SKR ff : The Season of Oleander Blossoms ch4 pg13

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#71

Originally posted by: .Darkness.
just superb
very nice update
beautifully written
and thanks for the pm

thank u tons !
by the way, your majorsaab in the avi is giving me chills...aah those were days...rangrasiya gave me a blast !

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#72

Originally posted by: SenRazia
Love your concept !!

Thank you. I hope you will enjoy reading it till the end.

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sugunmanas

@lifeiscrazy

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 9 years ago

#73

hey shreya
bechare logon ko kyu tadparahi ho net update toh de deti😉😆

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#74

Originally posted by: sugunmanas
hey shreya
bechare logon ko kyu tadparahi ho net update toh de deti😉😆

I know. Kyaa karu yaar, I fell sick again. Couldn't write anything. Head felt so heavy. Thankfully now I am feeling fine. Writing now. Hope to update in a few hours.

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sugunmanas

@lifeiscrazy

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 9 years ago

#75

Originally posted by: milinda.shreyz

I know. Kyaa karu yaar, I fell sick again. Couldn't write anything. Head felt so heavy. Thankfully now I am feeling fine. Writing now. Hope to update in a few hours.

waiting😃😃😃

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#76

Originally posted by: shrutigaur37
superb,awsum update..

Thank you dearie

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sugunmanas

@lifeiscrazy

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 9 years ago

#77

thank u baad mein bolna yar phelae update toh karo😃
Shreya next update aaj dedena yaar 😆

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#78

Chapter 3 : Journey to the forest village

It would take seven days on horseback to reach Vishwamitra rishi's temporary camp,Kushadhwaj internally calculated as he oversaw the preparation of the traveling party. Maharajah Janak was not that much renowned for practical decision making as much he was for theosophical discourses.

These usually were the realms of his much pragmatic younger brother Kushadhwaj. Now that the princesses were with him there would be a train of attendants,cooks, maids...too many mule carts and men on foot.That would surely slow down the procession.

He did not like it, but it was necessary. They were princesses, they couldnot survive in village situated at the end of civilization without basic comforts.They should not appear in front of outer world without grandeur.They were not made up with same materials of ashramite women.

The princesses bade farewell to their palace and sat in royal palanquins. Very soon they are out of Mithila and at the border of River Kaushika. A few hours later the mountainous forest area would start.

As the paths grew narrower and inclination steeper the pace of palanquins carriers became slower and their breaths laborious. It would have been much enjoyable if we could ride horses now, Seeta wondered.

She held her hand out to signal a stop. Immediately the whole procession halted.

She along with her 4 sisters came out of the stuffy boxes and stretched their limbs. They breathed deep into fresh mountain air. The palanquins already felt claustrophobic and crammed inside that place for long hours gave their legs severe cramps. Now they could barely feel their feet.

''Taatsree! Please can we use horses now? Travel would be so much faster and pleasant. Our bearers are tired. Let them join our other attendants on the carts,'' Seeta voiced out loud.

Kushadhwaj frowned at the idea. Seeta was ofcourse right. Seeta and her sisters were excellent horse women having taught by the best royal trainers from childhood. These narrow mountain paths were more pliable on horseback. But there was another thing...the major hitch troubling Kushadhwaj.

He had heard rumors that uncivilized Rakshashas clan who were eradicated from these areas were coming back to claim back their lost lands. They were now more uniformed and tactile. Now and then launching guerrilla attacks were heard on unsuspecting travelers on this route. They were kidnapped, ransacked and tormented in utmost barbaric ways. Even hermits were not exempted. Would it be safe to expose the princesses and attract attention of those barbarians ?

Seeta felt her uncle was troubled with something. The deep creases of worry in his forehead were not lifting at all.Was there anything he was hiding?

'' Taatshree! What are you so worried about?'',she gently placed her opinion again. ''We are good with horses. And wouldn't it be lovely to glide through clouds and feel fresh air in our tired faces or let the mist play with our hairs?''

''Yes my dear !'' Kushadhwajh replied at last letting his fears known to her.''Honestly, I am a bit worried about the rumors of attack in this area. The Rakshashas might be behind those terror attacks.''

''Rakshashas? In this area?'', Seeta was clearly surprised. ''But I thought we got rid of them years back...they were driven out of this country !''

''Yes but they are back now. United, more organized and lethal. They have vowed to win back their lost territory.''

''But you haven't seen them yourself, have you? These might be mindless rumors spread by bandits, outlaws who are set to terrorize this important route.'' Seeta was never easily frightened.

Logical and intelligent thinking only helped in moments of crisis. So she pitched in her thoughts. ''Uncle ! We have a band of 50 trained men armed with advanced weaponry, we have you to lead them, and God forbid if it becomes necessary, we know a trick or two of self defense. So why shall we cower in fear of invisible nay imaginative terrors ?'' Seeta's flawless face grew radiant and she poured her heart with passion,''We are children of Videha. We face enemies with our heads held high. Tatshree, Please permit us to ride with you in front.''

It was impossible to say no to Seeta when she had already made up her mind. It would be a crime to refuse those animated eyes shining with steadfast resolution.

''One thing dear ! Your sisters need not know.''
''Needless to ask, Tatshree.''

After necessary alteration, the royal party carefully rode through narrow passages of Siwalik himalaya. They braved through dark tunnels, tackled sudden hairpin bends and drenched in unexpected frozen showers until it suddenly led to an open place and an outline of village came into sight.

********
On the other side of the mountain two young men waited with their steeds for the boat that would carry them across mighty Sone and lead to the impenetrable Vyaghrasar (Buxer district of bihar) forest. The younger of them seemed like he couldnot contain his excitement any longer.

''Bhratashree! Very soon we would be in the dens of crude Rakshashas. There would be dangers on each steps ! Ah to think of that and the way they would be backlashed ! Doesn't that stirs blood wild in your veins? I am already clammy with sweats of excitement.''

''Don't work yourself out, brother dear. Or you would not give your best on the opportune moment.'' The older brother cautioned, but it sounded more gentle admonishing that warning in his mellifluous voice.

''They would not wait for you to be ready. The rules of civilization will end on this river bank. Their territory, their set of rules.you know what that is, don't you?''

''Kill or be killed.'' His brother parroted. A subtle flick of his head showed he was quite frustrated that no matter how valiant he was, his brother would always treat him a kid.

''Exactly. And you have to be on your guard on every blessed second. So don't tire yourself out or make your horse sense your nervous excitement.''

The younger brother nodded in agreement and looked at his much wiser elder brother with admiration, as he gently stroked the ears of his beautiful horse and murmured appreciation.

Tall, dark, incredibly good looking, he was definitely a sight to behold along with his silvery white horse. From head to toe he seemed to have carved with infinite patience by a master smith, endowing him with everything that was symmetrical and pleasing. ''You can attain fruits of meditation just by looking at him'', the younger brother sighed in pleasure. He was so balanced physically and mentally. Nothing could ruffle his inner calmness.

''You are spoiling your horse, brother. you never let it go out of your sight. Itz our fortune that you have not shifted your bed in the stables.'' He teased playfully.

''Well for that bhrata, your wish would be granted very soon. From now on we would sleep on horseback. Once we are in the forest there would be no stopping until we reach the village.''

''Not even for a loobreak?''The younger brother feigned terror.
The older youth laughed.''Don't be ridiculous'' and slapped his head affectionately.

Still there was no boat in sight. The taller, very fair and muscular youth paced restlessly on the bank.This was going very boring.

He wondered how his brother could wait for eternity unperturbed. Nothing in the world could blot that calm amiability out of his face. He was still stroking his horse's mane. Suddenly an idea struck him.

Ah may be there was a fine way to get rid of this idleness. May be pulling his innocent, too trusting brother's leg would entertain him sufficiently if he could play it right.He marched back to his brother and stood another side of the horse and leaned on its back.

''Jyesht! This horse brother has bewitched you from 1st sight.Do you really think your horse could support you ably in this fight?''

The elder brother as expected did not see where it was coming from nor where it would lead. His shapely brows jutted in a knot.

''Why do you doubt his ability ?''

''Well, brother ! I was there with you too in that meeting with the foreign horse traders . The bandleader were not that keen to sell this horse to you. They said it was ill for long time and survived miracly. He sold it only after you stubbornly persisted.''

''There was nothing miracle in his survival, Bhrata! It was wounded. It got proper treatment and got well again. What was unnatural it that ?''
.
"You are right Jyesth. Nothing was wonderful in that.'' The younger brother eagerly agreed and checking on his brother's guileless face from the corner of his eyes, he bit his lips and went on.

''...although I would not say the same thing about the person who nursed it back to life. Infact if I remember well, it was that young trader's fanciful tale that made you more interested in this horse.'' The elder brother's ears turned unnaturally warm although there was no visible agitation in his face. He forced his eyes forward and replied in a calm baritone," I dont understand what fanciful tale you are referring to."

''Oh its that fairytale i remember most of that day, brother.'' The younger brother was too eager to fill in. He could see visible signs of restless embarrassment on the features of his almost saintly elder brother. Others would never see those telltale signs what he could see. And he could see him almost fidgeting.

''The story of that unbelievably beautiful and kind princess of some distant land who tended the horse with her own hands. My my ! didnt she sound mysterious and romantic ? The traders seemed to be quite smitten by her charm !

Ah ha he was getting warmer inside.He just swallowed nervously.

''They deemed her the goddess of mountains. The young man who was in charge of it's nursing swore that it was her magic touch that protected horse. She would protect its rider too from any harm. Jyesht ! how come you have forgotten everything now. You are listening everything with rapt attention.''

The elder brother nearly jumped at his brother's abrupt interrogation. And he was not even finished.

''I remember you asking her name and her country. Blessed be the country who has such a compassionate princess to look after her people was what you exactly said after listening everything. Why, you even call the horse by the same name you heard the princess gave to it. That's why you call it Abhra. It reminds you of her. Is it not, Brother ?''

The elder brother stopped in his tracks. he then realised that he had been played on quite efficiently by his impish younger sibling
Bhratah! He could now see his eyes shining in merriment.

'' I know you since my birth, Jyesth. We are inseparable. You cannot hide anything from me. I never saw you so impressed with someone, a woman to be more particular. It shone in your eyes, Bhratoh ! and in your extreme attachment with the horse. And with that piece of tattered uttariya that you found tied on its knee. I have seen you studing it with rapt attention as if it would talk to you if you gaze harder. You do that often when you think no one is around.''

Walking close to him, the younger brother touched his shoulder and gently asked, "Do you fancy the princess, brother? Do you believe, that this horse wold lead you to her one day?''

The darker, athletic, chiseled featured youth looked like struck by lightning. For one long moment he just looked at his brother wide eyed,mouth opening and closing alternately. The brother was plain fighting the urge of guffawing loud.

When however he found his voice again to retort back he heard another voice ordering him to look for the boat. A much older large man was sitting in padmasana under the large shady banyan tree. Although much aged than these youths he looked extraordinary fit and energetic. His body was a rare assimilation of an ascetic and a warrior. Although he had a sage like appearance, his temper and determination was legendary.

The darker young man immediately obeyed and going almost knee deep in water he stretched his eyes. He was naturally gifted with extraordinary eyesight that would let him see things beyond the sight of normal people. A boat was indeed seen sailing towards them.

''Enough of banter ,Bhrata. Time has come to make your ancestors proud.''

The brother looked at his elder's face radiating calm determination and nodded subtly. His face likewise steeled in resolve.

The boat had reached near riverbank.

"Ho princes of Koshala ! Make haste !", the boatman called.

The sage came out of shade and stood with them. Together they embarked on that boat that sailed towards the dark shadowy unknown.

********

The pilgrims stood aghast at the sight that welcomed them. It looked like the whole village was hit by cyclone. There were wreckage everywhere.

The roofs of the huts were torched, the granary was reduced to pile of ashes, dirts were heaped upon the sacred square alters of fire, tulsi plants were uprooted and drenched with animal blood. It was supposed to be the peaceful sanctuary of learned men. It was a picture of absolute horror. destruction was done deliberately to instill fear among inhabitants.

The sisters huddled together, they seemed petrified in the face of such barbaric atrocity. Kusadwajh immediately commanded the army to form Lotus formation around the princesses while he approached the ruin for actual information.

A senior scholar brahmachari was instructing a group of villagers who were still able to put down remaining fire and dig out ashes to see if some of the valuable manuscripts were still intact. As he saw Kushadhwaj approaching, he folded hands in greeting.

Uddath, the brahmachari was angry and grieving at the same time. Everything perished in front of his own eyes.

''This was all the works of that she-demon Tadaka and her army. They were disturbing us since long. This time his sons went berserk and attacked us on the middle of the grand vedic ritual jagnya which we were holding in honor of brahmarshi Vishwamitra.''

''Didnt you all tried stopping them ?''

'' We did. But 1st ly we are not equipped enough to stop those beastial men, 2ndly we cannot touch arms after accepting the ritual vow (sankalp). Even the mighty sage who was a terrifying warrior in his earlier days could not do anything. He had renounced weapons for good.We had no other way but to flee. Maharshi showed us a safe hideout and he left in a hurry. Since them we are living like a bundle of terrified mass.We are told he went to seek help from kings and would come back with able warriors. Narayana only knows when he would return.''

Kushdhwajh murmured regrets for the ordeal the hermits had to go through. He decided to go back to palace with royal maidens and return with a larger army.

But Seeta had already made up her mind.

''But Tatshree, we should go to that village. We had come here to serve the sage not for a pleasure trip. How can we go back now when people are actually in need of reassurance. What better could be the way of serving a great Brahmarishi than taking care of his wounded and frightened disciples in his absence.''

Kushdhwajh couldnot decide what to make of this strange request. on one hand he couldnot compromise the princesses' safety, on the other he couldnot Sita's refute logical response.
''We have armed warriors,there presence alone would assure the frightened poor souls. Our attendants could take care of the sick, our maids would help us make tasty foods to cheer them up.''

Seeta's large eyes glimmered in noble hopes.

Narayan bless her dedication for humanity, her magnanimous heart !

Seeing her uncle still hesitant, she approached the brahmachari.
''Noble Uddath! Take us to that secret passageway and lead us to the hideout. I, daughter of Rajrishi Janak, have decided to help these suffering people and I would not back out.

Eyeing her hesitant sisters, she added emphatically, ''My sisters can return home with you,uncle. But I cant go back to palace now. I shall wait for your return and help these people till the great sage returns with the warriors.''

[ To be continued...]

Edited by milinda.shreyz - 9 years ago

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#79

Originally posted by: sugunmanas
thank u baad mein bolna yar phelae update toh karo😃
Shreya next update aaj dedena yaar 😆

Dediya. Ab padh ley and write a nice review for me😃

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sugunmanas

@lifeiscrazy

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 9 years ago

#80

nice write up Shreya 😃
Loved Sita's charecter to the core😳
Loved the converstion between brothers.
''...although I would not say the same thing about the person who nursed it back to life. Infact if I remember well, it was that young trader's fanciful tale that made you more interested in this horse.'' The elder brother's ears turned unnaturally warm although there was no visible agitation in his face. He forced his eyes forward and replied in a calm baritone," I dont understand what fanciful tale you are referring to."😳😳😳

''Oh its that fairytale i remember most of that day, brother.'' The younger brother was too eager to fill in. He could see visible signs of restless embarrassment on the features of his almost saintly elder brother. Others would never see those telltale signs what he could see. And he could see him almost fidgeting

Loved these lines from the update 😃
I felt like you keenly observed the locations used in the show and depicting them perfectly👏👏
Loved the way you described the destruction in the ashram

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SKR ff : The Season of Oleander Blossoms ch4 pg13 - Page 8

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