hall along with King Aditya and Queen Jaya. King Shekhar and Queen Janki of the Gadodia kingdom were there too along with both the Army Generals.

"Your army knows the forests better, how come they haven't found anything? It's been seven days now," King Shekhar spoke in an exasperated tone. He was addressing the Kaushal Army General.

"My Lord," the general replied, "Our men have been combing the woods diligently. There are many parts that have never been ventured into. We apologize for the delay but we are doing our best."

Shekhar banged his fist on the table, "Doing your best?! My daughter and her friend have been missing for a week and all you can say is that you're trying?"

Queen Janki placed a hand on Shekhar's shoulder to pacify him.

King Aditya spoke, "I can't believe Durga Prasad's sons and relatives are behind this kidnapping. Durga Prasad Maheshwari was my chief advisor. He was a great man, very wise. His sons Sanskar and Lakshya have grown up in this palace along with Vikram. But few months back I discovered, with Vikram's help, that he was plotting against the kingdom. We had to execute him for treason. One by one, we caught hold of the co-conspirators and punished them. We shouldn't have let the families escape though."

Shekhar spoke to Aditya, "I just want my daughter back. Ragini has never been out alone like this. She has had a very sheltered life. And now she is lost in the wild, among scoundrels..."

Queen Jaya replied, "We understand your and Queen Janki's pain. We are deeply troubled too."

Vikram groaned inwardly. This was getting very boring. The Gadodias arrived 2 days after the news of kidnapping and ever since they have been pestering them. His father and mother genuinely felt their pain but not Vikram.

Why should he? He was not in love with Ragini. He didn't even like her. He had met her once or twice at Gadodia palace. She looked meek and was shy. She played the Sitar for the gathering and it caused him to snooze. What did his father and mother ever see in that girl? He never understood. What he did understand was her royal lineage - she would make a good wife for him, would give him an heir and that was all. But now since she was kidnapped, he felt relieved. There were other princesses - other fish in the sea.

He rolled his eyes as his parents tried to placate the Gadodias. Queen Janki was almost in tears. Women could be so melodramatic, he thought to himself.

What he didn't tell his parents was that he had got a note from Sanskar Maheshwari 3 days back. The note stated Sanskar's demands - gold and safe passage in return for the princess and her maid. When he didn't care about Ragini, what made Sanskar think that he would give two bits for a maid? They could kill the maid, for all he cared.

The Maheshwaris were fighters, he had to give it to them. But they had asked for all this destruction. Why did Durga Prasad need to go to the King and tell him that his son was not ready? Vikram had been ready for the throne ever since he first learned to hold a sword. His father, Aditya always tried to be noble and just but Vikram thought he was a fool. The kingdom would benefit under his reign than Aditya's.

So when Durga Prasad advised the King not to coronate him and the King listened, Vikram knew he had to wipe these advisors out. And that is what he did. His only regret was not going a step further and killing the sons too.

"We've not got any demands from them yet," Aditya was informing Shekhar, "As soon as we do, we'll act on it. Nothing is more important than your daughter."

Vikram sneered. He would not give even 1 gold coin to the Maheshwaris for Ragini. They could keep her forever. He tapped his foot impatiently waiting for the meeting to get over.

---------

At the Kaushal Palace

Sharmistha was pacing the queen's chamber. There was no news of Swara. What if something horrible had happened to her? Sharmistha closed her eyes trying to brush off the thought.

Queen Janki entered after sometime.

"Any news, My Lady?" Sharmistha asked Janki who shook her head.

Sharmistha's eyes filled up with tears. Janki approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You have to be strong Sharimstha, for Swara."

She nodded and wiped her eyes, "Swara is my strength. I am so alone without her. I just pray that everything is fine with both the girls."

Janki smiled, "Swara is a brave girl. I am sure she is taking care of Ragini as well. It's just a matter of time before they barge in and start telling their tales of this little adventure."

Sharmistha remarked, "I hope so, I really do."

---------

Originally posted by: Krishnabhisarik

Hey!! Update soon dear.. M eager to know what happens next..

Just read the prologue. Sounds interesting. Please do PM me in future.

Nice update

Hey!! I'm so glad you are back!!🤗 Nice chapter there.. Ragini's new-found freedom has added to Swara's worries and yet both are right in their way.. Vikram is a complete waste of space really.. So many misunderstandings and secrets yet to be unveiled.. Eager to know how it all unfolds.. And of course how both love stories progress😉😆 Waiting

Originally posted by: Sree8410

Just read the prologue. Sounds interesting. Please do PM me in future.

Heyy!! Great update.
Really loved it to the core.
SwaSan story is progressing well and so is RagLak.
I totally understand Ragini, how happy she might feel out of the confines!
Do update soon!!

Originally posted by: sudhi03

Nice update

prince is not interested in rescuing ragini oh god what happens next

Please update soon

Wow dear...brilliant