"So, when do start?"
Druv shifted uncomfortably in his seat. A request from the King's mistress is not a request at all. It is a royal command. He had never trained women. He didn't even know how. He quickly wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and scratched his balding head. The waistband felt too tight on his pot belly.
"Damini, give him a glass of water.", Payal ordered.
Druv accepted the glass and drowned its contents in one gulp. He took a moment to steady himself.
"Well then, can you answer me now? When do we start?"
"At the earliest, My Lady", sighed Druv.
"All right then, I shall see you tomorrow at dawn."
Druv bowed uncomfortably and took his leave. Payal smiled to herself. I will do all I can to be a fabulous archer. Prithvijit will surely... Her thoughts were interrupted by Damini. "Didi", she said. "A letter from the King". She placed the letter on her bed. "Didi, the runner was um..he was..wondering whether you have a reply to the previous.."
"Not yet, Damini", Payal cut her short. Her voice quivered with fresh onslaught of guilt that swept through her. She needed every possible effort to keep her voice still.
Once Damini had left the room, Payal picked up the letter. The royal seal glistened menacingly in the harsh rays of the sun that filtered into the room. Hesitantly, she opened it.
Payal my beloved,
We are winning, my love! Before long, victory shall be ours. I cannot lie to you. I must confess that I am not as happy as I should be. I am a coward. Yes, I admit it. How can I be happy? I have lost so many who are close to my heart. I shudder at the thought of facing their heartbroken families. I wish this war never started in the first place. Sometimes, I have a great urge to run away. Just abandon everything and leave. I will go to a simple village and lead a simple life. But alas, I will never hold you again.
The land are ruined, razed to the ground. Sometimes, when I venture out, I see the people of this land. The terror in their eyes and the curses on their lips give me nightmares. There is no victor to them, we are all barbarians who condemned them to an inhuman fate. My senses have grown numb from what I witness every day. I wonder if life will ever be the same again. Will I ever be able to shower you with love in the carefree way I used to? Will I even be able to feel the love that you give me? I know not.
Why didn't you reply to my previous letter? Is everything alright? I know, you are angry because I am away for so long. I am so sorry, my angel. I promise you, when I come back I will make up for lost time. Please have mercy on me...
Tears blinded her, making it impossible to go on. 'What is the matter with me?', she thought. 'I will send a message to Druv and cancel my training'.
Druv shifted uncomfortably in his seat. A request from the King's mistress is not a request at all. It is a royal command. He had never trained women. He didn't even know how. He quickly wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and scratched his balding head. The waistband felt too tight on his pot belly.
"Damini, give him a glass of water.", Payal ordered.
Druv accepted the glass and drowned its contents in one gulp. He took a moment to steady himself.
"Well then, can you answer me now? When do we start?"
"At the earliest, My Lady", sighed Druv.
"All right then, I shall see you tomorrow at dawn."
Druv bowed uncomfortably and took his leave. Payal smiled to herself. I will do all I can to be a fabulous archer. Prithvijit will surely... Her thoughts were interrupted by Damini. "Didi", she said. "A letter from the King". She placed the letter on her bed. "Didi, the runner was um..he was..wondering whether you have a reply to the previous.."
"Not yet, Damini", Payal cut her short. Her voice quivered with fresh onslaught of guilt that swept through her. She needed every possible effort to keep her voice still.
Once Damini had left the room, Payal picked up the letter. The royal seal glistened menacingly in the harsh rays of the sun that filtered into the room. Hesitantly, she opened it.
Payal my beloved,
We are winning, my love! Before long, victory shall be ours. I cannot lie to you. I must confess that I am not as happy as I should be. I am a coward. Yes, I admit it. How can I be happy? I have lost so many who are close to my heart. I shudder at the thought of facing their heartbroken families. I wish this war never started in the first place. Sometimes, I have a great urge to run away. Just abandon everything and leave. I will go to a simple village and lead a simple life. But alas, I will never hold you again.
The land are ruined, razed to the ground. Sometimes, when I venture out, I see the people of this land. The terror in their eyes and the curses on their lips give me nightmares. There is no victor to them, we are all barbarians who condemned them to an inhuman fate. My senses have grown numb from what I witness every day. I wonder if life will ever be the same again. Will I ever be able to shower you with love in the carefree way I used to? Will I even be able to feel the love that you give me? I know not.
Why didn't you reply to my previous letter? Is everything alright? I know, you are angry because I am away for so long. I am so sorry, my angel. I promise you, when I come back I will make up for lost time. Please have mercy on me...
Tears blinded her, making it impossible to go on. 'What is the matter with me?', she thought. 'I will send a message to Druv and cancel my training'.
