Khusiarnav, Crinklez, Sammykins, Sonia, Keerthi, Shas, saomom, Harsh, kushipugly, allzwell, Shalve, hatelove, angeldream, casker, Sona, Sophie, darya, peepli, farha, sariarshi: Once again, thank you all for stepping down to the land of Arhasia when you were not even sent a pigeon to announce that a chapter was to be narrated…..I will be "pigeoning" on Saturday, though. Which is a few hours away……..
Rockingsoni: Welcome dear to our eager gathering! Looking forward to hearing more from you about your love for Arhasia and its beloved tale!
Saga_twilight: I am only glad seeing your happy spirit but what I was talking about was the "utter absurdity" in the script for an episode. You see, I am a positivist but lately it has been hard for me to be blind to how the Crew is not putting their heart into the show. But like I said, I have nothing against the track. We need a track to keep our show on air and I guess this was their best choice. Only I want them to focus on character justice……Thank you for being so positive and bringing a smile on our face!
Breeze: Dear Breeze! I PMed no one. Those who commented and came to know of this were stalkers or those who had casually walked into the Inn to find it unexpectedly occupied. I would have wanted to PM you and the others but I was too busy with stuff and I could not do it. Sorry, dear one!
Chapter Eighty One: Training Turns
In the afternoon of another day in her fourth week, Kushi was practicing sword fighting with Lord Akash in the stable, when the stable boys had taken the horses for a stroll. As they parried swords, they heard the sound of someone entering the stable and they paused in their practice and turned to find Master Aman step forth, his boots crunching on the ground littered with hay, his eyes curiously appraising the sight before him.
"I had come to take Shadow, sire," said Master Aman, "But I see there is something interesting happening here that I would like to be permitted to enquire about."
"Yes," said Lord Akash, who was good friends with Master Aman unlike his brother who maintained only the 'master-servant' relationship with him, "Miss Gupta here insisted on learning swordfighting and I have done my best to teach her of the skill as much I know."
"Curious indeed, sire," said Master Aman, "But what would you benefit as repayment for this prized lesson?"
"Ah," Kushi piped in amiably before Lord Akash could stop her, "It is a secret affair that shall not be conveyed to anyone but between the Lord and me."
Master Aman's eyes shone with amusement as he smiled at her and then turned to look at his Master.
"Sire," began Master Aman, coming near to his master, "A bargain with the fiery determined Miss Gupta will be a worthy one, I am certain."
Kushi blushed and then said, to cover her embarrassment, "Unlike my sister, I am not the gentle, wise sort of person. I am prone to ending up in people's bad books," and then she frowned, "But there is one book I detest having entered into."
"Which is?" asked Lord Akash and Master Aman together.
"Lord Arnav's Loath," answered Kushi, and then she shook her head, "Why talk of things that wreck one's humour when I need to use this time to practice?"
Lord Akash sat on the haystack, his sword laid beside him, and eyed her, "There are two things I must get on the clear with you, Miss Gupta. First, you speak of my brother when you refer to 'things that wreck one's humour' and, though I do second your opinion for its validity, he is a man I admire and of my blood and I will not quite appreciate hearing things against him from anyone."
"Pardon me, sire, I-" Kushi interrupted fearfully.
Lord Akash laughed, "It is alright with me. I was just telling you to tread on safer grounds when talking about a family member of mine."
"I shall sire," said Kushi, bowing, "I suppose I've always found it hard to see the First Lord as blood-linked to you, for you two stand out to be so different from each other, it's almost unbelievable."
Lord Akash shrugged, and then said, "And the other thing: There is no more need for you to be trained under me. You have been a most disciplined student and a quick learner. I am honoured to tell you it has been a pleasure parrying swords with you. But presently, it is time to terminate this little secret of ours and part our ways, into our world and duties, as we should."
"I can no longer practice?" Kushi was crestfallen.
"Oh, you can borrow my swords and practice whenever you find time," said Lord Akash, warmly, "But I will not be able to personally par with you, that is all."
"I understand, sire," said Kushi bowing, "I have exhausted you of your time and your patience these last few days. I am humbly grateful that you willingly offered to train me and make me a better hand in handling the sword than I had been without the training."
"We both benefited from this secret enterprise," said Lord Akash with a nod, rising to leave.
"We did," confirmed Kushi and then watched as Lord Akash handed Master Aman his sword, to be replaced and then the Second Lord left the stable, after smiling at Kushi from over his shoulder.
"I will miss practices," said Kushi, flopping onto the haystack, as soon as the Second Lord had gone.
"You can always practice, Lord Akash said," reminded Master Aman, coming to sit next to her.
"Yes, but what use is it to practice alone?"
"I can always par swords with you," offered Master Aman, looking at her affectionately.
Kushi looked up and her face beamed with delight, "You will, Master Aman? You will come par swords with me when you find time?"
"Yes, gladly, Miss Gupta," said Master Aman, smiling and slightly blushing, though Kushi didn't notice the latter.
"Oh this is glorious!" Kushi exclaimed, clasping her hands, "When shall we find time?"
"I am at the Industry every other day but Saturdays can be compromised, for I spend those afternoons in the Castle, helping the Master," said Master Aman, "I can come here when he doesn't need me then."
"Oh, wonderful!" Kushi was happy, and Master Aman smiled amiably, more to congratulate himself for striking a chance to spend time with this delightful girl he admired.
Saturday morning donned early and Kushi worked herself up fervently in serving her mistress and offering a hand in the little jobs in the Castle kitchen or garden to help the other servants when she had nothing to do. She occasionally paid a visit to Nani and let time slog itself to the afternoon. After lunch, everyone in the Castle was taking their afternoon nap when Kushi walked to the barn outside and found Master Aman waiting for her there with two swords in his hand.
The stable was stuffy and hot that afternoon, and so he was not wearing his coat but a thin pale yellow shirt with long slack sleeves. His hair was casually combed away from his fair face and he looked definably zealous. As he waited for her, his eager eyes watched her enter and his ready smile warmed her tired heart.
He handed a sword to Kushi and then stepped back a few distance.
The stable boys had also gone to take their nap in the room beside the Castle kitchen, but the horses stood watching as Kushi positioned herself and Master Aman called out, "Ready?"
Kushi nodded once, her gaze alert, as she glanced from the sword he held to his booted feet. He moved. She stepped in. They came for each other at the same time. The sound of their swords clashing resounded and then began a few minutes of flurried fighting at the end of which Kushi found Master Aman to be a better swordfighter than Lord Akash.
"You are good, Master Aman," she said, gasping to catch her breath, as her sword made a move which he ricocheted, "I must confess, even better than the Second Lord."
"I have two brothers older than me who are champion swordfighters at our Village Fair," he said, as he fought her, "They trained me from a young age but I never put what I learnt into practice. However, there is one person I will never be able to defeat in my life."
She swung her sword at him and he ducked, "Who is that?" she asked, though she was certain she knew the answer.
"The First Lord," said Master Aman, "No one can beat the First Lord." And he swung his sword at her which she deflected, but she had moved too quickly to swerve that she slipped on the hay and would have fallen onto the floor on her face, had the man not held her by her shoulders.
"Are you alright, Miss Kushi?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes," said Kushi, stepping away from him.
He stepped back too, feeling awkward in touching her, "Pardon me, Miss Kushi-"
"It's alright," said Kushi hastily, "You were only trying to save me." And then she wielded her sword, and he smiled, and rushed at her with his sword.
Half an hour of swift moves and repels left them consumed by downright fatigue. At the same time, Kushi found that Master Aman was quite a cheerful company where Lord Akash had warmly preferred to be less talkative.
Master Aman kept humouring her and she had to force herself to focus and stop laughing every time he threw a quip or word for her expense. Her ready laughter and his willingness to please her gave the stuffy stable air a more comforting lull. Towards the end, they lay exhausted upon the haystack, laughing over some noise an unsuspecting horse in the stable had made.
"Did you see it-" Master Aman began when he could catch a breath in his hilarity, and then the image of what Master Aman had intended crossed her mind and both of them fell to laughing. So involved were the two new-found acquaintances in their little humour, that they did not hear the sound of the stable door opening. They did not hear the angry quick strides of the boots approaching them. They did not know they were not alone any longer.
*chuckle* Patience my Comrades! A few more hours and the Innkeeper will light up the secret Cave of Arhasian Comrades in his Inn and you will know who barged into the happy jesting of the two friends in the stable. Well, I know you will have guessed that by now! *wink*
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